Courtauld Institute of Art

Courtauld Institute of Art

is a self-governing college of the University of London specialising in the study of the history of art. The Courtauld is one of the premier centres for the teaching of art history in the world; it was the only History of Art department in the UK to be awarded a top 5* grade in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise, and was ranked second nationally for History of Art in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise and ranked first nationally for History and History of Art in the Guardian's 2011 University Guide

It was founded in 1932 through the philanthropic efforts of the industrialist and art collector Samuel Courtauld, the diplomat and collector Lord Lee of Fareham, and the art historian Sir Robert Witt. Originally the Courtauld Institute was based in Home House, a Robert Adam-designed townhouse in Portman Square, London. Since 1989, it has been based in the North wing of Somerset House. The Courtauld celebrated its 75th anniversary during the 2007-8 academic year.
The art collection at the Institute was begun by its founder, Samuel Courtauld, who presented an extensive collection of mainly French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings in 1932, which was enhanced by further gifts in the 1930s and a bequest in 1948. His collection included such masterworks as Manet's A Bar at the Folies-Bergère and a version of his Déjeuner sur l'Herbe, Renoir's La Loge, landscapes by Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro, a ballet scene by Edgar Degas and a group of eight major works by Cézanne. Other paintings include van Gogh's Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear and Peach Blossoms in the Crau,
Gauguin's Nevermore and Te Rerioa, as well as important works by Seurat, Henri "Douanier" Rousseau, Toulouse-Lautrec and Modigliani. In total, the Gallery contains some 530 paintings and over 26,000 drawings and prints.

Following the death of the eminent art critic Roger Fry in 1934, the Institute received his collection of 20th-century art. Further bequests were added after the Second World War, most notably the collection of Old Master paintings assembled by Lord Lee. This included Cranach's Adam and Eve and a sketch in oils by Peter Paul Rubens for what is arguably his masterpiece, the Deposition altarpiece in Antwerp Cathedral. Sir Robert Witt was also an outstanding benefactor to the Courtauld and bequeathed his important collection of Old Master and British drawings in 1952. In 1966 Mark Gambier-Parry bequeathed the diverse collection of art formed by his grandfather, Thomas Gambier Parry, which ranged from Early Italian Renaissance painting to majolica, medieval enamel and ivory carvings and other unusual art forms. Soon after (in 1967), the bequest of Dr. William Wycliffe Spooner (1882–1967) and his wife Mercie, added strength to the Gallery's collection of English watercolors by contributing works by J.R. Cozens and Francis Towne

Kyeong-Wha Station, Jinhae

Kyeong-Wha Station, Jinhae


was the site of crowded visited tourist and photographer the time of spring . rain flowers cherry down on a railway track will be highly noticeable . around station kyeong wha itself also many flowers cherry scatter to approaching streamlet yeojwa . if you want to photos to the background of cherry flowers , here a pretty good .

Spring has finally sprung in Korea, and there have been cherry blossom trees every which way you look. The gang and I busted out of Gwangju for a couple day trips a few weeks ago, and I wanted to share my favorite photos.

First was Jinhae, a district in Changwon City, on the southeastern edge of Korea. This area has become famous for hosting the largest cherry blossom festival every year, where apparently over 2 million tourists come to take in the sites. Kyeong-Wha Train Station was one of the places I wanted to go the most, as the tracks are lined with cherry blossom trees on either side, and the wind from trains rushing by creates a storm of cherry blossom petals.  Dreams of swirling in a cherry blossom tornado amongst pixies danced inside my head.

Gwangan Bridge

Gwangan Bridge

The Gwangan Bridge is a suspension bridge located in Busan, South Korea. It connects Haeundae-gu to Suyeong-gu. The road surface is about 6,500 meters long, with the bridge as a whole spanning 7,420 meters. It is the second longest bridge in the country after the Incheon Bridge.

Construction began in 1994 and concluded in December 2002, with a total cost of 789.9 billion won.[1] The bridge opened temporarily in September and October 2002 for the 2002 Asian Games. However, it was not officially opened until January, 2003


Kwang-an Bridge is the longest bridge in South Korea located in Busan. Constructed in 2002, this suspension-bridge has a double-deck superstructure with four driving lanes for each direction. The total bridge length is 7240 metres.

The bridge is known as the Diamond Bridge and connects Suyeong-gu and Haeundae-gu offering astonishing view of mountains, sandy beaches, hills and city lights. This bridge also has a lighting system that allows an exterior lighting of over 100,000 colors.

Seongsan Ilchulbong

Seongsan Ilchulbong, also called ‘Sunrise Peak’, is an archetypal tuff cone formed by hydrovolcanic eruptions upon a shallow seabed about 5 thousand years ago. Situated on the eastern seaboard of Jeju Island and said to resemble a gigantic ancient castle, this tuff cone is 182 meters high, has a preserved bowl-like crater and also displays diverse inner structures resulting from the sea cliff. These features are considered to be of geologic worth, providing information on eruptive and depositional processes of hydromagmatic volcanoes worldwide as well as past volcanic activity of Seongsan Ilchulbong itself.

Jeju Island's Seongsan Sunrise Peak ranked No. 1 on a list of "50 beautiful places to visit in Korea" by CNNGo, the 24-hour news channel's Asian culture website.

According to the Jeju provincial government, the list also includes the Seopjikoji promontory, Udo Island, Hyeopjae Beach and Mt. Halla.

