New UNESCO World Heritage Site

New UNESCO World Heritage Site By Isabel Esterman

The photos belong to UNESCO
This is the latest of six World Heritage Site by UNESCO in Asia Pacific.

Australia

British government to build prisons at the end of the 18th and 19th centuries. Some of these sites remind Australia in their dark past when many people from Europe come bound in chains, sentenced to 'transfer' for crimes like theft to murder. Of the 11 sites listed by UNESCO, five in Tasmania, including Port Arthur, which serves as the institution of punishment until 1877.

China
Located in Henan Province, Dengfeng Historic monuments scattered around the Mount Song, Tao religious worship center. There are 13 structures and ancient sites, including the Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and kung fu; Songyang Academy, one of the oldest centers of learning in China; and Songyue Temple, where the founding of the oldest brick pagoda in China.

India

Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is the largest and oldest historic observatory in India. The entire building is made of local stone and marble. Built in early 1700 by Maharaja Jai ​​Singh II, the equipment on site to measure and predict astronomical events with remarkable accuracy. The most interesting is the Samrat Yantra, sundial as high as 27 meters (still accurate to two seconds) and two basins that allow observers to follow the movement of the moon.

South Korea

Village Hahoe and Yangdong, both in North Gyeongsang Province, was selected as the main representative of the historic clan culture in Korea. Houses of the aristocracy that is well maintained and landscaped, study rooms, and colleges reflects the Confucian culture of the Joseon Dynasty; the beauty of the surrounding mountains, meadows and rivers that inspires many an ode by the poet from the 17th and 18th centuries . Mask dance tradition is still alive today, 500 years ago.

Sri Lanka
Located 2500 meters above sea level, the Central Plains region was chosen as a UNESCO World Heritage Site all eight of Sri Lanka because of its ecological value. Mountain area, which includes three protected areas, has a unique ecosystem. Trees are circular and 'midget' is different from the height of trees in lowland forests in the vicinity. This mountainous forests store a wealth of flora and fauna, including endangered mammals, such as the langur (monkey small) purple-faced, Loris Horton Plains, Sri Lanka and leopards.

Vietnam

Built by the Ly Dynasty in the 11th century, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel is the administrative center of Vietnam for 800 years. The fort was later rebuilt by his successor dynasties, and was taken over by the French in 1888 who later added a lot of pre-colonial buildings. In 2002, when excavation for the construction of a new parliament building, found 11 foundations of the palace, about 4 feet below the soil surface, remnants of the Ly Dynasty court. Excavation of archaeological sites which still continues is predicted as the largest in the history of Southeast Asia.

Read More …

Five Spectacular Volcano that must be visited

Mount Bromo, Indonesia

For volcanic action and stunning scenery, Mount Bromo in East Java had no opponents worth. Mount as high as 2329 m above sea level is always removing sulfur fumes and sometimes covered with dense fog. The beauty that is very feasible to preserve.

Mount Bromo is a mountain "youngest" of the Tengger volcanic complex wide and 820 thousand years old. Of Mount Bromo, visitors can see the highest peak in Java, namely Mount Semeru, an active release of large amounts of smoke every 20 minutes.

Mount Bromo is relatively easily accessible (can be a 45 minute walk or climb the jeep from the nearest village, Cemoro Lawang). But the conditions are not always safe. Two tourists died in an explosion rocks in 2004.

Mount Hallasan, South Korea

Hallasan mountain, the highest peak in Korea (1950 masl), belongs to a group of volcanoes Jejudo.

There are about four thousand species of animals and 1800 plants that make Hallasan as their habitat. See also Baekrokkdam crater lake at the summit. Baekrokkdam or "Hundred Deer Lakes" which beautifully inspired folklore about fairies that come down from heaven to play with the white deer. Many tourists who visit the Hallasan in the spring to see the azaleas blooming in the mountains.

The mountain is also quite easy to climb. Path along the 10 miles to finish you live in a day.

