PEACOCK FOUNTAIN, CHRISTCHURCH – NEW ZEALAND

The Peacock Fountain was bought by the Christchurch Beautifying Society from money bequeathed by john Thomas Peacock, a trader, politician and philanthropist. The fountain was unveiled in 1911, moved to a new location some years later, and put into storage in 1949. After a $270,000 renovation, it was commissioned again in 1996, in its third location in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. It has an elaborate colour scheme and is a much photographed tourist attraction.

Historical context

Peacock (1827-20 October 1905) came to Lyttelton in 1844 with his parents. Settlement organized by the Canterbury Association started in December 1850, so the Peacocks were in the colony at a very early stage. He built the first substantial wharf in Lyttelton Harbour and was well established as a merchant when the First Four Ships arrived in 1850. He later owned several ships, traded as J.T. Peacock and Co. and was successful enough that he could retire from business in 1864, aged 37.

SCHLOSS CHARLOTTENBURG – BERLIN

The Schloss Charlottenburg which built by Elector Friederich lll in 1699 as a summer palace for his wife Sophie Charlotte, this regal estate, the largest palace in Berlin, is framed by a baroque-style garden. You will able to find out that the collection of 18^th century French paintings inside this buiding is the largest of its kind outside France. You can see the Old Palace, with its baroque rooms, royal apartments, Chinese and Japanese porcelain collections and silverware chambers, as well as the New Wing, with its rococo splendor and fine furniture, added by Friederich the Great.

The complex was enlarged several times, adding a domed tower crowned with a statue of the goddess of happiness Fortuna, several wings the Orangeries, the annex, and the Belvedere Teahouse, now a porcelain museum. Also worth noting is the mausoleum of Queen Louise, and the Schinkel pavilion, built as a summerhouse for King Friedrich Wilhelm ll.

Nowadays, Charlottenburg Palace’s former theatre is now home to the Museum for Pre- and Early History, which boasts items from the famous Troy excavations carried out by Heinrich Schlimann in the 1800’s. tickets for each section are sold separately. Beside that, it got large and beautiful gardens and these gardens are open to the public for free; admission to the new Wing includes an audio guide.

Next door to the palace, the Kleine Orangerie restaurant has a sunny atrium and outdoor seating for pleasant weather, and provides a peaceful place to dine, enjoy high tea, or relax with an ice-cream.

LA VIEILLE CHARITE, MARSEILLE – FRANCE

La Vielle Charite is a former of almshouse, now functioning as a museum and cultural cenre. It is situated in the centre of the old Panier quarter of Marseille in the south of France. Constructed between 1671 and 1749 in the Baroque style to the designs of the architect Pierre Puget, it comprises four ranges of arcaded galleries in three storeys surrounding a space with a central chapel surmounted by an ovoid dome.

The almshouses served as workhouses for beggars before.  During the French Revolution, the building was used as an asylum for “les vagabonds et les gens sans aveu” (vagrants and the dispossessed) in the nineteenth century. It was transformed into a barracks for the French Foreign Legion until 1922, when it was used to lodge those displaced by the demolition of the district behind the Bourse and later those made homeless by the dynamiting of the Old Port during the Second World War.

In 1962, all the residents were rehoused and the building shut down. It was only in 1968, thanks to the intervention of the Minister of Culture Andre Malraux, that funds became available to rescue the buildings, by then in a state of total dereliction. La Vielle Charite was painstaking restored to its former glory between 1970 and 1986, restoration of the chapel being completed in 1981.

Nowadays, La Vieille Charite houses a number of different cultural and educational resources:

1.           The Museum of Mediterranean Archaeology, on the 1^st floor, covering oriental and classical antiquities, as well as local Celto-Ligurian archaeology.
2.           The Museum of Art of Africa, Oceania and Amerindia, on the 2th floor, containing an unusually collection of artifacts, including masks from Mexico and West Africa and a unique collection of engraved human skulls and trophy heads from South America.
3.           A research library specializing in archaeological documents.
4.           A school of advanced studies in the social sciences (EHESS).
5.          Offices of the Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique.
6.           On the ground level there are special temporary exhibitions as well as a number of museum shops.  

BLUE MOSQUE, ISTANBUL

The Blue Mosque ( Called Sultanahmet Camili in Turkish ) is an historical mosque in Istanbul. The mosque is known as the Blue Mosque because of blue tiles surrounding the walls of interior design. Mosque was built between 1609 and 1616 years, during the rule of Ahmed I. just like many other mosques, it also comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasa and a hospice. Besides still used as a mosque, the Sultan Ahmad Mosque has also become a popular tourist attraction in Istanbul.

The mosque was designed by architect Mehmet Aga, whose unfortunate predecessor was found wanting and executed. Sultan Ahmet was so anxious for his magnificent creation to be completed that he ofthen assisted in the work. Sadly, he died just a year after the completion of his masterpiece, at the age of 27. He is buried outside the mosque with his wife and three sons.

