Belize

One of the most beautiful places in Central America is Belize. This Creole-dominated country is primarily English speaking and has a very, laid back approach to life. The majority of roads are still unpaved, which makes travel somewhat of a challenge but even so, you will see some amazing scenery. There is little infrastructure and prices are high but you will find dramatic Mayan ruins and untouched jungle area that make Belize a wonderful place for adventure.

Although there is really no bad time to visit Belize, it does have a hotter, dry season from November to May. However, keep in mind that this is also the season when there are masses of tourists, which help jack up hotel prices. Therefore, if you are on a stricter budget, visit Belize during their summer months, which are July to November. For example, you would expect to pay around $30 US per day for room and two to three meals.

The good news is that this price does not go up much for staying at the nicer hotels. While this may not sound much when compared to prices in the United States, when compared to other locations in Central America, these prices are extremely high. Keep in mind that haggling in Belize is quite common so if you do not like the price of a hotel room, see if you can get the owner to reduce it for you. The only disadvantage is that this is the hurricane season so expect rain and storms.

There are some wonderful activities and events held in Belize such as the Baron Bliss Day in March, which is a festival that honors the philanthropic British noblemen who fell madly in love with this country. After his death, all of his vast fortune was left to the people. Then in September, there is the Belize National Day, a commemoration of the Battle of St. George’s Caye. Other festivals are held throughout the year, some of which include Garifuna Settlement Day, Independence Day, and Columbus Day.

If you travel into Belize City, the former capital, you will not find much other than some rundown buildings that have been damaged from tropical storms. Sadly, this area has open drainage canals and a serious problem with foul odor. During the hot months, Belize City is sweltering and most people say visiting there, especially after dark, is a danger proposition. Another city, Lamanai is very different, featuring some impressive Mayan ruins. In all, there are 60 structures, one that is a 112-foot structure, along with a ball court and temple.

The name, Lamanai, translates to “submerged crocodile”, which was at one-time occupied in the early 16^th century. During that era, it was a major ceremonial center well before the Mayan structures were built. The Mayan civilization lived there until the Spanish arrived, which is evident by two Indian churches that now lie in ruins. While in this area, you should consider taking a 90-minute boat trip to the New River. Along the way, you will pass the Mennonite community of Shipyard, which is an interesting site that is home to lots of crocodiles and bird life.

If you prefer getting away from things, then the Community Baboon Sanctuary and Placencia would be nice destinations. For the Baboon Sanctuary, you will discover more than 20 miles of rainforest, featuring the Belize River that runs right through the middle. Here, approximately 1,200 rare Black Howler monkeys call home, which are the local baboons. If you like, you can hike through the rainforest to get a better view or simply enjoy the trip y canoe.

For Placencia, this is very different in that it is a sandy peninsula in the southern region of Belize. This beach town is very quiet and peaceful and the village features a main street made from nothing more than a narrow footpath built out of concrete. However, you can enjoy fishing, swimming, sun tanning, and a number of water sports here. In fact, Belize is a haven for water sports enthusiasts with fantastic snorkeling and scuba diving, windsurfing, tubing, and much more.

History tells us that Belize was first inhabited by the Maya and Carib Indians. Considered a major part of the Mayan empire, Belize once stretched from Guatemala and areas of Honduras to El Salvador. The history in this part of Central America can be dated to around 4,000 years ago during the Classic Period. While the population reached its peak around the 7^th to 8^th centuries, it was in serious decline by the 14^th century. Then when the Spanish came in the 16^th century, the Mayan cities were deserted.

Interesting, the Spanish settlers thought of Belize as only being good for cutting logwood that was used for dye. With the safety provided by the reef, many Englishmen and Scottish pirates were attracted to this area in the 17^th century and when piracy started to fade out, they got involved with the logging industry. By the 20^th century, Belize went through a tough period of unrest, fighting hard for independency, which would not come until 1981 when British Honduras officially became Belize. Through wars, Belize stood her ground and when General Noriega fell from grace, it became a major trans-shipment point for cocaine going into the United States from South America. However, for the past two decades, the people of Belize have been working hard to regain control of their beloved country and to rebuild tourism.

When visiting Belize, you will see amazing things. Again, the Maya complexes are breathtaking and considering the lack of modern technology and tools, simply amazing due to their sophistication in design and structure. Although Belize does not have its own national food, you will notice a blend of Mexican, Caribbean, American, and UK flavors. Typically, dishes include beans and rice, which are often cooked with or served alongside chicken, beef, fish, pork, and vegetables. Other local favorites include fried plantain and coconut milk. However, there are other traditional foods that include venison, armadillo, and the brown-spotted rodent. No matter what you eat, you will find Belize to be a country with dense jungle, swap, and farmland. Because of the diversity of the land, there is an abundant and variety of wildlife and birds. For a place of adventure and relaxation, Belize would make a nice destination.

Travel to Nicaragua

While the country of Nicaragua is known for many things, it is probably best known for the stunning landscapes and incredible cultural treasures. Unfortunately, war has had a hard effect on this country, leaving it in a reeling state of shock from which it continues to rebuild. Even so, this is an amazing destination that offers us a valuable look at history and one that is beautiful. The only thing you must beware of is that although most areas of Nicaragua remain safe, there are some such as the Corn Islands that should be avoided due to violent armed robberies.

Like most places in Central America, Nicaragua has two distinct seasons. The first is the dry season, which occurs from the mid part of April to mid-May. During this time, it is very hot, humid, and the land is parched. In fact, it is so hot and dry that the air is commonly very dusty. The other season is the wet or cooler season, which is a far better time to enjoy this country.

From historians, we have learned that footprints were discovered under layers of volcanic ash of the Acahualinca, showing there were inhabitants back as far as 10,000 years ago. Then sometime around the 10^th century AD, the native people from Mexico migrated to an area in the Pacific lowlands. At that time, the Aztec culture was adopted as they moved out during the 15^th century to establish a trading colony.

Then in 1502, the people of Nicaragua first encountered the Europeans when Christopher Columbus passed through. By 1522, the Spanish had built an exploratory mission on the south shores of Lago de Nicaragua, followed by a colonized region and many developed cities. Nicaragua was a part of Mexico for a short time followed by the Central American Federation, and achieved independence in 1838.

Although there are some areas of Nicaragua that have been devastated by war and earthquakes, there are many more that stand tall and proud. As far as the culture of this country, the arts are a big, important part, especially when it comes to literature. In fact, poetry is probably one of the most valued of all the arts in Nicaragua. However, you will also find reggae being the music of choice where musicians and artists show off their talents in street markets.

As far as dining in Nicaragua, you would typically eat meat or eggs along with rice, beans, and salad, usually consisting of cabbage and tomatoes, as well as tortillas and whatever fruit happens to be in season. One very delicious yet simple food is called Gallo Pinto, which is simply a perfect blend of beans and rice along with just enough water to cook the beans. You might also enjoy a mix of beef, green and ripe plantains, and yucca called Bajo or Yucca served with coleslaw and fried pork skins, known as Vigoron. For beverages, you will find street vendors all over selling a drink called Tiste, which is a special mix of corn and cacao as well as Posol Con Leche, corn and milk. In addition, you will find great quality rum and beer.

Being the largest country in Central America, there is always something to do. Nicaragua borders with Honduras on the north, Costa Rica to the south, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. You will discover three regions that include the lowlands, north central mountains, and the Caribbean lowlands, more commonly referred to as Mosquitia or Mosquito Coast.

The lowlands are very fertile and the home of close to 40 volcanoes. Additionally, you will discover the largest lake in Central America there called Lago de Nicaragua. Then for the Mosquito Coast, this part of Nicaragua is actually quite sparsely populated although there is a magnificent rainforest and wonderful rivers. Interestingly, just 17% of this vast country is used as a national park.

The lake is very fascinating. There, you will find some very unusual fish and in fact, the world’s only freshwater shark. The rainforests are abundant with wildlife that includes pumas, warthogs, ocelots, sloth, jaguars, and the comical spider monkey. For birds, there are hummingbirds, woodpeckers, elegant trogon, shining hawk, stripe-breasted wren, and quetzal, which is the holy bird of the Mayan. For the jungle areas of Nicaragua, these too are interesting with massive trees that grow to 200 feet tall and the home to jaguars, deer, howler monkeys, and boas.

The capital of Nicaragua is Managua, which is the most crowded area although it is consistently hit by earthquakes. However, there you can enjoy the municipal cathedral, the restored Palacio Nacional with two mammoth paintings, and the Plaza de la Republica. You can even visit several of the volcanoes as they spew steam.

Of all cities in Nicaragua, Leon is known as being the most liberal. Today, it is still an intellectual but radical center where you will discover monuments, murals, and buildings still standing that are riddled with bullet holes. There are also wonderful colonial churches, charming Spanish-style homes with white adobe walls and red tiled roofs, and beautiful gardens.

In addition to just enjoying the beautiful scenery of Nicaragua, you definitely want to hike while there, visiting the mountains and islands. The most incredible volcano, Volcan Masaya, is also a great place for climbers. Whether fishing and surfing during the morning, shopping and sightseeing in the afternoon, or dancing and dining at night, you will enjoy your visit to this bountiful land.

Panama City, Panama

Panama City, Panama is often referred to as the “Crossroads of the world”, primarily because of the massive number of people that pass through. Located in Central America between Costa Rica and Columbia, Panama has long been used as a route from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Historians tell us that the earliest inhabitants of Panama were the Cocle and Cuevas cultures but because of overwhelming disease and fighting with the Spaniards in the 16^th century, the numbers quickly diminished. Although it took a little time and effort, the Spanish finally established a settlement in 1510 at the mouth of the Rio Chagres called Nombre de Dios. Eventually, this coastline area became a popular target for invasions of Peru and wealth generated by the incursions was brought over land from the port of Panama to the Spanish settlement.

Because of the abundance of wealth, pirates were attracted to Panama as well and by the 18^th century, the Caribbean had become such a dangerous place that even the Spanish ships would go completely around Panama, sailing directly to Peru. At that time, Panama started into a decline, becoming a province of Colombia with the South American nation finally getting its independence. Then by 1846, a treaty was signed by Colombia, allowing the United States to construct a railroad, as well as use military force to protect it.

With this came the idea of a canal across isthmus but when the French tried to construct one in 1880, 22,000 workers lost their lives from yellow fever, malaria, and unfortunately, bankruptcy for all. Even so, a new contract to build the canal was negotiated with both strategic and financial interest from the United States. Although there was friction as a result of the treaty, issues were ironed out and in 1904 the building of the canal again began, this time by the United States. Then 10 years later, the first ship made its way successfully through the canal.

Since that time, there has been some unrest in Panama but under the leadership of General Manuel Noriega, drug trafficking, money laundering, and democracy problems were corrected. Today, crime rates are down and the city has worked hard to make it a wonderful place to visit. When you go to Panama City, you will see a lot of diversity due to a wide ethnic mix. Because of this, the food, entertainment, and even traditional arts are quite diverse.

The Panama Canal joins South and Central America, bordering on Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to the east. The arch shape is unique in that the canal serves both as a bridge that passes between two continents and a passageway of oceans. The narrowest point of the canal is just 30 miles but at the widest, 720 miles. In addition, the Panama Canal is 50 miles long and works by effectively dividing the county.

All around Panama are hundreds of beautiful islands. Then, there are two primary archipelagos, which include Bocas Del Toro and San Blas. There, you can enjoy a number of water sports to include deep sea fishing snorkeling, and scuba diving. In addition to the ocean, Panama also has flat coastal lowlands as well as two mountain ranges with the highest peak being Volcan Baruat 11,400 feet about sea level.

Dominating the Canal Zone are magnificent rainforests. Then if you go toward Costa Rica, you will be amazed at the abundance of wildlife. In fact, Panama has a large number of flora and fauna species, mass amounts of land for preservation, and with few people to scare the wildlife away or damage the vegetation you get the chance of a lifetime to enjoy unspoiled land.

In addition, Panama has two specific seasons, one that is dry, lasting from January to April and then the rainy season from late April to December. Keep in mind that on the Caribbean side of the highlands, the rainfall is quite heavy. The temperatures are usually hotter in the lowlands, averaging 80 degrees, but nice and cool in the mountains, typically between 55 to 65 degrees.

The ferry ride to the island of Taboga is a nice day trip or you can enjoy folklore shows, experiencing some of the colorful culture associated with Panama City to include costumes and traditional dances, and even eco touring at the rainforest reserve, take a train ride along the Canal banks, and any number of exciting activities. This city is truly an incredible place, well worth exploring.

Guatemala

Guatemala has a long history of being a thriving fishing and farming community that can be dated back to 2000 BC, even before the Maya civilization dominated Central America. During the Early Classic period around AD 250, many magnificent temple cities were constructed in the Guatemalan highlands. However, by the Late Classic period, from AD 600 to 900, the primary power had moved to the lowlands of El Peten. However, after the mysterious demise of the Mayans, the Itzaes settled in El Peten.

Interestingly, many of the Mayan ruins were discovered when Pedro de Alvarado came to this country for the King of Spain in 1523. However, the kingdoms remaining in the highlands were crushed by Alvarado’s armies, lands turned into large estates, and the people exploited by the new property owners. Then friars of Dominican, Augustinian, and Franciscan arrived but they were unable to stop the exploitation. Sadly, the religious imperialism they brought with them was the cause of many valuable traces of the Mayan culture to be demolished.

