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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

Tony Bennett: the timeless visionary who, with a nod to America’s musical heritage, embraced the future

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jose-valentino-ruiz-1293457">Jose Valentino Ruiz</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-florida-1392">University of Florida</a> In the history of American popular music, there have been few luminaries as enduring and innovative as Tony Bennett. With a career that spanned almost 80 years, Bennett’s smooth tones, unique phrasing and visionary musical collaborations left an indelible mark on vocal jazz and the recording industry as a whole. That his <a href="https://apnews.com/article/tony-bennett-dies-c3b3a7e2360449fb936a38794c7c3266">death at the age of 96</a> on July 21, 2023, was mourned by artists as varied as <a href="https://twitter.com/KeithUrban/status/1682395658395824133">Keith Urban</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/OzzyOsbourne/status/1682411338340126720">Ozzy Osbourne</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/HarryConnickJR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1682411086656557056%7Ctwgr%5E04a78435a793b5246d7bc19e09529f2b2f0bcfab%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fvariety.com%2F2023%2Fmusic%2Fnews%2Ftony-bennett-elton-john-reaction-tribute-1235676405%2F">Harry Connick Jr.</a> should come as no surprise. Yes, Bennett was a jazz crooner. But if his voice was always a constant – even late into his 80s, way past an age when most other singers have seen their vocal abilities diminish – then his embrace of the contemporary was every bit a facet of Bennett’s appeal. <h2>Vocal innovator</h2> Bennett’s journey is a testament to the power of daring innovation. From the early days of his career in the 1950s to his final recordings in the early 2020s, he fearlessly explored new musical territories, revolutionizing vocal jazz and captivating audiences across generations. His vocal style and phrasing were distinctive and set him apart from other artists of his time. He utilized a delayed or “laid-back” approach to falling on the note, a technique known as “<a href="https://www.musictheoryacademy.com/how-to-read-sheet-music/rubato/">rubato</a>.” This created a sense of anticipation in his phrasing, adding an element of surprise to his performances. Through Bennett’s skilled use of rubato, he was able to play with the tempo and rhythm of a song, bending and stretching musical phrases to evoke a range of emotions. This subtle manipulation of timing gave his songs a natural and conversational quality, making listeners feel as though he was intimately sharing his stories with them. Armed with this silky, playful voice, Bennett found fame fairly early on in his career, delivering jazz standards alongside the likes of Mel Tormé and Nat King Cole. By the mid-1960s, he was being touted by Frank Sinatra as “the best singer in the business.” But his musical style fell out of fashion in the 1970s – a lean period during which Bennett <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2023/07/21/tony-bennett-son-life-career-drugs/">almost succumbed to a drug overdose</a>. Then, in the 1990s, Bennett found a new audience and set off a series of collaborations with contemporary musical stars that would become the standard for his later career. No genre of artistry was deemed off-limits for Bennett. “<a href="https://www.tonybennett.com/music-detail.php?id=11">Duets: An American Classic</a>,” released to coincide with his 80th birthday in 2006, saw collaborations with country stars such as k.d. lang and the Dixie Chicks – now known as the Chicks – and soul legend Stevie Wonder, alongside kindred jazz spirits such as Diana Krall. “Duets II,” a 2011 follow-up, saw further explorations with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Queen Latifah, Willie Nelson and Amy Winehouse, in what would become the <a href="https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/amy-winehouse-final-recording-session/">British singer’s last recording</a>. But his cross-generational, cross-genre and cross-cultural appeal is perhaps best exemplified by his <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/arts/music/tony-bennett-lady-gaga.html">collaborations with Lady Gaga</a>, first on the 2014 Grammy-winning album “Cheek to Cheek.” The recording brought together two artists from different generations, genres and backgrounds, uniting them in a harmonious celebration of jazz classics. The collaboration not only showcased each one’s vocal prowess, but also sent a powerful message about the unifying nature of music. Lady Gaga, a pop artist with avant-garde leanings, might have seemed an unlikely partner for Bennett, the quintessential jazz crooner. Yet their musical chemistry and mutual admiration resulted in an album that mesmerized audiences worldwide. “Cheek to Cheek” effortlessly transcended musical boundaries, while the duo’s magnetic stage presence and undeniable talent enchanted listeners. The successful fusion of jazz and pop encouraged artists to experiment beyond traditional boundaries, leading to more cross-genre projects across the industry – proving that such projects could go beyond one-off novelties, and be profitable at that. <h2>Timeless artistry</h2> Bennett’s embrace of contemporary artists did not mean that he abandoned his own musical self. By blending traditional jazz with contemporary elements, he managed to captivate audiences across generations, appealing to both longtime fans and new listeners. One key aspect of Bennett’s success was his ability to embody the sentiment of old America, reminiscent of artists like Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong, while infusing contemporary nuances that resonated with the human condition of a more modern era. His approach to music captured both the essence and struggle of America, giving his songs a timeless and universal appeal. Moreover, his voice conveyed familiarity and comfort, akin to listening to a beloved uncle. Bennett’s albums stood out not only for his soulful voice and impeccable delivery but also for the way he drew others from varied musical backgrounds into his world of jazz sensibilities. As a producer, he recognized the importance of nurturing creativity and bringing out the best in artists. Meanwhile, Bennett’s approach to evolving his own sound while preserving its essence sets him apart as an artist. Fearless in his pursuit of innovation, he delved into contemporary musical elements and collaborated with producers to infuse new sonic dimensions into his later albums. The result drew listeners into an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kNpdLZwetU">intimate and immersive, concert-like acoustic journey</a>. <h2>Depth of emotion</h2> The greats in music have an ability to speak to the human experience. And either in collaboration with others or on his own, Bennett was able to achieve this time and time again. His albums were successful not only due to their technical brilliance and musicality but also because Bennett’s voice conveyed a depth of emotion that transcended barriers of time and culture, touching the hearts of listeners from various backgrounds. There was a universality in his music that made him a beloved and revered artist across the globe. Bennett’s life spanned decades of societal upheavals in the United States. But in his music, listeners could always find beauty in challenging times. And as the 20th- and 21st-century American music industry went through its own revolutions, Bennett’s artistic evolution mirrored the changes, cementing his place as a music icon who defies the boundaries of time and trends.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/210244/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <iframe style="border-radius: 12px;" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/2UxxnhUE5YLchYgutxKEbJ?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="380" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" loading="lazy"></iframe> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jose-valentino-ruiz-1293457">Jose Valentino Ruiz</a>, Program Director of Music Business & Entrepreneurship, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-florida-1392">University of Florida</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/tony-bennett-the-timeless-visionary-who-with-a-nod-to-americas-musical-heritage-embraced-the-future-210244">original article</a>.

