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6 Lost Cities Of The World
These ancient wonders are well worth a visit, even in troubled times.

Gazing at the Andean peaks soaring above the Lost City of the Incas and the lush valley below, it's easy see why it was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. The 15th century A.D. Peruvian site was abandoned shortly after Spanish conquistadors invaded the neighboring areas, falling to ruin until 1911, when an American scholar stumbled across the remains.

History's once glorious metropolises have become ever more sought-after destinations as Americans get back into travel mode. Machu Picchu welcomes as many as 1 million tourists annually, and that number is said to be growing as much as 6% per year.

The Americas offer travelers dozens of lost cities to explore. Mexico has the Mayan city of Chichen Itza, with Mesoamerica's largest ball court and the hulking pyramidal remains of Teotihuacan, with its well-preserved, color-splashed murals. There's Tical in Guatemala and Copan in Honduras. Even the the Western U.S. boasts the tumbleweed-strewn ghost towns of two centuries ago.

Chichen Itza, Mexico
Country: Mexico
Civilization: the Mayans
Inhabited: 600 to 1000 A.D.

Site of one of Mesoamerica's largest ball courts, this royal city is located near a massive underground cenote, or sinkhole, where the bodies of human sacrifices were dropped.

Derinkuyu Underground City, Turkey
Country: Turkey
Civilization: possibly the Phrygians
Inhabited: Approximately eighth century B.C.to 10th century A.D.


This underground network has more than 10 floors and room for up to 50,000 people, plus livestock. It is rumored to have been a hideout for early Christians escaping Roman persecution.

Machu Picchu, Peru


The results of the survey suggest that ease of learning the local language and adapting to the local culture are areas in which the U.S. fares well in as an expat destination--despite low scores in organizing finances and health care.

Angkor, Cambodia
Country: Cambodia
Civilization: the Khmer Empire
Inhabited: ninth century to 15th century A.D.


More than a thousand temples, including Angkor Wat, populate this long-time Khmer capital. It declined after a successful attack by invaders from what is now Thailand.

Pre-Roman Carthage, Tunisia
Country: Tunisia
Civilization: the Phoenicians
Inhabited: 650 to 146 B.C.


Carthage was home to the Roman Empire's arch-nemesis, Hannibal. It was burned and the earth salted during the final Punic War.

Pompeii, Italy
Country: Italy
Civilization: the Roman Empire
Inhabited: seventh/sixth century B.C. to 79 A.D.


Pompeii was a cultural center and vacation destination for Roman high society until it was destroyed in 79 A.D. by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Left behind are naturally ash-encased mummies.

Click here to see the full list of 15 Lost Cities Of The World

The Los Angeles Lakers regained their homecourt advantage Friday night with a 100-86 victory against the Hornets in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series, but they hardly looked like the well-oiled machine that has rolled to the past three N.B.A. Finals.
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Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 30 points on 10-of-20 shooting and Pau Gasol added 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Lakers took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, which resumes Sunday at New Orleans Arena.

Phil Jackson, the Lakers coach, had promised that Bryant would take more than the 10 shots he tried in a 9-point victory in Game 2 in Los Angeles, when he concentrated on containing the Hornets’ Chris Paul. And so it was. After 10 minutes, Bryant had 10 points; he took 11 shots in the first half.

The Lakers led by 13 points after Bryant made a 3-pointer in the first minute of the third quarter. But they could not find another gear to shake off the Hornets, who pulled to 5 points behind, at 73-68, in the final minute on a 15-footer by Paul, who finished with 22 points and 8 assists.

Bryant started the fourth quarter on the bench, which left Gasol as the team’s go-to player. He responded with 7 points in less than four minutes, including the 3-pointer, as the Lakers outscored the Hornets, 25-16, in the final 11 minutes 16 seconds. (Reference)

Kelly McGillis was one of the hottest stars of the 1980s. Between her work in "Top Gun," "Witness" and "The Accused," she looked poised to rush the '90s as an A-list movie star. But her struggles with her sexual identity had her deciding to leave the spotlight.

The tells EW about her decision to finally come out of the closet.

"Fundamentally, I was just tired of lying about who I am. I've reached a point where my kids are grown, they're out of the house, they no longer have to be concerned that their friends, their friends' families, will put them in compromising emotional situations because of my sexual preference," Kelly McGillis said. "That was a big concern of mine because, unfortunately, a lot of people are not very tolerant. I got to a certain age and I didn't give a s*** anymore. Ultimately, all I have to offer anybody is my truth. I don't have any profound wisdom, no profound insight, I only have my truth and my experience to offer others. And I was living a frigging lie."

And now Kelly McGillis is back on the big screen with two movies - "Stake Land," a scary movie that sees religious fanatics using vampires to punish non-believers, and "The Innkeepers," where Kelly is an aging actress at a reportedly haunted inn. (Reference)

Known for keeping her music plans under wraps Nicki Minaj has finally revealed details about her sophmore album, somewhat. The Young Money mistress recently appeared on KIIS FM and revealed to JoJo that she will make an announcement regarding her follow-up to Pink Friday in September.

“You’ll get another album within 12 months,” Nicki Minaj told KIIS FM’s JoJo. “You’ll get the announcement for the next album in—and I’m saying the announcement—that you’ll get the announcement in September. That’s all.”

While fans wait for Nicki Minaj to release new music they can catch her currently on the road with Lil' Wayne for the "I Am Still Music" tour and see her traveling with Britney Spears for the "Femme Fatale" tour starting in June. (Source)

Heidi Montag is returning to reality television with a new VH1 show, "Famous Food,". The series also stars Ashley Dupre, Jake Pavelka, Danielle Staub, Vincent Pastore and DJ Paul and Juicy.

Heidi Montag "not only has a passion for food, but also knows a thing or two about the restaurant business, especially after dealing with the unfortunate demise of her parent's restaurant.

Heidi Montag is known for her role on the MTV reality show "The Hills," which also featured her husband Spencer Pratt, the series' villain. The show ended last year. The couple also starred on the reality series "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!."

Heidi Montag made her big-screen acting deput in the movie "Just Go With It," which stars Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler. (worldztuff)