GEOGRAPHY CHALLENGE

WELCOME to the first geography challenge!

Our intrepid adventurer, Mrs. Jones, travels to some of the world's most interesting places. Each week, she shares clues about the spot she's visiting.  Using  those clues you have to identify the name and location of each stop on her world tour.

The first clue will always be an audio. Two days before the answer is published, you will be able to read the transcription.

Instructions:
At the end of the blog you can see the box to leave a comment. Write what you want, then publish. A new window will be opened to write your user and password. If it's right, you will see the blog again. Write the characters you see and it's all.

Your username  to log in the blog and leave a comment when you know the answer is:
  -  for students :  studentgch
  -  for teachers : teachergch

The password will be the answer to the challenge, without any spaces and small letter except the first letter of the country. See an example:  hanginghouses-Spain   

You have to leave a comment starting with your name but, please, don't tell the answer!

If you are the first one who knows the answer only with the audio, you will get 3 points. If you are not the first one, you will get 2 points. If you need the text to know where she is, then you will have 1 point.  There will be a term-winner and a year-winner.  Every week there will be a ranking.

Are you ready?

28/11/2013

Hello my friends!                                                     

My name is Mrs. Jones and I'm very happy to share with you the wonderful places I'm visiting. 

This is my first clue to help you guess where I am. 
(Read by José W. from Nederlands)

Remember the instructions about the password.

Good luck!


3/12/2013

Hi everyone!

As I promised, I give you the last chance to get the points this week  reading the transcription.

I've traveled to my next destination and I must say, "This place really rocks!" I'm standing in front of this huge rock. It's truly massive and it's red -- 1-½ miles long! -- and it stands more than 1,100 feet above the desert floor. In fact, it is said to be the largest single stone in the entire world! Pretty cool, don't you think?

Anyway, there are all these really neat caves that I can explore inside this gigantic rock. I can see lots of very unusual rock paintings made by the original people -- called Aborigines. The country where both the rock and I can be found was settled by the British after they lost the 13 colonies in the American Revolutionary War.

Tomorrow I'll publish the answer and the ranking and, on Thursday, you will have a new clue.

See you soon!

4/12/2013

Hello again!

As some of you know, I was at Ayers Rock in Australia, also called Uluru by Aborigines.

So, the WINNERS  this week are ...

STUDENTS                    TEACHERS
Marta C ....... 3                Silvia  ............ 3
Nuria  ........... 2               Jesús C. ....... 2
Laura  .......... 2               Jerome ......... 2

Are you ready for the next clue?  See you tomorrow!


5/12/2013

Hi!

Today I'm visting a surprising city. Can you guess where I am? Here you are the second clue
(Read by Carol from Eastbourne, UK)

And remember, the password is always in English.

Enjoy!


10/12/2013

Hello my students! 

This is the transcription of my clue. Last chance to get two points ;)

I'm off again on another exciting adventure! This very unusual city is called the "City of Water." Can you believe there aren't cars here? Everybody gets around by boat in this city, which has 150 canals and 400 bridges. I took a ride in one of the long black boats called a gondola. The gondolier -- the person who gave me the boat ride -- wore a traditional striped shirt and a straw hat with a long black ribbon on it. He used long poles to steer the boat through the narrow canals. This city of water, which includes more than 100 islands, is sinking about 1/3 of an inch each year. The city was settled in the 8th century.

See you tomorrow!

11/12/2013

Hi everyone! 

You were right, the city was Venice in Italy, called the city of water and famous for its Carnival.

 


So, the WINNERS  this week are ...

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Nuria....... 3                Silvia  ............ 3
Marta C . 2                Jerome .........  2
Laura  .... 2                

So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Nuria....... 5                Silvia  ............ 6
Marta C ..5                Jerome .........  4
Laura  .... 4                Jesus ............  2

See you tomorrow, with a new clue.



12/12/2013

Hello! 

Were you looking forward to a new challenge? I hope so. 

Today I'm visiting a natural monument. Here you are the third clue
(Read by Kathy from North America, although she's living in Cuenca)

Good luck!

And remember, to say your name use It's .... (ask your English teacher why ;))


17/12/2013

Hello my students! 

As usual, the transcription of my clue. Last chance to get two points ;)

I just love saying the name of this capital city: Katmandu. Isn't that a cool name for a city? Found in the highest mountains in the world, this country that borders India is home to the highest mountain peak in the entire world. It's about 5-1/2 miles high! While here, I didn't shake hands with people that I met.
Instead, I used the land’s traditional greeting. That custom, called "Namaste," calls for two people to place their palms together as if making a prayer gesture. While here, I also visited a Buddhist stupa. It was very beautiful.

