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Tourist arrested for disgusting act at sacred UNESCO World Heritage Site

A tourist has been arrested after he committed this disgusting act on top of the Leshan Giant Buddha, a sacred UNESCO World Heritage Site in China. The man allegedly found a blind spot away from CCTV cameras, climbed over the security fence and on top of the statue. Once he reached the top of the monuments head, he proceeded to pull down his pants and urinate in front of horrified visitors who filmed the act. Security guards quickly removed the unidentified man and handed him over to police, after being informed of his actions. It is reported that the man was taken to a nearby hospital for psychiatric evaluation. The UNESCO World Heritage Site itself is a 71-metre-tall monument, which is considered to be the largest and tallest stone Buddha statue in the world. The Leshan Giant Buddha monument is located in the Sichuan Province of China, and was carved out of a cliff face between 713 and 803 AD. The statue and surrounding Mount Emei Scenic Area have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. This act is one of many incidences of tourists behaving badly across the world. In June 2023 a German tourist was detained after <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/tourist-accused-of-causing-over-8-000-in-damages-to-iconic-roman-statue" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climbing up</a> a 16th-century Fountain of Neptune, and was accused of causing over $8,000 in damages to the iconic statue. Prior to that, an Irish tourist landed himself into <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/tourist-busted-for-carving-name-into-world-s-most-famous-roman-relic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trouble in Rome</a> after carving his and his girlfriend's name onto the walls of the Colosseum. Images: News.com.au

Travel Trouble

The Great Barrier Reef – what does a new Labor government mean for its future?

The Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1981, and with good reason – it’s the world’s largest single structure made by living organisms. It’s an Australian icon intrinsically tied to our national identity, but the reef is in danger due to the effects of climate change. Just this past summer it experienced its fourth mass-bleaching event in seven years, with 91% of the reef experiencing some level of bleaching according to the summer 2021-22 Reef Snapshot report. Every Federal election, the Great Barrier Reef becomes a bit of a poster child for climate change, but what does the recent change in government actually mean for its future? The Labor government’s climate policies are more ambitious than those of the Coalition, but will it be enough to save the reef from devastation? Are we finally taking steps in the right direction? <h2>Climate change and its impact on the reef</h2> The effects of climate change are being felt majorly by the Great Barrier Reef already. Especially apparent are the mass coral-bleaching events caused by increasing ocean temperatures as a result of global warming. “Corals can (and frequently do) recover from bleaching, but just like forest recovery after a bushfire, they need time, and the speed of the recovery can vary depending on the severity of the heatwave and the types of corals growing on the reef,” explains Dr Emma Kennedy, a research scientist in Coral Reef Ecology at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). But according to Dr Jodie Rummer, associate professor at the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University, these events are only going to become more frequent. “With the trajectory that we’re on right now, what we’ll seeing by even the year 2044 is annual mass-bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef, and coral reefs worldwide,” she says. “Even our more robust coral species require eight to 10 years to fully recover from these repeated heat waves. “We’re just losing that window of recovery for not only the coral reef and the coral organisms, but also all the other organisms that the coral reef supports.” Current greenhouse gas emissions trajectories indicate that globally we’re tracking towards an increase in global temperatures approaching 3°C above pre-industrial levels, by 2100. This is incompatible with healthy, thriving reefs. If warming exceeds 1.5°C “we would lose the reef altogether,” warns Rummer. <h2>Labor’s Great Barrier Reef policies</h2> With a new government comes new targets and policies that affect the reef. To start with, let’s look at the funding. The Labor government has promised to invest almost $1.2 billion in reef preservation and restoration by 2030 – that’s an extra $194.5 million on top of the LNP’s existing $1 billion reef package. This money will be used to tackle issues such as pollution from agricultural runoff, a more sustainable fishing sector, funding scientific research into thermal-tolerant corals, and funding protection and restoration work by Indigenous ranger organisations. The government also plans to continue and double the funding of the Reef 2050 Plan, which was initially released in 2015 to address the concerns of the World Heritage Committee. “It’s an awful lot of money, but it actually isn’t a lot of money when you think of it like $100 million each year,” says Dr Maxine Newlands, political scientist at James Cook University, Australia. “That’s not very much given the size of the Great Barrier Reef and what needs to be done.” It’s also important to keep in mind that the electorates that fringe the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland are Liberal seats. It remains to be seen whether there will be any opposition to funds being directed at the Great Barrier Reef – or calls for it to be redirected elsewhere, such as to farming, instead. But while it’s important to be mindful of these second and tertiary stressors to the reef, and to be acting on them, if we’re not addressing the number-one stressor that the Great Barrier Reef is facing – climate change – we’re not getting to the heart of the problem. “No more band aids on arterial wounds,” emphasises Rummer. “So, the money is great,” she adds. “And in terms of research, management and policy, we absolutely need it right now.” But the ideal is money being allocated toward reducing impacts of climate change – like the triple threat of global warming, ocean acidification and declining ocean oxygen levels. <h2>Emissions reductions targets must be increased</h2> Speaking of the reef’s number-one stressor, the outcome of this election has started Australia moving towards more action on climate change. The Labor government’s energy plan includes a target of a 43% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030, which is far more ambitious than the previous 26% to 28% target set by the Coalition. The previous government’s policies were consistent with 3˚C of warming, whilst Labor’s policy is consistent with 2˚C, according to a report by Climate Analytics. It’s definitely a step in the right direction, but not enough to ensure the survival of the reef. Instead, the Greens’ target of a 74% emissions reduction, and teal independents’ targets of a 60% reduction, are consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C. With an unprecedented number of Greens candidates and the “teal wave” of independents elected into the crossbench, it’s a sign of shifting public sentiment. “It’s put a bit of a magnifying glass onto the policies of the two major parties, because while I think climate change is always an issue, it’s become more prominent in this election,” says Newlands. According to Newlands, the presence of these climate-forward members is likely to “either expedite the current target of net zero by 2050, or at least have that conversation of ‘well, that’s not enough but what is?’ “Having those independents in will keep climate change on the political agenda. So, it puts pressure on particularly Labor, but Liberals as well, to address that.” The 2020s are a critical decade for climate and we’re already two years in. But we have the opportunity to catalyse action on climate change and take the necessary steps to ensure the continued survival of the Great Barrier Reef. “No other developed country in the world has more to lose from inaction on climate change than we do,” says Rummer. “But we also have the most to gain. “It’s important to look forward into the future with a lot of optimism.” This article originally appeared on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/great-barrier-reef-labor-government/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Imma Perfetto. Image: Shutterstock

