CHINA World Heritage UNESCO Sites by talktravelmag

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CHINA WORLD HERITAGE UNESCO SITES ARIZONA

Grand Canyon

SOUTH AFRICA Colourful Bo-Kaap

’s S t i ’ r A T fo D N s ! A VE n r r a N u t e Ye CA L E R

E h N t V 4 TER RA

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MAGAZINE

2019 • ISSUE 4 • VOLUME 11 • TABLE OF CONTENTS

publisher@talktravel.ca Wayne Hansen, Publisher, Senior Editor editor@talktravel.ca Daryl Cooper, Asst. Editor editor@talktravel.ca

Features

Jana Schweitzer Graphic Design

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3. The Rhythm of Life in Cuba

John Kenchenten

Video Editing/Production

editor@talktravel.ca Rita Rong IT Manager

4. Explore the natural wonders of China’s 53 World heritage UNESCO sites

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Associate Editor/Director Business Development

14. The Arizona Experience

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16. The Colourful History of Bo-Kopp Suite 205 – 475 Main Street Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2T7 Tel: 604-629-0877 Fax: 604-629-0878

19. What’s Cooking in South Africa

THE RHYTHM OF LIFE IN CUBA Succumb to the irresistible charm and rhythm of Salsa on a holiday to Cuba

Master the art of Salsa in Cuba and step into a world of smooth moves, intoxicating rhythms and hip-swinging nightlife that will enhance your experience on the island and give you a real insight into its warm and vibrant culture. From the capital Havana to the thriving beach resort of Varadero, travellers can find sensational Salsa instructors and sizzling dance spots throughout the country. Though Salsa is danced in other countries, the Cuban version is more fluid and flamboyant than other forms, danced in a circular motion rather than a line, and with more street-influenced elements. Some say a flair for the dance is in the Cuban blood, but with a little help, visitors can become Salsarinas too, experiencing something of the freedom and joy of this infectious art form 3

China, home to some of humanity’s earliest great civilizations, currently has 53 world heritage sites which include 36 that are cultural heritage sites, 13 are natural heritage sites, and 4 are cultural and natural (mixed) sites. While most will recognize the Great Wall. the Forbidden City and the Terr-Cotta Warriors and Horses in Xi’an as the most recognizable sites there are still 50 other sites that all deserve visiting and exploring.

in China include royal relics, cultural relics, religious sites, natural attractions, famous people’s residences, palaces perched on mountaintops, giant panda sanctuaries, and traditional villages that will transport you back in time. The immense nation of China offers an incredible wealth of World Heritage Sites, just waiting to be explored. Most tours to China will contain several of these important historical locations across the country.

China joined the International Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1985 and ranks second in the world in Heritage Sites. Many of these world heritage sites

The Great Wall of China was the first world heritage site listed by UNESCO in 1987 followed by 52 others Here is a partial list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in China and their locations.

Explore the natural wonders and cultural treasu 30. Old Town of Lijiang The Old Town of Lijiang is located on the Lijiang plain at an elevation of 2,400 metres in southwest Yunnan, where a series of strategic passes give ac-

roof beams are representative of the Naxi culture and are disposed in rows following the contours of the mountainside.

cess through the surrounding mountains. The Yulong Snow Mountain to the north-west is the source of the rivers and springs which water the plain and supply the Black Dragon Pond, from where waterways feed into a network of canals and channels to supply the town. The Old Town of Lijiang comprises three component parts: Dayan Old Town (including the Black Dragon Pond), Baisha and Shuhe housing clusters. Dayan Old Town was established in the Ming dynasty as a commercial centre and includes the Lijiang Junmin Prefectural Government Office; the Yizi pavilion and Guabi Tower remaining from the former Mujia compound and the Yuquan architectural structures in the Heilongtan Park. Numerous two-storeyed, tileroofed, timber- framed houses combining elements of Han and Zang architecture and decoration in the arched gateways, screen walls, courtyards and carved