See you tomorrow!



19/12/2013

Hi everyone! 

As you say, the place I'm visiting this week is the Mount Everest in Nepal, the highest mountain in the world which is located in the Himalayas.

So, the WINNERS  this week are ...

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Marta....... 3                Silvia  ............ 3
Laura ...... 2                Jerome ......... 2
Nuria ....... 2                Jesus ............ 2              

So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Marta C ....8              Silvia  ............ 9
Nuria  ....... 7              Jerome ......... 6
Laura  ...... 6              Jesus ............ 4


I'll see you later with a more difficult clue for Christmas ;)

19/12/2013

Hi again! 

I've been in a Christmas party and now I have no voice hahaha ;) so, I asked one of my friends to read the fourth clue for you. 
He's Slawek from Poland but he's living in UK.

I'll give you the transcription in January and the answer before coming back to school.

Enjoy your holidays!

09/01/2014

Happy New Year my followers!

Hope you have had wonderful holidays. I'm very glad to see you had some time to keep on learning with my clues. Well done!

As usual, though with a little bit of delay hehehe, here you are the transcription to check what you have heard and to learn new words.

As I was waiting at the stoplight on the road that leads to this unique place, a British Airways jet taxied right by me! My guide said I wasn’t seeing things -- the road is also the runway for airplanes coming to this territory. This place, which is just a bit more than 2 square miles in size, is best known for a nearly 1,400-foot-high limestone rock. Since there is no farmland here, food must be brought in for the 28,000 people who call this place home. And since there is no fresh water for drinking, a special facility has been built to remove salt from seawater. Once part of Spain, this place was captured by Great Britain in 1713. It’s been a British territory since then. So here I am in a British territory at the tip of Spain and less than 13 miles from Africa! Its location means this place plays an important role in keeping track of ships that pass from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. While I was touring the local port, I stopped to take a picture of one of about 250 monkeys -- called Barbary macaques -- that call this place home. They’re the only free-living monkeys in Europe. When the monkey saw me, he rushed over and tried to take my backpack!

And of course, all of you were right, I was visiting The Rock of Gibraltar in Spain. Here you can see some pics





So, the WINNERS  this week are ...


STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Marta....... 3               Silvia  ............ 3
Laura ...... 2               
Nuria ....... 2               * They seem to be very busy :)        

So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Marta C ....11            Silvia  ............ 12
Nuria  ........  9            Jerome ......... 6
Laura  ........ 8            Jesus ............ 4

I'll give you a new clue this afternoon!  Bye


09/01/2014

Hey! I'm here again. Yes, I know I'm a bit late but you know, I'm lazy after holidays :)

Today I'm visiting a beautiful place, as usual, hahahaha. This is the fifth clue, read by Carol again.

Remember: we have to try Laura's access, so, though you know the answer, please be patient and let us find what can happen with it. Thanks a lot!  

Enjoy!


14/01/2014

Hello! How are things going?

It's time to give you the transcription of this week.

Yesterday, I decided to get on a plane and take a trip. I found myself in a wonderful place. One of the most amazing things I saw was a huge white building that looks like a palace -- but it's really a tomb for a dead woman! Seems when the man's wife died, he was so upset he wanted to build her the most beautiful tomb in the world. The architect who designed it was "rewarded" by having his eyes pulled out! (Some people say his hands were crushed too.) Whatever really happened, it was done so the man couldn't build another building to rival this one. I am in a city called Agra.

Tomorrow I'll give you the answer. And one more thing: I think this week we shouldn't have a ranking due to the problems with Laura's access. Do you think it's fair?

See you tomorrow!

16/01/2014

Hi guys!  I'm late again hehehe, so sorry!  It took me a long time to get to my new destination due to the horrible weather we have these days.

Last time I visited ...... yes! the Taj Mahal in India.  See the wonderful pic I took there.

Now it's time to welcome our new friends, Enrique and Lewis, and are you ready? the competition carries on.

Do you remember José W. from Nederlands and her clear pronunciation? She's reading the sixth clue. Something easy to relax and enjoy as you are very busy  ;)

Good luck to everyone!

21/01/2014

G'day my friends!

As usual, here it is the transcription you were waiting for ;) to check what you have understood.

Looking down from the airplane, this huge oval shaped amphitheater is quite a sight to see! Just like spokes on a bicycle wheel, all the roads seem to lead directly to this exciting landmark. Built in eight years, this gigantic open-air arena was begun in the year 80 A.D. It was the site of some pretty exciting -- and horrible -- events. Warriors called "gladiators" would fight to the death here while crowds of people watched. Then, before the triumphant gladiator would strike his final blow, he'd look up to the audience. If they were waving hankies or giving him the "thumbs up," it meant for him to spare the loser's life. If, however, the audience was giving the "thumbs down" sign, they were telling the gladiator to kill off his opponent. During the Middle Ages, people looked at the place as a "stone quarry." They removed many stones to build other buildings.