Domestic Travel

10 top tourist attractions that could disappear in your lifetime

Places to visit – and protect When places are well-known and popular – historical and modern alike – we might take it for granted that they’ll be around forever. But sadly, many of the world’s best known and culturally significant landmarks are in jeopardy. Human activity has had a devastating effect on many valued places, including massive milestones of human achievement. And many of these are so much more than just tourist attractions – they’re unique, valuable remnants of ancient times and civilizations. The Great Barrier Reef This massive, once-thriving coral reef has suffered enormously over recent years, with coral bleaching – caused by climate change – stripping the coral of its nutrients. This, in turn, harms the rich marine life that calls the reef home. And, of course, this also depletes it of the dazzling colours that once were a hallmark of the Great Barrier Reef’s underwater wonder. The reef remains the largest coral reef ecosystem in the world, but projections have warned that the damage to it could become irreversible in the next 10 years. Old City of Jerusalem One of the world’s most spiritually significant places, the Old City of Jerusalem, is in danger of disappearing, UNESCO has found. The walls of the Old City are one of its trademark features. Most famously, the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, is a valuable pilgrimage site for people of the Jewish faith, one that dates back to around 20 BCE. The Wall is the only remnant of the city’s Second Temple. The city was actually listed on UNESCO’s list of endangered cultural sites in the 1980s. Widespread urbanisation has been found to pose a significant threat to the city. Everglades National Park This stunning Floridian wildlife sanctuary has sadly found itself fighting for its life in recent years. As ‘the largest designated subtropical wilderness reserve’ in North America, according to UNESCO, it’s been a beloved travel destination for American citizens for decades, but the ravages of time and human activity have not been kind to it. Its survival first came into question after it was battered by Hurricane Andrew in 1993. But it’s human influence that has posed the primary threat, as water flow to the site has decreased and the impacts of pollution have increased, resulting in harmful algal blooms. Its vast, diverse wildlife is more threatened than ever before. The Taj Mahal It’s hard to imagine this monolithic structure, located in Agra, India, being in danger. The structure itself is in some jeopardy from the elements, but the primary reason for concern is that the Indian Supreme Court could potentially close the attraction. The court has butted heads with the government, claiming that unless the government does a better job of preserving it, they’ll have to shut it down. Pollution is visibly altering the Taj’s pristine surface. It’s also experienced insect infestations. Flies of the genus Geoldichironomus, which breed in the heavily polluted Yamuna River, neighbouring the Taj, have encroached upon the structure in recent years. Mount Kilimanjaro’s peak This revered mountain, one of the Seven Summits, proves that even giants can fall to climate change. While the mountain itself, located in Tanzania, isn’t in imminent danger, its iconic snow cap might vanish – and shockingly soon. Research found that the snow cap had lost 85 per cent of the total area of its ice fields between 1912 and 2007, and the remaining ice could be history as early as 2030. Machu Picchu Located in southern Peru, Machu Picchu is the remains of a huge stone citadel that was built during the 15th century. These incredible Incan ruins are widely considered one of the must-see spots in South America. Unfortunately, this has backfired in a way. The site has been a victim of over-tourism, seeing the detrimental effects of the surge of tourists it gets as they wear down the structures. In addition, the area surrounding Machu Picchu has seen rampant urbanisation, as well as mudslides and fires, in recent years, leading UNESCO to work for its preservation. Portobelo-San Lorenzo forts While not as ancient as some of the other sites mentioned here, these fortifications on the Panama coast are considered historically significant. The Portobelo-San Lorenzo forts were constructed by the Spanish in Panama in efforts to protect trade routes; they were built over two centuries, starting in the 1590s. They demonstrate a wide range of architectural styles, featuring everything from medieval-style castles to neo-classical 18th-century redresses. The forts face a couple of challenges, urbanisation has encroached upon them on land, and a shrinking coastline and erosion present natural threats on the coastal side. Maintenance has also fallen by the wayside. They were listed as endangered in 2012. Hatra These grand ruins stand in the Al-Jazīrah region of Baghdad, Iraq. As the capital of the first Arab Kingdom, Araba, Hatra is a site of massive historical significance. It withstood Roman military force in the second century CE. It was the king of the Sāsānian Empire, an early Iranian regime, who eventually destroyed it in the third century. The ruins went undiscovered until the 1830s; German archaeologists only began excavating it in the early 1900s. In addition to becoming a UNESCO world heritage site, Hatra was also immortalised as the temple featured in The Exorcist. Sadly, it became a target of ISIS in 2015. Militants assailed the structures with bullets and destroyed statues, seeking to dismantle remnants of polytheism. It was after this that UNESCO gave it an endangered status. Nan Madol This remarkable architectural jewel of the ancient world dates back to the 1200s. It spans more than 100 islands and islets surrounding the Federated States of Micronesia, to the northeast of Papua New Guinea. Throughout the 1200s to the 1500s, indigenous people from the island of Pohnpei built an expansive ‘city on water’, constructing more than 100 man-made islets out of coral boulders and basalt. The stunning expanse, untouched for hundreds of years, is a testament to the ingenuity and skill of ancient Pacific Islander peoples. However, it’s the forces of nature this time that pose a danger to it as plants, storms and water damage encroach upon the impressive structures. It has been on UNESCO’s endangered sites list since 2016. How to help There are plenty of resources you can use to help preserve endangered spots like these. For starters, you could donate to UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre. UNESCO also gives citizens an option to report threats to protected sites (scroll to the bottom of this page for contact information. And if you choose to visit these spots, treat them with the utmost care! Be respectful, don’t touch anything you’re not explicitly allowed to touch, and do your part to keep the area clean. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/travel-hints-tips/10-top-tourist-attractions-that-could-disappear-in-your-lifetime?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

