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Entropical Paradise Short Attention-Span Theater Treat Inventory 2005 My son's biggest Halloween wish as he drifted off to sleep tonight: "I wish that I could get a box of Junior Mints as big as this bed." He also said that he had first thought a box as big as the house would be good, but "that might make me sick." Good that he has a sense of scale.On the candy front there was some discussion of favorite candy bars. My mother pines for Butterfingers, while my mother-in-law waxes rhapsodic for Almond Joy. My wife felt a void in her life because she no longer has a favorite candy bar.It used to be that she craved Sweet Tarts. That was a constant during her pregnancy. There are those that theorize that is how we created a son with such a sweet but periodically acerbic character - our little sour patch kid.Father and son agree on the importance of chocolate. He spent some time this evening after trick-or-treating, sorting: milk chocolate, Snickers, Tootsie Rolls and Pops, mints, and "other." The "other" pile contained all the scary taffy and hard candies that could not trace their lineage back to some form of chocolate. His biggest quandary? Chocolate Laffy Taffy.The big prize of the night was the full size Hershey bar. The kind that you can break apart into bite size rectangles - or even to use in a s'more (if you were forced to go camping and mingle your Hershey bar with marshmallow and graham cracker). I suggested that this lady was essentially handing out twenty dollar bills. If word got out, there would be a line out into the street.Finally, a word about this "Fun Size" nonsense. I do not know of any good reason to believe that a candy bar as big as your thumb is "Fun." Excessive packaging, yes - fun, no. The vision of a box of Junior Mints as big as your bed? Now that's Fun. David Caven The other day I got a phone call from my friend in New York. He asked if I could guess what his Halloween costume was going to be. I tried to come up with something clever and timely, "A Federal Indictment?" Nope. "What do I do every year?"Then I remembered: Evil Clown. You have to love a guy who knows a classic and sticks with it. He's now in his second decade of the Evil Clown bit - and this year was really special. Big tie, big shoes, funny hat, and white contact lenses to make the whole thing - well - evil.That being said, I reflected on a conversation we had lo those many moons ago, when the first Evil Clown appeared. We were both on our way to becoming chemically unfit to operate machinery of any kind, but before everything became too squishy, we agreed on this: People tend to have just a little bit of their character peek through their Halloween costumes. Sometimes it's a known thing, like an Evil Clown. Then there's the other end. Couples who show up to the party dressed "as each other." I can appreciate the easy access to costume. I can understand that it can be very cathartic to do a little role-playing in any relationship. Still - what are we saying with that one?On the other end of the spectrum is the guy who came as a fireman - complete with oxygen tank and ax. Maybe he always wanted to be fireman when he was a kid, right? Well, he was a fireman. Talk about your incredibly grounded personalities.My costumes tend to lean in the villainous/monstrous vein. Masks are a source of comfort for me, and have been since I bought my first Frankenstein mask in Disneyland when I was ten years old. Make of this what you will - I already have.This year my son will be Darth Vader. My wife is Princess Leia. I considered joining in on the theme, but chose instead to go with the DEVO radiation suit and the newly acquired Energy Dome. I'm in touch with my new wave side, after all. I Am Your Clock Here comes more darkness. Prepare to fall back. All of us early risers will appreciate the extra hour to get the planet warmed up for us before heading out into the fog, but I'm not sure everyone wins with daylight savings time. Sure, there's the initial thrill of getting that extra hour of sleep - but I can't for the life of me remember the last time that meant that I actually slept an extra hour. I just woke up, looked at the clock, and thought "Hey, I could still be asleep."When I used to work late-night at Arby's, there was always a lot of discussion around daylight savings time. Did that mean that we got to close an hour later, or were we supposed to wait until we were closed to move the clocks back? Six months later we wondered if we were supposed to stay open past the clock switch. It was all fairly arbitrary, since no matter when we locked the doors, there would always be one hungry drunk boy pounding on the glass, demanding his Beef'n'Cheddar.Along similar lines, a bill to extend daylight savings time to Halloween is proposed in almost every session of Congress, with the purpose of providing trick-or-treaters more light and therefore more safety from traffic accidents. Children’s pedestrian deaths are four times higher on Halloween than on any other night of the year. Also, for decades, candy manufacturers have lobbied for a Daylight Saving Time extension to Halloween, as many of the young trick-or-treaters gathering candy are not allowed out after dark, and thus an added hour of light could mean a big holiday treat for the candy industry. More daylight, more Reese's Peanut Butter Cups - pretty simple equation.Tomorrow morning I'll be doing myusuall bleary walk through the house, resetting clocks. I will probably forget one - I always do (the microwave or the thermostat). We will continue this aimless adherence to Standard Time until we all Spring Back. In the end, I guess it's all about resilience, isn't it? An Idea by Any Other Name Sylvester Stallone is bringing Rambo back to the big screen. This comes hot on the heels of the deal he made to write and direct "Rocky VI." Raise your hands if you paid money to sit in a movie theater for "Rambo III." Okay, now how about a show of hands for "Rocky V?"That's pretty much what I thought. Here's the problem: There are no more ideas. All the stories have been written. All the films have been made. There is not one single original thought left on the planet. The Law of Conservation of Energy basically states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can change its form. The Law of Conservation of Mass basically states that mass cannot be created or destroyed, but can change its form. The Law of Conservation of Ideas states that ideas cannot be created or destroyed, but can change form. That's what remakes are. That's what sequels are: Conservation of Ideas.I was never more impressed by this than when it was suggested to me that my son's "Star Wars" experience is comprised of Episodes I, II and III. He has a great appreciation for the "later episodes" - but those are DVDs. His big screen trilogy is the story of Darth Vader, not Luke Skywalker.I don't blame VH-1 for all those "I Love the (Whatever Decade)" shows. They are merely operating within the principal of Conservation of Ideas. Remember Pet Rocks? Remember Whizzers? Remember The Jackson Five cartoon? All of these ideas exist in a firmament that is kept alive by the memories and limited imaginations of the entertainment industry. How else could one explain the need for a live-action version of the Fat Albert cartoons? Hey-buh guys-buh, that's-buh pretty-buh lame-buh.Still there is great comfort to be found in the familiar. Remember what they did when Bob Dylan first plugged in his guitar (you can relive it all on DVD)? We want to be entertained, but we don't much care for being challenged. Ethiopian food is great, but a cheeseburger is a sure thing.Getting back to Sly, I've got this suggestion: computer graphics allow us to seamlessly integrate characters from one era with another. There is no reason why Rocky Balboa couldn't meet up with his monosyllabic doppleganger, John Rambo, to rid the world of the terrorist threat of radical Islamic boxing promoters - the ultimate buddy/action/feel good film of the year. As Sly himself might say, "Ahbsolootlee." Hand-Wringing The thud you are about to hear is my mother laughing so hard that she fell off her chair while reading this. (Wait for it)This afternoon my son walked home from school all by himself. Well, he walked with a friend who lives up the street, but he did this without the omnipresent parental supervision. They even stopped at 7-11 to get a Slurpee. I heard about this after the fact, and I must confess that I had mixed emotions.*Thud*Mixed emotions? He's eight years old, after all. I went through a list of all the things that I had done and all the places I had been by the time I was in third grade. I remembered riding my bike to Ben Franklin's - the local five and dime store - with the neighborhood gang. I recalled similar raids on the area's 7-11s, for the purposes of acquiring Odd Rods and Wacky Packages by the case.Truth is, it couldn't be a straighter shot from the school to our front door, and it's all downhill. He's been making the trip for four years now without incident. He even called before he left the school to see if it was okay to stop and get a Slurpee on the way home. Isn't this kid ready? Why should I worry?The apocryphal tale of my wandering in my youth goes back to the mountain cabin where I spent many summers. When I was still very young, my mother admonished me for wandering away because, she said, "You're not familiar with the territory." I considered this a moment and told her that "I was getting familiar with the territory."That's what happened today. My son was getting familiar with the territory. Vaya con Dios. Rest and Live in Peace Near the top of the hill next to the school where I teach a small shrine appeared two years ago. Attached to the chain link fence was a sign made with poster board and magic markers that read: "RIP Thomas." There were lots of other messages scrawled with various writing implements and with varying degrees of legibility. There were a bunch of empty forty ounce cans and a few smashed bottles of Remy-Martin scattered among a sea of burned out candles on the sidewalk. After a few weeks the wind, weather and neighbors disappeared the altar. Thomas' memory was kept in hearts, not by the street. I didn't have to ask around much at my school to find out about Thomas. There were varying reports about just how much or how bad or how innocent or corrupt he was - but everyone agreed that seventeen was far too young to be shot and killed.The Thomas shrine has reappeared twice since, to commemorated his birthday. This past week the sign read: "Why'd ya hafta go and die?" Something about merging young men with high-caliber ammunition would be the first explanation that comes to my mind. There weren't as many candles or bottles this year, but the mylar balloons hung over the fence for a good long time before they were cut down. Thomas was loved.This week I learned that the sister of one of my students just had a baby. My fourth grade sister is now the aunt to her sixteen year old sister's child. Nine years ago, I was her sister's teacher. I remember how she ran out of her classroom on the first day of standardized testing. I have every hope that her coping skills have improved substantially since then. Parenthood is regularly as challenging as most standardized tests. Still, I couldn't help but marvel at the cycle of life in that neighborhood. Seventeen year olds fighting and dying while sixteen year olds are giving birth to another generation. And so it goes.

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Detroit/Downtown Wayne County : Detroit : Downtown See Historic neighborhoods Parks and monuments Architecture Buildings Eat Greektown Downtown Detroit is the central business district of Detroit, bordered by the Lodge Freeway to the west, the Fisher Freeway to the north, Interstate 375 to the east, and the Detroit River to the south. The area contains most of the prominent skyscrapers in Detroit, the nation's second largest theatre district, several parks, many of which are linked by the Detroit International Riverfront, three casinos, and much more that is sure to make your visit a unique and memorable one. Brush Street in downtown Detroit Anyone who visits downtown Detroit will be pleasantly surprised to see one of America's best preserved collection of late nineteenth and early twentieth century buildings standing beside the contemporary. Casino resorts add an air of excitement to the entertainment hub of the region. The International Riverfront is teaming with activity. Restaurant clusters emanate from Greektown, the Renaissance Center, and downtown stadiums. Downtown, with its revitalized riverfront area, has evolved into a popular place to reside with many new high rise lofts and restored historic homes. In the past decade, the area and the entire city has seen many historic buildings renovated, many parks open, and much more. The most popular way of getting to Detroit is by car. The area has many parking garages and is easy to access from the freeways, parking prices aren't bad. If coming from the south: take I-75 North toward Detroit and exit at Exit 49 to M-10. Exit on the left toward M-10/Lodge Freeway/Civic Center. Take the M-10 South exit toward the Civic Center and then merge onto the Lodge Freeway/M-10 South. The Lodge Freeway/M-10 becomes Jefferson Avenue. Finally, turn left onto Woodward Avenue, and you will be in Downtown. If coming from the west: take I-96 East and take the I-75 North/M-10 exit on the left toward Flint/Civic Center. Continue to the M-10/Lodge Freeway exit toward Rosa Parks Boulevard/Civic Center and then exit on the left toward M-10/Lodge Freeway/Civic Center. Take the M-10 South exit toward the Civic Center and then merge onto John C Lodge Fwy/M-10 South. The Lodge Freeway/M-10 becomes Jefferson Avenue. Finally, turn left onto Woodward Avenue, and you will be in Downtown. If coming from the north: take I-75 South and continue onto I-375 South/Chrysler Fwy via Exit 51C on the left toward the Civic Center. Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue. E and turn right onto Woodward Avenue, and you will be in Downtown. If coming from the east: take I-94 West and merge onto I-75 South/Chrysler Freeway via Exit 261A toward Toledo. Continue onto I-375 South/Chrysler Freeway via Exit 51C on the left toward the Civic Center. Turn left onto Jefferson Ave. E and turn right onto Woodward Avenue, and you will be in Downtown. Detroit has two bus systems and a Downtown People Mover. The Rosa Parks Transit Center is the central hub of the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT). Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transit (SMART) buses also serve the transit center. Look up bus times at transit.google.com After arriving at the transit center, hop on the people mover by walking either south to the Michigan Ave Station or north to the Times Square Station. The people mover is the easiest way of getting around Downtown. The first segment of a light-rail system is planned for Woodward Ave. Downtown stations have not yet been configured, but they should soon be announced. Construction may begin as early as this summer (2010). The Renaissance Center from the Detroit International Riverfront Renaissance Center, Jefferson Ave (btwn Brush St and Beaubien), ☎ +1 313 567-3126, [1]. This group of seven interconnected skyscrapers contains the tallest building in Michigan and is considered a symbol of Detroit. The entire complex is owned by General Motors as its headquarters. The central tower, called the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, was built as the tallest hotel in the world, rising 73 stories at 727 feet, but taller hotels have been constructed in recent years in cities such as Dubai, so it has to settle for the title as tallest all-hotel skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. It also features the world's largest rooftop restaurant, Coach Insignia. Free tours of the complex are offered Monday thru Saturday at 10 am, noon, 2 pm, and 4 pm. Highlights of the tour include: the GM Wintergraden, a tropical atrium overlooking the Detroit River; GMnext Showroom, a display of classic and concept cars; "Borealis" Glass Sculpture, the tallest vertical glass sculpture in the world; Riverfront Plaza and Promenade; and a glass elevator ride to the 72nd floor, which offers great views that extend 30 miles (48 km) in all directions. The Renaissance Center also has its own station on the People Mover, located in Tower 200 on level 2. edit Old Mariners' Church, 170 E Jefferson Ave, ☎ +1 313 259-2206, [2]. The Old Mariners' Church is an Anglican church completed in 1859. Established to serve mariners (hence the name), the church holds a Blessing of the Fleet every March for those going out to sea, and a Great Lakes Memorial Service for those who have lost their lives at sea every November. The nearest People Mover Station to the church is the Financial District Station, located on Larned, between Shelby and Griswold Street. edit Historic neighborhoods[edit] Greektown, along Monroe Ave between Brush and St. Antoine Sts, [3]. This historic neighborhood is dominated by Greek restaurants. Some buildings on Monroe Street resemble the Parthenon, Pegasus, and other forms of Ancient Greek architecture. Greek music is also played on Monroe Street throughout the day. One of Detroit's three casino's, Greektown Casino, is located in the neighborhood and has a station on the People Mover on level 3. edit Bricktown, btwn Greektown and the Renaissance Center. Bricktown is an historic district that is home to St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, the oldest standing church in Detroit, and the Italian Renaissance style Wayne County Building. The neighborhood also has its own station on the People Mover on Beaubien Street, north of Congress Street. edit Broadway Avenue, along Broadway Ave btwn Gratiot and E Grand River. This neighborhood is located on a single block of Broadway Avenue and consists of eleven commercial buildings built between 1896 and 1926. The architectural terra cotta used on the buildings gives the neighborhood a distinct look. The Broadway People Mover Station, which is the nearest station, is located at the corner of Broadway and John R. Road. edit Capitol Park, bounded by Shelby, Griswold, and State Sts, [4]. This park and seventeen surrounding buildings are included in the Capitol Park Historic District. Some of the more famous ones are the Art Deco-style David Stott Building, and the Modern Movement-style Griswold Building. The nearest People Mover station to this historic place is the Times Square Station, located on Grand River, between Cass and Washington Boulevard. edit Buildings on Washington Boulevard, including the Book Tower which is the tallest among them Washington Boulevard, bounded by Washington Blvd between State and Clifford Sts. This neighborhood is a multi-block area on which some of Detroit's most architecturally significant buildings are situated. It includes the Book-Cadillac Hotel, the Book Tower, the Industrial-Stevens Apartments, and Washington Square among other buildings. The Times Square Station on the People Mover is located right in this historic district, at Grand River Avenue, between Cass and Washington Boulevards. edit Parks and monuments[edit] Campus Martius Park, Woodward and Michigan Aves, ☎ +1 313 962-0101, [5]. M-Th 7AM-10PM, F 7AM-midnight, Sa 9AM-midnight, Su 9AM-8PM. Campus Martius is the main park of Detroit. Hart Plaza, located on the Riverfront, was made to replace Campus Martius, but Hart Plaza is hard-surfaced, so Campus Martius was re-established. The new Campus Martius Park includes two stages, sculptures, public spaces and a seasonal ice skating rink. Cadillac Square Park, located immediately to the east of Campus Martius, was recently made to increase the amount of park space. Several skyscrapers surround Campus Martius Park. The more popular of these include: Compuware World Headquarters, which is home to a beautiful lobby and several shops and stores; Cadillac Tower, which will be connected to the under-construction Cadillac Centre, which will be built in a similar architectural style as the Guggenheim Museums; and 1001 Woodward, which is the only building in Detroit in the Chicago-style architecture. The park is also home to a few historic monuments, such as Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, which is a Civil War monument first unveiled in 1872, and Bagley Memorial Fountain, which is a monument to 16th governor of Michigan, John J. Bagley, who's will contained $5,000 for the construction of a drinking fountain for the people of Detroit, to have "water cold and pure as the coldest mountain stream." The nearest People Mover station to Campus Martius Park is the Cadillac Center station, located at Gratiot Avenue and Library Street. Free. edit

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Bavaria : Upper Bavaria : Munich Revision as of 08:26, 24 July 2012 by Munich Greeter (Talk | contribs) People and Language Get in [+] Munich International Airport Terminal 1 Munich Airport Center Get in and out Memmingen Airport Get around By public transportation By car Parking See Royal Avenues and Squares Palaces and Castles Buildings and Landmarks Theater, Opera, and Music Buy Markets Seasonal and Flea Markets Drink Beer gardens and beer halls Beer gardens in the suburbs Clubs and Discos Other Munich bars/clubs Munich is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings — have a look at each of them. The Frauenkirche in the Munich city center. Munich (German: München) [1] is the capital city of Bavaria. Within the city limits, Munich has a population of more than 1.3 million, making it the third most populous city in Germany. Greater Munich including its suburbs has a population of 2.6 million. The Munich metropolitan region which extends to cities like Augsburg or Ingolstadt had a population of more than 5.6 million in 2008. Munich, located at the river Isar in the south of Bavaria, is famous for its beautiful architecture, fine culture, and the annual Oktoberfest beer celebration. Munich's cultural scene is second to none in Germany, with the museums even considered by some to outrank Berlin in quality. Many travelers to Munich are absolutely stunned by the quality of the architecture. Although it was heavily damaged by allied bombing during World War II, many of its historic buildings have been rebuilt and the city center appears mostly as it did in the late 1800s including its largest church, the Frauenkirche, and the famous city hall (Neues Rathaus). Munich is also a major international center of business, engineering and research exemplified by the presence of two research universities, several multinational companies and worldclass technology and science museums like the Deutsches Museum, BMW Museum and Siemens Forum. Munich new City Hall City Center (Marienplatz/Isartor/Karlsplatz/Odeonsplatz)- The city center is made up largely of the Karlsplatz (also known as "Stachus" by the locals), the pedestrian shopping zone that leads down to Marienplatz square and the surounding area, which are the main tourist hangouts. The city center is usually defined as the area within the old walled city, now most distinctly recognizable by the traffic loop known as the Altstadtring, although there are many portions of the historical walls still visible. Most notable are of course the old city gates at Stachus, Isartor and Sendlingertor (all located at U-Bahn/S-Bahn stations). This is where the upscale shopping area around Maximilianstrasse and numerous tourist attractions are located including the new city hall (Neues Rathaus) with the world famous Glockenspiel, the old city hall, the Feldherrenhalle, Residenz (former residence of the Bavarian kings) and the world's most famous beer hall, the Hofbräuhaus. Several historic churches such as the Frauenkirche, Asamkirche, Peterskirche and Theatinerkirche are also located in the city center and can be toured. North of the city is the Englischer Garten, a huge park where you can relax in one of multiple beer gardens or watch surfers ride a permanent wave at a creek at the park's southern end. Schwabing/Maxvorstadt (University area) - Schwabing (as well as the neighboring Maxvorstadt) is the upscale academic district just west of the Englischer Garten. Its trendy but charming neighborhood immediately beyond the Ludwig-Maximilian Universität (try blue/orange metro stops Universität or Münchener Freiheit) is filled with small coffee houses, expensive but impressive shoe stores, bookstores and specialty restaurants from around the world. Schwabing has always been an "in" place to live, and looking at the shady tree-lined streets, it's not difficult to imagine why. Leopoldstraße (get out at Universität or Münchner Freiheit) offers extensive sidewalk cafes, bars and restaurants. This is also were several of Munich's best art museums and galleries are located. Olympic area/Olympia Einkaufzentrum - Built on Munich's former airport Oberwiesenfeld, this is the area of the 1972 Olympic Games. If you climb on the hills heaped up from the debris of the Second World War, you'll have a great overview of the site, especially worthwhile if there is a concert in the Olympic Stadium. The Olympic site itself is extremely beautiful and the ride to the top of the Olympic Tower is unmissable as it gives magnificent views of the city. Just a short stroll from the park are the BMW museum inside a futuristic building and the BMW headquarters, which mimics the shape of four cylinder heads. Maximilianeum - state parliament Bavaria Haidhausen - The district around the Ostbahnhof (Eastern Station) is well-known for its clubbing area, Kultfabrik (formerly known as Kunstpark Ost, most locals will be familiar with the old name), where you can party in more than 30 clubs and discos. Also check out the many bars and restaurants in the Optimolwerke right next door. There are also several quaint sidestreets in this quarter featuring small houses virtually unchanged in several hundreds of years especially in the beautiful French Quarter around Orleansplatz. Isarvorstadt - The centrepiece of this quarter is the eponymous Gärtnerplatz, a landscaped urban square arranged as a roundabout. The square is home to cafés, bars and the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz, one of Munich's prime theatre locations. Bordering southwest to Gärtnerplatzviertel is the Glockenbachviertel, which is the most vibrant part of Isarvorstadt, with bars, restaurants and nightclubs straddling Blumenstraße, Müllerstraße, Hans-Sachs-Straße and Klenzestraße. The Glockenbachviertel and the Gärtnerplatzviertel are also the focal point of Munich's gay culture, with gay bars and clubs located primarily along Müllerstraße. Munich Nymphenburg park Neuhausen & Nymphenburg - One of the more relaxing districts, where the atmosphere causes residents and visitors alike to forget they are in a city of over a million. Take any tram with the end stop Romanplatz, for example the 12, and get out there, or get out at Rotkreuzplatz and relax in a beer garden or enjoy some ice cream or a bite to eat at one of the many nearby restaurants. Both of these neighborhoods are virtually undiscovered by tourists even though Neuhausen is home to a popular night club and the world's largest beer garden. What's more astounding is that, while millions of tourists flock to Munich in the summer months and September and October for Oktoberfest, few find their way to the tranquil Schloss Nymphenburg gardens. Thalkirchen - This district around the banks of the river Isar is a recreational area for many residents of Munich. The zoo Hellabrunn is located here and in warm summer nights many bonfires are lit on the Flaucher, sand banks of the Isar. "You do not even go somewhere else, I tell you there's nothing like Munich. Everything else is a waste of time in Germany" — Ernest Hemingway The year 1158 is the earliest date the city is mentioned in a document signed in Augsburg. By that time Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, had built a bridge over the river Isar next to a settlement of Benedictine monks. Almost two decades later in 1175 Munich was officially granted city status and received fortification. In 1180, with the trial of Henry the Lion, Otto I Wittelsbach became Duke of Bavaria and Munich was handed over to the Bishop of Freising. The Wittelsbach dynasty, would rule Bavaria until 1918. In 1255, when the Duchy of Bavaria was split in two, Munich became the ducal residence of Upper Bavaria. In the late 15th century Munich underwent a revival of gothic arts—the Old Town Hall was enlarged, and a Munich's largest gothic church, now a cathedral—the Frauenkirche—constructed in only twenty years, starting in 1468. When Bavaria was reunited in 1506, Munich became its capital. The arts and politics became increasingly influenced by the court and Munich was a center of the German counter reformation as well as of renaissance arts. The Catholic League was founded in Munich in 1609. During the Thirty Years' War Munich became electoral residence, but in 1632 the city was occupied by Swedish king Gustav II Adolph. When the bubonic plague broke out in 1634 and 1635 about one third of the population died. Under the regency of the Bavarian electors Munich was an important center of baroque life. In 1806, the city became the capital of the new Kingdom of Bavaria, with the state's parliament and the new archdiocese of Munich and Freising being located in the city. Twenty years later Landshut University was moved to Munich. Many of the city's finest buildings belong to this period and were built under the first three Bavarian kings. These years were marked by tremendous artistic and cultural activity in Munich. After World War I, the city was at the center of much political unrest. In November 1918 on the eve of revolution, the royal family fled the city. After the murder of the first republican premier of Bavaria in February 1919, the Bavarian Soviet Republic was proclaimed, but it was put down on 3 May 1919 by conservative troops. While the republican government had been restored, Munich subsequently became a hotbed of extremist politics, among which Adolf Hitler and the National Socialism rose to prominence. In 1923 Hitler and his supporters, who were then concentrated in Munich, staged the Beer Hall Putsch, an attempt to overthrow the Weimar Republic and seize power. The revolt failed, resulting in Hitler's arrest and the temporary crippling of the Nazi Party, which was virtually unknown outside Munich. The city once again became a Nazi stronghold when the National Socialists took power in Germany in 1933. The National Socialist Workers Party created the first concentration camp at Dachau, 10 miles (16 km) north-west of the city. Because of its importance to the rise of National Socialism, Munich was referred to as the Hauptstadt der Bewegung ("Capital of the Movement"). Munich was also the base of the White Rose, a student resistance movement from June 1942 to February 1943. However, the core members including Hans and Sophie Scholl were arrested and executed following a distribution of leaflets in Munich University. The city was heavily damaged by allied bombing during World War II. After US occupation in 1945, Munich was completely rebuilt following a meticulous plan which preserved its pre-war street grid. In 1957 Munich's population passed the 1 million mark. Munich was the site of the 1972 Summer Olympics, during which Israeli athletes were assassinated by Palestinian terrorists in the Munich massacre. BMW headquarters Munich has the strongest economy of any German city and with the lowest unemployment rates of major German cities it is very prosperous. Seven out of the thirty companies listed in the German blue chip stock market index DAX are headquartered in Munich. This includes luxury car maker BMW, electrical engineering giant Siemens, chip producer Infineon, truck manufacturer MAN, industrial gas specialist Linde, the world's largest insurance company Allianz and the world's largest re-insurer Munich Re. The Munich region is also a center for aerospace, biotechnology, software and service industries. It is home to the aircraft engine manufacturer MTU Aero Engines, the aerospace and defense giant EADS (headquartered in both Munich and Paris), the injection molding machine manufacturer Krauss-Maffei, the camera and lighting manufacturer Arri, lighting giant Osram, as well as the German and/or European headquarters of many foreign companies like Precision Plus, McDonald’s, Microsoft and Intel. As the largest publishing city in Europe, Munich is home to Süddeutsche Zeitung, one of Germany's largest daily newspapers. Germany's largest public broadcasting network, ARD, its largest commercial network, Pro7-Sat1 Media AG, and the Burda publishing group are also located in and around Munich. Munich is a leading center for science and research with a long list of Nobel Prize laureates from Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen in 1901 to Theodor Hänsch in 2005. It hosts two world-class research universities (Ludwig Maximilian Universität and the Technische Universität München), several colleges and the headquarters as well as research facilities of both the Max-Planck-Society and the Fraunhofer-Society. The European Space Agency's Columbus Control Center, which is used to control the Columbus research laboratory of the International Space Station, is located at a large research facility of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) 20 kilometers outside of Munich in Oberpfaffenhofen. The people of Munich do not like their city to be associated only as a city of beer and the Oktoberfest. And indeed, the Bavarian Kings transformed Munich into a city of arts and science in the 19th century. Its outstanding position among other German cities may have faded a bit, due to Berlin becoming the German capital again in the 1990s, but Munich still remains Germany's number-one place for art, science and culture. Munich is internationally known for its collection of ancient, classic and modern art, which can be found in numerous museums throughout the city. Munich's most renowned museums are located in the Kunstareal in Maxvorstadt including the Alte Pinakothek (European paintings from the 13th to 18th century), the Neue Pinakothek (European paintings from classicism to art nouveau), the Pinakothek der Moderne (modern art), the Museum Brandhorst (modern art) and Glyptothek (ancient Greek and Roman sculptures). From the Gothic to the Baroque era, the fine arts were represented in Munich by artists like Erasmus Grasser, Jan Polack, Johann Baptist Straub, Ignaz Günther, Hans Krumpper, Ludwig von Schwanthaler, Cosmas Damian Asam, Egid Quirin Asam, Johann Baptist Zimmermann, Johann Michael Fischer and François de Cuvilliés. Munich had already become an important place for painters like Carl Rottmann, Lovis Corinth, Wilhelm von Kaulbach, Carl Spitzweg, Franz von Lenbach, Franz von Stuck and Wilhelm Leibl when Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider), a group of expressionist artists, was established in Munich in 1911. The city was home to the Blue Rider's painters Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky, Alexej von Jawlensky, Gabriele Münter, Franz Marc, August Macke and Alfred Kubin. Inside the Nationaltheater Munich was also home or host to many famous composers and musicians including Orlando di Lasso, W.A. Mozart, Carl Maria von Weber, Richard Wagner, Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss, Max Reger and Carl Orff. With the Munich Biennale founded by Hans Werner Henze, and the A*DEvantgarde festival, the city still contributes to modern music theatre. The Nationaltheater, where several of Richard Wagner's operas had their premieres under the patronage of king Ludwig II, is the home of the world famous Bavarian State Opera and the Bavarian State Orchestra. Next door the modern Residenz Theatre was erected in the building that had housed the Cuvilliés Theatre before World War II. Many operas were staged there, including the premiere of Mozart's "Idomeneo" in 1781. The Gärtnerplatz Theatre is a ballet and musical state theatre while another opera house the Prinzregententheater has become the home of the Bavarian Theatre Academy. The modern Gasteig center houses the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. The third orchestra in Munich with international importance is the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, which was named the 6th best orchestra in the world by The Gramophone magazine in 2008. Its primary concert venue is the Herkulesaal in the former city royal residence, the Residenz. Many pominent literates worked in Munich such as Paul Heyse, Max Halbe, Rainer Maria Rilke and Frank Wedekind. The period immediately before World War I saw economic and cultural prominence for the city. Munich, and especially its suburb of Schwabing, became the domicile of many artists and writers. Nobel laureate Thomas Mann, who also lived there, wrote ironically in his novella Gladius Dei about this period, "Munich shone". It remained a center of cultural life during the Weimar period with figures such as Lion Feuchtwanger, Bertolt Brecht and Oskar Maria Graf. The Bavaria Film Studios were founded in Geiselgasteig in 1919 by the film producer Peter Ostermayr. Alfred Hitchcock made his first film, The Pleasure Garden, in Geiselgasteig in 1925. The studios have been used by numerous famous directors, such as Max Ophüls (Lola Montez, 1954), Stanley Kubrick (Paths of Glory, 1957), John Huston (Freud: The Secret Passion, 1960), Robert Siodmak (L'Affaire Nina B, 1960), Billy Wilder (One, Two, Three, 1961), John Sturges (The Great Escape, 1963), Robert Wise (The Sound of Music, 1965), Mel Stuart (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, (1971), Bob Fosse (Cabaret, 1972), Ingmar Bergman (The Serpent's Egg, 1977), Robert Aldrich (Twilight's Last Gleaming, 1977), Wolfgang Petersen (Enemy Mine, 1985), Claude Chabrol and Wim Wenders. Other famous movies shot at the studios are Das Boot (1981), The Neverending Story (1984) and Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006). Beer garden inside the Englischer Garten Munich can be consistently found in the top tier of quality-of-life-rankings of world cities. Monocle magazine even named it the world's most livable city in 2010. When Germans are polled about where they would most like to live, Munich finds its way consistently at the top of the list. If you want to find out how Munich people are, try to get a walk with the Munich Greeter [2]. They will show you their personal Munich and tell you lots of storys about the city. Within proximity of the Alps, and some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe, it's not surprising that everyone wants to live in Munich. Add to its benefit the beautiful architecture, especially Baroque and Rococo, green countryside which starts a mere half hour away on the S-Bahn, a beautiful park called Englischer Garten, two of the best universities in Germany, a booming economy with global headquarters of many world-class companies, modern infrastructure and the greatest beer culture on the planet; could there be anything wrong with Munich? Well, there's a price to pay for living in a city where everyone else wants to be: Munich is the most expensive city in Germany. But all in all, its advantages make a visit more than worthwhile. Bavaria has been the longtime antipode of Berlin: While the protestant Prussian kings focused their energy and resources on building military strength, the catholic Witteslbacher were more interested in creating a center of arts and science following the examples of cities in Northern Italy. And even today, Bavaria takes a unique position among the German states with a strong emphasis on its independence, e.g. Bavaria calls itself Freistaat (free state) and has its own conservative party, the CSU, which strongly advocates Bavarian interests in Berlin. Bavaria's transition from an agricultural society to Germany's most successful high-tech state as well as the dominance of Bayern München in German football has further increased the pride of its residents in their state and its traditions and dialect (to a degree considered arrogance by some non-Bavarians). The residents of Munich, the capital of Bavaria, share a lot of characteristics with the rest of Bavaria and indeed it became popular again among older and younger people to wear traditional Bavarian clothing at least during the Oktoberfest. However, the influx of people from the rest of Germany and abroad has also led to some differences. While the rest of Bavaria is a stronghold of conservative Catholicism, Munich has been governed by a liberal coalition of Social-Democrats, Greens and the Rosa Liste (a gay rights party) and only 36,8 % of residents are members of the catholic church while 13,6 % are protestant, 0,3 % Jewish and 49,3 % are atheists, agnostics or members of other religions including Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. A stereotypical group strongly associated by many Germans with Munich is the Schwabing Schickeria, characterized by their obsession for social status, luxury brands, expensive restaurants and champagne. The Schickeria has been the subject of 1980s TV Shows Kir Royal and Monaco Franze as well as the movie Rossini – oder die mörderische Frage, wer mit wem schlief. Of course, not all people living in Munich belong to the Schickeria. In fact, most of the people are quite normal. The official language in Munich is, of course, German. With many Munich residents coming from other German regions or even abroad, "Standard German" dominates as spoken language in Munich. Nevertheless, some residents will speak with a more or less strong Bavarian dialect, which can deviate substantally from the German taught at schools. Munich attracts many international tourists and has a large community of non-German speaking professionals working in international companies, universities, research institutions or at the European Patentoffice. Hence, it is not surprising that English is widely spoken and understood throughout the city in restaurants, cafes, tourist attractions, shops as well as by ordinary citizens. The exception are Munich's city administration offices where non-English speaking Germans seem to have found a last refuge from globalization. Daily highs (°C) 1 2 9 14 18 21 23 23 20 13 7 2 Nightly lows (°C) -6 -5 -2 3 7 10 12 11 8 4 0 -2 Precipitation (mm) 48 45 58 70 93 128 132 110 86 65 71 61 Munich has a continental climate, strongly modified by the proximity of the Alps. The city's altitude and proximity to the northern edge of the Alps mean that precipitation is high. Rainstorms can come violently and unexpectedly. Winters last from December to March. Munich experiences cold winters, but heavy rainfall is rarely seen in the winter. The coldest month is January with an average temperature of −2°C (28 °F). Snow cover is seen for at least a couple of weeks during winter. Summers in Munich city are warm and pleasant with an average maximum of 23 °C (73 °F) in the hottest months. The summers last from May until September. An oddity of Munich is the Föhn, a warm downwind from the Alps can raise temperatures sharply within a few hours, even in winter. These winds are sometimes associated with illnesses ranging from migraines to psychosis. The first clinical review of these effects was published by the Austrian physician, Anton Czermak in the 19th century. Residents of Munich sometimes use the Föhn as an excuse for having a bad mood, which should not be taken too seriously. Munich International Airport Munich International Airport [3] (IATA: MUC; ICAO: EDDM) is the second busiest airport in Germany and the seventh in Europe handling 35 million passengers per year. Munich airport, which has been named for former Bavarian prime minister Franz Josef Strauß, is a major hub for Lufthansa [4] and its partner airlines. Munich International Airport is located outside of Munich close to the northeastern suburb Freising. Originally, the airport was closer to the city center in Riem. However, in 1992 it was moved to its current location to meet the demand for more capacity and more modern facilities. Due to the constantly increasing number of flights, the airport has continued to expand since then and now offers connections to most airports in Germany and Europe, as well as many intercontinental destinations. Intercontinental destinations include Abu Dhabi, Atlanta, Bangkok, Beijing, Boston, Cairo, Charlotte, Chicago, Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Jeddah, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Montréal, Mumbai, Muscat, New York, Newark, Osaka, Philadelphia, Riyadh, San Francisco, São Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Washington and many others. In 2011, Munich Airport has been named the winner of the "Best Airport in Europe" award for the third year in a row based on an worldwide survey of close to eight million passengers. Passengers also ranked Munich #4 in the global rankings behind three Asian hubs. All airlines, which are not members of Star Alliance, including the second largest German carrier Air Berlin [5] are based in Terminal 1. It is segmented into five modules A, B, C, D, E and F. Module F is used only for flights to Israel. The Terminal has multiple levels: The train station is on level 2; the passenger transport system, which connects the modules, on level 3; check-in counters, security checkpoints, arrival areas, customs and most restaurants are on level 4; level 5 is used by passengers with connecting flights. Terminal 2 hosts Lufthansa and its Star Alliance [6] partners, e.g. Air Canada, Air China, All Nippon Airways, Austrian Airlines, Egypt Air, SAS, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Swiss, Thai, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines and US Airways. It is also used by additional Lufthansa partners such as Qatar Airways, PrivatAir and some regional airlines. Terminal 2 consists of the central Plaza and Pier North and Pier South. Terminal 2 also has multiple levels: The arrival area and some check-in counters (e.g. United and Turkish) are on level 3; all other check-in counters, the security check-points and duty-free shops are on level 4; the visitor deck as well as restaurants and art exhibitions can be found on level 5. The Munich Aiport Center is a recreation- and service-center at the aiport located between terminals 1 and 2. It includes a shopping mall, restaurants, a medical center, the conference center municon and the MAC-Forum. The MAC-Forum is Europe's largest roofed outdoor-area, which is used for various events like a christmas fair and ice-skating in winter and a beach volleyball tournament in summer. Located next to the Munich Airport Center is the Kempinski Hotel Airport Munich [7]. The airport connects to central Munich by S-Bahn (suburban train) on the S1 and S8 line. The journey in 2012 costs €10 for a single ticket(or €11.00 for a day pass) or €19.80 for a partner ticket (valid for up to five people). Trains run every 5 to 20 minutes and take about 40 minutes to reach the central station. For more information see the get around section. A slightly cheaper option is to buy a Tageskarte Außenraum (daypass for the city's outskirts; single: 5,40€, partner: 9,80€) and then an additional single ticket (2,50€ per person) for the trip into the inner city. If traveling from the airport, the latter ticket only has to be validated in Feldmoching station, which means that y

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Citadelle de besançon Lionel TISSOT-BEZ Copyright: Lionel Tissot Bez Tags: citadelle de besançon Prague from a Balloon LEE HD Sancheoneo-Ice-Festival-4 Устье Тоймы Jean S Carriere Eduardo Hutter Le défi de l'ours polaire - The Polar Bear Plunge Затон Кама Willy Kaemena KLCC-2009 2nd Class Sleeping Car More About France The World : Europe : France France is affectionately referred to as "the Hexagon" for its overall shape.French history goes back to the Gauls, a Celtic tribe which inhabited the area circa 300BC until being conquered by Julius Caesar.The Franks were the first tribe to adopt Catholic Christianity after the Roman Empire collapsed. France became an independent location in the Treaty of Verdun in (843 AD), which divided up Charlemagne's Carolingian Empire into several portions.The French monarchy reached its zenith during the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King, who stood for seventy-two years as the Monarch of all Monarchs. His palace of Versailles and its Hall of Mirrors are a splendid treasure-trove of Baroque art.The French Revolution ended the rule of the monarchy with the motto "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity!" On July 14th, 1789 angry mobs stormed La Bastille prison and began the Revolution in which Louis XVI, his wife Marie-Antoinette and thousands of others met the guillotine.One decade after the revolution, Napolean Bonaparte seized control of the Republic and named himself Emperor. His armies conquered most of Europe and his Napoleonic Code became a lasting legal foundation for concepts of personal status and property.During the period of colonization France controlled the largest empire in the world, second only to Britain.France is one of the founding members of the European Union and the United Nations, as well as one of the nuclear armed nations of the world.Text by Steve Smith.

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Florida Icon: The Pink Flamingo by Barbara Nefer ators, swamps, beaches and palm trees all evoke images of Florida, but one icon stands neck and feathers above the rest: the pink flamingo. Ironically, even though wild flamingos are rare as a snowstorm in the Sunshine State today, they grace Florida souvenirs ranging from plush toys to wedding cake toppers. Some shops even offer edible �flamingo droppings� (nonpareil-sprinkled chocolates or chocolate coated sunflower seeds). It's possible, although not proven, that flamingos are native to Florida. As far back as 1832, John James Audubon, the famous painter and naturalist, reported seeing a flock in the Florida Keys. Still, even if they're immigrants, this puts them in the same class as the majority of the human residents who couldn't resist the Sunshine State's siren call. According to the American Community Survey, only 33 percent of Floridians were native-born as of 2005. This trend is even more pronounced in Central Florida, where 56 percent of Metro Orlando's recent population growth was made up of transplants from other states and 18 percent flocked in from other countries. Regardless of their origin, in the early part of the century the birds were apparently hunted to extinction. Soon the unthinkable had happened: Florida had been rendered flamingo-less. Fortunately, new flamingos were added to Miami's Hialeah Park racetrack in the 1930s, vying with the Thoroughbreds as the animal top attraction. Visitors were amazed by their synchronized �marching,� which is actually an adaptation of a natural behavior. The birds were even honored with a namesake race, the Flamingo Stakes, a stepping stone to the Kentucky Derby. Soon they became a symbol of the quintessential Florida. The infamous Bugsy Siegel once owned a part of Hialeah and was inspired by the flock (and also his long-legged girlfriend) to christen his Las Vegas resort �The Flamingo.� The garish pink hotel brought a taste of the Floridian tropics to the desert. Although the racetrack is now defunct, the famous birds remain. They no longer march for the tourists, but you can still see a similar performance at Ardastra Gardens in Nassau, Bahamas. Although they had a toehold to fame, 1957 was a pink-letter year in flamingo history. In October of that year their most famous incarnation, the pink plastic flamingo, was born. Ironically this Florida staple was invented by a New England native, appropriately named Don Featherstone. By the late 1950s, injection molding had progressed to the point where 3-D plastic sculptures could be cheaply mass produced. A company called Union Products hired Don, an art school graduate, to create a menagerie that they hoped would take over America's lawns. �Lawn decorations weren't new,� Don says. �They go back to the 1880s and '90s when they were bronze sculptures that only the very wealthy could afford.� Over time, this morphed into less expensive concrete versions, but they still didn't make it into the mainstream. As Don points out, �You'd have to be pretty rugged to grab one in the store and carry it home!� The molding process leveled the field and made yard art affordable to everyone, from mansion owners to trailer park denizens. �Where else can you get tropical elegance for less than 10 bucks?� Don jokes. Although the flamingos were his personal version of Michaelangelo's �David,� Don didn't put all his eggs in one basket. He crafted 750 different items, and his plastic aviary included swans, hens, roosters, and a mama duck with babies in tow. �Many of the others, like the swans, actually outsold the flamingos,� he reveals. �It sure made those little swans sad that the flamingos got all the fame.� Their success lies in the serendipitous melding of two national passions. In the 1950s, the color pink soared in popularity. At the same time, the United States was caught in the grip of �Florida Fever.� The humble plastic birds symbolized what Florida meant to the Joe and Jane Average: travel, leisure, and an exotic locale. The Sunshine State was being heavily hyped as the ultimate tourist destination and a paradise for retirement living, and Americans were responding in droves. Don's creation allowed them to bring a bit of the tropics right to their own front yard, and in the latest color fad to boot. Unfortunately, like other fads, the flamingo was fated to go the way of the hula hoop, mood ring and pet rock. As the 1960s faded into the '70s, this venerable icon of the Florida good life morphed into a symbol of baby boomer rebellion. Inevitably it waned in popularity, becoming a symbol of �visual pollution.� �Pink Flamingos,� the controversial 1972 John Waters film, sealed the plastic avian's fate as the epitome of bad taste. Soon they were relegated to the object of prank thefts and theme parties. In 1979, the student government at University of Wisconsin planted a thousand fake flamingos on the lawn outside the dean�s office and the era of �flocking� had begun. Although flocks of wild flamingo may be a rarity in Florida, the plastic variety's habitat extends well beyond the Sunshine State. �Flocking� is a way for someone to send a message by leaving a pink swarm implanted on the victim's lawn. The practice is often used for fund raisers; unlucky souls who don't buy flock insurance will find that their lawn has turned into a kitsch sanctuary. A famous serial �flocking� took place in Celebration, Florida, in 1997. Although unapproved lawn art is forbidden by the town's covenants, a renegade flock moved from lawn to lawn among members of Community Presbyterian Church as a prayer reminder. They gained fame on the coattails of Celebration's �Disney Town� infamy and were featured on �48 Hours� and parodied on an episode of �The X Files.� Like their distant cousin, the phoenix, pink plastic flamingos were simply biding their time before rising from the ashes of ridicule into a triumphant return. Florida Fever was rekindled in the 1980s, thanks to the popularity of the television show �Miami Vice.� The flock of flamingos featured in its opening credits re-cemented the birds as a Florida icon. The series also rekindled the Florida mystique of an exotic and affluent place, and many children of the 1950s and '60s were just about the right age to embrace a dose of nostalgia. The triumphant comeback was so strong that Union Products found their flamingo sales skyrocketing once again, and they soon faced competition from two knock-off producers. By 1987, they were distinguishing the genuine article by engraving Don's signature on the bottom of their product. For a brief time the signature was removed, but a boycott convinced Union to bring it back. Don jokes, �I had no idea it was so popular. I never thought people would be looking at a flamingo's butt!� By the time he retired in 2002, over 20 million of his pink plastic masterpieces had been sold. The plastic flamingo's fortunes still seesaw between tacky-and-tasteless and retro-cool, but either way it's become a permanent part of the public's consciousness. Don even received an Ig Nobel award for his creation in 1996. Organized by the scientific humor magazine Annals of Improbable Research (AIR), the awards are given for �discoveries that cannot, or should not, be reproduced." It's all in good fun, and Don is proud of the honor. Nearly three decades later, and six years into retirement, he continues to get fan letters and interview requests.Don still honors the year of the plastic flamingos creation by festooning his lawn with a flock of 57 plastic flamingos every summer. Like Floridian snowbirds, they migrate each winter into a warm dry place that protects them from bad weather. Like their real-life counterparts, the pink plastic flamingos had a brief flirtation with extinction. Union Products stopped making them in 2006, just shy of their 50th anniversary. Fortunately the copyright and molds of the original design were purchased by HMC International LLC, where production is being resumed. Florida flamingos will no doubt continue to inspire some unique souvenirs, events, and promotions. A recent example is Air-Tran Airways' �release� of 25 pink-clad �flamingo-inspired wanna-bes� in New York this March. They rode around on Segways, promoting the airline's Florida routes. "What better way to remind New Yorkers that sunny Florida is closer than they think, than with the iconic pink flamingo?" said Tad Hutcheson, the airline's vice president of marketing. They'll also continue to spread good cheer. Who can help but smile at the sight of these elegant yet comical avians? Pink plastic flamingos were even used in Bay St. Louis, Missouri, after Hurricane Katrina to brighten the environs of FEMA trailers and the spirits of their unfortunate occupants. Resident Jimmy Loiacano, who was in charge of beautification for the town, even planted three outside his own trailer. When two were stolen, he fastened the third to the grill of his truck. The birds do seem to attract sticky fingers. One of the most famous flamingo-nappings took place in Kingston, Massachusetts, in 2003, when eight birds were snatched from the yard of Debbie Barber. Each month, Debbie diligently dressed her plastic pets in costumes ranging from Hawaiian shirts to elf suits. Apparently the thieves just couldn't resist their sartorial splendor and the flock disappeared. Soon the theft turned into a real-life version of �101 Dalmatians.� In the movie, when a couple's litter of purloined puppies returns, they're accompanied by 84 more. Debbie's original eight-bird loss led to multiplied returns. Two flamingos were found along a roadside, eight showed up at the police department, and a woman drove 55 miles to present her with even more. Debbie cheerfully assumed the task of making costumes for the new additions. Meanwhile, postcards and photos arrived from a vacationing plastic flamingo, presumably one of the originally missing flock who remains at large today. The title of Florida State Bird might officially belong to the mockingbird (although it's currently being challenged by the indigenous scrub jay), but the flamingo holds that honor in popular opinion. When people get caught up in the Florida mystique, with visions of beaches and swaying palm trees, a certain tall, pink bird will forever hold a place in that picture.

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Home Royal Palaces The Little Palace Royal Palaces The Little Palace Raghadan PalaceThe Little PalaceBasman PalaceZahran PalaceNadwa PalaceMawa PalaceRoyal Cemetery Al Musallah PalaceAqaba PalaceKing Abdullah I Palace © Royal Hashemite Court Archives The Little Palace is situated just north of Raghadan Palace (the “big” palace). It was built immediately after Raghadan, as the residence of King Abdullah I, because the rapid expansion of the young state left little room for family life in the halls of Raghadan. The Little Palace is separated from Raghadan by a beautiful, small garden. At a later stage, King Talal Bin Abdullah resided here with Queen Zein. Their son, King Hussein, was born in the Little Palace on 14 November 1935. © Royal Hashemite Court Archives A small plaque in the Little Palace commemorates the life of King Hussein. The inscription begins with a verse from the Holy Quran and reads: “In this room was born on 18 Shabaan 1354 Hijri (14 November 1935) the Hashemite Sharif Al Hussein Bin Talal Bin Abdullah, may God have mercy on him, who was crowned King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on 18 Rabi Al Thani 1372 Hijri (11 August 1952) and who was committed to God’s mercy on 21 Shawwal 1419 Hijri (7 February 1999).” Home Sitemap Technical Specifications Search Website Feedback Back to Top © Royal Hashemite Court 2001 - 2015

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IntroductionFact fileWhere to goWhen to goGetting thereGetting aroundAccommodationFood and drinkThe mediaFestivals and eventsOutdoor activitiesShoppingTravel essentials Oslo and the OslofjordThe SouthCentral NorwayBergen and the western fjordsTrondheim to the Lofoten islandsNorth Norway Bergen and the western fjords IntroductionBergen and aroundThe western fjordsSee all destinations Bergen and around IntroductionTroldhaugenSee all destinations Show Related Guides Hide Related Guides Oslo Rough Guides Snapshot Norway View Guide The Rough Guide to Norway Rough Guides Snapshot Europe on A Budget: Moscow and St Petersburg The Rough Guide to Budapest The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands & Islands Corsica Rough Guides Snapshot France View Guide The Alps and Franche-Comté Rough Guides Snapshot France View Guide Alentejo Rough Guides Snapshot Portugal View Guide Norway // Bergen and the western fjords // As it has been raining ever since she arrived in the city, a tourist stops a young boy and asks if it always rains here. “I don’t know,” he replies, “I’m only thirteen.” The joke isn’t brilliant, but it does contain a grain of truth. Of all the things to contend with in BERGEN, the weather is the most predictable: it rains on average 260 days a year, often relentlessly even in summer, and its forested surroundings are often shrouded in mist. Yet, despite its dampness, Bergen is one of Norway’s most enjoyable cities, boasting – amid seven hills and sheltered to the north, south and west by a series of straggling islands – a spectacular setting. There’s plenty to see in town too, from sturdy old stone buildings and terraces of tiny wooden houses to a veritable raft of museums, while just outside the city limits are Edvard Grieg’s home, Troldhaugen, as well as the charming open-air Gamle Bergen (Old Bergen) museum. More than anything else, though, it’s the general flavour of the place that appeals. Although Bergen has become a major port and something of an industrial centre in recent years, it remains a laidback, easy-going town with a firmly nautical air. Fish and fishing may no longer be Bergen’s economic lynchpins, but the bustling main harbour, Vågen, is still very much the focus of attention. If you stay more than a day or two – perhaps using Bergen as a base for viewing the nearer fjords – you’ll soon discover that the city also has the region’s best choice of restaurants, some impressive art galleries and a decent nightlife. Founded in 1070 by King Olav Kyrre (“the Peaceful”), a Norwegian survivor from the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, Bergen was the largest and most important town in medieval Norway and a regular residence of the country’s kings and queens. In the fourteenth century the town also became an ecclesiastical centre, supporting no fewer than thirty churches and monasteries, and a member of the Hanseatic League, as by this time the town had become a prosperous port linked to other European cities by a vigorous trading life, with fish being the main commodity. The League was, however, controlled by German merchants and, after Hansa and local interests started to diverge, the Germans came to dominate the region’s economy, reducing the locals to a state of dependency. Neither could the people of Bergen expect help from their kings and queens: rather, in return for easily collected taxes from the Hansa merchants, Norway’s medieval monarchs compelled west-coast fishermen to sell their catch to the merchants – and at prices the merchants set themselves. As a result, the German trading station that flourished on the Bryggen, Bergen’s main wharf, became wealthy and hated in equal measure, a self-regulating colony with its own laws and an administration that was profoundly indifferent to local sentiment. In the 1550s, with Hansa power finally evaporating, a local lord – one Kristoffer Valkendorf – reasserted Norwegian control, but not out of the goodness of his heart. Valkendorf and his cronies simply took over the monopolies that had enriched their German predecessors, and continued to operate this iniquitous system, which so pauperized the region’s fishermen, right up to the late nineteenth century. Bergen’s merchants benefited from Norway’s neutrality in World War I, developing their trade and expanding their fleets, but it was only after World War II that the town got into its stride, transforming itself from a fish-dependent backwater to the lively city of today. More about Norway Explore Norway Where Next? Check out Trondheim to the Lofoten islands Book a hostel in Norway The western fjords Troldhaugen Troldhaugen (Hill of the Trolls), about 8km south of the city centre off Highway 580, was the lakeside home of Edvard Grieg for the last 22 years of his life – though “home” is something of an exaggeration, as he spent several months every year touring the concert halls of Europe. Norway’s only composer of world renown, Grieg has a good share of commemorative monuments in Bergen – a statue in the city park and the Grieghallen concert hall to name but two – but it’s here that you get a sense of the man, an immensely likeable and much-loved figure of leftish opinions and disarming modesty: “I make no pretensions of being in the class with Bach, Mozart and Beethoven,” he once wrote, “Their works are eternal, while I wrote for my day and generation.” A visit begins at the museum, where Grieg’s life and times are exhaustively chronicled, and a short film provides yet further insights. From here, it’s a brief walk to the house, a pleasant and unassuming villa built in 1885, and still pretty much as Grieg left it, with a jumble of photos, manuscripts and period furniture. Grieg didn’t, in fact, compose much in the house, but preferred to walk round to a tiny hut he had built just along the shore. The hut has survived, but today it stands beside a modern concert hall, the Troldsalen, where there are recitals of Grieg’s works in the summer (see Edvard Grieg). The bodies of Grieg and his wife – the singer Nina Hagerup – are inside a curious tomb blasted into a rock face overlooking the lake, and sealed with twin memorial stones; it’s only a couple of minutes’ walk off from the main footpath, but few people venture out to this beautiful, melancholic spot. Saving money: the Bergen card The Bergen Card is a 24-hour (200kr; children 3–15 years 75kr) or 48-hour (260kr; children 3–15 years 100kr) pass that provides free use of all the city’s public transport (except for the airport bus) and free or substantially discounted admission to most of the city’s sights, plus reductions on many sightseeing trips. Discount details are given in the official Bergen Guide booklet. Obviously, the more diligent a sightseer you are, the better value the card becomes – doubly so if you’re staying a bus ride from the centre. The card is sold online and at a wide range of outlets, including the tourist office and major hotels. Witchery in Bergen: Anne Pedersdatter In 1590, Anne Pedersdatter was burnt as a witch here in Bergen and, remarkably enough, the court proceedings have survived. They reveal a strong-willed and sharp-tongued woman, who antagonized many of her neighbours, whose chosen course of revenge was to accuse her of being a witch. As far as the judge was concerned, the crucial bit of evidence came from Anne’s maid, who said she had been used as a horse to transport her mistress to a Sabbat (Witches’ Sabbath). Clearly, Anne’s maid either had a grudge or was suborned, but no matter – and despite the objections of Bergen’s bishop – she went to the flames. Anne was not alone: 300 “witches” were executed in Norway in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries – 250 of them women – in a cruel mix of misogyny and superstition that had spread across most of Europe. The great giver: Rolf Stenersen Many of the twentieth-century paintings in the Bergen Kunstmuseum collection were bequeathed to the city by Rolf Stenersen (1899–1978), one of Norway’s most prominent men of letters. Stenersen donated his first art collection to his hometown of Oslo in 1936 (see Stenersenmuseet) and was in a similar giving mood 35 years later, the beneficiary being his adopted town of Bergen. He was something of a Renaissance man – one-time Olympic athlete, financier and chum of Munch – who seems to have had a successful stab at almost everything, even writing some highly acclaimed short stories in the 1930s. The composer of some of the most popular works in the standard orchestral repertoire, Edvard Grieg (1843–1907) was born in Bergen, the son of a saltfish merchant. It was, considering the region’s historical dependence on the product, an appropriate background for a man whose romantic compositions have come to epitomize western Norway, or at least an idealized version of it: certainly, Grieg was quite happy to accept the connection, and as late as 1903 he commented that “I am sure my music has the taste of codfish in it.” In part this was sincere, but the composer had an overt political agenda too. Norway had not been independent since 1380, and, after centuries of Danish and Swedish rule, its population lacked political and cultural self-confidence – a situation which the Norwegian nationalists of the day, including Ibsen and Grieg, were determined to change. Such was their success that they played a key preparatory role in the build-up to the dissolution of the union with Sweden, and the creation of an independent Norway in 1905. Musically, it was Grieg’s mother, a one-time professional pianist, who egged him on, and at the tender age of 15 he was packed off to the Leipzig Conservatory to study music, much to the delight of his mentor, Ole Bull. In 1863, Grieg was on the move again, transferring to Copenhagen for another three-year study stint and ultimately returning to Norway an accomplished performer and composer in 1866. The following year he married the Norwegian soprano Nina Hagerup (1845–1935), helped to found a musical academy in Oslo and produced the first of ten collections of folk-based Lyric Pieces for piano. In 1868, Grieg completed his best-known work, the Piano Concerto in A minor, and, in 1869, his 25 Norwegian Folk Songs and Dances. Thereafter, the composer’s output remained mainly songs and solo piano pieces with a strong folkloric influence, even incorporating snatches of traditional songs. During the 1870s Grieg collaborated with a number of Norwegian writers, including Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson and Henrik Ibsen, one of the results being his much acclaimed Peer Gynt suites, and, in 1884, he composed the Holberg Suite, written to commemorate the Dano-Norwegian philosopher and playwright, Ludvig Holberg. It is these orchestral suites, along with the piano concerto, for which he is best remembered today. In 1885, now well-heeled and well known, Grieg and his family moved into Troldhaugen, the house they had built for them near Bergen. By that time, Grieg had established a pattern of composing during the spring and summer, and undertaking extended performance tours around Europe with his wife during the autumn and winter. This gruelling schedule continued until – and contributed to – his death in Bergen in 1907. Recitals at Troldhaugen Troldhaugen offers a top-ranking programme of Grieg concerts, held in the Troldsalen, throughout the summer both at lunchtimes (early June to Sept 1 daily; 30min; 100kr) and in the evening (mid-June to mid-Aug 2 weekly; 1hr; 220kr). For evening performances free buses leave from near the tourist office one hour before the concert begins. Tickets can be bought online (wkunstmuseene.no) or from the tourist office, but are snapped up quickly. The Fløibanen funicular railway Dating back to the 1910s, the distinctly Ruritanian lower terminus of the Fløibanen funicular railway on Vetrlidsallmenningen is a delightful introduction to one of the city’s major attractions, whose trains shuttle passengers up to the top of Mount Fløyen – “The Vane” – at 320m above sea level. When the weather is fine, you get a bird’s-eye view of Bergen and its surroundings from the plateau-summit, and here also is a large and popular café-restaurant. Afterwards, you can walk back down to the city in about 45 minutes, or push on into the woods along several well-marked, colour-coded footpaths (pick up free trail maps of the summit at the lower terminal). The shortest and perhaps the most enjoyable is the 1.6km-loop trail to Skomakerdiket lake and back. The Ulriksbanen: A bird’s-eye view Providing panoramic views over Bergen and its surroundings, the Ulriksbanen cable car (daily: May–Sept 9am–9pm; Oct–April 9am–5pm – weather/wind permitting; 145kr return; t53 64 36 43, wulriken643.no) whisks passengers up to the top of Mount Ulriken, where there are walks and a café. The cable car’s lower terminal is behind the Haukeland Sykehus (hospital) about 6km east of the centre; to get there by public transport, take city bus #2 or #3 (Mon–Fri every 10–20min, Sat & Sun every 20–30min) from Småstrandgaten. Guided tours in Bergen Guided tours of Bergen and its surroundings are big business and the tourist office has a flood of details. In the city itself, the most popular choice is City Sightseeing Bergen’s On&Off Sightseeing Bus, which takes in all the central sights, including the aquarium and Torget (every 30min; 150kr; t97 78 18 88, wcitysightseeing-bergen.net). Troldhaugen and Fantoft stave church are also on many guided tours, including those offered by Norled (May–Sept 1 daily; 350kr; t55 23 88 87, wnorled.no). There are lots of fjord sightseeing trips too, with Fjord Tours (wfjord-tours.com), one of the leading companies, offering a wide range of tours including “Norway in a Nutshell” and the whirlwind “Hardanger in a Nutshell” (May–Oct 1 daily; 10hr; 820kr). A further, rather more economical option is Rødne Fjord Cruise’s Hurtigbåt passenger express boat excursion from Bergen to Rosendal and its manor house (May–Sept 1–2 daily; 7.5hr; 500kr; t51 89 52 70, wrodne.no). All tours can be booked either direct with the company concerned or at Bergen tourist office. The Bergen International Festival Bergen takes justifiable pride in its performing arts, especially during the Festspillene i Bergen (Bergen International Festival; t55 21 06 30, wfib.no), held over two weeks at the end of May and the beginning of June, and presenting an extensive programme of music, ballet, folklore and theatre. The principal venue for the festival is the Grieghallen, on Edvard Griegs plass, where you can pick up programmes, tickets and information; these are also available from the tourist office. The city’s contemporary arts centre, the USF Verftet Kulturhuset, down on the Nordnes peninsula (t55 30 74 10, wusf.no), contributes to the festival by hosting Nattjazz (t55 30 72 50, wnattjazz.no), a prestigious and long-established international jazz festival held over the same period. Finding budget accommodation in Bergen can be a bit of a problem at the height of the season, but is almost always straightforward during the rest of the year. There are three hostels, a choice of guesthouses, and some of the central hotels are surprisingly good value. Also among the better deals are the rooms in private houses – or private rooms – that can be reserved through the tourist office. The vast majority provide self-catering facilities and some are fairly central, though most are stuck out in the suburbs; prices are in the region of 500–700kr per double per night. They are popular, so in summer you’ll need to arrive at the tourist office early to secure one for the night. Bergen has a first-rate supply of restaurants, the pick of which focus on seafood – the city’s main gastronomic asset. The pricier tourist haunts are concentrated on the Bryggen, but these should not be dismissed out of hand – several are very good indeed. Other, marginally less expensive, restaurants dot the side streets behind the Bryggen and there’s another cluster on and around Engen. Many locals, however, tend to eat more economically and informally at the city’s many café-bars that are dotted all over the city centre – as are the city’s coffee houses. Drinking and nightlife As a general rule, Bergen’s café-bars– and indeed some of its restaurants – provide the city’s more appealing drinking destinations, but there is a scattering of late-night bars and clubs too, the best of which attract an arty/boho crew.

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"Coney Island: Really Fun. Really Open" From the Times today:Last September, when the Astroland amusement park, a three-acre sliver of the area, was shut down in a battle with its landlord, erroneous reports went out around the world that all of Coney Island was a corpse. Overnight, it seemed, obituaries were composed. Carnie barkers were invited to their own wakes. But the rumors of demise had been exaggerated greatly. All of Coney Island, from Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs to the world-renowned Cyclone, had not dropped off the Boardwalk into the sea. “They’re all surprised when I tell them we’re still open,” said a frustrated Dennis Vourderis, whose family has run the Wonder Wheel for more than 40 years. “Unfortunately, the press did a great job announcing Astroland had closed, so now people think that Coney Island is closed. “But they haven’t rolled the beach up yet,” he said. “It’s totally ridiculous.”The premature announcement of their burial has been so widespread that several local merchants have pooled money in an existential media campaign. Beginning next month, there will be billboards on the highways, bus stop ads, commercials at the movies. The slogan: “Coney Island: Really Fun. Really Open.”Meanwhile, I was also guilty of focusing on what was closed rather than what was open.So...go!

