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Friday, May 27, 2011

10 Lost Cities Of The World



Recently I received an email from my darling brother on 10 LOST CITIES OF THE WORLD, and I thought it would be a great idea to share as some of it we are familiar with. However when I googled, there was a slight different from the list I received versus the Yahoo list, a few that wasn't in Yahoo's was El Dorado, Atlantis and 1 or 2 more that I have successfully forgotten, yikes!

Anyway, regardless of, the below is as good; or I will just do another entry on the missing LOST CITIES *wink wink*.

Well, hope you enjoy this "LOST" knowledge. Hhahhaha...

1. Petra, Jordan

MY DREAM!!!! First time I saw this was in Indiana Jones…. Since then I longed to visit this again. In fact am trying to persuade my brother to accompany me, telling him that there was a scene in Transformer 2 that was shot at this place. Seriously, google it! Man! You need to relate history with robots in order to persuade them… sigh… Pray for me that this will work!

Wikipedia :
Petra is a historical and archaeological city in the Jordanian governorate of Ma'an that is famous for its rock cut architecture and water conduits system. Established sometime around the 6th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans. It lies on the slope of Mount Hor in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah (Wadi Araba), the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. Petra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.


I have seen the pic before but can never remember the name, hemm…. Should I include in my traveling list? *ponder wonder*.

Wikipedia :
Chichen Itza "at the mouth of the well of the Itza" is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site built by the Maya civilization located in the northern center of the Yucatán Peninsula, in the Municipality of Tinúm, Yucatán state, present-day Mexico.

3. Derinkuyu Underground City, Turkey

Am lost here, as I never heard this before. However, aren’t you just impress on the tunnel network?? Reminded me of Cu Chi Tunnel in Saigon.


Wikipedia :
Derinkuyu Underground City is an ancient multi-level underground city in the Derinkuyu district in Nevs,ehir Province, Turkey. With its eleven floors extending to a depth of approximately 85 m, it was large enough to shelter tens of thousands of people together with their livestock and food stores. It is the largest excavated underground city in Turkey and is part of a network of several underground complexes found across Cappadocia.


4. Machu Picchu, Peru

Obviously I haven’t been here and doubt I ever will for the very obvious reason $$$$$. BUT, I know this great travelholic friend of mine that covered South America in 2-3 months within the 6 months he was base there (for study! Yup!!! He is a student)… He is the one in I "heart Malaysia" white shirt. Gosh! Am sooo green with envy. FuFu 加油!!!


Wikipedia :
Machu Picchu "Old Peak" is a pre-Columbian 15th-century Inca site located 2,430 metres (7,970 ft) above sea level. 5/29/11It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 kilometres (50 mi) northwest of Cusco and through which the Urubamba River flows. Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438–1472). Often referred to as "The Lost City of the Incas", it is perhaps the most familiar icon of the Inca World.

5. Angkor Wat

It IS HUGE. And the city has long gone, only the ruins remains. One must visit this place.


Wikipedia :

Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city.
The modern name, Angkor Wat, means "City Temple"; Angkor is a vernacular form of the word nokor which comes from the Sanskrit word nagara meaning capital or city. Wat is the Khmer word for temple. Prior to this time the temple was known as Preah Pisnulok, after the posthumous title of its founder, Suryavarman II.

6. Pre-Roman Carthage, Tunisia

Am lost here, I read and read and read.... and still lost but don't mind going if its free *wink wink*.


Wikipedia :
Carthage is a major urban centre that has existed for nearly 3,000 years on the Gulf of Tunis. The first civilization that developed within the city's sphere of influence is referred to as Punic (a form of the word "Phoenician") or Carthaginian.


The city of Carthage is located on the eastern side of Lake Tunis across from the centre of Tunis. According to Roman legend it was founded in 814 BC by Phoenician colonists from Tyre under the leadership of Elissa (Queen Dido). It became a large and rich city and thus a major power in the Mediterranean.

7. Pompeii, Italy

YESS!!!! I went to Italy for 3 weeks and pass by Pompeii but my cousin decided to proceed directly to Sorento. Argh......


