Fire Island Lighthouse

fire island lighthouse, kismet, photography, travel

130 steps and a narrow staircase. Fortunately, there are several landings in-between, where we can pretend we stopped to check the view, catch our breaths and continue climbing. We can also learn some fun facts about the lighthouse.

Step 26, first window landing, all’s well.
We read: The lighthouse was constructed from the inside out. The stair treads and centre posts acted as internal scaffolding. As the walls rose in height, additional stair treads and centre posts were added. The construction rate was about 1 foot/day and was completed within one year. The total cost was $40,000 including the lens, about $1.14 million in today’s dollars.

Its iconic tapered shape is most likely based on John Smeaton’s stone lighthouse of 1759 at Eddystone Rocks, just south of Plymouth, England. Smeaton was the first self-proclaimed “civil engineer” and also the first to consider the problem of constructing a lighthouse at sea…

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Versailles Ventures.

Architecture, Art, europe, Paris, Travel, versailles

J. Journeys

A short bike ride to Saint Lazare station showed me that it was going to be a beautiful day despite the weather I had been watching with dread for a week. Half an hour later found myself in Versailles. Though I had plans to explore the town and head to palace grounds before the Chateau, it seemed I was just too excited and shot straight for the palace grounds on my bike.

The vast land was bewitching, stories of times past, my imagination running wild. Before I realised, I was in the palace gardens, getting blissfully carried away shooting footage on my GoPro in the beautiful weather in that stunning place. Suddenly I was met by a very grouchy glare from a security guard. Oops! I quickly jumped off my bike apologetically. ‘Pardonne moi’ I muttered as I cheekily didn’t delete the footage and wheeled away quickly.

It was time…

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Voltaire in Strasbourg

In May, 1753, Voltaire arrived in Strasbourg after a row with Frederick II, the King of Prussia, whom he had spent the previous three years in his service. In a letter to his niece, Madame Denis, Voltaire exclaimed, “Je suis retirer” (I can now rest). Voltaire had a great affection for this enchanting city in the Alsace region of eastern France which dates back to the Moyen Age.

Voltaire loved Strasbourg and spent a year here reflecting, rejuvenating and reveling in the culture and beauty that Strasbourg can bring. During this time, he wrote Madame Denis, over one hundred letters detailing his life.

FRANCE, REVISITED: Strasbourg and Voltaire

Exploring Pyramids Of Giza During Cairo Excursions

Cairo Excursions, Egypt Tours, Nile Holiday, Travel to Egypt

Nile Holiday

As one of the most iconic yet mysterious wonders of the world, the Pyramids of Giza are incredible sights to behold. But how much do you really know about this world-famous mysterious site?

Here are some of the things you might need to know before visiting the place where the first cradle of civilization took shape. You might have seen some thousands of photos of several attractions in Egypt including the pyramids of Giza. But when you embark on your Cairo Excursions and visit the pyramids personally, the experience itself will give some cold & chilling shivers.

Now below are some best & assorted tips that can help and aid several globetrotting people visiting the majestic and mystic pyramids for the first time are as follows:-

Basic Things To Know About Visiting The Pyramids

While on your Family Holidays To Egypt, there are just four main sights also recognized…

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Memphis and the Open Air Museum: Travel Thoughts 4

egypt , memphis , rameses-ii , travel

Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist)

We headed to Memphis – a town founded 3,300 years before Christ by King Meni who united Upper and Lower Egypt. That length of time is just mind boggling to me as it is time I can get my head around yet it is more than the time we have had after Christ. A long time. It was the first capital of Egypt. It originally sat at the head of the Nile but as the river moved over time so did the capital. Memphis was at one time a bustling (to my mind it still was), cosmopolitan city with temples (Temple of Ptah), settlements, markets, and palaces. In the present there was lots to absorb being just off the plane. I can’t remember being in a city where horse and cart and camels travel on the roads (and they are hectic) alongside cars, buses, trucks and motor cycles.

Finally we…

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Pompeii

Day trip from Rome to Pompeii with museum + other cultural tips

Unfolded Maps

When in Rome Pompeii is an easy, if long day trip. Early one morning we met up with City Wonders for a bus ride down to the ruins of Pompeii. The bus had a guide who pointed out points of interest along the way like the ancient Abbey of Montecassino and the Appian Way – the ancient main road from Rome to all other points in the empire. Three hours and 1 rest stop later we arrived in the ancient city of Pompeii.

Note: My sister had her iPhone stolen from her while on the subway to meet up with the tour group. If you choose to ride the Roman subway system be wary – thieves take advantage of the extremely crowded conditions to press up against victims and search any pocket and bag they can get a hand into. A few days after this incident I had 60 lira stolen…

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