Music

Tourist busted for carving name into world's most famous Roman relic

An Irish tourist has run himself headfirst into trouble in Rome after he was reportedly caught carving his name - and his girlfriend’s - into the Colosseum. It is said that he had been making his carvings, which were six-centimetre-tall initials, with a metal point - possibly his keys - and gouged into a pillar of the 2000-year-old historic monument. The inscription, dedicated to himself and his partner, reportedly read “Ivan+Haley 23”. The Carabinieri police have claimed that the 32-year-old man was caught by private security at the World Heritage Site, and that social media videos of the incident alerted police to the alleged crime. The man has been accused of damaging the historical landmark, the Carabinieri confirmed to CNN, with the act considered to be a crime under Italian law. The Colosseum is one of the seven wonders of the modern world, and also a World Heritage Site, and Italy’s Minister of Culture has called for the tourist to be “identified and sanctioned”. “I consider it very serious, unworthy and a sign of great incivility that a tourist defaces one of the most famous places in the world, the Colosseum, to engrave the name of his fiancée,” he tweeted, along with footage of the incident. “I hope that whoever did this will be identified and sanctioned according to our laws.” He later uploaded another video, accompanied by the scathing caption “Tourist scars the Colosseum.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Reputo gravissimo, indegno e segno di grande inciviltà, che un turista sfregi uno dei luoghi più celebri al mondo, il Colosseo, per incidere il nome della sua fidanzata. Spero che chi ha compiuto questo gesto venga individuato e sanzionato secondo le nostre leggi. <a href="https://t.co/p8Jss1GWuY">pic.twitter.com/p8Jss1GWuY</a> — Gennaro Sangiuliano (@g_sangiuliano) <a href="https://twitter.com/g_sangiuliano/status/1673318742057525248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2023</a></blockquote> If the man is convicted, he faces a penalty of at least €2,065 (~$3,370.7) and up to one year in prison, according to CNN. And it isn’t the first time the Colosseum has been defaced by those seeking to carve out their place in history, with a Russian tourist facing a fine of €20,000 for carving the letter “K”. It’s a serious offence in the hearts of many, with archaeologist Federica Rinaldi - who is responsible for the ancient amphitheatre - telling the publication that “the Colosseum, like any monument that represents the history of all of us, must be preserved and handed over to future generations.” “It is a monument that deserves everyone’s respect because it belongs to everyone, and it must remain so,” Rinaldi added. “Carving one’s initials, in addition to being a crime, seems to be a gesture of those who want to appropriate the monument. Better take a selfie!” Images: Twitter

Legal

Aggressive prostate cancer might be linked to ancestral heritage

Globally prostate cancer was the second most frequent cancer, and the fifth leading cause of cancer death, among men in 2020. It was the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2018 (and is estimated to remain so in 2022); a man has a 1 in 6 (or 17%) risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85. But not everyone on Earth is similarly affected by the disease, in fact there are significant differences in the severity of prostate cancer across different ethnicities – particularly across sub-Saharan Africa, where mortality rates are 2.7 times higher than global averages. But is it ancestry, geography, or a combination of the two, that’s causing this variation? To address this question, researchers sequenced the genetics of prostate cancer tumours from South African, Brazilian, and Australian donors. The results, which have been published in two new studies in Nature and Genome Medicine, identified new prostate cancer subtypes and cancer drivers that can distinguish a patient’s ancestry and predict whether the cancer might become life-threatening. “Our understanding of prostate cancer has been severely limited by a research focus on Western populations,” says senior author, Professor Vanessa Hayes, genomicist and Petre Chair of Prostate Cancer Research at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre and Faculty of Medicine and Health in Australia. “We found Africans to be impacted by a greater number and spectrum of acquired (including cancer driver) genetic alterations, with significant implications for ancestral consideration when managing and treating prostate cancer,” Hayes says. <h2>Africans’ prostate cancer tumours have more mutations</h2> The researchers sequenced the genomes of untreated prostate cancer samples collected from 183 patients – including 123 South African, 53 Australian, and 7 Brazilian individuals – and were able to identify around 2 million genetic variants (mutations) involved in the cancer. “What was unique about this study is that we sequenced – it means we read the entire DNA sequence of the tumour and blood – from the Africans and Australians in the exact same batch, everything was done in Australia,” explains Hayes. “And that was really important, because that meant the samples went through one technical pipeline and one analysis pipeline.” This was necessary so that the genomic data of all the patients in the study, whether from Australia, Brazil, or South Africa, could be compared – like apples to apples. “Most Australian men, nine out of ten actually, will die with prostate cancer rather than from prostate cancer. We have no idea what distinguishes that one of the ten Australians on the line-up, so we actually have to look away from Australia to try and understand the context,” says Hayes. And they found significant differences between the tumours of people with African ancestry compared to those from Europe. In Africans, the tumours were more mutated – they had a higher tumour mutational burden. According to Hayes, this is important because small mutational events are usually not as common in prostate cancer, like they are in melanoma or lung cancer. And, unlike UV exposure with melanoma or smoking with lung cancer, there is no known carcinogenic driver for prostate cancer. “What we saw in Africans is that the burden of these small changes was higher than in Australians, which raises the idea: is there some carcinogen, some environmental exposure within Africa, which is contributing to aggressive prostate cancer in the region? “So, if we can identify it, then maybe that is what that one of the ten Australian men were also exposed to in their lifetime.” <h2>New ways to classify prostate cancer subtypes</h2> Using computational data science, the team was able to classify the prostate cancers into four different subtypes called global mutational subtypes (GMS). “Combining our unique dataset with the largest public data source of European and Chinese cancer genomes allowed us, for the first time, to place the African prostate cancer genomic landscape into a global context,” says Dr Weerachai Jaratlerdsiri, a computational biologist from the University of Sydney and first author on the Nature paper. Because the patients’ genomes had been sequenced from samples of their blood as well as the tumours, the researchers were able to define their genetic ancestries. Hayes says it’s like doing Ancestry.com but on steroids, because while “Ancestry.com only looks at 600,000 letters across the DNA, we looked at 7 million.” They identified two cancer subtypes – GMS-B and GMS-D – that were only found in the populations with African ancestry. They also identified the universal GMS-A subtype (which occurred in all ethnicities) and the GMS-C subtype – seen in people with African ancestry and people with European ancestry. Those with the GMS-C subtype were significantly more likely to die from prostate cancer than the other subtypes, and clinicians will now be able to use this finding as a prognostic marker to determine whether someone might experience poor clinical outcomes. Five of the South Africans included in the study had European ancestry, but their families had lived in South Africa for multiple generations. Interestingly, one of them had a tumour categorised as a GMS-D subtype, despite this otherwise only having been seen in patients with African ancestry. The team have now received funding to look at a further 100 Africans with European ancestry, but whose ancestors had lived in Africa for generations, to see whether there is a geographical, environmental aspect that might be contributing to the accumulation of these types of mutations. <h2>Opening up new avenues for treatment</h2> The second paper, published in Genome Medicine, focused on the large and dramatic changes to the genome, called “structural variations”, that prostate cancer is prone to. For instance, parts of the chromosome break off, delete, or insert themselves somewhere else, or the chromosomes shatter and come back together again causing rearrangements. These are difficult to locate in the genome because scientists have to use computational methods to infer whether these mutations are there or not. But by using multiple different computational tools the researchers were able to identify brand new mutational drivers of prostate cancer – genes not previously known to be involved in prostate cancer. This opens up new opportunities for treatment, because knowing these drivers allows scientists to design new therapeutic targets or repurpose existing drugs that may already be used to target these genes in other diseases. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/prostate-cancer-ancestral-heritage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Imma Perfetto. Image: Shutterstock

