Safari West is an authentic African wildlife preserve in Santa Rosa, California. Supported by the Safari West Wildlife Foundation, their mission is to share knowledge that will help people make personal choices in regards to the environment and conservation. Their staff have over 800 animals of 80 different species to contend with every single day. This is in fact the closest thing to an African safari you’ll find in the states and in fact they offer overnight stays in glamping accommodations.
The Band of Paiutes of Las Vegas, Nevada gather each year to join in cultural song, dance and community as they honor the deceased. This pow wow is how they celebrate and honor their rich heritage and much pride is displayed in their elaborate garb. Each dancer’s attire is unique to their style of dance, while the rhythmic drums are sacred; the beat, known as ‘the heartbeat of Mother Earth,’ has a great purpose to bring everyone back into balance.
Le Grande Mosquée de Paris is a little oasis where one can spend an afternoon sipping mint tea and laughing under the olive trees. Inspired by the architecture of Andalusia, Spain, Morocco and beyond, most of the mosque’s building materials and artists who decorated it came from Northern Africa. The walls and much of the flooring are covered in colorful mosaic tiles and incredibly detailed carvings, too.
Among Kauai’s abundant hidden gems is a (very) quietly tucked away Hindu Monastery where all visitors are welcome to benefit from the peaceful and spiritual settings whether for reflection, appreciation or meditation. Located on the banks of Kauai’s Wailuā River, the incredibly lush property covers nearly 382 acres of gardens, buildings and sculptures which are an excellent example of a harmonious marriage between man and nature. The 20 monks from 6 nations which reside here are entirely self-sufficient and also are quite tech-savvy given that this is the headquarters for the Himalayan Academy, the worldwide publication Hinduism Today Magazine, and their modern website and blog.
This important structure remains an icon of southern California and one of its most beloved attractions. It was originally constructed in 1935, saw complete restoration in 2006 and continues to be operated for the public, entirely admission-free. In fact, the intended purpose of the Griffith Observatory is quite profound, best expressed by Griffith J Griffith who said, “If all mankind could look through that telescope, it would change the world!” It is now the most visited public observatory in the world.