31. China Danxia China Danxia is the name given in China to landscapes developed on continental red terrigenous sedimentary beds influenced by endogenous forces (including uplift) and exogenous forces (including weathering and erosion). The inscribed site comprises six areas found in the sub-tropical zone of south-west China. They are characterized by spectacular red cliffs and a range of erosional landforms, including dramatic natural pillars, towers, ravines, valleys and waterfalls. These rugged landscapes have helped to conserve sub-tropical broad-leaved evergreen forests, and host many species of flora and fauna, about 400 of which are considered rare or threatened. 32. Yin Xu The archaeological site of Yin Xu, close to Anyang City, some 500 km south of Beijing, is an ancient 4

PART TWO

… continues from April issue

ures of China’s 53 World heritage UNESCO sites capital city of the late Shang Dynasty (1300 - 1046 BC). It testifies to the golden age of early Chinese culture, crafts and sciences, a time of great prosperity of the Chinese Bronze Age. A number of

royal tombs and palaces, prototypes of later Chinese architecture, have been unearthed on the site, including the Palace and Royal Ancestral Shrines Area, with more than 80 house foundations, and the only tomb of a member of the royal family of the Shang Dynasty to have remained intact, the Tomb of Fu Hao. The large number and superb craftsmanship of the burial accessories found there bear testimony to the advanced level of Shang crafts industry. Inscriptions on oracle bones found in Yin Xu bear invaluable testimony to the development of one of the world’s oldest writing systems, ancient beliefs and social systems. Being one of the most important capital sites in early China, its planning and layout had an important influence on the construction and development of subsequent capitals of China 5

33. Kaiping Diaolou and Villages Kaiping Diaolou and Villages feature the Diaolou, multi-storeyed defensive village houses in Kaiping, which display a complex and flamboyant fusion of Chinese and Western structural and decorative forms. They reflect the significant role of émigré Kaiping people in the development of several countries in South Asia, Australasia and North America, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There are four groups of Diaolou and twenty of the most symbolic ones are inscribed on the list. These buildings take three forms: communal towers built by several families and used as temporary refuge, residential towers built by individual rich families and used as fortified residences, and watch towers. Built of stone, brick or concrete, these buildings represent a complex and confident fusion between Chinese and Western architectural styles. Retaining a harmonious relationship with the surrounding landscape, the Diaolou testify to the final flowering of local building traditions that started in the Ming period in response to local banditry.

34. Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas Located in the mountainous north-west of Yunnan Province in China, the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas is a natural serial property consisting of 15 protected areas, grouped into eight clusters. The Property contains an outstanding diversity of landscapes, such as deep-incised river gorges, luxuriant forests, towering snow-clad mountains, glaciers, and alpine karst, reddish sandstone landforms (Danxia), lakes and meadows over vast vistas. The 1.7 million hectare site features sections of the upper reaches of three of the great rivers of Asia: the Yangtze ( Jinsha), Mekong and Salween which run approximately parallel, north to south, through steep gorges which, in places, are 3,000 metres deep and are bordered by glaciated peaks more than 6,000 metres high. The property spans a large portion of the Hengduan Mountains, which is the major arc curving into Indochina from the eastern end of the Himalayas. Being located in the convergent regions of the three world’s major biogeographic realms, the property is in an epicentre of Chinese biodiversity. It may also harbour the richest biodiversity among the temperate areas of the world. 35. Xinjiang Tianshan Xinjiang Tianshan comprises four components—To-

mur, Kalajun-Kuerdening, Bayinbukuke and Bogda— that total 606,833 hectares. They are part of the Tianshan mountain system of Central Asia, one of the largest mountain ranges in the world. Xinjiang Tianshan presents unique physical geographic features and scenically beautiful areas including spectacular snow and snowy mountains glacier-capped peaks, undisturbed forests and meadows, clear rivers and lakes and red bed canyons. These landscapes contrast with the vast adjacent desert landscapes, creating a striking visual contrast between hot and cold environments, dry and wet, desolate and luxuriant. The landforms and ecosystems of the site have been preserved since the Pliocene epoch and present an outstanding example of ongoing biological and ecological evolutionary processes. The site also extends into the Taklimakan Desert, one of the world’s largest and highest deserts, known for its large dune forms and great dust storms. Xinjiang Tianshan is moreover an important habitat for endemic and relic flora species, some rare and endangered. 36. Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in “The Centre of Heaven and Earth” For many centuries Dengfeng, one of the early capitals of China whose precise location is unknown, but