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Guide To The San Diego Zoo View Comments No trip to San Diego is complete without a visit to the world famous San Diego Zoo. Located within the historic Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo is unquestionably one of the finest zoos in the world as well as one of the largest. With more than 4,000 animals, 800 species and 700,000 exotic plants from forests and jungles all over the world, the 100-acre zoo is the perfect setting for animal lovers of all ages. The San Diego Zoo is just one of four American zoos to feature the rare black and white giant pandas and has the largest number of koalas outside of Australia. 2920 Zoo Drive www.sandiegozoo.org (credit: San Diego Zoo) Established as part of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, the zoo officially opened to the public the following year and moved to its present-day location in 1922. The open-air San Diego Zoo is operated by San Diego Zoo Global, which has the world’s largest zoological membership. Annual attendance to the zoo is nearly five million guests, making it the City of San Diego’s top tourist attraction. The zoo offers guided bus tours with multiple bus stops and gondolas to transport visitors through 75 percent of the sprawling property and a full day should be allowed to enjoy as much of the park as possible. The City of San Diego is the eighth largest city in the country and second largest in California. Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre urban and cultural park and home to several world-class museums, including the San Diego History Museum, San Diego Air and Space Museum, Hall of Champions and San Diego Automotive Museum. Balboa Stadium was the home field to the professional football team the San Diego Chargers during the 1960s and the Old Globe Theatre holds live performances during the summer and winter seasons. Getting There The San Diego Zoo is located at 2920 Zoo Drive, just north of downtown San Diego. The San Diego International Airport is just five miles away and the train station is one mile away. The zoo can be accessed by motor vehicle via Interstate Highways 5, 15, 805 and State Route 163. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (SDMTS) operates bus service every seven to 15 minutes on weekdays and every 15 to 20 minutes on weekends on Route 7. Much of the greater San Diego area is served by the popular MTS Trolley, with prominent stops at Old Town, the San Diego Harbor and the historic Gaslamp Quarter. Hours and Price The zoo is open every day of the year, including all holidays. Summer hours, including the Nighttime Zoo, are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through September 2. Summer hours continue from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through September 20. One-day tickets are $44 for adults and $34 for children ages three to 11. A two-visit pass, including a one-day pass to the Zoo and an Africa Tram Safari Pass to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is $79 for adults and $61 for children ages three to 11. Parking at the San Diego Zoo is free. Dining, Shops and Entertainment There are plenty of options for dining at the zoo, serving a variety of dishes from hot dogs and chicken sandwiches at the Safari Kitchen to American and Mexican entrees at the Front Street Café and farm-fresh vegetables at the Sabertooth Grill. Other restaurants include Italian cuisine at the Treehouse Café and Asian food at the Hua Mei Café. There are several souvenir shops at the zoo, such as the Zagat-rated ZooStore and KidStore. Front Street Rentals provide strollers, wheelchairs and electric conveyance vehicles for rent. The San Diego Zoo has live shows featuring birds, sea lions and four-legged critters, in addition to a 4-D Theater and Dr. Zoolittle Show held on weekends only. All zoo shows require an additional fee for admission. The San Diego Zoo is divided into a number of animal zones, habitats and geographic regions, primarily in an open-air environment. The feature attraction is Panda Canyon, home to a handful of the rare black and white giant pandas. The newest baby panda, Xiao Liwu, celebrates his first birthday in July 2013. Other popular attractions include the Polar Bear Plunge, Elephant Odyssey, the Children’s Zoo, Africa Rocks, Asian Passage, Big Cat Trail and the Outback. There are thousands of other mammals, reptiles, birds, arthropods and amphibians to enjoy, such as African elephants, gorillas, orangutans, cheetahs, tortoises, Komodo dragons and the extremely rare California condor. If time permits, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is highly recommended. Home to more than 2,600 animals representing more than 300 species on 1,800 acres, the protected native species habitat is located 30 miles north of downtown San Diego in the San Pasqual Valley, just east of the City of Escondido. Randy Yagi is a freelance writer covering all things San Francisco. In 2012, he was awarded a Media Fellowship from Stanford University. His work can be found on Examiner.com. View Comments blog comments powered by Disqus Travel Related TagsBalboa ParkRandy YagiSafari ParkSan DiegoSan Diego ZooTravel Listen Live

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Difference between revisions of "Bangalore" Central Karnataka : Bangalore Revision as of 14:55, 25 January 2013 (edit)118.95.12.91 (Talk) (→‎Outdoor activities and sports)← Older edit Revision as of 14:58, 25 January 2013 (edit) (undo)118.95.12.91 (Talk) (→‎Outdoor activities and sports)Newer edit → −'''Adventure Clubs:''' Bangalore is bestowed with rock climbers, aqua sportsmen and aero sportsmen. There are several clubs including Thrillophilia, Nature Admire, Care, Spark, KMA, Capture, Mars, Angel, Wildcraft and Adventure Works.+'''Adventure Clubs:''' Bangalore is bestowed with rock climbers, aqua sportsmen and aero sportsmen. There are several clubs including Fever Pitch Holidays, Thrillophilia, Nature Admire, Care, Spark, KMA, Capture, Mars, Angel, Wildcraft and Adventure Works. * <do name="Thrillophilia Adventure Tours Pvt. Ltd." alt="" address="4th Floor, 2628, 27th main, 1st sector, HSR layout, Bangalore" * <do name="Thrillophilia Adventure Tours Pvt. Ltd." alt="" address="4th Floor, 2628, 27th main, 1st sector, HSR layout, Bangalore" Vidhana Soudha Bangalore is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings — have a look at each of them. Bangalore [1] (Kannada: ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು), also rendered as Bengaluru, is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka.It is India's third-largest city with in terms of population with an estimated population of 8,425,970 million (2011).In a recent survey conducted by the global HR consultancy Mercer, Bangalore was voted as the most livable city in India beating its sister cities like Mumbai , Chennai , New Delhi and Kolkata.[2].In terms of cleanliness Bangalore ranks 12th in India.[3] Once called the "Garden City of India" and the "Pensioner's Paradise", these epithets no longer apply to Bangalore, which is today a large cosmopolitan city with diminishing green spaces and a large working population. Bangalore is the major center of India's IT industry, popularly known as the Silicon Valley of India. Sobriquets [+] [+] By plane From the airport(BIAL) to Bangalore City Get around By bus By private car See Landmarks Do Outdoor activities and sports Nature & parks Arts & theatre Learn Buddhism Work Indians Non-Indians Buy Currency Exchange Shopping districts Shopping malls and markets Music, movies and others Maharashtrian food Oriya food South Karnataka The earliest records of a place named 'Bengaluru' are found in a 9th century temple in an area that is now known as 'Old Bangalore'. Legend has it that the feudal lord Kempe Gowda was once hunting in this area, a rabbit turned and attacked his dog. This made a great impression on Gowda and he gave the place a title of gandu bhoomi (the place of heroes) and in 1537, with the assistance of the local king, he constructed three districts protected by a walled fort on the site. During the next three centuries, Bangalore existed very much in the shadow of its neighboring city Mysore, and control of the town changed hands many times. The year 1831 marked a major turning point for the city. Claiming misrule by the king Krishna Raja Wodeyar III, the British took control of the Mysore Kingdom and, possibly influenced by the city's salubrious climate, moved the administrative capital to Bangalore. New telecommunication systems were laid, rail connections built, fine government buildings constructed, and the city's famous parks and gardens established. After independence, Bangalore maintained its position as the Karnataka state capital, and continues to flourish. For many years, Bangalore was known throughout India as the most green, liberal and forward-thinking city. In recent years, these attributes have propelled Bangalore to the forefront of the high-tech industry boom in India, and it currently ranks as India's most developed city and one of the world's fastest growing urban areas. The name Bangalore appears to come from an Anglicisation of the native name "Bengaluru" - an adaptation of the earlier name in Kannada: Benda Kaalu Uru (The Town of Boiled Beans). Apparently this rather humble name was bequeathed to the city by King Vira Ballala. Once while lost in the area, he was offered boiled beans by an old woman, and it was out of gratitude that he named the area after this simple offering. Garden City of India Silicon Valley of India Pensioners' Paradise IT capital of India Pub city Unlike other parts of India which are extremely hot in the summer months, Bangalore enjoys a relatively mild climate year round. Summer - February to May (peak temperature is during April and May) Monsoon - June to October (the heaviest rains are typically between June and August) Winter - November to January (with December being the coldest month) Summer temperatures can reach upto 36°C (97°F) and early morning temperatures in the winter hovers around 12°C (54°F). Being the capital of Karnataka, the official language in Bangalore is Kannada. However, most educated people are also able to speak Hindi and English. Other Indian languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi and Urdu are also spoken by the respective migrant communities. Also,Bangalore being the cultural hub that it is, has a smattering of Marathi, Tulu and Konkani speakers. Most retail transactions in the city are conducted in English, as are most signs written in English alongside Kannada. Basic Kannada knowledge will come very handy, while dealing with work groups like roadside vendors, maids. However most shop owners, auto drivers, bus conductors and utility service providers can converse in basic English , Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, if required. To greet in Kannada, say "Namaskara" To ask, "How are you?" in Kannada, say "Hegidira" To tell, "I am fine." in Kannada say "Channagidini" To ask, "How much?" in Kannada say "Eshtu" To say, "Too pricey" in Kannada say "Tumba Jasthi" To thank in Kannada, say "Dhanyawada" Bengaluru International Airport (IATA: BLR), (ICAO: VOBL) [4] is located in Devanahalli, 40 km (25 mi) from the central business district of Bangalore (MG Road) and 30 km (19 mi) from the Bangalore City Railway Station. The new airport, open since May 2008, is among India's busiest and most modern. The airport is host to 10 domestic airlines and 21 international airlines connecting the city to about 50 destinations across India and the rest of the world. The airport serves as a hub for Kingfisher Airlines and a focus city for Jet Airways [5], JetLite [6], IndiGo [7], SpiceJet [8] and GoAir [9]. Notable international flights: Air India [10] flies from Dubai, Male and Muscat; Qatar Airways [11] flies from Doha; Emirates [12] and Jet Airways [13] fly from Dubai; Etihad Airways [14] flies from Abu Dhabi; SriLankan Airlines [15] flies from Colombo; Thai Airways [16] fly from Bangkok; AirAsia [17] and Malaysian Airlines [18] fly from Kuala Lumpur; Singapore Airlines [19], SilkAir [20], [Indian Airlines [21] and Tiger Airways [22] fly from Singapore; Dragonair [23] flies from Hong Kong; British Airways [24] flies from London; Air France [25] flies from Paris; Lufthansa [26] flies from Frankfurt. Air Mauritius (www.airmauritius.com) flies from Mauritius Sometimes the airport is subject to operational restrictions due to fog from 15 Nov-15 Feb, between 3AM (IST)- 8:30AM (IST). Flight delays and diversions may occur on some mornings due to the morning fog. The airport operator has an enquiry number to check on weather related delays. ☎ +91 80 66782255, +91 80 66782251 or call the airline's call centre. The airport has an international and a domestic terminal. There are ATM's and bureaux de change at the airport. When departing from Bangalore airport, make sure to check restrictions on times for baggage check-in, and make sure to bring a printout of your boarding pass with you to the airport. For flights leaving in the early morning hours (such as 3am) you may need to check bags as much as 2.5 hours in advance. From the airport(BIAL) to Bangalore City Buses Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC)[27] operates buses from various points of the city every 15 min to the Bangalore International Airport (BLR). A total of 156 buses ply to and from the airport. 40 of these buses are air-conditioned Volvo buses, called Vayu Vajra. The cost for each trip in these buses ranges between Rs 50-250 depending on the distance. This is the cheapest and an extremely convenient way to get to the airport moreover, this service is available everyday, day and night. While taking this mode be aware that you will need some one to pick you up from the bus stop or you will need a auto rickshaw ride for the last mile. Post-paid taxi BIAL has selected Meru and EasyCabs to provide basic taxi services. The taxi operators will have basic A/C cars, all equipped with tracking devices to ensure safety and transparency. Both operators have professional call centres. Hence, guests traveling to the airport can call the cab call centres and a cab will pick them up and drop them at the airport. Meru Cabs have been reported to be highly un-reliable by users.They have been known to cancel the appointment at the last hour leaving the customer high and dry. The Meru Cab drivers do this if they find a better deal from a street pick up while they are on their way to an airport pick-up. For travelers arriving at the airport, there is a dedicated taxi holding area. The post paid taxi facility will be available on meter charges @ Rs 20/- per km (subject to Govt regulation). These are by far the best and most convenient mode of transport from the airport. It may cost you approximately Rs 600 to get to Bangalore's CBD. About Rs 700 to Koramangala. There is another more trusted taxi brand from the Karnataka State Government which is called KSTDC cabs. You can find the queue for KSTDC cabs as soon as you exit from the airport arrival hall. It's a postpaid metered fare and wont cost you more than 800 - 1000 Rs for anywhere in Bangalore. Share Taxis are operated by Airlift. As soon as you exit the airport terminal, look for the bus stand with the bright green Volvo buses. The share taxis are yellow and red Toyota Innovas parked just next to the buses. These are very convenient and cheaper than a regular taxi as a one way drop to Bangalore's CBD will cost around Rs 300. These are air conditioned and offer each passenger a personal television screen. (Dis-functional as of now) This service has ceased to operate. Pre-paid taxi Hertz and Akbar Travels provide pre paid Limousine and car rental facilities through counters at the terminal building. These cost above Rs 1,200 to CBD Self drive cars will also be available on self drive basis. There will be three ranges of self drive cars - the compact category (Suzuki Swift), the intermediate range (Ford Fiesta), the standard category (Toyota corolla), Multi Utility Vehicles (Toyota Innova) and Sports Utility Vehicles (Ford Endeavour). These cars will be given to the renter with a full fuel tank and the car has to be returned with full fuel tank. A flexible pick up and drop off facility in town and at the airport will be offered. The renter can pick up the car at the airport and then drop it off anywhere in the city or in Hyderabad or Chennai. Similarly, the car can be picked up at any of these cities and dropped off at the airport. Conditions apply (the renter must be over 21 yrs of age and possess a valid Indian license). In India it is not as easy as in the west. One needs to to do a lot of paper work and depending on the company and type of car you want to rent a large deposit will be required. Please check well in advance before making plans. Much easier to rent a chauffeur driven taxi. Hotel pick-up Another option is to arrange with your hotel in Bangalore to have a driver pick you up at the airport. Some hotels, especially the higher-end ones, provide this service for free if you are staying with them. If it's your first time traveling to Bangalore, this is the recommended way to get from the airport to your hotel. The driver will be found outside the airport with a card bearing your name, the only difficulty being that about 100 other drivers will also be waiting outside the airport, all vying for your attention. Luckily there is a short fenced walkway that separates the drivers from those leaving the airport, giving you ample time and space to find your ride into Bangalore. Taxi (other) You can still find a ride into Bangalore City in your own taxi at a much cheaper rate than the above options, if you are willing to take the risk involved. Taxi drivers not approved by the airport will attempt to negotiate with you a much lower fare than the approved EasyCabs and Meru cabs, and may come down to as much as Rs 200-300 for a ride to Bangalore's CBD. One really has to bargain very hard or you will be taken for a ride. These drivers can be found just beyond the terminal plaza at the covered walkway that leads to the parking lots. Once you leave the walkway, some drivers may become fairly aggressive, and might try to take your bag without your permission. The best thing to do is to keep track of, and be in control of, your belongings. Even the most aggressive taxi driver or tout will leave you alone if you stand firm and make it clear that you do not want their help. It is recommended to fix the price before you enter the cab and no tip is necessary once you arrive at your destination. Do not opt for this mode if you are not familiar with rates. If you are in a hurry and have a lot of money, helicopter services are offered by Deccan Aviation and Birdie. There are eight helipads across Bangalore and a ride from the international airport sets you back by about Rs 5,000. A high-speed electric train is planned to connect the airport with the city, cutting travel time to about 22 min, but no date of completion has been announced. A new express toll road is also planned to connect the airport to the city's ring road at Hennur. The Bangalore Metro is a new suburban rail service that will cut down the time taken to get from one area of the city to the other. However, as of December 2012, only 6 stations are open for service. The rest of the network is still on construction. Bangalore has two major railway terminals. The Bangalore City (IR station code: SBC) railway station is situated in the heart of the city, opposite the Majestic Bus stand. Most trains, both local and long-distance, arrive and depart from here. The other terminal is Yeshwantpur Junction (IR station code: YPR) located on NH-4 (Tumkur Road). A few (mostly long-distance) trains arrive and depart from here. Two smaller railway terminals are Bangalore East (IR station code: BNCE) and Bangalore Cantonment (IR station code: BNC).Of late Krishnarajapuram (KJM) has become an important stop owing to proximity of IT companies and the ring road just passing close to the station and well connected by buses to major parts. It also forms the 1st stop for majority trains leaving Yeshvantapur towards Jolarpettai. Bookings can be done at either the railway stations or at the Indian Railways booking counters located in major commercial residential areas. Booking can also be done online [28]. Note that if you are booking at Bangalore City and are traveling to Mysore, there is a separate counter for travelers to Mysore. This is to cater for the large amount of travelers between Bangalore and Mysore. If travelling to Mysore on a Sunday afternoon, arrive early as there is usually a long line for buying tickets. As with all Indian railway travel, have some patience for delays. Trains are usually on time (within 20 mins of scheduled time), but can sometimes be late. A digital departure board in the station will tell you what platform your train is on and what time it leaves. Train travel is usually fairly cheap. For example, a ticket to Chennai, about 360 km (5-6 hr) away, costs anywhere from Rs 125 for the lowest class to Rs 1,105 for the highest class. For train arrival/departure and PNR status inquiries at various railway stations at Bangalore, call 139. Travelling from Mumbai to Bangalore by train takes a long time (24 hrs or so). Buses are comparatively faster and take 18-20 hrs, provided there are no traffic jams in Mumbai and Pune en route. Effective travel time by both train or bus is long. Air travel is recommended for traveling between Mumbai and Bangalore, the duration of which is about 90 min. Low cost airlines charge the same fare as A/C train or Volvo bus. However, sleeper class (non-A/C) train travel from Mumbai to Bangalore is economical and you can have a view of some lush evergreen forests and river valleys across Western India. If you arrive at Yeshwantpur Junction, you will need to take a taxi or auto rickshaw to get into the city. The metro stop next to the station is part of the metro's Phase I which is currently under construction with the expected completion at the end of 2013. At Yeshwantpur Junction, there are exits on 2 sides of the station, both have official auto rickshaw booking counters located out front, and a lot of unofficial taxis waiting for customers (as well as touts all over the station). These taxis will propose fixed rates based on your destination, but at a very elevated cost, for example Rs 600 to get to Indiranagar (14 km). There is a taxi booth operated by a company called Fast Track located in front of the station exit on the side near the metro station. This will be a metered taxi which offers a better rate (about Rs 15-20 per km). You will need to use considerable effort, however, to get to use this service as the minute you exit the station there will be a lot of unofficial taxi drivers storming all over you trying to get you to get into one of their fixed-rate (and more expensive) cars. Even when you approach the Fast Track booth, it is possible that the staff behind the counter may still suggest you to just go for the pre -paid taxis instead. You need to specifically and firmly request that you really want the metered taxi from the booth, in order for them to proceed to provide you one. If you have difficulty in arranging a plane or railway ticket to your next destination, or you prefer a little more adventure, you can go by bus. There are both government and private buses that run services to major cities like Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, Mangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tirupati, Hyderabad, etc. Buses can be a normal luxury bus, a Volvo A/C bus or a sleeper bus for night travel. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, [29] KPN Travels, [30] Durgamba Motors, [31] redBus, [32] Bus Tickets Online, [33] All intercity buses arrive and depart from Bangalore bus stand, which is located opposite the Bangalore city railway station. The bus station is named after the founder of Bangalore - Kempe Gowda. Kempegowda Bus Station, is more commonly known as the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus stand or the Majestic Bus Station. It handles buses that connect Bangalore to all major cities and states in south India. Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), maintains bus services within Bangalore. The main bus stand is located opposite to the Kempegowda Bus Station. Unlike other metros, the display boards in the bus show the destination in the local language Kannada. But the bus numbers are mostly in English. If you don't speak Kannada, you will likely need to get some help to get on the right bus. However, the newer Volvo buses are all equipped with electronic displays that display the destination and route numbers in both Kannada and English. Non-Volvo buses are being gradually retrofitted with these electronic displays; this should make bus travel much simpler if you are unfamiliar with the local language. Driving in India can be very stressful. Lane discipline is practically nonexistent, excessive honking, high vehicle density, lack of regard for traffic law, combined with razor thin passing margins are common. One ride in a taxi will most likely convince you that driving yourself is not worth the risk, so if you do want to arrive by car, you will probably want to hire both a car and a driver. Cost varies, but most car/driver combinations cost Rs 1,400-1,700/day. The fares for hired private taxis are usually in the multiples of 4 hr/40 km, fares for which start at around Rs 450 for a non-air conditioned small car. Depending on where you are coming from, you may be able to negotiate a lower fare if the trip isn't far, and it may be a higher fare if you are traveling far and your driver has to travel back on his own time. Having an approximate idea of the fare or distance beforehand and persistent bargaining skills can lead to significant savings. Although it costs more, consider requesting an air conditioned car if you aren't used to the heat, especially in summer. An air conditioned car will also help filter out the air pollution, which is considerable, especially on congested roadways. If you want something even more special, such as a fancy car or SUV, be prepared to pay extra. A BMTC Volvo bus. Inside a BMTC bus. Buses in Bangalore are cheap and usually frequent,(though compared to other states the fares are highest here) but traveling on them can be very difficult if you don't know the system well. Ordinary city buses display only the route number in English, with the destination and route information written in Kannada. This means you will have to know what route number you need before you get on, which you can find from the BMTC website [34],BMTCRoutes.in website [35], Desiroutes [36] bus routes,List of Metropolitan bus routes in Bangalore [37] or by asking locals. Unlike many Western countries, posted route maps of the bus system are rare, although maps are sold at the main bus terminals (Kempegowda Bus Stand and Shivajinagar). ☎ BMTC toll free 1800 425 1663. Bangalore Bus Route Search [38] also has a webpage with a route number search function. Buses with black display boards run within the city. Red board buses covers long distance and go to adjoining suburbs. The ordinary city buses are white and blue in color. The newer city buses tend to be blue in color (Purchased under the JNNURM fund provided by Central govt. )and have LED display boards. There is a bus service called Pushpak with better seating; these buses are tan rather than the usual blue and are slightly more expensive. There are red Volvo buses, called Vajra, that operate on certain routes within the city. They offer a comfortable air-conditioned ride at slightly higher prices than the regular buses (which are not air-conditioned). These are a great way to get around the city. Unlike most other buses, the Vajras have illuminated LED display boards on the front and sides which display the destination and route information in English as well as Kannada. New bus services are introduced from time to time by the BMTC. The latest service introduced in early 2009 known as Big 10 [39] consists of ten routes along major roads into the city, bringing passengers from the outer suburbs to central Bangalore. These buses are green in color, have LCD destination boards, and prominently feature the Big 10 logo on the sides. More information about these buses, including stops and route maps. BIG 10 service starts at Brigade road junction. There are also couple of buses which do a circular route around the Central Business District. City buses are crowded during rush hours but one can travel with little difficulty during the daytime. Many have seats reserved for women in the front.Bus service starts around 5:00 AM and ends at around midnight. Bus service is less frequent after 9:30-10 AM and becomes very rare after 1:00 PM and again bus frequency improves after 4:00 PM and continues till midnight. It is always better to buy a daily pass if you plan to travel the whole day on the bus. The daily pass costs Rs Rs 40 as of March 10th, 2011 and it comes handy if you need to travel on several buses in a single day. Daily passes are issued by the on-duty bus conductor or at the bus stand. Using this pass you can travel in any bus (other than the Vajra) for the entire day, any number of times. It is a very economical option for travel in Bangalore. Senior citizens are given 25% concession in all buses on production of valid ID card(Voter ID,PAN,Passport etc). children between age of 4-12 are given 50% concession. No charge for children upto 4 years of age.For more information on BMTC you can visit Wikipedia [40] There are three major bus stands: Kempegowda bus stand, also known as the Majestic Bus Stand, near Gandhi Nagar is directly opposite the Bangalore City railway station. It is quite neatly organized and is easily navigable. There is an inquiry office near platform number 1 on ‘Majestic’ where you can ask the bus number and platform for your desired destination. You can find a large map on display, which you can use to find the bus number you need to take if you know the area you are going to. You can of course always ask the conductor or other passengers. Route maps are also sold on the platforms. City Market or K R Market is around 2 km (1.2 mi) to 3 km (1.8 mi) away from Majestic and could daunt newcomers, since it is very disorganized. It is a large dirt parking lot under an overhead highway, and there isn't much order to where buses park. Shivajinagar is in the north. This is also neatly organized and there is an inquiry window to find about buses. You can find a large map on display here too, which you can use to find the bus number you need to take if you know the area you are going to. Route maps are also sold on the platforms. Buses are available to all major localities of the city from these three bus stands. There have been lot of developments due to the ongoing metro project as well as efforts to decongest the city. BMTC is adding more bus stations all the time. Better to check on their website for latest sistuation. Other important bus stands are: Chandra Layout West Shantinagar, Central Jayanagar, South Banashankari, South J P Nagar', South BTM Layout, South East Vijaynagar, West Malleswaram, North West Yeshwantpur, North West Domlur, East Kadugodi, East Hebbal, North Vidyaranyapura, North Srinagara, South West Rajarajeshwari Nagar , South West Basaveshwara Nagar , West Yelahanka, North Koramangala' NOTE: Autorickshaws and taxis in Bangalore have a metered fare system. Tipping is neither expected nor required when you avail of autorickshaw or taxi services. Just pay the meter fare. Refrain from tipping and ruining things for the residents who will then be at the receiving end of unwarranted demands for tips. Auto-rickshaw is the default method for visitors to get around the city, as most the metro is still currently under construction and taxis must be booked in advance making it impractical to secure one when you are away from your hotel. Auto-rickshaw drivers can be difficult to deal with. However, they're still better than their counterparts in Chennai(as Chennai's auto drivers don't go by the meter). Auto-rickshaws are everywhere at most hours. They are green-and-yellow, or black-and-yellow three-wheeled contraptions. They are a fast way to get around the city. Auto-rickshaws are supposed to charge fares as per the meter reading, which most often equals to Rs 11 x distance (in kilometres) (Minimum charge of Rs 20 for the first 1.8 km or less), they generally tend to charge on an ad-hock basis depending on the distance of the destination, the chances of getting another customer from the mentioned locality, and their mood. Usually, when hailed from the street, chances are that you can often come across an honest driver who agrees to use a meter without fuss. In the case where the meter is faulty or the driver refuses to use it, you should simply refuse to board. Saying "meter please" will usually do the trick. It gets more tricky when you are in front a big tourist attraction or transportation hub, as there will be hordes of auto-rickshaws waiting around

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Glushko monument minik Gushko Ak. Monument Copyright: Minik Tags: 7 станция Черноморской дор. More About Odessa The World : Europe : Ukraine : Odessa Overview and HistoryOdessa is the largest city on the coastline of the Black Sea and was once the third largest city in Russia, after Moscow and St. Petersburg. Her nicknames are "the Pearl of the Black Sea", "Odessa Mama" and "Southern Palmira."The name probably comes from the earliest recorded inhabitants, a Greek colony called Odessos which disappeared around the fourth century AD. Here's a lightning overview of Odessa's rulers, from the beginning. First there were the ancient Greeks, then miscellaneous nomadic tribes, the Golden Horde of Mongolia, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Crimean Khanate, the Ottoman Empire, the Russian Empire, the U.S.S.R, and finally Ukrainian independence in 1991.The founding of the first city in this location dates to 1240 AD and is credited to a Turkish Tatar named Hacibey Khan. Its name at that time was Khadjibey. The first fortress was built in the fourteenth century, when Odessa was already becoming a major trading center. The fortress served to protect the harbor. Khadjibey became part of the Ottoman Empire in the early sixteenth century. Its fortress was rebuilt by the Ottomans and named Yeni Dunya, around 1764 AD.The eighteenth century saw Odessa change hands from Turkish to Russian control. Russia captured Odessa in 1789 under the command of Jose de Ribas, a Spaniard who became a Russian admiral and played a major part in the victory. Jose de Ribas gets the credit for founding the modern city of Odessa -- his name is remembered in the most prominent street through the heart of Odessa -- Deribasovskaya Street.In the treaty of Jassy in 1792, Turkey gave over control of a wide swath of land encompassing modern-day Ukraine and Odessa. The city was rebuilt to be a fort, commercial port and naval base. During the nineteenth century Odessa attracted immigrants from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Armenia and all over Europe, enjoying its status as a free port.Odessa was bombed by British and French weaponry during the Crimean War of the 1850's. After the destruction was repaired, a railroad joined Odessa to Kiev in 1866 and the city rapidly developed as the main export center for grain production. It became a center of Ukranian nationalism at the turn of the 20th century and in 1905 Odessa was the scene of a worker's uprising, led by sailors from the battleship Potemkin. During the uprising hundreds of citizens were murdered on the staircase that has come to be called "the Potemkin Steps."During WWI Odessa was bombarded by the Turkish fleet and after the Bolshevik Revolution the city was occupied by the Central Powers, the French and the Red Army. In 1922 Odessa was unified with the Ukranian Soviet Socialist Republic. There was terrible suffering in the famine which took place after the Russian revolution in 1921.Odessa was taken by German forces in 1941, and almost 300,00 civilians were killed. It remained under Romanian administration during WWII until its liberation by the Soviet Army in 1944. The city went through another rapid growth period after WWII, with industries of ship-building, oil refineries and chemical processing. The city became part of newly-independent Ukraine in 1991 after the fall of communism.Getting ThereBy air, the International Airport of Odessa is where you'll arrive and it's linked to the city by buses. Passenger ships from Istanbul, Haifa and Varna connect with the port. The Marine terminal is at the bottom of the Potemkin steps. When you get to the top you'll be greeted by the Duke of Richelieu, one of the city's founding fathers. This staircase also forms an optical illusion; looking down from the top, the steps are invisible and the side walls of the staircase appear to run parallel. Don't be fooled.TransportationThe main railway station is in the southern part of the city and it's connected with trams and buses, as usual, to get you around.People and CultureOdessa has a big graffiti scene as you can see here. Lots of concrete walls in empty places...Things to do, RecommendationsThe Opera House is the oldest and most famous in Odessa, built in 1810 with rich decorative rococo style. Here's a look at the Opera Theater at night. The Palais-Royal is adjoined to the Opera Theater and is also worth a trip to see.On the "must-see" list, Deribasovskaya Street is the very heart of Odessa. Its unique character lasted even when adherence to Soviet-design styles was strictly promoted -- so here you can find amazing architecture, outdoor cafes and restaurants, cobblestone streets and no vehicle traffic.Here's a look in the Passage shopping mall and hotel in the city center, a cool place to walk around.Visit the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, the largest Orthodox Church in the city. It's been newly reconstructed after its destruction by Bolsheviks in the 1930's.Architectural curiosities: go and find the one-wall building when you run out of things to do. This would be first on my list, actually. Here's another mixup of architectural styles to have a look at.Finally, go and visit Empress Ekaterina, one of the main founders the city, at her monument.Text by Steve Smith.

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Tag Archives: gay capital TRAVEL: San Francisco is Queertopia Posted on 20 Jan 2011 at 7:20pm Tweet The City by the Bay is a must visit for all gay Texans — World Series titles notwithstanding NICK VIVION | Special Contributor lifestyle@dallasvoice.com San Francisco is regularly recognized as one of the world’s most visited cities, and equally as often is dubbed the most European city in America. The Bay Area boasts a live-and-let-live ethos that has attracted a population with equal parts creativity and quirk (it’s the fictional homes of Marvel’s X-Men and Star Trek’s United Federation of Planets). It’s also just about the gayest city in the world, a veritable Capital of the Queers — some estimates put 30 percent of the population as LGBT-identified. And despite their baseball team trouncing the Rangers in last year’s World Series, it’s still a desirable travel destination for gay Texans. The city has welcomed the weary, the weird and the wacky for more than a century. The first wave was during the Gold Rush of the 1800s. The prospectors had no prospects — and no women. So they made do, and are said to be the ones who invented the Hanky Code to organize their newfound homo desires. Post-World War II, soldiers of both sexes began to carve a niche for themselves amidst the already-thriving gay scene. A spread in Life magazine in 1964 maliciously declared San Francisco the gay capital of the nation, but while the tone was accusatory, it had one unintended effect: Publicity. OPEN UP THAT GOLDEN GATE | The famed bridge, opposite page, is the best-known image of San Francisco, but for gay travelers the Castro District is a must-see destination. “Thousands of gay people poured into California now that they knew where to go,” says Kathy Amendola, owner of Cruisin’ the Castro, about the meteoric rise of gay San Francisco in the 1960s. “In 1967, the Summer of Love exploded in the Haight. There were so many tens of thousands of people in one place at one time on such a high level of consciousness [from LSD] that it shifted energy. San Francisco could not stop people from pouring in, from the gays to the hippies. It was supposed to be the utopia: free drugs, free food and free love. Who wouldn’t come here?” But San Francisco is more than just a cliché of drugged-out hippies and handkerchiefed homos cruising the streets. It has an energy that you can savor, a magical serenity that makes molecules vibrate more vigorously. It’s exhilarating. San Francisco is freedom from judgment, a place where people are living their lives mindfully, yet without much regard to what people think. “We recycle 77 percent of our garbage and food. We still have that sense of utopia,” says Amendola without the slightest hint of new-age pretense. She, like most San Franciscans, is serious about her community’s shared values. Harvey Milk was known as the “Mayor of the Castro,” and is widely credited with bringing the gays to the district. He saw the Castro’s cheaper rent and better climate when he was living over the hill in Haight-Ashbury, and jumped at the chance to open a camera store right on Castro Street. Today, the camera store sits empty awaiting the embattled move of the HRC Store. In its window is an image of a group of people outside the Castro Theatre waving a flag that says “Gay Revolution.” Above, from the second floor where Milk used to live, is a mural of Harvey looking down on the street. On his chest is painted one of his most potent phrases: “You gotta give ‘em hope.” Visiting the Castro is a must for every gay visitor. It’s unlike any other remaining gayborhood in contemporary society — our Mecca, and not just because there are a lot of gay people there; it also breathes history. Milk first spoke out at the corner of Market and Castro right underneath where the Pride flag now billows. Murals abound depicting the decimation of the AIDS crisis, and how the city’s gay population rallied, protested and fought incessantly to stem the tide of deaths. The recent opening of the GLBT Historical Museum on 18th Street is a much-needed fulcrum of our collective queer identity. The handsome museum facilitates an understanding of our history as a group, and shows those younger folks like myself the oft-unbelievable realities of gay life in decades pat. As I stood in front of the picture of Leonard Matlovich on the cover of Time in September 1978, I nearly cried. I had never heard of him, nor had I ever noticed the large plaque commemorating him on the corner of 18th and Castro. He was discharged from the military for being gay, saying: “When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one.” My visit to the museum was the day before DADT was repealed; I had no idea we had been fighting for this long. The queer experience is central to the San Francisco experience, as it is the city’s acceptance — not just tolerance — of queer people of all kinds that really makes it unique. This is not the “diversity” of New York, rather a whole-hearted commitment to queering the world. Standing outside Hotel Abri near Union Square, hearing the buzz of four languages, it strikes me that there are so many microcosms in this city, neighborhoods so distinct they could be in separate cities or states. San Francisco, at its geographical core, is queer. San Francisco gets under your skin, into your blood and hooks you for life. It will electrify you, and like your first true love, you will never be able to shake it. This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition Jan. 21, 2011. — John Wright

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Wolf Creek - State Park R. R. 1, Box 99 Windsor 61957 In east central Illinois-just minutes from Springfield, Decatur, Champaign, Effingham and surrounding communities - the Wolf Creek/Eagle Creek sites, facing each other across the central portion of Lake Shelbyville, provide the perfect setting for outdoor recreation and natural relaxation for a day, a weekend, or even longer. Eight miles northwest of Windsor, the sites encompass 11,100 acres of water, 250 miles of shoreline and large tracts of carefully maintained indigenous woodlands ideal for camping, horseback riding, snowmobiling, boat fishing, water skiing, pontoon boating, windsurfing or just plain bobbing and drifting on the glittering expanse of the lake itself. In addition to visiting the small, friendly wooded campgrounds or taking part in the action on the lake, swimming is available from the beach. You can also take a leisurely stroll through nearby forests. An abundance of deer, pheasant, rabbits, wild turkey and songbirds are almost always visible. Portions of the park have been cleared of physical barriers and are accessible to disabled visitors. Like many other such areas, the Wolf Creek/Eagle Creek sites are perfect examples of the potential benefits of natural resource management. As a means of flood control, water supply and downstream water quality control, the Flood Control Act of 1958 authorized the Shelbyville Reservoirs Project, which involved construction of a dam and creation of a lake. These mundane necessities, however, would also allow for the actual conservation of fish and wildlife and the development of areas for all the recreational uses outlined above. It was, of course, a monumental undertaking. Before actual work on the dam at Shelbyville could begin, several old mines in the area had to be completely relocated, two gas and oil pipelines and roads rerouted, the old Shelby Power Plant demolished and land cleared and leveled on the west side of the channel which hugs the bluff to the east of the river bottom. Construction of this $56 million project began in May of 1963. The dam itself is an earthen embankment towering 110 feet above the original stream bed. It’s 3,025 feet long with a reinforced concrete, gate-controlled spillway to manipulate water level and manage the 25,300 acres of its flood control pool. Most of this work was done by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the land is now managed by the State of Illinois on a long-term lease from the federal government which began in 1968. By 1972, the area was open to the public and provided primitive camping facilities. In the years since then, the state has purchased additional surrounding lands and made extensive improvements in campgrounds, boat launches, day-use areas and hiking trails that make this a beautiful, well-tended and well-managed natural retreat in which to relax. Picnicking Family picnic areas are scattered throughout Wolf Creek State Park. Complete with grills, tables, water and sanitary facilities, you’ll find everything you need to have a great outing. Two areas are equipped with shelters and facilities for disabled visitors. The Lost Shelter picnic area is an isolated, scenic area and is available by reservation. Camping There are 304 Class A campsites with restrooms and showers, electricity and picnic tables, and 78 Class C sites. In addition, there are two family tent camping areas, an organized group camp, and an equestrian campground. A 140-site area in the Lick Creek section has also been designated for reservations. Requests for reservations are accepted starting in January for sites to be reserved between May 1 and October 31. From the four-lane launching ramp (adjacent to a 175-car parking lot), you can set out for any variety of water sports. Rental boats and motors are available from several private marinas on the lake, which also provide a full range of boating and fishing supplies. The miles of flood brush, timber and rock rip-rap shorelines, the many points with submerged ridges, and the hundreds of tributary streams emptying into Lake Shelbyville provide prime and productive fishing areas. The lake is teeming with black and white crappie, largemouth bass, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill, muskie, bullhead, carp and sunfish. Special size and creel limits are in effect for some species, so please check with the site superintendent’s office for specific information on fishing opportunities and regulations. Swimming Treat your whole family to a day at the beach. A developed swimming beach, open from the middle of May to the middle of September, is situated in the southwest section of the park. No lifeguards are available, so please remain in the buoyed area and be careful. Alcohol is not allowed past the main gate into the beach area, and pets, food and drinks are not permitted on the sand. Picnic tables and grills are available nearby. For refreshing walks in the forests, Wolf Creek contains seven hiking trails. For invigorating winter time activity there is a 16 1/2-mile snowmobile trail, and for the equestrian there is a scenic 15-mile equestrian trail. While groups of 25 or more are welcome and encouraged to use the park's facilities, they are required to register in advance with the site office to avoid crowding or scheduling conflicts. At least one responsible adult must accompany each group of 15 minors. Pets must be kept on leashes at all times. Actions by nature can result in closed roads and other facilities. Please call ahead to the park office before you make your trip. We hope you enjoy your stay. Remember, take only memories, leave only footprints. For more information on tourism in Illinois, call the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity Bureau of Tourism at 1-800-2Connect. Telecommunication Device for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Natural Resources Information (217) 782-9175 for TDD only Relay Number 800-526-0844.

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Once you are here Ireland is delighted to welcome visitors with special needs and reduced mobility, and services and amenities are always improving Before arriving in Ireland it is now possible to map out your journey. The National Journey Planner system provides door-to-door information on all available travel options for journeys to, from, and within the Republic of Ireland. In addition to this, you'll find general travel information for people with mobility difficulties. If you are disabled or have reduced mobility, you can receive assistance when you fly to and from Europe under law. It is advised that you ask for assistance at least 48 hours in advance. Airports must provide special assistance to get you to and from your flight, free of charge, including check-in and getting through security. Read more on Flight Rights. The contact details for special needs assistance for every airport in Ireland are listed below. Airports in the Republic of Ireland Dublin Airport Cork Airport Shannon Airport Donegal Airport Galway Airport Knock Airport Sligo Airport Waterford Airport Kerry Airport Airports in Northern Ireland Belfast International Airport George Best Belfast City Airport City of Derry Airport Enniskillen Airport Travelling by sea The EU's regulations on maritime travel aim to ensure that every passenger can enjoy safe travel by sea, regardless of mobility. In Ireland, these guidelines were created so journeys by ship, boat or ferry are easier for everyone, whether those with a disability, travelling with children or luggage. Dublin Bus is the main public transport provider for the Greater Dublin Area. Most of its fleet is made up of low-floor buses which have one wheelchair space that fits standard wheelchairs of up to 70cm wide and 120cm long. On Dublin’s rail system, Dart trains feature generous space for wheelchairs but not every station is wheelchair accessible. You can find a station online and check its accessibility. Dublin has two tram lines known as the Luas. As the most recent addition to Dublin’s public transport sector it is compliant with current accessibility and environmental standards for transport systems. For Intercity and countrywide rail services in the Republic of Ireland, trains hold a limited number of wheelchair places. Irish Rail advises that those travelling with a wheelchair book in advance. For those with limited mobility travelling in Northern Ireland, the Translink website includes an extensive guide on services for travellers with disabilities. It is recommended that you plan your journey in advance as not all buses or trains are accessible. Bus Éireann’s accessible services include a number of buses with entrance ramps and designated wheelchair spaces. Almost 70% of their passenger fleet is accessible. Advance booking is required on inter-city routes. Wheelchair accessible taxis Wheelchair accessible taxis in the Republic of Ireland have a wheelchair icon on the roof of the vehicle, so they have been specifically modified to have specialist equipment including ramps, wheelchair anchorages and suitable seatbelts. The National Transport Authority has a complete list of all wheelchair accessible taxis in the island of Ireland. In Northern Ireland, there are currently four types of taxi identified by the colour of taxi plate; green, yellow, white, and white and blue. White and blue license plates are issued to some taxis that operate like buses – they charge passengers an individual fare on some routes. These taxis are not required to have a meter but are wheelchair accessible. A yellow license plate means that the taxi can be hailed in the street or picked up from designated taxi ranks when the roof light is on. These taxis are wheelchair accessible and will have a taximeter. A white license plate means the taxi can be pre-booked or hailed in areas outside a five-mile radius of Belfast City Centre. These taxis are not required to be wheelchair accessible or have a meter. A green license plate means that the taxi must be pre-booked either in person, at a depot, or by phone. The majority of these are not wheelchair accessible, so it is best to request a wheelchair accessible taxi if you need this, although this is not guaranteed. Disabled car parking There are a range of parking facilities available to people with disabilities in towns and cities throughout Ireland. They are always located in "prime" parking spots beside building entrances, in city/town centres, etc. These parking bays are clearly marked for use by disabled people by both signs and road markings. Although local authorities have no legal obligation to provide parking bays for people with disabilities, a certain number of spaces are available in all local authority on-street parking, local authority car parks and public building car parks. The location of these spaces will be laid down in local authority bye-laws. For more info on disabled car spaces contact the local authority/council of the area in which you’re visiting, and you can access a full list of local authorities in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Motability Ireland provides car rentals to reduced mobility customers for use all over the island of Ireland. Their vehicles come with fully comprehensive insurance and 24-hour AA roadside assistance. The staff can even organise airport/ferry collections and drop-offs for you. Accessible Ireland is a great resource for a list of accommodation options with disabled facilities. The ABLE Q Mark for Accessibility is a logo to look out for. ABLE was introduced in 2012 and you’ll see the logo in tourism businesses including hotels and self-catering cottages. On the accommodation database you’ll see establishments that have achieved the ABLE Q Mark for accessibility. Cuisle is one holiday centre built specifically for disabled visitors on a 50-acre site belonging to Donamon Castle. Accessible Ireland lists many tourist attractions with disabled amenities in Ireland. Some of Ireland’s historic sites, such as abbeys, castles and ruins, may not be as accessible as modern attractions such as Titanic Belfast. Castles and towers may have a first floor that is accessible; however, they are less likely to have lifts. Heritage Ireland manages many of Ireland’s heritage sites, providing information on each site’s accessibility. In Northern Ireland, the National Trust runs sites such as The Giant’s Causeway and has great access information for each site including parking, toilets and the grounds. Car and motor rental in Ireland Renting a vehicle in Ireland puts the island in your hands. From cars to motorcycles to camper vans, vehicle rental... Make a note of the emergency numbers to call when in Ireland Ireland for families and children When it comes to looking after kids of all ages, Ireland is just one big playground Regional tourism offices A great place to source local information and ask any advice about travelling in Ireland is one of the many Regional... Religious observance in Ireland The island of Ireland is a tolerant place with many faiths and religions represented in the population Senior citizens Ireland moves at a civilised pace, so escape the madness and enjoy the island in your own time

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A STEAMING HOT BUSINESS: Greater Privacy Boosts Demand for Natural Spring Baths December 20, 2002 A popular way to relax and escape the bustle of city life in Japan is to travel to an onsen (hot spring) resort, especially during the cold months from autumn through winter. The large, natural spring baths at these resorts are usually communal, but there has recently been an increase of hotels and inns offering greater privacy. They are allowing couples and families to reserve any of the smaller baths, and some provide suites that have their own open-air bathing facilities. For those who want to enjoy the luxury of a spa in their own homes, meanwhile, condos with natural spring water are being built in and around Tokyo. While these moves are attempts to attract customers and survive the increasingly fierce competition, they seem to have struck a chord with modern-day consumers and have succeeded in generating new demand. The Luxury of Private Baths An old inn in the Nishiura Onsen district of Aichi Prefecture parted with tradition when renovating its facilities in the summer of 2001 by building open-air baths that either could be reserved by guests or were designed as part of guest rooms. "We came here because we wanted to bathe with just the five of us," commented a woman who reserved an open-air bath overlooking Mikawa Bay with her parents, husband, and daughter. "If we used the large communal facilities, we'd have to split up into the men's and women's baths and worry about keeping our appointment to meet up afterwards. We wouldn't be able to really relax." Another woman who was staying with her elderly parents chose a suite with a private bath. "My father's legs are quite weak," she explained, "and I was worried about him tripping and injuring himself while he was alone in the men's bath." Travel agencies are seeking to cash in on the growing popularity of these baths by advertising them in their brochures of onsen tour packages. Travel magazines too have been compiling features of inns with private facilities. The number of reserved and private baths has jumped over the last two years, according to the research division of a leading travel agency. It reports that one in four Japanese-style inns that added a new structure or renovated existing ones in fiscal 2000 (April 2000 to March 2001) built such facilities. Most people in the travel industry expect customer demand for these facilities to continue to grow. Spa Apartments in the Tokyo Area In and around Tokyo, meanwhile, a number of condominiums have gone on sale that eliminate the need to travel far to enjoy natural hot springs. One building in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward will have 145 units with individual hot spring baths - the first of its kind to go up in the nation's capital. Sales began in November 2002, and construction is expected to be completed in 2004. Natural spring water at a temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) will be drawn from 800 meters underground and heated to a comfortable 42 degrees (108 degrees Fahrenheit). The monthly cost for the use of the onsen water will be about ¥2,000 ($16.70 at ¥120 to the dollar) per household. The natural spring, which contains sodium bicarbonate, is said to help ease pain in the nerves, muscles, and joints and improve symptoms of chronic skin diseases and other ailments. The developer has been building hotels and condos with onsen facilities for over 15 years. Last year it completed a 158-unit onsen condo in the city of Sakura, Chiba Prefecture, and it also plans to construct such buildings in the cities of Yachiyo in Chiba Prefecture and Machida in Tokyo. In Tokyo's residential Ota Ward, a large-scale condo complex with onsen facilities is under construction, with completion slated for September 2003. The 758 units will not have direct access to hot spring water; instead, residents will share deluxe facilities that use onsen water, including large indoor baths, open-air baths, and a swimming pool. The developer responsible for the project built a similar condo two years ago in Hyogo Prefecture and is proceeding with the development of more such properties in Kanagawa Prefecture. The Ota-Ward apartments are expected to be priced most commonly around ¥62 million ($516,700), and units in this bracket will have an average floor space of about 85 square meters. The median-range Shinjuku condo, meanwhile, will have two bedrooms and a price tag of around ¥50 million ($416,700). Competition in condo sales is particularly fierce in the Tokyo area, where there has been a rush in the development and construction of new complexes over the last several years. Both developers hope to turn customers' heads by offering homes perked up with the luxury of a hot spring bath. Copyright (c) 2002 Japan Information Network. Edited by Japan Echo Inc. based on domestic Japanese news sources. Articles presented here are offered for reference purposes and do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Japanese Government. Send this article to a friend Trends in Japan Home

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Gold rush had significant influence on Pagosa history By John Motter, Pagosa’s Past The California gold rush, triggered by the 1848 discovery of placer gold at Sutter’s Mill on the American River, had a significant influence on Pagosa Country history. Among the trails across the Rocky Mountains followed by fortune seekers headed for their California Eldorado was the Old Spanish Trail. In fact, there are many trails by that name in the western United States. The trail by that name we are interested in connected Santa Fe, N.M., with Southern California. On its way westward, this trail crossed the southwestern corner of today’s Archuleta County. The first white settlement in the county, maybe in the southwestern corner of Colorado, may have been at Carracas, where the Old Spanish Trail crossed the San Juan River. Tourists visiting Pagosa Springs are not pointed to Carracas and many of our community’s more recent settlers may not know Carracas exists, or at best, may not know of its significant participation in our early history. The best description of the Old Spanish Trail was written by Dr. Leroy R. and wife Ann W. Hafen in 1954. It is titled “The Old Spanish Trail, Santa Fe to Los Angeles.” Hafen’s illustrious career included 30 years, 1924 to 1954, as the Colorado state historian. The origin of the old trail is lost in the murky years of old New Mexico history. We know that early explorers of the Southwest such as Juan Maria Rivera, led by Native American guides, used portions of the trail as early as 1765. The Dominguez-Escalante party followed the trail into central Utah in 1776. There are sketchy remnants of stories about trade between New Mexico’s early settlers and the Native Americans living along the route. Following is an account of an 1813 trading expedition: “An expedition of seven men, under the leadership of Mauricio Arze and Largos Garcia, left the frontier settlement of Abiquiu on the Rio Chama on March 16 to trade with the Utes. Upon the party’s return, five months later, they were immediately apprehended and brought before Manuel Garcia, Alcalde of the Villa de Santa Cruz de la Canada (now a part of Española), for failing to have proper trade credentials, as well as having twelve Indian captives in their possession. The notarized accounts of the hearing relate that the Arze-Garcia expedition had proceeded to Utah valley(the general Provo area) where they remained three days waiting for the Indians to assemble, so that trade could commence. When the Utes finally gathered, according to Arze and Garcia, the Utes would barter nothing but Paiute slaves — ‘as they had done on other occasions.’ When this offer was rejected, the Indians became infuriated, and before their chiefs succeeded in quieting the tribesmen, eight horses and one mule belonging to the Spanish had been killed.” Continued next week. This story was posted on April 3, 2014. e-Edition

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Five top British castles and palaces By Site Editor Step back in time and enjoy some spectacular British castles and palaces in our pick of the bunch from Make The Most Of Your Time In Britain... Warwick Castle, Warwick On the surface, Warwick Castle looks like an ideal place to spend a genteel, quintessentially English day out. The wonderfully restored medieval castle, built in 1068 by William the Conquerer on the site of an older earthen rampart near the River Avon, houses an opulent hall lined with suits of armour, state rooms packed with period furniture, lavish royal chambers and a tower that could have been plucked straight out of a fairy tale. Surrounding the castle, meanwhile, are 690 acres of immaculate gardens, landscaped in the eighteenth century by Lancelot “Capability” Brown. However, the castle is also home to what one British newspaper has dubbed the scariest tourist attraction in the country. The castle dungeon, where senior Royalists were detained during the English Civil War, now has a Black Death theme, complete with strikingly realistic decaying bodies, torture chamber and medieval medical equipment, not to mention crowds of leeches, creepy chanting monks and gallons of (fake) blood. It is all brought to life by a devilish cast of actors, who take obvious delight in creating a gloomy and ghoulish atmosphere. Warwick Castle, Warwick http://www.warwick-castle.co.uk. Bodiam Castle, East Sussex Ask any five-year-old to draw you a castle and you’ll probably end up with a version of Bodiam Castle in East Sussex. With its fairy-tale battlements, arrow slits, portcullis and moat, it is the very image of a forbidding medieval fortress and undoubtedly one of England’s most evocative, especially in the early morning mist with the caws of crows rasping in the air. Yet while it certainly looks the part, Bodiam may be, whisper it, something of a fraud. Historians, you see, can be a tad sniffy about Bodiam, claiming it’s little more than a beefed-up manor house rather than a “proper” castle. For starters the moat, seemingly a tricky barrier for the assumed French invaders, could have been drained in a few hours by a man with a shovel. Then there are the thin walls, the vulnerable large windows and the lack of a proper drawbridge. Yet gripes like these rather miss the point. Its owner, local bigwig Sir Edward Dallingridge, had little intention of holing up inside and pouring boiling oil through the murder holes when the castle was completed in 1385. For him Bodiam was about impressing the neighbours and displaying the new-found wealth he had obtained by plundering French villages. What really sets Bodiam apart, though, is its unspoilt exterior and the sweeping views from its battlements. It’s a location manager’s dream (it played a key role in Monty Python and the Holy Grail) and just a few hours here will set your imagination into overdrive – you half expect toothless peasants to be tilling the fields or to see a dragon swoop overhead. For the kids, there are plenty of ye olde activities to take part in, from dressing up in medieval garb to archery and falconry displays. Bodiam Castle, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex, http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiamcastle. Stokesay Castle, Shropshire Sitting in lush Shropshire countryside, all dense hedgerows and patchwork arable land, Stokesay is comprised of a harmonious cluster of buildings: the original honey-coloured and crenellated fortifications, topped with a weathered slate roof; an Elizabethan half-timbered gatehouse decorated with carvings of Adam and Eve; and a little country church with canopied pews. Edward I granted the licence to fortify, but it’s likely the steep castle walls were designed with aesthetics in mind, rather than to keep marauding Welshmen at bay; the castle was built during a lull in the border battles. And it is the domestic rather than military nature of Stokesay that gives it its particular charm, and enables it to sit so very prettily in this verdant landscape. The great hall, which dates from Lawrence’s time, is spanned by a massive timber-framed roof, and still has its original interior staircase. Instead of a fireplace, there’s an octagonal hearth in the centre of the room. Elsewhere, the north tower has its original tiled floor, and the gatehouse features seventeenth-century wall paintings; until the time of Charles I, Lawrence’s descendants were responsible for the attractive development of the castle. After this point, Stokesay was used as base for the king during the Civil War, and was then handed to the parliamentarians without any significant fighting taking place. Having survived its long history conflict-free, this overwhelmingly attractive and eccentric collection of buildings was thus preserved for future visitors. Stokesay is 7 miles northwest of Ludlow, Shropshire http://www.english-heritage.org.uk. Stirling Castle, Stirling Perched on a jagged outcrop of granite, and framed by heather-smothered hills, Stirling Castle looks like the classical impregnable fortress, its bleak, stolid walls witness to a long history of murder and mayhem. Thanks to Braveheart, almost everyone in the world knows about William Wallace and the Battle of Stirling Bridge where he trounced the English in that memorable (and bloody) battle scene. Disappointingly for Wallace fans, little remains of the castle he took in 1297; after another hero, Robert Bruce, decisively beat the English again at Bannockburn in 1314, the castle was effectively destroyed and then rebuilt. The oldest surviving part of the castle today is the stern North Gate, built in 1381 during the reign of Robert II. Yet the castle’s later history is wonderfully preserved, offering an alternative to that blood-and-guts image. Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned in the Chapel Royal in 1543, and the Great Hall where she held lavish feasts is still there. It remains a majestic space, with enormous walls, high oriel windows, and a fine oak hammer-beam roof, encrusted with vivid stone carvings. The castle is also painstakingly reproducing the set of 33 gorgeous hand-carved oak medallions that once adorned the ceilings of the Palace. The replicas will eventually return to the ceiling of the King’s Presence Hall, while a special gallery is being created for the originals. Then there are the famous Hunt of the Unicorn tapestries, medieval gems being recreated for the castle by weavers at West Dean College. It remains to be seen if Gibson, or the ghost of William Wallace, will make an appearance at the unveiling in 2014. Stirling Castle, Castle Wynd, Stirling 01786/450000, http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk. Hampton Court, Surrey Ghosts stalk the corridors of Hampton Court Palace: Catherine Howard, dragged back to her rooms after being accused of adultery, not long before her execution at the Tower of London, is apparently seen screaming in the appropriately named Haunted Gallery; while Henry VIII’s favourite wife, Jane Seymour, has been spotted walking through Clock Court, carrying a lighted taper. Whether or not you believe in ghosts – or are fortunate enough to see one – there’s no denying that the palace is so rich in history that there seems to be more to it than just the many visitors that wander through its rooms. It was Thomas Wolsey, during the reign of Henry VIII, who transformed what was a large private house – built as a grange for the Knights Hostpitallers in the thirteenth century – into the impressive complex that we see today. The palace was a striking, modern centrepiece for the king’s rule, used to impress and entertain foreign dignitaries and, of course, house his various wives in lavish rooms. Even today, it’s impossible not to be enchanted by the architecture and design of the buildings and grounds. Rivalling the ghosts as the palace’s most famous attraction is the trapezoidal maze, planted at the end of the seventeenth century as a place for courtiers to lose themselves when needing to escape palace politics. Hampton Court Palace, Hampton Court, Surrey, http://www.hrp.org.uk/hamptoncourtpalace. For hundreds more unique experiences, get a copy of Make The Most Of Your Time In Britain Tags: Europe / United Kingdom / Architecture / Heritage & ruins / Museums & art « Previous Feature Next Feature » Five top Welsh castles Eight top British houses and homes The top ten places to explore British history Thoughtful travel - ten spots to remember the past Trending Articles 15 lies we've all told while travelling Related Guides Pocket Rough Guide Copenhagen Rough Guides Snapshot Europe on a Budget: Czech Republic

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Bangkok Vice: Buddhas, Boxers, and Bar Girls Khao San Road and the Emerald Buddha SlateWell-traveledDispatches from the front lines of travel.April 2 2007 1:41 PM By Matthew Polly In the beginning there was Jon Stewart irony, and it was good. And then there was Steven Colbert meta-irony, and it was better. But then I discovered meta-meta-irony, and it scared me straight. In a tiny bookstore on Khao San Road, Thailand, with a bottle of duty-free Jack Daniel's in one hand and a copy of Alex Garland's The Beach (with Leo DiCaprio on the cover) in the other, I was looking through the window at the most dense, most multiethnic, most unwashed group of truth-seeking wanderers I'd ever encountered in one locale, when I made the mistake of cracking open the book and reading its opening: "The first I heard of the beach was in Bangkok, on the Khao San Road. Khao San Road was backpacker land. … Khao San Road is a decompression chamber." Advertisement Khao San Road is only a decompression chamber if you are ascending from Laos or Vietnam. I had descended from Midtown Manhattan, and Khao San Road was giving me the bends. I wanted to shout, "Get a job." Then I remembered that travel journalism isn't exactly coal mining, and I exhaled nitrogen and whiskey as I merged with the never-ending party. Khao San Road is where WTO protesters go to vacation. It is a collection of cheap hostels, Internet cafes, semi-legit massage parlors, disreputable travel agents, nightclubs, and endless stalls manned by Thai merchants willing to cater to the desires of the First World's spiritually confused, culturally eclectic youths. And what do they want? Primarily, tattoos, henna, and dreadlocks. As I walked past a Thai grandmother braiding Bob Marley hair into a twentysomething Japanese head while a Thai man was needling Superman's symbol onto his shoulder, I thought: If this is where peace, love, and understanding lead, then let's give war a chance. My morning was spent blearily drinking with a table full of Australians on multiyear walkabouts. This inevitably led to a heated argument about whether Foster-drinking, g'day-mate, crocodile-hunting Australia actually exists or is simply a myth invented by pommy descendants too embarrassed to admit that they'd been banished and never found a home to call their own. As the debate raged on, I found myself significantly outnumbered and decided that I should probably start exploring the city. Wat Pho is the oldest temple in Bangkok, older even than the city itself, having been built in the 17th century. At its center is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, which houses a 45-meter statue of the Buddha lying down and smiling from ear to ear like he has just had the best massage. Because the Buddha achieved enlightenment sitting under a tree rather than nailed to it, his iconography has a decidedly less tragic demeanor than Jesus'. Even his death—the result of eating a bad piece of pork, which he knew was rotten beforehand but digested anyway to prove his detachment from life itself—has a certain comic appeal. It's hard to imagine even bloody-minded Mel Gibson making a film about it: The Passion of the Trichinosis. Leaving Wat Pho, I wandered the southern wall of the Grand Palace, looking for its entrance until I eventually ran into the gem-shop scam. Every country has its con artists. Ours we call Congress. Thailand's are called tuk-tuk drivers, and they earn commissions by luring tourists into their three-wheeled auto rickshaws and dropping them off at dodgy shops. The gem-shop scam involves a tout who tells confused tourists that the popular attraction they want to see, like the Grand Palace, is closed for the next couple of hours, but in the meantime, his friend the tuk-tuk driver can take them, for a minimal fee, to some of Bangkok's other sites. Before the destinations are reached, the tuk-tuk driver, claiming an empty tank, will stop outside a gem store and encourage the tourists to go inside while he gets a gas voucher. I know this because I read about it in The Rough Guide to Thailand on the plane ride over. I know this because while looking for the entrance to the Grand Palace, a tout came up to me and said in the strikingly solid English found throughout Bangkok, "Sunday Grand Palace is closed to farang until 2 p.m." (Farang is the Thai term for white foreigners, and not once did a Thai use it in my presence without smiling awkwardly and looking away. Farang is their F-word. And, given the history of Western involvement in southeast Asia, it should be.) I'd like to say that I walked away. I'd like to blame the fact that I didn't on jet leg and Jack. But the truth is, his patter was silky smooth, and his smile was radiant. It wasn't until my tuk-tuk driver had to stop for a gas voucher and pushed me into a low-rent gem shop run by an Arab man—"You like gems? Everyone likes gems! We have the best gems in Bangkok!"—that I realized I was the sucker at the table. Frustrated that I refused to buy anything in any of the stores or remain in them for more than a few minutes, my tuk-tuk driver finally abandoned me at the Golden Mount, a mediocre temple on top of a huge mound of dirt. It took me two more tuk-tuks and two more gem shops before I finally made it back to the Grand Palace. Outside its gates, a different tout told me it was closed to farang until 4 p.m. One of the most important concepts in Thai is jai yen (cool heart), which gives you some indication of how frustrating the country can be. The tout took one look at me, saw that my heart was anything but cool, and dashed off. Located inside the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaeo was built as the royal temple, and with its brilliant, outlandish color scheme and oddly sized structures looks like the kind of spiritual playground Donald Trump would create if he happened to be a gay Buddhist dwarf. Speaking of gay Buddhist dwarfs, Wat Phra Kaeo houses the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's holiest icon. Made of green jade, this 18-inch statue sits atop what appears to be a vault-sized wedding cake made of gilt and gold. I'm joking, of course, about the Emerald Buddha being gay—as an enlightened being, he is free from desire for either gender, making him technically a bored bisexual—but he does possess three Liberace-fabulous outfits, which, according to custom, the king of Thailand himself personally changes at the beginning of each of Thailand's three seasons: spicy, steamed, and fried. But I shouldn't joke about the Emerald Buddha. For one thing, the Thais are a bit touchy about their national icons, and in particular their king—my first cab driver said to me, apropos of nothing, "The king is my heart." And the Emerald Buddha is the most important religious idol in southeast Asia. For centuries, the Burmese and the Thais have been playing capture the flag with the statue because of his reputed spiritual powers. Pilgrims from all over the world visit the Emerald Buddha in search of miracles. Personally, my view of holy sites is that it's more about the journey than the destination, but the most surprising thing happened to me as I walked into the Emerald Buddha Temple. I took one look at him, and I felt my soul become cool and calm. It wasn't mind-blowing, but it was noticeable, and I hadn't felt anything quite like it in a long time. That evening, I fell asleep early and had the most wonderful, life-affirming dreams where there was peace on Earth, good will between men, and I happened to be extremely popular with the ladies. And I woke up confused, because my dreams are usually a cross between Mad Max and Lord of the Flies. As I wondered what could account for the change, the image that popped unbidden into my mind and stayed there was of the Emerald Buddha. He looked marvelous. Matthew Polly is the author ofAmerican Shaolin—Flying Kicks, Buddhist Monks, and the Legend of Iron Crotch: An Odyssey in the New China. My Muay Thai Lesson By: Matthew Polly Finding the Client's Inner 13-Year-Old Doing My Bit for the War Effort Chasing the Tiger

