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Sedona, Arizona Travel Guide

Travel,

Sedona is located about two hours north of the Phoenix Arizona area and it’s a great place to take a day trip if you are ever in the valley. Many people will spend a day trip here as they’re heading north to the Grand Canyon so it’s a logical stop should you ever head that route. It’s a place where the Sonoran Desert and its cactus meet the high elevation forests of the Coconino National Forest. There you’ll find a strange mix of red sand, rusty colored rocks strewn with cactus and pine trees of various types. Unlike the deserts that are a bit to the south, Sedona is about 10 to 20 degrees cooler than its Arizona relatives.

Sedona is known in modern days as being a place that attracts an artistic and spiritually minded community who are often attracted to the laid-back lifestyle and the supposed energy vortexes that surround the area. The city in its surrounding area is made up of a special sandstone that formed with iron deposits throughout which gives the mountains a rusty red color. Supposedly, you can’t find rocks just like these anywhere else on earth.

The history of Sedona even goes as far back as over 10,000 years ago as evidence suggests that prehistoric humans began settling here around that time. Those civilizations that came before have vanished and gave way in more recent times to what we called the Sinagua who are a relatively unknown culture of Native Americans that built cliff dwellings on the sides of the mountains. Their real name is not known but their lands were later inhabited by the Hopi who settled the area hundreds of years after the Sinagua supposedly vanished. Remnants of their dwellings still exist today in various places around Sedona and even some of them quite easily.

One of the remote settlements you can venture out to Unagi which is roughly 1,000 years old. To get there, you must take a primitive road that takes about 30 to 40 minutes just to travel a few short miles off-road. If off-roading is not your thing, you can also hire one of the many jeep tours in town that can take you here from Sedona. The small community was once built along a natural stream and they use rocks and mud to make buildings that would have blended in quite well with the natural red rocks around them. Inside the ruins, you can see some petroglyphs made by the original inhabitants that depict themselves, some wildlife, and some natural and astronomical events that may have occurred during their occupation.

One such common theme is said to potentially highlight the supernovae that formed the Crab Nebula which was notably observed all around the earth in around the year 1054. The significance of this event was documented by other cultures as far away as China and helps archeologists date the time in which the Sinagua would have lived here.

Another big draw for tourists to the Sedona area is all the hiking trails into the surrounding mountains. You will walk through a mixture of cactus and forests as the elevation changes and the ecosystems developed. You can hike to the popular stone structure known as The Devil’s Bridge. Despite such a sinister name the moderately challenging hike will take you approximately four miles round-trip to get to the top and back. The prize at the end of the climb is a breathtaking view of the devil bridge overlooking the valley down below. If crowds are not your thing plan to take this hike outside of the holidays and weekends when there are little fewer people on the trails.

Downtown Sedona is full of cowboy and Mexican themed restaurants as well as plenty of souvenirs and gift shops selling jewelry and knickknacks. This is a good place to form your base of operations as a journey back and forth between different must-do landmarks around town.

Whether or not you are personally religious, there are two particularly picturesque locations that we consider great stops to check out. The first is the Church of the Holy Cross which is best viewed in the early mornings around sunrise. This tiny chapel is built into the Red Rocks and is an easily recognized landmark for someone who has been here before. The other place to check out is the Buddhist temple which hides in a local community. A short hike up a trail will take you to this peace park that is a spiritual place to relax and perhaps say a prayer or two if you are so inclined. Just make sure you are quiet and respectful of others that may be meditating in the area.

There are many more activities and adventures to do in and around Sedona so we encourage you to check it out if you ever head to Arizona.

4 Churches with Amazing Architectural Design

Travel,

Most churches from all over the globe have impressive masonry and awe-inspiring architectural designs. The usual examples are St. Basil’s Cathedral of Moscow, Russia and La Sagrada Familia of Barcelona, Spain, but there are also other cathedrals and churches that are as beautiful that are known only to some, and let us enumerate 4 of them here so read on.

Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral, Iceland
Speaking of amazing architectural design, this massive church in Reykjavik, Iceland is indeed a work of art. It is a Lutheran parish church that can be visible from miles away from the city, and is built in symmetry with the landscape of Iceland complete with the basalt columns, ice capped mountains and volcanoes. Tourists can go up the bell tower on an elevator and get the best view of the icy city and the surrounding countryside.

