The Travel Blog by TravelPod

There is a competition going on at the website www.new7wonders.com asking for people to vote for their favourite wonder of the world.

Here are where the various natural wonders stand today, accompanied by blogs from travelers at TravelPod:

1. Landscapes, Ice Formations: Kalahari Desert

Zoe_liza in the Kalahari Desert

From there on to the Kalahari Transfrontier National Park…a huge tract of land that spans two countries – South Africa and Botswana. The park is set amidst the beautiful, stark desert foliage and populated by thousands of springbok, oryx, meerkats, and the elusive black-maned Kalahari lion. – Zoe_liza

2. Islands: Galapagos Islands

Pandacourtis overlooking Santiago Island, one of the Galapagos Islands

We had a GREAT time on Galapagos enjoying the wildlife and the landscape. – Pandacourtis

3. Mountains, Volcanoes: Yu Shan

Lnamidal at the top of Yu Shan

Although I’m scared of heights, I wasn’t scared at all throughout the ride. Of course, you must sit in the opposite direction so that you won’t see the cable car going downwards. That’s the only scary part. – Lnamidal

4. Caves, Rock Formations, Valleys: Colca Canyon

Also made the trek to the top of the Colca Canyon in Peru

The Colca Canyon is reputedly the deepest canyon in the world – over 4000 metres at its deepest point. Where we were, at the southern end of the canyon, it’s about 3000 metres in depth. And we were there not just for the spectacular views but to see the condors. From the lookout points, there were always 5 or 6 of these magnificent birds in the air soaring on the thermals, sometimes coming within metres. Incredible. With a wingspan of over 10 feet, they are impressive in flight. – Also

5. Forests, National Parks, Nature Reserves: Puerto Princesa

Stubo enjoyed Puerto Princesa, but not a lot

It was nice, not amazing just nice. We went some 3 km into the river which goes on for many more. It opens up at a point called the cathedral where you see massive candles, depictions of Jesus and the 3 kings etc. etc. – none of it is man made just images that kind of look like things in cathedrals made out of stalactites. Then there is the fruit and veg part where they all look like – yes – fruit and veg, then the highway which is a massive tunnel which looks like a huge motorway. It was all very good to see but not so memorable. There were loads of bats and even more swallows flying about and I’m glad I did it. – Stubo

6. Lakes, Rivers Waterfalls: Lake Titicaca

Johnnytravel enjoying a reed boat ride on Lake Titicaca

We took a half hour boat ride out to the famous floating Uros Islands. The islands, which are really nothing more than natural rafts, are made of dead reeds which grow in abundance in the shallow parts of the lake. When they die, they fall to the bottom and build up into a compacted mass. When cut off the bottom, the dense matter becomes bouyant and can be cut into managable blocks. The blocks are lashed together by ropes and then have up to a few meters of cut reeds stacked on top of them. After that, the indigenous tribes can build their homes and everything else they need, also soley from reeds, and voila!- island property. – Johnnytravel

7. Seascapes: Ha Long Bay

One half of Sarahandhanan in Ha Long Bay

We took tons of photos because around every turn was a new rock formation or a new view of the turquoise blue waters. Then we dropped anchor and took a little boat out to an area where you can rent kayaks and explore the little inlets of the bay. We followed our tour guide into an area where you have to go under a cave-type hole in a huuuuge limestone rock. It was a tight squeeze and we almost got run over by some Chinese tourists in a motorboat. But once we emerged through the other side of the hole, we saw a gorgeous secluded bay with high limestone rock formations covered in green jungle. We spent some time kayaking around there, then headed back to the boat. Almost all of the passengers on the boat took the opportunity to jump off of the deck and go swimming, although I didn’t feel much like it and took photos of Hanan jumping instead. – Sarahandhanan