Mount Aso, Japan

The world's largest caldera (24 km wide) has its own cult temple. Mount Aso is a marker of Japan's most famous and moneymaker for Kumamoto prefecture in Kyushu, Japan.

The main attraction at the crater lake of Mount Aso is a steamy blue on Mount Nakadake. Cable car will transport tourists to the top of the volcano, and there was a square full of stalls for souvenirs and snacks. On the edge of the crater there is also a kind of a neat sidewalks. Aso, you'll also find a bunch of hot spring baths.

Mount Pinatubo, Philippines

Mount Pinatubo is not just "recovered" from a large explosion disaster in 1991, but now also become the main source of income for the location of extreme sports.

In 1991, the volcanic explosion of Mount Pinatubo released the world's second biggest in 100 years. The blast caused the world temperature dropped 17.27 degrees Celsius and the death toll reached 800 people. Financial losses estimated at approximately $ 250 million.

Two decades later, the towns around Mount Pinatubo living from the tourism sector since the legendary blast.

You can make the climb extreme in Angeles City and drive packages of Pinatubo lahar flow, the shape of a giant mud pool containing volcanic material. There are also activities parachuting and air tour for $ 55 per person.

Mount Fuji, Japan

It is impossible to write about the major volcanoes in Asia, without including Mount Fuji in the list. Mount Fuji or Fuji-san is the highest mountain in Japan and national icons on the scenic beauty and height (3776 m).

In addition to being the ultimate place to take pictures and show it off to friends or family at home, Mount Fuji is the location of an extreme sport for adrenaline seekers. Each summer, about 200 thousand people climb this mountain. Time they need between 4-8 hours. There is also a "school" and paragliding center in the fifth Gotemba station parking area.

Visitors may be lucky not to come to Mount Fuji during cloudy. Instead, you can visit the scenic Hakone in the east of Mount Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes, north of the volcano.

Read More …

From Germany to Bukittinggi - The Clock Tower

From Germany to Bukittinggi

By Famega Syavira Princess

Dutch colonialism in Indonesia left his mark in Bukittinggi. Memento in the form of the Clock Tower that characterizes the city.

This clock was built in 1926, as a gift from the Queen of Holland to the city secretary. Until now, the Clock Tower is still the tallest building in Bukittinggi.

Clock Tower is equipped with a large bell on top. At the bell was listed the manufacturer at: "Vortmann Relinghausen, IW Germany". Vortman is the name behind the watchmakers, the Benhard Vortmann. Recklinghausen is the name of the city where the machine clock manufactured in Germany in 1892.

Because of this unique machine hour, no mechanic can fix. "So if it breaks or freezes, we fix ourselves," said Yusrizal, one of four officers guard the guards jam.Para never studied formally fix the machine clock. Technical knowledge of the hour is taught from generation to generation and proved successful because of minor damage to the clock always successfully repaired by them.

"Except when the earthquake of 2007. Pendulum clock was broken and must be replaced, "said Andre, the other guard. Earthquake in Padang in 2010 also makes the tower walls to crack, but did not damage the machine clock.

Andre and Yusrizal on guard duty day, alternating with two officers who will be awake at night. Four people that do all the maintenance. They treat hours on duty, security guard, to sweep the floor. Unless it has permission, visitors are prohibited from entering the inside of the tower.

The interior of the tower consists of several levels. Topmost level is the storage place bell. Machine hours and hours of surface located at one level below. Climb the small ladder to the top is quite exhausting. But the struggle up the stairs it certainly pays off.

The inside of the clock can not be entered just anyone. Photo: Famega Syavira

Machine clock repair skills learned from generation to generation. Photo: Famega Syavira

From the top of the tower, behold, a city surrounded by three mountains: Singgalang, Merapi and Sago.

Clock Tower at the center marker of the town of Bukittinggi. Events are usually held in the town square near the tower. One of them as the start point of the 4th stage of Tour de Festival on June 9, 2011.

