Choose several of the following texts. Render it for your groupmates.

 

World’s top 100 wonders

http://www.hillmanwonders.com

Pyramids of Egypt

The Pyramids of Egypt are so massive they confound the imagination. They are even more amazing when we consider that they were built nearly 4600 years ago.

When built, they were covered with a smooth limestone surfacing that gave them a sleek finished look. Today they have a rugged exterior because subsequent ancient rulers filched the surface stones from the monuments for use on their own buildings.

Pharaoh Khufu's structure is the oldest, biggest and most famous of the great Pyramids of Egypt. It was built during the reign of pharaoh Khufu (2589 to 2566 BC) and is the only true surviving member of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. Khufu's edifice is the farthest of the three great Pyramids of Egypt in the pictures. It seems shorter than the middle pyramid (Chephren's) for two reasons. First, Khufu's sits higher on the plateau than Chephren's. Second, the photographic vantage point makes Khufu's seem smaller.

The mummies were likely removed long ago by sophisticated tomb robbers. The priceless buried treasures of the pharaohs were also taken.

Many theories exist on how the Pyramids of Egypt were constructed. Most Egyptologists now believe that a large temporary earth ramp with a gentle incline was built. The giant stone blocks were then dragged up the slope with a combination of pulleys, levers and raw manpower.

Over the course of several centuries, the construction design evolved from the modestly high step pyramid style to the skyscraping, smooth-sided pyramids of Khufu and Chephren at Giza.

Then, starting with Menkure's pyramid, size and structural strength gradually began to decline. The primary reasons were weakening economies and fading pharaonic powers.

The three great Pyramids of Egypt have a north-south alignment because the polar stars were considered sacred.

The number of large stone blocks used to build the Pyramids of Egypt is often overstated. For example, it is commonly written that 2,300,000 million were used for Khufu's structure. The actual figure is many times smaller when you divide the cubic size of the pyramid by the average cubic size of the stone blocks.

Some archaeologists speculate that the tomb robbers were unsuccessful in finding the true burial chambers in the Pyramids of Egypt because the tomb builders were cleverer than the thieves. If so, the pharaonic mummies and treasures are still concealed somewhere within their respective pyramids, waiting to be detected by future technology.

Great Wall of China

It is by far mankind's most extensive construction endeavor. In its heyday in the 16th and 17th centuries, it snaked 6400 kilometers or 4000 miles across northern China.

It zigzags up and down steep ridges and is punctuated with imposing watchtowers, making the Great Wall of China one of the most photogenic man-made structures on earth.

Today, it is the travel icon of China - and one of the leading vacation travel destinations in the world.

Why the Great Wall of China was built. Among the many reasons:

§ To serve as lookout posts - The ancient Chinese had rational fears about being invaded by nomadic armies from the north.

§ To provide the army with a swift early warning system - Fire signals (nighttime) and smoke signals (daytime) were relayed from one watchtower to another. Messages could be rapidly sent over great distances.

§ To create an elevated military roadway through the rugged terrain - This helped speed the deployment of soldiers from one area to another along the Great Wall of China.

§ To impede invaders - This worked against feeble armies. However, the wall would serve more as a psychological than a physical barrier against a determined, well-manned military force. A formidable invader could easily breach a lightly guarded part of the wall. Or, it could muscle its way through one of the gaps between the individual wall sections.

No one ever said, "Let's build the Great Wall of China". There was never a master plan. Initially, powerful regional kingdoms built sections solely for their own defensive military needs.

The earliest known sections were constructed in the 7th century BC. Building activity by the regional kingdoms flourished in the 5th and 3rd centuries BC. It was only after the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) unified China did the wall become a collective entity. The Qin dynasty repaired, renovated and linked old sections and built new ones. Note: The modern word "China" derives from the Qin (pronounced "Chin") Dynasty. Over the next 1700 years, the Great Wall of China was enlarged and enhanced. Most of what tourists see today is the fruit of the work done in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Although much of it is in disrepair or deteriorated, some wall sections are in fairly good condition, thanks to repairs, renovations and protection programs by the Chinese government. There are currently slightly over 100 known sections ranging in states from deteriorated ruins to skilled restorations. One section was discovered just a few years ago. Archaeologists believe that some sections still lie buried and are waiting to be discovered.

