The New Seven Wonders of the World

Am a bit behind because I had the harddrive in for a service in the holidays.

So on the 07/07/07, in Portugal 'they' announced the New Seven Wonders of the World, as voted for on line from people all around the world.

Here they are:
1. THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA, China...It was not built to keep the rabbits out, but rather the invaders from the north. Made from earth and stone, much of it has been vanalised and pulled dowm. Three main sections are maintained for the tourist trade and after being put on the list I would image the government will continue this. It was constructed ciria 220 -200BC and stretched for 6,440 kms from the Yellow River to the Bohai Sea. Contray to popular belief it is not visiable from space as many astronauts have tried to see it and failed. I voted for it.

2. PETRA, Jordan...Other than the fact this temple was in the Indianna Jones film "The Last Crusade" and "The Mummy Returns" it has nothing going fot it. These ruins are believed to have been built about 6th Century BC. It is located in a basin that runs from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqeba. I did not select this. My second choice was The Statue of Liberty, I felt that in the times we are now living, more than any other time even, with our fears eroding our cival liberties, our system of freedom needs to be remembered. What better way to do this than by selecting this reconisable American icon, a gift from the French in 1886. On the table that the statue holds is the date of American Independance 'July IV MDCCLXXVI.'

3. CHRIST THE REDEEMER, Brazil...It was erected on OCT 12, 1931 and is made of reinforced concrete with an outer layer of soapstone. It is not unique. There are similiar stautes in Argentina and Portugal. Other than it is a religious icon and been hailed as a symbol of the country it is not out of the ordinary. Hence not a wonder. I would have put the Eiffel Tower, in France. It trully is a wonder of engineering and is in fact the most widely visited icon that was on the list. I was most surprised to find it was not selected.

4. TAJ MAHAL, India...Situated in Agra it was the tomb the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It was started in 1632 and completed in 1648. It was originally white marble inlaid with semi precious stones. The surrounding gardens also contained roses, daffodils and fruit trees but when the British ruled the country they changed the landscapping to resemble the formal gardens of London. A beautiful love story. Yes I voted for this.

5. CHICHEN ITZA, Mexico...A place of ritural sacrifice to the Mayan god. Thousands died on the altar and now it has been selected as a wonder of the world. Not to mention the fact that 'some' people believe that along with The Pyramids and the Stone Statues of Easter Island that this structure was built by some 'alien' power. Definately not on my list. I had pride in my country's selection of The Opera House another feat of engineering. Yes it is the baby of the group but that does not make it any less a wonder. It has become a recognisable Australian icon.

6. COLOSSEUM Italy...Built from blood money as a sports entertainment center where gladiator killed gladiator for the amusement of the rich and where later early christians were thrown to the lions. Just the sort of place the world wants to immortalise. Instead I chose The Acropolis were one of the greastest civilisations of the world had their teaching and learning centers.

7. MACHU PICCHUC, Peru...Needless to say there are those that also believe that this city was built by 'aliens.' Especially as the people did not use the wheel and scientists have not been able to work out how the stones were transported to the site. The struction is so perfect a fit without morter that it is thought to be impossible with the tools that were available at the time. Not to mention that the mountains surrounding the city are in alignment with key astronomical events. The water system is far in advance to any other used at the time. All very X file. I wavered at this point between The Pyramids (after all they are the only surviving Ancient wonder and give credit where credit is due, when the 'aliens' bulit it they knew what they were doing) and Neuschwanstein Castle built as a homage to a great musico Richard Wagner.

Someone said what about a good church, but there are so many of those not even on the list that I think they would have to have a list of their own. "The Seven Greatest Churches Ever Built." We'll see.