The Byodo-in Temple was originally built in 998 AD as a retreat villa for the Fujiwara family. The temple is located in the city of Uji a short distance from Kyoto. The Byodo-in Temple is part of the Jodo sect of Buddhism and is dedicated to the worship of Amida, the cosmic Buddha of “Infinite…
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The Hoover Dam was built between the vertical walls of the Black Canyon on the Colorado River that is the border between Arizona and Nevada and is located about 35 miles from Las Vegas Nevada. Construction of the dam began in 1931 and was completed in 1936. The dam is named after America’s 31st president,…
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Retiro Park is an approximately 300 acre urban green space in the center of Madrid, Spain. The park was built in the 17th century but was not opened to the public until 1868 and is Madrid’s version of New York’s Central Park. The park is dominated by trees in all directions but is packed with…
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The Nazca Lines are a collection of about 300 designs in the shapes of living creatures, plants and geometric figures that are scratched on the surface of Peru’s arid coastal plan. They are located about 400 kilometers south of Lima between the towns of Nazca and Palpa. The Geoglyphs are created between 300 B. C….
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The Temple of Hephaestus may be the best preserved ancient temple in Greece. It is located about 500 meters northwest of the Acropolis in Athens and was dedicated to Hephaestus, the ancient god of fire and Athena, the goddess of pottery and crafts. It is believed to have been built around 450 B. C. …
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Papapapaitai Falls is located in the heart of Upola Island in Samoa. It is easily seen but it is not easy to access. The falls are a short distance from the Cross-Island Road that connects the country’s capital city of Apia with the southern part of the island. There is a lookout location near the…
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Butchart Gardens covers an area of 55 acres and is located near Victoria on Vancouver Island, Canada. The gardens are a group of floral display gardens that include a Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Italian Garden and a Mediterranean Garden. The gardens have been designated a National Historic Site of Canada and they celebrated…
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The Doge’s Palace is located in Venice, Italy and it was not only the center of government during the Venetian Republic but it was also the residence of the Doge. The Doge was an elected lord and Chief of State during the medieval and renaissance periods. The unique architectural design makes it one of Europe’s…
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The Rocks is the location where European settles first landed in Sydney, Australia. Originally, this area was a rough place to live as it was occupied by a settlement of convicts, soldiers, sailors and street gangs. Today it is a popular area with upscale restaurants, trendy bars and art galleries. The Rocks is Sydney’s oldest…
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The Museum of Cham Sculpture is located in Da Nang, Vietnam and is the only museum in the world completely dedicated to the Champa era. The museum was founded in 1915 and displays almost 300 works of art ranging from the 7th to the 15th centuries. This post is a follow-up to my post on…
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The Cham archeological site at Mỹ Sơn is a Hindu religious site that is located near Hoi An and close to Da Nang, Vietnam. The Mỹ Sơn complex dates from the 4th to the 13th centuries and was the central worship complex of the Champa people. There are around 50 remaining Cham sites dotted over…
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The French Quarter is the historic center of New Orleans. It is famous for lively nightlife, colorful building, jazz clubs, great restaurants and rowdy bars. The distinctive architecture is the first thing that is obvious when walking into the French Quarter. Many of the buildings are brightly colored and the balconies have ornate ironwork with…
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