Travel with
Travel with
A big, beautiful airplane was flying high above the clouds. It was Benny the Bombardier. He felt great up in the sky. Every day, he flew from country to country for that was his job – transport- ing passengers. Benny really loved his work. He was strong, fast, brave and resilient. The Bombardier sped through the clouds with a smile on his face, enjoying the beautiful scenery that surrounded him. Only at times he felt very lonely because he didn’t have any real friends. This morning started as usual. Having picked up his passengers, Benny the Bombardier began his flight. Benny the Bombardier meets the White Stork 2
“There, ready, a bit in reverse, forward, let’s concentrate – and there we go! Hey, we have lift off!” Benny muttered to himself as he raced upward. Suddenly – look out! Something white appeared in front of the plane. “Hey, step aside, please!” Benny called. “No way! Everyone is allowed to fly in the sky,” the white spot snapped back. “Hey, white spot, what are you?” Benny asked. “I’m am not a white spot, I’m a white stork,” said the white spot. “A white stork! Oho! How did you get here? I don’t usually meet storks on my route,” Benny wondered. “You’re right, we usually don’t fly this way, but I wandered off from my flock and got lost. I don’t know if I will be able to find them, they’re probably far away by now,” the stork said sadly. “That’s not good,” said Benny the Bombardier. “But don’t worry, we’ll think of something. Let’s fly together!” 3
It was a fantastic day. The sun was shining in the sky, the weather was warm and pleasant. “Do you have a name, white stork?” Benny asked after a while. “No, usually everyone just calls me ‘stork’,” replied the white stork. “How could it be that you don’t have a name? That’s not good! We have to find you a name!” Benny called out. “Something suit- able for a white spot, Planko or Blanko – that’s what I saw when I first spotted you,” laughed Benny. “I like Blanko!” the stork exclaimed. “Blanko, Blanko, Blanko!” he happily called out his name. “And what is your name?” asked the stork. “I am Benny the Bombardier,” Benny answered proudly. “Benny the Bombardier, that’s a beautiful name,” said the stork. “Pleased to meet you.” The two of them flew on together, chattering all the way. Even though the stork did not find his flock, he had met a great new friend. 4
What can you see in the clouds?
Today is a very important day: Benny the Bombardier is get- ting ready for his flight, and Blanko the Stork is building his nest. “Hey, hey, Blanko, where are you?” called Benny. “I have a flight to Barcelona today. Do you want to come along?” “Me?” Blanko the Stork was surprised. “Of course, you, Blanko,” said Benny. “I would like to very much, but what is Barcelona?” asked the stork. “Hey! Haven’t you ever heard of Barcelona?” Benny was sur- prised. The Flight to Barcelona 6
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain on the east coast of the Iberian Peninsula at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. People here speak Catalan and Spanish. Barcelona is bordered by two rivers, the Llobregat and the Besós. The city is famous for its beautiful architecture, active city life and delicious food. It is one of the largest port cities on the Mediterranean. “Yes, sounds very interesting,” mused the stork. “Barcelona is a city that everyone must visit. The Plaça Cata- lunya, the central square with its many fountains, is a must see. Las Ramblas, picturesquely tree-lined, is the most famous avenue in Barcelona. And you must plan time to see the Picasso Museum and the Church of the Sagrada Familia. So, get ready, let’s fly!” invited Benny. “You convinced me, Benny. Let’s meet at the airport in half an hour,” the stork happily agreed. 7
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In a short while, Benny the Bombardier had boarded all his passengers, and the flight could begin. The flight to Barcelona was wonderful. The Bombar- dier flew low right above the border between the city and the sea, and the panorama of the famous city came into full view: the beautiful cathedrals, the museums, the parks, the fountains, and even the zoo. The two friends, however, found the Barcelona Aquarium to be the most interesting. It is one of the largest aquariums in Europe – it houses 11,000 sea creatures in 35 reservoirs. There is an 80-meter-long tunnel with see-through walls underneath. Walking along this tunnel is like walking on the ocean floor – starfish and sea horses, eels and anemones, dolphins, sharks and other sea creatures swim around above your head. “Impressive!” Benny was thrilled. 9
“Oooh, that really was great!” agreed the stork. “I ne- ver thought I would be inside an underwater tunnel. So many fish! It’s scary when the fish swim right above your head.” “Barcelona really is a beautiful city,” Blanko remarked excitedly. “Can I go with you again sometime? By the way, where are you going to fly next?” “Tomorrow I am flying to London. Even today London is the home of a queen and princes,” said Benny. A queen nowadays, that is interesting, thought Blanko. “Would you like to come along to London?” asked the Bombardier. “Of course!” Blanko happily called out. “A new day – a new adventure!” 10
Now, there is an activity for you. Which direction most fish are swimming – from left to right or from right to left?