I'll see you tomorrow with the winners and the ranking.

See you then.

22/01/2014

Hi everyone! 

Are you desperate for the new ranking? OK, but first the answer to our weekly challenge: as you wrote, in the password, the landmark this time is the Coliseum in Rome, Italy.

Look at this picture, isn' t it so amazing?


So, the WINNERS  this week are ...                        
STUDENTS               TEACHERS                           
 Marta....... 3               Jerome .........  3                     
 Nuria ....... 3               Silvia  ............ 2                      
 Laura ...... 2                                                              
 Enrique ..  2                                                               

So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Marta C ....14            Silvia  ............ 14
Nuria  ........12           Jerome ...........  9
Laura  .......10           Jesus ..............   4
Enrique ....   2   

Enjoy your success! I'll see you tomorrow to tell you something about my new destination. :)


23/01/2014

Oh it's too late!  I've just arrived home and I'm exhausted after a long long day but I can't go to bed without giving you the seventh clue ;) read by Kathy from USA, again.

Maybe you need some help with the password: it is ........ of .........-............  It's shorter than the official name but it's easier for us.

Hope you like this new landmark.



29/01/2014

Hello once again! 

I'm sure you're looking forward to the transcription to check what you have understood and to learn new words. Enjoy!

Keep that fan blowing, please. It's so hot here, but this place is just amazing. Rising up from the desert sands, this unique -- part man and part lion -- limestone structure is said to be about 4,500 years old. As I look way up at it, its face has been pretty badly damaged over the years by blowing sand. In fact, this structure has been buried up to its neck several times over the centuries. Standing by one of its front paws, you can see just how big this stone structure really is. The paw is 50 feet long! And would you believe the head is 30 feet long and 14 feet wide? The whole statue is about 240 feet long and there's a tail around back. The beard on the face is gone. It fell off many years ago. Someone just told me that there is a KFC nearby. I sure could use a drink to quench my thirst.

See you tomorrow ;)


30/01/2014

Hello my loyal followers!

Did you think I forgot you?  A little bit later than usual but I'm with us to give you the answer, the ranking and a new clue.

Yes, this time I was in Egypt visiting the Great Sphinx of Giza.  Look at a picture. Don't you think it's impressive?

  

So, the WINNERS  this week are ...   

                     

STUDENTS               TEACHERS                           
 Marta....... 3                Silvia  ............ 3                              
 Laura ...... 2
 Nuria ....... 2                                                              
 Enrique ..  2                                                               

So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Marta C ....17            Silvia  ............ 17
Nuria  ........14           Jerome ...........  9
Laura  .......12           Jesus ..............   4
Enrique ....   4

WELL DONE MY STUDENTS AND SILVIA !!!!!! I'm very proud of you!


Ok, it's time for the new clue, The eighth. This time it's read by Peter from Germany? Enjoy his voice, as I don't have any voice this week, hahahaaha


04/02/2014

Konechiwa, my friends!

I'm using the new way of saying hello I've learnt  in my current destination. As usual, here it is the transcription of the clue. 

Konechiwa, everyone. That’s hello in the language of the country I am visiting today. I’m a bit out of breath after making it to the summit of this country’s highest mountain. Summer is a busy time for climbers here, so I wasn’t alone on my journey. I began my trip around 10 p.m. and walked through the night so I could reach the summit in time to see the sun rise. It was worth the hike -- the sunrise was breathtaking! More than 200,000 people climb this mountain each year. Signs along the trail warn of possible wind gusts (luckily, I didn’t lose my favorite purple hat in one!) and areas of falling rock. I’m glad I had a powerful flashlight to see the signs in the dark. It was mighty steep and rocky at some points along the way. This volcanic mountain, which rises 12,388 feet in height, has erupted at least 16 times since the year 781 A.D. The last time it erupted was in 1708. The people of this country consider the mountain, which is noted for its perfectly shaped cone, to be sacred.

Tomorrow I'll give the answer and the ranking to you.  Sayonara!  

06/02/2014

Konechiwa again ;)

I'm here as every Thursday to give the answer and share a nice pic of my destination. As you know, This time I'm visiting the mount Fuji in Japan.  I love this view, don't you?

So, the WINNERS  this week are ...   

