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Howill's Travels:
Clues...
- I am in a city on an island.
- Ancient Romans used this island as an educational center for noble families.
- Today, the capital city of this island is a World Heritage Site.
- An earthquake in 226 BC destroyed an historical monument in this island city.
- This city was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Answer...
I was in the City of Rhodes on the Island of Rhodes. This city was home to the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World; a statue built around 280 BC and over 100 feet high. An earthquake in 226 BC broke the statue at it's knees, making it fall to the ground.
Winner...
Stella D. of Ellwood House, Sparrows Class
Clues...
- My official name in ancient times was:
- This area of Egypt has sedimentary rock that formed when what became the Mediterranean Sea covered it over 35 million years ago.
- I am on the opposite side of the Nile River from Thebes.
- There are 63 known tombs and chambers for kings and powerful nobles here.
- The tomb of Tutankhamun (King Tut) was found in this part of Egypt.
Answer...
I was in at the Valley Of The Kings on the west bank of the Nile River, opposite Luxor (Thebes). The official name (in hieroglyphics) is "The Great and Majestic Necropolis of the Millions of Years of the Pharoah, Life, Strength, Health in The West of Thebes". King Tutankhamun's tomb was found there. 63 tombs and chambers have been found, with the latest discovery made in 2005.
Winner...
Savannah H. of Tuckaway-Harbor, Sparrows Class
Clues...
- Over 1 million bricks were used to make this historic landmark I am visiting.
- The idea to build this landmark began in 1797.
- This landmark can be seen from 20 miles away, and has been seen from over 50 miles away on perfect days.
- The original building was built in 1803 and was re-built in 1868, making it the tallest of these in the world at that time.
- This landmark was moved almost 3000 feet in 1999-2000.
Answer...
I was at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. In 1797, Congress set aside $44,000 to "erect a lighthouse on the head land of Cape Hatteras". In 1950, a new 36 inch rotating beacon with 250,000 candlepower was installed, making it visible from over 20 miles away. Constant erosion from the ocean put the lighthouse in danger of being destroyed, but in 1999 it was moved inland to it's current position in the Outer Banks.
Winner...
Zachariah B. of Tuckaway-Innsbrook, Yellow Birds Class
Clues...
- At this location in Brazil, my feathers are getting very wet!
- For those good at geometry, I'm 800 miles from the Capital of Brazil, Brasilia, and 4,601 miles from Tuckaway's Home Office (a long way to fly!)
- I am on the border of Brazil and Argentina (but in Brazil!)
- This particular area is U-shaped and over 700 meters long
- In Portuguese, this place is called "Garganta do Diabo"
Answer...
I was at "The Devil's Throat" (Garganta do Diabo in Porgugese) waterfall, part of the Iguazu Falls waterfall system. This system has 275 falls along a 1.6 mile stretch of the Igazu River. "The Devil's Throat", located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, is over 80 meters high and 150 meters wide.
Winner...
Eric D. of Ellwood House, Eagle Class
Clues...
- I am at a famous landmark in Paris
- This landmark is tied for the 101st tallest in Paris
- Victor Hugo wrote a fictional book to help raise awareness of this landmark
- "Point Zero", the official center of Paris, is located just outside of this landmark
- A university in Indiana has the same name as this landmark
Answer...
I was at Notre Dame de Paris (or Notre Dame). This landmark is a Gothic cathedral, located on a natural island in the River Seine. Construction began on this building in 1163. In the 19th century, with the cathedral in a state of disrepair, French Novelist Victor Hugo wrote the book "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" to raise awareness of the cathedral's heritage which helped begin restoration work in 1845.
Winner...
Alex W. of Tuckaway-West, Eagle Class
Week #6 - Japan
Clues...
- This sacred landmark was forbidden to women until the late 19th century
- This place is a frequent subject of Japanese art and literature
- I am just west of Tokyo on the boundary of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures
- The warmest temperature ever recorded here was 64 degrees F, the coldest was -36 degrees Fahrenheit
- This is the tallest mountain in Japan, and happens to be an active volcano, although it last erupted in 1708
Answer...
