2011/11/20

Azerbaijan is home to nearly 400 Mud Volcanoes

The term mud volcano or mud dome is used to refer to formations created by geo-excreted liquids and gases, although there are several different processes which may cause such activity. It is estimated that 300 of the planet's estimated 700 mud volcanoes are found in Gobustan, Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea. In Azerbaijan, eruptions are driven from a deep mud reservoir which is connected to the surface even during dormant periods, when seeping water still shows a deep origin. Seeps have temperatures up to 2–3 °C above the ambient temperature. In 2001, one mud volcano 15 kilometers from Baku made world headlines when it suddenly started spewing flames 15 m high.

(Azerbaijan) is home to nearly 400 Mud Volcanoes
Azerbaijan is home to nearly 400 Mud Volcanoes
 
Azeri mud volcano flares

In the Spring of 2001, volcanic activity under the Caspian Sea off the Azeri coast created a whole new island. In October 2001there was an impressive volcanic eruption in Azerbaijan at Lokbatan, but there were no casualties or evacuation warnings.

But Azerbaijan does not have a single active volcano, at least not in the usual sense of the word. What Azerbaijan does have is mud volcanoes - hundreds of them. Mud volcanoes are the little-known relatives of the more common magmatic variety. They do erupt occasionally with spectacular results, but are generally not considered to be dangerous.

Tourist itinerary

Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea are home to nearly four hundred mud volcanoes - more than half the total throughout the world. Tourists often look for them around Alat, Gobustan, Salyan and other locations.
Mud volcanoes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but those most common in Azerbaijan have several small cones, or vents, up to about four metres in height (13 feet), sometimes topping a hill ofseveral hundred metres.

These small cones emit cold mud, water and gas almost continually - an amazing and even beautiful sight, which has become part of the tourist itinerary for foreigners visiting Azerbaijan.

But sometimes even mud volcanoes have their day.

Huge flames, tonnes of mud

Every twenty years or so, a mud volcano may explode with great force, shooting flames hundreds of metres into the sky, and depositing tonnes of mud on the surrounding area.

This was the kind of eruption that witnesses described seeing on a hillside 15 kilometres (nine miles) outside the Azerbaijani capital Baku on Thursday morning (25/10/2001).

(Azerbaijan) is home to nearly 400 Mud Volcanoes
Azerbaijan is home to nearly 400 Mud Volcanoes
 
"There was a big explosion, and a huge flame started coming from the hillside," said one witness. "It looked as though an animal was trying to get out of the ground.

"The flame was unbelievably big, about three hundred metres high. It was surrounded by dense, black smoke, and lots of mud was being thrown into the air.

"The biggest flames burned for about five minutes.Then there was another huge explosion, and then they calmed down to about 10 or 20 metres (32 or 65 feet) high."

The flames could easily be seen from 15 kilometres away on the day of the explosion, and were still burning, although at a lower level, three days later.

Land of fire

Mud volcanoes are one of the visible signs of the presence of oil and gas reserves under the land and sea in the Caspian region. Gas seeps are a related phenomenon.

These occur when a pocket of gas under the ground finds a passage to the surface. One gas seep burns continually on a hillside near Baku, ignored by the sheep but sometimes visited by curious tourists.

It is an unearthly sight, especially at dusk, and it is easy to understand how these fires that never appear to burn out became objects of worship.

The appearance of the Zoroastrian religion in Azerbaijan almost 2,000 years ago is closely connected with these geological phenomena, and, according to one theory, the name "Azerbaijan" itself was derived from the word for "fire" in Persian.

Geologists agree on some aspects of the formation and activities of mud volcanoes. They are formed when mud and sand up to several kilometres beneath the Earth's surface are squeezed upwards by compressive forces and expelled.

(Azerbaijan) is home to nearly 400 Mud Volcanoes
Azerbaijan is home to nearly 400 Mud Volcanoes

 The origins of the volcanoes are disputed. Mud volcanoes are often formed in areas of weakness in the Earth's crust, along fault lines, and are associated with geologically young sedimentary deposits, the presence of organic gas from hydrocarbon deposits, and overlying pressure which forces this gas to the surface.

But when it comes to accounting for the differences between mud volcanoes, their varying shapes and sizes, the gases they emit and their unpredictable behaviour, there is little agreement.

Geologists describe mud volcanoes as "capricious", and are still arguing about exactly how they are formed. Some believe they are created during the sedimentary process itself, while others argue that different processes are also involved, for example, seismic activity.