Wikipedia :
The city of Pompeii is a partially buried Roman town-city near modern Naples in the Italian region of Campania, in the territory of the comune of Pompei. Along with Herculaneum, Pompeii was destroyed and completely buried during a long catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius spanning two days in 79 AD.

The eruption buried Pompeii under 4 to 6 meters of ash and pumice, and it was lost for over 1700 years before its accidental rediscovery in 1749. Since then, its excavation has provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of a city at the height of the Roman Empire. It is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

8. Memphis, Egypt

Interesting! Hey! It's me... Hahhaha

Wikipedia :

Memphis was the ancient capital of Aneb-Hetch, the first nome of Lower Egypt. Its ruins are located near the town of Helwan, south of Cairo.


As for the Giza pyramid complex, which includes among other structures the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, is surrounded by a cyclopean stone wall, the Wall of the Crow, and discovered a worker's town, otherwise known as "The Lost City".

9. Teotihuacan, Mexico

I remembered seeing this in a documentary before was truly fascinated withi it. Apparently the math calculation of the pyramids is still a wonder to the learned.

Wikipedia :
Teotihuacan is an enormous archaeological site in the Basin of Mexico, containing some of the largest pyramidal structures built in the pre-Columbian Americas. Apart from the pyramidal structures, Teotihuacan is also known for its large residential complexes, the Avenue of the Dead, and numerous colorful, well-preserved murals.


The city was thought to have been established around 100 BCE and continued to be built until about 250 CE. The city may have lasted until sometime between the 7th and 8th centuries CE. The site and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

10. The Mosque City of Bagerhat, Bangladesh

Am surprise that one of the lost cities is located in Bangladesh, in fact seriously; I have not heard of this place before despite it is in Forbes and UNESCO list. Oh well... It is not in my current to go list as yet.

Wikipedia :
The Mosque City of Bagerhat
is a formerly lost city, located in the suburbs of Bagerhat city in Bagerhat District, in the Khulna Division of southwest of Bangladesh. The historic city, listed by Forbes as one of the 15 lost cities of the world, has more than 50 Islamic monuments which have been found after removing the vegetation that had obscured them from view for many centuries. The site has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 of which the Sixty Pillar Mosque (Shat Gombuj Masjid in Urda), constructed with 60 pillars and 77 domes, is the most well known.


Fee a little bit knowledgeable now? Hehehee....I know I did :)





Hyperlink & photo credits : Wikipedia, Nice World Tour, Baixaki, Go Tour Turkey/Kick The Mall Out, City Image, Auburn Abroad in Italy, Ray Alex Website, Bangladesh Life, Travel Tourism, Yahoo



Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Watery Wednesday | D by the C




Traveled everywhere
Seen everything
Covered every Disney
Except DisneySEA

In March, am jumping with joy
To finally visit thee, Oh boy
Finally, my dream come true
To see Disney sunset, the colour of hue




Monday, May 23, 2011

Pearl Harbor & Submarine



If you’re in Hawaii, you must visit Pearl Harbor right. It’s like the biggest and loudest landmark in Oahu. Well, as mentioned in few entries earlier, we took a 3 days break in Honolulu before proceeding to Isle of Kauai - northern most islands in Hawaii. It was said that this is the island where they film the 1st Jurassic Park and Fantasy Island and of cause the least inhibited island of them all.

Anyway, back to Pearl Harbor, Anna and I decided to drop by in the morning before we catch out noon flight to Kauai. We took the bus (about 1 hour trip or so) and head for Pearl Harbor. I was an interesting feel, and sad too. I mean, I just (purposely) watch Pear Harbor movie before this… and it kinda “bonded” then. When I feet touched the ground of Pearl Harbor, it was unbelievable, this was the area that Japan attacked US. The closest point before they hit mainland.

I can relate a bit of how the Americans felt, reason being Malaysia was conquered by Japan for 3 brutal years. This was the period where there as massacre and all. Let’s not go thru the dark ear shall we.