It is popularly written that the wall is so long that you could see it with the unaided eye from an orbiting spacecraft (and some say from the moon). That would be impossible. Despite the Great Wall's extraordinary length, it's too narrow to be seen from an orbiting spacecraft without a telescope or super binoculars. Spotting the Great Wall from that height is analogous to being able to see a stretched-out mile-long thread on the ground while standing on top of a ten-story building.

Over the centuries more than a million people (peasants, soldiers and prisoners) helped build the wall. Thousands died in the process.

In ancient times the Great Wall of China was called the Ten Thousand Li Wall. This name referred to the wall's length (a “li” is a unit of measurement equaling roughly a half kilometer or one-third mile).

While the sections in eastern China were mainly made with bricks and chiseled stones, those in western China were made with less durable materials (often with clay or pounded earth reinforced with tree branches).

The path stretches from a seaport on China's east coast to Xinjiang in China's north west. In between, it passes through a variety of terrains, including mountains, plateaus and deserts.

The width and height of some sections are impressive. The average dimensions are roughly 6 meters (18 feet) wide and 8 meters (25 feet) high. The watchtowers normally add about 4 meters (13 feet) to the height.

The Great Wall of China watchtowers are fairly close to each other along many stretches of the Great Wall. Some are a stone's throw apart.

Most watchtowers were not garrisoned at any given time. Troops were regularly redeployed between one and another watchtower. The military goal was to keep the invading enemy guessing how many defending soldiers might be occupying a given watchtower.

Weathering through the centuries caused the lion's share of the damage to the wall. Other culprits were local residents seeking free building materials, souvenir-hungry travelers, and uncaring hikers.

Taj Mahal

Most travelers call this wonder the world's most beautiful building - ever. Some say it's worth a trip half way around the world just to see it.

The hue of the marbled Taj Mahal of India varies from hour to hour, season to season.

Why it was built: The grieving Mogal emperor Shah Jahan erected it in the 1600s for as the final resting place for his beloved queen. He wanted to perpetuate her memory. It took 22 years and 22,000 people to complete the Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal costs in today’s money about US $100 million. It also cost Shah Jahan dearly. Because it acutely drained the treasury, Jahan was dethroned and imprisoned for the last nine years of his life. From his prison quarters, he could poignantly see the wonder where his love lay and where he himself would eventually be.

It is a hybrid of many artistic styles including Hindi, Mogul, Persian and Islamic.

No one person conceived the Taj Mahal in India. Rather, it is the collective creation of different people who contributed to the project at various times over the course of two decades. The design was evolutionary.

This wonder is truly priceless. No one could today assemble craftsman in or outside of India with the same skills and talent levels of those who toiled on the monument. The craftsman (and materials) came from India and beyond, as far away as China and Italy.

The large octagonal chamber is repeated twice. One is one floor directly beneath the other. Both rooms contain two bejeweled sarcophagi, one for the shah and the other for the queen. Those in the upper room are for show. Those in the lower room contain the remains of the emperor and queen.

The two chambers are acoustically interesting - even a whisper can be heard from the other side of the room.

Practically everything about this wonder is symmetrical. The striking exception is the sarcophagus of Shah Jahan, which lies off center from the queen’s perfectly centered one.

Most of the walls are embellished with delicate floral and calligraphic patterns made with inlaid semiprecious gems.

Four tall, slender minarets sensuously rise from its four corners of. They intentionally slant slightly outward so they would fall away from the main structure in the event of an earthquake.