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Santorini Travel Guide Sergio Canobbio The loveliest beaches, the most charming villages, the most spectacular sunsets--all can be found on the volcanic island of Santorini. A remnant of an explosive eruption a long time ago, today Santorini is an enthralling vacation spot that features a crescent-shaped flooded caldera against a backdrop of cliffs awash with a myriad of colors. Such is the allure of Santorini that it's a popular spot for exchanging vows and honeymoons. But even if you're on your own, you can simply go to the village of Oia or choose any spot on the caldera and get an unobstructed view of the sunset and feel a little romantic yourself. Tours are available to see the smoking islands in the middle of the caldera, fuming away as a result of the activity below the surface. These point out the island's volcanic nature and are an amazing sight to see. Also make sure to take a guided tour of Fira. Its main square, the Plateia Theotokopoulou, might be a bit crowded but the bars, shops and restaurants are worth exploring. The Museum of Prehistoric Thira and the Archaeological Museum are also interesting attractions in Fira. Go on a cable car ride while you're there. In the village of Akrotiri, there's Faros, a lighthouse, which makes a great vantage point for capturing stunning photos. There's also an excavation of an ancient town of Minoa in Akrotiri that shouldn't be missed. The beaches are another attraction in Santorini. Highly recommended are Red Beach, White Beach, Pori and Mesa Pigadia. Ancient Thira on Mesa Vouno is also another must-see with its temples, houses and other Roman and Byzantine ruins. Dining Healthy, fresh and delicious Mediterranean cuisine is the order of the day in the many family- run restaurants and other dining establishments in Santorini. Many of the restaurants can be found in the center of Fira, particularly in Erythrou Stavrou, where you also get the best views of the caldera. There are more restaurants and cafes along the beaches of Perivolos, Agios Georgios and Monolithos. Don't miss the chance to bring home a world-famous wine from Santorini. The Iama Wine Store in Oia has a great selection. If you want to shop for jewelry, Gold Street on Ypapantis has many jewelry shops. There are also designer labels like Armani and Versace in the stores clustered in Erythrou Stavrou. You can find many boutiques and markets in the villages of Megalochori, Mesaria, Perissa, Pyrgos and Vlichada. Where to Go in Santorini Astarte Suites Hotel Caldera - Akrotiri Luxury Honeymoon Hotel Mezedopoleio Anogi, in Imerovigli, Thira, Southern Aegean, Greece Θήρας-Οίας Yazz Beach Perissa Beach

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Yosemite National Park Travel Guide The globally recognized landscape of Yosemite National Park is a stunning natural phenomenon, a crux element in environmental history, and a visitor-friendly playground. The park is almost 1200 square miles, the same size as Rhode Island and it gets about 4 million visitors a year. Most people focus their visit on Yosemite Valley where the most dramatic terrain is found, but the attractions extend far beyond this part of the mountains. Yosemite Valley Most tourism infrastructure is concentrated in the two square miles of the Valley's east end. This goes along with a density of remarkable scenery, which includes Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point and Half Dome. You may have heard that it gets too crowded here, but there are good reasons for this; you must see this part of Yosemite. A natural starting place on any visit to the park is to park your car in one of the two Day Use Parking Lots and take the free shuttle to the Valley Visitor Center, located in Yosemite Village. Look at the big Valley map, ask a ranger some questions, see the excellent park film, explore the Visitor Center exhibits and those of the Yosemite Museum and the Indian Village. It's not too far to stroll a nice trail to the base of Lower Yosemite Falls. You can also take the shuttle to/from The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Lodge, Curry Village, Happy Isles and Upper, Lower and North Pines campgrounds. The free shuttle can also deliver you to several trailheads. Easy walks, short hikes and more strenuous climbs open up breathtaking sights including Yosemite Falls, Mirror Lake and Vernal Falls. There is a lot of useful literature on Yosemite's natural history, photography, rockclimbing and quite a few excellent guidebooks available in the Valley Visitor Center, which can provide you with great nighttime reading or references along the trail. Wawona and Southern Yosemite The Highway 41 corridor runs south from (or north to) Yosemite Valley and includes features that are worthy of national park status in their own right. Wawona is a small historic settlement that could serve as a base of operations for an extensive park visit. The historic Wawona Hotel is found here, with its adjacent 9-hole golf course, stables and cooling South Fork Merced River. Just south of Wawona is the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, a part of Yosemite's original preserved tract. Along your way south is the Glacier Point Road which winds past the Badger Pass Ski Area, 16 miles to the breathtaking Glacier Point. This provides a view off a 3000' cliff, the spread of the high country, an interesting angle on Half Dome and 3 major waterfalls. Glacier Point is open all winter - just not to cars. Cross-country skiers follow groomed tracks to this snowy, solitary aerie. Other worthwhile destinations along Highway 41 include Wawona's Pioneer Yosemite History Center, where park staff creates a living account of Yosemite's fascinating past, and the community of Yosemite West, where house and condo rentals can serve as cozy basecamps. Beyond the park boundary, Sierra National Forest has camping, Fish Camp has a big motel and B+B's, and Oakhurst has a range of hotels and restaurants, as well as grocery, hardware and clothing stores. Tuolumne Meadows and the High Country The historic Tioga Road provides unique access to the middle of Yosemite, the alpine peaks, alluring trailheads for hikers, and the through route to the completely different landscape of what locals call the East Side. The road starts about a half-hour uphill from Yosemite Valley, runs through the beloved Tuolumne Meadows and over the highest highway pass in California, Tioga Pass. The route leaves from Crane Flat where there's a gas station, campground and convenience store, and goes by the hidden charm of White Wolf where you'll find a campground and a small lodge. The intimate Siesta Lake and expansive Tenaya Lake lie beside the road, and a land of granite domes awaits between there and Tuolumne Meadows. Tuolumne has its own visitor center, a large campground and a rustic lodge as well as other amenities. It's well worth planning to spend some time in this cool high country locale. Beyond 10,000' Tioga Pass is the precipitous drop to Lee Vining, Mono Lake, high desert terrain and relatively young volcanic vents. Year-round resorts of June Lake and Mammoth Lakes are fine destinations at the foot of the steep eastern escarpment of the Sierra on the backside of Yosemite. Where to Go in Yosemite National Park The Ahwahnee expert pick East of Yosemite Village Finest hotel inside the park Yosemite Valley Visitor Center expert pick P.O. Box 577 Yosemite exhibits, a bookstore, a park film and rangers to answer questions Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Dining Room expert pick Hwy 120 Hearty family style dining in a mountain tent. Evening Ranger Programs expert pick Yosemite Valley Visitor's Center Spend an evening under the stars Yosemite National Park Blog Posts UPDATES FROM OUR TRAVEL TEAM What's so special about Giant Sequioas? Yosemite has three groves of giant sequoias: Mariposa, Merced and Tuolumne Groves. The Mariposa is the largest, most visited and has the most historic significance. As our former governor once said, "A tree is a tree. How many more do you need to look at?' Well, that was before California had... Read more Half Dome Permits NOW March 31 is the deadline for reserving permits for one-day hikes up Half Dome for this season. If you're thinking about trying this daunting route as a dayhike this year, now's the time to invest some time on the park's website, and invest some money in a chance at the lottery. Lunch at Degnan's Some people will tell you that Degnan's Deli in Yosemite Village is the heart of the park. During the lunch hour hundreds of people flow through and are quickly served with a salad, soup or a sandwich made to order. It's a place that buzzes with visitors and locals; you're as likely to be in line... Read more

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China Grill Miami In 1987 China Grill New York opened to a packed dining room and immediate critical acclaim. By its fifth anniversary, the restaurant was as busy as ever and regardeda as one of the hottest destination sports in New York City. Jeffrey Chodorow's labor of love, his first and only venture into the restaurant world, had proven to be an enduring success in a scene where restaurants seemed to come and go overnight. But something was missing... he wanted mashed potatoes. Never Satisfied with the perception that China Grill was a "Chinese" restaurant, Jeffrey broadened the horizons to include even less likely pairings. "Why not wasabi mashed potatoes? Lobster mashed potatoes? what about lobster pancakes or a peking duck salad?" Chodorow's insistence on thinking outside the wok would set the pitch for what would become one of the most innovative and highest grossing multi-concept restaurant companies in the world. Over twenty years and twenty locations later, China Grill Management and its affiliates continue to produce some of the most original, critically acclaimed and wildly popular dining hotspots in major cities across the globe. Our restaurants have been featured in such diverse publications as The New York Times, In Style, Bon Appetit, The LA Times, 944, and The Miami Herald (to name just a few) and have won awards ranging from Zagat NYC's "most popular nightsport"to Esquire Magazine's "Best New Restaurant". Because we redefine the very meaning of "restaurant." The philosophy operation behind every CGM property is as simple as it is daring-that serious food and dazzing spectacle are not mutually exclusive. By Pairing the culinary ingenuity of world-class chefs, atmospheres crafted by internationally renowned designers and the highest standards of service, CGM's mission is to create an unrivaled and unforgettable dining experience for every single customer. It is this combination of uncompromising vision and gourmet expertise that has earned China Grill Management a phenomenal reputation as a trendsetter at the vanguard of dining. See all (320) Miami Events Contact Info China Grill Address: 404 Washington Ave. Miami, Florida United States Website: China Grill Capacity: 100

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Explore New EnglandBoston Visitors' GuideDestinationsVacation DealsLodgingFlightsReaders' PhotosSki Guide Hawaii - Hawaii Hotels Attractions Restaurants Beyond the beach Low-key Kauai gets you to your feet, not with baubles but with nature's variety and an urge to preserve Princeville Ranch offers cattle drives and an hour's meander along an ocean bluff. (Kari Bodnarchuk for The Boston Globe) By Kari Bodnarchuk KAUAI, Hawaii - Winter had taken its toll. Before my friend Sarah or I had a meltdown, we decided to escape to Hawaii's Garden Island to recharge. It took no time to adjust our internal clocks to the rhythm and pace of island life. But after a couple of days of swimming and tuning out everything except what time we needed to flip over, the allure of Kauai's scenery wooed us off our beach blankets.Few places on earth offer the visual splendor and natural diversity of this Pacific oasis. In an area half the size of Rhode Island, Kauai has lush, fluted sea cliffs that rise 3,000 feet above the ocean, the largest tropical reef in Hawaii, a natural wonder dubbed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" by Mark Twain, and 43 white-sand beaches that are open to the public, whether they are located in front of a chichi resort or at the end of a dirt lane.Although it's fourth among the eight biggest Hawaiian islands, Kauai has maintained a cozy, intimate feel. Only about 3 percent of the land has been developed, mostly within earshot of ocean waves, and no building can rise higher than a palm tree, or four stories. Locals have also ensured that the charming one-lane bridges won't be widened to make way for tour buses or construction trucks.It's possible to drive around the island in a few hours, not counting stops, but you'll need a week to explore all the towns and scenery along the way. This year, visitors can find dynamite deals on everything from surfing lessons and catamaran trips to lodging at some of the island's best beach hotels and cottages. (Avoid deals that seem too good. We rented a jalopy from a no-name shop and soon realized the cars were of questionable roadworthiness and legal status.)When planning your route, keep in mind that the "ring road" doesn't completely encircle the island, due to the impenetrable cliffs and the canyon on the west coast. Waimea Canyon, which is accessible from the southwestern side of the island, is well worth exploring, whether you hike into this gaping, red-rock wonder or drive up the magnificent, winding road to Waimea Canyon Lookout. From here, you can peer into go

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FÉGERSHEIM: (Bas-Rhin département, Alsace région) : 67640 Also see ERSTEIN "Feg" is a familiar appellation to indicate the city in arrondisement Strasbourg-Champagne. Fegersheim is located in 12 km in the south of Strasbourg, between Andlau, Scheer and Ill. The discovery tombs dating the 3rd century BCE certifies an occupation of the site from the Celtic epoch. Vergersheim is named for the first time in the 11th century, the nunnery of the Benedictines of Eschau having an important ownership. Fegersheim and its annex Ohnheim belonged successively as an episcopal fief in Ochsenstein, Hanau-Lichtenberg and Rathsamhausen lords until The Revolution. In 1680, the court of the Sun King, followed by Bos-suet and by Mrs de Maintenon, stayed in Fegersheim, waiting for Mary Christine de Bavière, fiancée of the Big Dauphin with five days of dazzling holidays and public celebrations. Traditionally an agrarian village, Fegersheim became a delightful center at the end of the 19th century. The first synagogue dating from 1809 was enlarged by 1850 and replaced in 1894 with a new building. This last, vandalized in the course of WWII, was sold to an individual who destroyed it around 1974-75. Two stones of the building are kept in Foundation Elisa in Geispolsheim. Fégersheim was seat of a rabbinate transferred to Erstein in 1945. In 1933, Cajofé opened a toy factory. In 1962, the municipality created one of the first industrial zones of the area. [January 2008] CEMETERY requires a key.In a field, located off N83 (west side), just north of the store but the key held at Fondation ELISA, open Sun.-Fri., 8am-4pm. Fondation ELISA is a retirement home, approximately one mile north of the cemetery. This is a walled and gated cemetery, with both gates chained and locked. Although it is obviously still in active use, it was in extremely poor condition with an estimated 700 visible graves. The oldest section is in the middle, closer to the side gate. The maintenance hut was unlocked. There was evidence of fairly recent vandalism including swastikas and anti-Semitic slogans painted on the walls. Some stones clearly had been overturned deliberately, etc. As to any upkeep, weeds were cut down, but rains, etc. have created gullies and have washed the earth away from under stones and slabs, leaving large, gaping holes there. We were unable to determine on that visit exactly who was the person in charge of the cemetery. Source: Dan and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , [1998] The still active cemetery with approximately 700 graves was probably created in the 18th century. Prior to that, the dead of the Jewish community were buried in Rosenwiller. The oldest part is the cemetery was a building (Taharahaus) in the area recognizable by the simple sandstone tombstones. The cemetery is located about 1 km north of the village, directly west of the bypass road N 83 (rue de Lyon). photos. [October 2013] Last Updated on Tuesday, 01 October 2013 17:24

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Function Centre Witchmount Wedding Experience Packages/Menu Upcoming Events – Function Centre Avanti Restaurant Opportunities Not To Miss Home » Function Centre » Entertainment Witchmount Estate offers the finest in house entertainment. Our band, The Sour Grapes, caters for all types of functions, from the most formal to the more relaxed of atmospheres. The Sour Grapes are a sequenced trio, extending up to a 5 piece with a full brass section and also offers a complete Master of Ceremonies service at no additional charge. Meal costs for choosing the house band are paid for by Witchmount Estate. Click to view the music list: Ballads - Dance - Italian - Jazz - Rock n Roll Claude De Cesare Some say Claude was born with a guitar in his hand, and just listening to him play, it would be hard to disagree. Self taught at the age of 12 and following on with extensive tuition, he began playing in a band professionally in 1985 at the age of 16. Claude has played a variety of performances, including Weddings, Dinner Dances, Clubs, Charity Functions, and Christmas Functions just to name a few. His love of and keen attitude to music has seen Claude move into the world of sequencing in late 1994. To date he has programmed over 600 midifiles on his computer and sequencing equipment. Paul Van Ross Paul has been involved with music since the tender age of six. He began playing woodwind instruments in high school and continued to study music at the Victorian College Of The Arts and even pursued further study in New York. Paul performs regularly in many different bands covering a range of styles including: Australian folk music, Irish music, jazz, classical, rock, funk, fusion, rhythm & blues, and big band. Paul’s professionalism and involvement in music has taken him to all parts of the globe and he has supported guests such as Billy Joel, George Bush, many TV programs, and even Killing Heidi. Tony Russo Tony has been playing drums and percussion for 39 years. His experience is evidently recognized by his many performances and tours around Australia and Europe. Some examples of his drumming expertise included playing at Hamer Hall with large orchestras and brass brands, gala concerts, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, and the list goes on. Tony became the drummer he is today with dedication and practice, but also being taught by some of the best drummers in the industry, like Virgil Donati and Brian Czepinski. He has been playing in function bands within Melbourne for the last 30 years, and now, is resident drummer and percussionist with The Sour Grapes at Witchmount Estate and has been for the last 5 years. Tony’s exquisite skills are shown through the art of drumming because of his passion and love for music his whole life. Jenn Vorwerk Jenn was born to sing. Growing up in a musical family gave her performance experience in piano, dance and singing at an early age. A graduate of the Melba Conservatorium of Music, Jenn excelled in her vocal studies and persued opportunities overseas in Taiwan, Singapore, England, Japan and India. Jenn is passionate about singing and has her own singing school where she passes on her skills to the younger generation. Having sung for Natalie Cole and taught for David Jaanz, Jenn is complimented on her vocal versatility and strength at EVERY gig. Winery & Cellar Door (03) 9747 1055 cellar*witchmount.com.au Function Centre (03) 9747 1111 info*witchmount.com.au Avanti Restaurant (03) 9747 1177 avanti*witchmount.com.au Follow Us on Copyright © 2010 Witchmount.com.au All Rights Reserved Warning Under the liquor control reform Act 1998 it is an offence: To supply alcohol to a person under the age of 18 years (Penalty exceeds $6000) For a person under the age of 18 years to purchase or receive liquor (Penalty $500) Vignerons Licence No.32421456

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Page and Photos Copyright ©1999-2007 C.Garner and P.Wright Black Castle Leighlinbridge, County Carlow, Ireland more next The Norman, Hugh de Lacy, built the original Black Castle in 1180 to protect the trade route along the river Barrow. Later a Carmelite friary was founded to care for the area between 1260 and 1270. The Black Castle remains seen here are from the 14th and 16th century. A tower was erected at the same time as the bridge across the river (1320) to provide some protection to the friary. In 1547, Sir Edward Bellingham had to rebuild the tower and surrounding bawn wall. Black Castle has passed through many hands, Kavanaghs, Butlers, Sir Peter Carew, and the Bagenals. It was destroyed in 1577 and then rebuilt only to later be taken by Cromwell. One corner collapsed in 1888. The Barrow river was a great method of travel due to it's length. There are now cruises available from Leighlinbridge that would make a great trip. Barrowline Cruisers above: Leighlin bridgeright: Front side

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A visit to Terezin by Chuck Vadun, part of Web Travel Review's Berlin/Prague story (photos by Philip Greenspun) A light rain fell as I stood at the Martin Tours booth on one corner of Prague's Old Town Square, waiting for the tour bus to arrive to take me to Terezin. Originally built in the late 18th century, Terezin's Small Fortress served as a prison for military and political opponents to the Hapsburg monarchy in the early 19th century. But the most tragic part of Terezin's history came after the Czech lands were occupied by Nazi Germany. Terezin's Small Fortress was converted to a police prison of the Prague Gestapo in June 1940; in November 1941, a ghetto and concentration camp for Jews was established in the Large Fortress and town of Terezin. One of the many things that intrigued me about Terezin is that it had been used during the war as a facade: it was tarted up by the Nazis to look like a spa town to the International Red Cross. The ruse worked and the Red Cross backed off, allowing the death camps to continue their horrific work. I started up a conversation with a pair of attractive young women who were also on the tour. Eileen and Jessica were students from the University of South Carolina who'd been studying in Germany. Eileen was a dual German/Music major, researching Terezin for her senior thesis. We got on the bus around 9:45 for the hour-long journey north. Our guide introduced himself and began telling us the history of Terezin. Much of his story came from personal experience: he'd been a prisoner there, and had buried his own mother in one of Terezin's mass graves. He noted that one of the goals of the Nazis was to "concentrate" the Jewish population in controlled locations, hence the term "concentration camp." Terezin wasn't an "extermination" camp like Auschwitz, though it served as a way station to the camps and ghettos in occupied Eastern Europe. However, that doesn't mean there weren't atrocities committed at Terezin; far from it, as we would soon discover. In fact, of the nearly 140,000 men, women and children deported to Terezin from the Czech lands, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, Slovakia and Hungary, 34,000 died. From 1942 to 1944, transports carried 87,000 people from Terezin eastward; of those, 83,000 were murdered, tortured to death, or perished on forced marches. We visited Terezin's Small Fortress first; just outside the walls lay the cemetery where thousands of political prisoners are buried. Our guide noted that many of the dates on the tombstones were later than May 1945; many of Terezin's prisoners were beyond medical help at the time of the camp's liberation by the Russians, and died before they could be repatriated. Our first stop once inside the walls was at a row of "isolation cells," rooms big enough to hold a pallet about the size of today's twin bed, and not much else. It took me about three steps to walk the length of the cell. I did so several times and tried to calculate how long it would have taken me to go crazy in such a place. Next we saw some of the common rooms for women prisoners, perhaps the size of a two-car garage, which held 25-30 people and provided no electricity or running water. Brutal as they were, neither of these places prepared me for what came next: a room where the SS gave prisoners "extra treatment," as our guide put it. The most appalling example he told us was that the SS would lock 100 or so people in a space the size of your average suburban living room, without food or water-and simply wait for them all to die. Around the corner was the shower room. Our guide must have seen our stunned expressions and read our minds: "These were actually showers, not gas chambers. In fact, one way that the inmates of Terezin found out about the gas chambers in the camps to the east was from a group of children who'd been shipped back to Terezin from Auschwitz. The children were to be deloused and began crying at the sight of the shower room, screaming, 'Gas! Gas!'" We continued past the house where the camp commander and ranking guards lived to the target range. Prisoners would be forced to run from one side of the yard to the other, providing moving targets for the SS guards. We walked through an opening in a high wall and the sight of a gallows knotted my insides. Our guide pointed out the two sets of steps resting on the platform of the gallows, upon which the condemned stood. He worked as a carpenter in the camp and had himself made the steps, not knowing their purpose. Next came a "newer" section of the fortress, added during the war to house the growing number of prisoners. The common cells here actually provided electricity and running water at certain times of the day. The cells surrounded a courtyard where all the prisoners would be brought together on occasion. For example, our guide told us about the time three prisoners escaped from the camp. The prisoners were assembled in the courtyard and watched as three other prisoners were chosen and stoned to death. Later, when the surviving escapees were captured, the prisoners were reassembled and the escapees stoned to death as well. We left the Small Fortress and drove to the Large Fortress and the Terezin ghetto. As we rode along the streets, I mentioned to Eileen and Jessica how weird it would be to live in the town today, as over a thousand people do, knowing the history of the place. On our way to the Jewish cemetery, we stopped to look at the cavelike enclosures where Jews and Christians were given their last rites before burial. The rain had come and gone throughout the day, but as we got out of the bus to walk to the Jewish cemetery, it began to come down in buckets. Our guide explained that these were mass graves, and pointed out one monument that had been placed there. I can paraphrase the inscription: "For those for whom it was not possible to rest in their own land." The climactic moment of the tour was a visit to the crematorium. A small anteroom displayed prisoners' drawings of the crematorium, as well as Nazi propaganda art praising the efficiency of the site and examples of records kept at the camp. One of our group pointed out a meticulously-kept list of prisoners' names and said, "This is why I can't understand why anyone can deny there was a Holocaust. The Nazis wrote down everything." I could hear sheets of rain falling outside. Our guide ushered us into the crematorium itself with a sentence that ended in the word "death." As this word left his lips, a thunderclap struck outside and I didn't know whether to shake or jump-so I did both. An intensely scary moment. We walked back to the bus and our guide said, "Now we will have lunch." Eileen and Jessica and I all looked at each other as if to say, "Yeah, right, we're really hungry now." The three of us were joined by a pair of Swiss-German guys, Martin and Yves, on leave from military service. I felt like I wasn't ready to discuss any of the things we'd seen; I needed time to reflect on it. It turned out that we were all eager to lighten the mood a little, so we talked about life in Switzerland and Germany, South Carolina and San Diego. The women spoke good German, and Martin and Yves fairly good English, leaving yours truly as the only monolinguist in the crowd. My companions were gracious enough to translate anything said in German that made everyone laugh. Our levity was short-lived, though; the next stop was the Jewish museum. We watched a film and saw displays chronicling the history of Terezin. But the most heart-wrenching exhibit was for me the collection of children's drawings. These were slices of life in Terezin as expressed as honestly as only a child could; each picture was noted with the child's name and whether or not they survived. Most didn't. An example: Daniel Stern, b. 1933, d. 1944 Osvetim (Auschwitz). I'd kept my composure most of the day, but one of our guide's closing remarks on the way back to Prague caused me to lose it. He told us that we had a responsibility to tell our family and friends about what we had seen. As I was making a silent vow to remember everything I could and share what I'd learned with people back home, he said: "Even after all I have experienced, I cannot hate." My throat tightened and tears welled up in my eyes and spilled down my cheeks. Visiting a concentration camp is not an enjoyable experience, yet I believe it is an intensely valuable one. It provides you with a focal point for everything you've seen in films and read in books about the Holocaust. It also helps you to view events in your own life with a new perspective: as a copywriter and graphic designer, I'll never look at the "life-and-death" arguments we have about grammatical correctness and font size the same way again. If you visit Prague, tear yourself away from that beautiful city to spend a day in Terezin. As the woman who signed the Jewish museum's guest book ahead of me wrote, "We must never forget." Some extra photos from Philip I don't have a whole lot to add to Chuck's report (above). I visited Terezin in June 2000 and had a few thoughts plus took the photographs My guide was Irena Ravel, a survivor of Theresienstadt who was imprisoned there at the age of 17 and emigrated to Israel after the war. We are among the last generation who will be guided through the Nazi concentration camps by those who lived through them. It will be very easy to forget or distort the entire period once all those who lived through it are gone. Ms. Ravel had many interesting stories about Theresienstadt, some of which related to acquaintances who survived the entire war and then committed suicide upon returning to their villages. Running from the Germans gave shape to their lives. Returning to find no family, no job, no money, someone else living in their house, etc., is what finally broke their spirit. These stories underscored the paramount importance of the new State of Israel for postwar Jewish refugees. Suicide within Theresienstadt was a carefully studied subject for the minor German bureaucrats who ran the town/prison. The chart at right shows suicides and attempted suicides. Near Hamburg, a labor camp was set up (perhaps with Biblical irony) to make bricks for the rebuilding of Hamburg according to A. Speer. Now KZ Gedenkstaette-Neuengammen (easily reached from Hamburg by car or public transport) is an educational center of considerable size and scope. When I was an exchange student in Germany 16 years ago, this site was an empty set of fields and weeds covering concrete and rusting iron. Now educational signs have been put in, many of the buildings have been reconstructed and an exhibit hall built. I've not been to any other KZ site, but I can say that I was struck by the size and contents of the site: there was a canal, rail road spur, and rows of concrete barbed wire supports all original to the camp. These are shown in pictures on large placards with texts explaining the works and companies involved. Reconstructions of several buildings have been made. A set of walks takes you through the site; it is horrifyingly large. Approximately 55,000 died at Neuengammen. I highly recommend a visit. Nancy Alkire (alkire@ucsub.colorado.edu) Return to Berlin/Prague cover page Copyright 1996 Chuck Vadun. Some facts, statistics and dates were taken from the brochures provided at the Small Fortress and the Terezin ghetto. Chuck_Vadun@intuit.com As a baby survivor of Terezin I still have to pinch myself that I survived over 2 years in that horrible place -- jackie Young, October 3, 2009 Add a comment | Add a link

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I recently returned from my fact-finding trip to the Middle East. What follows is my frank and personal assessment of the modern state of Israel, without the embellishments of rose-colored glasses. Millions of religious pilgrims trek to the "Holy Land" each year, skimming the surface of the country in almost total isolation from reality. Their guided tours, cushioned by air-conditioned tour buses and 5 star hotels, concentrate on what was, not what is. Churches dot the Judean landscape, each laying claim to a piece of the past that, with few exceptions, doesn�t exist anymore. I would estimate that fully 80% of the "holy sites" are not the actual location where the original events occurred--which in most cases is virtually impossible to determine. The famed "Via Doloroso" tracing the presumed path of Jesus� agonizing trek to Golgotha is merely an arbitrary walk through 14th century streets built on 40 foot deep rubble left over from the numerous destructions of Jerusalem�s past. The few holy sites that are authentic are encumbered by heavy stone medieval churches with dark interiors that do not, in my opinion, impart any of the spiritual feeling of the original place. The Israeli government itself helps perpetuate the mystical, romantic illusions of the past, being acutely aware of the millions of dollars each year generated by religious tourism. The old city of Jerusalem is bathed in soft rosy artificial light at night to give tourists that romantic feeling they can write home about. But the selective rosy views only mask the chronic tension enveloping this relatively hostile land, a region bereft of natural beauty--except for about 5 weeks during the spring when wild flowers briefly bloom, and commercial photographers descend to work their art of selective embellishment that makes Israel look so enchanting in tourist brochures. So great is the contrast between promotion and reality that psychological clinics in Israel have a special term to describe the disillusionment that often affects religious pilgrims. It�s called the "Jerusalem Syndrome" and refers to a chronic form of depression that can afflict those who cannot deal with the extreme contrast between holy and unholy. But with all that said, and in spite of the crass commercialization of religious antiquities, I must admit that one can still sense the God of Israel hovering over the land. I have no doubt that He intends to redeem Israel someday--and believe me, it needs redemption.LAND: I was struck by the steep ruggedness of terrain in the Judean and Samarian hill country. One doesn�t get an accurate impression of the stark hostility of this terrain from photographs. Though not very high in altitude the hills of Israel are almost barren, extremely rocky and punctuated by deep ravines and gorges that make travel in central Israel a strain on man and machine. From Biblical stories and movies one gets the impression that trips to Bethlehem, Bethany or even Nazareth are relatively peaceful walks in the pastoral countryside. In reality, there is almost no greenery, only rocks and sand of a fairly bland hue-- completely lacking in the brilliant colors and shapes characteristic of the deserts in Utah and Arizona. Travel involves major descents into gorges often over a thousand feet in depth and climbing back up again repeatedly. It was also sad to note how little topsoil had been allowed to develop in the hill country. Although the rainfall is extremely sparse here, I attribute the main cause to extreme overgrazing. For centuries the Judean hills have been used to graze sheep and goats which have extracted the last once of nutrition from this land and not given anything back. Even today herds of sheep and goats, mostly Bedouin-Arab owned, forage on almost bare ground with no visible grass--only tiny bits of stubble. This destruction of the long term soil development is typical of many things I witnessed in Israel on Arab lands. There seems to be a politically correct notion that Arab tribal nomadic culture requires that they be left to age-old practices, no matter how damaging they are to the land agriculturally. The Israeli government is also under severe pressure internationally to let the Arabs do whatever they want. AGRICULTURE: There are two fertile plains in Israel, one along the Mediterranean coast and the other around the sea of Galilee and the Jordan river (which is more like a small creek). Both areas have been put into intensive cultivation by the Israelis. While there have been many comparisons to the Biblical adage of making the "desert blossom," the extreme efforts applied to maximize water resources in relatively poor soil have had many negative environmental effects. Water is extremely scarce, and thus Israel has been at the forefront in the development of drip irrigation systems that conserve the maximum amount of water. Large diversion projects of Jordan river water have, however, overtaxed the northern water resources in order to expand agriculture to the Negev desert to the south, where the sandy soil is much less fertile. Maximum utilization and reuse of fixed water supplies tends, over time, to concentrate contaminants and salt content, leading to the corruption of the aquifers. Both Israeli and Arab controlled agricultural areas pump large quantities of water out of the ground with deep wells. Overpumping from the aquifers has resulted in an increase in the saline content as water from the Mediterranean sea seeps in to replace it. Excessive chemical and fertilizer use in agriculture and industry has also led to extreme pollution levels in rivers and groundwater sources. Some rivers are actually toxic. The Israelis are reacting to the problem with some earnest. More strict environmental regulations are being implemented, but the Arab controlled areas are exempt for political reasons. There is also a growing movement in Israel to switch to organic farming. I visited a few Kibbutzim (collective farms) and Moshavim (cooperative farms) that are on the cutting edge of organic farming. Israel has developed a special fabric covering that allows them to grow vegetables free from insects inside a greenhouse type enclosure. It is more costly, so much of this elite produce goes to markets serving the orthodox Jewish communities world wide that require certified insect-free food. Israel has established a significant agricultural outreach to other nations who desire to implement the unique low-water farming techniques it has developed. The Arabs in Israel and neighboring Jordan have especially benefited from Israel�s willingness to share their agricultural expertise. Jordan has been radically transformed into an agricultural Mecca due to the willingness of the late King Hussein to work with the Israelis rather than reject all contact as the more radical Arab factions have done. For Arabs living next door to productive Jewish agro projects, the lure of becoming productive farmers has in many cases overcome the innate hostility between the two cultures. I saw it with the Druse Arabs in the Golan heights and in the Arab areas in Galilee. In these areas orchards may not be as well kept as the Jewish farms but at least they are vastly more productive than before. Only in PLO controlled areas did I find such a strong hatred of everything Jewish that they refused to join in the new green wave of agro-prosperity. As one example of extreme resentment, young Arab radicals regularly destroy trees that the Jews plant as part of their national reforestation effort. This kind of hatred is an all too common byproduct of constant PLO propaganda and incitement to exterminate all Jews. ECONOMY: Most Americans don�t realize that Israel has one of the most tightly controlled statist economies in the world. It is socialist in the extreme due to a combination of early Zionist collectivist fervor and the influence of Russian and Eastern European Marxists that came to Israel and formed the core of the ruling Labor Party. Israel�s Histadrut, a kind of super labor union, controls every aspect of Israel�s economic life--at least until recently. During the last decade, there has been a slow but persistent movement toward free-market reforms in Israel--not because the Jews have much of a free market philosophy in their heritage, but rather because they have a naturally competitive spirit and were forced to compete in a fast-paced international economy. When the government refused to implement needed reforms, there began a ground swell of rebellion in the 1980s and 90s against Israel�s ponderous education, medical, tax and regulatory establishment. The more the government tried to suppress the gray and black markets, the greater the "brain drain" in Israel became as thousands emigrating to the US and Europe. The government�s virtual monopoly on television was broken after private illegal cable services began sprouting up all over Israel. The Histadrut�s monopoly on health care was broken by a persistent gray market for after-hours surgery performed by low paid doctors eager for extra money. Even Israel�s ponderous "free" public education establishment is under attack as religious and private schools are being formed in ever-increasing numbers to supplement low quality public education. Often the best teachers can make more money teaching privately on the side than in their state controlled teaching jobs. In Israel, public money is doled out even to orthodox Jewish schools which tends to keep them tied to certain political parties which promote those subsidies in the Knesset. Dependency upon government is a chronic addiction in all of Israel, keeping taxes so high that Israel has to beg for American aid and loan guarantees every year, producing a very high ratio of foreign debt to GNP. Income taxes have been as high as 80% in modern Israel, so naturally, tax evasion is rampant. Recently, to help stem the growth of the underground tax-evading economy, income tax rates were reduced to below 50%, and new taxes imposed such as the 17% VAT tax. But I noticed that only established storefront businesses (mostly Jewish) collected the tax. In the Arab markets (part of the underground economy) I was never charged the VAT tax. POLITICS: There are no free-market political parties in Israel, only shades of statism. Parties on the "right" are orthodox religious parties who are opposed to "land for peace" concessions, but otherwise have their hands in the public coffers as much as the parties on the "left." Except for the recent change to popular election of the Prime Minister, all voting in Israel is for political parties--not individual candidates. You vote for the party of your choice and the party produces a list of who will serve in the Knesset. Thus, the Israeli model of parliamentary politics is very close to Lenin�s dictum of maintaining rigid "party discipline." Members of the Knesset owe their entire political existence to the party, and only indirectly to the electorate. Thus, the powers at the top can and do demand total conformity to the party line. For this reason, Israeli politics are rampant with corruption. Payoffs and personal enrichment are commonplace as is the inevitable blackmail that comes when a party official tries to oppose the party line. Virtually all high political offices, including those in the court system are part of the political patronage system. Hence, it is almost impossible for a beleaguered Knesset member to recur to the courts for justice, if the Powers That Be are against him. The mere threat of prosecution is turned off and on like a spigot to induce the desired leverage on wavering politicians. This week�s announcement that the investigation into Benjamin Netanyahu�s corruption charges is being dropped is a tell-tale sign that the PTB are intending to resurrect Netanyahu as a leader in the Likud. This is part of the ongoing evidence pointing to external control of both major parties in Israel. The Labor Party has undergone a continual stream of factionalization since 1948 when they began with an outright majority of the 120 seats of the Knesset. Now they hold less than 20 seats and must build coalitions with other parties in order to rule. The Labor Party still has two major factions within its ranks--one allied with Shimon Peres who is tightly controlled and financed by the European NWO globalists, and the other aligned with Ehud Barak, the current Prime Minister who, in turn, is controlled by the US faction of the NWO globalists (Kissinger and group). The other two major parties Likud and Shas range in support between 15-17 seats and must form coalitions with other opposing parties in order to govern. The Likud Party is the Israeli equivalent of the American Republican Party. While the Likud has several members who are pro-free market in orientation, the leadership under Ariel Sharon and Benjamin Netanyahu is as corrupt as the Labor Party. Sharon is a close friend of Shimon Peres, so there is little difference in their politics except that Sharon pretends to be the opposition. Bibi Netanyahu owes his entire political career to the Henry Kissinger group in the US who financed his education, got him a job on Wall Street and guided his rise in Israeli politics. The Shas Party is a "right wing" party of Sephardic Jews whose base of support resides primarily among the Moroccan Jews who have immigrated to Israel. Its most prominent leader (Deri) is currently in jail on corruption charges stemming from years of taking bribes from his coalition partners in the Labor Party--who blackmailed Deri in order to keep the Shas Party aligned with the leftist Labor agenda--something the Shas membership nearly rebelled over. What is ironic is that the Arab population in Israel controls 10-12 seats and thus has become the determining faction that can make or break any coalition. For this reason, it would be political suicide for the Israelis to allow a repatriation of millions of Arab refugees to Israel, who would then be able to command a majority of votes in the Knesset. It is specifically for this reason that Arafat is demanding not only an independent state, but that Israel (not the Palestinian state) absorb almost all the Arab refugees. Arafat fully intends to take back Israel either by militarily conquest (after Israel�s security position is weakened by "land for peace" deals), or by democratic conquest via forcing the return of refugees to Israel. PEOPLE: There are notable exceptions to the generalizations I will make here about Jews and Arabs, but I find these general observations do correctly describe some of the underlying reasons for long-term conflict between the two groups. The Jews represent about 80% of the population of Israel, and perhaps only 20% of these could be considered deeply orthodox. The rest are composed of traditional and secular Jews, most of whom have some feeling for generic Zionism (support of a homeland for the Jews) but who are otherwise very liberal and left-leaning in their politics. The Sephardic Jews are Semitic peoples and tend to be more fervent in their defense of Israel as a nation. The Ashkenazi Jews come from eastern Europe and Russia and tend to provide most of the high intellectual power in Israel, as well as a disproportionate amount of its socialist and Marxist policies. There is a fair amount of conflict among the Jews themselves, as the various factions hardly agree on anything. In contrast to this innate competition, however, there is a general feeling of collective unity that keeps them from splitting apart entirely, borne out of a common heritage and welded together by persecution. This same collective mentality has allowed the Jews to prosper under socialism (at least in the incipient phases of economic development) that normally proves disastrous in other cultures. For example, none of the collective farms the Israelis helped develop in Africa survived, even when managed by Israelis. Israel�s brand of socialism has, itself, had to give way to free market techniques in order to compete in the world economy. Many Kibbutzim have dropped their most onerous collective policies or have converted to Moshav-type cooperatives. The Jews are clearly the most industrious group of people in the entire Middle East and thus are destined to lead economically. On a negative note, I found a certain amount of insensitivity to the feelings of conscience among both Jews and Arabs. Everywhere we drove in Israel, there was a pervasive discourteousness, a quickness to anger, and a reluctance to give way in heavy traffic. Although Jews are, generally, highly rational and quick mentally, they have a certain tendency to reject, in a very off-handed manner, new concepts that didn�t fit into existing patterns of thought. Despite their quick minds, Israeli Jews are almost totally blind to the deceptions and corruption involving many leaders at the national level. They have almost no concept of the dangers of the NWO and the globalist agenda to subjugate Israeli sovereignty for the "global good." Even though approximately 80% of Israel knows about Barry Chamish�s startling investigations documenting the role of the Israeli secret service (Shabak) in the murder of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, they do nothing. So while there is a subtle collective feeling on behalf of their national survival, it gets mistakenly mingled with a reliance upon national leaders which produces a uniform type of apathy concerning individual action. There is perhaps an overconfidence inherent in the Jewish mind as well. In intellectual discussions I find it very difficult to get thinking Jews to consider other points of view. On more than one occasion while interviewing some of the best and brightest Jewish intellectuals, I found them completely insensitive to certain spiritual and libertarian ideals. At the same time, ironically, there seems to be a fascination in the Jewish mind with intricate conceptual thought as evidenced by the great time invested in study of the tiniest details in the Talmud and in other rabbinical writings. Why they cannot see through the complexity of global or national deceptions and conspiracies eludes me. Factionalism is rampant in Israel due to the intensity with which debate is embraced, especially on religious points, which are highly subject to the special interpretations of each different school of rabbinical thought. I will say, however, that I found the orthodox Jewish settlers to be happy, industrious group, filled with passion for life and for Israel. Their cooperative Yeshivot (schools) are a model of self-help and sacrifice in order to provide a better life for their children. They are certainly not the "right wing" fanatics the liberal media in Israel makes them out to be. Without this small core of faithful orthodox Jews, Israel might not have received the many small miracles that led to national independence and subsequent victories over a determined enemy with a massive quantitative advantage. The Arabs are generally less intense than the Jews, more likable when not agitated, but less industrious as a whole. Part of the Arab apathy in overcoming environmental deficiencies of their Middle East surroundings ma

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Virtual Tour in Barselona, Spain Ilia Zakaraia Virtual Tour in Barselona, Spain. Photo by Ilia Zakaraia - PANOTOUR.GE - Discover Georgia with 360 degree panoramas Copyright: Ilia Zakaraia Tags: virtual tour in barselona; spain. 360 degree panorama More About Barcelona The World : Europe : Spain : Barcelona History and OverviewBarcelona began more than 2,500 years when Phoenicians and Carthagians settled here and began a commercial port. Its name refers to the Carthagian ruler Amilcar Barca. The original name of the city was Barcino, which was adopted by the Romans in the 1st century BC and later became Barcelona. It's now the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia.There are several surviving monuments from the earliest Roman outposts, such as the Placa Sant Juame. Roman walls built to repel Frankish and German invasions later were used as foundations for buildings in the Gothic Quarter and in some cases can still be seen.Barcelona sits on the Mediterranean Sea along a route that brought them lots of visitors in the ancient times -- for better or worse. Circa 415AD Visigoth invaders arrived after the disintegration of the Roman Empire and called it "Barcinona". Three centuries later the Moors swept through on their way from Northern Africa to southern France. Another century later Louis the Pious came with the Franks and set up the front lines of the Christian battle against the Arabs. By the year 988AD, the County of Barcelona was independent of the Carolingian kings and free to become the dominant political and military force in the Catalonian region.Barcelona's Golden Age gleamed across the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The city became as influential as Venice or Genoa through marine trade using gold as the standard of exchange. Buildings such as the Romanesque St. Paul del Camp and the Chapel of Santa Lucia remain as testament to this prosperous period.The Cathedral of Barcelona was begun in the thirteenth century and its construction continued even while the Plague decimated the population. A building boom ensued while Barcelona was expanding its reach and conquering foreign ports, a boom which saw the construction and embellishment of various churches, chapels, shipyards and civil buildings.By the end of the fourteenth century however, social tensions mounted and erupted into war with Genoa and a local massacre of the Jewish community in Barcelona. The next four hundred years were a roller coaster of politics and intrigue. Barcelona revolted against Spain and eventually lost after nine years of war, losing its Catalonian status as an independent city. The Napoleonic Wars, yellow fever epidemic, and the Spanish Revolution all challenged the economy and stability of Barcelona.The early twentieth century was marked by strikes and riots along with strong cultural movements such as Modernism. The Spanish Civil War totally repressed Catalan national identity and it was not until 1977 that Catalonia was restored to a self-governing nation recognized within Spain.Meanwhile, massive migrations after WWII brought major strain on the city. Lack of urban planning during general construction ended up with crowded and poorly serviced neighborhoods surrounding the city. However, Barcelona's infinite ability to regenerate itself shows in the artistic, cultural and economic growth which has taken place in the past decades.Getting ThereThe Barcelona Airport is located 13km from the city and connects to it by taxi, shuttle bus and trains. The metro does NOT go to the airport regardless of what you may have heard. The trip should cost about 20 Euro by taxi, 5 Euro on the shuttle bus.TransportationGood news for your shoes, 74% of people in Barcelona regard themselves as pedestrians rather than drivers. The city even has this crazy website where you can calculate the time it will take to walk a certain distance in the city!Barcelona has a good metro system including metro, buses, trams and even cable cars. The Metro system has nine lines which connect also to commuter rail stations for out of town service.People and CultureThe two main languages are Spanish and Catalan; English is not very wide spread.Euros are the currency and siesta is the word of the day, specifically, the part of daytime between two and four PM. Don't expect to get much done at the post office at that time. Public offices and most shops will be closed.Barcelona is a smoking city. Restaurants, cafes and shops all have ashtrays and zero non-smoking sections. Go to the public transportation system if you want a cigarette-free area, or maybe one of the largest supermarkets.People in Barcelona are friendly and warm and they love to eat and drink. The kitchen is the central room of the house, dinner can take until midnight, and they still go out after that. Every night of the week you will be able to find something interesting going on, from house music to avant-garde theater.Cuisine in Barcelona is more about fish than red meat, with an arsonist's hand on the olive oil. Bruscetta is very common as is alioli, a garlic mayonnaise type of thing. If you leave Barcelona without tasting escudella, the traditional fish stew, you have missed something very very important.Things to do, RecommendationsHere's your liftoff point, the Tower of Telecommunications at Collserola, where you can get a good look around the city. As always, a bird's eye view best puts life into perspective.Heavy hitters: Pablo Picasso heralds from Catalan and the Picasso Museum is located in the heart of Barcelona. Make it a point to visit.Follow it with a trip to the Museum of Modern Art of Barcelona, hosting a collection of Catalan Modernists. It's near Ciutadella Park, Metro station Arc do Triomf Barceloneta.The beaches are fantastic and they may be all you need on your visit here. You can check out the Castle of Montjuic Fortress along the coast if you're interested in history.As we've said, people in Barcelona eat late, drink late and go out very late. We leave it our dear readers to figure out when they get up in the morning...The house music scene in Barcelona is LIVE!! Check out clubs like Moog, Elephant and Pacha for just a taste. People flock here in the summers for it. You may have heard of a little island called "Ibiza..."As they say, "we don't call it house. We call it home."Text by Steve Smith.

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2155 West Forest Street Brigham City, UT 84302 E-mail: bearriver@fws.gov Phone Number: 435-723-5887 Visit the Refuge's Web Site:http://www.fws.gov/refuge/bear_river_migratory_bird_refuge/ Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is acclaimed as one of the world's 10 best birding areas. Early explorers reported the "sound of distant thunder" as they watched the birds. Continued . . . This delta has long been considered one of the most valuable freshwater wetlands in the intermountain west region. The Refuge and its environs support diverse plant and animal species in a mosaic of upland, mudflat, river delta, brackish and freshwater marshes, temporary ponds, and a series of upland "knolls" dominated by salt-tolerant shrubs such as greasewood. The Refuge lies along the eastern edge of the Pacific Flyway and the western edge of the Central Flyway, making it an important resting, feeding, and nesting area for populations of birds in both flyways. The current Refuge bird checklist contains 210 species; 67 species are known to nest on the Refuge. The Refuge contains abundant aquatic plant and animal food for birds. The invertebrate populations provide the protein that birds require for egg laying and molting. American avocets and black-necked stilts may be found along Refuge dikes and roads, nesting by the thousands. Snowy plovers and cinnamon teal also nest on the dikes and roads, as well as the mudflats, but in much smaller numbers. White-faced ibis nest in dense emergent vegetation in large colonies of up to 10,000 birds, along with black-crowned night herons, snowy egrets, and great blue herons. Migrant tundra swans may number in the tens of thousands in the spring and fall. In the last decade, the Refuge has purchased 2,700 acres of former pastureland to provide more nesting opportunities for priority bird species. These lands are dominated by grassland communities such as wheatgrass, salt-grass and non-native cheatgrasses (Tectorum spp.). Some native shrubs such as big sagebrush, iodinebush and greasewood can be found scattered across these grassland units. The Refuge encompasses a series of scattered knolls that support a wheatgrass, saltbush, and greasewood plant community. These knolls are a unique ecological community in the Bear River delta. The remaining Refuge habitat acres are alkali mudflats that receive water only seasonally and hold water for short durations. These areas support only the most salt tolerant plant species such as pickleweed (Salicornia rubra). - Back -

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//Home//Blogs//Marginal Utility other Desert Cities by Rob Horning Tweet Part of my trip to Southern California was spent in Palm Desert, one of the “other Desert Cities” referred to on the I-10 exit sign for Highway 111, which runs from Palm Springs out to Indio, before it heads to that environmental disaster area known as the Salton Sea. ON the way there from L.A., you first pass through the wind farms in the mountain pass and the creepy rows of wind turbines that render the landscape alien and forboding. Harvesting wind energy seems a good idea, but still, the hills seems to have been colonized by some relentlessly churning alien life-form—I felt like I understood the concept of visual pollution at a visceral level. The whirring blades are mesmerizing, in a bad way. They create a delirium of planes and angles shifting and changing in a lulling rhythm, making it impossible to see anything else. It’s a wonder there aren’t more accidents on that winding downhill stretch of the freeway, where it seems like the average traveling speed is around 85 miles per hour. Beyond the turbines, you enter Palm Springs, the desert city that is not “other” and is the oldest of the group. It’s an unremarkable town that sits in the shadow of a stupendous mountain. The sublimity of the landscape makes the human doings there seem a bit insignificant, piddling, so it’s suitable that most of what goes on there is golf and tchotchke shopping From there, on 111, you enter Cathedral City, then Rancho Mirage (home to the Betty Ford Clinic, a rehab center), then Palm Desert, where we stayed. From the highway these towns are indistinguishable—just one shopping strip after another, with some hotels interspersed here and there. Streets are named for moribund performers: Dinah Shore, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Fred Waring. I could think of no good reason to be there, and that was what made it perfect. Unlike most touristy places, which garishly try to cajole you into doing and spending, thrusting temptations your way and working to intensify your restlessness, Palm Desert was an oasis of sobriety. No wonder the rehab centers are there. No wonder people talk of going to the desert to dry out. At night—we were there on a Saturday night, and it was quiet as the moon—even the lights were subdued; so much so that most of the stores and restaurants seemed to be closed, seemed indifferent to our business. There were activities imploring us to attend—no bands playing, no limited-run reperatory cinema, no places to see or meet people, no night life of any kind. It seemed like we were so alone. It was beautiful. Having nothing to do and feeling no pressure to do anything exciting are two very different things. It seem like anything we turned to was going to be fulfilling. We went to the outdoor pool in the warmth of the evening and sat in the hot tub and when we got too hot, we went swimming. We met a few recent graduates of the “program,” which seemed to be a Betty Ford euphemism. We went to eat at an anonymous chain restaurant and recieved pleasant, generic service. We felt like nobodies in nowhere land. I wished we would have booked a longer stay. I’m always troubled by forced leisure, so much so that vacations rarely feel warranted or comfortable to me; they often seem like an alternate form of work. I feel like I’m trapped in what Baudrillard calls the fun morality, the obligation to treat leisure productively, to use it to manufacture distinction if nothing else. It’s very hard to just waste time, to let yourself destroy it. The pressure can become intense to find something useful to do with the vacation time, made artifically precious by the meaningless work it’s framed with. It can lead to moments of self-consciousness within the vacation—which remove one from the present moment and place in time and sends one to the purgatory of hypotheticals and second guesses: Am I really living up to the time I’ve been alotted? Has this all been worth it? Worth what? What is the point of comparison? Living in New York, I’m constantly aware of ambitious people, and the pressure they put on themselves and the people around them. It’s in the pace of everything that happens, and I become infected with it—it shows in the way I am ready to run people over on the sidewalks when they aren’t going fast or in the impatience I freely exhibit when the person in front of me dodders around for exact change while I’m anxious for my coffee. Los Angeles has similarly ambitious people, though it seems to exhibit itself there as a kind of desperation to be paid attention to rather than a heedless haste. But when you reach the other Desert cities, ambition seems a million miles away. Urgency is unthinkable there. It dawned on us that this could be the point of the place, to evaporate ambition in the dry heat and leave you adrift in endless expanse of undifferentiated time. The ultimate vacation is from ambition, from the need to score distinctive accomplishments—to remove yourself from the ongoing competitive status game that haunts our every action. In the desert cities, places that don’t especially want tourists so much as retirees, who are beyond ambition and anxious only to fill out the rest of their days with pleasant distraction, that vacation, possibly a permanent one, is always waiting. Robert Horning has developed a substantial body of work in PopMatters' music reviews, concerts, film, and TV sections. His writing has also appeared in Time Out New York and Skyscraper. In his PopMatters column, "Marginal Utility", Rob bridges the abstract and concrete aspects of consumerism. His writing is as grounded and approachable as an everyday trip to the grocery store. Rob has a BA and MA in English Literature; his interests in social theory, economics, and sociology generates his solid background knowledge for "Marginal Utility" and informs his music reviews. For more Rob Horning, be sure to read the Marginal Utility blog.

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Phunfest 2001 A special review of the fun found at this fall's enthusiast event the Phoenix Phaul Phunfest at Knoebels Amusement Resort. By Alex Bove Elysburg, PA -- The October drive through the mountains of Eastern Pennsylvania is stunning; the trees explode with red, orange, and yellow leaves, plus some in-between shades that won't be around in November. In a small valley almost exactly halfway between Harrisburg and Wilkes-Barre lies Knoebels Amusement Resort, a traditional family park that has been entertaining locals, and the occasional not-so-local crowds, for 75 years. The park is humble � a grass and dirt parking lot (no parking fee), no front gate, a lazy, meandering layout � but its staff is excellent, its food is fairground-gourmet, and its rides are among the best of their kind anywhere in the world. Knoebels ends its season with the Covered Bridge Festival and Phoenix Phall Phunfest. The festival is a gigantic arts and crafts show, swap meet, and showcase of all things rural. The Phunfest is the park's annual Halloween event where coaster maniacs are invited to ride (costumes are optional) anything the operators decide to keep open including, of course, the legendary Phoenix and its not-so-legendary younger sibling, the Twister. This year's Phunfest was as enjoyable as ever. The best costumes were collaborative: one group of guys came as the ghosts of famous coaster designers (John Allen, Herb Schmeck, etc.); a chain gang, clad in classic jailbird stripes, called themselves the "coaster cons" (yuk, yuk); and a final bunch of enthusiasts strapped cardboard "desks" to their stomachs and pretended to be students in a coaster-riding class. A coaster swap meet convened in the shadow of the Phoenix and featured representatives of ACE and Coaster Zombies, merchants selling everything from books and posters to copies of Roller Coaster Tycoon, and even individual enthusiasts like John Hunt, the famed roller coaster model guru. Around every corner was Knoebels' great country food. How many parks offer pumpkin funnel cakes, or freshly made caramel apples, still gooey and warm, or hot apple cider made right on the spot? They also make onion rings the size of saucers, and they'll make a potato just about any way you could imagine (french fries, potato cakes, tater tots, etc.). Above all, though, Knoebels stands out because of its unique collection of rides and because of the way it operates them. I've never had a longer ride on the pirate ship or bumper cars, and the only other park that compares to Knoebels in efficiency (getting riders on and off of rides quickly, filling up trains, managing lines, etc.) is Cedar Point. None of that would matter, of course, if the park's rides weren't so exceptional. But they are wonderful rides. I'll cover a few highlights: Bumper Cars - a sign outside of Knoebels bumper cars says they're the best in the world, and though I haven't ridden all of the competition I must admit these are the best ones I've ever tried. The cars are like old Buicks, heavy, durable, difficult to steer. When they smash into each other they pack a punch � I didn't see a car that wasn't dented in several places � but the ride isn't brutal; it's just an incredible amount of fun. Grand Carousel - this is the real deal, a classic carousel with hand-carved wooden horses (none of that newfangled fiberglass stuff). Make sure you get an outside horse so you can try your hand at snagging the metal rings on every pass. Haunted Mansion - an old-fashioned dark ride with some very cheesy special effects and some very effective ones. The mirror-filled floating skull room is particularly impressive. Downdraft - Knoebels installed this flat ride this season, and I've never seen anything like it. The cars are very similar to scrambler cars, and the ride's main thrill (as is the scrambler's) is its lateral g-forces. Cars are attached to long arms that begin the ride packed together, spinning riders in a tight circle at high speed. Once the ride reaches its maximum speed, the arms extend out and up from the center column (while still spinning) and then drop back to the ground. So the ride combines heavy lateral g's with ever-so-slight negative g's. I'd like to see more of these in other parks. Phoenix - Herb Schmeck's magnum opus is the best woody I've ever ridden. Even more amazing than the amount of airtime this ride delivers is its variety of negative g's. The coaster is a double out-and-back famous for its low-lying bunny hops, but it even provides air going into its turnarounds. In fact, the most powerful out-of-your-seat jolt on the ride comes at the beginning of the third turnaround. I defy anyone to stay seated at that point of the ride (I had trouble staying in the train). My favorite moment is still the bunny hop before the second turnaround, which offers sustained, floaty airtime, but the ride also features a double-up, double-down and a run home that rivals Magnum XL-200's, though on a smaller scale. Throw in a tunnel and a respectable first drop and you get a coaster that begs you to ride it over and over again. Twister - the reincarnation of Elich Gardens' famous Mr. Twister, Knoebels' Twister is a merciless assault on the senses. Right out of the station the coaster slams riders with powerful lateral g's, and it never relents. The lift hill is split into two sections, with a tight 180-degree turn between them. After a nice first drop (it's outstanding in the back seat), it heads for the turnaround in anticipation of the main attraction: a double-helix that wraps around the loading station and greets would-be riders as they enter the queue. After its second major drop, Twister roars into the helix, which delivers crushing positive and lateral g's. The ride doesn't slow down as it winds through the structure and banks into a tunnel before hitting a final dip and providing a minor burst of airtime as it hops into the breaks. Twister is absolutely terrifying, but its anarchy is controlled just well enough to convince riders to jump right back into the queue after exiting. It's brashness is a perfect contrast to the absolute elegance of Phoenix. Knoebels is a great park to visit any time, but at the Phunfest all the elements combine to ensure a fantastic day. I'm never as satisfied with an amusement park experience as when I'm leaving Knoebels at about 10 o'clock on the first Saturday in October.

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HomeTestimonialsAbout usSample programsHistorical routeOmo valleyBird WatchingTrekking TourOptionalNewsEthnic GroupsEndemic AnimalsNatureCoffee CeremonyLalibelaHistoryEthiopiaHistoryAxumLalibelaGondarHararYehaCultureFestivalsEthnic GroupsCultureNatureBlue NileDallolTanaSof OmarOmoErt-AleWild LifeGalleryTourist InfoContact us Ethiopian people and Ethnic Groups Hamer People The Hamer (also spelled Hamar) are a tribal people in southwestern Ethiopia. They live in Hamer Bena woreda (or district), a fertile part of the Omo River valley, in the Debub Omo Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region (SNNPR). They are largely pastoralists, so their culture places a high value on cattle.The Assistant Administrator of Hamer Bena, Ato Imnet Gashab, has commented that only six tribal members have ever completed secondary education. Afar people The Afar (Afar alphabet Qafár, Feera ዐፋር ʿāfār, Arabic: عفار‎, Amh. translit. āfār, also spelled አፋር) are an ethnic group in the Horn of Africa who reside principally in the Danakil Desert in the Afar Region of Ethiopia, as well as in Eritrea and Djibouti. They number 1,276,374 people in Ethiopia (or 1.73% of the total population), of whom 108,488 are urban inhabitants, according to the most recent census (2007).The Afar make up over a third of the population of Djibouti, and are one of the nine recognized ethnic divisions (kililoch) of Ethiopia. The Afar language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family, is spoken by ethnic Afars in the Afar Region of Ethiopia, as well as in eastern Eritrea and Djibouti. However, since the Afar are traditionally nomadic herders, they may be found further afield. The Afar Danakil are the sister culture of the ancient Ta-Seti people. Whereas the Ta-Seti culture were amongst the founding branches of the eastern Bejaw or Beja People; the Ta-Antyu (Puntite) Utjenet Culture were progenitors of the Afari and Tigre cultures. The Land of Punt was of pivotal importance to the development of Egypt's pre-dynastic civilization and played a significant role throughout dynastic Egyptian history. The Utjenet and Ta-Seti cultures formed a single territory until Egypt's Second Intermediate Period when opposing cultures of Omo ethnic clans from further south and west pushed into central Sudan, separating the two branches of the Ta-Antyw. The Northern most branch would become the Ta-Seti whilst the Southernmost populations would become the Afar. They are sometimes called Danakil, a name used specifically to refer to northern Afars, while southern Afars can be called Adel (also transliterated as Adal), similar to the former Adal Sultanate. Surma Surma is the Ethiopian government's collective name for the Suri, the Mursi and the Me'en with a total population of 186,875. All three groups speak languages of the southeast branch of the Surmic language cluster. Some have used the terms "Suri" and "Surma" interchangeably, or for contradictory purposes, so readers should note carefully what group an author is referring to. Suri or Shuri is the name of a sedentary pastoral people and its Nilo-Saharan language in the Bench Maji Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region (SNNPR) in Ethiopia, to the Sudan border, and across the border in Sudan. Some are located west of Mizan Teferi.[3] Population: 20,622 (1998 est.). Mursi or Murzu is the name of a closely related sedentary pastoral people whose language (Mursi) is over 80% cognate with Suri.[3] They are located next to the Suri in the center of the SNNPR and the lowlands southwest of Jinka in the Debub Omo Zone. The Mursi do not regard themselves as Surma, despite the cultural and linguistic similarities. Population: 7,500 of whom 92.25% live in the SNNPR (2007 census). Tsamai people The Tsamai people (also spelled Tsemay, Tsamay, Tsemai, Tsamako, or Tsamakko) are an ethnic group of southwestern Ethiopia. They speak an East Cushitic language called Tsamai, which is one of the Dullay languages, and thus related to the Bussa and Gawwada languages. According to the 1998 Ethiopian census, the Tsamai number 9,702. The number of speakers of the Tsamai language is 8,621, with 5,298 monolinguals.[1] Many Tsamai use the Konso language for trade purposes.Most Tsamai live in the Hamer Bena woreda of the Debub Omo Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region, in the Lower Omo River Valley and just to the west of the Konso special woreda. Many Tsamai live in the town of Weyto, which is approximately 50 km from the town of Jinka, on the Konso-Jinka road. Most Tsamai are agro-pastoralists, herding cattle as well as growing crops. Many Tsamai women wear clothing made from leather. Many Tsamai men carry small stools around with them, which they use in case they need to sit down. HomeAbout usSample programsEthiopiaContact us Copyright © 2010 - 2011 Zab Tours Ethiopia Plc. All rights reserved. - Registered Tour Company Under Licence Number 900/200

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National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores offers fun for the kids too View full sizeLexi Prohaska gets a tropical scene painted on her face by one of the artists from Babin House of Party at the 2011 National Shrimp Festival. This year's festival will take place Oct. 11€“ - 14 on the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama. (Photo byJodi Bogard, courtesy National Shrimp Festival)GULF SHORES, Alabama -- Sure, grown-up visitors to the 41st annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores next week will enjoy stuffing their faces with fresh Gulf shrimp and singing along with music headliners Eddie Money and Phil Vassar, but festival organizers haven't forgotten about the event's younger visitors. "The festival this year coincides with the fall break of many school systems," Children's Activity Village chair Jodi Bogard said in a news release. "With that in mind we've ramped up many of our offerings in the Children's Activity Village. We have a lot of new exhibitors, non-profit educational fun, interactive games for kids and their parents, free hands-on arts & crafts, and of course the free popcorn and snow cones." The Children's Village will be located just west of the main festival grounds. The Babin House of Party will be in charge of interactive games, including parachute races, island limbo, a balloon toss, and dance contests Friday through Sunday. The Children's Village will also feature a Jet Ski simulator set up by the Alabama Marine Police. Bogard said one of Babin's most popular attractions from last year will be back as well. "Don't miss their soon-to-be famous Candy Cannon," she said. "It's an air cannon that safely shoots hundreds of pieces of candy and toys into the air for the kids to catch." There will also be a sand sculpture contest on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be several divisions based on age and experience level. A family division will allow up to four family members to compete together for a $100 cash prize. For a full run-down on the events and schedules in the Children's Activity Village, check the National Shrimp Festival web site. The National Shrimp Festival runs from Oct. 11-14 in Gulf Shores, where Ala. 59 runs into Ala. 182.