I have never seen a missile or a submarine before in my life, hence this was extremely exciting. Especially since I love ships and all (but scared of open sea - irony huh!). I must have taken after my late dad, he love the seas and everything about it.

We saw it plenty of times in the movie where they shots scene in the submarine, but have one ever really been in it? It’s SUPER CLAUSTROPHOBIC (even if you’re not one); the toilet is….sigh… small ie SUPER SMALL.

The “canteen”…. it’s like eat & leave kinda thingy.

How can one even cook in this kitchen, and where do they dump the trash or how about the “smoke” from the grilling and frying. You know what I mean…?!?

The bunk beds are kinda expected of, but still… talk about personal space!

Then there was the navigator system etc…

We all when on top deck to take a glimpse of what they get to see & feel when the submarine surface… hemm…

I have the highest respect for the navy officers who embark in long journeys protecting their homeland. I think it’s not easy living in such a tight space day-in and day-out, but they did and the sacrifices they’ve made are something we should respect and honor them.


Don’t you think so?




Saturday, May 21, 2011

Kiddo at HEART!




I really think am the luckiest girl in the world (since am not filthy rich!), I get to cover so many Disney. I think my quest of covering Disney is coming to an end, as now I have one more left to go which is in L.A - Disneyland Aneheim. Somehow, am not in a hurry for this.


My first Disney trip was to Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida. I think it was more then 10 years ago. Ever since, Mr. Walt got me addicted.

I don't why Disney makes you feel like a kid again, how did Mr. Walt wave his wand and create this magic - in a breeze; it is simply amazing. I have to give it to that old man, he's an extraodinaire. As much as I always TRY to act nonchalant in the beginning or before arriving that is, but once I am at the entrance, all this excitement and emotion kicks right in! It's like - Lily TRANSFORM!!!! To a kid (not that I act like an adult often. Hhahaha..... but this gives good excuse for me to be cheeky even more!)

Ok, so now you can see how my pic taking skill evolve (as well as my weight!!! I do look pretty looooooooong time ago. Ahaks!), somehow hair remains the same length though. Strangely, I've cut my hair so many a time, but during these trips, it happens to be the same length. Hemm....

Ahh.... my 2nd Disneyland trip and it's in Europe - Paris. This was a shocker plus the fact that we went there during winter.

Shock 1 - Smaller then DisneyWorld - obviously, one is "land" and the other "world"
Shock 2 - All in french...?!?! hehehe.... cute though
Shock 3 - Hardly any people (because on winter probably), hence I rode Magic Mountain 3 times (YUP!!) WITHOUT queuing
Shock 4 - I thought it looked pinkish then blueish... hemmm...

Ahhhh....... Luck on my side (despite I don't fancy Paris so much), I went to Paris Disneyland yet again. Well, actually I went twice on that trip, one was I paid to go in (of cos), another one was with Anna during her company night (paid for) - Thanks Novell!

Ah.... My very 1st Asia Disneyland visit - Hong Kong Disneyland. FINALLY! One comment - SMALL! I mean SMALLEST!

Kiasu! 2nd trip to Disneyland Hong Kong the following year, of coz this wasn't planned, it was my MVP Award.

Yeay! I finally made it to the only DisneySEA (Japan) in the world. I was sooooooooo excited! Ofcoz, this means I didnot go to their Japan Disneyland. Oh yah! They have 2 Disneys (land & sea) there.
Well, next visit? *wink wink*


My first Universal Studio, I forego Disneyland Aneheim for this, not sure whether it's the right move I've made!? Hemm... Oh well....

This one is much smaller then the one in LA, but this will do for now. I have one more to go I think, which is the one in Osaka, Japan. Hoping to go there end this year. And I heard Seoul, Korea building one and will be ready by 2012. Hemm..... Looks like I have my travel planned up till 2012 then. Hhahahaa....


See you in Osaka & Seoul




PS : I just googled, apparently one in Orlando too. And new one will be in Dubai aside from Korea. The one in Spain has closed down.





Thursday, May 19, 2011

Travel Thursday | Tight Hole


OK! I really don't know what you guys are thinking, hehehhe.... here am talking about the famous Củ Chi Tunnel in Saigon, Vietnam. The Củ Chi tunnels were the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War.

