Hot Air Ballooning over the Australian Outback

#HotAirBalloonAustralia

The Beginnings
The Chinese invented the first Hot Air Balloons (which was thought to be thousands of years ago) which was on a much smaller scale, and that use was to send messages to their troops if surrounded
by the enemy

Animals First to Flight
Then the first recorded pioneers of manned flights were actually a sheep, rooster and a duck who flew 3.2kms (2 miles) in an experimental tethered flight over Versailles France, with the test being conducted by the Montgolfier brothers 

Then People
 Their ultimate idea of balloon flights for humans happened later in 1783 and was in a untethered Montgolfier airship, as the two passengers flew over Paris for around 25 minutes

Early Superstitions
The tradition of the balloonists prayer before flight (which is a glass of champagne) comes from a not so exciting history.
When the Montgolfier brothers were performing test flights, the local farmers were very suspicious as they thought they were dragons descending from the skies and bringing a danger to them

So nothing like alcohol to ease the tensions 😅 as then they would then give champagne to the farmers and thus continue to land on the fields with their balloons

Up Up & Away

We arrive early in our buses and get ready to soar with the birds in one of mankind's first way to fly.

 At first you don't realize how huge these balloon airships are, but once the propane is fired up to fill the bag or envelope (made of nylon fabric with the material closest to the flame is a fire resistant composite, plus Australian rules require that they meet the criteria of the Civic Aviation & Safety Code) you get a sense what it was like to be a pioneer back in the first days of flight.

 

 Our pilot must of  read the air currents better than our "sister ships," because within minutes we were up around 5000 feet and above them as we flew around this valley for some great views as you can see below 

   So as we get ready to land our captain asked if some of us guys would jump out of the gondola to guild it along (as the flatbed truck could not access  the marshy grounds) which then it would transport the wicker basket back to our original starting point

  After the pilot asked in typical Aussie humor if anything poisonous grabbed us while in the tall grass So i asked what kind of animal or plant that could that be? 

 Mate!! everything toxic in Australia, even the women 😂 (as he told me later he was going through a divorce)

Some Cool History of Hot Air Balloons; 

A) Napoleon brought balloons as a psychology warfare tool to frighten his opponents
 B) They were used during the US Civil War as reconnaissance viewing aircraft to report crucial information from their high perch.
 Then would then either telegraph data or use special flags to signal what they saw
C) Used by meteorologists for atmospheric early studies
D) Used for aerial photography, which helped enhance the accuracy that was obtained on ground level 

Flight Rules
One interesting fact is Hot Air Balloons are restricted to fly during wet conditions as it becomes much harder to control for the pilot.
 Why you ask; the rain would accumulate on the top which makes the balloon heavier, burns more
fuel thus adding up to perilous situation

Looking Down at the Outback 
 To be above the other Hot Air Balloons my pilot would of researched the local conditions from the nearby airports, weather stations and service forecasters to get to a proper air current update
 Then he would by controlling the temperature and volume of the heat to inside the envelope to
reach that level

The Decent
To return to earth he would open a large vent at the top of the balloon and valve off the excess
 heat, which all makes it heavier as gravity takes over

Old Folklore
Because balloons drift with the wind, pilots cannot steer them to a fixed runway
So when we finally touch ground and if on a private property, you technically become a
 "baron or baroness" of that specific land

Rome Colosseum

#RomeColosseumFlavianAmphitheater
The Rome Colosseum is a structure made of limestone, volcanic rock (tuff), timber and concrete
which stands an impressive four stories tall

Human Labor
It took 60,000 to 100,000 Jewish slaves (after their defeat during the Jewish-Roman War) eight years to complete its construction
 It is still the largest amphitheater (Greek word amphi...both sides or all around) on earth

Other Building Uses
During those times of neglect plus abandonment the nearby Roman Catholic Church used the Colosseum like a quarry for its stone and built the Basilicas of St Peter, St John & Palazzo Venezia

Today
Times have changed as now the arena welcomes millions of tourists per year
KeyTip:
 Tickets will range from $100 up to $400 depending on if its a private tour, to where you visit inside the Colosseum from the underground or arena floor