London is the capital of the United Kingdom (England). London is considered to be the culture capital of the world. It is a city visited by the greatest number of tourists, and it has the largest airport system in the world. The Thames River flows through the city. The Thames is the longest river in England. Flying above the city gives us a great view of the ‘London Eye’ – the huge Ferris wheel that is located on the banks of the Thames. It is the largest Ferris wheel in Europe and the most popular tourist attraction in London. 3.5 million people visit it every year. This Ferris wheel lifts visitors 135 metres above the Thames River. Majestic London 12
London is also a very green city with many parks. The largest park is situated in the very centre of London and is called Hyde Park. It covers an area of 142 hectares. Hyde Park is the venue for concerts, competitions and other events. Serpentine Lake lies at the centre of the park, and Kensington Gardens are located next to Hyde Park. Both friends had agreed that the first thing they wanted to see on their trip to London was Hyde Park. “Hey, Benny, look at all the squirrels!” called the stork. “Wow! There’s so many of them! Look, down here! All sorts of different birds – ducks, swans – and even some rabbits. And the squirrels don’t seem to be afraid at all. They are probably used to being fed by people,” said Benny. 13
“I want to feed the squirrels too! I wonder what they like to eat?” asked the stork. “Look, there are some peanuts that have fallen out of the packet. I’m sure they like peanuts,” said the Bombardier. The stork swooped down with a beak full of peanuts and began feeding the squirrels. That was a lot of fun. Squirrels appeared from everywhere, and the stork soon ran out of peanuts. Having seen Hyde Park, the two friends flew on. “What else is interesting and famous in London?” asked the stork. “London is famous for its double-decker buses, red telephone booths, and the calm and steady guards at Buckingham Palace. The Queen of England lives at the Palace along with the royal family. It is a favourite place for tourists to visit. Tourists usually pay special attention to the guards who wear strange bearskin hats. 14
They are not allowed to move, no matter what happens. People tend to gather at Buckingham Palace for national holidays as well. Trafalgar Square is also very popular. A fountain and a statue of Admiral Nelson, surrounded by four bronze lions, are situated in the centre of the square. The square is home to demonstrations, athletic events and other celebrations,” Benny explained. “Could you talk more slowly, please?” asked Blanko. “I can’t remember everything.” But Benny just continued, “Westminster Abbey and Westmin- ster Palace in Saint James must also be seen. That is where the coronation of all the kings and queens of England takes place. Look down, see? That is Westminster Palace.” “Hey, Benny, you’re getting too carried away,” called the stork. “My head is all full of information that I cannot memorize. Well, in fact, I can’t remember anything. What is that? Is that Westminster Palace down there? What is that big tower next to the castle?” “That is a clock! Can’t you see?” Benny the Bombardier called out. “A clock! So big and beautiful!” Blanko was very excited and circled around the clock tower. “That is Big Ben. It is famous for its precision and its huge bell that weighs more than 13 tons. It is the biggest clock tower in the world, and it shows time in all four directions,” the Bombardier explained. “And who is Elizabeth II?” asked Blanko. “Elizabeth II is the Queen of England. She was coronated in 1953. She was born on April 21, 1926. Elizabeth II is the oldest queen that ever has ruled on the British throne,” answered Benny. “But now let’s fly to Tower Bridge! I want you to see the most famous bridge in London. Tower Bridge is a drawbridge across the Thames River. 15
It is located next to the Tower of London which gave the bridge its name. The Tower was originally built as a guard post for the protection of London. Now it houses a weapons arsenal and the crown jewels,” Benny continued. Time flies! “There is still so much to see in London, we have to fly here again,” said Blanko. “Absolutely!” agreed Benny. “But now we have to head home.” We recommend the following London attractions for children – Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, the Harry Potter Museum, the London Zoo, the Aquarium and Legoland. 16
Activity. Can you find the nut among the squirrels?
