3 comments about Zion.

1. I first saw this at the IMAX located at the entrance to Zions National Park. Of the several IMAX films I have seen since, "Treasure of the Gods" is still my favorite. There are spectacular views of the park along with a recreation of a significant event in Zion's history. There are some amazing action shots that hold you in suspense and make you feel like you are the one being filmed.



2. This film is pure eye candy. While it's no substitute for actually getting out of your vehicle and hiking into Zion National Park, people of limited mobility can experience perhaps the closest thing to it in this "virtual reality" experience. The aerial photography is very impressive, as are the segments displaying rock climbing at Dead Horse Point State Park and the slot canyons in Zion. Slightly annoying is the music and the gratuitous sound effects (like the puzzling bass rumble as the camera flies over pinnacles at Bryce Canyon).

   I would have given the film a 5-star review based on the cinematography alone, but the corny "plot" was just too intrusive and unbelieveable, and ultimately detracted from the impact of the film.

   One final beef with the film: from the reviews here and at IMDB it seems that people unfamiliar with the history of the Zion National Park area are leaving the film believing an utterly fictitious story. Just to set the record straight: there was no lost "Spanish treasure" in Zion. It's unfortunate that the makers of this film appear to have led so many people to believe that this plot-driven yarn was actual history.




3. This is a small gripe but the canyons shown are in addition to Zion,Chelly,Canyonlands,Arches,Bryce,,, all without credit,so one might go to Zion expecting to see the sites shown and find they are possibly hundreds of miles from Zion confines. As to the cheesy plot,much like the stupid extras clothed in skins frolicking pointlessly in the Grand Canyon IMAX,,,the plot adds nothing to the grandeur of the photography,,,as Imax is limited to 40 minutes or so why dont these stupid directors give us more scenery time rather than idiotic re-enactments,,

3 comments about Touring China.

1. I enjoyed this video. It is 60 mins.long. It shows alot of the places to see in China and tells you about the people there and how they live.I has alot of beautiful scenery. It makes you feel like you are there in China.



2. I definitely recommend this video to anyone who is considering vacationing in china, my homeland. Watch "Touring China" and you'll know which attractions to see (the Great Wall), and which to avoid (the subway in Taiyuan has rats as big as cats).

   You will also learn where to get acupuncture treatment as well as the location of the best noodle bar in Peking (now known as Beijing). Did you know that the Han Dynasty used to celebrate the Dragon on the 3rd day of every month?

   The video is a "must have" flick for the educated person who wants to learn more about China.




3. IF YOU WANT A LOOK AT THE PROGRESSIVE CHINA OF TODAY, ALONG WITH SOME HISTORY AND A FEW UNIQUE LOCATIONS, THIS IS THE DVD FOR YOU. THIS PRODUCTION IS GOOD, CLASSY, PROFESSIONAL WORK. IT CAN BE YOURS FOR A VERY, VERY REASONABLE PRICE THROUGH AMAZON.COM. HOPEFULLY, THE PRODUCERS OF THIS DVD WILL CONTRACT THE SAME PEOPLE TO MAKE ANOTHER DVD ABOUT THE RURAL, LESS KNOWN LOCATIONS IN CHINA AND THEIR CULTURAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

2 comments about Austria: Vienna & The Danube, Salzburg & the Lakes District.

1. If you've seen Rick Steeves on TV, you know his narration is monotone and shows sometimes a bit corny. However, this video does not disappoint. Rick takes you through the major tourist attractions of Vienna and Salzburg but gives the same amount of attention to rural off-beat Austria's wonderful lakes, mountains and villages. After visiting this beautiful country, I didn't think I could find a video that could capture what it felt like to be in both of these extremes, but as long as I can put up with the narration (maybe turn the volume off!), I do get that feeling with this video. Highly recommended.



2. Received the video in a timely manner. Video quality was poor. Images were grainy and copy didn't run well though all other vhs tapes run fine on my video player. This was intended for use in my german language class but I am not sure I will use it.

No comments about India:Land of Spirit and Mystique.

1 comments about Eastern Cities: Prague, Budapest and Istanbul.

1. A travelogue narrated in Rick Steves's monotone, this video is reminiscent of "The Lonely Planet" and "Amazing Destinations" Travel Channel programs, but without the annoying background music, and so down to earth that one might think of it as a home movie.

   I bought it because of my interest in Istanbul, and got Prague and Budapest as a bonus. While watching it on tape was my alternative to expensive travel, I was soon shocked to discover that finding the tape was harder than booking a trip, as my extensive search yielded only two available titles.

   Having resigned myself to making do with one third of a tape (Istanbul being one of three cities on it) I was pleasantly surprised by how much one can get on a short video. A picture is indeed worth a thousand words.

   I enjoyed the virtual tour of Hagia Sophia. The architectural drawings, written descriptions and innumerable photos that I had examined in the past could not impress me as much as Steves's camera panning and zooming around this 1,400 year old Cathedral, built on what was then the capital of the Roman Empire and the political center of the civilized world.

   Unexpected pleasures included the boat trip across the Bosporus and views of other known sites. Walking or sailing past jam-packed shops, ancient homes and exotic palaces in busy streets, squares and water channels; hearing the cheerful sounds of this vibrant megalopolis and watching people eat and dance helped me imagine being there.

   As a regular visitor to Istanbul, Steves found it appropriate to end with a short lesson in Turkish and a corny but telling phrase: "Never else have I found culture shock as enjoyable a package".

   I now feel less remiss about not having spent time in the city that ruled the world for centuries, first as New Rome Constantinople and then as the capital of the Ottoman Empire.