"A UNESCO world heritage site, the [Seongsan Sunrise] peak is famous for many things, including numerous rare plant species, but is best known for the magnificent sight of the sun rising over it", the website said. "The scenery of Seopjikoji has also been captured by several Korean films and dramas", while on Udo Island, "visitors can hike on Olle road, or opt for a scooter ride along the shore, a submarine excursion or sea fishing".

It also described Hyeopjae Beach as "perfect for families with its shallow water, nearby amenities, and camping in the pine forest surrounding" it. The "fairytale sight of snowflakes and icicles covering tree branches on Mt. Halla was the inspiration for the Halla Snow Festival that is held in late January/early February every year", CNNGo added.

Jeju hopes the inclusion will further boost the number of foreign visitors to the island after it was chosen among the New 7 Wonders of Nature in November last year.

TANZANIA - NGORONGORO CRATER CONSERVATION AREA

TANZANIA - NGORONGORO CRATER CONSERVATION AREA


The Ngorongoro Crater is a natural amphitheatre created about 2 million years ago when the cone of a volcano collapsed into itself, leaving a 100 square mile (259km²) caldron-like cavity. This caldera, protected by a circular unbroken 2,000-foot high rim (610-metres), contains everything necessary for Africa's wildlife to exist and thrive.

Ngorongoro is on Tanzania's 'northern safari circuit', and receives a good number of visitors who stay in lodges around the crater. Game viewing vehicles descend the steep crater wall every morning and spend the day on grass plains that are teeming with animals. However, the dark of night belongs to the animals, and all vehicles must leave the crater floor by sunset.

Early man also flourished around here at Olduvai Gorge, not far from the Ngorongoro Crater. This is known because in 1960, Mary Leakey discovered a 1.75 million-year-old Homo habilis (nicknamed 'The Handyman' for his tool making skills), who represents mans first step on the ladder of human evolution.

The Maasai are the current human inhabitants and are at liberty to live within the sprawling 2,500 square mile (6,480km²) conservation area around the crater. The Maasai never cultivate land as they consider it demeaning. Instead they graze cattle, which hold a god-like status in Maasai culture, and in return the cows provide almost everything necessary to live; meat, skin, milk, dung for the walls and floor of their huts,
    Hyena

and warm blood extracted from the neck of a live cow and mixed with milk as an iron rich food.

ANIMALS AND BIRDS

The 'lost world' of Ngorongoro was home to pigs the size of a hippopotamus, sheep-like beasts with 6-foot (3 metre) horns and three-toed horses. Nowadays is inhabited by about 30,000 animals, of which half are zebra and wildebeest. This is the perfect situation for predators and spotted hyenas and lions lord over this domain. There are also some leopards, cheetahs and three species of jackals. Tanzania's few remaining black rhino are regularly sighted in the crater, as are large herds of buffalo.

In the lake on the crater floor and in the Ngoitokitok swamps, reside plenty of hippos who remain partially submerged during the day and graze on grass at night.

Although the area sustains a huge variety of species, not all live down in the crater. Some are better adapted to roaming the extensive conservation area surrounding the caldera.

Elephant herds are noticeably absent from the crater floor because the cows and calves tend to prefer the forested highlands. They sometimes appear at the crater rim but only rarely venture down into the grasslands. Only mature bull elephants roam the crater floor carrying around some massive tusks. Also absent from the crater are impala, topi and oryx who reside more on the eastern Serengeti plains, but Grant's and Thompson's gazelles appear in the crater in good numbers. Giraffes are also missing from the crater as they favour the umbrella acacia and wait-a-bit thorn trees found higher up.

The Virunga Mountains in the DRC/Rwanda/Uganda borders

The Virunga Mountains are a chain of volcanoes in East Africa, along the northern border of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The mountain range is a branch of the Albertine Rift Mountains, which border the western branch of the East African Rift. They are located between Lake Edward and Lake Kivu. The name "Virunga" is an English version of the Kinyarwanda word ibirunga, which means "mountains".

The mountain range consists of eight major volcanoes. Most of them are dormant, except Mount Nyiragongo 3,462 metres (11,358 ft) and Mount Nyamuragira 3,063 metres (10,049 ft), both in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Recent eruptions occurred in 2006, and in January, 2010. Mount Karisimbi at 4,507 metres (14,787 ft), is the highest volcano. The oldest mountain is Mount Sabyinyo which rises 3,634 metres (11,923 ft), above sea level.

The Virunga Mountains are home of the critically endangered mountain gorilla, listed on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species due to habitat loss, poaching, disease, and war (Butynski et al. 2003). The Karisoke Research Center, founded by Dian Fossey to observe gorillas in their native habitat, is located between Mount Karisimbi and Mount Bisoke.

Wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara and Serengeti

The largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet and one of the most breathtaking events in the animal kingdom, The Great Migration involves millions of ungulates, most notably wildebeest, as they follow an annual circular route around the Serengeti Ecosystem in an endless quest for fresh pastures and water. The rumbling hooves of wildebeest and the clouds of red dust they leave behind have become a symbol of the Serengeti, as well as a strong migratory instinct that defies crocodile-infested rivers, wild currents, and flocks of predators lying in wait.

A 500km round trip from the Southern Serengeti to the northern edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve, the Great Migration is probably Africa's greatest wildlife spectacle and one of the World's most exceptional natural phenomena.

