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Dane Hodges relaxes in ancient wonder, Cambodia
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Six year old Dane Hodges has assembled his New Natural, New Ancient, and
Modern or man-made Wonders of the World, and also included the top 50 sites and Wonders of the Pacific and Orient. Dane also included 7 Wonder Islands, Beaches, and the 7 Wonders of the Underwater World. His "list" wound up with nine sites in China, and six apiece for Indonesia, Philippines and Micronesia, with Thailand adding four mentions each of 50!! Taiwan, Korea, and Okinawa could claim but one each.
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| Dane Hodges plays Pacific megaliths wonders of world |
The ancient Greeks loved to compile lists of the marvelous structures in their world. Though we think of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World as a single list today, there were actually a number of lists compiled by different Greek writers. Antipater of Sidon, and Philon of Byzantium, drew up two of the most well-known lists.
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| 35. Monagaha Island |
Many of the lists agreed on six of the seven items. The final place on some lists was awarded to the Walls of the City of Babylon. On others, the Palace of Cyrus, king of Persia took the seventh position. Finally, toward the 6th century A.D., the final item became the Lighthouse at Alexandria.
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| 1. Great Wall at Mutianyu, China |
Since the it was Greeks who made the lists it is not unusual that many of the items on them were examples of Greek culture. The writers might have listed the Great Wall of China if then had known about it, or Stonehenge if they'd seen it, but these places were beyond the limits of their world.
It is a surprise to most people to learn that not all the Seven Wonders existed at the same time. Even if you lived in ancient times you would have still needed a time machine to see all seven. While the Great Pyramid of Egypt was built centuries before the rest and is still around today (it is the only "wonder" still intact) most of the others only survived a few hundred years or less. The Colossus of Rhodes stood only a little more than half a century before an earthquake toppled it.
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| Dane and Josh run Great Wall, China |
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| Dane Hodges at 2. Angkor Wat, Cambodia |
New 7 Wonders of the Ancient World
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| 1. Great Wall at Mutianyu, China |
2. Angkor Wat complex, Cambodia
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| Cable car to wonder of world 1. Great Wall |
4. Bagan, Myanmar
5. Rice terraces, PI
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| Dane Hodges peeks at 2. wonder of the world |
6. Forbidden City, CN
7. Nan Madol, Pohnpei
Honorable mentions: Emperor's Palace, Japan. Taj Mahal, India. Machu Pichu, Peru. Easter Island, Ancient City, Thailand. Colosseum and St Peter's Basilica, Rome. Marianas Taga Stone quarrys. Chichen Itza Mayan ruins, Mexico. Leaning Tower of Piza. Adjanta Caves, India. Temple of Heaven, Terra Cotta Warriors, Summer Palace, Tianamen Square, Bell and Drum Towers, Lama Palace, China. Sphinx, Egypt. Mt Rushmore, US. Stonehenge, GB. Borobudur, Bali rice terraces and temples, Indonesia, Petra, Jordan.
Dane's 7 Wonders of the Natural World
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| Dane walks 150 ft high wonder of world 2. Borneo rainforest |
The new official list of the World's Natural Wonders is somewhat twisted. The old official list has the Brazilian rainforest and Great Barrier Reef so perhaps voters had the preoccupation with size that Freud explained because there is no comparison to the Borneo rainforest which is 70 million years older and is much more biodiverse. And the Queensland coast can't match water with any chain of Micronesian Islands for scuba diving or underwater life; whether it is Palau, Chuuk, Ponephe, Yap, or the Marianas Islands, no visitor would seriously compare the Great Barrier Reef to the water of Micronesia.
