The Seven Wonders of the World
Having just returned the Pyramids of Giza, I’ve now seen the sole remaining ancient wonder of the world. I’ve also seen some remains of the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
It turns out there is also a list of Seven Wonders of the Medieval World.
They are:
• Stonehenge – seen 2008
• Colosseum – seen 2004
• Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa – seen 2009
• Great Wall of China – seen 2005
• Porcelain Tower of Nanjing
• Hagia Sophia – seen 2009
• Leaning Tower of Pisa
So five out of seven done.
I’ve also seen the Taj Mahal and the Cairo Citadel, which are on the backup list so to speak.
In terms of the modern wonders, there are lots of lists but going off the American Society of Civil Engineers, they list:
Channel Tunnel – seen 2008
CN Tower – seen 2005
Empire State Building – seen 2009
Golden Gate Bridge – seen 2007
Itaipu Dam
Delta Works
Panama Canal
So four of those down, three to go. Not that I decide where to go, just to see a so called wonder. But if one is in the neighbourhood, it’s silly not to make the effort to see one.
November 18th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I watched something on the documentary channel a few weeks back, they had a bunch of experts tracking down anything left of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Apparently there were several lists of 7 wonders which differed quite markedly.
November 18th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
I’ve only seen one all of those – the Empire State Building. To be honest it was quite a disappointment. I remember it for the interminable queues. By the time I got to the viewing level I had had enough of jostling and waiting my turn and just wanted to get the heck out of there.
Hopefully I’ll survive the crowds when I visit the Colosseum and Pisa next year.
There is another Pisa I have already seen, many times from a distance, a couple of times up top, that was impressive. They have a local rhyme.
Locals who are non the wiser
Will be heard to call it Pie-sa
Then there is the well heeled geezer
Who prefers to call it Pee-sa
No one says it like the pizza
Da food da Italian eatsa
But if you’re heard calling it Piss-a
You might end up with a smack on the kissa
(from memory, on the wall at Mt Pisa Station)
November 18th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
I trust that to secure international copyright you have been marking on all of these wonders: Designed by Helen Clark.
November 18th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
David, you should consider writing a travel book.
November 18th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Some lists include the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia. They date back to the 13th century. We visited there a couple of years ago, and the level of workmanship is astounding. The Church of St George is the best known – shaped like a cross, and carved thirty metres straight down into solid rock – amazing!
http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/lalibela.html
November 18th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
It is interesting that Stonehenge is considered to be in the Medieval group when it is older than most of the Ancient wonders (possibly as much as 2000 years older)
November 18th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Um.. what’s negative karma about suggesting David should write a travel book? It’d be a best seller.
Also I believe there was a list of 7 natural wonders at one stage? Entirely based on opinion of course.
November 18th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Not a bad achievement David. I can’t think of many people who managed close to that.
Depends of course where your interests lie. I tend to avoid many of the places listed above in favour of spots more renown for their wildlife.
… but … umm, why is Stonehenge reputed to be a medieval wonder?
November 18th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
It counts as an obelisk in each of your cities, but that’s nothing compared to the Great Prophet points it generates.
November 18th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
The pyramids are better. They count as granaries!
November 18th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Get with the programme, Old School. These days they allow you to select any government civic, and they generate points towards Great Engineers.
November 18th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Gloater – and who who likes a gloater?
November 18th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
I don’t think wonders even come in 7s in Civ4?
November 18th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
I guess Stonehenge doesn’t count because the Greeks never visited England..
November 18th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Impressive DPF. You must have Airmiles that make Chris Cater envious.
November 18th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
He may indeed getstaffed, but at least DPF can sleep at night knowing that his have all been paid for by himself, and not the taxpayer
November 18th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
I’d travel at the expense of the taxpayer, given half a chance.
November 18th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I’d add Angkor Wat to the list any time you have to visit any part of Asia – truly remarkable. Shame about the rest of Cambodia though, what a complete s@#$hole. Not entirely the fault of the French this time….
November 18th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
I wonder what opportunities there are nowadays to go on a ship through the Panama Canal. 40+ years ago, not a problem – just go on the Rangi’s or other ships that plied between NZ and UK.
November 18th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
I don’t see Kiwirail on the modern list!
November 19th, 2009 at 8:46 am
I don’t see what all the fuss is about Stonehenge. Newgrange is older, more intricate and it still has its walls and roof intact. Irish craftsmanship, you see…
November 19th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Just read about Newgrange. Fucking cool.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Is it no longer used? I travelled it twice many years ago – only place I’ve seen alligators in the wild. Panama was the first place I saw policemen toting machine guns too. Odd the things we remember.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Travelled all through South, Central, and North America the past couple of years, and a little in Europe. Was fortunate enough to see several of the nominees/finalists etc on those modern wonder lists (man-made and natural) they were doing. In fact the ‘online vote/competition’ was running for some while we were travelling, and they’d have little info things about it at some of the places (e.g. Colca Canyon in Peru).
Some of the best things I’ve seen, natural – Iguassu Falls on the Argentina/Brazil border (kicks ass on Niagara, which I’ve also seen), the Grand Canyon (Colca Canyon in twice as deep, and very cool too, but doesn’t really have the ‘grandeur’ of the Grand Canyon), the Amazon rainforest, particularly Manu Reserve in Peru (some of the highest and most concentrated biodiversity in the world), Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina, Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia, Monument Valley in Arizona (Navajo tribal lands that are famous from cowboy movies)
Some of the best things I’ve seen – manmade – Macchu Picchu in Peru (one of the voted modern wonders, and it is pretty impressive, especially if you walk in and see other ruins on the way), Mayan ruins at Palenque and Tikal (the great pyramid at Chitchen Itza was voted one of the modern wonders, but I prefer the Palenque and Tikal sites overall), the Alhambra in Granada, Spain,…
There’s plenty of others. Travel is wonderful. Glad you’re enjoying your trip DPF. I’m really looking forward to getting to Egypt soon myself…
November 19th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
here’s a new list for you David
http://www.smh.com.au/travel/the-worlds-top-10-party-towns-20091118-im4q.html
(check out number 9)
November 20th, 2009 at 3:36 am
Colosseum – Medieval?
New Grange is amazing. Predates the pyramids.
Hagia Sophia – Brilliant
Angkor Wat – Stunning – agree with comment on Cambodia – shithole. The only good thing is the French Bread