0410, 2012

Wat Arun at Sunset

Thailand holds tens of thousands of Buddhist temples, but none as famous as Wat Arun, the beautiful “temple of the dawn” in the capital city of Bangkok. The exact age of Wat Arun is unknown, but it dates back at least to the 1600s, during the era of the country’s Ayutthaya Kingdom. The iconic spires– or prongs— were not added until the reign of King Rama II in the nineteenth century. The tallest spire is a symbol for Mount Meru, the center of the Buddhist universe. It stands over 260 feet tall. Visitors to the temple can climb the central prong via a series of steep steps, for a beautiful view of surrounding Bangkok. This eScapes

2407, 2012

Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego

Scenic Earth
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One of three passages past South America between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Beagle Channel is surrounded on both sides by remarkable scenery. It was here that Charles Darwin first saw glaciers while accompanying the channel’s namesake, the HMS Beagle, on a hydrological survey of the Tierra del Fuego region. Glaciers can still be spotted along the channel to this day, and though the channel is narrow, smaller boats including excursion cruises can maneuver the waters with ease. They also need not be as cautious as the Beagle was on its voyage: though a survey barque with no military objective, the 19th-century ship was equipped with six cannons. Brian Hughes is a contemporary jazz guitarist.

1406, 2012

Los Angeles from Griffith Observatory

The sprawling cityscape of Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States, is a sharp contrast to the vertical skyline of New York City, the country’s most populous city. Here, a small cluster of downtown skyscrapers is surrounded by miles of relatively low buildings. This is partially due to earthquake-related restrictions on building heights that lasted much of the 20th century. This eScapes scene features a sunset view of the city from Griffith Park atop Mount Hollywood. The famous Griffith Observatory, seen in the foreground, is a public center dedicated to sharing knowledge of astronomy. Both the park and observatory were gifted to the city by mining entrepreneur Griffith J. Griffith at the turn of

0106, 2012

Umhlanga Beach, South Africa

Tropical Beaches
476

For eScapes’ 1000th produced episode, we take you to Umhlanga Beach, one of the most popular beaches on the South African coast. Here, a beautiful beach lends itself to fishing, swimming, and surfing, while nearby hotels, restaurants, and attractions offer even more reasons to visit. Whale- and dolphin-watching excursions often launch from Uhmlanga while freighters pass in the distance. The beach’s lighthouse, featured in this video, was built in 1954 and has become an icon of the beach and harbor. Administered by a nearby hotel, the lighthouse has never had a traditional lighthouse keeper. The word “Umhlanga” means “Place of Reeds” in the Zulu language. The sound of the “hl” is similar to the Welsh “ll”

0205, 2012

Tettegouche State Park, Minnesota

Scenic Earth
354

Minnesota’s Tettegouche State Park offers gorgeous views of Lake Superior’s rugged shoreline. Dense forests and steep cliffs combine to create a stunning vista, as well as a venue for hikers, naturalists, and rock climbers. This eScapes video features views of the park’s Palisade Head and Shovel Point formations. The exposed bedrock cliffs were formed during the glacial excavation of Lake Superior, but the rock itself originates from volcanic lava and is about one billion years old. Today, these cliffs are a popular spot for peregrine falcons, which nest in the cliff faces. During nesting season, rock climbing in certain areas is prohibited at the park. Acoustic Alchemy is a smooth jazz group from London. Originally a

2803, 2012

Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro

Tropical Beaches
437

Rio de Janeiro, the most visited city in the Southern Hemisphere, is known for its vibrant culture, diverse population, and festive atmosphere. Even away from the nightclubs and the excitement of Carnival, a good time is never hard to find, thanks to the miles of beaches provided by Rio’s natural setting. This eScapes video highlights Ipanema Beach, one of Rio’s most famous beaches, where progressive beach fashions and fads have been visibly set (and broken) since the 1960s. Ipanema Beach sits just a bit south of the entrance to Guanabara Bay, which was mistakenly identified as a river mouth by Portuguese explorers when they named the area Rio de Janeiro, or “River of January.” Ken Navarro

0703, 2012

Los Angeles, California

Full version of the single song episodes featured here, in our Media Library showcase, are available to watch free on the eScapes’ Xumo Lifestyle Channel # 452 Underneath the bustle of Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States, is a strong creative pulse. Los Angeles has been the worldwide capital of film production since the early 1900s, and about one-sixth of the city’s 3.8 million people work in the arts. On any drive through the city, you are never too far from a concert hall, movie theater, or sound stage. Viewing the sprawling city and its impressive downtown skyline from afar, it’s hard to imagine the city’s humble beginnings as a missionary settlement in

0203, 2012

Washington, D.C. Landmarks

American Cities
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Full version of the single song episodes featured here, in our Media Library showcase, are available to watch free on the eScapes’ Xumo Lifestyle Channel # 452 Though only 68 square miles, Washington, D.C. contains enough recognizable buildings and landmarks to fill an entire country. The capital city of the United States, the District of Columbia is not only a place of business for the federal government but a shrine to the country’s history and accomplishments. Two of the most famous buildings in Washington, featured in the beginning of this eScapes video, are the U.S. Capitol Building and the White House. These structures are symbols of the city, current politics, and the entire United States. The

0901, 2012

Bordeaux, France

World Cities & Harbors
406

Maybe best known for its wine, the city of Bordeaux, France is also famous for its architecture. One of the largest concentrations of 18th century buildings in all of Europe, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a reputation as “the city of art and history.” In this sample video, eScapes shows you why Bordeaux is a perfect destination for sightseeing or a relaxing afternoon stroll along the Garonne. A couple of attractions included in this video are the Pont de Pierre bridge and the nearby Porte de Bourgogne gate. Commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Pont de Pierre has seventeen arches to commemorate the emperor: either his seventeen military victories, or the seventeen

2709, 2011

Minnehaha Falls, Minnesota

Scenic Earth
369

Minnesota’s Minnehaha Park is such a beautiful and relaxing setting, you’d never guess it was right in the middle of one of the United States’ largest metropolitan areas, unless you spotted the cars passing behind the treeline. Nestled in the southern metro area of the Twin Cities, Minnehaha Falls gets its name from the Dakota words for, simply, “waterfall.” The urban park surrounding the 53-foot waterfall attracts over 850,000 visitors a year. Alexander Zonjic has performed on stages around the world as a solo performer, with his own group, and as part of jazz great Bob James’ band. An accomplished jazz flutist, Zonjic has performed worldwide and at major classical and jazz festivals throughout North America,