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| Dane Hodges visits wonder 24. Karen tribe, N. Thailand |
The new N7W brain trust headquartered in Zurich has completed their list as of 11-11-11 and it is comical and includes the Amazon(OK but not Borneo); Halong Bay which is nice but a joke for top seven; Iguaza Falls is one of the two that the young traveller hasn't visited but looks impressive; Jeju Island is a blast and upscale but not a wonder (better suited to a list with Bermuda on it and we've been to both);
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| Dane Hodges explores wonder 45. Ancient City |
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| Eel Guards Marianas Trench, Saipan |
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| Dane's Dad dives wonder 11. Rock Islands, Palau |
So when 100 million internet users vote on remote places that haven't had a million visitors in history it turns into a popularity contest and the largest countries or most nationalistic ones wanting to promote tourism will likely win. Anyway, it is a big world and according to the young traveler, here is how the worlds wonders shake out:
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| "There is no one here" Dane Hodges Cambodia wonder of world |
1. Marianas Trench
2. Borneo Rainforest
3. Grand Canyon, US
4. Mt. Everest, Nepal
5. Serengeti plain
6. Rock Islands, Palau
7. tie - Stone Forest, China and Chocolate Hills, Philippines
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| Dane Hodges comforts scared Mom, 1. Disneyworld |
Honerable mentions: Yosemite, Smokey Mountains, Red River Gorge, Petrified Forest, Sequoa Forest, Daniel Boone Forest, Carlsbad Caverns, Mammouth Caves, Niagra Falls, Great Lakes, US; Galapagos Islands, Chuuk Lagoon, Grottos of the Marianas Islands, Monagaha Island, Bird Island, Forbidden Island, Rota Island, Rota West Caldara, Wedding Cake Mt. - Pacific; K2, Mt. Fuji, Mt Kinabalu, Mt. Rinjani, Sumatran rainforest, Komodo and Rinka Islands-Indonesia;
Mt. Annapurna, Nepal, Gobi Desert- Mongolia, Sundarin Forest, Ha Long Bay -Vietnam; Mt. Mayan, Hundred Islands, Puerto Princesa river, & Tubbataha reefs, Philippines; Guilan Mountains-China, Jeju volcanic island-Korea, Asia; Ayers Rock, AU; Mt Kilamanjaro, The Crater, Sahara Desert, Victoria Falls, Africa; Moher Cliffs, Matterhorn, Europe; Amazon rainforest, Andes Mountains, Amazon River, Iguazu Falls, Angel Falls, SA
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| Dane Hodges watches Pacific dolphins, Bird Island |
7 Wonders of the Modern World
Amazing engineering went into the Bullet Train, the Panama Canal, and Chunnel, but 100% of little boys far and wide would rate Walt Disney World as the number one Wonder of World. Where else can one ride through the Serengeti plains, ride a boat in the Congo, and ride a roller coaster down Mt. Everest in the same day? So between the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot Center, and Universal Studios, you will never convince any kid on earth that the CN tower compares to hugging Minnie and Mickey Mouse either!.
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| We aren't leaving, 1. Disney World, Orlando |
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| Dane Hodges at 5. KL,Twin Towers |
1. Walt Disney World, Florida
2. Bullet Train, China
3. Channel Tunnel
4. International Space Station
5. Petrovis Twin Towers, KL
6. Panama Canal
7. Golden Gate Bridges
Honerable mentions: Statue of Liberty, Mt. Rushmore, Space Shuttle, Dreamliner, Oasis of the Seas, Queen Mary II, San Francisco Cable cars, Beijing monorail system
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| Dane boards bullet train, Tianjin,China |
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| Dane, Mickey Mouse, and Minnie, Disney World |
The original 7 Wonders of the Ancient World
1. Colossus of Rhodes
2. Great Pyramid at Giza
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| Mom sanctions Dane Hodges climbing |
4. Lighthouse at Alexandria
5. Mausoleum of Halicarnassus
6. Statue of Zeus at Olympus
7. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
Honorable mentions include the Sphinx and the Tower of Babel as Stonehenge, the Great Wall, Bagan, Rice terraces, and Ankor Wat were beyond the limits of their world.
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| Dane Hodges stalks a Sun Bear, Borneo wonder of world
7 Wonders of the Orient and Pacific
1. Great Wall of China
2. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
3. Bagan temples and Pagodas, Myanmar or Burma
4. Rice terraces, Luzon, Philippines
5. Forbidden City, Beijing, China
6. Nan Madol, Pohnpe
7. Taj Mahal, Mumbai, India
Honorable mentions: Emperor’s Palace, Japan, Taga Stones of the Marianas Islands, Easter Island, Borobudur, Indonesia |
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Dane takes a break in wonder of world 5. Bagan, Myanmar or ancient Burma
No ones list combines ancient, man-made, and modern wonder but the traveller has tried to list Dane's personel 7 Wonders of the World natural, man made, and ancient...that he has visited!!
1. Disney World (Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom tied for 1st...Epcot Center and Universal Studio tied for 2nd), Orlando, Florida
2. Marianas Trench...nowhere like home
3. Great Wall of China 4. Angkor Wat, Cambodia 5. Borneo rainforest 6. Forbidden City, China 7. Rice terraces, Philippines -Nan Madol ruins, Pohnpei - Bagan temples, Burma Honorable mentions - Emperor's Palace, Rock Islands of Palau, Sea world, Hong Kong Harbor, Stone forest, China, KL towers, Both ancient cities of Thailand, Laung Prabang, Lao, Disney parks in Hong Kong and Japan, Chocolate Hills & 100 Islands, Philippines, Komodo Island, Indonesia, Playing in snow & Natural History Museum, US, Tianamen Square, China, Saipan's Grotto, Managaha Island and beach, Wedding Cake Mountain, Island of Rota, Jeju Island, Korea, Dane hasn't toured Machu Pichu, the Grand Canyon, or the Pyramids 50 Greatest Wonders and Sites of Asia and the Pacific |
1. Great Wall at Mutianyu, China
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| Dane climbs 1. Great Wall at Mutianyu, China |
Only slightly farther from downtown Beijing than Badaling, the Great Wall at Mutianyu is more spectacular and, despite the souvenir stands, significantly less crowded. This long section of wall, first built during the Northern Qi Dynasty (6th century), can offer a solitary Great Wall experience, with unforgettable views of towers winding across mountains and woodlands. On a clear day, you'll swear you can see the deserts of Mongolia in the distance. The lowest point on the wall is a strenuous one-hour climb above the parking lot. Dane's brother, Joshua Dane, scaled to the top and and the steps looks a bit like two Chrysler buildings stacked, even the athletic 28 year looked visably winded after that hike.