Today, you can still find many of the Mayan ruins and colonial buildings standing in Guatemala. The architecture is quite impressive, making this an excellent place for exploration. While there are many fascinating things about Guatemala, one of the most impressive is the exotic variety of the traditional clothing, all handmade and proudly worn by the Mayan people. The women’s clothing is amazingly colorful and embroidered with great detail. Different villages use different detailing on the garments, a subtle way of separating each.

If you love Mexican food, you might be surprised. While you can sometimes find a taco or tortilla, the food in Guatemala simply is not as good as what you would find in Mexico. Instead of juicy meat and tasty beans and rice, you will find mostly meat that is either grilled or fried and usually tough. However, what most people find interesting is that there are actually many Chinese restaurants in Guatemala. Now, if you love coffee or beer, then you are in for a delicious treat.

Guatemala borders Mexico on the north and west and then to the northeast is Belize and to the east, El Salvador and Honduras. The mountains are dense and forested, almost jungle like. There are also more than 30 volcanoes in the highlands, which are over 12,000 feet above see level. In fact, as you look up the mountains at nighttime, you will notice a soft red glow. In addition to volcanoes, Guatemala also experiences earthquakes.

For the beaches on the Pacific coastline, they are not terribly impressive and primarily black sand. Although the beaches themselves are quite small, the area along the coastline is very rich culturally. Then for the lowlands, there is the jungle of El Peten, which is a beautiful blend of soil where archeologists have discovered dinosaur bones and banana plantations.

There is also a wide variety of wildlife living in Guatemala. For example, there is deer, tapir, peccary, and the quetzal, the national bird that is the most amazing creature you have ever seen. Unfortunately, because of the forests being cut down and the greedy poachers, this bird is near extinction. Even so, the wildlife is diverse, colorful, and a real joy to watch.

As far as temperatures in Guatemala, in the summer, it is common to have days hitting 100 degrees. That coupled with the high levels of humidity and it can be a little harsh during the dry season. Temperatures will generally dip down at night, especially in the highlands where the night air becomes damp and chilly. Because of the extreme heat and humidity, we recommend you visit between December and April.

Guatemala is also an exciting place to visit in that there are always things going on. For example, the week before Easter is called Semana Santa, which is the largest festival, held in this country. There are celebrations, processions, and a huge party. Then in mid to late summer, another festival called Rabin Ajau is held, which is a traditional Mayan celebration. For the month of December, there is another annual celebration in Santo Tomas.

Now, if you enjoy real adventure, you can get of the beaten path a little by visiting Livingston, a jungle hideaway where black Guatemalans live called Garifuna. These people are actually African descendants who were brought to the New World as slaves although some landed there via shipwreck.

Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa is yet another possibility that is located on the Pacific Slope. If you have an interest in learning more about the Mayan culture and art, you certainly want to take a trip here. You will see green sugar cane fields with massive stone heads and remnants of the Pipils, which was a culture, directly linked to the Nahuatl people of central Mexico. The fascinating thing about these people is that no one knows how they got there or what the rituals objects are.

Whether staying within the larger areas of Guatemala, enjoying exciting nightlife, fine dining, or time at the beach or getting back into the jungle areas, you will find this to be a very interesting part of the world. It has an important history that we should all celebrate. Guatemala is a beautiful place with very humble and hard-working people.

Volcanoes of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a place with pristine beaches, blue water, warm, sunny days, abundant fish life, and welcoming people. Interestingly, many people are not aware that Costa Rica is also home to 200 plus volcanic formations, dating back 65 million years! Of these, seven are active, which is related to the fertile soil.

Over the years, eruptions from these seven volcanoes have left massive destruction. Irazu is the highest volcano in Costa Rica while Poas is the second widest, which measures almost one mile in diameter, and Arenal is the most active. In 1963, Irazu erupted, spewing ash over San Jose and other areas for two years. The amount of ash that fell was so significant rooftops were covered with five inches while people had to walk around with a cloth to their face in order to breathe.

That one eruption alone covered approximately 62 square miles, leaving the land completely devastated. The last time a volcano erupted in Costa Rica was in the summer of 2000 when Arenal killed one person, injured many others, and caused more than 600 people to be evacuated from their homes. Although volcanic eruptions can wipe out entire communities, they are also a key contributor to the landscape seen and enjoyed in Costa Rica.

For example, the volcanic slopes are rich with minerals. That coupled with the abundant rainfall and the result is amazing, green agriculture. Additionally, Costa Rica features mesmerizing waterfalls and beautiful, flowing rivers. The volcanic soil supports the dense and diverse forests, which in turn creates a protective home for all types of wildlife.

Volcanoes in Costa Rica also provide recreation for humans. With dozens of rivers and lakes, you will find that swimming, fishing, and boating are all popular activities. The land being so diverse also offers hiking, camping, horseback riding, and mountain biking. With this, you have thriving businesses in the form of guided tours, horse stables, campsites, boat rental companies, and more.

As mentioned, Arenal is the most active volcano in Costa Rica, making it a popular destination. For this reason, there are wonderful places to explore around the volcano to include Arenal Lake, which is a great spot for fishing, boating, and windsurfing, Fortuna Waterfall offers a winding trail that comes to end on a small, beautiful beach, and Venado Caves offer a great opportunity for adventure as you make your way through various caverns.

Around the volcanoes are other places to visit such as the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge. There, you will enjoy a 2,000-acre seasonal lake overflowing with all types of waterfowl to include spoonbills, anhingas, wood storks, and jabiru storks. This area is also inhabited by many rare and endangered species such as pumas, caymans, and tapirs.

Another volcanic formation in Costa Rica is called Turrialba. In addition to being a volcano, this is also a national park. This particular volcano has not erupted in more than 130 years but still stands at 10,000 feet, making it the second tallest of all the formations. All around this volcano is farmland and green slopes. The nice aspect of Turrialba is that you can climb down to the central floor of the crater, although getting to the craters is a challenge, requiring a four-wheel drive.

Not far from the city of Turrialba is the Guayabo National Monument, which is a large archaeological site that was once occupied between 1000 BC and 1400 AD. The 2,000 inhabitants that lived there were hard workers, creating walls, cisterns, petroglyphs, and many other types of structures. Catie is another area near Turrialba that is a tropical agriculture research center offering guided tours that will take you through incredible collections of tropical plants.

Barva is yet another volcano in Costa Rica, standing 9,534 feet. This formation is accessible on a nearby road, also requiring a four-wheel drive. However, if you want to hike to the first crater, you can although it will take you about three to four hours. Then, there is the volcano called Rincon de la Vieja, which stands at 6,217 feet. This area is great for taking hikes and offers nice camping. Without doubt, the volcanoes of Costa Rica are an important part of this country’s history that lives on today.

Costa Rica Travel

If you have been thinking about taking a trip to Central America, then Costa Rica should be at the top of your list. Costa Rica is truly an oasis, a magnificent ecotourism that is a little slice of heaven, which is why it is one of the best places in the world to experience the tropics. Costa Rica is primarily coastline, making it perfect for boating, surfing, scuba diving, or merely lying out on the beach to enjoy warm sunshine.

The jungles of Costa Rica are full of playful monkeys along with a wide variety of other life to include poison-dart frogs, crocodiles, sloth, and a full array of colorful birds such as the Toucan, and then finally, gorgeous butterflies and of course insects. You will even find an endangered sea turtle from time to time, as well as jungle cats.

People typically come to Costa Rica for one of two reasons – they are either looking for some peace and quiet, a place of tranquility, or they are looking for real excitement. This means you have your choice of taking an afternoon nap in a hammock overlooking the green mountains and blue, ocean or zooming through the jungle on zip lines, visiting boiling volcanoes, or swimming with dolphins and whales.

Costa Rica is actually quite populated with approximately four million people living there although there are many small villages scattered about. Although there is really no bad time to visit Costa Rica, the best time as far as climate is concerned would be in late December to mid-April. However, remember that because this is prime season, you will pay more for your hotel and meals but it is well worth the increased price.

Unlike some of the other countries in Central America, Costa Rica is a rather well to do country. Here you see fast growing development as more and more people become aware of the importance of the tourists and even more, the money they bring in. Although some accommodations are very nice, there are others that are less than desirable. Regardless of where you stay, what you will discover is kind people who are always eager to please.

Interestingly, for pre-Columbian Costa Rica, there is some mystery regarding the history of this country. You will find a few archaeological monuments but to this date, no one has ever found any writing to uncover the mystery. We do know that Christopher Columbus was there in 1502, staying for about two weeks. In fact, Columbus was so impressed with Costa Rica and the gold necklaces worn by the local people that he gave the country its name, which translates to “rich coast.”

Even though this country was known for wealth, it was not until about 60 years later when Spanish settlers came to the jungles that the wealth was enjoyed. However, once word got out, it quickly became colonized, suffering from the backlash of the European invasion. Since there were simply not enough people to fight off the Spanish and the many diseases brought over with the Europeans, the population quickly declined.

Although there had been talk of gold in Costa Rica, the massive amounts expected to be found never panned out. Therefore, this country was forgotten for several years but then by the 18^th century, many settlements were established to include Alajuela, Heredia, and San Jose. Then in 1808, something wonderful happened. Coffee was introduced and by the 19^th century, entrepreneurs came from near and far to get in on the discovery. With this finding came wealth and independence.

Sadly, Costa Rica experienced more invasions, one by the United States whereby Nicaraguan slaves were captured. As times settled down, more great things began to happen. For example, in 1949, blacks and women were allowed to vote and the country’s army dismantled, making Costa Rica the only country without an army. Even the President Oscar Arias was given the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his amazing work in bringing peace back to a damaged country.

The peace was short lived with another disaster struck Costa Rica in 1996 in the form of Hurricane Cesar. The results were devastating with lives lost and the majority of Costa Rica’s southern region closed off. The overall damage was horrific and just when the country was getting back on its feet it was hit again in 1998 by Hurricane Mitch. This time, even more damage was done but this time more to the north, hitting areas such as El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras. However, this is a strong country, fighting back every step of the way. With time and rebuilding, you can again enjoy the countryside, which is breathtakingly beautiful, greener than green and just gorgeous.

What Costa Rica offers in beauty it does not make up for in cuisine. The traditional food includes beef, chicken, and fish dishes that are usually coupled with beans, corn, or rice and then some type of fresh fruit, perhaps pineapple, mango, or papaya. Although the food is not bad, it is not the best either. However, the one thing you can say is that the food is spicy and extremely salty. The one thing that is decent is the coffee, of course.

Taking a trip to Costa Rica shows you completely different culture and amazing biodiversity. For example, the tropical forests are home to more than 1,500 different species of trees and national parks account for about 12% of the country along with forest reserves. You will leave this country feeling refreshed and appreciative for the natural beauty that is seen everywhere.

Acapulco

Acapulco

Acapulco is a city and major seaport in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast of Mexico, 190 miles from Mexico City. Acapulco is located on a deep, semicircular bay, almost land-locked, easy of access, and with so secure an anchorage that vessels can safely lie alongside the rocks that fringe the shore. It is the best harbor on the Pacific coast of Mexico, and it is a port of call for shipping lines running between Panama and San Francisco, California, USA. In 2003 the estimated population was 638,000 people.

Geography

The town is built on a narrow strip of low land, scarcely half a mile wide, between the shoreline and the lofty mountains that encircle the bay. There is great natural beauty in the surroundings, but the mountains render the town difficult of access from the interior – or at at least did, until the construction of a 2-km-long tunnel to the waterfront from the hinterland in the 1990s. An earlier effort to admit the cooling sea breezes by cutting through the mountains a passage called the Abra de San Nicolas had some beneficial effect.

History

Acapulco has been well known as a traveler's crossroads for at least a millennium. Its name is Nahuatl, meaning "plain of dense reeds."

The earliest local remains, stone metates and pottery utensils, were left in the 3rd millennium BC. Much later, sophisticated artisans fashioned curvaceous female figurines. Some hypothesize that there was early Polynesian or Asian influences in Pacific Mexico as early as 1500 years before the arrival Christopher Columbus.

Other artifacts resemble those found in highland Mexico. Although influenced by Tarascan, Mixtec, Zapotec, and Aztec civilizations, sometimes paying tribute to them and frequented by their traders, Acapulco never came under their direct control, but instead remained subject to local caciques until the Spanish conquest.

After conquering the Aztecs, Hernán Cortés sent expeditions south to build ships and find a route to China. The first explorers sailed from Zacatula, near present-day Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, on the coast 400 km (250 miles) northwest of Acapulco. By a royal decree dated April 25, 1528, "Acapulco and her land ... where the ships of the south will be built...." passed directly into the hands of the Spanish Crown. Voyages of discovery set sail from Acapulco for Peru, the Sea of Cortez, and to Asia. None returned across the Pacific, however, until Father Andrés de Urdaneta discovered the northern Pacific tradewinds, which propelled him and his ship, loaded with Chinese treasure, to Acapulco in 1565.

For more than 200 years after that, a special yearly trading ship, known to the English as the Manila Galleon, set sail from Acapulco for the Manila and the Orient. Its return started an annual merchant fair in Acapulco where traders bargained for the Galleon's cargo of silks, porcelain, ivory, and lacquerware. This trade connection, which persisted up to Mexican independence, was instrumental in placing the Philippines on the east side of the International Date Line until the end of 1844.

Acapulco's yearly treasure soon attracted marauders, too. In 1579, Francis Drake attacked but failed to capture the Galleon, but in 1587, off Cabo San Lucas, Thomas Cavendish seized the Santa Anna. The cash alone, 1.2 million gold pesos, severely depressed the London gold market.