To the non-geologist, the explanations can seem, well, as clear as mud. But the arguments about their origins only add to the aura of mystery that surrounds these unusual and enigmatic phenomena.

(Wiki, Azerbaijan 24)

2011/11/19

(Venezuela) - 7 Most Interesting Angel Falls Facts

Angel Falls (Spanish: Salto Ángel; Pemon language: Kerepakupai Vená, meaning "waterfall of the deepest place", or Parakupá Vená, meaning "the fall from the highest point") is a waterfall in Venezuela.

(Venezuela) - 7 Most Interesting Angel Falls Facts
(Venezuela) - 7 Most Interesting Angel Falls Facts
 
It is the world's highest waterfall, with a height of 979 m (3,212 ft) and a plunge of 807 m (2,648 ft). The waterfall drops over the edge of the Auyantepui mountain in the Canaima National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Canaima), a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Gran Sabana region of Bolívar State. The height figure 979 m (3,212 ft) mostly consists of the main plunge but also includes about 400 m (0.25 mi) of sloped cascades and rapids below the drop and a 30 m (98 ft) high plunge downstream of the talus rapids.

(Venezuela) - 7 Most Interesting Angel Falls Facts
(Venezuela) - 7 Most Interesting Angel Falls Facts
1. One of the most interesting Angel Falls facts is how these falls were discovered. The falls received their name because of an American bush pilot who was named Jimmy Angel. Angel crashed near the top of the falls in the year 1937, and then alerted the world to what he had found. This is one of the top Venezuela vacation spots, and an experience that no visitor should miss.

(Venezuela) - 7 Most Interesting Angel Falls Facts
(Venezuela) - 7 Most Interesting Angel Falls Facts
 
2. There are three ways that you can explore the Angel Falls location. You can hike the falls on foot, but if this is the case be prepared for a hard climb. This allows you to see everything and enjoy all of the scenic vistas. The falls can also be toured by boat, if you do not want to make the climb, or you can take a helicopter tour and see all of the beauty from the air instead.

(Venezuela) - 7 Most Interesting Angel Falls Facts
(Venezuela) - 7 Most Interesting Angel Falls Facts
 
3. One of the interesting Angel Falls facts is the sheer height of the falls. These falls reach more than twenty six hundred feet up, and they are roughly fifteen times as high as Niagara Falls. The longest continuous drop in the falls is over eight hundred meters.

(Venezuela) - 7 Most Interesting Angel Falls Facts
(Venezuela) - 7 Most Interesting Angel Falls Facts
 
4. Angel Falls is located inside the Canaima National Park Venezuela, a park known for exquisite beauty throughout. While the falls may be the most spectacular sight found in the park, it is the most popular and attracts visitors from all around the world.

(Venezuela) - 7 Most Interesting Angel Falls Facts
(Venezuela) - 7 Most Interesting Angel Falls Facts
 
5. Angel Falls facts includes the fact that this waterfall has a bottom base of one hundred and fifty meters. It is possible to take an arranged guided tour, and to make it from the bottom of the falls to the top can take days or even weeks.

(Venezuela) - 7 Most Interesting Angel Falls Facts
(Venezuela) - 7 Most Interesting Angel Falls Facts
 
6. Angel Falls may also go by two other local names, which are Big River Falls and Tulume Bena. With the number of cheap flights to Caracas, this attraction receives thousands of visitors each month. The water of the falls has a silvery sheen to it, which makes it appear to shimmer at times.

7. One of the Angel Falls facts which is interesting is that during the rainy season the falls may divide into two separate waterfalls. When the water level is high it is possible to feel the spray from these falls up to a mile away.

(Wiki and Travel AdVisor Tips)

2011/11/15

(Israel, Jordan, Palestine) – Dead Sea Attractions

The Dead (Hebrew: ים המלח, Hebrew transliteration:Yam HaMelach; Arabic: البحر الميت, Arabic transliteration: al-Bahir al-Mayyit), borders Israel, the West Bank and Jordan.

(Israel, Jordan, Palestine) – Dead Sea Attractions
(Israel, Jordan, Palestine) – Dead Sea Attractions
The Dead Sea is the saltiest lake in the world. It is called "dead" because the high salinity prevents any fish or other visible aquatic organism to live in its water. The high density of the water also causes a curious phenomenon: it is impossible for a bather to sink. Its surface is the lowest point on Earth, at an elevation of 417 below sea level.

