Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for international travel
China’s Hawaii
By Linda Tancs
Virtually at the same latitude as Hawaii, China’s Hainan Island has no winter. Not surprisingly, it’s affectionately known as the “eastern Hawaii.” The beaches, tropical scenery, and yes, coconut plantations are all reminiscent of America’s 50th state. Coconut has been so prevalent since ancient times that the island is also called “Coconut Island.” In late March or early April there’s an annual international coconut festival celebrated in Haikou. As yet unspoiled by rampant tourism, the island’s primary visitors are Chinese and Russian.
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Cocktails and Creatures
By Linda Tancs
Talk about creature comforts. For one week beginning on 19 March some lucky pub goers will be able to get up close and personal to one of Nature’s most fascinating raptors: the owl. Annie the Owl and her posse will be the nocturnal guests of honor at a pop-up bar in Soho, London. A ticket lottery will determine who gets dibs at a two-hour, two-drinks encounter. Fashioned after the wildly (no pun intended) popular owl cafes in Tokyo, proceeds from the event will benefit an owl conservation group. Don’t worry–the owls will be handled by professional falconers to ensure their comfort and safety. What a hoot!
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The Hawk Walk
By Linda Tancs
Established in 1967, the International Centre for Birds of Prey is the world’s oldest and largest center dedicated to birds of prey–owls, hawks, eagles, kites and vultures. Now shared across two locations in the U.K. (Newent and Duncombe), this epicenter for raptor breeding and conservation offers three different flying displays daily. Most of the trained birds are located at the Hawk Walk. Head for the flying fields at the end of the walk. Awash in daffodils this time of year, the flying demonstrations and natural surroundings are a photographer’s delight.
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The Crown Jewel of Jump Racing
By Linda Tancs
The focus of jumping season in England is The Festival at Cheltenham. Taking place today through 13 March at Prestbury Park, it’s the place where dreams are made, where the best horses, jockeys and trainers forge their reputation for excellence amidst a crowd of 235,000 people. The environment isn’t too shabby, either. Located at the edge of the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire, Cheltenham is a Regency spa town with a flair for culture and style.
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Where Java Rules
By Linda Tancs
Surakarta (also called Solo) in Indonesia is where Java rules. And no, that doesn’t mean coffee. This city in Central Java exudes Javanese culture, like the courtly dances evocative of a royal bygone era. It’s also the heartland for traditional batik and the rich yellow hues characteristic of the area. Batik is so prized that there’s an annual batik carnival to celebrate this popular form of Javanese art.
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Spanning the Narrows in Venezuela
By Linda Tancs
Punctuated by the Angostura Bridge connecting it with the rest of Venezuela, Ciudad Bolívar is a historical city featuring houses, buildings and a cathedral dating to the colonial period. Formerly named Angostura because of its location on the narrowest part of the Orinoco River, it enjoys the distinction of being the site where the first Venezuelan newspaper, El Correo del Orinoco, was printed. That newspaper building, housing the original printing press, is now Bolivar Museum. he night views of the cathedral and Paseo Orinoco are spectacular. For another spectacular view, be sure to visit nearby Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world. Named for an aviator who flew over the falls, its immense height (15 times higher than Niagara Falls) is enough justification for the heavenly moniker.
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Where America’s Sun Sets
By Linda Tancs
In the heart of Polynesia, America’s sun sets. And no, it isn’t Hawaii (although America’s 50th state does constitute one of three points of the Polynesian triangle). It’s American Samoa, an island territory in the South Pacific comprising five volcanic islands and two atolls. Its national park is one of the most remote in the United States. Covering three of the islands, the predominate land mass of the park is rainforest, promising lush views amid long, unhurried hikes. This is a must-see for the ecotourist seeking an unspoiled, uncrowded destination.
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The Most Stolen Artwork in the World
By Linda Tancs
The world’s first major oil painting is Hubert and Jan van Eyck’s Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. Also known as the Ghent Altarpiece, it’s a 15th century early Flemish polyptych panel painting of the history of Christianity located at St. Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent, Belgium. It’s also one of the most stolen pieces of artwork in the world, having been sold various times and looted during both world wars. In fact, eight of the looted panels were returned to Belgium after World War II thanks to the efforts of the Monuments Men. Of its twelve panels, only one–the Just Judges–remains lost from an unsolved heist in 1934. A copy by the Belgian painter and restorer Jef Van der Veken takes its place.
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Empire of the Andes
By Linda Tancs
The Incas believed that Tiwanaku is where the first humans were created. Located in western Bolivia about 45 miles from La Paz, this ancient site was the capital of an Andean empire that flourished roughly between A.D. 500 and 900. Its ruins include a pyramid and two symbolic monolithic gateways (Gateway of the Sun and Gateway of the Moon). South of the main site is another architectural curiosity, Puma Punku. Its mysterious H-shaped megaliths weigh more than 400 tons. Take a guided tour for the best learning experience.
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A Tale of Two Monuments
By Linda Tancs
London’s oldest monument is Cleopatra’s Needle at Victoria Embankment. And no, it has nothing to do with Cleopatra and, aside from its shape, has nothing to do with a needle. Erected in London in 1878, it’s younger than Monument, constructed in the 1670s to commemorate the Great Fire of 1666. The Needle, however, was erected in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis on the orders of Thutmose III around 1450 B.C. In that respect, at least, it is the oldest monument. But, alas, there’s no view from the top. For that, head over to the other Monument (via Monument Underground), where a 311-step trek to the balcony will net you amazing views and a certificate to boot.
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