Random Trivia:
San Francisco, California is one place that on a clear day has spectacular views. This shot is taken from Marin County looking south towards the city. The pointed structure in the background is the Trans-America building.
The Golden Gate Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world. The population in the city of San Francisco is about 750,000. But the population in the Bay Area is around 7.2 million.
The Bay Area is one of my favorite places. It is home to much natural beauty, culture and fantastic dining. Many companies such as Apple, Pixar and Adobe have their headquarters here. Real estate is some of the most expensive in the country. Right now on the market is a $65 million dollar French villa for sale. It has a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, garden and a guest house.
Random Trivia:
Mt. Olympus is the home of the Greek gods of mythology and of course Zeus the supreme ruler of the all the gods. It is the highest mountain peak in Greece and it reaches 9,570 feet above sea level.
The life expectancy for women in Greece is 81.2 years and for men it is 78.4. Researchers believe that the Mediterranean diet rich in olive oils, vegetables and fruit is a major reason for the longevity of the Greek people. Of course living in such a lovely place also is a benefit.
Random Trivia:
Alaska is a place of such pristine beauty and natural wonder. Wildlife abounds and roams freely in much of Alaska. Alaska was bought from Russia for less than 2 cents an acre in 1867. Alaska is only 55 miles east of Russia. Some parts of Alaska have 24 hours of daylight and 24 hours of darkness.
Mt. Denali is the tallest mountain in North America at 20, 320 feet. Alaska is twice the size of Texas and has 29 volcanoes. It is one-third the area of the continental United States.
In 1964, there was a devastating earthquake that occurred in Alaska and there was a tsunami that followed. Reportedly the tsunami lifted a ship and it landed in a schoolyard over two blocks away.
Random Trivia:
Volcan Poas is an active crater in Costa Rica, South America. Volcan Paos has an elevation of 8,870 feet above sea level. Paos has two craters and is a volcano that has erupted 39 times since 1828. The area is almost always in a state of some kind of volcanic activity. It has been having mild continuous eruption for about 11 million years. One of the craters measures 0.9 of a mile in diameter and is 900 feet deep.
Costa Rica has a diverse geography from rainforests to volcanoes. It also has a rich ecosystem of many species that are found nowhere else on the planet.
Random Trivia:
Rudyard Kipling described Milford Sound "as the eighth wonder of the world." Waterfalls meet ancient rainforests which grasp magnificent fiords. The very town of Milford exists to sustain the travelers who venture to this spectacular place.
The country of New Zealand has practically zero pollution and one-quarter of it is protected wilderness. New Zealand has three active volcanoes.
The natives of this part of the world are known for their hospitality and friendliness.
Who wouldn't be friendly living in such a paradise?
It is no wonder that many visitors to this glorious region of the world call it "heaven on earth."
Random Trivia:
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was originally settled by the Portuguese and this is why it is the only country in South America where the primary language is not Spanish. This picture is taken of Rio de Janeiro from Sugarloaf Mountain.
As beautiful as this view may be, Brazil has a tremendous gap better the very rich and the very poor. Many of the people of Brazil live in poverty. The crime rate in parts of Brazil is also very high. Homicide is a leading statistic in the drug infested neighborhoods of the slums. Unfortunately law enforcement in Brazil also has a proven reputation of being violent and corrupt.
But as we look at the remarkable view in this photo, we only see the beauty of the natural topography meeting the human habitats of the 21st century.
Oil has recently been discovered off the coast of Brazil as well.
Random Facts:
Nairobi, Kenya, Africa. This photograph stunningly depicts the modern day lifestyle conflicting with the natural geography of Nairobi. The Maasai translation of Nairobi means "cool waters" and the country of Kenya has always been a refuge of wildlife and wonder. This part of the world is the natural habitat of the giraffe, lion, African elephant and zebra.
The terror group Al Qaida bombed the U.S. Embassy in 1998.
