The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the most famous, and recognizable manmade structures in Australia. It measures 3,770 ft. long, 160 ft. wide, and 440 ft. tall. Completed in 1932, the construction of the bridge was an economic feat, given the fact that the bridge opened up during the early years of the Great Depression. Construction of the bridge was under the...
Located just a short walk from Piazza San Marco lies one of the most somber places in all of Venice. It is known as the Bridge of Sighs. Built in the early 17th century, it connected the Palazzo Ducale to the Prigioni Nuove (the New Prison). In the middle of the bridge, there was a small window; as prisoners were crossing the bridge, they were allowed to take one...
Venice is a unique city because it is built entirely on water. It extends along 118 separate islands divided by canals but connected by more than four hundred bridges. The city is a treasure trove for art lovers, classical music lovers, and food lovers. The entire city is listed as a World Heritage Site. Historically, the city was the capital of the Venetian...
In 1899, Ethel C. Pedley’s “Dot and the Kangaroo” told the story of a little girl named Dot who wanders off into the Australian bush. She is befriended by a mother kangaroo who feeds Dot special berries that allow her to understand the animals in the bush. Throughout the story, she goes from one encounter to another; she is offered gum leaves by a koala, asks...
One of the most delicious comfort foods in England is Bangers and Mash. To be more specific, it is a plate of Cumberland sausage and mashed potatoes. Cumberland sausage is a pork sausage, usually seasoned with black pepper, white pepper, nutmeg, sage, sugar, and other spices. The sausage’s namesake comes from the ancient county of Cumberland, England, which...
Back in the summer of 2005, I read about an Australian foreign film in the New York Times called “Oyster Farmer”. At the time, I had developed a real fascination with Australian culture, and I had to check out this movie for myself. I went to an afternoon showing of it at the Quad Cinema in lower Manhattan. Little did I know what I was in for. The film...
You know when you go to an exotic locale, that’s home to a world famous landmark, you brace yourself as you prepare to set your eyes on what you have built up in your mind as a mythical place? You’re hoping that when you visit it, you won’t be disappointed. Paris has the Eiffel Tower, Agra has the Taj Mahal, and Rome has the Colosseum. For...
The picturesque mountain retreat of Kuranda Village lies about 15 miles (24km) northwest of Cairns, Australia and is surrounded by a thick, dense rainforest. The entire town feels like one big treehouse, only with kangaroos, koalas, and plenty of stalls selling craft items. And what treehouse would be complete without birds? Plenty to spot if you are an avid...
When you think of the words Australia and city, one place come to mind: Sydney! This beautiful city in southeastern Australia has everything this country is famous for. One thing to consider is that this city is famous for more than just its beautiful opera house and its stunning bridge. Arguably, the city’s two biggest icons are the Sydney Opera House and the...