The vertiginous immensity of the event is overwhelming, numbers so large that they are hard to visualize. Migrants include 1,300,000 Wildebeest, 360,000 Thomson's Gazelle, 191,000 Zebra, and 12,000 Eland.

They join the anyway-large resident populations of herbivores, that feature 95,000 Topi, 76,000 Impala, 46,000 African Buffalo, 26,000 Grant's Gazelle, 14,000 Kongoni, 9,000 Giraffe, 6,000 Warthog, 2,000 Waterbuck, and 2,000 Elephant.

And then, adding pathos and drama to the already extraordinary spectacle, a hungry constellation of predators -most notably lions and hyenas- follow the herbivores all along their clockwise migratory route.

Lions and hyenas are not the only meat-eaters, though, as cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, and jackals, as well as every scavenger of the area, wait impatiently for their share of the banquet.

The Great Migration is a relatively recent phenomenon, dating back to the early 1960s. In the late 19th century a rinderpest epidemic eliminated over 90% of the wildebeest and cattle in the region. To prevent a further spreading of the disease, cattle was inoculated by veterinarians, and the disease soon disappeared from the area. As a result, the wildebeest population boomed in the 60´s and 70´s, from 260,000 to the 1.4 million individuals that currently inhabit the Serengeti ecosystem.

The growing herds were thus forced to migrate in their search for water and grazing grassland, starting the circular migratory route. The first seasonal treks were probably observed -and documented- in the 60s by Dr. Grzimek, who first described a definite pattern in the migratory moves.

In spite of the exceptionality and sheer beauty of the event, not everybody sees it with sympathy. The Maasai, for example, must rear their livestock in competition with the migrant herbivores, which they regard as transmitters of diseases and guilty of poisoning the rivers with their foetal sacs.

If you're planning a photographic safari to anywhere in the Serengeti ecosystem, make sure you coincide with the wildebeest migration. If your schedule imposes travelling during the late July - September period, consider the Masai Mara National Reserve, where most of the wildlife is to be found. In any case, make the impossible to be in the right place at the right time for meeting the wildebeest and their co-migrant companions and foes.

Fish River Canyon

Fish River Canyon


The Fish River Canyon, in Namibia, is reputed to be the second largest canyon in the world, only being surpassed by the Grand Canyon. It is approximately 180kms long and stretches south from Seeheim down to the Orange river which forms the border between Namibia and South Africa. The Fish River Hiking Trail follows 85km of the canyon. This unguided, camping hike, starts from the main view point near Hobas, and ends at Ai-Ais Hot Springs Spa.

Hiking The Fish River Canyon is an amazing experience, however it should not be attempted by inexperienced hikers as the area is very rugged. Please note:

    Once you are in the canyon it is impossible to get out - and in the case of a serious emergency, hikers have to be airlifted out of the canyon. This is one of the reasons why hikers must present a recent medical certificate of fitness no older than 40 days and complete an indemnity form, prior to commencing the trail.
    Hikers are required to be entirely self-sufficient on this hike, and a medical kit is also recommended.
    Water is normally available in the canyon, but purification tablets are recommended.
    A minimum 3 people is required to book the Fish River Hike - if there are only 1 or 2 of you wanting to complete the hike, you should consider joining the guided Fish River Hiking Trail. (This guided hike is also an excellent option for less experienced hikers - as the equipment needed to complete the hike is included and the services of an experienced guide make the hike a more enjoyable experience.)
    The walk is approximately 85km long, and usually takes between 4-5 days to complete.
    A decent level of fitness is essential.
    You will have to carry your own equipment every day, including food and water (all together approximately 12–15 kg per person.)
    The park is open for these trails from May 1 to September 15 each year.
    A maximum of 30 persons per day are allowed into the canyon for hiking.
    Children under the age of 12 are not permitted.
    Demand is high, so reservations should be made well in advance.
    No facilities are available and hikers sleep outdoors for the entire trip.
    Foot care is important, before, during and after the hike

The Descent:

It is recommended to arrive at Hobas early enough to do the descent on the first afternoon of the trail, as the trail starts from the view point about 12kms from the campsite at Hobas. The steep descent into the Fish River Canyon takes between 1-2hrs and most consider this to be the most strenuous section of the trail. At the bottom of the descent, there is a large sandbank that makes an ideal campsite for the first night of the trail.

From Hobas to Palm Springs:

This section of the trail should take 2 days to complete, (that's if you are expecting to complete the Fish River Hike in 5 days.) The terrain is rugged, and marked by large boulders and rock pools, so allow for plenty of time to negotiate the obstacles. Palm Springs is the site of thermal sulphur pools, the perfect venue to rejuvenate those tired and aching muscles. Date palms grow around the spring, which give rise to the place name.

Palm Springs to the Causeway:

After breakfast there is a climb up a hill, with beautiful views of a rock formation consisting of four thick pinnacles, known as the 'Four Finger Rock,' from the top. Another highlight along the trail is the 'Von Trotha's Grave.' Second Lieutenant Thilo von Trotha, a nephew of the well-known Lieutenant General Lothar von Trotha, died here in 1905 during a confrontation between German soldiers and native Nama's. As a reliable source of water, the Fish River has always been considered as an oasis of life, so watch out for the many mammals, reptiles, plants and insects along the way.

The Causeway to Ai-Ais

This last part of the trail takes about 4 / 5hrs. The canyon is much wider and the hiking is easier - the thought of a cold beer and a dip in the hot springs at Ai-Ais, should be all the motivation needed to see you home!

