Journey Around The Globe
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Frozen Beauty – Horsetail Falls in Oregon
We started our 2015 by visiting some frozen falls on Historic Columbia River Highway in Oregon. It was the afternoon of January 1st, 2015 when we started driving towards this scenic highway. My uncle-in-law from Chicago was visiting us and we wanted to show him the wintry look of Oregon. We first visited Latourell Falls, then made an attempt to visit Bridal Veil…but because of the icy path, we couldn’t go all the way down to the falls. Then started driving towards Multnomah Falls. And from there, another ten minutes drive to our final spot Horsetail Falls.
I’ve never visited Horsetail Falls before. It’s right on the historic scenic highway, you can’t miss it…because your car will be showered by the water from the falls. There is a small parking lot opposite of the falls. None of my family members came out, not only because it was freezing cold and windy, but also it was very slippery. I managed to go as close as possible towards the falls, took some pictures, and hopped right back inside the car.
Here are some pictures of frozen Horsetail Falls of Oregon. I am planning to go back there again in summer or autumn and will upload different view of the falls then. Happy New Year and best wishes to everyone.
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Mystical Latourell Falls in Oregon
LATOURELL FALLS, OREGON: Latourell Falls is another gem of Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge. Located on the Historic Columbia River Highway, this holds no less charm than its granddaddy Multnomah Falls. This is a perfect place for family, kids, beginner hikers, photographers, nature-lovers, and anyone who enjoys outdoors. When this highway was completed in 1915, generous landowners donated property to create scenic retreats along the route. So when you are here, don’t leave the site without visiting the nearby historic bridges, numerous stunning falls, friendly hiking trails, and breathtaking views of the river, gorge, and mountains.
Latourell is a plunge falls with a majestic height of 249 feet that drops straight down from an overhanging basalt cliff. I took the Historic Columbia River Highway, passed Bridal Veil and Shepherd’s Dell to reach here. You don’t need to hike to see this one of a kind Columbia Gorge falls. It’s a nice and short walk from the parking lot. I was there around 9 in the morning in November 2014 and I was lucky to have that misty autumn morning surrounded by Latourell Falls and Creek all to myself. Autumn colors, mossy rocks, misty water, and wet wooden footbridge made this place right out of a fairy-tale book.
It’s located in Guy W. Talbot State Park. I didn’t hike to see the upper Falls, but after a 0.8 mile of hike from the lower one, that’s supposed to be very rewarding too.
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Portland Japanese Garden in Oregon
PORTLAND JAPANESE GARDEN, OREGON: “Here, miles from Japan, I stand as if warmed by the spring sunshine of home” is what the Poetry Stone of Portland Japanese Garden inscribed with. Truly, this place makes you feel like you are in a place far away in the East. This 5.5 acre garden is proclaimed to be the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan. Tucked away in the scenic hills of Portland, this is a tranquil haven for anyone.
Portland Japanese Garden features five different garden styles and some of these styles are typically found in Zen monasteries. It changes its face with every season with different blooms and colors. Different trees adorn this place at different times of the year. My favorite is probably the autumn when colors change and you see eloquent beauty of this place. I still have to visit this place during the cherry blossom in April. Try to avoid weekends as this garden is packed with tourists and enthusiasts photographers trying to capture its striking beauty from different angles and perspectives.
The garden hosts different art exhibitions, festivals, workshops, and lectures throughout the whole year in the Pavilion. My first visit here was a brief one only with my camera and a tripod. During my second visit with my family and uncle-in-law from Chicago, there was an exhibition on Japanese lacquered art “Urushi”. Also standing on the veranda of this Pavilion offers a magnificent view of Mt. Hood and the valley.
Stroll around stone pagoda lantern, stand on the Moon Bridge, enjoy Lower Pond and crane stones, marvel at traditional constructions, walk along the Zig Zag Bridge that leads to Heavenly Falls where koi swim beneath the clear water. You will enjoy the trees, shrubs, ferns, mosses, and mushrooms that grow in their natural form. Make sure to stop by their gift-shop for unique Japanese arts and traditional trinkets at the end of the trip.
The garden is located on Kingston Avenue in Portland, very close to Children’s Museum and Washington Park. It’s open year-round. There is a paid parking space for the visitors. Entrance fee is $9.50 per adult and extra $5 if you want to use a tripod. Free guided tour is available few times in a day during summer time.
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Guest Post – Most Fantastic Destinations In Australia
Most Fantastic Destinations In Australia
Being the world largest island, Australia is full of interesting tour destinations and activities. There are a lot of attractive tour destinations and activities to enjoy in Australia. One cannot explore the whole of Australia by a single visit. Given this fact, it will be difficult to tour Australia without appropriate plans of where to go first especially if it is your first visit in Australia. If you are planning to tour Australia soon; the following are the most interesting places to visit in Australia.