(Israel, Jordan, Palestine) – Dead Sea Attractions
(Israel, Jordan, Palestine) – Dead Sea Attractions

(Israel, Jordan, Palestine) – Dead Sea Attractions
(Israel, Jordan, Palestine) – Dead Sea Attractions
 
There are several nearby attractions that are worth attention:

Israel and the West Bank
Masada - Mountaintop Fortress, Masada National Park is 18 km south of Ein Gedi, or 12 km from Ein Bokek to the cable train on the east.  Masada is a mountaintop fortress which King Herod transformed in 35 BC into a 3 tiered winter home. The siege of Masada has become in Israel a popular story of heroic resolve, with some accounts reporting that the defenders committed mass suicide instead of surrending. Masada is a UNESCO Word Heritage Site.

Dead Sea - Masada - Mountaintop Fortress
Dead Sea - Masada - Mountaintop Fortress
Masada Sound and Spectacular Light Show recounts the dramatic history of Masada with special pyrotechnic effects. Spectators sit in a natural amphitheater on the west side of the mountain, reachable only via Arad, 20km away.

Dead Sea - Masada Sound and Spectacular Light Show
Dead Sea - Masada Sound and Spectacular Light Show
 
Ein Gedi Oasis and Kibbutz.  Ein Gedi is a real oasis with lush vegetation, nestled between two streams, amidst the arid landscape.

Dead Sea - Ein Gedi
Dead Sea - Ein Gedi

Ein Gedi Nature Reserve is situated near the Kibbutz, visitors have access to the adjacent nature reserve for viewing bird sanctuaries and wildlife of the desert, including the Nubian ibex. Hikers have the choice of following two riverbeds and can follow trails past waterfalls, springs, caves, canyons and an early Bronze Age temple.

Dead Sea -  Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
Dead Sea -  Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
Qumran - The Dead Sea Scrolls, Qumran National Park is off of Route 90 near Kibbutz Kalia, north of the Dead Sea. The park is about a 40-minute drive from Jerusalem in the West Bank. The ancient caves and settlement at Qumran on the northern shores of the Dead Sea where the oldest biblical documents ever found trace the history and daily lives of the mystical Essenes, a Jewish sect that fled Jerusalem 2000 years ago.

Dead Sea - Qumran
Dead Sea - Qumran
Jordan

Historic Mount Nebo provides a panorama of the Holy Land, and to the north, a more limited one of the Jordan River valley. The excavated remains of a church and a monument commemorating the biblical story of Moses and the bronze serpent stand atop the mountain. Mount Nebo is a short 15 minute drive from the Dead Sea.

The nearby town of Madaba known as the 'City of Mosaics' is famous for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, especially a large Byzantine-era mosaic map of Palestine and the Nile delta at St. George Church.

The Baptism Site (Bethany Beyond the Jordan) at the Jordan River, the location archaeologists are claiming is the baptism site of Jesus by John the Baptist, is a short 10 minute drive from the Dead Sea resort area.  Buses transport visitors down to the river basin, and guided tours include visits to a Jordan River overlook, the excavated remains of the Baptismal Site, John the Baptist Church, and down to the River bank.

The Dead Sea Panoramaic Complex/Dead Sea Museum is a new complex of regional museum about the Dead Sea, panorama lookout, restaurant and conference hall on a steep cliff high above the Dead Sea near Hammamet Ma'in it is accessible from both the Dead Sea and Madaba by car, however it is difficult to reach by public transport. The museum is run by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, and has some fascinating information about the geology, ecology (animal and plant), archaeology, history and industry of the Dead Sea and surrounding area.It has also information about the environmental problem concerning the Dead Sea, such as decreasing of the Dead Sea water level and sinkhole in the Dead Sea coast. As the name suggests it has a magnificent view of the Dead Sea and the hills beyond it. Watching the sunset from here is a wonderful experience.

The Mujib Reserve of Wadi Mujib is the lowest nature reserve in the world, located in the mountainous landscape to the east of the Dead Sea, approximately 90km south of Amman. The 220 square kilometers reserve was created in 1987 by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and is regionally and internationally important, particularly for the bird life that the reserve supports. The Mujib valley is being developed for adventure tourism, and a number of facilities have been established including a Visitors' Centre and a beach area on the Dead Sea. Experiencing Jordan’s Grand Canyon involves swimming, jumping, abseiling and floating. Its red walls are filled with running water that plunges through a 15 m waterfall.

Hammamat Ma'in is a remarkable series of natural hot springs and waterfalls, some of which have been channeled into pools and baths. A spa resort is located in the vicinity of the waterfalls.

Lot's cave is found on the site of the remains of an old church. The cave is believed to the the one Lot took refuge in with his two daughters when God according to the Bible destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. The cave and part of the church ruins are fenced off.

