Anonymous meets WORLD: August 2008

Let's go to Australia!

SIB SHARES THE SCENIC PLACES IN AUSTRALIA...

Hey guys, have you ever been to Australia? Have you ever traveled around the country and see its beautiful landmarks? Honestly, I haven’t been there yet but hopefully when I graduate college and have my job, I’ll be able to witness the place myself.

However, let me share to you some researches I did about the country where you could possibly go once you enter the territory of Australia.

First stop! Are you a big fan of operas, performing arts, and things like that? I guess every one is familiar of this place…The Sydney Opera House. It’s opening was in 1973 and since then it had become the busiest performing arts centre in the world. Take note of this, it averages some 3000 events a year with audiences totaling some two million, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week closing only on Christmas and Good Friday.

Have you ever heard of Jørn Utzon? Well, he was the designer of the Opera House after he won the competition for its concept. One of his remarkable statements is, “It is my hope that the building shall be a lively and ever-changing venue for the arts. Future generations should have the freedom to develop the building to contemporary use." (see the source)

Uh-oh, not only that my buddies… If you want to go and experience the beauty of nature unfolding before your eyes, consider visiting these places…

Macdonnell Range- The Macdonnell Range is divided into two, the east and the west. The West Macdonnell Range has panoramic landscapes and is much well-known than the other. On the other hand, the East Macdonnell Range provides sceneries for bush-walking, camping and four-wheel-driving. (see the source)

Blue Mountains- Yup, you could take it literally when we say “blue”. It had been the nation’s one of the most popular recreational attractions because of its proximity to metropolitan Sydney. It is known for its majestic scenery of a unique kind, for its cultural attractions and for its relatively tranquil, alternative mode of life. (see the source)

Kangaroo Island- Right now, I guess you’re thinking that this island is filled with kangaroos…Hmmm…yes this island has kangaroos but it is only a small part of what this site could offer you. One-third of the island is conserved in National Parks. It means to say that you could just brush shoulders with different kinds of animals, enjoy sheltered beaches, walk through the acres of forest and bush and view the turquoise seas. If you’re looking to travel to wilderness destinations, then this is definitely the place for you. (see the source)

The Great Barrier Reef- FYI guys, this is the largest coral formation in the world. It is located in Cairns, Queensland and is a home for to some of the most fascinating rare varieties of species and mammals. Not only that, it is listed as a World Heritage Site, and is the habitat of a wide variety of marine life. The Great Barrier Reef is a premier holiday destination in Australia. (see the source)

Uluru- Now, let’s talk about Uluru also known as the Ayers Rock. It is a monolithic sandstone structure name by Anangu, the Aboriginal people who live on the land around it and who are its traditional owners. A monument that has become a major tourist attraction because it is a dramatic symbol of Australia's ancient Aboriginal heritage and its unique landscape. (see the source)

These are some of the places you could visit when you go to Australia. Your travel would really be worthwhile because being able to see such wondrous sites could melt all your problems and stresses away. Okay buddies, see you on our next destination…

Let's go to Germany!!!

JEFF SHARES TO YOU BERLIN, GERMANY

Berlin is the capital city and one of sixteen states of Germany. With a population of 3.4 million in its city limits, Berlin is the country's largest city. It is the second most populous city and the ninth most populous urban area in the European Union. Located in northeastern Germany, it is the centre of the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan area, comprising 5 million people from over 180 nations.

First documented in the 13th century, Berlin was successively the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia (1701-1918), the German Empire (1871-1918), the Weimar Republic (1919-1933) and the Third Reich (1933-1945). After the Second World War, the city was divided; East Berlin became the capital of East Germany while West Berlin became a Western enclave, surrounded by the Berlin Wall from 1961-1989. Following the reunification of Germany in 1990, the city regained its status as the capital of all Germany

Berlin is a major center in European politics, culture, media, and science. It serves as a continental hub for air and rail transport. The city's economy is primarily based on the service sector, encompassing a diverse range of creative industries, media corporations, environmental services, congress and convention venues. Berlin is the third most-visited tourist destination in the EU. Other industries include traffic engineering, optoelectronics, IT, vehicle manufacturing, health care, biomedical engineering, and biotechnology.

Berlin is noted for its numerous cultural institutions, many of which enjoy international reputation.The diversity and vivacity of the Zeitgeist Metropolis led to an ever-changing and trendsetting image among major cities. The city has a very diverse art scene, and is home to around 420 art galleries.Young Germans and international artists continue to settle in the city, and Berlin has established itself as a center of youth and popular culture in Europe.

Signs of this expanding role were the 2003 announcement that the annual Popkomm, Europe's largest music industry convention, would move to Berlin after 15 years in Cologne.Shortly thereafter, the Universal Music Group and MTV also decided to move their European headquarters and main studios to the banks of the River Spree in Friedrichshain. Since 2005, Berlin has been listed as a UNESCO City of Design. Berlin is home to 153 museums. The ensemble on the Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is situated in the northern part of the Spree Island between the Spree and the Kupfergraben. As early as 1841 it was designated a “district dedicated to art and antiquities” by a royal decree. Subsequently, the Altes Museum (Old Museum) in the Lustgarten displaying the bust of Queen Nefertiti, and the Neues Museum (New Museum), Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery), Pergamon Museum, and Bode Museum were built there. While these buildings once housed distinct collections, the names of the buildings no longer necessarily correspond to the names of the collections they house.