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Dane Hodges at number 1 wonder of the world the Great Wall of China
Dane loved the cable car taking us on a breathtaking ride to the highest restored section, from which several hiking trails descend. It is difficult for visitors to imagine how such a wall could have been erected in such a mountain ridge location, it is breath taking and awesome.
 Dane Hodges at Great Wall at Mutianyu, Beijing, China |
2. Marianas Trench National Monument
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| Dane swims wonder of world 1. Marianas Trench |
The Marianas Trench is the deepest known oceanic trench, with a maximum depth of about 11,000 m (6.8 miles), and the deepest location on the surface of the Earth's crust. It is located to the east and south of the Mariana Islands. To put it in perspective, the average depth of the Pacific Ocean is only 4,188 meters (13,740 feet) deep. The bottom of the trench is farther below sea level than Mount Everest is above it.
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| Dane Hodges feeds wonder 1. Disney World dolphins |
At the bottom, the water column above exerts a pressure of 108.6 MPa, over one thousand times the standard atmospheric pressure at sea level. The Marianas Trench is 2, 542 km (1,580 miles) long and 69 km (43 miles) wide and lies beneath International Waters and waters inside the Exclusive Economic Zones of the Marianas, Guam and the Federated States of Micronesia. Dane Hodges was recently defeated in an international "race to the bottom" by James Cameron.
Saipan AP- James Cameron has made it to the bottom of Challenger Deep, the deepest point in the ocean, in America’s newest Wonder of the World, the Marianas Trench National Monument in the Marianas Islands SW of Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.
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Dane Hodges visits wonder of the world Marianas Trench
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‘It was bleak. It looked like the moon. I didn’t see a fish. I didn’t see anything that looked alive to me, other than a few shrimplike amphipods in the water,’ Cameron added.
Cameron's trip marks first solo dive to the Challenger Deep, and only the second visit by humans. In 1960, the US Navy sent the submersible Trieste and its two-man crew to the bottom there. More trips are in the offing this year by various groups aiming to take people into the Challenger Deep or other parts of the Mariana Trench. One of these efforts include Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Oceanic sub, which like Cameron's Deepsea Challenger, is a single-seater. Several of the marine scientists who have worked with Cameron also are working with Mr. Branson's group.
3. Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia
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| Dane takes break in wonder 2. Angkor Wat, Cambodia |
On your first visit to Angkor Wat, you may think it is one temple and that isn't correct. The Angkor temples are a vast temple complex and Angkor Wat is just one of many temples. Angkor Wat is located just north of Siem Reap and it was only about 3 km from our hotel. The ruins can spread nearly two hours by car from one end to the other and the center region is about a one day trip around assuming you are just stopping for pictures as you pass the different sections. These structures are extraordinary and we estimate that it will take three to four all day trips as a minimum to view this vast network of ancient ruins. Dane says the ancient Khymer ruins should be on the tip top of places in this world to see, a true treasure.
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| Dane and Dad play in wonder of world, Cambodia |
largest single religious monument.
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| Dane Hodges explores ancient wonder, Cambodia |
Although its population remains a topic of research and debate, newly identified agricultural systems in the Angkor area may have supported up to one million people. Visitor numbers approach two million annually.
Together with the inscriptions that have been found on Angkorian stelas, temples and other monuments, and with the bas-reliefs at the Bayon and Angkor Wat, Zhou's journal is the most important source of information about everyday life at Angkor. Filled with vivid anecdotes and sometimes incredulous observations of a civilization that struck Zhou as colorful and exotic, it is an entertaining travel memoir as well.
4. Bagan Temples, Myanmar / Burma
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| Dane Hodges the tomb raider, Cambodia |
One year after Marco Polo arrived in Venice, 1296 marked the arrival at Angkor of his contemporary, the Chinese diplomat Zhou Daguan. Zhou's one-year sojourn in the Khmer capital during the reign of King Indravarman III is historically significant, because he penned a still-surviving account of approximately 40 pages detailing his observations of Khmer society. Some of the topics he addressed in the account were those of religion, justice, kingship, agriculture, slavery, birds, vegetables, bathing, clothing, tools, draft animals, and commerce. In one passage, he described a royal procession consisting of soldiers, numerous servant women and concubines, ministers and princes, and finally, "the sovereign, standing on an elephant, holding his sacred sword in his hand."