Jordan - Lot's cave
Jordan - Lot's cave
(Wiki and Terragalleria)

2011/11/14

(Canada) – Top things to do in Bay of Fundy

Located off the northern coast of Maine and extending into Canada between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the natural phenomenon known as the Bay of Fundy is a 270 km (170 mile) long ocean bay that’s home to the world’s highest tides (54 feet/16m). The Bay of Fundy has a diverse ecosystem and a marine biodiversity comparable to the Amazon Rainforest. Its waters are populated with up to 12 species of whales, an abundance of dolphins, porpoises, fish, seals, seabirds and more.

(Canada) – Top things to do in Bay of Fundy
(Canada) – Top things to do in Bay of Fundy
 
Every day, twice a day 110 billion tonnes of seawater rush into the Bay creating phenomena that can only be experienced to be appreciated. Tides are crucial to this ecosystem and are highly respected by everyone who has seen their effect.  The tide waits for no-one, and life along the Bay is dictated by the ebb and flow of water. 

Below are top things to do around the Bay of Fundy:
1. Whale Watch in the Bay of Fundy
Look for the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale and 6 other species that frequent the Bay of Fundy. Many different whales can be found in the Bay of Fundy in the summer, as it is an abundant feeding ground. Minke whales are plentiful.  You can also find humpbacks, fin whales, and the occasional blue whale.  There are also seals and many types of sea birds in the Bay.

(Canada) - Whale Watch in the Bay of Fundy
(Canada) - Whale Watch in the Bay of Fundy
2. Walk on the ocean floor

(Canada) - Bay of Fundy - Walk on the ocean floor
(Canada) - Bay of Fundy - Walk on the ocean floor
 
Walk on the ocean floor and explore the tidal pools where the highest tides in the world have been recorded. Although many places claim to have the highest tides in the world, tides at Burntcoat Head are actually the highest, averaging 55.8', with the highest being set during the 1869 Saxby Gale at 70.9'

(Canada) - Bay of Fundy - Walk on the ocean floor
(Canada) - Bay of Fundy - Walk on the ocean floor
Visit Hopewell Rocks, located on the New Brunswick side of the Bay of Fundy. At low tide, explore quiet coves with flowerpot-shaped rock formations bearing such curious names as 'Mother-in-Law', 'ET' and 'Lover's Arch'.

(Canada) - Bay of Fundy - Walk on the ocean floor
(Canada) - Bay of Fundy - Walk on the ocean floor
3. Cape d’Or
With rugged red-colored vertical cliffs on either side and sparkling water stretching out as far as the eye can see Cape d'Or bears testimony to the awesome power of nature.  It has the distinction of being the only place in the world where three tides converge, meeting simultaneously to create violent riptides-a phenomenon known as the Dory Rips. The lookout platform affords views of Cape Split and Ile Haute Island.

(Canada) - Bay of Fundy - Cape D'Or Lighthouse
(Canada) - Bay of Fundy - Cape D'Or Lighthouse
4. Tidal Bore Rafting
At first, the Shubenacadie River seems like a very lazy river. Situated amid 200-foot-high gypsum cliffs, it starts out as a relaxing paddle past mudflats and sandbars until you reach the mouth of the river, where the tides from the Bay of Fundy come rushing in. Suddenly, you're white-water rafting on the world's highest tides, which travel inland at roughly 50 km an hour and stir up sixteen-foot waves.

(Canada) - Bay of Fundy - Tidal Bore Rafting
(Canada) - Bay of Fundy - Tidal Bore Rafting
5. Hall’s Harbour
Hall's Harbour is a fishing port that works to the ever changing rhythm of the 40 foot Fundy tides. Snugly settled in its picturesque cove, and guarded on each side by tall basalt cliffs, the harbour's inner basin fills twice a day to the top of the towering wharves. Six hours later the water recedes far out into the Bay of Fundy leaving the colourful fleet of vessels dry on the harbour floor.  Beach comb for treasures and watch the landscape change as the tide comes and goes.

(Canada) - Bay of Fundy - Hall’s Harbour
(Canada) - Bay of Fundy - Hall’s Harbour
(Wiki and  Bay of Fundy Fun Tours)

(New Zealand) – Visiting Milford Sound

Milford Sound, located in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island, is located within the Fiordland National Park. It runs 15 km inland from the Tasman Sea and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 1200 m or more on either side. Among its most striking features are Mitre Peak, rising 1,692 m above the sound, the Elephant at 1,517 m and resembling an elephant’s's head, and Lion Mountain, 1,302 m, in the shape of a crouching lion. Lush rain forests cling precariously to these cliffs, while seals, penguins and dolphins populate the water.

