Beautiful Bio-Bay

In Fajardo Puerto Rico, there is one of the most interesting places in the world. Although, in the light of day, all a person can see is a beautiful blue bay, but, in the dark, visitors experience something which is totally unique. In Mosquito Bay, when you reach your hand out and touch the water, the water glows green and blue. Its bio-luminescent.

Bio-luminescence is techinically defined as the production and emission of light by a living organism in which a chemical reaction occurs which turns chemical energy into light energy. It is the way that a firefly shines in the dark and a jellyfish lights up in the bottom of the ocean.

There are millions of little, bio-luminescent micro-organisms in the water of the bay, and when you reach your hand into the water, they all emit light and it seems to glow around you. One visitor even said that when she put her hand into the water it was like a bunch of little gold specs floating around in the water.

Many have said that Bio-Bay (as it is affectionately called) is one of the most beautiful things that they have ever seen. Many have put it on their bucket list and it one of nature's most extremely beautiful places.

Lexi Kierstead



Sources:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fajardo-bioluminescent-bay-laguna-grande
http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/b/bioluminescence.htm
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g612474-d1634272-Reviews-Bioluminescent_Bay-Fajardo_Puerto_Rico.html
http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1126775!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/travelpr22f-7-web.jpg
http://www.rinconvacations.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/bioluminescent_bay.gif
http://www.eager-beaver.com/static/userfiles/med/1354153936_tumblr_mcfxsuWRDn1rjcapzo1_500.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3656/3527455641_da0152ab49.jpg

The Grand Canyon: From Pink Snakes to See-Through Sidewalks

In northern central Arizona there is a place where the Colorado River has carved out a true wonder in the red rock.The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and can be up to 18 feet wide and 1 mile deep. It is truly one of nature's extremes in addition to being one of nature's true beauties.

The Grand Canyon is a place to explore some of nature's weirder phenomena. One interesting fact is that scientists have found fossil footprints from over twenty species of reptiles and amphibians, but no one has ever found a preserved and fossilized skeleton. The Colorado River has been carving away at the canyon for anywhere from three to six million years, and no skeletons have ever been found.
Within the large variety of animals which inhabit the canyon today, one in particular sticks out. In the Grand Canyon, one of the most popular species of rattlesnakes is actually a pink rattlesnake. It startles those who pass by it with its pinky hue, which was an adaptation to match the color of pink of the rocks in the canyon.

One of the most famous and terrifying aspects of the Grand Canyon is the skywalk. The skywalk is a horseshoe shaped platform that juts out from the lip of the canyon. Although this description of it makes it appear seemingly harmless, here's the twist: the bottom of the skywalk is made of glass. Even though there is no real threat of danger in walking on this architectural masterpiece, even if you don't have a fear of heights, looking down to tie your shoelace can be one of the most terrifying experiences of your life on this skydeck.

The Grand Canyon is a true pride of America and and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and extreme places on Earth.

By: Lexi Kierstead


Sources:
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/index.htm
http://www.havasupaifalls.net/facts.html
http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/4289-amazing-grand-canyon-facts.html
http://hikearizona.com/dexcoder.php?PID=629
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon_Skywalk
http://www.grandcanyon-nationalpark.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/grandcanyonskywalk-2.jpg
http://www.oocities.org/~echophx/snake15.jpg
http://www.travelwest.net/files/large/the-grand-canyon.jpg

Fiji!

Just to the north of New Zealand and to the northwest of Australia, there is an archipelago consisting of three hundred islands called Fiji. Fiji covers nearly 1.3 million square miles of the South Pacific Ocean and is absolutely gorgeous. The islands are rimmed with white sandy beaches and have mountainous centers. The islands were formed due to numerous volcanic eruptions over 150 million years ago. Fiji is known for its beautiful wildlife, sandy beaches, and crystal clear water.

The two main islands of Fiji are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Of the over three hundred islands only about a third of them are inhabited and these two major islands contain 87% of the population. English is predominantly spoken, however Hindi and Fijian are also taught in school curriculum. Fiji has a very stable economy due to its abundance of natural resources.
Tourism also is a large part of what Fiji has to offer. Being one of the most beautiful places in the world there are many resorts throughout the islands, especially some in very remote places. Visitors love to take advantage of Fiji's stunning beaches and thriving coral reefs.

One of the more talked about resorts in Fiji is a resort that is under water. The Poseidon Undersea Resort is a luxury five star hotel which has rooms underwater. This resort is the first ever resort which rests on the sea floor, forty feet under water. Each room is like a little pod that had been sunk to the sea floor. Each room has a gigantic window through which they can look into a beautiful Fiji lagoon.