Cathedral of Saint Mary of Neviges, Germany
This Catholic Church in Neviges, Germany is a very unusual place of worship. Instead of the traditional high arching domes and pillars and stained glass windows, this cathedral designed by Gottfried Bohm is full of sharp edges, thrilling geometries and thick concretes, and undoubtedly, a Brutalist masterpiece. The eccentric design on the outside corresponds to the angular and unconventionally beautiful indoor design. This great church for pilgrimage has a seating capacity of 800 but standing capacity of up to 2,200.

Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of Glory, Brazil
This towering 407 feet Roman Catholic Cathedral in Maringa, Brazil is the tallest church in the whole South America. The distinctive, conical and modernist design is said to be inspired from the sputnik satellites of Soviet. Inside the church is a 7 meter tall wooden crucifix places on the side of the altar. An observatory is open to the public but you must climb a total of 482 steps to go up the 14th floor of this cone tower. Although the windows are small, you can still see the birds-eye view of the city.

St. George’s Church, Ethiopia
What can be more amazing than a rock-cut house of worship? Yes, this proud structure is hewn out of a colossal volcanic rock. The wonders of medieval era made this beauty possible, they excavated this large mass of a rock and great stone masonry set to work from inside out. The designs may not be as intricate but the whole structure was meant to be a symmetrical crucifix form which is around 12 meters high. Since the whole church is under the ground, you have to descend it through a maze of tunnels and a trench.

Places to Visit in Honolulu, Hawaii

Travel,

Honolulu is located in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean and it is the capital of Hawaii. The weather is always warm, and the surf is always up in tropical Honolulu. This has become a favorite holiday spot for friends of mine who own CDM Waste Management. Honolulu is Hawaii’s biggest city, and it offers the perfect mix of shopping, sports, culture, and nature all in one place. There is a lot of history to discover here with the Pearl Harbor around the corner and America’s only royal palace at its core.

Bishop Museum
Visit this museum to learn about the Polynesian voyagers who came many years before 1778 when Captain Cook dropped anchor. The first Europeans and the Native Hawaiians were drawn to the Diamond Head Volcano majestic profile.

The Crater
The locals call this place the backdrop of Lē’ahi. It is a constant reminder of Hawaii’s beginning wherever you are in the city. For a commanding view of its picture perfect coastline and its island, climb the trail to the circular rim. You can also see how Honolulu has turned to a modern urban center by going to the summit of the Aloha Tower.

Beaches
Honolulu is the gathering place where locals come to do business but tourists come here for its water sports and beaches. You can sail in the harbor, stand up paddle boarding, or go swimming any day of the year. A quieter alternative to the popular Wakiki beach is the Ala Moana Beach Park. Explore the bay by renting a canoe or get surfing lessons if you start feeling active. You can buy everything from flowery local garments to upscale fashion by strolling over the boulevard.

Statue of King Kamehameha
While you are in Honolulu, don’t forget to visit the statue of the king who unified the Hawaiian Islands. Also, visit the Halekoa barracks and admire the architecture of Iolani Palace. You can try the Japanese fusion dish for lunch. The population here is largely Asian American, and this has left its mark on the culture and cuisine of the island.

Kapiolani Park
The Kapiolani Park has an attractive beach front and ancient Banyan trees. It is also home to the Honolulu Zoo, so you can take your kids to see some exotic birds.

Pearl Harbor
Set aside a day to see what is left of the US Pacific Fleet. Visit the aviation museum and pay your respects on the USS Arizona’s Memorial.

Kailua Beach
The warm waters of this beach will take your mind off any worldly affairs. You can take some shave ice to cool off.

Honolulu is a great destination in itself and a convenient stop over when going to other Hawaiian Islands.

Top destinations in Greece

Travel,

Planning a vacation this summer to a place with culture, history and everything from beaches to beautiful nightlife and food? Then why not visit one of the most extravagant counties in Southeastern Europe, Greece. Whether you’re off for a trip with the family, or on a romantic getaway this outstanding location is the leading place for a holiday spot for Eastern Europeans. Being such a captivating site it is filled with some of the most glamorous beaches, vivid vegetation and above all amazing culture, so if you’re unfamiliar with this Country and what it has to offer, we composed a list of some of the most sought-after places you should pay a visit to.

