I am not a morning person, but as I stand on the boulder (巨大的砾石) in the early dawn, my mind is sharp and alert. I am more than awake, concentrating on the vast endlessness below.
There is a noticeable lack of early birdsong here; no hiss of offshore wind fanning the waves. The only sound is my breath, heavy after the scramble to the top. It is by no means a difficult climb, but I had to hurry to beat the sun.
"If you stand at the top of Kubu Island just before sunrise," said one of the returning visitors, "You can see the arc (弧线)of the Earth."
He was right.
From up here the horizon cuts not so much a line as an arc.
Soon my feeling of being in the moment is replaced with something as strange and ancient as this place itself. My breathing calms and becomes shallow. My heartbeat slows. I am first surrounded by in silence. I am a tiny, shrinking spot. Then I disappear completely.
They say that astronauts looking down on Earth gain a sense of perspective that changes them forever. They begin to understand how much we are a part of our planet, and how much it is a part of us. The astronauts are 400 kilometres off the surface of Earth, and while the top of Kubu Island is only 10 metres high, there is something about this pile of boulders that sends you into orbit.
Kubu Island isn't actually an island, but rather, an outcrop of ancient rocks that are up to two billions year old. It was once rested on the edge of a vast lake. As the water evaporated, it created the huge Makgadikgadi Pan (马卡迪卡迪盐沼盆地), one of the world's largest salt pans.
Ancient tribes and civilizations have migrated and lived here, first to fish from its rocks and then to commune with nature and its spirits. Today, adventurers and tourists come here to marvel at this strange pile of boulders with baobab trees (猴面包树) growing out of it. These trees are estimated to be 3,000 or 4,000 years old; they are really impressive not only for their size but also because they seem to have so much to tell about the history of this island.
This is the gift that Kubu Isand gives and the power that it has. This tiny, weird outcrop — if not in the middle of nowhere, then certainly on the edge of it — can give you a sense of yourself that very few places can. A sense of yourself as a person on this planet and, somehow, way beyond it.
I like flying to a foreign destination to visit the attractions during holidays, like millions of people are doing nowadays. The world has an amazing variety of must-see sights, from breathtaking natural scenery to impressive old cities, but too many of us are visiting them at the same time is putting pressure on these delicate and ancient places. Therefore, a number of beauty spots and historic sites have been introducing charges or restrictions on the tourists, which is meant to reduce overcrowding that can do harm to the surroundings of a place, protect old buildings in danger, and tidy up the mess that visitors leave behind.
The famous Italian city of Venice has, for example, introduced an entry fee of up to €10 for short-stay tourists. Citizens in Venice have long complained that the city is too crowded with tourists. Now, passengers arriving by cruise ship will have to pay a "landing tax". Mayor Luigi Brugnaro says, "It would increase much-needed income to keep the city clean."
Many cities in Europe have already charged a tax on tourists who stay in hotels and guest houses. This tax raises money to help protect the environment, pay for maintenance(维修) costs, or promote tourism. In Rome, new laws have been introduced to bring down bad tourist behaviour, such as forbidding drinking water from fountains and attaching "love padlocks" to bridges. Now the rules work well.
As more of us can now afford to travel, tourist destinations are getting busier, so maybe new laws and taxes on tourists are to be a necessary part of the sightseeing experience and benefit the beautiful attractions a lot.
Black history museums and historic sites are thriving or growing forcefully across the South. They're riding a wave of interest in African-American history that's made a stunning success of the 2-year-old National Museum of African American History and Culture in the nation's capital.
Attendance at some large museums is decreasing. Twelve of the 20 biggest U.S. museums saw flat or lower attendance from 2016 to 2017. In comparison, various activities involving black history stand out.
In Church Creek, Maryland, for example, a 1-year-old, 17-acre state-national park memorializes the place where Harriet Tubman was born and enslaved. Tubman escaped slavery and later helped many others escape, too. The park was expected to draw 75,000 visitors its first year. However, it attracted 100,000.
History professionals cite several factors for the phenomenon. The Black Lives Matter movement, conflicts over Confederate monuments, protests by NFL players and last year's violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, also have made a difference. These activities have caused more Americans to consider how race affects them.
When the national museum opened, "We thought that might have the impact of gaining the public spotlight. Just the opposite," said Moore, president of Charleston, South Carolina's International African American Museum. It has jump-started more presentations of black history. "There are art museums everywhere, and there are history museums everywhere. I see it as really healthy that there will be African-American museums everywhere."
States also are spending money to promote civil rights tourism. 14 Southern state tourism agencies in January launched a website detailing stops on what they are calling the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. The South Carolina African American Heritage Commission last year created a "Green Book" mobile app. It includes 300 historic African-American sites in South Carolina."Cultural tourism, or heritage tourism, is one of the fastest growing markets in the country," said Jannie Harriot. She is the vice chairperson of the South Carolina commission."(But) nothing that we do is limited to black people. Sometimes I think white people are more interested in our history than we are."