I was at Mount Fuji. At 12,388 feet high, this is the tallest mountain in Japan, which can be seen from Tokyo on clear days. It is estimated than 200,000 people climb Mount Fuji every year (and now one owl!). Many climb during the night so they can be at the summit in time for sunrise. Although Mount Fuji is a volcano, it is currently classified as "active with a low risk of eruption". The last eruption in 1707-08 lasted for 16 days.
Winner...
Abigale and Bailey L. of Tuckaway-Innsbrook, Sparrows Class
Clues...
Answer...
- I am in a castle located in southern Ireland
- This castle has been standing since before 1200 AD
- Currently, this castle is in partial ruin, having been destroyed in 1446
- Many tourists kiss a stone located in a tower of the castle which, according to legend, gives the kisser the gift of great eloquence
- This stone in the castle is thought to be a magical stone upon which Irish kings were crowned
I was at Blarney Castle near Cork, Ireland. The Stone of Eloquence, also known as the Blarney Stone, is built into the battlements of the castle. Tourists come from all over to kiss the stone, although they must lay on their back then lean over backwards to reach the stone.
Winner...
Griffin W. of Tuckaway-Barony, Cardinals Class
Clues...
- Located in Beijing, I feel right at home in this structure
- Many people could be seen running in circles here
- At one time, over 17,000 people were working to build this place
- Some fortunate people were able to find gold in this place
- This is the largest steel structure in the world, and has had 91,000 people in it... all at one time!
Answer...
I was at Beijing National Stadium, also called "The Bird's Nest" because of it's appearance. Construction began in December, 2003 and 110,000 tons of steel was used, making it the "largest steel structure in the world"!
Winner...
Emma G. of Ellwood House, Eagles Class
Clues...
- This temple in India, covers almost 1 1/2 acres... inside!
- Although the exact date of completion is not known, it was finished around 600 AD (give or take 100 years)
- This temple is just over 8 Kilometers from "The Gateway of India" in Mumbai
- Located on an island, many of the sculptures here were used for target practice by Portuguese sailors in the 1600's
- Cut out of solid rock, the temple area has a main chamber along with courtyards and smaller chambers… forming a cave!
Answer...
I was at the Elephanta Caves located on Elephanta Island in the Arabian Sea. The solid rock-cut caves cover an area of 60,000 sq/ft and was thought to date back to the Silhara kings or before.
Winner...
Dmitry W. of Tuckaway-West, Eagles Class
Clues...
- The first evidence of inhabitants here dates almost 600,000 years ago
- The current name used for this place was given to it in 1503
- A person can hike, rock climb or go "spelunking" here
- This landmark is featured on the flag of Cape Town
- This place is surrounded by a "Devil's Peak" to one side and a "Lion's Head" to the other
Answer...
I was at the Table Mountain in Cape Town. This mountain has a plateau that is almost 2 miles wide. A cableway takes people to the top of the mountain that has cables that are 3/4 of a mile long and end at the mountains top, which is 3563 feet about the ocean below.
Winner...
Avantika N. of Tuckaway-Barony, Green Birds Class
Clues...
- This place in Russia was settled sometime before 2000 BC
- Until the 1300's, this site in Moscow was called the "grad"
- This area is surrounded by walls and towers that were built by Italian masters from 1485 to 1495 which encloses an area of 68 acres
- Napoleon "stayed" here in 1812, only to order it "blown up" when he fled in October of that year.
- For many years this place was abandoned until Catherine The Great built her residence here in 1773
Answer...
I was at The Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. This site overlooks the Moskva River, as well as Red Square and serves as the official residence of the President of Russia.
Winner...
Lindsay P. of Tuckaway-Innsbrook, Green Birds Class
Clues...
- This "island" has a circumference of just under 6 miles
- This site has many waterholes and springs with rock caves and ancient paintings
- This landmark is known to appear to change color with the time of day
- Around 45 species of native mammals are living in this area
- This site is is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area
Answer...
I was at Ayers Rock, also known as Uluru. This sandstone formation rises over 1,100 feet from it's base. In geological terms, I'm an "inselberg", or "island mountain". I am located almost in the middle of Australia but I'm officially I'm in the Northern Territory.
Winner...
Ben G. of Tuckaway-Barony, Orange Birds Class