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Home » Your Visit » Stations » Crowcombe Heathfield Crowcombe Heathfield Postcode for Sat Nav: TA4 4PA Crowcombe Heathfield Station was built in 1862 when the line was opened and stands at the highest point on the line, just under 400ft. above the sea. The station is surrounded by lovely scenic countryside and a network of lanes, bridle ways and footpaths offering walking, cycling and horse riding. A leaflet (obtained from the stations) prepared jointly between Crowcombe Heathfield and Stogumber Stations shows the lanes and footpath routes in the area and there is a web site www.fochs.org.uk which is well worth a visit. The visual charm of the station and surroundings has caught the eye of several TV and film directors leading to scenes being shot at the station for "The Flockton Flyer", The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", "Land Girls", and The Beatles film "A Hard Days Night". The station has a booking office and prices from this Station can be found on our Fares Pages. There is also a small shop and toilet facilities as well as a disabled persons accessable toilet on the station. During operating days the station is open for hot and cold drinks, cakes and famous "Bread Pudding" and you can be assured a warm welcome awaits you. On Gala days this is widened to include hot savoury snacks, soups and a coal fire to welcome you during the cold weather! Why not do the 'One Mile Walk'? Enjoy a very gentle and easy 1 mile circular walk from the station in either direction. The walk gives some lovely views of the line, �The Avenue� with its beech trees and crossed two railway bridges. The station is the ideal start/end point for a walk on the Quantock Hills or a cycle ride round Somerset�s country lanes. History of Crowcombe Heathfield Station The first sod on the original West Somerset Railway was lifted as part of the cutting at the tranquil wayside station which is a perfect spot to relax and watch the world go by, or for the more energetic to start or conclude a walk in the Quantock Hills. The station is not close to any major settlement and this has made it popular with film crews in the past. Sequences that feature Crowcombe Heathfield include Ringo Starr riding a bicycle down the platform in A Hard Days Night and in the opening sequence of Land Girls. The main station building dates from the 1860s whilst the wooden building on the opposite platform is a replacement for an earlier structure demolished by British Railways. Similarly the signal box dates from the preservation era. Its brick built base was built new by the West Somerset Railway whilst the wooden top comes from Ebbw Vale in South Wales. Please visit the Crowcombe Heathfield Station Website.

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LOCATION OF ATLANTIS Atlantis was a man-made island! One of the reasons it had been impossible to locate Atlantis was because the island of Atlantis was an island surrounded by land! The Atlantis Motherland book explains that Plato's Atlantis Dialogues state that Atlantis was surrounded by a "boundless continent." The first Atlantians excavated an "incredible ditch," around the plain, which extended 343 miles, from east to west, and 230 miles, from north to south. The length of the ditch-waterway was an incredible 1,150 miles! The ditch, or outer canal, was excavated to the depth of 100 feet, and was 607 feet wide. This man-made river carried abundant water to irrigate vast farmlands, and brought water and barges full of produce into the city. A five mile long channel then carried the water from the city into the sea. The island of Atlantis was excavated, incorporating the natural features of a vast fertile plain, which contained a river delta. This plain was the former Azovian plain, which suddenly sank 11,600 years ago, and became the Sea of Azov. The vast canal system of Atlantis Navigable canals were 100 feet wide, and were connected to the ditch at intervals of 11.5 miles, creating a massive criss-crossed transportation and irrigation system (canals on map are not shown to scale). There were 60,000 farming lots within the extensive canal system! Large barges carried abundant loads of all kinds of fruits, vegetables, timber, metals and minerals into the City of Atlantis. The map is from page 95 of the Atlantis Motherland book, which reveals the fascinating history of Atlantis in a science-fiction story, which incorporates scientific facts to prove that Atlantis really did exist and that the many ruins, remnants, and magnificent treasures of our precious Motherland Atlantis, are silently waiting to be revealed, beneath the Sea of Azov. The lost island of Atlantis has been found! Eleven thousand, six hundred years ago, the island of Atlantis disappeared beneath the Sea of Azov in "one single day and night of misfortune." Suddenly the island of Atlantis was gone! A massive earthquake followed by the Great Atlantis flood was the most destructive event in Human history. Atlantis was located in southern Ukraine and Krasnodar Kray in southern Russia. The Island of Atlantis sank beneath the Sea of Azov. The former Soviet Union is a very surprising location for Atlantis. The Atlantis Motherland book reveals why the location has been kept secret, and why this well-kept secret has been revealed now. This map depicts this area as it existed in 9,600 BC. It conforms in every detail to the description of Atlantis recorded in Plato's Atlantis Dialogues. In recent times, the construction of the 300 mile long Krim' Kii Kanal (Shown in red on the map) revealed strong evidence that the ancient ditch followed the same route. Later cultures incorporated and extended remnants of the incredible ditch, which are known today as the Furrow of Osiris. The Atlantis Motherland book contains geography, bathymetry, hydrology and tectonic maps, photos and diagrams depicting the natural geography and layout of Atlantis. Over 200 full color images vividly portray Solon’s history of Atlantis. An ancient love story, mixed with science field journal investigates the ancient world of our ice age ancestors. Maps and charts show the devastating Earth changes that destroyed Atlantis. The story of Troy was long considered just a myth, until it was finally discovered. Now it’s time for Atlantis to be discovered, and become part of our history, and honor our beloved ancestors; the mighty Atlantians, and their honorable adversaries, the Hellenes. Buy the Atlantis Motherland book. $29, with free shipping the US. Atlantis Motherland Home�� �Atlantis-Today.com Location of Atlantis Page: 1 2 3 History of Atlantis Art Gallery Page: � 1�� 2�� 3��� 4�� 5�� 6�� 7�� 8�� 9�� 10�� 11�� 12 Visitors from Sirius Star System: Page: 1 2 3 4 Copyright Cosmic Vortex inc 2003 Maui, Hawaii

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HOT DEALS & NEWSLETTERS Dates & Pricing Trip Highlights 2012 China Tours > Imperial China, Tibet & Hong Kong > Printable version Email to a friend 22 Day Imperial China, Tibet & Hong Kong (2012) Day 1 Depart USA Board Air China non-stop flight to Beijing Your exotic journey to China begins as you board China's national airline, Air China non-stop flight bound for Beijing. En route, cross the International Dateline and lose a day. You'll recover this day on your return trip. (IM) Air China Flight Schedule Day 2 Beijing Bird Nest, the main venue of 2008 Summer Olympics Arrive in Beijing in the late afternoon. Meet your local representative and transfer to your hotel in the heart of Beijing. Your hotel is conveniently located near the Chang An Avenue, along which are Beijing's major shopping malls, upscale restaurants, and tourist attractions. Relax and enjoy the evening in China's historic and vibrant capital city. Marriott Beijing City Wall Day 3 Beijing Last Emperor's Forbidden CityVisit old Beijing's Hutong on pedi-cabs After a hearty breakfast and a tour briefing, you visit the Tiananmen Square. At 100 acres, it is the world's largest public square, flanked by an assortment of historical buildings, huge museums and Communist monuments, including Mao's Mausoleum. One visitor has written, "An army could be massed, and all the kites in the world could fly." You roam the Square; and walk through the Gate of Heavenly Peace, under the famed portrait of Chairman Mao, to enter the Forbidden City, the symbolic center of the Chinese universe and a lasing monument of dynastic China, from which 24 emperors of the Ming and the Qing Dynasties ruled the Middle Kingdom for nearly 500 years (1420-1911). Completed in 1420, the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the world's largest palace complex and China's most magnificent imperial architecture, consisting of many buildings with 9,999 rooms, on a 250-acre compound, protected by a 20-foot-wide moat and a 32-foot-high wall. Now known as the Palace Museum, the Forbidden City was the exclusive domain of the imperial court and dignitaries where outside visitors were forbidden for 5 centuries. Here you will explore the imperial treasures in the grand palaces and pavilions, exquisite courtyards and gardens in what was once the residence of China's rulers. Afterwards, join our Culture InSites™ Program for a rickshaw ride along Old Beijing's Hutongs (narrow ancient alleys) to discover the sights and sounds of local Beijing life in these traditional Chinese neighborhoods. See the locals as they go about their daily activities; and tour the maze-like alleyways and courtyard houses before it's gone forever. Highlights include visits to a traditional courtyard home, to a local market, and a leisure walk along the "Lotus Lane" lined with bars, restaurants and tea houses. This unique tour features a delicious lunch served at a local family home with a Chinese dumpling-making demonstration. Return to your hotel for some free time in the afternoon. In the evening, we are gathering for a welcome dinner of a specially prepared meal of Beijing Duck, cooked to crispy perfection. (B,L,SD) Day 4 Beijing The "Sacred Way" of Ming TombsThe Great Wall of China at Mutianyu section A memorable day awaits with an excursion to the Sacred Way of Ming Tombs and the Great Wall of China at the less-visited Mutianyu section. After breakfast, you take a drive to the northwest of Beijing to visit the Sacred Way of Ming Tombs, regarded as China's finest example of imperial tomb architecture. Situated in a peaceful valley, the site was chosen by the Ming emperors as their burial place for its auspicious Fengshui alignment—a ridge of mountains to the north cradles the tombs on three sides, opening to the south and protecting the dead from the evil spirits carried on the north wind. Here you will walk along the elegant Sacred Way that leads to the tombs. Beginning with a grand marble gateway more than 400 years old, the long avenue is lined with 36 massive stone sculptures of officials, lions, elephants, camels and mythical beasts. After lunch at a local restaurant, you take a scenic drive through the countryside and mountains to reach China's most renowned monument—the the Great Wall. Since the Great Wall is the single greatest attraction of China travel, we take you to the less-visited and more "original" Mutianyu section and try to avoid other sections which are the most accessible and consequently the most crowded. The wall was begun in the 5th century BC to keep out foreign invaders. Construction continued for centuries, eventually linking up the walls of the former independent kingdoms. The Great Wall meanders through China's northern mountain ranges from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi Desert—a distance of over 3500 miles! Chairman Mao once said "You haven't walked on the Wall, you haven't been a good Chinese". And today, you'll not only visit the Great Wall, but experience it in more ways than one—Learning some of the fascinating history and legend of this engineering marvel, riding a gondola up to the highest point for panoramic views of this ancient edifice, exploring its impressive watchtowers, ramparts, carriageways at your own pace, or, hoping on a toboggan for an exciting ride down the curvy path...today is a highlight of your China vacation. (B,L,D) Day 5 Beijing - Xian "Hall of Supreme Harmony", Temple of Heaven The "Summer Palace" for Empress Dowager Cixi In the morning, you visit the Temple of Heaven, the largest temple complexes in China and a paradigm of Chinese architectural balance and symbolism. One key element in China's architectural genius was the blending of the monumental with the delicate, and the Temple of Heaven is perhaps the finest expression of this mixing of near opposite. During each winter solstice, the Ming and Qing emperors would perform rites and make sacrifices to Heaven praying for good harvest for their empire. The most striking edifice is the "Hall of Prayer of Good Harvests", which according to the emperor's Fengshui masters, is the exact point where heaven and Earth met. Built in 1420 (without the use of a single nail), this masterpiece of Ming architecture, features triple eaves, dramatically carved marble balustrades, and gorgeous glazed azure roof that symbolizes the color of heaven. This 120-foot-high structure is fixed by four inner pillars represent the seasons, and two sets of 12 columns denote the months and the traditional Chinese division of a day. Time permits, you take a photo stop at the "Bird Nest" and visit the exterior portion of this huge complex—the main stadium of 2008 Beijing Olympics. In the afternoon, you tour the idyllic Summer Palace, once the summer retreat and playground for the imperial family and royal court during the late Qing Dynasty. Considered the finest Chinese imperial garden, the Summer Palace spans over 700 acres with breathtaking views, temples, pavilions, palaces and halls including the lavishly painted "Long Corridor". It is most associated, however, with the Empress Dowager Cixi who paid for the extravagant Marble Boat with funds meant for the modernization of the Imperial Navy. Weather permitting you can take a Dragon boat ride across the picturesque Kunming Lake. Later, transfer to the airport for a flight to Xian to experience the historical side of your China trip. Located in the Yellow River Basin in China's heartland, Xian is one of the birthplaces of civilization. It has seen 3,100 years of development and 11 dynasties, giving it equal fame with Athens, Rome and Cairo as one of the four major ancient civilization capitals. Xian reached its peak during the Tang Dynasty at 10th century with a population of one million and is rich with cultural and historical significances. Xian Grand Noble Hotel (B,L,IM) Day 6 Xian The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horsesfascinating Tang Dynasty stage show Today's excursion will take you to modern China's greatest archaeological discovery - The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, which silently guarded the tomb of China's First Emperor for over 2,200 years. In 1974, a local farmer uncovered the first of three massive earth and timber vaults, while digging a well. The extensive excavation, still in progress, has yielded over 6000 life-sized terra cotta warriors, each individually sculpted, with the physical characteristics of the humans they were modeled after. Archers, infantrymen, horses and bronze chariots have also been unearthed. A Circle Vision documentary is available on site. Lunch at a local restaurant and see a noodle making demonstration. In the afternoon, you tour the Wild Goose Pagoda, a Tang Dynasty landmark. This seven-story pagoda was initially constructed in 652 AD to house the Buddhist sutras brought back from India by the monk, Xuan Zang, who later translated them into Chinese. His pilgrimage to India is immortalized in the Chinese classic - The Journey to the West. Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), traditionally regarded as the golden age of China, was a time of patricians and intellectuals, Buddhist monks and Taoist priests, poetry and music, song and dance - a period of peace and exceptional creativity lasting 300 years. This evening, you attend a feast of culinary and cultural delights with a special Dumpling (dim sum) banquet followed by a fascinating Tang Dynasty stage show. Indulge yourself in this remarkable show and reinvent your China dream with a travel back in time to the world of China's Golden Age, then come back to the present with a greater understanding of this amazing time. (B,L,SD) Day 7 Xian - Chengdu Visit Chengdu's Giant Panda Breeding CenterEating in Chengdu is a serious business In the morning, you fly to Chengdu, the capital city of China's most populous Sichuan (Literally, Four Rivers) Province and home to China's most notable Sichuan cuisine. With 2,500 years history, Chengdu has managed to preserve some of its older characteristics and traditions, and today you still find famous teahouses, numerous markets and some of China's the most interesting and spicy food. No visit is complete without a meal in a local Sichuan restaurant. The cuisine is spicy, and peppercorns and chilies abound, but often in a surprisingly subtle way. Whether it's hotpot, meat or a vegetable dish, your mouth will water and your taste buds tingle with delight. Upon arrival, you enjoy a rare opportunity to visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Center to witness the conservation efforts being made to save this endangered species. The center is the largest giant panda reserve in the world. Whenever China dispatches its animal ambassadors to zoos around the world, they have usually started their life in Chengdu. Eighty percent of the world's 1,000 remaining giant panda reside in Sichuan Province. It's no surprise the Chengdu center is heavily involved in their preservation and research. Today you will see a dozen of pandas wandering through a sizable domain of bamboo groves and forest. There is also a panda museum that has detailed exhibitions on panda evolution, habits, habitats and conservation efforts. You are also allowed to make intimate contact with baby pandas and hug them for a photo. Giant Panda is officially considered "National Treasure" by Chinese government and is often used to cultivate relationships with other countries with "Panda Diplomacy". This massive ecological and zoological park offers a wonderful chance to get face-to-face with China's gentle giants. There are other rare species at the base, including the little-known red panda. Chengdu has long been famous for its steamy teahouses, where locals recline on bamboo armchairs, play mahjong and meet with friends. For a relaxing afternoon with our exclusive Culture InSites™ Program, you sample a Sichuan style afternoon tea with locals in one of the many traditional bamboo teahouses scattered in parks across the city. You can while away an afternoon sipping tea and watching the locals read newspapers, play Sichuan Opera, debate, play chess, cards, and mahjong. You may even be invited to give it a try yourself. Chengdu is commonly regarded as the most laid back city in China and today's visit gives you the answer why. This unique experience concludes at the Park of Riverview Pavilion set along the river. Check out the ancient Chongli Pavilion dedicated to the 9th century poetess Xue Tao with its striking ornaments, green glazed tiles and red lacquered columns, surrounded by over one hundred varieties of bamboo. A leisure walk in the serene bamboo forest in an experience not to be missed. After dinner, you will be offered an opportunity to attend an optional performance of "Changing faces" at the 200-year-old Sichuan opera. Full of local color and flavor, Sichuan Opera, is a combination of music, comedy, puppets and acrobatic performances, including Changing Face, Spitting Fire and Bowl-lamp Rolling. The opera is performed in old halls or courtyard buildings and is a feast for the eyes. Chengdu Minshan Hotel (B,L,D) Day 8 Chengdu - Lhasa Fly over the snow-capped moutains of Tibetan Plateau You fly to Lhasa, the spiritual heart of Tibet. En route, you enjoy a fantastic view of the snowcapped mountain ranges as you fly over the Tibetan Plateau - the earth's highest ecosystem and one of its last remaining great wildernesses, also the source of Asia's greatest rivers. Half way to Lhasa you pass the great White citadel of Minya Konka at 24,783 feet. Now you fly over the Hengduan Range and the deep, gloomy valleys of three Asia's greatest rivers: the Mekong, the Salween, and the Yangtze. As you near the Plateau you'll likely to catch sight of another impressive peak, 25,439-foot Namcha Barwa, the easternmost rampart of the Himalaya. Upon arrival at Gongkar Airport, two hours outside of Lhasa, you will meet your Tibetan guide and driver, and together you take a scenic drive to the holy city. Stop en route to visit Tibetan villages and schools; and make photos of the Tibetan houses, yaks, Buddhist carvings, and the remarkable landscape of streams and snowcapped mountains. Lhasa means "country of the gods" and it rose to prominence as an important administrative center in the 7th century AD, when Songtsen Gampo, a local ruler in the Yarlung Valley, continued the task initiated by his father of unifying Tibet. Songtsen Gampo moved his capital to Lhasa and build a palace on the site now occupied by the Potala. At this time the temples of Ramoche and Jokhang were established to Buddha images brought as the dowries of Songtsen Gampo's Chinese and Nepali wives. Your hotel in Lhasa is perfectly situated near the center of town. You enjoy a quiet, leisurely afternoon and evening acclimating to Lhasa's high altitude (11,796 feet). Jardin Secret Hotel Lhasa (B,L,D) Day 9 Lhasa Potala Palace, once the residence of Dalai LamaVisit to a local Tibetan family home An unforgettable day begins with a tour to the monumental Potala Palace whose imposing presence dominates the entire region. Once the residence of the Dalai Lama, and seat of the Tibetan government, the 13-story structure has been a museum since the spiritual leader and head of state of Tibet went into exile in 1959. Initially built in the 7th century, the buildings were restored and expanded upon in the 17th century. There are two main sections. The Red Palace, completed in 1693, which dealt with spiritual matters, and the White Palace, completed in 1645, which housed administrative offices that ran the government. In the afternoon, tour the Tibetan Museum to learn more about the history of this region referred to as the "roof of the world". Today's Culture InSites™ Program will offer you an insightful visit to a local Tibet family home where you have a people-to-people experience with the locals and enjoy the famous yak-butter tea. (B,L,D) Day 10 Yamdrok Yumtso The view from the roof of Jakhang TempleTibetan Lama at Barkhor In the morning, you take 2 ½ hour scenic drive to the Yamdrok Yumtso (tso means lake) to enjoy the natural beauty of this mystical land. You follows the Kyichu, or the Lhasa River to Tsangpo River, the highest major river in the world. After crossing the Tsangpo, you begin a hairpin ascent to reach Khampa La (La means pass) at 15,700 feet. From the pass you make a one-thousand-foot descent and arrive at tranquil Yamdrok Yumtso. You stop here to enjoy a picnic... rarely included in conventional itineraries, This scenic excursion gives you a nice break from peering at Buddhist deities. Later, you return to Lhasa, en route you make multiple photo stops. Your tour in the afternoon begins in the heart of the old city at Jokhang Temple, Tibet's holiest temple, which was often referred to by early Western visitors as Lhasa's cathedral. Built in 647 AD, the Jokhang Temple attracts pilgrims throughout the day and night. They will often be seen in full prostration on the flagstones leading up to the temple or in prayer. The pioneering Tibet ologist Guissepe Tucci wrote: "An endless, three-story high flight of chapels surrounds the statue, decorated with the smiling and sneering Buddhist pantheon. Blissful and terrific gods fill the shade of the cells and peer unexpectedly out of their mystery." Surrounding Jokhang is the Barkhor, the Pilgrim's Circuit, Lhasa's old market. This area is full of activity with monks chanting, vendors selling their wares, yak butter wafting in the air and hundreds of people moving in a clockwise direction. Much has been changed in Tibet in the past few hundred years, but the Barkhor still has the air of a medieval bazaar. In today's Barkhor you can bargain good-naturedly for dorjes, phurbas, thangkas, and other religious implements. You'll get to know the proud, red-tasseled Khampas from eastern Tibet, the monks, mendicants, pilgrims who circumambulate the Jokhang, and enjoy bantering with the astute and engaging merchants of this bit of old Tibet. (B,L,D) Day 11 Lhasa - Yangtze Cruise 3-night Yangtze Cruise aboard "Century Sky" After breakfast, you fly to the mountain city of Chongqing in preparation for your cruise downstream the Yangtze. Chongqing is China's largest city with a population of over 30 million. During WWII, Chongqing was China's wartime capital. U.S. General Stillwell was the Commander of the US Forces here and the "Flying Tigers" was also based in Chongqing. In the afternoon, you visit Chongqing's Old Town. This is one of China's most naturally preserved, active old towns. Explore Ming and Qing dynasty courtyard homes; rarely included in conventional itineraries, this old quarter is unforgettable. Later, you board M.V. President Prime with private balcony. Settle into your cabin and check out the numerous amenities on board. The Yangtze River originates on the Tibetan Plateau and traverses a distance of 3900 miles before flowing into the East China Sea, near Shanghai. It is the third longest river in the world, after the Amazon and the Nile. With over 700 tributaries, the Yangtze River has been the lifeline and major commercial thoroughfare in China for millennia. M.V. President Prime (B,L,D) Day 12 Yangtze Cruise Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest of 3 Gorges Your cruiser sets sail early in the morning and later stops at Fengdu. You then take a shore excursion to explore China's city of Ghosts, where all souls are said to return here to accept final judgments after their death. You visit temples and shrines dedicated to the gods of the underworld and other landmarks including "Ghost Torturing Pass, Last-glance-at-home Tower, and Nothing-to-be-done Bridge. Back onboard in the afternoon; your cruise continues and enters Qutang Gorge - the shortest, narrowest and probably the most fascinating of the three, noted for its fantastic scenery resembling an elegant Chinese painted scroll. Tonight is Captain's welcome banquet. (B,L,D) Day 13 Yangtze Cruise Cruise "Lesser Three Gorges" on "peapod" boatTweleve misty peaks of Wu Gorges Another day of incredible views awaits you upon entering Wu Gorge. The softly layered peaks form a surreal backdrop as the ship courses through the rugged canyons. So sheer are the cliffs that it is said the sun rarely penetrates. Wu Gorge, celebrated for its twelve misty peaks soaring above, has been the inspiration of Chinese painters and poets throughout the centuries. The most famous is Goddess Peak, which resembles the figure of a maiden kneeling in front of a pillar. She is believed to be the embodiment of Yao Ji, the 23rd daughter of the Queen Mother of the West. Yao Ji, accompanied by 11 fairy handmaidens, was sent to oversee the Jade Pool of the Western Heaven, and end up staying there to protect the boats from the dangerous rapids. These 12 maidens became the 12 sentinel peaks of Wu Gorge. You then change to the "peapod" boat for a trip up the crystal-clear Daning River through its magnificent Lesser Three Gorges to experience the excitement and awe of bygone days of river travel in China. Notice the ruins of the ancient plank road along the cliff face as well as the coffins of the Ba people suspended from the cliffs above. The contrasting heights of these gorges and the narrowness of the river make this area one of the most dramatic scenes in the world. Tonight you have a dinner featuring local cuisine and enjoy onboard entertainment. (B,L,D) Day 14 Three Gorges Dam - Shanghai Enter Xiling GorgeVisit "Three Gorges Dam" construction sites Your memorable cruise continues as you enter the spectacular Xiling Gorge. Choose your vantage point as the ship transits the five stage shiplocks, the largest shiplock in the world. Your cruiser makes a brief stop at Sandouping, the site of modern China's most ambitious engineering project - the construction of the Three Gorges Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant. View the current phase of this 17 year project. When completed, the dam will be 610 feet high and over a mile wide. The hydroelectrical power plant will be driven by the world's largest turbines and have the generating capacity of 18 nuclear power plants. A reservoir 372 miles long will be created, with the end result of displacing 1.5 million people, submerging 1000s of their towns and villages and wiping out numerous archaeological sites. Whole cities have been relocated, precious topsoil brought to higher elevations and centuries-old lifestyles altered forever. Disembark at Yichang, the terminus of your memorable Yangtze cruise, you board a flight to Shanghai, China's vibrant financial and artistic center. Shanghai, literally means "above the sea", is China's largest and most dynamic city, with a population of 18 million. In the 13th century it became a minor county seat and so it remained until the mid-19th century when British commercial ambitions led to war with China. The ensuing Treaty of Nanking allowed the British to trade freely from certain ports including Shanghai. The city soon became an outpost of glamour, high living, and ultimately decadence. In the 1930s, Shanghai is renowned as "the Pearl of the East". Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure. Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou (B,L,D) Day 15 Shanghai Shanghai's new skyline Walk on the Bund, the landmark of Shanghai Some places are forever associated with a single landmark and in the case of Shanghai it is surely the Bund. After breakfast, you take a leisure walk along the waterfront promenade of the Bund. The Bund was at the heart of colonial shanghai, flanked on one side by the Huangpu River and on the other by the hotels, banks, offices, and clubs that were the grandiose symbols of western commercial power. See the ships and barges on the Huangpu River, en route to the sea or going upstream to the interior of China. The modernistic Oriental Pearl TV tower looms in the background redefining the skyline. In 1949, the communist took over and Shanghai was stripped of its grandeur. In 1990, the Pudong area across the river from the Bund was declared as a special economic zone, and a revival started for the city. Today we take you to futurist Pudong New Developing Area. Transformed from once fertile farmland, this new area is rapidly becoming the symbol of modern China with its clusters of shinning metal and glass skyscrapers of world class hotels, international financial institutions, and commercial centers towered above the Huangpu River. Later you visit to the 88th floor of the Jinmao Tower, the third tallest building in China. At 1,380 feet, it is the world's fifth tallest building, as well as home to the world's tallest hotel - the Grand Hyatt Shanghai. From its lofty platform, you enjoy a stunning view of Shanghai. Afterwards, you visit People's Square and tour the famed Shanghai Museum, an unique and inspiring piece of architecture, home to more than 120,000 cultural relics of ancient China, including a priceless collection of jade, bronze, ceramics, paintings, furniture, etc. After dinner, you attend an unforgettable performance of the Shanghai Acrobats. Later, we drop you at the Xin Tian Di for a leisure and romantic night. Literally means "New Heaven Earth", it is Shanghai's trendiest lifestyle destination. This 2-block complex of high-end restaurants (some of Shanghai's best), bars, shops, and entertainment facilities, mostly lodged in refurbished traditional Shanghainese shikumen (stone-frame) housing, is the first phase of the Taiping Qiao Project, an urban renewal project. Busloads of domestic Chinese tourists traipse through in the evenings, Western visitors feel like they've never left home, and hip young Shanghainese flood here to enjoy the good life they feel they're due. (B,L,D) Day 16 Suzhou & Tongli Pavilion of Watching the Moon, Master of Net Garden Canals, arched bridges, and cobbled lanes at Tongli In the morning you travel by motor-coach to Suzhou, which is often referred, by the Chinese, as the "Venice of the East". Suzhou is a 2,500-year-old city renowned the world over for its traditional gardens, ancient canals and silk production. In 1997 Suzhou's classic garden was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The construction of the Grand Canal in the 7th century created a means whereby silk, the prized commodity from this region could be transported to the Northern capital, Beijing, a distance of over 600 miles. With prosperity came prestige as merchants and artisans plied their trade. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Suzhou flourished as a place of refinement, drawing an influx of scholars and merchants, who built themselves numerous elegant gardens. The Chinese garden developed as a synthesis of two concepts linked in Taoist philosophy - scenery and serenity: the contemplation of nature in isolated meditation led to enlightenment. Therefore, the educated and wealthy built natural-looking retreats for themselves with an urban environment. The garden creates poetic and painterly concepts, and aims to improve on nature in creating a picture that looks natural but is in fact entirely artificial. For this the Chinese garden designer used four main elements: rocks, water, plants, and architecture. Upon arrival, you visit the Garden of the Master of Fishing Nets, and experience all of the elements of a classical Chinese garden. It is said that the Master of the Nets Garden was named after one of its owners - a retired official who wished to become an accomplished fisherman. Dating to 1140, it is considered by many, the finest of all Suzhou's gardens. Although exceptional small, it succeeds, with great subtlety, in introducing every element considered crucial to the classical Chinese garden. It includes a central lake, discreet connecting corridors, pavilions with miniature courtyards, screens, delicate latticework, and above all, points which "frame a view", as if looking at a perfectly balanced photograph. The best known building is the "Pavilion for Watching the Moon", from where the moon can be viewed in a mirror, in the water, and in the sky. Later, you tour the Silk Spinning Mill, where you will learn how silk is created from the mulberry-munching silkworms to produce thread and fine cloth. Afterwards, you travel to Tongli, a pretty little water town typical of the region. Tongli gives visitors a good idea of what Suzhou must have been like in its heyday. Reminiscent of scenes from traditional Chinese paintings, it is complete with canals, arched stone bridges, cobbled lanes, and tile-roofed wooden houses. Visit a courtyard mansion to learn about the lavish life style of its residents. Then, learn about traditional Chinese wedding customs at a local folklore museum. Take an exciting ride on a gondola and experience the charm of Tongli's waterways. You will have free time to browse and buy some local specialties along Old Street, which is lined with Ming style homes and storefronts. In the late afternoon, you travel by motor coach to Shanghai and enjoy your evening at leisure (B,L,D) Day 17 Shanghai - Guilin Guilin's inspiring sceneries In the morning you are free to rest, or to explore Shanghai on your own. After lunch, you are transferred to the airport for a flight to Guilin to indulge yourself in China's most amazing natural landscape. Guilin is celebrated for its picturesque karst limestone pinnacles and meandering Li River. An old Chinese saying describes Guilin's landscape as "the best scenery under heaven". Its misty limestone peaks "rise as suddenly from the earth as trees in a forest, and surrounding the city like mountains floating in an imaginary sea". Meet your local representative and transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city. Sheraton Hotel Guilin (B,L,D) Day 18 Dragon Spine Terraces Long Sheng's Dragon Spine Rice Terraces This part of the country encompasses China's most famous scenic landscapes. Before discovering the best treasures Guilin has to offer, we start an off-the-beaten-path hiking tour to Long Sheng's spectacular Dragon Spine Rice Terraces. Over the centuries, the Zhuang and Yao minorities have sculpted 2,000 feet peaks with remarkable step-like terraces for growing rice in the hilly areas of Southwest China. This transformation over time has created landscapes of utility as well as immense beauty. In Spring, when the terraces are full of water, they resemble irregular silver ladders; and in autumn, when the rice ripens, the mountains turn into golden waves. Visit the unique culture of local minorities and their villages where life has remained unchanged for thousands of years! we are able to hike between the villages following tiny stone paths carved out by the local people. This memorable journey is rarely included in the conventional itinerary. (B,L,D) Day 19 Guilin - Hong Kong Cruise the Li River and soak in its natural beautyGuilin's landmark Li River and limestone peaks A beautiful day waits! You take a scenic motor coach ride through the countryside, past lush green fields and rice paddies. Arrive at a local village and embark on a memorable Li River cruise. The 40-mile trip has countless twists and turns. The scenery is reminiscent of classical Chinese landscapes - bamboo groves, sleepy villages, fishermen on bamboo rafts, cormorants, water buffalo, soaring karst pinnacles and mist shrouded peaks... your cruise concludes at the famed Yangshuo, a small town, amidst a haunting and surreal setting. Free time to explore this town on your own. Later, you board a short flight to Hong Kong to see the other side of China with its amazing modernity and cosmopolitan culture. Hong Kong, ranked as world's freest economy since 1970, is China's dynamic financial center and home of the world's busiest port. The ex-British colony is known as the "Pearl of the Orient" and serves as a major gateway to China. After 40-minute flight you land at Hong Kong Airport - world's busiest airport that costs more than $20 billion to build. Meet your local representative and transfer to your hotel which is centrally located at Mongkok in the heart of Kowloon. With its prime location, Royal Plaza gives you easy access to main business, shopping and entertainment this exciting city has to offer. At night, take a stroll along the famed Nathen Road and indulge yourself in a shopping spree at the countless stores and malls. Royal Plaza Hotel Hong Kong (B,L) Day 20 Hong Kong Take tram to the Victoria PeakDim Sum at Jumbo Seafood Floating Restaurant After breakfast, you visit the Victoria Peak, the summit of the Island and home to Hong Kong's elite. Take the "Tram" to the summit and get a panoramic view of the magnificent skyline of the Victoria Harbor, where ferries and pleasure junks glide by. At night, this scene is transformed into a spectacle of lights. Then see where Hong Kong plays and prays as you visit the beach of shrine-dotted Repulse Bay. Later, you have some free time to shop at the Stanley Market. If time permits, you visit the floating village of Aberdeen, where a 20-mintues optional cruise ($8 per person) is available to bring you an up-close look at the disappearing fishing community before this area is abolished and becomes a distant memory. Thousands of people still live on the junks and sampans in the harbor. Their traditional lifestyle is in sharp contrast to the modern life style of those living in the high-rise communities that hugs the nearby hillsides. Hong Kong prides itself with the most famous Cantonese cuisine in Chinese community. It is said that the Cantonese eat everything with four legs except tables, and everything with two wings except airplanes. To dine at a local restaurant is the best way to understand the local cultural. Today, you will have a special "Dim Sum" lunch at the iconic Jumbo Floating Seafood Restaurant, a complex of fine dining, sightseeing, shopping, and cultural attractions, which is also on top of Hong Kong Must-see list. Afterwards, return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. You may take a short tram ride to Tsimshatsui where you may enjoy a "high-tea" at the legendary Peninsula Hotel, or visit the Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong Cultural Center, and Star Ferry - There's no better way to acquaint yourself with Hong Kong than to ride the cheapest cruise in China. The century-old green-and-white Star ferries weave between tugs, junks, and ocean-going vessels in a 5-minute harbor crossing to Hong Kong Island. (B,SL) Day 21 Hong Kong Hong Kong IslandVictoria Harbor at night Hong Kong is bargain shopper's Mecca. And the location of your hotel offers everything you possibly need from shopping, dining, entertaining, touring etc. Enjoy your free day to explore this vibrant and fascinating cosmopolitan independently. If you like, you can also take a vacation from your vacation with an optional tour to Macau and experience the uniqueness of this former Portuguese colony, which is an hour's turbojet ride from Hong Kong. Macau was first settled by Portuguese merchants and Jesuits in the 1500s. The Jesuits were ousted in the 1800s, but the Portuguese remained in control until 1999, when the colony was handed back to China. Often referred to as the "Monte Carlo of the Orient", 24 hour gambling is Macau's major draw, as well as its unique cuisine and its quaint European ambience. Meet your local representative upon arrival. Visit the ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral, once a powerful presence. The crumbling facade is all that remains. Tour the beautifully tiled Largo do Senado, the main public square, an area of fountains, colonnades, and stately Portuguese architecture. Visit the A-Ma Temple, dedicated to the goddess of the sea, and for whom Macau was named. The temple is over 500 years old. After an included lunch, you will have the "chance" to go to the Casino Lisboa, Macau's largest casino. Take the turbojet back to Hong Kong and transfer to your hotel (optional tour is $99 per person). (B) Day 22 Fly home Hong Kong's Tsing Ma Bridge Transfer to the airport for your home bound flight. If you book transpacific flight with China Spree, you will fly from Hong Kong via Beijing, the hub of Air China, to U.S. (B) Air China Flight Schedule

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Jaisalmer Tourism Home › India › Rajasthan › Jaisalmer Tourism Jaisalmer Buses Jaisalmer Taxis Jaisalmer Trains Jaisalmer Flights Jaisalmer Packages Jaisalmer Events Jaisalmer Weather Jaisalmer Maps Jaisalmer Videos Jaisalmer Booking India Says YES to Jaisalmer! Awarded : Top 25 Desert destination in India Jaisalmer Travel Guide Download Jaisalmer Travel guide in PDF format Ranked 4 of 57 Rajasthan Tourism Destinations Destination Rating 4488 Ratings & 2653 Reviews 321 Hotels 49 Sightseeing 12 Packages Jaisalmer Info State: Rajasthan Famous for/as: Desert Altitude: 225 m Pincode: 345001 District: Jaisalmer Language: Hindi STD code: 02992 Weather: Summer 25 to 42°C, Winter 7 to 24°C Jaisalmer, also known as the Golden City, is one of the most famous cities in the royal state of Rajasthan. Located in the middle of the desert, 575 km away from the state capital Jaipur, the city is famous for its rich heritage. Jaisalmer is also a district and is spread over 1429 sq km sharing boundaries with Bikaner in the north, Pakistan in the west and south-west, Barmer and Jodhpur on the south and Jodhpur in the east.The economy of the district largely depends on the tourism industry which has grown rapidly due to the tremendous efforts of Rajasthan tourism. Oil and gas reserves have also been discovered by Oil India Limited in 1988. History of JaisalmerJaisalmer was named after its founder, Rao Jaisal. Jaisalmer translates to�the hill fort of Jaisal�. In earlier times, the area of Jaisalmer was part of Gujarat and until the 11th century was ruled by the Bargujar King. Jaisalmer never came under the direct ruling of the Islamic sultanate due to its unique geographical position although it agreed to pay an annual tribute to the Delhi sultan. Mughal emperor Akbar was also married to one of the princesses of Jaisalmer and thus Jaisalmer maintained a good relationship with the Mughals. Things to do in Jaisalmer Jaisalmer is also famous for its folk music and dances which have been widely appreciated around the globe. Among tourist attractions, the Jaisalmer Fort is the most famous one. Built in 1156 by the Bhati Rajput ruler Jaisal, Jaisalmer Fort is situated on Trikuta Hill and had been the scene of many battles. It is inhabited even now and about a quarter of the population of the city live in the fort premises. Patwon-ki-Haveli and Nathmalji-ki-Haveli are other attractions of the city. The Desert Festival which is held over three days in January, every year, provides an insight into the culture, folk songs and dance of Jaisalmer. Sand dunes, Jain temples, palaces and a colourful display of the art and craft of the destination draw a large number of people, from within the country and outside as well. Tourists can also try various attractive packages options to tour Jaisalmer.The best time to visit Jaisalmer is between the months of October to February. Those visiting in January can be a part of the Desert Festival, which is held for three days during this time. Travelling to JaisalmerTo reach Jaisalmer by air, the nearest airport is at Jodhpur at a distance of 285 km. Jodhpur is connected to Delhi and Jaipur by air. The other nearest airport which is an international airport is at Delhi, well connected with all main cities in India and important international cities. From these airports, buses are available to Jaisalmer.Jaisalmer Railway Station is the chief railway station in the western railway zone. Connected to Jodhpur and other cities in India, Jaisalmer Railway Station, the journey takes about six hours for journey.Jaisalmer is connected by buses from Jaipur, Bikaner and Ajmer. It is also well connected by train to Lalgarh, Bikaner, Delhi and Jodhpur.Accommodation options in JaisalmerHotels in Jaisalmer range from budget hotels and heritage properties to culture hotels. Most of these hotels also offer transfers for sightseeing and pick-up from railway and bus stations. « LessMore » Most preferred by... Travellers from Delhi, Ahmedabad Family Best time to visit Jaisalmer in the next six months

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The world's top five weird Irish bars Conn Corrigan From animal testicles to ghostly apparitions - there are some pretty strange Irish bars out there. Photo by: Getty Images From animal testicles to ghostly apparitions - there are some pretty strange Irish bars out there, as this list shows. Bad Irish, Boise, IdahoWhat could be more wrong with than getting served a pint of Guinness by a barmaid in a low cut top and a Catholic schoolgirl’s uniform?Well, quite a lot of things, in all likelihood – but still, drinking in Bad Irish, an Irish bar in Boise, Idaho, that caters for those of us who have a Catholic schoolgirl fetish and enjoy a Guinness, should surely be grounds for excommunication.The operator, John Ronchetti, has told his local paper that the bar is “Irish drinking meets American party bar.” "I know people would say, 'Aren't there enough Irish bars in this town?” Ronchetti, who has Irish roots, has said. (And with a name like Ronchetti, that should be obvious.) “But there's not another one like this."Sounds like reasonably clean fun – maybe a little too clean, in fact.“They'll add to the place, but they're not the entertainment themselves,” Ronchetti said. "Which, I guess, depends on perception."Which means that there is to be no gyrating wildly on the bar from the “Bad Girls”, or jumping on top of the bar for a little strip tease to the Angelus.The Dog’s Bollix, San Francisco Bollix, as we explained in our short dictionary of Irishisms, is a slang term for a man’s testicles in Britain and Ireland. “The Dogs Bollix”, somehow, is an expression that has come to mean “very good.” (We have no idea why.)Example: “That was a great game of soccer you just played, Declan,” said Declan’s friend, John. “You truly are the dog’s bollix.” But The Dog’s Bollix is also the name of an Irish bar in San Francisco that has since closed down. From what we can gather, it was once quite the popular hangout.The Dog’s Bollix is also the name of an Irish bar in Auckland, New Zealand. The Auckland venue describes itself as the “city’s premier music venue” and says that it serves “outstanding pub food.” Whether canine testicles are included on the menu, we cannot be sure.Slainte Irish Pub, HoustonLadies beware: Legend has it that the ghost of a murdered homeless woman appears to female employees at this downtown Houston joint.According to a very unreliable source, his Irish memory wrecked by years of alcohol abuse, a homeless woman was raped and murdered in the same building as the bar many years ago.Today, her spirit roams in the pub.Legend has it that a silhouette of a brunette woman can still be seen behind the textured glass – that’s near the Golden Tee game in the back of the pub, if we want to be exact.But on the plus side, the bar’s Web site says it was voted Houston’s Best Irish Pub and Best Singles in 2004.McGuire's Irish Brewery in Pensacola, FloridaShould you find yourself in McGuire’s broke, unsure of where your next beer is coming from, try to resist the urge from stripping a few dollars of the ceiling: there you’ll find $550,000 worth of dollar bills.In 1977 McGuire’s began as a small neighborhood pub in a shopping center. When Molly McGuire, the bar’s owner, made her first one dollar tip, she stuck it to the ceiling for good luck. Friends of the pub added to the collection and it soon became tradition.And before many years had passed, those dollars amounted to $550,000. (How long it took to count all those is unclear.) The bar’s Web site that those dollar bill “have been signed by Irishmen of all nationalities.” Pinhead Susan's, Schenectady, New YorkThe story goes that there was once graffiti daubed on the train track wall near where the pub currently stands that read: “"Susan is a pinhead." This stayed here for almost 15 years, before being removed. Shortly afterwards, another bit of graffiti appeared on the walls, saying, “Susan remains a pinhead.”And so when this Irish pub and restaurant opened in 2000, “Pinhead Susan’s” was the obvious choice.

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TRAVEL LUXURY LEISURE Alpilles of Provence Buthan French Amazon Niger River Yuzi Paradise Arabian sailors called Sri Lanka Serendib, or “the country of fabled delights” and it is said to have been the playing field for Sinbad’s legendary adventures. It was also acclaimed by the Greek geographer Ptolemy, who drew its first map in the 2nd century AD, and Marco Polo who considered it "as the finest island of its size in the entire world." Formerly known as Ceylon until 1972, this pear-shaped island lies 29 kilometers off the southeastern coast of India and offers a blend of tropical splendor and a rich cultural heritage. Buddhism was introduced in the 3rd century BC and is the official religion. Sadly, this paradise has been torn in a civil war between the Singhalese majority and the Tamil separatists since the mid-1980s. Photos © Remi Benali Editors are welcome to contact the photographer for the complete story - contact@remibenali.com

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In September of 2003 Dr. Neal took a 7-day Inside Passage Cruise to Alaska on the Holland America Line's ms Volendam. Photos of this cruise can be found here. Review of Alaska 7-day Inside Passage Cruise Aboard the m/s Volendam, Holland America Line September 8 - 15, 2003 (Ports: Vancouver, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchekan, Vancouver) Having sailed aboard the Volendam before, and this being my 7th cruise with Holland America, I knew what to expect in terms of the "cruise experience." It is true that Holland America tends to attract an older, more sedate clientele; people who are interested in a refined, quiet, more "classic" style of Cruise-vacation are at home on their ships. This is particularly true of the Volendam; she's not a party "boat," but one can have a great time on her just the same ... and, from Sept. 8 - 15, 2003, we did. For more details on the Volendam's layout and lounges, please check out my prior review of this ship on Cruise Critics. Pre-Embarcation: We flew into Vancouver from Dallas-Forth Worth on Sunday evening, arriving at about 7 pm. We had a pre-cruise hotel package at the Fairmont Waterfront, just across the street from Canada Place, with a harbor-view room; upon arrival we discovered that we had been upgraded to a Suite for no extra cost. The staff at the Fairmont was excellent and the room was outstanding, with a lovely view of Canada Place and the harbor. Included in the package-deal was a complimentary hot buffet breakfast and a transfer of our baggage to the pier. This made everything so much easier. We spent the morning exploring the area and, then, at about 11 am we had the bellperson come and collect our luggage. We were then able to walk across to the pier and spend a little while viewing (and photographing) the Volendam before going to check-in at noon. Check-In and Embarkation: Check-in was quick and painless. We went through security rather quickly, then were waved into the short queue for those who had prepared their immigration forms on-line at the Holland America website. Within just a few minutes we had checked-in, had our boarding number, and were sitting in the waiting area, chatting with our fellow passengers. Boarding began at about 1:30, and by 2 pm we were in our stateroom, where our luggage had already been delivered. We changed clothing, grabbed a bite to eat in the Lido, and then wandered the ship until 4:15 and the Lifeboat Drill. There appeared to be no sign of the early boarding option that we had heard about from those who had been on earlier cruises; we were not allowed to board immediately and wait in a lounge onboard ship. However, the process which was in place was quick, efficient, and didn't involve much waiting anywhere. During the weeks before the cruise we had been warned that the Volendam had been under strict health restrictions -- and I had been advised to hose down everything with Purell -- but those restrictions had been mostly lifted by the time we arrived. Handshaking was suspended at the beginning of the cruise, but otherwise the Dining Room had been returned to normal procedures (with bread and butter and salt and pepper all being available on the table). The report was that the cruise prior to ours had no reported cases of Norwalk-like viruses, and during our seven days there were no reports of any similar illnesses. Cabin Choice: We originally booked a J-Catagory Guarantee, but as we were told to expect there were no cabins available in that category. As it turned out, about 10 days prior to sailing we were assigned to a C-Category outside cabin on the Lower Promenade Deck, just aft of midships on the port-side. We were thrilled. It was an excellent place on the ship to be. It's like having a huge Verandah on both sides of the ship; just a few steps and we were outside! Also, no place in the ship felt very far from the cabin. We loved it. At first, we were a little nervous about people being able to look into the cabin from the outside promenade, but we soon discovered that -- during the day -- it was nearly impossible to see inside; the windows are tinted so-as to make that difficult, even with the lights on inside. At night it was nearly as difficult to see inside because the outside deck lights were always on. So ... there were no problems in that department. Similarly, while there was a little noise now and then coming in from the outside promenade, nothing that was in any way bothersome could be heard. Status of the Volendam: The ms Volendam is a lovely ship, well maintained and cared for. One of the things we noted, even before sail-away, was the amount of exterior railing that had just been re-stained, the fresh paint on many door frames, and the new carpet smell in several lounges. Throughout this cruise the loving care being lavished upon the ship by the crew was evident at every turn: scraping, painting, repairing, cleaning, vacuuming, and routine maintenance could be found going on everywhere. Even though she's now four years old, there are few signs of wear-and-tear. Likewise, from stateroom to lounges to dining rooms we found the ship to be immaculate ... the Volendam is a credit to HAL's slogan "the Spotless Fleet." It should be noted that, while in Juneau the Volendam was boarded by the US Coast Guard and the ship and crew were subjected to inspection and drills. According to the Captain, the ship achieved a perfect score. Dining Onboard: The Marco Polo has been converted into the Pinnacle Grill, and while it does charge $20 per person for the meal, the quality of the food and the service truly is spectacular. The food here is billed as being a "Northwestern fare," and it meets that expectation; they have a set menu which has changed very little since our Nov-Dec 2002 Hawaii Cruise on the Statendam, but this is not a negative observation; it was nice knowing what to expect. I had the Pinnacle Cut Filet which was cooked to absolute perfection and was so deliciously tender that I was cutting it with my fork! The side dishes were excellent, although I would have appreciated a few more selections and slightly larger portions. The desserts were all wonderful (we sampled several). The Lido was excellent for breakfast, lunch, and snacks, although I was disappointed that they didn't have more pasta dishes. The sandwich bar was excellent, as was the stir-fry, and at breakfasts I enjoyed the omelet bar. During our day in Glacier Bay the crew held a fantastic Seafood BBQ Luke by the Lido pool. It included grilled salmon and halibut, with steamed crab, mussels and clams ... among many other tasty meats. It was excellent. The Rotterdam Dining Room met our expectations. We had second seating at a table for 8, nevertheless the staff was fast, efficient, friendly, and a joy to get to know; in short, the foodservice on this cruise was flawless. Our waiter, Krishna, was among the best we've ever had, as was his assistant, Denny. The wine steward, Nestor, was always at our table almost immediately after we were seated; we had purchased a wine package of several bottles at the beginning of the cruise, and each night we were served from the selections in that package. While not a great financial savings, having a wine package was far simpler and much quicker each evening than making a different choice would have been. Nestor was helpful by corking unused bottles and saving them for subsequent evenings. The food in the Rotterdam Dining Room was about average for Holland America: the food was warm but not hot, the taste was good but not spectacular, and the variety left something to be desired. One night I had a Prime Rib that was excellent, but on another evening the pasta dish had nearly no taste to it at all. I enjoyed the Volendam Salad, but the Waldorf Salad proved to be a disappointment. The seafood dishes tended to be of superior quality, as were the poultry and lamb dishes, but the attempts at Italian food were just of average quality. The Dutch dishes were, again, rather bland, while the Indonesian and other oriental offerings were quite good. On the whole, the meals in the Rotterdam Dining Room were good, and at times truly excellent; only once was I truly disappointed. Dress Code Violations: The Holland America Line has a well defined Dress Code for Formal, Informal, and Casual nights which can be found in the "Know Before You Go" booklet; additionally, the Dress Code for each evening is published in the Daily Program. Despite this, many of the passengers on this particular cruise either ignored the code altogether, or they only poorly observed it. For example, on Formal Nights the number of men dressed in Tuxedos was far lower than I have ever seen on a HAL cruise; a larger number of the men were dressed in dark suits and ties -- which is perfectly fine, and these men looked smart -- but the apparent choice-of-clothing for a great many men on both Formal Nights appeared to be slacks and a blazer ... often with a tie, but sometimes without. Even still, it was not uncommon to see men without jackets, without ties, and even in jeans and t-shirts. Interestingly, the Informal Night Dress Code was more faithfully observed by a larger percentage of men than the Formal Night Code, but Casual nights were a couture nightmare: jeans and t-shirts were out in-force, with shorts and sweat suits being worn even in the Rotterdam Dining Room. Far from "dressy" or "country club casual," this was more a form of "sloppy casual." The women were sometimes better-dressed than the men, but only marginally. HAL loyalists are sometimes badgered for upholding the Cruise Line's Dress Code, and I realize that I'm opening myself to attack for bringing up this topic, but it is a valid issue. This Alaska Cruise was the most "casual" HAL cruise I have ever taken. This may, in part, be due to the fact that there were far fewer repeat cruisers ("Mariners") on this cruise than on the others I have taken. From what I was told by several-such first-time cruisers, they would be bringing far more appropriate clothing next time. Hence, I believe that a growing body of new-cruisers is a good thing for Holland America. Passenger Age: This cruise had the lowest average age of any HAL cruise I have ever taken. HAL is generally thought of as being a "geriatric cruise line," but this seems to be changing as more and more younger and middle-aged people begin cruising. Sometimes young people are accused of being among the more poorly dressed, but in many cases I noted that those in the 20 and 30-something crowd were frequently among the best-dressed, while those in their 40s and 50s were sometimes less-conformed to the Dress Code. Alaska Weather and Ports: Words cannot do Alaska justice. Even in September, with the weather turning colder and the air turning wetter, the beauty of the 49th State blew our socks off. Temperatures ranged from lows in the low-40s to highs in the mid-50s. It rained nearly every day, but it wasn't torrential and we periodically had views of blue skies and even a little sun. In Juneau the cloud cover was so low that, from the top of Mt. Roberts it was impossible to see the city or the harbor. In Skagway and along the Inside Passage the low-level cloud formations were beautiful and, at times, spooky. Frankly, it wasn't cold enough to be at all uncomfortable; in Glacier bay as long as the sun was out the air was very nice, but let the clouds come in and the wind got truly cold. In Juneau we took the Grand Tour, which included a short city survey, a visit to the Salmon Hatchery, a tour of the Glacier Gardens, and a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier. This was an excellent tour, with the surprise being found in the striking beauty of the Gardens and an amazing drive through the National Rain Forest. The Mendenhall Glacier National Park was both impressive and beautiful, and the US Forest Service Rangers were very informative. At the Mendenhall Glacier be prepared to walk all the way to the forward observation point for the most spectacular views of the Glacier and the waterfall. In Skagway we took the White Pass Summit Scenic Railway and were very pleased. The rail-line comes right up to the pier, so all we had to do was walk about a hundred yards from the ship to board the train. This was a very enjoyable, relaxing journey up the White Pass into the mountains and across the Canadian Boarder to the continental divide. The views were spectacular and the running commentary from the Train staff was very informative. I highly recommend this trip, and would be willing to take it again on my next trip to Alaska. Glacier Bay was amazing. The Volendam was in the bay along with the Veendam, and so we had a couple of opportunities to catch some excellent sights of another HAL vessel at sea; indeed, when up near glaciers the other ship looked like a tub toy! As excellent as the port-cities were, Glacier Bay truly was the high point of this cruise. We spent almost the entire day, from about 10 am until 4 pm, out on deck, viewing the stark landscape, the glaciers, and the wildlife. We had an opportunity to see Humpback Whales breaching, and Orrca paced the ship for quite a while as we traversed Icey Strait. In Ketchikan we took the Totem Bight State Park tour, which provided an excellent opportunity to see some Native American cultural artifacts and learn something about the longest inhabitants of Alaska. The Totems, themselves, were beautiful and impressive, and the historical and cultural lectures by our tour guide were informative and enjoyable. Conclusion: The Inside Passage to Alaska makes for an amazingly beautiful, relaxing, informative, and enjoyable Cruise. The natural wonders, along with the historical and cultural sites, are compelling. And the Holland America Line's Volendam was a wonderful, practical, and relaxing way to take in the sights and visit the ports along the Alaskan Inside Passage. © 2003, Rev. Gregory S. Neal Photos From Rev. Neal's Alaska 2003 Cruise. Embarkation from Vancouver Juneau, Alaska Skagway, Alaska Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska RealPlayer and Quicktime Videos Click play to stream the video to your computer Glacier Bay, Alaska If you do not have a Real Player, you can get one free from: All original videos are: © 2003, 2004, Rev. Gregory S. Neal Main / What's New? / Biography / Sermons / Bible Study / Communion / Writings Publications / Bookshelf / PastorCam / Photographs / Macintosh / Contact Links / Search / Frames If you can view frames:

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Scotland's Regions Travel to and around Greater Glasgow & The Clyde Valley A sightseeing bus crosses the Clyde Arc, west of Glasgow city centre Cowcaddens Subway Station, Glasgow A Glasgow taxi leaves the Clyde Auditorium The Kelvin Walkway, a footpath that follows the Kelvin Water from Kelvingrove Park Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and there are plentiful transport links allowing you to make the most of this remarkable city and the surrounding Clyde Valley. The M74 motorway runs north and south through Glasgow city centre. If driving in from the south, try a scenic alternative and take the fascinating Clyde Valley Tourist Route, one of the country's National Tourist Routes, which runs alongside the River Clyde and passes many places of historic interest. To explore the city centre, you may well find it easier to leave the car behind and continue on foot or by public transport. If you plan on travelling by bicycle, take a look at our information on cycling in Scotland.You can find out up-to-date traffic information from Traffic Scotland and plan your route with Transport Direct. For information about all public transport in Scotland, the best place to check for information and timetables is with Traveline; you can also download their handy mobile app or call them on 0871 200 22 33. There are several options for flying to Glasgow - you can search for fares on comparison sites such as SkyScanner, Travel Supermarket and Cheapflights. Flights from all over the world land in Glasgow Airport which is only 8 miles (13 km) from the city centre. There are frequent shuttle buses to take you into the city centre from the airport and there are also taxis available. If you prefer to travel by train, Paisley Gilmour Street Station is a mile from the airport and can be reached by bus or taxi. For timetables, check with National Rail. There are also flights to Glasgow Prestwick Airport which is 30 miles (48 km) from Glasgow. Regular trains run from Prestwick Airport’s train station to Glasgow Central. By presenting your travel documentation, you can receive a 50% discount on rail travel – timetables are available from Network Rail. There are also bus and coach services which run between Prestwick Airport and Glasgow. Journey time to Glasgow city centre by road or rail is around 50 minutes. Further information can be found on the Prestwick Airport website. By train Glasgow has two main train stations in the city centre, Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street. These stations are only a ten-minute walk apart, but you can get a shuttle bus between them. Trains from across the country arrive in these stations, with services from the south coming in to Central Station and the majority of trains from Edinburgh and the north arriving at Queen Street Station. There are also a large number of local trains which use Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street which make it easy to travel around the region by rail. The main bus station in Glasgow city centre is Buchanan Bus Station. Buses from all over the country arrive here, including services run by Citylink, Megabus, Stagecoach and National Express. There are also many local bus routes in Glasgow and the surrounding area, the main service provider being First Bus. By ferry There are ferry routes from Northern Ireland to Scotland, with Stena Line ferries between Belfast and Cairnryan, and P&O ferries between Larne and Cairnryan or Troon. There are then train services to Glasgow from Stranraer and Troon. If you are travelling from Europe, DFDS Seaways have ferries between the Netherlands and Newcastle, and there are direct trains from Newcastle to Glasgow. If you’re coming from the west of Scotland, CalMac run a ferry service between Rothesay on the Isle of Bute and Wemyss Bay, and there is a train from Wemyss Bay to Glasgow. There is also a CalMac ferry between Arran and Ardrossan with train links to Glasgow. In addition, there is a service between Dunoon and Gourock run by Western Ferries, with onward trains from Gourock to Glasgow. By subway The Glasgow Subway system opened in 1896, making it the third oldest underground system in the world. The subway is a quick and easy way to get between the city centre and the West End. Certain stations have park and ride facilities allowing you to leave your car and continue by underground. Opening hours are 6.30am to 11.30pm from Monday to Saturday and 10.00 to 5.30pm on Sundays. Find out more about travelling to and around Scotland. Find travel operators in Greater Glasgow & The Clyde Valley Glasgow & The Clyde Valley Tearooms and bars Scotland's Style Mile Long distance walks and country parks Free things to do in Glasgow Glasgow events European City of Culture The 'dear green place'

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The Internet's most comprehensive Travel website for Italy Use quote marks to search for exact names eg "Hotel Florence" Great School of Theodore, Venice The Great School of St. Theodore is the sixth among the �Great Schools� of Venice and has been since 1552; it is part of a very old tradition. It was founded as a fraternal school in the ancient church of St. Theodore, the first patron saint of the city, which existed before the primitive church of St. Mark (829). It became a minor School in the 1300s and had its altar in the church of San Salvatore where the Urn of St. Theodore is still kept today in the chapel in the apse. The building itself dates from 1579. The famous Orchestra I Musici Veneziani is composed of the most accomplished virtuosos who graduated from the Venetian conservatories and accompanied by performances by well known opera singers (sopranos, tenors, baritones...) coming from all around the world. The Orchestra I Musici Veneziani performs its famous Opera Concert with every musician dressed in XVIII. century Venice costumes. To receive additional information on upcoming concerts at St. Theodore School or to book tickets please contact our concierge: Valentina

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Dansk Deutsch Nederlands Norsk Polski Suomi Svenska русский 한국어 中文 日本語 Bucharest - Do & See mariosp Do & See I Love Culture Wallet Friendly Bucharest has many different, beautiful landmarks and the most prominent one is Palace of Parliament. To get a sense of Romanian history, visit the Museum of the Romanian Peasant or if you feel like a stroll in the outdoors go to the gorgeous Parcul Carol 1. Palatul Parlamentului (Palace of Parliament) Built during Ceausescu’s regime, the Palace of Parliament is Romania’s most famous building. The public tour of the opulent staircases and chandelier-filled rooms offers a fascinating insight. Arcul de Triumf (Triumphal Arch) Similar to its Paris namesake, Bucharest’s Triumphal Arch remembers Romania’s Great War soldiers and its reunification in 1918. Initially, the arc was built of wood in 1922, and was then finished in Deva granite in 1936. Lipscani District Lipscani, Bucharest’s historical centre, retains an old town charm which is almost irresistible. It is located between Calea Victoriei, Blvd. Bratianu, Blvd. Regina Elisabeta and the Dambovita River. Its collection of winding streets boasts antique markets, bric-a-brac spilling out from tiny boutiques and some of the city’s most appealing restaurants and bars. National Art Museum Romania’s most impressive art collection is displayed in this sprawling royal palace (Muzeul National de Arta). Here you can see works by Rembrandt and El Greco, among a collection of European art works. In addition to being the centre for Bucharest’s intellectual and political events and the most popular meeting place in Bucharest, the University of Bucharest has a dramatic history. During the 1989 Revolution, some of Romania’s fiercest fighting took place here. Close by you can find the University of Bucharest’s School of Architecture, the National Theatre, the Coltea Hospital and the Sutu Palace (History Museum). Filarmonica George Enescu The superb Filarmonica George Enescu is the hub of Bucharest’s musical activity. Exquisite mosaics and historical frescoes adorn the 19th-century circular building, which hosts impressive orchestral concerts. Museum of the Romanian Peasant This delightful museum opened in 1906 and is widely regarded as Romania’s best. A veritable treasure trove of pottery, icons and clothing. It also houses the fascinating Communism Exhibition and the ruins of an 18th-century Transylvanian wooden church. Jewish History Museum This museum, situated in a stunning synagogue built in 1850, tells the story of Romania’s Jewish population up until 1937. Make sure to catch the moving tour to get the best experience. Old Princely Court & Church The Old Princely Court (Curtea Veche) was built in the 15th century by Vlad Tepes, also known as Vlad Dracula. According to the legend, he kept his prisoners right beneath the court. What remains today are a few walls, arches, tombstones and a Corinthian column. Here you can also find Bucharest’s 16th-century Old Princely Church (Biserica Curtea Veche), the city’s oldest church. Original frescoes and Wallachia architecture are among the star features in this ancient Romanian veteran. Revolution Square - Piaţa Revoluţiei Whilst the University of Bucharest saw some of the darkest days of Ceausescu’s regime, events at the Revolution Square heralded the beginning of a new age. This building now houses the Senate. Close by is the former Royal Palace, now home to the National Art Museum, the Romanian Athenaeum and the Athenee Palace Hotel. Also the Kretzulescu Church. Carol Park This is one of the most beautiful parks in Bucharest, designed by the French landscape architect, Eduard Redont. Here you can find plenty of open-air concerts in the summer at Arenele Romane. View Do & See on map

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You are here: Australia» Western Australia» Mandurah» Yalgorup National Park Yalgorup National Park Preston Beach Road, Mandurah Australia Show map Photo gallery Get active and enjoy bushwalking trails, bird watching, fishing and camping at Yalgorup National Park south of Mandurah.The park occupies a narrow coastal strip and is home to 10 lakes that run in a chain. The name Yalgorup is derived from Nyoongar Aboriginal words meaning place of swamp or lake.Lake Clifton and Lake Preston are the two main water ways which harbour a big variety of bird life. Go bushwalking around these lakes and you're likely to see black swans, parrots, kingfishers and several varieties of dotterel. Other animals including kangaroos, wallabies and emus are also common, while the vegetation is a mix of tuart woodlands, paperbark swamps and eucalypts.Go swimming, fishing and camping at Preston Beach, and explore special rock-like formations known as thrombolites. These formations are built by micro-organisms that are so tiny they're not visible to the human eye. It's one of the few places in the State where living thrombolites survive. They provide a unique look at what life was like at the dawn of time. You can see them at the edge of Lake Clifton in March and April.Yalgorup National Park is about half an hour's drive south of Mandurah. Visit Website Yalgorup National Park Car park, Picnic Area, Shaded Area Animal Viewing, Birdwatching, Bushwalking, Camping, Fishing - Beach, Swimming, Wilderness Walking Adventure, Fishing, Flora/Fauna, Nature based, Wildlife Where? Check-in Like monthly travel deals

