CITY OF ICE!

I don't really like the cold and, given a choice, this bird would fly even further south, but I do find the abilityof these special artisans to create such complex beauty out of bits of snow and ice truly awe-inspiring.

As the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words."













Several places around the globe create ice hotels like these in Alaska and Canada where you can get a room and a stiff drink, all at a pretty stiff price, but perhaps worth the cost for a once in a lifetime experience.

Many towns in colder climates have ice festivals that produce some amazing works of art like this sculpture in Alaska. Look closely and you will see not only the animals on top of the ice, but other creatures swimming in the ice!

But, in terms of complexity and sheer magnitude, Harbin, China has no equal! In a town in Northern China where the temps stay below freezing half the year, these hardy souls have found a way to make the ice come to life.

Just breathtaking, isn't it?