whose name is now associated with an area to the south of Mount Shaoshi and Mount Taishi, two peaks of Mount Songshan, came to be associated with the concept of the centre of heaven and earth – the only point where astronomical observations were considered to be accurate. The natural attribute of the centre of heaven and earth was seen to be Mount Songshan and worship of Mount Songshan was used by the Emperors as a way of reinforcing their power. The three ideas do therefore converge to some extent: the centre of heaven and earth in astronomical terms is used as a propitious place for a capital of terrestrial 6

power, and Mount Songshan as the natural symbol of the centre of heaven and earth is used as the focus for sacred rituals that reinforce that earthly power. The buildings that clustered around Dengfeng were of the highest architectural standards when built and many were commissioned by Emperors. They thus reinforced the influence of the Dengfeng area. 37. Qinghai Hoh XII Qinghai Hoh XIl, located in the north-eastern extremity of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, is the largest and highest plateau in the world. This extensive area of alpine mountains and steppe systems is situated more than 4,500 m above sea level, where sub-zero average temperatures prevail all yearround. The siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s geographical and climatic conditions have nurtured a unique biodiversity. More than one third of the plant species, and all the herbivorous mammals are endemic to the plateau. The property secures the complete migratory route of the Tibetan antelope, one of the endangered large mammals that are endemic to the plateau.

art in the world. It was first constructed in 366AD and represents the great achievement of Buddhist art from the 4th to the 14th century. 492 caves are presently preserved, housing about 45,000 square meters of murals and more than 2,000 painted sculptures 39. Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area The first Buddhist temple in China was built here in Sichuan Province in the 1st century A.D. in the

38. Magao Caves, Dunhuang, Gansu The discovery of the Library Cave at the Mogao Caves in 1990, together with the tens of thousands of

manuscripts and relics it contained, has been acclaimed as the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest discovery of ancient Oriental culture. Situated at a strategic point along the Silk Route, at the crossroads of trade as well as religious, cultural and intellectual influences, the 492 cells and cave sanctuaries in Mogao are famous for their statues and wall paintings, spanning 1,000 years of Buddhist art. Carved into the cliffs above the Dachuan River, the Magao Daves south-east of the Dunhuang oasis in Gansu Province, comprises the largest, most richly endowed, and longest used treasure house of Buddhist 7

beautiful surroundings of the summit Mount Emei. The addition of other temples turned the site into one of Buddhismâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s holiest sites. Over the centuries, the cultural treasures grew in number. The most remarkable is the Giant Buddha of Leshan, carved out of a hillside in the 8th century and looking down on the confluence of three rivers. At 71 meters high, it is the largest Buddha in the world. Mount Emei is also notable for its exceptionally diverse vegetation, ranging from subtropical to sub alpine pine forests. Some of the trees there are more than 1,000 years old. On Mount Emei, there are over 30 temples, ten of them large and very old.

tall tomb mound shaped like a truncated pyramid. The layout of the mausoleum is modelled on the Qin capital Xianyang, divided into inner and outer cities. The tomb is located in the southwest of the inner city and faces east.

40. Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area Wulingyuan is an island of nature within a heavily populated agricultural region. A spectacular area stretching some 26,400 hectares in Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hunan Province, the site is dominated by more than 3,000 narrow quartz sandstone pillars, many over 200 metres high. Nestled within its towering peaks lie ravines and gorges with streams, pools and waterfalls, two large natural bridges, and some 40 caves. Impressive calcite deposits are a notable feature within these caves.