The wonder sits on a broad but squat red sandstone platform, which produces a slight floatation effect. The reflecting pools and gardens in front of the splendid edifice enhance the site's visual charm. The opening of the majestic main gateway gives arrivals a dramatically framed sight of the Taj Mahal.

Serengeti Migration

Africa's Serengeti Migration is known as the greatest animal show on earth. Wild animals on the move blanket the African landscape as far as the eye can see. The migrating herds move in a circular route in a clockwise direction. The migration is annual and peaks in different areas at different times.

Animals migrate because of rain or the lack of it. When a seasonal drought dries up grass and water supplies in one area, the grazing animals move on to the next area along the Serengeti migration route where seasonal rains are falling.

The major migrating animals: Over a million wildebeests participate in the Serengeti Migration. Hundreds of thousands of zebra and Thomson's gazelles join them. Although lions and other carnivores do not migrate with the grazing animals, they feast on them when their paths cross.

Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are remote, some 1000 kilometers (600 miles) off the South American coast. This geographical isolation enabled Galapagos Island creatures to slowly change into new versions of themselves, ones that are found nowhere else on earth.

Famous examples include the marine iguana and giant tortoise. The islands were the catalyst for the evolution theory developed by Charles Darwin in the early 1800s.

The Galapagos Islands are a major adventure vacation destination. Each year 60,000 travelers vacation there. The fauna and flora they see are for the most part the same as Charles Darwin did nearly 200 years ago. Most vacationers take yacht cruises, with durations ranging from 4 days to 2 weeks. The highlights are the twice daily land excursions from the cruise ship to view the unique wildlife and vegetation. Some vacationers also snorkel and dive (the Galapagos Islands are considered one of the world's finest spots for those sports).

Top ten Galapagos wildlife list. Everyone who has visited the islands has his own personal list. I impartially surveyed Galapagos Islands travelers for their opinions on which wildlife creatures thrilled them the most. The consensus results: 1) Marine iguana; 2) Giant tortoise; 3) Blue footed booby; 4) Land iguana; 5) Penguin; 6) Sea lion; 7) Sally lightfoot crab; 8) Waved albatross; 9) Flamingo; 10) Frigate bird.

Grand Canyon

"Grand" is an understatement. At its extremes, the Grand Canyon is up to 29 kilometers (18 miles) wide from rim to rim and over 1600 meters (a mile) deep.

Vastness is just one of the mind boggling elements of the Grand Canyon that render many visitors nearly speechless. The setting is desolate, the contours are rugged, and the striated hues of the gorges and pinnacles are vibrant.

Grand Canyon origin: It was slow in the making. It took the erosive effects of the Colorado River millions of years to carve a deep swath through billion-plus year-old rock layers.

The view is best from the South rim - it has the most breathtaking vantage points. And, unlike the case on the north rim, the sun is over your shoulder, which is best for both sightseeing and for taking photos. For the most awesome and thrilling perspective, fly below its rims in a sightseeing helicopter (best bet) or small plane.

To appreciate the size of the nearly 500-kilometer (300-mile) long Grand Canyon, view it at 35,000 feet aboard a commercial jet. Note: The flight paths of many transcontinental planes to and from major Southern Californian cities skirt this natural wonder.

Visiting the Grand Canyon floor. For an exciting trip, take the mule ride to the Grand Canyon floor. The trip is not recommended if you have a fear of heights because some sections of the trail are narrow and have steep drop offs without rails. You can also hike to the bottom, but the roundtrip requires too much physical exertion and too many hours for other than a highly fit trekker. It is best to descend one day, camp overnight (permit required), then hike up the next day.

Another option is to travel down the Grand Canyon in an inflatable boat. Running the Colorado River rapids is a harrowing experience, which is part of the fun. Most trips last 5 to 8 days, some longer. One outfit offers a shorter itinerary - you helicopter in, do some rafting, then helicopter out.

It can be scorching down there. July temperatures reach 41°C (106°F) and higher. You'll be in the wild. Though rare, it is possible to cross the paths of rattlesnakes and mountain lions.