“Benny, do you know where you are flying tomorrow?” asked Blanko the stork. “I think I have to fly to Prague, the capital of the Czech Repub- lic,” answered the Bombardier. “Oh, that is great. We haven’t been to Prague yet!” the stork called out happily. “Let’s look at the map to see where it is. Hey, look, it won’t be a very long flight. Is there a lot to see in Prague, Benny?” “As far as I know, Prague has many historic architectural monu- ments that have survived to the present. The Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, the Square in Old Town and the Jewish Quarter are especially important,” Benny remarked. Beautiful Prague 18
“Rudolfinum… I have heard some very good reviews about this concert hall,” said the Bombardier. “If we fly to Prague, we really ought to go to a concert while we are there.” The two friends began their visit of Prague at the Town Square which is one of the most famous places in Prague. The old Town Hall and the Town Hall Clock are interesting to see. The astro- nomical clock in the old Town Hall has been running since 1410, and it depicts the time of the old Czech Republic, current local time and the sidereal time as well as the zodiac signs. As they flew to the Town Square, it was impossible not to notice the famous Powder Tower and defensive wall which was used to store gunpowder during the 17th century. They continued their trip across Wenceslas Square which once housed the horse market, but now is home to the National Museum. “That sounds really interesting. I have heard about a famous concert hall in Prague, but I don’t remember what it is called,” said Blanko. 19
On their way to Prague Castle, the two friends flew across the famous Charles Bridge. The bridge is a great spot to view the lights of the city in the evening. A statue of John Nepomuk is located on the bridge. Saint John of Nepomuk is not only the patron saint of Prague but of the country. He was a clergyman who was put to death – he was thrown into the Vltava River. According to the legend, as the victim sank to the bottom of the river, five shining stars appeared above the water. Since that time John of Nepomuk has been depicted with a halo of stars above his head. People say that if you touch the statue, your wish will come true. The day flew by quickly. The two friends headed home, tired but happy and overwhel- med with impressions of their trip. “Hey, Blanko, now let’s go see the famous Prague Castle,” suggested Benny. “A lot of people visit Prague Castle, and it is the most significant tourist spot in the city.” 20
Activity. Find 10 differences between the two drawings of Prague Castle.
clouds, and it was drizzling lightly. “What an overcast day,” complained the stork. “I want to finish building my nest, but it won’t stop drizzling. I guess I will have to put on my raincoat so I don’t get soaked. I wonder what Benny the Bombardier is doing?” Suddenly, he heard a roaring sound in the distance. It was Benny. Wings spread, he was slowly flying above the trees, look- ing for his friend. “I finally found you, Blanko, how are you?” called Benny. “I’m fine, I just can’t manage to finish my nest. The rain won’t stop, and the branches are wet and cold,” complained Blanko. “Don’t worry, Blanko, I have an idea. Let’s fly to Venice today! The weather there is warm and sunny. You can finish your nest another day,” suggested Benny. Wonderful Venice It was a grey day, the sun was hiding behind the 22
“How nice! I haven’t been there yet. What are we waiting for? Let’s go!” the stork cried out happily. The two friends set out on their trip. “Tell me about Venice, Benny,” asked Blanko. “OK, now listen. Venice is a city in Italy. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Venice is located on 118 small islands that are connected by 378 bridges, most of which are made of stone. The many islands of Venice are divided by big and small canals. The three largest canals are the Grand Canal which is shaped like an S and crosses the entire city, Giudecca Canal and Saint Mark’s Canal.” “So many islands in a small area, that is surprising,” the stork was amazed. “It is not all as wonderful as it sounds, however. Many problems threaten the future and everyday life of the city. The most serious problem is the threat of flooding. Shallow Venice Lagoon is the main concern – the water level in the lagoon can rise dramatically in a strong wind. If that happens, water in the many canals can rise up anywhere in the city,” Benny explained. 23
