Jigokudani Monkey Park

Location: Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

Jigokudani Money Park is a famous hot spring area near Nagano. The name Jigokudani (mean “Hell’s valley”) is due to steam and boiling water that bubbles out the frozen ground, surrounded by steep cliffs and formidably cold forests. It is famous for its large population of wild Snow Monkeys that go to the valley during the winter when snow covers the park. The monkeys descend from the steep cliffs and forest to sit in the warm hot springs, and return to the security of the forests in the evenings.

 Visitors in Jigokudani Monkey Park

 Monkeys in Jigokudani Monkey Park

It is warm in the water!

Since the establishment of Jigokudani Yaen-koen in 1964, it has been a worldwide popular place for watching the bathing monkeys in a hot spring and for ecological observation of researchers or photographers, and some of them who visited here have accomplished certain result in the area.

Jeju Island

Location: Jeju province, South Korea

Jejudo or Jeju Island, also known as the “Island of the Gods”, is a popular tourist attraction for Koreans and many international visitors. It remains one of the top honeymoon destinations for Korean newlyweds. The island’s mixture of volcanic rock, frequent rains and temperate climate, make it very similar to the Hawaiian Islands in the U.S. The island offers visitors a wide range of activities: hiking on Halla-san (South Korea’s highest peak), catching sunrises and sunsets over the ocean, viewing majestic waterfalls and lava tubes, Jeju Loveland, riding horses, or just lying around on the sandy beaches.

Yellow rape blossoms everywhere!

Tol-Harubang statues in Jeju Island

First-time visitors to Jeju Island need to plan their trip wisely because the Jeju bucket list is long and varied. One of the musts on the list is Seopjikoji, a promontory on the coast famous for its serenity and romance. Yellow rape blossoms fill the field in the spring, creating a colorful contrast with red soil and cerulean sky. The best photographs of Sungsan Sunrise Peak can be taken here at Seopjikoji. The scenery of Seopjikoji has also been captured by several Korean films and dramas, such as "All In", one of the first Hallyu dramas starring Lee Byung-hun and Song Hye-kyo.

Rome Coliseum

Location: IV Templum Pacis (Latin, “Temple of Peace”) Rome, Italy.

The roman coliseum (“Colosseum” or “ Colosseo”) is probably the most ancient world renowned monument in Rome. It was one of the very first roman amphitheatres to be built. It is located between Caelian Hills and the Esquiline on marshy type of land. Record shows that the coliseum was built over many years and was inaugurated around 80 A.D.

Just imagine you are standing in the middle of it!

Another beautiful scene of Rome Coliseum

The coliseum was built to contain 50,000 spectators which is a monumental feat at that time considering it could still be considered huge in modern standards. The arena flood is all made of wood underneath which there is a myriad of tunnels and passageways for spectacle staging and for wild beasts roaming. The construction was made for a carefully chosen combination of concrete and travertine for the foundations, piers and beautiful arcades.

The Grand Bazaar

Location: Istanbul (historically Constantinople) Turkey

 The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and 5,000 shops, and attracts between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. It is well known for its jewellery, hand-painted ceramics, carpets, embroideries, spices and antique shops. Many of the stalls in the bazaar are grouped by type of goods, with special areas for leather, gold jewellery and the like. The bazaar has been an important trading centre since 1461 and its labyrinthine vaults feature two bedestens (domed buildings), the first of which was constructed between 1455 and 1461 by the order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. The bazaar was vastly enlarged in the 16^th century, during the reign of Sultan Suleimen the Magnificent, and in 1894 underwent a major restoration following an earthquake.

Thousands of goods we can find it in the Grand Bazaar

Visitors from all over the world

The complex houses two mosques, four fountains, two hamams, and several cafes and restaurants. In the centre is the high domed hall of the Cevahir Bedesten, where the most valuable items and antiques were to be found in the past, still are today, including furniture, copperware, amber prayer beads, inlaid weapons, icons, mother-of-pearl mirrors, water pipes, watches and clocks, candle sticks, old coins, and silver and gold jewellery set with coral and turquoise.

Canals of Venice (Grand canal)

Location: Venice, Italy.

Venice is the crown jewel of water cities. Romantic gondolas, and Italian architecture along the Grand canal helped earn this status. Stitched together with 150 canals that have become central to its character. Venice has decayed since its heyday and has more tourist than residents, but with its romantic charm it remains one of the top tourist attractions in Italy.

Grand Canal-  Do you see the large S shape?

Grand canal is the canal grande snakes through the city of Venice in a large S shape, travelling from the Saint Mark Basin on one end to a lagoon near the Santa Lucia rail station on the other. The Grand Canal is Venice’s biggest and most elaborate tourist attraction stretching from the railway station to the far end of Venice where St Marks square is to be found. Sightseeing is especially fulfilling along this precious waterway lined with palaces, churches and numerous other buildings reflecting the uniqueness of Venice.

Taj Mahal

Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.

The Taj Mahal is widely considered one of the most beautiful buildings ever created. The exquisite marble structure in Agra, India, is a mausoleum, an enduring monument to the love of a husband for his favourite wife. It is also an eternal testament to the artistic and science accomplishments of a wealthy empire.

 Taj Mahal in daytime

Taj Mahal at night

Shah Jahan, “the king of the world”, took control of the Mughal Empire throne in 1628 very much in love with the queen the dubbed Mumtaz Mahal or “Chosen One of the Palace”. The poets at Agra’s Mughal court said her beauty was such that the moon hid its face in shame before her.

Niagara Falls

Location: Border of Ontario, Canada & New York, U.S.A.

Niagara Falls is the collective name for the three waterfalls that straddle the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York. From largest to smallest, the three waterfalls are the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls.

 The America Falls

 Horseshoe Falls

It is so beautiful!

Niagara Falls are renowned both for their beauty and as a valuable source of hydroelectric power. Managing the balance between recreational, commercial, and industrial uses has been a challenge for the stewards of the falls since the 19^th century.