KC Hill
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Craig Hill
Oracle of Delphi
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World Travel - by Craig Hill
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China: Jiading Confucius Temple
May 10th 2009 05:41
Jiading is an ancient town located in Jiading District, about 20 kilometres northwest of Shanghai. On the southside of Jiading, in South Street, is the famous Confucius Temple, known locally as Jiading Kongmiao.
It is one of the biggest and best preserved temples in Eastern China. It also serves as the Jiading Museum, and provides information about the 1300 year history of the area during Imperial times, as well as the Ancient Qiyuansee period. There are full and accurate descriptions of the beginning, development and disappearance of Imperial China, relevant to the Jiadong area.
This temple was first built in 1219, during the twelfth year of the Jiading period of the South Song Dynasty. Later renovations, reconstruction and extensions occurred during the Yuan Dynasty, Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty. As a result, the temple was famous as the the best temple in the central area of Wu.
A stone balustrade leads to the temple, adorned with 72 stone lions, each with a unique pose. Three memorial archways, named Yanggao, Xingxian and Yucai, are erected outside the temple, along this balustrade.
The main building of the temple is the majestic Dacheng Palace. Inside the palace is a statue of Confucius, and calligraphy sculptures of Lanyu, often regarded as the best existing records of the ideology of Confucius. In the corridors of Mingluntang Hall are ancient inscriptions with extremely high archaeological value.
In 1958, the municilpal museum of Jiading was built at the temple. Among the exhibits are 90 stone tablets with ancient inscriptions
It is one of the biggest and best preserved temples in Eastern China. It also serves as the Jiading Museum, and provides information about the 1300 year history of the area during Imperial times, as well as the Ancient Qiyuansee period. There are full and accurate descriptions of the beginning, development and disappearance of Imperial China, relevant to the Jiadong area.
This temple was first built in 1219, during the twelfth year of the Jiading period of the South Song Dynasty. Later renovations, reconstruction and extensions occurred during the Yuan Dynasty, Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty. As a result, the temple was famous as the the best temple in the central area of Wu.
A stone balustrade leads to the temple, adorned with 72 stone lions, each with a unique pose. Three memorial archways, named Yanggao, Xingxian and Yucai, are erected outside the temple, along this balustrade.
The main building of the temple is the majestic Dacheng Palace. Inside the palace is a statue of Confucius, and calligraphy sculptures of Lanyu, often regarded as the best existing records of the ideology of Confucius. In the corridors of Mingluntang Hall are ancient inscriptions with extremely high archaeological value.
In 1958, the municilpal museum of Jiading was built at the temple. Among the exhibits are 90 stone tablets with ancient inscriptions
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Diamond Head, Hawaii
March 5th 2009 22:55
Diamond Head is the most famous volcanic crater in the world. It is located on the South-east Coast of O'ahu, at the end of Waikiki, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
It was originally named Laeahi by the ancient Hawaiians. The name meant "brow of the tuna" and looking at the silhouette of the crater from Waikiki, you can see the resemblance. The current name was given to the crater by British sailors in the 1800's. When they first saw the crater at a great distance, the calcite crystals in the lava rock appeared to glimmer in the sunlight. The sailors mistakenly thought there must be diamonds in the soil
Diamond Head is a crater that has been extinct for 150,000 years. The crater is 3,520 feet in diameter with a 760-foot summit. When the United States annexed Hawaii in 1898, harbor defense became a main responsibility. One of the major defense forts, Fort Ruger, occupied the Diamond Head Crater. A battery of canons was located within the crater providing complete concealment and protection from invading enemies. An observation deck was constructed at the summit in 1910 to provide target sighting and a four level underground complex was built within the walls of the crater as a command post. A 580-foot tunnel was dug through the crater wall to provide easier access to the Fort.
The observation deck and underground complex are now abandoned due to the advent of radar, but evidence of the command post is still present along Diamond Head Trail. The trail is paved almost the entire way but can be steep in spots.
There are two sets of stairs, one with 99 steps and the other, 76 steps. There is also a 225-foot unlit tunnel. The hike is classified as easy to moderate in exertion but is certainly worth the breathtaking, unparalleled view of the entire west side of the island, from Waikiki to Koki Head.
Diamond Head Trail walk is about 1¾ miles to the rim from inside the crater, and takes about 1½ hours. There is no shade, so it is best to start early in the day, and there is no refreshment stops along the way. Given Hawaii's hot climate, it is essential to take plenty of water. A flashlight is also adviseable, for the tunnel.
Bathrooms are available at the trailhead, but not along the trail itself, or at the observation deck.
It was originally named Laeahi by the ancient Hawaiians. The name meant "brow of the tuna" and looking at the silhouette of the crater from Waikiki, you can see the resemblance. The current name was given to the crater by British sailors in the 1800's. When they first saw the crater at a great distance, the calcite crystals in the lava rock appeared to glimmer in the sunlight. The sailors mistakenly thought there must be diamonds in the soil
Diamond Head is a crater that has been extinct for 150,000 years. The crater is 3,520 feet in diameter with a 760-foot summit. When the United States annexed Hawaii in 1898, harbor defense became a main responsibility. One of the major defense forts, Fort Ruger, occupied the Diamond Head Crater. A battery of canons was located within the crater providing complete concealment and protection from invading enemies. An observation deck was constructed at the summit in 1910 to provide target sighting and a four level underground complex was built within the walls of the crater as a command post. A 580-foot tunnel was dug through the crater wall to provide easier access to the Fort.
