Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Uluru

Also known as Ayers Rock.Nearly smack in the middle of Australia is what geologists designate an inselberg, "island mountain," composed of sandstone.It is one big rock: no seams, so it doesn't have anything growing on it.According to Wikipedia, in Norbert Brockman's (1997) Encyclopedia of Sacred Places. Uluru was formed when two tribes of ancestral spirits who were invited to a feast, but were distracted by the beautiful Sleepy Lizard Women and did not show up. In response, the angry hosts sang evil into a mud sculpture that came to life as the dingo. There followed a great battle, which ended in the deaths of the leaders of both tribes. The earth itself rose up in grief at the bloodshed, becoming Uluru.It's a sacred place, so climbing on it is discouraged and parts of it should not be photographed.Pretty amazing.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Namsan

In the heart of Seoul is Namsan, "South Mountain." Now a World Heritage Site, it was once at the edge of the capitol but has been circumscribed by the city as it has grown. The N-tower, or communication and observation tower, has a spectacular view of the city and a rotating restaurant.There is a tram you can take to the top of the mountain.There are many beautiful things to see and do on Namsan. Walkways, hiking trails, historical monuments, a botanical garden, shrines, a library, a pond, even a graveyard stud the sides of this urban retreat.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Cancun

The Town that Tourism Built!
Cancun is the restult of a feasability study, conducted in 1967, to determine where tourists were likely to spend their money. Thanks to government subsidy, the first hotel was built in 1970, and the rest is history.Still, you can see why it was chosen.I think it's cool that there are actual Mayan ruins to see. You know, in addition to the spectacularly blue waters of the "Mexican Riviera."

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Tripoli Libya

According to the Marine Corps Hymn, there are those who fight our country's battles on land and sea from Tripoli's shores to Montezuma's Halls. Not to be confused with Tripoli Lebanon, these are those shores.
It's ancient - founded in the 7th century BC by the Phoenicians.
Located right on the seashore, it's been an important port since its beginnings and continues to be so today. The Mediterranean climate makes it a pleasant spot for a bit of tourism.