How to choose from the many spectacular natural wonders on this earth?
Due to illness and holidays there were only seven of us choosing a ‘wonder’, some of which were new to us and others which were more familiar. These were our choices:
The Grand Canyon, Arizona
This amazing gorge, carved by the Colorado River over six million years, is a relatively young canyon. The Colorado plateau was pushed upwards by tectonic forces steepening the slope of its bed. This gave more power to the Colorado River, increasing the speed of flow and sediment load, enabling the water to scour and deepen the channel. There are hundreds of miles of tributaries within side canyons and because of the steepness, the north rim is is 300 metres higher than the south rim. For more than a century the canyon has been protected from development and destruction with its status as a National Monument being proclaimed in 1908 and designation as a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1979. One of our members described a hair raising whitewater rafting trip in soaring temperatures down the canyon – definitely not for the faint hearted!
The Grand Canyon
Puerto Princesa underground river, Palawan Is. Philippines
This river, in an 8.2km-long limestone cave system is the longest underground river in the world. One of the river’s distinguishing features is that it emerges directly into the South China sea and its lower portion is subject to tidal influences. Visitors can take boat rides (navigable for 4.5km) through the dramatic cave system which is home to monkeys, bats, swallows and many other species of wildlife which represent a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. Boat tours are regulated to minimise impact and protect the impressive stalagmite, stalactite and other karst. formations.
Puerto Princesa underground river
The Matterhorn mountain
This Alpine mountain on the border between Switzerland and Italy, is one of the most iconic and recognisable peaks in the world. Its altitude is 4478 metres and it was one of the last great mountains to be climbed in the 19th century being infamous for its treacherous symmetrical and pyramidal peak. Many climbers lost their lives trying to conquer it. Edward Whymper, an Englishman. along with seven others made the first ascent in 1865.
One of our members stayed in Zermatt in 2015, (the 150th anniversary of the first ascent), when the whole mountain route was lit up. It must have looked magical!
The Matterhorn
The Geysers of New Zealand
New Zealand sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire so of course we can expect some rather dramatic geysers in this volcanic and geothermal landscape. However, whilst NZ once boasted hundreds of geysers, many have diminished due to human activity such as the withdrawal of steam for heating, and major volcanic eruptions in the past have destroyed some geyser fields.
Geyser in New Zealand
Niagara Falls
The falls are actually a group of three waterfalls situated at the southern end of the Niagara Gorge on the border between Ontario in Canada and New York. The Niagara River which creates these falls flows from Lake Erie into Lake Ontario. The Falls have the highest flow of water of any waterfall in N America, so over 5.9 million cubic feet of water rushes over the edge every minute. The area is attractive to birdlife because food is plentiful, the river is less likely to freeze than other waters and it’s on migration routes. Around 100.000 seagulls overwinter here.
The gorge erodes about 12 inches a year so you only have around 50,000 years left in which to visit as by that time it will have eroded all the way back to Lake Erie and will cease to exist! When you do visit, you might decide to join the list of hundreds of adventurers who over many years have walked tightrope, jumped or gone over in a barrel but do bear in mind it is illegal and you may end up having to pay a 25,000 dollar fine…. If you survive! Much safer to take the Maid of the Mist boat cruise methinks.
Harbour of Rio de Janeiro
Refers to Guanabara Bay, a large Oceanic Bay on SE coastline of Brazil. It’s the largest bay in the world based on volume of water and Sugar Loaf Mountain is at its mouth. Rio de Janeiro translates to River of January because it was discovered by the Portuguese on January 1 1502. The huge well-known statue of Christ the Redeemer is situated on Corcovado Mountain overlooking the bay and city.
The third busiest port of Brazil is situated on the bay’s western shore. It handles large volumes of cargo and facilitates trade of goods such as pig iron, steel and vehicles. Also in the bay is Governor Island which is where you’ll find the international airport. The area is a huge transportation hub thanks to boat and shipping traffic as well as the 13.29km RIo-Níterói Bridge which crosses the bay.
Rio de Janeiro
The Pinnacles Desert
Situated in Nambung National Park is Western Australia’s most visited attraction outside of Perth although it remained unknown to most Australians until 1967 when its status as a reserve was announced. The park is located roughly 200km, or 2 hours’ drive north of Perth, and covers an area of 17,487 hectares providing natural habitat for an extensive array of native animals and bird life. The Pinnacles are thousands of weathered limestone pillars, amazing natural limestone structures, formed approximately 25,000 to 30,000 years ago after the sea receded and left deposits of sea shells. Over time, coastal winds removed the surrounding sand, leaving the pillars exposed to the elements. The Pinnacles range in height and dimension – some stand as high as 3.5m! Surprisingly, you are allowed to drive through the pinnacles, with pathways laid out in the sand, but it is much more of an experience to walk between these extraordinary formations. If you keep your eyes peeled, you may be lucky enough to see some of the native Australian wildlife like kangaroos, goannas, carpet pythons and emus , particularly if you are visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon. The Pinnacles Reserve combined with two adjacent reserves to form Nambung National Parkin 1994. The authorities recognise and acknowledge the Yued people as the traditional owners.
The Pinnacles