10 awe-inspiring UNESCO world heritage sites everyone needs to visit

Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal is universally recognised as the greatest masterpiece in Indo-Islamic architecture. The white marble mausoleum was commissioned in 1632 by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Spatial grandeur, arches, domes, relief work and precious stone inlay are among its defining characteristics. Angkor Wat Exploring the mysteries Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia is an unforgettable bucket list trip. Part of one of the most significant archaeological sites in Southeast Asia (the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 14th century), this massive temple complex was originally constructed as a Hindu place of worship for the god Vishnu and is the largest religious structure on the planet! Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland Australia, is the largest living thing on earth. It’s so huge that you can see it from outer space! Stretching for over 2,300 kilometres, this ecosystem is home to a diversity of marine line, including 400 types of coral, 1500 species of fish, and 4000 varieties of molluscs. Not surprisingly it’s a magnet for scuba divers. Plitvice Lakes National Park Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia is located halfway between Zagreb and Zadar. This idyllic oasis is renowned for its 16 crystalline lakes connected by a series of exquisite waterfalls, splendid caves and lush forests. Each year, more than one million visitors flock to this natural paradise, making it Croatia’s main tourist attraction. The Parthenon The Acropolis of Athens is an enduring symbol of Classical Greece. The crown jewel of this hilltop citadel is the Parthenon, a former temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. Built by Ictinus and Callicrates, beginning in 447 BCE, this Doric icon is regarded as the most important surviving ancient Greek monument. Grand Canyon Words don’t do even begin to do justice to the glory of the Grand Canyon. Formed by Colorado River activity over the past six million years, it’s one of the longest and deepest gorges (averaging 1,600m in depth) on earth. Its immense size and layered red rocks make it a must-see-before-you-die attraction. Want to bring your four-legged friend along? The Grand Canyon is also pet-friendly! Los Glaciares National Park Located in the southwest of Santa Cruz province of the Argentine part of Patagonia in a remote area known as the Austral Andes, Los Glaciares National Park is a rugged paradise of granite peaks, lakes and numerous glaciers that cover half the 600,000-hectare expanse. Traversing this spectacular scenery is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Jeronimos Monastery Travel to the Belem district at the entrance to the port of Lisbon to find the Jeronimos Monastery, which dates back to the 15th century. This highly ornate religious building was constructed and donated to the monks of Saint Hieronymus to pray for sailors on their voyages. Its cloisters, columns, arcades and complex ornamentation are characteristic of Portuguese Gothic style. Old Québec Founded by the French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1608, Québec is among the oldest settlements in North America (and one of the most popular travel destinations in Canada). Centuries-old charm is on full display in its impeccably preserved historic district, a shining example of a fortified colonial city with cobblestone lanes, churches, convents and landmarks like Château Frontenac and Place Royal. Iguazu Falls Stretching 2.7 kilometres across Argentina and Brazil, Iguazu Falls is the largest system of waterfalls in the world. The sheer size, thunderous sound and spectacle of these 275 individual cascades – including the 82-metre-tall Devil’s Throat – is truly jaw-dropping. The exotic flora and fauna of the surrounding rainforest add to the allure. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/culture/10-awe-inspiring-unesco-world-heritage-sites-everyone-needs-to-visit" target="_blank">Reader's Digest</a>.

