Archive for November, 2009
Traveling in the Balearics is an amazing adventure in different times. The present, where things happen, is the place the islands can take you to, splendidly and magnificently connecting you to the here and now, and it’s such a pleasure to be here, who can say no? The past exists here is many different guises, where one can get a sense for why the first inhabitants never wore clothes, except for a few extreme nights in the year when it was suddenly a little cold, as well as the many civilizations who have passed through here, captivated by all of its natural charms. The future is in the culture, where the technology and art blend together here in splendid and spectacular ways.
Technology is certainly present in the present time at its finest hotels. Menorca has a fascination with convenience, and all your needs from home will be well met here. It’s also an extremely hospitable place, and its perhaps most obviously expressed in the lodgings, where service comes with a sense of grace and style that speak of the best of Spain. It could be that the best part of Spain is right here. The technology and art also come together, of course, in the music. There is a splendid tradition for folk music here, and it’s certainly possible to hear it these days, but it’s not as easy to find as electronica.
Electronica is everywhere, and some of the best of it is born here, and truly Made in Menorca. Rekid, who’s worked with the Talking Heads, Kylie Minogue, and DJ Hell, found some of the sounds he was looking for in the idea of Menorca, and at times, the idea truly is enough, and can take you on a journey into its past, present, and future. But being here is much more highly recommended.
We found our Barcelona Spain hotel and we were very pleased with everything. The first night our 3 year old son sang from the balcony ‘Barcelona, I love this City.’ Once we’ve settled in, we walked around the area of the hotel to get our bearings and get a better sense of direction. While we walked around, we wanted to locate the Metro Stations and take note of the operating hours.
I found a great resource while I planned our trip: Life in Barcelona, in English. This had everything we’ll need while in Barcelona. It was a great guide and the a great resource for local news, events, weather, entertainment, shopping, nanny services, etc. Since we will be staying here for over two months, it was important for us to find out about school or daycare for our son. We found one called Kinder Barcelona that will take care of him for three weeks from 9am to 1pm, so we would be able to explore the city and do all the not so kid friendly things in the morning.
Our son loved it, but we loved it even more. I honestly didn’t think they would take him on, but they just happened to have room in the English speaking class with an English speaking teacher, so they let us enroll him right away! Our son learned all the days of the week and the months of the year while attending school there. Impressive.
We called a Nanny Service and they had someone who spoke English. The nanny they sent over was actually an American girl from New York and she’s been living here for 5 years. She was totally fluent in Spanish and she was like having our own Concierge. The few nights we had here come to babysit, she pretty much planned our night for us, telling us the best places to go and the best way to get there.
A part of me is in shock that I took a 3 year-old to Barcelona to live for a few months, but travelling with a child is not impossible, but not for the weak also. On our flight home, my husband asked me if I would do it again and I could honestly tell him ‘Yes!’
It is a fantastic thing to get the opportunity to visit Valencia. It’s a town so nice that it has its own language. Signs here are usually in both Valencian and Spanish, however, but it’s a great opportunity to pick up another language. There are many spectacular things about contemporary Valencia, with a thriving metropolitan lifestyle, that is always buzzing during the daylight hours, and famous for its excellent nightlife. Of course, there is also an amazing history here, with a strong Moorish influence in the architecture and classical art, and the complex legacies of both El Cid and Columbus, whose lives were inextricably twined to Valencia. Hotels offer a brilliant combination of the past and present, where old world style meets new world sensibility, for an accommodations experience that is simply elegant.
There’s never a dull moment here, unless you really want one, in which case retreating to the care of the lodings, and enjoying all the amenities your hotels can offer, is a great idea. The beaches are also divine for providing a sense of being away from it all, and enjoying the perfect moment, gazing out over the Mediterranean. There have been many civilizations who have passed through here, and these are the seas they crossed. There are many different musical styles here nowadays, with every kind of contemporary genre represented by the enormously creative population of Valencia. There are also some who are interested in maintaining, and even recuperating, some of the best of the past.
