Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Ngorongoro Crater image courtesy: wayfaring.info

A crater that is not

Ngorongoro is often described as the world’s largest volcanic crater; it is in fact it the world’s largest unbroken and unflooded volcanic ‘caldera’. It was formed 3 million years back when a giant volcano of about 19,000 meters in height collapsed as the magma beneath it exploded. Normally a crater is the vent on the top of the volcano through which magma flows out; whereas when it blows out beneath the ground; the whole volcano collapses down and the magma that escaped forms a ring around the place where the volcano stood. The place where the ill fated volcano stood becomes a caldera; easily mistaken for a giant crater.

Location

Ngorongoro Crater image courtesy: wikipedia.org

The Ngorongoro ‘crater’ (volcanic caldera to be precise) is located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) about 160 meters west to Arusha Town in Tanzania It is located between three lakes like Eyasi, Natron and Manyara and more than three national parks (Serengeti, Masai Mara, Arusha, Tarangire). There two more landmarks in the vicinity the king of all dormant volcanoes the mighty Kilimanjaro Peak located at the distant east and the great Lake Victoria in the north.

The Lakes

There three lakes in its vicinity and one at the center of the crater they are as follows;

Lake Eyasi, it is in the southwest part of the East African Rift Valley, the southwest flanks drain in to the northeast corner of this rectangular lake; it is shallow due to sedimentation. All these lakes are rich in bird population and favorite locations of bird watchers.

Lake Natron located in the southwest of Masai land and Northern Masai Steppe (the present Ngorongoro Conservation Area); much noted for its animals (Thomson’s gazelle, white bearded wildebeest etc) and birds (fringe eyed Oryx, lesser kudu etc).

Lake Manyara, it part of the Manyara National Park located southeast part of Ngorongoro. This park is famous for tree climbing lions and all sorts of big animals and extremely rich in bird population; it is home to about 380 species of birds like flamingoes, crowned eagles, herons, ant-eater, many types of waterfowls etc.

Lake Makat and rivulets Munge and Lerai

Lake Makat (also called Magadi means salt in Maa language) is one small lake at the center of the crater which gains area during rainy season (magadi in Maa -the language of Masai tribe -mean salt). The deposition of volcanic ash has made this lake extremely salty. During rainy season as the Munge (a rivulet) drains water from the Olamati Crater in to it; this rivulet serves as the life giver of the valley as the number of animals that depend upon it is numerous. There is one more stream by name Lerai that drains to the forests located south of the crater.

Ngorongoro Crater Stats

Ngorongoro Crater image courtesy: resourcesforattorneys.com

The bottom of this giant ‘cauldron’ (word caldera in Spanish means cauldron) is 610 meter deep from its rim and it is 260 sq km in area. Rainfall in the valley varies between 80 and 120 cms. The western ridge of the crater is less steep and more arid with patches of thorny bushes here and there. This area receives lesser rainfall (40 to 60 cms). Animals like elephant, lion, zebra, rhinoceros, leopard, buffalo and the ubiquitous wildebeests form the major part of the animal population (altogether they are 25,000 in number. Along with so many of these animals in perfect harmony there live the Masai Tribes.

Masai Tribes, the real heroes of Ngorongoro

The Masai is the most popular among the African tribes; one reason may be that they live in these game areas not doing any harm to the wild animals and catch the attention of cameramen. They are much more than that; they are protectors of these wild animals and don’t eat their flesh.

They are undoubtedly the most fiercely independent tribes in the world; in the long history; no man could ever enslave a Masai; they lived life on their own style and terms compelling slave hunters to look elsewhere.

They are entirely nomadic pastoralists and they speak a language called ‘Maa’; they move along with their cattle to place where the grass is green; as they depend on cattle for everything; a Masai without at least fifty cattle and ten siblings is taken for a poor man! Because for a Masai cattle is food, drink, wealth and status.