“Don’t be silly, stork, we have wings,” reminded Benny. The most popular spot in Venice is the Piazza San Marco. Every day, countless tourist groups flow into the square, take pictures and feed the pigeons. Tourists haggle with the souvenir salesmen who have filled their carts with all sorts of trinkets. No less important is the Rialto Bridge which crosses the Grand Canal. Historically this has always been the most lively part of the city, and it continues to be so today – there are countless markets, shops, cafes and gondola stops. “Brrr, I’m afraid of floods!” cried the stork. “Maybe we shouldn’t fly there.” 24
Costume balls are very interesting events in Venice. Through the years, masks have become an increasingly significant part of Vene- tian culture. Fantastic, unforgettable costumes, colourful parades, joy and cheer – all that is associated with Venice. Venice is also famous for its regattas that take place every year on the Grand Canal on the first Sunday in September. This tradi- tion has existed for about 700 years. Venetians maintain that the sun always shines during these races. Before they’d realized what’s happened, they were in Venice. After his passengers disembarked, Benny was free, and the two friends set off to see the city. “Where should we go?” asked Blanko. 25
“First, let’s look at all the canals and bridges, and you can take a ride in a gondola,” suggested Benny. And so, the stork in the gondola and Benny in the air viewed the city. What sights there were! Houses in the water, narrow canals, laundry hanging to dry above the water, the clotheslines tied to boats, rotting walls, and huge crowds and tourists every- where, of course. “Venice is an interesting city. But let’s head home now so I can finish building my nest,” said Blanko. The Bombardier had to fly to the airport for maintenance and to get ready for his next flight. 26
Activity. How many gondolas can you find?
It was early in the morning, but the airport was already full of people: some were headed for business meetings, others were on their way for leisure trip. The longest lines for baggage check-in this morning were for the Air Baltic flight to Athens in Greece. “Good morning, Blanko! Well, this morning a new adventure awaits us – Athens. Are you ready?” asked Benny the Bombardier. “Yes, Benny. I will just finish my morning exercises, and then we can get off,” answered the stork, shaking his wings. The passengers were gathering at the plane, waiting to board. “Dear friends, do hurry up, please… I can’t wait to take off!” the white stork urged the passengers. When all the passengers had been seated, the Bombardier and the white stork began the flight to Athens. As they arrived in Athens, the capital of Greece, which is located on the coast of the Bay of Attica, they were amazed by The Fame of Greece – Athens 28
the 12 hills that could be seen from the air. One of the hills was special – it was bigger than the others, and there was an ornate temple at the top. “Benny, what’s that big hill?” asked Blanko. The Bombardier answered, “That, my friend, is the Acropolis. But believe me, we will see many more impressive sights in Ath- ens. It is no wonder that thousands of tourists visit this city every year. Look and enjoy!” Athens is a historically famous city. It is the home of the Olym- pic Games. There is one of the oldest stadiums in the world – Panathinaikos – as well. The first modern Olympic Games took place here in 1896. Athens does not have a traditional centre but has different and very interesting neighbourhoods. 29
Plaka is considered to be the most popular area with charm- ing mazes of narrow little streets. Psiri, on the other hand, has an active nightlife and colourful cafes, Gazi offers artist workshops, various galleries, stylish restaurants and clubs. The Kolonaki neigh- bourhood is full of elegant small shops and the most important city museums. The beautiful and the ugly, the old and the new exist side by side in Athens. Green squares are found next to streets where it is advisable to watch where you step. Traditional Greek food is a true joy, but wandering dogs, although surprisingly friendly, are of some concern. In Athens, there are aromas and bad smells, beautiful sunsets and orange smog around the Acropolis – in the middle of the day! 30
A new activity. Find the way through the streets of Plaka to the gates of the Acropolis.