Travel Tips

Arabic calligraphy recognised by UNESCO

UNESCO has added Arabic calligraphy to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, after receiving a proposal from 16 Arabic speaking countries. The proposal was led by Saudi Arabia, which declared 2020 and 2021 as the “Year of Arabic Calligraphy”. In a statement published by the government of Saudi Arabia, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the country’s Minister of Culture, said, “We welcome the inscription of Arabic calligraphy, which is the result of the Kingdom championing this treasured aspect of authentic Arabic culture.” A statement from UNESCO describes the art of Arabic calligraphy as “the artistic practice of handwriting Arabic script in a fluid manner to convey harmony, grace and beauty.” Calligraphy was originally invented to improve the legibility of Arabic script, and later became a more expressive way for artists to create unique motifs. The form has continued to evolve as artists have used different media to create the calligraphy, including honey, black soot, saffron, and even spray paint. As opposed to physical sites that are granted UNESCO World Heritage status, intangible cultural heritage applied to precious cultural practices. Other heritage practices such as games, hunting practices, dances, culinary treasures and dialects have also been recognised by UNESCO in the past. Image credits: Getty Images

Art

Berlin music campaigners fight for Unesco world heritage status

Ever since the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989, music fans from across the world have flocked to the German capital for the world-famous techno culture. But now, like a lot of global businesses and institutions, Berlin’s renowned clubs such as Tresor and Berghain are in danger of financial ruin as a result of the pandemic. As a result, DJs and music enthusiasts are campaigning to secure Unesco world heritage status to protect the countercultural genre. Berlin-based DJ Alan Oldham said recognition from Unesco would help to protect key venues and boost tourism for the city. He told <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/dec/05/beat-that-berlins-techno-djs-seek-unesco-world-heritage-status">The Observer</a>, "Unesco protection would go a long way towards maintaining that old spirit. "Legacy venues like Tresor and Berghain for example would be protected as cultural landmarks. So many venues have closed in just the seven years I've lived here full-time.” "In other cities, it would be the natural club cycle at work, but Berlin is a different kind of place, where the club and creative scenes are the currency of the city." Support has been growing for the campaign, which was spearheaded by berlin-based organisation <a href="https://www.ravetheplanet.com/">Rave The Planet</a>, who say the techno scene should be protected “as an intangible cultural heritage.” If Unesco status is granted to the clubs, they would get extra protection under city planning laws, as well as access to government subsidies and other funding. Image credits: Getty Images

Music

These tourist attractions could vanish in your lifetime

1. Machu Picchu Located in southern Peru, Machu Picchu is the remains of a huge stone citadel that was built during the 15th century. These incredible Incan ruins are widely considered one of the must-see spots in South America. Unfortunately, this has backfired in a way. The site has been a victim of over-tourism, seeing the detrimental effects of the surge of tourists it gets as they wear down the structures. In addition, the area surrounding Machu Picchu has seen rampant urbanisation, as well as mudslides and fires, in recent years, leading UNESCO to work for its preservation. 2. Portobelo-San Lorenzo forts While not as ancient as some of the other sites mentioned here, these fortifications on the Panama coast are considered historically significant. The Portobelo-San Lorenzo forts were constructed by the Spanish in Panama in efforts to protect trade routes; they were built over two centuries, starting in the 1590s. They demonstrate a wide range of architectural styles, featuring everything from medieval-style castles to neo-classical 18th-century redresses. The forts face a couple of challenges, urbanisation has encroached upon them on land, and a shrinking coastline and erosion present natural threats on the coastal side. Maintenance has also fallen by the wayside. They were listed as endangered in 2012. 3. Hatra These grand ruins stand in the Al-Jazīrah region of Baghdad, Iraq. As the capital of the first Arab Kingdom, Araba, Hatra is a site of massive historical significance. It withstood Roman military force in the second century CE. It was the king of the Sāsānian Empire, an early Iranian regime, who eventually destroyed it in the third century. The ruins went undiscovered until the 1830s; German archaeologists only began excavating it in the early 1900s. In addition to becoming a UNESCO world heritage site, Hatra was also immortalised as the temple featured in The Exorcist. Sadly, it became a target of ISIS in 2015. Militants assailed the structures with bullets and destroyed statues, seeking to dismantle remnants of polytheism. It was after this that UNESCO gave it an endangered status. 4. Nan Madol This remarkable architectural jewel of the ancient world dates back to the 1200s. It spans more than 100 islands and islets surrounding the Federated States of Micronesia, to the northeast of Papua New Guinea. Throughout the 1200s to the 1500s, indigenous people from the island of Pohnpei built an expansive ‘city on water’, constructing more than 100 man-made islets out of coral boulders and basalt. The stunning expanse, untouched for hundreds of years, is a testament to the ingenuity and skill of ancient Pacific Islander peoples. However, it’s the forces of nature this time that pose a danger to it as plants, storms and water damage encroach upon the impressive structures. It has been on UNESCO’s endangered sites list since 2016. How to help There are plenty of resources you can use to help preserve endangered spots like these. For starters, you could donate to <a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/donation">UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre</a>. UNESCO also gives citizens an option to report threats to protected sites (<a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/158/">scroll to the bottom of this page</a> for contact information. And if you choose to visit these spots, treat them with the utmost care! Be respectful, don’t touch anything you’re not explicitly allowed to touch, and do your part to keep the area clean. Written by Meghan Jones. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/travel-hints-tips/10-top-tourist-attractions-that-could-disappear-in-your-lifetime">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a>