Masai legends suggest that they are migrants from the neighborhood of Lake Turkana nearby River Nile. The migration would have taken place between 15^th and 18^th century. At present there are about 800,000 members in this tribe; barely half of them live in Kenya while the rest in Tanzania. Masai people are fond of celebrations that include community dance and singing.

Springs

Ngorongoro Crater image courtesy: wikipedia.org

The Ngorongoro Crater as the habitat of numerous animals and the local Masai population requires a lot of water which is scarce in this semi desert area; some of the natural springs available in the area play a great role in keeping the place ticking.

Ngoitokitot Spring near the eastern wall of the crater is the biggest of them all; this spring has been the giver of life to the entire surrounding area; there is even a picnic spot around it. A swamp inhabited by hippo, elephants etc is also there to add variety to the Ngorongoro; this swamp was formed from the water left over by the spring.

The Serengeti Migration

This biologically rich area is host to almost all the animals of Africa it is mainly grass lands with only few patches of jungles. Ngorongoro Crater is a refuge for the animals involved in the famous Serengeti Migration in which millions of wildebeests, several thousands of zebras; buffaloes etc migrate in between Ngorongoro, Masai Mara and Serengeti Park; they are led purely by their instincts and they arrive in Ngorongoro in summer and leave the area with arrival of the rain. The Serengeti Migration is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

World Heritage Site

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 as it is home to about 25,000 animals, grazing and human occupation are prohibited; only the Masai Tribes are permitted to graze their animals here; as per rules they have to return with cattle the same day of coming in (a Masai has his own rules; he never obeys outsiders’ orders is another thing)!.

Odupai Fossils and Human Evolution

Ngorongoro was cradle to early human beings called ‘hominids’ (an extinct primate predecessor to human beings) that lived around this place 3 million years back. Some of the fossils recovered from Odupai Gorge belong to them. Later these humanoids got evolved in to hunter and gatherer and from there to pastoralists and finally to farmers. The Masai tribes came to this area very late (15^th to 18^th century) and captured the land for them.

A collection of gems

Ngorongoro Crater image courtesy: amani-tours.com

Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Masai Mara, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Arusha etc are all conservation parks lying close to each other. They can excel any other place in the world in diversity and richness of their animal wealth. These parks remain as the nature’s last resort for the survival of its many cherished beings. Fortunately the dark time of destruction is almost over; the present trend of nations looking for revenue from eco-tourism rather than exploitation. There are so many tour operators offering trips (saffaris0 to all these national parks individually as well as combined.

Top 10 Travel Wonders of South America

Top 10 Travel Wonders of South America

[Click on the heading / image of each wonder to read the full article]

1. Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands: one of the top ten travel wonders of south america

Galapagos Islands are an isolated cluster of 19 volcanic islands of varying sizes in the Pacific Ocean located around the equator. It is a territory of Ecuador and located about 600 miles off from it. Galapagos Archipelago (a scattered group of islands cut off from mainland) is well known for its bio diversity and Charles Darwin; the renowned scientist stayed there to do his researches on biological evolution.

2. Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu: one of the top ten travel wonders of south america

Machu Picchu (means old peak in the local language) is the most amazing remnants of the Inca Empire and great civilization that engulfed the whole of South America. It is located in the Eastern Slope of the Andes Mountain overlooking the Urubamba River-Valley about 70 kilometer north-west of the Peruvian town Cusco.

3. Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls: one of the top ten travel wonders of south america

These torrential falls about 275 of them within a distance of 2.7 km some of them about 82 meters in height, the deafening sounds of all combined, all closely accessible has such an impact that anyone who has a heart gets overwhelmed. ‘Iguazu has a daily beauty in it which makes Niagara ugly!’ it made Eleanor Roosevelt who remarked with a sigh “poor Niagara” comparing Iguazu with Niagara of her native land.

4. Amazon River

Amazon River: one of the top ten travel wonders of south america

By the total volume of water delivered per second Amazon is the god of all rivers; it is the life-blood of Brazil as Nile is to Africa. The Nile of Egypt is historically accepted as longer than Amazon. Recent study conducted by scientists taking Nevado Mismi as the source proved that Amazon is 6259 to 6800 km long; that means that Amazon must be about 110 km longer than Nile.