Machu Picchu

Most seasoned travelers agree that Machu Picchu is the world's most dramatic ruins. It sits boldly perched on a steep sided mountain saddle far above the partially encircling Urubamba River gorge.

What remains of the precision stonework of the pre-Colombian Inca temples and palaces clearly reveals how exalted Machu Picchu was in its glory days.

Just before the Spanish conquest, Machu Picchu was mysteriously abandoned - and this was when it was still in its golden age. It subsequently lay buried under dense mountainous vegetation until 1911 when Yale explorer Hiram Bingham discovered it and began the reclamation process.

Archaeologists disagree on whether Machu Picchu was primarily a citadel, religious site or royal retreat. For decades the prevailing beliefs have been that it was principally either an Inca military stronghold or a religious center - or a combination of both.

Although there is scant evidence that Machu Picchu was an important sacred site, the stronghold theory bears weight because the builders chose an enviable defensive setting bordered on three sides by precipitous river canyon walls. Moreover, the inhabitants could survive a long siege. They were self-sufficient regarding food because they farmed and ranched the verdant Machu Picchu terraces.

Still, the citadel theory has a weakness. Would there be sufficient military value to justify constructing a major citadel in Machu Picchu's remote location?

Recently two archaeologists threw a monkey wrench into the stronghold vs. sacred site dispute. Their research suggests that Machu Picchu was built mainly as a spectacular summer mountain palace. If so, the designers knew what they were doing.

The best months for visiting are May to September. May is the prettiest month (the dense, subtropical mountain forests are exceptionally green) while August is the best all around month. The least desirable period is from October to April, the rainy season.

Most travelers take a day trip to Machu Picchu (they take the mid afternoon train back to their hotels in Cuzco). This leaves just about two hours at the site - and part of that precious time is expended by having lunch at the hotel. You'll have more hours to enjoy and explore the ruins if you stay overnight at the hotel at the site. You will be able to explore this travel wonder in the late afternoon and early the next morning when the tourist count is low. Rooms are scarce, so book well ahead.

The huge granite stone building blocks were hewn so precisely that they fit tightly together by themselves. No mortar or other adhesive was used. You cannot even insert a thin blade between their joints.

You can climb Huayna Picchu, the sharp peak immediately behind the ruins. The reward is a spectacular view of Machu Picchu below you. However, be fit and sure footed as the ancient stone steps to the top are steep and primitive. If you do climb the peak, avoid inclement weather as the stones could be slippery. And, in 2004, a visitor was struck by lightning when he reached the summit.

The conquering Spanish did not know of Machu Picchu because its existence was known only by local insiders.

Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls stretches along a 3 kilometer (nearly 2 mile) long rim that is shared by Argentina and Brazil. It thunderously plunges the height of a 24-story building into the Iguazu gorge below.

Iguazu Falls is rivaled in mightiness only by Victoria Falls in Africa. The world's other two gold medal winning falls are Angel Falls and Niagara Falls.

The Argentine side has the best and most varied up-close views of Iguazu Falls while the Brazilian side has the spectacular panoramic view.

Of all many tall cascades that collectively make up Iguazu Falls, the semi-circular Devil's Throat is by far the most awesome. It is the world's mightiest single water fall (in terms of water-flow volume) - and its incessant roar is deafening, to the point of being terrifying.

Bali

The island of Bali in Indonesia is a traveler's dream-come-true - and offers visitors an exciting variety of things to do and see.

What to do and see in Bali:

Rice Terraces

Rice terraces thoughout the world are photogenic. Of all of them, those in Bali are the most beautiful.

Traditional dance & music

Balinese dance entertains and uplifts your spirit. And nothing is more mesmerizing than the haunting percussion sounds of a Balinese gamelan orchestra.

Arts & Crafts

On a per capita basis, Bali probably has the most accomplished artists and craftsmen on earth. Skills include painting, stone carving and wood sculpting (including elaborate masks).