                     

STUDENTS               TEACHERS                           
 Nuria ....... 3                Jerome  ........... 3                              
 Enrique.... 2                Silvia ................ 2
 Laura ....... 2               Jesús ................ 1                                              
 Andrea  ..  2
 Marta C.... 1
 Marta  ? ... 1                                                             

So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Marta C ....18            Silvia  ............ 19
Nuria  ........17           Jerome ........... 12
Laura  .......14           Jesús ..............   5
Enrique ....   6
Andrea  .....  2
Marta ?....... 1

I'll see you later talking about my new destination. 


07/02/2014

Are you ready for the next clue?  Here you are the ninth one read by a new friend. He's Xavier Johnston from Jamaica

Good luck to everyone!


11/02/2014

G'day! 

or should I say "freezing day"?  As you are at home, looking forward to the text of this week, here it is.

I am visiting what might be the most famous tourist attraction in this Scandinavian country. Sculptor Edvard Eriksen created this work in 1913 to honor one of the most famous people from this land, fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen. Standing only about 4 feet high, this sculpture is visited by more than a million people each year. The statue is perched on a rock and looks out over the waters of Copenhagen Harbor. Sadly, some people have done harm to the sculpture over the years. At different times, the arms and head have been chopped off. She's also been covered in red paint. After each of those events, the sculpture has been repaired. I was told that there is a copy of this famous sculpture in the United States -- in Kimballton, Iowa. The statue is there because the area around Kimballton was settled by people from the country I am visiting today. Do you know where I am? If it is helpful to you, I am in the country that is also famous as the “Home of Legos.”

See you tomorrow with the answer, pics and the ranking!

12/02/2014

Hey! , how are you?

This week we talked about a beautiful sculpture: the little Mermaid in Copenhague, Denmark 
It's lovely, isn't it?

Well, time for the WINNERS.  This week they are ...   

                     

STUDENTS               TEACHERS                           
 Nuria ....... 3                Jesús  .............. 3                              
 Enrique.... 2                Silvia ................ 2
 Laura ....... 2               Jerome ............. 1                                              
 Andrea  ..  2
                                                            

So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Nuria  ........20            Silvia  ............ 21
Marta C ....18          Jerome ........... 13
Laura  .......16           Jesús ..............  8
Enrique ....   8
Andrea  .....  4

See you tomorrow, at night, so be patient, please ;)  Enjoy your day.


13 or should I say 14 yet ? 02/2014

Hello or good night! 

As I promised here you are the tenth clue this time read by Paul from UK.  
Hope you enjoy it tomorrow in the Saint Valentine's day. 


19/02/2014

Hey! , how are you?

Here it is the text of the current clue. 

Mrs. Jones here! Today I’m standing on the second floor of what was called the world’s greatest engineering marvel when it was constructed in1889. You can take a elevator up, but I walked up the iron stairs to the second floor. It was pretty scary to see the ground below as I climbed higher and higher. The huge wrought-iron structure was designed by Alexandre Gustave... Oooops! I almost told you his last name, which would give away the answer since this tower is named for him. I thought of treating myself to lunch at the very fancy restaurant on the second floor of this structure, which is named for a science-fiction writer who called this country his home. Instead, I saved some money and settled for just getting a soda at the snack stand.

This week I've been to Paris, the city of love, in France, visiting the Eiffel Tower.

So, the WINNERS this week are ...   

                     

STUDENTS               TEACHERS                           
 Nuria ....... 3               Jerome ............. 3
 Laura ....... 2                              
 Enrique.... 2              
 Andrea  ..  2                                                            
                                                        

So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Nuria  ........23            Silvia  ............ 21
Marta C ....18           Jerome ...........16
Laura  .......18           Jesús ..............  8
Enrique .... 10
Andrea  .....  6

I'll  see you tomorrow with a new clue. Could you wait for it till tomorrow?


20/02/2014

Hi my friends!

As every Tuesday I give you a new clue, the eleventh one,  to improve your listening and the knowledge of the world.  

Can you recognize the person who's reading this week for us?

Good luck to everyone and enjoy!


27/02/2014

Hello everyone!

Ups, I forgot to publish the text!

I'm visiting a city that was covered by volcanic ash when a volcano erupted back in 79 A.D. You can still see the extinct volcano in the distance. Now excavated, this "unburied" city is a popular tourist site. Walking around the city, you can see a bakery with bread still in the oven -- just as it was when the volcano suddenly erupted. One house even has a "Beware of Dog" mosaic at the door entrance. As I walked the stone streets, I saw that every so often three raised stones were positioned. The stones were originally placed there for two reasons: The first reason was to help people cross the street without getting their feet covered in waste water; there were no underground sewers back then. The second reason was to prevent attacks from neighboring areas; only people in the city knew the dimensions to build their chariots so they could pass through those streets!

This week I've been to Pompeii, Italy. It's an ancient Roman town which was preserved due to the eruption of the Vesuvius.