"Welcome to the U. S. A.! Major Credit cards accepted!"
By the millions they are coming no longer the tired, the poor, the wretched mass longing for a better living. These are the wealthy. "We don't have a budget," says a biologist from Brazil, as she walks with two companions through New York City's South Street. "We just use our credit cards."
The U. S. has long been one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, but this year has been exceptional. First there was the World Cup, which drew thousands from every comer of the globe; then came the weakening of the U. S. dollar against major currencies. Now the U. S. still the world's superpower, can also claim to be the world's bargain electronics to fashion clothes to tennis rackets. Nobody undersells America Bottom retail prices --anywhere from 30% to 70% lower than those in Europe and Asia-have attracted some 47 million visitors, who are expected to leave behind $79 billion in 1994.
That's up from $74 billion the year before.
True, not everyone comes just for bargains. There remains an undeniable fascination in the rest of the world with all things American, nourished by Hollywood films and U. S. television series. But shopping in the U. S. A. is proving irresistible. Every week thousands arrive with empty suitcases ready to be filled; some even rent an additional hotel room to hold their purchases. The buying binge has become as important as watching Old Faithful Fountains erupt in Yellow Stone Park or sunbathing on a beach in Florida.
The U. S. has come at last to appreciate what other countries learned long ago: the pouring in of foreign tourists may not always be convenient, but it does put money in the bank. And with a trade deficit at about $130 billion and growing for the past 12 months, the U. S. needs all the deposits it can get. Compared with American tourists abroad, visitors to the U. S. stay longer and spend more money at each stop; an average of 12. 2 nights and $1624 a traveler versus the Americans' four nights and $298.
Among many celebrated U. S. places for very cool sunsets, here are notable favorites.
California Dreamin'
While you are visiting California Dreamin', El Matador's eye-catching nightfall is a worthy way to lead you into deep thought. It is about the sands of time. Pack a basket of delicious food for a late-in-the-day picnic overlooking the Pacific Ocean, via the Pacific Coast Highway. The sunset is a sweet dessert.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
The 1,218,375-acre Grand Canyon National Park is wonderful. The canyon itself stretches 277 miles. Its wildlife is also so abundant. You can go to the South Rim of the canyon (大峡谷), which offers the best sunset advantages. Sometimes, you can see deer running and eagles flying with the sunset standing as the background. An unforgettable thrill: Grand Canyon Floor Landing Helicopter Sunset Tour by Canyon Tours.
Florida Serenity
Called the River of Grass, Everglades National Park — South Florida's amazing 1.5-million-acre wetland reserve — is quilted with coastal trees and grass. An especially chosen sunset-watching site is near Mrazek Pond, approximately three miles north of the Flamingo Visitor Center. This is a birder's (观鸟者) dream place, too, home to more than 360 species.
Hawaii Aloha
Haleakala Crater in Hawaii Aloha, a vast dormant (休眠期的) volcano 10,023 feet above sea level, is famous for its sunrises — so that dawn sun-seekers climb the volcano in the middle of the night to make the long drive up a winding road to the summit. But Haleakala's sunsets are just as amazing. Since fewer people arrive late in the day, a more personal sunset participation is possible. Consider a private or group sunset hike to appreciate the Pacific Ocean. It is worthwhile.
Travelers to a new city are often encouraged to take a bus tour. The thinking is that they can later return to the places that attracted them，but that's nonsense! What you see from the inside of a fast-moving bus is sanitized(净化过的)and unreal, entirely removed from the real sights, sounds, and smells outside.
The best way to experience any destination is on foot, without an itinerary, wandering where your spirit leads you. Even in the largest cities, the savvy(资深的) traveler plunges into the very center of town and walks down the nearest street, experiencing the actual life of the people while looking into the grocery stores and courtyard. You eventually get to many of the same sites that are on the bus route—the museums, the monuments, the city hall—but you will have witnessed so much more because you will have felt the contemporary life of the city you're visiting.
"But what if I get lost?" people ask. No one ever gets permanently lost in a major city. Eventually, a trolley or a bus passes with the words "Central Station" on its front and you can easily return to the center of town. Besides, the most wonderful things can happen if you do get lost, such as stopping at a sidewalk cafe to sit and relax and then asking directions from the locals at the next table. Hopefully, your trip may be attractive by this encounter. Here are a few ways to make the most of your travels：
Know before you go. Before you depart, spend time in a library or bookstore, learning about the history and culture of your destination so you will better understand the place you're visiting.
Move around like a local. Use the local subways, trams and buses. You'll not only save money, but also learn how people live there, and you'll gain a realistic perspective of the city.
Check the bulletin board. Bulletin boards list free lectures, concerts, workshops and social gatherings, giving you a chance to join or meet the area's most dynamic residents.
Take a walking tour. If you must book a guided tour, select the nonstandard, inexpensive kinds conducted on foot.
So, the next time you feel lured by a sightseeing bus tour, save your money and instead, wander around on your own. I promise you a time you'll remember fondly.
