Rotorua is home to one of the most unique tourism sites in the world. It is just a 2.5 hour drive from Auckland, easily accessible in the Central North Island for a getaway. Volcanic Plateau has one of the world’s most lively fields of geothermal activity and sits squarely on the Pacific Rim of Fire. Aside from the breathtaking scenery of this volcanic-shaped wonderland, the 16 beautiful lakes in the region and the lush green of the abundant native flora, Rotorua is a geothermal paradise and the cultural heartland. Rotorua highlights include Mount Tarawera, Whakarewarewa Forest, Ohinemutu, several stunning lakes and many amazing geothermal locations.

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Bolivia is a beautiful, geographically diverse, multiethnic, and democratic country in the heart of South America. This landlocked country shares its borders with Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay and Argentina to the south, Chile to the south west, and Peru to the west. Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the largest city of Bolivia. More than 60% of the population of Bolivia speaks Spanish, followed by Quechua: 21.2%, Aymara: 14.6%. The highest navigable lake in the world is found in Bolivia at 3810 meters above sea level. It takes six hours to cross Lake Titicaca on a fast hydrofoil. It’s also one of the deepest lakes in the world. Bolivia shares with Peru control of Lake Titicaca. The largest deposit of salt on the planet is also found in Bolivia. The Salar de Uyuni contain over 64 million tons of salt. The country is home to 40% of all animal and plant life in the world.

3,000 Year Old Yareta Plant

Arbol de Piedra, Bolivia

Sol de Mañana Geysers, Bolivia

Laguna Blanca, Bolivia

Sol de Mañana Geysers, Bolivia

Laguna Verde, Bolivia

Hexagons, Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Mating Ritual: James’s Flamingo

View from the bus: Lake Titicaca to La Paz

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Turkmenistan is a Central Asian nation roughly the size of California. It shares borders with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. Primarily a desert country has a population of around six million people. Turkmenistan is located in an active seismic zone. Earth tremors can occur and there is a possibility of earthquakes. Officially tourism is welcomed, but onerous visa requirements discourage all but the most determined visitors. All visa applications made at Turkmen Embassies overseas are referred to Ashgabat for a decision. This can take 20 days or more. There is an accelerated 24 hours service, but a supplementary fee of approximately US$150 will be charged.

Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque

Turabeg Khanym Mausoleum

Hajji Gurbanguly Mosque

Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar

Pokrovkaya Church

Najmeddin Kubra Mausoleum

ruins at Gonur

Regional Museum

Azadi Mosque

Circus, Ashgabat

Lenin Statue

Earthquake Memorial

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Bermuda is composed of wonderful islands interconnected to each other by bridges. It is a prime place to lounge in the pink sand or swim in the blue water. Spaniard Juan de Bermudez discovered this island in 1503. However, Bermuda was not officially colonized until 1612 when the British arrived. The Royal Naval Dockyard is one of Bermuda’s top visitor destinations. Located in Sandy’s Parish on the west point of the island. Built in 1814 as a strategic outpost for the British Royal Navy. Royal Naval Dockyard played roles in many historic events, including the War of 1812 and World War II.

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China is planning their future with all these little models. This project is amazingly huge. The main feature of the museum is the enormous scale model of Beijing. The model was created with incredible detail. A balcony provides a bird’s-eye view of Beijing equivalent to viewing the city at 20,000 feet. The museum also has a 3D cinema showing films about urban planning in Beijing.

Address: 20 Qianmen Dongdajie, Dongcheng District
Tel: +86 10 6702 4505/59
Open: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (Closed Mondays)
Admission: RMB10 (1.6USD)
How to get there: Subway Line 2, Qianmen Station

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Once the largest and most important church in Scotland, St Andrew’s Cathedral (1160-1318) now lies in picturesque ruins overlooking the North Sea in St Andrews. In addition to the Norman and Gothic ruins of the medieval cathedral, it includes St Rule’s Tower and a museum with an important Pictish sarcophagus. It was the seat of the Bishops of St Andrews from its foundation in 1158 until it fell into disuse after the Reformation. The ruins indicate the great size of the building at 350 feet (over 100 metres) long.

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