SITE: Abu Simbel
VISITED: January, 2007
LOCATION: Abu Simbel, Egypt
DESCRIPTION: The most impressive mausoleum ever made. Built by Ramses II the entire site had to be moved to avoid flooding. Job well done UNESCO. Now all four statues of this famed Pharaoh sit peacefully watching Lake Nasr. Well three of them, since one is missing a face.
SITE: Alcatraz
VISITED: November 2007
LOCATION: San Francisco, California, USA
DESCRIPTION: The audio tour is well worth it, with its explanation of its famous inmates (like Al Capone). Apparently the night tour is a little creepy, adding to the overall experience. Native Americans who refused to give their children up were also imprisoned here. Fair? No.
SITE: Angkor Wat
VISITED: December 2008
LOCATION: Siem Reap, Cambodia
DESCRIPTION: As it is the the most famous site of the temples of Angkor, I have included it’s picture, but truly Bayon at Angkor Tom blew my mind. Ta Prohm, where Tomb Raider was filmed, was also a must see.
SITE: Batu Caves
VISITED: December 2008
LOCATION: (near) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
DESCRIPTION: Just a short (and cheap!) bus ride from China town in downtown Kuala Lumpur is this impressive Hindu site. You have to climb 272 stairs under an unrelenting 30 degree sun to get to it though. The tallest statue of Murugan greets you pre-climb.
SITE: Berlin Wall
VISITED: October 2005
LOCATION: Berlin, Germany
DESCRIPTION: A step back in time to a not so distant past. Today we can stand straddling both sides of the wall (former East and West Germany) a luxury that people would have formerly lost their lives for.
SITE: Big Ben
VISITED: April 2002
LOCATION: London, England
DESCRIPTION: I know this picture is gloomy, but London rains a lot and I took it from the London Eye. I purposefully am not going to give the London Eye its own entry because it is boring.
SITE: Borobudur
VISITED: August 2008
LOCATION: Yogyakarta, Indonesia
DESCRIPTION: This giant Buddhist temple offers it five levels to anyone who wishes to reach Nirvana. Follow Buddha’s path to enlightenment along the way and the make a wish and touch his foot close to the top.
SITE: Coliseum
VISITED: May 2002
LOCATION: Rome, Italy
DESCRIPTION: I almost cried when I saw it. It’s crazy to read about something for years and then finally see it. I spent a long time just peering into the Gladiators entrance gate. An incredible site full of history.
SITE: Corinth Canal
VISITED: May 2002
LOCATION: Corinth, Greece
DESCRIPTION: Although I’m sure this would not make anyone else’s “to see” list. Although thought of in the 7th century B.C, and attempted by Nero himself, the canal was only successfully in the 1890s.
SITE: Eiffel Tower
VISITED: April 2002
LOCATION: Paris, France
DESCRIPTION: Can you see me in this pic? DARKNESS? This was clearly taken on a regular 35mm camera, and was then scanned, and saved somewhere on the internet before it made this blog page.
SITE: Golden Gate Bridge
VISITED: November 2007
LOCATION: San Francisco, California, USA
DESCRIPTION: I have no idea why it made my list…but as main tourist representative to the fantastic city of San Francisco, I just had to include it. Although I didn’t try it, many people walk and bike across it. I chose to speedboat under it instead.
SITE: La Grande Mosquee
VISITED: October 2006
LOCATION: Casablanca, Morocco
DESCRIPTION: Mosque with the second highest minaret in the world. I couldn’t even fit it into this picture. The site, if I may say, reflect sunlight similarly to St. Peter’s Basilica, giving the site an unearthly brilliance.
SITE: Leaning Tower
VISITED: May 2002
LOCATION: Pisa, Italy
DESCRIPTION: Possibly the only thing to see in Pisa, it still is worth the trip. This is another scanned 35mm photo… sorry! I have to say that I found Pisa charming, even in the rain. I could have sat in a cafe all day and people watched.
SITE: Lion Monument
VISITED: April 2002
LOCATION: Lucerne, Switzerland
DESCRIPTION: In memory of the Swiss Guards who died protecting Marie-Antoinette, this peaceful site is a great place to practice taking pictures.
Ten years ago I set a goal to visit 30 countries by my 30th birthday. With no plan or country list to fulfill this goal, I decided to let life take me where it wished.
“See Simi Travel Blog | Adventures of a travel snob“, is just that. The account of an ex-20-something year old exploring the world, usually solo, and on a very limited budget.
Every other week I try to tell you a story about the friends, food, fun and fails I’ve had along the way.
Absolutely hated Batu Caves. Never seen so much garbage in my life as going up the steps and, at the top, nothing but yet more filth. Too bad as KL is an amazing (and clean) city but Batu Caves….you can keep them