UNESCO – contrails

Shore Temple, Five Rathas and Other UNESCO Sites in Mahabalipuram

Posted on April 16, 2019November 29, 2019 by David Gaines

It. Was. Hot.

When I first mentioned to my people in India that we were coming in April, expecting them to sound excited, the first thing they all said was, “why?”

It wasn’t a why are we coming to visit. It was a why are we coming in April. This is when the temperatures start climbing and it can get unbearable. Had me trying to convince Nduku to change our itinerary to South America or Siberia. But we stuck to the plan and yes, it was hot.

But we braved the heat to check out Shore Temple and all the other landmarks in Mahabalipuram. Continue reading “Shore Temple, Five Rathas and Other UNESCO Sites in Mahabalipuram” →

Europe, Turkey

Hagia Sophia

Posted on January 3, 2015November 29, 2019 by David Gaines

Several years ago I read a book about the Ottoman Empire, one of many that talked about Hagia Sophia. The more I read about it, its history which predates the Ottoman Empire by several centuries, the higher it climb my bucket list.

With just a one day layover in Istanbul starting around 1:00 pm, in which the line to visit Hagia Sophia wasn’t realistic, I made it a point to rise early the next morning to make sure I got to get inside before heading to the airport to come home.

Though the Blue Mosque looks so much more compelling physically, there’s no denying the extraordinary history of Hagia Sophia. Continue reading “Hagia Sophia” →

Asia, UAE

Al Bidya Mosque — UNESCO World Heritage Site

Posted on March 23, 2012November 27, 2019 by David Gaines

Along the way to the other side of the country, we passed by something that looked like something that a tourist might visit. And when traveling with kids, getting them out the car from time to time is always a good idea. Fortunately, we stumbled upon Al Bidya Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue reading “Al Bidya Mosque — UNESCO World Heritage Site” →