So, the WINNERS this week are ...   

                     

STUDENTS               TEACHERS                           
 Nuria ....... 3               Silvia ............. 3
 Carlos ..... 2                              
 Enrique.... 2              
 Andrea  ..  2
 Laura  ..... 2                                                            
                                                        

So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Nuria  ........26            Silvia  ............ 24
Laura  .......20           Jerome ...........16
Marta C ....18           Jesús ..............  8
Enrique .... 12
Andrea  ..... 8
Carlos ......  2

And, to celebrate the Fatty Thursday, here it is a new clue, the twelfth one. This time read again by Slawek

Be careful this time with the spelling of the password!!!  

See you soon.

06/03/201

Hi my friends!

I'm here again to give you the transcription of our clue, the answer, pics and the ranking.

I’m sailing on a ship through what is a truly amazing feat of engineering. The French began construction of it in 1880. The United States took over construction and completed the man-made waterway in 1914. Workers used dredges and steam

shovels to remove rock and earth. They also had to cut through dense jungles, hills, and swamps. But those weren’t the only difficulties they faced. The area where this landmark was constructed was infested with mosquitoes that carried tropical

diseases such as malaria and yellow fever. Today, this waterway carries about 35 ships a day. It saves those ships from traveling more than 7,800 miles around Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America. This famous man-made wonder is about 51 miles long and has three sets of locks (water-filled chambers), which raise and lower ships through the waters.

Ships pay a toll each time they pass through. The toll is based on their size and weight. The boat captain told me that a man named Richard Halliburton swam the waterway in 1928. Based on his size and weight, Halliburton was charged a toll of 36 cents! In 1999, the United States gave control of this waterway to the country in which it is found.

And yes, as all of you know, this week I am in the Panama Canal in Panama, of course :)

So, the WINNERS this week are ...   

STUDENTS               TEACHERS                           
 Enrique ... 3               Jerome ............. 3
 Nuria ....... 2               Silvia  ................ 2             
 Andrea .... 2              
 Laura  ...... 2                                                            
                                                        

So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Nuria  ........28            Silvia  ............ 26
Laura  .......22           Jerome ...........19
Marta C ....18           Jesús ..............  8
Enrique .... 15
Andrea  .....10
Carlos ......   2


Well done!  I'll see you later with the last clue of this term!


06/03/201

Hi again!

Here you are the thirteenth clue. Read by Carol from UK again.

The password is: .........'s ........... - ..............  Be careful with the spelling. Remember, we are working in English ;)

Hope you enjoy!

See you soon ;)


06/03/201

Hello my friends!

I'm so sorry because yesterday was so, so, so busy that I couldn't attend my weekly date with you. I hope you could forgive me ;)

This is the transcription of the thirteenth clue.

Off on another adventure! This time, I have just climbed 16 steps leading to a wonderful tomb that was buried for centuries beneath the desert sands. This tomb, found in the Valley of the Kings, was made for a teenage king. Although there were many mummies buried in this area, no womens’ remains have been found. Maybe that's why it's called the Valley of the Kings? When the tomb was discovered in 1922 by archaeologist Howard Carter, it was still untouched. Gold treasures were everywhere. More than 500 objects were found -- including jewelry, boats, chariots, 100 baskets of food, and even the king's underwear! It took ten years to photograph, label, and remove all the treasures from the tomb. The bodyof the king was also found.

And as you know, this time I was visiting the Tutankhamun's tomb in Egypt. Some of you told me that this week it's been more difficult. What did you expect? we are in the last term :D 

So, the WINNERS this week are ...   

STUDENTS               TEACHERS                           
 Nuria ....... 3                Jerome ............. 3
 Enrique ... 2                                           
 Andrea .... 2              

 Laura  ...... 2                                                            
                                                        

So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Nuria  ........31            Silvia  ............ 26
Laura  .......24           Jerome ........... 22
Marta C ....18           Jesús ..............  8
Enrique .... 17
Andrea  .....12
Carlos ........ 2

Congratulations Nuria!!!! you will get your prize next week!

And ... I think we need a well deserved break. After one week I'll be here again with new destinations.  If you want to leave any comment, use this week password.

See you then ;)


21/03/2014

Hello again!  

How was your week? For some of you it's been a little bit difficult, I know,  due to the marks but here you are a new challenge to improve your skills and have some fun.

I knew you were anxious for a new clue, so here it is: the fourteenth one read by Paul from UK again.

I'll see you on Tuesday with the transcription and on Wednesday with the answer, pics andthe ranking.  

Enjoy your weekend!  see you!


25/03/2014

aha!  this week it's more difficult, isn't it? Maybe you would like to have a look at the text.
  