Sossusvlei and Namib Desert: Namibia

Sossusvlei's rich orange sea of sand dunes is one of the most astounding sights in the world. They are the highest sand dunes in the world.


The feminine curves and angular crests rise tantalizingly to almost 1,000 feet (305metres) - much higher than their nearest rivals in Arabia. They just beg to be climbed barefoot and the sheer size and immensity of the dunes dwarf your footprints. The older the dune, the brighter the color from slow iron oxidization and a zillion minute fragments of garnets. These dunes range from burnt orange through blood red to deepest mauve, and geologists say that this supreme desert could be the oldest in the world. In the Nama language, 'Namib' means 'vast', and the Namib Naukluft Park lives up to this reputation.

It extends for about 300 miles (480km) along Namibia's coast and reaches deep inland. Contrary to appearances, an amazing variety of wildlife has adapted to live in this inhospitable place. There are lizards who only put two feet down at a time and a beetle who leans forward to make droplets of dew run down grooves in its body to its mouth. Apart from infrequent rains, these creatures rely on a regular sea mist that rolls far inland.

Visiting this remote region takes some perseverance, as it is almost 200 miles (320km) from any main high road, so a fly-in safari is a good option. The trip is worth it as the solitude is immeasurable, and your place in the great scheme of life takes on a new perspective. The desert night sky is just awesome and you are guaranteed to see shooting stars every few minutes and satellites tracking a path across the heavens. Some lodges even have rooftop stargazing platforms for a night under the stars.
Safari Lodges of Sossusvlei & The Namib Desert

    Kulala Desert Lodge
    Kulala Tented Camp
    Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp
    Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge
    Wolwedans Dunes Lodge

Climate

The Namib desert has low rainfall and high evaporation and is classified as 'hyper-arid'. It is responsive to even small amounts of rain and a few millimetres can produce a miracle. Fields of beautiful yellow flowers on a carpet of green leaves suddenly appear, but are accompanied by 'little devils' - prickly thorns. Dry tufts of perennial grasses produce new shoots and ephemeral (short-lived) plants appear as if by magic and all replenish the seed bed. The daytime temperatures remain fairly constant throughout the year, averaging 30°C (86°F).
Summer:

Rain is erratic and unpredictable but is expected in late summer from February to April. There can also be early showers in December and January. Over a ten year record there was an average of 63 mm of rain per year, most of it falling in December, March and April. Temperatures and evaporation are high, and only at times of considerable rainfall do the pans fill with water to create an astonishing desert oasis.
Winter:

Winter days are bright, clear and warm averaging 25°C (77°F), but the night temperatures fall dramatically and can drop below freezing. The coldest months are June, July and August.

Valley of the Kings – Egypt

Valley of the Kings – Egypt

The Theban Hills are dominated by the peak of al-Qurn, known to the Ancient Egyptians as ta dehent, or 'The Peak'.It has a pyramid shaped appearance, and it is probable that this echoed the pyramids of the Old Kingdom, more than a thousand years prior to the first royal burials carved here.Its isolated position also resulted in reduced access, and special tomb police (the Medjay) were able to guard the necropolis.

While the iconic pyramid complexes of the Giza plateau have come to symbolize ancient Egypt, the majority of tombs were cut into rock. Most pyramids and mastabas contain sections which are cut into ground level, and there are full rock-cut tombs in Egypt that date back to the Old Kingdom.

After the defeat of the Hyksos and the reunification of Egypt under Ahmose I, the Theban rulers began to construct elaborate tombs that would reflect their newfound power

The Valley of the Kings in Egypt is so called because for a period of about 500 years between the 16th and 11th centuries BC, it was the place where tombs for kings and other nobles were constructed.

The valley of the Kings is found near Luxor, on the west bank of river Nile and is known to contain 63 such tombs. Most of the tombs contained priceless Egyptian antiquities, some of which have unfortunately been stolen over a period of time. The valley became famous after the discovery in 1922 of the intact tomb of Tutankhamun and is today one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world.


Minor tombs in the Valley of the Kings

The majority of the 65 numbered tombs in the Valley of the Kings can be considered as being minor tombs, either because at present they have yielded little information or because the results of their investigation was only poorly recorded by their explorers, while some have received very little attention or were only cursorily noted. Most of these tombs are small, often only consisting of a single burial chamber accessed by means of a shaft or a staircase with a corridor or a series of corridors leading to the chamber, but some are larger, multiple chambered tombs. These minor tombs served various purposes: some were intended for burials of lesser royalty or for private burials, some contained animal burials and others apparently never received a primary burial. In many cases these tombs also served secondary functions and later intrusive material has been found related to these secondary activities. While some of these tombs have been open since antiquity, the majority were discovered in the 19th and early 20th centuries during the height of exploration in the valley.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro, with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, is a dormant volcano in Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania and the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 metres or 19,341 feet above sea level (the Uhuru Peak/Kibo Peak)
It is unknown where the name Kilimanjaro originates, but a number of theories exist. European explorers had adopted the name by 1860 and reported that it was its Swahili name, with Kilimanjaro breaking into Kilima (Swahili for "hill, little mountain") and Njaro whose supposed origin varies according to the theories—according to some it is an ancient Swahili word for white or for shining, or for the non-Swahili origin, a word from the Kichagga language, the word jaro meaning "caravan". The problem with all these is that they cannot explain why the diminutive kilima is used instead of the proper word for mountain, mlima. The name might be a local joke, referring to the "little hill of the Njaro" being the biggest mountain on the African continent, since this is a nearby town, and guides recount that it is the Hill of the Njaro people

At 19340 ft, Kili – as Mt. Kilimanjaro is popularly known – is the highest mountain in Africa. Kili is also the world’s tallest free-standing mountain. Fortunately, its highest point, Uhuru peak, is easily accessible to anyone of moderate fitness level.