Santorini

Santorini is the name of one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. Many people call it the best island in Greece, famous for its extravagant views, stunning sunsets and volcanic creations that are parallel to none. Santorini will no doubt charm you with its little villages placed on top of the cliffs, while on the edge of the caldera it has the most amazing and rather unusual multi colored beaches. Santorini is honeymoon heaven for young couples as it has some of the most jaw dropping sunsets which you can enjoy with a glass of Santorini’s finest wines.

Crete

Greece’s largest island, known for its diverse terrain it’s a place filled with everything from delicious Greek food, great history and stunning scenery. Crete is the crown jewel of the Mediterranean, home of the modern European civilization and the birthplace of Zeus, the king of the Olympian Gods. If you’re into activities in nature it is definitely the place to visit, offering the best places for canyon hiking while showing immersing beauty from Crete’s gorges. And let’s forget the beaches, as beaches like Balos fall short only to the Caribbean.

Mykonos

Mykonos like Santorini, is also an island from the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea. It is said that it was formed on the bodies of the giants killed by Hercules, taking the name of the grandson of Apollo. Among other this this place is widely known for its excessive nightlife and summer party atmosphere. Often called the Ibiza of Greece, no doubt it is one of the best places to party in the world. Amazing beaches, food and scenery make it the top place for people around the world, including a lot of celebrities and high-end people pay a visit regularly.

Athens

Athens Greece, otherwise known as the birthplace of democracy and the hearth of Ancient Rome, inhabited over 3000 years ago. It is famous for the archaeological ruins and monuments, such as the Parthenon, the Theatre of Dionysos and the famous Acropolis. Athens isn’t only well known for its historical sites and culture heritage, as it’s also the center for high-end business owners. Being dominated by BC landmarks and ancient buildings, it is the best place to immerse in the culture of Greece.

Believe it or not – Superstitions

Superstitions,

The world and its inhabitants tend to be curious and strange. Superstitions are possibly among the most bizarre of human ideas. An irrational believe in supernatural, spiritual powers, a believe in magic and fate. A causal relation between an action and good or bad luck. Superstitions have influenced life all over this planet for many years and even though most of them seem nothing but plain absurd, sometimes finding out about their origins helps you understand a countries people and culture.

Everybody knows a wrong present can put somebody off quite easily. Sometimes, however, it is not just a matter of taste, but also superstition. There is many countries where you should never give knives or scissors as a present, neither accept them, unless you want to get rid off that person. The sharp edge is believed to cut the bond between those people. However, there is an easy solution to the problem, simply give a penny for the knife and the gift is free of this curse.

Another difficult present, according to African superstition, is shoes. If you give someone shoes, they will walk right out of your life.

But this is not the only thing that can go wrong with shoes. If you put a pair of new shoes on a table in the UK you might cause somebodies death. Finding shoes on a table used to be a sign of a deceased minor, often a way of informing his family of the tragedy.

While the Number 13 generally does not cause an uneasy feeling in Japan and China, the Number 4 definitely does. This is due to the fact that the words 4 and death sound very similar.

Sticking your chopsticks upright into your bowl, especially when it´s a bowl of rice, is not just rude but believed to be very unlucky. At Japanese funerals, bowls of rice with chopsticks in them are placed at the altar.

In China, a long noodle means a long life. You should therefore never cut a noodle or bite it off as it may shorten your life. But be careful! Chocking on it might have the same result.

In Germany, people believe that lighting a cigarette with a candle kills a seaman. This does sound odd, however, many years ago seamen would carve match sticks while having their nets in the water, waiting for the fish. The money they made fishing often wasn’t enough to put food on the table and the additional income from selling match sticks helped them to make ends meet. So it is probably best not to use a candle, just in case.

And if you ever wonder about limes or lemons and chili on a string at the entrance of an Indian shop, the owner is trying to please “Alakshmi”, the goddess of misfortune. It is believed that she likes sour and spicy tastes and will spare those who provide it.

Of course there are many more superstitions for you to discover all around the world, so keep your eyes and ears open, don´t walk under a ladder, knock on wood and break a leg!