Alcatraz - The Rock

Posted by admine in California, California Travel, San Francisco on 09 23rd, 2005 | Read Comments(8)

San Francisco: For tourists this means Golden Gate Bridge and Cable Car, China Town und Pier 39. If you are sick of the hurly-burly , take the ferry and travel to a completely different world: Alcatraz, the island located 2 kilometers from the city in the bay of San Francisco. Once fortress, then prison and finally occupied from the Indians, the Island stands under nature protection today and is part of the Golden Gate National Park.

People, who visit Alcatraz, have to consider some rules: So for example eating and drinking is only allowed at the pier and visitors have to keep away from the locked off ranges. This is about the sea gulls, which breed between flowers, bushes and trees. The plants once where cultivated by the families of the prison guards and spread all over the island today.

Prison guards although than prisoners left Alcatraz more than 30 years ago: The prison was closed in 1963 about to high costs. But stories and myths about “The Rock” are still alive: Al Capone, “Birdman” Robert Stroud or the 14 attempts for outbreak: On a walk over the island and through the cell buildings the past and it’s myths becomes alive. And all this under the watchful view of the sea gulls. They are the new and probably also the last guards of Alcatraz….

	click pictures to enlarge!

Ferries to Alcatraz leave in San Francisco at Pier 41. The journey lasts only 15 minutes, but you should take minimum 4 hours into account for a visit on the island. In summer the ferries are completely written off. An internet-reservation in advance is advisable and helps to save time: You can pick up your tickets at ticket-machines and you have not to wait in the queue.

         

The world’s highest thrill rides

Posted by admine in Las Vegas, Nevada on 09 19th, 2005 | No comments yet - be the first one!

Are you a thrill seeker? You will find the ultimate in excitement in Las Vegas at the Stratosphere Hotel. In the 108th floor, at the top of the tower, the world’s four highest thrill rides are located:

Insanity gives you the thrill of being flung over the edge of the Tower and literally facing downward at the City of Las Vegas below. The Ride consists of an arm that extends out 64 feet over the edge of the Tower and will spin passengers at up to three ‘G’s.’ As the ride spins faster and faster, the riders are propelled up to an angle of 70 degrees.
X Scream is an open vehicle that propels riders head-first, 27 feet over the edge of the Stratosphere Tower and dangles them weightlessly above the Strip before pulling it’s riders back and over again for more (click pictures to enlarge!).
The High Roller Coaster is the highest roller coaster in the world at 909 feet above the ground. It rockets around the tower pod on 840 feet, traveling 32 miles per hour.
The Big Shot catapults 16 riders from the platform up the Tower’s mast to a height of 1,081 feet. Traveling at 45 miles per hour, riders experience 4G’s as they reach the top, and feel negative G’s on the way down.

Take care, if you visit the Stratosphere thrill rides in summer: It’s very hot in Las Vegas and you have to wait for your ride in the queue outside without sunprotection. So take a hat or a cap and a bottle of water with you!!

Visit the Stratosphere thrill rides online and check out details und rates! Check out also more about thrill rides all over the world at google directory and yahoo directory