5. Easter Island Statues

Easter Island statues: one of the top ten travel wonders of south america

Easter Island is not just fascinating but it is undoubtedly the most intriguing place in the World. This little island dotted with gigantic and weird looking human statues; is in the Oceania (the groups of islands around Australia) in the South Pacific Ocean. The Easter Island is the most isolated place with human inhabitation as the nearest inhabited places are (Tahiti or Chile) at least two thousand miles away!

6. Harbour of Rio De Janeiro

Harbor of Rio de Janeiro: one of the top ten travel wonders of south america

When the Harbor of Rio de Janeiro itself is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, The Statue of Christ the Redeemer, the 38 meter giant of a statue that stands upon the Corcovado Mountain - which it self is 710 meters high- also is one of the Seven Manmade Wonders of the World! A World Wonder itself is rare but one such overseeing another World Wonder is rarer still.

7. Carnival in Rio

Carnival in Rio: one of the top ten travel wonders of south america

There are many carnivals observed in Brazil as well as all over the world; of which the most noted one is undoubtedly that held in Rio de Janeiro; the Capital of Brazil; Rio Carnival is also acclaimed as the greatest cultural event in the world. Though commercialized to the extreme; it still retains much of the spontaneity of the care-free people who live around Rio.

8. Angel Falls

Angel Falls: one of the top ten travel wonders of south america

If the height and ferocity of a waterfall is taken as its greatness, undoubtedly Angel Falls of Venezuela is the greatest waterfall in the world. For a viewer who looks from the front; the falls may seem as it is poured directly from the heaven! Massive quantity of water plunging from a height of 979 meters (3212) feet is not a common sight that we can see elsewhere in the world!

9. Nazca Animal Figures

Nazca animal figures: one of the top ten travel wonders of south america

These Nazca Lines are very large sketches made on earth’s surface by carving out the upper layer there by exposing the inner surface; they include humanoids, monkeys, birds, insects and even aliens! Straight lines, angles, triangles and rectangles, and all sorts of geometrical shapes. Potteries recovered from the area contains the prototypes of these figures hence it is presumed that the creators had observed these figures from the sky!

10. Torres del Paine

Torres del paine National park: one of the top ten travel wonders of south america

Torres Del Paine National park is a UNESCO certified ‘World Biosphere Reserve’; which is also undoubtedly the most renowned, un-spoilt and remote places in the world. It is located 2500 km from Santiago; just 112 km northwest of Natales Chile. Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas remain as the nearest towns and act as stop-over spots for tourists to this national park.

Nazca Animal Figures

Nazca Animal Figures (Nazca Lines), Peru, South America

Nazca Animal Figures

Had there been no figures

Two millenniums back an ancient civilization by name Nazca flourished in the present Nazca town and its surrounding areas coming under Pampas de Jumana (San Jose) region of Peru. It has been estimated that this animal and other figures were made by those people who lived there between 200 BC and 700 AD. This desert land would never have got the attention of the modern world had there been no carvings (geoglyphs) on its ground because this arid desert has nothing other than these.

Two millenniums of solitude

Nazca Animal Figures

These geoglyphs were lying undiscovered for centuries; only when commercial flights started across the Peruvian Desert in 1920 it came to the attention of some passengers who noted markings similar to airstrips on the desert surface. It was Toribio Mejia Xespa a Peruvian archaeologist who started initial works on bringing these intriguing figures before the modern world.

Geometry and artistry

These Nazca Lines are very large sketches made on earth’s surface by carving out the upper layer there by exposing the inner surface; they include humanoids, monkeys, birds, insects and even aliens! Straight lines, angles, triangles and rectangles, and all sorts of geometrical shapes. Potteries recovered from the area contains the prototypes of these figures hence it is presumed that the creators had observed these figures from the sky! One standing even within the sketch will not be able to identify what the object is!

What are these geoglyphs?