No doubt thousands of statues still remain to be unearthed at this archaeological site, which was not discovered until 1974. Qin (d. 210 B.C.), the first unifier of China, is buried, surrounded by the famous terracotta warriors, at the centre of the complex designed to mirror the urban plan of the capital, Xianyan. The small figures are all different; with their horses, chariots and weapons, they are masterpieces of realism and also of great historical interest.

Together with the natural scenery of the park, the life and customs of several Chinese minority groups (Tu, Miao, Bai) will also be of interest to visitors. Their houses, farms and their singing and dancing undoubtedly add an element of enjoyment and beauty with a visit to Wulingyuan. 41. Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples in Chengde The Mountain Resort of palaces and gardens at Chengde with its Outlying Temples is the largest existing imperial palace-garden and temple complex in China. Built between 1703 and 1792 as the Qing emperorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; detached summer palace near the imperial Mulan hunting ground 350 kilometres from Beijing, it was a base from which to strengthen administration in the border regions. The 12 outlying imperial temples, some built in the architectural styles of the ethnic minorities, are distributed across the eastern and northern hills outside the palace and garden area. Every summer and autumn, emperors of the Qing dynasty handled military and government affairs of the country and received leaders of ethnic minority groups and diplomatic envoys from foreign countries here. These historical sites and objects have witnessed the consolidation and development of China as a unitary multi-ethnic state. 42. Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor This mausoleum was constructed over 38 years, from 246 to 208 BC, and is situated underneath a 76-meter-

43. Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet The Potala Palace, winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century, symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism. The complex is 13 stories high and is the greatest monumental structure in all of Tibet. Potala Palace houses great amounts of rare cultural relics including the gold hand- written Buddhist 8

scriptures, valuable gifts from the Chinese emperors and a lot of priceless antiques. Also founded in the 7th century, the Jokhang Temple Monastery is an exceptional Buddhist religious complex. Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama’s former summer palace, constructed in the 18th century, is a masterpiece of Tibetan art. The beauty and originality of the architecture of these three sites, their rich ornamentation and harmonious integration in a striking landscape, add to their historic and religious interest. 44. Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System The Dujiangyan irrigation system, located in the western portion of the Chengdu flatlands at the

junction between the Sichuan basin and the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, is an ecological engineering feat originally constructed around 256 BC. Modified and enlarged during the Tang, Song, Yuan and Ming dynasties, it uses natural topographic and hydrological features to solve problems of diverting water for irrigation, draining sediment, flood control, and flow control without the use of dams. The system has produced comprehensive benefits in flood control, irrigation, water transport and general water consumption. Begun over 2,250 years ago, it now irrigates 668,700 hectares of farmland. Mount Qingcheng, dominating the Chengdu plains to the south of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, is a mountain famous in Chinese history as the place where in 142 BC the philosopher Zhang Ling founded the doctrine of Chinese Taoism. Most of the essential elements of Taoism culture are embodied in the teachings of Taoism that emanated from the temples that were subsequently built on the mountain during the Jin and Tang dynasties. The mountain resumed its role as the intellectual and spiritual centre of Taoism in the 17th century. 9

45. Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor The Silk Roads were an interconnected web of routes linking the ancient societies of Asia, the Subcontinent, Central Asia, Western Asia and the Near East, and contributed to the development of many of the world’s great civilizations. They represent one of the world’s preeminent long-distance communication networks stretching as the crow flies to around 7,500 km but extending to in excess of 35,000 km along specific routes. While some of these routes had been in use for millennia, by the 2nd century BC the volume of exchange had increased substantially, as had the long distance trade between east and west in high value goods, and the political, social and cultural impacts of these movements had far-reaching consequences upon all the societies that encountered them. The routes served principally to transfer raw materials, foodstuffs, and luxury goods. Some areas had a monopoly on certain materials or goods: notably China, who supplied Central Asia, the Subcontinent, West Asia and the Mediterranean world with silk. Many of the high value trade goods were transported over vast distances – by pack animals and river craft – and probably by a string of different merchants. 46. Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area Situated in the north-west of Sichuan Province, the Huanglong valley is made up of snow-capped peaks and the easternmost of all the Chinese glaciers. In addition to its mountain landscapes, diverse forest ecosystems can be found, as well as spectacular limestone formations, waterfalls and hot springs. The area also has a population of endangered animals, including the giant panda and the Sichuan golden snubnosed monkey. 47. Dazu Rock Carvings The steep hillsides in the Dazu area near Chongqing, contain an exceptional series of five clusters of rock carvings dating from the 9th to 13th centuries. The largest cluster at Beishan contains two groups along