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Atlantic City Expressway Connector Marker is located at the Northwest corner of Mississippi and Fairmount Avenues Marker text:South Jersey Transportation AuthorityAtlantic City Expressway ConnectorDonald T. DiFrancesco, Acting GovernorCommissionersStanley R. Glassey, ChairmanCharles J. DePalma - Vice ChairmanCarl W. BlockJames M. DwyerCharles E. OwensLouis ToscanoJames WashingtonJames Weinstein, NJDOTCharles Hance, NJCJames A. Crawford, Executive DirectorKathleen C. Aufschneider, Chief EngineerJuly 27, 2001 Although casinos existed in Atlantic City’s Marina district as far back as 1980, no direct highway route to this area was created until two decades later. Until then, tourists would either have to get off of the Expressway and drive through the entire downtown section of the city, or take Absecon Boulevard, a less-familiar route for those travelers from out of the area. In the mid-90s, the proposal of a new casino to complement the existing two in the district generated talks of building a more direct route to the Marina. A tunnel connecting the Atlantic City Expressway with the Marina district and Brigantine was proposed, but the plan didn’t commence without opposition. Many local residents feared that the tunnel’s construction would destroy their neighborhoods, while casino owners argued that the tunnel would simply serve as a “private driveway” to direct patrons to their competitors’ resorts. When the main casino project supporting the tunnel construction was abandoned, however, the route was changed to provide more general access to the casinos in the marina, area roads, and Brigantine. After five years of planning and two and a half years of construction, the 2.3-mile long Atlantic City Expressway Connector Tunnel opened in July 2001. Within a year the route, which reduced travel time from the Expressway to Brigantine to only four minutes, was carrying 20,000 vehicles a day during peak season. Venice Park World War II Memorial Marker is located on the corner of Grammercy Avenue and Absecon Boulevard (Route 30) Marker text:Venice Park Honor RollWorld War II [list of names follows] Additional information:The Venice Park World War II Memorial is one of several in Atlantic City that honors residents of the resort who served and gave their lives in the second World War. Other memorials are located in O'Donnell Park and on the outside of Boardwalk Hall. Venice Park's monument, however, is specific to residents of that sector of the city. The memorial was dedicated on December 9th, 1945. It was placed along the side of the White Horse Pike, a major thoroughfare into Atlantic City, so that, according to then-Mayor Joseph Altman, "everyone can see what ... the youth of Venice Park did" in the war. Four names at the top of the monument - Edward Dayton, Wilbur Horn, Edward Mawhinney and Kenneth R. Stopper - are marked with small stars. Unlike the 104 others on the monument, these four Venice Park residents did not return home from World War II, but instead made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. In 1994, the plaque fronting the memorial was stolen, but the thief apparently had a change of heart. The plaque was returned to Venice Park World War II Veteran Bud Lovett about a month later, wrapped in cloth and with an accompanying American flag. It was swiftly returned to its proper location. For more information, see articles from:The Atlantic City Press, September 28, 1994 and October 5, 1994 The Whaling Bark "Stafford" Marker is located at Pacific and S Rhode Island Avenues near the Absecon Lighthouse Before construction of Absecon Lighthouse, many ships and many lives were lost off the coast of Absecon Island. Even though the beam from this light lessened these losses, other disasters plagued seagoing vessels. The anchor you see here, weighing 1,805 pounds, may be one of two that were recovered by fishing boat crews working near Cape May. It may originally have sailed aboard the United States Navy Destroyer Jacob Jones, which was hit by German torpedoes in February 1942 and sank in the waters off Cape May. The anchor was permanently installed here as a reminder of the important role Absecon Lighthouse played in reducing losses at sea. Camp Boardwalk There are two plaques in Atlantic City which commemorate the 50th Anniversary of "Camp Boardwalk." One is located on the front of Boardwalk Hall, and the other on the dining level of Resorts Casino by Gallagher's Burger Bar. Boardwalk Hall plaque text:In commemoration of Atlantic City's finest hour ... Dedicated to the thousands of men and women of the United States Armed Forces who trained, served and recovered here from their wounds of battle during World War II—and to the devoted citizens of Atlantic City and Atlantic County who served and helped to make them feel at home. The marker located in Resorts Casino Resorts plaque text:This plaque commemorates Merv Griffin's Resorts as site of Thomas England General Hospital, the largest hospital in the United States during World War II. From June of 1942 through November of 1945, more than 300,000 men and women worked, trained and recuperated in Atlantic City also known as "Camp Boardwalk." During that time, more than 4,500 war casualties were treated at England General. With this plaque, we salute those brave men and women and their contribution to the United States of America. DEDICATED ON JUNE 1, 1992BY CAMP BOARDWALK 50TH REUNION Additional information:When the United States entered World War II in late 1941, no time was wasted in readying troops and facilities for combat. In 1942, Atlantic City became occupied by the military, with 47 different hotels and hostels being repurposed for the war effort. Atlantic City, now nicknamed "Camp Boardwalk," was an ideal location for military training and soldier rehabilitation. Since its once-high visitation rates were in decline, many of the resort's hotels were nearly empty already, meaning displacement was minimal. Atlantic City's coastal location ensured that valuable training exercises could be performed on the sand, something troops needed for later beachfront battles in France and Japan. The Boardwalk provided a perfectly even path for injured soldiers going through physical therapy, especially those who were now amputees learning to use prosthetic limbs. Many amputee veterans later expressed that without the help and environment given to them at Camp Boardwalk, re-entering society would have been almost impossible. From 1942-1946, Atlantic City housed over 300,000 soldiers. Boardwalk landmarks were renamed, as the massive Convention Hall became the Army Air Corps Technical Training Command Center, and the Haddon Hall hotel (later Resorts Casino) became the Thomas England General Hospital. Originally encompassing 5 different beachfront hotels before being reduced to just the Haddon Hall, England General was the largest hospital in the world at the time. The environment in the city was different too - beaches were closed at noon so that soldiers could do calisthenics on them, lights had to be turned off at night or windows covered with blue cellophane, and no girl under 18 was allowed on the Boardwalk unescorted after 9 pm. Despite the changes, however, Atlantic City's residents embraced the military presence. Many families invited soldiers into their homes for Sunday dinners, and training exercises on the Boardwalk drew large crowds. The Saturday Evening Post quoted Private Herb Dotten as saying that the spectators "give... an added snap and makes you feel the importance of a job you otherwise might think as a lot of drudgery." The military presence, in turn, helped Atlantic City return to its former glory. Celebrities once again turned out in droves to visit the soldiers; famous names visiting the resort included Bob Hope, the Andrews Sisters, Abbott and Costello, and Joe DiMaggio. Many military families also came to vacation in Atlantic City in order to see their boys off before going to war. Winners of Atlantic City's famous Miss America Pageant participated in War Bond tours nationwide during these years. In 1992, the 50th Anniversary of Camp Boardwalk was marked by a reunion of soldiers at Resorts, many of whom met again for the first time since the war's end. For more information, see articles from:The Sun, November 5, 1986 and February 14, 1986South Jersey Advisor, April 10, 1992Philadelphia Inquirer, August 28, 1986 44th Nat'l Encampment Grand Army of the Republic Marker is located on Vermont Avenue, in the grounds of the Absecon Lighthouse Marker text:From September 19 to 24 1910, about 45 years after the last shot of the Civil War was fired, the 44th National Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Encampment (convention) was held in Atlantic City. The G.A.R., a Union (Northern) Civil War veteran's organization, had in attendance over 18,000 of its 214,000 members arriving from across the nation, many still suffering from wounds inflicted decades before in the War Between the States. The days of the gathering were marked by parades, and meetings for the Encampment were held at Steel, Million Dollar, Steeplechase, and Young's Ocean piers. Among the notable Civil War veterans in attendance were Major General Daniel E. Sickles, Lt. General Nelson A. Miles, and Johnny Clem, the famous "Drummer Boy of Chickamauga." It was the only time in the 83-year history of the Grand Army of the Republic that a National Encampment was held in New Jersey. Additional information:The Grand Army of the Republic was the nation's largest organization of Union veterans. Encampments were important events amongst Civil War veterans and their families, and Atlantic City had been campaigning to host one for many years before the GAR finally arrived in the seaside resort in 1910. When it did, Atlantic City did not disappoint. A huge variety of events were held in virtually every section of the city, including sightseeing tours, religious services, parades, meetings of several GAR organizations, and a general reunion amongst fellow troops, some of whom had not seen each other since the end of the war. The local press also reported on the presence of the "Custer Gun" (aka Custer Cannon), a cannon made of melted-down relics from various Civil War battles, which had been brought to 28 different encampments. This artifact unfortunately became lost to history some time in the 1920s. Several inspiring moments occurred during the events. When General "Fighting Dan" Sickles, who was confined to a wheelchair, was presented with a chest of silver, four fellow veterans lifted him up onto the stage, chair and all, to be honored. General Hilary Herbert, a former Confederate soldier, addressed the GAR veterans poignantly, declaring, "Had I been told when I was in Antietam, that in years to come I would stand side by side with Federal soldiers and grasp the Stars and Stripes with them, I would have been insulted. But I love the old flag now." When the Encampment's 100th anniversary took place in 2010, the occasion was marked by a short parade from Garden Pier to the Absecon Lighthouse, where the current historic marker was unveiled. The location was chosen because the lighthouse had been constructed by George Meade, a Civil War veteran who commanded the Union troops at the Battle of Gettysburg. Events also included historic reenactments by those wishing to preserve the history of the Civil War and the memory of the Encampment which brought its importance to life in Atlantic City. For more information, see articles from:Atlantic City Press, August 16, 2010Courier Post, September 22, 2010Atlantic Review, September 19, 1910 and September 21, 1910 Kids Quick links Kids Zone HomeHomework HelpUpcoming Kids EventsLibrarian Reading PicksFamily LiteracyKids Games!Summer Reading ProgramEducator's Page Sitemap Feed Entries . .

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Ospreys Celtic Quest Teambuilding Event Businesses need to grasp teambuilding as an opportunity and investment for growth – just like sports teams – as Bluestone National Park Resort, near Narberth in Pembrokeshire launches new corporate activities. Businesses are like professional sports clubs, they need a strong team to help increase productivity and achieve goals, according to Ospreys Rugby Operations Manager, Andy Lloyd, at the launch of Bluestone’s The Quest corporate team building event. Players and management from the Swansea-based Rabodirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup side were thrown in at the deep end at the launch of The Quest, where they spent a day using brain and brawn to strengthen team bonding. The new Quest activity forms part of the expanding corporate facilities at Bluestone. It follows growth within its conference and events services over the past 18 months and the launch of The Pavilion in September, a new corporate and event venue for conferences, gala dinners and events. “Team building is paramount on and off the pitch,” said Andy Lloyd. “What’s interesting is that building a successful team on the pitch is just as importance off the pitch in a business environment - and that’s where team building is critical.” He added: “You need to have a team that’s gelling well together in order to succeed. You’re not going to achieve growth, success or profitability without a strong team behind the business that’s working cohesively. “The Quest is a great way for businesses to identify their strengths and weaknesses and work together for an end goal – achieving bonding and, more importantly, results. It’s quite unique in that it allows individuals to focus on their stronger abilities while being part of a team. It ensures that nobody’s left out, which is imperative as part of team building.” The Quest takes participants on a range of physical and mental challenges designed to bring team members together in a fun and sociable way, while ensuring they leave as a focused team capable of achieving results for their employees. Yvonne Buckingham, Head of Marketing at Bluestone, said: “We realised that with the development of our conference and meeting facilities many clients were coming here to undertake their own team building activities. We wanted to take that to the next level by allowing them to utilise the great all-weather facilities and setting up a programme that can support their team development.” “With 500 acres of countryside, the Steep Ravine, our Tournament Field, the woods, cycling paths and walks, combined with our modern indoor facilities incuding our award-winning holistic spa, water park and luxury accommodation, we can provide a bespoke business team build and one that supports a company’s objective to grow and develop.” Bluestone, which opened over four years ago, hosts large and small corporate events. Earlier this year more than 600 guests from and international blue chip company attended a conference at the resort; hiring the entire site for accommodation, meetings and gala dinners. “We’re seeing significant growth in our corporate market. From meetings and conferences to staff and customer incentives and loyalty offers. Companies are looking for cost-effective and bespoke solutions and we’re lucky to be able to provide that here,” added Yvonne. Ospreys and Wales No.8 Ryan Jones joined teammates at The Quest event. “It’s great to get out of the normal working environment and for us it’s not just about on the pitch training. There’s a lot of strategic thinking as well as physical activity. "The Quest has been a great way to bring the team together and highlight where our strengths and weaknesses lie personally and professionally within the team. It’s brought us together and helped management to identify areas that we need to work on to ensure we’re all working collectively to achieve one goal - to win.” Categories:Activities

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Home Lodge & Restaurant map Beach Map Restaurant & outside deck Restaurant menu Functions weddings etc. Restaurant decor Lodge Nice rooms Accommodation Penguins at Boulders Penguin Information Spheniscus demersus Why save Penguins? Boulders Penguin Facts Curio Shop Curious Penguin News & Info local Adventures Simons Town Guest comments latest feedback Links Simons Town Contact bookings Penguin-place.com has a range of peguin accessories and products, as well as links to penguin info. Peter and Barbara Barham's website is a collection of penguin information and paraphernalia. Photovolcanica.com has beautiful photos of penguins (and volcano's) taken during the author's extensive travels. Penguins Beach at Boulders African Penguins This Boulders beach Penguin information sheet has been borrowed from SANCCOB, the Penguin rescuers. For more information about African Penguins and lots of excellent pictures, go to www.photovolcanica.com English: African penguin Afrikaans: Brilpikkewyn Latin: Spheniscus demersus Spheniscus is a diminutive of the Greek word spen, meaning a wedge, which refers to their streamlined swimming shape, and demersus is a Latin word meaning plunging. Other Common Names: Jackass penguin (as their call resembles a donkey’s bray), Black-footed penguin. Statistics and Physical Description: African penguins are about 60cm in length, and weigh between 2.4 and 3.6 kg. They have a black back and a white belly with a black chin and face patch separated from the crown by a broad white band. They have a narrow black band across the chest and down the flanks towards their legs. Males tend to be a little larger than females and have heavier bills, but these differences can usually only be seen when a pair is seen together. Juveniles have blue-grey backs and a light belly and they lack the white face markings and black breast band of the adults. They have bare, red bare patches above of the eyes, and a few randomly placed black spots on the chest and belly. African penguins are similar to Humboldt Penguins, the main differences are that the Humboldt penguins are heavier, have proportionately longer flippers and a narrower white band on the head. The breeding range of the African penguin extends from Hollamsbird Island, off central Namibia, to Bird Island in Algoa Bay. The African penguin is the only penguin species that breeds in Africa, and it is found nowhere else in the world. Its distribution coincides roughly with the cold, nutrient rich, Benguela Current, but is further determined by the availability of offshore islands as breeding sites. Diet and Feeding: African penguins feed primarily on shoaling pelagic fish such as anchovies, pilchards (sardines), horse mackerel and round herrings but they will also eat squid and crustaceans. When on the hunt for prey, African penguins can reach a top speed of close to 20 km/h. The distance that African penguins have to travel to find food varies greatly. On the west coast a typical foraging trip could range from 30 to 70 km for a single trip. On the south coast, foraging birds cover an average of 110 km per trip. When penguins are feeding their young, the distance they can travel from the breeding colony is more limited. An average dive of an African penguin lasts about two and a half minutes, and is regularly about 30m in depth, although dive depths of up to 130m have been recorded. Reproduction: African penguins live in colonies. They start breeding from between two to six years of age, but normally at four years. As with most other penguins, the African penguin breeds in colonially, mostly on rocky offshore islands, either nesting in burrows they excavate themselves, or in depressions under boulders or bushes. Historically, nests were excavated in the sun-hardened guano that existed on most islands. However, with the removal of the guano for fertiliser, surface nesting and nesting under bushes and other objects has become more frequent. Shelter at the nest site is important to provide shade and for protection against predators of eggs and chicks, such as Kelp gulls and Sacred ibises. Unlike many other bird species, African penguins have an extended breeding season. In most colonies, birds at some stage of breeding will be present throughout the year. Broad regional differences do exist, though, and the peak of the breeding season in Namibia (November and December) tends to be earlier than the peak for South Africa (March to May). African Penguins are monogamous, and the same pair will generally return to the same colony, and often the same nest site each year. About 80 to 90% of pairs remain together in consecutive breeding seasons, and some are known to have remained together for over 10 years. They usually lay two eggs, although it is not common for both of the chicks to survive. The incubation period is about 40 days, with the male and female participating equally in the incubation duties. The length of the incubation shift is dependant on the availability of food at the time, but is typically about two and a half days. Both parents continue to brood the chicks, and for about the first 15 days the chicks are constantly brooded by one of the adults. After this, the chicks attain full control over their body temperature, and no longer need heat from their parents. However, at this stage the chicks are still at risk from predators, and the adults continue to guard the chicks until they are about 30 days old, after which both parents can go to sea simultaneously. Chicks that are left alone often form creches, which serve more to reduce attacks on chicks from adults than to avoid predation. African penguin chicks can fledge (moult) anytime from 60 to 130 days of age, losing their fluff and gaining “blue” feathers. The fledging period is often dependent on the availability and quality of food. The adults continue to feed chicks while they remain at the colony. When the young “blues” eventually leave the colony, they do so without their parents. These juveniles remain away from their natal colonies for anything from 12 to 22 months, after which time they return, normally to their natal colony, to moult into adult plumage. Moulting: The moult cycle of African penguins is generally more synchronous than the breeding cycle. In South Africa most penguins moult from November to January, while in Namibia most moult in April and May. The entire moult takes about 20 days to complete, with the feather-shedding period lasting about 13 days of this period. Prior to the moult the penguins spend about five weeks feeding and laying down fat deposits, but lose almost half their body weight during the moult process. At the end of the moult the penguins return to sea and spend about six weeks fattening up again. Often referred to as the planet's most charismatic creatures, most of the 17 penguin species of the planet are in decline. Less than 10% of the original African penguin populations remain. In 1900, it was estimated that about 1.5 million birds lived on Dassen Island alone. By 1956 the population had fallen to roughly half that in 1900, and had halved again by the late 1970s, when there was an estimated 220,000 adult birds. By the late 1980s the number had dropped to about 194,000 and in the early 1990s there was an estimated 179,000 adult birds. There are about 56,000 breeding pairs of African penguins world-wide and they are listed as “Vulnerable” by the 2000 IUCN Red List. The reasons for the significant decline in the African penguin populations are well known. Initially, the decline was due mostly to the exploitation of penguin eggs, and habitat alteration and disturbance associated with guano collection at breeding colonies. These factors have now largely ceased, and the major current threats include competition with commercial fisheries and oil pollution. Other threats include competition with Cape fur seals for space at breeding colonies and for food resources, as well as predation by seals. Feral cats are present on some of the islands and pose a problem at a few of the colonies. African penguins also face predation of eggs and chicks by avian predators such as Kelp Gulls and Sacred Ibises, while natural terrestrial predators, such as mongoose, genets and leopard are present at the mainland colonies. Oiled seabirds sometimes get a second chance, as SANCCOB and other partner conservation organisations are very successful in cleaning, rehabilitating and releasing them. These birds have a very good survival rate. Penguins are adapted primarily to cool aquatic environments, and the need to reduce heat loss is of major importance to all penguins. However some species, including the African penguin, have been able to successfully exploit warm terrestrial environments. Behavioural and physiological adaptations have enabled the African penguin to overcome the problem of being over-insulated for life on land in a temperate climate. One of the ways in which African penguins have adapted to terrestrial life in the temperate zone is to confine their activities at breeding sites largely to dawn and dusk periods. Breeding birds nest mostly in burrows or under some other form of shelter, such as boulders and bushes, which provide some protection from the intense solar radiation during the day. Birds that are not incubating or brooding chicks, and other non-breeding birds, spend the day at sea or loaf in beach groups and swim regularly. Some birds do remain in the open in the colony; but these birds generally orientate themselves with their backs to the sun so that their feet, flippers and oral surfaces are shaded. Physiological responses to heat stress include panting (evaporative cooling) and moderate hypothermia. Tourism: A few of the African penguin colonies are accessible to tourists. Due to the penguin’s very nervous nature, tourist activities at these sites must be very strictly controlled. African penguins at the Boulders Beach colony in Simons Town (a mainland site near Cape Town) are notably less nervous than other African penguins, and are unusually tame and accustomed to people. However, being a mainland site, the colony is exposed to threats that are not an issue at island colonies. These include predation by terrestrial predators, and exposure to disease via mosquitoes and terrestrial disease-carrying birds. Simonstown is about a 35 minute drive south of Cape Town on the False Bay side of the Cape Peninsula. Boulders Beach Lodge offers affordable accommodation near Simon's Town South Africa. Enjoy relaxing on one of Simonstown's magnificent beaches, Boulders Beach, Seaforth, Long Beach, Fishermans Beach, Windmill Beach or Glencairn Beach. Enjoy a round of golf at Simon's Town's Country Club near Boulders Beach. The historical naval town of Simon's Town, otherwise known as Simonstown, South Africa, is situated near Cape Point, Cape Town, South Africa. Enjoy a meal at one of Simon's Town's popular restaurants or coffee shops. Walk down Simonstown's historical mile and visit the local, navy and toy museums. If you are adventurous, use Simon's Town South Africa as a base to go deep sea fishing, shark cage diving, sea kayaking, kite surfing, scuba diving or sailing. Boulders Beach Lodge accommodation in Simonstown South Africa is an excellent holiday destination, close to Cape Point. Simons Town Bay faces north, which helps protect the town and beaches from the strong summer southeast winds, a feature of life in the Western Cape. Simons Towns waters are calm, warm and shallow, unlike the South Atlantic coast. Simons Town's waters are suited to a wide range of water activities. Simons Town is steeped in history dating back to the early Dutch and British settlements. A fine nautical museum details the town's history, another its naval roots. While visiting Simon's Town take a stroll to Boulders Beach and visit the famous penguin colony. From Simon's Town take a scenic drive to enjoy the beauty of Cape Point Nature Reserve. Drive across scenic Chapmans Peak drive to Hout Bay from nearby Noordhoek. Watch the Southern Right whales in the bay as they visit Simonstown in South Africa from June to October. Simon's Town is the ultimate holiday destination. © Copyright 2009, All Rights Reserved Back to Top

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Traci Des Jardins, Chef, Owner, San Francisco, CA, California, Jardiniere, Mijita, Cocina Mexicana, Public House, Lake Tahoe, Manzanita, French, Ball Park, Recipes, Californian, Recommendations, Where to eat in California, Where to eat in San Francisco, What to cook ,where to shop, Tequila, What to drink, Warm Artichoke and Bread Salad with Marinated Crescenza, Seared Sea Scallops with Truffle Mashed Potatoes, Jalapeno Poppers, Pigs-In-Blankets, Cole Slaw ©2010 frankenyimages.com Chef Traci Des Jardins - Warm Artichoke and Bread Salad with Marinated Crescenza - Seared Sea Scallops with Truffle Mashed Potatoes - Jalapeno Poppers - Pigs-In-Blankets - Cole Slaw Chef Traci Des Jardins opened up her signature restaurant Jardiniere in 1997 in a landmark building in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley. That same year, Jardiniere was nominated by the James Beard Foundation as Best New Restaurant of the Year. Two years earlier, Des Jardins was named by the James Beard Foundation as Rising Star Chef of the Year. A native Californian, Des Jardins trained in France with in an impressive list of top named chefs like the Troisgros family of Troisgros, Alain Sendersens at Lucas Carton, Alain Ducasse at the Louis XV, and Alain Passard at L'Arpege. Using French technique and California flavors, Des Jardins has had a very successful career. In 2004, Des Jardins opened up her first Mexican restaurant Mijita, serving dishes inspired by her maternal grandparents, who are from Mexico. In the last year, Des Jardins opened up her second fine dining restaurant Manzanita in Lake Tahoe, a second location of Mijita, and Public House, a sports bar located in at AT&T Park. Public House’s menu incorporates local food artisans and craft beer. Q & A WITH CHEF TRACI DES JARDINS Q. Please tell us about your restaurants: A. Jardiniere is my signature restaurant, it’s my home, it’s the benchmark of everything I do. It’s the culmination of all of my French training that I had for 25 years and it’s my baby! For Mijita, it was always kind of a dream of mine to do a taqueria and I like keeping it simple, inexpensive, and not fancy. I’m half-Mexican, my grandparents were born in Mexico and I grew up in California, so Mexican food has always been my soul food. Manzanita is the first fine dining restaurant that I’ve opened since I opened Jardiniere, which was 13 years ago. It’s my second kind of higher end place and I like to call it ‘Traci’s Mountain Food.’ I spend a lot of time in the mountains, since I’m a skier and doing a restaurant in a mountain ski resort area has always been another one of my dreams. It’s a beautiful restaurant and the food is hearty and it’s stuff that you want to eat when you’re exercising, skiing, out on a lake, hiking, and that kind of stuff. Q. Which is what kind of food? A. Well, we do a lot of pastas and carbs, because I think that’s what a lot of people want to eat when they’ve been out exercising. The food is more similar to Jardiniere in style, however a little bit more casual. It’s not an ultra-fine dining place, no table cloths and a very casual feel. People are comfortable coming in wearing jeans and it doesn’t require really dressing up. It’s comfortable yummy food. Q. And you now have something at the ball park. A. I did a sports bar this year! Q. How did that come about? A. It had been a really fine dining restaurant before and I took it down to the steak house level. It worked on some levels, but it was really a pretty small fraction of the demographic going to baseball games that wanted to eat in a fairly expensive steak house environment. So we turned that into a sports bar. I could never really imagine doing something like this, but we’ve had a good time with it. Q. What is the menu like? A. It’s San Francisco flavors in a sports bar. We have so many great producers in the Bay Area that are making really yummy stuff, like 4505 Meats’ hot dogs, and Chris Cosentino at Boccalone for Italian Sausage. Everyone loves a great burger, so we have a great burger using Niman Ranch beef. It’s all American stuff, but done with really great ingredients. Q. So, you’ve had a busy year. A. I opened three restaurants in four months all within the last year and I’m still trying to recover from it! Q. It must feel satisfying though. A. It was a bit of a wild ride. I don’t recommend it! I don’t know how these guys who open six restaurants a year do it. My guess is that they have an infrastructure and I’m not sure I excelled in that area, but I manage to do it. Q. How do you divide your time when you have so many restaurants? A. I bounce around a lot, and it’s on an as-needed basis. Jardiniere is my home, that is where I spend the most amount of time. The other ones I try to visit on a consistent basis and spot check quality and work with my managers. I have amazing people working with me and they are the ones who have to do it every day. Q. What is a great night for you? What is it about the business that makes you say “this is why I do it?” A. It’s always the people. Those people can be your guests or those people can be your staff. It’s a people business and when everything is singing, you have happy people around you. Q. With all the time spent in kitchens and working with different people, what is the one thing you would say you’ve learned about yourself? A. To be a good manager, you have to learn all the time and you have to be introspective, and you have to understand what you do well and what you don’t do well. Building your team around you is about complementing your strengths and weaknesses and that is what I’ve learned over time. If you’re looking for people who are just like you, you’re not going to have a good balanced team. Q. How has the television aspect of being a chef changed the business? A. It’s strange. It’s made us into kind of like celebrities, which always throws me off guard because I’m a pretty down to earth person and I certainly don’t think of myself that way. But now wandering around out there in the world, people treat you sometimes like you’re a movie star and it’s just totally bizarre. Q. Did you enjoy being on Iron Chef? A. Yeah, I loved it. It was a lot of fun and I became really good friends with Mario [Batali]. He is just one of the most fun people on the planet. He’s an incredible person and an incredible chef. I never thought I could actually win. I went in thinking I just want to make my food and I want to finish the hour without a single tragedy. It’s the fastest hour of your life and then I won and that was just kind of the silver lining. Q. Are there fellow chefs whom you admire, look for advice, or think they are doing a great job? A. I’ve worked for some incredible chefs in my career, and have been incredibly privileged to have started with Joachim Splichal, who was my mentor and amazing. I worked with Alain Senderens, Alain Passard, Alain Ducasse, and Jean Troisgros. I got to work with Drew Nieporent, who is a great restauranteur. They were all incredible and taught me so so much. There are two people that I wish that I had worked for when I was younger. One is Alice Waters. I would have loved to work at Chez Panisse to have that historical reference point. What she’s done changed the way that we buy food, look at food, and produce food in this country. The second is Daniel Boulud. I think he is amazing and a brilliant restauranteur. I interviewed with Daniel in 1987, when I was in New York and he offered me a job. But he wanted a two year commitment and I had already committed to opening Patina with Joachim Splichal in Los Angeles. So I missed that opportunity and I really wish that I’d had the chance to work with Daniel. Advice / Tips Q. What are some good “ballpark bites” that someone can make at home? A. Deviled Eggs are always great. Use homemade aioli and great farm fresh eggs. I really like Jalapeno Poppers (see recipe). They are really good. A little bit of a labor of love, but people go crazy over them. I love to make my own French Onion Dip. Use French onion soup mix, make your own caramelized onions, use sour cream and a little bit of sherry. Totally delicious. For guacamole, I keep it really simple. My guacamole has avocado, lime juice, finely diced white onion, chopped cilantro, a serrano chili for some spice, salt, and that’s it. (Also see recipes for Pigs-In-Blankets and Cole Slaw.) Q. Any particular beer that you love? A. I actually prefer margaritas. Use a really good quality pure agave tequila, my favorite is 7 Leguas. It’s really clean and crisp. I really only drink silvers. Add agave syrup, lime juice and that’s it. Recommendations Q. Are there any markets that you love? A. I think Bi-Rite is one of the best markets in the whole world. It has everything! Different meat producers like Five Dot Ranch. They make their own sausages, they have great different types of chicken, local fish, and an incredible selection of cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery to Andante Dairy. [See details.] Q. Who are some of the purveyors you’re using? A. We use 4505 Meats for our hot dogs at the ballpark, they’re made with great ingredients. They also have these chicharrones that are absolutely addictive and their pork rinds, which they sell as a retail item. Fatted Calf does really great charcuterie. You can order from their website. Marin Sun Farms for really great meats and hot dogs. [See details.] EAT... Q. Where do you love to eat off the beaten track? A. Saison in the Mission. It’s in a very off-beat location, it’s a stunning restaurant and you can sit in the kitchen. They have the chef’s counter that has like four seats. It’s really, really, really good. [See details.] Q. How about iconic San Francisco restaurants? A. Zuni is probably my favorite restaurant in the whole world and the one that I have gone to more than any other restaurant ever. It’s my go-to place. It’s the place I’ll take people over and over again. It’s something you don’t want to over-anticipate, because it is a very simple restaurant. But the space itself is so beautiful and it’s just a very special, quintessential San Francisco place. [See details.] Q. What should people order when they go there? A. Well the Zuni classics are the hamburger, the roast chicken, the caesar salad, the cured anchovies. They are always on the menu and really great. They also have an incredible selection of oysters, mainly Pacific Coast, but they have East Coast as well. The always have a great selection and they’re impossibly fresh. The Slanted Door is another San Francisco classic, a must go-to. It’s located in the Ferry Building with a beautiful view and they have really great stuff there. Q. Others of your personal favorites?A. In the Hayes Valley neighborhood, Sebo. It’s an incredible sushi place, not necessarily traditional. Michael Black is half-Japanese and he is amazing. He built the restaurant pretty much on his own, the sushi bar is just gorgeous, and it’s just really good. Get a seat at the sushi bar and let them do their thing. It’s fantastic. Bar Jules, which is also in Hayes Valley. It’s market California Mediterranean cuisine, with a small hand-written menu. Jessica Boncutter is the chef/proprietor and she is there most of the time behind the line. It’s a cute little place. [See details.] Q. How about in New York? A. I love Prune. I try to hit it every time I’m there. Casa Mono - I love Mario’s restaurants, and this one in particular. Babbo is always a great place to grab something to eat. And then there is Yakitori Totto, it’s so good. I eat everything. Q. Any other places from your travels? A. Mexico City is a great food city. I’ve spent a little bit of time there recently and it’s a great food destination. I eat a lot of street food, which not everyone is going to do since they’re afraid of getting sick. But for a restaurant, Contramar is amazing. Really fresh seafood, simply prepared, and totally delicious. As far as sit down restaurants that are a bit more formal, that was definitely the standout. DRINK... Q. Any great places in San Francisco for cocktails? A. Bar Agricole - it’s a new bar, just opened by Thad Vogler. I think he’s an amazing barman and cocktail guy. He worked for me for awhile, he worked for Loretta Keller (Coco500), and he worked at The Slanted Door. This is absolutely going to be the hot spot. Chef/co-owner of Jardiniere and Mijita in San Francisco, chef/partner in Public House in San Francisco, and chef/partner in Manzanita in Lake Tahoe. She has won accolades for incorporating California flavors and French technique. She worked in some of the finest kitchens in Los Angeles, France, and New York City before opening up in Jardiniere in San Francisco. - Chef Eric Skokan, Black Cat: Farm-Table-Bistro - Chef Nathan Foot, Northern Spy Food Co. Traci Des Jardin’s recommendations for where to eat, drink, and shop in San Francisco, New York, and Mexico City. - Recommendations: Traci Des Jardins - Recipes from Traci Des Jardins - Chef Q & A: Donald Link - Chef Q & A: Michael Mina - Chef Q & A: Gary Danko Details of Traci Des Jardin’s recommendations for where to eat, drink, and shop in San Francisco, New York, and Mexico City. Website: www.tracidesjardins.com JARDINIÈRE, PUBLIC HOUSE, MIJITA IN SAN FRANCISCO - MANZANITA IN LAKE TAHOE JARDINIERE Civic Center / Van Ness French / California 300 Grove Street San Francisco, CA 94102 (view map) T: 415.861.5555 (make a reservation) www.jardiniere.com Sun - Mon: 5pm - 10pm Tue - Sat: 5pm - 10:30pm MIJITA One Ferry Building, Number 44 Website: www.mijitasf.com Mon -Thu: 10am - 7pm Fri: 10am - 8pm Sun: 10am - 4pm AT&T Park Mexican 24 Willie Mays Plaza Daily: 11am - 9pm Craft Beer / Artisan Food Sports Bar www.publichousesf.com Sun - Thur 4pm- 10pm Fri - Sat: 4pm - 11pm California / Contemporary French The Ritz Carlton 13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Court Truckee, CA 96161 www.manzanitalaketahoe.com Sun - Thu: 5pm - 9pm Fri - Sat: 5pm - 10pm - Chef Eric Skokan - Chef Nathan Foot - Recipes: Traci Des Jardins - Sommelier Q & A: Mark Bright - Bartender Q & A: Thad Vogler - Download San Francisco City Guide - F.E.D. Travel Guides Copyright ©2012 Find.Eat.Drink. LLC All rights reserved.

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Dressing up and fooling around 19 November 2010 Costumed storytellers shed light on 16th century courtly life An obsession with fashion is no modern phenomena. In the 16th century, it was as important for as many people as it is today. Then, as now, being seen in the latest styles was a preoccupation for people of both sexes and all ages. And an appearance at court meant dressing to impress was an absolute must. Meet one of the ladies of the court of James V at Stirling Castle this weekend to hear her views on the fashions of the age as she is fitted for a new outfit. And find out about the lengthy preparations involved in getting her ready to meet the Queen. Dressing Up for the Queen, featuring performances by costumed interpreters between 11am & 3pm on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st November (included in the normal price of admission to the castle), provides a fascinating insight into the costume, make-up and personal care of the period. The following weekend, there’s an opportunity to meet another Renaissance court character – the ever-popular jester. On Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th visitors will be entertained by this madcap fool whose job it was to bring levity to the proceedings by entertaining royalty and nobles. They’ll learn all about his repertoire including toppling precariously on stilts, fire eating, and balancing upside down on anyone he can trick into lying on the floor. The 16th Century Jester performances are between 11am and 3pm and entry is free as there will be no admission charges that weekend at Stirling Castle. Historic Scotland is waiving admission to the attraction - and to 47 other leading heritage properties all over the country – on Saturday 27th, Sunday 28th, , Monday 29th and St Andrew’s Day itself, Tuesday 30th November – in honour of Scotland’s national day. Next month’s costumed performances at Stirling – on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th December - have a suitably festive theme. Christmas For The Queen offers a taste of the seasonal celebrations of 1546. Visitors will be able to see period food being prepared, find out about the favourite festive dishes of the 16th century and how they have influenced those we still enjoy today. To add to the festive mood there will also be a chance to indulge in the games and dancing that Mary, Queen of Scots would have enjoyed as a child. And those charged with her safety, her personal armed guards, will be providing a demonstration of arms. Christmas For The Queen runs from 10.30am to 4pm on the 18th and 19th. Gareth Cheeseman of Historic Scotland’s Interpretation Unit said: “Our performances by costumed interpreters are always very popular, and as well as being really enjoyable, they help visitors relate to the people of the past and to understand and appreciate all sorts of aspects of life many centuries ago. “Storytelling adds an extra dimension to any visit to a historic attraction, making it even more memorable. And of course, Stirling Castle is a superb setting for our forthcoming free events – it has great significance as a Renaissance royal residence, so is the ideal place to bring the 16th century court to life.” Stirling Castle’s Christmas events programme includes: Christmas Shopping Fayre : 1st December, from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. Unique gift ideas from a range of national and local retailers including Hamley’s Toys. The evening in the Great Hall features cooking demonstrations by the castle’s award-winning caterers, benugo, and local truffle company Fiona’s Fayre. And meet the team behind ‘The Broons’ and characters from the MacRobert panto. Tickets cost £5 for adults (includes entry, parking and a tea/coffee); free for children under 16. Tickets can be purchased at the Ticket Centre at the castle or by calling 01786 431 310. 'The Story of Christmas' : 5th & 12th December , from 12.30 to 3.30pm, this family event features entertaining and amusing presentations highlighting how yuletide celebrations have evolved from their earliest origins through the centuries. Included in the cost of admission to Stirling Castle (current season prices are Adult £9.00, Child £5.40, Concession £7.20, Historic Scotland members free). Admission tickets can be bought online through www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk Christmas Lunches : 11th – 23rd December, from 1pm each day, this special three-course festive meal following by mince pies and coffee is £29 per person, including entry to the castle. To book, call 01786 449 208 or email jhenderson@benugomail.co.uk. Carols at the Castle : 19th December from 7pm to 8.30pm. Tickets are £12 (£9 concessions/HS members) from the Albert Halls or by calling 01786 473544. Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s grandest castles due to its imposing position and impressive architecture. From the castle’s ramparts, visitors can take in views over two of Scotland’s most important battle sites – Stirling Bridge (1297) and Bannockburn (1314). The castle is at the head of Stirling’s historic old town, off M9 junction 9 or 10. Tel: 01786 450000. For further information on the castle, visit www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk. Major conservation work has been carried out at Stirling Castle over many years to preserve the attraction as a major national and international monument. An ambitious £12 million scheme, the Stirling Castle Palace Project, is currently underway to restore and refurbish the Royal Palace at Stirling and present the Royal Lodgings as they might have appeared in the heyday of Scotland’s Stewart court in the mid 16th century. The project is due for completion in Spring 2011. An interpretive display on the court of James V will be created in the palace vaults and a Renaissance Gallery on the upper floors of the palace will house the original Stirling Heads, a rare group of intricately carved oak ceiling medallions depicting kings,queens, courtiers and mythological creatures. Costumed interpreters will bring to life the history of the 16th century to enrich visitors’ enjoyment. Stirling Castle is one of the most popular of 345 outstanding heritage properties and sites in the care of Historic Scotland. Ranging from prehistoric dwellings to medieval castles and cathedrals, these include some of Scotland’s leading tourism attractions such as Edinburgh Castle, Skara Brae, and the Border Abbeys. For further details on Historic Scotland’s sites visit: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/places Historic Scotland’s Mission is: to safeguard Scotland’s historic environment and to promote its understanding and enjoyment. For further information, interviews and images Ellen Drummond Ferroni 0131 668 8734 / 07801 820757

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Top ten ghost sightings in Ireland for Halloween Kerry O'Shea Ireland has a rich history of sightings of ghosts and spirits all around the country. Halloween is here and what better way to spend it than by hearing about some of Ireland's spookiest encounters! Yes, with a long and bloody history, Ireland has amassed a massive amount of ghosts (or at least ghostly speculation). From specters to strange appearances, here are ten of some of Ireland's most recent encounters with ghosts and spirits.Are you a believer or a skeptic? READ MORE: How the Irish ward off evil spirits at Halloween. 1. Virgin and Child on stump, Rathkeale Legend has it that a female specter which haunted the churchyard in Rathkeale, Limerick was so terrifying that all who looked upon her died soon after. A local man banished the ghost by slicing off her arm with his sword and praying for the rest of the night. In an odd coincidence in 2009, the Limerick Newsire reported that a tree stump in the churchyard contains the image of the Virgin Mary and Child, and that hundreds of visitors had come to the area to pray.2. Short Green Men, GalwayPerhaps a leprechaun sighting? In 1992, a fifteen-year-old boy spied two figures, just over a meter tall, sea-fishing on the Aran Islands in Galway. The figures were each reportedly dressed in green and wearing brown shoes, and were speaking to each other in Irish before they disappeared. One of the small figures left behind a pipe which the 15-year-old witness took possession of, although it curiously disappeared later despite being “safely” locked away.3. Waiting Lady at Ardgillan Castle, Dublin In a location known as The Lady’s Stairs at Ardgillan Castle in Dublin, there have been reports of a recurring apparition of lady, known as the Waiting Lady. The phantom woman is said to be waiting for her husband, who had drowned one night, to return, leaving his wife waiting on the bridge for him. One version of the story says that whoever sees the Lady on Halloween night will be picked up and thrown into the ocean.4. Lilac Balls of Light, DublinReports are split as to what these apparent Balls of Light spotted in Glenasmole, Bohernabreena Dublin, actually are. Some locals believe that their lilac color lends themselves to be fairies, while others believe the lights are the manifestation of a lady who lost her way in a snowstorm in the middle ages and died. It’s said that she now manifests herself in these balls of light to guide others home safely. 5. Headless Horseman, DublinRoper’s Rest, off Blackpitts Road in Dublin, was the home of Thomas Roper who became Viscount Baltinglass. Local residents have accounted for a headless horseman riding by after nightfall. Although no specific connection has been established between Roper’s Rest and the horseman, it is rumored to be associated with a gruesome incident in which a member of the Roper family died and was unattended to for several days before burial.6. Screams of Spanish Soldiers at Dun an Oir, County KerryOver eight hundred Spanish soldiers landed in the area of Dun an Oir in 1580, overrunning an English garrison. Spanish reinforcements failed to come, however, and their victory was short lived when more English troops arrived forcing the Spaniards to surrender and meet their deaths. Their death throes echo around the area on October 1, the anniversary of their defeat. 7. Robed Figure at Kilbeggan Distillery, KerryWhiskey isn’t the only spirit at this Kerry distillery. In 2007, several people were reported to have seen a robed figure walking around the site which is the oldest distillery in the world, dating back to 1757. The Westmeath Examiner reports that Derek Acorah, the star of TV`s `Most Haunted` and `Ghost Towns,' said he felt ‘engulfed’ by spirits when he entered the distillery.8.Weeping Statue in Dungloe at the Kerrytown shrine, DonegalThe Independent reports that on September 29, 2009, fourteen people claimed to witness crosses that formed in the sky above the shrine, before the statue became animated and began to weep. The shrine has become a popular site after producing a religious apparition seventy years ago.9. War Staff Apparitions, City of Derry AirportThis Derry Airport, formerly known as Eglinton Air Base, was a thriving location in the 1940s as it served as a base during WWII. Staff there have reported seeing figures dressed in World War Two clothing around the airport. 10. Rocking Virgin Mary at Ballinspittle Grotto, CorkCathy O'Mahony and her mother observed the statue of the Virgin Mary rocking on its heels on July 22 1985. The following night they returned with friends who observed the same event. Since this time, tens of thousands of people have visited the shrine in the hope of seeing something. The Independent reports more recently that O’Mahony stands by her observations, despite others ridiculing her.Have you ever encountered a ghost? Tell us your story in the comments section. * Originally published in 2011. How Feile Na Marbh or 'Feast of the Dead' became Halloween How three brave sisters defended their family’s home in the Irish Land War

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Travel Guide Middle East Yemen Hadramawt edit IntroductionHadramawt is one of the oldest inhabited areas of Yemen and has an established culture in the Wadi Hadramut. This region of the south Arabian Peninsula stretches along the Gulf of Aden in the Arabian Sea, extending eastwards from Yemen to the Dhofar region of Oman. The people of Hadramawt are called Hadhramis. It was only in 1935 that the explorer Hans Helfritz made a journey into the Hadramut, and the regions still remains very remote. Herfritz, so astounded by what he saw in the city of Shibam, described it as the "Manhattan of the Desert", after the nine floor clay "skyscrapers" that dominate the town's architecture. Traditional architecture such as this is found throughout the area and bears traces of Asian influence. The city of Tarim is renowned for the tallest minaret on the Arabian peninsula.The Wadi Hadramut have a deeply religious culture. Domed graves serve as a resting place for many religious figures buried here.edit GeographyNarrowly, Hadhramaut refers to the historical Qu'aiti and Kathiri sultanates, which were in the Aden Protectorate overseen by the British Resident at Aden until their abolition upon the independence of South Yemen in 1967. The current governorate of Hadhramaut roughly incorporates the former territory of the two sultanates It consists of a narrow, arid coastal plain bounded by the steep escarpment of a broad plateau (al-Jawl, averaging 1,370 metres), with a very sparse network of deeply sunk wadis (seasonal watercourses). The undefined northern edge of Hadhramaut slopes down to the desert Empty Quarter. In a wider sense, Hadhramaut includes the territory of Mahra to the east all the way to the contemporary border with Oman. This encompasses the current governorates of Hadramaut and Mahra in their entirety as well as parts of the Shabwah Governorate. The Hadhramis live in densely built towns centered on traditional watering stations along the wadis. Hadhramis harvest crops of wheat and millet, tend date palm and coconut groves, and grow some coffee. On the plateau, Bedouins tend sheep and goats. Society is still highly tribal, with the old Seyyid aristocracy, descended from the Prophet Muhammad[citation needed], traditionally educated and strict in their Islamic observance and highly respected in religious and secular affairsedit External Links Utrecht (53%)from http://utrecht.travellerspoint.com dr.pepper (37%)from Eric Nicolaas as well as Peter (5%), Sam I Am (5%) Hadramawt Travel Helpers We don't currently have any Travel Helpers for Hadramawt Become a Travel Helper for Hadramawt This is version 4. Last edited at 7:41 on Jul 4, 14 by Utrecht. 1 article links

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Fiji Islands — Main Menu —Fiji Islands - What to Wear - Currency & Banking - Communications - Entry Requirements - Arrival & Departure Information - How To Pack - Custom Terminology - Etiquette - Legends - Fiji_Map Sights & Activities - Overview - Nadi - Orchid - Savusavu - Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple - The Church of Saint Francis Xavier - The Garden of the Sleeping Giant - Sailing - Scuba Diving - Surfing - Yachts - Turtle Airways Customer Service - About SPH Currency & Banking Arrival & Departure Information How To Pack Custom Terminology Fiji_Map Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple The Church of Saint Francis Xavier The Garden of the Sleeping Giant Turtle Airways Overview According to Fijian legend, the great chief Lutunasobasoba led his people across the seas to the new land of Fiji . Most authorities agree that people came into the Pacific from Southeast Asia via Indonesia. Here the Melanesians and the Polynesians mixed to create a highly developed society long before the arrival of the Europeans. The European discoveries of the Fiji group were accidental. The first of these discoveries was made in 1643 by the Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman and English navigators, including Captain James Cook who sailed through in 1774, and made further explorations in the 18th century. Major credit for the discovery and recording of the islands went to Captain William Bligh who sailed through Fiji after the mutiny on the Bounty in 1789. The first Europeans to land and live among the Fijians were shipwrecked sailors and runaway convicts from the Australian penal settlements. Sandalwood traders and missionaries came by the mid 19th century. Cannibalism practiced in Fiji at that time quickly disappeared as missionaries gained influence. When Ratu Seru Cakobau accepted Christianity in 1854, the rest of the country soon followed and tribal warfare came to an end. From 1879 to 1916 Indians came as indentured laborers to work on the sugar plantations. After the indentured system was abolished, many stayed on as independent farmers and businessmen. Today they comprise 44 percent of the population. Fiji was first settled about three and a half thousand years ago. The original inhabitants are now called “Lapita people” after a distinctive type of fine pottery they produced, remnants of which have been found in practically all the islands of the Pacific east of New Guinea, though not in eastern Polynesia. Linguistic evidence suggests that they came from northern or central Vanuatu, or possibly the eastern Solomons. Before long they had moved further on, colonizing Rotuma to the north, and Tonga and Samoa to the east. From there, vast distances were crossed to complete the settlement of the Pacific, to Hawaii in the north, Rapanui [Easter Island] in the east and Rotearoa [New Zealand] in the south. Unlike the islands of Polynesia which showed a continuous steadily evolving culture from initial occupation, Fiji appears to have undergone at least two periods of rapid cultural change in pre-historical times. This may have been due to the arrival of fresh waves of immigrants, presumably from the west. Pre-historians have noted that a massive 12th century volcanic eruption in southern Vanuatu coincides with the disappearance there of a certain pottery style, and its sudden emergence in Fiji. It is hardly surprising then, that the Fijian culture is an intricate network and that generalizations are fraught with danger. Although the legendary king of Bau, Naulivou and his successors had control over a large area of eastern Fiji, at no time before colonization was Fiji a political unity. Nevertheless, Fiji does exhibit certain traits that sets it apart from its neighbors, and it is this that defines a distinctive Fijian culture. Fijians first impressed themselves on European consciousness through the writings of members of the expeditions of Cook who met them in Tonga. They were described as formidable warriors and ferocious cannibals, builders of the finest vessels in the Pacific, but not great sailors. They inspired awe among the Tongans, and all their products, especially bark-cloth and clubs, were highly esteemed and much in demand. They called their home Viti, but the Tongans called it Fiji, and it is by this foreign pronunciation, first promulgated by Cook, that these islands are now known. After the explorers, other Europeans followed. For over half a century, Fijian culture enjoyed what has been called its ‘golden age’, as tools and weapons brought by traders were turned by resourceful chiefs to their own advantage. Canoes and houses were built, confederations formed and wars fought on a grand scale without precedent. Gradually and inevitably however, the Fijian way of life was changing. As Christianity spread in the islands, wars ceased abruptly and western clothing was adopted. After Fiji was ceded to Great Britain in 1874 epidemics nearly wiped out the population and it seemed as if the natives were doomed. But the colonial government took the Fijians’ side. Land sales were forbidden, health campaigns implemented and the population picked up again. Theirs was not, of course, the culture of the heathen ‘golden age’, but one modified by the new religion and increasingly the new economic order. Yet in today’s Fiji, independent since 1970, a surprising amount has survived. The 20th century brought about important economic changes in Fiji as well as the maturation of its political system. Fiji developed a major sugar industry and established productive copra milling, tourism and secondary industries. As the country now diversifies into small scale industries, the economy is strengthened and revenues provide for expanded public works, medical services and education. The country’s central position in the region has been strengthened by recent developments in sea and air communications. Today, Fiji plays a major role in regional affairs and is recognized as the focal point of the South Pacific. CultureOverview Pre-History Say It In Fijian Oops! We could not locate your form. Copyright © 2014 All Right Reserved, South Pacific Holidays.

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Reception, Frequencies, & How To Listen New Rules Aim For More Passenger-Friendly Skies By Brian Naylor Aug 23, 2011 ShareTwitter Facebook Google+ Email Passengers wait in line at the United Airlines terminal at Chicago's O'Hare airport in 2009 after a computer malfunction caused long delays and the cancellation of some United flights. Anyone who flies on an airplane should like some new government regulations that took effect Tuesday. Passengers who get involuntarily bumped will be entitled to more compensation, and airlines face stiffer penalties for long tarmac delays on international flights. The new rules are aimed at making flying more convenient and hassle-free, according to the Department of Transportation. Secretary Ray LaHood says the new passenger protections will "help ensure that air travelers receive the respect they deserve before, during and after their flight." Kate Hanni, president of FlyersRights.org, which pushed for the new regulations, gives the government credit for implementing them. "This Department of Transportation, I really have to hand it to them," she says. "It's the first time in history this DOT has taken on airline passenger issues, and [it] really is doing a very good job." The new regulations include requiring airlines to refund baggage fees if a traveler's luggage is lost. And if a passenger is involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight, the airline will have to pay him up to $1,300, depending on the length of the flight; the top penalty now is $800. An existing rule penalizing domestic carriers for keeping passengers onboard during a tarmac delay of three hours or more will now apply to flights at smaller airports. And foreign carriers at U.S. airports will be allowed no more than a four-hour tarmac delay before facing fines. Airlines: Competition Fuels Friendlier Skies The airline industry, however, says it is competitive pressures in the marketplace that are making airlines more passenger-friendly rather than federal rules. "The airline industry is a tremendously competitive industry, and customer service is an important way for airlines to differentiate themselves from the competition," says Steve Lott, a vice president of the Air Transport Association. "So it's this competitive nature of the industry and this customer choice that drive a lot of the customer service improvements — not necessarily regulations." Consumer groups say even more steps are needed to protect airline passengers. For one thing, says Brandon Macsata of the Association for Airline Passenger Rights, airlines should be required to refund baggage fees for delayed luggage, not just lost bags. "Let's say your bag shows up four days late. They do not have to refund you for it," he says. "If you purchase something — which in this case you're purchasing your bag to be taken from Point A to Point B, and it shows up not with you, in your person — then we simply feel that these fees should be refunded." Another set of rules was delayed until next year at the request of the industry, which said it needed more time for implementation. Among them: requiring all taxes and fees to be included in advertised fares, and allowing passengers to hold a reservation for up to 24 hours without making a payment. Those rules will take effect in January.Copyright 2011 National Public Radio. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/. View the discussion thread. Our Partners

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Lady Bird Lake View from Lady Bird Lake toward Downtown Austin. Central Austin, Texas, Power plant cooling/recreational reservoir Primary inflows Primary outflows 468 acres (189 ha) Max. depth 18 ft (5.5 m) Surface elevation Congress Avenue Bridge atop Lake Lady Bird in downtown Austin, Texas Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) is a reservoir on the Colorado River in Downtown Austin, Texas, in the United States. It was created in 1960 by the construction of Longhorn Dam and is owned and operated by the City of Austin in cooperation with the Lower Colorado River Authority. The surface area of the lake is 416 acres (168 ha), and it is used primarily for flood control and recreation. Located on the lake's shoreline are various hotels and apartments, as well as the Auditorium Shores park and the Austin Hike and Bike Trail.[1] 2 Recreational uses 2.1 Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail 3 Drinking water uses 4 Fish populations The reservoir was formed in 1960 by the construction of Longhorn Dam at its eastern boundary by the City of Austin. The western end of the lake is bounded by Tom Miller Dam, built in 1939. The lake was created for several reasons, including the need for a cooling pond for the Holly Street Power Plant, which operated from 1960 until 2007.[2] The reservoir was also envisioned from the beginning as a recreational venue for the city.[1] By the 1970s, Town Lake and its shoreline had become neglected, polluted and overgrown with weeds.[3] KTBC referred to the lake as an "eyesore."[3] During his two terms in office (1971–75), the Mayor of Austin Roy Butler partnered with former United States First Lady Lady Bird Johnson to establish the Town Lake Beautification Committee with the purpose of transforming the Town Lake area into a usable recreation area.[3] A system of hike and bike trails was built along the shoreline of the lake in the 1970s, establishing (what was then known as) Town Lake as a major recreational attraction for the city of Austin. On July 26, 2007, the Austin City Council passed a controversial resolution authorizing the renaming of the reservoir from Town Lake to Lady Bird Lake in honor of Lady Bird Johnson, the former First Lady of the United States and a long-time resident of the Austin area who had died earlier that month.[4] Johnson had declined the honor of having the lake renamed for her while she was alive. In renaming the lake, the City Council recognized Johnson's dedication to beautifying the lake and her efforts to create a recreational trail system around the lake's shoreline.[5] In 2009, non-profit organization Keep Austin Beautiful launched "Clean Lady Bird Lake".[citation needed] The program mobilizes thousands of community volunteers annually to conduct large-scale cleanups along the lake every other month and targeted cleanups throughout the year.[6] Lady Bird Lake is the easternmost lake of a chain of reservoirs on the Colorado River. This chain, known locally as the Texas Highland Lakes, also includes Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, Lake Marble Falls, Lake Travis, and Lake Austin. Recreational uses[edit] Lady Bird Lake is a major recreation area for the city of Austin. Its banks are bounded by the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, and businesses offer recreational watercraft services along the lakefront portion of the trails. Austin's largest downtown park, Zilker Park, is adjacent to the lake, and Barton Springs, a major attraction for swimmers, flows into the lake. Much of the landscaped beauty of the parks surrounding Lady Bird Lake can be credited to the former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, who, in the 1970s, focused her attention on the Town Lake Beautification Project.[7] The Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge spans the Lady Bird Lake and is home to North America's largest urban colony of Mexican Free-tailed Bats, with a summer population of 1.5 million bats. At dusk, from March to September, Austinites and tourists line the bridge and lake shore to watch the dramatic sight of the bats streaming out in their nightly quest for insects. Eight other bridges span the lake, including two pedestrian-only bridges.[citation needed] The City of Austin prohibits operation of most motorized watercraft on Lady Bird Lake.[8] As a result, the lake serves as a popular recreational area for kayaks, canoes, dragon boats, and rowing shells. Austin's warm climate and the river's calm waters, nearly 6 miles (9.7 km) length and straight courses are especially popular with crew teams and clubs. Along with the University of Texas women's rowing team and coeducational club rowing team, who practice on Lady Bird Lake year-round, teams from northern universities (including the University of Chicago, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Nebraska) train on Lady Bird Lake during Christmas holidays and spring breaks.[citation needed] Other water sports along the shores of the lake include swimming in Deep Eddy Pool, the oldest swimming pool in Texas, and Barton Springs Pool, a natural pool on Barton Creek which flows into Lady Bird Lake. Below Tom Miller Dam is Red Bud Isle, a small island formed by the 1900

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History of Porthcawl Porthcawl is located on the southern coast of Wales, twenty-five miles from Cardiff, on the western edge of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. The city as it exists today began its life in the nineteenth century as a coal port; however, other cities eclipsed its importance in this industry by the 1880s. The old town is now hidden among the dunes of Kenfig Burrows along with Kenfig Castle, northeast of Porthcawl, an early twelfth century castle built here by the Normans. The castle was frequently place under attack by the Welsh. Through the thirteenth century, Kenfig was gradually engulfed by the dunes and fell to ruins, which can still be seen today. These dunes were once considered part of the largest dune system in Europe. Uk based? Check these sites for temporary car insurance uk taxi insurance cover or short term car insurance. Need some cheap quotations for car insurance? Compare low motor insurance prices at www.cheapquoteforcarinsurance.co.uk Just a few miles from Porthcawl, is the village of Newton, which also dates back to the twelfth century and includes Saint John the Baptist Church, established over eight hundred years ago by the Knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. The church was originally built as a fortress and overlooks the Newton village green. The well serving the church was once reputed to have healing properties. Portions of the classic movie Lawrence of Arabia were filmed in the nearby sand dunes. Near the entrance of the harbour, the Jennings Building is an impressive building constructed between 1830 and 1832 for use as a warehouse. It is now the local Skating Centre. The building is widely considered one of the few surviving dock buildings from this era southern Wales. The Porthcawl Pier is the home a lighthouse that was originally constructed in 1866 and remains in use with some modification to this day. The city is also a port of call for the historic ship, the PS Waverley, the last ocean-going paddle steamer in existence. The Waverly is among the most photographed ships in the world. In recent years, the ship has suffered many minor accidents, but remains in use. Porthcawl's promenade was constricted in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The promenade follows the seafront and eventually joins the eastern promenade. The promenade underwent much needed renovation in 1996 and remains a popular place to visit. Some local hotels date back to the 1880s when Porthcawl began to earn its reputation as a seaside resort, catering to miners and their families in particular. The city continues to attract large numbers of holiday visitors, who come to enjoy the resorts, beaches, and other entertainment available in Porthcawl and vicinity. Seven major beaches surround the Porthcawl area, including remote Sker Beach, where a plaque can be found commemorating the tragic shipwreck involving the SS Santampa, wrecked in dangerous maritime conditions, and the doomed rescue attempt made by the the Mumbles RNLI lifeboat on April 23, 1947. Forty-seven people died on both ships. Portions of the wreckage remain visible at low tide with pieces continuing to wash ashore when the tide is very low. A more recent disaster still looms large in the city. The incident, known as the Porthcawl Mid-air Collision, occurred on February 11, 2009 when two Royal Air Force training planes collided, killing two young teenage cadets and their instructors. The accident was caused by visibility issues with the air crafts, which operated without use of collision-prevention equipment. Site copyright 2010 held by David Bloore all rights reserved

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Show Related Guides Hide Related Guides The Rough Guide to Jamaica Nicaragua Rough Guide Snapshot Central America The Rough Guide to Guatemala The Rough Guide to Trinidad & Tobago Rough Guide Audio Phrasebook and Dictionary - Latin American Spanish The Rough Guide to Cuba The Rough Guide to the Dominican Republic The Rough Guide to First-Time Around The World The Rough Guide to Panama The Rough Guide to Costa Rica The Rough Guide to Belize Puerto Rico // Getting around Explore Puerto Rico Festivals and public holidays Culture and etiquette Puerto Rico is a relatively small island and therefore easy to get around, with one important catch: formal public transport is virtually nonexistent, which means unless you rent a car or motorbike you’ll be reliant on the highly localized network of públicos. Internal flights connect Ponce and Mayagüez with San Juan, and also Vieques and Culebra – both islands are also connected to the main island by ferry. By bus (público) No subject seems to elicit more confusion in Puerto Rico than públicos (bus services), mostly because the vast majority of Puerto Ricans never take them. Públicos operate on set routes, but at the whim of the driver, waiting until the vehicle is full before departing and usually dropping people off along the way. Rates are very cheap – San Juan to Ponce is just $15 – and it’s often a great way to meet some of the locals (the system tends to be used predominantly by students and the elderly). If you intend to travel extensively in Puerto Rico, though, públicos are not recommended. Though San Juan is well connected with most of the towns on the island, services between other places are patchy at best, and these days públicos tend to operate more like local buses, serving the immediate area. Long-distance trips across the country can mean changing several times, and once you get to your destination, you’ll find your options extremely limited without wheels. If you do end up taking a público, speaking Spanish definitely helps (drivers rarely speak English), and you must plan ahead. For busy routes, you can simply turn up at the local bus station (usually known as the Terminal de Carros Públicos, or just la terminal) early in the morning (7am or earlier, Mon–Sat) and pick one up, but at other times and locations you’ll need to call ahead, reserve a space and arrange a pick-up time. Some locals differentiate between lineas and públicos: lineas are minibuses that follow fixed routes and timetables (like a normal bus service), while true públicos (which can also be taxi-like cars) go only when full, stop a lot and vary departure times. In practice it doesn’t make a lot of difference, and there are very few true lineas in any case. These days most públicos are Ford minibuses with special yellow licence plates marked “Público”. Renting a car in Puerto Rico is by far the most efficient and convenient way to get around. You’ll find all the major agencies and several local companies (usually cheaper) in San Juan, with a handful of offices scattered around the island. Culebra and Vieques have their own local companies – it’s expensive and time-consuming to take rental cars across by ferry. Note that you should arm yourself with a decent map, road atlas or GPS system if travelling the island this way. Rates for economy-sized cars with unlimited mileage start at $40–50 per day or $250 for seven days, but can escalate dramatically during holidays and the busy July–August period – the longer you rent, the cheaper it gets per day. Basic insurance (loss damage waiver, no deductible/excess) can add another $20 per day, but is highly recommended as scrapes and knocks are common (especially in car parks). Most US insurance policies should be valid in Puerto Rico, but check before you go. Renting in Puerto Rico is much like the US and fairly straightforward for most visitors. You must have a credit card and a driver’s licence valid for up to 120 days (all major countries are accepted). You must be at least 25, although some companies (Budget and most of the local outfits) allow drivers over 21 for an additional charge. Driving in Puerto Rico Driving conditions vary wildly, but your biggest headache is likely to be the sheer volume of traffic. The main highways in San Juan and around much of the densely populated coastline are the most congested – it’s best to travel at off-peak times to avoid the worst of it. In contrast, driving in more remote areas and especially in the mountains can be a real delight, and while often winding and narrow, unless it’s been raining heavily, these roads are rarely dangerous. Those used to driving in London, LA or New York shouldn’t be too fazed by the mildly frenzied driving displayed on San Juan’s crammed highways, and even when driving aggressively, Puerto Ricans rarely lose their cool on the road. Nevertheless, locals do tend to drive far more recklessly than most of their compatriots on the US mainland: speeding, jumping lanes, pulling out without warning and thrashing along the shoulder are all normal practice. Puerto Ricans are also compulsive tailgaters and accidents are common, despite a fairly heavy police presence on the roads and a system of severe fines; Puerto Rico had the highest number of car accident deaths (308) in any US jurisdiction in 2010. Carjacking was a big problem in Puerto Rico in the early 1990s, but incidents have dropped off dramatically and tourists are rarely affected. The vast majority of crimes occur outside the tourist zones in Greater San Juan (in areas like Río Piedras), late at night, so to be safe, avoid driving in urban areas after midnight and ignore anyone trying to wave you down. It’s also a bad idea to pick up hitchers. Car theft is a problem in some areas, which is why insurance is crucial, and you should never leave valuables in your vehicle. If you break down, call the rental company. Should you have a minor accident, exchange names, addresses and driver’s licence details with the other parties if you can, before contacting the rental company. Officially, you are supposed to notify the state police within four hours if the accident has caused damage in excess of $100, but your rental company should be able to advise you. With driving such an important part of life in Puerto Rico, you are never far from a petrol station in the cities, and many open 24 hours. Fuel follows US standards, with unleaded the most common option, though it’s sold by the litre and is slightly cheaper than on the US mainland. Roads and rules The Puerto Rican road system is the best in the Caribbean, with freeways (motorways) known as autopistas fanning out from San Juan and four-lane highways (dual-carriageways) covering all the major routes. Autopistas carry frequent tolls of $0.50–1.25, so bring coins if you can: lanes on the right marked “C” or cambio provide change, but the middle lanes are reserved for cambio exacto (throw coins in the bucket) and are usually faster. Avoid the autoexpreso lanes on the left, which require an electronic pass (you’ll be fined if you go through without one). All roads are given numbers, usually written with the prefix “PR” or “Puerto Rico”, as in PR-2. Distances on the island are given in kilometres (1km=0.62 miles) and therefore appear this way in the Guide. Signage is in Spanish, but in a concession to American car makers, speed limits are in miles per hour: the maximum speed limit on most roads is 55mph, though some sections of highway and autopista range from 65–70mph, and you should stick to 30mph in residential areas. Laws against drunk driving and speeding are strictly enforced, and everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt. It is legal to turn right on a red light, after coming to a full stop (except where signs expressly forbid this), and thanks to the threat of carjacking, you are permitted to ignore red lights altogether between midnight and 5am. Road rules otherwise follow US norms and cars drive on the right. The Puerto Rico Port Authority (t1-800/981-2005 or t787/863-0705) runs regular passenger ferries to Vieques and Culebra from Fajardo, as well as a less frequent vehicle and cargo ferry for details. Reaching other offshore islands, such as Isla de Mona, requires the services of a private boat operator. Domestic flights from San Juan’s Aeropuerto Internacional Luis Muñoz Marín to Mayagüez and Ponce are operated by Cape Air for around $75–80 one-way, though fares vary according to what day and time you fly. More useful for most visitors are the frequent flights from San Juan or Fajardo to the islands of Culebra and Vieques. Several airlines run these routes, though planes are tiny eight-seaters (neither island can accept jets), so tend to book up fast during holidays. The cheapest flights operate from San Juan’s tiny domestic airport, Isla Grande, and cost around $100 return. Cape Air and a few other airlines also fly direct from the international airport, which is more convenient for connections but more expensive ($160–180 return). Addresses and road names Inspiration Things not to miss Where Next? Check out The north coast and karst country Book a hostel in Puerto Rico

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Macau's gambling industry dwarfs Vegas By Charles Riley @CRrileyCNN Foreign casino operators have rushed into Macau over the past decade. Forget about Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Macau has cemented its status as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the gambling industry. The Chinese territory reported gambling revenue of 360 billion patacas ($45 billion) for 2013, an increase of almost 20% over the previous year. If that sounds like a lot of cash, it is. Las Vegas will be lucky to make $6.5 billion, or 15% of Macau's total. Atlantic City's haul is likely to be even lower. The former Portuguese outpost has been gaining momentum for years, fueled by a loosening of regulations and a Chinese populace that is eager to gamble. When restrictions on foreign operators were lifted in 2002, new casinos opened in droves as international firms joined the rush. Macau is the only location in China where gambling is legal, and millions of tourists flock to the territory each year. Rapid growth has attracted the biggest players in the industry, including Las Vegas Sands (LVS) and Wynn Resorts (WYNN). The boom has reverberated across the Pearl River Delta. In Hong Kong, home to some very devoted gamblers, the government is scrambling to build a bridge to Macau that will cross some of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Hong Kong gamblers currently rely on a fleet of ferries to reach the territory. Related story: A new way to get to Macau -- Seaplane Yet Macau, with a population just under 600,000, is not merely an imitation Vegas. Chinese gamblers favor games like baccarat over poker and blackjack. And Nevada still has the edge when it comes to entertainment, offering a greater variety of dining options and shows led by stars such as Britney Spears. Despite its runaway success, Macau's boom has not been without cost. The territory is almost entirely dependent on gambling. When the industry booms, tax revenue jumps and residents -- most of whom are employed in the business -- receive payouts from the government. As a result it's vulnerable to changes in policy and would suffer greatly if China repeated a 2008 clampdown on the number of mainland visitors. Related story: Another mega-casino to be built in Macau The city has also attracted unsavory elements often associated with the industry, including money launderers looking to evade limits on moving cash out of China. Beijing limits the amount of money Chinese can take out of the country to $50,000 per year. For those looking to skirt the rules, Macau provides an attractive option. By working with a junket operator -- which performs the basic functions of a tour company -- visitors use yuan to buy casino chips, but cash out their winnings in foreign currencies, including dollars. The money can then be moved abroad and used to make purchases in Europe and the United States. Despite efforts to restrict this activity, the practice has attracted plenty of criticism, including from the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China. CNNMoney (Hong Kong) January 6, 2014: 8:39 PM ET Comments Social Surge - What's Trending

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Tourist Attraction Owner Wants to Sue over Bad Weather Reports World News 0 Updated at 2:35 am, October 5th, 2012 By: ABC Digital Share This Story iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — A man who runs an animal attraction in Devon in Southwest England wants to sue the British office of meteorology, claiming “pessimistic forecasts” are cutting into tourism’s bottom line. Rick Turner tells the website Metro, “Over the August bank holiday weekend, I remember they forecast a whole weekend of rain with heavy rain on the Saturday. We did not have a drop and were enjoying sunshine and blue sky all day.” A spokesman for the U.K.’s national weather service says, “No one, not even the Met Office, is able to get it right 100 per of the time. But the UK is lucky enough to have one of the best weather forecasting services in the world.” Turner is hoping to recruit more people in his line of work to undertake legal action against the weather service.

