If you build it they will come

If you guessed Tunisia, congrats

Of all the places we’ve “traveled” to on Jessica Tackles the World, this one has the least amount of information ~ for several reasons.

1 – its empty.  In 2012 there were about 5.1 million people in an area slightly larger than California.  (California has 38 million) 

2 – it is a desert.  Sand dunes, sand mountains.  The Karakum Desert covers about 70% of the entire country (note in the desert area there is roughly only 1 person per 6.5km…  see empty)

3 – it is censored.  According to the World Press Freedom Index, this country has the 2^nd worst press freedom conditions in the world.   It has been wildly criticized for its human rights abuses and has severe restrictions on foreign travel for its citizens.  It also has strict laws about those of us who want to come ‘in’ everyone needs a tour guide sanctioned by the government.  It is also forbidden to teach the customs and languages of ethnic minorities, and universities are encouraged to reject applicants with surnames that are not native.  It is considered to be one of the top 10 most censored countries.  All reporters take a pledge that their tongue will shrivel if they slander the country, flag or president.    How do you feel about your American freedoms now?

 

 

BUT!  Don’t let that get you down, it is still a beautiful and naturally rich country.

  

One of the stars of the show is the ‘Door to Hell’  a crater in the middle of the desert has been burning since 1971.  Why is it burning you ask?  Well because they set it aflame thinking to burn off the excess natural gas that was methane.  They found it on accident when drilling to assess the quantity of gas reserve available and it collapsed.  The Methane was an environmental issue and the thought they would burn it off and be done with it….40 years later… still burning.

 

But that show how extremely rich in natural gas the country is.  But they also have Oil lots of oil.  And is the world’s 9^th largest cotton producer.  Oh and sand.  If you ever need sand…  not just any sand though the Karakum desert is a Black Sand desert.  So like its special.

 

The people are only a few generations removed from the nomads of the region.  They are well known for their kindness and welcoming spirit.  Even today after the fall of the USSR attempts to urbanize them have not been very successful.  They are nomads and equestrians at heart.   They can be recognized anywhere by their Telpek hats which look like large back sheepskin afros.

 

Sure you have the desert, but you also have the mountains where you can meet the nomadic tribes and though there very little snow there is a ski resort (see below on Olympic village, these guys are optimists)

 

 

Also they have the Grand Canyon… well they call it Yangykala but dude… it’s the Grand Canyon, on the other side of the world.  It is in the middle of the desert and most locals don’t even know it is there, you drive and drive till you think you will get swallowed up in the desert and instead see the earth open to a beautiful canyon.  This are a is rich in history and some of the remaining cities were essential hubs for travelers on the silk road.  The area covers territory that has been at the crossroads of civilization for centuries, and in medieval times held one of the great cities of the Islamic world. 

There are even cities that are unexcivated ruins from the 12^th century.   Several ruins of  major oasis cities from the silk road

 

The biggest city and capital of the country located between the mountains and the deserts has about 700,000 folks.  So think Denver.  (population wise)  though small in number still large in culture.  With a beautiful skyline.  I do love skylines.  The first Bahai Temple was built here, and you can find a number of places to buy traditional fabrics, hand woven carpets and brows the local bazaars.  Some unique and beautiful architecture found almost nowhere else.  Although the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque looks a lot like the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.  But check this out, at the cultural center is the worlds only enclosed Ferris Wheel.  Cool sauce!

    

 

The most interesting and currently relevant bit of info is the current construction to build an Olympic village including a huge stadium, ice hockey palace and other buildings that are set to be finished in 2015 and are costing upwards of $2 billion dollars.  Here’s the kicker.  There is no bid for any town in this country for hosting the Olympics for the next 28 YEARS!   The government says the rational is to promote sportsmanship and participation in international sports and competitions.   Wha??  Maybe they read ‘the Secret’ and think ‘if we build it they will come…’  I would vote for them on positive reinforcement alone!

 

ok so I found more than I thought I would, what a fascinating country ~ honestly I would loe to isit. 

Lunar Landing

Yayfor those who guessed Tasmania!  Last month I was in the Tasman Sea, and although I didn't get to see Tasmania, I did have a balcony view of the Spirit of Tasmania.  The ferry that goes from Melbourne to Tasmania.  A 13 hour overnight ferry ride.  How about that commute?

This time we travel north.  How north? Well north of Tasmania at least, which is everywhere....haha.

Muslims, Ottomans, French, and PIRATES ruled this land.  in the 16th Century the coasts were pirate strongholds.  With thousands of miles of beautiful pristine beaches, this place if an obvious paradise for tourists.  I could list all the fun things to do but well it is the same as all the other beautiful beach places.  So let's see if we can find some other interesting facts.  Even though tourists come for the beautiful beaches and the adventure opportunities, and most of the country is extremely fertile,  40% 0f the land is a vast barren desert.  Don't get lost!

