Kiribati
Scattered over five million square kilometers, the 33 islands were formerly the Gilberts of the British Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony. These mostly low-lying coral islands in the Pacific became the Republic of Kiribati in 1979. In addition to fishing and copra, the country relies on foreign financial aid, particularly from the U.K. and Japan. As its phosphate reserves diminish, the island has been forced to rely on a reserve trust. Income from citizens now working abroad augments the economy.
Scuba diving on Kiritimati (Christmas) Island is available year-round but the best conditions are April through November. Kiritimati (Christmas) Island is also a fisherman’s paradise. Situated 1,200km South of Honolulu in the Central Pacific, just north of equator, Kiritimati is the largest coral atoll on the planet where the sea and sky naturally decorate a 250 square miles of white sand, iridescent aqua lagoons, coconut palms and endless flats.
Sydney Opera House – Australia
50 years ago a young Danish architect – dreaming of Bennelong Point designed a masterpiece, which pushed the boundaries of creativity and science, and put Sydney on the world map forever.
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in New South Wales, Australia. It is one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, an image of great beauty that has become known throughout the world – a symbol for not only a city, but a whole country and continent.The base for the building was started in 1959 - years before the designs were finished. It took four years to design by Danish architect Jorn Utzon and by 1962 the designs were finalized and construction began. In total it took 14 years to build and was officially opened on the 20th of October 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II.
The skyline of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the blue water of the harbour and the Sydney Opera House, viewed from a ferry or from the air, is dramatic and unforgettable.