After a Dutch fleet invaded Acapulco in 1615, the Spanish rebuilt their fort, which they christened Fort San Diego in 1617. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1776, the fort was rebuilt by 1783. The War of Independence (1820-21) stopped the Manila Galleon forever, sending Acapulco into a century-long slumber.

The town suffered considerably from earthquakes in July and August 1909.

There are exports of hides, wood, and fruit, and the adjacent district of Tabares produces cotton, tobacco, cacao, sugarcane, Indian corn, beans, and coffee.

Mexico City Travel

Mexico City

When it comes to excitement and cultural diversity, Mexico City, Mexico ranks near the top. In this city, you could be out partying at night, eating at a wonderful restaurant, or dancing into the wee hours of the night but then turn the corner the next day and be face-to-face with poverty, deprivation, and people living in filth and squalor. Literally, there are magnificent neighbors with vast mansions and just a short distance away, people living in shantytowns or sleeping on public walkways. What you find in Mexico City is incredible wealth and smothering poverty. Even with the negative aspects of Mexico’s capital city, people are lured in from around the globe.

When visiting Mexico City, you can stay in nice accommodations but you would do best to stick with the area west of Zocalo, which is close to the Plaza de la Republica and Alameda Central. You will also find a number of restaurants that offer good food at affordable prices. This area also offers several good forms of entertainment to include mariachi, theater, the symphony, or dancing. As you will discover in this article, Mexico City, Mexico is a unique place to visit that moves to a different beat from the rest of the world.

Dating back as far as 10,000 BC, many people lived around the lake called Lago de Texcoco, which covered the majority of the Valle de Mexico floor. However, around 7500 BC, that same lake began to decrease in size, which meant that hunting was more of a challenge. Because of that, the people had to turn to other forms of eating and earning a living so they turned to agriculture. Then around 200 BC, a number of villages were established. The largest called Cuicuilco was destroyed 100 years later by a massive volcanic eruption.

Then, Teotihuacan, which was just 16 miles from the lake, became a serious influence. In fact, Teotihuacan was the capital of a large empire for centuries but during the 7^th century, it fell. Some of the cities and states that were in this area included the Toltec empire, which was just 40 miles to the north of what we know today as Mexico City. Another was the Tula Empire, which fell in the 13^th century.

The Spanish conquest destroyed Tenochititlan, which was later rebuilt as a Spanish city. The population of Valle de Mexico dropped to just 100,000 within the next following century but in 1550, the city was again growing, strong, and elegant. Soon, schools, hospitals, palaces, churches, parks, and even a university were constructed. However, by the 19^th century the city was partially destroyed by floods. Then in 1810, approximately 80,000 rebels from Mexico City were defeated by the Spanish.

Miguel Hidalgo who was the leader of the Spanish conquest did not want to advance on the city. Because of this, Mexico had to fight another 11 years to win their independence. After obtaining their independence, Mexico City began to rebuild and by 1940, more than 1.5 million people lived there. Soon, skyscrapers and factories were built, providing work for the people. In fact, Mexico City grew so quickly that jobs and housing could not keep pace. Sadly, Mexico City underwent even more challenges over the years but by the 1970s, the growth had not yet let up. Even with a devastating earthquake in 1985 that killed more than 10,000 people, Mexico City continued to fight to stay on top. Experts estimate that in current times, every day some 1,100 newcomers pour into the city.

Today, Mexico City is comprised of 350 neighborhoods called Colonias. There is an abundance of restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, nightclubs, and more. When visiting Mexico City, Mexico, you have a huge selection of places to visit. Bosque de Chapultepec, which translates to “Hill of Grasshoppers”, is a nice area that offers a zoo, several nice museums, and lakes. The Museo Nacional de Antropologia is a one-of-a-kind museum and definitely worth seeing.

Centro Historico, which is the Historic Center, is dotted with colonial buildings and a number of historical sites. However, Zocalo is the heart of this city where you have a variety of things to do and see. In addition, you might take time to see Templo Mayer, which is believed to be the very place where the Aztec Indians saw the symbolic eagle with a snake in its beak, sitting perched on top of a cactus, which is still Mexico’s symbol today. A stellar museum is called Museo Nacional de Arta that makes a great day trip and for a magnificent view of the city, you can visit the top floors of Torre Latinoamericana, an incredible skyscraper.

Because of the high altitude of Mexico City, you need to pace yourself. In fact, most visitors claim they become fatigued for a few days while others experience headaches or nosebleeds. Just slow down a bit and you will be just fine. Without doubt, Mexico City, Mexico has had a long, hard history but the people there are strong and dedicated to this city and its success. From bull fighting to shopping for ivory, Mexico City offers something for everyone and if you want to spend a day at the beach, you can drive to Acapulco!

Mexico City

Mexico City

Mexico City (Spanish: Ciudad de México) is the name of a megacity located in the Valley of Mexico (Valle de México), a large valley in the high plateaus (altiplano) at the center of Mexico, about 2,240 meters (7,349 feet) above sea-level, surrounded on most sides by volcanoes towering at 4,000 to 5,500 meters (13,000 to 18,000 feet) above sea-level.

Mexico City was originally a municipality founded in 1521 by Cortés on the ruins of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire, in the middle of the now drained Lake Texcoco. The municipality was abolished in 1928, and the names “Mexico City” can now refer to two things.

Officially, the Distrito Federal (D.F.) uses the name Ciudad de México. The D.F. is a federal district serving as the capital of Mexico and which the Mexican Federal Government administers. The D.F. encompasses the historical center of Mexico City, but is much larger than the historical municipality of Mexico City abolished in 1928. The urbanized area of Mexico City covers only the north of the D.F., while the south of the D.F. is made up of rural areas and mountains. Although the D.F. is not a municipality, Mexican authorities use the name Ciudad de México as a synonym for Distrito Federal (such as in Article 44 of the Mexican Constitution).

In a broader meaning, "Mexico City" refers to the whole metropolitan area of Greater Mexico City. The metropolitan area extends beyond the limits of the D.F. and encompasses tens of independent municipalities located in the State of México (Estado de México), to the north, east, and west of the D.F., extending as far north as the State of Hidalgo. The population of the entire metropolitan area in 2005 is estimated between 18 and 22 million inhabitants (depending where the limits of the metropolitan area are set). This means Mexico City is the third or fourth most populated metropolitan area in the world (behind Tokyo, New York, and possibly Seoul, depending which data is compared).

Mexico City, with its distinct mestizo culture, blending native Indian (Nahuatl) and Spanish heritages, is the largest metropolitan area in Latin America, and the second largest in the Americas behind New York. By the end of the 20th century it became one of the largest financial, economic, educational, cultural, and tourist centers of the world.

After centuries of pre-Columbian civilization, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés first arrived in the area, then the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, in 1519. He did not succeed in conquering the city until August 13, 1521, after a 79-day siege that destroyed most of the old Aztec city.

The city served as the capital of the viceroyalty of New Spain from ca. 1525 to the outbreak of the War of Independence in 1810, and of the various Mexican states afterwards.

Most of the growth of Mexico City in population occurred in the late 20th century. In 1950 the city had about 3 million inhabitants. By 2000 the estimated population for the city proper was around 18 million.

Tijuana Mexico

Tijuana Mexico

Tijuana is the largest city in the state of Baja California, Mexico. Tijuana is also the most northerly city in Latin America. It is known as the corner of Mexico and consequently of Latin America. The city is bordered to the north by San Diego County, California, United States; to the south, by the municipalities of Playas de Rosarito and Ensenada; with the municipality of Tecate to the east; and to the west, by the Pacific Ocean. The municipality of Tijuana has an extension of 1,727 square kilometers and includes part of the Coronado Islands located off the coast of the municipality in the Pacific Ocean.

Population

According to the INEGI (Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática Eng: National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Data Processing) the municipality of Tijuana in 2000 included 1,210,820 inhabitants. More than 20 universities and centers for higher education give it a dynamic student sector. The city ranks fifth in population in Mexico, after Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey and Puebla.

Geography

This border city just south of San Diego, California, USA, is sometimes considered a mix of Mexico's good and bad: known for its economic prosperity, popular discos, and shopping areas, Tijuana is also considered to be Mexico's biggest illicit drug and prostitution center. Many of the prostitutes are women from Central America who hope to enter the United States.

History

Traffic traveling into Mexico through San Ysidro tends to be less congested than traveling vice versa. The border entering Mexico is also less guarded.The area in which the city of Tijuana is situated in a region once inhabited by the Kumeyaay Indians, a tribe of Yuman-speaking hunter-gatherers. Europeans first arrived in 1542, when the Spanish explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo toured the coastline of the area, which was later mapped in 1602 by Sebastián Viscaíno. In 1769, Father Juan Crespí documented more detailed information about the area that would one day be called the Valley of Tijuana and Father Junípero Serra founded the first mission of Alta California in San Diego.

More settlement of the area took place near the end of the mission era when José María Echendía, governor of the Baja California and Alta California, awarded a large land grant to Santiago Argüello in 1829. This large cattle ranch, Rancho Tía Juana ("Aunt Jane Ranch"), covered 100 square kilometres.

In 1848, as a result of the Mexican-American war with the United States, Mexico lost all of Alta California. Tijuana acquired a new and distinct character and purpose on the international border. The city began to shed its cattle ranching origins and began to play in a new role, forming a socio-economic structure for the city.

The year 1889 marked the beginning of the urban settlement, when descendants of Santiago Argüello and Agustín Olvera entered an agreement to begin development of the city of Tijuana. The agreement was dated July 11 of that year. Decades later, during the second Symposium of History held in 1975, this date was recognized as the date the city was founded.

Tijuana saw its future in tourism from its inception. From the end of the 19th century to the first decades of the 20th, the city attracted large numbers of Californians crossing over the border, coming to Mexico for trade and entertainment.

During the Mexican Revolution, Tijuana was also a small stage for revolutionaries loyal to Ricardo Flores Magón, who took over the city in 1911. Shortly, thereafter, federal troops arrived and routed the rebels. Being so close to the action, San Diegans could watch the battle from the safety of the international border.

In 1916, the Feria San Diego, California Panamá brought a great number of visitors to the neighboring American city to the north. Tijuana took the opportunity to attract these tourists to the other side of the border with Feria Típica Mexicana. The fair included curio shops, regional foods, thermal baths, horse racing and boxing matches. With this event, the city became universally known as a tourist destination.

The 1920s changed Tijuana forever when the enactment of prohibition in the U.S. sent droves of Americans across the border to partake in legal drinking and gambling. Large and impressive casinos opened, like Agua Caliente in Tijuana. The Caesar Salad was invented there during this period.

Mexico’s Copper Canyon

Located in Mexico’s Sierra Madre Mountains you will find a magnificent place called Copper Canyon. The canyon itself is about 300 feet deep and the homeland of the Tarahumara Indians. Although there are many magical things to see while visiting Copper Canyon, one of the most spectacular is the Chihuahua al Pacifico Railroad, which offers a magical ride that passes through 86 tunnels, over 37 bridges, and on its way into the rugged mountain range, climbs to almost 8,000 feet high. This particular trip is so incredible that it is known as the best in the entire Western Hemisphere.

Many people refer to the train ride as “train ride in the sky” and as you reach the highest point, you will see why. The canyon is best seen during the daytime when the scenery can be appreciated with all its color. You can catch the eastbound train from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon for the absolute best view and then in the winter months, after sundown is truly a sight to behold.

The train runs daily from each direction, which includes the Segunda Chase and Primera Especial. This second train offers first class cars that have a bar car, restaurant, and security while the Segunda is a second class train, no restaurant, typically crowded, and must slower. Therefore, if you are going to enjoy this adventure, it is highly recommended you choose the Primera Especial.

You can find a number of hotels near Copper Canyon, especially in the town of Chihuahua. Here, the hotels will vary from nice, luxury accommodations with swimming pools and saunas to those designed more for people on a budget, with shared baths, small rooms, and no air conditioning. If you enjoy hiking, you will find both short and long trails. However, for longer hikes, you can generally get vehicle transportation to and from the starting point.

You will find the canyon surrounded by many small towns, each having a distinct history. For example, El Fuerte, which translates to “The Fort”, is a small colonial town with quaint cobblestone streets. This town was established by Spanish Conquistador Don Francisco de lbarra in 1564 to be a military post. In fact, for 300 years, it did just that, trading primarily silver and gold. Then there is the village of Cerocahui, which is very small and very quiet, with only about 600 people living there. The town itself sits about 5,000 feet above sea level but down below in the valley, there are orchards of fresh apples and peaches, which is reachable only by a dirt road.

Chihuahua City is the capital and therefore a much larger city that has more modern accommodations. When the Mexican Revolution and the War for Independence were raging, this city was a hub of activity. In fact, a main leader in Mexico’s fight for independence was Father Miguel Hidalgo, who was executed there. Other famous people from Chihuahua City include Pancho Villa and Benito Juarez. One of the great sites is the Chihuahua State Museum and the Chihuahua Cathedral, which took more than 100 to finish.

Urique is another small village that sits at the bottom of Copper Canyon. Founded in 1690, the town was pretty much isolated from everything and everyone until 1975 when a dirt road leading to Chihuahua City was built. Although gold mining is no longer as robust as it once was, some residents still do mine some. El Divisadero translates to “The View Point”, which sits at the top of the canyon, almost to 8,000 feet. As you can imagine, the views are spectacular. Many visitors go to El Divisadero to explore caves where the Tarahumara Indians once lived.

