Gorillas

Gorilla twins in the Volcanoes Park of Rwanda.

Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range – home of the endangered mountain gorilla and a rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath. Tracking endangered mountain gorillas through the mysterious intimacy of the rain forest, alive with the calls of 200 species of colorful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey, is only one of the truly unique experiences in the area.

Many thanks Deo!
Date: Jan 30

Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom

Located in northeast China, the Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom dating from the 1st century BCE to the 7th century CE comprise archaeological remains of three cities and 40 tombs: Wunu Mountain City in Huanren Manchu Autonomous County, Liaoning Province; Guonei City, Wandu Mountain City, and the 40 tombs in Ji’an municipality, Jilin Province. The capital cities and tombs are exceptional testimony to the vanished Koguryo civilisation. The layout and construction of the capital cities influenced the city planning and building of later cultures. The tomb paintings represent a rare artistic expression in medieval North-east Asia and together with the stele and inscriptions show the impact of Chinese culture on the Koguryo.

Unesco: Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom
RR: Unesco RR
Date: Jan 26

Pula

Pula, a seafront city on the tip of Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula, is known for its protected harbor, beach-lined coast and Roman ruins. Settled in the prehistoric era and valued for its strategic location, Pula has been occupied, destroyed and rebuilt numerous times. Pula’s most famous and imposing sight is this 1st-century oval amphitheatre, overlooking the harbour northeast of the old town. It's a huge and truly magnificent structure, slotted together entirely from local limestone and known locally as the Arena. Designed to host gladiatorial contests and seating up to 20,000 spectators, it still serves the mass-entertainment needs of the local populace in the shape of concerts and film-festival screenings. It is the only remaining Roman amphitheatre to have four side towers entirely preserved.

Thank you Helena!

Berry Creek Falls

Berry Creek Falls is a 70ft waterfall on a 12-mile hike full of tall coastal redwood trees in Big Basin Redwoods State Park between San Jose and Santa Cruz. Established in 1902, Big Basin Redwoods is California’s oldest state park. In the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, its biggest attractions are its ancient coast redwoods. Some of these giants are more than 50 feet around and as tall as the Statue of Liberty. Big Basin is home to the largest continuous stand of ancient coast redwoods south of San Francisco.

RR:  Monthly favourite surprise RR
Date: Jan 29

Koala

A beautiful koala from Zoo Zürich, holding koalas since 2018. Currently 2 koalas live here Tarni & Téa.
RR: Monthly favourite surprise RR - January
Date: Jan 30

Museumsinsel

The Berlin Museumsinsel is a complex of buildings composed of individual museums of outstanding historical and artistic importance located in the heart of the city. The five museums on the Museumsinsel in Berlin, built between 1824 and 1930, are the realization of a visionary project and show the evolution of approaches to museum design over the course of the 20th century. Each museum was designed so as to establish an organic connection with the art it houses. The importance of the museum's collections, which trace the development of civilizations throughout the ages, is enhanced by the urban and architectural quality of the buildings.

Unesco: Museumsinsel (Museum Island), Berlin
RR: 10x10 RR
Date: Feb 2

Bryggen

Bryggen, the old wharf of Bergen, is a reminder of the town’s importance as part of the Hanseatic League’s trading empire from the 14th to the mid-16th century. Many fires, the last in 1955, have ravaged the characteristic wooden houses of Bryggen. Its rebuilding has traditionally followed old patterns and methods, thus leaving its main structure preserved, which is a relic of an ancient wooden urban structure once common in Northern Europe. Today, some 62 buildings remain of this former townscape.

Unesco: Bryggen
Thank you Gian Luca and Raffaella
Date: Jan 26

Laponian Area

The Arctic Circle region of northern Sweden is the home of the Saami people. It is the largest area in the world (and one of the last) with an ancestral way of life based on the seasonal movement of livestock. Every summer, the Saami lead their huge herds of reindeer towards the mountains through a natural landscape hitherto preserved, but now threatened by the advent of motor vehicles. Historical and ongoing geological processes can be seen in the glacial moraines and changing water courses. The Laponian Area is a magnificent wilderness of high mountains, primeval forests, vast marshes, beautiful lakes and well-preserved river systems. It contains areas of exceptional beauty such as the snow-covered mountains of Sarek, the large alpine lakes of Padjelanta/Badjelánnda, and the extensive rSiver delta in the Rapa Valley. On-going geological, biological and ecological processes have formed a variety of habitats conserving a rich biodiversity, including many species of fauna and flora typical of the northern Fennoscandian region.

Unesco: Laponian Area
RR: Unesco RR
Date: Jan 31

Ähtäri Zoo

Ähtäri Zoo is a park surrounded by natural forest. The Zoo has offered experiences within the nature and animals for 50 years. Ähtäri Zoo first opened its doors in 1973. It is the second largest zoo in Finland. The first habitant of the park was an elk named Köpi, he later became the official mascot of the Zoo. Nowadays there are over 50 different species living in the park.

RR: February Alternative RR
Date: Feb 3

Zoolandia

Zoolandia is a zoo located Lieto, Finland, about a 20-minute drive north of Turku. Zoolandia combines the thrills of a traditional amusement park with the wonder of a zoo, home to about 160 animals representing 50 species.

RR: February Alternative RR
Date: Feb 3