OT - Landmarks: zoomed out

[Botch]

Wow.

I've seen about a third of these places, still surprises me to see some of the others in context.
They left out a biggie that I've been to: The Alamo.

 

[lytehouse]

The Taj Mahal picture is a bit heartbreaking.

 

[Verharen]

I visited the Taj Mahal in 2001. That hazy mist that you often see in pictures? Air pollution. It's so bad the marble is pitting and disintegrating. They use electric cars to shuttle visitors there from a remote parking lot, but the whole city is engulfed in thick smog.

On a more positive note, once you get to the grounds and enter the main gate, the beauty of the place is staggering. You can actually feel the lasting love the king felt for his beautiful wife for whom the tomb was made. Even with the crowds and acidic air it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.