From Wikipedia :
The 75-mile (121 km)-long complex of tunnels at Củ Chi has been preserved by the government of Vietnam and turned into a war memorial park. The tunnels are a popular tourist attraction, and visitors are invited to crawl around in the safer parts of the tunnel system. Some tunnels have been made larger to accommodate the larger size of Western tourists, while low-power lights have been installed in several of them to make traveling through them easier and booby traps have been clearly marked. Underground conference rooms where campaigns such as the
Tết Offensive were planned in 1968 have been restored, and visitors may enjoy a simple meal of food that Viet Cong fighters would have eaten.

It's amazing how small they build this in order to avoid the western from coming in. When you are pushed to the edge, survival is the priority in life.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Watery Wednesday | Maiden Voyage on Ashino-Ko


Our maiden voyage
In serene Ashino-ko
Sail we set
In this great mountain lake
Of Kanagawa Prefecture
Where mountainous in far west
Snow cap Fuji lay afield
Surrounding by deep green forests
... in fresh Hakone spring



Link to Watery Wednesday.



Tuesday, May 17, 2011

2011 Travel Plan




Hemm.... my upcoming, tentative-depending on whether I can get my leave (despite that I have 1 month leave to clear)-sufficient cash travel plan in 2011.


Take a guess what & where are this places located.

And as usual, I plan this; I might end up in some other country. It has happened before... trust me! At times, my impulse trip got the best in me.

Able to guess by now?

Hemm..... do you think it will materialize? I pray so.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Interesting Japanese Signage/Stuff





I have been told by so many that when I visit Japan, I should check out their signages and stuff, cause they have the most interesting/unique/weirdest stuff. I took note of that and begin signage hunting.


While downloading all these pic for this entry, I was watching National Geography on Japan Tsunami. Sigh.... certainly brought back some memories as it happens 2 days after I depart Japan to Hong Kong; basically missing it by 2 days - LUCKY ME!. I will tell the story in the next entry.

OK, let's check out the few signages & stuff I manage to captured.

I was fascinated with this, the pump is hanging from top and NO! We don't have this in Malaysia.

Japan most famous game - Pachinko! Pachinko (パチンコ?) is a Japanese gaming device used for amusement and gambling. A pachinko machine resembles a vertical pinball machine, but with no flippers and a large number of relatively small balls.

Pachinko parlors share the reputation of slot machine dens and casinos the world over.

I find this interesting, in most part of the world that I have visited, one are NOT ALLOWED to eat in public transport vehicle, BUT for Japan its the opposite!!!! No loud cell phone sound, and in general NO loud speaking folks. I think the idea is that one are to respect the others' privacy.

Hello Kitty originated from Japan and highly appreciated by everyone and everything!

"Please do not smoke while walking", how considerate is that?! Respecting other pedestrian!

Yup! Doreamon NOT to get drench! Thoughtful!

Ice-cream vending machine? Hemm....

Women! Feel the low & respect!

Impressive huh! Systematic rubbish collection schedule. By-day and by-waste...

Creativity doesn't stop on shop signage, it can go as high up as the roof top.

THIS IS the Japanese paper ie wrapping paper. Kalau kain cotton kan ke BEST! Isk isk isk...

More interesting. Switch off if you are near the Courtesy Seat!

What is Courtesy Seat? Well... check this out!

Cute way of educating people on the danger of putting hand near train door.

Even the Hardest Rock in the world BOWS to a CAT!

Believe me now?

Perhaps these?

I was wondering what is this, then I realized; DRY ICE! Hey Baskin Robbin, learn this!

Jeng jeng jeng.... Kid you not! I manage to track it down!

It's not as messy as Jalan TAR hor...

Platform ZERO in Ueno! And we thought the train master was pulling our leg.

Platform ZERO??? Hemm.... Serious?!?!?

Even for ciggy??? I heard slippers & disposable undies too but unable to locate.

Well, I guess I need to go visit the country again then. *wink wink*



Hyperlink credit : Wikipedia