Making of the geoglyphs was a practice found in ancient cultures from time immemorial. These are figures, motifs or markings made on the hard earth surface either by placing stones or its pieces to form a sketch (positive geoglyph) or by chipping away the top layer thereby exposing the inner layer with a different hue to form the desired motif or figure; such geoglyphs are called negative geoglyphs the Nazca Lines belonged to this category.

What is it so special?

Nazca Animal Figures

Geoglyphs are found in many parts of the world like Egypt, Malta and Chile; and even in US (Mississippi) but those of Nazca are far more intriguing, far greater in numbers, dimensions and size. The alien pictured alone can easily win hands down as the most mysterious thing in the world. The City of Nazca is located about 400 km from Lima the capital of Peru. They lay spread in the desolate desert and amount to around 500 sq km (200 sq miles) in area between Nazca and Palpa towns.

Can be understood from only a helicopter!

There are hundreds of figures made on the hard earth surface from simple lines to figures of human beings, birds, monkeys, spiders, fishes, sharks, llamas etc made of earth chippings; these are of very great size as the biggest of them is 900 feet in length! But these figures can be seen only as mere chippings of the earth for those who are standing near them, it could be appreciated only standing (or floating at least at a height of 50 feet (it is a desert and no tree available to climb and appreciate these figures!).

The Nazca Desert (Sechura or Peru-Chile Desert)

Nazca Animal Figures

It is a long arid desert stretching from the Atacama to the northwester part of Peru, like Atacama Desert this is also the driest part of the world; known as the winter deserts. As per archaeologists; there existed great cultures like Moche, Sican etc since 400 BC. There is a town by name Sechura which stands in the name of the original Sechura town was swallowed by a terrible tsunami in 1728. Though San Jose (Pampas de Jumana) is a desert flooding rarely occurs; a freak flood occurred 1998 gave birth to a huge lake in the desert, now this lake is the second largest in Peru.

The Nazca Culture

The Nazca Culture flourished between 300 BC and 800 AD; living in arid deserts they mastered the art of water management; the underground aqueducts ducts they made still function for the proof of its efficacy. The City of Cahuachi was the place; were they assembled for celebrations and rituals. Archaeologists are excavating the Cahuachi Town for getting more and more evidence to study the way the Nazca Culture functioned.

Who made it?

The modern scientists are after these simple questions even a little child could ask. It may be funny to see the space-age scientists raking their heads after the people who made it and meaning of these drawings (geoglyphs). While some of the evidence and common sense suggest it as ancient people, some strange evidences are pointing fingers to the aliens.

Why they made them, astronomy?

Why these people lived in this arid land sweat to make these figures? A school of thought is that they lived in arid land and water was so scarce available only with rains. They marked these lines to study the position of sun, moon and other celestial bodies to understand season changes (when it would rain etc). Perhaps they would have been made by aliens to mark the place for a probable return; if sounds silly; go on reading the article.

Worship?

Some of the scientists opine that these figures have no connection with astronomical or astrological events and they would have drawn it as a method of worship to gods. Worshiping of animals and birds was common practices throughout the globe it can be taken for granted; Ok then what about the lines and geometrical drawings; how straight lines and triangles can be gods?

One version is that these lines are showing directions where source of water available and animals are symbols representing landmarks.

Any other purpose?

These straight lines and geometrical patterns have been stated to be surveying standards. The wooden stakes found from nearby place has found to agreeing in measures to the patterns appear in the geoglyphs. Carbon dating tests conducted on these wooden stakes also has proved its age agreeing.

But how could they?

One question is how could those people make figures that could not be understood from the ground? These prehistoric people made these figures by removing iron oxide coated chips that covered the surface of the Nazca Desert thereby exposing the light lower part. How people standing on the ground can figure it out?

Listen to Erich Woodman

The ancient people probably knew the technology to make and ride in hot air balloons, these lines are for them to land there balloon-craft. To illustrate this theory Mr. Woodman even made a hot-air-balloon using the materials and technology available at that time and made a ride in it!