The experience of being on top of Africa is, to say the least, exhilarating. The scenery at the peak is breathtaking, with the huge glaciers forming a white heaven. Add to this the fact that the region around Kilimanjaro is home to some of Africa’s premier wildlife parks and reserves, and you can see why a visit to Kilimanjaro is indeed an African must-do.

Flora and fauna
The mountain is rich in flora and fauna. You get to see the various climatic conditions starting from the bushland on the bottom of the mountain to the arctic ice region on top of the mountain. You have the tropical rain forests, the evergreen forests, the moorlands and the alpine desert regions in between. It is something like walking from the equator to the arctic pole in a matter of days. you get to see some unique plants and flowers on the mountain which is specific to Mt Kilimanjaro. Though there is not much of wildlife on the mountain, you can see some wild buffaloes, elephants and leopards while traversing through the Lemosho Route. You are accompanied by armed rangers in the initial day of the trek while going via the Lemosho route.

Abu Simbel in Egypt

Abu Simbel in Egypt

The two temples at Abu Simbel Egypt are best known for two reasons: their dazzling magnificence, and their historic relocation from their original cliff. These monumental temples were originally carved out of a sandstone cliff near River Nile over three millenniums ago, during the reign of the great Pharaoh – Ramesses II. The temples were dedicated to the Egyptian gods and to Pharaoh Ramesses II.

Recently, in the 1960s, when the Egyptian government was constructing the Aswan High dam, the temples faced the danger of being submerged under the resultant Lake Nasser. The Egyptian government sought the assistance of UNESCO and the international community to help salvage and relocate the temples to an artificial mountain. The relocation entailed dismantling the two temples then reassembling them in exactly the same form and relationship to each other and to the sun. In their new location, the temples are surrounded by an artificial mountain. A photo exhibition of this historic relocation can be seen at the dome at Abu Simbel.

How to get there: Africapoint has packaged some great Egypt holidays, many of which include trips to Abu Simbel.

The Great Temple

The Great Temple at Abu Simbel, which took about twenty years to build, was completed around year 24 of the reign of Ramesses the Great (which corresponds to 1265 BCE). It was dedicated to the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah, as well as to the deified Rameses himself. It is generally considered the grandest and most beautiful of the temples commissioned during the reign of Rameses II, and one of the most beautiful in Egypt.

Four colossal 20 meter statues of the pharaoh with the double Atef crown of Upper and Lower Egypt decorate the facade of the temple, which is 35 meters wide and is topped by a frieze with 22 baboons, worshippers of the sun and flank the entrance.The colossal statues were sculptured directly from the rock in which the temple was located before it was moved. All statues represent Ramesses II, seated on a throne and wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. The statue to the left of the entrance was damaged in an earthquake, leaving only the lower part of the statue still intact. The head and torso can still be seen at the statue's feet.

Next to the legs of the colossi, there are other statues no higher than the knees of the pharaoh.These depict Nefertari, Ramesses's chief wife, and queen mother Mut-Tuy, his first two sons Amun-her-khepeshef, Ramesses, and his first six daughters Bintanath, Baketmut, Nefertari, Meritamen, Nebettawy and Isetnofret.

It is necessary to enjoy in Switzerland

Switzerland is become to me a most welcome to visit the places in the world. Now I admit, is not yet everywhere. But wherever I see it coming years will mesmerized by the daily worship. Switzerland has the Swiss Alps, skiing, lakes, hunting, fishing, boat routes, tourist attractions and more, and even has palm trees! What a different country!

The first Schilthorn and Piz Gloria. In the Schilthorn in the Swiss Alps is a mountain. In the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant on the mountain that was the site of James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret itself." To achieve this goal, the degree of 2970m on the sea for you to travel through the composite of the county, and a rope of the chariot. Cable cars and mountain gives the best panoramic view of the valley below. When the restaurant you can eat for lunch or dinner with the circuit and get a 360 degree spectacular views. You can be outside and onto the top edge of the mountain (which is actually quite scary, but well worth while.) From the top of this mountain can see the Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as Interlaken and Brienz lakes and Thunzersee below.

Second, the Jungfraujoch. This is adjacent to the Swiss to the top of Schilthorn. You start in the same county, to the Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn. With to a certain point, what Jungfrau Railway. Heads are in the Jungfrau in Switzerland, 3454m. Once at the top of the deck can visit the Observatory, where it is possible to stand outside or inside the glass walls and engage in the great outdoors. In a clear day it can be to Interlaken below! This is also the mountain of ice from the roof of hosts to the palace, where all of the ice, he possesses walkways and walls. Various ice sculptures abound and can be your picture with them! A tourist area hosts a few restaurants and a gift shop as well. Is the true face of the one I saw on the summit of the mountain. This is in pieces, and the price will not forget the help!

