monuments

The World’s Top Pyramids — I’ve Seen 50+ (But the Largest One is Hidden)

A grassy hill with a church on top, hiding the largest pyramid on Earth. After four decades visiting pyramids around the world, this is the one that stopped me cold.

Panama Canal – The Brutal Shortcut That Cost 25,000 Lives

I spent 7 hours at the Panama Canal with liters of cold beer and a load of questions. The answer involves 25,000 dead workers, a stolen country, and a mosquito that nearly stopped history.

7 Clues Revealing the Plain of Jars Secrets – Laos

2,100 stone jars. 129 sites. 80 million cluster bombs. Zero answers. The Plain of Jars in Laos is the world's most dangerous archaeological mystery. I visited it twice. Here's what I learned.

Timbuktu – I Found the Edge of the World

How did this dusty, remote outpost become an intellectual and commercial giant of the medieval world? The answer lies in a history of unimaginable wealth and a king who crashed the economy of Egypt just by passing through it.

Jeddah to Al Ula – 7 Manic Days Traveling Glossy Saudi Arabia

Often the glossy tourism overshines along one of the Middle East’s most breathtaking journeys. Discover Saudi Arabia from Old Jeddah to Madinah’s holy mosque, to Al Ula desert scenery and ancient Hegra.

leaders statues mansudae grand monument pyongyang north korea

Pyongyang’s Massive Monuments – North Korea at Night

The sky lit-up and exploded RED as I watched celebrations in Pyongyang. For me, 2018 began in North Korea at night amid Kim Il-sung Square and Mansudae Grand Monument.

Suez Canal Visions in Port Said – Egypt

For me, the Suez Canal evokes memories of childhood. Not that I was there - but visions of long-gone Victorian relatives who passed this way 100+ years ago on their passage to NZ.

Arrested as a ‘Spy’ in Saddam’s Iraq

Backpacking Saddam's Iraq in 1989 brought endless police hassles, and ultimately, we were arrested in Kurdistan - accused of being "spies."

Vietnam War Sites Along the DMZ

Touring Vietnam war sites along the DMZ, including Khe Sanh Combat Base, Vinh Moc tunnels, and Ben Hai River border.

The Quiet Secrets of Ancient Axum – Ethiopia

Ethiopia is packed with legends and mystery, and in Axum, the stories reach deep to the Queen of Sheba and the Ark of the Covenant.

Unexplained Megaliths of Bada Valley – Indonesia

Exploring the ancient megaliths of Bada Valley at Lore Lindu, whose origins remain a mystery. Yet, their styling is similar to ancient relics in Laos and Colombia.

rostov veliky onion domed churches russia

Rostov Veliky – Russia’s Citadel of Fairytale Churches

Rostov Veliky is a fairytale beauty of domed churches and castle towers near a lake about 200 kilometers from Moscow.

Today, War Tore Across Angkor

Mid '94 and the astonishing temples of Angkor were totally deserted - quiet, but in the countryside around, the civil war burst and flared.

Syria (1989) – Distant Memories of Peace

Talking my way to a Syria visa on the border, exploring ancient sights, visiting a military zone on the Israeli border, and other youthful backpacking blurs.

Misguided Prayers at the Meiji Shrine – Tokyo

Making a prayer at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. Careful what you wish for...

Gondar – Ethiopia’s Mighty Camelot of Castles

Amid the northern mountains of Ethiopia the historic capital of castles at Gondar was once known as the "African Camelot".

independence monument ashgabat turkmenistan

Ashgabat – the Shiny, Surreal Capital of Turkmenistan

Traveling the capital of Ashgabat, with all the security and surreal architecture, I understand why Turkmenistan is dubbed - “The North Korea of Central Asia”

Stalingrad 'Mother Russia' war-memorial in Volgograd, Russia

Blown Away by the Battle of Stalingrad

The massive 'Mother Russia' war memorial statue at Stalingrad is stunning, and apt for the site and sacrifice of such a brutal and colossal battle.