landscapes. It is a serial site spread over the provinces of Guizhou, Guangxi, Yunnan and Chongqing and covers 176,228 hectares. It contains the most significant types of karst landforms, including tower karst, pinnacle karst and cone karst formations, along with other spectacular characteristics such as natural bridges, gorges and large cave systems. The stone forests of Shilin are considered superlative natural phenomena and a world reference. The cone and tower karsts of Libo, also considered the world reference site for these types of karst, form a distinctive and beautiful landscape. Wulong Karst has been inscribed for its giant dolines (sinkholes), natural bridges and caves. a cliff face 7-10 metres high stretching for around 300 metres. There are more than 10,000 carvings dating from the late 9th to the mid-12th century which depict themes of Tantric Buddhism and Taoism. Inscriptions give insight to the history, religious beliefs, dating and the identification of historical figures. The late 11th century Song dynasty carvings at Shizhuanshan extend over 130meters and depict Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian images in a rare tripartite arrangement. The Song dynasty carvings at Shimenshan dating from the first half of the 12th century extend along 72 meters and integrate Buddhist and Taoist subjects. At Nanshan the Song dynasty carvings of the 12th century extend over a length of 86 meters and depict mostly Taoist subjects. The culmination in terms of expression of Tantric Buddhism is found in the U shaped gorge at Baodingshan which contains two groups of carvings dating from the late 12th to the mid-13th century near the Holy Longevity Monastery. The very large group to the west stretches for about 500 metres and comprises 31 groups of carved figures depicting themes from Tantric Buddhism as well scenes of herdsmen and ordinary life. The carvings are known for their grand scale, aesthetic quality and rich diversity of subject matter as well as for being well preserved. Standing as an example of the highest level of Chinese cave temple art dating from the 9th to 13th centuries, the Dazu Rock Carvings not only underline the harmonious coexistence in China of three different religions, namely Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, but also provide material proof that cave temple art has increasingly shed light on everyday life. Large numbers of carvings and written historical materials within the heritage site show the great changes in and development of cave temple art and religious beliefs in China during that period.

49. Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area Jiuzhaigou is a nature reserve and national park located in the north of Sichuan province. It is part of the Min Mountains on the edge of the Tibetan Plaeau and stretches over 72,000 hectares (180,000 acres). It is known for its many multi-level waterfalls, colourful lakes, and snow-capped peaks. Jiuzhaigou (literally â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nine Village Valleyâ&#x20AC;?) takes its name from the nine Tibetan villages along its length. The remote region was inhabited by various Tibetan and Qian peoples for centuries. Until 1975 this inaccessible area was little known and the site officially opened to tourism in 1984. 50. Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces The Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, China covers 16,603-hectares in Southern Yunnan. It is marked by spectacular terraces that cascade down the slopes of the towering Ailao Mountains to the banks of the Hong River. Over the past 1,300 years, the Hani people have developed a complex system of channels to bring water from the forested mountaintops to the terraces. They have also created an integrated farm-

