hebig.org/blog
Personal webnode of Haiko Hebig

With a massive storm front hitting Germany, there is not much to do outdoors. Time for some virtual journeys.

EGYPT
THEBAN MAPPING PROJECT - ATLAS OF THE VALLEY OF THE KINGS
"Discover each tomb in the Valley in this interactive version of our Atlas. Investigate a database of information about each tomb, view a compilation of nearly 2,000 images, interact with models of each tomb, and measure, pan, and zoom over 250 detailed maps, elevations, and sections. Experience sixty-five narrated tours by Dr. Weeks and explore a 3D recreation of tomb KV 14." This is a site not to miss (click "Launch Atlas" in the middle of the menu bar). Insanely comprehensive, sleek, with a sophisticated user interface. Pour yourself a drink, sit back and enjoy.

SMITHONIAN
AN ODYSSEY IN PRINT - ADVENTURE IN THE SMITHONIAN LIBRARIES
"Throughout time, explorers have drawn readers to faraway places through stories and songs, maps and drawings, manuscripts and books. Their intriguing accounts of the new and unknown have brought the world closer to those left at home. An Odyssey in Print invites you to see the universe through the eyes of these courageous travelers, to share the curiosity of scientists who pursue knowledge from the Earth below to the heavens above, and to enjoy the creative endeavors of artists, writers, and artisans. As you explore six centuries of rare books, manuscripts, art, and artifacts from the Smithsonian Institution, you'll learn how Smithsonian staff use these resources in their everyday work."

CHINA
THE HOT ZONE
Wired Magazine: "An untamed technology boom is sweeping through China's Pearl River Delta, where cheap labor, mass production, police thugs, and get-rich-quick dreams rule. It's a terrible, horrible, lawless frontier. And it works."

NEW YORK CITY
HART ISLAND
The Morning News on "an unihabitated thin spit of land just off the Bronx shore, at the western edge of Long Island Sound, that [...] has been, at times, a prisoner of war camp, a sanitarium, a missile base, and the city’s potter’s field." More on Heart Island here, here and here.

LONELY PLANET
THE WORLD ON A SHOESTRING
On the road, Lonely Planet guide books are your friend. I never travel without them. No "must see", "insider tips", "where the locals hang out" crap, not exactly cheap, but worth every single cent. Know you want to get away, but got no idea where you want to go? Check the excellent online Theme Guides and The Scoop Travel News.

FREE MAPS
1UPTRAVEL MAPS
1uptravel.com has a fine and free collection of country and world maps.

And finally in serious news:

ENGLAND
HIGH COURT HANG-UPS
The Independent: "A most extraordinary trial is going on in the High Court at the moment in which a man named Chrysler is accused of stealing more than 40,000 coat hangers from hotels round the world. He admits his guilt, but in his defence he claims that – well, perhaps it would be simpler just to bring you a brief extract from the trial. We join the case at the point where Chrysler has just taken the stand." Don't miss the second part.