No comments about CNN Presents MM Millennium - Vol. 3 - The Fifteenth Century - Century of the Sail / The Sixteenth Century - Century of the Compass.

2 comments about Staying at a Lighthouse.

1. Traveling to a lighthouse to walk around and photograph it is great. Actually staying at a lighthouse is fantastic! This video is very well done. My family and I are actually going to the Saugerties Light in NY thanks to this video.



2. I ordered this video based on information provided by Amazon and the one previous customer review. While it's a fine program, prospective buyers should note that all this material
   has been taken from the 6-part series, Legendary Lighthouses, available on DVD. If you have that DVD box-set this will be
   duplicate material and a big disappointment. Buy this video if you are interested only in accomodation at a lighthouse, and not in the whole story.

1 comments about Busch Gardens.

1. I thought the story line was great and the actress who played Jose did an extremely good job doing it.

No comments about Rick Steves' Europe: Venice and Veneto (VHS Tape).

5 comments about Sacha Runa: Spirits of the Rainforest. Peruvian Amazon Shamanism.

1. This video, created by Miguel Kavlin, is the best of its genre. It takes you right into the jungle and introduces you to Master Shaman Augustin Rivas. Rivas talks about the the medicinal plants of the jungle and shares insights about ceremony, medicine, and universal love. Interesting footage of the jungle, native art work and lots of singing by Don Augistin. This is a great inside view of the jungle for anyone considering a trip to encounter ancient medicines and ceremonies of healing.



2. The video "Sacha Runa: Spirits of the Rain Forest" is an excellent depiction of Peruvian Shaman, don Agustin Rivas, and his work with the plant medicine of ayahuasca. In a clear and articulate manner, the video portrays the nature and purpose of ayahuasca and how don Agustin Rivas uses this plant medicine to facilitate its healing powers. Accompanying this articulate narrative are excellent graphics that facilitate the ability to understand this unique plant medicine as well as the man who so masterfully works with its spirit. I highly recommend this video to any person who wishes to gain insight into the ancient healing practices of the Amazon.



3. dear,
   Miguel A Kavlin

   Thank you for this well put together video on ayahuasca,amozonian shamanism, and don augustin volume 1. In this video the information on healing makes perfect sense to me as I incorporate new ideas into my thinking. About two years ago I had taken care of an older friend who died at 80 years old. I wish I had known about this kind of healing back then. He had a mental illness with depression that kept him from functioning at his best because of all the mental and emotional build up that was not relieved. I had taken him to over 100 doctors in the fourteen years that I knew Warren. These doctors would not listen long enough. I can see after how this video presents this material on healing that I could have helped Warren and this is like putting some of the pieces together. My Intuition is very strong about this. Although Warren has pasted away I would not have seen this video at all, might not have known any information on ayahuasca, and would not have had these new ideas come to me. For me I need to do some kind of healing work as I am at a cross road. I know there is a reason why I came across this at this time in my life. I have read shamans drum on you and don agustin, but did not know you were working with him. I am sure you feel the same way about all this and I feel some kind of connection. I have many things to talk about; too much to write here, but would love to here from you; and we can exchange thoughts, and ideas. Hope to here from you soon
   sincereley,
   Keith Belluardo




4. When I first met Miguel Kavlin I was in a group of people in a Yoga studio in New Jersey. After listening to his lecture and seeing brief parts of the video,I was grateful for the opportunity to purchase it that evening.
   The first thing that I noticed was the beautiful Ayahuasca visionary artwork on the video package. It "spoke" of a world that awaited me.
   Although it was late when I arrived home, watching the entire video was more important than going to sleep.
   And, I wasn't disappointed! I did find it necessary to view it several times after that to accustom my ears to listening to Don Augustin's accent, but each time I learned something that I had missed previously.
   I have been a student of shamanic studies since the 80's, and knew that going to the jungle to experience the transformational power of Ayahuasca was the next step for me.
   The video was an important preparation for doing that in Nov. 1999. It captures the Heart,Spirit,fun and intrigue of the Peruvean Rainforest adventure.
   I felt that the video gave me a realistic view of the Ayhuasca experience that awaited me, and also a sense of trust in Don Augustin as a multi-talented,wise and compassionate healer with an extraordinary commitment.
   I returned from my Peruvean Amazon experience with a profound appreciation for the work that he and Miguel Kavlin are accomplishing with each of us who take the opportunity to be with them- and for the healing power of Our Mother Earth.



5. I purchased this video after spending 10 days with don Augustin at Yushintaita, his camp in the Peruvian jungle. I found it to accurately reflect the experience that I had and capture the feel of this special place. More than that, it provides the viewer with insight into Augustin's devotion to his calling and his vast knowledge of the spirit world and the medicinal properties of plants that he has accumulated over a lifetime. Through an intimate view of ceremony participants' experiences accompanied by don Augustin's informative narrative, the viewer gains an understanding of the ayahuascero's role in Amazonian culture and the healing that is available through Spirit and ceremony even to those of us raised in western society. As a non-Spanish speaker, I appreciated the English translation of Augustin's words (subtitled) as it added much to my understanding of his perspective of life and the mysteries of the shaman's world. The video production is well done with a rustic, documentary-type format. It is a good resource for anyone interested in learning about or already embarking on the shamanic path. It will also provide the traveler with a rare view of a mystical practice that is woven deeply into Amazonian culture. If I have one criticism about the video it would be that it doesn't go far enough to capture don Augustin's delightfully playful spirit and his mastery of music and showmanship, which made my visit so memorable.