Body

Antarctic Heritage Trust offers up dream jobs

If your dream job involves living in one of the most remote places on Earth and waking up to count penguins, then the Antarctic Heritage Trust has your back. The UK branch of the trust is hiring a base leader, shop manager and general assistant for their Port Lockroy location in Antarctica. The roles of the job are to help protect the heritage, conserve its environment and share its rich history with about 18,000 visitors each season. The successful applicants will spend five months from November to March at Base ‘A’ – an historic British base situated on the tiny Goudier Island off the Antarctic Peninsula. The main tasks of the job include managing a gift shop and British Antarctic Territory Post Office on the site, as well as overseeing the annual maintenance and upkeep of the buildings and artefacts and wildlife observations for the British Antarctic Survey. While this unique opportunity may be a dream job for some, the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust said Antarctica is a physically and mentally challenging workplace for many reasons. During summer months, temperatures vary between -5C and 10C, with overcast days and windchill often making it feel much colder. It’s also worth noting that there is no running water on the island. Water is collected in jerry cans from visiting ships, which will also offer showers every few days. There is also no flushing toilet at the base, with the basic living quarters involving a singular shared bedroom for all staff. The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust’s flagship historic site was established in 1944 and operated as a British research station until it closed in 1962. In 1996, Port Lockroy was restored as a living museum, and has operated during the Austral summer as a visitor site welcoming those who travel to Antarctica on expedition vessels and yachts. Image credits: Getty Images

International Travel

“Proud of my heritage”: Barty’s emotional speech

Image: 9News Former tennis star turned commentator Jelena Dokic became emotional and teared up as she spoke to Ash Barty for her on-court interview after defeating Ukrainian qualifier Lesia Tsurenko 6-0 6-1 in just 54 minutes. Much like the rest of the country, Dokic is clearly a big-time Barty supporter, as she found it unmistakably difficult to keep her composure as she chatted on-mic with the superstar on Centre Court after her win, where she immediately recalled another of Barty's victories. “I want to first congratulate you on your Wimbledon win. I think I speak — not I think, I’m sure — I speak for everyone here, everyone in Australia, around the world, particularly myself — thank you,” Dokic said. “You gave us so much joy watching that last year. You made us so proud. I get goosebumps right now. I just want to hug you but I can’t. “There are no words to describe what you’ve done so thankyou for that. “Now I’m going to lose all my questions.” Then it was Barty's turn to speak, as she talked about her Indigenous heritage while three young fans waved the Australian Aboriginal flag from the stands. “I think I’m my most comfortable self when I’m out on the court … I’m a very, very proud Indigenous woman. I love my heritage, I love to celebrate my heritage,” she said. “It’s what connects me to all of you here today. It’s what connects me to the land.” The exchange melted hearts. Tennis writer Prajwal Hegde tweeted: “Jelena Dokic’s on-court interview of Ash Barty — Wimbledon, Indigenous heritage, expression — was outstanding. The world No. 1 is Australia’s and is much loved.” It’s not the first time Dokic has welled up speaking about Barty. After the 25-year-old won Wimbledon last year, Dokic became emotional on live TV as she praised the role the Queenslander’s parents have played in raising her to become such an admirable role model. “I just want to get this out before I fall apart. So give me 15 seconds,” Dokic told Nine in July. “I want to give a shout out to her parents, obviously Josie and Rob, because people underestimate the importance of family. She talks about that all the time. “And as someone who didn’t have that support, it is so important. This will set an example for parents in Australia and around the world, not just how to raise a champion but a genuinely wonderful human being." “This is how you support them. You don’t pressure them, you’re there for them and this is why she is there, so big shout out to them, well done.”

News

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.co.nz/culture/10-awe-inspiring-unesco-world-heritage-sites-everyone-needs-to-visit" target="_blank">Reader's Digest</a>.

Travel Tips

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

Australia has a heritage conservation problem. Can farming and Aboriginal heritage protection co-exist?

