Derinkuyu lies beneath the mesmerizing city of Cappadocia, Turkey. A maze of rooms and tunnels carved deep into the Earth, Derinkuyu, an ancient underground city, remains a mystery of awe and curiosity. Who build it and why? Let’s explore the small portion of Derinkuyu that is open to the public. There are many more rooms…
Virgin Atlantic business class is one of the premier brands for international travel through London. The ambience is modern, trendy, and upscale. While the product has lost some luster over the decades, it’s still on par with the competitive landscape of today. Here’s some photos of my trip from San Francisco to London Heathrow Airport…
Monasterboice, or “Mainistir Bhuithe” in Irish (Monastery Bhuithe), build in the 5th century, is associated with St. Buithe, the site’s founder. The high crosses and tower were added in the 9th and 10th centuries. This is one my favorite sites for the West Cross is the tallest high cross in Ireland. No tickets are necessary….
Bourton-on-the-Water, also known as the “Venice of the Cotswolds”, is a charming, picturesque village in Gloucestershire, England. Known for its idyllic stone bridges that cross the River Windrush, the hone-colored limestone buildings, and lush greenery. It blends country English charm, well-developed businesses and attractions, and a rich history that make it a must-see when visiting…
The Cerne Giant, or Cerne Abbas Giant, is an iconic geoglyph etched into a chalky hillside in Dorset, England. The original meaning behind it is not known. The giant dates back to the 10th century, and is 197 feet (60 meters) tall. National Trust maintains and rechalks the giant every 7-10 years. Mon, Jul 31:…
Kinbane Castle, constructed in the 16th century, stands on the rugged cliffs of Northern Ireland’s Antrim coastline. It’s rugged location, and a long path of steps from the visitor parking lot, means that it’s not going to be overrun with hoards of tourists. It’s a quieter experience with spectacular views. Trekking down the pathway to…
Crop circles, mysterious patterns appearing in farmer’s fields predominantly in the United Kingdom, have captivated the imagination for decades. Often the crop circles are large geometric designs which sparks debate on who or what created them. During the tour, we got news of recently formed crop circle nearby and set out the following morning to…
Stonehenge, a 5000 year old megalithic stone site attracts more than a million visitors per year. The ring of sarsen stones, some weighing up to 25 tons, is astronomically aligned to the summer and winter solstices. Our group went on a private tour to enter the Stonehenge stone circle. This is our story… “dun dun”…
Newgrange Passage Tomb is over 5000 years old, older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids. There are intricate carvings here and Newgrange is precisely aligned with the Winter Solstice sunrise. On that day, sunlight shines down the passage and illuminates the central chamber. The guide performs a somewhat cheesy simulation with a lightbulb on the…
The Fourknocks Passage tomb dates back 5000 years ago to the Neolithic period. While less well-known compared to Newgrange, there are aspects of Fourknocks that make it better and worth a trip. Fourknocks comes from the Irish term, “Fuair Cnocs” meaning “Cold Hills”. Its unique pear-shaped design features a wide central chamber with distinctive carvings….