3.Wengen-PORCELAIN. This is where the mountains run down the sides of the waterfalls. It is beautiful. It is like no other place out once. You now in the open and become mesmerized in the moment. PORCELAIN Wengen and Lauterbrunnen Valley is a part, as by them to the Schilthorn. Trummelbach a great end in this area. You pay $ 10 to see the spectacular waterfalls inside the mountain! There are many things in this picnic I go, and to the floor, and landscape of this world!

The Interlaken. Interlaken is the final term in the top ten in the Berne Oberland region of Switzerland. This region is mostly German-speaking, so in one of the four hotspots, the first German. Interlaken is a valley below the mountains of the Swiss Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn. Interlaken is between two lakes, and Brienzersee Thunersee. In Interlaken, you will find many call thee to Hotel Hotel du Lac. Interlaken runs between Lake, from the east to the west. Train station is made in Switzerland and elsewhere in the east, you will come to you is the beginning of the hills, many predatory incursions. It is the food is. You will find authentic Swiss delicacies, such as fondue pots of flavors, cheese or meat. You will find Swiss watch shops, souvenir shops and places. Most of all you will find a small thing for my friend but not over a full meeting of the tourist, what is it's here.

Fifth, the Swiss National Park. This is in the eastern Swiss canton of Graubünden. The local language Romansch. Park is huge, and the virtues of the various species of animals and vegetable life. Common animals, golden eagles, bearded vultures, marmots, chamois and elk. One open to the public road is proposed to travel through the park's entrance, and more. Over 80 km of hiking trails will keep very busy hiking and exploring and watch animals in their natural environment! See more information about
The sixth tropical Alps. To believe and did not find palm trees here, Pavia is a 100-km stretch of the mountain between the Germanic north and the south Mediterranean (Italy). Italy and Ticino offers next to glaciers and palm trees. Culture is, in this variety, and not a little to them that it is known in Switzerland.
The Aletsch ice. This is a very long and wonderful ice in the Alps, 23 km long. It is easier to access, and is in the sight of a UNESCO World Heritage sight. The ice in the south west of Switzerland in the Aletsch region. You can be a two hour journey on the ice with a Betteralp leaders. Here are the Aletsch forest, houses Switzerland's oldest stone pines.

On the Lake Geneva region. This area is known to wine lovers and cyclists. Lake of Geneva, Switzerland, is a part of the south. Lake Geneva in the goes by "(Geneva, Switzerland) in Lausanne. In Lausanne, the Olympic Museum. In the Lake Geneva region is the principal language of the Franks, and get a taste of France with the SITUATION visiting the country. There are nine more connected with the roads for cyclists on the roads, 3300 km and bike paths. area is rich in culture, with many Museums and archaeological sites, such as the Castle of Chillon. many Roman ruins here.

9 Appenzellerland. This is the country house of Heidi! Bad Ragaz is between Lake Walen in northeastern Switzerland. You can all the hiking trails and the Council's fitness park in Switzerland. Great in this area is Swiss cheese, and cows, as you remember from Heidi. Cow of popular shows, and local people enjoy dressing up in traditional costumes. The Spa resort is located in Bad Ragaz.

10 huts. Do not forget the 2000 year old city rich in history. This is the center of Switzerland, with trendy case, international shops and the hustle and bustle of modern life. Buildings retain their historic appearance, despite the technological advances that await inside. There are many cool shops and restaurants in the Bahnhoffstrasse (the way). Night, the bars and a play and the roars and open, so that and is willing to offer their services in concert. As he was yet to walk, and you can see the rivers and lakes to swim WILDLIFE, avenging, and with many other places. A cold is an event for the boat journey by steamboat on the lake huts.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a United States National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site that straddles the ridgeline of the Great Smoky Mountains, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are a division of the larger Appalachian Mountain chain. The border between Tennessee and North Carolina runs northeast to southwest through the centerline of the park. It is the most visited national park in the United States.On its route from Maine to Georgia, the Appalachian Trail also passes through the center of the park. The park was chartered by the United States Congress in 1934 and officially dedicated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1940.It encompasses 522,419 acres (816.28 sq mi; 2,114.15 km2), making it one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States. The main park entrances are located along U.S. Highway 441 (Newfound Gap Road) at the towns of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina. It was the first national park whose land and other costs were paid for in part with federal funds; previous parks were funded wholly with state money or private funds.

Attractions and activities


The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a major tourist attraction in the region. Over 9 million tourists and 11 million non-recreational visitors traveled to the park in 2003, twice as many as visited any other national park. Surrounding towns, notably Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Townsend, Tennessee, and Cherokee, Sylva, Maggie Valley, and Bryson City, North Carolina receive a significant portion of their income from tourism associated with the park.

The two main visitors' centers inside the park are Sugarlands Visitors' Center near the Gatlinburg entrance to the park and Oconaluftee Visitors' Center near Cherokee, North Carolina at the eastern entrance to the park. These ranger stations provide exhibits on wildlife, geology, and the history of the park. They also sell books, maps, and souvenirs. Unlike most other national parks, there is no entry fee to the park
Cades Cove is the most visited part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park--and for good Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Cades Cades fawns are at home in the beauty of this green valley. reason. The idyllic setting of Cades Cove is a sampler of everything the Park has to offer the Smokies visitor. Interesting Tennessee cabins, cabin rentals, and other pioneer structures dot this cove and tell the history of its early inhabitants. Wildlife is abundant. More than a dozen hiking and horseback riding trails originate in Cades Cove. The Smoky Mountains, which tower above picturesque Cades Cove, serve as guardians to the Cove's serene beauty; and the splendor of color when Mother Nature empties her paint buckets on the Cove's hardwoods in the Fall is unmatched! Cades Cove is home to trout streams to tease the fly- fishing enthusiast and campgrounds are available for those who want to live in Cades Cove--even if only temporarily. In addition, Smoky Mountain cabin rentals found on this web site gives the opportunity for tourists to hark back to the former inhabitants of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Block Arcade, Melbourne