Rio Tinto’s destruction of the 46,000 year old Juukan Gorge rock shelters has led to recommendations by the Parliamentary Inquiry on <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/committees/reportjnt/024757/toc_pdf/AWayForward.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf">how Australia can better conserve Aboriginal heritage sites</a>. Around the time the recommendations were made, Queensland’s Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act faced an important test when a pastoralist who cleared 500 hectares of bushland at Kingvale Station in Cape York <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/qld-country-hour/scott-harris-cleared-of-breaching-cultural-heritage-act/13592850">was charged</a> with failing to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage. The charges were eventually <a href="https://www.northqueenslandregister.com.au/story/7474626/cultural-heritage-charges-against-scott-harris-dismissed/">dismissed</a> but the prosecution, the first of its kind in Queensland, highlights weaknesses in the law. Like related legislation in other Australian states and territories, Queensland’s law requires landholders to conserve Aboriginal heritage sites or risk prosecution. But the law has been criticised by many Aboriginal people and heritage specialists for allowing destructive development by removing any ability for government to independently assess how proposed clearing would affect Aboriginal heritage. Under the “duty of care” provisions in the Act, Aboriginal heritage must be protected even if it is not known to landholders. However, as the Kingvale clearing case heard, if Aboriginal heritage is not known, how can it be shown to have been lost? <h2>What we learned from the Kingvale clearing case</h2> In 2013, the former Newman government in Queensland removed protection for the environment by introducing the Vegetation Management Act which enabled clearing of what they deemed as “high value agricultural projects” in Cape York. The World Wildlife Foundation argued this would see large areas of forest and bushland destroyed. Advocates for the new Act <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2013-05-22/veg-law-pass/4705890">argued</a> primary producers are “acutely aware of their responsibility to care for the environment”. In opening up new areas of Cape York to clearing, this legislation posed new threats to heritage sites. In this context the landholder of Kingvale decided he did not need to assess cultural heritage when clearing 500 hectares. At the conclusion of the hearing into this case, Judge Julie Dick of the Cairns District Court instructed the jury to return <a href="https://www.cairnspost.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=CPWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cairnspost.com.au%2Fnews%2Fcairns%2Fcape-york-grazier-cleared-of-criminal-land-clearing-charges%2Fnews-story%2F1d124158e58936a302f1ee5d159ad841&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium">a not-guilty verdict</a>, exonerating the landholder, as the offence could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt. The landholder’s legal team noted in the media if their defendant had been found guilty, every landholder (including freeholders) who had cleared land, built a fence or firebreak, ploughed a paddock, or built a road or airstrip since 2003 would potentially be guilty of a criminal offence. The defendant argued the ramifications of the legal case were significant <blockquote> for the rest of Queensland […] anyone who mowed a lawn or cut down a tree since 2003 would be automatically liable. </blockquote> In our view, this is hyperbole. <a href="https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/pdf/inforce/2016-09-27/act-2003-079">Section 21 of the Act</a> makes explicit a person’s right to enjoy the normal and allowed use of their land to the extent they don’t harm Aboriginal heritage. Further, a person doesn’t commit an offence if they take into account the nature of the activity and the likelihood of it causing harm. Mowing the lawn is quite different to clearing 500 hectares of native vegetation. The setting of this activity is also important. Kingvale Station is located 100 kilometres west of the national heritage listed Quinkan Country. Heritage studies in similar landscapes across Cape York have identified scarred trees, artefact scatters, stone arrangements and cultural burial places. Based on our heritage experience across Queensland, it would be surprising not to find Aboriginal heritage sites at Kingvale. To reduce heritage risks, we assess the potential impacts of an activity, and talk with relevant Aboriginal groups about their sites and heritage values. Archaeologists and anthropologists also develop models to predict where unknown sites are likely to be found. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/431020/original/file-20211109-23-aylfq7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /> Recorded archaeological sites across Cape York. The distribution pattern reflects several key heritage surveys. It is expected that cultural sites would be found across the cape, including within the 500 hectares cleared at Kingvale. Image by Kelsey M. Lowe. <h2>Can farming and the conservation of Aboriginal heritage co-exist?</h2> The best way to conserve heritage is for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians to work together to identify, document, and protect places. An important example is the discovery of human remains from a mortuary tree west of St George, southern Queensland. The site was discovered during fence clearing by the landholder, who contacted the police. We worked with the landholder who has supported the Kooma nations people to conserve the mortuary tree and enable it to remain on country. <iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qKJs23hwLXA?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Courtesy of Tony Miscamble, NGH Consulting. A further example from Mithaka Country saw a spectacular stone arrangement discovered by a pastoral station manager, who notified the native title holders. All are now engaging with researchers to <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fstones-point-way-to-indigenous-silk-road%2Fnews-story%2F8318b531d82263beab4afd089fd8d559&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium">investigate the site’s history</a>. Dozens of other examples around the state illustrate collaborative approaches to heritage conservation. But more effective legislation is urgently needed in response to Kingvale’s failed prosecution. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/430631/original/file-20211107-10010-f752su.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /> A spectacular stone arrangement from Mithaka country. Image courtesy of Lyndon Mechielsen <h2>How can we improve cultural heritage protection?</h2> The Juukan Gorge case highlighted how Australia has a problem protecting its Aboriginal cultural heritage. The final report of the parliamentary inquiry into the disaster made several <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/committees/reportjnt/024757/toc_pdf/AWayForward.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf">recommendations</a> that could help pave a way forward. Instances like Kingvale emphasise more work needs to be done. The Queensland government needs to act now to address the glaring problem with its heritage legislation. Heritage management investment will also help. Victoria provides an example of how to improve Aboriginal heritage management. A standout action is the roll-out of a Certificate IV in Aboriginal cultural heritage management, with over 500 Aboriginal graduates to date. This program is decentralising heritage management and empowering Aboriginal people across Victoria, building a level of professionalism rarely seen in other states. Establishing treaties and agreements similar to those in Canada and New Zealand could go a long way to enable First Nations people in Australia to authoritatively protect their respective cultural heritage sites. Heritage conservation will remain challenging, particularly in resource-rich states like Queensland. But we can do better. Judge Dick’s ruling, while frustrating for the effort to conserve heritage, is crucial as it highlights weaknesses in the law. This trial, along with the Juukan Gorge incident, may represent a critical tipping point in the struggle to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in Queensland and across Australia.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/170956/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-westaway-118240">Michael Westaway</a>, Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Archaeology, School of Social Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joshua-gorringe-1237694">Joshua Gorringe</a>, General Manager Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/indigenous-knowledge-4846">Indigenous Knowledge</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kelsey-m-lowe-1287335">Kelsey M. Lowe</a>, Senior Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/richard-martin-595866">Richard Martin</a>, Senior lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ross-mitchell-1288513">Ross Mitchell</a>, Common Law holder and director of Kooma Aboriginal Corporation Native Title PBC, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/indigenous-knowledge-4846">Indigenous Knowledge</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-has-a-heritage-conservation-problem-can-farming-and-aboriginal-heritage-protection-co-exist-170956">original article</a>. Image: Dave Hunt/AAP Image

Domestic Travel

Don Bradman's private retreat hits the market

A home once owned by renowned cricketer Sir Donald Bradman is on the market following his daughter-in-law’s decision to sell. The property has been listed with a price guide of $1.95 million. Bradman first bought the home in Adelaide Hills 62 years ago with his son John, who changed his last name to Bradsen to avoid unwanted attention. John’s former wife, Judith, has lived there for the past 27 years. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844909/bradman9.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a91958992cda4f46a6b284d34226ed05" /> The original certificate of title signed by Sir Donald Bradman. Image: Raine & Horne Strathalbyn “The press were always interested in Don, so this place provided a space where he could enjoy his family life without being observed,” Ms Bradsen <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/bradmans-hills-haven-at-117-sheoak-rd-crafers-west-set-to-bowl-market-over/">said</a>. “He could just be himself here because when we dined out people would always approach him. Nobody knew he owned it, nobody. Only very close family friends of Don and then John and mine enjoyed the property.” Ms Bradsen said her father-in-law would often spend time at the property enjoying the outdoors and doing maintenance work. “In the early days, he would come up here often,” she said. “He spent a lot of time clearing the woody weeds and he enjoyed the odd bonfire. “He had a fire get away from him once in the valley. We would joke about it later, and I’m not sure if the CFS was called or not back in the day. The property, known as Glenquarry Farm, sits on a whopping 8.893-hectare allotment, and is believed to have been built by a runaway from a British naval expedition in 1836. A four-bedroom freestanding home sits on the property, as well as outbuildings, a cellar, a studio, and a stable. The property also features a decommissioned Mt Lofty freestone quarry, extensive gardens, and a stretch of lawn well-suited to a game of cricket. Natural stone, slatted timber, and open fires are found throughout the home, which also includes a separate wing for guests and an undercover, gabled courtyard. The home has also seen several renovations over the years, with “The Don” playing his part. “Every time I paint I think of him telling me what to do because he was a keen painter,” Ms Bradsen said. “The simplicity of the house really reflects his tastes - the modesty of the cottage, I think he enjoyed. “He always had his own chair and he would sit on the verandah and watch everyone play, and our children climbed over him and loved him dearly.” Ms Bradsen has said it was time to move on to a new home after living alone at the property for many years, and hopes a new family can enjoy it. “I’m downsizing and I’d rather have this place enjoyed by more than just one person,” she said. Paul Clifford of Raine & Horne Strathalbyn is managing the sale of the home, which has been described as a “unique and historic hideaway” according to <a href="https://www.raineandhorne.com.au/strathalbyn/properties/117-sheoak-road-crafers-west-5152-south-australia">the listing</a>. Images: Getty Images, Raine & Horne Strathalbyn

