Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for April, 2017
Ely’s Eels
By Linda Tancs
Despite being a noted cathedral town (boasting one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in the country), Ely is one of the smallest jurisdictions in England. It derives its name from the Isle of Eels, its designation when Ely was an island surrounded by marshland and eels were in great abundance. The importance of the eel to the local economy is celebrated to this day with the annual Eel Festival. Taking place tomorrow through May 1, the event is highlighted by a parade on Saturday beginning at Cross Green adjacent to the cathedral and incorporating a part of the Eel Trail, a circular route that takes you past all the key parts of this historic city. Of course you’ll want an eel-related souvenir, which is available at the Tourist Information Centre located in the former home of Oliver Cromwell.
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A Gathering of Nations
By Linda Tancs
North America’s largest powwow is the Gathering of Nations event in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The festival kicks off on April 27 with the Miss Indian World talent presentations, followed by two days of colorful Native American powwow dancing and singing. Over 2,500 indigenous dancers and singers representing more than 500 tribes from Canada and the United States come to the Gathering of Nations annually to participate socially and competitively. The family friendly event also includes an arts and crafts bazaar and musical entertainment across genres. The fun takes place at Tingley Coliseum/Expo.
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A Celebration of Culture in Indonesia
By Linda Tancs
Known locally as the elephant building for the large statue gracing its entrance, the National Museum of Indonesia in Jakarta is a celebration of archaeological and ethnological treasures. The archaeology garden has the largest collection of Hindu and Buddhist artifacts in Indonesia, comprising stone sculptures, relics and scriptures. The nation’s ethnography is represented by masks, weapons, instruments, toys, fabrics, tools and miniature houses from every region of the country. Centrally located, it’s accessible by taxi from Plaza Indonesia or Jalan Jaksa or the nearby Monas bus stop. Free tours in English, French, Japanese and Korean are offered by the Indonesian Heritage Society.
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America’s Canal Heritage
By Linda Tancs
The Erie Canal is America’s most famous man-made waterway. Built between 1817 and 1825, the original Erie Canal traversed 363 miles from Albany to Buffalo. It was the longest artificial waterway and the greatest public works project in North America. It transformed not only engineering but also travel: in 1825 the journey from Albany to Buffalo took two weeks by stagecoach; the canal shortened the journey to five days. It carried more westbound immigrants than any other trans-Appalachian canal, infusing the nation with diversity. Due to its significance, Congress established the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor in 2000. The corridor stretches 524 miles across the full expanse of upstate New York, from Buffalo to Albany and north along the Champlain Canal to Whitehall. Along the way you’ll find museums, four national parks, 34 national historic landmarks, historic canal sites and vessels, a 100-mile mural trail and more than 200 canal communities to explore.
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Horseback Archery in Tokyo
By Linda Tancs
It’s hard enough to hit a target standing still, which is why Tokyo’s horseback archery festival is a stunning display of athletic prowess and precision. Held on the third Saturday each April, the Asakusa Yabusame festival takes place in the Taito ward, preceded by a parade from Denpo-in Temple to Sumida Park featuring a demonstration of archery practice. Discover how, indeed, practice makes perfect.
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A Revolutionary Museum in Philadelphia
By Linda Tancs
The Battles of Lexington and Concord, fought on April 19, 1775, were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. In a fitting tribute to the “shot heard ’round the world,” today marks the opening of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The day will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution in Washington Square, featuring the U.S. Army Old Guard and a blessing from the Oneida Indian Nation. At 10:30 a.m., an official dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony in the museum’s outdoor plaza will open it to the public. Inside you’ll find hundreds of documents, weapons, maps and paintings, a re-created privateer ship and General Washington’s original sleeping and office tent—among other treasures. Entry to the facility is by timed ticket.
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Cathedral of Light
By Linda Tancs
Only a short flight from mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands are a Mediterranean treasure brimming with not only great beaches but also enough fine food, wines and cultural attractions to satisfy even the most discriminating traveler. Majorca is the largest of the islands. Its capital, Palma, is a popular cruise port only hours away from Barcelona. Palma’s Gothic cathedral (La Seu), boasting one of the tallest naves in the world, is one of the Balearics’ most recognizable symbols. Its nickname, the Cathedral of Light, owes to the shimmering effects of the sun as it enters the Rose Window at the church’s southeast orientation. Overlooking the harbor, it lies in the oldest part of the city and is dedicated to San Sebastian, Palma’s patron saint.
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Strasbourg’s Seat of Power
By Linda Tancs
Strasbourg is a city with its heart in France and its head in the European Union. A cradle of European power, the city is home to the Council of Europe, a meeting site of the European Parliament and the Court of Human Rights, all of which are accessible to visitors in some respect. For a summary of the city’s role in these European institutions, a visit to the Information Centre on European Institutions at the Lieu d’Europe is in order. Its mission is to provide the general public with information on the European Union and all the European institutions present in Strasbourg.
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Sun City
By Linda Tancs
Bright—and blue. That’s the way to describe Jodhpur, one of the largest cities in Rajasthan, a northwestern state of India. Bright for the sun-kissed weather year round, earning it the moniker “Sun City.” Blue is the color of choice adorning dozens of buildings in the old part of the city. It’s a sight best viewed from Mehrangarh Fort, the seat of the Rathore rulers from the House of Marwar, located at a height of 400 feet above the city. The fort houses a museum highlighting the golden age of the Rathores and boasting a gallery that houses one of the finest collections of Mughal miniature paintings. The fort is also the venue for the Rajasthan International Folk Festival and World Sufi Spirit Festival.
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Off the Tourist Trail in Africa
By Linda Tancs
Equatorial Guinea is a small country on the western coast of central Africa, the only independent nation in Africa where Spanish is an official language owing to its past as a colony. Lacking the glam of safari sites like Tanzania and Kenya, it’s perhaps no wonder that it bears the ignominious distinction of being one of the least visited countries in the world. But its off-the-beaten-path status is exactly why you should go. The country’s national park, Monte Alén, is located near the center and is one of central Africa’s hidden gems. Over 100 mammal species are registered there (more than 16 types of primates alone), as well as 2,300 types of birds and 65 species of reptiles. Moreover, the park’s hotel situated on a jungle ridge is an excellent place to experience the lush rainforest—without the crowds.
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