Gerald Crawford asked:


Sutherland may be famous as one of the coldest places in South Africa, but it is also home to some spectacular historical sites as well as a Planetary Observatory.

Dutch Reformed Church:

The N G Church was designed by Charles Freeman who also designed the Dutch Reformed church of Graaff Reinet and the Standard Bank in Cape Town . During the Anglo Boer War, the church was invaded for 8 months by the British troops. Filled to capacity, it can seat 1200 people.

Tuinplaas Church:

When the farmers move their sheep from the cold Roggeveld area down to the Karoo , they have a communal once a year at the Tuinplaas Church 55 km out on the Matjiesfontein route.

Louw Museum:

The two very famous Afrikaans poets and writers N P van Wyk Louw and W E G Louw were born in this very same house. Together they achieved 6 Hertzog prices for literacy. Several other interesting displays are also to be seen at the Louw Museum.

Road to the Stars:

Plinths for the nine planets of the solar system were built to scale in the main road or Planetarium Highway, representing the size of the sun in comparison to the size of the planets and also the distance between the planets. Craftsman of the local community dressed the stonework.

English Cemetary:

The most interesting grave in the English Cemetery is that of a soldier drowned in a flash flood. He was given a communal burial and after the war the British government sent a military cross and a second grave was made. The soldier was thus buried twice. The Jewish Cemetery is also worth visiting.

Sutherland and the surrounding areas offer a lot of unusual places, scenes and events to entertain and amaze any traveller.

18 km out of town, one can enjoy the site of the seven telescopes of the Observatory, one being “SALT” (Southern African Large Telescope) which has the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. With this telescope one is able to see a candle flame on the moon. It has a mirror diameter of 11 metres.

Ouberg Pass has a lovely lookout post on the escarpment of the Roggeveld mountains 45 km out of town in a westerly direction. One is able to see the Ceres Karoo mountains about 200 km away.

Fransplaas Sheep Cheese (quite a name!) is the only sheep cheese farm in the country about 50 km out of town in the Calvinia direction. Sheep cheese is definately an acquired taste – be bold and do as the Aussies do!

The Koornlandskloof Tulips flower at the end of September, an interesting site filled with colour and worth visiting. Hiking and biking trails are also available with ample clean, cheap lodging.

Skurweberg, Verlatenkloof and Banksgate 4 × 4 Farms have exciting off-road routes as well as hiking and biking trails with ample lodging and beautiful scenery. Sterboom, Rye grass, Elephants feet and veld flowers are only some of the endangered species of flora to be found in this area.

Salpeterkop, the last active volcano south of the equator is to be found close to the observatory. It was active 66 million years ago. Seismologically the Japanese found that Sutherland and the surrounding area are now the quietest in the world!

On the farm Ezeljaht, 20 km out of town, one can enjoy a scenic two day hike, called the Silhouette Hiking trail.

Coming from Matjiesfontein, one has to drive the winding 15 km Verlatenkloof Pass climbing nearly a 1000 metres. It was designed by Thomas Bain, the son of the famous Bain who built the Bainskloof pass near Wellington.

Devinder Patel asked:

Govt. acquired the Louisiana territory and then later Montana was carved out of it. Thirteen states in total were carved out from the old Louisiana territory. Montana became a state on 9th November, 1889 as the 41st state of US and in 1894 Helena outbid Anaconda to become state capitol, the result of the famous ‘War of the Copper Kings’.

Fort Owen State Park is the site of first white settlement in Montana and the fort was built hereas a regional trade center in 1850. All the furnishings and artifacts are saved in the restored rooms and the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Walk along the steamboat levee and see the part of the town once called ‘the bloodiest block in the west’ and also view the ruins of Historic Fort Benton. Created in 1864, Fort Benton became the hub for trade and travels in north-western US and Canada. Many vessels used to dock in its harbor bringing and taking many traders.

At Sluice Boxes only camping is permitted, but no amenities are provided. At least it has a trail going to the Lewis and Clark Forest and Little Belt Mountains. It is located in north central Montana and fishing is permitted on its streams.

