Tibet - The Tibetan Potala Palace in Lhasa
Foto: Grand Canyon (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
United States - When we arrive at the viewpoint, we look down into the depths of the Grand Canyon. Wow! One and a half kilometers below, the river flows through the gorge. We take the park’s shuttle bus to the west side, where the sunset views are best. The last rays of today’s sun shine into the canyon. What a magnificent sight. We take the shuttle bus to the amphitheater, where at eight o’clock a ‘trees, trees, trees’ show begins. Our hotel couldn’t tell us exactly what it was about, so we go with an open mind. The show turns out to be a presentation by Ranger Ron. He shows photos of the park’s flora and fauna. With humor, he talks about human impact on nature, the necessity of regular forest fires for the tall pine trees, and the problems caused by new animal species such as elk, bison, and squirrels. It’s an enjoyable presentation, but the temperature drops significantly. We are at an altitude of over 2,100 meters and feel cold. We hadn’t thought to bring extra clothes. We quickly return to our lodge by shuttle bus. In the pizza pub, we order some pizza slices and drinks, then head to our room where it’s warm. Yesterday we mostly saw the Grand Canyon during twilight and sunset. This morning, we drive along the canyon in daylight. The sun is shining and the visibility is fairly clear. We stop at various viewpoints. The views of the canyon are again magnificent. No matter which way I look, this scene cannot be fully captured in any photo. At a picnic spot, we have our breakfast. We bought yogurt, crackers, and orange juice at a supermarket. It’s wonderful to enjoy this at such a location. At Desert View stands an old lookout tower. Though it looks ancient, it was built just a few years ago. It’s fun but also a bit fake. The view from the highest platform is worth the climb.
Empire State Building
United States - Anyone visiting New York for the first time cannot ignore the Empire State Building. This skyscraper on the corner of 34th Street and 5th Avenue towers over the Big Apple. Entering the building at street level, I realize that it also houses regular office ...
Gambling in Las Vegas
United States - We drive to Las Vegas via the highway. On both sides, a dry desert landscape stretches out, with small bushes dotting the sandy rocky ground. By late afternoon, the Las Vegas skyline appears. It is strange that such a large city exists in the middle of ...
Key West in Florida
United States - Key West is an island in the Florida Straits. It is the southernmost point of the Florida Keys, about 150 km from Cuba. The island measures roughly 6.4 km long and 3.2 km wide. One of its main attractions is a concrete replica of a buoy at the corner ...
Monument Valley
United States - Monument Valley is perhaps the most striking example of the overwhelming beauty of the desert landscape in the American Southwest. The silhouette of the solitary red rocks, surrounded by a vast, empty plain, has served as a backdrop for dozens of films ...
The Hawaiian Islands
United States - The islands are volcanic in origin, located on a so-called hotspot where magma rises from the Earth’s interior as lava. As the crust moves over the hotspot, a chain of islands formed from west to east, with the oldest, extinct volcanoes in the west ...
The Statue of Liberty in New York
United States - The Statue of Liberty is a monument located in New York Harbor. It stands as a symbol of welcome—not just for tourists but also for Americans themselves. The statue is 93 meters tall and weighs 225 tons. The nose is 1 meter long, the eyes have a circumference ...
The White House in Washington DC
United States - The White House is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States, with the exception of George Washington, who died before it was completed. Its strategic location near the National Mall was selected in 1790 by President Washington ...
Wandering around Chicago
United States - Today, I have the whole day to explore Chicago. It's Saturday, the Saturday before Labor Day. That means it's extra busy—pleasantly busy. The weather is beautiful as we leave our hotel. Our first mission is to officially complete Route 66. Just like ...
Yellowstone National Park
United States - Yellowstone is one of the world’s most important sites for studying and appreciating the evolutionary history of the Earth. The park has an unparalleled collection of surface geothermal activity worldwide, thousands of hot springs, mud pots, fumaroles, ...