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| Dane Hodges climbs ruins, Cambodia |
Together with the inscriptions that have been found on Angkorian stelas, temples and other monuments, and with the bas-reliefs at the Bayon and Angkor Wat, Zhou's journal is the most important source of information about everyday life at Angkor. Filled with vivid anecdotes and sometimes incredulous observations of a civilization that struck Zhou as colorful and exotic, it is an entertaining travel memoir as well.
In addition to the ruins, Siem Reap is a great little town of about 100k and most visitors figure out they underestimated the charm and character by planning a short stop over to see the famous temples. Many realize SR is a serious retirement contender; clean, cheap, safe, and quaint, so figure a long stay there as the ruins themselves can't be seen in less than a week anyway.
4. Bagan Temples, Myanmar / Burma
Bagan is an ancient city in the Mandalay Division of Burma. Formally titled Arimaddanapura or Arimaddana and also known as Tambadipa (the Land of Copper) or Tassadessa (the Parched Land), it was the ancient capital of several ancient kingdoms in Burma. Dane hodges liked that these ruins are vacant and he could explore from one to another without seeing a soul.
The Golden Age ended in 1287 when Mongol forces invaded Bagan after refusing to pay tribute to Kublai Khan. Abandoned by the Burmese king and sacked by Khan's forces, the city declined and for centuries the area was all but deserted, thought by the people of Myanmar to be haunted by spirits.
5. Borneo rainforest
The Borneo rainforest is 130 million years old, making it the oldest rainforest in the world and 70 million years older than the Amazon rainforest. Borneo is very rich in biodiversity compared to many other areas. There are about 15,000 species of flowering plants with 3,000 species of trees (267 species are dipterocarps), 221 species of terrestrial mammals and 420 species of resident birds in Borneo (MacKinnon et al. 1998).
It is also the centre of evolution and radiation of many endemic species of plants and animals. Subject to mass deforestation, the remaining Borneo rainforest is one of the only remaining natural habitats for the endangered Bornean Orangutan. It is also an important refuge for many endemic forest species, as the Asian Elephant, the Sumatran Rhinoceros, the Bornean Clouded Leopard, the rare Hose's Civet and the Dayak Fruit Bat.
An important reserve for elephants and rhinos is Tabin Wildlife Reserve in the northeastern corner of Borneo. Dane loved the forests of Borneo, the unique animal life, and he ran like a spider monkey across the planks high in the rainforest canopy. Don't for get to visit the Water Village in Kotakinabalu as it is very similar to Bora Bora. Always bring your dive gear because Sabah is among the world's most renoun and legendary scuba locations, it is both pristine and diverse. It is on the traveller's top ten underwater locations!!
Borneo's rainforest is impressive, the scuba diving around Sipidan and Sabah second only to Micronesia, the caves and tunnels are much larger than Mammoth Caves and Carlsbad Caverns combined, Mt Kinabalu is among the most impressive mountains you will ever see, and this picture left is quite similar to South China's Stone Forest!
6. Forbidden City & Beijing, China
The great traveler Marco Polo visited Bagan as an employee of Kubla Khan and said in his book; ‘The towers are built of fine stone, and one has been covered with gold a finger thick, so that the tower appears to be of solid gold. Another is covered with silver in a similar manner and appears to be made of solid silver. The King of Mien Guo (As Myanmar was called by the Chinese) caused these towers to be built as a monument to his magnificence and for the benefit of his soul. They make one of the finest sights in the world, being exquisitely finished, splendid and costly. When illuminated by the sun they are especially brilliant and can be seen from the great distance’.
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| Dane takes a break in wonder of world |
The Golden Age ended in 1287 when Mongol forces invaded Bagan after refusing to pay tribute to Kublai Khan. Abandoned by the Burmese king and sacked by Khan's forces, the city declined and for centuries the area was all but deserted, thought by the people of Myanmar to be haunted by spirits.
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| Dane Hodges visits wonder of the world in Burma or Myanamar |
Myanmar people re-occupied the area during the British colonial period and much renovation and reconstruction work has been completed over the past century. Those gold-covered towers mentioned by Marco Polo are still there, as brilliant as ever and a sunset over Bagan is an experience you will never forget.
5. Borneo rainforest
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| Dane views Mt. Kinabalu, Borneo |
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| Dane Hodges wrestles elephants, 2. Borneo |
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| Oh Borneo!! |
6. Forbidden City & Beijing, China
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| Dane at Mao's tomb, HM., Tianiman Square |
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| Dane Hodges and Josh walk Forbidden City, China |
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| Dane Hodges at Forbidden City wonder, China |
Dane at Forbidden City,China
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| Dane Hodges on rickshaw to Bell tower |
After you visit the Imperial Palace and go out of the Gate of Divine Prowess, you can enter into Jingshan Park, climb a bit and overlook the panorama of the Imperial Palace. In the evening, especially in summer, Forbidden City is brilliant. Colored lights from all directions lighten Meridian Gate, the Gate of Divine Prowess, turret, palace wall and other main
7. Rice terraces, Philippines
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| Oh Philippines! |
The Banaue Rice Terraces are at least 2000-year old terraces that were carved into the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines by ancestors of the indigenous people. The Rice Terraces are commonly referred to by Filipinos as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. It is commonly thought that the terraces were built with minimal equipment, largely by hand.
