Heritage Perth, an independent, not-for-profit organisation set up to promote Perth’s heritage, has developed the project “Light Up Perth” to create an imaginative and sustainable façade lighting schemes for significant buildings within the City of Perth. Using energy efficient equipment, Light Up the City provides a spectacular lighting show that brings important buildings to life at night, helping to reaffirm the Perth’s title of ‘City of Light’.

In order to achieve a façade lighting scheme whose design can be changed at the tap of a computer keyboard, over 20,000 diodes have been installed on the famous structural ‘Ts’ of Council House. Using such equipment has made it possible to light a building using a fraction of the energy previously required for the same purpose. With the assistance of the State’s Sustainable Energy Development Office the scheme is intended to have the minimum possible environmental impact. The lighting specification developed gives up to 500% efficiencies over conventional façade lighting systems.

Council House is widely recognised throughout Australia as one of the finest examples of 1960s ‘minimalist modern’ office buildings in the country and was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on 25 March 1963.

At the end of 1992, Perth City Council announced its intention to move out of Council House to make way for asbestos contamination to be removed. This announcement ushered in five years of controversy and extensive public debate over the future of the building. In October 1993, the State Government released the Perth Central Precinct Area Policies Review, which featured a ‘Civic Precinct’ or ‘Central Perth Heritage Precinct’. This proposal called for the demolition of Council House and the establishment of public gardens on the site.

The media prominently covered the public debate that ensued. Those supporting the demolition focused primarily on the perceived ugliness of the place and its supposed intrusion on a ‘heritage’ precinct of 19th-century structures and gardens. Those in favour of retention spoke of the importance of the place as a fine demonstration of Post-War Modernist architecture. Eventually, in 1995, a newly elected Perth City Council reviewed the demolition order and a year later approved refurbishment of the building.

Thankfully the building was saved and with the recent façade lighting project it has cemented its place as one of the most recognizable buildings in the city, a highlight of any tour of Perth.

He is a member of the Jabaleya tribe, one of the seven tribes of the South Sinai region. This unique tribe is a mixture of Arab and Eastern European blood, descendants of the soldiers of Emperor Justinian, who brought them in to guard the Monastery of St. Katherine. The Jabaleya continue to be passionate about the monastery, one of the oldest continually inhabited monasteries in the world and home to some of the oldest icons and most precious early manuscripts of Christianity, including the oldest bible in the world.

St. Katherine Protectorate is a delicate, high-altitude desert ecosystem that was established in 1988. Over 300 different species of  flora have been recorded in the area, including 20 found nowhere else in the world. Covering about 4,350 square kilometres of land in the southern Sinai Peninsula, the protectorate also supports mammal species, including the rock hyrax, Nubian ibex, Dorcas gazelle, red fox. It even hosts about 35 different reptile species, the majority which are endemic to the region.

Today, pilgrims come to climb Mt. Sinai (2285 metres) and see the place where, according to the Old Testament, the Prophet Moses received the Ten Commandments. Most travellers come to experience the sunrise, so partaking in an afternoon ascent allows trekkers to have the mountain nearly all to themselves.

A truly unique experience puts travellers in touch with the local people, including during an overnight just near the base of the mountain. Here, travellers set up camp with a Bedouin guide. The Bedouin are very honest and gentle people who are ‘at one with nature’ and expert gardeners. Visitors have the chance to walk through an area called Wadi Itlah, which is charmingly sprinkled with Bedouin- and monk-owned gardens from which are sourced the ingredients for lunch. The tour through the fields includes instruction about almonds, apricots and some authentic hybrid fruits crafted by the locals.

This Photo of the Week is offered as part of U.S. National Tourist Appreciation Day.

This mystical and iconic figure can mainly be found in the northern parts of Kruger National Park. While you are likely to be taken aback by its presence and history, it also gives an exciting feeling of freedom and inspires a desire to explore this area, as many generations before have done.

You will therefore not be the first to enjoy the splendour that this tree has to offer, to man and beast alike. You will certainly not be the last. The baobab has been a source of materials and food for millennia. Its leaves are edible and the tree bears a delicious fruit that offers a valuable source of nutrition. Its mighty trunk also stores huge amounts of water to protect against the hardships the tree has to endure.