This place is also a favorite citizen interaction space. On any day of field work around the Clock Tower seemed crowded. Children running and playing with soap bubbles, while their parents sit in the shade. A free public space that should exist in every town in Indonesia.

Read More …

Charm of Hong Kong At Midnight

Charm of Hong Kong At Midnight

By Christopher DeWolf

Shopping at a fruit market, fishing squid in moonlight, ghost hunt or eat as much ... here's some things we can do in the city that never sleeps.

Mongkok most fun enjoyed under fluorescent lights.

Hong Kong is one of the towns seem more alive and attractive at night than during daytime. However, activity night on the town is pretty monotonous: dinner and then go home and sleep.

Nothing wrong with that. Only, here are some alternative activities you can do in Hong Kong as at nightfall.
1. Squid fishing

Squid fishing is only "excuse" to get together with friends, rent a boat and spend the evening with a drink, chat and enjoy a peaceful sea at midnight.

Squid and cuttlefish appear at night. With a little seasoning of garlic and soy sauce, sea animals are already feels good.

Simple tools, thread fishing line and hooks. Dip in water, wiggle a bit to mimic the movement of fish that move, and you can catch small squid which will then be cooked by the "crew" 'boats.

Many companies that rent out boats that can accommodate up to 30 people. Look at www.thelist.com.hk and hk.88db.com for more details.


Yau Ma Tei fruit market.
2. Visiting 'Gwo laan'

Every night, when the Temple Street Night Market began to clean, fruit markets Yau Mai Tei carrier just beginning to open.

Better known as Gwo laan, this market is a collection of old buildings hundreds of years old is located along a narrow alley near the corner of Waterloo Road and Reclamation Street.

Although only open from 10 pm, this market activity reached its peak at 4 am, when retailers began to busy bidding on an item to the merchant market and shirtless and tattooed workers carrying crates of apples and lychees.

Reputation of this market is not very good, but it's actually quite safe for tourists to get around. Just do not offend others.
3. Red minibus ride to Mongkok

All the red minibus will go to Mongkok, especially at dawn, when the region became the point of transfer to different routes in Hong Kong.

There are many things in Mongkok that you can see off the middle of the night: roadside snacks, clothing stores are open late, a place to play billiards, and DVD sellers.

Try a bowl of noodles in Aberdeen Fishball and Noodles is open 24 hours (Tung Choi Street 139, +852 2787 6678) or Sea View congee Shop (103 Argyle Street, +852 2787 7330) before looking for evening entertainment.


Cheung Chau corner at night.
4. Roving Cheung Chau

Cheung Chau is not a deserted island. If on the other islands such as Peng Chau, Mui Wo and Lamma no nightlife, Cheung Chau in no small night market which is open from 10 pm. You can find tasty snacks such as sushi or tong shui here.

The beach here is usually crowded on weekends. Although crowded, you can still find peace in Peak Road with beautiful views. The ferry will return to Central at 11:45 tonight and 2:20 am.
5. Watching the display step

Hong Kong cinema has a rich cultural heritage, but unfortunately not many alternatives to look at the films nonkomersil or in addition to the box office. And even fewer options to watch the display step.

In 2007, Moonlight Movies cinema which is open in the dock, close to infinite time. Outdoor film screenings in the past had lived.

Fortunately Rooftop Cinema revive the cinema opening by installing a few movies. See rooftopcinema.hk for more details.


Can look more beautiful beaches in the darkness.
6. Relax on the beach

Looks plain during the day, the beach will look more tempting under the dim moon, perfect for a romantic date or relaxing with friends.

Bring a mat, a few candles and a bottle of wine - and the beach will turn to the right place for a warm summer evening.

If you happen to be on a deserted beach, such as Lamma's Power Plant, you can light a campfire. Be sure to put out the fire afterwards and haul trash clean up.

Read More …