Erich von Daniken had no doubts regarding the origin of these figures; they were marked by aliens who visited this planet long ago! He has stated the same in his book titled ‘Chariots of Gods’; because these designs are so large and complex that a primitive tribe neither could make nor had they any use with them. Only those who use space crafts alone had any use with such large motifs! The 32 meters long figure of an alien discovered by Eduardo Herren in 1982 stands as a strong case for his point.

Those phenomenal bores!

Scientists have a phenomenal power to make the most interesting things to mere bore! For them human heart is an emotionless pump! It is same with these animal figures of Nazca; for Joe Nickell these figures could be made by ancients who even did not know the art of taming animals!

(Joe Nickell has demonstrated that using the technology and materials available at that time such big figures (geoglyphs) could be made without aerial guidance. A small team led by Joel could make such a large geoglyph within two days).

Natural Preservation

Perhaps the strangest thing with these geoglyphs is their survival for so many centuries without getting covered by sand or mud. We may thank to the particular environment available in Nazca for this ‘natural preservation’. The sand of Nazca is heavy due to iron oxide contents which do not get carried away by the wind or water; moreover there is seldom any rain or strong wind in this desert.

Thank You nature!

Nazca Animal Figures

The real thanks should go to the absence of human beings in this area. These markings are just 10 to 30 cms deep and human interference if any would have demolished them far before. How many such valuable monuments have perished before human presence? Fortunately the scarcity of water and lack of any sort of wealth keep these human beings away; otherwise the fate of Amazon Forests would have haunted Nazca too! Absence of water and wealth also can be considered a natural preservation technique!

Torres Del Paine National Park

Torres Del Paine National Park (Chilean National Park), Chile

Torres Del Paine National Park image courtesy: nationalgeographic.com

Location

Torres Del Paine National park is a UNESCO certified ‘World Biosphere Reserve’; which is also undoubtedly the most renowned, un-spoilt and remote places in the world. It is located 2500 km from Santiago; just 112 km northwest of Natales Chile. Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas remain as the nearest towns and act as stop-over spots for tourists to this national park. Facilities to the tourists visiting the National Park like boarding, lodging and shopping are available in both of these small towns.

Chile

Torres Del Paine National Park Map courtesy: bigfootpatagonia.com

Republic of Chile is a long and very narrow strip of land in the western coast of South America; sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Andes Ranges in the east. Chile’s capital is Santiago from where there are 2500 kms ot Torres Del Paine National park is in the Patagonian part of Chile (a dry and barren plateau in the southern tip of Latin America) in the 12^th region of Magallanes.

The stats

The Torres Del Paine National Park is 2,400 square km in area; its climate is not a pleasant one as there may be windy summer (between Dec to March) and very cold winter; temperature even at summer can be between 1 to 11 de Celsius and rainfall between 500 to 750 mm. The altitude highly varies (between 50 to 3000 meters). The whole park area comprises of mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers, along with its numerous endemic varieties of plants and animals. About 75 types of plants that are not endemic exist here as introduced by immigrants.

Paine Massifs

All these being true why one should spent time in such a remote area as glaciers, lakes and mountains are available in other locations which are easily accessible; may be a natural question. This park has some ‘Paine Massifs’ which can be perhaps one main reason (Massifs are vertical granite peaks standing as a cluster cut off from the mountain ranges).

These massifs represent a transition stage of a mountain gradually getting reduced in to a steppe; as per geologists these Massifs are 12 million years old! The highest peak is the 3050 meters high ‘Paine Grande’; Cuernos del Paine and Torres del Paine are also remarkable ones, the Cerro Catedral is one that looks like the facade of a cathedral!

How these massifs were formed

It might have taken millions of years for the formation of these massifs, the effects of glacier water’s corroding action on the rocks which took away the soft portions; what was left were the hard granite portions which stood firm against all corrosion and became vertical structures as the middle soft parts vanished. These present massifs can be compared to some left over hairs found on a bald head!

The Lakes

Torres Del Paine National Park image courtesy: Tom Dempsey photoseek.com

Along with the Massifs there are numerous lakes in this location which are brightly colored due to the ‘rock flours’ dissolved in them.