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[Transcribed and edited information from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland - 1868] AMPTHILL, a parish and market town in the hundred of Redbornestoke, in the county of Bedford, 8 miles to the south of Bedford, and 45 miles from London, or 59 miles by rail. It is a station on the Bedford branch of the London and North Western railway. The town stands in a pleasant situation, between two hills, and is nearly in the centre of the county. The manor of Ampthill, belonged, at an early period, to the Pointz family, and Henry III. granted the privilege of holding a market here, to Nicholas Pointz and Joan his wife. This manor, with others, was given by Henry VI. to Sir John Cornwall, afterwards created Lord Fanhope, who married the king's sister, Elizabeth of Lancaster. A castle was erected on the domain, by Lord Fanhope, which reverted to the crown in the reign of Edward IV. He conferred it on Lord Grey, of Ruthin, Earl of Kent, from whose descendants it passed again to the crown about 1530, and became the palace of King Henry VIII. He constituted the manor the "Honor of Ampthill." It was in the castle of Ampthill that Queen Catherine of Arragon resided, while the question of her divorce was under discussion. It was here she refused to obey the summons to appear before the commissioners at Dunstable. In 1773, a memorial cross, octagonal in form, was erected on the site of the ancient castle, by the Earl of Ossory, with an inscription composed by Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Ely, value £283, in the patronage of the lord chancellor. The church is dedicated to St. Andrew. It is a handsome building, in the form of a cross, and has a square tower at the intersection of the transepts. It is mostly in the perpendicular style of architecture, and has several brasses, the earliest being of the year 1506. There is also a monument to Sir Robert Nicoll, who was killed b

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Mr Monkey in London, 30th April "Well, that's reassuring, isn't it?" When he arrived at London Euston Mr Monkey paused to look at the old lodges outside the station. These are all that's left of the magnificent arch and portico, built in 1838 to celebrate the completion of the London and Birmingham Railway and demolished in 1961 as part of British Rail's rebuilding of the station. Mr Monkey was interested to see the list of destinations from Euston carved into the walls of the lodge included his own destination, Stockport. You can read about the arch at the Euston Arch Trust website. Previous picture - Next picture Return to Mr Monkey in London Copyright Rik Shepherd and Mr Monkey.

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Sardinia Photographs, Museums, Costa Smeralda, Transportation Small enough to be classified as an island but big enough to be a universe unto itself, Sardinia lies about 120 miles west of the Italian peninsula. Its coastline is probably Europe's most spectacular. Its waters teem with fish and shellfish. Its broad valleys turn into golden oceans of wheat in summer. Its rugged mountains, pocked with caves, are home to large flocks of sheep that feed on pungent wild herbs and produce a cheese your palate will never forget. Nestled into its silent olive groves are some of the continent's oldest archeological remains, dating back to 1700 BC. Its people speak a language incomprehensible to all other Italians, celebrate more saints' days than anyone else in the nation, and love to dress up in elaborate costumes at the drop of a finely-embroidered hat. But Sardinia is not for the faint-hearted. In summer, the heat can be blistering. Winter winds are some of the most vicious in the Mediterranean. Hotels and restaurants can be either wildly expensive or seriously rustic. Public transportation is unreliable and moves at a snail's pace. Even getting to the island can be a challenge, especially in summer when ferries and planes are packed. Sardinia is for adventurers, for those of us who like to feel we've accomplished something when we travel, those who want to push just a little bit farther than the crowd, those who are intrigued, not frightened, by civilizations that initially may seem inexplicable. Sardinia, it seems, is just the kind of place for In Italy's readers. Sardinia's Emerald Coast has long been a favorite of crowned heads, movie stars and millionaires. Be brave enough to drive along this two-day itinerary from Olbia to Stintino and you too will become a fan of the fabled Costa Smeralda. A Photo Album of Sardinia. Few foreigners ever venture into the mysterious center of the island, a great place for hikers, birdwatchers and adventurers of every kind. Some useful tips for transportation to and from Sardinia. Because Sardinian dialect is virtually a distinct language, you'll want to take this brief glossary of food dishes with you on your trip. No trip to Sardinia would be complete without a visit to the island's unique prehistoric ruins. Members of an obscure civilization built the nuraghe, of which no less than 7000 remain. Find the location, zip code, area code, province or region of a specific town. There's a colorful folk festival for every month of the year in Sardinia, with plenty of dancing, singing, pageantry and free food for all. [Regions of Italy]

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Help▼ContentsSearchFAQSupportPortalsWatercoolerSuggestions Place:Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil no watchers NameCuritiba Alt namesColônia Dona Franciscasource: Family History Library Catalog TypeCity Coordinates25.42°S 49.29°W Located inParaná, Brazil (1654 - ) Contained PlacesUnknownAbranchesBarreirinhaBom JesusBoqueirãoCajuruCatedralCoração de MariaMercêsPortãoPrimeiro OfícioQuarto OfícioSanta CândidaSanta FelicidadeSegundo OfícioSão Casemiro do TaboãoTerceiro OfícioUberabaÁgua Verde source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names source: Family History Library Catalog Curitiba (Tupi: "Pine Nut Land") is the capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Paraná. The city's population numbered approximately 1,760,500 people as of 2010, making it the eighth most populous city in the country, and the largest in Brazil's South Region. The Curitiba Metropolitan area comprises 26 municipalities with a total population of over 3.2 million (IBGE estimate in 2010), making it the seventh most populous in the country. Curitiba is an important cultural, political, and economic center in Latin America. The city sits on a plateau at above sea level. It is located west of the seaport of Paranaguá and is served by the Afonso Pena International and Bacacheri airports. The city hosts the Federal University of Paraná, established in 1912. In the 1700s Curitiba possessed a favorable location between cattle-breeding country and marketplaces, leading to a successful cattle trade and the city's first major expansion. Later, between 1850 and 1950, it grew due to logging and agricultural expansion in the Paraná State (first Araucaria logging, later mate and coffee cultivation and in the 1970s wheat, corn and soybean cultivation). In the 1850s waves of European immigrants arrived in Curitiba, mainly Germans, Italians, Poles and Ukrainians, contributing to the city's economic and cultural development. Nowadays, only smaller numbers of foreign immigrants arrive, primarily from Middle Eastern and other Latin American countries. The biggest expansion occurred after the 1950s, with innovative urban planning that changed the population size from some hundreds of thousands to more than a million people. Curitiba's economy is based on industry and services and is the fourth largest in Brazil. Economic growth occurred in parallel to a substantial inward flow of Brazilians from other cities of the country, as approximately half of the city's population was not born in Curitiba. Curitiba sports one of few high Brazilian Human Development Index readings at 0.856, and in 2010 was awarded the Global Sustainable City Award, given to cities and municipalities that excel in sustainable urban development. According to US magazine Reader's Digest, Curitiba is the best "Brazilian Big City" in which to live. Curitiba was one of the host cities of the 1950 FIFA World Cup, and again for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. [edit] History the text in this section is copied from an article in Wikipedia The first ten years of the 16th century had a war of conquest by Europeans (Portuguese colonists) against the Kaingang and Guarani who inhabited the area of the city. Curitiba's birth is 29 March 1693, when its City Council was founded. At the end of the 17th century, Curitiba's agriculture was only for subsistence. Its main economic activities were mineral extraction. Waves of European immigrants arrived after 1850, mainly Poles, Italians, Germans (mostly from Russia) and Ukrainians.[1] In 1853, the south and southwest of the province of São Paulo were emancipated, forming the new province of Paraná with Curitiba as its capital. The region's next economic cycle was based on the "tropeiros" ("troopers"): cattlemen who drove their herds from Viamão, in the southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, to a market in Sorocaba, in the state of São Paulo. From there, the herds were then taken to the state of Minas Gerais. The drovers would spend winter periods in the middle of the journey, in the "campos de Curitiba" (fields of Curitiba). These campsites would be dismantled when the cold season gave way to spring. The drovers would take advantage of their stay to do business, and by doing so, they made Curitiba into an important intermediate trading post. The traditions of wearing wool ponchos, roasting meat and drinking a bitter mate tea called "chimarrão", encouraged a common culture that led people to form groups and settle.[2] The cycle of cattle drives lasted for more than two centuries. With it, came many distinct cultural features of the Paraná region, especially the unique accent noticeable by pronounced Es.[2] The expanded use of the mate plant and wood at the end of the 19th century stimulated the construction of the Paranaguá-Curitiba railroad. This railroad was the first link between the capital of Paraná and the coast. It was built in five years (from 1880 to 1885). This railroad represents one of the greatest works of national engineering, made possible thanks to the engineers and brothers Antonio and André Rebouças. Immigrant manual labor was heavily used. Immigrants had come to this area since the middle of the 18th century.[2] Around the beginning of the 20th century, Curitiba benefited from the wealth of the yerba mate mills. The owners (known as "Maté Barons") built mansions in the capital. These have mostly been preserved in the districts of Batel and Alto da Glória. The next economic cycle was the coffee monoculture. This trade helped found cities in the northern region of the state of Paraná. Coffee was important the capital's economy.[2] Coffee crops suffered from the relentless effects of bad weather. So, farmers gradually replaced coffee by soybeans. Mechanized soybean farming drove agricultural workers off of the land. Eventually, coffee was completely wiped out in the region's worst frost, known as the Black Frost of July, 1975. During the 20th century, especially after 1950, the city's population rapidly increased. It consolidated its position as a regional hub for trade and services, becoming one of the richest cities in the Southern Cone and a pioneer in urban solutions.[3] In the 1940s and 1950s, Alfred Agache, co-founder of the French Society for Urban Studies, was hired to produce its first city plan. It emphasized a "star" of boulevards, with public amenities downtown, an industrial district and sanitation. It was followed in part, but the plan was too expensive to complete. When Curitiba received great waves of immigrants, the city was forced to make swift decisions in order to avoid urban chaos and meet future demands. Curitiba invested in urban planning and in city management focused on its residents. [edit] Research Tips This place has no commentary yet. It is only a stub. You can help by editing it and sharing what you know: research tips, history, relationships with other places, etc. This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The original content was at Curitiba. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with WeRelate, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. Retrieved from "http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Place:Curitiba%2C_Paran%C3%A1%2C_Brazil" Category: Paraná, Brazil Don't want ads? This page was last modified 01:44, 21 December 2007.

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Asia Europe Africa Middle East North America South America Central America Oceania Adventure Travel Budget Travel Travel Tech Luxury Travel Photography Airlines Hotels Cruises Food & Drink Arts & Culture Articles tagged “horseracing” Keeneland: Thoroughbred Horses, Free Coffee And Kentucky’s Best Cheap Breakfast by Dave Seminara on Jun 14, 2013 It was a rainy Monday, just after 7 a.m., when I pulled into the parking lot at Keeneland, one of the nation’s most venerable thoroughbred racetracks. I had read that watching the horses morning workout was one of the best free things to do in Lexington, Kentucky, but on a dreary, wet day, I figured the horses would probably be lounging in their stables, nibbling on carrots or catching up on their sleep. But before I even made my way into the beautiful, old track, which is a National Historic Landmark, I could see the horses gracefully galloping through the mud, impervious to the rain. I walked up into the track past rows of wet, empty benches and positioned myself against the rail. There were about a dozen horses and jockeys out on the track working out. I looked around the empty grandstands and realized that I was the only spectator. As the jockeys trotted past me on horseback, each said, “Good morning” to me on their way by, but other than that the only noise in the place was the oddly soothing sound of the horses’ hooves clip-clopping in and out of the mud. But as the rain intensified, I made a rookie mistake in popping open my umbrella. “No umbrellas!” barked one of the jockeys. “They scare the horses,” called out another, perhaps noticing my perplexed expression. I had no idea. Seeking shelter from the rain, I walked down toward a little building next to the track, and realized there was one other spectator in the house, a Latino in his 60s who introduced himself as James. “I’m surprised they’re still working out in the rain,” I said to him. “They work out every morning,” he said. “Doesn’t matter what the weather is.” James told me that he had spent his entire life around horses and had moved to the area from New Mexico because he wanted to live in Lexington, a hotbed for thoroughbred racing. He said that he spent every morning at Keeneland, watching the horses. “It’s not a bad way to spend your retirement,” he said. “You know there’s free coffee right down the way inside that building over there.” Sure enough, there was free coffee, along with two track employees, one watching a horse race from Churchill Downs from the previous day, and another having a cup of coffee. “So they really do this every day?” I asked the coffee drinker. “We work every day except for Christmas,” he said. The man confirmed that the horses work out on two tracks, on the big track from 5:30 until 10, and on a smaller one from 5:30 until 11. It’s always free, and anyone can roam around the grounds to check out the horses in their stables. I made my way over to the smaller track, where a dozen or so jockeys and their magnificent horses were trotting about in a light, early morning drizzle. The only spectator was a trainer named Stephen Lyster, who told me that there were some 500-600 thoroughbred horses living in 72 barns at Keeneland. Stephen trains 22 horses and travels around the region with them for races. He said that wealthy people hire trainers like him to care for their horses, and it’s an expensive endeavor- it costs about $3,000 per month to board a horse at Keeneland. Only a few very successful horses can actually turn a profit for the owner. He said that the high stakes caused some small tracks to fix races, but asserted that in Kentucky and other big-time horse racing states like New York, Florida and Arkansas, the races are clean. The rain eventually tapered off and my wife and kids met me at the track. Stephen invited us back to their barn after the workout and gave us an opportunity to feed some of the ponies carrots. I loved having a chance to see these beautiful creatures – horses with names like Bold North, Seattle Devil, Run Marvin Run and Two Ferdy Somewhere – up close but the most serendipitous experience of the morning was still to come. Stephen mentioned that we should try the track kitchen, a cafeteria-style restaurant behind the stables. “It’s cheap and really good,” he said. Everyone has a different definition of “cheap” but in this case, Stephen wasn’t kidding. I looked up at the menu and thought I’d died and gone to cheapskate heaven. Here are a few examples of the cheap grub on offer. Egg and cheese breakfast sandwich- $1.70 Bacon, egg and cheese biscuit sandwich- $3.25 Sausage, egg and cheese breakfast burrito- $3.25 Four pancakes: $2.50 Two biscuits and gravy: $2.40 One egg: 90 cents Breakfast special: scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, toast or biscuit, plus two of the following- potatoes, spiced apples, grits or gravy- $5.00 And things got even better when a gray-haired lady wearing a hat filled with racing pins said to me, “Hey, honey, wacha gunna have?” I don’t know why, but I like it when female servers address me as “honey,” and if I’m in the South, even better. I ordered the breakfast burrito and assumed that, for the price, it would be puny or pre-made, but it was neither. The thing weighed about 4 pounds and was freshly made and superb. Manna from heaven at $3.25. As a variety of stable workers and trainers filed in and out of the place, I realized that the prices are low because they are catering to the people who work there every day, not tourists. I know very little about horses and thoroughbred racing but I learned that Keeneland has sold more champions and stakes winners than any other company, including 78 Breeders’ Cup World Championship winners, 19 Kentucky Derby winners; 21 Preakness winners and 17 Belmont winners. In April and October, Keeneland hosts elite caliber races and everyone – even college students – get all dressed up for the occasions. It’s a beautiful place and if you’re a frugal traveler, like me, there is no better place to while away a morning. Two Reasons to Visit Louisville: The Kentucky Derby Museum And The Muhammad Ali Center by Dave Seminara on Nov 18, 2012 You don’t have to be a sports fan or a museum buff to appreciate the fact that Louisville has two of America’s best sports-related museums: the Kentucky Derby Museum and the Muhammad Ali Center. I’m not much of a sightseer, and my wife would sooner clean the toilets than watch a boxing match or a horse race. But we could have easily spent all day in these outstanding museums. The Kentucky Derby has been held every year since 1875 and the famous twin spires at Churchill Downs are a national landmark. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., the grandson of William Clark, of Lewis-Clark expedition fame, founded Churchill Downs after spending two years in Europe where he developed an interest in horse racing. This year more than 160,000 people turned up for the race; only 54,000 of them had seats, while the rest pile into the infield in the center of the track. %Gallery-171131% “Ninety-nine percent of the people in the infield see no horse racing at all,” said Tiara, our guide for a walking tour around Churchill Downs. “But 99% of them don’t care. They’re here for the party.” The derby is held on the first Saturday in May, but if you don’t want to take part in the Derby day madness, definitely hit the museum, and, if you can, take in a race. Churchill Downs plays host to more than 800 horse races per year, so there are ample opportunities to see top-flight thoroughbred racing. The tour starts with a walk past the headstones of four derby winners that are buried on the grounds. We learned that horses are cremated and normally only the head, heart and hooves are buried, but in the case of truly legendary horses – like Secretariat, who won the Derby in 1973 and still is the only horse to complete the race in less than two minutes – they are buried whole. Two horses live at Churchill Downs year round – Perfect Drift, who placed third in the 2002 Derby, and Winston, a 19-year-old miniature horse that could be mistaken for a pony – and we had a chance to visit with both before pushing off to see the rest of the grounds. We strolled past a statue of Pat Day, a jockey who won 2,500 races at Churchill Downs and more than $23 million in prize money during his career, and Tiara asked if we thought the diminutive little statue reflected his actual height. “He’s actually two inches shorter in real life,” she said. “He’s 4 foot 11, and the statue’s just over 5 feet.” We passed the betting windows – Tiara said they open some 3,000 of them on Derby day – and made our way toward the track, which was empty and full of puddles on the day we visited. “The seats in here sell out a year or two in advance,” Tiara said. “And if you want to sit in the best seats, you’d better be a celebrity or have plenty of money.” We learned about a few of the Derby’s cherished rituals – drinking mint juleps, eating burgoo and singing “My Old Kentucky Home.” The museum itself was just as interesting as the tour. My sons were hooked on an interactive jockey video game where you climb onto a horse and try to ride it to victory, while my wife was fixated on exhibits featuring fancy ladies hats worn on Derby day and another exhibiting jockey silks – the colorful jackets jockeys wear on race days that have evolved since the days when chariot drivers in ancient Rome wore variations of the same thing (there are now 25,000 registered designs). I was hooked on the video booths, where you can sit and watch replays with commentary of every race dating back to the 1920s. You can sort through the choices by choosing close races, wins by long shots, runaways, and Triple Crown winners. We capped off our visit by checking out “The Greatest Race” a short but intense film about the Derby that is shown in a remarkable 360-degree cinema. Muhammad Ali – World Class Fighter & Traveler Muhammad Ali is probably the greatest sports personality of the 20th Century and Louisville’s Ali Center, opened in 2005 at a cost of $80 million, does the great man and his fascinating life justice. It’s a huge place that’s informative, interactive and entertaining. I thought I knew everything there was to know about Ali, but I came away with a deeper appreciation for what an interesting and influential personality Ali was. He was born and raised in Louisville while the city was still segregated. Ali, then Cassius Clay, took up boxing at age 12 after his bike was stolen and a police officer suggested he join a recreational boxing league after he insisted he was going to “whup” the thief once he caught him. He rose through the local ranks, became an Olympic and heavyweight champion, converted to Islam, became a member of the Nation of Islam and then was stripped of his title for refusing to serve in Vietnam during the war. After the Supreme Court ruled that his claim as a conscientious objector was legitimate, he was reinstated in 1971, and quickly regained his title. One could write a 1,000-page book on his personal life and not cover it all. Ali married four times (once to a 17-year-old) and had nine children, two from extramarital affairs. He was considered a dangerous rabble-rouser by many in the white establishment and was even under FBI surveillance for a time. The museum chronicles all of this and more. Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Syndrome in 1984, but he’s remained remarkably active. I was struck by what a traveler Ali was and is. He fought in Zaire, The Philippines, England, Canada, Italy, Germany and beyond. He visited Ghana in 1964 and was greeted like a conquering hero. He made the hajj to Mecca in ’72 and visited Iraq in 1990 to seek freedom for hostages held by Saddam Hussein. In 2002, he visited Afghanistan as a U.N. Messenger for Peace, and in 2009, he was again greeted like a rock star in Ireland, where he went to visit the ancestral home of his great-grandfather in County Clare. He’s done charity work in Indonesia, Morocco, and the Ivory Coast, among other places. And this summer, he took part in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London. These days he spends most of his time in Scottsdale, Arizona, but he celebrated his 70th birthday in January at the museum and he still owns a home in Kentucky. Aside from all the interactive exhibits, the museum also features a boxing ring, and some punching bags for those who want to get their aggression out. But I was hooked on the cinema area, where you can sit down and watch a number of old Ali fights. If you’re too young to have seen him fight or if you aren’t but want to relive the good old days, you’ll love this museum. Other Ali landmarks in Louisville: The Clay Home 3302 W. Grand Avenue 1130 W. Chestnut St. Columbia Gym- site where Clay’s bike was stolen and his early workouts 851 S. 4th Street Presbyterian Community Center- site of the rec program where Clay learned to box 760 S. Hancock Street [Photo credits: Dave Seminara] Horse slaughter: the meat of the matter now that Congress has lifted controversial ban by Laurel Miller on Dec 4, 2011 If you’re of a certain age, you might recall that until the 1940’s, horse was eaten in the United States–most notably during World War II, when beef prices rose and supply dwindled. By the eighties, dining on Mr. Ed definitely wasn’t culturally acceptable, even if purchased for “pet food,” and in 1998, California Proposition 6 outlawed horse meat and slaughter for human consumption. Why, when so much of the world–including much of the EU, Central Asia, Polynesia, Latin America, and Japan–routinely dines upon this delicious, lean, low cholesterol, abundant meat, do we shun it? Blame anthropomorphism and our fervent equestrian culture. Like dogs, cats, guinea pig, alpaca, and other cute, furry creatures consumed with gusto by other ethnicities, Americans just aren’t down with eating what we consider pets. According to The Chicago Tribune, however, it’s likely that at least one national horse abattoir (slaughterhouse) will be opening soon, most likely in the Midwest. As stated in the story, “Congress lifted the ban in a spending bill President Barack Obama signed into law Nov. 18 to keep the government afloat until mid-December.” Before you get on your high horse (sorry) over this seemingly inhumane turn of events, let’s examine why the ban was passed in the first place, and why reversing it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I should also state that I grew up on a horse ranch, and to me, meat is meat. My issues regarding its consumption have and always will lie with humane treatment of said animals during their life up until what should be a quick, merciful death. Is there such a thing as a humane death? Let’s just say that some methods of livestock slaughter are less traumatic than others. But that’s a separate issue, and not the point of this piece. Despite our cultural aversion to eating horse, the U.S. still slaughtered old, sick,and injured animals, as well as retired racehorses. Even young healthy animals were sent to slaughter for a variety of reasons including overbreeding, profit, or abandonment. Even wild horses and burros were rounded up for slaughter as part of culling programs; it’s still necessary to thin herds to keep them sustainable, as well as protect their habitat from overgrazing and erosion; starvation and predation are cruel deaths. Fortunately, these animals are now protected species and legally can’t be sent to slaughter, so they’re put up for adoption. The downside? What happens to aging and unsound animals, now that rescues and sanctuaries are at capacity and struggling for funding? The U.S. exported horse meat to countries that do consume it, although it was also sold domestically to feed zoo animals. In 2007, the last horse slaughterhouse in the U.S., in DeKalb, Illinois, was shut down by court order, and that was that until the ban was lifted last month. Photo credit: Flicker user Atli Harðarson] Is this a good thing? The result of abattoir closures means that there’s no outlet–-humane or otherwise–-for horses that can no longer be used for work or pleasure. Few people can afford to keep horses as pets due to age, illness, or injury, and as previously stated, most horse rescues are at capacity or struggling to find funding. The recession has only increased this problem. The Tribune cites a federal report from June, 2011, that noted local animal welfare organizations reported a spike in investigations for horse neglect and abandonment since 2007. In Colorado, for example, data showed that investigations for horse neglect and abuse increased more than 60 percent — from 975 in 2005 to almost 1,600 in 2009. Explains Cheri White Owl, founder of the Oklahoma nonprofit Horse Feathers Equine Rescue, “People [are] deciding to pay their mortgage or keep their horse.” Adds Sue Wallis, a Wyoming state lawmaker and vice president of the non-profit, pro-slaughter organization United Horsemen, “Ranchers used to be able to sell horses that were too old or unfit for work to slaughterhouses but now they have to ship them to butchers in Canada and Mexico [the latter of which has even more inhumane handling and shipping practices], where they fetch less than half the price.” The Tribune reports that the U.S. Government Accountability Office also determined that about 138,000 horses were shipped to Canada and Mexico for slaughter in 2010: nearly the same number that were killed in the U.S. before the ban took effect in 2007. I’m not disputing the lack of humanity previously displayed by U.S. livestock auctions and transport companies taking horses to slaughter (current treatment of other livestock: also fodder for another story). Fortunately, the 1996 federal Farm Bill mandated more humane conditions. Unfortunately, it didn’t go into effect until 2001. And the down side of reinstating horse abattoirs here, according to the Tribune, is that the Obama’s ban-reversal won’t “allocate any new money to pay for horse meat inspections, which opponents claim could cost taxpayers $3 million to $5 million a year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture would have to find the money in its existing budget, which is expected to see more cuts this year as Congress and the White House aim to trim federal spending.” Animal welfare aside, the loss of horse abattoirs is a divisive issue. I’m of the opinion that it’s impractical and wasteful to not have an outlet for surplus animals. This, of course, assuming the transport and facilities abide by regulations. I’m not a supporter of industrial livestock production and thus large abattoirs, which have been documented to cause undue stress to animals. Despite that issue, isn’t it ultimately more kind to put an end to their suffering, and make good use of the meat? Proponents of horse slaughter frequently make the comparison to the millions of dogs and cats that are euthanized yearly in the U.S., because their owners were too irresponsible to spay or neuter. The cremation of these poor creatures is more than just a senseless loss of life: it’s wasteful. While I’m sympathetic to recession-impacted horse owners, keeping a horse isn’t cheap no matter what your financial situation. When you buy, adopt, or take in any “pet,” you’re responsible for its welfare. If you can’t commit to providing for that animal for the duration of its life (barring certain illness/injury situations), have the decency to do the necessary research and surrender it to a reputable animal rescue or loving home. If you’re not capable of that, a.) please don’t ever have children, and b.) never own a pet. It’s a living creature, not a toy, and I have absolutely no tolerance for irresponsible pet owners. There are valid arguments on both sides of the horse slaughter debate, but at the end of the day, the most important thing is the humane treatment of the animals in question. [Photo credits: cheval, Flicker user noodlepie; sashimi, Flickr user rc!] Del Mar Turf Club: your chance for access by McLean Robbins on Jun 13, 2011 Horse racing’s annual Triple Crown may have concluded without a new winner yet again, but that doesn’t mean that racing season has ended. Starting in mid-July, the luxe Park Hyatt Aviara resort is offering an exclusive partnership with the historic Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, a member’s only establishment that’s typically only been accessible to a select few. Frequented by celebrities of both yore (think Bing Crosby and Ava Gardner) and today (Gwen Stefani, Owen Wilson), the turf club is opening its gates to guests of Park Hyatt Aviara Resort as part of a new overnight package offering. The tony Turf Club is a genteel place from which to view some of Southern California’s best races. The Club includes amenities like private betting windows, food, and a bar. Be advised a dress code is strictly enforced, including suits or daytime dresses for ladies a mandatory suit or sport jacket for gentlemen. Collared shirts are required, and short sleeved shirts are permitted only if the shirt is buttoned to the top button. The Triple Crown races to Baltimore: Preakness 101 by McLean Robbins on May 17, 2011 Saturday, the second “jewel” of the Triple Crown races in to Baltimore with the Preakness Stakes at the historic Pimlico race track. Decidedly more casual than the Kentucky Derby, Preakness is best known for its raucous infield revelers and fun-laid back atmosphere. Planning a trip to see Animal Kingdom compete for his next win, or simply looking for a reason to spend the weekend in Baltimore? We’ve got some ideas. Of course, our friends over at AOL Travel have an extensive city guide as well.Planning to attend the race? Here’s the 101: Grandstand attendees still dress up, but don’t bother with the over-the-top hats of the Kentucky Derby. A pretty sundress and hat will do just fine. Dress for comfort in the infield, where traditions generally have included too much drinking, and yes, port-a-potty races. Legal crackdowns have seen significantly mellower crowds in years past, and this year’s race is no exception. Preakness InfieldFest 2011 ($50) will include performances by Bruno Mars, Train and Hotspur on the main stage and the Beer Garden Jägermeister Stage will also feature concerts by Mr Greengenes, Phil Vassar and Puddle of Mudd. Unlimited beer will run you $70 with a wristband, although you can BYO food. No beverages are permitted inside the gates. Want to skip the race but still see the track? Try a sunrise tour of “Old Hilltop” at Pimlico. The 20 minute tours run from 6 AM – 9 AM Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Preakness week. After enjoying sunrise on the Grandstand Apron, you will get an insider’s perspective on racing during an escorted tour of the Preakness Stakes Barn. You will have an opportunity to shop for Preakness Souvenirs, stop by the Pimlico Museum and maybe even peek into the jockey’s quarters, then head back outside to watch the horses go through their morning workouts. Reservations are not taken, tours are on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, email Diana Harbaugh. While you’re in Charm City … be sure to visit: We know, you’ve seen The Wire and are terrified to visit the drug war-ravaged city that is Baltimore. Don’t be. This scenic and historic town is full of vibrant attractions and great restaurants. Check out the Babe Ruth Museum before catching a baseball game at Orioles Park. Love sea creatures? The Baltimore Aquarium is one of the East Coast’s finest, as is the Walters Art Museum. Afterwards, stroll the Inner Harbor, while a bit touristy, is packed with old sailing ships, restaurants, and shops. Foodies will want to dine at the James Beard-nominated Charleston restaurant. Speaking of shopping, drive to the trendy Hampden neighborhood for cute boutiques and fun restaurants, or hit up Fells Point for an evening of bar-hopping. Day trips include scenic Annapolis, home of the U.S. Naval Academy, about a 20-minute drive. Washington, DC is approximately an hour by car. [Flickr via tomsaint] U.S. Airlines Bet on Long Oil Slump After Millions Lost to HedgingSkift Rezidor Hotels Vows To Reopen Radisson Blu in Mali After AttackSkift

旅游

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Hawaii Aviation Airfields & Airports Oahu > HNL 1990s On March 15, 1990 dedication ceremonies were held for the new 16-acre cargo facility on the South Ramp of Honolulu International Airport. The new facility was divided into four lease lots on which tenants could build their own cargo facilities. Fronting the facility is a new aircraft parking apron which can hold four 747 jumbo jet aircraft. United Parcel Service and Federal Express are the two main tenants at the new facility. Also on the South Ramp, construction was proceeding on a firefighter training facility which includes a 1,500-foot burn pit, fuel storage tank, observation and control tower, storage building and a pier and boat house for the crash fire rescue boat. On March 25, 1990, Discovery Air iniated interisland service using BAE 146 aircraft. In April 1990, the Aloha Lounge at Honolulu International Airport opened, giving arriving foreign passengers a comfortable place to relax while waiting to enter Immigration and Customs processing. The lounge, which can hold up to three flights of passengers at a time, offered waiting passengers restrooms, telephones, ample seating, free fruit juice and videos. Work to improve the Flight Information Display System was also underway. The existing hardware and software of the system was being modified and additional monitors and baggage claim boards were being installed. Installation of a non-potable water distribution system to irrigate landscaping through the airport had begun. New Tour Aircraft Operator Permit Rules went into effect in May 1990. All tour aircraft operating out of state airports were required to obtain permits. In applying for the permit, operators were required to submit maps of the routes and frequencies and altitudes that their companies fly. While the state cannot regulate air routes, the Department was working with representatives from the community and the helicopter industry to develop guidelines for tour aircraft operations that would be beneficial to both the aircraft operators and the impacted communities. Realizing the economic benefits of opening new air routes to Japan, the State, led by Governor John Waihee, was successful in having bilateral talks between the U.S. and Japan reconvened in 1988. The HDOT represented the State in the U.S.-Japan Service Case and the U.S. Gateway Proceedings in which Hawaii was recommended for routes involving Japan gateway cities. Final approval of the routes came in October 1990. Each route added more than $300 million to the state’s economy per year. In addition to the Japan routes, efforts have been successful at increasing air service at Honolulu International. Carriers that have increased air service are Malaysia Air with service from Kuala Lumpur; American Airlines with service to Australia; Northwest and American Airlines, with service to Seoul; and Japan Air Systems and All Nippon Airways, with service from Japan. Carriers that have increased their frequency of air service to Honolulu are Japan Air System and Continental, Korean, Hawaiian, Northwest and United Airlines. In FY 1990, Congress passed an amendment to section 511(a)(12) of the U.S. Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982, which allowed the State of Hawaii to spend up to $250 million of duty free revenues to build and improve state highways around state airports. Under the amendment, Hawaii became the first state to be exempted from the federal law requiring all airport revenues to be spent only on airport improvements. The amendment permitted the transfer of duty free revenues to be used on highway projects within 10 miles of a state airport. However, duty free revenues could only be transferred after the revenues generated exceed 150 percent of the projected airport capital and operating costs for a given year. Revenues generated were transferred to a Transportation Use Special Fund, established by Act 309 of the 1989 Legislature and amended by Act 149 of the 1990 Legislature. By June of 1990, $166,919,433 had been transferred to the Transportation Use Special Fund. The Ala Wai Heliport, previously run by the Department, was closed on May 23, 1990 in response to growing public concern over safety and noise from increasing operations at the heliport. By June 1990, a large HNL air cargo complex was planned for Ualena Street Makai and 24 acres of land was acquired. For the first time in 11 years, visitor arrivals decreased in 1991. The Gulf War and poor economic conditions in much of the United States contributed to a decline in the number of passengers for the first part of 1991. Recovery from the slump was helped by an increase in visitors from Asia and the Pacific. Honolulu International Airport handled a total of 22.3 million passengers in FY 1991, a 3.3 percent decrease from the previous year. Foundation and utility work for the new Interisland Terminal Building was completed in October 1990. Under construction was the $136 million Central Building. Lei Stand facilities were relocated south of their old location to make room for the new Interisland Terminal Complex up-ramp to the second-level roadway. Plans were underway to convert the public parking area adjacent to the new lei stands into a garden area, which would include a replica of the fountain that was originally built along the entrance road into the airport in 1962. Phase II of the Interisland Cargo Facility was completed in September 1991. The project included construction of a culvert over the Manuwai Canal, new taxiways, hardstands and fueling system. The next phase, currently in design, will realign Kuntz Avenue, provide utility connections, and additional culverts over the canal. Operations at the Commuter Terminal were relocated to Lobby 2 of the current Interisland Terminal facilities in September 1990. Taxiways serving the Commuter Terminal were removed to allow construction of hardstand and fuel line connections to the new International Terminal Building. While design work continued on the new International Terminal Building, the Department proceeded with interim improvements to the International Arrivals Building to better accommodate passengers during Immigration and Naturalization Service inspections. Installation of movable partitions and modernization of the Ewa Baggage Claim Area allowed for figuration changes in Baggage Claim Area D for domestic and international flights. Other modifications in the International Arrival Building added eight INS booths and loft space by the end of 1991. The Department issued a request for proposals to build an Automated People Mover System at Honolulu International Airport in July 1990. In August 1991, AEG Westinghouse was awarded a $110 million contract for engineering, manufacturing, installation, and testing of the intra-airport rail system that would provide transportation between terminals and gates for airport users. Site preparations on the South Ramp for new and improved T-hangar facilities for the general aviation community began in March 1991. The project also included tie-down areas, aircraft transient parking, vehicle parking, and an air taxi terminal. The new air taxi terminal will have a central ticket lobby, waiting areas, restrooms, and office and meeting rooms for general aviation users. Also on the South Ramp, work was nearly completed on the Fire Fighter Training Facility, which includes a 150-foot burn pit, specifically designed to simulate a plane crash; fuel storage tank; storage building; and a pier and boat house for the crash fire rescue boat. Interior space for the Pacific Aerospace Museum was almost complete. Work included the construction of walls, flooring, a suspended acoustical ceiling, air conditioning, lighting, and electrical outlets. The museum was scheduled to open December 7, 1991. Three glass elevators were installed to provide access to the airline lounge areas in the Garden and above Gate 26. Holding area expansion and restroom improvements to Gates 12/13 and 24/25 were completed in August 1990. Work to improve the Flight Information Display System was completed in December 1990. The system hardware and software were modified and additional monitors and baggage claim boards installed. Work was underway on the second part of the system, which included management services, curbside displays, and new holdroom boards with baggage claim information. The new Airport Security System was installed by the end of 1991. The new access control system is able to identify each person with a badge who enters the Airport Operation Area. Efforts to increase air service at Honolulu International have been successful with the addition of America West Airlines’ new route to Nagoya, Japan; Hawaiian Airlines’ daily service to Fukuoka, Japan; and Japan Air System’s first flights to the U.S. between Honolulu and Tokyo’s Narita Airport. Joint hub operations at Honolulu International began in April 1991, as Canadian Airlines, Qantas and Air New Zealand, started their code-sharing flight operations. Passengers on Canadian Airlines bound for New Zealand, Australia or Fiji transferred to Qantas or Air New Zealand through a sterile transfer lounge in the Ewa Concourse. In return, Qantas and Air New Zealand passengers bound for Vancouver or Toronto transferred to Canadian Airlines. As a result of Governor John Waihee’s initiatives to improve processing for international arrivals at Honolulu International, an innovative program aimed at expediting passenger processing was undertaken. Visitor Information Program staff in the Immigration area direct passengers to queues and check that documents are properly filled out and in the correct order. Gateway receptionists in the International Arrivals Building act as translators for arriving passengers and inspectors. International Passenger Coordinators relieve Immigration and Customs staff from performing non-inspection duties. The number of Immigration inspectors increased from 85 to 93 in FY 91 and the number of inspection stations rose from 24 to 40. In a cooperative program instituted by United Airlines, the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the airport, the Advance Passenger Information System or “blue lane” system was developed. The “blue lane” system involved Immigration computer entries at check-in instead of arrival, and Immigration processing while the aircraft was in the air. Airport-Airline lease negotiations began in April 1991. The current Airport-Airline Lease between the state and the airlines expired July 31, 1992. Revised fees and changes will pay for increased costs for planned airport improvements and operations and maintenance expense. The Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, from January 17, 1991 to February 28, 1991 caused state airports to operate at FAA Security Level Four which restricted access to terminal interiors. America West held its inaugural flight on February 1, 1991. On June 3, 1991, Japan Air System held its inaugural flight to HNL. While many of the nation’s airports continued to suffer declines in passenger traffic in the wake of the Gulf War and the recession, Honolulu International managed to reverse the trend with a slight increase. Nationally and worldwide, Honolulu International Airport remained among the busiest airports in 1991, ranking 10th busiest in the United States, 15th busiest in the world, and fifth busiest in the Pacific Rim region. HNL handled 22,898,205 passengers in FY 92, up 2.6 percent from the previous fiscal year. Work continued on the new Interisland Terminal Complex which was expected to be completed in 1993. Hawaii’s position as the premier international gateway to the United States from the Pacific Rim required a facility that would adequately and expeditiously handle federal inspection processing of international passengers. Plans for a new International Terminal Building capable of handling 4,000 passengers per hour were redesigned and allowed the state to reduce the facility cost by $100 million. The new design for the four-level International Terminal Building included baggage handling areas, utility systems and tenant support facilities on the basement level. Federal Inspection Services facilities, baggage claim, concessions, and tour group facilities on the first level; passenger ticketing facilities, concessions, security screening, waiting lounges, agricultural inspections and tour group facilities on the second level; and connections to the automated people mover system on the third level. Cargo handled through HNL increased slightly from the previous year to 374,367 tons of interisland and overseas cargo in FY 92. Ongoing planning for a future Air Cargo Facility took a major step forward with the acquisition of 23.4 acres of land along Ualena Street where the new facility will be located. The first phase single-story structure will provide air cargo handling facilities for three major carriers. Construction of the Air Cargo Facility is scheduled for mid-1993 with the first phase targeted for completion in early 1994. Also to be housed on Ualena Street will be the maintenance facility of the future Automated People Mover System which was named Kumulani meaning “base of the sky” or “horizon”. When completed in 1996, Kumulani will provide a practical means for getting around HNL, replacing the Wiki Wiki bus. Blue and white was selected for Kumulani’s official colors, and a flag-shaped symbol was chosen for the system’s logo. New general aviation facilities at the South Ramp were completed with the construction of 81 new T-hangars, an aircraft tie down area, and a transient aircraft parking area. Space was also provided for small fixed-based operators, private aircraft hangars and automobile parking. A new Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Station was dedicated on April 24, 1992. The $4.6 million, 13,328 square foot facility included an exercise room, large kitchen facility, training room, and individual bunk rooms. Phase II of the Pacific Aerospace Museum opened on June 3, 1992 with six new interactive computer displays that allow visitors to get a hands on approach to learning about flight and space. Located in the Central Lobby, the Museum showcased a variety of exhibits, including a multi-media theater that features a historical tour of significant Pacific exploration events. Japan Air Charter held its inaugural flight to HNL in July 1991. A dedication ceremony was held for the new Lei Stands on July 31, 1991. A groundbreaking was held on November 6, 1991 for the construction of Gates 31-34, Phase I. Honolulu International continued to be one of the world’s busiest airports, handing 22.2 million people in FY 93. The airport system experienced a substantial drop in revenues due to the reduced amount of the Duty Free concession contract. The revenue generated from the Duty Free contract declined from approximately $300 million in the final year of the old contract to $100 million in the first year of the new contract. The reduction, coupled with the current economic difficulties being experienced by the airlines, led to the deferment of the new International Terminal Building, People Mover and other construction projects. Work began on the new Airport Training Center Building on the South Ramp. When completed in 1994, the project will provide work shops and classrooms for staff and up to 150 Honolulu Community College students studying aviation related fields. Hurricane Iniki hit Kauai on September 11, 1992 with winds of more than 100 miles an hour and gusting to 160 m.p.h. The hurricane affected all State airports for two days as aircraft were stored at Hilo Airport. Five million dollars of damage was done to Lihue Airport and regular interisland flights to Lihue were discontinued for two weeks while National Guard and State emergency units attempted to restore power. C-5 Aircraft unloaded telephone poles on taxiways. Seven thousand people were evacuated from the island within two days after the storm and 1,000 more on the third day. The tremendous damage on Kauai affected the tourist industry on that island for many years. Flights from Honolulu to Kauai were affected during the recovery period. On November 21, 1992, Lufthansa flew an Airbus 340 direct from Frankfurt to Honolulu in 15 hours as a demonstration of a direct tourist connection to Europe. The Aviation Education Resource Center was dedicated on January 11, 1993. The HDOT Airports Division moved its offices from above Gates 29-31 to the seventh level of the new Interisland Terminal Building in February 1993. Honolulu International was the 15th busiest airport in the United States in FY 94, handling 22.4 million passengers. Asiana Airlines inaugurated service from Korea to Honolulu.\ on July 20, 1993. On July 21, 1993, the Interisland Terminal opened its doors for business. The opening of the $137 million complex culminated more than 10 years of planning and construction. The largest airport project ever undertaken by the airport, the Interisland Terminal was a seven-floor, 600,000 square foot structure with parking for 1,726 vehicles, a station for the intra-airport transportation system, ticket lobbies, concessions, passenger waiting areas, baggage claim and offices for the State Airports Division. Gates 31 to 34 in the Ewa Concourse were dedicated on January 21, 1994. The project provided four passenger holdrooms and three gates able to handle widebody aircraft. The State completed two projects on Hickam Air Force Base in compensation for land acquired from the Air Force. Housing facilities were dedicated on January 14, 1994, and similar ceremonies were held on April 8, 1994 for a dormitory building. Work continued on a new Airport Training Center on Lagoon Drive on the South Ramp. When completed in March 1995, this project will replace the existing buildings located makai of the Interisland Maintenance Base. The new training center will provide up-to-date workshops and classrooms operated by Honolulu Community College for students studying aviation-related courses and for airport employees. In FY 94, 25 percent of the aircraft operations at HNL involved general aviation aircraft of less than 12,500 pounds gross weight. The state continued to seek a general aviation reliever airport which would substantially reduce current and future air traffic congestion and delays while enhancing safety at HNL. Past attempts to acquire or build a general aviation reliever airport failed. However, with the downsizing of the U.S. military, Barbers Point Naval Air Station was scheduled to close in 1997. The airport is working with the federal government and the State-County Reuse Committee on acquiring a portion of BPNAS for use as a general aviation reliever airport. Trans Executive Airlines (Trans Air) began commuter service from Honolulu to Waimea-Kohala Airport with Cessna 402 aircraft in 1993 as did Caledonian Airways. Their charter flights from London to Vancouver to Honolulu with DC-10 aircraft were short-lived. The Hawaii Government Employees Association went on strike on April 18, 1994 for about a week. All State airports were kept operational during the strike. A dedication ceremony was held on April 8, 1994 for the new dormitory building at Hickam Air Force Base, which was built as compensation for land acquired from the Air Force. On April 21, 1994 a dedication ceremony was held for Gates 31 to 34 in the Ewa Concourse. Four passenger holdrooms and three gates able to handle wide body aircraft were added. Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays initiated air service on May 8, 1994 to Honolulu, Kahului and Keahole-Kona. Honolulu International was the 18th busiest airport in the United States, handling 23.2 million passengers in FY 95, an increase of 1.6 percent. Plans were being developed in 1994 for the renovation of the International Arrivals Building. The existing facility was more than 20 years old and not designed to handle the passenger traffic resulting from the larger aircraft now in use. The renovation will increase the available floor space, install faster baggage handling equipment and make modifications to process passengers more quickly and efficiently. The new Airport Training Center Building on the South Ramp was dedicated on May 18, 1995. This facility replaced the old facility on the Ewa side of the airport with up-to-date workshops and classrooms for Honolulu Community College students in aviation related fields. Work began on the Makai Pier Extension to the Interisland Terminal on September 19, 1994. When completed, the project will add five additional gates and loading bridges to the Interisland Terminal. It will also provide a connecting link with a 240-foot moving walkway between the Interisland and Overseas Terminals. On May 15, 1995 work began on the International Terminal Building Complex Site Improvements, Parking and Landscaping project. This project provided an employee parking lot near the planned location of the International Terminal Complex. When completed, the project will save the State $2 million per year that is currently paid for busing airport employees to and from the Lagoon Drive parking lots. The State began working with the Barbers Point Naval Air Station Redevelopment Commission in 1995 on acquiring a portion of Barbers Point Naval Air Station for use as a general aviation reliever airport. With the planned closure of BPNAS in 1998, an opportunity existed for acquiring a reliever airport at little or no cost to the State. In FY 95 more than 22 percent of the aircraft operations at Honolulu International Airport involved general aviation aircraft (aircraft with less than 12,500 pounds gross weight). A general aviation reliever airport would substantially reduce current and future air traffic congestion and delays, while enhancing safety at HNL. Having BPNAS as a general reliever airport would also benefit the airlines by having it available as an alternate landing site; a requirement of the FAA. Without BPNAS, overseas flights have to designate either Kahului or Keahole Kona International Airport as an alternate and carry sufficient fuel to reach them. Having BPNAS as an alternate would save the airlines $2 million per year on fuel cost alone. By 1996, the State was working with the Barbers Point Naval Air Station Redevelopment Commission to acquire 725 acres at Barbers Point Naval Air Station for use as Kalaeloa General Aviation Reliever Airport. Acquisition of Barbers Point will make Honolulu International Airport safer and extend its capacity well into the future without additional runway construction; provide for general aviation training and compensation for the loss of Ford Island in 1999; satisfy the airlines need for an alternate landing area which will save them fuel; and provide a sturdy disaster relief base. Nationally, Honolulu was the 17th busiest airport in the United States in 1995, with 24.5 million passengers. The Makai Pier extension to the Interisland Terminal was opened on October 20, 1995. This project added five additional gates and loading bridges to the Interisland Terminal. It also provided a connecting link at second and third level roadways with a 240-foot moving walkway between the Interisland and Overseas Terminals. Work on the International Terminal Building Complex Site Improvements, Parking and Landscaping project was completed in August 1996. This project provided an employee parking lot near the planned location of the International Terminal Complex. Honolulu International Airport was the 19th busiest airport in the United States and 30th in the world in Calendar Year 1996. Three major systems projects, emergency power for both the airfield and terminal and an update of the fire alarm system were started in FY 97. Work began on the relocation of the employee parking lot at Elliott Street. The parking lot was relocated because it is the future site of the new Federal Detention Center. Negotiations continued in 1996 with the Barbers Point Redevelopment Commission to acquire 750 acres at Barbers Point Naval Air Station for use as Kalaeloa General Aviation Reliever Airport when the Naval Station closes in 1999. The Coast Guard and Army National Guard will also be accommodated at Kalaeloa Airport and in the event of a natural disaster Kalaeloa Airport will be used as a staging area for disaster relief. In January 1997, Island Air ceased DH-8 operations into Princeville Airport on Kauai. Earlier they had operated with DH-6 aircraft twice daily from Honolulu. Mahalo Airlines added 20 daily flights between Honolulu and Kahului in 1997 by adding another aircraft. On September 2, 1997, Mahalo went out of business. On September 1, 1997, the State waived all airline landing fees for two years to encourage tourism which was in a downturn. Continental Airlines moved its DC-10 pilot base from Los Angeles to Honolulu in 1997 to create a mini-hub for growth in the Asia-Pacific market. They also added Houston to Honolulu service. Aloha Airlines began once a week service to Christmas Island in 1997. Modifications to the International Arrivals Building at Honolulu International Airport were completed in 1997. This provided exterior improvements for passenger comfort. Work included repairing and renovating the existing ground level Tour Group Baggage Loading Area and the existing second floor Tour Group Assembly Area, and construction a new glass roof over the Mall Tour Group Bus Waiting Area. The interior is under renovation in a second project which started in August 1998. In addition, a Hawaii Sense of Place was created through the use of landscaping and interior décor featuring Hawaiian patterns, natural materials, art work and music. A planning study for cargo marshaling facilities was in progress in 1997. The study will be completed by mid-1999 and is looking at existing cargo operations in order to determine facility and site requirements needed for agricultural and perishable goods. In Calendar Year 1997, Honolulu International was the 18th busiest airport in the United States and 33rd in the world. Construction was completed on 11 new aircraft hardstands. This project provided strengthened and more durable aircraft parking at the Interisland Terminal area. Two major private projects were constructed. The 85,000-square-foot Continental Airlines Heavy Maintenance Facility was dedicated on July 3, 1998. It allows maintenance of large aircraft locally in lieu of sending them to the mainland. The hangar cost $26.3 million and was financed with airport revenue bonds backed by the State. The facility can handle B747 aircraft. United Airline’s new state of the art cargo facility was completed in August 1998. It will provide more than 65,000 square feet of cargo space worth $7.8 million. This project was also financed by State Airport Revenue Bonds. This project required site work by the Airports Division worth $1.4 million which demolished existing buildings and utility lines. Harlequin Air, a subsidiary of Japan Air Service started charter operations to Honolulu in 1998. Also in 1998, Hawaiian Airlines added a flight to Pago Pago, American Samoa, several times a week. All Nippon Airways began flying twice weekly between Tokyo and Honolulu in 1998. In 1998, Aloha Airlines reduced its daily interisland schedule by 10 flights to 168 daily trips. The Hawaii International Air Cargo Symposium, September 15 and 16, 1998, examined opportunities associated with air cargo transportation in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific Region. It also offered presentations and interactive discussions on the issues and conditions that affect Hawaii’s air cargo industry. Representatives from Hawaii-based producers, suppliers and freight forwarders, along with airline and government officials and other representatives involved in cargo and commodities transportation to and from the islands also participated in the forum. Participants contributed their insights and ideas relating to air cargo activities and examined the conditions, opportunities and challenges facing the development of the Hawaii Air Cargo Market. Input at the symposium provided information to augment future facilities planning, assist in seeking changes for the enhancement of air cargo distribution, processing and handling and help forge collaborative development of air cargo and air cargo derived business opportunities in the Hawaii market by all segments of the industry. Work is ongoing on the modifications to the interior of the International Arrivals Building. This project provides improvements to the baggage claim area, rest rooms, air conditioning, lighting, and provides a Hawaiian Sense of Place to the facility. The theme developed by the Hawaii Airports Cultural Advisory Committee for Honolulu International Airport is ancient Polynesian voyaging. Construction is ongoing throughout the concourse areas. Improvements include tiles with a wave motif, kapa pattern highlights on the walls, planter boxes and two stairway skylights to the Central Lobby Gardens. In calendar year 1998, Honolulu was the 23rd busiest airport in the United States, and 36th in the world. Two airport projects not funded by the State were started or completed The FAA initiated construction of a $22 million Honolulu Center Radar Approach Control Facility (CERAP) which would allow the Center Radar Approach equipment and personnel to be moved from Diamond Head Crater to the Honolulu Air Traffic Control Tower adjacent to the Hickam Golf Course.The United State Department of Justice (DOJ) started construction of a $50 million Federal Detention Center on four acres of land adjacent to the Interisland Maintenance area. This project was constructed on former airport land that was purchased by DOJ. Aloha Airlines initiated electronic ticketing for interisland travelers in February 1999. Kitty Hawk Cargo, Inc. opurchased the American International Cargo facilities t HNL in 1999. An Air France Concorde aircraft landed at Kona Airport on an around the world flight and later landed at HNL on a second trans-world flight. Philippine Airlines resumed flights to HNL after a one-year suspension due to a strike in 1999. Nineteen ninety-nine was the year of concern for Y2K, the worry over whether embedded computer chips would recognize the year 2000 or would just shut everything down. A considerable consultant effort was expended to check and replace computer microchips where necessary but year 2000 came without any loss of operational capability. The State acquired 757 acres of surplus land at Barbers Point Naval Air Station as Kalaeloa Airport on July 1, 1999. Kalaeloa will be used by general aviation aircraft to practice pilot training, formerly done at Ford Island and Honolulu International, with up to 13,000 operations per month. It will continue to serve as an alternate airport for the many commercial air carriers serving Hawaii. In addition, the new airport will support disaster relief and civil defense operations. On July 1, 1999, operations at Ford Island shut down in tandem with the opening of Kalaeloa for general aviation. In Calendar Year 1999, Honolulu International was the 21st busiest airport in the United States and 36th in the world. For more information on the history of Honolulu International Airport, click on one of the decades below. Aviation Photos Chronology/Events Aviation Pioneers Oahu John Rodgers Airport Honolulu Airport Managers Honolulu International Airport Air Traffic Statistics Ala Moana Airport Ala Wai Heliport Barber's Point Bellows Field Dillingham Field Ford Island/Luke Field Haleiwa Field Hickam Field/Air Force Base Kalaeloa Airport Kaneohe Naval Air Station Kipapa Field Naval Air Station 29 (Honolulu) Naval Air Station 128 (Pearl Harbor/Ford Island) Wheeler Field Lanai Maui Seaplane Anchorages French Frigate Shoals Ceded Lands State Airport System Aeronautic Laws Pioneer Airlines Major Air Incidents State of Hawaii - All rights reserved. Hawaii Aviation is brought to you courtesy of the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation, Airports Division.