In many ways the Baobab is a perfect symbol for Earth Day. It is a mighty testament to Earth’s resilience and its ability to provide for us.

“When I spend time underneath a Baobab tree, it feels as if time stands still. It feels like it is cheering me on in life ‘come on, I have done it, you can too.’ ” – Anonymous

It’s amazing to see people from warmer countries bravely lace up and test their balance and courage on the ice. Their wobbly legs and expressions of concentration/fear give them away as new to skating.

My wife and I enjoy spending time there and do our best to help others who are struggling by giving them some pointers (keep your knees bent, weight forward and head up) – or at least ensuring their skates are tied properly!

In the warmer months the rink is a decorative fountain. It’s pretty, but not as much fun as the skating rink.

This square and many of Toronto’s other sights – both the popular and the little-known – can be taken in as part of an Urban Adventures walking day tour, one of the best ways to enjoy the city.

Ang Thong National Marine Park, 31 kilometres northwest of Koh Samui in southern Thailand, spans an area of 102 km². This includes 42 lush, mountainous islands harbouring wildlife, emerald lakes, deserted beaches and all sorts of nooks, crannies and caves that can seize the imagination. Famously, Ang Thong was Alex Garland’s inspiration for his novel The Beach (now infamously known as the book that became that movie with Leonardo DiCaprio).

Low tide at Ang Thong unlocks secret passageways and kayaking gives you the freedom to explore them. As water levels drop, entrances into the seemingly impenetrable fortress are revealed. One arch is so low that I have to lie down in my kayak and blindly slip into the darkness, propelled by my hands moving along the rock. Suddenly the space opens up. Sunlight faintly trickles in from a small hole. I blink and let my eyes adjust. I’m in some sort of chamber and above me I spy a narrow tunnel that leads upwards, its terminus not visible.

Where does it go? I wonder, letting the fantasy of a hidden paradise blossom in my mind. I’m content to leave this question unanswered; often times the mystery is more satisfying than the reality.

When I look at this photo I get a taste of what I experienced kayaking in Ang Thong. ‘The sublime’ is to feel our smallness in the natural world, to feel overwhelmed by its power and greatness. In turn, this feeling of wonder and humility grants us a connection to that world.

And through this photo I also relive the joy of kayaking – I remember the childlike excitement of everyone getting out onto the water, the first few nervous strokes and wobbles, how people playfully splashed each other before setting off like a paddling of ducks, the bright bellies of the kayaks gliding through the crest and dip of every wave.

Because of this, Jericoacoara became a famous tourist destination for international travellers. People from all over the world come to enjoy one of the most tranquil and beautiful places on the Brazilian coast, not to mention the long list of outdoor activities. Jericoacoara actually first became famous amongst foreign tourists, but today is also well known to Brazilians.

Not a long time ago, there wasn’t any electricity in the village. It wasn’t until 1998 that underground power cables were added, but only for the houses. There still aren’t any lampposts on the sand streets of Jericoacoara (yes, the streets are ‘made’ of sand where you can walk barefoot) just to keep the small village atmosphere and promote the moonlight.

This photo was taken in January of 2006. Jericoacoara was the final destination of a hitchhiking trip I took in Brazil that lasted two months. It wasn’t easy to get there, crossing miles and miles of giant sand dunes, but it was definitely worth it!

This relationship evolved into the gradual development of the island and, as waves of colonists made themselves at home, the reliance on and importance of the ocean for supplies and communication continued to grow.

Mauritius continues to enjoy many benefits from its position of relative isolation – including its reputation as a place of exceptional peace and tranquillity – but perhaps the most appreciated gifts of the sea – at least by visitors – are the island’s kilometres of beautiful beaches.

Resorts, such as the one pictured above (the Shanti Maurice A Nira), really make the most of the incredible white sands and turquoise gradients that characterise Mauritian beaches. The resort goes to great lengths to operate in harmony with its surroundings and serves to complement – rather than compete with – the natural beauty of its location. Built using natural materials, the Shanti blends into the landscape perfectly.