Next, there is Creel, which is also high in the canyon, about 7,200 feet. This lumber town is considered a midway stopping point for many of the Indian villages and there too, you will find amazing caves to explore along with waterfalls, pine forests, magnificent lakes, and unusual rock formations. Tejaban is also on the rim of Copper Canyon but they have a remote hotel that offers some of the best views of the canyon and well worth the stay. In addition, there are wonderful hiking trails such as La Purisma, which will lead you to a historic gold and copper mine.

Batopilas is back on the bottom of the canyon and just a sleepy little town that is truly a step back in time. There, you will find cowboys on horses, Indians packing burros with supplies for smaller villages, Gothic mansion ruins, abandoned mines, a 400-year old Jesuit mission, and more. With the surrounding mountains, this is a very unique town that is best visited from October through March to avoid the intense subtropical climate. Finally, Cuauhtemoc is a modern city that was named after the famous Aztec Indian leader. Today, Cuauhtemoc is a Mennonite community that is popular for its wonderful cheese.

The name Copper Canyon is used as a general reference to all the various canyons in this area. In fact, there are six massive gorges cover 25,000 square miles that make up “Copper Canyon”. Although copper was mined here, it was never in large quantities. Instead, the name “Copper” Canyon came from the copper/green lichen that clings to the canyon walls, giving it a coppery color.

Acapulco Mexico

Acapulco Mexico

Acapulco, Mexico is a unique city, one divided by the rich and famous and poverty. Even so, this is a city of excitement and opportunity. What you will see as you come around the bend into Acapulco is an unspoiled paradise just waiting to be discovered, right on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. When Acapulco was first established some 3,000 years ago, there were few animals living on the island but beautiful vegetation and ocean.

The Nahua tribe members were the first inhabitants that came before the Aztec Indians, according to archaeological findings. Then in 1521, Hernan Cortes ordered Franciso Chico to go to this area and as the first foreigner to step foot on land, he named the area Santa Lucia. Soon, modern day Acapulco became a huge trading center between America and Asia with massive ships rolling in and out carrying wonderful goods and spices.

As you can imagine, this created a huge growth in population along with much wealth. Unfortunately, the wealth drew the attention of many legendary pirates such as Morgan and Cavendish and Sir Francis Drake, eager to take their share of what was not theirs to take. To protect the port from the frequent pirate attacks, a castle was built called the Fuerte de San Diego. However, this very castle was destroyed due to an earthquake that hit in the 18^th century. Keep in mind that while you do not hear much about earthquakes in Acapulco, it is actually one of the greatest earthquake-prone areas in the country.

Then at the start of the 19^th century, Acapulco was declared “Ciudad Oficial” by King Charles IV, helping it become an important factor associated with the Spanish Crown. Even so, the city was attacked and burned to the ground in 1810 led by Jose Maria Morelos during the War of Independence. Determined to rebuild, the city did recover during the gold rush years.

At this time, many ships stopped at the Acapulco port as they headed to Panama but what happened, was that each time, passengers would disembark and fall in love with the food, the beaches, and the lush, green hillsides, deciding to stay. With this, the population continued to grow and as word leaked out about this secret oasis, more and more people came. By 1920, Acapulco had become such a well-known tourist destination that both the Prince of Wales and future King Edward VIII made frequent visits.

As popularity spread to Europe, it was obvious that better hotel accommodations were required for the affluent visitors. A Texas executive by the name of Pullen started the process by building a hotel now known as “Old Acapulco.” Then a few years later, President Miguel Aleman made major changes to the port by adding drainage systems, installing electricity, and building and paving the first road, thus bringing even more people to this exciting city.

Today, the popularity of Acapulco has remained strong. There are many wonderful things to do, starting with the electrifying nightlife. You can visit a number of dance clubs and restaurants late into the night to include incredible food and great music. However, along with the nightlife, Acapulco also offers pristine beaches of white sand, a number of water sports to include parasailing, snorkeling, jet skiing, and scuba diving, outstanding hotels with first class accommodations and service, and some of the finest Mexican restaurants south of the border.

If you prefer, you can take a relaxing day tour of the city that shows off not only the incredible view looking out over the ocean but also older areas of the city along with modern areas. Then, you can drive to one side of town to take in a show of the cliff divers as they jump off 150-foot cliffs into the water below, something very impressive and worth seeing. Then, you might consider taking a trip at night on a “booze cruise”, which is a smaller boat featuring a wonderful dinner and amazing entertainment as you cruise out on the ocean.

Other things to do while in Acapulco include taking a trip to Mexico City to watch the bull fights, shopping at some great stores where you will find incredible prices and selection on ivory, leather, crystal, and other items, or simply soaking up some of the warm sun out by the pool or on the beach. Of course, if you love deep-sea fishing, then be prepared to put up a fight, especially for sailfish.

Along with all these activities, some people enjoy learning about the history of Acapulco. For instance, this city has a number of historic temples that date back to the days of the Aztec Empire. Sadly, when the Spanish invaded, they soon discovered that Acapulco provided a huge advantage with the shape of the bay. With this, they had the protection needed and the ideal location for establishing their base for exploration of the Pacific. Interestingly, this city was the only port in the New World that was authorized to receive the Spanish galleons coming from China and the Philippines.

Today, more than one million people call Acapulco home. With its beautiful green hillsides and crystal blue water, it is easy to see why so many people flock there. When planning a trip to Acapulco, you want to keep your eyes open for bargains in that the price to visit has gone up in the past several years. However, the cost of the trip is well worth it when you see how gorgeous the scenery is and how warm and welcoming the people are.

Teotihuacan Ruins

Throughout Mexico, you will find a number of ruins that provide a glimpse of the past civilizations and their amazing skill. One of the most incredible of these is called the Teotihuacan Olmec Ruins, which when visiting Mexico is something you do not want to bypass. The name Teotihuacan translates to “place of the gods”, which was created sometime early in the 1^st century. When first founded, these ruins were designed as a center a very fertile valley that would be used for religious purposes.

Located not far from today’s Mexico City, legend has it that the god to determine which would have the responsibility of bringing light to the world. One god was handsome and called Tecciztecatl and one that was ugly called Nanauatl stepped forward. However, it was Nanauatl that took control, transforming into bright sun. However, Tecciztecatl who was not as assertive took the role as moon god.

Then, the cult of the Sun and Moon gods aroused religious interest, which stirred massive populations to begin building their empire that would soon dominate all of the central highlands. In fact, this domination was so powerful that it lasted a total of seven centuries. In 100AD, the Sun constructed the pyramid, which is the third largest throughout the entire world. Some of the elements of the Olmec culture were adopted by Teotihuacan. For example, the plumed serpent was common.

By 600 AD, the city had grown so large and was such a commercial Mecca that more than 200,000 people lived and worked there. However, before that in 400 AD, Teotihuacan was known for invading the southern highlands. At that time, the Mayan civilization began incorporating the Mexican style into their lifestyle. In fact, the Mayans, which created the infamous Mayan Calendar, even stopped using this system of time!

Unfortunately, by the year 700 AD, the decline of Teotihuacan was obvious. However, even with the fall of this era, the Teotihuacan Olmec ruins live on for people to enjoy. During the prime, this city was the home to more than 5,000 ceremonial structures. With the construction designed north/south and then east/west, the Pyramid of the Sun literally dominates the area, which stands more than 200 feet tall and each of the sides 700 feet long. The site is truly amazing and well worth the visit.

Mayan Ruins at Palenque

Interestingly, most people think the word “Palenque” is Mayan but in actuality, it is a Spanish word that means fence or palisade, which comes from the name of a nearby town. Some historians believe this area was actually called Na Chan Kan, which translates to “city of snakes” but that cannot be confirmed.

This particular site is relatively old having hits its peak from 300 to 800 AD during the Mayan Classic period. While there are many ruins in Central America, the Palenque Mayan ruins have been written and talked about more than any others. Some people consider this a lost city, and considering it is located amidst rivers, waterfalls, and the jungle that borders the Lacondon Forest, it is easy to see why the comparison.

As you visit the area of the Palenque Mayan ruins, you will still come across native Indians who to this day, still create and then sell handcrafted bows and arrows. What makes the trip so interesting is that you can quickly spot the Palenque Indians by the long hair and white, shift-like clothing.

Because the Palenque Mayan ruins are in an isolated area, you will be alone most of the trip. The temperatures are hot, the humidity high, and the sky cast with clouds. Although getting to these ruins does require a little time, the trip is well worth the effort. You can get there by taking a special excursion plane, ADP bus, or via highway. Many people choose to fly into Mexico City where they take a plane to Villahermosa, followed by a road trip to the ruins.

Keep in mind that if you are expecting to see ruins like others in Mexico, you will be surprised. One of the first things you will notice is the amazing carvings. However, the astounding architecture of the palace is what grabs your attention. Then, there is a beautiful, four-story tower and although climbing to the top is not permitted, it is still wonderful to look at and imagine the ancient days when the tower was used.

Another fascinating aspect of the Palenque Mayan ruins is that the structures include multiple inscriptions that reveal valuable information about the rulers. For example, the inscriptions reveal that the first king ruled starting in 993 BC and after him, all other rulers were deemed god-like.

Additionally, many of the rulers had what they called “divine attributes”, which included an enlarged skull and clubfoot, thought to be the result of interbreeding. One of the inscriptions tells the story of Chan-Bahlum, born with six fingers on his left hand and six toes on each of his feet. In addition, there are wonderful sculptures at the Palenque Mayan ruins, which themselves tell a story. For example, one such sculpture depicts mutilation.

When visiting, it is highly recommend you take time to climb down into the Temple of Inscriptions, which is the largest of the temples. Once inside, you will be able to see the Tomb of Pacal but to view this tomb, be prepared to climb the 67 steps to the top and then back down. While physically challenging, the trip is worth every step. The only caution is that the steps are commonly slippery because of the lime. Additionally, the temperature and humidity is quite intense so you want to dress appropriately.

Once inside the tomb, you can visit the red painted tomb and see the unbelievable sarcophagus lid, which is massive and thereby, too large to remove. Many guides tell people that the red paint inside the tomb is actually poison – the story continues that people who have tried to steal any of the treasures die.

If you love adventure and exploration, then the Palenque Mayan ruins are a wonderful choice. As you wind through the jungle, making your way toward the ruins, you will begin to see some of the structures as they peak out between the trees. You can even swim in the pools by the waterfall and walk through a museum where you can purchase artifacts to take home. Although some of the ruins, inscriptions, and carvings are in disrepair, this is a magnificent place to visit.

Pyramids of Mexico

If you were interested in exploration and uncovering some of Mexico’s most amazing history, you definitely want to take time to visit deep into the jungles of Mexico and Guatemala where you will find the Yucatan peninsula. There, you would find some of the most amazing and mysterious structures – pyramids and temples!

The Mayan civilization was mathematical wizards, highly skilled workers who were way ahead of their time. In fact, the calendars we still use today were developed by the Mayans. Keep in mind that they did not have modern day jackhammers, cement trucks, cranes, and other modern tools but with the help from oxen, llamas, and other animals, they were somehow able to construct massive cities that spanned across then jungle. The fascinating aspect of this is that the degree of perfection is unbelievable, especially for that era.

Today, you can see many of the spectacular architectural structures to include Chichen Itza, Copan, Palenque, Tikal, Tulum, and Uxmal, among others. The pyramids, temples, observatories, and palaces were made completely void of metal. Constructed by skilled farmers, huge areas of the rainforest were cleared. Because groundwater was difficult to find, these workers dug out underground reservoirs that were used for storing water.

Take the pyramids of Teotihuacan for example. Here, you would discover pyramids that rise up to 20 stories, which the Mexican people believe inspires the soul while creating imagination. The buildings of this pyramid are perfectly aligned with both stars and solar system that complement the mountain rang. This particular pyramid was built by the Toltecs. The Teoihuacan, which is often called Teo, was at one time the same size as Rom. In fact, this center was active with culture and learning for more than 1,000 years.

Other Mexican pyramids are called Palenque, Uxma, Uxmal, Tlahuizcalpantecuhtl, Tula, and Quetzacoatl. In Tzintzuntzan, Mexico, there is a place called Hummingbirds in Stone. Located at 7,000 feet above sea level, this is where the longest pyramid in the west can be found, measuring an astounding 3,100 feet. Today, there are no hummingbirds in Tzintzuntzan but you will find a few beautiful trees and fields covered with grass. However, 600 years earlier, hummingbirds were said to be in abundance.

Interestingly, this tiny bird and the archeological site do not seem to go together. The style and massive scale of this ceremonial center does nothing to help envision hummingbirds sipping nectar from delicate flowers and blooms. The platform of this pyramid measure 425 by 250 meters, which to put it in respect, would hold 30 soccer fields. Of all Mesoamerican building shapes, this pyramid is the most unusual because of its rectangles and circles. When visiting here, you will notice the circular bulges that face outward appear as eyes with eyebrows. Many historians feel the design was intention to give the illusion of being watched.

Darjeeling – The Place and the Tea

Darjeeling – The Place and the Tea

Darjeeling is one of the loveliest places in India, and a favorite resort. It is a hard journey of 246 miles from Calcutta. To reach it you will travel from the intense heat of the lowlands, through dense tropical jungles, and into the coldest and highest mountains in the world.