There are two sets of stairs, one with 99 steps and the other, 76 steps. There is also a 225-foot unlit tunnel. The hike is classified as easy to moderate in exertion but is certainly worth the breathtaking, unparalleled view of the entire west side of the island, from Waikiki to Koki Head.
Diamond Head Trail walk is about 1¾ miles to the rim from inside the crater, and takes about 1½ hours. There is no shade, so it is best to start early in the day, and there is no refreshment stops along the way. Given Hawaii's hot climate, it is essential to take plenty of water. A flashlight is also adviseable, for the tunnel.
Bathrooms are available at the trailhead, but not along the trail itself, or at the observation deck.
Part of the view from the observation deck
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Seattle, USA: Space Needle
November 25th 2008 12:02
The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World's Fair, yet even today, it is still the number tourist attraction in all Seattle. The old fairgrounds surrounding the Space Needle house numerous attractions that in themselves attract a lot of tourists.
The Space Needle "complex" where the old fairground was (now called the Seattle Centre) contains a huge science fair, Imax Theatres, showground rides for all ages, shopping and much, much more. There's even a monorail from Seattle's Downtown to get you to the Space Needle and the Seattle Centre.
In 1959, an unlikely artist inspired by the Stuttgart Tower in Germany was sketching his vision of a dominant central structure for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair on a placemat in a coffee house.
The artist was Edward E. Carlson, then president of Western International Hotels. His space-age image was to be the focus of the futuristic World's Fair in Seattle, whose theme would be Century 21. Carlson pencilled the shape that would become the internationally known symbol for Seattle, the Space Needle.
However, Carlson and his supporters soon found moving the symbol from the placemat to the drawing board to the construction phase was not an easy process. The first obstacle was the structure's design. Carlson's initial sketch underwent many transformations. One drawing resembled a tethered balloon and another was a balloon-shaped top house on a central column anchored by cables. Architect John Graham, fresh from his success in designing the world's first shopping mall (Seattle's Northgate), turned the balloon design into a flying saucer. A dozen architects on Graham's team worked on sketches and ideas before a final compromise was reached just a year and a half before the fair was to open.
The next hurdles were location and financing. Since the Space Needle was to be privately financed, it had to be situated on land which could be acquired for public use but built within the fairgrounds. Early investigations indicated such a plot of land did not exist. However, just before the search was abandoned, a suitable 120-foot-by-120-foot piece of land was found and sold to investors for $75,000 in 1961, just 13 months before the World's Fair opening.
Construction, managed by the Howard S. Wright Construction Company, progressed quickly. An underground foundation was poured into a hole 30 feet deep and 120 feet across. It took 467 cement trucks an entire day to fill the hole, the largest continuous concrete pour ever attempted in the West. Once completed, the foundation weighed as much as the Space Needle itself, establishing the centre of gravity just above ground.
The five level top house dome was completed with special attention paid to the revolving restaurant level and Observation Deck. The top house was balanced so perfectly that the restaurant rotated with just a one horsepower electric motor. In keeping with the Century 21 theme, the final coats of paint were dubbed Astronaut White for the legs, Orbital Olive for the core, Re-entry Red for the halo and Galaxy Gold for the sunburst and pagoda roof. The 605-foot tall Space Needle was completed in December 1961 and officially opened a mere four months later on the first day of the World's Fair, April 21, 1962.
The Space Needle's elevators were the last pieces to arrive before the opening, the last one just one day before the fair opened. New, computerised elevators were installed in 1993. The elevators travel 10 mph, 14 feet per second, 800 feet per minute, or as fast as a raindrop falls to earth. In fact, a snowflake falls at 3 mph, so in an elevator during a snowstorm it appears to be snowing up.
Storms occasionally force closure of the Space Needle, as they did for the Columbus Day storm of 1962 and the "Inauguration Day" storm of 1993 when winds reached 90 miles per hour. The Needle is built to withstand a wind velocity of 200 miles per hour. The Space Needle has withstood several tremors, too, including a 2001 earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale. The tallest building west of the Mississippi River when it was built, the Space Needle has double the 1962 building code requirements, enabling the structure to withstand even greater jolts.
The Space Needle was built for just $4.5 million, and has had its share of milestones, including numerous weddings and a jump by six parachutists. During the World's Fair, nearly 20,000 people a day traveled to the top. The Space Needle hosted over 2.3 million visitors during the Fair and is still, over 40 years later, Seattle's number one tourist destination.
In 2000, the Space Needle completed a $20 million revitalisation. The year-long project included construction of the Pavilion Level, SpaceBase retail store, SkyCity restaurant, O Deck overhaul, exterior lighting additions, Legacy Light installations, exterior painting and more.
