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.

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.

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."

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.

Panama Canal

Did you know that the French tried to dig a canal through Panama in the 1880s? They did, but after thousands (21,900) of deaths from malaria and yellow fever, they gave it up. The U.S. then went in and, chalking up only 5,600 deaths ("only"), opened the canal in 1914.You can drive or walk across bridges that span the canal.The locks move ships up and then down as they pass over the isthmus.It isn't free: they charge a toll. The most expensive, according to Wikipedia, was $331,200 in 2008 to the "Disney Magic." The least expensive toll was 36 cents, charged to Richard Halliburton who swam the canal in 1928 (also according to Wikipedia).
It takes between 8 and 10 hours to sail from one end of the canal to the other - a distance of about 50 miles. Still, it beats swinging down around the Horn if you're trying to get from the Atlantic to the Pacific.The scenery is lush and tropical. Anyone up for a boat ride?

Cliffs of Moher

On the Western Edge of the Burren area near Doolin in County Clare you will find the Cliffs of Moher. You may remember them from "The Princess Bride" where they were called "the cliffs of insanity."O'Brien's Tower rises about the midpoint of the cliffs.The view is spectacular.Just be careful when you go.That first step's a doozey!

Patos Lagoon

Lagoa dos Patos, or "Lagoon of the Ducks," is the largest lagoon in Brazil: 174 miles long and 44 miles wide.It is separated from the ocean by a sand bar and has several islands trapped within its boundaries. It got its name from Jesuit settlers who, in the 16th century, bred waterfowl there.It is a valuabe fishing spot with its varaible salinity and shalow (relatively speaking) depth, and in recent years rice has been grown in it.Mostly I just liked the name.