Portal System
There were eighty entrances to the amphitheater, as the arches were numbered with Roman Numerals to serve as guides for sitting
 A) Seventy-six entry points were for the general audience
B) Two access ways for the participants of the events, which was called The Gate of Life for
the gladiators
 C) The Gate of Death (located on the western side) for the combatants who did not fair so well in the contest and were carried out 
 D) Finally two archways was used exclusively by the Emperor

The Beginnings
When the Colosseum first opened the Emperor Titus celebrated the completion of this massive structure with a hundred days of celebrations that included gladiatorial games and other events

Two Freed Warriors
One such fight between Priscus and Verus  went so well that (in a rare display of clemency) Titus declared both of them winners, so granted them their freedom
(the wooden sword)

Giveaways
Also the Emperor would engage in public gift giving by throwing wooden balls into the crowd that had the prizes etched on them, which could of been for clothing, gold or even slaves 

Other Events
The venue was also used to host dramas, navy battle reenactments and even public executions of criminals in theatrical ways based on Greek or Roman mythology

 The Fall of the Roman Empire
It was a gradual process resulting in a combination of factors including political instability, economic troubles, internal corruption and outside invading forces

 The Colosseum Begins to Deteriorate
Add in earthquakes, passage of time and human neglect, which all meant by the 20th century nearly two-thirds of the original building had been destroyed

Restoration Project
 It began in the 1990s to repair the Colosseum, which today it plays host to millions of visitors each year to see musical concerts plus other events inside the arena to entertain all

Other Ancient Structures
We think of the Colosseum as old (1952 years) but compared to the Pyramids of Giza (4000 years) and Stonehenge which dates back 5000 years, it is young in historical terms but still
very impressive

Fun Fact
 The original name of the Colosseum was the Flavian Amphitheater, which was the name of the dynasty that ruled the empire at this time
Historians also believe the current name came from The Colossus of Nero statue that stood outside
 that amphitheater

Being a huge follower of history, i couldn't wait to visit the Colosseum located in the middle of Rome. It was awe inspiring to see this amphitheater  

  Now once inside the arena you can envision when it could hold around 50,000 spectators who would view gladiatorial contests, executions and even mock sea battles. How you ask                                                                                                              

      Through a series of underground tunnels the Romans would flood the arena floor for Emperor Titus. Then they used special flat bottomed boats (because of the shallow water) to replicate naval battles, also they built an artificial island so sailors could land to fight 

The floor was around 83 by 48 meters (272 x 157 feet) but since it was made from wood plus covered with sand its long gone So because of this the top is open to view, you can now see how the hypogeum (underground) worked with its two level subterranean network of tunnels, hidden maze of rooms and cages 

 There were also 80 vertical shafts to access the hypogeum plus an extensive network of trap doors through which scenery elements could be deployed during the spectacles.

 

       

 If you were Roman your entry fee was free as Emperors used the arena to promote their political policies, if a foreigner you were of no use to the agenda being spoken so had to pay to watch.

          Speaking of no more use 😄 the site that the Colosseum sits on was once the location of an artificial lake from the Golden House of Nero.  Following his demise, much of his luxurious palace was destroyed or put to public use including his private lake

 Facts & Fiction

 A) The movie Gladiator was not filmed inside the Colosseum even though the director had permission. He decided it needed to look newer so built a stand-in Colosseum in Malta, plus many of the location shots were computer generated

B) You think of the Roman Empire and the name of Julius Caesar comes into your thoughts
 But he was never inside the Colosseum as the two never existed simultaneously, where he was assassinated 125 years before the gladiator games even started 

. 