Fiji is a place of true beauty and the epitome of tropical relaxation. Any trip would be a treat, especially if your bed is a mere window away from a coral reef.

By: Lexi Kierstead


Sources:

http://www.toxel.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/hotel09.jpg
http://www.poseidonresorts.com/poseidon_main.html
http://www.beachvacationsholiday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Fiji-beach.jpg
http://www.soleilorganique.com/sun-protection/lau-islands-in-fiji/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiji
http://www.fiji.gov.fj/

The Lost City of Petra

Very close to the border between Jordan and Israel, there is a place in the Great Rift Valley called Arabah. Hundreds of tourist are now flocking to Arabah to see the great wonder that is the "lost city" of Petra. Petra is essentially an ancient architectural feat where all sorts of tunnels and chambers were built and carved into the red-rose rock of the mountains of Jordan. 

The city is said to be "lost" because it was totally unknown to the western world until 1812 when the German explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt had to disguise himself as a  Bedoiun in order to find it. The lost city was said to be built in the second or third century BCE , although it is unclear exactly when. The Nabataeans built the rock-cut city as their capital and  is filled with numerous  temples and tombs. At the time it was built, the area was a crossroads of Arabians, Egyptians and Syrians which is reflected in the stunning architecture of the city.

The city is cut into the sandstone cliffs of the mountains of Jordan. Poet John William Burgon famously, and perfectly, described it as "a rose-red city as old as time". The sandstone has a rosy tint and the city looks as ancient as it is. In the picture below, the enormity of the monument is also made clear. Its difficult to make out, but there is a person standing in the archway.

Petra is truly a treasure, and is, in fact, one of the new seven wonders of the world and a UNESCO site. It was memorably featured in the movie, "Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade" as the home of the Holy Grail. Petra's incredible beauty and unbelievable history make it one of the most interesting places in the world to go, and most of Petra still lies underground, undisturbed and undiscovered. 

By: Lexi Kierstead

Bibliography:

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/326

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/archaeology/lost-city-petra/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAXu4ODpqmk

http://famouswonders.com/petra-in-the-arabah/

http://www.calvin.edu/petra/about/

http://travelphotos.picturetheplanet.com/Jordan/Petra-by-Day/i-DpWv89m/0/XL/Petra-ruins-jordan-day-5-XL.jpg

Glacier Bay Beauty

Glacier Bay is a natural wonder on the Southeast coast of Alaska. Back in the ice age, large glaciers were created in the Northern waters of the globe. As the ice age thawed out, so did the glaciers. In an inlet of the Alaskan coast the glaciers thawed out to form a bay. Glacier Bay got its name not just because of its history as a glacier, but because of the immense glaciers which still exist surrounding the bay. 

Glacier Bay was established as a national monument in 1925 by President Calvin Coolidge, and is part of Glacier Bay National Park. The park stretches from Gustavus to Juneau and is part of a 25 million acre World Heritage Site, one of our nation's largest. Glacier Bay is visited by thousands of cruise ships yearly and a popular spot for kayaking and hiking. 

Glacier Bay is home to all sorts of incredible wildlife and stunning natural beauty. Both humpback and killer whales follow five different kinds of native salmon to the beautiful waters of Glacier Bay. Inland, it isn't uncommon to see both black and brown bears as well as glacier bears. There are also numerous types of birds unique to the area. Glacier Bay is also home to sea lions, seals and otters. The wildlife is one of the main things which attracts people to Glacier Bay.

Some say that visiting Glacier Bay National Park is like going back in time to the ice age. One of the wonders of glacier bay is its ability to make it seem like you have entered a whole different world from the one that you previously lived in. That is one of the most amazing things about traveling in general, and in Glacier Bay, not only have you entered a new world, but you've entered a whole new time period, too. Glacier Bay is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on Earth, and I know that it is on my bucket list.  