The Space Needle "complex" where the old fairground was (now called the Seattle Centre) contains a huge science fair, Imax Theatres, showground rides for all ages, shopping and much, much more. There's even a monorail from Seattle's Downtown to get you to the Space Needle and the Seattle Centre.
In 1959, an unlikely artist inspired by the Stuttgart Tower in Germany was sketching his vision of a dominant central structure for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair on a placemat in a coffee house.
The artist was Edward E. Carlson, then president of Western International Hotels. His space-age image was to be the focus of the futuristic World's Fair in Seattle, whose theme would be Century 21. Carlson pencilled the shape that would become the internationally known symbol for Seattle, the Space Needle.
However, Carlson and his supporters soon found moving the symbol from the placemat to the drawing board to the construction phase was not an easy process. The first obstacle was the structure's design. Carlson's initial sketch underwent many transformations. One drawing resembled a tethered balloon and another was a balloon-shaped top house on a central column anchored by cables. Architect John Graham, fresh from his success in designing the world's first shopping mall (Seattle's Northgate), turned the balloon design into a flying saucer. A dozen architects on Graham's team worked on sketches and ideas before a final compromise was reached just a year and a half before the fair was to open.
View of Seattle Downtown and City From the Main Observation Deck of the Space Needle "Saucer"
The next hurdles were location and financing. Since the Space Needle was to be privately financed, it had to be situated on land which could be acquired for public use but built within the fairgrounds. Early investigations indicated such a plot of land did not exist. However, just before the search was abandoned, a suitable 120-foot-by-120-foot piece of land was found and sold to investors for $75,000 in 1961, just 13 months before the World's Fair opening.
Construction, managed by the Howard S. Wright Construction Company, progressed quickly. An underground foundation was poured into a hole 30 feet deep and 120 feet across. It took 467 cement trucks an entire day to fill the hole, the largest continuous concrete pour ever attempted in the West. Once completed, the foundation weighed as much as the Space Needle itself, establishing the centre of gravity just above ground.
The five level top house dome was completed with special attention paid to the revolving restaurant level and Observation Deck. The top house was balanced so perfectly that the restaurant rotated with just a one horsepower electric motor. In keeping with the Century 21 theme, the final coats of paint were dubbed Astronaut White for the legs, Orbital Olive for the core, Re-entry Red for the halo and Galaxy Gold for the sunburst and pagoda roof. The 605-foot tall Space Needle was completed in December 1961 and officially opened a mere four months later on the first day of the World's Fair, April 21, 1962.
The Space Needle's elevators were the last pieces to arrive before the opening, the last one just one day before the fair opened. New, computerised elevators were installed in 1993. The elevators travel 10 mph, 14 feet per second, 800 feet per minute, or as fast as a raindrop falls to earth. In fact, a snowflake falls at 3 mph, so in an elevator during a snowstorm it appears to be snowing up.
Storms occasionally force closure of the Space Needle, as they did for the Columbus Day storm of 1962 and the "Inauguration Day" storm of 1993 when winds reached 90 miles per hour. The Needle is built to withstand a wind velocity of 200 miles per hour. The Space Needle has withstood several tremors, too, including a 2001 earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale. The tallest building west of the Mississippi River when it was built, the Space Needle has double the 1962 building code requirements, enabling the structure to withstand even greater jolts.
The Space Needle was built for just $4.5 million, and has had its share of milestones, including numerous weddings and a jump by six parachutists. During the World's Fair, nearly 20,000 people a day traveled to the top. The Space Needle hosted over 2.3 million visitors during the Fair and is still, over 40 years later, Seattle's number one tourist destination.
In 2000, the Space Needle completed a $20 million revitalisation. The year-long project included construction of the Pavilion Level, SpaceBase retail store, SkyCity restaurant, O Deck overhaul, exterior lighting additions, Legacy Light installations, exterior painting and more.
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Java, Indonesia: Mendut Temple
October 23rd 2008 12:21
The Mendut is one of three exactly aligned Buddhist Temples, located in Central Java, and each a mile apart. The exact religious relationship between the three is known to exist, but is a long-forgotten mystery.
Mendut is a ninth century Buddhist temple, located in Mendut village. It is located about two miles northeast from Borobudur. Mendut, Borobudur and Pawon, all of which are Buddhist temples, are located in one straight line. Mendut is the oldest of the three temples.
According to the Karang Tengah inscription, the temple was built and finished during the reign of King Indra of the Sailendra dynasty. It may have originally be called "Venuvana" (bamboo forest).
It was rediscovered in 1836 as ruins covered with bushes. Restoration commenced in 1897, and was completed in 1925. The roof part is still unfinished, as can be compared with the roof of the Pawon. This is because some of the original stones are missing.
The temple is 26.4 metres tall and faces west.The stairs also emerge to the west, and are have Makara statues on each side.
There were originally two chambers inside the temple. The roof and some parts of the smaller front chamber walls are missing, but the large central main chamber is complete. This large main chamber contains exquisitely carved statues, which are the main Buddhist divinities in Mendut, and explain the spiritual purpose of the temple.
