On the northeast coast of Australia lies the largest living structure on the planet, the Great Barrier Reef. Located in the Coral Sea, it stretches over 1,200mi (2,000km), and its width is between 37-155mi (50-250km). Made up of over 3,000 individual reefs and more than 600 islands, the Great Barrier Reef is so big that it can be seen from outer space.
The first European discovery of the Barrier Reef happened by accident in 1770. Captain James Cook was on a secret mission to explore Australia's east coast when he crashed his ship into solid rock only 12mi (19km) from shore. Cook and his crew scrambled throughout the day to plug a leak and save the ship from sinking. Fortunately, high tide on the following eve dislodged the boat from the rocky ledge back into deep water and sailed into safer waters for repairs. Cook didn't know at the time that the solid rock was a coral reef and that he stumbled on the Great Barrier Reef.
Thirty-three years later, Englishman Matthew Flinders circumnavigated Australia, and while sailing through a collection of reefs on the northeast coast, he promptly named it the Great Barrier Reef. It is a suitable name since the outer reef that sits on the edge of the continental shelf acts like a barrier, protecting the mainland from powerful waves and storms from the Pacific Ocean.
Aside from protecting Australia's shores, the Great Barrier Reef is an exquisite marine environment teeming with all kinds of fish species, colourful corals, lush rainforest-covered islands, shallow aquamarine waters, sandy shoals, and plenty of shipwrecks. It is also home to the "Great Eight" living icons: whales, manta rays, clownfish, turtles, potato cod, giant clams, humphead wrasse, and sharks. The reef is such an extraordinary place that it is Australia's tourism crown jewel and has earned its position on the:
● UNESCO World Heritage list;
● Seven Natural Wonders of the World list; and
● Australian World Heritage site.
Beginning at Waddy Point, a rocky headland on Fraser Island, I head north and start my long journey through the Great Barrier Reef. I look forward to island hopping and underwater exploration, swimming with dolphins, and checking out green sea turtle nesting grounds. I look forward to learning about the Traditional Owners and the impact of climate change on the reef's health. I am very excited to see what wonders the Great Barrier Reef holds.
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The town of Dunhuang is situated in an oasis at the west end of the Hexi Corridor and the start of the Southern Silk Route. On the edge of the city is a crescent-shaped lake called Yueyaquan (aka Crescent Moon Lake) and the Singing Sand Dunes, that emit melodic sounds when the wind blows.
Originally occupied by nomadic tribes, Han Emperor Wu dispatched his military troops to expel them and by 121BC Dunhuang was brought under Han control. The emperor promptly ordered a Great Wall built, which stretched 85mi (136km) in length and consisted of 80 beacon towers. The structure of the wall was a combination of local sand and reeds, compacted together in layers.
Dunhuang, along with Jiuquan, Zhangye and Wuwei, was a frontier garrison town and played an important military role in the safety of both the region and inner China.
It benefited greatly from the Silk Road. As the intersecting city for the three main silk routes, Dunhuang was a key base for water and food supplies and a welcome sight for arriving travellers. The town prospered from the heavy traffic flow until it was plundered and destroyed by the invading Mongols. The town was rebuilt and subsequently brought under the Yuan Dynasty (Mongol Empire).
By the Ming Dynasty, Dunhuang went into decline, as the Silk Road was replaced by the Maritime Silk Route.
South of the city are the sandstone Mogao Caves. Spanning one mile (1.6km) in length, the caves were built from the 4th-14th centuries and filled with frescoes and more than 2,000 Buddha statues. One of the caves was accidentally stumbled upon by a Taoist monk in the 1900s, inside was a vast collection of written works. It is estimated that 15,000 manuscripts in several languages and 1,100 bundles of scrolls were discovered. In 1987 the site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Today Dunhuang and the Mogao Caves are threatened by the encroaching Kumtag Desert. Centuries of overgrazing has caused the desert to spread and continue expanding. Hopefully a solution can be found soon before precious archaeological sites are swallowed up.
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The romantic city of Florence is a visual feast of Renaissance architecture, art and monuments. Famous historical figures from the Renaissance era (14th-17thC) such as Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Galileo and Donatello, emerged from Florence producing and leaving an incredible body of work that continues to move and inspire people today. Museums, galleries, cafes and restaurants are in every nook and cranny. And then, there's the food; gloriously filling, tastebud dazzling, tantalisingly aromatic. Every corner is an architectural experience from Corinthian columns, grand domes and endless arches to interiors adorned with richly-detailed frescoes and motifs.
Filled with 2,000+ years of history, Florence began as a settlement in 59BC, established by Julius Caesar, the Roman Emperor for his veteran soldiers. It quickly became a commercial centre and a major crossroad between Bologna and Rome. Florence is currently the capital city of Tuscany with the highest population density in the region. In 1982 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The most iconic building is the cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, otherwise known as the Duomo. Built between 1296-1436 in a Gothic style it towers over the city with its terracotta-tile dome visible from all of the nearby hilltops. The Piazzale Michelangelo across the river from the cathedral provides a magnificent view of the city of Florence and the Duomo.
A stroll alongside the River Arno leads to the very popular Ponte Vecchio, translated as "Old Bridge". The bridge is a medieval arched bridge built in 1345 and at one time housed shops run by butchers, tanners and farmers. Now it is tenanted primarily by jewellers, art dealers and souvenir sellers. During WWII, at the behest of German officer, Gerhard Wolf, the bridge was spared destruction unlike the neighbouring bridges which were detonated in order to buy more time for the German retreat. Wolf was once a student in Florence and had a special affinity towards the bridge. The Florentine's made him an honorary citizen in 1955 and placed a plaque on the bridge in his honour in 2007.
Some notable artworks that can be found in Florence are Michelangelo's sculpture of "David", a marble sculpture completed early 16thC; Leonardo da Vinci's oil and tempera painting "Anunciation" dating late 15thC; and Boticelli's tempera painting "The Birth of Venus" dating late 15thC. There is no shortage of paintings, sculptures, fountains or architecture to immerse oneself in but when rest is needed head for the nearest coffee bar and ask for a café macchiato. Italians traditionally stand at a bar to have their shot of coffee instead of sitting at a table before pressing on with their day.
The Way of St Francis pilgrimage begins at the Basilica di Santa Croce, a 13thC Franciscan church located in the Piazza Santa Croce. The church is the burial site for Galileo (astronomer), Machiavelli (politician and diplomat) and Rossini (composer) and many other notable Italians. Dante was originally buried here but was later moved. His tomb, however, remains on site. A memorial plaque for Da Vinci (polymath) and memorial monument for Florence Nightingale (pioneer of modern nursing) can also be found here. Outside the church is a monument to classical writer, Dante Alighieri, built in 1865 by Enrico Pazzi.
The pilgrimage trail is 312mi (550km) long and inspired by the life of St Francis of Assisi. Taking an ancient Roman route from Florence to Rome via Assisi, the trail finishes at Basilica di San Pietro in the Vatican City. The route travels past ancient ruins, through medieval villages, crossing mountain passes and valleys, making this pilgrimage perfect for nature lovers, history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts.
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