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Virtual Tour,
Paris and . .
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A visit to Paris, the top of the world, and ancient
South Jordan . . .
As the days of this century dwindle down to a precious few
it's appropriate to savor some of the exquisite pleasures of this planet -- such as
the smell of freshly baked French bread.
Paris-Anglo's zoom photoscopic brings a
woman pedaling her bike from market up so close that one almost senses the aroma
of the long loaf in her backpack. Cafes,
patisseries, street cleaners and
schoolchildren are shown in an interactive photojourney of everyday Paris life
that leads to related images and sounds.
An essay by expatriate David Applefield, author of "Paris
Inside Out," describes the joys
of discussing politics with friends around a table scattered with the crumbs of
a satisfying meal or selecting an artichoke at a local market.
Paris-Anglo's reader-friendly pages offer business, travel and study
opportunities, plus a weekly
update of events.
Nearby, France.com's delightful guide describes the city's
20 arrondissements (districts) and features detailed
listings of hotels and restaurants. The site's
illustrated history of Paris architecture and cathedrals is outstanding.
Monet's lily studies at the Musee de l'Orangerie and upcoming
exhibits are previewed in pictures by Europe on
Line. The chatty web site mentions that a garden honoring Princess Diana will initiate Paris city kids to the wonders of
nature next year. A rumor going around involves plans by Disneyland Paris to
open its own Dianaland.
If your mouth clamors for Camembert your in luck, recently there was an
advertised $899 special that includes round-trip Air
France flight, car rental and accommodations (valid through Aug. 31). At the
time of this writing Expedia's
Vacation Mall listed the best
airfare to France. Because it's there
The end of August will see the renewal of live messages and images
from Mt. Everest, where climber
Tina Sjorgren reports that reaching the summit is "technically difficult enough
to have killed many people in horrible falls and deep crevasses. The altitude is
not to be played with."
The climbers relate dramatic accounts of what many consider the ultimate
adventure trip. The base camp, they tell us, buzzes with satellite phones and
languages from all over the world. Avalanches threaten the ascent to Camp 4,
where the sky has a deep blue color and the atmosphere is "the closest you can
get to space on earth." A scary approach to the summit in the dark of night is
rewarded by a view of the world in all its glory at daybreak. Magnificent
photos of the mountain taken by
climbers are transmitted. Millennium mayhem
A big bash in Belfast. The "door prizes" alone might be worth attending the Millennium Gold
Party planned at the King's Hall in Northern Ireland's capital city. A
Ferrari, a Mercedes SLK 230 and a BMW Roadster, plus a Concorde flight, Galaxy
cruise and holidays in Africa, Thailand and Bali are among the goodies.
Satellite hookups to other countries at midnight, international cuisine and
serious drinking are planned.
Bethlehem
That famous party thrower Yasir Arafat has
invited religious, political and intellectual leaders to join him in a
millennium celebration in the town of Christ's birth. Arafat reportedly has a
political agenda in mind for an independent Palestinian state. Israel, Palestine
and the West Bank are among the 47 countries whose activities are included in
the Millennium Threshold Observance Plans site. A palace in Petra
Seasoned Israel-goers swear by a swing into
South Jordan to see the pink- and salmon-colored monuments that were the capital
of the Nabataean Arabs 2,000 years ago. A virtual tour through the stunning "Petra the Drama of History" pages reveals
the Arab's ingenious use of sandstone to build the Khasneh temple-style tomb and
the High Place of Sacrifice. If you plan to be in the Mid East, check out
Petra's pretty presentation before you go.
By Luanne Axt
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