The Construction
The Colosseum was built with approximately 100,000 cubic meters / 3.5 million cubic feet of travertine limestone that was used for the main pillars, ground floor, external walls and the seats
(they no longer exists)
 Also the slabs of travertine were paved into the area to support the outer realm of the building
 and the remaining site was constructed with a mixture of concrete that were held together by 300 tons of iron clamps

Ground Shipping
Finally the Romans built a special road designed to transport the limestone from the quarries of
 Tivoli  (32 kms / 20 miles away) to the arena 

                                              

Running Diamond Head Volcano

#RunningDiamondHeadHawaii

Hours are 6.00am to 6.00pm with a $10.00 per vehicle or $5.00 per person entrance fee
 So if you walk in, arrive via bus, taxi, trolley or in my case running 😅

Thank You Google Maps
 In explaining my trek for this latest adventure of mine
It equipped a local company with its Trekker Backpack Cameras to capture the imagery,
 as it could not use their traditional Street View Cars
(goes without saying) 

Diamond Head
It was a site of reverence and worship for the early Native Hawaiians with religious ceremonies plus sometimes (unfortunately) animal or human sacrifices,
 which was the norm for those times

Moving forward;
 Thanks to many local activists who stopped the development of this area into residential buildings, hotels and even a tramway to the top of the crater
It did so with the preservation plus establishment of Diamond Head as a historic site 

Early History
In 1904 Diamond Head was bought by the US Government (for $3,300) then turned into a military base (Fort Ruger) with the areas of the volcano being carved out for its bunkers plus batteries
Then the trail plus tunnels were built to allow the soldiers to reach the various lookouts and outposts which was all part of the islands coastal defense system

Finally the US Military transferred control to (then territory) Hawaii in 1955
 which became a US State four years later 

The Route
Some of the stairs which gets you to the 560 vertical feet and to the top level
 But certainly feels like a whole lot more with the heat plus footing conditions
Common Sense
 So do i need to say this; Proper Footwear and Hydrate

The Challenge
As you can see there is not a lot of natural cover from the sun, so wear a hat plus lather up on the sunscreen as they say its a 90 minute roundtrip journey, but with crowds that timeline
maybe optimistic

As i sit on Waikiki Beach relaxing, you cannot help but notice Diamond Head
Volcano (named after when the British Sailors in the 1800s who thought the calcite crystals in the lava rocks were diamonds) overlooking the island of Oahu and sitting on the Pacific Ocean

Now I've been told by the locals that the trail (1.1km /0.6 miles) to the rim is manageable for the average person, but when i said  i was going to run it they rolled their eyes

Being me, upped the ante to say i was tacking on the 4kms (2.4 miles) from the hotel to the trail just to make things a bit more interesting 😃

As i do not consider myself the average person jajajaja

I leave the next morning early to avoid the heat plus tourists with the run to the trail as a non-event.

But then as you start on the trek to the top your footing consists on everything from volcanic dust, some concrete steps (70+ & 90+) few tunnels then finally a spiral staircase to an old military bunker at the summit (with great views of Waikiki  / Pearl Harbor and yes i brought my camera)

 I must admit it was tough plus i wouldn't recommend it to anyone who isn't fit, but the next day back at my favorite watering hole i raised my glass towards one of natures marvels and gave her a toast 👍 in presenting me with a another challenge to overcome.

High Traffic
Good to go early to avoid the crowds as its the most popular hiking trail in Hawaii plus you get to do a slow walk into history to get a glimpse from its geological
and military past

Well Trodden Path
The route starts in the parking lot (crater floor) which most of the walkway is paved concrete, but sections of the trail do include uneven and steep areas plus as you have seen
 the long stairways

Pack Train
Some of the trail to the summit from Fort Ruger was through these underground passages
nicknamed the Mule Tunnel
 It was because of those animals which provided the transportation of some of the materials, while other heavier goods where hoisted by winch and cable

The Rules
One of the many fortifications you will encounter with amazing views along your hike,
 but please note;
A) No mountain bikes are allowed
 B) Stay on the marked trails
 C) No dogs allowed in Diamond Head Park
D) No open fires 
E) Over 25 people in a group a hiking permit is required 

Scaling Franz Joseph Glacier

#ScalingFranzJosephGlacier

The Franz Joseph Glacier is approximately 7000 years ago and is a massive 12km (7.4 mile) long sheet of ice
 It meets the river valley below onto an ecosystem of a rainforest which is located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the South Island of New Zealand
In 1865 German explorer and geologist Julius von Haast named the ice flow plus area after (at the time) the Austrian Emperor 
 
 KeyTip:
  The village of Franz Joseph has a small population ( around 450) so book accommodations early as the area will swell up to 2500+ (adventure seeking) travelers like myself  per day.

