Tiger’s Nest Monastery March 13, 2008

 

Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched precariously on the edge of a 3,000-feet-high cliff in Paro Valley, is one of the holiest places in Bhutan. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche [wiki], the second Buddha, flew onto the cliff on the back of a tigress, and then meditated in a cave which now exists within the monastery walls.

The monastery, formally called Taktshang Goemba, was built in 1692 and reconstructed in 1998 after a fire. Now, the monastery is restricted to practicing Buddhists on religious retreats and is off-limits to ordinary tourists.

Riverwalk,SAN Antonio Tx. March 10, 2008

The famed San Antonio Riverwalk, or Paseo Del Rio, is a 2 1/2 mile stretch of beautifully landscaped waterfront that features many of San Antonio’s most spectacular hotels, restaurants, night clubs, bars, shopping centers and businesses. It is one of the most dynamic tourist attractions in the entire state of Texas. While it is an amazing and romantic place to visit, that wasn’t always true.

In the beginning, Spanish Explorers used the waterway to supply water to their missions. Mission San Antonio de Valero, also known as The Alamo, was the first to benefit from it. The river flooded its banks many times. In September 1921 the worst flood in its history killed over fifty people and caused millions of dollars in damage to the city.  City planners struggled over what to do while large debates rang among the people.  One man, an architect named Robert H. H. Hugman proposed a plan that would turn the area into a beautiful urban park with apartments, dining, shopping, boat rides and walk ways lit with old-fashioned street lamps. He wanted it to be just as if one were walking in Venice, Italy. After convincing city officials and business leaders of the financial benefits of his plan, the dream became a reality and the riverwalk was eventually sculpted into the masterpiece you see today.Today, the people of San Antonio continue to preserve its history and beauty and develop its economic resources. It truly is one of the greatest vacation destinations in the United States.

San Fernando Cathedral March 3, 2008

San Fernando Cathedral has always been at the center of San Antonio. It is a special place that occupies a unique position in this city and for the many visitors who come by the thousands every year.

From its founding on March 9, 1731 by a group of 15 families who came from the Canary Islands at the invitation of King Phillip V of Spain, this church was planned to be at the center of the life of this city.

San Fernando Cathedral functions not exclusively as a Catholic Cathedral, but as a center of unity and harmony for all the God-loving people of San Antonio and beyond.

Over 5,000 participate at weekend Masses each week of the year. Over 900 baptisms, 100 weddings, 100 funerals, and countless other services are performed each year. Symphonies, concerts, and television specials are but a few of the special events held in the cathedral regularly. Hundreds of people enter the church daily to pray, visit, light a candle, or follow various devotional traditions. Tour buses arrive constantly. Each person is a part of the story of this magnificent place and a tribute to its enduring presence as the spiritual center of San Antonio.

Vulcan Park,Birmingham AL March 3, 2008

 Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and the forge, has stood guard over Birmingham since 1904. A 10-acre park surrounds the 56 foot statue and observation balcony that sits on a 124 foot pedestal. Visitors can take an elevator to the Vulcan’s observation deck, which offers extraordinary views of the city

 This is a great place to go see the city of Birmingham and learn about the city of Birmingham. No Birmingham tourist/visitor should leave the city w/o visiting the Vulcan. I recommend not going on a cold or on a windy day – specially if you are afraid of heights. The Vulcan is 124 ft tall and you are looking straight down at 100 ft or so from the highest point. Just FYI…for all you height challenged people like me.

Siquijor Island March 2, 2008

Siquijor is the magical and mystical Island of the Philippines used to be part of Negros Oriental and it was at that time called Island of Fire.

Siquijor is said to have magic potions, shamans  sorcerers and witches and a lot of Filipinos will not stay overnight on this island because of this superstition. Siquijor is only about an hours boatride from Dumaguete City, so it is easy to include Siquijor as a day trip from Dumaguete. Once you arrive on the island I suggest you talk to one of the local multicab drivers and arrange for him to take you around the island and show you all the sights worth seeing here.