(New Zealand) – Visiting Milford Sound
(New Zealand) – Visiting Milford Sound
 The beauty of this landscape draws thousands of visitors each day, with between 550,000 and 1 million visitors in total per year. This makes the sound one of New Zealand's most-visited tourist spots, and also the most famous New Zealand tourist destination, even with its remote location and the long journey from the nearest population centre. Almost all tourists going to the sound also take one of the boat tours which usually last between 1–2 hours. They are offered by several companies, departing from the Milford Sound Visitors' Centre. There is also the option of extended overnight cruises on Milford Sound.

Tramping, canoeing and some other water sports are also possible. A small number of companies also provide overnight boat trips. There is otherwise only limited accommodation at the Sound, and only a very small percentage of tourists stay more than the day.

(New Zealand) - Milford Sound Map
(New Zealand) - Milford Sound Map


An underwater tourist observatory found in one of the bays of the sound provides viewing of black coral, usually only found in much deeper waters. A dark surface layer of fresh water, stained by tannins from the surrounding forest, allows the corals to grow close to the surface here.

In rainy and stormy days tourists can admire the play of the wind with the numerous waterfalls in Milford Sound. When meeting the cliff face the powerful wind often goes upward and waterfalls with a vertical drop get caught by wind, causing the water to go upwards.

Things to do in Milford Sound
Milford Sound Cruises
A range of day and night cruises will take visitors to see the attractions of Milford Sound, including the native wildlife, dramatic waterfalls, Mitre Peak and the Underwater Observatory at Harrison Cove. All day cruises depart from the wharf complex, a short walk from the Mitre Peak Café and carpark.

(New Zealand) - Milford Sound Cruises
(New Zealand) - Milford Sound Cruises

Mitre Peak
This towering rock face - said to resemble a Bishop's mitre - is one of Milford Sound's most famous sights, rising 1695m from the serene waters.

(New Zealand) - Mitre Peak Milford Sound
(New Zealand) - Mitre Peak Milford Sound

Milford Sound Underwater Observatory
Located 9m underwater, this circular observation gallery has windows which look out over the heart of the fiord. Specially cultivated window-box gardens contain rare black corals which usually only grow at levels deeper than 40m. Visitors can see brightly coloured fish, sea fans, giant starfish, tubeworms - and, if they are lucky, the odd seal or shark may swim by.

(New Zealand) - Milford Sound Underwater Observatory
(New Zealand) - Milford Sound Underwater Observatory

Milford Track
Said to be one of the finest walks in the world, the Milford Track (54km) takes in pristine rainforest and crystal-clear streams. The four-day track starts at Glade House, at the northern end of Lake Te Anau. From here, it pases through rainforest, over the dramatic Mackinnon Pass, down to Quintin Hut and through Arthur River Valley to Milford Sound. Walkers can enjoy breathtaking views from the top of Mackinnon Pass, or make the return walk from Quintin Hut to the beautiful Sutherland Falls.

(New Zealand) - Milford Track
(New Zealand) - Milford Track

Sutherland Falls
New Zealand's highest waterfall cascades 630m down a sheer rockface. The falls were named after Milford Sound's earliest settler, Scotsman Donald Sutherland, who established the area's first accommodation upon his arrival in 1877.

(New Zealand) - Sutherland Falls
(New Zealand) - Sutherland Falls


(Wiki and Jasons)

2011/11/12

(Australia) –Getting to Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Uluru (Ayers Rock) is one of Australia's most recognizable natural icons. The world-renowned sandstone formation stands 348 m high above sea level with most of its bulk below the ground, and measures 9.4 km in circumference. Uluru appears to change color as the different light strikes it at different times of the day and year.

(Australia) –Getting to  Uluru (Ayers Rock)
(Australia) –Getting to  Uluru (Ayers Rock)
 
What to see
Uluru is an isolated sandstone rock (not technically a monolith) that stands 346 meters high and more than 8 km (5 miles) around. Roughly triangular in shape, it stretches for over 2 miles in length and nearly 2 miles in width. It has a harder exterior than most other rock formations, which allows for the unusually steep rock faces all the way to ground level.

Uluru is a completely bare rock without the least bit of vegetation, which only adds to its stark and mysterious beauty. By great contrast, however, the base of the rock is nourished by rain runoff from Uluru and is a fertile oasis of water pools, rich greenery and a variety of wildlife. It is thus an ideal ceremonial site for the Aborigines, who camp in the caves and are sustained by the water and available food.