Al Tall is one such group, performing in the old folk tradition to make some extraordinary sounds. The musicians in the band, which has been playing here for a number of decades now, are all very accomplished players, and they attract an impressive list of collaborators on their many different projects. They also have a rather illustrious reputation, playing benefits to remember the heros who died as victims of state repression, which can add nice feathers to their caps. But it also suggests that their interest in the music goes much deeper than their dreams of fame and fortune, but shows a dedication to the local culture in all of its current and historical demonstrations.
If you’re traveling to Singapore, then you may already have set your sights on one of the main attractions of that city-state, the island of Sentosa. In Maylay, Sentosa means peace and tranquility, so perhaps it’s appropriate that this resort, which an annual visitor population of five million, is home to so many popular attractions. It features a two kilometer long beach, golf couses and five star hotels, as well as a new theme park: Universal Studios Singapore.
Sentosa gained its name in the early 1970s when the island was developed as a tourist and resort destination. Over the years a number of attractions have arisen there. In 1974, a Singapore Cable Car connected Sentosa to Mount Faber and attractions such as Underwater World, the Musical Fountain, a wax museum, and Fort Siloso were established, but it was not until 1992 that a bridge opened to link Sentosa with the mainland. Earlier, a Sentosa monorail began running in 1982 to take travelers to stations all over the island. In 2005, the monorail service was halted, in order to provide room for a new Sentosa Express, which began running in January, 2007, just two years ago.
If you come to the island, here’s what you might find after checking in to one of the Singapore Sentosa hotels: The Tiger Sky Tower, a observation tower, standing about 350 feet tall, that allows for a great view of Singapore, Sentosa as well as the Southern Island. The Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, a garden containing more than fifty species and fifteen thousand plus living butterflies; the insect kingdom contains rare insects all over the globe — about three thousand species of them. Dolphin Lagoon and Underwater World. This is a museum with more than two thousand five hundred fresh-water and marine creatures, representing two hundred and fifty species from all over the planet. The dolphin lagoon allows visitors to meet and swim with humpback dolphins. Songs of the Sea. Sentosa purchased this state-of-the-art entertainment to replace the 25-year-old Musical Fountain show. It’s actually set in the ocean, with displays of pyrotechnics, and a live cast, with an audience capacity of two thousand five hundred.
Indianapolis, Indiana, the largest city in this state and it is also the capital. It is the second most populated state capital, behind first ranking Phoenix, Arizona and is the 14th largest city in the United States. Tourism, manufacturing and sports are huge contributors to this mid western city’s economic foundation. Major roads lead into and out of the city in all directions, connecting it to Chicago, Louisville, Cincinnati, Columbus, Detroit, Cleveland and St Louis. This hub of activity has earned Indianapolis the nickname The Crossroads of America.
If your vacation destination is Indianapolis, you will not be disappointed. It doesn’t matter if you are young or old, wild and energetic or calm and sedate, you will find plenty to entice you. Pay your respects at the Indianapolis World Wars Memorial Plaza, the Crown Hill Cemetery and tour the museums and monuments. You will definitely want to attend the Annual Indy Jazz Fest hosted by the city. In the past, legendary entertainers such as BB King, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and The Temptations, just to name a few, have performed here. Indianapolis is also the International Headquarters for the Drum Corp International group. For the numerous racing enthusiasts that visit the city, there is the famous Indianapolis 500. The nightlife can be just as loud and exhilarating as the race. The music and dancing is exhilarating and entertaining. You can shop, attend other sporting events, the theatre, arts and crafts festivals. Watch Peyton Manning as he leads the Indianapolis Colts to yet another victory.
And of course while you are here, you will want to stay at one of the Indianapolis luxury hotels This will certainly set the mood for your entire vacation as you allow the friendly staff to attend to your needs, providing you with comfort and relaxation. Partake of the many amenities found here, pamper yourself, dine in the finest restaurants. Don’t be fooled by Midwestern. It’s happening in Indianapolis. Be there for it.