International Travel

On the UNESCO World Heritage Bernina Express from Switzerland to Italy

There was nothing wrong with the seats inside the train – they were plush and luxurious with massive panoramic windows and hostesses serving gourmet food and champagne. We had paid a premium for the seats ... but we never actually sat in them. We spent the entire 2½t hours from Samedan in Eastern Switzerland over the Bernina Pass to Tirano in Northern Italy standing in an open carriage at the rear of the train, lurching from one side to the other, spellbound by the staggering landscape and the utter perfection of the cloudless, autumn day. My heart rate started to ramp up as soon as the bright red Rhaetian Railway locomotive with the Bernina Express sign slid into the station in Samedan, hauling a string of panoramic carriages which looked like glass capsules. In fact, my pulse began to accelerate early that morning when I opened one eye and peeped through the curtains in our Bever Lodge bedroom to discover the eye-wateringly bright blue sky and the silver veneer of frost on the grass. I had been planning this UNESCO World Heritage train ride for years and to strike a magic day like this in late autumn was beyond belief. <img class="photoborder" src="https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/o/e/q/w/5/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1od5s8.png/1518664637612.jpg" alt="The Bernina Express makes its way through the Engadin Valley." /> The Bernina Express makes its way through the Engadin Valley. Image credit: Rhaetische Bahn/ Christoph Benz A smartly-attired Bernina Express hostess met us on the platform and showed us to our deluxe seats. On a cold, snowy or rainy day, travelling in comfort in the warm, panoramic carriage with huge windows that extended along and up the walls and across the roof would have been the ultimate in luxury and scenery-viewing. But that day, the carriage was nearly-deserted. Reading my mind, the hostess pointed to the rear of the train. "Everyone is in the open carriage today ... because of the beautiful weather."There were a handful of passengers in the wagon-like carriage which had hard wooden bench seats and no protection from the elements. "Ahh, perfect," I thought, as I scoped out the scenario for manoeuvreability and photography. "Nothing to stop me from swapping sides at will depending on whether the primo sights are left or right, less chance of trampling anyone who gets in the way and no glass reflection." The problem was the primo sights were everywhere on this trip. <img class="photoborder" src="https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/o/e/q/w/4/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1od5s8.png/1518664637612.jpg" alt="The Bernina Massif at sunset." /> The Bernina Massif at sunset. Image credit: Engadin St. Moritz/ Christof Sonderegger We set off along the valley directly below the magnificent Panoramaweg, a 7km alpine pathway from Muottas Muragl to Alp Languard we had hiked the previous day. The wagon was noisy, blustery and far from comfortable, positively Spartan in fact, but I was so happy. Golden autumn foliage crept up the mountain sides swallowing up the dark green conifers. The spectacular, pure white Bernina Massif shimmered on the horizon like a mirage in the morning sunshine. It was astonishing to think our train was about to climb over this high alpine pass and end up in Italy. Such things are huge novelties for Kiwis. As we got closer, I nearly fell out of the carriage trying to get the perfect shot of the mighty Morteratsch Glacier and 4048m Piz Bernina towering regally above. <img class="photoborder" src="https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/o/e/q/w/6/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1od5s8.png/1518664637612.jpg" alt="The train on the famous Brusio Circular Viaduct." /> The train on the famous Brusio Circular Viaduct. Image credit: Rhaetische Bahn/ Christoph Benz Near the summit of the pass lay the beautiful twin lakes of Lago Bianco (White Lake) and Lej Nair (Black Lake) named for their pale aqua and ink blue colours. Rivers flowing from the lakes head off in opposite directions – the Nair tracks northwards to the Inn and Danube and ultimately the Black Sea, while the Bianco flows south to the Adda and Po and the Adriatic. Glacier tongues reached down towards the lakes, waiting for the winter snow and ice to replenish and reunite them. At Ospizio Bernina, 2253m above sea level, the highest point on the trip and the highest altitude station on the Rhaetian Railway, I was in a state of euphoria, perhaps a little light-headed with the altitude. I was entranced by the strongly contrasting colours of the landscape - the intense, infinity blue of the sky; the blinding phosphorus of the sunshine; the pale, milky green of Lago Bianco; the dazzling white snow against the dark, muscular torso of the rocky massif. Ospizio marks the boundary between the Italian-speaking valley of Val Poschiavo and the Swiss Engadin valley where the inhabitants speak Romansh and German. From there we skirted the shore of Lago Bianco and began our long descent. Being in an open carriage at the back of the train, I could watch the massif slowly recede into the distance. <img class="photoborder" src="https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/o/e/q/w/7/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1od5s8.png/1518664637612.jpg" alt="The Bernina Express travelling beside Lago Bianco (White Lake) in the winter." /> Bernina Express travelling beside Lago Bianco (White Lake) in the winter. Image credit: Rhaetische Bahn/ Beppe Raso Soon after, we stopped at Alp Grüm, 2091m, built in 1923. The old stone station houses a lovely restaurant and hotel where white duvets were airing in the windowsills in typically-Swiss