Balance with nature is of serious importance to Mauritians. The history of their island is closely associated with one of the most infamous species losses in history. During a period of less than a hundred years, the native Dodo bird was hunted to extinction by colonial sailors and has since become an emblem of mankind’s callousness toward the natural world.

By remembering the mistakes of the past, we are able to look toward a more sustainable future. Resorts, such as the Shanti, are helping to ensure that no more of the precious natural gifts bestowed upon Mauritius go the way of the Dodo.

One day, my expat colleague wanted to travel to Khustai to see these magnificent animals and asked me to accompany him and his wife on their visit. Since I’m fond of nature trips, I eagerly accepted the request. Several days later, we were on our way to Khustai.

Upon arrival, we were met by the camp manager and we asked where we would have a chance to spot the wild horses. She told us that it’d be easier to spot them in the late afternoon by driving deep into the hills. Having to wait until late afternoon, we decided to hike toward a nearby hill. The countryside, fresh air and spring weather cheered us and the majestic natural scene made for happy hiking.

When we got on top of the hill and were enjoying the surrounding natural scenery, we spotted a local horseman approaching us from a distance. I don’t know why, but initially we felt slightly ill at ease, maybe because we were otherwise alone in a complete wilderness.

The rider was an elderly man. When he came close to us, he greeted us while still seated on his horse and asked where we were heading. I explained to him that we were from the nearby camp and were enjoying some hiking nearby.

It became clear that he was a park ranger who protects the area from illegal activities. As he explained, the park administration cooperates with local nomadic families residing in the area to provide protection for the park.

After exchanging a few words, we said goodbye to each other and we continued our trip. This photo was taken as we were about to continue our hike.

My foreign friends seemed to get greatly excited to have such an experience.

Horses are hugely important in Mongolian culture and while they may seem like slow going compared to more modern means of transport, they still provide one of the best ways to navigate the steppes. Travelling by foot or on horseback allows visitors to enjoy all the benefits of slow travel and to feel closer to the pace of life that surrounds them.

Most of Corfu’s churches were built in the 17th and the 18th centuries, as a result of religious freedoms granted by the Venetians who held sway over the Mediterranean. Most of the churches belonged to guilds or rich families who were able to afford the construction costs. Characteristic features of the Corfiot churches include the style of their facades, influenced by Italian churches of the 16th century, their tower-like belfry and a ceiling decorated with paintings and frescoes.

Corfu Town has only about 20 churches – many of them very small. Because space in the town is limited, they are to be found squeezed in between houses. Corfu’s most famous church is the St. Spyridonas, which was constructed in 1590 and dedicated to Aghios (Saint) Spyridonas. According to legend, he twice performed the miracle of expelling the plague and the Corfiots call him “Αγιος Σπυρίδων ο πολιούχος” – “Saint Spyridon, the Keeper of the City” as a result. His relics are kept here in a silver urn from the 19th Century and four times a year (11 August, first Sunday of November, Palm Sunday and Holy Saturday) his relics are carried around the streets of the city, in memory of the miraculous actions that saved Corfu and its inhabitants.

Another famous church is Pontikonissi which, along with the beautiful Vlacherna Monastery, is one of the best-known postcard motifs of Corfu Island. Pontikonissi is home to the Pantokrator monastery. Its white stone staircase, viewed from afar, gives the impression of a mouse tail which has resulted in the nickname ‘mouse island’ (and not because it’s home of many mice!). The legend says, that this monastery is the stone-still ship of the Faiakes (Corfiots, according to the Homeric epics) as the god Poseidon punished them for providing help to Odysseus.

Vlacherna with its little convent of the Virgin Mary is painted snow white and has a single tall cypress tree. Pontikonissi and Vlacherna, located in Kanoni, are absolute ‘must see’ sights – small taxi boats are available at Vlacherna to take you to Pontikonissi for a small fee.

Another religious site which is well worth a visit is the Byzantine monastery of the Paleokastritsa (West Corfu). Located on a green hill above the bay and dedicated to Panagia (Virgin Mary), it is also called Theotokos monastery. Parts of this monastery date back to 1228; however the current complex, the cells of the monks and the yard are from the 18th century. The monastery houses a small ecclesiastical museum with rare Byzantine icons, holy books and other relics. However, most interesting of all, monks still live here, conducting traditional masses, providing hospitality and offering regular tours of the grounds and museum.

