National Geographic Photo Contest

Tweet

I have always been a huge fan of National Geographic's fine photography whether it be exotic wildlife from far-flung places, extraordinary scenes of nature or mood-capturing images of people from around the planet.

In their annual photography competition, over 14,000 entries from budding amateurs and enthusiasts have been narrowed down to 12 finalists across six categories (wildlife, people, nature, travel, weather and energy). All are exceptional photos (view them all in the widget below) for which you can vote the six category winners and ultimate winner. The lead photo above shows the 2009 winner of the same contest - a deeply evocative and moving photo capturing man's will and determination.



My personal favourite is the galloping brown bear. Please comment below on your personal favourite and why.

Daylight Robbery

Tweet

In Melbourne recently, I heard a story about the origins of the term daylight robbery. During the 17th and 18th centuries in Britain, households were taxed based on the number of windows their house contained. As richer people were more likely to live in larger houses with a greater number of windows, it was introduced as an early method of progressive taxation. In times past, it was seen as an invasion of privacy for income to be declared.

To reduce their tax, some families embarked on enclosing some of their windows by bricking or sealing over some of the window spaces (such as the photographed examples in Derbyshire). Protesters claimed it the technique to be a tax on daylight; hence daylight robbery.

So next time you protest at an airline's surcharges or hotel's room rate, you are probably utilising a term borne of an old tax system.

Mediterranean Cruises Top Four Destinations

Tweet

guest post by Gill Cruises

Every year, more and more travellers are discovering the convenience, flexibility and excitement of embarking on a cruise ship holiday. While there are cruises sailing around the world, those heading to the Mediterranean are among the most magical and beautiful. Few other cruise destinations offer the cultural wealth and historical beauty like Monte Carlo, Naples, Athens or Istanbul. And unlike a traditional holiday, where you will spend many days of your travel time in transit, on a cruise ship all the travelling is done at night while you catch up on your beauty rest. Each morning you will wake up to discover a new port of call.

Athens, Greece is one of the world’s oldest cities, with around 3,400 years of recorded history. On your stop in Athens, there are tours to view a stunning array of ancient monuments and works of art. The Parthenon on the hill of the Acropolis is not to be missed, but you could also visit the Propylea, the Temple of the Wingless Victory, the Erechtheion temple, the Acropolis Museum, the Arch of Hadrian or the Temple of Olympian Zeus. There is also a huge collection of antiquities for you to peruse at the National Archaeological Museum.

Naples, Italy is another very popular port of call on Mediterranean cruises. This is another ancient city, dating back more than 2,800 years. Naples is also brimming with extraordinary works of art and architecture. Pompeii should be at the top of your list of tours, one of the world’s most famous excavation sites. Naples is also the birthplace of pizza, so you should seek out an authentic Italian pizza shop before you head back to the ship.

Monte Carlo, Monaco is undoubtedly the most glamorous city on the Riviera, and has long been a favourite holiday destination for the rich and famous. The most popular day trips include stops at the casino, the Hotel de Paris, the Oceanographic Museum, and the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, where Princess Grace and Prince Rainier are entombed.

Istanbul, Turkey dates back to 800 BC, but is now a modern, bustling city of almost 12 million people. One of the most inspiring experiences you might have is listening to the prayers being broadcast over the public loudspeakers in the morning or evening. There are also amazing day trips to visit the Blue Mosque, Istanbul Archaeology Museum, Basilica Cistern, or the Grand Bazaar, the oldest and largest covered marketplace in the world.

Taking a Mediterranean cruise holiday with Cunard Cruises is simply one of the best vacation values for the money. You will be able to sample a wide geographic area of destinations, and see if you’d like to return there for a longer holiday. You will find a non-stop variety of activities, events, activities and meals, and you will be pampered like nowhere else. Plus, most of your shopping can be done duty free! With so much to see and do, every traveller will come home with wonderful memories to last a lifetime.

Photo Credits: ship

Photo of the Week: Remote African Village (DR Congo)

Tweet

The Congo River journey is one of the great travel wonders experiences on water. In a country dogged with political and military upheaval, the journey passes spectacular untracked rain forests and tiny remote villages whose only contact to the outside world is via the river boat. Hemmed in by heavy rain forest, the villages maintain their difficult existence through fishing, a small garden, a little hunting and bartering with other villages via the river boat. Small wooden craft called pirogues are used to paddle out to the river boat to conduct the barter for required goods.

Temple of Literature (Hanoi, Vietnam)

Tweet

For a tranquil escape (along with a sublime Vietnamese slow drip coffee) in the bustle of Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, little surpasses the Temple of Literature. Initially built as a Confucian temple, it became Vietnam’s earliest university almost 950 years ago (predating any European university) and still harbours the academic ambiance of years past.

Initially only offered to noble or royal students, the university opened to all students some centuries later. Passing the imperial doctorate examination that gave privileged passage to life serving the royal court was murderously difficult. Elegantly carved stone steles celebrate each successful student, documenting their name and town. The steles are perched on turtles symbolising the patience to obtain the education and the longevity of the Vietnamese nation and border a peaceful lake (the Well of Heavenly Clarity). Only 1300 names are listed across the three hundred years of steles that remain though undoubtedly others have been lost over time.

Rich in Confucian symbolism, the temple is laid out with the same plan as that of Confucius’s birth place in China. Five courtyards are separated by grand ornamental entrances and walls with a long central path. While the central courtyard contains the steles, one courtyard (the Courtyard of Sages) continues to celebrate Confucius’s teaching with people quietly sitting in contemplative thought.

The Temple of Literature is a Hanoi highlight celebrating scholarly excellence, the thought-provoking teachings of Confucius and remains a peaceful paradise of trees, lawns and history to escape the rush of Vietnamese life.