【推荐1】Eight Days in Japan

Last reply was 5 days ago 99

I have a rail pass and was wondering if that itinerary is sufficient so as to give me a taste of the country, and if I am wasting my time on Osaka. I know I will be cutting myself short in Tokyo but I am easy about that as I live in a city and prefer to go to places with a slower pace.

Thanks for the help!

Get real, do some research, and choose 2-3 destinations max. For me Osaka, Hakone and Himeji are definitely not part of those 2-3 destinations.

【推荐2】The sights of Serbia always attract tourists with their originality and unique history. What to see in Serbia first? We have compiled a list of the most interesting sights in this country especially for you.

Belgrade Fortress (Belgrade)

Belgrade Fortress, constructed all throughout the 1st to the 18th century, with the aim of being a strategic place for defense on the hill above the Sava and Danube rivers, today represents an outdoor museum. The Pobednik Monument (The Victor), the symbol of Belgrade, is the focal point of the entire area which is made up of the Belgrade fortress, divided into the Upper and Lower town, and Kalemegdan Park.

Nikola Tesla Museum (Belgrade)

Nikola Tesla Museum was opened in Belgrade (the capital) in 1952. It is entirely dedicated to the life and inventions of the famous engineer, a genius of the 20th century — Nikola Tesla. Today it is used in power lines, electric generators and electric motors. The museum presents many models of devices invented by Tesla and films about the great scientist.

Drwengrad (Uzice)

Famous director Emir Kusturica has built the beautiful village “Drwengrad” (wooden town) in 2004. Drwengrad is not on any map. You can get here by a retro train, which appeared in the director’s film Life as a Miracle. Here Kusturica receives tourist, holds festivals and loudly declares his views. Walking along the wooden bridge, you can meet colorful Serbian grandmothers, offering tourists products made of sheep’s wool.

Fruska Gora National Park (Novi Sad)

Fruska Gora has acquired the status of a national park because of the huge number of rare trees and shrubs. If you would like to spend a couple of days relaxing and enjoying the nature of the Balkans, go here. People come to the park with tents for family vacations, roasting kebabs and taking pictures in nature.

【推荐3】Four of the Best Autumn Walks in Britain

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London

It houses the widest variety of living plants of any botanic garden (植物园) on the planet, including around 14,000 trees. Every autumn, its woodland delivers an extraordinary view of bright red and yellow as leaves of various trees begin to change. Join a guided trees tour and learn how different trees are dealing with the changing seasons.

Brechfa Forest, Abergorlech

Brechfa Forest covers some 16,000 acres in Carmarthenshire, Wales, making it easy for walkers to enjoy themselves in woodlands transformed (改变) by autumn’s finest colours. Follow the Gorlech Walk, which tracks the river Gorlech and passes Californian redwoods that become a mix of red and purple in November. After your walk, drive to Carmarthen, one of the oldest towns in Wales, for lunch.

Batsford Arboretum, Cotswolds

More than 1,300 different trees and bamboos are showcased at Batsford Arboretum, near the picture-perfect town of Moreton-in-Marsh. This private garden covers 60 acres, providing outstanding colours between late October and November. Highlights include its large areas of leaf shades ranging from red to purple. Pre-booking tickets during autumn is recommended to avoid a large number of visitors.

Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire

There are over 3,800 acres of parkland to explore at Clumber Park, a beautiful place featuring Sherwood Forest that shows different and changing colours in autumn. With over 20 miles of trails (小径), there’s plenty of ground to cover, so consider bringing your bike. Keep an eye out for the park’s birds, which is a main attraction for birdwatchers.

【推荐1】In 2011, artist Grimanesa Amorós stepped off a boat made of totora reeds (芦苇) onto an island—also made of totora reeds — in the northwest portion of Lake Titicaca. It’s home to one of the world’s most innovative achievement of human engineering: the Uros Islands.

The man-made floating islands, which are home to the native Uros people, are created by putting layers upon layers of totora roots and reeds. This water-resistant plant grows in the lake and is the lifeblood of the Uros community. It is used to make boats, houses, roofs, mattresses (床垫) and more. The plant is also eaten and serves as medicine, and its flowers are used to make tea.

However, the Uros weren’t always dependent on the totora. More than 500 years ago, the growing Inca Empire began to invade the Uros’ mainland villages. To beat this threat, the Uros began to build the islands, which could be launched deep into Lake Titicaca, away from danger. Hundreds of years later, there are now about 120 of these constructed islands, with around 1,300 people living on them.

To build the islands, the Uros first gather large blocks of totora roots. Multiple blocks are pulled together, and the roots and reeds mix naturally to form a layer about 1 to 2m thick. The totora reed is laid on top of this floating base. The Uros use a long tool to reach deep down into the water and cut the plant above the base. Then, the reeds are dried in the sun for one to four weeks and bundled (捆绑) together using a rope. Once dried, totora reeds are placed in alternating directions on top of the root blocks and become the ground that the Uros walk and build their homes on.

Today, urban influences are evident on the islands: Solar panels power bedroom lights and small TVs; a radio station operates on the main island. It’s evident that these modern changes and tourism have changed the Uros’ life on the lake. One thing remains certain, though. As long as there is totora growing at Lake Titicaca, the islands’ rooted foundation will stay the same.

【推荐2】24 Solar Terms: some things about Start of Autumn

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Start of Autumn, (Chinese:立秋), the 13th solar term of the year, indicates the end of summer and the beginning of autumn.     1     In China, the 24 solar terms were created thousands of years ago to guide agricultural production. But solar term culture is still useful today to guide people’s lives through special foods, cultural ceremonies and even healthy living tips that correspond with each term. The following are some things you should know about Start of Autumn.

    2    

Although Start of Autumn represents the beginning of autumn, hot weather will not come to an end. The period of hot days after Start of Autumn, usually lasting for 30 days, is called “Autumn Tiger” or “Indian Summer.”

Gathering crops

    3     It is time to gather crops. There is a saying: “If it rains on the day of the Start of Autumn, a good harvest is expected.”

Eating peaches

In Hangzhou, people eat peaches on this occasion. The peach stones are kept until New Year’s Eve and thrown into the stove, burned into ash.     4    

‘Touching Autumn’

There is the custom of “Touching Autumn” in the northern part of Yancheng, Jiangsu province. On the eve of Start of Autumn, people can touch and take for free all kinds of fruits as they like in private or public gardens.     5     Many gardeners even leave some ripe fruits in the field on purpose for the guests during the night.