Sources:

http://www.elstonhill.com/sitebuilder/images/eGlacierBay_20_-800x614.jpg

http://www.gullcove.com/images/534_1727_southeastalaska_w_box.jpg

http://www.wallcoo.net/animal/2008_animal_1680_desktop_01/images/Harbor%20Seal%20Glacier%20Bay%20National%20Park%20Alaska.jpg

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTsXe9LrGqyWuyMJOt6Lr2yc_Dq5dPN4pRxMx-E3qWUxrUlbzv_

http://www.nps.gov/glba/planyourvisit/images/whaleside_1.jpg

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/03/6c/23/glacier-bay-alaska.jpg

http://www.alaska.com/glacier-bay/

http://www.nps.gov/glba/naturescience/index.htm

Paradise Under the Sea

Paradise Under the Sea

The great barrier reef is one of the seven wonders of the world, it can actually be seen from space. The great barrier reef takes up 344,400 square kilometers and is approximately the size of the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Holland combined. It stretches down the northeastern side of Australia and is home to over 3000 coral reefs and 6000 continental islands. The reef can be as deep as 2000 meters and can be as wide as 250 kilometers. It is easily one of the most beautiful places on earth.

According to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Association, the reef possesses over 30 species of whales and dolphins, 133 types of sharks and rays and 1625 types of fish. These different species have been referenced  in movies such as Finding Nemo. Some of the more famous species are the sea turtles. There are numerous varieties of turtles which lay their eggs on the shores of Australia and spend the majority of their lives swimming through the ocean. They are one of the most graceful animals on the planet.

Another interesting species on the barrier reef is the dugong, a relative of the manatee. These fluke - tailed, graceful animals, like the manatee, are also distant relatives of the elephant. The dugong is a large, vegetarian mammal that grazes for plants on the bottom of the ocean. They can be found in the waters from South Africa to Australia and are often targeted by hunters. Now they are protected by law.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most incredible places to see the world of marine life in action. It is one of the most sought after places to scuba dive and snorkel. The diverse wildlife attracts thousands of tourists each year to explore the creatures that the reef possesses. Unfortunately, all of the boats and tourists are hurting the coral reefs that people will travel so far to see. This is happening to many coral reefs around the world. The coral is being destroyed by pollutants and that is hurting the entire ecosystem which relies on it so heavily. Take advantage of the opportunity to see the great barrier reef while you can, because it is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Lexi Kierstead

Sources:
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQKSThNtI7xicdY92XtHK7qihuFFsPu5SOSqBlfTCKJjFCJ3UiM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HdlbkWJYFxShwXvwBPrpoHgeJDy9CPFt2zUADL01gYlGPriXKw24y5V7uZixL4ejzkBRvaBqlYgHJ6tgftnBivpdVnCLtdlTU8eEzpa8oxCW4nai2aoCTp2MJOlNI9bYyhXZ0rwtI-0/s1600/Great_Barrier_Reef_Biodiversity.jpg
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/dugong/
http://www.livescience.com/6290-great-barrier-reef.html
http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-the-reef/facts-about-the-great-barrier-reef
http://www.greatbarrierreef.org

On Top of the World (Literally)

It's the most widely known mountain in the world. At 29,035 feet above sea level, Mt. Everest towers over the the Himalayas on the border of Nepal, Tibet and China. The highest temperature at the top of Mount Everest in the middle of July is 0 degrees Fahrenheit. This perfectly illustrates just how bitterly cold it is at the tip of the highest mountain in the world. Temperatures will reach as low as negative 76 degrees Fahrenheit. NEGATIVE. In addition to the biting cold, brave and daring climbers also have to endure the thinning oxygen levels at the extreme altitudes as they scale Everest.
Of the 4,000 different people who have attempted to scale Mt. Everest's terrifying terrain, only 660 have successfully reached its peak and 142 people have died trying. Climbing Everest is on many a person's bucket list, but why?  When revered mountain climber, George Mallory was asked why he was going to climb Mt. Everest in 1924, he responded with his famous answer, "Because its there". People want to climb Everest because of the danger, not in spite of it. Climbing Everest is the ultimate challenge. It tests your strength, your endurance, and your will - power. Scaling Everest tests you.

The first person to ever reach the top of Everest was either Sir Edmund Hillary or his climbing partner Tenzing Norgay in the year 1953. Neither will admit who was first. Like many before Hillary, and after for that matter, climbing Mt. Everest was a life - long dream. When he reached the the peak, he wrote: ". . . there was nothing above us but the sky . .  we had reached the top of the world."  Hillary and Norgay, were, on May 29 1953, looking down on every other person on the Earth. It is the tallest altitude any person can be at without leaving the ground. It's no wonder so many people feel the insatiable need to climb Everest. When standing on Mount Everest's Peak, you are literally on top of the world.


Lexi Kierstead


Sources:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jan/11/uk.thairshaikh
http://www.jitourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Mount-Everest.jpg
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/hillary/archive/evefacts.htm
http://ehistory.osu.edu/world/articles/articleview.cfm?AID=11