The full moon of the 12th lunar month in the traditional Thai calendar marks the Thai festival of Loi Krathong. This celebration thought to originate from the Hindu Festival Diwali, in India, has progressed for Thai people into veneration of Mae Khongkha, the Mother of Waters. The act of floating ornately decorated Krathong or traditional banana leaf lanterns out onto various rivers and waterways is the main act in this brilliantly preserved tradition, also known as the “festival of lights”. Evolved from ancient Royal rituals, it has since been adopted by common people by making offerings to the Mother of Waters or in other cultures Buddha, as an expression of thanks for providing life sustaining water. Some people look to cast away personal misery or ...
Experience underwater enchantment diving the Great Barrier Reef, and submerge your senses into a plethora of reef life and mesmerizing coral reef ecosystems. This coral formation located off the South Pacific coast of Queensland in Australia is truly an undeniable best of the world’s natural wonders. With close to 3,000 individual reefs and some 900 islands, the diversity of the Great Barrier Reef is truly stunning. It houses close to 1,500 species of fish and thousands of other forms of life such as clams, corals, snails, crustaceans and echinoderms (like starfish). Some of the species found here are believed to be found nowhere else in the world, and the Great Barrier Reef is the breeding ground for some of the more well-know sea creatures, such ...
Take in the feeling of utter awe when you visit the Salto Angel falls. Indigenously known as Parekupa-meru, which means falls to the deepest place, these falls drop an astounding 2,648ft, making it the worlds tallest free falling fresh water waterfall. Taking a trek to see this natural wonder will require some moderate hiking and maneuvering through the Canaima National Park terrain located in Bolivar State, Venezuela. The effort is well worth it for that moment when you and your traveling companions make it to the base of Angel Falls, and plunge your body, mind and senses into the cool currents being churned out into the Churun River. The scenery is beyond striking. Above you, a vertical cliff of Auyan-Tepui Mesa, and below lush wild ...
The Tapati Festival of Easter Island is an experience that peers into a remote culture with traditions such as chanting, dancing, parades, customary body decoration, and spear fishing competitions, all originating from a civilization that was one of the youngest inhabited territories on earth. Easter Island also known as Rapa Nui, is a Polynesian island that lies off the coast of Chile, and is one of the worlds most isolated populated islands on earth. Theory has it, that at its peak, the Rapanui people found themselves trapped in an environment that was unable to sustain their population and a rapid crash in their civilization followed. Best known for its massive stone statues called Moai , Easter Island is home to over 887 of these world ...
The ruins of Chichén Itzá take you back in time to an era of a vast and powerful Mayan empire, once the center of being for all of the Yucutan civilization ruling over politics, religion, and military. Today the ceremonial structures and various other buildings that were in their time of grandeur between 800 - 1200 A.D are in various states of preservation, and open for travelers to explore. Set in a clearing surrounded by jungle, the history of Chichén Itzá entails stories of humans sacrifices and ultimately a violent end spurred by a revolt against the reigning powers that shifted development away from Chichén Itzá. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was recently declared one of the new 7 Wonders of ...
The mysticism long associated with Mount Kilimanjaro can be attributed to some of the most breath taking views as its peaks drive up from lush green foothills of Tanzania, past the clouds, into the radiant and unparalleled equatorial sun. Only three degrees south of the equator, Mount Kilimanjaro is made up of three volcanic cones Mawensi, Shira, and Kibo. All of the volcanoes are extinct except for Kibo which is active dormant and still emits heavy smells of sulfur. Although Kilimanjaro does not have the highest elevation in the world, it claims the title of highest free standing mountain, reaching over 19,340 feet at its highest point Uhuru Peak on Kibo volcano. One of the other appealing aspects of conquering this climb is that to ...
Located in the small town of Teahupoo off the south-east side of Tahiti Island, is the worlds largest wave machine. This locale ranks the top of an experienced surfers must ride list and is only recommended for those who are in peak physical condition and highly capable, or alternatively looking for a glorified closeout. Home to the Billabong Pro Surf competition part of the World Championship Tour, the swells here get as large as 12ft. A 15 minute paddle from shore, surfers will face the some of the most powerful waves on the earth, this is due to the swells moving from a gently sloped bottom which get launched forward by a reef break. Majority of the waves are left breaking, but along the outer ...
Trunk to tail the procession of gentle giants mosey onward during the Elephant Round Up held in Surin Thailand, every third weekend of November. A relatively recent developed tradition, it originated from citizens training elephants as working animals, but later due the Civil War in Cambodia and the logging ban of 1989 that put thousands of elephants out of work, handlers turned to entertainment to earn a living. Each year over 200 Elephants gather together in this Eastern part of Thailand to entertain, charm, and astonish visitors with their feats of strength and skill during games such as tug of war and football. One of the more hands on events is the Elephant Breakfast held on the Friday morning. Chains of Elephants carrying dignitaries, tourists ...
Revitalize, rest, and rejuvenate during a trip to the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa in Iceland. These healing waters of the spa are full of minerals such as silica and sulfur, which by bathing in eases visitors various medicinal aliments as well as soothes the recreational user. Entirely man made, the Blue Lagoon Spa operates as most of Iceland does in generating power by burrowing deep into the earth. In doing so this causes steam to rise up powering turbines which is then recaptured and pumped into the luxurious lagoon to heat it. The average temperature of the water in the bathing and swimming area of the lagoon is 40 °C (104 °F). The Blue Lagoon is surprisingly enjoyable all year round despite being so close ...
Traverse to the time of Xiang’s Terracotta Warriors and roam amongst over 8,099 life sized sculptures of Chinese soldiers, horses, acrobats and other figures. Discovered unexpectedly in 1974 by farmers near Xi’an, Shaanxi province, they unearthed a clay head, unusual for a normal day of farming work. Unaware of the magnitude of this discovery until archeologists began excavation, they later ascertained that these statues were created by China’s first emperor Qin Shihuang, who instructed their creation to ensure the safe keeping of his remains after his death. Each statue of the Terra Cotta Warriors is unique, no two are exactly alike, and range in size from 6ft – 6ft 5inches. These elaborate works are estimated to have taken 11 years to complete. The details on ...