Wow, what a cool place! I’m way up in the sky. I think if I stretched out my hands I might almost touch the clouds. No wonder the early people of this land honores the sun. It was hardly ever seen way up here! Built by the Incas, this unique stone city is believed to have been a religious and holy place. It’s a wonder how they got all the stones up to this height – abot 8,000 feet atop a mountain overlooking the Urubamba River. It’s believed that llamas caried all the building materials up the mountain. Even the soil used for the farming areas hd to be brought up from the river valley below. One of the biggest tourist attractions in South America, this wonderful place was found accidentally by Hiram Bingham in 1911.

Come on, you will also get 1 point if you know the right answer before Tuesday.


26/03/2014

Hi everyone!

Yes, yes, yes! My current landmark is the Machu Picchu in Peru .  Do you want to see one pic? One llama wanted also to say hello to you so, what could I do?

So, the WINNERS this week are ...   

STUDENTS               TEACHERS                           
 Nuria ....... 3                Jerome ............. 3
 Enrique ... 2                Silvia  ............... 2                                                                                    
                                                        
So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Nuria  ........34            Silvia  ............ 28
Laura  .......24            Jerome .........  25
Enrique .... 19            Jesús ..............  8
Marta C ....18           
Andrea  .....12
Carlos .......  2

Congratulations!!!!!  

Anyway, could you wait for a new clue tomorrow?  Enjoy your day!


26/03/2014

Good night! or should I say good morning? 

As I have't gone to bed yet, for me it's still Thursday, so I'm on time to give a new clue to you. 
It's the fifteenth one  read by..... Steffi again!

Hope you enjoy!


2/04/2014

Hi my friends, how are you? 

It's time to publish the text, the answer and the ranking of this week. OK!

Imagine finding a shorter way to get from Europe to India. Well, that's what this wonderful engineering feat of man provided when it was constructed back in the 1860s. Builder Ferdinand de Lesseps wasn't really the first to have this idea. In fact, it is known that in 600 A.D. an early waterway was created for the very same reason. Today, this manmade waterway saves a ship from traveling 6,000 extra miles as it travels from Europe to India. Sand from nearby deserts is constantly blowing into the waterway area.

That's why dredging machines (used to deepen the waterway) are constantly working. Did you know that this manmade wonder is 46 feet deep and measures 390 feet wide and more than 100 miles long? In the 1980s, a tunnel for cars was completed under the waterway.

As you already know, the landmark I'm visiting is ... the Suez canal in Egypt.

 







So, the WINNERS this week are ...   

STUDENTS               TEACHERS                           
 Nuria ....... 3                Jerome ............. 3
 Laura ...... 2                Silvia  ............... 2 
 Enrique ... 2                                                                                                   
                                                        
So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Nuria  ........37            Silvia  ............ 30
Laura  .......26            Jerome .........  28
Enrique .... 21            Jesús ..............  8
Marta C ....18           
Andrea  .....12
Carlos .......  2

Well done!  Coud you wait till tomorrow for a new clue? I hope so  ;)

See you!


3/04/2014

Hi again!

As every Thursday here it is your weekly clue. It's the sixteenth one read by Peter from Germany.

Hope you enjoy!

See you.

10/04/2014

Hi my friends, I'm here as every Thursday.

This is the transcription of the clue:

I’m standing before the most famous mountain in this landlocked European country. As I gaze at the beauty of it, a man nearby is playing an instrument called an alpine horn. Reaching more than 14,600 feet in height, this peak is not the highest mountain in this country -- but it is the most popular one among climbers. During the climbing season, up to 200 climbers try to reach its summit each day. Excuse me, sir, but would you mind not yodeling in my ear? This mountain, which is part of the Pennine Alps, was thought for many years to be an un-climbable peak. Then, in 1865, seven men from Great Britain successfully climbed to the top. Sadly, four of them were killed on the way back down.

I’m visiting in late fall, so I can see snow on the peak of the mountain -- but I am told that snow covers the upper peak all year long. Earlier in the day, I bought some of this country’s delicious chocolates, so I think I’ll return to my hotel now to enjoy them.

This is the Matterhorn in Switzwerland, one of the most beautiful mountains in the world.

 

So, the WINNERS this week are ...   

STUDENTS               TEACHERS                           
 Enrique ... 3               Jerome ............. 3
 Nuria ....... 2               Silvia  ................ 2              
                                                                                                                                                         
So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Nuria  ........38            Silvia  ............ 32
Laura  .......26            Jerome .........  31
Enrique .... 24            Jesús ..............  8
Marta C ....18           
Andrea  .....12
Carlos .......  2 

This week you seemed to be very busy :(  or it was too difficult  ;)

We can see there's an exciting fight between Jerome and Silvia!!!!!  and Nuria seems to be unbeatable!!!!  And who will be the second one?  Laura????   Enrique??????