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Andino : Bogotá Get around By taxi By Transmilenio By colectivo See La Candelaria Do Downtown Day Tour Performances and Festivals Buy Malls Camping and outdoors equipment Eat Centro Usaquen Zona G Zona T and Zona Rosa Sleep Hostels Cope Embassies News outlets Bogotá is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings — have a look at each of them. Bogotá is the capital city of Colombia. Bogota cityscape With a population of about 8.8 million people, Bogota sits approximately 8,660 feet (2640 m) above sea level in the Colombian Andes region. Orientation is relatively easy, as the mountains to the east are generally visible from most parts of the city. To understand the sheer size of the city, consider that Mexico City and New York City are the only North American cities larger than Bogotá. In fact, in 2008 the World Cities Study Group and Network (GaWC) from the United Kingdom ranked Bogotá as a world city comparable to San Francisco, Washington DC, Dubai, Buenos Aires or Berlin, grouped by their economical, political and cultural developments. What this means for the traveler is a world class urban destination. Bogotá is a city of contrasts, and as such it offers a unique experience to its visitors. Prepare to find a hectic balance between the new and the old; the peaceful and the frantic. Encounter century-old plazas and churches shadowed by towering skycrapers. Find peaceful treelined bicycle routes cut through by wild-traffic avenues. Bogota is a city with many layers. From internationally recognized universities to regional offices for multinational companies, Bogota is Colombia's capital for official business dealings. It is a city that caters to a population that has been exposed to European and North American influences, which ensures that anything from traditional dishes (Ajiaco) to sushi or fast food restaurants can be found. It's one of the most modern and metropolitan cities of South, Central America and the world. Bogota is divided by 4 sections: The South which is mainly the poorer section of the city; El Centro, which translates "Center", is the city's original Downtown and hosts most of its traditional heritage locations, city and public offices, and financial headquarters. El Occidente, which is home to Bogota's major sporting venues and outdoor parks, as well as residence areas for main middle and some upper class living; and The North which is where most modern development has taken place, and combines many upscale living spaces with affluent shopping centers, boutiques, cafes, nightclubs, and many new business neighborhoods offering headquarters to many multinational corporations. During the last decades, due to the city's exponential growth, some of neighboring towns have been absorbed and are now considered within the metropolitan area of Greater Bogotá, like Suba, Soacha and Fontibón. Centro Internacional is located between downtown, La Macarena and Chapinero The city of Bogotá is divided into 20 distinct localities, or Districts, and every visit to this city should include touring at least three or four of them, depending on the purpose and extent of one's travel. The must-see Districts are: La Candelaria: The colonial district is officialy the first neighborhood of Bogotá . Colombia's capital city was founded here in 1538 by Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada y Rivera in a spot known today as El Chorro de Quevedo. The next year, authorities re-founded the city a few blocks away at what is now known as the Plaza de Bolívar. Bogotá then grew up around the neighborhood. Because the city expanded west and north, La Candelaria retained much of its colonial atmosphere. The neighborhood is full of cobblestone streets and centuries-old houses. It is now a tourist attraction and university district, as well as the site of Colombia's government. Here you'll find most of the public buildings, both from the City and the Country's government. Historical squares, 400 year old churches, picturesque narrow streets are all here, mixing along modern development of financial business hightowers and you can find Travel operators who offer City tour in Bogotá and La Candelaria one of them is [1]Bogotravel Tours] they offer City tours and Bike tours to enjoy La Candelaria. Chapinero : North of La Candelaria, it comprises the new downtown areas of the city, combining office space, residential areas and hundreds of alternatives for shopping, dining and sightseeing. In a city famous for its wild traffic, you'll really enjoy the walks that can be had around El Nogal, La Cabrera and Chicó Reservado. Begin at Carrera 7a around streets 79 or 80, and zig-zag your way down and north until you find the Parque 93. Along the way, you will find tree-lined narrow streets, personality-ridden shops and boutiques, and eccentric dining alternatives. Don't hesitate in stopping for a world famous coffee in any location, and zip your way through all the bars and clubs surrounding the Zona Rosa. Make it through to the beautiful green park of Virrey and walk down its creek for a breath of fresh air. By the time you reach the 93 you'll be glad to take the opportunity to sit down, rest, and people-watch in one of its many terraces. Between the Calle 65 and Calle 45 you can find Chapinero Alto, one of the most "alternative" neighborhoods in the city. Named as well as "Chapigay" or "Gay Hills", this part of the city is inhabitated by the larger part of the LGBTI population of Bogotá, and it's considered one of the most gay/lesbian tolerant zones of the metropolis. Between Calle 65 and Calle 74 and Carrera 7 and Carrera 3 you can find the Zona G (G for Gourmet) where you can find the most prestigious restaurants of the city covering a large range of cuisines. El Salitre makes for a unique sightseeing experience with its ample offerings in public venues for Sports and Outdoor activities. Here sports fans will find the Football (Soccer) Stadium, the Olympic Water Complex (biggest and most modern of South America), and the city's league venues for all sorts of disciplines like tennis, track and field, basketball, volleyball and bowling all within walking distance of each other. Outdoor fans will find the city's biggest Public Park (Simón Bolívar), home to the most crowded open-air concerts and festivals year-round, and favorite destination for all sorts of activities such as jogging, biking, kite-flying, pedal-boating, etc. Culture fans will be at home with the district's offerings of Museums, including a Botanical Garden displaying the most amazing floral showcase of the continent. The district also contains Ciudad Salitre, the best planned residential zone of the city where upper middle class and some of the upper class of the city has its residency; this part of the city offers a very good mix of services, residence and infrastructure. La Macarena : A bohemian neighborhood around the bullfight ring full of artsy cafes, art galleries and great restaurants. Parque de la 93: A trendy section of Bogotá with nightclubs and cafes frequently visited by Bogota's "jet set". San Victorino : Located in the center of the city just in front of TransMilenio's station, Av. Jimenez. There you will find a plaza surrounded by all kinds of cheap stores selling different types of goods, from clothes to food and pets. If you do go, do not neglect your personal objects. Usaquén : The northernmost district, home to many sightseeing locations, modern business squares, and traditional architecture examples. The main square is the meeting point of the area where you can find pretty nice restaurants and bars. But walk around and find more great places to eat and drink. It serves as a hub to connect with outer destinations north from the city, which include many attractions within nearby towns. Other districts include: Bosa, Engativá, Fontibón, Kennedy, Los Mártires, Puente Aranda, Rafael Uribe Uribe, Suba, Sumapaz, Barrios Unidos and Tunjuelito. The city is served by El Dorado International Airport (IATA: BOG) (ICAO: SKBO) (~20 minutes from downtown in a taxi), that receives several flights daily from New York City, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Paris, São Paulo, Madrid, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Mexico City, San José (Costa Rica), Lima, Buenos Aires, Panamá City, Quito, Guayaquil, Oranjestad (Aruba), Willemstad (Curaçao) and Toronto among others. Tourists can also take advantage of the convenient connections and direct flights from Los Angeles, Washington, Santo Domingo, San Juan, Punta Cana, Valencia (Venezuela), Havana, Montego Bay, London, Frankfurt and Orlando. Many international airlines such as JetBlue, United, Delta, Iberia, Air France, Lufthansa, Air Canada, American Airlines, LAN, Mexicana, Gol, Copa, Avianca, Aero República, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Spirit, TACA, and AeroGal among others. Domestic flights are served by many airlines including Avianca (main Colombian airline), Aero República (a Continental-owned domestic airline), LAN Colombia, EasyFly and VivaColombia (the low-cost, Ryanair-like airline). Domestic flights of Avianca are served from the Puente Aereo terminal, next to El Dorado terminal, and features WiFi access to the Internet from almost every location. There are more than 20 daily flights to the 2 airports located in Medellín, over 15 daily flights to Cali and more than 10 to Cartagena. Taxis are regulated, reasonably priced and safe from the airport. El Dorado Airport is undergoing a complete makeover, which will end in 2012 and will make it bigger and more comfortable. El Dorado is also the third busiest airport in Latin America and the largest by cargo movement. To get out from the airport into the city there are a couple of options: Regulated taxis. You first have to search for a stand where you will have to point out your destination and then they will print out a ticket indicating the price you will have pay. Then, pick up a taxi from the line and explain to the driver your destination. At the end of the journey you will have to pay ONLY what is printed out in the ticket. The typical price will range from 15.000 up to 25.000 COP. Bus. Walking only some meters outside the main door entrance, you will find a "paradero" (bus stop) with frecuent busetas passing by. Although this is by far the cheapest option (around 1.500 COP), it can be daring if you don't know the city already, since the bus only indicates the main places where it passes by. However, bus drivers are friendly and quite helpful, and you can ask them to indicate you when the bus is passing a certain point of the city. A good option is to ask him to drop you close by a Transmilenio station and then continue your trip from there. If you're heading to La Candelaria, take the bus marked "Germania" which passes through the district typically heading up Carerra 3. Transmilenio. In 2012, Bogotá's bus rapid transit (BRT) system expanded to El Dorado avenue, so it is now possible to use the system to get into and out of the airport. You can only use the system if you have small luggage - you might not be allowed into the stations if you are carrying big suitcases. To get out, find the "Alimentador" (feeder) stops in front of the main terminal or the Puente Aéreo (if you travel with Avianca) - it is a green bus with "Transmilenio" on the side. This bus will bring you for free to the main "Portal El Dorado" station. Buy the Tullave card before entering the station, and take the bus you need. People with Transmilenio or blue SITP jackets are ready to help (although most of them do not speak English - bring your phrasebook). The safety of bus travel in Colombia has greatly improved in recent years. However, foreigners should be cautious not to travel to areas of unrest and travel only during the day. Do not carry large amounts of cash with you as robberies are known to occur along some routes. Service in the 'upscale' buses is very good and they are very comfortable. Pick the most expensive service (just a couple of dollars extra) as these buses tend to be newer and better mechanical condition. Bogotá is also building 2 new terminals, one located far south and one on the north corner to serve buses going on those directions. Currently, buses run in and out of Bogota's main station, El Terminal de Transporte de Bogota [2]. The station is clean and has standard amenities. Located at Calle 22 B, No 69-59, multiple bus companies have regular routes to destinations around the country. To get there from the airport, you can take a short taxi ride. Take into consideration that most of the restaurants serving within the terminal can be expensive by Colombian standards, but well served. In case of need, it may be advisable to order a dish for 2 people or just to check places around the station. The Terminal is divided in several color-coded areas that indicate the destinations to which comapanies in that area travel to : Yellow = South, Blue = East and West, Red = North and International, Purple = Arrivals. Search Engine by Destination [3] Destino=Destination Empresa=Bus Company. Simply enter destination and a list of companies serving that route will return along with average prices. Some common bus companies in Colombia that are found in this Terminal are : Expreso Bolivariano [4] : This company has one of the most extensive networks. Some international destinations as well. Coomotor [5] : Mostly destinations in Southern Colombia. The city of Bogota is built on a grid system. A rather imperfect one, actually. Chaotic urban sprawl in the second half of the twentieth century, mostly driven by violence in the countryside and the immigration that ensued, made the city develop without any effective longterm urban planning (or, in some cases, just plain bad urban planning). This has resulted in a lot of irregular blocks, twisting streets, and diagonals cutting across what is supposed to be a perfect grid. Therefore, the apparently straightforward street address system has historically been more of a guideline as to where things are than a precise way to get to places. A recent update of the street addresses in much of the city was directed towards solving some glaring inconsistencies in getting around. Most places that tourists visit are easy to find nowadays, but you have been warned. Carreras (streets) are abbreviated as Cr., Kra., and Cra. and run parallel to the mountains from South to North. Carrera numbers increase from East to West, away from the mountains - so Carrera 7 is near the mountains and Carrera 100 is far from them - except for a very few carreras near the mountains that increase in reverse order and that have names like "Carrera 1 E" ('E' standing for East). Calles (also streets) cross the carreras and run from East to West. Calles are abbreviated as Cll. and Cl. For half of the city (the northern half tourists are most likely to visit) calle numbers increase from South to North - so Calle 13 is near the center of the city, whereas Calle 200 is one the last streets before exiting Bogota on the northern side. Calles in the southern half work similarly to 'East' carreras near the mountains: the southern calle numbers increase from North to South, mirroring streets in the northern half. These are called things like "Calle 85 S" ('S' standing for South). Aside from calles and carreras, there are 'diagonales' and 'transversales'. As their names suggest, they are not perfectly parrallel to calles and carreras. However, the same numbering system applies to them. Diagonales are supposed to be deviations from calles, whereas transversales are supposed to be deviations from carreras. So, for example, Diagonal 107 runs sort of East-West and is somewhere around Calle 106 or 108. Avenidas, abbreviated as Av. or Avda., are usually larger, main streets. Geographically speaking, most avenidas somehow fit into one the four categories mentioned above, although some avenidas twist around. They usually have a classification and number as described above, but they also have a distinct name, like "Avenida Suba", "Avenida Boyacá" and whatnot. So, for example, Avenida Jiménez is a main street and, in the number system, is also called Calle 13. Each address consists of a street and a series of numbers. For example, Cl. 45 24-15 (sometimes written as Cl. 45 # 24-15 or Cl. 45 No. 24-15), means (1) the location is on Calle 45, (2) of the two insecting carreras nearby, the one with the lower number is Carrera 24 (since in this case we are talking about carreras, it means the nearest carrera to the East of the location; if we were talking about calles, it would be the nearest calle to the South of the location), and (3) the location is roughly 15 meters from the interesection of Calle 45 and Carrera 24. Furthermore, since the last number, 15, is odd, the location is on the North side of Calle 24 (if the location were on a carrera, it would be on the East side of it). Even numbers at the end have the opposite meaning. Taxi cabs are ubiquitous and affordable yet if travelling to the heart of the city, can be very slow due to the infamous Bogota traffic. It is very dangerous to flag them on the street - you might be a victim of Bogota's infamous "Paseo Millonario" (Millionaire Ride), in which the cab driver picks up his accomplices along the way and together they take your valuables, including money from your credit/debit cards. They can also be reached by phone, which is highly recommended for security reasons, at 599-9999, 311-1111 or 411-1111. If calling for a taxi, the driver will want to confirm that it is you who called by asking for a "clave" (key), which is always the last two digits of the phone from which you called to request the taxi. Each taxi has a meter which should increment one tick every 1/10 kilometer or 30 seconds and starts at 25 ticks. The rate chart is printed on a card in the taxi. Nearly all taxi drivers will try to take advantage of you in one way or another; be sure the taxi meter is started when you begin your trip. Tipping is never necessary - be sure to count your change and be on the lookout for both counterfeit coins and notes. There are surcharges for the airport, holidays, and nights (after 8PM). Surcharge details are printed on the fare card. Surcharge for ordering a taxi arriving at your house is currently 600 pesos, surcharge after 8PM is 1.600 pesos, even if you are starting your trip before that time. Holidays and Sundays are also surcharged 1.600 pesos. Lock the doors of the taxi, especially after dark. If you experience a problem in a taxi or with the driver, dial 123 to report a complaint with the police. You should also call the company with which the taxi is registered. As of 2012, "Paseo millonario" is a very common crime in Bogota. If you can, avoid taking taxis at all. Bogota's new rapid bus service is extremely affordable, clean and efficient. It carries commuters to numerous corners of the city in exclusive lanes, bypassing the notorious city traffic; however, there are some main routes that are not yet reached by Transmilenio. Tickets cost $1.700 COP (rush hour) or $1.400 (off-peak and Sundays). The vehicles used in that systems are articulated buses; they are fast and safe, but could be full during the afternoon times. The system also uses different kinds of stations: the simples offers bus services at the right and left sides (north-south;east-west) and the intermediates are usually located in middle points and have complete services, such as elevators, station libraries, bikes parks, restrooms. Alimentadores services (buses that reach zones the articulated buses do not) and the portals, the 7 arrival and departure places of the buses, are located near the entrances to the city. Service ends averagely at 10 or 11PM. Additionally, intercity buses from the metropolitan area also arrive at these stations. Privately owned buses cruise all the main thorough fares and many side streets, and are the principal form of transport for the working class and student class. Though they do follow specific routes, they do not have bus "stops"; you merely call to them like taxis and they will stop for you where you are standing. Placards in the large front windows list destinations, either neighborhoods or main street names. Upon entering you will be asked for the fare; if you are not traveling alone you may be asked "Para ambos?", for example, meaning "For both?", to see if you are paying for just yourself or for your companion. Then you pass through a turnstile to the seating areas. The buses come in three sizes, usually, long (like a school bus), medium and small (called busetas). All have turnstiles. To exit these buses, you go to the back door and either push a button located usually on one of the hand rails or next to the exit, or simply call out "Aqui, por favor!" or "Pare!" (Stop!). Passengers are often expected to embark and disembark even from the middle of the street. Sometimes vendors are allowed to enter the buses to sell candy or small gift items (occasionally donating one to the driver for the privilege). Or, you may find entertainers such as singers or guitar players, and even the more creative of the street beggars who will regale you with a long, poetic story of their sad situation before asking for donations. Even in the smallest buses, cramped full of people standing and sitting, it is a common sight. Interestingly, a recent Grammy-nominated singer named Ilona got her start performing on buses around Bogota. The cost for riding on a private bus normally costs 1450 COP during the day and 1500 COP during the night. Colectivos cover practically every major route of the city, and can generally be flagged down at any point on a main road. Watch these small buses for lists of destinations displayed on their windshields, or ask the driver (in Spanish) if he passes the neighborhood or intersection you are going to. Not very comfortable, but they are faster than a common bus and it's also used as a shuttle for routes that don't have so much affluence, it can take you almost anywhere. Bogotá has Latin America's largest network of bicycle routes, called 'Ciclorutas.' On Sunday's and public holidays, many main and secondary roads are closed to cars for the Ciclovia from 7AM to 2PM, a special feature of Bogotá, where people can run, bicycle, inline skate or just watch from the side. There are refreshment stands along the way and most parks host some type of event such as yoga, dancing, stretching, spinning, etc. To get a bicycle you can rent a bike or going for a guided Bike tour on Bogota's Ciclorutas or participating in the Ciclovia are fun and healthy ways to get to know the city, and to get closer to the people. One of the travel operators to get a Bike is [6]Bogotravel tours who offer many kind of bicycles and tours it is located in La Candelaria, Bogotá Address: Calle 16 No 2-52. Bogota Street in the old downtown part of La Candelaria La Candelaria View of La Candelaria, with central Bogotá in the background Home of author Jose Vargas Vila Many landmark events in the history of Colombian and South American independence took place in the La Candelaria, district including the near killing and escape of Simon Bolivar, the execution of revolutionary heroine Policarpa Salavarrieta, known as 'La Pola,' and the Grito de Libertad, known as the beginning of the region's revolution. And the district is indeed teeming with history, and there are a lot of interesting museums and old churches in what is the oldest Bogotá neighborhood. Some streets are reserved to pedestrians. The most important places are La Catedral, Plaza de Bolivar, Palacio de Nariño, Iglesia del Carmen, Biblioteca Luis A Arango (blaa), the Colonial Art Museum and the old architecture of the houses and buildings, almost all of the museums charge no admission. La Candelaria also contains numerous Catholic Churches, many of them centuries-old. The Colombian-American and Colombian-French cultural centers are located in La Candelaria, and a Colombian-Spanish cultural center is under construction. Casa de Moneda, Calle 11 No. 4-21 (Next to Museo Botero), ☎ 343-1223. M-F : 10AM to 8PM , Tu : closed / Sa : 10AM to 7PM / Su : 10AM to 4PM. Has a collection of Colombian coins and the history of moneymaking. Free entrance. Cultural Heritage Museum. Donación Botero, Calle 11 No. 4-41, ☎ ''+57 1'' 343-1331, [7]. W-F 10AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-7PM and Su 10AM-4PM. Collection of paintings donated by Botero to Bogota. Besides work of Botero the collection contains work from Picasso, Renoir, Monet, Dali and others. Free entrance. Gold Museum (El Museo del Oro), Calle 16 No. 5-41 (On one side of the Parque Santander), ☎ ''+57 1'' 284-7450 (fax: ''+57 1'' 343-2222), [8]. Tu-Sa : 9 to 6 / Su : 10 to 4. Impressive collection of gold and pre-Colombian artifacts from Colombia and surrounding nations. Don't miss this museum. The Gold Museum is unique and you won't find a better place to see the pre-Spanish artwork on gold. La Casa del Florero was the site of an 1810 protest by Colombians considered to be the initiation of the revolt against Spain. The Botero Museum contains both works by Fernando Botero, Colombia's most famous artist, and the contents of his private collection, including works by Picasso, Renoir, Dali and others. The museum was under renovation, up until October 2008 and as of then its open to the public once more so don't miss it out. 2,800 COP. Banco de la Republica Art Collection (Museo Botero), Calle 11 No. 4-41. Tu-Sa:10AM-7PM, Sun and holidays 10AM-4PM Closed on Mon, including holiday Mondays. Exhibits Permanent Banco de la República Art Collection consisting of nearly 3,000 paintings, sculptures and assembly of Colombian and Latin American masters from the XVI century to our days. Visitors may appreciate a selection of Colombian painters works, for instance Gregorio Vázquez de Arce y Ceballos, the most important Colony painter, Alejandro Obregón, Enrique Grau, Latin American as Rufino Tamayo, David Alfaro Siqueiros and many other globally renowned. Free Entrance.

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Paphos lighthouse Nico Winkler Paphos lighthouse in an Archeological site Copyright: Nico Winkler Tags: paphos; lighthouse; agave; sea; clowds; house More About Cyprus 世界 : Europe : Cyprus Goddess of love, blow us kisses! Cyprus is home to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of Love, who arose from the sea as a full-grown (and lovely) woman and sailed to shore in a seashell. It's also the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea with its geological origins in the fiery heat of volcanic eruption. The history of Cyprus begins as far back as the Neolithic Age of 7000 BC. Relics exist showing settlements to the north and south coastlines. The first Greeks came to the island around 1400 BC, Mycenaean merchants who brought Hellenistic influences with them. Between the time of the Greeks and the arrival of the Romans, Cyprus was conquered by Assyria, Egypt and Persia. Alexander the Great claimed Cyprus for his empire as of 333 BC, and it became part of the Roman Empire in 58 BC. It became the first country to be governed by a Christian when St. Paul experienced conversion there. After the fall of Rome Cyprus was annexed into the Byzantine Empire, with Constantinople for its capital. This situation lasted until Richard the Lion-Hearted arrived in 1191 on a Holy Crusade, conquered the island and sold it to the Templars. Since they were basically wiped out at the start of the 14th century, Cyprus turned to Catholic feudal control and stayed that way until 1571, when the Ottoman Empire invaded and took reign. With this came the expulsion of Catholicism, introduction of Islam and the return of Greek Orthodoxy. The Ottomans kept power until the end of WWI, when Britain assumed administrative duties over the island. As of 1925 it was declared a Crown colony, and in 1955 there began an armed rebellion against British rule. The Republic of Cyprus was granted independence by the British in 1960. It joined the European Union in 2004 although dispute remains over who controls it. Right now there are four sectors. The biggest one belongs to the Republic of Cyprus; Turkish Cypriots occupies one third of the island (to the North), the United Nations has control of the border between these two, and Britain hold two sovereign naval base areas. I'm not sure Aphrodite would approve of all these squabbles. Then again, she did have that brawl with Persephone over who got to live with Adonis the heartbreaker... Text by Steve Smith

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Photo galery Cities, towns Excitements National food Important phone numbers Transportation Embassies in BIH Travel Bosnia and Herzegovina > General information > 10 Best places to visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina 10 Best places to visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina These are the places that you must see if you are planning trip through Bosnia and Herzegovina 1. Sarajevo - Baščaršija Baščaršija is the old part of Sarajevo. It's important and ''must see'' tourist attraction. It has some special ''Ottoman look'' from mosques, shops, squares.. Baščarsija is the center of Sarajevo, and there is always lots of people. It's very rich with important historical, cultural and religious buildings. 2. Old Bridge MostarOld Bridge in Mostar is one of the famous historical monuments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It's the symbol of this town. It's named as the one of the 20th most beautiful bridges all over the world. Mostar was named after the bridge keepers (natively: mostari) who in the medieval times guarded the Stari Most (Old Bridge) over the Neretva. Today, it is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina's most recognizable landmarks, and is considered one of the most exemplary pieces of Islamic architecture in the Balkans3. The Waterfall in JajceThe waterfall of the Pliva river is in the centre of Jajce and is one of the twelve most beautiful waterfalls in the world. This is also the only one that is situated in the middle of a town. The clean and clear Pliva river falls from 17 meter high into the river Vrbas in a magnificient way. This is a natural monument of beauty. 4. Blagaj - Bunar riverOne of the finest remaining buildings from the Ottoman rule in Bosnia and Herzegovina is Dervish House (tekija) at the natural spring of the river Buna in Blagaj. (12 km from Mostar) It was built in the 16th century, and has special historical and religious value in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The famous natural spring of Buna River is the largest karst pring in Europe, with an average annual flow rate of 43 m³ per second. The spring is to be found under a 200 metre high rock and, very near it, stands the fascinating dervish Tekija monastery that, together with its surrounding landscape, creates a unique and unrepeatable scenery.5. Una National Park This area represents a unique natural complex in this part of Europe, very valuable for the conservation of the total landscape and biodiversity.The area of the National Park is located on the extreme western part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the municipality of Bihac. Famous Štrbački Buk and complex of the Una waterfalls at Martin Brod, along with the Unac River and its canyon, and the Una itself, are the main natural features of Una National Park in Bosnia and Herzegovina.6. The Watefalls of KraviceAmong the most fascinating naturalistic features of this region are the sparkling waterfalls of Kravice, about 40 km from MostarThe waters of the Trebižat River branch out, cascading from the tuff walls from a height of 30 metres, and they form a natural amphitheatre. Popular in the summer season above all with rafting enthusiasts and locals, it is the perfect place for all those who wish to relax and enjoy themselves in the midst of an uncontaminated atmosphere, accompanied by the constant sound of waterfalls in the background.7. The Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge This is a historic bridge in Višegrad, over the Drina River in eastern Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was completed in 1577. by the Ottoman court architect Mimar Sinan on the order of the Grand Vizier Mehmed Paša Sokolović. UNESCO included the facility in its 2007 World Heritage List. The bridge is widely known because of the book ''The Bridge on the Drina'' (1945) written by Yugoslav writer Ivo Andrić, Nobel prize winning author.8. Hutovo blato Natural parkDucks, pheasants, hawks and many other birds can find a safe and protected refuge here, before leavingfor North-Africa; there are also numerous examples of fish, coming from the Adriatic Sea, which come here to lay their eggs. The marshy area is formed by the Krupa and Matica Rivers which flow into the Neretva River. 9. Vrelo Bosne (Spring of river Bosna)Source of river Bosna is famous local place for picnic, rest and enjoy in nature. There is a long alley, where you can walk or you can take a carriage. Many visitors take a carriages, because they don't want to walk and they want to experience drive through the beautiful alley. The spring of river Bosna is natural park protected by law. The water is very clean. You can walk through the paths in the woods, where is quiet and peace. Many families come here with children to spend weekend. On the Spring of river Bosna, very often you will see swans and other birds. It's very nice place for enjoy and rest. 10. Tunel spasa (Tunnel of Hope)''Tunnel of Hope'' has become a symbol of the siege of Sarajevo during the last war (1992-1995).It was built under the airport runway and became the hope for people in Sarajevo. Through the tunnel were coming supplies, remedies and food. Today, it is an unusual museum. Thousands of people from Bosnia and tourists visit tunnel every year.

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The List: Five sideshow curiosities By Vanessa Toulmin Professor Vanessa’s Wondershow recreates a lost world of original vintage circus attractions. Here are five of Vanessa Toulmin’s favourites Next week Professor Vanessa’s Wondershow, the recreation of a lost world of original vintage circus sideshows, arrives in north London complete with original stalls and sideshows from the 1930s-1950s. The event has been put together by Prof Vanessa Toulmin, director of the National Fairground Archive at the University of Sheffield Library. MoreOn this storyThe List Five beautifully restored landmarksThe List Things people say in bookshopsThe List Five great F1 carsThe List Five must-see talks from Ted speakersThe List Favourite foreign-language bookshopsIN Life & ArtsLunch with the FT John Oliver Christiana Figueres Who are TV’s talking heads? Tom HiddlestonHere she picks five of her favourite attractions and curiosities: 1. Pavilion of the Gigantic Whale A 95ft blue whale skeleton, salvaged with difficulty from the North Sea, was displayed in a giant tent at Charing Cross, London, in 1831. For a shilling, visitors could look at the whale and for two shillings they could walk in “and sit in the belly of the whale” while reading free copies of natural history publications. 2. The Industrious Fleas There have been many performing flea sideshows but this one, presented by Signor Bertolotto at 238 Regent Street, London, in 1832 was the first to be recorded in Britain. His troupe of 100 trained acrobatic fleas “after the most unwearied perseverance, have been taught to go through a variety of feats truly wonderful”. Later flea shows included the Educated Fleas, who were given the names of the politicians of the time. 3. General Tom Thumb Charles Stratton (1838-1883) was an American dwarf and a distant relative of PT Barnum who became famous when the great showman took the six-year-old on a tour of Europe in 1844. At that date the boy was just over 2ft tall (as an adult he grew to 3ft 3in). Barnum taught Stratton to sing, dance and banter on stage, and, exhibited under the stage name of General Tom Thumb, he made his London debut at the Egyptian Hall on Piccadilly. When in 1863, Stratton married Lavinia Warren, who was shorter than he was, this sensational celebrity news knocked the civil war off the front pages of US newspapers. 4. ‘The British Edison’ Walford Bodie (1869-1939), calling himself the British Edison, started his electrical magic act at fairs. He would pass 27,000 volts through his body and then light up electric bulbs with his bare hands. Bodie was still running his electric show in Blackpool when he died in 1939. 5. The Great Omi One of the most famous sideshow performers of the 20th century, the Great Omi, was born Horace Ridler in 1892. A soldier in the first world war, he underwent a transformation on leaving the army and was decorated by the tattooist George Burchett between 1927 and 1934 in the style of a zebra, using black dye that turned the curved stripes cobalt blue when inserted under the epidermis. It took more than 150 hours to decorate head, neck and face and other parts of the body, requiring an estimated 500m needle pricks to his torso. Omi first appeared in London in 1934 with the Bertram Mills Circus, and performed until the end of the 1950s before retiring to Sussex, where he died in 1969. Professor Vanessa’s Wondershow, 23-29 April, www.roundhouse.org.uk Related TopicsUnited States of America,United Kingdom,London Printed from: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/03a850ac-8959-11e1-bed0-00144feab49a.html

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West Side YMCA See other New York properties West Side YMCA 5 West 63rd St., N.Y. 10023, New York, Nice place to stay for poor money. more... The West Side YMCA is located just steps away from the famous Central Park and within walking distance from Lincoln Center, Broadway, American Museum of Natural History, Strawberry Fields, Columbus Circle & Time Warner Centre and many other sites and attractions of the upper West Side of Manhattan. This great value accommodation is ideal for travellers who like to site visit and who wish to explore all that New York has to offer. Guestrooms are single & double with bunk beds and shared bath facilities are available for men and women on every corridor. West Side YMCA facilities include: • Housekeeping services • Restaurant • Health and fitness facilities including; swimming pools, cardiovascular equipment, indoor track • All Health Club facilities are available to guests at no extra cost • Tax is not included INDOORSWIMMINGPOOL Check-in: 3pm. Check-out: 11am. Minimum age 18 Maximum length of stay 25 nights 5 West 63rd Street (Between Central Park West & Broadway) A 5 minutes train ride from Port Authority Bus Terminal (42nd St. Times Square), the Y is one stop on the uptown A train or 2 stops on the C train, then a few blocks to the building. Please print out the map above to help you find your way. The West Side Y is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, 1/2 block from CENTRAL PARK. Great social lounge, with large screen TV, couches and special entertainment. It is 4 blocks to the Time Warner Building at 59th St. & Columbus Circle and one block to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Avery Fisher Hall and the Metropolitan Opera. The West Side is roughly a ten minutes walk to the theatres on Broadway and fine restaurants in the area.

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Cape Cod boasts many great ice cream shops; what's your favorite? Dwight B. Shepard | dshepard@repub.com on August 08, 2013 at 4:24 PM, updated January 07, 2014 at 1:13 AM When I first started summering on Cape Cod as a teenager oh-so-many-years-ago, the Cape was not known as having many places to find great ice cream. Oh, there was Four Seas Ice Cream in the Centerville village of Barnstable, which still has a wonderful reputation, but other than that, many of the popular ice cream shops served just soft-serve ice cream, not the real stuff. According to Wikipedia, the Four Seas, founded in 1934 by a W. Wells Watson, was named from part of a poem by Mable E. Phinney – “Cape Cod Calls” referring to the "fact" that the Cape is surrounded by four “seas,” Buzzards Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound. (OK, three of those “seas” are part of the larger ocean.) The shop has been in operation in the same location for the past 75 years, and has been operated by members of the Warren family since 1959. It is still known as one of the best places to get ice cream on Cape Cod, if not “the best.” My late mother-in-law used to travel a half-hour from the north side of Dennis to get its fresh peach ice cream which she dubbed the best. Since the 1970s, many great ice cream shops have sprung up on the Cape. My favorite, the Ice Cream Smuggler, opened in Dennis Village 34 years ago. It has had three owners since then, but it is the first place I was able to get “razzo” ice cream. What is razzo you ask? Well, you know what Oreo ice cream is – vanilla ice cream with Oreo cookies mixed in. So, take out the vanilla and replace it with black raspberry and you have razzo. I love it. I am also partial to the Smuggler’s coffee Heath bar and strawberry shortcake. Owners Paul and Carter Catalano, who operate the Smuggler from April to October, don’t offer razzo all the time. It is one of many occasional flavors they rotate with others, like junior mint or cookie monster (vanilla ice cream tinted blue with homemade chocolate chip cookies). “Our homemade ice cream is delicious because it is made daily in small batches using only the finest ingredients available,” the Catalanos say on their website. “As a matter of fact, the ice cream at the Ice Cream Smuggler is still made the same way today as it was in 1979, with a few improvements of course.” My boss here at The Republican, Joe Deburro, often visits Centerville, and loves the fresh peach and cantaloupe flavors at Four Seas, but drives all the way to the Schoolhouse Ice Cream and Yogurt on Route 28 in Harwich Port for flavors like Harwich mud pie (coffee with chunks of brownie bits, almonds and fudge), and Irish whiskey (coffee with whiskey). The one that caught my eye last week was Cherry Remy - Red Sox nation, which I found similar to Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia. Then there’s Emack & Bolio’s, a chain with shops in five states, Massachusetts being the only one in New England. On Cape Cod, they have four outlets that have some of the craziest names, but wonderful ice cream combinations. How many places have "caramel moose prints" (caramel with mini peanut butter cups), salted caramel chocolate pretzel, or “trippen on espresso?” Emack & Bolio’s has a shop tucked behind the municipal parking lot in Chatham, in Oracle Square (named for the former Cape Cod Oracle weekly newspaper I used to work for on Route 6A in Orleans), on Main Street in Wellfleet, or at the Popponesset Marketplace in Mashpee. Then, there’s Sundae School, and you don’t have to be a good church-going boy or girl to go there. Sundae School, which was opened by the Endris family in Dennisport in the mid-1970s, now has two other locations in Harwich Port and East Orleans. “Our ice cream and frozen yogurts are made on the premises in small batches using only the finest ingredients available,” Paul Endris’ family says on the company’s website. “Sundae School takes pride in serving our famous hot fudge sundaes topped with real whipped cream and a fresh Bing cherry (in season). Our fresh fruit sundaes include strawberry, blueberry and raspberry when available.” I remember sitting in Dennis Town Hall covering meetings Endris had with town officials when he was trying to get his initial permits and thinking, this place is going to be great. It is! Sundae School offers such ice cream as amaretto nut (amaretto based ice cream with roasted almonds), Bass River mud (coffee ice cream with roasted almonds, chocolate chunks, and a fudge stripe) and turtle (chocolate and butterscotch ice cream with pecans.) The Orleans store opened in 1984 and the Harwich Port outlet in 1998. One of the newest shops, the Cape Cod Creamery, opened in 2005 on Route 28 in South Yarmouth at 5 Theater Colony Road. While it has only one shop, its ice cream is sold at a number of supermarkets in Eastern Massachusetts. “Our product is the smoothest, creamiest, most flavorful ice cream you can buy,” owner Alan Davis says on the company’s website. “Pick up a container, and compare the weight to another brand. You will easily feel that our ice cream is a denser, less air-filled product. Less air means more flavor.” All of the Creamery’s products have Cape Cod names, such as Sandy Neck Snickers, Great Island grapenut, Allen Harbor Almond Joy, and Patti Page peppermint, just to name a few. There are a lot more ice cream shops on Cape Cod, but I can vouch personally for all the ones I've listed above. In addition to these, I have heard good things about Smitty's in Falmouth. It’s next on my list of ice cream shops to visit. If ice cream like Ben & Jerry’s or Friendly’s is really what you want, there are Ben & Jerry’s shops in Provincetown, North Eastham and in the Hyannis village of Barnstable, and Friendly’s in Falmouth, Sagamore Beach and Hyannis. But my advice to you is for a really great Cape Cod experience, visit one of the shops I’ve mentioned above. You can get Friendly’s anywhere, but only these shops here. Many of them are seasonal, however (April to October), so check out their websites before you take a long trip. Meanwhile, click here for a list of a ton of ice cream places on the Cape, serving both regular and soft serve ice cream. What's your favorite ice cream shop? Leave a comment below, and I'll check it out.

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Visit Nigeria Festivals Attractions Consular/Visa Welcome to the Nigerian High Commission Notice: The Mission resumed the issuing of visas. Please visit the VISAS page for more information It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the website of the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the Republic of South Africa. We trust that the website will be found useful in providing needed information on Nigeria, including the activities of the Mission. More importantly, we hope that this website will contribute to our efforts in advancing further, the bilateral relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of South Africa. Nigeria as the most populous country in Africa, with a population of over 140,000,000 (one hundred and forty million), offers unlimited opportunities to foreign investors. With a well-entrenched democracy and enviable market, Nigeria is registering an unprecedented economic growth and increasingly becoming a leading investment destination in the world. With these few remarks, I wish to welcome you to our website. Ambassador S.S. YusufHigh Commissioner Visa Acquisition CompanyAssistance with Nigeria visas fast & easywww.VisaRequest.co.za/Nigeria

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This article is about the region. For the airport, see East Midlands Airport. For the European constituency, see East Midlands (European Parliament constituency). For the train operating company, see East Midlands Trains. East Midlands region in England • Leaders' board East Midlands Councils • EP constituency 6,034 sq mi (15,627 km2) 4,533,000 (2,011) GVA £88 billion • Per capita £17,698 (5th) NUTS 1 UKF ONS code E12000004 www.emcouncils.gov.uk/Home The East Midlands is one of nine official regions of England at the first level of NUTS for statistical purposes. The eastern part of the Midlands, the region consists of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, most of Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland. The region has an area of 15,627 km² (6,033 sq mi), and is home to over 4.5 million people (2011). East Midlands contains four cities: Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham, though other major settlements include Boston, Loughborough, Mansfield, Northampton and Skegness. Its proximity to London and connections to several national motorways have led to the East Midlands becoming an economic hub. It is also the location of the East Midlands Airport. 1.1 Geology 1.3 Forestry 3 Population and settlement 4.1 Road 4.2 Airports 4.3 Railway 4.5 Transport policy 5.2 Danelaw and the Anglo-Saxons 5.3 Scientific heritage 5.5 Industrial heritage 5.7 Regional governance 6.1 Social deprivation 6.2 Elections 6.3 Eurostat NUTS 7 Local government 8 MEPs 9.1 Manufacturing 9.2 Construction and building materials 9.3 Textiles and clothing 9.4 Retail 9.5 Food processing 9.6 Healthcare 9.7 High technology 9.8 Finance 9.9 Rural 9.10 Entertainment 10.1 Secondary education 10.2 Universities 11.1 Football 11.2 Rugby Union 12 Local media 12.1 Television 12.2 Radio 12.3 Newspapers 12.4 Magazines The highest point in the region is Kinder Scout in the Peak District near Glossop, at 2,088 ft (636 m). The centre of the East Midlands area lies roughly between Bingham and Bottesford. The geographical centre of England lies in Higham on the Hill in west Leicestershire, close to the boundary between the East and West Midlands. 88% of the land is rural, although agriculture accounts for less than three percent of the region's jobs. All of the coastline within the region falls within Lincolnshire. Geology[edit] The region is home to large quantities of limestone, and the East Midlands Oil Province. Charnwood Forest is noted for its abundant levels of volcanic rock, estimated to be approximately 600 million years old. Twenty five percent of the United Kingdom's cement is manufactured in the region at three large sites in Hope and Tunstead in Derbyshire, and in Ketton Cement Works in Rutland.[1] Of the aggregates that are produced in the region, twenty five percent is from Derbyshire and forty percent is from Leicestershire. Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire each produce around thirty percent of the region's sand and gravel output. Environment[edit] Areas of the East Midlands designated by the East Midlands Biodiversity Partnership as Biodiversity Conservation Areas include:[2] The Lincolnshire Coast The Wash Rutland and South West Lincolnshire The Lincolnshire Limewoods and Heaths Derbyshire Peak Fringe and Lower Derwent Humberhead Levels Charnwood Forest Coversand Heaths Rockingham Forest Leighland Forest Areas of the East Midlands designated by the East Midlands Biodiversity Partnership as Biodiversity Enhancement Areas include:[2] The National Forest The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes The Fens The Lincolnshire Wolds The Coalfields The Daventry Grasslands The Yardley-Whittlewood Ridge Major Oak in Sherwood Forest There are two nationally designated areas of outstanding natural beauty - the Peak District and the Lincolnshire Wolds. Forestry[edit] Several towns in the southern part of the region, including Market Harborough, Desborough, Rothwell, Corby, Kettering, Thrapston, Oundle and Stamford, lie within the boundaries of what was once Rockingham Forest - a designated royal forest. Rockingham Forest was designated as a royal hunting forest by William the Conqueror, and was long used by English kings and queens. Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire attracts many visitors, and is perhaps best known for its ties with the legend of Robin Hood. Regional financial funding decisions for the East Midlands are taken by East Midlands Councils, based in Melton Mowbray. East Midlands Councils is not an elected body; it is made up of representatives of local government in the region. The East Midlands Development Agency was headquartered next to the BBC's East Midlands office in Nottingham, and made financial decisions regarding economic development in the region. However, since the Conservative-Lib-Dem coalition Government began spending cuts after their success in the 2010 General Election, regional bodies such as those held by the Regional Development Agencies have been devolved to smaller groups now on a County level. As a region today, there is no overriding body with significant financial or planning powers for the East Midlands. Population and settlement[edit] Ministerial departments of the Specific to England Communities and Local Government Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Primarily involving England Culture, Media and Sport West Lothian question Devolution proposals Local Authority Leaders' Board Supreme Court of the United Kingdom Courts of England and Wales English law England in the UK Parliament of the United Kingdom Grand committee Elections in England Current Westminster MPs England in the EU UK elections to the European Parliament European Parliament constituencies in England Local government in England Greater London Authority London boroughs Metropolitan counties Metropolitan districts Unitary authorities Combined authorities Civil parishes British politics portal See also: East Midlands English The East Midlands' largest settlements are Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, Chesterfield, Kettering, Lincoln, Loughborough, Mansfield and Northampton. Leicester is the largest city in the region, whilst the Nottingham Urban Area is its largest urban conurbation. Transport[edit] Nine percent of all jobs in the region are in logistics. Traffic in the region is growing at two percent per year - the highest growth rate of all regions in the United Kingdom. It has been estimated that there are approximately 140,000 heavy goods vehicle journeys made inside the region each day. Road[edit] The M1 motorway (part of the E13 European route) serves all of the region's county towns, with the exception of Lincoln, and affords a motorway link to London and Leeds. Towards the east of the region lies the A1 (part of the E15 European route), an important route for journeys to and from ports on England's east coast, and a major artery for the United Kingdom's agricultural industry. The A46 follows a route which, since Roman times, has provided a connection between the south west and north eastern parts of the region. The A43 dual carriageway connects the East Midlands with the South of England. The A5 runs to the south of the area near Hinckley. Airports[edit] East Midlands Airport (looking west) East Midlands Airport in North West Leicestershire is situated between the three cities of Derby, Nottingham and Leicester. The airport is the region’s biggest public airport, used by over 4 million passengers per year. Rivalry between the region’s three biggest cities has led to a long-running discussion about the identity of both the airport, and region, with The East Midlands rarely found on any non-political map of the UK. The name was at one point changed to Nottingham East Midlands Airport so as to include the name of the city that is supposedly most internationally recognisable, mainly due to the Robin Hood legend. However, the airport has a Derby phone number and postcode, and is in Leicestershire, but is officially assigned to Nottingham by IATA. As a result of the dispute the name was soon changed back, to now include all city names. Smaller airports include Retford Gamston Airport, Nottingham Airport, Leicester Airport, Hucknall Airfield, Sywell Aerodrome, and Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome. The Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield lies just outside the East Midlands, in South Yorkshire, but is within the historic boundaries of Nottinghamshire. Railway[edit] Newark North Gate railway station Two of the United Kingdom's mainline railways serve the region - the Midland Main Line and the East Coast Main Line, providing services terminating at London St Pancras railway station and London Kings Cross railway station respectively. Both operators provide regular high-speed services to London, at up to 125 mph, serving Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby, Market Harborough, Leicester, Loughborough, Derby, East Midlands Parkway, Nottingham, Chesterfield, Grantham, Newark and Retford. Northampton and Long Buckby is served by the Northampton Loop of the West Coast Main Line. England's primary south-west to north-east Cross Country Route runs through Birmingham and Derby. Worksop, Mansfield, Lincoln, Matlock, Melton Mowbray, Skegness, Boston, Spalding and Oakham are served by regional services. A land speed record for trains was broken in the region. Although the record was set in 1938, the current world speed record for steam trains is held by LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard, which clocked 126 MPH between Grantham and Peterborough, pulling six coaches on the East Coast Main Line near Little Bytham in Lincolnshire, on 3 July 1938. There are currently plans to bring a new high-speed rail line through the East Midlands as part of the High Speed 2 project. Phase 2 of this project would see a new line connecting Birmingham to Leeds, with a proposed station in Toton known as the East Midlands Hub. Water[edit] The River Trent at the former High Marnham Power Station, next to the 1897 Fledborough Viaduct The Trent is a navigable river, and is used to transport goods to the Humber, as well as passing by many power stations. Several rivers in the region gave their name to early Rolls-Royce jet engines, namely the Nene, the Welland, and the Soar. Transport policy[edit] As part of the transport planning system, the Regional Assembly is under statutory requirement to produce a Regional Transport Strategy to provide long term planning for transport in the region. This involves region wide transport schemes such as those carried out by the Highways Agency and Network Rail.[3] Within the region, local transport authorities carry out transport planning through the use of a Local Transport Plan (LTP), which outlines their strategies, policies and implementation programme.[4] The most recent LTP is that for the period 2006-11. In the East Midlands region the following transport authorities have published their LTP online: Derbyshire,[5] Leicestershire.[6] Lincolnshire,[7] Northamptonshire,[8] Nottinghamshire[9] and Rutland U.A.[10] The unitary authorities of Derby,[11] Leicester[12] and Nottingham[13] have each written a joint LTP in collaboration with their respective local county councils. Romans[edit] A historical basis for such an area exists in the territory of the Corieltauvi tribe. When the Romans took control of the region, they made Leicester one of their main forts (then named Ratae Corieltauvorum). The main town in the region in Roman times was Lincoln, at the confluence of the Fosse Way and Ermine Street. The Five Boroughs of the Danelaw Danelaw and the Anglo-Saxons[edit] The region also corresponds to the later Five Boroughs of the Danelaw, and the eastern half of the Anglian Kingdom of Mercia. In around 917 the region was subdivided between Danelaw (Vikings) to the north, and Mercia (Saxons) to the south. By 920, this border was moved further north to the River Humber. Evidence of the Danelaw can be seen in place-name endings of the region's villages, particularly towards the east. The Danes under Canute recaptured the area from around 1016 to 1035. Scientific heritage[edit] Isaac Newton, born in Grantham in 1642 is perhaps the most prolific, ever, scientist. His accomplishments include Calculus, Newton's laws of motion, and Newton's law of universal gravitation among many other. There is a shopping centre named in his honour in Grantham. Henry Cavendish, loosely connected with Derbyshire, discovered hydrogen in 1766 (although the element's name came from Antoine Lavoisier), and Cavendish was the first to estimate an accurate mass of the Earth in 1798 in his Cavendish experiment. The Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge is named after a relative. Herbert Spencer coined the term survival of the fittest in 1864, which was once strongly linked with Social Darwinism. Sir John Flamsteed was the first Astronomer Royal of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich in 1675. George Boole, pioneer of Boolean logic (upon which all digital electronics - and computers - depend), was born in Lincoln in 1815. Boole's grandson, the physicist G. I. Taylor, made significant experimental contributions to quantum mechanics. The first practical demonstration of radar was near Daventry in 1935. Silicone was invented 1899 by Prof Frederick Kipping at University College, Nottingham. Michael Creeth of Northampton discovered the hydrogen-bonding mechanism between DNA bases, allowing the structure of DNA to be discovered. Nottinghamshire's Ken Richardson was in charge of the team at Pfizer in Sandwich, Kent that in 1981 discovered Fluconazole (Diflucan), the world's leading antifungal medicine, especially useful for people with weakened immune systems, and has few side effects; he is now one of the few Britons in the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Steep Hill in Lincoln Fox hunting is historically linked with the East Midlands Culture[edit] The area is known historically for its food - examples of which include Red Leicester, the Lincolnshire sausage, the Melton Mowbray pork pie, Stilton, the Bakewell tart, and the Bramley apple. D. H. Lawrence is perhaps the region's best known author, although only gained full recognition in the late twentieth century. William Booth of Nottingham founded The Salvation Army in 1865. Another religious order, the Pilgrim Fathers, originated from Babworth near Retford. Joseph Wright of Derby an artist whose paintings symbolised the struggle between science and religious values in the Age of Enlightenment. He was also suggested to be "the first professional painter to express the spirit of the Industrial Revolution". Industrial heritage[edit] The region can claim the world's first factory, Sir Richard Arkwright's Cromford Mill. Additionally, the world's oldest working factory can also be found in the area, producing textiles at Lea Bridge, owned by John Smedley. Both sites are part of the region's only World Heritage Site, the Derwent Valley Mills. An opportunist employee of the Derbyshire textile factories, Samuel Slater of Belper saw his chance and (illegally) eloped in 1789 to Rhode Island in the USA after memorising the layout of the textile machinery while working at Jedediah Strutt's Milford Mill. He was warmly welcomed by the inhabitants of the newly formed USA - so much so that he was later named the Father of the American Industrial Revolution. Britain's hosiery and knitwear industry was largely based in the region, and in the 1980s it had more textile workers than any other British region. The stocking frame was invented 1587 in Calverton, Nottinghamshire by Rev William Lee; these were the first known knitting machines and heralded the industrial revolution by providing the necessary machinery. The world's first (horse-powered) cotton mill was built in central Nottingham in 1768. Marvel's Mill in Northampton was the first cotton mill to be powered by water. John Barber of Nottinghamshire had invented a simple gas turbine in 1791 (when living in Nuneaton). Lincoln was the site of the first tank (first built on 8 September 1915), and Grantham the first diesel engine (in 1892). The jet engine was first developed in the region in Lutterworth and Whetstone, with the VTOL engine also (initially) developed in Hucknall. The first jet aircraft flew from RAF Cranwell in May 1941. During the Second World War, Derby was an important strategic location, as it was in Derby that Rolls-Royce developed and manufactured their iconic

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PROMO: The Absolut X Miami Masquerade Miami is a city that knows how to party, but it's also an epicenter of vast and deeply creative culture. On May 16th, the Absolut X series will set up shop in Florida's hottest town for one night only to host an incredible celebration of artistic diversity. Held at a secret venue in the city's Wynwood Arts District, the evening will feature music by indie rock superstars Bloc Party, craft cocktails from renowned local mixologists, and art showings from an exceptional visual artist whose identity remains a secret—for now. These artists will collaborate to create their unique vision of an ABSOLUT Masquerade Ball.Click here to RSVP and find out the location of the secret venue. Remember: X marks the spot Art & Design

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/ Arizona Arizona Nightlife We couldn't find any results for Tucson, but found these nearby. Arizona Links Arizona Nightclubs (4) Arizona Lounges (3) Arizona Cocktail Bars (3) Arizona Bars (3) Arizona Concerts (2) Arizona Outdoors (2) Arizona Live Music (1) Facebook Red Revolver Lounge Nestled in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale Revolver combines a tour de force of hospitality, design and ambiance. Featuring a seductively dark and elegant atmosphere Revolver will leave an indelible mark on the Scottsdale nightlife experience. Red Revolver Lounge, 7316 East Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, 85251 Bar Venue: Red Revolver Lounge Merc Bar Since adopted New Yorker and Arizona native John McDonald opened this Phoenix outpost in 1996, MercBar has always remained the premiere, upscale and sophisticated destination for after work, before or after dinner drinks or late night socializing. Merc Bar, 2525 E Camelback Road, Phoenix, 85016 Bar Venue: Merc Bar Club Cloud N9ne Night club and Hookah lounge mixed into one to make the best Nightclub in Phoenix. Live DJ every night, Best hookah in the valley. 18+, proper attire to enter. Club Cloud N9ne, Club Cloud N9ne 15820 N. 35 Ave., Phoenix, 85023 Clubbing Venue: Club Cloud N9ne Smashboxx Smashboxx is Scottsdale’s hottest premiere nightclub located in the heart of Old Town. Since opening our doors, Smashboxx has received numerous awards. Smashboxx, 7419 E Indian Plaza Drive, Scottsdale, 85251 Bar Venue: Smashboxx Afterlife is the premier 18+ club located in Old Town Scottsdale, featuring 4 themed rooms (Liquid, Earth, Fire, and Air), with DJ's spinning in all the rooms. Afterlife also features Go-Go Dancers, Shower shows, Live performances and special guests. Afterlife, 4282 N Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale, 85251 Nightclub Venue: Afterlife Downtown Scottsdale offers some of the finest galleries, specialty retail, cultural attractions and dining in the Valley of the Sun. Downtown Scottsdale is at the heart of the city's art scene, with Contemporary and Western Art, Theatre 4301 and a wide variety of outdoor sculptures set amid the lush green lawns and sparkling fountains of Civic Center Mall. Scottsdale's Arts District is home to a high concentration of galleries showcasing some of the best Western and Southwestern art in the country. Throughout "Old Town", shopkeepers sell quality Native American crafts, offering everything from hand-woven Navajo rugs to Zuni silver jewelry. Take a walk through the historic Old Town Scottsdale and get a flavor of the old west. Wooden sidewalks and rustic traditions are preserved as you tie your horse to each shop's hitching post. Browse the many quaint stores that line the streets of Old Town and you'll find a mix of traditional Western-wear retailers, Southwestern specialty shops and tasty treats - including Sugar Bowl, a sweet Scottsdale station for more than 50 years. Old Town Scottsdale, 4400 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, 85251 Casual / Concert Venue: Old Town Scottsdale Mill Ave Mill Avenue is a historic street in Tempe. In north Tempe near Arizona State University, the street runs through a popular, pedestrian-friendly shopping and nightlife district. Mill Avenue was originally centered around the Hayden Flour Mill, which while disused still stands on the north end of the Avenue. Today, the avenue plays host to many bars, designer shopping stores, as wells as many fairs, and city festivals. It was described in 2010 by a New York Times reporter as "a bohemian commercial strip next to Arizona State University". At the northern end of the shopping district, the two Mill Avenue bridges cross the Salt River at Tempe Town Lake. One bridge was completed in 1931, the other in 1994. Named after Charles T. Hayden, the Hayden Mill lends its name to Mill Avenue in Tempe, AZ. In the foreground is Tempe Town Lake, a popular recreation area. After the founding of Fort McDowell on the east side of central Arizona’s Salt River Valley in 1865, farmers moved into the area. These early settlers further developed the irrigation canals that the Hohokam people originally created and built new ones to carry Salt River water to their farms. Agriculture in the Salt River valley soon gave food to Arizona’s military posts and mining towns. In 1871, Hiram C. Hodge commented that there were two stores and a population of about 100 in Tempe. A substantial addition to the Tempe economy was established in 1877, when Charles T. Hayden, a business man from Connecticut, opened a flour-mill operation that was supplied with water from the Tempe Irrigating Canal. Charles T. Hayden, and his family operated the mill for three full generations, and it was the crucial to Tempe's community industry. Also in 1877, Charles' son Carl Hayden, who was to become a congressman and then senator from Arizona, was born in the Hayden family home, a building which is still a landmark on Mill Avenue today, now known as the western steakhouse Monti's La Casa Vieja ("The Old House"). Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium The Hayden's Ferry Post Office was renamed the Tempe Post Office in 1879. In 1889, the new Phoenix and Maricopa Railroad linked Tempe with Phoenix. In 1894, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors incorporated the town of Tempe. Tempe finally became a city after being inhabited for over 30 years. In 1962, the Laird and Dines Drug Store closed after 68 years of operation at the corner of Mill Avenue and Fifth Street. This drug store was one of the original fixtures on the commercial district of Mill Avenue. Tempe’s commercial center along Mill Avenue declined during these years. In 1964, construction of the Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, was completed at the intersection of Mill Avenue and Apache Boulevard on the campus of Arizona State University. Prompted by Tempe’s centennial in 1971, Mill Avenue was revitalized into an entertainment and shopping district that attracts people from throughout the Phoenix Valley. In 1997, the Hayden Flour Mill closed after 123 years of continuous operation. The mill's last operator was Bay State Milling, which had purchased it in 1981. It is significant as the oldest continuously used industrial site in the Salt River Valley. The Valley Art Theater (operated by Harkins Theatres) is located on Mill Avenue as a comfortable single screen theater that typically shows art house and occasionally foreign films. The current building was built in 1938, although it underwent substantial internal renovations in the 1990s. Harkins Centerpoint was located on the avenue for a long time, however, with the completion of the Tempe Marketplace, which provided a modern Harkins building, it had to close. Tempe Arizona vacations are not complete without a visit to the Mill Avenue District. The Mill Avenue District is Tempe’s unique pedestrian-friendly downtown that captures the spirit of this college town. Shady red brick sidewalks, turn of the century buildings, restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, Arizona State University, "A" Mountain and Tempe Town Lake all make the Mill Avenue District a necessary stop during Tempe Arizona vacations - great dining, shopping and nightlife! Mill Avenue offers all types of entertainment options for all types of Tempe Arizona vacations: Families on Arizona vacations will enjoy Cox Splash Playground at Tempe Beach Park or renting pedal boats or kayaks on Tempe Town Lake. Experience a Broadway Show at ASU Gammage, a Frank Lloyd Wright designed theatre, contemporary art at the ASU Art Museum and live music performances. Plan your Arizona vacations around an ASU football game at Sun Devil Stadium or one of the numerous collegiate sporting events year round. Choose from more than 100 restaurants, nightlife venues and shops along Mill Avenue. Climb “A” mountain, also known as Hayden Butte Preserve Take in an independent film at Harkins Valley Art Theatre or stroll through public art displays. Enjoy one of the many annual festivals and events, such as the Tempe Festivals of the Arts, Oktoberfest and Tempe Town Lake and Ford Ironman Arizona. Mill Ave, 411 S Mill Ave, Tempe, 85281 Clubbing Venue: Mill Ave

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Safety While Traveling Abroad Millions of Americans travel abroad each year. Safety should be a prime consideration for anyone traveling outside the United States. There are certain precautions that travelers can take to improve their safety while abroad. Motor vehicle safety while traveling Injuries from motor vehicle crashes pose the greatest risk of injury to international travelers, according to the CDC. The risk of death from motor vehicle crashes is many times higher in other countries than in the U.S. Inadequate roadway design, hazardous conditions, lack of appropriate vehicles and vehicle maintenance, unskilled or inexperienced drivers, inattention to pedestrians and cyclists, and impairment due to alcohol and drugs all contribute to the increased risk of being involved in a vehicle-related crash while visiting other countries. Important safety measures you can take include the following: Request a vehicle with safety belts and use them. Inspect cars and trucks to make sure that tires, windshield wipers, brakes, and headlights are in good condition. Request a vehicle equipped with air bags, where available. Avoid nonessential night driving, alcohol, and riding with persons under the influence of alcohol. Sit in the back seat, whenever possible, to minimize the risk of death if an accident should occur. Bring a car safety seat when traveling with young children. Use a safety helmet when riding a bicycle or motorcycle. Avoiding animal- or insect-associated hazards In areas where rabies is endemic (constantly present), domestic dogs, cats, or other animals should not be petted. Wild animals, especially monkeys, rodents, and bats, should always be avoided. Bites and stings from insects can cause unpleasant reactions, and medical attention should be sought immediately for any bite or sting that causes redness, swelling, bruising, or persistent pain. Take extra precautions when camping or staying in rustic or primitive areas by using insect repellents, protective clothing, and mosquito netting. Poisonous snakes are another hazard in certain parts of the world, although deaths from snake bites are rare. Never attempt to handle, harass, or kill a snake because bites often occur as a snake's defensive reaction. Avoiding swimming hazards For infectious disease prevention, only swimming pools that contain chlorinated water are considered safe for swimming. Swimming in contaminated water can result in skin, eye, ear, and certain intestinal infections. In certain areas, a fatal form of encephalitis has occurred after swimming in warm, dirty water. Other infectious diseases can develop from swimming in freshwater streams, canals, and lakes. To avoid drowning accidents, avoid swimming alone or in unfamiliar waters. Avoiding violence-related hazards Travel in high-poverty areas or regions of civil unrest may place travelers at risk for violence. Other risks include using alcohol or drugs, and traveling in unfamiliar environments at night. The CDC recommends that travelers should not travel alone, vary routine travel habits, limit travel at night, and avoid wearing expensive clothing or jewelry. Victims of a crime overseas should contact the nearest U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or consular agency for assistance. The U.S. Department of State website provides international travel alerts and warnings by country. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is a free service provided by the U.S. government to its citizens and nationals who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. Enrollment allows the Department of State to better assist travelers in an emergency while abroad. My Eskenazi Health Patient Login

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Chiesa di S. Marco Vecchio The church has very antique origins; as a matter of fact, information about it may be found in a document of 12th century. Originally its name was Saint Marco al Mugnone, because of its vicinity to the River Mugnone; after the construction of the well know church of Saint Marco it was named Saint Marco in Cafaggio and only afterwards it was called Saint Marco Vecchio. Its location, on the borderline between the parish of Saint Giovanni and the parish of Fiesole, created great contrasts at the time until, in 1334, the church passed over to the league of the parish of Saint Giovanni in respect of the decision made by the Signoria of Florence. The church shows very little of its original appearance because both the interior and the exterior have undergone great changes throughout the centuries. The façade, made of stone, completely redone in 1894, could with great probability correspond to the original dimensions of the church when it had one aisle and it recalls the simplicity of a countryside parish in the Romanesque Age. In 1932 there were ample changes: the octagon with the dome and the chapels were built. The bell-tower was added in 1945 and in 1951 the interior was enlarged by a second aisle. In this occasion an oratory, built in 1496, near the church was demolished. The interior has two aisles; the one on the left belongs to the old establishment. The roof was built with trusses; on the left side the covering continues with a pitch sustained by a bent covering; two Latin inscriptions, which recall the year in which it was built (1932), are inserted in the internal and external pediment with classical types. The pavement was settled with black and white tiles. For any information: Via Faentina (055 588274). Open 8am-noon, 3-6pm. Admission: free. Zur Wunschliste hinzufügen

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Glencoe & District Preservation of Local Monthly Feature ���������������Local History��������������� Battle Of The Longwoods 2014 marks the bicentenial of the battle. Throughout March will be a number of events including the unveiling of a new monument on Sat Mar 8, 2014. Battle Reenactment, Photo Courtesy of the Upper Thames Military Reenactment Society (UTMRS). British troops converged on American soldiers encamped on Longwoods road (Hwy 2) at the large ravine east of Wardsville on March 4, 1814. The British with a combined force of 240 troops were joined with 28 natives. The Americans with only about 160 men had a protective defensive position on the west side of the steep ravine and repelled the attack, but then retreated back to Detroit fearing a larger British force would soon arrive. The battle lasted under two hours: the British suffered 14 killed and 52 wounded. Background: War of 1812 On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain. This conflict began only 29 years after the American Revolution (1775-1783) and occurred at the same time that European powers were engaged in the Napoleonic Wars. Britain had only about 6000 troops present in Canada and held a predominantly defensive role until 1814 when troops were made available with the changing course of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. Initially the war went poorly for the Americans when their initial attack from Detroit was prevented by a force of 350 British troops led by Major General Isaac Brock and the capture of Fort Detroit. Another attack on the Niagara Peninsula was repulsed at the Battle of Queenston Heights. Along the Atlantic coast the British navy dominated, attacking at will and often placing levies on towns in return for not burning them to the ground. The following year American naval capabilities increased within the Great Lakes and in 1813 the Americans gained control of Lake Erie, cutting off British and native forces from supplies. Detroit was recaptured and American forces entered Ontario, travelling up the Thames River. Tecumseh, leader of the confederation of native tribes allied with the British, was killed in the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813. Control of Lake Ontario changed hands several times, and Lake Champlain was eventually won by the Americans. A large American victory at the Battle of Platssburgh resulted in the retreat of a large British force in 1814, and was the final significant battle prior to the signing of the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814. It took two months for news of the peace treaty to spread and fighting continued. The Americans won a major defeat over the British at the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815, in which the British suffered 2000 casualties. The British then captured Fort Boyer only to discover news of the treaty the following day. Battle of the Longwoods (1814) Following the Battle of the Thames near Moraviantown in 1813 British forces retreated to Burlington Heights near Niagara Falls. American forces had control of the lower and middle Thames river valley, but retreated back to the Detroit frontier unable to sustain a winter occupation of the area. In early spring of 1814 a British force assembled near Delaware under the command of Captain Alexander Stewart. On March 3 an advance party of Caldwell's Rangers spotted a large group of American soldiers moving up the Longwoods Road. A brief skirmish occurred, and then the Rangers retreated to wait for reinforcements. Captain James Basden was sent to join Caldwell with forces from Delaware. A combined force of 240 British troops were joined with 28 native Indians. On March 4, at about 5:00pm Captain Basden led a frontal assault against the American forces, who had meanwhile established a defensive position at the top of a steep hill. The Americans had a force of only about 160 men, but decimated the British forces with unrelenting fire as they attempted the steep climb with minimal coverage. After less than two hours fighting the British retreated and returned to Delaware, having suffered 14 killed and fifty-two wounded. The American troops suffered only 7 wounded, but retreated back to Detroit expecting another attack from the British. Remembering and Honouring the Past The early settlers in Canada and the United States persevered through incredible hardship. Conflicts such as the War of 1812 added to their burden. With several thousand men killed, towns burned, crops and livestock destroyed, the remaining populations carried the burden. The survivors of these events were our ancestors. A monument in remembrance of the Battle of the Longwoods was erected beside Longwoods Road between Wardsville and Strathburn. In honour of the soldiers that fought in this conflict and the settlers that survived these events an annual memorial service is held at the monument on the Sunday closest to the date of battle, March 4. This event is arranged by the Upper Thames Military Reenactment Society. The first weekend in May the Upper Thames Military Reenactment Society (UTMRS) host a fantastic set of events at the Longwoods Conservation Area, including historical battle re-enactments. Step back in time to March 4, 1814, as British troops attempt to expel American invaders. Hear the crack of the musket and the roar of the cannon. Come and experience life in the early 19th century. See the colourful clothing, smell the food prepared over open fires, and have great family entertainment for the day. For more information visit www.royal-scots.com. Memorial Cairn, Longwoods Road. Battle Hill, Longwoods Road. Battle scene reenactment. Courtesy of UTMRS. Battle scene reenactment. Courtesy of UTMRS. Present day location of battle, Longwoods Rd, East of Wardsville. Americans were encamped on this side of ravine, British approached from the other side. Bottom of ravine, looking up the steep west side where Americans were encamped. The large mound on the right is formed from the modern road bed. The memorial cairn is at the top right. Memorial Cairn, Longwoods Road Copyright © 2011 Glencoe & District Historical Society. All rights reserved. Web Hosting Provided by: www.sibername.com

