At the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783 land speculators bought up large tracts of land in the western part of New York in the hopes of making a profit by subdividing and selling it to settlers who were anxious for inexpensive land suitable for farming. In 1792 Lincklaen, working for the Holland Land Company, checked out the area around the lake claiming, “…situation superb, fine land.” Settlers came and Cazenovia grew.
In 1807 Linckaen had his home, the neoclassic Lorenzo, built and the ho
I went to the Apartheid Museum. Not today, but today is a good day to write about it. It is the 18th of July, Mandela Day. Madiba is turning 94 today. Time to celebrate. And contemplate…
What struck me as I stood outside, was the design of the building, it looked like a prison. And indeed, as the brochure states as well: Apartheid is exactly where it belongs – in a museum; which looks like a prison. On the wall outside Mandela’s words: ‘To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, bu
Afrikaners (including the Boer subgroup) are a Germanic ethnic group in Southern Africa descended from Dutch (including Flemish), French and German settlers whose native tongue isAfrikaans: a Germanic language which derives primarily from 17th century Dutch, and a variety of other languages. Mainly Christian, Afrikaners developed in much the same way as the New England colonies in North America. The original South African Boer republics were founded on the principles of the Dutch Reformed Church
Perhaps vacationing at a grand resort may be considered by some to be a thing of the past or only for the wealthy. But that would be a major misconception because this experience flourishes nestled deep in the Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania. Skytop Lodge, one of the area’s signature properties, is not only grand in stature but classically all-inclusive. Packed with onsite activities and gourmet meals, your stay can be as active or chill as you want it to be…anything from zip lining, fly fishin
by Jack F. Stanley
You know many of our Presidents drank. Some were real boozers. I figured I would write a very short bit on the ones who were moderate to heavy drinkers.
I will only list deceased former presidents. Also we had several Presidents who drank in their youth and gave it up. They will not be listed here.
Although the Presidents that drank on average have lived longer, although the odds are changing as time goes on and people are drinking less than they once did.
I will list the ag
New York State is historic. No matter where one goes in the state there are connections with the past. Visit some of the 37 historic state parks to learn about the state’s historic role. Oriskany, Johnson Hall, Schuyler Mansion, and Washington’s Headquarters are just four sites that deal with the Revolutionary War.
As with anything, it begins with a story.
A small Central American nation yearning to grow from subsistence farming to being a world player with agricultural exports chooses to think big. Costa Rica is the country, and coffee is its most valuable commodity. The year is 1871.
This is the decade of enormous world industrial, urban and agricultural growth, expansionism and technological “miracles.”In these next years, the telephone, the light bulb, the phonograph and the steam drill will be invented
Xian was the start of the Silk Road and at one time the largest city in the world. Today the city of eight million is booming, and still home home to the famous "Terracotta Warriors" and other great attractions. Here are its do-not-misses:.
1. The Terra Cotta Warriors: The sight of thousands of life-size terra cotta warriors in formation does not disappoint. It is part of the tomb of Qin Shi Huang who, 2,220 years ago, united the various areas of China and named himself First Emperor of China.
For some people, history is a thing of the past, over and done with. But for others, history is something through which we can get in touch with our roots and learn something about ourselves and those who came before us. Throughout the world, there are many groups who strive to bring history to the masses, through re-enactment of specific events - such as battles - or through the depiction of certain periods. For travellers, these events are a great opportunity not only to have some fun, but als
The journey of a thousand miles starts from beneath your feet.
Tao te Ching, Verse 64
There is a similarity between historical writing and travel writing. Both are about journeys: one is a journey back in time, the other a journey of the present. Where the difference lies is in the style of the writing. Historical fiction is a lengthy prose style, historical non-fiction can be more documentary or essay. Travel writing is either jou
According to a local myth in Majorca, that sun-drenched Mediterranean island off the northeast coast of Spain, when God decided to create the world, He first made a scale model. He liked it so much, that He used the model (which lacked only one detail: rivers) in His final work, and today this model is none other than the island of Majorca.
And this, the largest of the Balearic islands, is indeed divine in many ways: Its Mediterranean climate, for one, so healthful and invigorating that composer
Apart from Santo Domingo and its lovely colonial zone, in general the Dominican Republic is better known for its spectacular beaches than for its historic architecture – though over the years I’ve certainly come across some fetching examples scattered hither and yon. Happily for lovers of quaint and charming towns, San Felipe de Puerto Plata is an exception that proves the rule.
This city of around 200,000 up on the DR’s north coast, just a hop and a skip over from Playa Dorada, the zone wher
The impact that one crop had on the world is astounding. Today 44 million American’s claim Irish ancestry along with about two million Australians and four million Canadians. In total, over 80 million people worldwide can claim Irish ancestry. Where would they be without the potato famine? The Great Irish famine of the 1840′s is now regarded as the single greatest social disaster of 19th century Europe. Between 1845 and 1850, when blight devastated the potato crop, in excess of two million peopl
Sons were born of the Queen of Sheba and her servant: Menelik from the Queen and Zagwe from the servant of the Queen. Now the children had just passed their teenage and journeyed to see their father – the wise Solomon. He received them with great honour and when they were on their way back home they had the Ark of the Covenant with the crowd that had accompanied them.
Continued from 5 Top Reasons to Visit Ethiopia:
6. Lost Ark of the Covenant: You must have seen the movie ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ starring Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. It must have your sensations arisen.Graham Hancock, Philip Marsden and Richard Pankhurst are few of the prominent writers and travellers of our times. Their researches and extensive journeys enabled them to explore to where that ‘most important object in the world’ – The Ark, has been disappeared.Some people say it is just a l
1. The People: The people of this old realm are a mixture of above 80 ethnic groups speaking above 70 different languages; they don’t seem so though, for they understand each other in almost every aspect of their lives. To appreciate what diversity and living in peace with all the difference anyone might have, Ethiopia is the best choice. Having three thousand years of experience the people of this land has come to be unusually very kind for strangers and travellers. Once you are in their land
Here, heritage lives. It is revered and celebrated. It embodies not just the culture and the traditions of the land, but epitomises a way of life. It is a source of pride and forms the crux of many conversations. The grandeur takes you by surprise, the intricacy holds you in awe and the legends leave you spellbound. This is heritage country, Nepal.
Nepal, with more than 60 linguistic groups, has always nurtured the reputation of being a country of contrasts, where gods and mortals live together.
Barcelona is more than just a side excursion.Explore the Lake Charles historic district
Get a feel for the Lake Charles’ past by exploring The Charpentier District. The district is on the National Register of Historic Places and covers 40 blocks with hundreds of turn-of-the-century buildings of mixed styles. Even though each building has its own unique charm from wrap-around porches to gambles to towers to
The most amazing and beautiful building in all of London, Westminster Abbey!
An absolutely beautiful building with an astonishing history.
If you ever go to London, do the Abbey. Even if you are just there for a day, do the Abbey. Photos are not allowed inside, but most of you have probably seen pictures of the recent Royal Wedding. That is OK because. no camera, no photographer can capture the whole scene inside, let alone the grandeur, the history, the splendor.
One word of warning, if you have
