Category: Travel Tips

Advances in Technology Continue to Unlock More of the Pharaoh’s Secrets

The Great Pyramid of Giza has inspired and intrigued countless generations. Expect a new wave of interest, as scientists discover a new hidden chamber.

Arguably the most magnificent example of human endeavour on the planet, you would be forgiven for thinking there is nothing new to learn about the Great Pyramid of Giza. After all, it has stood for around 4,500 years and is the oldest and best-preserved Wonder of the Ancient World.

Could any other construction have had greater examination and analysis over the years? It seems impossible. Yet despite this, new technology in the form of measured building surveys has brought some new revelations regarding this ancient wonder. Let’s find out more.

Muon radiography

The latest analysis was carried out by a scientific team from Nagoya University in Japan, who decided to use a technique called muon radiography. Muons are subatomic particles, similar in nature to electrons but with greater mass, that are part of the natural background radiation all around us. The air is full of them, and every minute of every day, a single muon passes through an area the size of your thumb once per second.

Muon radiography measures the absorption rate of muons in a given material and it provides an accurate representation of density. If more muons are scattered or absorbed, the material is denser. If nothing is present, the muons travel without hindrance.

The researchers placed detectors around the pyramid and used these to detect muons and thereby create a three dimensional map of the areas inside the Great Pyramid. The results, which were published in Nature magazine, make for compelling reading.

What did they find?

The analysis provided accurate maps of the King’s chamber, the Queen’s chamber and the subterranean chamber. All these are rooms that are well known and documented, and these therefore gave confidence that the technology was working effectively.

The interesting point came when the area above the Grand Gallery was analysed. It revealed a void approximately 30 metres long. Repeat analyses confirmed the results, and there can be no doubt that there is an extra chamber in there which has lain undiscovered for thousands of years.

What is it?

Egyptologist Aidan Dodson, from the University of Bristol, was excited by the findings in as much as they can provide insights into the building techniques used thousands of years ago. However, he warned that it would be foolish to expect the hidden chamber to contain a secret treasure horde. He suggests that it is more likely to be an intentional void left during construction to reduce the weight on the ceiling. Similar techniques have been observed in other pyramids.

Meanwhile, government officials are playing down the discovery. The Ministry of Antiquities published a statement on social media, essentially saying that the Great Pyramid is full of voids, and that this one has been known about for years. However, it then went on to say that it is awaiting further reports and assessment from the scientific community, suggesting that there might be more to the discovery than it is so far willing to acknowledge.

Many people dream of finding a way which allows them to work while traveling the world. Some like global entrepreneur Varsha Rao have managed it, in their own way. What about you? The truth is – it’s not so difficult, as long as you’re prepared to think outside the box, and possibly get out your comfort zone.

Working while traveling sounds idyllic, and it is, but the biggest obstacle is usually the economic one: people are terrified of leaving their jobs and do not know what they would do to survive while traveling. So, I’m sharing these ideas to make money as you travel the world: adapt them and add your personal touch to transform them into ideas that will finally help you fulfill your dream of traveling.

1. Street artist

If you have an artistic gift, it’s time to take advantage of it! From playing an instrument to painting pictures, making portraits or juggling, everything is valid. You can even put on your own stand-up comedy or magic show!

2. Freelance work

From working for a call center answering calls from your computer to business consulting, writing, graphic design, and programming, there are dozens of job options that can be done on a freelance basis.

3. Classes and workshops

Do you know how to do something different? Teach it! From language classes to cooking, dance, math, physics or chemistry classes, aromatherapy, yoga and many more, there is always something you can do, and that you are good at, and that you can offer to others as a class or workshop, anywhere you are.

4. Work with an international show

Of course, it’s difficult to be a singer or musician in a band; but there are dozens of other jobs to cover in itinerant shows such as circuses, theater or dance shows. From sewing to makeup, filming and even as a personal assistant to the stars, you will surely find a job with an international show that will take you on a journey!

5. Seasonal work

The good thing about seasonal work is that you will have a job all year round if you travel from north to south. And the seasonal work goes from picking vegetables, fruits or flowers, to jobs related to tourism like waiter, maid, cook and more.