Aside from its imposing size the most impressive feature of Uluru, beloved by Aborigines and visitors alike, is its beautiful range of changing colors throughout the day and year. Sunrise and sunset are particularly remarkable, with the rock glowing a deep rusty red. The rock derives its rust colour from oxidation, and the glowing effect at sunrise and sunset is due to the arkosic sandstone of the rock, which contains reflective minerals and changes color according to the attitude of the sun.

(Australia) –Getting to  Uluru (Ayers Rock)
(Australia) –Getting to  Uluru (Ayers Rock)

 Ayers Rock contains a variety of interesting cracks, canyons, caves and natural formations, all of which the Anangu attribute to the activities of ancestral beings at the creation time. The shallow caves at the base of the rock contain ancient carvings and paintings. But unlike the Lascaux Caves and other cave art sites, the Uluru rock drawings are just not artifacts of some distant culture — they are still being created by the Anangu.

At Uluru, the old cave drawings are simply painted over with new ones, and the paint is made largely of water and is therefore quite delicate. For these reasons, the rock art in these caves is impossible to date with any certainty. The rock art includes figures like boomerangs, human beings, waterholes and abstract symbols.

The base walk around the perimeter of Uluru is 9.4 km long. There is also a Mala Walk (2 km) and Mutitjulu walk (1 km). Guided walking tours are available from park rangers and by the Anangu themselves. These are popular activities and are encouraged by the Anangu. However, the most popular thing to do at Uluru is to climb it (see Making the Climb, below).

About 25 km from Uluru is another sacred rock formation known as Kata Tjuta (“many heads”) or the Olgas (named for Queen Olga of Württemberg in 1872). Special viewing areas with road access and parking have been constructed to give tourists the best views of both sites at dawn and dusk. The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park also includes a Cultural Center, where you can learn more about Aboriginal culture and the sacredness of Uluru.

(Australia) –Getting to  Uluru (Ayers Rock)
(Australia) –Getting to  Uluru (Ayers Rock)

 The Aboriginal community of Mutitjulu (pop. approx. 300) is near the western end of Uluru. From Uluru it is 17 km by road to the tourist town of Yulara (pop. 3,000), which is situated just outside of the National Park. Ayers Rock Resort just outside the park has accommodation for a wide range of budgets. The buildings of the tourist resort are colored to blend in with the surrounding desert.

Getting there
The most common journey to Ayers Rock begins at Alice Springs, from which it is 280 miles (450 km) southwest by road to the site. You can drive yourself, take a bus or join a tour from Alice Springs. See map below.

Flights depart daily from most capital cities to Connellan Airport, which is located just outside the Park. Contact a travel agent for further details. Car hire is available from the airport and is best arranged through a travel agent before arrival.

(Australia) –Getting to  Uluru (Ayers Rock)
(Australia) –Getting to  Uluru (Ayers Rock)
 
Our tour partner Viator offers a variety of tours, walks, transportation options, night shows and workshops that you can book ahead in your own currency

Quick Facts
Site information:
Name:                             Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Location:                         Northern Territory, Australia
Faith:                               Indigenous
Denomination:                  Aboriginal
Categories:                      Sacred Rocks; Rock Art; World Heritage Sites
Size:                                1,100 feet (335 meters) high; 2.2 miles (3.6 km) long; 1.5 miles (2 km) wide
Features:                         Petroglyphs
Status:                             Active
Visitor information:
Address:                         Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, PO Box 119, Yulara NT 0872 Australia
Coordinates:                   25.344722° S, 131.0325° E
Phone:                            Park administration: (+61) 8 - 8956 1100
                                      Cultural Center: (+61) 8 - 8956 1128
Website:                         www.deh.gov.au/parks/uluru/
Email:                             uluru.info@deh.gov.au
Opening hours:               Open during daylight hours, including sunrise and sunset.
Cost:                              Free

(Wiki, Crystalinks and Sacred Destinations)

(United States) – Discover Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is located entirely in Northern Arizona and is one of the great tourist attractions in the United States. The massive canyon encompasses several distinct areas, most famous of which is Grand Canyon National Park, a United States National Park. The national park is itself divided into two main areas: the remote North Rim and the more accessible (and therefore more crowded) South Rim. In addition, the southwestern end of the canyon is located within the borders of two Indian reservations: the Havasupai Indian Reservation and the Hualapai Indian Reservation (also known as Grand Canyon West). All of the sections of the canyon offer amenities for visitors, but the national park, and in particular the South Rim, is by far the most popular destination and the best equipped to handle the millions of yearly visitors.

