Chicago’s Bean Stunning Photos

London-based Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor designed this sculptor for the opening of Chicago’s Millennium Park in 2004. Officially named Cloud Gate but always fondly referred to as simply The Bean, it has become a landmark for the Windy City and is one of its most photographed public arts. Weighting a whopping 110 tons, The Bean was constructed from stainless steel plates wrapped around a fortified steel frame that’s hollow on the inside and has a concave base

Madain Saleh: Monument of the Past

 These photos are parts of 132 chambers and tombs left by Tsamudis and Nabateans during their magnificent architecture era which is between 200 B.C and 100 A.D. The location is about 200km from north of Medina City. In July 2008, UNESCO has proclaimed the site as World’s Heritage. Below are some of the amazing photos of the monuments. Could you imagine how their looks in the past?

Why You Should Visit San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama is one of the most visited tourist places in all of Chile. It’s located in the Atacama desert which is the driest place on earth. Yet many unique plants and animals like flamingos, Llamas and Alpacas can be found there. The town is located close to many different and amazing archaeological, geographic and tourist areas. You can visit such tourist attractions as Pukara (prehispanic fortress) Quitor, Tulor village (over 3,000 years old), the Tatio geysers, the Atacama salt lakes, Moon Valley as well as the picturesque Inca towns of Toconao, Peine, Socaire, Talabre and Caspana.

Liu Bolin, The Invisible Man

 Chinese must be proud to have a great artist on their vast land. The genius artist is called Liu Bolin who is 35-year-old and from Shandong, China. He has a talent to camouflage himself in any surroundings, no matter how difficult they might be. Liu works on a single photo for up to 10 hours at a time, to make sure he gets it just right, but he achieves the right effect: sometimes passers-by don’t even realize he is there until he moves. The talented Liu Bolin says his art is a protest against the actions of the Government, who shut down his art studio in 2005 and persecutes artists. It’s about not fitting into modern society. Despite problems with Chinese authorities, Liu’s works are appreciated at an international level.

Oman Natural Disaster

 Oman is an Arab country in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Below are some real photos of huge storm that hit Oman and the consequence of it from June 4th to June 6th in 2009. The storm looks merciless and very scary.

Luxury River Cruises in Borneo

 The infamous Pandaw River Cruises will venture into Borneo’s waters this July along Malaysia’s longest river, Rajang River. Measuring 640 km, it meanders from Sarawak to Indonesian region of Kalimantan. This eight-day expedition departs from Sibu city and makes stops at the river stations of Kanowit and Kapit where Brooke Raj forts and traditional Iban longhouses still stand, before navigating the Pelagus Rapids with its islands, reefs and shoals, and visiting

New York Sightseeing Tourism

 What is spring without the luscious greens and vibrant petals? Even spring season has long passed; city of New York has never lost its freshness. New York can be quite a scintillating attack on the senses, an explosion of sounds, colors and scents. That is the reason one of the biggest city in the world is spotted as among the best tourist city in the world where it attracts more than hundreds millions of visitors each year.New York City Sightseeing is the most popular business that in-charge with warm and tip-top service to the tourists. Their unique fleet of 60 new double-decker buses are always adventurous, punctual and really cheap, that they can optimize tourist’s view of the New York City.

Small Luxury Hotel in Germany

At 2.5 meters wide and with just 53 square meters of floor space, the Eh Häusel (Wedding House) in Amberg, Germany is the world's smallest hotel, and a five-star one at that.


Smallest Five Star Hotel

Magnificent Croatia

 There are few cars because most vehicles are too wide to fit within the narrow valleys lined between houses, shops and churches in Croatia. Located in Central and Southeastern Europe, the country of 4 million populations has among the most beauty scenery in the world. The visitors do not have to worry about the accommodation because there are quite many reliable travel agencies can be found on the net. The best option I could suggest you is Croatia Apartments. They are fascinating with very warm staffs and top services.

A Man-Made Sacred Wonder

 For those whose feet do not ache after ascending Mount Taishan, the Dai Temple in downtown Tai’an is a leisurely stroll. This is where some of the emperors stayed before or after their ascension. But “Qianlong slept here” does not begin to explain the temple’s status. The old cypresses and tortoise-supported steles are better testament to its historical value. Being on the top of one of Five Sacred Mountains, Dai Temple is indeed very beautiful place with history over 3000 years. Below are some incredible photos of the temple.