alpine fashion. The passengers piled out and gazed around in wonder at Palü Lake, an exquisite turquoise jewel fed by melt waters from the glacier beneath Piz Palü. Hiking and biking tracks leading towards the glacier were dotted with hearty, fit-looking, older couples who waved out to us. I heard a yodel in the distance. I had an insane desire to abandon my Lake Como plans and join them. Such thoughts make me feel traitorous to my Kiwi homeland but Switzerland's mountains and glaciers are higher, craggier, snowier and so much more accessible than ours, thanks to the incredible network of mountain railways, cable cars, gondolas, tracks and lodges. And there are so many more mountains. Wherever you go, the horizon is literally bristling with peaks. A keen tramper, the alpine lodge high on a ridge above beckoned to me. Next time, I promised myself. Back on the train, I was caught off-guard by the same wrenching sensation I experience whenever I leave Central Otago, my turangawaewae. I felt an acute sense of loss as the mountains slipped away. Tears dribbled down my cheeks and a Swiss woman put her arm around my shoulder. She obviously understood the allure and magnetism of the mountains. I later discovered she was a friend of a friend from Wanaka. I had no time to wallow in my 'will-I-ever-be-back-in-the-Swiss-alps?' emotions though. The drama and excitement of our 1824m descent to Tirano soon flooded my consciousness and obliterated any sadness at leaving the mountains. <img class="photoborder" src="https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/o/e/q/w/3/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1od5s8.png/1518664637612.jpg" alt="The Bernina Express trundling down the main street of Tirano in Italy." /> The Bernina Express trundling down the main street of Tirano in Italy. Image credit: Rhaetische Bahn/ Christof Sonderegger Despite the fact we were still in Switzerland, the landscape, architecture and place names took on a distinctly Italian-Mediterranean flavour as we descended to Poschiavo with its graceful palazzi, church spires, hillside vineyards and lovely Lago di Poschiavo, a mirror encircled by a necklace of mountains. The atmosphere was different too – the clear, sharp, light and cool, dry air of the high Swiss alps was replaced by the soft, diffuse, golden haze and warm, velvet air of the Italian lakes' district. The pièce de résistance on the downward leg was the Brusio Circular Viaduct, a truly remarkable engineering masterpiece which allows the train to lose height within a seriously short distance and confined space. The track has a maximum grade of 7 per cent so the train does not slip on the way up or lose control on the way down. <img class="photoborder" src="https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/o/e/q/w/1/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1od5s8.png/1518664637612.jpg" alt="The enormity and beauty of the landscape on the journey from Switzerland to Italy is more than a little overwhelming." /> The enormity and beauty of the landscape on the journey from Switzerland to Italy is more than a little overwhelming. Image credit: Rhaetische Bahn/ Tibert Keller Opened in 1908, the 360-degree, 110m spiral viaduct is a jaw-dropping sight. The train corkscrews on a track supported by nine stone pillars that steadily decrease in height. At one point the front and the back of the train nearly overlap. When the locomotive reaches the valley floor, it leads the train between two of the support pillars while the tail end is still on the viaduct above. Rather snake-esque. About 15 minutes later, the train crossed the Italian border and trundled self-importantly down the main street of Tirano, (429m), taking up the entire road. What a grand entrance and a suitably dramatic finale to an extraordinary expedition. When the train came to a standstill, I was exhausted but exhilarated. I was experiencing massive sensory overload. And the fact we were outside, exposed to the elements and the noise of the train during the entire trip made the experience even more intense and physical. It was the least relaxing, most physically and emotionally draining train trip I've ever done. I didn't eat, drink or visit the bathroom for fear I'd miss something. Even blinking was risky although there were times when I wanted to close my eyes and ears to rest them from over-stimulation. The enormity and beauty of the landscape were overwhelming. 'Aren't we the lucky ones,' I said to myself and then out loud several times as if to convince some stony-faced passengers that they had just been to heaven and back. Breathless, bedraggled and bewitched, I must have looked a little unhinged. I went inside and sat in my expensive seat for five minutes, allowing the impact of the experience to settle into my consciousness. I was also not quite ready for the culture shock of moving from efficient, punctual Switzerland to romantic, seldom-on-time Italy. Had the opportunity presented itself, I would have happily stayed on the train and completed the same trip in the opposite direction. When the hostess came to politely evict me from the carriage, I asked if she ever tired of the trip. 'Never,' she said. 'Never.' 'Any hostess jobs available?' I asked. *The full Bernina Express journey from Chur (593m above sea level) to Tirano (429m above sea level) takes four hours and covers a distance of 122 km of track including 55 tunnels and 196 bridges and viaducts. The top elevation is Ospizio Bernina, 2253m above sea level. *The writer travelled courtesy of <a href="http://www.myswitzerland.com/rail">Switzerland Tourism</a> and Rail Europe. Written by Justine Tyerman. Republished with the permission of <a rel="noopener" href="http://stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a><a href="http://stuff.co.nz/"></a>