Lago Dickson (fed from Dickson Glacier; 90 sq km in area),

Lago Nordenskjold (named after Swede explorer Otto Nordenskjold; surface are 28 sq km; fed from Paine River),

Lago Grey (fed from Grey River; 35 sq km in area,

Lago Del Toro (fed from Paine and Rio de las Chinas rivers; 200 sq km in area), Sarmiento (named after Spanish explorer Pedro Sarmiento; 90 sq km in area,

Lago Pehoe (source Paine and Skottsberg rivers; area 22 sq kms)

The above mentioned are some of the most beautiful lakes which vary in their colors from blue to green depending upon the rock-flour contents of the waters.

Valleys

Torres Del Paine National Park image courtesy: jamescairdsociety.com

These massive massifs stand as spires of some ancient heavenly structures and the expanse of the Patagonian Steppes located at the eastern side of the Grey Glacier (these steppes are winter deserts; the largest in America with temperatures not exceeding 12 degrees by some beautiful valleys like Valle del Frances, Valle Beden, Valle Ascencio, Valle del Silencio etc.

Rivers

These snow capped massifs give birth to massive glaciers and flow as rivers across the park. Pingo, Grey, Dickson, Serrano etc are the most prominent among them; River Dickson has three waterfalls in its course Paine, Salto Grande and Salto Chicu. It is the River Serrano that ultimately drains the whole water in to the Ultima Esperanzo Sound (last hope sound) which is an inlet connected to Eberhard Fjord (fjord is a small creek).

Flora (plants) zones

Torres Del Paine National Park image courtesy: wikipedia.org

The Torres Del Paine is divided in to four biologic zones like Patagonian Steppes (grass lands with bonsai trees that survive hard winds), Pre Andean Shrub lands (mainly shrubs like cushion plant, berberis etc grow here), Deciduous Forests (where trees grow) and Andean deserts (where trees are scarce but some of them like Escallonia rubra etc grow)

Fauna (animals and birds)

This area is very rich in its animal varieties Guanacos (a llama or cameloid) that grows to more than one meter in height; due to excessive hunting they were almost extinct but the national park’s activities have restored them from extinction, cougars (puma or panther) are also found. Foxes, condor (endemic), Chilean Huemul (an endemic deer) are also common. The most common birds seen are birds of prey (raptors), Horned Owl, Pigmy Owl, wood pecker, buzzard eagle etc.

Corporacion Nacional Forestal

This National Park; which was established on 1959 was an attempt to revive an ecosystem from depletion. In 1976 it was recognized by UNESCO as World Biosphere Reserve and at present is managed by Corporacion Nacional Forestal (National Forest Corporation) a Chilean government body that has been entrusted with the responsibility of guarding numerous rare animals as well as endemic plants from becoming extinct. So far the organization has proved its mettle by saving the animals from uncontrolled poaching.

A wonderful tour

There are many a wonderful things in this site for a viewer; its snow capped mountains, rivers, lagoons, waterfalls, massive massifs, exclusive plants varieties, animals and birds and so on. Of late has turned to be a favorite destination for lovers of ecology, adventure tourists and back-packers. There are definite paths for the tourists and specified camp-sites sot halt. Straying unauthorized is banned. It may take about 7 days for a backpacker to cover the entire sites. For lovers of nature these seven days will be worth a try!

London

London, the Capital of Great Britain

The Tower Bridge in London is one of the most recognised bridges in the world.

A Grey city?

London the capital of Great Britain is represented by the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and the Big Ben as well as many other monuments of international stature. All these are old and rich enough in history to represent a city that itself is old and rich. The city of London is so formal that while in London even youngsters wear their formals keeping their casuals for another European City. The fashion craze; prevalent among cities of its stature is noted by its absence here. Parisians the so called head-quarter of fashion; scorn off London as ‘Grey London’; they may be forgiven for their over enthusiasm because they don’t know what they are saying!