Ghostly Calm at Saqqara – Egypt’s First Pyramid

Dominating the plain of Saqqara is King Djoser's step pyramid. It's a place you can ponder the ancient past in silence and get away from excessive tourism.

takaungu-village-river-swahili-coast-kenya

Ruins & Sun-Kissed Sands Along Kenya’s Swahili Coast

The gorgeous Swahili Coast of Kenya has endless beaches but also a long history of Islamic trading towns and Portuguese forts.

afternoon light facades of petra tombs 1989

Petra – 3 Nights Under the Stars Alone

Back in 1989 ... I camped in a cave tomb inside beautiful Petra - for 3 nights alone, exploring the silent sights by day.

‘The Lady of Drunkenness’ Temple – Egypt

Hathor is a goddess of many things within the ancient Egyptian story. To visit this amazingly preserved temple at Dendara, alone, is wondrous.

ancient-stone-tower-against sky-mestia-georgia

Winter Amid the Startling Stone Towers of Mestia – Georgia

Visiting the ancient stone towers of Mestia - lost amid mid-winter snow, drinking with locals, surrounded by the high peaks of the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia.

Meso-America Collapse

Impressions of crazy love amid a surreal past - MesoAmerican ruins of the Maya and others.

The Great Zimbabwe – Southern Africa’s Epic Ruins

Monumental stone ruins are rare in southern Africa. Yet, there's the Great Zimbabwe - awe-inspiring ruins that rival the Inca of Peru.

Wandu Mountain City – Ancient Korean Pyramids & Ruins in China

Van-camping in China, near Jian at Wandu Mountain City ruins, amid the valley of nobles tombs at the ancient capital of the Korean Goguryeo Kingdom.

zorats karer stone circle panorama armenia

Zorats Karer – Armenia’s Mysterious Stonehenge

Acknowledged as the "worlds oldest observatory", Zorats Karer is a 7500-year-old stone circle often-called the Armenian Stonehenge.

Panorama Morning Pyramid Prasat Thom Koh Ker Temples Cambodia

Koh Ker – Cambodia’s Ignored Pyramid & Temples

The temples at Angkor are the most famous in the world, but how many people have heard of nearby Koh Ker? Check them out and enjoy the ruins without the crowds.

full moon rising sanaa yemen art panorama by Michael Robert Powell

Arabian Nights in the Ancient City of Sanaa – Yemen

Old Sanaa is an Arabian Nights vision - straight from the tales of the 1001 Nights. And it's one the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world.

mostar-stone-bridge-at-night-art-by-michael-robert-powell

Travel Panoramas

Our world offers some some much natural and historic beauty - come check out these wonderful panoramic vistas!

saint katherines monastery below mount sinai egypt

Hiking Mount Sinai Alone – Egypt

Travel advice & pics for backpackers hiking Mount Sinai in Egypt. Consider climbing during the day, allowing 3 hours - with plenty of rest and photo ops.

sugarcane worker beside giant stone head guatemala

Mysterious El Baul – A Giant Stone Head Half-Buried

A gigantic stone head is half-buried at the ancient Pipil site of El Baul; lost amid sugarcane plantations.

stained glass window black virgin el cobre cuba

Miracles of the Black Virgin – El Cobre: Cuba’s Most-Sacred Site

Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Cobre is Cuba’s most-sacred site, a place of miracles attributed to the "Black Virgin".

Transylvania – Land of Dracula & Nasty Tales

Transylvania is famous for 'Dracula' but also 'Vlad the Impaler' - infamous for IMPALING LIVE PEOPLE on stakes!

priest saint george rock church lalibela ethiopia

Christmas at the Rock-Cut Churches of Lalibela – Ethiopia

In 1994, I hitchhiked to the remote rock-hewn churches of Lalibela — known in Medieval times as “The Jerusalem of Ethiopia” — where I had a surreal Christmas Day.

Pol Pot – the Khmer Rouge Mass Murderer – Died Here

Exploring Anlong Veng - the ex-Khmer Rouge stronghold - on the trail to Pol Pot's mountain jungle hideaway, and visiting his pitiful grave.

pyramids-of-Sudan-in-sand-art-by-michael-robert-powell

Meroe – Sand & Solitude at Sudan’s Lost Pyramids

Sudan's pyramids are older than Egypt's and there are more of them! But the pyramids at Meroe are much smaller. Still, you'll probably be alone & in awe.

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