48. South China Karst South China Karst is one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most spectacular examples of humid tropical to subtropical karst 10

ing system that involves buffalos, cattle, ducks, fish and eel and supports the production of red rice, the area’s primary crop. The inhabitants worship the sun, moon, mountains, rivers, forests and other natural phenomena including fire. They live in 82 villages situated between the mountaintop forests and the terraces. The villages feature traditional thatched “mushroom” houses. The resilient land management system of the rice terraces demonstrates extraordinary harmony between people and their environment, both visually and ecologically, based on exceptional and long-standing social and religious structures. 51. Chengjiang Fossil Site The Chengjiang Fossil Site, located in the Province of Yunnan, conserves fossil remains which are of exceptional significance. The rocks and fossils of the Chengjiang Fossil Site present an outstanding and extraordinarily preserved record that testifies to the rapid diversification of life on Earth during the early Cambrian period, 530 million years before present. In this geologically short interval, almost all major groups of animals had their origins. The diverse geological evidence from the Chengjiang Fossil Site presents fossil remains of the highest quality of preservation and conveys a complete record of an early Cambrian marine community. It is one of the earliest records of a complex marine ecosystem and a unique window of understanding into the structure of early Cambrian communities. 52. Tusi Sites Distributed around the mountainous areas of south-west China are the remains of tribal domains whose leaders were appointed by the central government as ‘Tusi’, hereditary rulers of their regions from the 13th to the early 20th century. This system of administrative government was aimed at unifying national administration while simultaneously allowing ethnic minorities to retain their

customs and way of life. The three sites of Laosicheng, Tangya and the Hailongtun Fortress combine as a serial property to represent this system of governance. The archaeological sites and standing remains of Laosicheng Tusi Domain and Hailongtun Fortress represent domains of highest ranking Tusi; the Memorial Archway and remains of the Administration Area, boundary walls, drainage ditches and tombs at Tangya Tusi Domain represent the domain of a lower ranked Tusi. Their combinations of local ethnic and central Chinese features exhibit an interchange of values and testify to imperial Chinese administrative methods, while retaining their association with the living cultural traditions of the ethnic minority groups represented by the cultural traditions and practices of the Tujia communities at Laosicheng.

53. Mount Fanjingshan Fanjingshan, an other-worldly peak in China’s Wuling Mountain Range, is one of the newest natural wonders to have been added to Unesco’s ever-expanding list of World Heritage Sites. Located within the Wuling mountain range in Guizhou Province (south-west China), Fanjingshan ranges in altitude between 500 metres and 2,570 metres above sea level, favouring highly diverse types of vegetation and relief. It is an island of metamorphic rock in a sea of karst, home to many plant and animal species that originated in the Tertiary period, between 65 million and 2 million years ago. The property’s isolation has led to a high degree of biodiversity with endemic species, such as the Fanjingshan Fir and the Guizhou Snub-nosed Monkey, and endangered species, such as the Chinese Giant Salamander, the Forest Musk Deer and Reeve’s Pheasant. Fanjingshan has the largest and most contiguous primeval beech forest in the subtropical region.

China National Tourist Office, Toronto www.tourismchina.org Tel: 416-599-6636 â&#x20AC;¢ Toll Free: 1-866-599-6636

THE ARIZONA EX Grand Canyon – The Adventure Awaits You. One of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World and one of the country’s oldest National Parks, The Grand Canyon’s history is layered in its geology. These rocky pages of the past afford spectacular 29-kilometre vistas when seen from the South Rim. On its 2,320-kilometre journey to the Sea of Cortez, the Colorado River has carved a legacy of sublime beauty that is 1.6 kilometres deep and 443 kilometres long. Its folds and furrows reflect more than two billion years of nature’s crafting.

While early explorers had only the Colorado as a means to traverse the canyon, today’s travellers have a choice. At the South Rim visitors can take an easy stroll or a longer hike as they look into the canyon’s depths. Or, hop a sightseeing bus headed for landmarks, catch a helicopter for a flight that skims the rim, or hike into the canyon for an overnight on the Colorado. Decisions, decisions. What to do when you finally get some time off. The air is clear and crisp at Grand Canyon National Park, a fitting environment for vigorous activity or simply absorbing the indescribable beauty of this premier wonder of the natural world. Take advantage of the clear skies and view the Milky Way as you’ve never seen it before!