The 3 metre tall statue of Dhyani Buddha Vairocana was meant to liberate the devotees from the bodily karma. To the left is a statue of Boddhisatva Avalokitesvara to liberate from the karma of speech. To the right is Boddhisatva Vajrapani to liberate from karma of thought.
The Vesak annual ritual is observed by Indonesian Buddhists during the full moon in May or June, by walking from Mendut, passing through Pawon, and ending at Borobudur.
I visited the Pawon, the Borobudur and the Mendut on my first trip ouside Australia in 1977, flying Garuda Airlines. The mystery of these three temples has always amazed me, just as the mysteries surrounding many ancient monuments continues to astound people throughout the world.
Other related stories by this author about Central Java and Indonesia
01 "Java, Indonesia: The Borobudur" posted on World Travel
02 "Java, Indonesia: The Pawon" posted on World Travel
More stories by this author after the following important information
Mendut is a ninth century Buddhist temple, located in Mendut village. It is located about two miles northeast from Borobudur. Mendut, Borobudur and Pawon, all of which are Buddhist temples, are located in one straight line. Mendut is the oldest of the three temples.
According to the Karang Tengah inscription, the temple was built and finished during the reign of King Indra of the Sailendra dynasty. It may have originally be called "Venuvana" (bamboo forest).
It was rediscovered in 1836 as ruins covered with bushes. Restoration commenced in 1897, and was completed in 1925. The roof part is still unfinished, as can be compared with the roof of the Pawon. This is because some of the original stones are missing.
The temple is 26.4 metres tall and faces west.The stairs also emerge to the west, and are have Makara statues on each side.
There were originally two chambers inside the temple. The roof and some parts of the smaller front chamber walls are missing, but the large central main chamber is complete. This large main chamber contains exquisitely carved statues, which are the main Buddhist divinities in Mendut, and explain the spiritual purpose of the temple.
The 3 metre tall statue of Dhyani Buddha Vairocana was meant to liberate the devotees from the bodily karma. To the left is a statue of Boddhisatva Avalokitesvara to liberate from the karma of speech. To the right is Boddhisatva Vajrapani to liberate from karma of thought.
The Vesak annual ritual is observed by Indonesian Buddhists during the full moon in May or June, by walking from Mendut, passing through Pawon, and ending at Borobudur.
I visited the Pawon, the Borobudur and the Mendut on my first trip ouside Australia in 1977, flying Garuda Airlines. The mystery of these three temples has always amazed me, just as the mysteries surrounding many ancient monuments continues to astound people throughout the world.
Other related stories by this author about Central Java and Indonesia
01 "Java, Indonesia: The Borobudur" posted on World Travel
02 "Java, Indonesia: The Pawon" posted on World Travel
More stories by this author after the following important information
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Comments (2) Java, Indonesia: Pawon Temple
October 23rd 2008 12:07
The Pawon is one of three exactly aligned Buddhist Temples, located in Central Java, and each a mile apart. The exact religious relationship between the three is known to exist, but is a long-forgotten mystery.
The Pawon is located exactly central between the Borobudur, one mile north-east, and the Mendut, one mile south-west. There is a strong relationship between the three, all of which were built in the eighth and ninth century, during the Sailendra dynasty.
The original name of the temple is lost in time. The popular adopted name, Pawon, literally means "kitchen" in Javanese. To the local people, it is known as "Bajranalan", from the name of the village. This name derives from the Sanskrit words "Vajra" (meaning thunder) and "anala" (meaning fire or flame). Perhaps this is a clue to the origins of the temple, or perhaps not. No one is really sure.
"Anala" is also a Buddhist ceremonial tool.
Reliefs of boddhisattvas (beings that compassionately refrain from entering nirvana in order to save others) and taras (female deities representing enlightened activity and fearlessness) are carved into the outer wall. There are also reliefs of the kalpataru (tree of life), flanked by Kinnara-Kinnari (celestial musicians, half human and half bird).
The square chamber inside is empty, in contrast to the Mendut, which has statues inside.
The Vesak annual ritual is observed by Indonesian Buddhists during the full moon in May or June, by walking from Mendut, passing through Pawon, and ending at Borobudur.
I visited the Pawon, the Borobudur and the Mendut on my first trip outside Australia in 1977, flying Garuda Airlines. The mystery of these three temples has always amazed me, just as the mysteries surrounding many ancient monuments continues to astound people throughout the world.
Other related stories by this author about Central Java and Indonesia
01 "Java, Indonesia: The Borobudur" posted on World Travel
02 "Java, Indonesia: The Mendut" posted on World Travel
More stories by this author after the following important information
The Pawon is located exactly central between the Borobudur, one mile north-east, and the Mendut, one mile south-west. There is a strong relationship between the three, all of which were built in the eighth and ninth century, during the Sailendra dynasty.
The original name of the temple is lost in time. The popular adopted name, Pawon, literally means "kitchen" in Javanese. To the local people, it is known as "Bajranalan", from the name of the village. This name derives from the Sanskrit words "Vajra" (meaning thunder) and "anala" (meaning fire or flame). Perhaps this is a clue to the origins of the temple, or perhaps not. No one is really sure.
"Anala" is also a Buddhist ceremonial tool.