Temples

Bali is nicknamed the Island of the Gods because it has over 10,000 temples. No trip to Bali is fulfilled without observing a festive temple ceremony.

The Ubud experience

Ubud village and its surrounding lands rest among lush hills and rice terraces. It is the artistic heart and soul of Bali.

Amazon rain forest

The Amazon rain forest is immense (it is larger than Europe). The 6280 kilometer (3900 mile) long Amazon River is fed by a thousand rivers – some over 1600 kilometers (1000 miles) long.

Broadly defined, the Amazon Rain forest extends into nine South American countries. Nearly two-thirds lies in Brazil. Peru is the runner-up.

Amazon rain forest is vital to life around the world. The Amazon Rain Forest produces 20% of the earth's oxygen (and is the source of 20% of our planet's fresh water). A large number of medicines we take for granted come from Amazon plants. And, because so many of the plant species have not yet been analyzed, we should see new drug discoveries. It is a biologically rich environment. More than a million colorful plant, animal and insect species inhabit the Amazon Rain Forest.

Although "cruising down the Amazon" is a popular childhood dream, in reality the view from the deck of a passenger ship soon becomes monotonous. You get a bored déjà vu feeling as the river and its banks remain virtually unchanged for days on end. And, the dense riverside greenery prevents you from seeing the wildlife.

The worthwhile cruises explore the Amazon tributaries and offer interesting land excursions. Alternatively, stay in one of the lodges along the small Amazon tributary streams. They range in quality from budget to luxury. Use the lodge as a base to explore nature up close along jungle trails and narrow waterways.

Although the Amazon rain forest looks like other rain forests to the amateur eye, nearly all its plants and animals are unique. The Amazon ground must be nutrient rich because it fosters profuse plant growth. Right? Wrong. The soil is nutrient poor. The rain forest survives because it quickly recycles its limited nutrient sources.

The Amazon also rapidly recycles its water. When it rains, the trees absorb the water, then let it evaporate, which creates clouds, which generate rain. Half of that rain falls on the rain forest. The water shortcoming is made up by westbound clouds from the Atlantic Ocean. Average annual rainfall approaches 3 meters (10 feet). Some areas can experience twice that amount.

High trees create what is called the canopy, a dense umbrella of leaves. Little reaches the ground plants. To survive, they have developed broad leaves to capture as many defused sun rays as possible.

Ngorongoro Crater

It is a haven for tens of thousands of big East African wild animals in north central Tanzania. The wildlife includes lions, elephants, wildebeests, zebras, rhinos, Thomson's gazelles, and water buffaloes.

Geologically, Ngorongoro is the remnant of a volcano that blew apart, leaving a flat plain area ringed with steep walls. The Ngorongoro volcano, before it exploded and collapsed 2 millions years ago, was one of the world's tallest mountains.

To appreciate its former size, consider that the crater (technically a caldera) measures about 20 kilometers (12 miles) across. The encircling rim is 600 meters (2,000 feet) above the crater floor.

Why the Ngorongoro is different than its neighbors, the Serengeti National Park and Masai Mara Game Reserve? Unlike these two wildlife refuges, the migration in the Ngorongoro Crater is scant. Reasons: It has an abundant year-round food and water supply - and the precipitous walls of this collapsed extinct volcano discourage (but don't totally eliminate) migrating. Another key difference is that the animals within the Ngorongoro Crater are less people shy to safari vehicles, so it is easier to view the animals up close. That helps explain why some seasoned safari goers believe that the Ngorongoro Crater is the most interesting wildlife preserve in the world.

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef stretches 2300 kilometers (1400 miles) in the Coral Sea along Australia's northeastern coast. It consists of 3,000 coral reefs plus many islets, atolls and coral cays.