During a trip to Corfu, you must take the time to visit one of the village churches as each location has its own captivating charm. Village churches are mostly placed in the village centre with the village square in front flanked by Kafenions. This is the traditional local gathering place and is also where many festivals are held.

Don’t just pass by. Pop in a Kafenion for a Greek coffee or a tsitsibyra (the tasty Corfiot ginger ale), watch and chat with the locals. You will love it!

Planning a trip to Corfu? Contact Corfu Sunspots, the whl.travel local connection (one of the best whl.travel local experts of 2011), for all expert advice about travel in Corfu, including accommodation, tours, activities and more.

Founded toward the end of the 17th century, Ouro Preto became home to a number of very rich Portuguese colonials as a result of the Brazilian Gold Rush. The fortunes of the town went from strength to strength as more and more gold was pulled from the earth by the area’s mines.

Significant investment was made into improving the town, which grew over time to become a prosperous and beautiful city. Its popularity and importance saw the construction of a large number of lovingly designed buildings in the years that followed, including several opulent churches and a dedicated mining school.

While the city’s economic and political importance waned in the centuries that followed – it lost its position as state capital of Minas Gerais shortly before the turn of the 20th century – it has lost none of its beauty. As such, its Old Town was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980.

We are nevertheless once again proud to present our Photos of the Year – the travel pictures of the year 2011 that most captured the imagination of The Travel Word team and a group of expert external judges. Unlike our Photo of the Year 2010, this year (2011), we had a tie for first place.

Click on the image below for more information about them. See further below for the judges’ comments about them and the rest of the shortlist.

Krishna Mandir on Krishna Janmashtami, Patan, Nepal

Cheetahs Posing, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

About the Photo of the Week and the Photo of the Year

A bit more than two years ago, we started featuring one picture each week (or, lately, every other week) on The Travel Word. We spotlighted favourite images pulled from our growing collections on Flickr.

We then asked the photographer or owner of each selected Photo of the Week to submit a short and revealing text about it – covering the subject of the photo, the general location, the experience of taking the picture, technical aspects of photography etc.

These text-image combinations have proven to be very popular. We believe that this has a lot to do with the special emphasis we have placed on the honesty of the images, all taken or sourced by our partners, who are local travel experts in their destinations. Through their eyes, and given their knowledge of what makes their homes unique, we felt confident that were discovering something special.

The Shortlist

Our methods were decidedly unscientific. For each month, The Travel Word team singled out one photo of the month. To this list of 12 we added afew wild cards that had made a particular impression on us. This shortlist is what we sent to a group of five skilled photographers for their assessment.

Below are the nine images, ranked in order, that caught the judges’ fancies along with their comments. We thank the judges for their contribution and encourage you to learn more about their work.

.

+ WINNERS: PHOTOS OF THE YEAR 2011: Krishna Mandir on Krishna Janmashtami, Patan, Nepal AND Cheetahs Posing, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Comments about Krishna Mandir on Krishna Janmashtami, Patan, Nepal, photo and text by Navin M. Shrestha:
“This photo does an excellent job of capturing both the manic movement of the crowd and the ethereal nature of the temple.” — Mike Richards

“Here’s a unique image of the Durbar Square of Patan that not only does a good job of displaying the beauty of the temple of Lord Krisha, but bringing the square to its full cultural context by choosing to photograph it on Krishna Janmashtami (the birth anniversary of Krishna), full of devotees, prayer and a long enough exposure that bleeds the light and gives the scene a more spiritual climate.” — Arog Vila

“This picture is amazing for the fact that at first glance it could reflect a scene dating back centuries. Truly a timeless shot.” — Matt Stabile

.

Comments about Cheetahs Posing, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, photo by Ward Graham, accompanying text by Shafina Bandali:
“Luck is the final element, together with well-studied technique, good planning and plenty of patience, that results in this gorgeous golden-hour capture of two cheetahs looking back at us. This image has a rich tonal range accentuated by a pronounced vignette, which in this case does more than spotlight the cheetahs, it completes the interplay of light within the frame.” — Arog Vila

“Great light, composition and pose, it’s almost tells the viewer that these wild cheetahs are longing for some patting.” — Rafael Pinho

“From a technical perspective, the depth of field and vignetting are just right to single out the pair of cheetahs. They appear curious, ominous and regal all at once.” — Mike Richards

.