Reliefs of boddhisattvas (beings that compassionately refrain from entering nirvana in order to save others) and taras (female deities representing enlightened activity and fearlessness) are carved into the outer wall. There are also reliefs of the kalpataru (tree of life), flanked by Kinnara-Kinnari (celestial musicians, half human and half bird).
The square chamber inside is empty, in contrast to the Mendut, which has statues inside.
The Vesak annual ritual is observed by Indonesian Buddhists during the full moon in May or June, by walking from Mendut, passing through Pawon, and ending at Borobudur.
I visited the Pawon, the Borobudur and the Mendut on my first trip outside Australia in 1977, flying Garuda Airlines. The mystery of these three temples has always amazed me, just as the mysteries surrounding many ancient monuments continues to astound people throughout the world.
Other related stories by this author about Central Java and Indonesia
01 "Java, Indonesia: The Borobudur" posted on World Travel
02 "Java, Indonesia: The Mendut" posted on World Travel
More stories by this author after the following important information
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Waikiki, USA: Honolulu Tavern Karaoke
October 14th 2008 15:27
It was just about a year ago, we were sitting at my favourite bar in the world, the Honolulu Tavern. Since there's karaoke there every night, we decided to have a YouTube party, and this is the result (with apologies to Creedence Clearwater). It was October 16th 2007, to be exact.
Now none of us are real good singers, and I put that down to two things. Firstly, the Americans have really funny accents, and I was the only one there who talked with a normal Australian drawl. Secondly, it's hard to sing in tune when you've drank a certain number of pints of Budweiser.
Still, the bar's owner and myself came up with the idea, and we thought it would be good if everyone sang a couple of lines. Sort of like a poor man's version of We Are The World, or something like that.
It took a little planning, but it worked reasonably well. We even got quite a few of us singing our favourite songs solo. Everyone had a great time later sending the links home to friends and family all over the world, to show off the local bar we all liked to meet together in.
Click here to go to the Honolulu Tavern YouTube Party Site to see all the songs that were recorded
Anyway, this is the video (I'm the eighth singer, by the way, the cute, young-looking blond guy).
The other singers, in order, are:
Dan
Oirlie
Darren
Stella
Byron (owner of the tavern)
Ting (Byron's wife)
Char
Me (I sing "Oh Lord, I'm stuck in Honolulu again")
Chicago Bob (the karaoke DJ, dancing)
Brenda
Daryl
Vatala
Dave (aka Elvis, another karaoke DJ)
Oirlie (Dave's wife)
Darren
Char
The whole gang together for the finale
Click here to go to the Honolulu Tavern website, and see all that it has to offer
And, as an added treat, this is just me singing on my own (nah, skip this if you want):
More stories by this author after the following important information
Now none of us are real good singers, and I put that down to two things. Firstly, the Americans have really funny accents, and I was the only one there who talked with a normal Australian drawl. Secondly, it's hard to sing in tune when you've drank a certain number of pints of Budweiser.
Still, the bar's owner and myself came up with the idea, and we thought it would be good if everyone sang a couple of lines. Sort of like a poor man's version of We Are The World, or something like that.
It took a little planning, but it worked reasonably well. We even got quite a few of us singing our favourite songs solo. Everyone had a great time later sending the links home to friends and family all over the world, to show off the local bar we all liked to meet together in.
Click here to go to the Honolulu Tavern YouTube Party Site to see all the songs that were recorded
Anyway, this is the video (I'm the eighth singer, by the way, the cute, young-looking blond guy).
The other singers, in order, are:
Dan
Oirlie
Darren
Stella
Byron (owner of the tavern)
Ting (Byron's wife)
Char
Me (I sing "Oh Lord, I'm stuck in Honolulu again")
Chicago Bob (the karaoke DJ, dancing)
Brenda
Daryl
Vatala
Dave (aka Elvis, another karaoke DJ)
Oirlie (Dave's wife)
Darren
Char
The whole gang together for the finale
Click here to go to the Honolulu Tavern website, and see all that it has to offer
And, as an added treat, this is just me singing on my own (nah, skip this if you want):
More stories by this author after the following important information
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Honolulu USA: Sea Life Park
October 14th 2008 13:34
Sometimes, there isn't need to write a lot, so I'll just post a video of myself and my friends at Sea Life Park in Honolulu. Here, we went swimming with dolphins, sea lions, stingrays, sharks, turtles and lots and lots of fishes.
Click here to go to the full story of Sea Life Park, on this site
More stories by this author after the following important information
Click here to go to the full story of Sea Life Park, on this site
More stories by this author after the following important information
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Australia: Canberra's Parliamentary Triangle
September 16th 2008 08:06
The Parliamentary Triangle in Canberra doesn’t refer to an anomaly in the time and space continuum, where ships and planes disappear without a trace (though many political careers have). It is a scenic and picturesque precinct, containing some of Australia’s most important national and parliamentary buildings.
The Parliamentary Triangle in Canberra, A.C.T highlights the similarity of design between the Australian capital and the American capital, Washington, D.C. Both have Parliamentary Triangles that link up the house of government with important monuments and places. The Canberra triangle was a significant part of the design of the city by American architect, Walter Burley-Griffin.