Pompeys Pillar National Historic Landmark is a rock that’s rising 200 ft above the Yellowstone River. Various markings on the rocks depict that people used to meet, camp and hunt centuries ago. It also has a carving of Captain William Clark’s signature and date of 1806 where interpretive tours are also available.

It later became the military HQ. Most of the original buildings still stand and it became the State agriculture experiment station in 1911 and continues so to-day. Fort Assinniboine Historic Site, Northern Agriculture Research Center was built in 1879 and was the largest military fort west of Mississippi River. Its length was 40 miles and the breadth was 15 miles.

Fairmount Hot Springs Resort is a place, which offers its visitors lots of Massages and makes them feel totally relaxed. It also offers them lots of water related activities making best of Montana in one place. A real wild and roaring destination and its original structures still standing like Hotel, Temple and the town jail.

Spanish Peaks Brewery and Italian Caffe is a place where tourists who want to fill their stomachs can come. It offers you various Spanish ales and Italian food for lunch, dinner or just for taste. On Sundays it offers drinks at discounts.

gold metal detectors

Elyse Morgan asked:


Austin may not have much in common with the rest of its Texan neighbors, but it certainly is right up to speed, if not in high speed, with the rest of the international community. Find yourself some cheap airfare to Austin and discover why most cars and t-shirts of Austinites proudly proclaim, “Keep Austin Weird.” Travel to Austin to experience a vibrant city deeply entrenched in the tenets of self-expression, ever-evolving music of all genres, and the pride of a unique southern history.

Austin was the original capital of the Republic of Texas, and remained the capital of the state of Texas once incorporated into the United States in 1845 as the 28th state. The Texas State Capitol Complex is certainly worth a visit while taking in the sights of Austin. The gardens are peaceful and the 1856 Governor’s Mansion is an architectural testament to the Greek revival style. The LBJ Presidential Library is also located in Austin and offers rotating exhibits focused on domestic and national history and art.

Travel to the Tune of Austin

Anyone who pays much attention to contemporary music would know that Austin is known as “the Live Music Capital of the World.” There are more live music venues per capita in Austin than any other city. Wander down 6th Street on any given night and you will find yourself overtaken by jazz beats, rock progressions, twanging country or experimental electro. Each year Atlanta hosts the famous South by Southwest music and film festival, which is a major gathering and showcase for the entire live music industry. The Austin Reggae Festival is hosted in April and this eccentric Texan city even celebrates its own version of Carnaval in February.

It is mandatory that you travel with an open mind if you are visiting Austin during any of their zillions of festivals spread throughout the year. Eeyore’s Birthday Party is an annual celebration of self-expression where face painted families enjoy live music and drum circles alongside rockers, teens, drag queens and just about everyone else in Austin, while a statue of Eeyore dressed like the Statue of Liberty is prominently displayed. To keep in theme with Austin’s quirkiness, the city hosts SPAMORAMA, an annual homage to SPAM in all forms including a cook-off, recipe contest, kid’s SPAM sculpture and craft booths and even the SPAMALYPICS.

Austin also boasts a prosperous and eclectic film and theater industry. Over a dozen independent theaters line the streets of Austin, offering enough space for the many theater groups ranging from improv and offbeat to classical and cutting-edge. Check out The Off Center for a real taste of Austin’s finest original music, comedy and theater acts. Hollywood seems to have developed a satellite industry in Austin over the years, with the help of the University of Texas at Austin’s acclaimed Department of Radio-Television-Film. Recent productions include Office Space, A Scanner Darkly, Miss Congeniality and Sin City.

It’s All About Austin

A trip to Texas is simply incomplete without traveling to Austin. The city single-handedly places Texas on the cultural and artistic global map and smoothes out the edges of the Texan stereotype. Get in on the nutty free spirit of Austin and don’t miss another beat of a breakthrough artist.