This is a great tea country, and the mountain sides have been cleared in many places for plantations. In the Darjeeling district are about two hundred large plantations, employing from one to two thousand laborers each, and producing about 12,000,000 pounds a year.

There is little doubt that the views from Darjeeling include the most majestic assemblage of mountains on the earth's surface. For a distance of 200 miles east and west there arise a succession of peaks not less than 22,000 feet high, and several of them more than 25,000. In the immediate vicinity and within sight are the highest mountains in the world. Everest, the king of mountains, which measures 29,200 feet, is only eighty miles distant; Kinchinjunga, which is forty-five miles distant, is 28,156 feet high,

Between these mountain peaks is an almost continuous succession of snow fields and glaciers beyond all comparison. The snow line is 17,000 feet in midsummer, and in winter comes down to 12,000 and 15,000 feet, and when that altitude is reached snow is continuous and impassable. This is the highest and the most extensive of all mountain ranges. Along the northern frontier of India for 2,000 miles it stands like a vast hedge, the most formidable natural boundary in the world, nowhere lower than 17,000 feet, and impassable for armies the entire distance, with the exception of two gateways: Jeylup Pass here and at the Khyber Pass. There are passes over the snow, but their elevation is seldom less than 16,000 feet; the average elevation of the watershed exceeds 18,000 feet, and the great plateau of Thibet, which lies upon the other side, is between 15,000 and 16,000 feet above the sea.

This plateau, which is sometimes called the "Roof of the World," is 700 miles long and 500 miles wide, and could not be crossed by an army not only because of the winds and the cold, but also because there is very little water, no fuel and no supplies. No invading force could possibly enter India from the north if these passes were defended, because the inhospitable climate of Tibet would not sustain an army, and the enormous distance and altitude would make the transportation of supplies for any considerable force practically impossible. During the summer the plateau is covered with flocks and herds, but when the cold weather comes on the shepherds drive them into the foothills, where they find shelter. The width of the main range of the Himalayas will average about 500 miles between its northern and southern foot-hills; it embraces every possible kind of climate, vegetation and natural products, and is a vast reservoir from which four of the greatest rivers of the world flow across the plains of India, carrying the drainage from the melting snows, and without this reservoir northern India would be a hopeless and dreary desert.

Tibet Today

Tibet, also known as Xizang, is called the “Roof of the World.” This land is breathtakingly beautiful, a perfect blend of green grasslands and snow-capped mountains. People that visit Tibet are overwhelmed with its regal atmosphere and majestic scenery. That coupled with the mysterious and even exotic culture, makes this an excellent travel destination.

Tibet is often referred to as “Tibet Autonomous Region” or TAR for short. However, keep in mind that TAR is not Tibet. The Chinese government divided the historical Tibet into a number of regions and prefectures. Therefore, TAR only involves the central region and a portion of the eastern region. With this division, approximately 60% of the original territory of Tibet has now been absorbed into China.

The historical Tibet sits on the border of Sikkim, Bhutan, India, Burma, and Nepal. Spread out more than 470,000 square miles, the plateau is beautifully surrounded by the Himalaya to the south, Kunlun to the north and Karakoram to the west, which makes up the highest mountain ranges in the world. However, you will also find many other smaller mountain ranges to the east. While the four main mountain ranges average 26,240 feet above sea level, keep in mind that there are still 38 other mountains that exceed altitudes of 22,960 feet.

Tibet is known around the world for having Mt. Everest towering over the entire region. As you can see, Tibet has earned the name “Roof of the World” for very good reason. Throughout the region, you will also find many great rivers, such as the famous Yangtze River, along with the Nu River, Yellow River, Yarlong Tsangpo River, Indus River, Ganges River, and Lancang River. In addition to the magnificent rivers, the land is also dotted with many green valleys and crystal blue lakes, to include the wonderful Yamdrok Yumtso Lake.

While some of the areas within Tibet are so rugged that they are very difficult to access, you can enjoy trips to Lhasa and Shigatse, where you can visit religious monuments and other tourist attractions, all easily reached. One of the most popular monuments is Potala. However, you will also find the Tashilunpo Monastery, Kumbum, and the Jokhang Temple here, all worth your time and effort to see.

Off to the west, there is a barren plateau called Ngari. This vast area has the nickname of “Roof of Tibet.” If you want to experience some of Tibet’s sacred spots, you can visit Lake Manasarova, which joins Mt. Kailash. Ngari is where many Hindus and Tibetans go to pay holy pilgrimage. Additionally, for individuals that love to hike, this is the ideal destination.

Two other places to visit while there include the Guge Kingdom and the Shang Shung Kingdom, both ancient sites that should not be missed. If you travel to the southwestern portion of Tibet, you will fall in love with the mountains, making this an outdoors person’s haven. In all, more than 40 snow-covered peaks are available for hikers to enjoy. In addition to the mountains for climbing, you can also enjoy running waters, primeval forests, and a comfortable climate. In fact, here you will see Yarlong Tsangpo Canyon, the largest canyon in the entire world.

Art in Tibet is very popular and influenced strongly by Buddhism. One such form is called Thanka, which is highly developed and complex. Regarding Buddhism, this is the lifeblood of the Tibetan people, although it does vary some from the way in which other countries practice this religious belief. For this reason, in Tibet, it is known as Tibetan Buddhism. Prior to China invading this country, the Dalai Lama served as the theological leader and head of state in a theocracy.

To continue the teaching for adults and help establish the children, four Tibetan Buddhism schools were created. These schools consist of Kagyu, Sakya, Geluk, and Nyingma with this last one being the oldest, having emerged between the 8^th and 9^th Centuries. However, before the Tibetans began practicing Buddhism, they practiced another form of religion known as Shamanism, which was actually called Bon. This influence can still be seen in some of Tibet’s religious art.

In addition to the beauty of Tibet and the wonderful places to visit, unfortunately, there are still areas of unrest. Within Tibet today, the people are under strict guidelines when it comes to the freedom of religion, press, and speech. In fact, it is estimated that there remains about 1,200 political prisoners still held in Tibet, which includes some very interesting people. For example, a Fulbright scholar by the name of Ngawang Choephel is one such prisoner along with Panchen Lama, who is a nine-year-old religious figure that disappeared in 1995 by Chinese authorities. Additionally, there are many nuns, monks, and even civilians still suffering greatly.

Sadly, the Chinese government set up laws that forced families to have abortions and undergo sterilization, along with the transfer of thousands of Chinese citizens coming into Tibet, which placed a direct threat on the country’s existence. In fact, the number of Chinese settlers compared with the Tibetans is vast. Because of these changes, many Tibetans still flee the occupied part of Tibet, which requires them to travel over treacherous mountain passes.

If you plan to take a trip to Tibet, you will discover the people to be very inviting and warm. The monuments, monasteries, temples, and other attractions are something you simply should not overlook. However, because there are some problem areas within this country, you should consider organizing your trip through a reputable travel agent. By knowing where to go and what to see, you will have an amazing experience that will not be forgotten.

Taj Mahal

Once upon a time there lived an Arab woman named Arjumand Banu. We know very little about her, except that she lived in Agra, India, and was the Sultana of Shah Jehan, the greatest of the Mogul emperors. She must have been a good woman and a good wife, because, after eighteen years of married life, and within twelve months after his accession to the throne, in 1629, she died in giving birth to her fourteenth baby. And her husband loved her so much that he sheltered her grave with a mausoleum which, without question or reservation, is pronounced by all architects and critics to be the most beautiful building in the world--the most sublime and perfect work of human hands.

It is called the Taj Mahal, which means "The Crown of the Palaces," and is pronounced Taash Mahal, with the accent on the last syllable of the last word. The Taj Mahal stands at the bottom of a lovely garden surrounded by groves of cypress trees, on the bank of the River Jumna, opposite the great fortress of Agra, where, from the windows of his palace, the king could always see the snowwhite domes and minarets which cover the ashes of his Arab wife. Its base is a marble terrace 400 feet square, elevated eighteen feet above the level of the garden, with benches arranged around so that one can sit and look and look and look until its wonderful beauty soaks slowly into his consciousness; until the soul is saturated. Rising from the terrace eighteen feet is a marble pedestal or platform 313 feet square, each corner being marked with a marble minaret 137 feet high; so slender, so graceful, so delicate that you cannot conceive anything more so. Within their walls are winding staircases by which one can reach narrow balconies like those on lighthouses and look upon the Taj from different heights and study its details from the top as well as the bottom. The domes that crown these four minarets are exact miniatures of that which covers the tomb.

On the east and on the west sides of the terrace are mosques built after Byzantine designs of deep red sandstone, which accentuates the purity of the marble of which the tomb is made in a most effective manner. At any other place, with other surroundings, these mosques would be regarded worthy of prolonged study and unbounded admiration, but here they pass almost unnoticed. Like the trees of the gardens and the river that flows at the foot of the terrace, they are only an humble part of the frame which incloses the great picture. They are intended to serve a purpose, and they serve it well. In beauty they are surpassed only by the tomb itself.

Midway between the two red mosques rises a majestic pile of pure white marble 186 feet square, with the corners cut off. It measures eighty feet from its pedestal to its roof, and is surmounted by a dome also eighty feet high, measuring from the roof, and fifty-eight feet in diameter. Upon the summit of the dome is a spire of gilded copper twenty-eight feet high, making the entire structure 224 feet from the turf of the garden to the tip of the spire. All of the domes are shaped like inverted turnips after the Byzantine style. Four small ones surround the central dome, exact duplicates and one-eighth of its size, and they are arranged upon arches upon the flat roof of the building. From each of the eight angles of the roof springs a delicate spire or pinnacle, an exact duplicate of the great minarets in the corners, each sixteen feet high, and they are so slender that they look like alabaster pencils glistening in the sunshine. The same duplication is carried out through the entire building. The harmony is complete. Every tower, every dome, every arch, is exactly like every other tower, dome and arch, differing only in dimensions.

The building is entered on the north and south sides through enormous pointed arches of perfect proportions reaching above the roof and at each corner of the frames that inclose them is another minaret, a miniature of the rest. Each of the six faces of the remainder of the octagon is pierced by two similar arches, one above the other, opening upon galleries which serve to break the force of the sun, to moderate the heat and to subdue the light. They form a sort of colonnade around the building above and below, and are separated from the rotunda by screens of perforated alabaster, as exquisite and delicate in design and execution as Brussels point lace. The slabs of alabaster, 12 by 8 feet in size, are pierced with filigree work finely finished as if they were intended to be worn as jewels upon the crown of an empress. All of the light that reaches the interior is filtered through this trellis work.

The rotunda is unbroken, fifty-eight feet in diameter and one hundred and sixty feet from the floor to the apex of the dome. Like every other part of the building, it is of the purest white marble, inlaid with mosaics of precious stones. The walls, the pillars, the wainscoting and the entire exterior as well as the interior of the building are the same. Upon the walls of the tomb of the Princess Arjamand are about two acres of surface covered with mosaics as fine and as perfect as if each setting were a jewel intended for a queen to wear--turquoise, coral, garnet, carnelian, jasper, malachite, agate, lapis lazuli, onyx, nacre, bloodstone, tourmaline, sardonyx and a dozen other precious stones of different colors. Twenty-eight different varieties of stone are inlaid in the walls of marble.

The palaces, temples and tombs in northern India are unequaled examples of the architectural and decorative arts. Nothing more beautiful or more costly has ever been built by human hands than the residences and the sepulchers of the Moguls, while their audience chambers, their baths and pavilions are not surpassed, and are not even equaled in any of the imperial capitals of Europe. The oriental artists and architects of the Mohammedan dynasties lavished money upon their homes and tombs in the most generous manner, and the refinement of their taste was equal to their extravagance.

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji also called, as Fujiyama is the most poplar and undisputedly the number one landmark of Japan. It is located on the Southern Honshu Island and is the highest mountain in Japan, rising to 12,388 feet (3,776 m) near the Pacific coast in Yamanashi and Shizuoka ken, 100 km west of Tokyo, with the apex broken by a cone-shaped crater 610 m (2000 ft) in diameter. Mount Fuji is relatively a young volcano and has attained its present shape about 5000 years ago and was a result of a series of volcanic activities by the Ashitakayama/Ko-Mitake (Small Mitake), Ko-Fuji (Old Fuji) and Shin-Fuji (New Fuji) volcanoes. The Ko-Mitake volcano is dormant since 100 thousand years ago. The Ko-Fuji volcano, which formed the base of the current, Mount Fuji was active between 100 thousand and 10 thousand years ago. Shin-Fuji volcano which is responsible for the mountain’s current shape started to erupt about 10 thousand years ago and erupted repeatedly for over 100 times during a period of about 10 thousand years. Mount Fuji last erupted on November 24, 1707 and has been sleeping since then, but still the geologists regard it as an active volcano.

‘The Holy Mountain’, is what Mount Fuji is called as and its name of Ainu origin implies “everlasting life.” Thousands of pilgrims visit the mountain from all parts of Japan and there are a number of shrines and temples are on its slopes. The major attraction of the mountain is certainly the various views it provides that change along with seasons and even as the time flows during a day. During winter, it is a flawless volcanic cone with its snow-capped tops, so winters and early spring are the best seasons to to catch the best view of this picture-perfect mountain. Five lakes surround the northern side of Mount Fuji, namely: Lake Motosuko, Lake Shojinko, Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanako, and Lake Subarshiri, which are frequently visited by tourists. These lakes provide a good view of Mount Fuji alongside different water sports.