(United States) – Discover Grand Canyon
(United States) – Discover Grand Canyon
 
How to get there
A family trip to Grand Canyon means time in the car. The train trip from Williams to the South Rim provides a diversion for young kids and is a great option for day visitors and families intent on exploring the Grand Canyon on foot. The only way to get to the Toroweap and the North and West Rims is the automobile. Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Flagstaff are convenient departure points for the West and South Rims. The North Rim is best accessed from points north, Las Vegas, Nevada and Page, Arizona, and can easily be combined with a trip to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks as well as Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell. Toroweap is a long way from just about everywhere.

(United States) – Discover Grand Canyon
(United States) – Discover Grand Canyon

Getting Around
A free shuttle bus operates four South Rim routes. The North Rim hiker shuttle makes the run from the Grand Canyon Lodge to the North Kaibab trailhead twice each morning (early!). A nominal fee is charged. Trans Canyon Shuttle provides a daily rim-to-rim shuttle service, roughly 4.5 hours, for a fee from mid-May to mid-October. At Toroweap, hiking is the only way to get around. Air tours - helicopter and small plane - depart from the Grand Canyon National Airport in Tusayan, 6 miles south of the entrance to the South Rim. Mule rides are offered on both the North and South Rims. The minimum age varies on North Rim trips. Day and overnight South Rim mule rides have a maximum weight (200 lbs or 91 kg fully dressed) and minimum height (4 feet 7 inches or 140 cm) requirement as well as variety of the other restrictions (fluent in English, good physical condition, no fear of heights or large animals, and pregnant women are not allowed).

(United States) – Discover Grand Canyon
(United States) – Discover Grand Canyon
 
When to Travel
Aside from the North Rim, which is best visited in summer, the best time of year to visit the Grand Canyon depends on your interests. Hiking in the canyon is best in spring (March/April) and fall (October/November) whereas summer (June-September) is the best time to hike on the rim. In summer, the daytime temperature along the Colorado River can reach 120º F (50° Celsius)! Expect snow on the South Rim in winter and on the North Rim throughout most of the year. Be prepared for sudden changes in the weather at anytime.

(United States) – Discover Grand Canyon
(United States) – Discover Grand Canyon
 
Health & Safety
All points on the North Rim sit at least 8000 feet (2438 m) above sea level. Give your body a chance to acclimate to the elevation before you set out on a serious hike. Visitors with respiratory or heart problems may experience difficulties. Keep a close eye on the kids at all times, even in areas with guardrails.

(United States) – Discover Grand Canyon
(United States) – Discover Grand Canyon
 
Hours & Seasons
The South Rim, Toroweap and Grand Canyon West are open year-round. North Rim facilities and visitor services are open from mid-May to mid-October only. Weather permitting; the North Rim is open for day use only from mid-October to mid-May. Opening hours for of the West Rim Entrance and Skywalk are seasonal.

(United States) – Discover Grand Canyon
(United States) – Discover Grand Canyon
 
Admission & Fees
Entrance to the North and South Rim areas of the park is charged per vehicle unless you are traveling on foot, bike or motorcycle in which case the fee is per person. Commercial vehicles are charged on capacity. Entrance to Toroweap is free of charge. The West Rim is priced like an attraction and the cost of the entrance fee is based on the activity package you choose. Of note, admission to the Skywalk is not included in all packages and in some cases cannot be added even with an additional fee.

Things to keep in mind
The magnitude of this gaping crevice is difficult for many children to comprehend.

(Wiki and Kids Can Travel)

(Vietnam) – Enjoy full memories in Halong Bay

Ha Long Bay is located in the northeastern part of Vietnam and constitutes part of the western bank of Bac Bo Gulf, including the sea area of Ha Long City and Cam Pha Town and part of Vân Don island district. It abuts Cat Ba Island in the southwest. Toward the west is the shore with a 120 km-long coastline. It is located within 106o58’-107o22’ east longitude and within 20o45’- 20o50’ north latitude. The site is 1553 sq. km with 1969 islands of various sizes, of which 989 have been named.

