There are many theories regarding the purpose of these lines. Were they built for the gods to see? Or for shamans who “flew” over them in drug induced dreams?
Or did their creators already have means to actually leave the ground, such as balloons?
In any case, from the ground there hardly is anything to see: the area is mostly flat and the figures are of a size that makes it impossible to see them whole from this perspective.
From an airplane, however, they are clearly distinguishable. There are a monkey, a spider, a colibri, even a human figure (often called the “astronaut”).
Of course, over time, erosion must have taken a toll on the lines which are believed to be more than 2000 years old.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Paris, France - Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum is the largest national museum of France, the most visited museum in the world, and a historic monument. The Louvre Palace is an almost rectangular structure, composed of the square Cour Carrée and two wings which wrap the Cour Napoléon to the north and south. In the heart of the complex is the Louvre Pyramid, above the visitor's center. The museum is divided into three wings: the Sully Wing to the east, which contains the Cour Carrée and the oldest parts of the Louvre; the Richelieu Wing to the north; and the Denon Wing, which borders the Seine to the south.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Japan - Yokohama Skyline
Yokohama lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo. It is a major commercial hub of the Greater Tokyo Area.
The highlights points of interest are the Landmark Tower which is the tallest building in Japan, Queen's Square Yokohama (a shopping mall) and the Cosmo Clock 21, which was the largest Ferris wheel in the world when it was built in 1989 and which also doubles as "the world's biggest clock".
Japan's second-biggest city, Yokohama is just a short distance south of Tokyo. Yokohama has long been the capital city of the Kanagawa Prefecture and is considered part of the sprawling Greater Tokyo area.
Once a maritime town and standing on Japan's eastern coast, Yokohama has grown into a thriving port city and is filled with its own unique character and tourist appeal. Yokohama makes a pleasant contrast to the somewhat more hectic lifestyle in nearby Tokyo and is full of interest, with highlights including the restaurants around its buzzing Chinatown district, and the particularly tourist friendly seafront development known as Minato Mirai 21.
The highlights points of interest are the Landmark Tower which is the tallest building in Japan, Queen's Square Yokohama (a shopping mall) and the Cosmo Clock 21, which was the largest Ferris wheel in the world when it was built in 1989 and which also doubles as "the world's biggest clock".
Japan's second-biggest city, Yokohama is just a short distance south of Tokyo. Yokohama has long been the capital city of the Kanagawa Prefecture and is considered part of the sprawling Greater Tokyo area.
Once a maritime town and standing on Japan's eastern coast, Yokohama has grown into a thriving port city and is filled with its own unique character and tourist appeal. Yokohama makes a pleasant contrast to the somewhat more hectic lifestyle in nearby Tokyo and is full of interest, with highlights including the restaurants around its buzzing Chinatown district, and the particularly tourist friendly seafront development known as Minato Mirai 21.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Paris, France - The Louvre Pyramid @ Blue Hour
The Louvre Pyramid is a large glass and metal pyramid, surrounded by three smaller pyramids, in the main courtyard of the Louvre Palace in Paris. The large pyramid serves as the main entrance to the Louvre Museum. Completed in 1989, it has become a landmark for the city of Paris. The construction of the pyramid triggered considerable controversy because many people felt that the futuristic edifice looked quite out of place in front of the Louvre Museum with its classical architecture.
The Louvre Pyramid is the work of American architect Ieoh Ming Pei. His architectural works are characterized by the search for a certain purity of form combined with functional efficiency. The use of abstract forms and the use of cold materials such as stone, concrete, steel or glass are accompanied by a strong propensity for theatrics and technology challenges.
The Louvre Pyramid is the work of American architect Ieoh Ming Pei. His architectural works are characterized by the search for a certain purity of form combined with functional efficiency. The use of abstract forms and the use of cold materials such as stone, concrete, steel or glass are accompanied by a strong propensity for theatrics and technology challenges.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Sydney Harbor Bridge & Opera House @ Blue Hour - Australia
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia's most well known and photographed landmarks.
The dramatic view of the bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic image of both Sydney and Australia.
It is the world's largest (but not the longest) steel arch bridge with the top of the bridge standing 134 metres above the harbour.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge (Sydney's greatest tourism icon) - on a par with San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, New York's Statue of Liberty, London's Tower Bridge and the Eiffel Tower in Paris - took eight years to build and opened in March 1932. Once nicknamed the 'coathanger' it is now simply called 'the bridge' by Sydneysiders.
Linking the city with North Sydney, it carries eight lanes of road traffic and two railway tracks which form part of the city's rail suburban network.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge has a pair of granite clad pylons at each end, they are actually there for show and do not support the great arch which is 530 metres (1650 feet) long and connected to huge hinges tied to bedrock at either end - technically Dawes Point in the south and Milsons Point in the north.
The dramatic view of the bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is an iconic image of both Sydney and Australia.
It is the world's largest (but not the longest) steel arch bridge with the top of the bridge standing 134 metres above the harbour.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge (Sydney's greatest tourism icon) - on a par with San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, New York's Statue of Liberty, London's Tower Bridge and the Eiffel Tower in Paris - took eight years to build and opened in March 1932. Once nicknamed the 'coathanger' it is now simply called 'the bridge' by Sydneysiders.
Linking the city with North Sydney, it carries eight lanes of road traffic and two railway tracks which form part of the city's rail suburban network.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge has a pair of granite clad pylons at each end, they are actually there for show and do not support the great arch which is 530 metres (1650 feet) long and connected to huge hinges tied to bedrock at either end - technically Dawes Point in the south and Milsons Point in the north.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Bangkok, Thailand - Golden Wat Arun
The famous Wat Arun, perhaps better known as the Temple of the Dawn, is one of the best known landmarks and one of the most published images of Bangkok. It consists of a massive elongated prang (Khmer-style tower), and is surrounded by four smaller prangs.
The Wat really looks better from a distance than close up, and you're not missing out too much even if you only view from across the river. The grounds are fairly pleasant and peaceful though, with good murals and a main Buddha image supposedly designed by King Rama II.
It is possible to walk a limited way up the (very steep) stairs of the main prang, which gives a reasonable view of the Chao Phraya river.
Despite it's name (coming from Aruna, the Indian god of the dawn), the best views and photos of Wat Arun are in the evening with the sun setting behind it. There are some restaurants on the opposite side of the river that are good for watching this, though you'd be lucky to see the image of Wat Arun that's on all the postcards - that of the red sky sunset with the sun setting directly behind the temple. Sunset is around 6pm - 7pm all year round in Bangkok.
The Wat really looks better from a distance than close up, and you're not missing out too much even if you only view from across the river. The grounds are fairly pleasant and peaceful though, with good murals and a main Buddha image supposedly designed by King Rama II.
It is possible to walk a limited way up the (very steep) stairs of the main prang, which gives a reasonable view of the Chao Phraya river.
Despite it's name (coming from Aruna, the Indian god of the dawn), the best views and photos of Wat Arun are in the evening with the sun setting behind it. There are some restaurants on the opposite side of the river that are good for watching this, though you'd be lucky to see the image of Wat Arun that's on all the postcards - that of the red sky sunset with the sun setting directly behind the temple. Sunset is around 6pm - 7pm all year round in Bangkok.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Altiplano, Peru
The Peruvian Altiplano is the area of the Andes above about 3500m in Peru. The altiplano stretches into neighbouring Bolivia and also Argentina, The Puno region & Lake Titicaca are considered to be the cradle of the Inca civilization.
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