Now depending on your budget or fitness level you have a few options to explore the glacier;
A) Aerial Sightseeing by helicopter of around 20 minutes with a snow landing for photos 
 B) A two hour walk to the terminal face of the ice sheet
C) Heli-Hike  that gives you the return helicopter ride plus a 2.5 hour hike on the upper parts of
 the glacier 
 D) Guided Ice Walk with a full briefing, plus with equipment that is needed for ice climbing

 Guided Ice Hike

First there is the full instruction on safety at the Glacier Base Building, plus then the guide will equip you with all the gear needed
During our classroom session i noticed some of the folks here we not certainly dressed for the elements, but for an amusement ride as in; dress shoes, shirt/tie and even baby strollers 😏 
One of the guides noticed my concern, then came over and told me that the walk out to the glacier tells us who is going onto Franz Joseph, phew! 

 Crampons
 The history goes back to 1929 when Laurent Grivel made the brilliant invention of two front points allowing climbers to stand face up when scaling the steep ice and snow
 Which i certainly took advantage of on Franz Joseph

The Summit
To the top (as far as safety will allows us to go) because of the crevasses, avalanches
plus falling ice

Rules
Most glacier climbs only allows guided tours for those reasons as i have always told my friends
(some who think i am crazy for some of my adventures i have done around the world)
There is no sense me doing a risky journey if i am not around later to talk/blog
 about it later jajajja

    At first your cautious; but because Franz Joseph sits amidst a rainforest (the ice is considered soft) 

             so then after awhile your thinking like Spiderman 😄 so scaling with confidence.

 

Climate Change
Unfortunately in the past ten years Franz Joseph has lost almost 1.6kms (1 mile) of its mass
 Estimates say by the year 2100 there will be probably no ice left in the head of the valley where
 the glacier sits now.

Other Hikes
 Here are some options then to eliminate the carbon footprint in the area and to do our small part in the slowing down of the melt;

A) The Franz Joseph Glacier Walk; a short thirty minute return, plus it is without any steep climbs and has an observation deck 

 B) Fox Glacier South Side Trek; is a two hour roundtrip hike without difficulty plus also has
great viewing areas

 C) Roberts Point Track; is a five hour out-and-back walk with an adventurous element to it.
 It has swing bridges, side streams and open areas of rock plus the viewing area platform that sits
at 2000 feet above
This  gives you a view of the glacier, mountain peaks plus valley below

D) Alex Knob; is a eight hour there and back hike so for only experienced walkers, but well worth it for the views of the glacier, Sothern Alps and surrounding landscape

 E) Mount Fox Route; is for only the most advanced in hiking as its a tough climb to the summit during this eight hour return trek 

Respect The Elements
There were two brothers from Australia who were crushed to death when hundreds of tons of ice fell on them because they walked beyond the warning signs
So again people; NATURE CAN KILL YOU, so respect the surroundings and listen to the guides who are here to show you how to enjoy the area safely

In Closing
 I remind my readers that although the Franz Joseph landscape changes daily (mostly due because of the ongoing weather patterns which  influences its growth or retreat)
 and add in with some of the hikes that go through ice tunnels or crevasses,
the area is considered very safe

Fun Facts;
A) Lord of the Rings; This area was used for the filming of that movie

B) Maori Folklore; the name of the area was Ka Roimata which legend says was from when the Gods froze the tears of a grieving woman who had lost her lover

C) Franz Joseph; is only one of three glaciers in the world that descends into a temperate rainforest
So then lets add in the beach
 and you can experience all three in one day here on the South Island of New Zealand

 Crevasse
 As i return to my base camp you understand the meaning of the word as your living it;
its a long narrow opening in a glacier made by cracking under
 internal pressures

 

Tijuana Oscar

#TijuanaOscar

Have a funny story to pass on as i was in Los Angeles for a Fitness Competition and as per usual after the event i go to my favorite eating establishment, the Hard Rock Cafe

Then of course buy a shot glass with the name of the city that chronicles my travels from around the world

 So having a full day before flying home i knew from the internet that there where other cafes in La Jolla, Newport Beach plus San Diego.