Sight seeing unlimited

Millions of tourists from all over the world visit London to see the numerous monuments (all highly visible and famous) that dot all around the city and revenue from tourism remain to be a very important source to London. This city has the credit of having four World Heritage Sites like the Palace of West Minister, Tower of London, Greenwich and the Royal Botanic Garden. The other wonderful sites are Tower Bridge, The Oxford University, Chartwell Palace (the official residence of Sir Winston Churchill), The River Thames, London eye (the mega giant wheel etc.

Still a super-power!

When it comes to finance, education, trade and commerce London is not old and grey as its detractors say; it is a vibrant and ticking Metropolis. Its age has only imparted maturity to the city that is still at the helm international business. Even after the colonial era it retains its status as one of the world’s most happening places.

With a population of 8.25 million; London scores as the most populous municipality in the European Union; where as the Greater London known as the Urban Area has around 14 million people living in it. London Stock Exchange (LSE) is one of the largest in volume of stocks traded and number of listings. London Metal Exchange (LME) is the place where the prices of all metals are determined internationally. It is head quarter to the world’s leading banks and world’s whole banking systems look at LIBOR (London International Offer Rate) for fixing interest rates.

Londoner’s own ‘Tube’

The heart of the city is called ‘City of London’ while the urban area is Greater London. The city has four air ports; Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Standard; Heathrow is the hub of international flights. Many private airlines operate along with national carrier the British Airways making the skyline of London the busiest in the world. But for a common Londoner it is not the airways that is near and dear to him but the ‘Tube’ that takes him to places. The Metro Rail (from 1863) that passes criss crossing the city of London from beneath (hence they call it ‘the Tube’) is the oldest in the world but is in no way behind any service in efficiency.

Greenwich

The world has different timings in various places but the Greenwich stands as a standard; it can be said as the center of the earth! The Greenwich observatory (palace) is located in southeast of London; and is a World Heritage Site. Originally the palace (now that functions as Royal Observatory under the Greenwich Foundation) was built for the Tudor Kings; Henry VIII and Elizabeth I were born in this palace. Later it was made the Royal Naval Hospital for sailors, then as Royal Naval College; and finally handed over to the Greenwich Foundation.

The Eurostar

The ‘Eurostar Rail’ which crosses the English Channel through a tunnel dug under the sea-bed connects Britain with the European continent. Its importance is that the Eurostar set a trend in speed and luxury in railway and many other nations followed the suit. This rail connects London and Kent of Britain with Paris and Lille of France and Brussels at Belgium. The total fleet comprises of 18 super carriages which can run in 186 Miles (300 km) per hour. It starting point was changed from Waterloo to St Pancras with the completion of ‘Speed 1 project in November 14, 2007.International in Britain.

Channel Tunnel or Chunnel or Euro Tunnel

It is an under-sea channel crossing the English Channel from beneath at the Straight of Dover. This system has three separate tunnels; each 30 meters apart. Two of them with 7.6 meters diameter and a lone service track with 4.8 meter diameter. The total length of the tunnel is 50.450 km (31.35 miles) and it is the second after Seikan Tunnel of Japan. One consolation to the Chunnel is that when under-sea portion alone if measured it comes first! The Chunnel has been claimed by some of it’s admires as One of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World

The best things in life come free!

Britain has many cherished possessions in technological fronts but it is the cultural and historical wealth makes the real London. When intellectual and historical wealth is taken in to account; there is no parallel to the City of London; no technology can compensate heritage. It has hundreds of art galleries and museums for the exhibiting those wealth. British Museum, National Art-Gallery, Natural History Museum, Great Britain Art-Gallery etc are some of them; entry to all four of them is free!

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Queen of the United Kingdom in London.

This palace was built in 1850 by Edward Blore for The Duke of Buckingham; at present it serves as the residence of British Monarchs. This palace is venue for state ceremonies and royal functions. It is a major rallying center for the public at the time or national rejoicing as well as crisis. The Buckingham Palace is also one of the most popular tourist spot in Britain.