Humber Bridge England Kingston

The Humber Bridge, near Kingston upon Hull, England, is a 2,220 m (7,283 ft) single-span suspension bridge, which opened to traffic on 24 June 1981. It is the fifth-largest of its type in the world. It spans the Humber (the estuary formed by the rivers Trent and Ouse) between Barton-upon-Humber on the south bank and Hessle on the

Yangluo Bridge China

The Yangluo Bridge is a suspension bridge near Wuhan in the Hubei province of China. With a main span of 1,280 metres (4,200 ft), it is tied with the Golden Gate Bridge for the ninth longest suspension bridge in the world. The purpose of the bridge is to carry the recently constructed Wuhan Ring Road over the Yangtze River and provide easy access to both sides of the river as part of a larger plan to promote development in the eastern

Tourism History in Europe

 The birth of modern tourism is rooted in the recent history of Europe. The emergence of middle and upper classes combined with holiday time incorporated into the workplace together fueled by the industrial revolution contributed greatly to the emergence of the industry. The terms tourist and tourism appeared less than a century ago and referred to people traveling for periods over a day at a time. Previous to the 19th century, tourism was primarily reserved for royalty and privileged families and was generally for cultural reasons. In this article, we shall see how important Britain is in the history of the industry.

Malaysia, Penang Beautiful Sunset

 Being this month in many places, beautiful beaches and islands around Malaysia has really opened my eyes on the splendor of God’s creation. I managed to take shots on the sunset and share them here. One of the photos was even taken from the flight above the sky. Will the photos encourage you coming to Malaysia?

Captivating Landscape and Nature Photography Wallpapers

1. Library of Ages at Central California. The fog settled in after another nice sunset along the central California coast. The rock layers which record the geologic history of Montana De Oro State Park just south of Big Sur, can be read like books in an ancient library. A long exposure isolated the rock by smoothing the large surf. Indeed, the photos is very naturally magnificent.

2. Big Sur, Portal of the Sun. This photo is a winner in the 2009 Nature’s Best Ocean Views competition. A print will hang in the Smithsonian museum in Washington DC for a year! This sea arch opening in a cliff face at Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur allows large waves to come through at high tide before a big storm. The waves often fill the entire portal to the

Krrunching my way to Uniquely Singapore

 I was in Kota Bharu Kelantan (visiting and shopping) when a representative from Nuffnang contacted me about my blog Akademi Fantasia being the top 5 finalists for the best travel award nomination in the First Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards Ceremony 2009. I’m totally lying if I said I was not surprised and excited about this nomination. Being the top 5 finalists for travel category is an honor to me and the news is already pumping my adrenaline to the highest during these recent days. I currently wonder the person who has nominated me because I hope he/she can contact me via my email so that I can thank him/her properly for the nomination. I’ll do my best to compete for the travel award even though

The Rhode Island's House on Rock

 Clingstone, an unusual and such a vintage, 103-year-old mansion in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay, survives through the love and hard work of family and friends. Henry Wood, the owner, runs the house like a camp where all skilled workers welcome. The Jamestown Boatyard hauls the family’s boats and floating dock and stores them each winter in return for a week’s use of the house in the summer.

Mr. Wood, a 79-year-old Boston architect, bought the house with his ex-wife Joan in 1961 for $3,600. It had been empty for two decades. Clingstone had been built by a distant cousin, J.S. Lovering Wharton. Mr. Wharton worked with an artist, William Trost Richards, to create a house of picture windows with 23 rooms on three stories radiating off a vast central hall. The total cost of the construction, which was completed in 1905, was $36,982.99. However, bear in mind that the

Travel to Siem Reap, Cambodia

 As far as Angkor Wat temple go, Siem Reap ranks right at the top of its historical and cultural significance as well as global recognition. Located 5.5 km north of the modern town of Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is the essence of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia country, where it appears on its national flag, and it is the country’s prime attraction for international visitors. In my opinion, the visit to Siem Reap will not be completed without going to Angkor Wat and vice versa.

Claim Tax Back When Leaving the UK

 Do you know that besides claiming Value Added Tax (VAT) at the airport, you can also get your tax back? But this offer only limited to those who have stayed and resided in the United Kingdom (UK) for some time. While the residences of UK were not only white people, many permanent residences of UK coming from other races and country. Thus, it is not surprising that many of those people will leave the country for good after spending couple of years of their life in the UK. However, regardless whatever reason you left, you certainly need to do the tax back when leaving the country and I will do my best to assist you on how.

Who is eligible for tax refund when leaving the country?