Today everthing is in the same post.  Here it is the new clue, the seventeenth one read by our friend Carol from UK.  You have to write the country's acronym in the password  in capitals.  You'll see the answer, pics and ranking after Easter.

Good luck to everyone and enjoy!


23/04/2014

Happy Easter!!!!!  I hope you have had wonderful holidays. Have you missed our challenge?Don't worry, I'm back with the last clues. But before, you're likely to see a pic from my last destination, the Gateway arch in St. Louis, Missouri, in the USA.

It took only minutes for a tram to get me to the top of this famous landmark. I am looking out over the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. It’s a breathtaking view, but at 630 feet above the ground I’m feeling a little bit dizzy! I’m up here with about 150 other people. We have been taking turns looking out the small windows on each side of this landmark. The park ranger who is stationed up here told me that on a clear day he is able to see up to 30 miles in each direction. Hmmm, I just noticed a stairway, but the ranger tells me only maintenance people are allowed to walk up or down the

1,076 steps to the ground below. Construction of this landmark began in 1963 and was completed in 1965. It is the tallest monument in the National Park System. It’s even taller than the Washington Monument, and it’s twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty. This monument honors the pioneers who explored the land west of the Mississippi River. It  stands in the area where Lewis and Clark began their historic journey to the Pacific in 1804.

And how's the ranking?

the WINNERS this week are ...   

STUDENTS               TEACHERS                           
 Nuria ....... 3               Silvia ............. 3
 Laura ...... 2               Jerome  ......... 2              
                                                                                                                                                         
So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Nuria  ........41            Silvia  ............ 32
Laura  .......28            Jerome .........  31
Enrique .... 24            Jesús ..............  8
Marta C ....18           
Andrea  .....12
Carlos .......  2 .

I'll see you tomorrow with a new clue. Enjoy your evening!

24/04/2014

I'm already back!  Now with a new clue, the eighteenth one. Do you remember Xavier Johnston from Jamaica?

Good luck and enjoy Gredos!!!!!

See you soon ;)


02/05/2014

Hello!!!!!  How's the long long weekend going?  I hope your stay in Gredos has been fabulous. Here it is the transcription of the text.

Could you hold on for a moment as I get a passerby to take a picture of me trying to hold up this famous landmark? Construction of this famous building began in the year 1173 and was completed around 1350. That’s almost 175 years, but they weren’t building the structure all that time. Wars and a lack of funding held up the construction. Legend has it that Galileo, the famous scientist, went to the top of this site and dropped all types of things off the side -- gold, silver, wood, and even cannon balls. He saw that all the objects hit the ground at the same time. That was the day Galileo discovered that gravity pulls all objects at the same rate, no matter what they are or what their mass is. No, Galileo’s experiments didn’t cause this building to tip to one side. The structure has tilted almost from the minute construction began because of the unstable soil on which it is built. In the 1990s, the building was shut down as experts worked to find a way to stop it from eventually crashing over onto its side. They were able to bring it back a few inches. It is safe again for tourists to climb more than 290 steps to the top of this 8-story building.

As you know this week I've been to Pisa , Italy, and my landmark is the leaning tower. Look at some pictures.

 

So, the WINNERS this week are ...   

STUDENTS               TEACHERS                           
 Enrique ... 3               Silvia ............. 3
 Nuria ....... 2               Jerome  ........ 2
 Laura ....... 2              
 Andrea .... 2
 Zahara .... 2              
                                                                                                                                                         
So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Nuria  ........43            Silvia  ............ 35
Laura  .......30            Jerome .........  33
Enrique .... 27           Jesús ..............  8
Marta C ....18           
Andrea  .....14
Carlos .......  2
Zahara ......  2

How exciting!!!!!  

And here you are the next clue, the nineteenth one, read by Slawek from UK again.
Hope you enjoy!

See you.


07/05/2014

Kalispera!  or good evening!

As usual here it is the transcription of this weekly clue. 

Kalimera. That’s how you might say “good morning” in the country I am visiting today. I have just climbed up a hill called the “Acropolis” to get to this famous site -- which has stood on this hill for almost 2,500 years. Built between 447 B.C. and 432 B.C., this temple was built to honor the goddess Athena, the mythical founder of this city. Forty-six huge columns surround this rectangular site that at one time held a 40-foot-tall statue of Athena. The statue was made of gold and ivory. Even though this temple is old -- no, ancient! -- it is not age that has caused the most damage to it. My tour guide tells me that around 300 B.C. a leader removed the gold from the statue and used it to pay his army. In the 1600s, the building was used to store gunpowder. Hmmm, can you guess what happened? BANG! The gunpowder exploded and damaged the entire center of the structure. Automobile exhaust, acid rain, and pollution from nearby factories are also causing damage to the famous site. One of my friends on this tour is from Nashville, Tennessee. She tells me that you can visit a full-size replica of this place in Nashville.