When you visit and get bored of the beaches you can try the Ancient Berber Villages. Full of cave dwellings and dotted with stark landscapes, granaries, and flea markets.  Set off by beautiful mosques.  While most of the villages are ruins, they are actually still inhabited.

 

Although most of the country speaks Arabic, there is a high concentration of French and Jews as well.  I always find it interesting how cultures play into other cultures, and how they make them how they are today.  Speaking of cultures, this area is known to be a part of the ancient Phoenician Empire, centered especially on Carthage.  It makes me wonder what historical Biblical (and Book of Mormon) events happened here?  Add on the Roman ruins and the historical touring could be limitless. 

Including a landscape area so unique that Mr. Lucas chose it for his little known film... Star Wars.  The troglodyte lunar landscape, as per its name, looks like the barren surface of the moon.  And just like its sister state Utah, that also has moon like vistas, this area has its own Great Salt Lake.  A train called the 'Red Lizard'  which passes through wonderful scenery this 19th train will take you on a journey through stony desert landscapes, mountains tunnels, steel bridges, water springs, deep gorges, finally coming to a stop in a green oasis. A fantastic adventure.

 

Further into the desert, deep in the heart of the 140m sand dunes there is an festival that started back in 1910.  Tribes from all over the Arab and desert world gather. They engage in camel races and present Arab horsemen shows. The event also allows the discovery of the nomadic way of life, the nomadic poetry and culinary traditions. The Grand Erg Oriental (Great Eastern Sand Sea) is a large erg or "field of sand dunes" in the desert. 

So if it is the beautiful sunny beaches, the wild fun deserts, or the ancient ruins, there is always something interesting here.

 

 

We Are Each Our Own Devil

For those that guessed Norway, congrats!

This one is a bit of a Red Herring, good luck.

Part of the common wealth of another country, this place is more of an Island State * 335 islands that is*.   Promoted as the 'Island of Inspiration' and 'A World Apart, not a World Away' owing to its large and mostly unspoiled natural environment.  Separated from the original country 10,000 years ago with rising waters, inhabited by natives as far back as 35,000 years.  But just like most countries, once the Europeans arrived their sickness, war, persecution and relocation programs completely eradicated the natives.  This woman "Truganini' was the last native to survive, passing away in 1876.  Though some experts believe it was 'Fanny Cocherine Smith' who died in 1905.


Looking at info provide for this country on the world wide web, I am left breathless at the beauty.  I always knew there were beautiful places in the world, but I am overwhelmed at how much beauty I find in each country we do.   This one is no exception, and may quite be the rule.  I sort of just wanted to post pictures.  But after I got to 10 I figured Woah... too much.  But I was only getting started.  I put them on the bottom.


What to do here?  You name it Abseiling, Caving, Climbing, Kayaking, Four Wheeling, White Water Rafting, Jet Boats, Surfing, Cycling, Hiking, Diving, Hang Gliding, Canyoneering.  Etc.etc.etc.

Check out this place, it is called Lower Crackpot.  A whimsical miniature village with the worlds largest maze.  Built by a local who's live devotion is to create places for the family to thrive.  He fully believes that families are the core of civilization. Notice the normal sized lamp post, these are all miniatures, some are upside down, shaped like L's, or just qwerky.



The Three Peaks Race, is a Sailing Race unique to this area.  Held every year on Easter it is a combination of mountain running and sailing.  The race draws thousands of spectators and lines the harbor with pleasure boats that follow the sailors.

AMC is the largest and best Maritime college in the world, due in part to the unique diversity of the aquaculture in the area.  I think it would be particularly cool to learn to be a maritime captain... well I take that back, I saw Captain Phillips last weekend.


Batman Bridge (pictured above) is the largest single span suspension bridge in the southern hemisphere... crap ... clue.  2 cool things.  1 - GORGEOUS!  2 - BATMAN!
Maria Island which used to be a penal colony is now just a happy grazing spot for sheep. aaaand breath taking views.


these two guys are very famously from this place... especially the first little guy.  Don't mess with him though... he'll win in a fight.
 

Almost 40% of the islands are National Forests, Reserves, or World Heritage places.  Even more cool is that this area is known to have the worlds cleanest air.  Also honored by Travel magazine as the best island temperature.

Known as the Apple Isle because of the many apples and other fruits that flourish here.  Also this area is home to some of the oldest trees in the world.  Huon Pine, these beasts are a beauty.



A tessellated pavement is a rare site that can be found in abundance here.  It is an erosional feature formed in a flat sedimentary rock, it's name comes from it's tile look.
 

ok seriously...I should just post pictures.  BAH I cant stop.. .and apparently even blogger wants me to stop, it wont let me do more.

 



East o' the Sun West o' the Moon

Those that guessed Serbia for the last quest are absolutely correct.  The way north, or the north way.   Today we are going north. 