Sydney
Located in South-eastern part of Australia on the shores of Tasman Sea; Sydney is the largest and most populous in Australia and is full of rich history. The city serves as a harbour and a major tourist destination. The population of Sydney is made up of people from different parts of the world; this makes it fun to stay in Sydney since one will interact with diverse kind of cultures. The main reasons why you should tour Sydney include; lovely beaches, a lot of fun activities to enjoy, best restaurants, iconic land structures and a lot of cultural activities to engage in.
Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef is the world biggest coral reef and because of this it is classified as one of the major world wonders. It comprises of more than 3000 single reefs and numerous Islands which extends to an area of more than 2000 kilometres. The reef which is protected by the Marine Park will definitely be the best touring experience in your lifetime on a natural habitat. Among the activities that you will enjoy while exploring The Great Reef include under water diving, camping and scuba diving. While diving one should be cautious against dangerous animals.
Brisbane
Touring Australia is never complete without visiting Brisbane, the heart of Australian culture. The Queensland capital is the third largest city in Australia and is known to host most of Australia cultural celebrations and events. Apart from being Australia cultural centre, most tourists enjoy visiting Brisbane due to lively art, diverse memorial sites, friendly climate, world class hotels and mouth-watering dishes. In addition, one will enjoy shopping on the streets and interacting with the local people since English is the main language here and the residents are very friendly and welcoming.
Uluru Ayers Rock
This is also known as the heart of Australia. It is located in central Australia and has some stunning and huge tourist destination that are a must see in Australia. Ayers rock is famous for its colours that appear to change at different times in the day as well as in the year. Climbing Uluru takes roughly 1 hour and an hour to get back down. Taking a hike around the base will take about 2 hours and is 8 kilometres. There is a resort about 16 kilometres from Uluru known Ayers Rock Resort. Therefore, accommodation is not that far away. Additionally, there is another attraction known as Alice Springs that is 450 kilometres away and worth a visit.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia and is full of vibrant neighbourhood and lively lifestyle. One thing that you will definitely fall in love with the residents of Melbourne is their leisurely and relaxed way of carrying out their daily activities. This city will definitely make you feel relaxed and if you want a break from normal life hustles, then this is the perfect place to retreat. While in Melbourne the top activities that you cannot miss to enjoy include a taste of finest blended wine, a lively nightlife, exploring the royal botanic garden and exploring the town using City Circle Tram.
Kakadu National Park
This National Park covers 20,000 square Kilometres of unique biodiversity and natural beauty. Kakadu National Park is a world heritage that is visited for its natural and cultural values. Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock provide excellent examples of aboriginal art. Kakadu has many campgrounds and rugged tracks that provide for the definitive escapade destination. This park ishome to more than 1000 plant species and variety of plant species that make it a good birds watching destination. Touring Australia will definitely make you want to go back again and again in future due to numerous interesting places to tour. To enjoy and have a taste of Australian lifestyle is very easy;all you need is an Australia visa Apply for one today and make your touring dream of exploring most interesting place in Australia come true today.
Author Bio: Jane Robert is a Passionate blogger. She works on behalf of Australia Visa she has been writing contents on the web professionally since 2010. As an avid reader and blogger she shares her experience through her articles on Travel, Culture, History, Lifestyle and many more.
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Autumn Reflection on Commonwealth Lake Park in Oregon
COMMONWEALTH LAKE PARK, OREGON: It’s been about three months since we’ve moved back to our home in Oregon from Europe. We are enjoying our lives here no doubt, but we miss the fact that (along with thousands of other things about Europe) there is no more eager waiting to go to a new place in weekends or holidays. I don’t really look forwards to the weekends anymore, because it’s not like we can drive couple hours and visit a different country, experience new culture, try different dishes, or appreciate old architectures. So, before the weather got really wet and gloomy here in the Northwest part of America, I tried my best to get of the house with my camera and see the unseen of my city…trying my best not to miss my life in Belgium.
Commonwealth Lake Park showed up in my smartphone map as a blue/water area while I was searching for something else. And I jumped and zoomed in to see what it actually was and where it was located. To my surprise, it’s only 10 minutes from my place in Beaverton, Oregon. What? There was this lake in my city and I didn’t even know about it? I had to go visit it while the mesmerizing fall colors were still at peak.
Commonwealth Lake Park is a nice little haven for walking, strolling, fishing, bird-watching, or just simple family time for the locals. It was middle of October 2014 when I made my first time trip there. The park was proudly showing off its vivid autumn colors on the trees, grounds, and as reflections on the lake.
Here are more pictures of my autumn experience in Commonwealth Lake Park. Enjoy…
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