Behind the lens To begin you’ll find your finger has a life of its own, and you’ll wind up the day with dozens or more fabulous images of this natural wonder of the world. On your photo excursion will likely be the iconic Mather Point, a Kaibab limestone peninsula located a literal stones’ throw from the new rim-side amphitheater, and the South Rim Visitor Center itself. If you arrive before mid-morning or after mid-afternoon, the sun will be low enough to cast broadening shadows over the rugged cliffs and spires of the Canyon, providing a particularly impressive 3-D effect across your entire field of view. Escapes with the Family in Mind - Arizona’s amazing demographic diveristy means that there is something to capture the imagination of all ages. Kid-friendly attractions and venues with something appealing for adults are well abound in Arizona. Take a fossil walk and discover when the Grand Canyon was submerged under a grand ocean, or enjoy a Family Adventure Hike. Watch with pride as your youngster is sworn in as a Junior Ranger (badge included) and steward of the en-

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ARIZONA FUN FACTS • Arizona state has 18 national monuments, more than any other state in the United States

There are some things thing that one must visit Arizona to see. Nature had a hand in creating most of them, and all are spectacular. In many ways they define a state that is filled with superlatives. They are unique, they don’t exist anywhere else, they are inimitably Arizona.

XPERIENCE

g your bicycles or rent a bicycle gh the 30+ miles of paved and that traverse the South Rim.

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time from the mysterious Anasazi who inhabited the Canyon 4,000 years ago to Major John Wesley Powell’s expedition and his challenges with the raging Colorado River in 1869. In only 34-minutes, you will discover a Grand Canyon that would take a lifetime to experience. Not sure where to lay your head down for the evening? There are accommodations located both inside the Grand Canyon and just outside the South Entrance in Tusayan. Why not try the affordably priced Red Feather Lodge or Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel located in Tusayan just down the street from the IMAX. They are centrally located and offer contemporary lodging with restaurants on site, laundry facilities and both are pet friendly. Watch your favorite sports game on one of the 6 flat screen TV’s at the Wagon Wheel Saloon located within the Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel. From beneath the rim to 500 ft. above it, Grand Canyon National Park offers the widest array of physical and visual experiences in a single magnificent setting.

To help you plan your er depths of the Canyon on a giIMAX screen. Grand Canyon – Grand Adventure visit rets, will transport you through www.GrandCanyonCVB.org 15

• Arizona is the largest copper producing state in the Unites States. More copper is mined in Arizona than all the other states combined, and the Morenci Mine is the largest copper producing mine in the North America. • Arizona is home to the majority of the Navajo Nation, the largest Native American reservation in the United States. Covering about 27,425 square miles of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, the Navajo Nation is larger than any of the ten smallest states in the United Staes. Its capital is seated in Window Rock, Arizona. • Arizona is home to the world’s largest rose bush. Planted in Tombstone in 1885, the giant rose bush has a 12-foot circumference trunk and covers an area of 9,000 square feet. • Pluto was discovered from the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh. • The best-preserved meteor crater on Earth is located near Winslow, Arizona • Skydive Arizona’ is the largest skydiving center in the world. • Arizona has 3,928 mountain peaks and summits—more mountains than any one of the other Mountain States (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming). • When England’s famous London Bridge was replaced in the 1960s, the original was purchased, dismantled, shipped stone by stone and reconstructed in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where it still stands today. • The only place in the country where mail is delivered by mule is the village of Supai, located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

The Colourful History of Bo-Kaap Story and Photos by Steve Klein On the slopes of Signal Hill between the Cape Town waterfront and Table Mountain, Bo-Kaap is a colourful neighbourhood with a colourful history. It all began in 1760 when Jan de Waal, an employee of the Dutch East India Company purchased a plot of land above the central business district to build rental housing for his slaves. One of the first houses built still stands today, housing the Bo-Kaap Museum. 16