The Great Barrier Reef supports 10,000 species including 1500 types of fishes and 200 kinds of birds. Other inhabitants include whales, dolphins and sea turtles. The sheer beauty of its fish and coral waterscapes draws two million tourists annually who come to see the underwater spectacle via diving, snorkeling and glass-bottom boating.

The name "Great Barrier Reef" is a misnomer. The entity is really a collection of many distinct coral reefs. This natural Australia wonder is a complex and delicate eco-system. Great Barrier Reef conservationists fear that the large influx of visitors and their collateral effect on pollution are damaging the very natural wonder that people come to celebrate. Overfishing and pollutants from boats, farms, ranches and industry are also culprits.

However, many scientists see an even greater threat: Global Warming. It is unlikely that the Great Barrier Reef of Australia would survive if the water temperature rose by 5% or so over its current average.

The thick bases of those coral reefs are made from the skeleton remains of the ancestors of a miniscule marine animal called the coral polyp.

Each new coral polyp produces a protective skeletal shell around itself. It then attaches itself to neighboring coral polyp shells to form sizeable, fantastically configured colonies that Great Barrier Reef visitors come to enjoy. The lavish coral colors are not produced by the polyps. They are created by a photosynthesizing algae that lives symbiotically with the coral polyps. Except during the polyps spawning season or after a storm, the Great Barrier Reef water is crystal clear. This makes underwater viewing superb.

Angkor Wat

It is an architectural masterpiece. It was constructed in the jungle in the early 12th century, then - two centuries later - was mysteriously abandoned by the Khmer civilization.

The jungle soon overwhelmed Angkor Wat, hiding it for several centuries with thick tropical foliage. There was little left to see except an occasional protruding building stone.

In 1861 a French naturalist accidentally came across the jungle veiled ruins. Eventually archaeologists reclaimed the site, exposing its magnificence. Today's visitors are amazed at the building's ornate architectural details and exquisite stone carvings. Particularly arresting are the seductive dancing female ("apsaras") sculptures ringing Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat is just part of a huge complex. It is one of many structures in a vast human-built complex as geographically large as Paris. It is collectively called Angkor. The top subcomplexes besides Angkor Wat ("wat" means temple) are:

§ Ta Prohm - Photographers love this Angkor subcomplex. It clearly shows the on-going destructive forces of untamed jungle growth. The roots of banyan trees appear like giant octopus legs as they slowly entangle large buildings.

§ Banteay Srei - It's the tiny jewel of the Angkor environs. The Banteay Srei sculptures are outstanding.

§ Angkor Thom - Although Angkor Thom covers considerably more area and might have been grander than its neighbor Angkor Wat, its components are not as accessible and well preserved. It is more of interest to archaeologists than tourists.

Sadly, much of what was rescued and restored over the past century fell victim to recent civil warfare. Structures and carvings deteriorated when - through human neglect - the jungle repossessed the previously saved Angkor structures.

On the positive side, Cambodia is now making a conscientious effort to once again reclaim key Angkor sites from the destructive jungle.

Victoria Falls

When the calm flowing waters of the Zambezi River encounter the 1700-meter (1-mile) wide edge of the Victoria Falls gorge on the Zambia – Zimbabwe border, they abruptly plunge 100 meters (330 feet) to the bottom. The impact generates soaring mists and thunderous sounds that can be seen and heard from great distances.

Globetrotters forever debate which is mightier, Victoria Falls or Iguazu Falls in South America. It's virtually a toss up, with a slight edge going to Iguacu Falls. Either way, both are considerably grander than the much smaller Niagara Falls.

For the best rim-level view, visit the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls. For the best base-level view, walk down the rain-forest footpath on the Zambia side. For the best overall view, book passage on one of the Zambian or Zimbabwean flight-seeing tours - only then will you appreciate the size of this wonder.

The sounds and rising mist of Victoria Falls inspired this wonder's native and official name, Mose oa Tunya, meaning "smoke that thunders".