The Trip to Miraculous Berlin “Good morning everyone!” called Blanko the white stork as he shook his long wings. “Today is a special day, we are flying to Berlin,” Blanko told his friends the sparrows. “I’ve been waiting for this trip a long time. There is a huge zoo in Berlin that I want to see. Many different birds and animals that I have never seen before live there. But why is Benny the Bombardier so late?” the stork was worried. More time passed, but Benny did not show up. “Perhaps I have misunderstood something?” the stork thought. Another hour passed, then another and still another, but Benny was nowhere to be seen. The stork was very sad. 32
“Maybe he flew off without me,” he said. “I’ll fly up and take a look.” Blanko shot up into the sky like an arrow, and suddenly his beak hit something hard. It was Benny the Bombardier. “Blanko, is that you?” Benny the Bombardier called. “Benny, I found you! That is great! I hope our trip will take place as planned?” The stork was very happy. “Yes, due to weather conditions today’s flight was delayed. We were very concerned about the safety of our passengers. But now the weather has cleared, the passengers have been seated, and we can be on our way,” said the Bombardier. 33
The two friends were off to Berlin. Berlin is the capital of Germany as well as the biggest city in Germany. Two rivers flow through Berlin – the Spree and the Havel. Berlin is a very green city with many beautiful large parks. One of the most noteworthy attractions is Alexanderplatz or the central square in Berlin. It is located in the very centre of the city. Originally it was a cattle market. The locals call it simply Alex. The famous Brandenburg Gate is located here. The gate is a symbol of Berlin and Germany. It is depicted on Germany’s euro coins. The remains of the Berlin Wall are also worth seeing. The Berlin Wall symbolized the Iron Curtain between Western Europe and countries in Eastern Europe. It was built in 1961 and was 155 km long. The Wall was torn down in 1989. The tallest tower in Germany is located in Berlin – it is a TV tower 368 meters tall. 34
Blanko’s thoughts were elsewhere, however. He was so obsessed by a visit to the zoo that he didn’t hear or see anything else. “Hey, have we arrived yet?” the stork asked a little while later. “Look there, look down! I can already see the zoo. Benny, please look… yoohooo!” The Berlin Zoo is one of the oldest and most famous zoos in Europe. It was founded in 1844. The zoo covers an area of 35 hectares and is located in the centre of Berlin. There are about 14,000 different animals at the zoo. More than 3 million people visit the zoo every year. The Berlin Zoo is constructed so as to create the feeling that there are no boundaries between visitors and the animals. From a distance, it seems that the animals are walking around freely, within easy reach of a petting hand. In reality, a green zone and a deep concrete chasm, which the animals cannot cross, separates them from visitors. 35
The other part of the zoo is home to a magnificent aquarium with wonderful rainbow coloured fish, giant sparkling herring, sharks and coral reefs. “Look, Benny, chimpanzees!” cried Blanko. “They look silly,” said Benny. Chimpanzees are like actresses. When they notice they are being photographed, they strike and hold a pose or allow them- selves to be blinded by the bright lights of the flash, then run to the other end of the cage. The Berlin Zoo is fantastically diverse. The selection of ani- mals is amazing – elephants that entwine their trunks, penguins, camels, gourmet pandas, royal lions, charming green boas, hip- popotami, crabs that are fed carrots for lunch, although they don’t like carrots, tigers who clearly say in tiger speak, “Ah-ummm, Ah-ummm!” and many other animals. Having seen the city and having enjoyed the zoo, the two friends, tired but happy, headed home. What a joyous day it had been! 36
Activity. Find 12 animals in the zoo jungle.