6. Au pair

Of course, this may sound intimidating; but an au pair is nothing more than a nanny. And if you like children, it may just be the opportunity you are looking for to travel and earn money at the same time.

Get creative, identify your practical skills, experience, or passion and develop your own ideas to support yourself financially while traveling. Happy traveling!

If you know of other ways to earn money while traveling around the world, leave a comment below.

Taking a year out is often a recommended choice for university-age students; there is a wide world out there waiting to be explored, and there is plenty to be said for going abroad and learning more about yourself. Those who take a gap year tend to come back enriched and with a better understanding of life, and it is an experience that really cannot be matched. Given that you may go to university and then follow the often-trod path of getting a job and starting a family, it may also be the only chance you get to take time out for yourself to explore the world.

So, what do we recommend you take with you when you head off into the unknown to get to know the world? Well, first and foremost, the best safety boots your budget allows you to buy! Why are safety boots so important? The simple fact is that, however you travel and wherever you choose to go, you will be doing a lot of walking. It is, after all, the cheapest way to get around, and you will find that it allows you to check out places such as the off-the-beaten-track areas of towns and cities, plus popular walking tracks in the countryside, more readily and intimately. Boots are essential as you need your feet to be comfortable and protected, so we really do place a high value on the best boots.

Plan Ahead

It’s always sensible to plan ahead when taking a gap year, as you need to know where you can go on the budget you have available. Train tickets are surprisingly cheap in some countries – especially if booked in advance – and cheap air travel means you can now reach previously unavailable places with ease. Planning ahead also means you can leave an itinerary with someone at home, which is a great idea if you want to ensure you remain as safe and secure as possible when on your travels.

Also, be vigilant when you travel, and keep a close eye on what is happening around you. Wherever you go you will come across people who are less than trustworthy, so we recommend keeping money in a money belt, and keeping expensive watches and jewellery out of the view of others whenever possible.

Be Well-Equipped

The best advice we can give is to make a list of all the things you think you will need when travelling, then ask around others who have experience – they are bound to tell you of things you have not thought about! If you are concerned about which boots for hiking you need, we recommend you check out BestSafetyBoots.com for more information, and for a wide choice of quality boots at sensible and affordable prices.

Taking a gap year is a great idea, and when you return, you will certainly feel that you know yourself and the world a lot better, and will be better prepared for what comes next in life.

Mountain living isn’t for the faint of heart. Steep grades, rock slide potential and remote mountain passes often mean treacherous driving conditions. Then there’s the snow. Most mountain communities experience significant enough snowfall to warrant owning a four wheel drive or all wheel drive vehicle. Some winters are so intense that tire chains are necessary to get around. A few car manufacturers have taken special care to create vehicles that perform exceptionally well in winter weather and on steep grades. You can research any of the vehicles and read reviews on them at Cars.com.

Volvo has a reputation for building some of the safest cars on the planet. The manufacturer’s  XC 90 and XC70 models are both found to perform well in snow. Both models feature Volvo’s advanced safety system and offer more than adequate ground clearance. Both models also feature an all wheel drive engine which means more maneuverability when the white stuff starts falling.

Jeep is an American classic and almost all models in the car manufacturer’s lineup were designed for fun off road fun in mind. It’s Grand Cherokee and Patriot both perform well in winter weather offering 8 plus inches in ground clearance. Both models are available with four wheel drive transmission often necessary for navigating mountain passes.

The Subaru Outback was made for the snow. The latest models offer countless safety features and all wheel drive capabilities. The vehicles Xmode and hill assist features provide the vehicle with additional performance enhancement capabilities in wet or icy conditions. The Outback practically drives in dicey conditions for you.

Land Rover has earned a reputation over the decades it’s been creating vehicles. That reputation is that its vehicles are tough and ready for anything. The Land Rover Discovery is exceptionally ready for the winter months ahead. The vehicle delivers all wheel drive transmission that can be adapted for specific driving conditions, and automatic features kick in when the car senses trouble for the ultimate in passenger protection.