Europe's highest waterfall (6th in world) longest coastline, deepest lake and deepest undersea tunnel (in the world) you don't mess around here.  The rugged coastline is riddled with fjords and islands (over 50k), then going inland it is mostly mountains.

The Viking age was characterized by expansion and emigration by Viking seafarers.  According to tradition, Harlad Fairhair unified them into one in 872 after the Battle of Harfrsfjord. Thus becoming the first king of this land.  He ruled with a strong hand causing many to leave the country to live in surrounding lands.  In fact cities like Dublin, Limerick and Waterford were founded by these countrymen. 

In 1349, cries of 'the Plague' ran through the streets here.  The resulting deaths radically altered the country, a loss of over 50% of the population.  leaving it in a period of social and economical decline., leaving the country very poor.  Although not the only country to suffer the Black Plague, this country too a little longer to recover because of the small scattered population.  Before the plague, the population was only about 500,000 people.  After the plague, many farms lay idle while the population slowly increased. The few surviving farms' tenants found their bargaining positions with their landlords greatly strengthened.

A didjaknow: this country is the 5th largest oil exporter and 3rd largest gas exporter?  I did not. Also interesting is that they have some of the highest gas prices in the world, ironic? From 1966 to 2012 the companies have drilled 5085 oil wells,  3672 are utviklingsbrønner (regular production); 1413 are letebrønner (drilling and surveillance); and 1405 of these have been terminated  I'll be honest, a part of me really wants to go here, WHY DOESN'T IT TIP OVER??

 

 

Religion is a no joke here with most of the population being registered as baptized members of the Church of .........  Many remain in the state church to participate in the community and practices such as baptism, confirmation, marriage and burial, rites which have strong cultural standing. About 77% were members of the Church of .........on 1 January 2012. In 2011, about 66% of all newborns were baptised and about 65% of all 15-year-old persons were confirmed in the church. But, only 20% say that religion occupies an important place in their life, the fourth-lowest such percentage in the world. The practice of wooden churches is a thing of the past, and not many exist anymore, but of the ones that do most reside here.  They are called Stave Churches, the one blow is one of the largest.

There is a legend telling about the erection of church and how it was built in three days.

Five farmers (Raud Rygi, Stebbe Straand, Kjeik Sem, Grut Grene and Vrang Stivi) from Heddal had made plans for a church, and they decided to have it built. This is how it happened:
One day, Raud Rygi (one of the five men) met a stranger who was willing to build the church. However, the stranger, set three conditions for doing the job, one of which must be fulfilled before the church was finished:
Raud had three options: fetch the sun and the moon from the sky, forfeit his life-blood, or guess the name of the stranger. Raud thought the last would not prove too difficult, so he agreed to the terms
But time began to run out. All of the building materials had arrived during the first night, and remarkably, the spire was built during the second. It became clear to Raud that the church would be finished on the third day.
Down at heart and fearing for his life, Raud took a walk around in the fields trying to figure out what the stranger's name could be. Still wandering about he had unconsciously arrived at Svintruberget (a rocky hill southeast of the church site) when he suddenly heard a strange but most beautiful and clearly audible female song:

Hush-hush little Child,

Tomorrow Finn will bring you the Moon and the Sky.

He will bring you the Sun and a Christian Heart,

so pretty Toys for my little Child to play a Part.

 

Nidaros Cathedral is a Church of ......... cathedral.  Built over the burial site of Saint Olaf, the king  in the 11th century, who became the patron saint of the nation. It is the traditional location for the consecration of the King. It was built from 1070 to 1300, and designated as the cathedral for the Diocese of Nidaros in 1152. After the Protestant Reformation, it was taken over by the Lutheran Church in 1527. It is the northernmost medieval church in the world.

 

 

Uh fish died in Lye anyone? (Lutfisk)

 gross  And the most popular cheese is brown.  ew.

 

Like TV?  You have to pay a $300 licence fee yearly!

 

The Government spent US$ 7 million on the construction of a doomsday vault (seed vault) on the arctic island of Svalbard. The purpose of the doomsday vault is to preserve plants seeds from around the world in case some of them should become extinct.

 

The bad A-Ha is the only internationally successful music group to come from here, and are considered national icons.  Take On Me..... now it is stuck in your head.!

 

 

 

They also claim to have invented modern skiing, the cheese slicer and aerosol spray.  Along with 12 Nobel Prize Laureates. These folks use their brain. 

 

 

But most fun are the folk tales.  We have Beauty and the Beast, they have East of the Sun West of the Moon.  A whole slew of stories and tales that are dear to these people but on the top of their list are Trolls.  Trolls are such a part of their culture that several towns are named after trolls.Trollheimen, Trollstigen, Trollhatten and Trollveggen.  Even landmarks like the Trolls Tongue.

 

 

Last but not least, we cant forget the Royalty. 

 

 

their Web Page = Royals

Don't CHEAT, I'm watching you.