The original mosque included a madrasa, a hospital, a han, a primary school, a market, an imaret and the tomb of the founder. Most of these buildings were torn down in the 19^th century.  

Besides being tourist attraction, it’s also a active mosque, so it’s closed to non worshippers for a half hour or so during the five daily prayers.

Warning

1.           Avoid visiting a mosque at pray time (Especially midday Praying on Friday) or within a half hour after the ezan is chanted from the Mosque minarets.
2.           Before step in to mosque, take off your shoes and put in plastic bags provided at the entrance.
3.           For women, wear a head covering when entering to mosque. It is available at the Blue Mosque entrance for free.
4.           Remain quiet in the mosque and don’t use flash photography. Besides that, avoid to take picture of those who are praying.

EUROMOS, KUSADASI – TURKEY

It is located between Milas and Bafa Lake. It is known to be one of the best preserved temples in Asia Minor which is the Temple of Euromos. It was built in the 2^nd century A.D. it was consisted of 17 columns originally and today 16 of them are standing. The temple was believed to be completed ever.

A few meters away from the Temple to the north, the city of Euromos is located. The remains of a round tower from 300 B.C. and a theatre can be seen. Several underground tomb chambers and a large building which could be the bath are among the ruins of the city.

Euromos was a polis created when a number of local cities decided to move to a single site better situated for defense. They chose an appropriate name for their new city: Euromos means "Strong."

The Temple of Zeus is about the only part of the city excavated. There's a theater completely covered by trees and brush, and bits of a massive wall, and of course everywhere you go, you're walking on ancient potsherds, which is simply normal for Turkey.

But the temple is amazing. It's survived the centuries and the earthquakes wonderfully well, and its setting is breathtaking.

This is the name of the rich people who are involved when built up this building. 
If you are planning to going there, please take note that there are no service around there except the villagers selling the cold drink. So, you need to arrange for your own transport to go there.

TAJ MAHAL, AGRA – INDIA

Taj Mahal is located at India. The Taj Mahal is the epitome of Mughal art and one of the most famous buildings in the world. Yet there have been few serious studies of it and no full analysis of its architecture and meaning.

Taj Mahal is an immense mausoleum of white marble, built between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife. Taj Mahal means Crown Palace; one of the wife names was Mumtaz mahal, Orament of the Palace.

The Taj Mahal has a life of its own that leaps out of marble, provided you understand that it is monument of love. The Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore called it a teardrop on the cheek of eternity, while the English  poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, said it was Not a piece of architecture, as other building are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones. It is a celebration of women built in marble and that is the way to appreciate it.

Nowsaday, it become one of the famous place for photography.

Warning

Remember that the Taj Mahal is a religious site and it is beat to dress conservatively when visiting the Taj Mahal complex, not only because the Taj Mahal itself is a mausoleum, but also because there are mosques inside the Taj Mahal complex, is you wish to visit them as well.

Open: 6:00 AM – 7:30PM except Friday 

HAWAII - UNITED STATES

Hawaii is the only US state that is antipodal to inhabited land. Most of the state lies opposite Botswana, though Ni'ihau aligns with Namibia and Kauai straddles the border. 

The moment someone says Hawaii, a very typical image conjures in your mind - lots of sunshine, stretch of white sandy beaches, lapis lazuli waters, pina coladas, exotic hula dancers and more. You have got it right for the most part – only it is more beautiful up close.The warm tropical climate and the natural scenery makes Hawaii one of the most sought after and preferred holiday destination for tourists from all over the world.

You want to get maried or spend a honeymoon week, or an outdoor shoot for some ad campaign, or simply visiting - whatever your reason is - you can never go wrong with Hawaii. 

This Polynesian archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean is wonder in itself. The fresh floral air energizes you and the warm tranquil water refreshes you. The six unique islands with their distinct flavor and experience fascinates any traveler be it the very first time of his fifth visit! The dramatic coast, the vibrant shores, the miles of white sands, dolphin friendly waters, the volcanoes, springs and more will capture you attention.


A visit to the historic landmarks of Hawaii will let you learn a thing or two about the rich and vibrant of the land. Get a tan on the beach; learn how to surf, go snorkeling and kayaking, watch whales in their habitat, attend a traditional luau-find out all there is about the hula. Romantic escapes, family vacations, walking on a volcano, see Hawaii on a bike, trek, and swim with a manta ray, sample the cuisine, go fishing, and indulge in a sensual spa massage-all the ingredients of a perfect holiday in one place.

Hawaii is a place for everyone. Plan a Hawaiian wedding or a bachelor party or your annual family reunion, whatever is the event- Hawaii will rise to the occasion. Meet the lovely people; get aquatinted with the flora ad fauna of this paradise island, give your taste buds a little treat with the delectable and refreshing flavors of the Hawaii cuisine. Sip a cocktail sunbathing at the beach, get a massage, and get pampered. Go shopping - collect unique memorabilia and cute souvenirs from the shops.