The official and the best climbing season of Mount Fuji is from 1^st July to 31^st August every year as the weather is very nice and pleasant. Conquering this sacred mountain by both young and old at their own caliber with a proper plan and equipments is a great achievement in itself. As we go above from the base of the mountain to its apex there are 10 posts in–between. You need not start your climb from the base itself as you can reach the 4^th or the 5^th post by road and from here it takes about 4-5 hours to reach the peak and about 2-3 hours to descend. Huts and lodges are situated all over the mountainside and are quite affordable and provide meals to the climbers and the tourists. But Camping is not allowed on the mountain. There are various routes on offer for climbing Mount Fuji, including: Fujinomiya trail, Gotenba trail, and Subashiri trail.

The splendor of Mount Fuji has been viewed by millions and has been praised and written about by numerous travel writers, poets and presented in different art forms by painters all over the world.

Kabuki Theater

A wonderful combination of ancient traditions and cutting-edge modern life, Japan has it all. It is one of the world’s most fascinating places to visit as many wonders and revelation await you. You can try your hand at Origami, the popular art of paper folding, or take a walk down the serene paths of a temple or you may step into a theatre and take in a performance - the Kabuki Theatre is a must see in Japan as it is the most famous of the traditional Japanese theatres and depicts one of the various aspects of performing arts.

Kabuki originated in the Edo period and was more popular with the lower social class as compared to the higher social classes. The word 'Kabuki' is composed of three Japanese characters: 'ka' meaning 'songs', 'bu' meaning 'dance' and 'ki' meaning 'skill'. Its more likely a Japanese version of Shakespeare’s plays being performed in an Opera. But Kabuki is more entertaining, energetic and awesome in the use of color, makeup, movements and often other spectacular effects.

The passion for Kabuki Theatre began with first performance by the shrine dancer Okuni at Kyoto in 1603. This performance was a unique blend of folk dance and religious dance and soon became popular with the lower classes. In the early phase of the 17^th century, women were banned from performing because women performers were lured to the business of prostitution and were getting undue attention from male admirers. This led to the development of art of female impersonation wherein males also played female parts. The beginning of the 18^th century marked the development of Kabuki into a more matured form and was starting to become popular even with the higher classes of society.

Kabuki plays are composed of certain varying elements that help it become so colorful and glamorous. These elements include: Story, Musical Elements, Dramatic Content, Dance, Costume, Make-up, Theatre Design, and Actor/Audience Relationship. Kabuki plays are about society in a particular period, historical events, moral conflicts, love relationships etc. and are performed using a combination of dramatic dialogue and dance, and accompanied by drums, flutes, stringed instruments called shamisen, and chanting. The Kabuki music also employs special spectacular audio-effects. The most exceptional among them is the sounding of wooden clappers signaling the opening and the closing of a Kabuki play. The actors/performers wear costumes that reflect the contemporary styles of the day. The costumes play a major role to emphasize the character’s role being portrayed by the performer, as they themselves are full of complexity and hidden meaning. Along with the costumes, make-up is also considered as an integral part of Kabuki performance. The theatrical designs have changed over a period of time, ranging from raised platforms on a riverbed to the modern day theatres having rotating stages and a whole range of gadgets. The last but not the least is the Actor-Audience Relationship as there are instances in a Kabuki play when an actor would come out of his role and address the audience directly.

Kabuki performers are very famous in Japan and this theatrical art is usually passed from one family generation to the next, but the National Theater in Tokyo also has a school for training young and upcoming performers. The costumes and conventions of the traditional Kabuki are still being incorporated in the modern Kabuki plays. However, the new generation performers are finding out new ways to update plays in-order to attract more and more audiences.

You can only appreciate the theatrical creativity of this art form by visiting a Kabuki performance and a good tip would be to go with a Japanese national who is familiar with the Kabuki Theatre.

The Peking Opera

Peking Opera is regarded as possibly the highest artistic expression of the rich culture and tradition of China. Combining singing, speaking, martial art forms, and abstract movement, including pantomime, Peking Opera is not only an artistic treasure, but also an archive of China's history as told by the extensive repertoire performed by the Peking Opera. Peking Opera did not originate in Peking. Interestingly, opera is actually a combination of styles that were active and popular in China about 200 years ago.

Opera has been one of the main entertainments in China throughout history, and different styles developed in different regions. Opera was enjoyed by people at all levels and not limited to certain social classes. In 1790, during the reign of the Emperor Qianlong (Qing dynasty, 1644 - 1911), the capital city played host to opera troupes from several regions in China already famous for their operatic performances. The troupes combined Kunqu, Qinqiang and Handia opera along with other styles popular in Peking at the time. The style that we identify today as Peking Opera emerged as a result of this artistic integration nearly a half century ago.

Peking Opera is such an important form of theater that it is classified as one of the three main theatrical systems in the world. There are four main roles that are played: a male role and a female role, the role of a clown (played by a male or a female) and a painted face role, usually a male. These primary roles can be further divided, depending on the story being told. The roles will be highly defined in terms of the moral nature of the character. There will be no question about who is good and who is bad, or if the character is lucky in life or portrays or more tragic existence.

The make-up used in performances is intricate and very important. The painted face, along with subtle gestures and movement will convey the entire range of emotion and experience of the character being portrayed. There is the noticeable lack of the types of props and scenery that we might associate with a western theater performance. Peking Opera performances demand that the audience pay strict attention to the players. Even a shift of the eyes or a slight nod of the head conveys meaning. This can make understanding what is going on a bit difficult for a foreigner.

However, today if you have the good fortune to see the Peking Opera perform, you will be able to enjoy a translation. Reading up ahead of time about the story you are going to see, which might involve looking into the history of the country - is also sound advice from the experts. The costumes are another opportunity to highlight some of China's most breathtaking art - the embroidered and brocaded fabrics. The costumes, which are usually based on traditional Chinese dress, also provide a glimpse into China's history.

Performances are accompanied by music - usually played on three types of instrument: wind instruments, string instruments and percussion. The main instruments are Chinese in origin: the jinghu, a two-stringed instrument played with a bow, the yueqin, a four-stringed instrument that is plucked, a sanxian, a three-stringed instrument also plucked, the suona horn, Chinese flutes and a variety of gongs and cymbals. The melodies are rhythmic and graceful.

The focus of Peking Opera shifted during the country's Cultural Revolution (1966 - 1976). During this time, traditionally performed stories that exemplified the lifestyles of pre-Communist society were banned. New performances were written, though - that reflected this major social and political change. True to form, the Peking Opera continued to reflect the history of the country.

Today, China has made an effort revive the art form and you can once again see the traditional stories performed. The Peking Opera has been invited to perform all over the world - to the delight of foreign audiences. This has greatly increased awareness of this priceless national cultural treasure.

The Ming Tombs

During the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the capital was located in Nanjing, which is located in the southern portion of China. Emperor Zhudi, who was the third Ming Dynasty, decided to move the capital to Beijing so the boundary was northern and more peaceful. During this change, the Imperial Palace and temples were built as well as the construction of the famous Ming Tombs. Over the years, thirteen Emperors were buried in the tombs, which is where the name “Thirteen Ming Tombs” came from.

These tombs are astoundingly large, measuring 40 kilometers in circumference. Because of the size, the final construction took more than 200 years to complete. The walkway that leads to the Ming Tombs is flanked by 18 pairs of giant stone statues, leading to the Changling, which is the tomb of Emperor Yongle, who was by far the most powerful and prominent of all Emperors during the Ming Dynasty.

The location of the Ming Tomb was chosen based on the theory of geomancy and Feng Shui. This particular location is surrounded by beautiful, rolling hills that work to form a protective screen to the north. On the east, Dragon Hill resides, on the west is Tiger Hill, and to the south, the Wenyu River. Together, these natural elements work to screen the Ming Tombs.

Being very pleased with the location, Emperor Zhudi changed the name to Heavenly Longevity Hill. While not all of the tombs are open to the public to enjoy, several are to include the Chang, Ding, and Zhao tombs. Stretching seven kilometers going from the south to north and through the center of where the tombs are located is a place called the Sacred Way. Originally, this was built for the very first of the Ming Tombs, Changling, which was Emperor Yongle’s tomb. However, as time passed and additional tombs were built, the Sacred Way became the main road leading to all the tombs.

Although the tombs are all together, they each stand as independent tombs. The Changling tomb is the largest of the 13 and as you can imagine is quite impressive. Within the walls of the Changling tomb is the third Ming Emperor, Zhu Di who was buried with his wife, the Empress Xu. This Emperor was in reign from 1402 to 1424, making huge steps toward cultural, economic, political military and diplomatic arenas.

The DingLing tomb is the final resting place of the thirteenth Emperor Wanli along with his two wives. Having been born in 1563, this Emperor was crowned as Prince at the early age of six. By the time he reached age 10, he had become the Emperor. He went on to rule for 48 years, making great strides for the country.

The construction of this particular tomb began underground in 1584 when the Emperor was 22 years old. The tomb was completed six years later but then experienced damage during the peasant uprising of 1644, the same year the Ming Dynasty collapsed. The DingLing tomb remained damaged until the reign of Qing Emperor Qianlong but in 1914, the Gate and Hall of Eminent Favor were again burned down.

Of the 13 Ming tombs, the DingLing tomb is the only one that has been excavated to date. During this process, more than 3,000 pieces of precious and irreplaceable treasure were uncovered, which included four Phoenix crowns that were worn by the Emperor and Empress, and a golden crown.

The Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is the biggest and best-preserved royal garden in China, and is located approximately fifteen kilometres from Beijing.

The history of the Summer Palace spans over eight hundred years. Before the Summer Palace, the same location was used early in the Jin dynasty, for an imperial palace called Golden Hill Palace. In 1750, Emperor Qian Long of the Qing dynasty constructed the Garden of Clear Ripples, using 4.48 million taels of silver on the spot of Golden Hill Palace. He renamed the spot, Longevity Hill, in celebration of his mother’s birthday.

Most of the palace and gardens were destroyed during the opium wars. In 1888, the Empress Dowager Cixi embezzled funds from the Imperial Navy and restored the garden. The construction of this new garden took ten years, and after its completion, it was given the new name of Yiheyuan (Garden of Peace and Harmony). In 1900, the eight powers plundered the garden once more, only this time; nearly all of the large temples and halls at the back of Longevity Hill were ruined, leaving only one to survive. It was only when Cixi returned to Beijing as a fugitive in 1903 that restoration truly began again.

Consisting primarily of Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, the Summer Palace of today spans 294 hectares, three quarters of which is water. The garden can be thought of as having three zones: administration, residential and scenic. The administration area is comprised primarily of the Halls of Benevolence and Longevity, and is where Cixi arranged her affairs of state and received officials. The residential area is made up of the Hall of Jade Billows, the Garden of Virtue and Harmony, and the Hall of Joyful Longevity. The Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill are what comprise the scenic area.

There are two entrances to the Summer Palace: the East Palace gate and the North Palace Gate. It is the East Palace Gate that is used by the majority of visitors to the Summer Palace.

Each one of the man-made hills, halls, pavilions and temples, which include both Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, combine pleasantly no matter their different styles. The garden is comprised of many different features of gardens in both Northern and Southern China, giving the Summer Palace the reputation as being the soul of Chinese Gardens.

Today, the Summer Palace is pretty much the same palace, after having been rebuilt in 1903. The admission ticket to the garden is reasonable enough that most people can now afford it, so that this old imperial garden can become the perfect location for locals to retreat during the hot Beijing summers.

The Forbidden City

In the early 1400's, the third Ming Emperor "Yongle" moved the capital of China to Beijing. In 1406 he began construction on his new capital. The Capital consisted of three main sections: The Forbidden City, which contained the Imperial Palace complex; The Imperial City, which was home to the government officials; and the Outer City which was south of the Imperial City and is where the rest of the people lived. The Forbidden City of China is also known as two other names – the Imperial Palace Museum and Gugong, although the Imperial Palace is an entity of the City. Both the Ming and Qing Dynasties carried out their administrative duties and lived within the walls of this incredible City.

The Forbidden City, ( so named because common people were forbidden to enter ) was indeed a city. Over 800 buildings containing 8,886 rooms, and covering 250 acres. The entire complex is surrounded by a 32 foot high wall which is protected by a 165 foot wide drainage ditch forming a mote. The city is only accessible by entering through one of four gates which span the water.

Today, the Forbidden City is a public museum, drawing the attention of millions of people from around the world. It is here that you can see traditional architectural pieces up close and marvel in the treasures of the Imperial family and its court. You will find this magnificent piece of history sitting directly across from the Tiananmen Square, the heart of Beijing. Here you will find the main entrance into the museum although smaller entrances are still open through the east and north gages.

The majority of structures found within the walls of the Forbidden City are post-18^th Century architecture. While some of these buildings have experienced levels of damage caused by the Gobi winds, the Manchus, and the 21^st Century looting by the Japanese and Kuomintang forces, most of them are still standing firm.

The operation of the Forbidden City has stretched over five centuries during which time, 24 Emperors from the Ming and Qing Dynasties ruled. It was in these 500 years that the Forbidden City was considered “off limits” to the world, which even included the Chinese population. However, that has all changed and today, people mill about every day through the cluster of buildings, free to enjoy the fascinating structures, tranquil gardens, and unbelievable designs.

When you visit the Imperial Palace, you will have two choices. The first is a short, two-hour tour and the second is an all-day guided tour that will take you through each of the rooms. If you prefer the shorter tour, you will still gain valuable insight from the plaques that mark each piece, providing historical information as well as the item’s relevance of importance.