So the bell toll for thee as i head down the Pacific Coast Highway to have a meal, then get my glasses plus the memories which all was completed as planned

Well being the adventurous type and eying the prize across the US Border, i had to get to the Hard Rock in Tijuana, but you cannot take a car rental into Mexico so i parked it in San Diego then jump onto what must of been a 1970s bus. 

As i look down from this piece of metal (that shouldn't be on the road)  i knew i made a mistake as there must of been a 16km (10 mile) lineup to get back into the States because of  Post 9-11....oh well, I'm stuck now so lets get that HRC glass.

 I must say TJ is the dirtiest place i have ever been and everything is for sell from people to drugs, but i ignored all that then found my nirvana at the Hard Rock, had a small meal, got my shot glass then got the heck out of Dodge

Well by the time this creaky old bus got through the US Border Customs with its searching of the vehicle inside / underneath, processing of documents of passengers etc time is a ticking

 So i am running late to get up to LAX. with the California traffic, GPS not helping plus also factor in as most large airports the car rentals are off site, so more lost minutes

So by the time i got up to my Air Canada ticket counter i am too late, but the rep looks up and saw me holding my award from the fitness event (wrapped up to stow it in the overhead compartment) she blurted out; You Won Canada an Oscar!

So at first i was not sure what she was talking about but then i clued then sheepishly replied; Yes Yes a Proud Day for All Canadians 😄

So before i could explain what the trophy was really for, the airline employee gave me Business Class Seat for the next days travel, Overnight Hotel and Airport Transfers all because of my Tijuana Oscar

So this shot glass might be small people, but it carries a big story jajajajaja   

Thank You Hollywood err Tijuana 😂

Alcatraz Prison

#AlcatrazPrisonTheRock

When visiting my favorite city of San Francisco you cannot help but look out into the bay and see Alcatraz (Spanish for Pelican; named by explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala who discovered the "Rock" in 1775) Its been used for many things from a lighthouse during the California gold rush (1849) with the increase in shipping traffic. A fort during the American Civil War (1861) to protect the city from Confederate Raiders. A prison for soldiers convicted of desertion, theft, assault, rape plus murder, also the army used Alcatraz as a place of incarceration for Hopi, Apache and Modoc Indians captured during the many Indian Wars. But it was in 1934 when it opened up as a Federal Penitentiary is what most people know it as. It was a place where most of the 1545 inmates where considered "problems" in other prisons (from many escapes or troublemakers) To quote rule #5 "You are entitled to food, clothing, shelter and medical attention; anything else you get is a "privilege" so as you walk the grounds you can sense that it was a place that would defeat your soul. In 1963 because of increased costs plus maintenance, the prison was closed and is now a National Park for all to take in this piece of iconic American history . So don't be disappointed as you need to book early, especially the spooky night tours either on-line or if in the city you can go to Pier 33 near Fisherman's Wharf. 

 A) The Alcatraz lighthouse was the first on the Pacific Coast and has been in operation since 1854, with the light being automated in 1963

 B) After the great earthquake of 1906, 176 prisoners from San Francisco jails were temporarily housed on the island

C) Al Capones cell is unknown, mostly because part of his 4.5 years were spent in a hospital isolation ward.  But the famous gangster did have time to play banjo in the prison band 😀

D) Robert Stroud (Birdman of Alcatraz) had canaries at Leavenworth Penitentiary, but never had any birds at Alcatraz

 E) There were no executions on the Rock,  just 5 suicides plus 8 murders

 F) Prisoners remained on Alcatraz on average 8-10 years 

G) Deer Mouse is the only land mammal on the Rock 

H) The sharks that swim around the island are sand sharks and not "man-eaters"

 KeyTip; to really enjoy the history experience, take advantage of the audio tours that is provided in all languages with individual headsets