Charming Stockholm “Blanko, have you heard of a city that is located on Lake Mälaren and whose name can be translated as ‘an island on stilts’?” Benny asked one sunny afternoon. “It seems you are speaking of Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, right?” answered the stork. “I also know that a beautiful parlia- ment building and the Swedish royal residence are located here.” 38
The two friends began to discuss which one of them knew more about Stockholm. “Let’s stop this talking! Why don’t you come along? We can visit Stockholm together,” said Benny. “Of course!” called Blanko. They headed for the airport where the passengers were waiting for their plane. As the passengers were boarding the plane, the flight attend- ants repeated the word Hejsan several times. “Hejsan, Benny!” the stork called to his friend. “Hejsan, hejsan! That, Blanko, means “hello” in Swedish. Tack så mycket means “thank you”. Remember these words. People in Sweden are also quite willing to communicate in English,” the Bombardier said confidently. Blanko had also done some research on Stockholm. “Benny, I read that Stockholm is an amazingly green city. Almost one third of the city consists of bodies of water and another one third is parks. That is the reason why about one million tourists choose to spend their vacation here every year. First, we could look at Old Town or Gamla Stan with narrow and curving streets. This area makes visitors return to the Middle Ages. Then we will go to the King’s Palace and after that to various museums – Skansen, Junibacken, Vasa or the National Museum. 39
The Vasa Museum is unique. It was built in honour of a 17th century warship that has survived to the present. In 1628, the ship travelled just one mile and then sank. It was raised from the waters 333 years later.” Upon arriving in Stockholm, the two friends waited for the passengers to disembark, and then they set off to see the most famous sights of Stockholm. “It really is a beautiful and green city,” said Benny the Bom- bardier. “I especially liked Old Town. What did you enjoy most in Stock- holm, Blanko?” “I liked the beautiful lake, the green parks and the warship,” answered Blanko. 40
Now, there is a time for an activity. Find 5 identical pairs of windows.
“Where are you going at such great speed, Bombardier?” shou- ted Blanko. “I’m heading for Malta, one of the smallest countries in the world. Only 360 thousand people live there. Today, I’m carrying a great number of passengers who are craving for warmth and sunshine. We are already experiencing a dank autumn, but on this small island it is still 25 degrees,” the Bombardier answered. The Small Country of Malta Blanko the stork was slowly soaring high up in the sky when suddenly his friend Benny flew out of the clouds at an impressive speed. 42
“How pleasant! Sunshine and warmth. May I go with you and enjoy the wonders of Malta? I would like to know more about this place,” the stork said. “Of course,” answered the Bombardier. Then he started to tell his friend all about the beautiful things this small country has to offer. “The capital of Malta is Valletta. There are some fantastic build- ings we should see – for example, the Magisterial Palace and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Although not far from these two architectural treasures one can see the ruins of ancient fortifica- tions – evidence of a harsh past. There are at least nine sites of Malta that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. One of them is megalithic temples that are considered to be the oldest free-standing structures in the world. Another interesting aspect of the capital are the colourful balconies that adorn the buildings. Some say the balconies are designed for a purpose to hide young girls from the view of passers-by or, quite contrary – to show off the girls to potential suitors,” Benny informed his friend. “What language do the locals speak? Will we be able to find our way to these attractions?” Blanko asked. “Since Malta was a British colony for 160 years, English is widely spoken, and it has national language status along with Maltese,” the Bombardier wisely answered. The two friends, speaking about the history and culture of Malta, were nearing the airport. A beautiful adventure on the island of Malta awaited them. 44
Activity. Connect the treasures of the megalithic temples of Malta with their shadows.
“Blanko, my dear friend, have you heard anything about Odessa?” asked Benny the Bombardier. “In the next few days, we will have the opportunity to visit this beautiful city. Do you want to come along?” “Yes, I do! Tell me about this city. All I know is that it is located in the southwest part of Ukraine on the coast of the Black Sea,” Blanko called out excitedly. “What should I begin with? Odessa is located at the north end of the Dniester River. It is an important port city with two large harbours. Among favourite tourist attractions are the Opera and Ballet Theatre, built in 1880, and the Saint Panteleimon monastery famous for its legendary frescos, built by Greek monks, as well as the Art Gallery on Sofievskaya Street, former home of Prince Potocki,” said Benny the Bombardier. Odessa – the Beautiful City by the Sea 46
“What language is spoken in Ukraine? Do they have their own language?” asked the stork. “Yes, of course. They speak Ukrainian and, considering history, also Russian. Since Odessa is a favourite of many tourists, it is possible to hear a great variety of languages, for example, Ruma- nian, Turkish, German, even Greek and others. English, of course, is widespread among young people,” Benny said convincingly. Having heard all that his friend said, Blanko was anxious to get on the way. “Wait, wait, Blanko. The flight to Odessa is in three days. We have to be patient! In the meantime, we can get ready and find out all the information about the attractions of the city,” Benny smiled. Three days flew by very quickly. When the two friends had reached their destination, they saw all the famous tourist attractions and then visited the beautiful beaches of Odessa, including Dolphin Beach with its interesting dolphinarium ‘Nemo’. Visitors can not only watch dolphins here but swim and play with them as well. 47
“Hey, Benny, look, we made it! The dolphin show is about to start!” called Blanko. What a sight that was! Dolphins jumped through the hoops, played with balls, danced and performed all sorts of other tricks. Afterwards they gently bowed and waved their flippers. “How beautiful! They are fantastic artists!” the Bombardier was overjoyed. Having had a great time at the dolphinarium, the two friends, tired but happy, prepared for their flight home. There is no place like home. 48
Activity. Help the dolphin find his toys. Draw an arrow to each toy.
