Where in the World Archives | International Travel News

The Elephant Tower building in Bangkok, Thailand

December 1969 Issue

The Elephant Tower building in Bangkok, Thailand

At least it’s not pink. . . . September’s photo shows the 32-story Elephant Tower building in Bangkok, Thailand. (You don’t see an elephant? Check out the “tusk” on the front and the round “eye.”)

Twelve readers got the correct answer, and JO ELLEN RYAN of Davis, California, won the drawing. With her answer, she added, “My husband and I saw this amazing building last year while on an OAT tour of Thailand. Our wonderful guide, whose nickname was Joe, lives near ‘The Elephant’ and told us that not everyone in Bangkok loves it. We thought it was an amazing structure and would have liked to have seen it close up.”

We thank William J. Hurley of Princeton, New Jersey, for sending the photo.

The National Library of Belarus

December 1969 Issue

The National Library of Belarus

Rhombicuboctahedron: just try saying that three times fast. It’s easier to describe the shape of August’s subject, the 23-story National Library of Belarus, by its more common name: a diamond. Completed in 2006 and located in Minsk, Belarus, this may be the world’s only library that doubles as a nightlight. By night, 4,646 colored LED fixtures on the structure sparkle in a computer-controlled light show that can be changed to suit any occasion.

Six readers sent in correct answers by the deadline, and GORDON & JAN KUGLER of San Diego, California, won the drawing. We thank Carolyn Tyssen of Clifton, Texas, for sending in the photo.

Stalls outside the Roman stadium in Perge, Turkey

December 1969 Issue

Stalls outside the Roman stadium in Perge, Turkey

What’s a day at the chariot races without a place to buy some refreshing pomegranate punch, larks’ tongues on a stick or souvenirs for the kiddies? July’s photo depicts the merchants’ stalls outside the Roman stadium in Perge, Turkey, an important harbor city at the height of the Roman Empire’s rule of Asia Minor.

Twenty-two readers got the correct answer, and DIANNE BROWN of Autaugaville, Alabama, won the drawing. We thank B.L. Kuhlmann of Corona del Mar, California, for sending us the photo.

Fountain near the Pile Gate, Dubrovnik

December 1969 Issue

Fountain near the Pile Gate, Dubrovnik

The pause that refreshed. . . if you were a 15th-century Dubrovniki, that is. It was in 1438 that the Italian Onofrio dell Cava built a fountain near the Pile Gate in Dubrovnik. It brought springwater from 12 kilometers away to the city’s thirsty inhabitants. Today the Big Onofrio fountain is one of the Croatian city’s major landmarks. (Onofrio built a smaller fountain in Dubrovnik as well; it is in Luza Square.)

Sixty-two readers sent in the correct answer, and RUSTI OSEN of Shoreline, Washington, was the second entry we drew and the winner. Why, you may ask, did the second entry win? The first entry we drew had the correct answer, but the sender didn’t include his or her name and address. Dear readers, please don’t forget that crucial information!

We thank Patricia Minami of Rockville, Maryland, for sending in the photo.

Mahogany albatross, Midway Atoll

December 1969 Issue

Mahogany albatross, Midway Atoll

How’d you like one of these hanging around your neck?!

May’s photo depicts the 12-foot-tall mahogany albatross (aka gooney bird) carved by Lt. Cmdr. Robert C. Cook during his tour of Midway. The gooney bird is next to the Battle Memorial on Sand Island, Midway Atoll.

Twenty-four of our readers guessed “Midway,” but only four pinpointed the specific island. (Details count for Where in the World?!) The winner of the drawing is CHARLES E. ALEXANDER (retired U.S. Navy Medical Corp) of Oxford, Pennsylvania. We thank Evelyn S. Burge of Ventura, California, for sending in the photo.

The Ha’amonga Trilithon in the Kingdom of Tonga

December 1969 Issue

The Ha’amonga Trilithon in the Kingdom of Tonga

The Ha’amonga Trilithon, a 5-meter-high limestone coral “gate” whose purpose is not known.

Very early in the 13th century, inhabitants of what is now known as the Island of Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga, built this impressive 12-ton structure. It is the Ha’amonga Trilithon, a 5-meter-high limestone coral “gate” whose purpose is not known. (Some think it may have been the entrance to the king’s palace-and-garden complex.)

Twenty-five readers sent in correct answers, and STAN BACH of Washington, D.C., won the drawing. We thank Phyllis Tapscott of Indianapolis, Indiana, for sending in the photo.

Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta) in Turpan, Xinjiang, China

December 1969 Issue

Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta) in Turpan, Xinjiang, China

“The Tower for Showing Gratitude to Eminhojaat” is the long name for what’s more commonly known as the Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta) in Turpan, Xinjiang, China. Along with the Uyghur Mosque next to it, it was built starting in 1777 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong. To this day, it is the tallest minaret in China (144 feet). General Emin Khoja (whom the tower was built to honor) must have been pleased.

We hope JOHN HASEMAN of Grand Junction, Colorado, is pleased to have won the drawing from among the 17 correct answers sent in. And our gratitude goes to Nell Q. McCombs of Ventura, California, for sending us the picture, but she’ll have to be happy with just a “Thank you,” as we’re fresh out of towers.

Mundo a Vapor Museum (Steam World Museum), Brazil

December 1969 Issue

Mundo a Vapor Museum (Steam World Museum), Brazil

February’s picture shows the front of the Mundo a Vapor Museum (Steam World Museum) in Canela, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The “train crash” is a replica of an actual incident in Paris’ Montparnasse quarter in 1895, when a train arriving in the station was unable to stop and crashed through onto the street beyond.

Three readers sent in correct answers, and TERREL M. EMMONS of Springfield, Virginia, won the drawing. We thank Grace Rickard of Borrego Springs, California, for sending in the photo.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial

December 1969 Issue

Hiroshima Peace Memorial

A monument to the devastation wrought by war and the hope for a future of peace, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome), the former Prefecture Exhibit Hall, has been kept in the condition it was left in after the atomic bomb blast of August 6, 1945.

Ninety (!) readers sent in correct answers, and GERARD BROOKER of Bethel, Connecticut, won the drawing.

We thank Daissy Owen of Iowa City, Iowa, for sending in the photo.

Xieng Khuan Buddha Park, near Vientiane, Laos

December 1969 Issue

Xieng Khuan Buddha Park, near Vientiane, Laos

ITN Contributing Editor Julie Skurdenis snapped December’s photo at the Xieng Khuan Buddha Park, near Vientiane, Laos. She wrote, “Inside this 20-foot-tall, pumpkin-shaped, concrete demon sculpture are three levels joined by staircases. They are meant to represent Hell, Earth and Heaven.

The Buddha Park was built in 1958 by a monk, Bunleua Sulilat, who filled it with Hindu and Buddhist images, many of them gigantic. He fled Laos in 1975 after the revolution and built another sculpture park in Nong Khai, Thailand.”

Seven readers sent in correct answers, and JOHN H. MCAULIFFE of Silverdale, Washington, won the drawing.