Real Estate

You can now get travel recommendations based on your ancestry

There is a common wisdom that says travelling is about finding yourself. That can soon be reality, with a new partnership between Airbnb and genetic testing company 23andMe. The two companies are looking to tap into the heritage travel industry by helping tourists connect to their roots and plan a visit to their homelands. “We’re proud to team up with 23andMe, the leader in helping people learn about their genes and ancestry, to make it easier for travelers to plan trips as unique as their DNA,” said Joe Gebbia, co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Airbnb. According to <a href="https://www.cntraveler.com/story/airbnb-and-23andme-will-help-plan-a-trip-to-your-homeland">Condé Nast Traveler</a>, this is how it will work: you can take a DNA test with 23andMe, and in three to five weeks Airbnb will recommend a custom mix of accommodations, tours and classes based on your results in the countries your genes trace back to. For example, if you were found to have Southern Italian ancestry, you might be suggested to stay at a trullo in the region of Puglia. On the other hand, those with Mexican roots could receive recommendations to go on a mezcal tasting journey in Mexico City. If you have taken a similar genetic testing before this, worry not – you can still access the recommendations. The website has opened dedicated pages that correspond with 23andMe’s genetic populations in Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and West Asia, Central America and Mexico, South America, East and South Asia, and the Caribbean and Europe to allow travellers to “easily plan an end-to-end heritage trip”. Airbnb said more and more people are taking trips related to heritage or ancestry, with 500 per cent increase in travellers using the online platform to trace their roots since 2014. The growing popularity of at-home genetic tests like 23andMe also helps make it easier for people to explore and learn more about their ancestry. The move could be seen as an example of the changing face of travel, where personalisation and service convergence are the main considerations for travel merchants in designing travel experience for customers. According to a <a href="https://us.epsilon.com/pressroom/new-epsilon-research-indicates-80-of-consumers-are-more-likely-to-make-a-purchase-when-brands-offer-personalized-experiences">2017 Epsilon survey</a>, 87 per cent of people say they are more likely to do business with travel websites or apps that offer personalised journeys.

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. See <a rel="noopener" href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.rhb.ch_en_panoramic-2Dtrains_bernina-2Dexpress&d=DwMFaQ&c=N9aEhCy8U0rJkO1xCZf7rgM9fohfR5qe_N93viZd7O8&r=I5pjA5TeGoKDX0Sz-FITmeB56zsMUJLEgPhVfD36ZDp83WWuRdMB20Kkf1CL27BN&m=Rc_UZymChsnBIT1S7OfHlcQtuHrwOd90T3T0f3CPOlI&s=RrXeAWXBlWNpukLW6OnS9zpdKYVu2EUVQkCU62ng8mk&e=" target="_blank">rhb.ch</a>. *The writer travelled courtesy of Switzerland Tourism, Rail Europe and Swiss Travel Pass. 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

How to add heritage charm to a modern home

Many 200-year-old buildings have an old-world charm that two-year-old homes lack. But with a little work (or in some cases a major facelift) new homes can be redesigned to evoke the character of yesteryear. Choose your style and era The first step is to consider which architectural era you want to evoke, then research key features and characteristics that you can replicate. Do you like these stained-glass windows found in Federation homes from the early 1900s? Or do you prefer the cast-iron lacework in Victorian terraces from the mid- to late-1800s? Different architectural <a href="https://www.houzz.com.au/ideabooks/26846438/list/roots-of-style-how-did-your-australian-home-get-its-look" target="_blank">periods have distinct styles</a>, which often clash when mixed, so try to pinpoint the era you love and stay true to it. Adopt a period paint palette To set the scene from the street, take inspiration from <a href="https://www.houzz.com.au/ideabooks/32454351/list/how-to-pick-the-right-paint-colours-for-your-federation-house" target="_blank">traditional paint palettes</a>. On the facade of this Sydney-based Victorian terrace, contrasting colours highlight the decorative details. Ornamental arches above the front door and windows are emphasised with an earthy grey, while black paint offsets the metal fence, glass-panelled doors, cast-iron lace balcony and the filigree frieze above it. Tip: If you are keen to incorporate decorative lacework, many companies offer panels in cast iron and lighter weight aluminium, in both traditional and contemporary motifs. <div><a href="https://www.houzz.com.au/photo/28664422-malvern-east-contemporary-hall-melbourne" target="_blank"><img width="500" height="750" src="https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/6e01ad660539d7e8_8-3789/contemporary-hall.jpg" border="0"/></a></div> <div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="https://www.houzz.com.au/pro/pleysierperkins/pleysier-perkins" target="_blank">Photo by Pleysier Perkins</a> - <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/hallway" target="_blank">Search hallway pictures</a></div> Give your entrance a makeover Don’t fancy retiling? Consider using a floor runner instead, such as the striking black-and-white one in this Melbourne home. Simply choose your design and unroll to give your hall an instant makeover. This home also features classic Art Nouveau timber fretwork above the hall, which was popular in Federation architecture. Fretwork is relatively easy to add to existing interiors. Tip: Try including decorative fretwork near your entrance to create classic appeal from the moment you open the front door. Opt for panelled and French doors These elegant French doors in Sydney’s Bellevue Hill are crowned with decorative timber fretwork, which enriches the home with timeless charm. <a href="https://www.houzz.com.au/pro/decus/decus-interiors" target="_blank">Decus Interiors’</a> clever use of glass (as opposed to solid panelled doors) divides the rooms while letting natural light pour through. Skirt the issue Tall skirting boards and elaborate cornices are hallmark features of period architecture. The higher the ceiling, the taller the skirting boards and cornices were. An old rule of thumb suggests that classical cornices should be between one-fifteenth and one-nineteenth of the ceiling height. <a href="http://www.classicarchitraves.com.au/faq.php" target="_blank">Classic Architraves and Skirting</a> offers a guide for finding the right skirting board height: for ceilings up to 2400 millimetres opt for skirting boards between 90 and 140 millimetres, while rooms with soaring 3600 millimetres ceilings can increase skirting boards to 180 to 450 millimetres. <div><a href="https://www.houzz.com.au/photo/20271432-ascot-residence-traditional-hall-brisbane" target="_blank"><img width="500" height="750" src="https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/a9a1c068047162d2_8-3835/traditional-hall.jpg" border="0"/></a></div> <div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="https://www.houzz.com.au/pro/highgatehouse/highgate-house" target="_blank">Photo by Highgate House</a> - <a style="text-decoration: none; color: #444;" href="https://www.houzz.com.au/photos/hallway" target="_blank">Discover hallway design inspiration</a></div> Paper your walls Wallpaper came into being in the mid- to late-1700s and has waxed and waned in popularity ever since. Originally, it was considered to be a background decoration, but in recent times it has evolved into a foreground feature. Whatever your preferences, this time-honoured material offers a pattern for every palette. Tip: Still trying to add age-old glamour to your home? Decorate a console table with a lamp and hang a dramatic mirror behind it for instant effect. A chandelier such as the one here adds a finishing touch. Consider pressed metal Don’t fancy wallpapering your rooms? You may enjoy pressed metal instead. Traditionally it was applied to walls, ceilings and sometimes wainscotting, though regardless of where you use it, the material references times now passed. Because it is flexible, pressed metal sheeting can be fitted to angled surfaces, such as this custom-made range hood canopy, which was colour matched to the kitchen cabinets. Go old school with fixtures Glance at this Art Deco bathroom in Auckland, New Zealand, and you would never guess it was recently renovated. The fixtures and fittings from The English Tapware Company remain faithful to the age – even the electric towel warmer complements the Art Deco-inspired pedestal basins. Add a background of small black-and-white floor tiles and we have ourselves a traditional bathroom, ladies and gentlemen. Add a hearth to your home If home is where the hearth is, what better way to give your house a cosy feel than by adding a flickering fireplace? Fireplaces have come a long way since the days of open wood hearths, so you can combine the best of both worlds and enjoy a classic design fired by the latest technology thanks to gas, electric and ethanol burners. If only we could all age so gracefully… Written by Julia Fairley. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.domain.com.au" target="_blank">Domain.com.au</a>.