The pictures ...

... and the winners!

So, the WINNERS  this week are ...   

STUDENTS               TEACHERS                           
 Enrique ... 3               Silvia ............. 3
 Nuria ....... 2               Jerome  ........ 2
          
                                                                                                                                                         
So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Nuria  ....... 45            Silvia  ............ 38
Laura  ...... 30            Jerome .........  35
Enrique .... 30           Jesús ..............  8
Marta C ....18           
Andrea  ....14
Carlos .......  2
Zahara ......  2

There's a draw between Laura and Enrique!!!!!!!


08/05/2014

Hello again!!!!!

The end of the first geography challenge is coming so, pay attention and enjoy the twentieth clue, read by our Steffi!

The password this time is formed by two countries:  first of them, the acronym, written in capitals and the other one as usual, with no - between them


Good luck!

15/05/2014

Hello a little bit late ;)

I'm here again to solve  the mistery hahahaha.

As all of you know, I've been to the Niagara falls which are between USA and Canada. Look at them, aren't they stunning?

I wish you were here with me as I ride in a boat under these spectacular waterfalls. Thank goodness for the plastic raincoat they handed to me as I got on board! French explorer Jacques Cartier had heard about the falls back in 1535. Native Indians he met along the St. Lawrence River told him about them. But the first European to have seen this breathtaking natural wonder was probably Etienne Brule in 1615. According to some historians, a priest named Louis Hennepin was the first to publish a drawing of the falls for others to see. Of the mighty falls he wrote “The waters which fall from this vast height, do foam and boil after the most hideous manner imaginable making an outrageous noise, more terrible than that of thunder...” Actually, there are two waterfalls here -- Horseshoe Falls, which is more than 170 feet high and 26,000 feet wide, and American Falls, which is about 180 feet high and 1,000 feet wide. Look at those fish going over the falls! Our guide tells me that fish often fly over the falls. They usually survive the dangerous trip because the water bubbles act as a kind of cushion and fish are light and pliable. The falls were originally called “ongniaahra,” which means “thunder of waters” in the language of the Iroquois Indians.

So, the WINNERS  this week are ...   

STUDENTS               TEACHERS                           
 Nuria ........... 3             Jerome  ........ 3
 Enrique ....... 2             Silvia ............. 2  
 Andrea .......  2
 Laura  ........  2
          
                                                                                                                                                         
So, here you are the RANKING

STUDENTS              TEACHERS
Nuria  ....... 48            Silvia  ............ 40
Laura  ...... 32            Jerome .........  38
Enrique .... 32           Jesús ..............  8
Marta C ....18           
Andrea  ....16
Carlos .......  2
Zahara ......  2

I don't know if this will be the last clue, OHHHHHHHHHH
Today, I'm visiting ... listen to the clue twenty-one read by Steffi. Thanks a lot ;)

Hope you enjoy!  See you.

28/05/2014

Hello everyone!

I'm here again. As you know I've been to Germany so I couldn't finish the challenge as usual.

Here you are the last pictures and the absolute WINNERS!!!!

My last destination was Forbbiden city in Beijing, China.

 

So, the WINNERS  this week are ...   

STUDENTS               TEACHERS                           
 Enrique ....... 3            Silvia ............. 3  
 Nuria ........... 2            Jerome .......... 2
 Laura  ........  2
          
                                                                                                                                                         
So, here you are the RANKING OF THIS YEAR

STUDENTS              TEACHERS 
Nuria  ....... 50            Silvia  ............  43
Enrique .... 35            Jerome .........  40
Laura  ...... 34            Jesús ..............  8
Marta C ....18           
Andrea  ....16
Carlos .......  2
Zahara ......  2


Congratulations to all of you !!!!! You have done a very good job. I hope you have discovered new places and have enjoyed this new way to practise your listening skills.

All of you will get your prizes next week.

It's time to thank once again all the people who have kindly help us recording the texts:

Jose from Netherlands, Carol from UK, Slawek from Poland-UK, Kathy from North America, Peter from Germany, Xavier from Jamaica, Paul from UK and of course, Steffi from UK. 

I would like to invite all the participants and everyone who has joint us for this challenge every week, to leave your comments, opinions or suggestions.  You can use your own google account or the last password.

I'll see you next year with a new challenge. Bye