With the color yellow being the symbol for the royal family, you will find it to be dominant throughout the City. For example, the roofs have yellow glazed tiles, palace decorations are painted yellow, and the bricks found outside are yellow. The only exception to this is the royal library called Wenyuange. This portion of the Forbidden City was built with a black room to resemble water. It was believed that if the palace should ever catch fire, the water could help extinguish it. Either tour is a culturally rewarding experience that you will not soon forget.

A wonderful part of the Forbidden City is the Hall of Preserving Harmony. This Hall was at one time used as a banquet hall for influential dinners. The artistry seen as you approach the building is truly mesmerizing, validating the rich history. The steps that lead down into the main corridor are covered with intricate dragons and other Chinese figures.

Making the stone even more intriguing is the fact that each step was initially part of a massive stone. To transport the stone to the palace, the Chinese people had to be ingenuous in that moving it in a traditional manner simply would not work. Therefore, during one winter when the roads flooded and then froze, they saw their opportunity. The stone was slide down the road until it finally reached its home at the Hall.

Another important part of the Forbidden City is the Hall of Supreme Harmony. This Hall was used for large gatherings where important guests were entertained. To honor these guests, the Hall was decorated extravagantly. As you tour through this particular building, you will find 308 bronze vats located throughout the palace. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, these very vats were filled with water in case of fire.

The Imperial Palace is by far the most beautiful structure of all within the Forbidden City. Each walkway is magnificently designed with stone and enriched with beautiful rose gardens. If you like, you can rest in any of the courtyards or pavilions and feel the enchantment of this powerful place.

For a small fee, you can climb the steps of the Tiananmen Gate and once at the top, you will have the opportunity to look out over the Square. Here you will see the same panoramic view that Mao enjoyed while in reign. Because this was Mao’s favorite place to watch the people walking below, in his honor a gigantic portrait of him hangs there today.

Everyone has heard the history of the Great Wall of Chine and sadly, some areas of this great wonder are in poor condition. What many people do not know is that the Great Wall of China had a vital link to the Forbidden City. You see, the Wall was designed and constructed with watchtowers all along its structure. It was from these watchtowers that smoke signals were sent as a way of communicating with the Forbidden City.

The word “Beijing” translates to mean “Northern Capital”. Today, Beijing is the home to more than 12 million people. This city has undergone many transformations throughout the centuries and to most people visiting, they are often surprised at what they see. The Forbidden City and Imperial Palace are just two examples of the rich history remaining in this part of China for all to enjoy.

Great Wall of China

Visible from Space, The Great Wall of China is the largest man-made feature on the planet, however, contrary to popular legend (and according to astronauts Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell and Jim Irwin) it is not visible from the moon.

The Great Wall is 6’700 kilometers in length, running east to west and crossing five provinces. Appearing as a long, serpentine dragon, it winds across lands including deserts, grasslands and even mountains. Every type of material available at the time was used. From mud and reeds, to the finest mortar bricks ever made. ( still intact centuries later )

The history of the Great Wall spans more than 2000 years, and it is now considered to be one of the greatest wonders on earth. Though there are sections of the wall that have now fallen into ruin, or that have even completely disappeared, it remains one of the most sought attractions in the entire world due to both its majesty as well as its great significance. In 1987, UNESCO listed the Great Wall of China among the prestigious World Heritage sites.

Though it is not known exactly when the construction of the Great Wall of China began, it is commonly believed that it was built as a military fortification to protect against tribal intrusions across the borders during the Zhou Dynasty. In the late Spring and Autumn Period, which ran from 770 BC to 476 BC, the ducal states extended their defense works and began building “great” structures for prevention of attacks from neighboring states.

In 221 BC after conquering most of its neighboring states, Ying Zheng, the ruler of the Qin State declared himself Qin Shihuangdi, the first Emperor of The Qin Dynasty. The word Qin in pronounced "chin" and is the source of the name China. Thus began the reign of the First Emperor of China, and the beginning of the Great Wall. Qin Shihuangdi began the construction of the Great Wall by connecting many of the existing border walls to protect the northern border of his kingdom from invasion. The construction continued for centuries and employed the work of millions.

The Great Wall took approximately 10 years to complete, and ran from Linzhao - in what is now the eastern part of the Gansu Province) - east to Liaodong - which currently resides in the Jilin Province).

The wall not only provided incredible defense in the north of the country, but was a tremendous symbol of the emperor’s might.

After the Qin Dynasty, the Great Wall experienced many extensions. Emperor Wu (Han Wu Di) of the Han Dynasty wished to maintain safety against the Xiongnu, as they had been at war with this tribe in 127 BC, 121 BC and 119 BC, so he extended the wall to the west to guard the Hexi Corridor (in what is now the Gansu Province) as well as the Xinjiang region.

Later, many more constructions and extensions were made to the great wall within the successive Northern Wei, Northern Qi and Sui dynasties.

Presently, the Great wall that exists in Beijing is from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It was built from bricks and granite and included greatly sophisticated designs and passes, holding largely strategic importance. The Ming Wall begins in Yalujiang River (which lies in today’s Heilongjiang Province) and stretches over 5’000 kilometers to Guansu.

Today, the wall is considered a must-see for every visitor to China.

Hutongs of China

Long before city planners in Europe turned cow paths into roads, China had developed a very orderly approach to organizing communities, known as a "hutong". Hutongs surrounded the centrally located Forbidden City and were built according to the precise etiquette of the Zhou Dynasty.

Relatives of the royal family and other imperial folks lived in hutongs that were near the palace and lay to the west and east. Farther away and situated to the north and south were smaller hutongs where the general population lived. A hutong usually housed a single family, all though many generations of the family would exist under one roof.

The word "hutong" can be translated as a lane or street that runs between two courtyards. The city of Beijing in China is famous for its thousands of hutongs -- mostly build in the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties (1271 - 1911 AD). If you visit Beijing and are interested in hutongs, you might seek out Sanmiao Street, which is the oldest hutong in Beijing -- and has existed for more than nine centuries. The longest hutong is called Dongxi Jiaomin Lane, with one street being more than four miles long. This is quite interesting when comparing that long walk to the shortest hutong, which used to be called Yi Chi Street (now Meizhuxie Street), just a scant 32 feet in length.

Don't visit Qianshi Hutong near Qianmen unless you've been successful on your most recent diet. This hutong is so narrow that two people can't pass through it at the same time, even face-to-face! It is said that if two people find themselves arriving at either end of this street at the same time, one of them must back out and allow the other to pass through first.

The typical hutong is a courtyard or 'quadrangle'. In actuality, it is a square with rooms built along the four sides with the buildings and the extent of the hutong compound varying in size depending on the wealth and status of the occupants. Think of four buildings all facing inward to a common yard, and that will give you good idea of what a hutong looks like.

All the buildings have the same basic structure of rooms, corridors and walls, and the all-important Chuihua Gate. The Chuihua Gate divides the courtyard into an inner and an outer partition. Wealthier people would have extensive outer yards and their buildings would include intricately carved and painted pillars and roof beams. Simpler folk lived with simpler fare but built along the same principles.

The positioning of the gate and the rooms always followed the principles of Feng Shui., for example, the door of each room would face the inner yard. Additionally, each room would be connected by a path from the yard, and every room facing the yard would have stairs in front of it.

The Hutong system of community had many traditions. In addition to the size of the hutong varying according to the wealth and status of the occupants, family members typically lived in certain parts of the dwelling. For instance, older family members would live in the northern most room and younger family members would live in the wing rooms. The southern most room or rooms would be used as a living room.

After the Qing dynasty, around the time from 1911 - 1948, China was subject to many external influences -- including foreign invasion, as well as internal turbulence. Conditions in the hutongs became quite bad as the society and government underwent changes in response to these influences. New hutongs no longer followed the carefully established protocols and older hutongs fell into disrepair.

Conditions improved with the founding of the People's Republic of China. Old ways have for the most part given way to new. This included the hutong system of community, all though if you visit as a tourist you will have plenty of opportunity to see a hutong. Hutongs in urban Beijing still house about half of the population and occupy about a third of the land area.

The Philippines

Made up of more than 7,000 islands, you will find the Philippines. This country is nestled between Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, in addition to the South China Sea. The Philippines is a beautiful place to visit where the ocean is crystal blue and the islands alluring and mesmerizing.

Sadly, with news of kidnappings and terrorism, some people are leery about visiting this part of the world. With a difficult political reputation, the Philippines continue to overcome the effects of martial law. Unfortunately, this country consists of rundown roads, a bad infrastructure, and ferries that are not very safe. Because of all these negative aspects of the country, tourists have chosen different destinations.

While there are definite things to consider when traveling to the Philippines, you will find some positive aspects as well. For example, the people of the Philippines are among the most hospitable. They are very inviting and have big, warm smiles. Additionally, the islands are gorgeous. In fact, many of the islands are popular scuba diving locations because of their beauty both on the land and in the sea.

If you plan to visit the Philippines, you can stay in an all-inclusive luxury resort. The advantage here is that you can enjoy the beautiful island in safety without having to go into the towns where safety is an issue. Not only is the price of these type hotels affordable but also, English is commonly spoken and the food is amazingly delicious.

If you prefer to get away from the standard type things to see and do, and you do not mind roughing it a little bit, then you will find the countryside of the Philippines incredibly beautiful. In fact, the Philippines is just one of a handful of places in the world that still have tribal lands where adventurous people can wander without being bothered with modern day conveniences. The only thing you would need to follow closely is the current safety advice.

The Philippines is an interesting place for many reasons. One of these reasons is that a Belgium research firm found that this country is the most disaster prone country in existence. This study was performed in 2000, showing that the Philippines have experienced earthquakes, typhoons, floods, volcanic eruptions, militant action, landslides, and more.

Even with all the negativity and problems that plague the Philippines, their government is working diligently to make this a better country. Therefore, while you do need to follow some strict guidelines when it comes to safety, just as you would with many other countries, this is a wonderful place to visit!

The Philippines has both a dry and rainy season. The monsoon brings in heavy rains, typically running from May to October. Then in the winter months, cooler and drier air is brought in by the monsoon, which in this case, runs from December to February. In the lowlands, the climate is generally very hot and dusty, starting in March and going through May. At this time, the temperatures can reach upward to 100 degrees. Because of the location of the Philippines, it is rare for temperatures to drop lower than 80 degrees.

As mentioned, the most important thing to consider when traveling to this country is safety. You need to check with your travel agent, as well as the local authorities regarding the development of any threats. They should be able to tell you which islands to avoid, when, and why. Keep in mind that opportunistic crimes are common because of the levels of poverty.

However, foreign tourists have been kidnapped and even killed by extremist groups. There have even been recent bombings that have occurred in areas around the Philippines, typically focusing on transportation and other public areas where a significant amount of people gather.

This particular threat is generally more prevalent in the southernmost, western, and central areas of Basilan, Mindanao, Sulu, and Tawi Tawi. Even on the seas around the Philippines, piracy still lives. Even as recent as May 2004 during the elections, political unrest was heightened.

When visiting the Philippines, you will find the official language being Filipino. However, again, English is widely spoken, along with the dialect of Tagalog, which is popular among the islands. Currency in the Philippines is just like the Peso in Mexico. It is divided into 100 centavos, which comes in denominations of 5, 10, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000. However, if you do not want to mess with the currency exchange, you can simply use just about any major credit card, which are accepted at most restaurants, hotels, shops, and so on.

To visit the Philippines, you will need a current passport that is good for a minimum of six months beyond the time you plan to stay. Additionally, you will be required to have a return ticket to your origination point, along with legal documents for any future travel. Finally, you want to ensure you have enough money or financial means so that if you do end up in the country longer, you will be okay.

Again, the Philippines is truly a beautiful country and the people here, some of the warmest in the entire world. Just remember that safety is an issue so if you plan to go there, be wise about your travel decisions.

Traveling to Thailand

People traveling into Thailand are immediately impressed with this country. Not only is Thailand an interesting place full of rich history but it is also an exotic country. The capital city of Thailand is Bangkok and here, life is anything but still. People are milling about, businesses being run, and life is very busy. However, if you take a short trip from Bangkok, you will find a number of charming towns where ancient ruins, temples, and simple cottages exist.

One of the things making Thailand so intriguing is that it respects its past while embracing the future. Dating back 800 years, Thailand has established distinctive ways of life that draw people back to visit year after year. The culture and traditions blended with architecture and the arts are admired by people around the globe. The people of Thailand have proven that they can adopt foreign influence while maintaining their own special identity.

The country of Thailand is very agriculturally strong. While agriculture remains a key component of the lifestyle here, around the middle of the 1980s, agro-industrial economies were formed. That led to foreign investors bringing modernization into the country, reforming the country, as we know it today. If you plan to visit Thailand, you will find a country that continues to uphold its traditional Orient culture while offering modern day sporting events, entertainment, restaurants, and shopping.

Thailand has two primary national identities. The first element is that the people of Thailand believe in and revere their monarchy and second, the people have a strong faith in Buddhism. While tourist may not understand the unrivaled belief in this faith, it is passed down from one generation to another. Currently, King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ruler of Thailand, holding the longest reign of more than 50 years.

During 1997, Thailand experienced a difficult, economic time. It was then that the people drew their strength from Buddha. To see for yourself the strong bond within Thailand, you want to travel to Cambodia, Laos, Mekong, Myanmar, or Vietnam. These areas are considered top travel destinations within Thailand, each offering convenient accommodations and travel options.