The terraces are located approximately 1500 meters (5000 ft) above sea level and cover 10,360 square kilometers (about 4000 square miles) of mountainside. They are fed by an ancient irrigation system from the rainforests above the terraces. It is said that if the steps are put end to end it would encircle half the globe. Locals to this day still plant rice and vegetables on the terraces.
Dane has a special connection to PI, as it was the birth place of his mother, Jeanne Villar Hodges, so trips to the land of 7k islands are common and they are our nearest neighbor to the west. These terraces were once difficult to access, guarded by a dangerous road that took many hours in peril, but interstate road improvements now make it relatively easy to view. If you have a chance to visit PI, don't miss a true Wonder of the World!!
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| Dane plays on a remote unknown beach |
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| Dane Hodges plays near Rice terraces, Philippines |
The Philippines has many tourist sites and natural wonders, some better than others, from rip offs like Pagsanjan Falls, made famous from the Apocalypse movie, and current official top seven wonder, the underground river in Palawan…as ridiculus as that seems, to the most awe inspiring, those amazing rice terraces in Northern Luzon and those Chocolate Hills of Bohol pictured below are pretty close to a top seven wonder too. The Philippines has poor scuba diving compared to Micronesia, Indonesia, and the Great Barrier Reef. Much of the coral is dead and even ship wrecks often appear lifeless. We have dove from Subic Bay and Boracay, to Donsol, the Tubbataha Reefs in the Sulu Sea and in the Sulu Islands but the undersea life needs conservation efforts to restore.
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| The Chocolate Hills, Philippines - Natural Wonder 7 |
The rice terraces are, or should be, a true top seven wonders of the ancient world as they rival that great wall built thousands of miles across 3k foot mountain ridges. The man hours required to build this treasure not only unimaginable, but likely exceeds the labor force required to build the Pyramids or the Great Wall of China. Perhaps the only reason this wonder isn't number one is because of the other incredible terraces of Bali, Indonesia and South China, and they are all remarkable.
8. Nan Madol, Pohnpei…remote megalithic city!
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| Explorer Dane searches Pacific wonders of world |
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| Dane Hodges plays in the ancient megalithic stones |
Construction probably began around 800 A.D. and lasted several hundred years. Nan Madol was the government and religious center, and also the home of royalty – similar to the Lelu ruins on Kosrae.
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| Dane Hodges explores new wonder of the world |
Many myths claim origin of this wonder including theories of Greeks, Inca, and aliens but Dane's research claims circumstantial evidence that the Great Khan's fleet imported the labor force to finish this amazing Pacific version of the Summer Palace in the late 13th century, perhaps even carrying Marco Polo on one trip!
9. Temples and rice terraces of Bali, Indonesia
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| A fun wonder of the world, Kuta Beach, Bali? |
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| Dane explores woners in Indonesian rainforest |
You may not be able to picture rice terraces in Bali. But in fact, the rice terraces of Bali became famous because of their beauty, which resembles that of miniature gardens. Many photographers and artists have introduced this gorgeous scenery to the world. Rice terraces in Bali have a close relationship with the volcanic topography. The landscape with continuous waves of rice terraces is majestic.
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| Mom and Dane share a drink in SE Asia |
There are more than 20,000 temples in Bali, which is an island of faith. These temples also have a close relationship with the sbak groups: each sbak holds rites whenever the transplantation of rice seedlings or harvesting is performed. There are shrines in the rice fields to worship the god of rice. But whether you prefer to shop Ubud, scuba dive the Spice Islands of Lovina, or surf Kuta Beach, Bali is GREAT! Much as Dane's parents like Bali though, the little traveler prefers the jungles of eastern Indonesia!
10. Hong Kong...Victoria Harbor & Tian Tan Buddha
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| Dane Hodges with Kubla Khan at 1. Great Wall |
Sitting atop 268 steps, the Tian Tan Buddha Statue is positioned on a lotus throne, surrounded by eight smaller bronze statues representative of the gods, or immortals. The statue is so named as its base is a model of Tian Tan, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Constructed from 202 bronze pieces, the Tian Tan Buddha Statue weighs over 250 tons and soars 34 meters into the air. The Tian Tan Buddha Statue is the world's largest, seated, outdoor, bronze Big Buddha statue.