Forbidden City

For nearly 500 years (1420-1911), twenty four emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties ruled China from inside the Forbidden City. It has lavishly decorated ceremonial halls and royal palaces that were built to impress the eye. The emperors lived within the massive walls and seldom ventured outside. Palace intrigue and internal political power struggles were common.

The Forbidden City gained its ominous sounding sobriquet because entry was once strictly prohibited without royal authorization. A visit without that sanction would automatically cost your life.

The compound goes by several names: "Public Museum" (new official name), "Imperial City" (old official name), and "Forbidden City" (which most travelers call it).

The Forbidden City is well preserved for its age. For years, the government has been making a major effort in renovating the palace, bringing it back to its former architectural grandeur.

The Forbidden City is so expansive and complex that I recommend you reserve a minimum of a half day on your first visit just to become acquainted with it. Then return to absorb the details. It measures 960 meters (3200 feet) by 750 meters (2500 feet) in size. That's equivalent to over 20 football fields. The palace is surrounded by a thick, 10 meter (33 foot) high defensive wall that is in turn surrounded by a moat as wide as a river. The rooms in the Forbidden City once numbered 9,999 (nine is a lucky digit). The largest and most famous structure is the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where imperial ceremonies were held.

Some six thousand people lived in the Forbidden City. This included the emperor and his royal family, and his concubines, servants and eunuchs (who were prolific instigators of royal intrigue). The final emperor resident was Puyi, the young male depicted in Bertolucci's 1987 epic, "The Last Emperor." Puyi was permanently evicted in 1924.

Bagan

Bagan (formerly Pagan) was built from the mid-11th to near the end of the 13th centuries, when it was overrun by Kublai Khan's invading forces.

In its glory days, Bagan was a major Buddhist center and a thriving city of at least 300,000 people along the banks of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River. The people erected over 10,000 pagodas and monasteries. Today some 2,000 still stand. The rest suffered chiefly from human neglect and earthquakes.

Last severe quake occurred in 1975. Many structures that had survived the centuries were badly damaged - and one of the largest Bagan pagodas irretrievably collapsed into the river. Fortunately, archaeologists have restored many key structures.

The three most famous Bagan pagodas are the Thatbyinnyu, Ananda and Shwezigon Temples.

§ Thatbyinnyu is the tallest Bagan pagoda (high as a 17-story modern building).

§ Ananda, which is slightly shorter, is one of the oldest yet best preserved Bagan pagodas. Four tall standing Buddha statues peacefully adorn its corners.

§ Shwezigon is the holiest of the Bagan pagodas. Its impressive gilded bell-shaped stupa houses relics of Buddha.

Karnak

The Temple of Karnak in Luxor was the spiritual center of the Egyptians. It is enormous - the world's three largest cathedrals combined would fit into it.

It took millennia to build and enhance the massive Karnak Temple. However, most of the work on Karnak Temple was done by the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (1570-1100 BC).

The most imposing element of the Temple of Karnak is the 3,000-plus-year-old Great Hypostyle Hall inside the Temple of Amon-Ra. The Great Hypostyle room is larger than a football field and is easily one of the grandest spaces ever erected. The Great Hypostyle's forest of 134 rocket-size columns (many still stand) dwarf Karnak Temple visitors. These columns once supported a high stone-slab roof that kept light out, creating a darkish ambiance that added to the mystique of the ceremonial processions of pharaohs and high priests.

Another majestic component of the Karnak Temple is the Second Pylon. It served as a pageantry gate leading to the Great Hypostyle Hall and as a barricade to unauthorized mortals (only the elite could enter).

Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan is an extensive ancient religious complex near Mexico City. Its many architectural marvels include the enormous Pyramid of the Sun, one of the grandest monuments ever erected. It likely dates back to the early 2nd Century BC. However, little is known about the ancient people who built it a thousand years before the Aztecs came into power. Pronouncing Teotihuacantay ' -uh-tee ' -wah-kahn.