Table Mountain is still under the clouds, so that day trip is out of the question. I then decided to go to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. It’s located at the foot of Table Mountain and is considered the smallest and the densest of the floral kingdoms. The Dutch, uprooted most of the indigenous plants to plant their own, but the Fynbos (indigenous plant) survived only in Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden.
It took me over an hour to hike the garden, the greenery and the flowers, even though it’s not flower season. The garden has a spectacular view of Table Mountain, is seems so inviting and so serene. Too bad it’s enveloped in clouds today. While exiting the garden, I saw a section of ‘Endangered Plants’. The Protea was on the list and this plant is South Africa’s national symbol.
That’s so telling, don’t you think? What we humans beings do in our normal every day lives has a devastating impact on nature. Standing among the endangered plants, and a few that are extinct, except for that small corner of the park, was like being in a world lost. A world future generations will most likely not be able to experience.
But, what got me out of my slump was seeing a 70 plus grandmother hike in the garden, she was more agile than I was and her countenance was radiant.
From Kirstenbosch, I went to the World of Birds. It’s the largest bird sanctuary in South Africa, carrying over 3500 bird species and it was built by an individual without government support. That too brought me out of my endangered slump as well. It’s amazing what an individual can do. The sanctuary itself was somewhat scary, with all the predatory birds that weren’t caged.
It was time for dinner by the time I explored the bird sanctuary, so I headed back to my room at one of the boutique hotels South Africa offers and freshen up a bit to go out clubbing tonight. Maybe since my cloud was lifted today, there will be no clouds tomorrow on Table Mountain.
New York City Provokes Fantasy of New Years Eve in Times Square
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November 17th, 2009 >> Travel
Did someone say New York City? The Big Apple? Right on! What will you find here? Everything. What can you see here? Everything. What can you do here? Everything. Did I mention everything? And what’s really neat about planning a vacation to New York, it works for everyone! It doesn’t matter what your age is, whether you have children, single or married. It all works and works well. This is one of the most exciting cities in the world. There are so many historic and meaningful landmarks to visit and study, marvel at the creation of them. How can the Statue of Liberty and what she stands for not move you? And almost everyone enjoys the splendor of the Central Park.
Something so simple as walking down the street, surrounded by a multitude of scurrying people, all with purpose as they go about their daily lives. Don’t you wonder what those lives are? The traffic packed on the streets between the massive towering buildings that line both sides of the streets. Even the incessant honking and angry fist shaking can be exciting for the visitor. This is all what makes New York New York. The restaurants are elegant and glamorous, as are the patrons. And the food is absolutely divine. Out on the street, the little hot dog vendor also serves a purpose and his customers just as meaningful. We all have a reason.
And of course you will need a place to stay while visiting this fascinating city. The top New York City hotels offer the utmost in pleasure and comfort. The buildings are amazing, the décor splendid, the staff well trained and courteous, the amenities top notch. Are you considering Christmas in Manhattan? Or would you like to experience New Year’s Eve at Time’s Square? Does it get any better than that? Make this dream a reality and treasure the time spent here.
When you’re looking for a fantastic city to get lost in, Kuala Lumpur has some splendid qualities that should appeal to just about everyone. There are magnificent attractions for all ages here, with beautiful and bold feats of architectural genius, stunning festivals that celebrate the history and diversity of the place, and some amazing shopping malls. There is also an incredible night life here, with cutting edge performance, live music, and great clubs that will carry you into the dawn. It’s also a spectacular place to go to take it easy, and get used to another pace of living. There are many attractive things for tourists in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Hotel accommodations are especially deft at offering hospitality and comfort, featuring state of the art technologies and old world design.
The sense of design here is very keen, with a specialization in blending cultural and historical forms and tendencies to make something that is uniquely Malaysia. There are a number of young artists here who are making work based on this aesthetic of blending, and one band whose catchy tunes are worth catching live is Dian Bang. This group started out as a trio, and now has four members, Vanes Ching, Lee Yi Jiun, Fung, and Jasmine.