It is an offense to break the legacy of the central business district here in the ARCADE shopping, driving Victoria.Melbourne "Golden Mile heritage walk through the gallery.
Block was broken into - the Interior

The gallery is a 50-format, which links the south end of Collins Street to Elizabeth Street to the west. In the 50 'figure is converted to a "T junction in the north block of space, partly covered by a pedestrian laneway that leads to Little Collins Street, opposite the broken royal opening. In the autumn there was a porch to the well-known young Larrikin band called" barcade boys "who did all the medical and hired prostitutes for the night.

In the porch of a set up between 1891 and 1893 was designed by architect David C. Askew as brief was to do something similar to Victoria in the Galleria in Milan. The author was more richly adorned with the most interior spaces, filled with mosaic tile flooring, glass canopy, wrought iron and carved stone finishes. FRONT ROOM six in the outer facades office has almost the same, Collins and Elizabeth streets, and Australia is the best surviving examples of Victorian Mannerist style.

Once inside the gallery as "Carpenter's Lane", however precinct broadly as "block". When work ended, the local shopkeepers demanded successfully change the current name.

Arcade is considerably Victorian times and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. With the second principal to the Arcade, the Royal broken, and here's streets, the city is a tourist icon.

Forbidden City (China Beijing)

The Forbidden City (known officially as the Imperial Palace Museum) was commissioned by the third Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Yong Le. The palace was built between 1406 and 1420, but was burnt down, rebuilt, sacked and renovated countless times, so most of the architecture you can see today dates from the 1700"s and on wards.
The Forbidden City was the seat of Imperial power for 500 years, and is now a major tourist attraction in China. The total area of the complex is 183 acres, so it takes quite a while to walk through, especially if you want to have a close look at everything. All together there are 9,999 1/2 rooms in the Museum, not all of which can be visited.
To get in to the Forbidden City requires a 30 yuan ticket(45 yuan for a through ticket). Also you can have a headphone tour, in which Roger Moore"s voice will guide you through each of the main halls and attractions. If you don"t have a human tour guide, this is definitely the way to go. You can enter the Forbidden City through either of two gates; the front gate, which is inside the Tian"anmen Gate (not to be confused with Tian"anmen Square),or the west-facing Wumen Gate, which was originally where Imperial execution orders were carried out
Although many of the Forbidden City"s finest treasures wer taken away by the Nationalist armies as they fled to Taiwan, there are still quite a few impreeive relics left in the rooms of the palace. There is also a garden which features a grove of beautiful old cypress and pine trees, as well as the largest of the strange rock sculptures that are studded about the Palace grounds. If you go to see the Hal of Ancient Clocks (which has an authentic Chinese water clock!) you will have to purchase a pair of “Cultural Relic Protection Shoes,”(or CRaPS),which are ridiculous-looking florescent orange slipper things that you put on over your shoes.

Virginia town, Montana

Virginia town could be a city in and therefore the county seat of Madison County, Montana, u.  s.. In 1961, the city and therefore the surrounding space was designated a National Historic Landmark District, the Virginia town Historic District. The population was a hundred thirty at the 2000 census.

In 1863, the world was a part of the Dakota Territory till March, when it became a part of the newly shaped Idaho Territory. On May 26, 1864, the Territory of Montana was shaped, with Bannack briefly changing into the territorial capital, Virginia town would quickly take that title from Bannack.

In could 1863, a gaggle of prospectors were headed towards the Yellowstone River and instead discovered a celebration of the Crow tribe and were forced to come to Bannack. Gold was discovered on the retreat trip when Bill Fairweather stuck a choose close to Alder Creek joking he may realize one thing to fund some tobacco.

The prospectors couldn't keep the location a secret. They were followed on their come to the gold bearing web site and got wind of the city so as to formulate rules regarding individual gold claims. On June 16, 1863 beneath the name of "Verina" the township was shaped a mile south of the gold fields. The name was meant to honor Varina Howell Davis, initial and solely initial woman of the Confederate States of America throughout the yank Civil War. Verina, though in Union territory, was founded by men whose loyalties were totally Confederate. Upon registration of the name, a Connecticut choose, G. G. Bissell, objected to their selection and recorded it as Virginia town. (In full irony, since Virginia itself had seceded, solely to possess West Virginia secede from the state and keep within the Union, it appeared an applicable name for a Dixie town in american territory.)



Virginia town compared to Montana state average:

    Median household income below state average.
    Median house price below state average.
    Unemployed share below state average.
    Black race population share considerably below state average.
    Hispanic race population share considerably below state average.
    Median age considerably higher than state average.
    Foreign-born population share considerably below state average.
    Renting share considerably below state average.
    Length of keep since moving in higher than state average.
    House age higher than state average.
 range of school students below state average.
 share of population with a bachelor's degree or higher below state average.