Home & Garden

When it comes to disappearing ocean history, HMAS Perth is the tip of the iceberg

Natali Pearson is a PhD Candidate for Museum and Heritage Studies at the University of Sydney. Millions of shipwrecks and archaeological sites lie under the ocean, including most infamously the <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00908320.2013.750978" target="_blank">Titanic</a>, resting almost four kilometres below the North Atlantic. These relics are just as important as terrestrial sites such as the Egyptian pyramids or the temples of Angkor, and preserve a history of our relationship to the seas. Just like marine ecosystems, this underwater cultural heritage is threatened by climate change, pollution, development, fishing and looting. Indeed just this week, Australian and Indonesian maritime archaeologists reported that HMAS Perth, a World War II wreck lying in the Sunda Strait and the final resting place for hundreds of men, has suffered <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/05/sunken-australian-warship-hmas-perth-ransacked-by-illegal-scavengers" target="_blank">extensive and recent damage</a>. There is now less than half of the ship left. <img width="237" height="316" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40455/hmas-1.jpg" alt="HMAS 1"/> Caption: HMAS Perth memorialised at Sydney’s Garden Island Naval Chapel. Image credit: Natali Pearson. Stories from the sea Humanity’s close relationship with the ocean stretches back thousands of years. Our oceans have provided food, connected civilisations, facilitated trade, travel and conquest, and also served as a sacred place of veneration. It’s estimated that <a href="http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/underwater-cultural-heritage/2001-convention/" target="_blank">three million ancient shipwrecks and sunken cities</a> lie on the ocean floor. These include a <a href="http://acm.org.sg/collections/galleries/tang-shipwreck" target="_blank">9th century shipwreck</a> discovered off <a href="http://acm.org.sg/collections/research/publications/the-tang-shipwreck" target="_blank">Indonesia’s Belitung island</a> in 1998. The ship originated in the Middle East, and its cargo was dominated by commercial quantities of Chinese ceramics. It represents <a href="https://www.asia.si.edu/Shipwrecked/downloads/07Flecker.pdf" target="_blank">some of the earliest evidence</a> of maritime trade between Southeast Asia, the Chinese Tang dynasty and the Middle Eastern Abbasid Empire. Nor are these vestiges of the past restricted to shipwrecks. Archaeologists have discovered <a href="http://www.franckgoddio.org/projects/sunken-civilizations/alexandria.html" target="_blank">evidence of sunken civilisations</a>, buried under silt and sand for centuries. In Egypt, relics of the ancient city of Alexandria include temples, palaces, and the 130-metre <a href="http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/underwater-cultural-heritage/the-heritage/did-you-know/pharos-of-alexandria/" target="_blank">Pharos Lighthouse</a>, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Egyptian authorities now <a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/underwater-museum-egypt-could-bring-thousands-sunken-relics-into-view-180957645/" target="_blank">plan to construct an underwater museum</a> to share these discoveries with a broader audience. Sometimes, the smallest of objects discovered underwater can reveal as much as an entire city. Lost for centuries in waters off Crete, the 2000-year old Antikythera mechanism is known as the <a href="http://www.techrepublic.com/article/2000-year-old-computer-discovered/" target="_blank">world’s first computer</a> for its use of gears and dials to predict eclipses and track moon phases. The same site has also yielded <a href="http://www.nature.com/news/human-skeleton-found-on-famed-antikythera-shipwreck-1.20632" target="_blank">human bones</a>, from which scientists hope to be able to extract genetic information for insights into ancient shipwreck victims. <img width="499" height="445" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40456/hmas-2_499x445.jpg" alt="HMAS 2"/> Caption: The Antikythera mechanism, the world’s first computer, found in waters off Crete. Image credit: Marsyas. <a href="https://archive.org/details/halfmiledown00beeb" target="_blank">Mother-of-pearl inlays</a> - gathered by early breath hold divers and fashioned by artisans - found at a Mesopotamian site indicate that humans have been responding creatively to the ocean’s resources <a href="http://tecvault.t101.ro/NOAA%20Diving%20Manual.pdf" target="_blank">as far back as 4,500 BCE</a>. Underwater heritage is the legacy of these past activities, bearing witness to the development of both ancient and modern civilisations. But the significance of ocean artefacts extends beyond trade, travel and recreation. For example, the study of this heritage can show us the impact of rising sea levels on human life. Such information serves as a sobering reminder of the effects of climate change, and can also help us to <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/uc-san-diego-launches-scripps-center-marine-archaeology" target="_blank">develop solutions to the present environmental problems</a> we are facing. Ulrike Guérin from the UNESCO Secretariat of the 2001 <a href="http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/underwater-cultural-heritage/2001-convention/" target="_blank">Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage</a> explains: For 90% of human existence, sea levels have been lower than they are at present. As humans mainly lived close to the water, a large majority of humanity’s development took place on areas that are now submerged. It is only within the past decade that there has been recognition of how important the missing data on the submerged shelf is. Underwater cultural heritage can also help to assess the impact of the ocean on human life, and assist in monitoring issues such as <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-shipwrecks-leaking-oil-20151031-story.html" target="_blank">potential ocean pollution</a> from oil and the threat of <a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/12/081210-pacific-shipwrecks-missions.html" target="_blank">unexploded ammunition</a> from WWII shipwrecks. Guérin argues that protecting and researching this heritage can lead to better conservation of coastal and marine areas, with increased economic benefits for <a href="https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/topics/sids" target="_blank">small island developing states</a> and <a href="https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/least-developed-country-category.html" target="_blank">least developed countries</a> through tourism. An ocean without history? Like fish stocks and coral reefs, underwater cultural heritage faces destruction from <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1296207416300334" target="_blank">climate change</a>, <a href="http://www.sciencemag.org/news/sifter/shipwrecks-may-crumble-faster-after-oil-spills" target="_blank">marine pollution</a> and <a href="https://explorers.org/pdf/Damien_Leloup_Unearthing_History_in_Porcelain__Flag_132_Dec2013.pdf" target="_blank">over-development</a>. Industrial activities like fishing are becoming a greater concern. Commercial <a href="http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080307/full/news.2008.658.html" target="_blank">deep-sea fishing trawlers</a> destroy not only fishing stocks but also well-preserved wrecks. These bottom trawl nets act like ploughs, digging up the ocean bed and tearing archaeological sites apart. In the <a href="http://badewanne.fi/ghost-nets/" target="_blank">Baltic Sea</a>, thousands of synthetic fishing nets are lost every year. These <a href="https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/publications-files/Ghostfishing_DFG.pdf" target="_blank">“ghost nets”</a> get tangled in wrecks, trapping fish and seals in the process. In Southeast Asia, historic shipwrecks in both Malaysia and Thailand face destruction from <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?id=jr81DgAAQBAJ&pg=PA15&lpg=PA15&dq=Wrecked+twice+:+shipwrecks+as+a+cultural+resource+in+Southeast+Asia+/+Michael+Flecker&source=bl&ots=OFPlfA5Duu&sig=HW75N8uCtDdC9CDRNal3_qA2S50&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjL1rS-953UAhWSQpQKHRuyCo4Q6AEINzAE#v=onepage&q=Wrecked%20twice%20%3A%20shipwrecks%20as%20a%20cultural%20resource%20in%20Southeast%20Asia%20%2F%20Michael%20Flecker&f=false" target="_blank">“massive trawl nets that scour every metre of the seabed”</a>. Just as fishing stocks are targeted by illegal poachers, so too is underwater heritage threatened by illegal salvaging and looting. The recent unauthorized disturbance of three near-pristine Japanese shipwrecks in Malaysian waters has destroyed the thriving marine ecosystems that such wrecks support. The damage caused to these <a href="http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-much-of-human-history-is-on-the-bottom-of-the-ocean-peter-campbell" target="_blank">underwater museums</a> has had a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/09/images-reveal-three-more-japanese-wwii-shipwrecks-torn-apart-for-scrap" target="_blank">devastating impact</a> on local diving companies and small-scale fishermen. In Indonesia, these illicit activities appear to be becoming <a href="https://theconversation.com/ghost-ships-why-are-world-war-ii-naval-wrecks-vanishing-in-indonesia-72799" target="_blank">increasingly sophisticated and audacious</a>, including the most recent damage to HMAS Perth. Heritage in the margins Despite its importance, underwater cultural heritage remains a relatively new concept, and tends to be overshadowed by other legal and policy priorities. At this week’s UN oceans conference in New York, plenary meetings are focusing on reducing marine pollution, protecting marine and coastal ecosystems, and addressing ocean acidification. Underwater cultural heritage, meanwhile, was discussed in a <a href="https://oceanconference.un.org/index.php?page=view&type=20000&nr=1319&menu=3327" target="_blank">side event</a> held in the margins. The 2001 underwater heritage convention establishes basic principles for protecting these sites, but faces a number of challenges. Only 56 nations have <a href="http://www.unesco.org/eri/la/convention.asp?KO=13520&language=E&order=alpha">signed or ratified the convention</a>, and big maritime nations such as the US, China, and the UK have not. Australia has not ratified, but introduced <a href="http://www.joshfrydenberg.com.au/guest/mediaReleasesDetails.aspx?id=288" target="_blank">new underwater cultural heritage legislation</a> in November 2016 that brings this step closer. The heritage convention also faces the problem of perceived competition with the <a href="http://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/convention_overview_convention.htm" target="_blank">Law of the Sea</a>, which sets the rules for how the oceans are shared and governed. And what of HMAS Perth? In a strange twist of history, in the 1970s the Australian Embassy in Jakarta became aware that the bell of the ship had turned up in an Indonesian salvage yard. The embassy successfully negotiated the bell’s exchange, and it is now held in the <a href="https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/REL/07771/" target="_blank">Australian War Memorial</a>: a small piece of history saved through cultural diplomacy. <img width="237" height="463" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40467/hmas-3.jpg" alt="HMAS 3"/> Caption:The bell of HMAS Perth is returned to the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, in the mid-1970s. Image credit: Bob Morrison. Underwater cultural heritage is an essential part of our oceans and the way we relate to them. As important as it is to ensure a sustainable future for our oceans, it is also vital that we understand humanity’s historical relationship with them. Our future is invested in our oceans, and so is our past. Written by Natali Pearson. First appeared on <a href="http://www.theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation.</a> Hero Image credit: navy.gov.au