The Canberra Parliamentary Triangle is formed by Commonwealth, Kings and Constitution Avenues. The buildings within the triangle are deliberately located for visual effect. Many are of national importance, and these are popular tourist attractions.
The apices (extremes) of the almost perfect equilateral triangle represent the three most important aspects of Canberra. They are: Parliament House (representing government); the Defence Headquarters (represent the military); and City Hill (representing the civilian part of Canberra).
The land axis of the triangle is geographical, and runs from Mount Ainslie, through Capital Hill, to Red Hill. It also passes through the Australian War Memorial, and directly down the centre of ANZAC Parade. The War Memorial is often depicted as an extension of the Parliamentary Triangle, because of the spectacular views along all parts of the land axis.
The streets in the Parliamentary Triangle are lined with large, deciduous trees, and the buildings are located in large areas of grassed parkland. There is a very open feeling to the entire area, which is the way it was planned.
The two most significant features are Parliament House and Old Parliament House. Other major buildings are located in symmetry with the triangle. Forward of Old Parliament House, near Lake Burley-Griffin and to the east, are the High Court and the National Gallery. To the west are the National Library and the National Science and Technology Centre (also known as Questacon).
On the centre of the lakeshore is Commonwealth Place. On the opposite side of the lake are Commonwealth Park and Kings Park, each near the Avenue that they are named after.
The Treasury is located just in front and to the west of Old Parliament House. The John Gorton Building (housing several important government departments), named after one of Australia’s most popular Prime Ministers, is opposite the Treasury, in front of and to the east of Old Parliament House.
In the lake itself are two important monuments. The Carillon, though just outside the Parliamentary Triangle, forms a part of Canberra’s national area. Located on Aspen island, it contains fifty five bells, chimes every quarter of an hour, and plays a tune on the hour. There are also recitals on many days.
Also in the lake, and within the triangle, is the Captain Cook Memorial, a striking jet of water that is pumped at 260 km/h from the lake to a height of up to 147 metres.
The culmination of the full day trip through the War Memorial, down ANZAC Parade, and through Old Parliament House, and the many sights on the way, is finally getting to Parliament House.
Much of Parliament House is buried beneath Capital Hill. Though security has tightened since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Parliament House is still reasonably open, compared to many other countries.
Tourists can access the foyers, adorned with matching portraits of all Australia’s former prime ministers. Access is also available to the House of Representatives, and the Senate Building (where my old boss used to have a seat).
But the most striking of all is that access to the roof is still available. There are sweeping views of the city, including the American Memorial and the view back to the war Memorial, down ANZAC Avenue is most breathtaking.
More stories by this author after the following important information
The Parliamentary Triangle in Canberra, A.C.T highlights the similarity of design between the Australian capital and the American capital, Washington, D.C. Both have Parliamentary Triangles that link up the house of government with important monuments and places. The Canberra triangle was a significant part of the design of the city by American architect, Walter Burley-Griffin.
The Canberra Parliamentary Triangle is formed by Commonwealth, Kings and Constitution Avenues. The buildings within the triangle are deliberately located for visual effect. Many are of national importance, and these are popular tourist attractions.
The apices (extremes) of the almost perfect equilateral triangle represent the three most important aspects of Canberra. They are: Parliament House (representing government); the Defence Headquarters (represent the military); and City Hill (representing the civilian part of Canberra).
The land axis of the triangle is geographical, and runs from Mount Ainslie, through Capital Hill, to Red Hill. It also passes through the Australian War Memorial, and directly down the centre of ANZAC Parade. The War Memorial is often depicted as an extension of the Parliamentary Triangle, because of the spectacular views along all parts of the land axis.
Australian War Memorial, Canberra
View from War Memorial, down ANZAC Parade, to Old Parliament House and Parliament House (at rear)
The streets in the Parliamentary Triangle are lined with large, deciduous trees, and the buildings are located in large areas of grassed parkland. There is a very open feeling to the entire area, which is the way it was planned.
The two most significant features are Parliament House and Old Parliament House. Other major buildings are located in symmetry with the triangle. Forward of Old Parliament House, near Lake Burley-Griffin and to the east, are the High Court and the National Gallery. To the west are the National Library and the National Science and Technology Centre (also known as Questacon).
Old Parliament House
National Library
On the centre of the lakeshore is Commonwealth Place. On the opposite side of the lake are Commonwealth Park and Kings Park, each near the Avenue that they are named after.
The Treasury is located just in front and to the west of Old Parliament House. The John Gorton Building (housing several important government departments), named after one of Australia’s most popular Prime Ministers, is opposite the Treasury, in front of and to the east of Old Parliament House.
In the lake itself are two important monuments. The Carillon, though just outside the Parliamentary Triangle, forms a part of Canberra’s national area. Located on Aspen island, it contains fifty five bells, chimes every quarter of an hour, and plays a tune on the hour. There are also recitals on many days.
The Carillon
Captain Cook Memorial
Also in the lake, and within the triangle, is the Captain Cook Memorial, a striking jet of water that is pumped at 260 km/h from the lake to a height of up to 147 metres.