International Travel

Visiting the king penguins of Macquarie Island

A UNESCO World Heritage site in the Pacific Ocean, Macquarie Island is one of the most fascinating places on earth, and a big reason is the king penguins. As you can see in the video above, they’re fascinating creatures. A scientific base is the only human population (although it is occasionally visited in local tours), so the island’s king penguins can do as they so wish. To see them in their natural habitat check out the video above. We’re sure you’ll agree that they’re fascinating creatures. Have you ever seen penguins in the wild before? And if so, how did you find the experience? Share your stories in the comments! Related links: <a href="/travel/international/2016/03/endangered-animals-for-your-bucket-list/">8 endangered animal encounters to put on your bucket list</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/06/amputee-penguin-gets-new-prosthetic-foot/">Amputee penguin gets new prosthetic foot</a> <a href="/travel/international/2016/08/10-best-bird-watching-spots-in-australia/">10 best bird watching spots in Australia</a>

International Travel

Australia’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed attractions you should visit

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has compiled a list (<a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list">http://whc.unesco.org/en/list</a>) of World Heritage locations the globe over, and Australia made the list an impressive 19 times. Here are just some the World Heritage Australian locations you need to visit in your lifetime.The Sydney Opera House, NSW<img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9618/vivid-sydney-lights-the-opera-house__credit-daniel_boud-0082-732x488_500x333.jpg" alt="Vivid -Sydney -lights -the -Opera -House __credit -Daniel _Boud -0082-732x 488" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">Possibly the most iconic building in Australia, the Opera House is one of the greatest works of architecture out of the 20th century.The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland<img width="500" height="314" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9613/successtories_greatbarrierreef_500x314.jpg" alt="Successtories _Greatbarrierreef" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">The Great Barrier Reef is, if we do say so ourselves, one of the most beautiful natural phenomenon in the world. Whether you snorkel it, dive it, or just visit it atop a boat, you’re sure to see countless varieties of marine life and coral.Fraser Island, Queensland<img width="497" height="330" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9614/611521711_tvnf6-x2_497x330.jpg" alt="611521711_Tv NF6-X2" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">As the largest sand island in the world, Fraser Island boasts an impressive 250km of white sand beaches surrounded by gorgeous turquoise waters. Whether tanning, hiking, four-wheeling or camping, there’s something to be loved by every visitor.Purnululu National Park, WA<img width="500" height="335" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9615/purnululu-pd_500x335.jpg" alt="Purnululu -pd" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">Purnululu National park is home to 240,000 hectares of park filled with hive-shaped towering sandstone and green-blue waters. If the 300km trek there puts you off, one of the most popular ways to experience the stunning scenery is by helicopter.Shark Bay, WA<img width="497" height="290" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9616/059-shark-bay-marine-park-wa-courtesy-australias-coral-coast_497x290.jpg" alt="059.-Shark -Bay -Marine -Park -WA-courtesy -Australias -Coral -Coast" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">Despite its name, Shark Bay boasts more than just sharks, with many dugongs calling the expanse of water home. If dugongs aren’t a big enough draw-card, Shark Bay also houses three-billion-year-old lifeforms called stromatolites, which are, put simply, living fossils. You can travel there by boat, plane, or even camel.The Tasmanian Wilderness, Tasmania<img width="499" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9617/4582233_499x333.jpg" alt="4582233" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">Taking up one fifth of Tasmania, the Tasmanian Wilderness holds beautiful gorges, rivers, and rainforests, as well as Tasmanian Aboriginal rock art. While you’re there, you can also experience wild water rafting, bushwalking, camping and fishing.The complete list of Australian World Heritage locations is as follows:<ul><li>Great Barrier Reef</li><li>Kakadu National Park</li><li>Willandra Lakes Region</li><li>Lord Howe Island Group</li><li>Tasmanian Wilderness</li><li>Gondwana Rainforests of Australia 1</li><li>Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park 2</li><li>Wet Tropics of Queensland</li><li>Shark Bay, Western Australia</li><li>Fraser Island</li><li>Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh / Naracoorte)</li><li>Heard and McDonald Islands</li><li>Macquarie Island</li><li>Greater Blue Mountains Area</li><li>Purnululu National Park</li><li>Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens</li><li>Sydney Opera House</li><li>Australian Convict Sites</li><li>Ningaloo Coast                                 </li></ul>Related links:<a href="/travel/domestic-travel/2015/09/great-aussie-train-trips/">3 great Aussie train trips</a><a href="/travel/domestic-travel/2015/08/australias-best-mountains-to-climb/">6 of the best Australian mountains to climb</a><a href="/travel/domestic-travel/2015/08/australia-travel-2015/">Australian travel to-do list: 2015</a>

Domestic Travel

UNESCO rules Great Barrier Reef not in danger, but will be keeping a close eye on Australia’s actions

