Surrounded by huge and dramatically carved mausoleums, we strolled through the Recoleta Cemetery in wonderment. It’s neither the oldest nor the largest cemetery in Argentina, but it certainly is the most famous. Intriguing rather than depressing, the intricately decorated, mostly art nouveau above-ground tombs draw you into the Buenos Aires’ Recoleta Cemetery. Its vaults hold …
haunted places
Haunted St Augustine: Ghosts in America’s Oldest City
St Augustine Florida is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the United States. It’s a city filled with old world charm, Spanish influence, plenty of things to do, and ghost stories. Even non-believers (like my scientist husband) are fascinated by the legends and stories of haunted St Augustine. Why is St Augustine haunted? Some …
Hidden History and Quirky Facts about Auckland’s Queen Street
Every major city has a street that does it all; in Auckland, this is Queen Street. This main thoroughfare was once a dirty canal leading out to sea. Today, Queen Street is the heart of the central business district (CBD), a shopper’s paradise, and tourist destination. And, unbeknownst to many, the canal still runs deep …
J-Ward: Inside a Lunatic Asylum for the Criminally Insane
I could feel a chill run down my spine as I walked through the corridors of J-Ward, a former gaol (jail), later transformed to J- Ward lunatic asylum for the criminally insane. Nestled in the small town of Ararat in Victoria Australia, J-Ward closed in 1991, and many former employees and patients still live nearby. Our guide …