The Cape has long been home to the indigenous Xhosa people. It has at times been controlled by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. The French also had a garrison there at one point. Each European group left behind settlers who influenced and shaped the culture. Land was confiscated from the local residents who either voluntarily or by force, became servants on the farmland that once had been theirs. A shortage of labour needed to build the city meant slaves, convicts, political prisoners and skilled artisans were brought in from Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Madagascar, India and much of Africa. Each ethnic group contributed to the culture that became known as Cape Malay. The Malay Quarter, later to be called Bo-Kaap, was developed to house the slaves and immigrant artisans. At that time most rental houses were very basic, single story, flat roofed, white-washed buildings. Unlike most places in the world where occupiers introduced and often forced Christianity, little effort was put into religious conversion of the Malay Quarter. When religious freedom was granted in 1804 Islam was already the main religion of the Quarter and the influence of the Imams quickly rose. The Auwal Masjid, the first mosque built in South Africa, was built in 1794, a year after the first Muslim school came into being. It still stands today. In the 19th and 20th centuries Christian churches were added to Bo-Kaap. During the mid 1960s, under apartheid, the Group Areas Act resulted in the expulsion of Christians from the Malay Quarter. Although today Bo-Kaap is a multi-cultural neighbourhood, most residents are Muslim. Bo-Kaap is known today for its cobblestone streets and colourful houses. The houses went from white to bright as an expression

of freedom when slavery was outlawed in 1834. The sentiment has been continued by the ancestors of the slaves who originally lived there. It is the oldest surviving neighbourhood in Cape Town. The restoration of Bo-Kaap began in the 1940s and is still underway. With its proximity to the central business district and beautiful views of the waterfront, Bo-Kaap is under threat from gentrification. As properties become available they are often quickly snapped up with the long term residents replaced by well to do outsiders, changing the cultural distinctiveness of the community. For years the edges of Bo-Kaap have been nibbled away, replaced by highrise office towers. In an effort to ensure the area keeps its unique cultural heritage, a campaign has been underway to stop the encroachment, and finally in March 2019 the BoKaap area was included in a Heritage Protection Overlay Zone including about 600 privately owned homes.

As of this month a number of sites within the area have been declared National Heritage Sites by South Africa’s Minister of Arts and Culture. Today Bo-Kaap is among Cape Town’s top tourist attractions. Walking tours include the museum, a portion of which is furnished as it would have been when rented during the 18th and 19th century. On your walk up and down the cobblestone streets and through the narrow alleyways you may hear the muezzin’s call to prayer from the minaret of Auwal Masjid. Your guide might take you into a local store to sample the treats and the spices that give their unique flavour to Cape Malay cuisine. Bicycle tours that include Bo-Kaap are also available. To find out more about South Africa, the Western Cape, Cape Town and Bo-Kaap, go to: https://www.southafrica.net/gl/ en/travel/article/the-colour-ofcape-malay-culture 18

what’s cooking in

SOUTH AFRICA

CHAKALAKA Ingredients: 1/4 cup cooking oil 1 medium onion diced 1-2 teaspoon curry powder 2 teaspoons garlic minced ½ teaspoon thyme ½ teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper ½ teaspoon ginger minced 1-2 tomatoes 3-4 cups sliced cabbage 1 -2 Chili peppers diced seeds removed for less heat 1 large carrot grated on the large side or sliced thinly 1 medium green pepper diced 1 medium red pepper diced 1 14 ounce baked beans 1 teaspoons bouillon powder optional

Directions: • In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. • Add onion, give it a minute or two, • Stir in all the spices; garlic, ginger, smoked paprika, curry, cayenne pepper, thyme- continue stirring for about a minute to let the flavors bloom. Then add tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots and cabbage • Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burns. • Finally add baked beans, bouillon powder stir Continue cooking for about 2-3 minutes. • Adjust for seasonings. Serve warm

Chakalaka is a dish that originates from South Africa and it is staple throughout the country. Mostly during celebrations, gatherings and a must have during braais (South African barbecues). Legend has it that it was developed by men working in the goldmines- they put together vegetables on hand with canned beans to form a great relish to pair with their starchy side. Simple yet pleasing in every way, this South African – born spicy vegetable side can be as spicy or as mild as you like it. It all depends on you and which direction you want to go.