Wednesday, April 10, 2013

I is for Islands

Welcome to the A-Z challenge, where we'll be blogging our way through the alphabet throughout the month of  April. My theme will be places--it may be a specific place, a state, or a country. It will be whatever I think is spooky, beautiful, or intriguing. I'll be rating each stop on the way with those factors, with 5 being the highest score, and 1 being the lowest score. I hope it will inspire any writers, or travelers out there in Bloggerland. So, thanks for stopping by, and enjoy!

I = Islands
We're going on an island hopping adventure today. I couldn't decide on a specific island because they're all amazing, and unique in their own way. So, I'm sharing all of them with you.

Ellis Island in New York the island of hope, and tears. It was America's largest, and most active immigration center. Over 12 million immigrants were processed. Some gained entry to the country, while others were denied, tearing families apart. It made me wonder if my ancestors walked through the doors of this immigration building, looking for the American dream. So, I searched the Ellis Island passenger lists. Guess what? My maiden name is there! I have no doubt some of those people are my family that immigrated here from Italy. Very cool! Click here to search the records for your family.

Easter Island is the most isolated place on earth, and is made up of extinct volcanoes  Easter Island is off the coast of Chile, and it's over 2,000 miles away from any civilization, adding to the mystery. It's famous for it's 32 feet high statue people, called Moai. They're carved in the image of the island's Rapa Nui ancestors, and date back to the 12th century.
For all the controversies about Easter Island CLICK HERE.

Hawaiian Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, and are the exposed  peaks of an underwater mountain range, known as, Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain formed by volcanoes. The islands are amazing, from their indigenous Polynesian people and culture, to the beautiful landscape, and vivid blue oceans. What's not to love! It's also riddled in mystery. CLICK HERE to read.

Galapagos Islands are located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, off the west coast of South America. The island is known for its diverse wildlife, and incredible marine life. The Galapagos marine iguana is the only lizard to swim in the ocean.  Charles Darwin studied here, noting the unusual species due to isolation, and the adaptions they made in their environment. It gave way to his Origin of Species theory. Want to know 10 bizarre facts about the islands CLICK HERE.

I won't be rating these, and I'll let you be the judge. 

Biblio: nps site,Wiki,

8 comments:

Cathrina Constantine said...

Out of the Islands, I've seen one. Ellis Island. Maybe someday I'll hopefully visit more. Good Post.

Anonymous said...

The only island mentioned I've been to is Hawaii, but I'd love to visit the Galapagos. I've watched a few documentaries and I bet it'd be amazing.

Oh, I looked on the Ellis Island link and found my relatives possibly. My dad's side came from France and during HS I did a family tree and learned my maiden name was changed from Baudin to Beaudin so I looked up the first and saw a name I recognize from my family tree. I'll have to find that and make sure though.

Rebeccah Giltrow said...

I've always wanted to go to Easter Island. It's just so fascinating.

Crystal Collier said...

Yes. I'll take all four. =) Actually, I saw Ellis Island while in NYC, and we almost did Hawaii ten years back. As soon as the scientists in my basement complete that teleportation device...

Julie Flanders said...

I've never been to any of these, but in terms of spookiness I have to go with Easter Islands. That place seems so creepy to me but also totally fascinating.

Paula Martin said...

The only one of these I've been to is Ellis Island, which was amazing. We have some lovely island around the UK too!

Visiting from the A-Z Challenge
Paula Martin

Valerie said...

Ellis island isn't far from me!!

Hugs!

Valerie Nunez and the Flying Platypi

Trisha said...

I haven't been to any of these islands! I suck! I want to visit them all :)