The Tower of London, or ‘The Tower’

The icon of London; located in the western bank of River Thames; built by William the Conqueror in 1078 as a fortress; this complex of several structures have served many dialectical roles; like Royal Palace, prison for high profile prisoners, fortress, a place for torturing, Royal Mint, a place for execution, a zoo, as an armory, Royal Treasury etc.

Madam Tussauds Wax Museum

Madam Tussauds Wax Museum image courtesy: sabin.ro

This museum with thousands of human sized models of celebrities has been one of the major tourist attractions of London. Mary Tussaud who learned the art of wax modeling from one French doctor by name Philippe Curtius; it has grown up as one of the greatest art museums in the world. The Wax Museum is located at Marylebone Road, London. At present it is owned by a leisure company by name Merlin Entertainments and it has branches in Berlin, Hong Kong, Shanghai and New York etc.

London Eye

The London Eye

London Eye is one of the most spectacular contraptions installed by British Airways on the banks of Thames; this is a mega giant wheel offering a ‘circular cruise’ lasting 40 minutes. The giant wheel and the cradles are so big that hundreds of people can simultaneously sit and watch the London City and take as many photographs of the cherished monuments as the wheel goes up.

West Minister Palace

The Houses of Parliament - London

This magnificent structure was first built in 1050 and has served as the king’s residence twice; the nearby tower is nicknamed as the Big Ben. As the original structure was destroyed in a fire the present structure was built between 1840 -1860 by Charles Barry. The two houses of British Parliament are housed in this palace. The whole palace occupies 8 acres and has 11 courtyards. It remains to be a very important landmark in London.

River Thames

River Thames is in no way less important in its heritage; it is even called the ‘liquid history’. There is no scarcity for beer taverns on both sides of it; some of these pubs are as two centuries! See the love of Londoners towards age a pub that is more aged attracts better clients. An ordinary Londoner best wish is to sip some beer in one of these taverns in the company of an old time friends (age matters in friendship also).

The Tower Bridge

The Tower Bridge is no ordinary bridge; it is a magnificent work of art; it is iconic symbol of London built across River Thames; located very close to ‘The Tower’ and hence the name; opened for traffic in 1894; maintained by Bridge House Estate a non profit organization. The total length of this bridge is 800 feet (244meters) and its longest span is 200 feet in length.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

One of the most important landmarks of the City of London; located in Ludgate Hill; it is the residence of the Bishop of London; built of port-land stone in the great renaissance style; dome built in the St. Peter’s Basilica model. The original structure had been there since late Roman times and since it had undergone several reconstructions.

Lambeth Palace is the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Millennium Dome (The O2 Entertainment District)

It is the largest dome ever built; built to welcome the third millennium and was opened for public in January 1, 2000; the exhibition lasted up to December 31; as the show failed to arouse the expected enthusiasm among public the hall was demolished and the dome remains as the show piece of the ‘O2 Entertainment District’.

Hyde Park

It is one of the Royal Parks in England and the largest park in London, has turned out to be a favorite location for demonstrators; many of the public rallies assemble here before taking to processions. It was a former deer park for hunting and covers an area 350 acres; this park was opened for public in 1637.

Globe Theater

This is for Shakespeare buffs; built as a reconstruction of the 1599 model open theater where William Shakespeare worked and he wrote most of his great plays. Here during the season (April to October) there is great opportunity for lovers of good drama to enjoy classic plays from Shakespeare and his contemporaries; works by modern authors are also played.

Because it is London!

The Swaminarayan Hindu Temple in Neasden

A hurried trip may better kept for other cities but not for London because it is not just hype and glitter but things of real worth that should be understood and appreciated. Those who can spare a full five day vacation can utilize those full days in a worthy ways like enjoying a cruise on the River Thames, sipping some beer in one of the old taverns, watching a show the Globe Theater, a ride on the London eye, sight seeing in Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square. Royal Botanical Garden and so and so; there is no end to the list; because it is London the capital of an empire where the sun did not set! Be a part of it at least for some days.