Luxembourg city

Luxembourg is a small country located in the Low Countries, part of North-West Europe It borders Belgium (148 kilometres) to the west and north, France (73 km) to the south, and Germany (138 km) to the east. Luxembourg is landlocked, separated from the North Sea by Belgium.

The topography of the country is divided very clearly between the hilly Oesling of the northern third of the Grand Duchy and the flat Gutland, which occupies the southern two-thirds. The country's longest river is the Sauer, which is a tributary of the Moselle, the basin of which includes almost all of Luxembourg's area. Other major rivers include the Alzette in the south and the Wiltz in the north.

The capital, and by far the largest city, is Luxembourg City, which is located in the Gutland, as are most of the country's main population centres, including Esch-sur-Alzette, Dudelange, and Differdange. Besides Luxembourg City, the other main towns are primarily located in the southern Red Lands region, which lines the border between Luxembourg and France to the south.

Ardennes

Explore the scenic beauty and quiet of the Ardennes region, referred to locally as Eisléck. The area consists of forested plateaux, wooded hills and lush valleys. Head for the small town of Esch-sur-Sûre, a well-known resort surrounded by the River Sûre (Sauer).



Breweries

Visit breweries and sample more of the region's alcoholic produce in the towns of Bascharage and Wiltz, or arrange an overnight stay in the Béierhaascht brewery hotel, also in Bascharage.



Clervaux

In the medieval market town of Clervaux, visit the 12th-century castle - now home to government offices, the tourist office, a small war museum on the 1944-1945 Ardennes offensive (the famous 'Battle of the Bulge'), and a renowned collection of documentary art photography, the Family of Man, by Edward Steichen (note: the latter is closed until 2013 for essential renovation work).

Echternach

Further east, in the town of Echternach, see a colourful religious dancing procession, which takes place annually on Whit Tuesday, attracting pilgrims from the world over. The town's seventh century Benedictine Abbey (now housing a museum) and St Willibrord’s Basilica are well worth visiting, as is the distinctive 15th-century town hall.

Rock climbing

Harness up and go rock climbing; there are some good ascents and facilities available near Berdorf in the Müllerthal region.
Schengen

Visit the small village of Schengen, where the Moselle marks the meeting of three countries (Luxembourg, France and Germany), which has become internationally known after the 'Schengen Agreement' was signed here in 1995.

Historical Museum of Southern Florida

HistoryMiami formerly known as the Historical Museum of Southern Florida, is a museum located in Miami, Florida, USA, specializing in the history of southeastern Florida, including Greater Miami, the Floria Keys, and the Everglades. HistoryMiami programs include exhibitions, city tours, education, research, collections and publications on the importance of the past in shaping Miami's future. HistoryMiami's Museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums, as it has been since 1979. In 2010 the museum announced HistoryMiami as its new brand name.

The Historical Museum of Southern Florida is dedicated to telling the story of South Florida and the Caribbean, in order to create a better quality of life by understanding the past, linking it to the present and building a better future.

The Historical Museum hosts a permanent gallery and a special gallery with several changing exhibitions each year. In addition, the museum houses the Research Center, a non-circulating library and archives open to museum visitors, and The Indies Company, the museum's store, which offers a unique array of Florida-themed books and gifts.

The Historical Museum of Southern Florida is accredited by the American Association of Museums.

The Museum occupies a 40,000-square-foot (3,700 m2) building in Downtown Miami and has exhibition space on two floors. The top floor houses "Tropical Dreams: A People's History of South Florida," the permanent exhibition that covers 12,000 years of history. The lobby contains two galleries that rotate temporary exhibitions, as well as the gift shop. HistoryMiami also includes the Archives and Research Center, which contains historic photos and documents useful to scholars, distant learners, industry professionals. The lower level houses classrooms used for educational programming and lectures, administrative offices, and part of the museum's object collection. In total, the museum's collection includes over 13,000 objects.

The Great Ocean Road in Melbourne

One of the great drives of the world, the Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay and winds its way 247 kilometres to Warrnambool. The road follows the coast all the way and you get to see some of the most spectacular coastal scenery of anywhere, including rugged cliffs, exquisite small sandy coves, spectacluar rock formations and even a quaint fishing village.

The highlight is undoubtedly the Twelve Apostles, a unique group of 12 rock formations in the Port Campbell National Park that jut out of the sea.

You can follow the Great Ocean Drive down to Warrnambool, a picturesque city beside the sea, travel the extra 20 kms to the gorgeous historic fishing village of Port Fairy, then return inland via highway 1. It can all be done in a day, but this is such a great part of the coastline that deserves at least two days.


History


The Great Ocean Road was first planned towards the end of the first world war, when chairman of the Country Roads Board William Calder asked the State War Council for funds be provided for returned soldiers to work on roads in sparsely populated areas in the Western district. By the time of World War I, the rugged south-west coast of Victoria was accessible only by sea or rough bush track. Besides being dedicated as a memorial, it was also envisaged that the road would connect isolated settlements on the coast, and become a vital transport link for the timber industry and tourism.

Surveying for the road, tentatively titled the South Coast Road, started in 1918 - with the road suggested to travel from Barwon Heads, follow the coast west around Cape Otway, and end near Warrnambool. In 1918, the Great Ocean Road Trust was formed as a private company, under the helm of president Howard Hitchcock. The company managed to secure £81,000 in capital from private subscription and borrowing, with Hitchcock himself contributing £3000. Money would be repaid by charging drivers a toll until the debt was cleared, and the road would then be gifted to the state.