If you want to fully enjoy your vacation, then you'd better check the Durban City Tours! This is actually one of the best choices in South Africa today.
There is nothing more relaxing than to think about that there is a place to go and relax, right? City life is strained, but you can escape this situation and be in the place where there is nothing but relaxation. Here in Durban you will get to see all the amazing tourist attractions. If you love animals and want to see some elephants wandering around the streets, then Durban is the place to go. You can even get to ride one if you want!
Here you will also get to taste all the delicious South African food. You can choose from Italian cooking to its native dishes. Durban is a great place to tour with your friends and family. You will learn a lot about its history through the landmarks you will see down the streets. Tourists and even the local villagers just can't get enough of these treats!
However, it is important that you make the necessary arrangements. There are actually lots of tour guides that will help you as you make your journey along the streets of Durban. But if you prefer the best tour guides here in Durban, then you'd better settle for the Street Scene Tours. Their staff are all welltrained and professional. They will certainly make your stay here an unforgettable one. No wonder tourists prefer the Street Scene Tours when it comes to Durban City Tours.
Seeing a volcano erupt is a wonderful experience, and you can really feel the heat by climbing to the summit (山顶) of Pacaya for a close-up view. There are guided tours every day up this highly active volcano from Antigua, giving travelers a chance to see Mother Nature at her most powerful.
Pacaya is an easy drive from Antigua, a beautiful city with many colorful houses along its old streets that are turned into art-works during its Holy Week Festival. No matter when you come to Antigua, you won't miss the Pacaya-tour companies.
But climbing Pacaya is no easy job: it is 2,560 metres high, and reaching the summit takes two to three hours of seemingly one-step-forward and two-step-back movements. As you climb, you hear the dull sounds of eruptions high above. Steaming, hot remains from recent eruptions begin to line the path as you near the active summit: the McKenney Cone (火山锥). Just as though you are going to walk over to the edge of the cone, the road turns to the left and up to the relative safety of the old, inactive summit.
Many tours are timed so that you arrive at the cone of the volcano in plenty of time for sunset and the full contrast between the erupting red lava and the darkening sky. On a good day the view from the summit is extremely exciting. The active mouth boils, sending red lava over its sides, and once in a while shoots hot streams up to 100 meters into the air. There is a strong bad smell in the air even if you take care to be upwind of the cone. As evening turns deeper into the night, the burning lava quietly falls down the side of the volcano. For you, too, it is time to get down.
Whether you're travelling to the islands or the mountains of Thailand, you're likely to spend at least one night in its capital city on the way. Bangkok might be noisy and polluted but it's also an exciting city with plenty of things to see and do. Why not make it a longer stay?
Where to stayThe Khao San Road was a famous traveler spot even before Leonardo di Caprio's character in the film The Beach stayed there. But it's noisy, not very pretty and not very Thai. For something more authentic, Phra Kanong offers an alternative place to stay, with its fantastic street markets where Bangkok people eat, work and live every day. It's not as convenient for the main tourist sites, but it has a Skytrain station so you can be at the Grand Palace in 20 minutes.
How to get aroundBangkok's traffic can be a nightmare. Sure, you can easily take a taxi - if you want to spend hours stuck in traffic jams--but there are two much better ways to get around the city. To explore the temples and historical sites, catch an express boat or a longtail boat along the Chao Phraya River and the canals. For the modern part of the city, the Skytrain is a fast, cheap way to travel from the river to the shopping malls and nightlife of Sukhumvit, and the famous Chatuchak street market.
What to doAfter you've seen the main sites like the Giant Buddha at the temple of Wat Pho and the spectacular Grand Palace, and shopped at Chatuchak market, check out the snake farm and watch the live snake show. You can even touch a snake yourself if you want to!
Travelers in America who want to experience the Wild West can now go on holiday in the old style to see how the American pioneers traveled and lived.
Today's travelers go by horse wagons like the old time. They set up camp at night under the stars and learn to cook their meals over fires. They also learn to lead herds of cattle with present-day cowboys and try to bring wild horses into a corral (畜栏). For those who just want to pretend halfway, the special holidays offer the chance to "rough it" during the day in the wagons but sleep at night in the comfort of fan air-conditioned ranch (牧场) complete with the swimming pool, the sauna and tennis courts.
In Wyoming the holiday makers will travel by wagon past ghost towns and cemeteries where pioneers and wild cowboys were buried. The route goes along the same track as the Pony Express riders who braved attacks from Indians and robbers to get the mail through to the Wild West. High Island Ranch in Wyoming at the foot of the Rocky Mountains is also an ideal place to go trout fishing and to ride wild horses. In Colorado, the modern-day pioneers can stay at Randy George's ranch and try their hand at breaking in horses and branding (给……打上烙印) cattle. In New Mexico there will be a chance to help in driving cattle to their new summer pastures (牧场). Trips last for a week so those taking part get a chance to have a feel for the Wild West as it really was.