They call themselves a laptop band, and technology is a central part of what they do. They also play extremely lively pop tunes, which have a wonderfully ironic undertone, but are driven by electronic rhythms that are rather liberating. Inspired by the likes of Kitaro, the Chemical Brothers, Frank Zappa, and Portishead, there is a spectacular sense that the light and fluffy air to the songs might suddenly give way to something else. And it does. The songs reveal a depth and intensity that speaks to the technology in a way that makes a fascinating tension. Part of the pleasure is watching them figure out what technology can do, and realizing that no one, the band or the spectators, can predict where it’s going.
Before starting my Vipassana meditation at an Ashram, I stay one night at one of the five star hotels in Hyderabad. I knew that the meditation course in Vipassana would be grueling, so I wanted one night of comfort. I’ve done the course many times, but I know each time my reactions will be different. My very first 10-day meditation course, I wanted to run away on my second day, but I’m so glad I stuck it out. Vipassana changed my life, for the better.
This time around, on the sixth day of meditation, this huge festival in India erupted. I mean erupted! I thought back in the U.S. that we knew how to celebrate on the 4th of July and on New Years Eve, but this fireworks display puts us to shame. I was in the midst of a Vipassana meditation session, and the world around the Ashram exploded continually for 4 hours. A stream of intense explosions. Unfortunately, I was not able to see any of the celebration, but I definitely could hear it. It sounded like they were right outside the walls. At first, I was frightened, because I didn’t know if it was a celebration or a war. These thoughts interrupted my meditation, because I lost focus on my body and breath. I was thinking all kinds of thoughts, like what if Pakistan finally went crazy-ass and attacked India. I was thinking how on earth can I make it to the U.S. Embassy. I opened my eyes, which no matter what, you’re not supposed to do. But, I’m glad I did, because all of the other Vipassana mediators were sitting like perfect Buddhas on their cushions. So, I figured if they weren’t worried, I won’t worry. I went back to my practice.
Of course, after the 10-day Vipassana session, I found out about the celebration. The amazing insight I got from this celebrations is just how my mind will throw up all kinds of thoughts and conjectures about something it doesn’t know, and just how much I went along with each and every thought. True insight, this loud celebration helped me understand the true nature of mind, that it’s all illusions, thoughts are what they are thoughts, not to be taken seriously, not matter what the thought. Just watch it arise and pass, arise and pass.
New Orleans, Louisiana is a unique American city with an interesting and sometimes legendary history. It has also had a prominent place in the nation’s heart and is a major destination for many of the country’s residents. The city has a strong reputation for its music scene and clubs and is famous for its annual celebration Mardi Gras. Attending a season of Mardi Gras has almost become a ritualized point of passage for many people and communities and there is even a Mardi Gras culture that surrounds the New Orleans celebration. Some people feel an definite need to experience the wonders of Mardi Gras once in their life, while others return every year and even incorporate it into their lifestyle.
While the participants eagerly celebrate it with an a reckless abandon, not all of them understand its overall historic and cultural significance. Nor is this necessary for fully enjoying oneself and others or the numerous activities and parades associated with it. However, the history and cultural significance of this major event is definitely interesting to many of the guests who flock to the city and stay in one of the luxury hotels New Orleans.
The name itself comes from the French phrase that is literally translated as Fat Tuesday. This is actually in reference to widely celebrated holiday commonly known as Shrove Tuesday. It is part of the seasonal Carnival celebrations that occur before and officially end on Ash Wednesday. Carnival itself usually extends longer, or rather starts earlier and represents a time of indulgence and social structure freedom and is celebrated by large amounts of revelry and food and alcohol consumption. This is recognized as an important lead up to the impending fast associated with Lent. Carnival has been celebrated for centuries throughout many parts of Europe and other countries in the world.