While UNESCO's World Heritage Committee says that the Great Barrier Reef should not be listed as being in danger, they recommend Australia report back on their plans to implement the Reef2050 plan by December 1 2016. The regular five-year review of the reef's health must also be finalised by 2019 and will be followed up with a "most rigorous" review by the World Heritage Committee by 2020. Federal environment minister Greg Hunt told delegates that “The Great Barrier Reef is Australia's greatest natural icon." As with all reefs, "there are real challenges such as climate change and water quality", he said. The decision was unanimous and comes after federal government lobbying. As well, there has been increased spending by both federal and state authorities to limit pollution into the reef, and other steps to help preserve the reef. Over the past 30 years around half of the reef's coral has been lost. According to Mr Hunt, the government had committed over $2 billion to protect the reef over the next ten years. Another $8 million would be earmarked for "enhanced reef monitoring". "It has taken significant work but Australia can proudly say that we have already implemented all of the committee's recommendations," he said, adding the "interest and advice on the reef has allowed us to do in 18 months what might otherwise have taken a decade". Despite welcoming the plans by Australia to protect the reef, international delegates from Finland to Vietnam stressed the need to bolster the reef's resilience to climate change and also limit the development of ports in the area. "The overall outlook of the [reef] remains poor," Germany's delegate said, while another spoke of Australia's "amazing, impressive effort". "Global warming has been killing off the reef," Portugal's delegate told the committee members. Agriculture, mining and dredging are also areas of concern, adding: "These are all serious problems and they require far-reaching decisions and joint political will". The fate of the reef "is of utmost importance to the entire world", South Korea's delegate said. Other non-government organisations such as WWF-Australia and Greenpeace were there to reinforce the need to implement the policies committed to by the Australian and Queensland governments. Without the recommended improvements to the health of the reef it would be at risk of an "in-danger" listing in 2020, Dermot O'Gorman, WWF-Australia's chief executive, told the group. "WWF welcomes this strong decision - Australia is on probation and the real work to turn around the decline of the reef starts now," Mr O'Gorman said. "The World Heritage Committee wants hard evidence that Australia is delivering outcomes in coming years," he said. Jess Panegyres, Greenpeace's political advisor for Australia Pacific, said that it was hard to believe that the changes would occur when the government was also supportive of prospective coal mines in central Queensland. "Until the plans for the massive coal mine and port expansion are dropped, it's impossible to take Australia's claims that they are protecting the reef seriously," Ms Panegyres said. "The plan has effectively carved out a space for massive coal mines and port expansion that will create a highway for coal ships straight through the reef." Queensland Great Barrier Reef Minister Steven Miles says he was not surprised at the outcome. "The only surprise really was just how positively every member country spoke, which is, I'm told, a rare thing and a big deal," he said. Dr Miles said there was "genuine excitement" among the international delegates about how far the process had advanced since the previous World Heritage Committee meeting. Dr Miles said while the state and federal governments' plan had been endorsed, he was conscious the world was closely watching. "Now we need to deliver, we need to implement the plan and that's what they'll be watching in coming years," he said. "It's no doubt going to be tough to achieve what we need to achieve, but it's doable. "That's what the scientists who advise the committee say and the committee members wouldn't have endorsed the plan if it wasn't achievable. "It's going to be difficult and challenging, but we've got all the pieces in place to be able to do it." Related links: <a href="/news/news/2015/07/pack-size-causing-resistance-to-antibiotics/">Large pack sizes could be causing resistance to antibiotics</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/07/phone-and-internet-bills-to-drop/">Your phone and internet bills could be set to drop</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/07/older-ladies-donnalou-stevens/">We love this hysterical anthem for older ladies</a>

News

In pictures: the newly added UNESCO World Heritage sites of 2015

More than a dozen sites have been granted world heritage status by the United Nations cultural agency, UNESCO. With rich histories, these incredible places aren’t the most famous of sites but many of them are worth visiting. Here are some of the places that made it on to the list this year. The fortress island of Gunkanjima, known as “Battleship Island”, marks Japan’s industrial revolution in the 19th Century. <img width="498" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7071/japan_498x280.jpg" alt="Japan (4)"/> Photo credit: UNESCO The Speicherstadt in Hamburg, the world’s largest historic warehouse complex. <img width="500" height="334" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7072/hamburg_500x334.jpg" alt="Hamburg"/> Photo credit: danielmennerich Flickr The Necropolis of Beth She'arim in Israel, which dates back to the 2nd Century BC, has been used as a Jewish burial place. <img width="498" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7073/israel_498x280.jpg" alt="Israel"/> Photo credit: UNESCO The ancient city of Susa in Iran is one of the largest archaeological sites in the world. <img width="498" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7074/iran_498x280.jpg" alt="Iran"/> Photo credit: UNESCO The Diyarbakir Fortress and Hevsel Gardens of eastern Turkey, which dates back to Roman times. <img width="500" height="334" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7075/turkey_500x334.jpg" alt="Turkey"/> Photo credit: irotzabal Flickr Jamaica’s first world heritage site, the Blue and John Crow Mountains, was a refuge for indigenous people and escaped African slaves during colonial times. <img width="499" height="375" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7077/jamaica_499x375.jpg" alt="Jamaica"/> Photo credit: UNESCO Related links: <a href="/news/news/2015/07/cash-dead-in-decade/">Will cash be dead in a decade?</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/07/worlds-most-liveable-cities/">The world's most liveable cities revealed</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/07/dolls-with-disabilities/">These dolls with disabilities are flying off the shelves</a>

News

Will the Great Barrier Reef end up on the Unesco “in danger” list?

In an effort to keep the Great Barrier Reef off the Unesco “in danger” list, the federal government is proposing a ban on all dredge spoil dumping in the area’s marine park. Environment minister, Greg Hunt, has ordered the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to draft regulations that would stop dredge dumping “once and for all.”Environment groups say that the ban is a positive step, but that it ignores the dumping that will occur in the reef’s remaining 80 per cent. This dumping is a result of the 2013 decision by the federal government to allow three million tonnes of dredge waste to be dumped in the marine park from the Abbot Point coal port.A new plan is being considered to dump the dredge in the Caley valley wetlands, a move that is being met with scepticism from the Australian Marine Conservation Society amid fears run-off will flow out to the reef anyway.Last year, the World Heritage Committee demanded that Australia develop a long-term plan to ensure the protection of the reef, threatening to categorise the area as “in danger”.Mr Hunt is travelling to Europe in the next week to consult on the government’s plan, and to outline the progress that has been made.

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In pictures: the newly added UNESCO World Heritage sites of 2015

Will the Great Barrier Reef end up on the Unesco “in danger” list?

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