As you can read the sign, the Native Indians were treated horribly in the past

So in 1969 a group occupied the island in protest of the US Government policy of 

terminating the tribal sovereignty

Finally after nineteen months on Alcatraz by the demonstrators, President Nixon reversed and ended 

the seizure of the Indian lands

 

Island Prison
Throughout history (because of the isolation) it was the thought process of using islands
 to incarcerate people.
But generally it costs three times as much to maintain those facilities with everything that has to be shipped from the water, fuel, food and staff
Plus add in the erosion from nature, so constant expensive repairs

Others Turned into Tourist Sites
A) Robben Island South Africa; famously housed Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners
B) Ile Sainte-Marguerite France; with the famous prisoner "Man in the Iron Mask" now has a shipwreck museum, has ancient Roman artifacts plus an aquarium
C) Spike Island Ireland: was a monastery and military/civilian prison, finally closing in 2004
D) Asinara Italy; once housed Mafia inmates now is a nature reserve
E) Islas Marias Mexico;  closed as a penal colony in 2019 and now a biosphere park

The Gardens
 They were initially planted by the military families starting in the 1860s, which were maintained by both officers plus prisoners that turned the "Rock" into a green space
Because of the harsh conditions here, it led to the development of a tough, resilient plants
 that still thrive today

Exercise Yard
The dirt was paved over in 1936 and because of its small size, a section of the wall behind first base was padded to prevent injuries
Inmates were allowed up to five hours on weekends but if they misbehaved that "privilege" was
taken away

D Block
The six cells at the end of this row served as solitary confinement with the prisoners
subjected to cruel conditions

The Hole;
 The inmates were kept naked in total darkness, the holding cell had a sink plus toilet which the guards controlled the flushing
Sometimes were only fed bread and water, plus made to stand for nine hours with their hands tied above their heads

Rufe McCain
After an escape attempt he was confined to The Hole for over three years
After his release, he stabbed another inmate to death but got an acquittal based on the grounds that the holding area had "irreparably damaged his psyche"

The Cells
They were small; as you can see 1.5 x 2.7 meters (5 x 9 feet) with a cot, sink and toilet
Even though your "cellmate" was close, no one was allowed to speak to each other
except mealtimes and recreation breaks
Later this was deemed to be too harsh and was revoked

Hot Showers as a Security Measure
Not because the prison was kind, the idea was the inmates would get accustomed to the warm water so would be less likely to survive a swim through the cold waters of San Francisco Bay

Good Food
The jail was known for having the best food within the Federal Prison System
This had a purpose, as authorities believed if well fed
 resulted in less trouble
Some prisoners actually had jobs in the kitchen, laundry room or tending the docks
which they earned between 5-12 cents per hour

Rules
A) Inmates were allowed one visit per month which had to be approved
 by the Warden
B) No physically contact was allowed
C) Conversations were monitored by a correctional officer via an intercom system and with the
 topics of prison life or current events, strictly forbidden 

Escapes
Between 1934 - 1963 there were fourteen separate attempts to get off the Rock
Of the 36 men who tried, it resulted in their capture or others drowning in the bay

1962
The brothers John and Clarence Anglin plus Frank Morris
Well planned out, from the deception of the dummy heads, to using the vents to get onto the roof. then the homemade raft from the 50 stolen raincoats to cross the bay
Open Case
US Marshals Service continues to search for any information on the three men

The Civil War
The barracks on the island became the housing for the three hundred civilians
 whom some worked here
 The community included a bowling alley, soda fountain shop and a small convenience store

Daily Life
Families did most of their shopping on the mainland
 They would use the prison boat twelve scheduled runs each day, even the children took the ferry
 to attend school in San Francisco
But the kids were told never to discuss where their father worked, due to the potential
 of a kidnapping 

Odd Facts
A) Alvin "Creepy Karpis" Karpowicz; he served the longest time here (25 years) and had to be transferred to another prison when Alcatraz closed
He was eventually deported to his native Cuba
B) Seagulls; nine species of this bird family call the island home with the last count being
 5000 residents, so watch your step as you visit
 As the odds are pretty good you might walk into some poop or something falls out of the sky
Just to give you a reminder of your time on the Rock 😅