Since I read the world famous Swiss scientist and adventurer Erich Von Danicken`s fantasyful theories about the cart ruts at the highland in Malta, I have been obsessed of these strange parallel tracks.

I approached Hagar Qim eagerly from the South East side. It`s the oldest freestanding structure on Earth. Why is the earliest evidence for the use of stone for building purposes found in Malta? Illuminated in the strong sun, I could see this megalithic wonder lives up to its name. It means standing stones. The ruins from this ancient building, stands on a rocky plateau on the west coast of Malta. It overlooks the sea and the islet of Filfla. Nearby there is another ancient wonder called Mnajdra. Both buildings were partly domed and partly open to sky. Something could be explained, but no know exactly why, how and who built these buildings, also called the Copper Age Temples. So to get an impression what people did in the old time, I entered the doorway to Haqar Qim to take a thoroughly look inside.

The discovery of the Coptic written papyruses manuscripts were annonced 6 April 2006 at National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. National Geographic News is part of the National Geographic Society. Some biblical scholars consider the Gospel of Judas as the most significant archaeological discovery in 60 years. The only known surviving copy of the gospel was found in a codex, or ancient book, that dates back to the third or fourth century A.D. It tells another story than in the Bible: Jesus was not betrayed by Judas!

Achieve great experiences in the Alps and the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern. It could be done through many ways as riding, horse packing, hiking and gold washing. By wandering around in a breathtaking landscape in Austria, you will get a glimpse into history, culture, and old buildings. Especially it will give you a fascinating insight into the gold mining history. The myth of the Tauerngoldes is also covered in the book Via Aurea - Ways of the Tauerngold. The beautiful nature, the high snowcapped mountains and the fascinating mining history, can also be experienced on the horseback. Then you can reach more. It`s great opportunities for unique adventures both for genuine adventurers and families around in the region`s seven municipalities Bad Gastein, Bad Hofgastein, Flattach, Großkirchheim, Mallnitz, Obervellach, and Rauris.

Wars, conflicts, instability and threats have only a short time effect on peoples` travelling. In 2005 international tourism continued the growing that that started in 2004 in spite of the various tragic events. According to results from United Nations specialized agency, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the number of international tourist arrivals recorded worldwide grew by 5.5% and exceeded 800 million for the first time ever. That`s good news for the travel industry. Of the regions, Africa has the highest increase.

For they who dream about doing many things in short time within a small area, the mythic island Malta in the heart of the Mediterranea Sea, is an excellent alternative. On the Norwegian travel fair trade Reiseliv06 in January 2006, tourist representatives from Malta presented great opportunities for most people. Some of the most picturesque scenery of all the Maltese islands can be found on Gozo. For nature lovers, they can enjoy the rugged landscape and spectacular coastline. For sun tourists, they can enjoy rocky inlets to red sand beaches and sail, snorkel, dive and fish. For party lions they can drink and rock around in a wide range of pubs. For genuine explorers, they can ahieve unique adventures admiring the world`s ancient temples and explore great mysteries just waiting for being solved.

When the Inca Empire fell, the Incas took many of their mysteries with them. One of the greatest mysteries is found at Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, Peru. Ollantaytambo is a massive citadel located about 50 kilometres from Machu Picchu, but it was also built for serving a higher purpose than this. It was far beyond my imagination when tried to understand how the Incas could be able to bring such gigantic blocks of stone to the top of the mountain from the quarries many kilometres away, and how have they shaped the stones to fit so well together? And perhaps the biggest question: what was the purpose of this construction? Why did the people in ancient time make so big efforts to build this amazing wonder of world?

On our way deep in the jungle of Amazon, on the Peruvian side, we chased away some crocodiles - caimans from the river shore, and jumped out into the water for a refreshing bath. We were told that caimans never attack people as far we stayed close together. Anyway it was a risk to take.

This journey has been so tough that I think it will be a very long time until someone tries to repeat our expedition," says the Norwegian Børge Ousland - Borge Ousland, according the blog on his website. Even so, he is in excellent form, and his friend and expedition partner Mike Horn is in much better than a couple of days ago. These two men are the first to reach the North Pole on skis in the dark of winter. This is a real venture....

El Dorado - an utopian dream or based on reality? The astonishing movie Aguirre, the Wrath of God from 1977, is based on historical circumstances. A few decades after the destruction of the Inca empire, a Spanish expedition leaves the mountains of Peru and descends to the Amazon river in search of gold, wealth and power. It doesn't take long time before they encounter big difficulties.

Scientist have recently found new species of fish and other sea life during a more thoroughly exploration of the Great Barrier Reef. The wonderful coral area is a paradise for Scuba divers and snorklers. It draws two million tourists a year, and discoveries new sea life will probably attract more visitors to the reef. Is the ongoing survey just a start for more discoveries? Could there be other uknown species hiding in the deep tropical water here?

In addition to admiring great temples as Angkor Wat, Bayon, Pre Khan, and Ta Prohmin at the Angkor site, I took a boat trip to the Vietnamese Floating Village near the town Siam Reap. I started from Phnom Kron where the boat docks, and floated out in Tonlé Sap Lake, a large lake about 100 kilometres long. It was amazing experience the pulsating life in this floating village, which is another wonder in Cambodia.

The Norwegian Tormod Granheim and the Swedish Tomas Olsson plan to ski down the world`s highest mountain, Mount Everest, in the Himalaya region. They hope to make an attemp from Everest's North side in May. These men successfully skied down Cho Oyu in 2004. Due to logistical problems they were prevented to make an attempt to ski down Shisha Pangma afterwards. Now Tormod og Tomas prepare themselves for their life biggest stunt ever.

The heydays of explorations and discoveries were from the early 15th century and into the early 17th century. This period was the so-called Age of Discovery or Age of Exploration. At that time Europeans sailed around the world to search for new trading routes. There are better opportunities for transportation and communication now than it was for some centuries ago, and eager travellers know how to take advantage of them to reach remote areas. But there are still some "white spots" left to explore for they who venture...

Cecilie is the third Norwegian to reach all the 7 Summits, and the first lady in Norway and Scandinavia to reach all the 7 Summits. It`s a milestone in her life. The Seven Summits are the highest peaks on each continent: Mount Everest, Aconcagua, McKinley, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson, Carstensz Pyramid or, Koskiusko. She has been working on this project for seven years, and finally in the beginning of February 2006 she accomplished the last top. There is a debate on whether Kosciuszko should be the highest peak for Oceania. Anyway Cecilie made an attemp on Carstensz Pyramid in West Papua - Irian Jaya in Indonesia, but she had to return due to threats from a guerrilla group in the jungle. Therefore she went to Australia to complete the Seven Summits by reaching the top of Australia`s tallest mountain.