Modern Wonders of the World

(thanks to Nick for the music)

These are entirely my personal choices which I have divided into those I have visited and those yet to see!

I have limited the total to seven in line with the Ancient Wonders.  If you would like to suggest some others please drop me a line.

I  have been to the following:

1)    The pyramids.

The pyramids are the only surviving ancient wonder.  The three main pyramids are Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinus.  They were built around 2,500 BC at around the same time we were building Stonehenge in the UK!  One could also include other pyramids such as The Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacán or Chitzen Itza, both of which can be found in Mexico.

2)    The Millennium Wheel.

Conceived and designed by David Marks and Julia Barfield, it is the biggest big wheel in the world.  It has a diameter of 135 metres and takes 30 minutes to go round.  On a clear day one can see 25 miles around.

3)    Temple of the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona.

This is a complete folly, but has a real "wow factor".  It was designed by Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926) and it is still being built, construction having started in 1882!  One can go up the towers where there are great views over Barcelona.  Definitely worth "Wonder" status

4)    DisneyWorld, Florida

and in particular the RocknRoller Coaster!  Well you just have to try it to find out why!

If you are ever in Epcot then you can see our photo in Leave a Legacy under:

East side, Row 2, Section G, Panel 23, two up and three across

5)    Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House--in fact a major arts centre--was opened in 1973. This beautiful and costly building was designed by a Danish architect, Jørn Utzon, who won an international competition held for the purpose in 1955. Built on a magnificent site on the harbour, surrounded by water on three sides, it contains a concert hall for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, a large theatre for opera and ballet, a smaller theatre for plays, a cinema, and rehearsal and recording studios

6)    Petra

Petra often appears in modern wonders.  It was built by the Nabateans as their capital city around 100BC and was unknown to the Western world until 1812.  The picture shown is of the treasury, but there are many other buildings built into the rock.

7)    The Taj Mahal

Built as a mausoleum in Agra for Mumtaz Mahal by her husband, Shah Jahan.  She died in 1631 and the building was finished around 1639.  He died later in 1658 and is also buried there.  It has a strange elegance and stillness about it.  Well worth visiting early in the morning to get the light and fewer tourists!

Others I considered (and I have not been to any) were:

It looks as though I still have a lot of travelling to do!