San Francisco is one of the world’s most beautiful bayside cities. The Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, the Trolley Cars and Alcatraz this city is an amazing holiday destination. Explore the city, the waterfront, the great food, the parks and gardens and meet the friendly people. This week’s You Tube of the weeks shows some of the beautiful sites all set to an amazing soundtrack.
Posts under ‘Americas’
Remembering Pearl Harbor
December 7 marks the 66th anniversary of the attack of the US fleet at Pearl Harbor Hawaii by the Japanese. Today Pearl Harbor has been turned into a moving memorial for those who fought and those who lost their lives in this dark period of the world’s history.
The USS Arizona memorial is one of the most visited war sites on the island. Here a simple floating pavilion sits above the final resting place of the vessel and many of the 1177 crew members that perished. A shore based museum also has some moving wartime stories and memorabilia and visitors can also choose to visit the USS Missouri battleship which was the scene of the 1945 surrender.
Elvis is alive…..isn’t he?
Well most of us have come to the conclusion the King of Rock and Roll sadly passed away in August of 1977 but there are some die hards who just can’t bring themselves to accept the facts. Well who knows maybe Bill Beeny might be right, he put his Elvis is Alive collection on internet auction site eBay and got him self a cool $8000 from a guy called Key. The Elvis is Still Alive Museum museum is currently housed in a transformed a coin operated laundry an hours drive from St Lois. The new owner hopes to move it to Laurel in Jacksonville or even to Hattiesburg in Mississippi- No one really knows why?. The $8000 got Key a huge collection of photos, books, and memorabilia of the King and even FBI files and DNA reports which support Bill Beeny’s evidence that Elvis still lives. Well we are all hoping that the Elvis will turn up to the opening of this new museum and set us all straight… only time will tell. Read the rest of this entry »
Gone to the birds Chicago
The Sears Tower in Chicago has been the tallest building in the USA since 1973 and we have found this cute little ad on You Tube. It features a couple of pidgeons who explain the massive tower which attracts more than a million visitors a year to it’s skydeck and is 610 baseball bats high- what amazing facts. On a good day you can see over 50 miles and see states Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin and spectacular views of lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Read the rest of this entry »
Shoe me your Museum
If you are a regular visitor to Tripandom you have probably noticed we like a good museum, we have featured plenty of car, plane, science and history museums but never one like this one we found in Toronto Canada. The Bata Shoe Museum is as the name suggests a museum dedicated to those things you wear on your feet, shoes. This huge 4 storey museum has over 10,000 shoes which represent over 4500 years of footwear history. There is everything from ancient sandals to the glamorous high heels of today. One of the most popular exhibits is the Walk of Fame where famous people have left their footprints or in many cases their shoes for everyone’s enjoyment. There are some huge names including John Lennon, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Picasso and a great pair of Elton John’s platform boots from the 70’s. The museum features continual changing and traveling exhibits and has a shoe for everyone- you might even be able to buy a pair of shoes in the gift shop.
It’s a fatso after all
We love a Disneyland story and this one is a real bummer, well literally. One of the most memorable rides ‘It’s a small world’ attraction and its closing for a while for a bit of a refit. The boats are going to be made a bit bigger and the water a bit deeper and a few other high tech changes. Disney are quoted as saying the ride is getting a bit out of date and needs some new equipment while others are suggesting that the people riding the attraction are getting a bit heavier and the boats are not quiet coping with the extra weight. The ride opened in 1964 and is one of the most popular boat rides in the park but the boats are starting to bottom out and stopping the ride. Time will tell- and let’s hope they don’t change that can’t get it out of your head song…. it’s a small world after all, it’s a small world after all…
The Rocky Mountaineer
One of the most scenic places on earth would have to be Canada’s Rocky Mountains and there is no better way to see it than with luxury train travel. Canada has a large selection of rail options taking in much of the country’s breathtaking outdoors. Some of the carrages are even equipped with glass roofed windows to take in the slendor of the amazing countryside. Sit back and enyoy this weeks You Tube of the week and get a glimpe of the best of Canada on rail.
Who wants to sleep with the fishes?
We love a unusual hotel here at Tripandom, and we think this one rates right up there. Jules Undersea Lodge is a interesting hotel in Key Largo, Florida, it’s actually under the sea. Situated 21 feet under the surface this two roomed hotel features everything you want, a kitchenette with fridge and microwave, beds, TV and plenty of sealife just out the window. Imagine waking up to a squid, turtle or eel taking a peek in your window- you won’t find that in too many places. The hotel is very popular for honeymoons and quite a few weddings even take place there. The hotel even offers diving and snorkel course.
The Bellagio Fountains
The Bellagio Hotel in entertainment capital Las Vegas would have to be one of the world’s most beautiful hotels and you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars a night to enjoy some of the glamor. The Bellagio features what would have to be the world’s most amazing water display with a fully choreographed fountain display set to spectacular music in the forecourt of this huge hotel. The show happens several times an hour and is best viewed in the evenings when the incredible lighting combines with the sound and music to put on a incredible show with water being shot hundreds of feet into the air. Make sure you get there early to get a good spot as it is very popular.
Happiest place on earth to get even happier
You have probably noticed Tripandom loves a good Disney Story well here is a real exciting one. The Disney corporation has just announced that it will spend squillions on its California Adventure park in Anaheim to bolster visitor numbers. They plan to give the park a huge overhaul and ad some great new attractions including a Toy Story attraction, 3 Cars attractions where you will be able to visit Radiator Springs and a Little Mermaid attraction. It is not yet known if it will be similar to the Mermaid attraction at DisneySea in Tokyo. It is expected the attractions will start coming on line late 2008 and be complete in around 5 years. The company has also just started work on a huge expansion of its California Hotel & Spa resort.