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| Dane shops in 26. Laos market |
11. Rock Islands, Palau…number 1 on scuba lists forever.
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| 11. Palau Rock Islands |
12. Stone Forest, Kunming, China…enchanting and a must see!
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| 50. Forbidden Island |
14. Veransi train & river rides, India…Ganges River and Himalayan foothills.
15. Chuuk Lagoon, FAS…the shipwreck lagoon of all time
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| Now those African elephants are alot... |
16. Galapagos Islands…remote islands made famous by Darwin.
17. Emperor’s Palace, Japan…the heart of Tokyo(below).
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| 17. Emperor's Palace, Tokyo, Japan |
18. Summer Palace, Beijing, China…what a palace and grounds!
19. Taj Mahal, India…for the dear departed love
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| Saipan's legendary Grotto!! |
20. Terracotta Warriors, China…a major discovery of the 20th century
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| 22. Marianas Grottos and caves!! |
21. Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, AU…vast!
22. Blue Grotto & Senhanom Cave, NMI…award winning site for photographers(pic left)!
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| Dane's parents at Taga Stone Quarry, Rota, Northern Marianas |
23. Taga Stone quarry, Rota Island (Pic right)
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| 21. Yap stone money |
24. Yap mantas & stone money…divers paradise, remote, amazing(pic R)
26. Luang Prabang, Loa…the whole town is a World Heritage site!
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| Mom said I'm as stinky as the elephants!! |
27. North Thailand rainforests…elephants and Karen’s(pic L).
27. North Thailand rainforests…elephants and Karen’s(pic L).
28. Pattaya, Thailand…golf and night life Mecca.
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| Dane at the 1. Great Wall of China
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| Pink Beach, near Komodo, Indo |
29. Mt. Fuji, Japan and Mt Mayan, PI...those perfect
mountains!
29. Mt. Fuji, Japan and Mt Mayan, PI...those perfect
mountains!
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| Dane' parents in Gilli Islands,Indo |
30. Gilli Islands, Lombock, Indonesia…diving and all night parties!!
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| Dane at the Golden Triangle border Lao, Burma, Thailand |
31. Katmandu Valley, Nepal…pictures can’t even describe this beauty
32. Adjanta Caves, India…a remarkable find.
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| Dane Hodges atop wonder HM. Suicide Cliff and Bonzai, Saipan |
33. South Thailand islands…a water sport heaven.
34. Komodo & Rinka Islands, Indonesia…those amazing dragons
35. Monagaha Island and turquoise Saipan Lagoon
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| Dane pets croc near 7. wonder of world Rice terraces, PI |
36. Halong Bay, Vietnam...wonderful spot!
37. Krakatoa, his decendants, and Rota West Caldera...will either wake up soon?
38. Guilin to Yangshuo, China…a world class boat ride
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| Dane hikes 34. Indonesia |
39. Jeju Volcano Island, Korea…chic spot for the wealthy Koreans
40. Gobi Desert, Mongolia…dinosaur bones and a long train ride
41. Yangtse River, China…the river ride and Three Gorges Dam
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| Dane crosses Mekong River heading to 26. Luang Prabang |
43. Bohol (Hills) & Donsol (shark), Philippines…chocolate hills & whale shark and Boracay too!
44. The colored lakes of Flores, Indonesia and the 23 hr bus ride there
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| The colored volcanic lakes of Flores |
44. The colored lakes of Flores, Indonesia and the 23 hr bus ride there
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45. Ancient Cities of Thailand, both walled city of Chang Mai and Ayyuthia
46.Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China…another beautiful place in Beijing
47. Subic Bay & Hundred Islands, Philippines…my wife’s’ favorite
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| Dane Hodges visits wonder of the world 8. Nan Madol, Pohnpei |
48. Naha, Okinawa diving…those islands west are pretty great(pic below)
49. Air Asia
49. Air Asia
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| Dane's Dad scuba diving Okinawa |
50. tie Bird Island, Forbidden Island, Wedding Cake Mt, and Easter Island
Seven Wonders of the Underwater World
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| Dane Hodges and Dad, 2. Angkor Wat, Cambodia |
2. Marianas Islands...Trench and great diving!
3. Chuuk Lagoon...Mecca for wreck divers
4. Pohnpei...unexplored and pristine
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| Jeanne Hodges, 47. Hundred Islands, Philippines |
5. Indonesia...17k islands
6. Great Barrier Reef...would take 2 lifetimes to explore
7. Yap Islands...manta dives and many walls
Seven 7 Island Wonders of the World
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| Mom and Dad view HM. Wedding Cake Mountain across Sosanhian Bay |
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| Jungle boy Dane in Borneo |
1. Bali, Indonesia...and 17k others from from Gilli's to Komodo
2. Micronesia...thousands including Rota Island
3. Bora Bora...but Saipan has a nicer lagoon
4. Penang, Malaysia...great food
5. Maui, Hawaii...surfin safari
6. Phuket, Thailand...too much fun
7. Bermuda...clean and beautiful but I can't afford to live there
Seven 7 Beach Wonders of the World
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| Dane Hodges builds a Great Wall on 50. Monagaha Beach, CNMI |
2. Monagaha Island, Marianas
3. Palawan, Philippines
4. Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Thailand
5. Gilli islands, Indonesia
6. Treasure Island and Orion Beach, St Maarten
7. Miami Beach, Florida
Other peoples 7 Wonders of the World
The official Seven Man Made Wonders of the Modern World
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| Dane visits the Thailand Burma border |
Channel Tunnel
CN Tower
Empire State Building
Golden Gate Bridge
Itaipu Dam
Netherlands North Sea Protection Work
Panama Canal
"I haven't visited the two dams, and apparently some people love the CN tower, but for me, I will go to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida for the Modern World's Top Wonder", Dane Hodges.