§ The Pyramid of the Sun. It is as high as a modern 20-story building, making it the tallest structure in Teotihuacan. Some archaeologists estimate that the Pyramid of the Sun is at least 2,000 years old. No one knows for sure its original purpose or to whom the Pyramid of the Sun it was dedicated (the "sun" designation was bestowed by the Aztecs).

§ The Moon edifice at Teotihuacan. At the far end of the main thoroughfare sits the Pyramid of the Moon (named by but not erected by the Aztecs). It is almost as big as the Pyramid of the Sun and would be world famous if the latter didn't exist. Though shorter, it is harder to climb because its step height is appreciably steeper. Once on top, though, you have the best view of the ancient Teotihuacan complex.

§ Quetzalcoatl. This is the third major archaeological attraction of Teotihuacan. It is known for its fanciful serpent sculptures.

The population estimates of Teotihuacan in its glory days generally range between 75,000 to 200,000. Those figures would make it one of the world’s largest cities in its time. After its prime time (from around 200 BC to 350 AD), Teotihuacan slowly deteriorated physically and in spirit over the next several centuries, then died.

The Teotihuacan moniker was coined by the invading Aztecs, relative newbies. They did not take possession of the complex until a relatively short time before Cortez invaded Mexico in the 16th century. That was nearly a millennium after the original builders abandoned their religious and commercial center.

The Aztecs used the top of the Pyramid of the Sun as an altar for sacrificing captives of war to the solar god. The hapless souls were marched huffing and puffing up the 247 steep steps to have their hearts ceremoniously ripped out by a priest and their heartless bodies unceremoniously tossed down the sheer sides of the Pyramid of the Sun.

Banaue Rice Terraces

The mountainous rice terraces of Banaue and vicinity in the Philippines are mankind's grandest scaled engineering feat. The vertical distance between bottom and top rows exceeds the height of the world's tallest building. If the Banaue terraces were laid end to end, they would stretch half way around the world.

The Banaue Rice Terraces were carved over a 2,000 year span with primitive handtools by the ancestors of the current farmers, the Ifugao tribesmen.

The region has other worth-visiting rice terraces, including those of Batad. Its terraces line a breathtaking amphitheater-shaped slope.

Avoid visiting the Banaue Rice Terraces in the rainy season (summer and fall) when low lying clouds can disappointingly mask the views. Winter is the ideal sightseeing season.

The Banaue Rice Terraces (as well as the other regional ones) are now facing erosion because of a decline in upkeep. A big reason is many of the tribespeople are abandoning their terraced farms to find jobs elsewhere.

Bora Bora

The Polynesian island Bora Bora in the South Pacific is widely touted as the most beautiful island in the world. Essentially, Bora Bora is a crumbling core of a tall extinct volcano that is surrounded by a tropical emerald-turquoise lagoon, which in turn is ringed by a string of islets, which in turn is surrounded by coral reefs.

Bora Bora is dramatically crowned by two rugged volcano-core peaks draped with lush tropical foliage. One is as tall as a modern 200-story building. This travel destination is a mecca for honeymooners and other amorous couples, mostly in the high budget range.

Bora Bora is known for its over-the-water bungalows on stilts. Today, many of the high-end resorts offer them. You will enjoy lovely white sand, palm-fringed beaches for lounging and swimming. Snorkeling and diving are popular. You can also see the lagoon's colorful tropical fish on a glass bottom boat.

To get a sense of the non-tourism face of Bora Bora, travel its 32-kilometer (20-mile) coastal road that circles the island. You can do it by car, motorbike, bicycle, or - as I did - on foot. It is an unforgettable experience.

Bora Bora is part of French Polynesia, which is an overseas territory of France. You will quickly see this connection in language, food and other cultural influences.

Trade winds keep the climate balmy year-round, though the ideal visiting time is from May to September when sunny days abound. To reach this island paradise, most visitors take an international flight to Tahiti. From there, it's a 45-minute flight to Bora Bora.