Rahul Viz asked:


Amsterdam has its own collection of museum which can be called normal to bizarre. The museum here is plentiful and enough for any tourist to pass his/her time. Right on Damrak, Amsterdam’s Main Street, one will find one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions – the Sex Museum. Filled with curious couples, the museum has floor after floor of displays which range from exotic to erotic, historic to hysterical. Once a person goes inside the museum he/she will find a great collection of erotic art from throughout history and a number of other entertaining exhibits. There is everything from an extensive collection of literature and manuscripts portraying various illustrations of sex that have popped up throughout history through padded booths playing porno films to a gallery of alternative sexual fetishes.

To a Dutch person, this is a tactful and scholarly attempt to portray the history of sexual artwork and sexuality. Amsterdam is a different world it is a curious combination of an old European style city, with a very modern approach towards life.

The Amsterdam Sex Museum has an extensive international collection of historical erotic and pornographic art, literature and artifacts. The museum has an erotic bend with mannequins so arranged so as to titillate, Greek temple devotional items, Japanese carved erotic ivories and antique and modern fetish wear.

There is a wide-ranging collection of manuscripts and drawings ranging from the Karma Sutra to twentieth-century comics and a vast film and photographic library proffering every sexual predilection and preference. An interactive section offers visitors privacy in one of several small padded booths, with a selection of films playing continuously whilst the display of contemporary paintings can be viewed from one of three appropriately shaped seven-foot long vibrating chairs. The museum is certainly worth a visit but not for those who are easily offended.

Another unusual museum in Amsterdam is the Hash Marihuana Hemp Museum in Amsterdam. It was opened in 1985 and almost a million interested people have visited this permanent exhibition. Each year, some 75,000 people from all parts of the world come to this exceptional cultural and knowledge centre at 148 Oudezijds Achterburgwal, in the heart of the Red-Light District. The museum is completely devoted to the cannabis plant and its many uses. The Hash Marihuana Hemp Museum is unique in the world, and is much like a voyage of discovery that fits perfectly into a tourist visit to Amsterdam.

The scent of genuine cannabis plants welcomes the visitor already when entering the museum. Inside, all aspects of hash and marihuana are fully explained. Like, a photo collection shows how hashish is made in the traditional fashion in Afghanistan. In the Middle East, hash has been a stimulant for centuries. There is a large collection of traditional pipes from all over the world. In addition to all this there is also a collection of photos, posters, and magazines on the cannabis culture, ranging from the 19th century to the era of jazz and on to the contemporary pop culture. Cannabis lovers can enjoy the museum to their hearts’ content.

The Hash Marihuana Hemp Museum has a wide collection of extensive documents as well as historical facts about today’s use of the cannabis plant as well as about its medicinal, religious and cultural applications. In addition, attention is given to the importance of cannabis to the environment, agriculture and industry. The museum shows that hemp has evolved to become one of Man’s most valuable raw materials used in farming.

Jessica Nielson asked:


When you visit Prague, you can expect to see some unusual things, but you have not seen anything until you see the dancing house. To look at this place from the outside, you would be afraid to enter the building. It looks as if it is ready to fall down. It is amazing to see how someone’s mind worked in such a way to make this building look like it is really dancing. The famous La Perle de Prague restaurant is located inside the dancing house on the top floor. The French cuisine is exquisite and the view of the city is beautiful.

Next, take a walk down Golden Lane where you will see eleven houses that act as museum types. There are little shops in some, textiles and armoury as well as other attractions. The street is from ancient times and the houses are historic. The street itself is something to see, but once you enter the homes, you will be amazed at how they use these houses to display more history of the city. You could take a half a day or more to see everything in the houses, sit, and watch the people coming and going. It is unique and interesting to see this area.

The Prague Zoo is a day trip all by itself. There are over five thousand animals with over six hundred species. The zoo is a favorite place for visitors when they stay in the city. The scenery around the zoo is just beautiful with rolling hills and a river valley. You must see Wenceslas Square. This is where you will spend some time especially if you want to experience some nightlife. The main street of Prague is filled with hotels, casinos, banks, bars and shops. If you can stay close to this area, you will be within walking distance of most of the Prague attractions.

