City Of The Day

[FreakyFlyBry]

Alaska would be interesting to visit, but I wouldn't want go to there during the winter, as I can imagine how cold it would get there!

Fairbanks would be a likely destination for me if I found my way up there given its central location, I'm sure that in the summer, it rarely gets dark given its high northern latitude! As for their weather patterns, I'm not that surprised, given inland locations have greater temperature differences than coastal locations.

The view of the Northern Lights there is spectacular, for sure, as well as the first picture there! Photography would surely be a favourite pastime in Fairbanks given its natural surroundings!

[Deleted]

Jun 8, 2012 1:58:15 GMT -5 FreakyFlyBry said:

As for their weather patterns, I'm not that surprised, given inland locations have greater temperature differences than coastal locations.

Yeah, I guess that's why states like Iowa, Illinois and Missouri often experience more brutal heatwaves than the gulf coast region.

[Deleted]

June 9th, 2012 - Johannesburg, South Africa

















The Michelangelo Hotel:








7 Facts About Johannesburg:

1) Johannesburg is South Africa's most populous city, home to nearly 4 million residents. The only city in Africa with more people is Cairo, Egypt.

2) Johannesburg is one of the most modern, developed and important cities in all of Africa. Most of the continent's tallest buildings are located here, and many notable companies have a presence here.

3) The city has been plagued by some of the highest homicide rates on earth. To combat this, law enforcement have placed surveillance cameras all over the city. If you ever find yourself in Johannesburg, it's very important to know what you're doing!

4) The city hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani worked with the local government in an effort to reduce crime for the event.

5) There isn't too much of a difference between the seasons. Summers (December-March) are warm, but not hot, while winters are comparable to those in southern US states, with average highs around 61F (16C).

6) Johannesburg has perhaps the most developed, as well as congested, freeway system in all of Africa. Some freeways have up to 6 lanes each way!

7) A whopping 40% of the world's gold is found in the Johannesburg area. Because of this, the city has been referred to as "Egoli," translating to "Place of Gold."

[FreakyFlyBry]

South Africa would definitely be an interesting country to visit. ;D I'm sure Johannesburg, being the largest city there, would be a top priority for me, and given it's a fairly modern, developed city, it would likely not really feel that foreign culturally.

Of course, I'd have to stay vigilant given the crime rate!

[JessieLou]

Oh wow South Africa looks gorgeous

[Deleted]

It definitely has its appeal. Too bad it has some of the worst murder rates on earth, and hopefully that can start to fade some.

[Deleted]

July 10th, 2012 - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada









The Rideau Canal during summer:



The Rideau Canal during winter:



A great view of the Ottawa Parliment:







The very interesting Maman sculpture:




7 Facts About Ottawa:

1) Ottawa is the capital of Canada, as well as the nation's fourth largest city. It has a population of roughly 900,000.

2) As you might expect, winters in Ottawa tend to be quite cold. Overnight lows dipping below 0F (-18C) are common, and snowstorms are a regular occurrence. Summers are warm, and can get quite hot on occasion.

3) Ottawa has been ranked as both the smartest city in Canada, as well as the second cleanest city in Canada and the third cleanest in the entire world. On top of that, it has been ranked as the cheapest place to live in North America.

4) It was originally named Bytown upon its foundation in 1826. The name Ottawa didn't take effect until 1855.

5) The Rideau Canal is the world's largest naturally frozen ice ring.

6) Ottawa is home to the Senators of the NHL, a team still trying to capture their first Stanley Cup.

7) The Ottawa Valley was originally inhabited by a native people called the Algonquins. The first Europeans to discover the area were guided by the Algonquins in the early 1610s.

[FreakyFlyBry]

Ottawa would definitely be an interesting place to visit... I've had a couple flights land at the runways at the airport there though I never got off... but that doesn't really count.

Of course, the one sight I'd really want to see there is the Parliament buildings, especially considering all the stuff that happens there that shapes the way Canada has evolved over history and such. 24 Sussex Drive is also another place I'd want to go, of course that's where our Prime Minister lives!

Of course, if I end up there in the winter, the Rideau Canal would be essential given that's where the city revolves around then. Being from Canada, I'd naturally be used to the cold weather.

[Deleted]

June 11th, 2012 - Cancún, Mexico









Note the color of the water:



The Riu Cancun:









It's safe to say...Cancun is safe!




7 Facts About Cancún:

1) Cancún is one of the most celebrated beach resorts in the entire world. It is located in extreme eastern Mexico on the shores of the Caribbean sea.

2) The city has a tropical climate and thus is warm year-round. While the afternoons can be quite hot, sea breezes usually prevent the mercury from exceeding 95F (35C).

3) Talk about tourist-friendly! Cancún has 140 hotels, with 24,000 rooms and 380 restaurants!

4) In 1970, the tourist development of Cancún was home to only 3 actual residents. Today, over 600,000 people call it home.