The culmination of the full day trip through the War Memorial, down ANZAC Parade, and through Old Parliament House, and the many sights on the way, is finally getting to Parliament House.
Parliament House, Canberra
Much of Parliament House is buried beneath Capital Hill. Though security has tightened since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Parliament House is still reasonably open, compared to many other countries.
Tourists can access the foyers, adorned with matching portraits of all Australia’s former prime ministers. Access is also available to the House of Representatives, and the Senate Building (where my old boss used to have a seat).
Parliament House Flagpole, from the roof of Parliament House
But the most striking of all is that access to the roof is still available. There are sweeping views of the city, including the American Memorial and the view back to the war Memorial, down ANZAC Avenue is most breathtaking.
View from Roof of Parliament House to Old Parliament House, down ANZAC Parade, to War Memorial, and Mount Ainslie (background)
More stories by this author after the following important information
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Fucking, Austria
September 5th 2008 13:23
British tourists have left the residents of one charming Austrian village effing and blinding by constantly stealing the signs for their oddly named village.
While British visitors are finding it hilarious, the residents of Fucking are failing to see the funny side.
Only one kind of criminal ever stalks the sleepy 32 house village near Salzburg on the German border - cheeky British tourists armed with a sense of humour and a screwdriver.
But the local authorities are hitting back and with the signs now set in concrete, police chief Kommandant Schmidtberger is on the lookout.
“We will not stand for the Fucking signs being removed,” the officer said.
“It may be very amusing for you British, but Fucking is simply Fucking to us. What is this big Fucking joke? It is puerile.”
Local tourist guide Andreas Rehmueller said it was only the British that had an obsession with Fucking.
“The Germans all want to see the Mozart house in Salzburg,” he explained.
“Every American seems to care only about The Sound of Music (the 1965 film shot around Salzburg).
“The occasional Japanese wants to see Hitler’s birthplace in Braunau.
“But for the British, it’s all about Fucking.”
Guesthouse manager Augustina Lindlbauer described the village’s breathtaking lakes, forests and vistas.
“Yet still there is this obsession with Fucking,” she said.
“Just this morning I had to tell an English lady who stopped by that there were no Fucking postcards.”
Original story (above) by AFP
The name is pronounced “Fooking” which really doesn’t change the whole concept of the story. However, on a serious side, there is a little history of the town, and some of the finer points about scenery, which were already touched on in the newspaper story.
Fucking is named after a man named Foker, in the 6th century. The name Fucking came into place sometime before 1070. The "ing" at the end is a common German suffix meaning "place of...people", so Fucking literally means "place of (Foker's) people". It has 32 houses, and an official population of 104.
It's most famous tourist attraction is it's roadside sign, which tourists love having their photo taken next to. One such sign has a motor traffic sign below it, saying "Please go slow", which many tourists find even more amusing.
However, the theft of such signs has put a severe financial burden on the tiny Fucking budget. This has been alleviated to a large extent by putting the signs in the ground with reinforced concrete, and using bigger screws.
The town also has several Fucking Roads, which often leads to confusion, with residents asking each other "Which Fucking Road do you live on?"
One problem facing many Fucking people is the fact that some British tourists get confused about the location of the village, and refer to Fucking, Australia. At least, it is hoped this is simply a geographical reference...
A few questions are raised quite often about the town:
- Are the residents called Fuckers?
- What are the mothers called?
- What would you be learning at the Fucking High School?
- Does the Fucking Hospital help you with anything else?
- If you had a friend that came from there, would he be your Fucking friend?
Just to prove it’s true, the original story and a map are reproduced below.
And, of course, when you've had enough of Fucking, you can always visit Condom, France. But that's another story.
Other stories by the same author
"WORLD TRAVEL" Site: Interesting places to visit and things to do
Java, Indonesia: Mendut Temple
Java, Indonesia: Pawon Temple
Waikiki, USA: Honolulu Tavern Karaoke
Honolulu, USA: Sea Life Park
Canberra, Australia: The Parliamentary Triangle
F*cking, Austria
Shanghai, China: Nights
Rockhampton, Australia
Pearl Harbor, USA
Goulburn, Australia
Bangkok, Thailand
Circular Quay, Australia
Seattle, USA: Underground
Huai'an, China: Bad Times
Airlie Beach, Australia
Borobudur, Indonesia
Brisbane, Australia
Honolulu, USA: Dolphin Swim
"STREET BEAT" Site: Homelessness stories from the world's street papers
Australia: Internet Censorship and Sedition Laws
USA: Barack Obama May Not Be The Antichrist
China: Child Soldiers At High School
Macedonia: Ulica Street Magazine
Denmark: EU Declaration Against Homelessness
Norway: Day In The Life Of A Street Vendor
Canada: Homeless Targeted By City's Security Guards
England: Homeless Man Wins 2.6 Million Pounds
Brazil: Street People's Christmas
USA: Texas Homeless Hate Crimes
Australia: Homeless Person's Week
World: INSP Street Papers
Myanmar: Millions Homeless After Cyclone
China: Five Million Homeless After Earthquake
Australia: Homeless Youth Numbers Double
USA: Seattle Underground Homeless
Australia: Charities Helping Themselves
Zimbabwe: Homelessness Crisis
Australia: Street Person Starts Homelessness Project Funding
Australia: Government Ignores Homeless Foreigner
Australia: Unjust Rent Increases Force People Onto The Street
Australia: New Homeless
China: Streets Of China
"HIND SIGHT": Reflections of Aboriginal communities in outback Australia
Violence & Aboriginal Education
Cotton Fields & Cotton Wool
On The Inside
Reflections
While British visitors are finding it hilarious, the residents of Fucking are failing to see the funny side.