+ RUNNERS UP: Church of Tisco, Arequipa, Peru AND Beautiful Waters of the Bocas Islands, Panama

Comments about the Church of Tisco, Arequipa, Peru, photo by Alberto Gonzalez, accompanying text by Mariel Gonzalez:
“Travel photography at its best evokes faraway experience in a single image, and this shot of a remote Peruvian church does just that: the totemic ochre ornamentations and roaming landscape transport the viewer to the high fields, far from home.” — Linus Gelber

“Just the right amount of grunge and color provide a contemporary artistic take on a classic stone structure.” — Mike Richards

.

Comments about the Beautiful Waters of the Bocas Islands, Panama, photo by ATP, accompanying text by Melissa:
“Transparent green water makes any destination appealing, even if it’s all there is to it. This image portrays the dream-like environment all urbanites long for.” — Rafael Pinho

“I’m a sucker for visions of tropical paradise, probably because I so rarely experience tropical paradise. A jetty with amenities, lifted above clear entrancing waters, with balmy skies above – does it get better than this?” — Linus Gelber

.
.
.

OTHER FAVOURITES OF OUR JUDGES:

+ Sleepy Lions, Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda, photo by Steve Cunliffe, accompanying text by Nicola Swann

Comment:
“As anyone who has gone on safari knows, finding lions is the ultimate reward, and to find them in such a natural state must have been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Oddly enough, this also looks like my family’s living room after Thanksgiving dinner.” — Matt Stabile

.
.
.

+ The Children of Yakel Village, Tanna, Vanuatu, photo and accompanying text by John Nicholls

Comment:
“Seven strange children range along the ladder entrance to a treehouse home on Tanna Island; they may never hold an Xbox controller or argue the merits of teen fashion, but they smile, gaze, consider and go about their business just like children anywhere else. The wild differences highlight that we are, at heart, pretty much the same.” — Linus Gelber

.
.

+ Smile from a Little Girl, Cusco, Peru, photo by Pieter Roos, accompanying text by Fernando Carrasco

Comments:
“This heartwarming portrait of a little girl is technically sound and beautifully communicative of the colorful personality beyond the girl’s colorful costume. An image that is very easy to connect with, well done!” — Arog Vila

“This girl’s amazing smile reminds me of what is truly great about travel: the people.” — Matt Stabile

.
.

+ Migratory Birds, Lijiang, China, photo and accompanying text by Lily Zhang

Comment:
“A skein of geese, which might have just recently taken off, before forming a V, makes this a chaotic but amusing composition where each element has a certain clumsiness to it.” — Rafael Pinho

.
.
.

The Judges

We sincerely thank our five judges for the time and effort taken to review our shortlist. We value their opinions and their readiness to share them with us. Please take a moment to check out their work.

Linus Gelber is a photographer from New York City, where he shoots cityscapes and live performances (notably burlesque) and sees way too many movies, if such a thing is possible. His work is represented by Getty Images. Linus would like to go to Antarctica one day, and if you knew how he felt about New York winters you’d think that was weird too.

Born in Brazil, Rafael Pinho took up photography after finishing his architecture studies. He set out as a freelancer in 2005 in Belo Horizonte and spent the following years between Berlin, New York, Reykjavík and São Paulo. His work has been shown at the Florence Biennale (2011) and the Biennale di Roma (2012) and appeared in the The Wall Street Journal, Modern Painters (US), Forum AID (Sweden), FFW Mag! (Brazil), Nýtt Líf (Iceland), Trip and Tpm (Brazil).

Mike Richard is the editor of Vagabondish. He lives in Rhode Island – a spit of land in the northeastern US - where he is a professional web designer and travel junkie with an unhealthy addiction to backpacking, camping, hiking and seeing the world. He enjoys knit hats, small, declarative sentences and speaking in the third person.

Matt Stabile founded and runs TheExpeditioner.com, through which you can read his writings, see his videos, purchase the book he co-edited or contact him via email at any time.