To celebrate the belief in Buddhism, you will find all types of festivals, gorgeous works of art, architecture, literature, and sculptures, each depicting a special story of the Buddhist lifestyle. In fact, more than 95% of the people of Thailand practice Buddhism, showing how deeply rooted this faith is.

Now keep in mind that people living in Thailand are supported and encouraged to practice whatever religion they choose. For instance, you will also find Muslims, Christians, Confucians, Taoists, Hindus, and Sikhs. Throughout Thailand are amazing temples that have a strong Chinese architectural influence, as well. Additionally, this diversity in religious belief is supported by the current monarchy.

The country of Thailand is a tropical place that typically has high levels of humidity. Located equally between China and India, the area that Thailand covers is about the same size as France, being 198,115 square miles. Because of its location, people consider Thailand to be strategically placed, making it the heart of Southeast Asia. On the west and north is the border of Myanmar, Lao is on the north and northeast border, to the east is the Gulf of Thailand and Cambodia, and then to the south, Malaysia.

In Thailand, you will find very diverse landscaping, ranging from fertile plains that are dotted with rice paddies, to massive mountainsides. Additionally, Thailand offers pristine beaches covered with white sand. The country is divided into four sections, which consist of the north, Caho Phraya river basin or the central plains, the Korat Plateau or the northeast, and the southern peninsula or the south.

These sections of Thailand are divided according to the natural lay of the land. For instance, to the north, you will find primarily mountains that are made up of ridges, valleys, and dense forests. Then in the central, you will find lush valleys, rich and perfect for growing crops of rice. In fact, this section of Thailand is often referred to as the “Rice Bowl of Asia.” Here in the central section is where you will find Bangkok.

Heading to the Korat Plateau is an area that is somewhat arid, consisting of rolling terrain and hills. This particular section is known for its harsh weather conditions, which often means drought or flood. Finally, the south is a breathtakingly beautiful part of Thailand with its tropical setting and beaches. Because this part of Thailand has the ocean supply and rich soil, you will find a wide variety of fauna and flora.

When planning a trip to Thailand, you would expect to find consistent warm and mild temperatures. However, there are some differences between the four sections. For instance, the southeast section has a strong monsoon season. For the seasons, November to February produces cool temperatures, from April to May temperatures are quite hot, and then from June to October, the weather is mild and beautiful. It is advised that when visiting the north area during November to February, you pack a jacket or sweater since this section tends to be a little cooler than the other sections.

With an average population of 61.5 million people, the country of Thailand offers something for everyone. There is a strong ethnic diversity although Thais form the majority. Other ethnic groups include Khmer, Burmese, Mon, Indian, Malay, and Lao. When it comes to the tourist industry, there is yet another group called the Hill Tribe people. Being prominent and with a powerful presence in the culture and economic area of tourism, the Hill Tribe people are valued. However, the Chinese are the largest ethnic group in Bangkok, as well as some of the other larger provinces.

What makes Thailand such as great place to visit is that the people here believe life should be enjoyed and never achieved by infringing on other people’s rights. The people in Thailand are very hospitable, with a wonderful and witty sense of humor. The Thais are mellow, easy to get along with, and eager to please. When it comes to conflict, the Thais choose harmony. Interestingly, the women of Thailand have a strong societal influence. In fact, when it comes to businesses and homes, the women often are the ones holding positions of power and high rank. While the women are still not equal to the men, compared to other Asian countries, the Thai women are important.

Since the English language is widely spoken in Thailand, especially in the larger provinces such as Bangkok, you can get around quite easily. This makes the tourist process much more enjoyable and trusting. However, while visiting if you want to learn to speak a little Thai, you will find the people excited to teach.

A closer look at Vietnam

Many of us still think of Vietnam as a nation heavily involved in war, though the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. Vietnam is a gorgeous nation, based on a foundation of stunning natural beauty and calming village lifestyles.

Vietnam continues to hold highlands and rainforest regions brimming with new species awaiting discovery and teeming with exotic wildlife. Additionally, its beaches are perfect for a relaxing, sun-filled vacation.

Two decades free of war have provided Vietnam ample opportunity to take advantage of its national union, and they certainly have maximized their potential, becoming one of today's most outstanding travel destinations.

No matter what climate you find perfect for your vacation or even home lifestyle, Vietnam is certain to be more than capable of providing. With a climate as complex as it’s vastly ranging topography, a little bit of everything is available from this fine nation. Although situated entirely within the tropics, it is the wild variance of latitude, altitude and weather patterns that allow for such diversity.

Vietnam has a strong history and has made full use of it, creating a rich, pleasing culture. Vietnam is heavy in its spiritual life, including among its main ideologies Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Tam Giao.

One of the most popular events in Vietnam, for both locals and tourists, is the important annual festival of Tet, which is a weeklong celebration in late January or early February, ringing in the new lunar year and the beginning of the spring season. Festivities include many fabulous traditions such as fireworks, the drums, and gongs, and even quiet meditations. Tet however, is not alone in the yearly festivities of Vietnam - in fact it is only the first of about twenty more traditional and religious festivals celebrated every year!

The architecture in Vietnam gives one a sense of grace, balance and harmony with the culture, the land and spiritualism. Locals and tourists alike are awed by the great numbers of stunning historic temples, monasteries, and pagodas (towers made up of a series of stepped pyramid-like structures, often decorated with carvings, colors and other impressive ornamentation.

The Vietnamese language is a greatly flexible one, making it ideal for the culture’s lust for poetry and poetry plays which occur frequently within the country’s literature as well as performing arts. With the country’s drastic historical changes in leadership the folk art has varied just as wildly, having been very popular until the French colonization, but then faded out until more recently, when woodcuts, village painting, and block printing. Vietnamese lacquer art have become extremely common once more. Music, dance, and puppetry, are among other gorgeous art forms to be witnessed in Vietnam.

Vietnamese cooking has been influenced heavily by the cuisine of France, China, and Thailand, making it anything but bland. Its base is rice, but fresh herbs such as lemon grass, basil, coriander, parsley, laksa leaf, lime, and chili are greatly and expertly utilized. This is topped off by the use of the wide selection of tasty foods grown locally. Indigenous tropical fruits include bananas, pineapples, coconuts, lychees, melons, mandarin oranges, grapes, and exotic varieties like the three-seeded cherry and the green dragon fruit.

Vietnam’s current population has reached approximately 75 million people; 80% of which are ethnic Vietnamese, while the rest are made up of more than fifty separate ethnic groups. Among the many different languages spoken in Vietnam are Vietnamese, as well as Chinese, English, French, and Russian.

Bali, The Island Paradise

Bali proudly boasts a reputation as one of the most stunning and varied tourist locations in Asia, attracting approximately 1 million tourists every year from all corners of the globe.

Bali is located between the islands of Java and Lombok, and is included in the over 17,000 islands that comprise the Indonesian Archipelago. All of Bali’s beauty and diversity is contained within the small area of approximately 140 km from east to west and 80 km from north to south. Included in its assorted landscape is an east-west chain of fascinating volcanic mountains. The tallest of these volcanoes is named Ganung Agung, and last erupted in 1963. Currently it is 3,142m high at it’s tallest point.

Bali is an entirely tropical country, as it lies only 8� south of the Equator. With a tropical climate, Bali has only two seasons, the wet season and the dry season, and maintains an overall annual temperature of approximately 28�C.

It is the rich volcanic soil and the soaking, predictable monsoon season that provide the island of Bali with a tremendously fertile growing area, allowing for a diverse range of crops to be grown. Bali’s most famous crop and region is in the southern regions, where Bali has its rice terraces, which are among the most impressive in the world. The northern regions are home to crops such as coffee, copra, spices, vegetables, rice and cattle.

There are strong spiritual roots to the Balinese people, and this weighs heavily on the Balinese culture. Though there is a grand influx of tourists recently, which grows every year, the Balinese culture has remained strong and is still very much in practice. The main religion in Bali is Agama Hindu Dharma, which arrived in the 11^th century by way of Sumatra and Java. Though this religion began in India, the Balinese form of this religion is a combination of Hindu, Buddhism, Javanese and ancient indigenous beliefs, interspersed with customs quite dissimilar to the typical Hinduism practiced in India. In the 15^th century, Java brought Islam to Bali, and this influence is obvious in its artistic community.

The Balinese have always treasured creativity and have traditionally used these creative juices for religious purposes, creating striking religious artwork inspired by the stories from the Ramayana and other Hindu epics.

Bali’s population sits at about 3 million, the majority of whom live within tight village communities based on extremely large extended families. The largest towns of Bali are the Capital, Denpasar (population 250’000) and Singaraja of the northern region. However, the main tourist area is Kuta, which is near to the airport. Though it seems to be a tiny, very sleepy village, its tourism is a result of its famed white-sand beaches, the surf, and stunning sunsets.

Kuta is now the home of many bustling resorts, with hundreds of hotels, bars, restaurants and shops. Many are now moving away from the hustle of Kuta and are heading in search of a more peaceful and traditional atmosphere in the calmer resorts of Sanur and Candi Dasa, located on the east coast, or Lovina, which is found in the north. Nusa Dua is now becoming a hot tourist spot, on the southernmost peninsula of Bali Island, and it caters to a more upscale crowd with its biggest 5-star hotels.

Acapulco, Mexico

Acapulco, Mexico is a unique city, one divided by the rich and famous and poverty. Even so, this is a city of excitement and opportunity. What you will see as you come around the bend into Acapulco is an unspoiled paradise just waiting to be discovered, right on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. When Acapulco was first established some 3,000 years ago, there were few animals living on the island but beautiful vegetation and ocean.

The Nahua tribe members were the first inhabitants that came before the Aztec Indians, according to archaeological findings. Then in 1521, Hernan Cortes ordered Franciso Chico to go to this area and as the first foreigner to step foot on land, he named the area Santa Lucia. Soon, modern day Acapulco became a huge trading center between America and Asia with massive ships rolling in and out carrying wonderful goods and spices.

As you can imagine, this created a huge growth in population along with much wealth. Unfortunately, the wealth drew the attention of many legendary pirates such as Morgan and Cavendish and Sir Francis Drake, eager to take their share of what was not theirs to take. To protect the port from the frequent pirate attacks, a castle was built called the Fuerte de San Diego. However, this very castle was destroyed due to an earthquake that hit in the 18th century. Keep in mind that while you do not hear much about earthquakes in Acapulco, it is actually one of the greatest earthquake-prone areas in the country.

Then at the start of the 19th century, Acapulco was declared “Ciudad Oficial” by King Charles IV, helping it become an important factor associated with the Spanish Crown. Even so, the city was attacked and burned to the ground in 1810 led by Jose Maria Morelos during the War of Independence. Determined to rebuild, the city did recover during the gold rush years.

At this time, many ships stopped at the Acapulco port as they headed to Panama but what happened, was that each time, passengers would disembark and fall in love with the food, the beaches, and the lush, green hillsides, deciding to stay. With this, the population continued to grow and as word leaked out about this secret oasis, more and more people came. By 1920, Acapulco had become such a well-known tourist destination that both the Prince of Wales and future King Edward VIII made frequent visits.

As popularity spread to Europe, it was obvious that better hotel accommodations were required for the affluent visitors. A Texas executive by the name of Pullen started the process by building a hotel now known as “Old Acapulco.” Then a few years later, President Miguel Aleman made major changes to the port by adding drainage systems, installing electricity, and building and paving the first road, thus bringing even more people to this exciting city.

Today, the popularity of Acapulco has remained strong. There are many wonderful things to do, starting with the electrifying nightlife. You can visit a number of dance clubs and restaurants late into the night to include incredible food and great music. However, along with the nightlife, Acapulco also offers pristine beaches of white sand, a number of water sports to include parasailing, snorkeling, jet skiing, and scuba diving, outstanding hotels with first class accommodations and service, and some of the finest Mexican restaurants south of the border.

If you prefer, you can take a relaxing day tour of the city that shows off not only the incredible view looking out over the ocean but also older areas of the city along with modern areas. Then, you can drive to one side of town to take in a show of the cliff divers as they jump off 150-foot cliffs into the water below, something very impressive and worth seeing. Then, you might consider taking a trip at night on a “booze cruise”, which is a smaller boat featuring a wonderful dinner and amazing entertainment as you cruise out on the ocean.

Other things to do while in Acapulco include taking a trip to Mexico City to watch the bull fights, shopping at some great stores where you will find incredible prices and selection on ivory, leather, crystal, and other items, or simply soaking up some of the warm sun out by the pool or on the beach. Of course, if you love deep-sea fishing, then be prepared to put up a fight, especially for sailfish.

Along with all these activities, some people enjoy learning about the history of Acapulco. For instance, this city has a number of historic temples that date back to the days of the Aztec Empire. Sadly, when the Spanish invaded, they soon discovered that Acapulco provided a huge advantage with the shape of the bay. With this, they had the protection needed and the ideal location for establishing their base for exploration of the Pacific. Interestingly, this city was the only port in the New World that was authorized to receive the Spanish galleons coming from China and the Philippines.

Today, more than one million people call Acapulco home. With its beautiful green hillsides and crystal blue water, it is easy to see why so many people flock there. When planning a trip to Acapulco, you want to keep your eyes open for bargains in that the price to visit has gone up in the past several years. However, the cost of the trip is well worth it when you see how gorgeous the scenery is and how warm and welcoming the people are.

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