Only one kind of criminal ever stalks the sleepy 32 house village near Salzburg on the German border - cheeky British tourists armed with a sense of humour and a screwdriver.
But the local authorities are hitting back and with the signs now set in concrete, police chief Kommandant Schmidtberger is on the lookout.
“We will not stand for the Fucking signs being removed,” the officer said.
“It may be very amusing for you British, but Fucking is simply Fucking to us. What is this big Fucking joke? It is puerile.”
Local tourist guide Andreas Rehmueller said it was only the British that had an obsession with Fucking.
“The Germans all want to see the Mozart house in Salzburg,” he explained.
“Every American seems to care only about The Sound of Music (the 1965 film shot around Salzburg).
“The occasional Japanese wants to see Hitler’s birthplace in Braunau.
“But for the British, it’s all about Fucking.”
Guesthouse manager Augustina Lindlbauer described the village’s breathtaking lakes, forests and vistas.
“Yet still there is this obsession with Fucking,” she said.
“Just this morning I had to tell an English lady who stopped by that there were no Fucking postcards.”
Original story (above) by AFP
The name is pronounced “Fooking” which really doesn’t change the whole concept of the story. However, on a serious side, there is a little history of the town, and some of the finer points about scenery, which were already touched on in the newspaper story.
Fucking is named after a man named Foker, in the 6th century. The name Fucking came into place sometime before 1070. The "ing" at the end is a common German suffix meaning "place of...people", so Fucking literally means "place of (Foker's) people". It has 32 houses, and an official population of 104.
It's most famous tourist attraction is it's roadside sign, which tourists love having their photo taken next to. One such sign has a motor traffic sign below it, saying "Please go slow", which many tourists find even more amusing.
However, the theft of such signs has put a severe financial burden on the tiny Fucking budget. This has been alleviated to a large extent by putting the signs in the ground with reinforced concrete, and using bigger screws.
The town also has several Fucking Roads, which often leads to confusion, with residents asking each other "Which Fucking Road do you live on?"
One problem facing many Fucking people is the fact that some British tourists get confused about the location of the village, and refer to Fucking, Australia. At least, it is hoped this is simply a geographical reference...
A few questions are raised quite often about the town:
- Are the residents called Fuckers?
- What are the mothers called?
- What would you be learning at the Fucking High School?
- Does the Fucking Hospital help you with anything else?
- If you had a friend that came from there, would he be your Fucking friend?
Just to prove it’s true, the original story and a map are reproduced below.
And, of course, when you've had enough of Fucking, you can always visit Condom, France. But that's another story.
Other stories by the same author
"WORLD TRAVEL" Site: Interesting places to visit and things to do
Java, Indonesia: Mendut Temple
Java, Indonesia: Pawon Temple
Waikiki, USA: Honolulu Tavern Karaoke
Honolulu, USA: Sea Life Park
Canberra, Australia: The Parliamentary Triangle
F*cking, Austria
Shanghai, China: Nights
Rockhampton, Australia
Pearl Harbor, USA
Goulburn, Australia
Bangkok, Thailand
Circular Quay, Australia
Seattle, USA: Underground
Huai'an, China: Bad Times
Airlie Beach, Australia
Borobudur, Indonesia
Brisbane, Australia
Honolulu, USA: Dolphin Swim
"STREET BEAT" Site: Homelessness stories from the world's street papers
Australia: Internet Censorship and Sedition Laws
USA: Barack Obama May Not Be The Antichrist
China: Child Soldiers At High School
Macedonia: Ulica Street Magazine
Denmark: EU Declaration Against Homelessness
Norway: Day In The Life Of A Street Vendor
Canada: Homeless Targeted By City's Security Guards
England: Homeless Man Wins 2.6 Million Pounds
Brazil: Street People's Christmas
USA: Texas Homeless Hate Crimes
Australia: Homeless Person's Week
World: INSP Street Papers
Myanmar: Millions Homeless After Cyclone
China: Five Million Homeless After Earthquake
Australia: Homeless Youth Numbers Double
USA: Seattle Underground Homeless
Australia: Charities Helping Themselves
Zimbabwe: Homelessness Crisis
Australia: Street Person Starts Homelessness Project Funding
Australia: Government Ignores Homeless Foreigner
Australia: Unjust Rent Increases Force People Onto The Street
Australia: New Homeless
China: Streets Of China
"HIND SIGHT": Reflections of Aboriginal communities in outback Australia
Violence & Aboriginal Education
Cotton Fields & Cotton Wool
On The Inside
Reflections
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