Cruising

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>

International Travel

The fascinating history behind these Australian heritage homes

From the outside, these Australian properties might look like average houses but the history behind them is fascinating. 1. Coburg, Victoria This property was once the prison where Ned Kelly was incarcerated. The former prison cells are an exciting lifestyle opportunity that is also conveniently close to the city. 2. Redbank, Queensland This house appears to be just a normal colonial home but it was once the Redbank police station. The property still has the original men’s cell lock-up. Former Governor-General Bill Hayden also lived at this house in the late 1950s when he was stationed in Redbank. 3. Mount Torrens, South Australia This 100-year-old solid stone property is now a spacious family home. For the majority of its lifetime, however, it was the local general store. The lounge room was once the dining room of a popular restaurant. The house has been restored and a new bike track has been added near the property. 4. Cooks Hill, New South Wales This property in the centre of Newcastle was the family home of Arnott’s founder, William Arnott. This house was built for William and his family in the 1870s. Although it has been modernised, it still has a stunning Victorian façade. 5. Kew, Victoria This magnificent estate has a solar-heated pool, gym, library and two tennis courts available to those living it its townhouses and apartments. However, from 1871-1988 the Willsmere Estate was a psychiatric hospital. It was one of the largest psychiatric hospitals built in Australia and treated patients who were classified as insane.