CN Tower
Empire State Building
Golden Gate Bridge
Itaipu Dam
Netherlands North Sea Protection Work
Panama Canal
"I haven't visited the two dams, and apparently some people love the CN tower, but for me, I will go to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida for the Modern World's Top Wonder", Dane Hodges.
More Wonders of the World Lists
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| Dane Hodges explores the Pacific Islands megaliths |
In 1997, CNN Wonders of the World...
Grand Canyon
The Great Barrier Reef
The Harbor at Rio de Janeiro
Mt. Everest
Northern Lights
Paricutin Volcano
Victoria Falls
The Great Barrier Reef
The Harbor at Rio de Janeiro
Mt. Everest
Northern Lights
Paricutin Volcano
Victoria Falls
The "New" Seven Wonders of the World as of July 7,2007
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| A very young Dane Hodges visits 45. Ancient City The New 7 Wonders of the World as of 11-11-11 |
2. Christ Redeemer, Brazil - Large Statue
3. The Great Wall, China
4. Machu Picchu, Peru
5. Petra, Jordan - Ancient City
6. The Roman Colosseum, Italy
7. The Taj Mahal, Indi
3. The Great Wall, China
5. Petra, Jordan - Ancient City
6. The Roman Colosseum, Italy
7. The Taj Mahal, Indi
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| Dane is spell bound by 1. Disney World dolphin show |
1. Amazon...big
2. Halong Bay...loved it but it is no wonder
3. Iquazu Falls...impressive
4. Jeju Island...lots of fun but wonder???
5. Komodo...we liked Rinka next door alot better
6. Puerto Princess River...this was a joke
7. Table Mt...was another joke pick
And all we can say about this is someone is voting that hasn't been to any of these places. 100 million voted and Nan Madol doesn't get 500 visitors a year, so 100 million couldn't know what they are talking about. 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are poor selections. The Amazon is vast and an OK pick but not as cool as Borneo and the falls is a decent pick but the others are out in the twilight zone!
Landmarks of the US Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands
Togari Natural Arch, US Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands
Volcanoes
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| Dane's Dad in Hobbit House, Rota, Northern Marianas |
Agrihan fumarole field - Agrihan, volcano crater. Approximately 100 x 100 m large fumarole field in the exotic crater of Agrihan.
Asuncion Island - Asuncion. Several volcanoes of Mariana Islands look like almost perfect cones but Asuncion possibly is the most impressive one. Volcano is rising 857 m tall above the sea and is covered with primeval vegetation. Island has fumaroles.
Daikoku Sulphur Cauldron - submarine volcano north from Farallon de Pajaros. A unique pool of liquid sulphur, possibly the only one in world.
East Diamante Volcano Black Forest - submarine volcano between Anatahan and Saipan. A group of more than 50 sulphide mineral chimneys, emitting a metal rich, hot solution. The tallest chimneys are up to 9 m tall.
Farallon de Pajaros volcano - Farallon de Pajaros. Most active volcano in Marianas. This remote island has fumarole fields with the temperature of gases up to 130°C.
NW Eifuku Champagne Vent - submarine volcano north from Farallon de Pajaros. A submarine vent which emits almost pure liquid carbon dioxide at 1,600 m depth. Such phenomenon is known in three places on Earth and at Eifuku it is most abundant.
Other natural landmarks
Blue Grotto– Saipan. A collapsed cave, filled with sea water through three openings to the sea. Sunlight colours the water in eerie blue color. Cave is filled with marine life – sharks, barracudas and even turtles and rays.
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| Dane explores ruins, Cambodia |
Bird Island - Breathtaking view island NW coast of Saipan
Forbidden Island - Hike a 1 hour trail to island off East Coast of Saipan
Dangkolo - Tinian. The largest cave on island, which can be entered by descending some 10 m through open pits - sinkholes. Floor area - 1,300 m².
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| Monagaha Island in Saipan's fabulous lagoon |
Hobbit House - Rota Off the remote NE coast, inaccessable on foot, lies an underwater treasure in an amazing design that has left the few scuba diving visitors in awe, hence, the Hobbit House!