The Surprising City of Abu Dhabi It was a beautiful morning. Sunshine showered the world with warmth, and birds were singing. Animals had just woken up, and the forest was full of life. “Hey, Blanko… where are you, my friend?” called the Bombardier. Blanko was sound asleep in his nest. He felt very sleepy today. “Get up, sleepyhead!” the Bombardier called. “Today I have a flight to Abu Dhabi.” Blanko did not want to get up. He pulled his wings tighter around his body and continued to sleep. “Blanko, do you know what Abu Dhabi is and where it is located?” Benny did not let up. “I don’t know and I don’t want to know,” Blanko growled angrily. “I have no interest in some sort of Abudab.” “Not Abudab but Abu Dhabi. It is a beautiful city in the Arab Emirates,” said Benny. “Abu Dhabi is located on a peninsula in the Persian Gulf. It is the largest of seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates and is its capital as well. Abu Dhabi is also one of the most ornate cities of the world – there are parks in the centre with large fountains and sculptures, huge modern buildings, sports and recreation centres that all retain their oriental charm. The city has the reputation of being the safest city in the Near East, it is basically crime-free. This is an important factor that allows tourists to relax and feel at home.” “What’s so special about that? There are parks with fountains in many cities,” the stork mumbled.
“Have you ever seen a skyscraper?” asked Benny. “Skyscrapers are very tall buildings with many floors.” “Of course, there is a nine-story building next door,” answered the stork. “Blanko, I’m talking about huge skyscrapers, very modern build- ings with more than 20 floors. Abu Dhabi is very different from places we have visited, it also has very large amusement park. It is the only place in the world that has a hotel with a Formula 1 race track passing under it,” said Benny. “An amusement park, a race track, skyscrapers… hmmm, that seems interesting,” Blanko said as he rubbed his eyes. “So, what are we waiting for? Let’s fly!” And the adventure was underway. 51
Upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, the two friends first headed for Fer- rari World – the world’s largest amusement park, located indoors, with the world’s fastest roller coaster. It was a lot of fun. They spent a really good time in the park and then flew on to see the beautiful Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. After that they flew on to see the Liwa desert with some of the world’s longest sand dunes. If you are in Abu Dhabi, you absolutely must see the Yas Marina Formula 1 race track! It is possible to rent a real formula car – a Ferrari or an Aston Martin and drive around the track yourself. On Tuesdays, the track is open to the public to walk or bike around. 52
Having seen the track, the two friends headed for the ‘lean- ing’ Capital Gate Hotel. It is a unique skyscraper next to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The Capital Gate Hotel is the largest ‘leaning’ man-made tower in the world. It leans more than the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. 53
It is great to be able to travel and see new places, and to learn so many different things. Each city creates its own aura and has its own lifestyle. After they had thoroughly experienced Abu Dhabi, the two friends, tired but happy, headed home to plan their next beauti- ful trips. 54
Activity. Connect the dots to see what the Capital Gate Hotel looks like.
Contents Benny the Bombardier meets the White Stork ............ 2 The Flight to Barcelona ...................................................... 6 Majestic London ................................................................ 12 Beautiful Prague ................................................................. 18 Wonderful Venice .............................................................. 22 The Fame of Greece – Athens ........................................ 28 The Trip to Miraculous Berlin ........................................ 32 The Small Country of Malta ........................................... 42 Odessa – the Beautiful City by the Sea ....................... 46 The Surprising City of Abu Dhabi ................................. 50 Artist Maija Eglīte Author Kristīne Lukša © westsolutions