Home & Garden

Delving into my proud heritage

Robyn Lee is in her 70s and lives with two lovable but naughty cats. She has published a book on seniors behaving badly, entitled Old Age and Villainy, and considers herself an expert on the subject. My maternal Maori ancestors were a murderous lot; kidnapping and slavery with a fair sprinkling of plunder, pillage and cannibalistic feasts being among the skeletons rattling around in the family closet. In fact, my grandmother used to tell us that the pakeha (white man) was called long pig because he tasted like pork. I asked her once how she knew… and she just laughed. I’ve since had my suspicions about her! On the other hand, my paternal Irish antecedents were law-abiding ship builders from Dublin, rather tame by comparison. Although, with Ireland’s tumultuous past, there are probably some dubious stories to be unearthed, if one decided to do some digging. My family can trace our Maori ancestry back to the 16th century, long after the time of the legendary Great Migration (supposedly circa 300 BC), when enormous sea-going canoes containing intrepid warriors and their families left their homeland of Hawaiki and, using the stars and sun as their guides, set forth into the unknown South Pacific. They ended up settling in Raratonga (Cook Islands), Fiji and Aotearoa, Land of the Long White Cloud, comprising the three islands known today as New Zealand (so named by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman). The newcomers didn’t have Aotearoa to themselves though and the original inhabitants, the peace-loving Moriori, were no match for the fearsome Maori who gradually killed them off. The occupants of the canoes settled in different parts of the country and the various tribes took their name from the canoe in which they arrived. My family are descended from Te Arawa (The Shark) canoe. They settled in the geothermal area of Whakarewarewa, just outside of Rotorua, now a flourishing tourist destination due to its rich history, bubbling mud pools and steaming geysers, the most famous of which is Pohutu. My ancestry is the result of the 1825 kidnapping of prisoners, including four sisters, during a raid on Nuhaka on the eastern area of the North Island where they lived, by Pomare, a chief from Northland. The four sisters were renowned for their singing and named “The Songbirds” due to their beautiful voices. They were treated well by their kidnappers and allowed to stay together as entertainers. After Pomare died in 1986, there is no record of who their next protector was, however, they were released from bondage, most likely for a price paid by their family. The eldest sister, Riripeti, married a Captain Johnson and moved with him back near to her childhood home where they had three daughters, the youngest of whom was my great-grandmother, Huhana (Susan). Susan was the first registered guide at Whakarewarewa and my grandmother, Hannah, and her sisters also became guides when they were old enough. My great-aunt, Tina, the youngest girl of a large brood of children became rather well known in the 20s as the female lead in a silent movie titled “Rewi’s Last Stand”. Ellen, an older sister became a guide of note at Whakarewarewa. My grandmother, Hannah, married a charming Australian photographer/artist/writer, to whom she’d fallen pregnant with my mother at the age of 19, and moved to Auckland with him. Unbeknownst to her, he’d also impregnated another woman at the same time. It was probably fortunate that my grandmother imparted the news of her joyous event first. They eventually had six children, four girls and two boys. My mother, Roma, and her younger brother, Cedrick, are the only survivors. Ironically, my grandfather survived Gallipoli only to be killed in a work accident seven years later. My grandmother never remarried. I have lovely memories of Whakarewarewa, staying with Aunty Ellen, playing with the Maori kids from the village and watching the braver ones diving off the Te Hokowhitu a Tu Memorial Bridge (for the Fallen of the Maori Battalion in the various conflicts) for pennies thrown by tourists. I was threatened with dire punishment if I was caught doing the same! However, I wasn’t brave enough. We’d roam through the tracks around the mud pools and explore the bush, having a great time. Sadly, today, our old playground is off-limits and visitors can only walk along the paths if accompanied by one of the guides. The rest is roped off to prevent anyone falling into the boiling pools and becoming long pig. We had a family reunion in 1973 which was held on the marae and it was wonderful to catch up with cousins whom I hadn’t seen for almost 20 years. Unfortunately, Aunty Ellen, had passed on a couple of weeks earlier so the ceremonial welcoming also included a memorial service and lament. After, there was an enormous hangi feast with a lot of catching up with cousins, aunties and uncles. It was a wonderful three days and a great opportunity for my two young daughters to meet more of their Maori whanau (family). I have a large extended family and our Maori heritage has always played a big part in my, and my cousins’, upbringing. We were taught to be proud of our ancestry and we have passed what we know on to our children, for them to pass on to their own children. Sadly, age catches up with us all and my mother and my uncle are now the only surviving Elders of their generation. Being 97, my mother doesn’t travel to Rotorua any more but on previous visits she was always accorded the full traditional ceremonial welcome as befitted an honoured Elder. We have a very rich history and of necessity, this is just a very brief outline. If I wrote any more, it would be a book! Do you have a story to share? Share your story with the Over60 community <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/community/contributor/community-contributor/" target="_blank">here</a>.

Family & Pets

5 Australian World Heritage sites everyone should visit

The little island across the Tasman is home to 19 of the world’s World Heritage sites, and some of them have to be seen to be believed. 1. Great Barrier Reef, Queensland Aussies are lucky to have the world’s most beautiful reef sitting just off their shores. The Great Barrier Reef stretches for thousands of kilometres and is strung with a necklace of jewel-like islands. It’s a World Heritage site that visitors can literally immerse themselves in with cruising, snorkelling and diving. The reef’s beauty is made even more poignant by the fact that it could be under threat from climate change and external factors like proposed offshore mining. Visit now before this great national icon is irrevocably changed. 2. Ningaloo Coast, Western Australia Australia's newest World Heritage site only made the list in 2011. It’s an incredible stretch of coastline along the northwest coast of Western Australia and is regarded for both its onshore and offshore treasures. On shore, intricate rock formations, caves and beautiful beaches make for a stunning natural landscape. In the water, pristine reefs teem with tropical fish as well as the region’s most famous residents – whale sharks. These huge creatures are the largest fish in the world and visitors can hop right in the water to swim beside them. 3. Greater Blue Mountains Area, New South Wales <img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/28888/shutterstock_315040316_500x333.jpg" alt="blue mountains (2)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> The Blue Mountains are so familiar to Sydneysiders that it’s easy to become blasé about their beauty. As every school kid knows, the name ‘blue’ comes from the smoky haze that comes off the thousands of eucalyptus trees covering the mountains, giving the place a permanently misty mystique. But beauty’s not enough for World Heritage status. The region is remarkable for its ancient fossils and unique plant species, such as the rare Wollemi pine that was rediscovered here when thought to be extinct. 4. Australian Convict Sites Rather than one specific site, this classification covers 11 of the country’s best historic convict sites under one umbrella. Stretching from Western Australia to New South Wales, from Tasmania to Norfolk Island, it takes in sites that have played an integral role in shaping the nation. While we were once ashamed of our convict heritage, modern Australians are embracing their past and see a pilgrimage to these sites as a way to connect with their history. 5. Kakadu National Park, NT <img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/28887/image__498x245.jpg" alt="kakadu" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> This wetland wonderland truly encapsulates what World Heritage listings are about and is a site of both natural and cultural significance. As a wetland, Kakadu is a lush environment filled with birds, fish, frogs and reptiles (including enormous crocodiles), that changes drastically with the seasons. Culturally, the region has ties to the most ancient parts of Aboriginal culture and has been inhabited for more than 50,000 years. That makes it the home of one of the oldest civilisations on earth and its plentiful rock art sites give a glimpse back to another time. Have you been to any of these World Heritage sites? If so, are there any moments from your visit that stand out? Let us know in the comments section below. Related links: <a href="/travel/international/2016/09/6-of-australias-most-spectacular-coastal-drives/">6 of Australia’s most spectacular coastal drives</a> <a href="/travel/international/2016/09/what-to-do-when-visiting-lord-howe-island/">What to do when visiting Lord Howe Island</a> <a href="/travel/international/2016/08/10-best-bird-watching-spots-in-australia/">10 best bird watching spots in Australia</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

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