Monagaha Island - A 1000 meter around atoll island inside the spectacular Saipan reef entrapped in the lagoon and a tourist Mecca thrice named the world's 2nd best beach in Yahoo polls
NW Eifuku Mussel mounds – submarine NW Eifuku volcano north from Farallon de Pajaro. A unique aggregation of Bathymodiolus mussels. These 18 cm long molluscs cover the rocks densely - no ground is seen behind this unique aggregation of mussels.
Marianas Trench National Marine Monument - WOW...our pick for number 1 wonder of the natural world!
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| Old Man By the Sea, Saipan |
Old Man by the Sea - Natural megalith head near remote Saipan beach
Railhunter Rockshelter – Tinian. A rock shelter – site of an ancient settlement. Sediments in this shelter contain bones of animals which lived in Tinian 400 – 200 BC. Found remnants of 21 species of birds, 9 of these birds now are extinct on Tinian.
Railhunter Rockshelter – Tinian. A rock shelter – site of an ancient settlement. Sediments in this shelter contain bones of animals which lived in Tinian 400 – 200 BC. Found remnants of 21 species of birds, 9 of these birds now are extinct on Tinian.
Saipan Lagoon - No words can describe (above) the crystal clear water of Saipan's fabulous lagoon. This may be the best single location on earth for water sports and an underated candidate for the 7 natural wonders of the world!!
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| Dane Hodges, Mt Kinalalu, Borneo |
Senhanom Cave - Rota The water cave is a grotto under Wedding Cake Mountain that is the site of award winning photgraphy (pic above)
Serianthes nelsonii grove on Rota – western Rota. A grove of endemic tree (with only one mature specimen outside Rota – on Guam), which reaches the height of 36 m and trunk diameter of 1.83 m. On Rota are growing 60 – 80 trees.
Swimming Hole - A natural swimming hole or pool cut into a NW Rota reef
Togari Natural Arch - Pagan. Togari Rock is an island with an enormous natural arch.
Wedding Cake Mountain - Rota Island (pic above)
Man made landmarks
Ancient villages and latte stone sites
Alamagan latte stones – southern Alamagan. Prehistoric structure which shows that even on this small island volcano lived people. Here the latte stones - flat plates - were hewn out of the hard basalt. On the island were found eight crescent shaped stones with holes - each 16 cm long
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| Dane takes a dip, Chang Rai, Thailand |
American Memorial Park -AMP - Granite Wall of Honor and fabulous beach, Dane's favorite and 700 meters from his home!
House of Taga latte stones – Tinian. Currently the largest latte stones –megalithic construction (house foundation) of two stones, characteristic for Marianas. The only standing latte stone here is 4.6 m tall and was a part of the house of mythological chief Taga. Other latte stones have fallen.
Lau Lau Beach latte stones – Tinian. A group of prehistoric megaliths – standing stones.
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| Dane Hodges views Japanese surrender Saipan, AMP |
Mochong latte stones - northern Rota. A well preserved prehistoric Chamorro village with an amazing number. of latte stone fundaments - 53 in total! This is the richest megalithic site in Mariana Islands.
Pagan latte stones - northern Pagan. Latte stones - flat basalt plates made of the hard basalt.
Rota Latte Stone Quarry (As Nieves quarry) – southern Rota. The original quarries for the unique megaliths– latte stones. Here are found the largest latte stones – up to 7.6 m long.
Tachognya - Saipan. Well preserved site of prehistoric village. Contains latte stone setting.
Unai Dangkulu village – northeastern Tinian. Remnants of an ancient village with sixteen sets of latte stones and possible site where latte stones were mined.
Petroglyph sites
As Teo Cave - northern part of Saipan. A cave with prehistoric rock art.
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| Gunner Dane at the Last Japanese Comand Post |
Chugai Cave – southeastern Rota. 52 m long cave with prehistoric drawings drawn with black color. Drawings show sea turtles, fish and numerous symbols.
Kalabera Cave – northeastern Saipan. A cave with some 50 prehistoric petroglyphs and white paintings, a possible site of prehistoric burials. Skulls were found here up to 1920ies. Petroglyphs for most part show people.
Pictograph Cave - Rota. Some 60 m long cave, in several places decorated with possible prehistoric prehistoric drawings
Unai Dangkulu – northeastern Tinian. A cliff covered with some 50 petroglyphs, carved 6 – 9 m above the sea level. Most show people, but there are also cupules and lines.
Other landmarks
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| Dane's Dad with Wahoo! |
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Marianas Trench Cave Museum - Rota. A museum of Mariana culture and nature, partly located in a large cave
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| Dane Hodges the dancer, explorer, and traveler |
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| Dane Hodges escorts a Princess to her Ball |
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Thai military salutes exiting yellow shirt Dane Hodges, Bangkok,Thailand Dane,s dad spear fishing Micronesia
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