Almost anyone that has worked in the UK paying income tax who then decides to leave for an extended period of time will be able to apply for a tax rebate when leaving the country.

Funchal Airport, Madeira Island, Portugal

 Now this is what I call an expensive runway! In Portugal, A special airport has been made — the airport’s runway with a length of 2781 meters (9124 ft.), of which 1000 meters (3281 ft.) of the runway is supported by 180 pillars, each pillar 50 meters height (about 17 floors) , surprisingly, the runway is designed for B-747.

Look at the cars parked below the runway. Pretty awesome isn’t it?

Why Madeira? Madeira is an archipelago with volcanic origins from a Hot Spot and a city near Funchal, Portugal that has long been recognized for its airport. Originally, the airport runway was something of a spectacle for its outrageously

Cho Oyu Mountain

Cho Oyu is the sixth highest mountain in the world at 8,201 metres (26,906 ft) above sea level. Cho Oyu lies in the Himalayas and is 20 km west of Mount Everest, at the border between China and Nepal. Cho Oyu means "Turquoise Goddess" in Tibetan. 

Annapurna Mountains, Nepal

Annapurna is a section of the Himalayas in north-central Nepal that includes 8,091 metres (26,545 ft) Annapurna I, thirteen additional peaks over 7,000 m (22,970 ft) and 16 more over 6,000 m (19,690 ft).[3] This section is a 55 km (34 mi)-long massif. Annapurna I is tenth among Earth's fourteen eight-thousanders. It rises east of the Kali

Thanksgiving Turkey Feast

 Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. It is a holiday celebrated primarily in Canada and the United States. While perhaps religious in origin, Thanksgiving is now primarily identified as a secular holiday. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of

The Great Flood, Philippines. September 26, 2009

These were the photos of the worst flood that ever happened in Manila, Philippines capital. The flood was caused by a tropical storm of Ondoy (or Ketsana) that rampaging the city on 26 September 2009. At least 400 people died on the disaster and the damage lost was unimaginable (unofficially said to be more than USD100 millions). Below are the picture story of what was happening during that time…

People are stranded in Cainta, province of Rizal , Eastern Manila.

Aida De Leon grieves in Pasig City , east of Manila.

An aerial view aboard a Philippine Air Force chopper shows devastation brought by Tropical Storm Ketsana in Cainta, province of Rizal , Eastern Manila.

Residents are evacuated by police boats during flooding in Cainta Rizal, East of Manila.

Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is an architectural marvel, and one of the most spectacular attractions in New York City. The building itself was constructed in 1930 during the Great Depression and is a living monument to that era. The Empire State Building is located at Fifth and 34th Avenues. For 40 years after it was constructed, it held the record for being the largest skyscraper in the world. The building has starred in over 90 movies, and it remains one of New York City’s most popular tourist attractions. However, what most people do not know are the brave men behind the construction of the building that costs about USD40.5 millions. One of them might be our grandfathers. We should be proud of them. Below are the photos of the fearless men behind the construction of the magnificent Empire States Building.

Decorating The Center of City

Traveling to various cities you unintentionally notice a lot of parallels between them. One of them is colorful painted sculptures usually decorating the center of a city. They are never the same, all are unique and very bright.

Big City Toys

Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, New Year

 Malaysia has celebrated its 2010 new year practically early than any other place in the world. Why? Please go open your high school’s geography book and find out yourself. :p These are some pictures of 2010 countdown at variety of places in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysians ushered in the New Year by letting their hair down at several countdown parties. Anyway, as reported by local newspaper today, despite concerns over the turbulent state of the economy, many were intent on having fun

World’s Largest ‘Vanish’ Land

 Qattara Depression is located west of Cairo, Egypt. The place is the largest ‘vanish’ land in the world that left a large basin with a length of 175 miles (280km) and a width of 90 miles (140km). Since the size is very surprisingly massive, the location is very difficult to find and identify.

With the depth of 134 feet below the sea-level, the hole was once being used in the unstoppable war of Middle East as additional source of energy. With that fact, the scientists currently are trying to initiate a project that worth almost 360 million dollars to utilize Qattara as a complete independent energy resource (hydroelectric power). This plan requires

Why you must travel to China

China is the largest country in the world. Oh wait! Maybe Russia is the biggest but who cares. China has the largest population in the world, which is equivalent to more than triple number of U.S. population. It is true! Don’t get angry with me. Thus, do you have any intention to visit the country? Here I compile some reasons why you should visit China. At least, you will get your daily stress out. Have Fun!