5) The city generates one third of Mexico's tourism revenue. In 2010, nearly 6 million people visited the resort, and an average of 190 tourist-carrying flights arrive daily.

6) Cancún has become a controversial vacation spot in recent years due to drug smuggling and other crime. The city is often said to be "run" by drug cartels, although the US State Department has deemed it "safe" for 2012 (though they still have a Travel Warning issued for the country of Mexico).

7) A majority of the tourists who visit here are from other Latin American countries, though it is also popular with Americans, Europeans and people from throughout the world.

[FreakyFlyBry]

Of all the tropical destinations there are, Cancun, and indeed the Riviera Maya era in general, would certainly be one I'd be interested in visiting.

Of course, the beaches would be the top draw there, though it actually is fairly close to some Mayan history sites!

Had no idea the water got that lightly-coloured there!

[Deleted]

June 12th, 2012 - Minsk, Belarus











Downtown Minsk. Note the McDonald's sign. Belarus was the 100th country to have a McDonald's restaurant:



The typical Soviet-style apartment buildings that are a common sight throughout Minsk:





And of course some Stalinist architecture:



Minsk during the holiday season:



The streets on Independence Day:




7 Facts About Minsk:

1) Minsk is the capital and largest city in Belarus, with a population approaching two million. It is one of the least visited capital cities in Europe.

2) The city was founded in 1067, making it older than Moscow and many other European cities.

3) It is considered to be one of the most Soviet-like cities of the former Soviet Union. Some have suggested that in Minsk, it feels as if the iron curtain was never drawn.

4) The city experiences long, cold winters with average daily highs below freezing for three full months (December-February). The summers are warm but not hot, with the typical July day reaching 75F (24C).

5) The city suffered greatly from World War II. Its population was cut from 300,000 to 50,000, most Jewish residents were taken away and murdered in the Holocaust and the vast majority of buildings were reduced to rubble.

6) Lee Harvey Oswald lived here for two and a half years. He both married and became a father in this city before returning to the U.S.

7) English, Belorussian and Trasianka are understood by many residents, but Russian remains the most widely-spoken language.

[FreakyFlyBry]

Quite an obscure Eastern European city there... but I guess that makes it more appealing, due to its underratedness.

The Soviet feel there would make it a museum unto itself, which would be like a step back through time, and that would be quite fascinating! I'd imagine the travel policies of Belarus would be quite restrictive and they'd require visas in advance, which might complicate things somewhat.

[Deleted]

Jun 12, 2012 2:13:54 GMT -5 FreakyFlyBry said:

Quite an obscure Eastern European city there... but I guess that makes it more appealing, due to its underratedness.

The Soviet feel there would make it a museum unto itself, which would be like a step back through time, and that would be quite fascinating! I'd imagine the travel policies of Belarus would be quite restrictive and they'd require visas in advance, which might complicate things somewhat.

Yeah, I feel like Eastern Europe as a whole is overlooked by most people, but Belarus seems flat out ignored. I NEVER hear about that country, lol.

I wouldn't be surprised if traveling there was more difficult than the rest of Europe. That could be a reason for their lack of tourism.

[Deleted]

June 14th, 2012 - St. Louis, Missouri, United States








Cool view of the Gateway Arch:



The Old Courthouse, which has stood for over 180 years:



During a flood:










7 Facts About St. Louis:

1) Nicknamed "Gateway to the West," St. Louis is an historic city well-known for its Gateway Arch which dominates the skyline. Completed in 1965, the arch cost $13 million dollars....the equivalent of nearly $96 million today!

2) The city's population peaked in the 1950s, when over 850,000 people lived there. Today, only around 318,000 call it home. Still, that's enough to make it the 2nd largest city in Missouri behind Kansas City.

3) The World's Fair was held here in 1904. It was the first time the event had been held outside of Europe.

4) St. Louis was the first place in the U.S. to have kindergarten.

5) The FBI has deemed St. Louis the 4th most dangerous city in the country, but many feel these rankings do not reflect the city's crime rates (which have improved since the '90s).

6) St. Louis experiences all four seasons. Summers are long, hot and humid, with average highs during the warmest month of July topping out at 89F (32C). Autumn is perhaps the most tourist-friendly season, although the "Indian Summer" phenomena is very possible.

7) The city is home to three pro sports teams: the NFL's Rams, MLB's Cardinals and the NHL's Blues.

[FreakyFlyBry]

St. Louis would definitely be a fascinating city to visit... much like other cities in the same areas of the US, mainly for its history.

Of course, the Gateway Arch is one essential sight, and pretty much impossible to avoid from the pictures you posted! It especially looks stunning among the skyline at sunset.

With the 1904 World's Fair, the Olympics were actually also held in St. Louis that year.

I'm sure there are some areas outside the city itself but within the metro area that are REALLY dangerous, I've heard East St. Louis especially is quite scary.

Would love to see one of their sports teams in action as well. Kinda surprised they don't have an NBA team too!