(Vietnam) – Enjoy full memories in Halong Bay
(Vietnam) – Enjoy full memories in Halong Bay

 The islands in Ha Long Bay are mainly limestone and schist islands most lying in the two main areas: the southeastern part of Bái T Long Bay and southwestern part of H Long Bay. These islands represent the most ancient images of a geographical site having a tectonic age of from 250 million to 280 million years. They are the result of many times of rising and lowering processes of the continent to form a karst. The process of nearly full erosion and weathering of the karst created the unique H Long Bay in the world. In a not very large area, thousands of islands with different forms look like glittering emeralds attached to the blue scarf of a virgin. The area where many stone islands concentrate has spectacular scenes and world-famous caves and is the center of Ha Long Bay Natural Heritage, including HaLong Bay and a part of Bái Tu Long Bay.

(Vietnam) – Enjoy full memories in Halong Bay
(Vietnam) – Enjoy full memories in Halong Bay


The area is recognized as the World Natural Heritage that is the area of 434 sq. km with 775 islands. It looks like a giant triangle with Ðu G Island (in the west), Ba Hm Lake (in the south) and Cng Tây Island (in the east) as its three angle points. The nearby area is the buffer area and areas classified as national beauty spots in 1962 by the Ministry of Culture and Information.

(Vietnam) – Enjoy full memories in Halong Bay
(Vietnam) – Enjoy full memories in Halong Bay

 Viewed from above, H Long Bay looks like an extremely vivid huge drawing. This is a wonderful and skilful masterpiece of the Creation and of nature that turns thousands of dumb soulless stone islands into fantastic sculptural and artistic works of various graceful shapes, both familiar and strange to human beings. Thousands of islands emerging uneven in the fanciful waves look strong and magnificent but also mild and vivid. Amidst these islands we feel as if we were astray in a petrified legendary world.

(Vietnam) – Enjoy full memories in Halong Bay
(Vietnam) – Enjoy full memories in Halong Bay
 
There are many names given to islands according to their shapes and forms. This one looks like somebody heading toward the shore: Hòn Ðu Người (Human Head Island); that one looks like a dragon hovering above the sea surface: Hòn Rông (Dragon Island); another looks like an old man sitting fishing: Hòn Lã Vng; some look like big sails struggling amidst the wind to set off for the sea: Hòn Cánh Bum (Sail Island); then two islands look like a pair of chicken lovingly playing with each other above the sea: Hòn Trng Mái (Male and Female Chicken Island); and amid the vast sea stands an island like a big incense burner like a ritual offering to Heaven: Hòn Lư Hương (Incense Burner Island). All are so real that people are taken aback by them. Those stone islands have experienced unpredictable changes over time and they take different shapes from different angles of view. Here, we come to realize that they are not dumb inanimate things but are vivid and soulful.

(Vietnam) – Enjoy full memories in Halong Bay
(Vietnam) – Enjoy full memories in Halong Bay

 Inside the stone islands are various breath-taking caves, such as Thiên Cung, Ðu G, Sng St, Trinh N, Tam Cung and others. These are really magnificent palaces of the Creation on earth. Long ago, H Long Bay has been called by the great national poet Nguyn Trãi:“a wonder of the earth erected towards the high sky”. Many men of letters from all over the world have been taken aback at the grandiose scenery of H Long. They seem to get puzzled and incompetent as their treasure of vocabulary is not rich enough to depict the splendor of this place.

(Vietnam) – Enjoy full memories in Halong Bay
(Vietnam) – Enjoy full memories in Halong Bay

 H Long Bay is also attached to glorious pages of Vietnamese history, with famous sites such as Vân Ðn, a bustling trade port in the 12th century, charming Bài Thơ Mountain, and not very far away from here is the Bch Đng River which witnessed two famous naval battles of the Viêt’s ancestors against invaders. Also, H Long is one of the cradles of human kind with the glorious H Long culture in the late Neolithic age, discovered at such archeological sites as Ðng Mang, Xích Th, Soi Nh and Thoi Giếng.

(Vietnam) – Enjoy full memories in Halong Bay
(Vietnam) – Enjoy full memories in Halong Bay

 H Long is also home to great biodiversity with typical eco-systems like mangrove forest, coral and tropical forest. It is also home to thousands of plants and animals of numerous species, for example shrimp, fish and squid. Some species are particularly rare and can be found no where else.

(Vietnam) – Enjoy full memories in Halong Bay
(Vietnam) – Enjoy full memories in Halong Bay
 
With such special values, at the 18th Session of UNESCO’s Council of World Heritage held on 17 December 1994 in Thailand, H Long Bay was officially placed on the list of the World Natural Heritage. In 2000, UNESCO recognized it as the World Heritage for the second time for its geographical and geomorphologic values. This confirms the global premier value of H Long Bay.

(Vietnam) - Halong Bay - Floating Village
(Vietnam) - Halong Bay Floating Village


(Halong Travel Guide)