Arog Vila is a New York-based photographer who developed his unique aesthetic and rule-breaking composition studying at the International Center of Photography, the New School and the School of Visual Arts. He delivers crisp and edgy images of photojournalistic human narrative, pointing his camera on the expected from an entirely new angle, then turning to the unusual and connecting it to something familiar and beautiful.

Travellers to Phnom Penh can learn about the Cambodian Genocide by visiting the Killing Fields and the notorious prison “S-21,” now known as the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

S-21 was originally a school before it was converted into a detention center in 1975. People deemed enemies of the Khmer Rouge (doctors, teachers, monks – amongst others) were interrogated and tortured here before being shipped to the killing field to be executed.

After the Khmer Rouge fled, S-21 and its startling photonegative archive were discovered. All prisoners had their photo taken upon arrival. Male, female, infant to elderly – hundreds of stark black-and-white portraits of the victims now line the museum walls. It is a moving, eye-opening display and has become an iconic memorial of the genocide.

A visit to the Killing Fields and S-21 is a must while in Cambodia, not only to learn Cambodian history, but to learn our history. While the Cambodian temples of Angkor Wat reveal the greatest of human accomplishment, S-21 and the Killing Fields remind us of our failings – giving us an opportunity to grow.

The dance has been described as a form of meditation and it’s easy to see why. The dancers commit themselves so fully to the rite that the movements and noise take on a mantra-like quality. Through repetition and ritual, the monks approach a trance state.

Many of the scenes portrayed as part of the dance depict events from the life of Guru Rinpoche (also known as Padmasambhava, or Padum) and offer its practitioners the opportunity to feel a sense of unity with the most holy guru. Other dances depict specific events from the other points in the history of Tibetan buddhism.

The Tshechu, held at different times in different parts of the country, is an annual event in Bhutan and neighbouring countries, although some aspects of the celebration are banned in Tibet itself. The festivals take place over a four-day period, allowing local people to come together in celebration and religious worship. Due to the diffuse nature of Bhutan’s population, the festivals provide an important opportunity for socialising, bonding and trading to take place.

The Thimpu Tshechu is one of the largest and most impressive Tshechu events and takes place in the capital city of Bhutan in early October every year.

Why not visit Bhutan at the time of the Thimpu Tshechu? Take the trip of a lifetime with Innerbhutan, the whl.travel local connection in Bhutan. Contact them for details.

.

.

The Gur-e Amir (which translates to ‘tomb of the king’) is steeped in both rich architecture and legend. Its construction began in 1403 after the death of Temor’s most beloved grandson, who is also buried there. The Persian-style building features a single turquoise copula, ribbed and detailed with ornate rosette pattern. The dome tops an octagonally-shaped building that is also highly detailed with ornamental mosaics and epigraphs.

Is Temur really buried in this mausoleum? In 1941, the tomb was unsealed to verify the remains as Temur’s. The excavation was successful in the sense that the skeleton’s damage matched descriptions of the injuries Temur received in battle that caused his death and confirmed that the remains are indeed his.

On the occasion when this picture was taken, we were visiting the park, staying at Gorah Elephant Camp, one of the luxury camps found within the park, and were on an afternoon safari. We came across these lions a few hundred meters from the camp. They were on their way to the camp to overnight with two other lionesses and the big dominant male, which was on the periphery. The young male shown here was reaching an age at which he would be kicked out of the pride fairly soon and was probably savouring the last few weeks or months with his family.

During the evening we enjoyed dinner and then were escorted to our tented rooms for the night by our ranger. We heard the pride of lions all night, grunting and roaring, clearly letting the rest of the animal kingdom know where they were and who was “King of the Addo”. Early the next morning, we found the pride again on our safari; they were very relaxed and did not seem very interested in moving on. Lions do sleep about 20 hours of the day away, so it was no surprise.

Visiting the Addo National Park is a must for any visitor venturing up or down the Garden Route of South Africa, as it offers a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a safari before or after the scenic drive along our southeastern coastline. Various accommodations, from budget to luxury, can be found around the Addo National Park, as well as in Port Elizabeth, as the park is only about 80 kilometres from the “Friendly City”, as it is locally known.