You might not think this is an unusual place to see, but when you consider all the attractions in this little area with so many other buildings so close, it is very unusual. It is not unusual to see people everywhere twenty-four hours a day. The square is always filled with people. If you do manage to spend some time on the square, you should stop at Buffalo Bill’s Restaurant or HOT Restaurant. These two eateries are fantastic. You will want to make these two places your destination every day for lunch and dinner.

Some bars are more geared towards customers from around the world. There is Aloha Wave Lounge and Jama Pub. Then there are International bars, Irish bars, wine bars, sports bars, English pubs and music bars. They have French bars, cocktail bars and karaoke bars as well as Czech and Cuban bars. There is a bar for everyone in Prague. The area is filled with bars. Enjoying the nightlife is as easy as walking out of the hotel and you are sure to see one or two right near you.

Frank Dalotto asked:


Are you looking for unusual attractions in New Jersey that offer discovery, education, a hobby, or just a different form of fun?

New Jersey has many popular leisure attractions and natural wonders that are widely promoted and visited by the masses. This article will provide information on the little known or offbeat places that are of interest to people with special interests, and for school teachers that are looking for a field trip to supplement their children’s education curriculum.

The Best of New Jersey’s Unusual Attractions

Cowtown Rodeo

780 Route 40, Pilesgrove, NJ

856-769-3200

May-September, 7:30 PM, Saturday nights

Enjoy quality Western Rodeo entertainment by touring professional cowboys. Includes; Bareback Bronc Riding, Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling, Girls Barrel Racing, Brahma Bull Riding.

Franklin Mineral Museum

2 Evans Street , Franklin, Sussex County, NJ

973-827-3481

The Franklin mine is a zinc mine known for its unique display of mineral fluorescence, (glowing rocks) and variety of rare species. They have thousands of mineral specimens on display with a huge fluorescent presentation of brilliant and glowing colorful minerals.

The museum also has demonstrations and examples of the mining methods used during that period of operation. Although the primary focus is mineral science, geology, and local mining history, they also cover the science of archeology and anthropology with field collection and mineral identification. The museum welcomes teachers and school tours and can create a curriculum to fit your schools educational interest.

Grape Expectations

25E Kearney St. Bridgewater, NJ

732-764-WINE (9463)

Create your own quality table wines, using some of the finest varieties of California grapes. Experience the atmosphere of a winery and the enjoyment of the hobby of wine making. You will be involved in the complete process of wine making from the crushing and pressing of your grapes to the racking and bottling of your oak-barreled, specially prepared wine.

Northlandz

495 Highway 202 South, Flemington, NJ

(908) 782-4022

Home of the Great American Railway, Doll Museum & Art Gallery;

They have over a hundred miniature trains and eight miles of track running past mountains and bridges. See the ninety four room dollhouse with many features found in real life mansions. Ride the Raritan River steam Railway replica as it travels through nature filled scenery. Visit the Doll Museum with over two hundred dolls from different countries.

The Pequest Trout Hatchery and

Natural Resource Education Center

605 Pequest Rd. Oxford, NJ

908-637-4125

See a video about the trout hatching process from conception to stocking. Experience a self-instructional tour that shows the trout rearing and an exhibit hall with live fish. Hiking trails and Picnic areas are also available. Great for children and school tours.

Rankokus Indian Reservation

Rancocas, NJ

(609) 261-4747

Situated on 350 acres in the town of Westampton, NJ, is the Indian nation’s administrative and educational, cultural, social programs center that has been established to help the people of the State of New Jersey, and school children in particular, to understand the Rankokus Indians and their ways and history through a tour of the reservation, its museum, art gallery, and the many exhibits and nature trails. Learn about Indian history from the native Indians and the true story of the Pocahontas myth. Popular with teachers and school children who are looking for a field trip to supplement their educational curriculum.