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Lower Silesian Voivodeship : Wrocław Revision as of 14:00, 18 March 2008 by Jamboo (Talk | contribs) By bus or tram Tickets Route numbers Wrocław [1](Polish: Wrocław , pronounced Vrots-wav; also known as Breslau, its German name, and English name until 1945) is the largest city in the Dolnośląskie Voivodeship in Poland. Wroclaw Cathedral Wroclaw in Polish, formally known as Breslau in German, is a large undiscovered gem of a city in southwestern Poland in the historic region of Silesia. It boasts fascinating architecture, many rivers and bridges, and a lively and metropolitan cultural scene. It is a city with a troubled past, having seen much violence and devastation, and was almost completely destroyed during the end of the Second World War. However, it has been brilliantly restored and can now be counted amongst the highlights of Poland, and all of Central Europe. As Poland rushes headlong into further integration with the rest of Europe, now is the time to visit before the tourist hordes (and high prices) arrive. Read Norman Davies'and Roger Moorhouse's Microcosm: Portrait of a Central European City to understand the complicated history of the town. Wroclaw is served by an international airport. LOT fly here from Warsaw, Frankfurt and Munich. SAS fly here from Copenhagen and Wizzair from Dortmund and Doncaster UK, Centralwings from Dublin and Rome. From March 2005, Ryanair fly from London Stansted, Glasgow Prestwick, Liverpool, Bristol and East Midlands with fares from £15 one-way all-inclusive. See Departures and arrivals on-line. From the airport, bus 406 operates from the terminal building to central Wrocław (schedule). Wroclaw is a major hub in the Polish rail network, with several trains a day to all large Polish cities (route planner). There are about 10 daily departures to Warsaw (travel time varies from 5h by a InterCity train, up to almost 7h with a pospieszny train) as well as quite a lot of trains to Poznan (from there you can go to Warsaw or Berlin). Several trains a day travel to Krakow. By bus Wroclaw is a stop on the Eurolines international coach network. All international and national buses call at the PKS Centrum station which is located directly behind the main train station. The centre of Wroclaw is navigable on foot, but the feature has an excellent public-transport system for access to the suburbs

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Click to Print Email this | close The all-round Las Vegas shopping center: Miracle Mile Shops By Michael Fickes Is there an archetypal Las Vegas shopping center? How about Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas? “A Las Vegas shopping center should feature a range of shopping, entertainment and dining options that appeal to the wide audience the city attracts,” said David Edelstein, co-owner of Miracle Mile Shops. “The stores should stay open late and bars and restaurants even later,” he continued. “Always keep an eye on trends and what shoppers are responding to.” “Finally, it should be easily accessible. There is a lot of competition for shoppers’ attention on the strip. To compete, you must pay attention to the overall traffic flow and ease of access at your entrances.” Edelstein also noted that Miracle Mile Shops recently spent about $2 million to install an escalator at the pedestrian bridge that crosses Las Vegas Boulevard at Harmon Avenue to reduce pedestrian congestion near one of the two entrances to the center. As a name, Miracle Mile is descriptive. The shops encircle Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and the PH Live theater adjacent to the casino, abutting each building along the outside wall. A corridor that opens to 170 shops and 15 restaurants on both sides goes on and on for 1.2 miles. Miracle Mile Shops originally opened as Desert Passage in 2000. Edelstein’s group purchased the center in 2004. “In 2007, we de-themed the design and transformed the center into a sleeker, more urbanized and contemporary space, and we rebranded as Miracle Mile Shops,” Edelstein said. The remodeling effort added giant exterior LED video screens, installed people movers at the entrance and modernized the storefronts and kiosks. Since the rebranding, the center has signed 67 leases with new retailers, many just entering the Las Vegas market. Some attracted large crowds. When H&M leased its first Las Vegas location at Miracle Mile in 2007, more than 1,000 people waited in line for the store to open. Between 2011 and 2012, the center signed new tenants that took more than 94,000 sq. ft. Recent additions include the first and only Las Vegas location for Garrett Popcorn Shops, the first Las Vegas location of jewelry boutique Scamp & Scoundrel, The Art of Shaving and Francesca’s. Edelstein voices optimism about the future of Vegas Strip retail. “Las Vegas is seeing an overall shift away from high-end luxury,” he said, “and shoppers and visitors are really responding. Miracle Mile Shops has always focused on being shoppable, so to speak, and accessible. “Our goal is to provide something for everyone.” That strategy seems to be working. All told, the mall has seen foot traffic rise from 40,000 people per day in 2007 to 72,000 visitors per day. That’s almost double and more than enough to call Miracle Mile Shops the archetypal Las Vegas shopping center. More Mall Marketing Spotlights Source URL: http://www.chainstoreage.com/article/all-round-las-vegas-shopping-center-miracle-mile-shops

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You are not logged in. sign in To submit a photo or participate in a discussion, please sign in or create an account. Welcome, | sign out | edit profile Enter One of Our Giveaways Don’t miss your chance to win! Learn more. Preview | Subscribe via RSS Recent Philadelphia Posts Most Underrated Shopping Cities Take a Break! You Should Use Your Vacation Time & Here's Why The Pope is Visiting Philly: Here is Everything You Need to Know Animal All-Stars: Where to Go to See Famous Zoo and Aquarium Residents in the U.S. 10 Cool Things to Do in Philly Posts By City Older Posts (347) Rules & Guidelines | Privacy Policy CityPASS Home » City Traveler Blog » A Guide to Philadelphia’s Mummers Parade City Traveler Blog A Guide to Philadelphia’s Mummers Parade posted by Dan Patterson Google in Philadelphia on December 24th, 2013 | Comments (0) | Permanent Link Mummers Parade by Kim Strutting down Broad Street in a flurry of sequined, feathered finery and floats, Philadelphia’s annual New Year’s Day Mummers Parade brings thousands of visitors to the city to see this one-of-a-kind spectacle. In addition to entertaining thousands of native Philadelphians and tourists who come to view the event, the Mummers Parade is more than just a tradition in the City of Brotherly Love -- it’s a competition. More than 40 different Mummers clubs scattered throughout Philadelphia showcase elaborate performances to vie for glory and prizes. Behind the seemingly fleeting burst of pageantry, a lot of planning goes into each and every Mummers parade. Here is a brief look at Philadelphia Mummers history, divisions, and traditions -- offering a peek behind the sequined curtain. More Than Just One Day Philadelphia is sometimes referred to as “the city of neighborhoods.” Many of these neighborhoods and sections of the city have their own “crews” of clubs that assemble under a larger, Mummers “mother” club to compete in one of four separate divisions. The New Year’s Day Mummers Parade is the culmination of a full calendar year of each club’s planning. The estimated amount of time spent on putting together a “typical” Mummers performance each year is 2,000 hours. Each Philadelphia Mummers club devotes a significant amount of time each year to create their ensemble. From designing elaborate costumes, building props and sets, to rehearsing dance and musical numbers, painstaking effort goes into crafting a unique performance around a singular theme. Some past themes include colorful takes on ancient Egypt, cyborgs, the Mayan prophecy, barnyard animals, and even a humorous take on zombies and the undead. 2010 Mummers New Year's Day Parade by Kevin Burkett Different Divisions There are four different types of Mummer divisions that compete for prizes. The Comic division kicks off the parade’s festivities, marching down the street with umbrellas and dressed in loud, clown attire. These brigades lightly poke fun at pop culture, major news events, or just life in-general. The Wenches are an offshoot of the comic division who dress in over-the-top clown drag -- wearing traditional bloomers and dresses -- for comedic value. The Fancy Brigade is home to the biggest productions and crews. In fact, the Fancy Brigade floats and costumes are often so elaborate that their performances are held and judged indoors. Due to the sometimes harsh Northeast weather, there was a risk that some of these carefully-created floats and delicate costumes could have been damaged by winter wind and weather. Rather than see a year’s worth of work sabotaged by Mother Nature, the Brigades now perform inside a local venue. The Fancy division is a smaller version of the Fancy Brigade. While no less extravagant in performance or costumes, these Fancies have much smaller floats and productions than their Fancy Brigade brethren. They perform a routine to music performed by a live band. The String Bands division offers more than just strings. This division puts on one of the biggest, most elaborate performances of the entire parade. While banjos, fiddles, and violins are certainly in the mix, String performers also play such instruments as drums, saxophones, accordions, and glockenspiels. The String division’s live performance rivals the Fancy Brigade’s penchant for over-the-top pageantry. A Historic Presence in Philadelphia Although the Mummers are firmly entrenched in the modern fabric of the City of Brotherly Love, these costumed performers have a special place in Philadelphia history, carrying out a tradition that is believed to be the oldest folk festival in the U.S. Since the colonial era, Philadelphia has been host to a large Swedish population. Their boisterous New Year celebrations were combined with traditional British Mummer plays and performances. Tossed together in a cultural melting pot, these celebrations combined to form a uniquely American tradition. (Even the nation’s first president, George Washington, was a fan of the Mummers!) For a time during the first half of the 1800s, masquerade parades and revelry were banned by the city of Philadelphia. Very few people heeded this edict and it was repealed in 1850. By the time the nation’s first centennial rolled around in 1876, the Mummers took part in a parade celebrating the U.S.’s hundredth birthday. In 1901, Philadelphia officially sponsored a Mummers parade and began to award prizes for the best performances. For more than a century afterward, the parade continued to be a proud Philly tradition, albeit an expensive one. By 2008, total costs to produce the parade and award prizes topped out at $1 million. The city of Philadelphia could only offer $300,000 to offset the cost of the parade that year and wasn’t able to offer any funds for the parade in 2009. That year, the Mummers themselves rallied city-dwellers to help raise funds, managing to reel in some celebrity help in the form of Philadelphia-born Kevin Bacon and his brother, Michael. The Bacon Brothers released a special edition CD of their song, “New Year’s Day” featuring members of various Mummers string bands. All proceeds from the sale of the single went to the Save the Mummers Fund. In the ensuing years, various companies and businesses began to sponsor the parade, ensuring that this splashy Philadelphia tradition will delight countless parade-goers for years to come. This year, the 2014 Mummers Day Parade is being sponsored by Sugar House Casino and will be held on the morning of January 1st. Excited New Year’s Day revelers can brave the crowds to view this spectacular up close, or view the parade on local Philadelphia television. Additional Philadelphia Posts • Most Underrated Shopping Cities • Take a Break! You Should Use Your Vacation Time & Here's Why • The Pope is Visiting Philly: Here is Everything You Need to Know • Animal All-Stars: Where to Go to See Famous Zoo and Aquarium Residents in the U.S. • 10 Cool Things to Do in Philly

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New Cruise Center Welcomes First Cruise Ship As it glided into port, Holland America Line’s newest cruise ship, the 1,848 passenger Noordam, made history when it arrived at the Caribbean’s newest port facility – the Grand Turk Cruise Center, British West Indies – on its inaugural call. After departing from New York City on Wednesday, the Noordam made a direct sailing for Grand Turk, marking the official opening of the new state-of-the-art, multi-million-dollar facility. The arrival of Grand Turk’s first cruise ship went very smoothly, to the full satisfaction of the cruise line’s management, port operators, and hundreds of cruise passengers. The new Grand Turk Cruise Center features a state-of-the-art pier that can accommodate two large Super Post Panamax vessels and a 13-acre complex that serves as a gateway to one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful islands. With its recreation area, including an 800-foot white-sand beach, a swimming pool, cabanas, an array of retail shops and the Caribbean’s largest “Margaritaville”-themed bar and restaurant, owned by music superstar Jimmy Buffet, opportunities abound for cruise guests to discover the Caribbean’s newest destination. Cruise ship passengers can select from nearly two dozen shore excursions, everything from a unique “Hop On, Hop Off” tour visiting famous island attractions to horseback riding, kayaking, and snuba. In more recent years, Grand Turk has been used as a base for the U.S. Navy and NASA, and served as the landing spot for Senator John Glenn’s splash down following his orbit of the Earth as part of the Mercury space launch. Tweet

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Rail Journey Through India Alternate ItineraryNovember 09 - 21, 2013 (13 Days) Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Delhi, India Depart on an overnight flight to Delhi and check into our hotel upon arrival.The Taj Mahal Hotel Day 3 — Delhi Set out on a tour of New Delhi, the capital established by the British in 1911, and see the India Gate and Parliament buildings. Then delve into Old Delhi, a patchwork of eight different cities built by a succession of rulers and a center of Muslim India between the 13th and 19th centuries. Explore Humayun's Tomb, a milestone in the history of Mughal architecture, and Gandi Smriti, a museum honoring Mahatma Gandhi. This evening gather for a special welcome reception and dinner.The Taj Mahal Hotel (B,L,D) Day 4 — Jaipur Depart early this morning for a flight from Delhi to Jaipur in Rajasthan. Known as the "Pink City" for its rose-colored buildings, Jaipur is protected by high fortifications and multiple gates. This morning visit Amber Fort, a 16th- and 17th-century hilltop complex. Explore its exquisite and well-preserved palaces, temples, gardens, and pavilions. After lunch enjoy a guided tour of the City Palace, a vast complex with a museum housing rare manuscripts, paintings, and an armory. Visit the 18th-century royal observatory known as Jantar Mantar and examine a variety of precise astronomical tools.Jai Mahal Palace (B,L,D) Day 5 — Jaipur Begin the day with a stop to photograph Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds, a stunning five-story sandstone building where the delicate latticework and honeycombed windows were originally designed to allow ladies of the court to watch life on the streets below. Then drive to Pushkar to experience the renowned Pushkar Camel Fair. The annual fair draws around 200,000 people who bring some 50,000 camels and cattle for several days of theatrical bargaining and trade. Here, men with flamboyant mustaches and bright turbans organize camel races and competitions, as well as a whimsical beauty contest, in which lavishly adorned camels parade and preen before the crowds. Visit the Brahma temple and the scared Pushkar Lake before returning to Jaipur to board the Palace on Wheels.Palace on Wheels (B,L,D) Day 6 — Ranthambhore National Park/Chittaurgarh Set out on a morning game drive in Ranthambhore National Park in search of the elusive tiger as well as hyenas, jackals, and foxes. After lunch back on the train, arrive in the city of Chittaurgarh. Trace a turbulent history of siege, valor, and sacrifice at Chittaurgarh Fort, one of the largest forts in India.Palace on Wheels (B,L,D) Day 7 — Udaipur Known as the City of Lakes, Udaipur is most celebrated for the fairy-tale marble palaces that appear to rise from the waters of Lake Pichola. Venture into a spectacular labyrinth of courtyards within the City Palace, a soaring creation of marble and granite perched on the lake’s edge. This palace complex, the largest in Rajasthan, blends medieval, European, and Chinese architecture and is richly decorated with inlaid mirror-work, mosaics, and frescoes. Cruise by the Lake Palace Hotel on an afternoon boat ride on Lake Pichola.Palace on Wheels (B,L,D) Day 8 — Jaisalmer Today the train carries us into the heart of the Thar Desert to magical Jaisalmer, founded by Rawal Jaisal in A.D. 1156. Rising above the city, the imposing turrets and bastions of the golden sandstone fort conceal a lively town within. Explore this magnificent fort and discover the havelis, once the mansions of wealthy merchants, decorated with elaborate facades. Later, ride a camel across the sand dunes of Sam and stop for a traditional tea in the desert. Palace on Wheels (B,L,D) Day 9 — Jodhpur Jodhpur's blue-hued old city lies at the foot of massive Mehrangarh Fort, perched on a rocky outcrop some 120 meters high. Visit the 15th- century fort with stunning views of the city, elaborately mirrored rooms, and a museum with a spectacular collection of miniature paintings, ivory artifacts, and weapons. Take auto rickshaws into the narrow streets of the old city with its blue hued buildings, clock tower, and people shopping at the Sardar Bazaar. Enjoy lunch before returning to the Palace on Wheels for the final leg of our rail journey. Palace on Wheels (B,L,D) Day 10 — Keoladeo Ghana National Park/Agra Disembark the train in Bharatpur and head into the wetlands of Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a renowned bird sanctuary. Search for egrets, flamingos, and many other bird species and wildlife. Then stop at a hotel near the park for a cooking demonstration and lunch. Take a guided walk around Bharatpur village before heading to Fatehpur Sikri, the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1569 to 1585, where elegant carved sandstone palaces remain incredibly well-preserved. Continue to Agra this evening.ITC Mughal (B,L,D) Day 11 — Agra Rise early this morning to see the Taj Mahal's marble sparkle in the dawn's light. Constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, the Taj Mahal is often described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love. After lunch, explore Agra Fort's courtyards, mosques, and private chambers, which bring to life the story of the Mughal Empire. Pay a visit to a marble inlay workshop to see how the intricate stonework of the Taj Mahal was created. This evening, visit the iconic Taj Mahal at sunset before gathering for a festive farewell dinner. ITC Mughal (B,L,D) Days 12 & 13 — Agra/Delhi/U.S. Rise early this morning to see the Taj Mahal’s marble sparkle in the dawn’s light. After breakfast, explore Agra Fort’s courtyards, mosques, and private chambers, which bring to life the story of the Mughal Empire. In the early afternoon, drive to Delhi and relax in day rooms at the Taj Mahal Hotel. Later, transfer to the airport for your overnight flight, arriving home the next day. Day rooms at The Taj Mahal Hotel (B,L,D)

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With over a thousand new routes and almost 350 boulder problems, Adirondacks climbing is alive and well! Jimmy Angel, 22, stared hard into the driving mist and gunned the El Rio Caroni, a single-engine prop plane he’d bought used for $5,000. The Caroni bucked in the updrafts rising along the tepui’s 3,000-foot sandstone walls, but Angel held her steady. “There she is!” hollered J.R. McCraken, riding shotgun next to Angel. “Put ’er down there!” Angel landed the Caroni atop the tepui, a rock spike in the remote jungles of Venezuela. The tepui, one of some 100 towers known as the “House of Gods” to the native people, the Pemon, burst like a dragon’s molar from the verdant jungle floor of the Amazon Basin. This particular tepui had been fingered by McCraken, an Alaskan gold digger smitten by tales of gold nuggets as big as your fist. According to lore, the tepui summits were strewn with riches there for the taking. McCraken wasn’t the first, nor would he be the last, to seek the gold. In the mid-1500s, Spanish conquistadors plundered their way up the Amazon in search of a mythical city of gold, El Dorado. Half a century later the English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh also cast about for gold and diamonds. He found none and returned to England where his tales of towers so high they reached heaven sounded so fantastic that no one believed him. When he returned to Venezuela a second time and again came home empty-handed, Queen Elizabeth had him beheaded. Nearly 400 years later, in 1922, McCraken met Angel in a Panamanian bar. Impressed by the bush pilot’s credentials—Angel had flown in Charles Lindberg’s Flying Circus—McCraken hired Angel to deposit him atop a tepui. Guided by his miner’s compass, McCraken navigated the Caroni through dense clouds to the tepui where the Pemon had said he would find gold. After Angel had eased his plane down, the two hopped onto the rocky plateau to find a streambed glittering with gold. McCraken and Angel loaded the booty onto the plane, and, with darkness threatening, took off. The overloaded Caroni plunged 2,000 feet. Angel fought the controls. “Hotdamn!” shrieked McCraken as he hugged a sack of gold. “We’re goners!” Angel’s arms were fit to burst, but he finally leveled out the plane and pointed it toward civilization. Back in Panama City, Angel and McCraken divvied up the loot and vowed to immediately return to the tepui, but McCraken got jungle fever and died. Angel, who had simply steered through clouds per McCraken’s constant instruction, couldn’t figure which of the 100-odd tepuis he had landed on, and spent the next 32 years trying to retrace the flight. He never again found that tepui, but did discover a 3,200-foot waterfall (Angel Falls) that today is famous as being the world’s tallest. Angel died in a plane crash in 1956 still looking for the gold. Climbers, like fortune hunters, have long been fascinated by the tepuis and their mysterious summits, said to be the home of meat-eating plants, frogs that neither hop nor swim, and exotic flora that laps moisture from the air. In fact, the tepuis’ isolated summits host 7,000 endemic species, some of which are believed to be exclusive to single peaks. In 1884, Sir Everard im Thun clawed his way up a vegetated ramp to the summit of Mount Roraima, at 8,900 feet the highest of the tepuis and the home of pterodactyls, according to Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional book, The Lost World. In 1967, British stalwarts Hamish MacInnes, Joe Brown, Don Whillans and Mo Anthoine blazed Roraima’s first technical line, a slime-fest replete with spiders, snakes and rot. The rain-soaked summit hosted neither a lost world of dinosaurs nor any boullion, but legions of stone gargoyles, the losers of the war between good and evil, according to the Pemon, sentenced to eternity, frozen in time. The mini-towers were shockingly solid and clean, virtually unlimited in number, and up to 30 feet high. The Precambrian statues are noted by geologists as the oldest exposed rock formations on Earth and are found on almost every tepui summit. Boulderers’ gold! This February, photographer Jorge Visser accompanied filmmakers Josh and Brett Lowell, and climbers Chris Sharma and Lev Pinter, five Venezuelan climbers and guides and porters, to the tepuis of Venezuela. Arriving in the Caracas airport, they bussed for 19 hours, caught a Jeep to another plane, then slogged for two days through dense forest to their chosen tepui, where easy rope work landed them on top. “We were stunned by how out-of-the-ordinary everything looked,” says Visser. “The trees were straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. It felt like we shouldn’t be there.” Ten days camped on the summit netted around 100 problems on “super super solid sandstone that’s harder and cleaner than desert sandstone,” says Sharma. “It’s a magical place. We just walked around amazed. I didn’t know rock could form like that. We climbed problem after problem, and only had to brush the holds with our hands. We’d get these white-out rains and fog,” says Sharma, “but 30 minutes after clearing the rock was totally dry.” It’s about time someone struck it rich up there. —Duane Raleigh The tepuis are in the Guiana highlands in Canaima National Park, in southeast Venezuela near the borders of Brazil and Guyana. Because of the park’s unique geology, flora and fauna, it was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourist and wall climbers typically visit Auyan Tepui, home to Angel Falls, and Mount Roraima, the largest tepui and one of the few on which you can hike to the summit. Due to the area’s delicate ecosystem, travel to the other tepuis is discouraged. Access to some tepuis may be restricted, and you won’t know until you arrive. Even then, the park rangers may tell you that you need permission from the Pemon, who will then tell you you need permisson from the rangers. For the open tepuis, you need a permit and guide (about $25/day). Porters are also recommended; hiring them helps the local economies. GETTING THERE » Fly to Caracas, Venezuela (about $950 round trip), then travel to the village of Canaima, where you can hire a guide. PRECAUTIONS » The tepuis have species of plants and animals found nowhere else on earth. Help protect them by minimizing your impact. Don’t boulder over the flora, watch your step and pack out your trash.

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Text-Only View | Default View | Accessibility | Sitemap | Change Language: Search for: Workplan You are here: Home > Workplan > Advanced Traveller Information Systems Advanced Traveler Information Systems Action No. 1 : La Rochelle on-board traveller information screens The aim of this action is to improve on-board information in buses in order to make it easier for travellers arriving in La Rochelle to access public transport during their stay. Information will be accessible for all and also cover tourist attractions. Through START project, La Rochelle Urban Community intends to implement new systems providing the travellers opting for Public Transport with relevant information. One of the main local START actions in La Rochelle consists in the installation of TFT screens delivering real-time information (RTI) in the buses. In the first trimester 2010, a local working group gathering the Urban Community (Mobility and Transport, Communication Departments) and the bus operators (RTCR, Veolia) has been set up to implement in a coordinated manner these devices. Several meetings were organised to define precisely the requirements in terms of technical adaptation (how to combine Real-Time Information with static information; how to take into account multi-lingual information), communication (definition of a common layout for the whole bus network) and accessibility (combination and coherence of the visual/vocal announcement; consideration of announcing the level of accessibility of the bus stops if technically feasible). Some technical issues still have to be overcome by the manufacturer’s devices in order to take into account all requirements and consider a full operation of the screens. Action No. 2 : RTI & On-board information for key Highland & Island Transport Services Provide Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) for bus travellers at significant points in the Highlands & Islands Region to improve the travel experience using modern technology. Multi-lingual audio-visual information will be provided on-board buses. In the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, real time information has already been deployed in Inverness City but this has been limited to tracking buses. A lack of information for passengers once they are on a bus is often a problem: when passengers are not familiar with an area and may not know by sight where they need to get off the bus, this is a real barrier to travelling by public transport. Recognising this issue is a particular problem for buses serving Airports all the JET branded buses serving Inverness Airport have been fitted with audio announcements and visual displays that let passengers know the next stop. This system is linked to the Inverness real time information system. This improvement was implemented in August 2010. Real time Provide Passenger Information (RTPI) has been a welcome improvement to the service afforded to passengers at a number of locations in the Highlands and Islands. Plans are being formulated to introduce real time information on 74 buses in the Argyll and Bute local authority area which will complete coverage of the bus fleet operating to, from and within Argyll and Bute. Key interchanges will also be equipped with countdown displays and information on the tracked bus services will be available through SMS and mobile internet. A unique aspect of this project is that three ferries operated by Caledonian MacBrayne will be equipped with real time displays to give passengers details of their onward coach connections for their onward journey before disembarking at the port of Oban. This project will be delivered in 2011. Action No. 3 : RTI in South Western Scotland Provide Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) for bus travellers at significant points in the South West Scotland Region to improve the travel experience using modern technology. SPT have completed several major developments on this activity. Buchanan bus station Located in the heart of Glasgow City Centre, Buchanan bus station is Scotland’s biggest bus station with over 1700 departures per day and approximately 40,000 customers using the station on a daily basis. The bus station provides express coach services to all major towns and cities in the United Kingdom, local departures for commuters and connectivity to Glasgow and Glasgow Prestwick Airports via express coach services. Operated by SPT, the station has the range of facilities customers expect at a modern terminal including disabled toilets, passenger information, travel centre for tickets & information and retail facilities. The bus station is located opposite the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Buchanan Galleries Shopping Centre. As part of START, two Smartpoint kiosks were installed at the bus station in March 2010. These provide journey planning options for all forms of public transport as well as a local map and taxi information. Glasgow Airport Glasgow Airport is Scotland's principal long-haul gateway, with year-round flights to Canada, the United States, Europe and the Gulf. More than 7.5 million passengers use the airport every year, flying to around 90 destinations worldwide. The Airport is located approximately 11 miles from Glasgow city centre. With no direct rail link, frequent express coach services operate 24 hours a day to Buchanan bus station, with stops at Central & Queen Street stations, with journey times of approximately 30 minutes. Paisley Gilmour Street station is approximately 1 mile from the terminal building, connected by a frequent bus service, offering connectivity to rail services to Glasgow, Ayr and the Clyde Coast. As part of START, an electronic information display was installed at the SPT travel centre in June 2009. Located at a key location at domestic arrivals, the display shows all scheduled bus departures from Glasgow Airport, including express coach services to Glasgow city centre. Hillhead Subway Station Located in the heart of Glasgow’s West End, Hillhead Subway station is one of the busiest stations in the Subway network with over 1.8 million customers per year. Many of these customers are students and faculty from the nearby world renowned Glasgow University. As part of START, an electronic information display was installed in the Subway station in March 2009. The display shows all scheduled bus departures from the nearby thoroughfare of Byres Road, the main road through Glasgow’s West End, allowing connectivity between Subway & Bus. Byres Road is also a very popular tourist area due to the close proximity to Glasgow University, Kelvingrove Park, Hunterian Museum, Botanic Gardens as well as café, bars, shopping and hotels. Partick Interchange Located in the historical West End area of Glasgow, Partick Rail station offers direct connectivity between bus, rail & Subway. With 4 million customers per year, it is one of the busiest rail stations in Scotland. As well as providing direct connectivity to rail services to many destinations including Helensburgh and Loch Lomond, Partick Rail station also offers direct access to bus services and the Glasgow Subway. In addition to bus services to Glasgow Airport, the adjacent bus station offers customers access to a variety of many local destinations. The rail / Subway interchange recently underwent substantial refurbishment work. As part of START, 2 monitors showing real time bus information were installed in March 2009 in the main station concourse for services departing from the bus station. Action No. 4 : Lower Normandy new information systems New forms of media in the Lower Normandy region will be developed to provide the travellers (local users and visitors) with the information needed, at every moment during their journey, including a Call and Travel Information Centre. No major steps on this activity to be reported Action No. 5 : RTI in Cantabria Real time information systems will be placed in stations and other main bus stops for travellers using regional buses in Cantabria. The system will provide Wifi for the download of information about ticket sales for every operator for bus passengers. A pilot-project was successfully completed in 2009. The system was installed and tested in 2 suburban buses. This system which was initially scheduled to be fully developed by the end of 2010, has suffered some delays due to the high costs of communications and the problems to get public funding, resulting from general recession. Installation of GPRS devices and hardware onboard to implement the real time information system has been almost completed. So far 85 % of the fleet has been equipped. Screens and information displays in the most important bus stops and bus stations of the region will show real time information for the passengers in the future. Screens in Santander Bus Station came into service in 2009 showing scheduled timetables and similar displays have been installed in suburban main stops on May 2010. For some of these screens, the energy is supplied through photovoltaic panels (solar energy) – a way to contribute to sustainable development. Besides, a new information panel has been set in Santander Bus Station as part of the project at the beginning of 2010. Finally, after geo-coding and codifying all the bus stops, information posts or placards (in case there is a shelter) with a number (code) are progressively being installed. Other initiatives: • New system for managing queues at the ticket counters in Santander Bus Station, ( in service from January 2010) • Wifi access in main mid-range regional buses (working from june 2009) • New information machines, connected with the regional transport website, provide information about timetables, prices, stops, etc. These devices are accessible for disabled people and have been installed in Summer 2010 Contact of the Activity leader: Mr. Matthieu Graindorge (matthieu.graindorge@agglo-larochelle.fr) For more up to date information, please download the Project Findings Summary published in autumn 2011. The Final brochure will be released by the end of May 2012. Communicating With The Customer INTEGRA Portal Development Accessibility of Information & Services Regional Journey Planner Development & Interoperability Advanced Traveller Information Systems Advanced Ticketing Systems Transport Service & Interchange Improvements In Portugal Mr Steam arrives at the Foundation The Educational Service of National Railway Museum Foundation developed an in... To receive more information on the START project please sign up to our newsletter. Investing in our common future The sole responsibility for the content of this website lies with the authors. It does not represent the opinion of the European Communities. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. For more details about START, please contact; info@start-project.eu Copyright © 2009 - 2013 Merseytravel on behalf of the START Consortium | Website design by Distinction | Powered by Kentico

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Buenos Aires home Buenos Aires overview Spontaneous, chaotic, beautiful: Buenos Aires is a truly thrilling city The colourful Caminito, Buenos Aires - © iStockphoto.com/Nikada By Daniel Neilson In his poem, 'The Mythical Founding of Buenos Aires', Argentina's prodigal son, the writer Jorge Luis Borges, wrote 'Hard to believe Buenos Aires had any beginning/I feel it to be as eternal as air and water'. As Argentina approaches its bicentennial anniversary in 2010, it is hard to wander the streets of its capital Buenos Aires and imagine that, with the exception of La Boca, San Telmo and some of downtown, all the city was fields 200 years ago.In two centuries of independence, porteños, as the city's residents are called, have developed some strong characteristics. They are gregarious, occasionally melancholy yet endlessly welcoming. It is likely that an impromptu chat or drink with a talkative resident will stay in your memory long after you've relegated your photo of the Casa Rosada to the bottom drawer and forgotten your tango steps.Buenos Aires, you see, is not a city to visit, but a city to live in. That is not to suggest that everyone should quit their jobs, sell up and move to Argentina's capital, but those who come should, whether visiting for three days or three months, take time to live like porteños. Be sure to visit the sites, take amusing perspective shots of the Obelísco, and watch a cheesy tango show, but also spend hours in coffee shops mulling over a novel, cheer along with fanatics at a football game, chat for hours after your steak dinner and stay up until dawn, partying with BA's carefree and beautiful young crowd. This is how to get under the skin of an utterly, and wonderfully, beguiling city.Through its chaotic and frenetic exterior, you will see that much of the city is beautiful, with grandiose buildings, world-class art galleries, fine restaurants and a thriving fashion industry. Yet those who come with the wince-inducing 'Paris of the South' tag in mind will be disappointed (if that's your bag, we suggest Paris). Buenos Aires, despite the occasional European pretence, is undoubtedly a Latin city, as anyone who takes time to explore neighbourhoods, such as Once and Retiro, will discover. Like every other city in Latin America, it still has major problems with inequalities of wealth.Buenos Aires is unpredictable. Sometimes frustratingly so, but more often thrillingly so. You never know what's around the next corner: a spontaneous tango display, a flash mob from BA's exciting theatre scene, a free concert by one of the world's leading artists, or maybe another protest.This is why we adore Buenos Aires, and why we know you will too.Explore Buenos Aires Print

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Ronald Ellis's Photographs and Images of Calcutta and the Baptist Mission Press (ca. 1975) Carey Baptist Church, Calcutta This is a view across the Maidan with Fort William in the distance. The immediate foreground became a Swimming Club for Europeans with an indoor and outdoor pool. The middle distance, Eden Gardens, has become the worlds largest Cricket Stadium seating about 100,000 people. It has twice held the Cricket World Championships. Beyond that is still the Maidan. Fort William still exists but cannot be seen now because it is surrounded by trees. Detail of Fort William Detail showing Fort William where William Carey was a professor. You can see the fortifications going completely off the picture at left. With the sailing ships it must be very much how Carey saw it. Parade Ground, Fort William The parade ground, etc., inside Fort William. Government House Government House from the garden. Built by Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, and loosely based on Kedleston Hall (a few miles north of Derby, England) where he grew up. Government House, Throne Room The Throne Room. As Lord Curzon was the Queen's official representative, he had a throne to receive dignitaries. The Hooghly River The Hooghly looking north towards Serampore. The precursor of Howrah Bridge is in the dis

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Illinois Rock Island State Trail Northwest Region 311 E. Williams Wyoming, IL 61491 E-Mail Site Map Natural Features Camping 06/01/13 - The Trail is closed to all traffic from Wyoming (Mile 20) to the Spoon River Bridge (Mile 22) and from Mile 22.75 to Mile 23.5. Both closed areas are between Wyoming and Toulon. The Trail is open from Wyoming to Alta. Beauty and solitude, away from the hustle and bustle of city traffic, await visitors at Rock Island Trail State Park. Stretching for 26 miles from Alta, in Peoria County, to Toulon, in Stark County, the park offers many natural and architectural attractions in a tree-canopied corridor that is only 50 to 100 feet wide. Prairie grasses and wildflowers co-exist as remnants of early rail travel along the trail. Just north of Alta, an arched culvert provides a lovely backdrop for the natural beauty of the area. At the Peoria and Stark County line, a tall grass prairie remnant provides a step back into time and allows visitors to see the Illinois that the early settlers experienced. Just a few miles from the Toulon access area, a trestle bridge spans the Spoon River between Wyoming and Toulon. A few miles further south, the Wyoming Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Depot stands as a mute testimony to the hundreds of passengers who traveled along the railway just 100 years ago. The Peoria and Rock Island Railroad Company was granted a charter to construct a railroad between Peoria and Rock Island on March 7, 1867. Construction began two years later, and the first regularly scheduled passenger train passed over the Rock Island Line on July 8, 1871. For more than 40 years, passenger and freight trains rumbled through the small towns of Alta, Dunlap, Princeville, Stark, Wyoming and Toulon. By 1915, rail traffic through these communities began to decline, and ceased completely by the late 1950s. Peoria's Forest Park Foundation acquired the abandoned railway corridor in June1965 and deeded the property to the Department of Conservation four years later. Officially dedicated in 1989, the Rock Island Trail is the first railway conversion completed by the department. Rock Island Trail is in the Grand Prairie Division, a vast plain formerly covered with tall prairie grasses. As the trail has reverted to nature, much of the prairie has returned. North of Princeville lies a dedicated Class B Illinois Nature Preserve with abundant native grasses and flowering perennials. Fourteen acres have been restored to native prairie at the Kickapoo Creek Recreation Area. Hardwood trees and wildflowers can be found along the streams and rivers which cross the trail. Facilities and Activities Improved access points to Rock Island Trail are at Alta, Wyoming and Toulon. Hikers, bikers and skiers will enjoy more than 26 miles of uninterrupted nature. Parking, water and pit toilets are located at access areas. Parking-only facilities are located at Dunlap (on Parks School Road) and Peoria/Stark County line (North Cedar Bluff Road, 00N). Where the trail intersects the small towns along its route of city streets and sidewalks, directional signs are utilized. The park office is in the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Depot located in Wyoming. The depot serves as a visitor center/railroad museum and is a mute testimony to the hundreds of passengers who traveled along the railway just 100 years ago. Since the depot is open as staffing is available, phone (309) 695-2228 if planning a visit. Only non-motorized traffic is allowed on the trail, and equestrian use is not permitted. A Class D (primitive) camping area is located between Alta and Dunlap in the Kickapoo Creek Recreation Area and accessible only by trail. Facilities include pit toilets, fire pads, picnic tables, a picnic shelter and water. There is a self-pay camping station located off Fox Road at the overnight parking lot. Directions The Rock Island Trail State Park stretches from Alta to Toulon, encountering Dunlap, Princeville and Wyoming along the way. The park office located in Wyoming can be reached from I-80 and I-74. If traveling I-80, approximately 12 miles west of Princeton, take Rt 40 south. Continue south to Rt. 17. Turn right (west) on Rt. 17. Drive approximately 7 miles to Wyoming. At the 4-way stop in Wyoming, turn left (east). Drive 3 blocks, and you will see the water tower on your right. The park office is located ½ block past (east of) the tower in the Railroad Depot. Park office is located at mile #20 on the trail. If traveling I-74, at the northwest corner of Peoria, take Rte 6 north to Chillicothe exit (the outer loop 474 turns into Rte 6 north at the junction of I-74). Drive to 3rd exit-"Allen Road" exit. Turn left (north) onto Allen Rd. After approximately 1 mile, the road will curve to the left, follow the left curve. You will be driving through Alta at this curve. Drive 7 tenths of a mile past the curve to Rock Island Trail parking lot on the right (north) side of Alta Rd. This is "Mile 0" of the trail.

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Mad Mooses NSW Roadmap Southern Highlands Snowy Mountains & South Coast of New South Wales NSW Canberra, Australia's capital and only major inland city is just a three hour drive or a 45-minute flight south-west of Sydney. Set in a broad valley in the southern tablelands of New South Wales, Canberra is a well-planned lakeside city of parklands, impressive restaurants, beautiful bushland and leafy suburbs. The Australian ski season starts in the middle of June and lasts until the beginning of October. The main ski resorts are Perisher-Blue, Thredbo and Charlottes Pass with Jindabyne being their gateway town. In the warmer months the area is a hub of activity with water-sports such as water skiing, windsurfing and fantastic trout and salmon fishing. Summer bushwalking in the mountains can be an enlightening experience, especially when the wildflowers in full bloom. The southern highlands district contains the historic townships of Mittagong, Bowral, Moss Vale, and Berrima with tea rooms and antique shops as well as the farming towns of Goulburn and Yass, famous for their Merino sheep. The South Coast, with white sandy beaches and lush green valleys is dotted with fishing towns such as Batemans Bay, Merrimbula and Eden. This area is renowned for its fresh seafood excellent fishing and surfing beaches. Bega, near the Victorian border has been famous for its cheese for more than a century and during the months of September to November many species of whale may be seen from Eden on their annual migration. Service Index Todays Weather Accommodation Auto Rentals Tour & Adventure Region Map South High | Sth Coast | Snowy Mtn | canberra Tourist Information TravelBlogs This website developed and maintained by Australian Travel & Tourism Network Pty Limited for Australian Travel Service providers © last updated 12-Oct-2015

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Coordinates (NAD27) N59�59'59.6" W102�00'22.3" UTM Coordinates (NAD27) 13V 666960 6654920 UTM Coordinates (WGS84) Elevation 0 feet (0.0 meters) Description The boundary junction of Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Saskatchewan is marked by a meter high aluminum obelisk. The monument was placed in 1962 and predates the existence of Nunavut (April, 1999). The north side is inscribed "Northwest Territories", the east side "Manitoba", the west side "Saskatchewan", and the south side "Manitoba Saskatchewan Boundary Commission 1962". Near the top of the south side is "BM", presumably indicating a benchmark. On top of the monument is a disc containing a warning about five years in jail for removing or destroying the monument. Reaching this point involves some significant logistical challenges and requires advance planning. The monument is in a muskeg between Kasba Lake to the north and Hasbala Lake to the south. The best approach is from Hasbala Lake, which is about 140 miles by air from the nearest float plane facility at Points North Landing, Saskatchewan. Points North Landing is at the end of Saskatchewan Provincial Highways 102 and 905, gravel roads beginning 265 miles to the south in La Ronge, Saskatchewan. On July 19, 2001 we drove the length of SK102 and SK905 (about 7 hours) and reached Hidden Bay on Wollaston Lake, about 20 miles southeast of Points North Landing, where we set up camp. The next day we drove to Points North Landing to check on the status of our flight on July 21. We were scheduled to fly on a freight flight to Hasbala Lake Lodge, an arrangement we had made some months earlier. Early on the 21st we drove back to Points North Landing for the flight but the airstrip was fogged in. The fog lifted at about 8 A.M. and we took off in a de Havilland Beaver with Hugh Fischer at the controls. The plane carried the pilot, the two of us, and a load of groceries for the camp on Hasbala Lake. About 75 miles out we encountered a heavy overcast and a solid black wall to the north so we headed back to Points North Landing. Later in the afternoon we tried again but rain and wind prevented air operations. The next day at 6 A.M. we were ready but one of the plane's floats was submerged with a puncture and required repairs, which turned out to be more extensive than expected. At about 2 P.M. the air service decided to use a different plane and deliver a larger freight shipment to the camp. We boarded a de Havilland Single Otter with Dean Greabeiel at the controls and Matt Ryan also in the cockpit. The plane was loaded with wood siding, groceries, frozen meat, and other supplies. Bucking 40 knot headwinds the entire way, our flight took about 1 hour and 45 minutes, averaging only about 80 mph ground speed. The views of the forest, lakes, muskegs, rocks, and sand were very good because we flew only about 600 feet above the ground. At Hasbala Lake, we helped unload the plane and reload it with empty fuel drums, propane cylinders, and garbage. We then boarded an aluminum fishing boat manned by guide Ron Misponas, and motored about 1.5 miles across the lake. From here we walked several hundred meters through muskeg and hordes of mosquitos to the monument. A surveyors' tower constructed of local black spruce stands nearby. We assume it was built in 1962. It now serves as a scaffold for a large osprey nest. We took a number of photographs and returned to the camp and plane. The return flight was very fast. Supper at Points North Landing was great. If you are planning to visit this point, start by contacting Hasbala Lake Lodge. Morice Miller, the proprietor, can help with air, boat, and guide services. His camp is open from about June 1 (when the ice is out) until September 1 (when the ice returns). Photos (click to enlarge) Saskatchewan Highway 905. We travelled 265 miles of this road to reach the airfield at Points North Landing. Photo by Brian J. Butler Base camp at Hidden Bay, Wollaston Lake, Saskatchewan. We camped here for four days waiting for acceptable flying weather. This camp is located about 32 km from Points North Landing. Photo by Brian J. Butler We were glad to see this sign at the end of Saskatchewan 905 and a kilometer from Points North Landing. Actually, at the time of our visit the road was open for 4WD traffic all the way to Stony Rapids on Lake Athabasca, 180 km NW. Photo by Brian J. Butler Fog at Points North Landing delayed our departure on July 21, 2001 and forced our plane to return from 75 miles out. The weather did not improve until the afternoon of July 22. Photo by Brian J. Butler The camp at Points North Landing. This is a transportation hub for the area, providing wheeled aircraft, float planes, and heavy truck transportation for several nearby uranium mines and Indian settlements. Gasoline, lodging, and meals are also available here. Photo by Brian J. Butler Eventually we boarded a freight flight bound for Hasbala Lake Lodge, about a mile and a half south of the quad-point. In addition to Brian and Gregg Butler, the plane carried wooden siding, food, and fuel for the fishing camp. It was a fairly bumpy flight due to a strong headwind. Photo by Brian J. Butler Our plane, the "Blue Canoe", being unloaded at Hasbala Lake Lodge. Photo by Brian J. Butler Hasbala Lake looking in the direction of the quad-point. Photo was taken from the bow of the motorboat used by the guide who took us to a landing near the point. Photo by Brian J. Butler The monument at Canadian Four Corners. Since the monument was set in 1962 it does not mention Nunavut Photo by Brian J. Butler Brian Butler (left) and Gregg Butler (right) at Canadian Four Corners on July 22, 2001. Photo by Dean Greabeiel The crew that helped us reach Canadian Four Corners. Our Hasbala Lake guide Ron Misponas (left), bush pilot Dean Greabeiel (center), assistant (and pilot in training) Matt Ryan (right). Photo by Brian J. Butler A surveying tower made of black spruce logs. We assume this was built in 1962. There are remnants of a large osprey nest. This structure stands about 100 feet north of the quad-point, which is visible near the bottom of the photo. Photo by Brian J. Butler The flight back to Points North Landing carried empty fuel drums, propane cylinders, trash, the crew and two passengers. The pilot was smoking, but at least he had his window open. Photo by Brian J. Butler Back on Saskatchewan 905 headed south. Pavement never felt so good as when we reached La Ronge. Photo by Gregg A. Butler Contact Home

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Red Rock really does rock. Hike. Helicopter. Or high-performance vehicle. It doesn't matter how you get there, just get there. Red Rock Canyon is one of the Valley's most popular destinations. And despite its exotic good looks (as seen in movies and on numerous TV commercials), Red Rock is about 30 minutes from the Strip. more...Officially known as Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, this 520-acre spread is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and protected as a National Conservation Area. It's visited by more than a million travelers each yearSeemingly more a mountain range than a canyon, the area is dominated by spectacular layered walls of colorful hard rock and sandstone. Up to 3,000 feet high, it's a popular hiking and rock-climbing destination. But its jaw-dropping beauty and fiery red highlights surely make the range one of the most photographed attractions in the Southwest.A 13-mile loop road provides vehicle access to trailheads and viewing spots. And a visitor center is located at the start of the loop road. Most Red Rock tours take you around the scenic loop, with frequent stops for photographs. You'll see red and tan sandstone, colorful carbonate rock and, if you're a bit more adventurous, Indian pictographs, too. Nearby Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, once owned by legendary billionaire and Las Vegas resident Howard Hughes, has stunning views of the marvelous Wilson Cliffs. Green and cool, this working ranch is the perfect spot for a picnic lunch. Red Rock Las Vegas tours typically provide transportation right from your hotel, making it the perfect half-day getaway. Keyword

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New York reservations Join our Social Networks New York Tours on Facebook New York Tours on Twitter Home Your Reservations Cart Your Reservations Cart is empty Popular Tours and Activities NY See It All Guided Bus & Boat Tour NY See The Best Tour with Empire State Building Premium Guided Tour with Statue of Liberty Pedestal in New York See the City Night Lights Tour by Minibus in New York Hop On Hop Off Open Top Bus Tour in New York New York Circle Line Harbor Lights Cruise New York Circle Line Liberty Cruise Dinner Cruise in New York - Luxury Yacht THE RIDE Sightseeing Entertainment Evening Tour in New York New York Landmark Cruise A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza & Movie Tour New York, New York Helicopter Tour Brooklyn Neighborhood Eats Walking Tour in New York Ground Zero Museum Workshop in New York All Around Town Day and Night Bus Tour in New York View all popular tours and activities >> Tour and Activity Types Super Saver Special Discounts 9/11 Memorial Tours in New York Airport Transfers in New York City Airport Transfers in Newark Aquariums on Long Island Architecture Tours in New York City Art Tours in New York Battery Park Tours in New York City Beer Tours in New York City Bicycle Rentals in New York See all tour types and activities >> New York 212-852-4822 Get Your E-Tickets! You will receive an E-Ticket for your tour/activity within 72 hours (if your tour/activity is in less than 10 days). If your tour/activity is within the next 72 hours, your E-Ticket will be processed as quickly as possible. Learn more Top of The Rock Observation Deck in New York Prices - including tax All amounts in US Dollar $ Adult Telephone Rate: Adult Rate : $27.50 Your Internet Order Savings: Senior Rate (Ages 62+): Child Rate (Ages 6-12): Child - Free (Ages 5 & Under): Enjoy the view from The Top of The Rock Observation Deck in New York City, New York. Top Of The Rock is an experience in history and scenery that culminates with unparalleled views of New York City from the newly renovated Observation Deck on the 70th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, in the heart of midtown Manhattan at Rockefeller Center. There's a certain peace at 70 stories above the city, and TOP OF THE ROCK'S Observation Deck was conceived with the express purpose of keeping that peace uninterrupted. Panels of fully transparent safety glass - the only thing between our visitors and the city - are crystal clear for unobstructed, open-air viewing. The reserved-ticket system is designed to ensure the deck is never overcrowded. Top of The Rock Observation Deck in New York Details Length: varies Open 365 days of the year; 8:30 am to Midnight. Last elevator goes up at 11:00 pm. Summary: The Observation Deck does not offer hotel pick ups. Please order online or call to order or for more information. There is a $6.95 USD processing fee per order. This is a flat fee regardless of the number of tickets or tours purchased on an order. There is a service charge per ticket. This charge will be reflected on your summary before you checkout. The total shown includes any and all taxes, fuel surcharges, and service fees. There are no additional charges, unless otherwise specified. Cancellation Policy There are no refunds. All sales are final. Change Fee Policy If changes are allowed on a tour or activity, a $20.00 per reservation change fee will be applied for any change to a reservation. Please note that some tours and activities do not allow any changes. Date changes can only be made only if we can confirm availability on the new date. While we cannot guarantee any changes can be made, all change requests must be submitted a minimum of 24 hours prior to the tour departure and must be handled on an individual basis through our Reservations Center. Top of The Rock Observation Deck in New York Description The view itself is unique and astonishing, unobstructed for 360 degrees and stretching for miles in every direction. It includes a panorama of Central Park and the northern half of Manhattan that can't be found anywhere else. New York's other landmarks are visible as well, including the Chrysler Building, Times Square, the Hudson River, the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty. It is, quite simply, the most spectacular view in New York City. And because TOP OF THE ROCK'S Observation Deck is open 365 days a year, it is the ideal perch to watch the seasons unfold. Or simply to take in an amazing sunset. Designed for Guests of Every Age Top of the Rock is more than just a pretty view. In addition to the interactive exhibits on the mezzanine level with its hands-on activities, the stunning views at the summit can be enjoyed by everyone. And, to remember the trip, our TOP OF THE ROCK shop features exclusive merchandise not found anywhere else. Swarovski & Target Bring their Unique Styles to Top of the Rock There's a genuine excitement at TOP OF THE ROCK, inspired by our sponsor partnerships with Swarovski, the world's leading brand for cut crystal, and Target®, the most dynamic and innovative retailer in the U.S. To celebrate its partnership with Top of the Rock, Swarovski has created two spectacular pieces of art that are as dazzling as the views from our Observation Deck: "Radiance," a massive crystal geode wall on the first level of the Observation Deck, shimmers with 600 custom glass and crystal panels spanning a width of 180 feet; and "Joie", a stunning crystal waterfall chandelier that is the centerpiece of TOP OF THE ROCK's entrance on West 50th Street. Target® adds its own cool and imaginative style to the Observation Deck with the Target® Breezeway, a cutting edge, interactive multi-media experience that puts a human touch on motion-detection technology, using the movements of our visitors as its catalyst. Target® has also designed a number of exclusive, Target®-branded products for the TOP OF THE ROCK shops. The Target® merchandise includes personal, business and travel accessories, as well as a collection of cashmere hats, gloves and scarves. The Story Behind Top of the Rock A Story that begins in 1933... - John D. Rockefeller, Jr. first opened the Observation Deck atop 30 Rockefeller Plaza more than 70 years ago, to give something back to New Yorkers and their guests from around the worlds a place to appreciate and celebrate the city. The Observation Deck's original design was inspired by the decks of the great ocean liners of the era - complete with deck chairs, gooseneck fixtures and vents inspired by a ship's stacks. A trip to the Observation Deck was like setting sail in the heart of the world's most dynamic city. Now, for the first time in 20 years, this breathtaking vantage point is being re-introduced to the people of New York and the world. ...and continues into the 21st Century - As the steward of John D. Rockefeller, Jr.'s dream, Tishman Speyer is proud to present the new Top of the Rock Observation Deck, as envisioned by the architect Michael Gabellini. When Mr. Gabellini re-imagined the new Observation Deck that is now TOP OF THE ROCK, he envisioned the same simple elegance and astonishing beauty of the original --amplified by modern materials and engineering. Top of the Rock is a streamlined, uncluttered and thrilling experience - with panels of fully transparent, non-reflective safety glass allowing completely unobstructed, open-air views of the entire city. Gabellini blended modern materials with the deck's original elements - like the custom "shot-sawn" limestone and cast-aluminum fleurs-de-lis that are signatures of the original design. The result is Art Deco grace combined with state-of-the-art technology and simplicity. About Rockefeller Center - A New York City landmark for nearly 75 years, Rockefeller Center is located in the heart of Manhattan. The complex is home to broadcast studios, dozens of shops and restaurants, an outdoor ice-skating rink, Radio City Music Hall, and, of course, one of the most famous Christmas trees in the world. The Observation Deck does not offer hotel pick ups. Please order online or call to order or for more information. what! Top of The Rock Observation Deck in New York Related Photos Top of The Rock View in New York Rockefeller Center Tour Tickets Top Of The Rock at Night 1930s Photograph at Rockefeller Center New York Tours and Information Copyright 1999 - 2015 City Info Experts LLC - New York - Powered by Reserve123. All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy GA License Number TKBK00007 Fla. Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST38607 Click to validate

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Ask a question Publications Media Gallery Site Map DISCOVER LEBANON THE 4 SEASONS TOURISM BY REGION TOURISM BY TYPE North Lebanon Bekaa Nature & Adventure Religious Tourism Batroun and its Suburbs Bsharreh Wadi Qadisha (Qadisha Valley) Around Bsharre and Wadi Qadisha Tripoli Around Tripoli District of Koura District of Akkar Explore / Bsharreh It is the town of Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883 – 1931). It contains the house of his family, which is rural, traditional and humble, situated in the middle of the square of Mar Saba Church. Bsharreh is 1400 meters above sea level. It is distinguished for its traditional mountainous lifestyle and for its narrow streets and small shops. It is famous for the production of fruits especially apples, pears and cherries in addition to its being an attraction spot to tourists in both summer and winter. During the Crusader period it was called "Buissera", and it was an important citadel for the county of Tripoli. During the Mamluk period, el Moqqaddameen in Bsharreh were appointed by the Maronite "Patriarch", and they enjoyed great power. "Moqqaddam" means the one who takes lead. "El Moqqaddameen" are Maronite leaders. They could be civilians or military people who held high positions in society. They used to help the Patriarch in administrating the financial affairs of the church and they participated on both social and civil levels in an independent government that the Maronite Church formed as a favour given to the church by the system that it was linked to. Gibran Khalil Gibran Gibran was born in 1883. He immigrated to Boston in 1894 with his mother, brother Boutros and his sisters Miriana and Sultana. He was distinguished for his artistic talent at an early age. In Boston he met Mary Haskell, who believed in his creativity and supported him. In 1908, he wrote, "I hope that one day I will be able to make the world know that I became an artist by virtue of Mary Haskell'. Mary Haskell financed his studies in Paris. When he returned in 1911, he settled in New York and published the Mad Man, The Forerunner, el Mawakeb (The Processions) in addition to other books. He formed a literary league, al-Rabitah Al Qalamieh (the Pen Bond) with Lebanese and Syrian writers. In 1923, he published his masterpiece, the Prophet, which made him famous in the U.S.A. and worldwide. His paintings witnessed the same fame. He died at the age of 48 in New York on April 10th, 1931. Museum of Gibran Khalil Gibran At the southern entrance of Bsahrreh, inside the ancient Deir Mar Sarkis that is engraved in the rock, you find the museum of Gibran. Gibran used to visit this monastery as a child, and he wished to be buried there. The National Gibran Committee founded this museum in 1975 after counselling with the Louvre Museum in Paris and with the British Museum. It comprises 450 paintings, manuscripts, and personal belongings. The Museum opens daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (in summer) and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Mondays (in winter). Telephone: 06-671137 www.kalilgibran.org Paid Entry At the right side of the museum, there is a very narrow and slanting road that leads to Saydet Lourdes Grotto. There is also a Phoenician graveyard that dates to 750 B.C. 27 . 32 © 2011 Lebanon ministry of tourism . All rights reserved. | Privacy | Terms of Use www.koein.com website by koein | Username Forget Password ? Tourism Package Package Title test koein

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Jeju Island, Korea All about Jeju Island. Listen to local Islander = ) Yeomiji Botanical Garden 여미지 식물원 MUST SEE botanical garden in Juju Island!The Yeomiji Botanical Garden is located in Jung-Mun Tourist Complex, the Jeju tourist Mecca, Jeju Island where mysterious natures and traditional cultures are alive. More than 1.4 million visitors have been warmly welcomed since the Yeomiji Botanical Garden was established in October, 1989. The Garden has been known as the best tourist attraction in Jeju Island.The observation platform with 38 m height in the widely spread field - approximately 134,426 square yard(1 : 3.9537 yd²) and the indoor botanical garden - approximately 15,024 square yard(1 : 3.9537 yd²)- shaped into a sunflower, are proudly known as the largest Botanical Garden in the world. The outdoor botanical garden consists of 4 different cultural gardens and a variety of theme parks and also 2,000 different sorts of tropical & subtropical plants. Seasonal events are being held and shown yearly to all the visitors from all over the world.It is well being displayed that the various plants such as Jack fruits of which fruit is nearly 40 kg, Papyrus which was firstly used as materials for paper in ancient Egypt, Mucho which can dance with music, insectivorous plants which can eat insects, etc and the precious & unique plants are surely observed as well. The Yeomiji Botanical Garden has been gradually improved by planting new species through the seed-exchange with 180 Botanical Gardens in 130 different countries in order to lead the Botanical Gardens in Korea.Location: JungmoonThey also kindly support English version homepage:http://www.yeomiji.or.kr/eng.jsp misolization Wiki 'Jeju Island' Jeju-do[1] (transliterated Korean for Jeju Province, short form of Jeju Special Autonomous Province) is the only special autonomous province of South Korea, situated on and coterminous with the country's largest island. Jeju-do lies in the Korea Strait, southwest of Jeollanam-do Province, of which it was a part before it became a separate province in 1946. Its capital is the city of Jeju.The island contains the Natural World Heritage Site Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes.[2] In Korean, do is the phonetic trancription of two distinct hanja (Chinese characters) meaning "island" (島) and "province" (道). However, Jejudo generally refers to the island, while Jeju-do refers to the government administrative unit. The table below also includes the name of Jeju City, the provincial capital.[edit]Nomenclature English NameKorean NameHangulHanja Jeju IslandJejudo제주도濟州島 Jeju ProvinceJeju-teukbyeoljachido제주특별자치도濟州特別自治道 Jeju CityJeju-si제주시濟州市 [edit]Historical namesHistorically, the island has been called by many different names including:Doi (도이, 島夷) Dongyeongju (동영주, 東瀛州) Juho (주호, 州胡) Tammora (탐모라, 耽牟羅) Seomna (섭라, 涉羅) Tangna (탁라, 乇羅) Tamna (탐라, 耽羅) Quelpart (q.v. gyulbat, 귤밭, 橘밭, meaning "orange orchards") Before the Japanese annexation in 1910, the island was usually known as Quelpart to Europeans. The name "Quelpart" apparently came from the first European ship to spot the island, the Dutch "Quelpaert", which sighted it after being blown off course on its way to the Dutch trading base in Nagasaki, Japan, from Taiwan (then the Dutch colony of Formosa).When Korea was annexed by Japan in 1910, Jeju then became known as Saishū, which is the Japanese reading of thehanja for Jeju.Before 2000, when the Seoul government changed the official Romanization of Hangul, Jeju-do was spelled Cheju-do. Almost all written references to the island before that use that spelling.[edit]GeographyJeju Island is a volcanic island, dominated by Halla-san (Halla Mountain): a volcano 1,950 metres high and the highest mountain in South Korea.The island was created entirely from volcanic eruptions approximately 2 million years ago, during the time period from theTertiary to the beginning of the Quaternary period, and consists chiefly of basalt and lava. The eruptions took place in the Cenozoic era. It has a humid subtropical climate, warmer than that of the rest of Korea, with four distinct seasons. Winters are cool and dry while summers are hot, humid, and sometimes rainy.There is a crater lake which is the only crater lake in South Korea.[citation needed]An area covering about 12% (224 square kilometers) of Jeju is known as Gotjawal Forest.[3] This area had remained untouched until the 21st century, as its base of ʻAʻā lava made it difficult to develop for agriculture. Because this forest remained untouched for a long time, it has a unique ecology.[4] The forest is the main source of groundwater, the main water source for the half millon people of the island, because rainwater penetrates directly into the groundwater aquifer through the cracks of the ʻAʻā lava under the forest. Gotjawal forest is considered an internationally important wetland under the Ramsar Convention by some researchers[5] because it is the habitat of unique species of plants and is the main source of water for the residents, although to date it has not been declared a Ramsar site.[6][edit]History This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2008) [edit]Early history Cheonjiyeon Waterfall on Jeju Island.According to legend, three demi-gods emerged from Samsung-hyeol which is said to have been on the northern slopes of Mt. Halla and became the progenitors of the Jeju people who founded the Kingdom of Tamna. It has also been claimed that three brothers including Ko-hu who were the 15th descendants of Koulla, one of the Progenitors of the Jeju people, were received by the court of Silla at which time the name Tamna was officially recognized, while the official government posts of Seong-ju, Wang-ja and Do-nae were conferred by the court upon the three. While this was the golden period of Silla, the exact data is as yet unknown.However, there is no concrete evidence of when the "Three Names" (Samseong-Ko, Yang and Pu) appeared nor for the exact date of when Ko-hu and his brothers were received by Silla. It may be supposed that the founding Period by the "Three Names" occurred during the Three Kingdoms (Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla) period on the peninsula.Taejo, founder of Goryeo, attempted to establish the same relationship between Goryeo and Tamna as Tamna had had with Silla. Tamna refused to accept this position and the Goryeo court dispatched troops to force Tamna to submit. Ko ja-gyeon, chief of Tamna, submitted to Goryeo in 938 and sent his son, Prince Mallo, to Goryeo's court as a de-facto hostage. In 1105 (King Sukjong's 10th year), the Goryeo court abolished the name Takna which had to this time been used and from that year on, the island was known as "Tamna-gun" (district) and Goryeo officials were sent to handle the affairs of the island.Tamna-gun was changed to Tamna-hyeon in 1153 during the reign of King Ui-jong and Choi Cheok-kyeong was posted as Tamna-Myeong or Chief of Tamna.In 1121 during Huijong's reign, Tamna was renamed Jeju and the posts of Busa and Pangwan were established on the island.In the 12th year of the reign of Wonjong, 1271, General Kim Tong-jeong escaped with what remained of his Sambyeolcho force from Jindo and built the Hangpaduseong (fortress) at Kwiil-chon from where they continued their fight against the combined Goryeo/Mongol army but within 2 years, faced by an enemy army of over 10,000 troops, the Sambyeolcho was annihilated. Waves crashing on Jeju seashore.The Yuan (Mongol) dynasty, in 1273 during the reign of Goryeo's King Wonjong, established a Daruhachi or military governor on the island and this was to last almost one hundred years with the island almost completely under the control of these governors.After Yi Taejo established the Joseon (Yi) dynasty, all of the administrative rights and systems of Jeju island, which had maintained some independence until this time, were absorbed into the centralized form of government established by Joseon.In 1402, in the 2nd year of the reign of King Taejong, the titles of Seongiu and Wangja which had so long been used on Jeju were abolished and to Seongju Ko bong-lyeo was given the symbolic title of Jwadojigwan and to Wangja Mun chung-se, the title of Seokdojigwan. In 1416, still in the reign of King Taejong, the island was divided into three major administrative districts: The area lying generally north of Mt. Halla was headed by a 'Moksa' or county magistrate, while the eastern area of Jeongui-hyeon (today's Seongeup Folk village) and the south western area of Daejeong-hyeon (today's Moseulpo, Daejeong-eup and Mt. Sanbang) were each headed by a Hyeon-gam (also county magistrate).In August, 1864, both Jeongui and Daejeong hyeons were removed from the control of the 'moksa' north of the mountain in today's Jeju-si area and were renamed 'Gun" (county) and came under the direct control of the Gwanchalsa (governor) of Jeolla province. Because of strife between these 'Guns' and the Jeju 'moksa', the system was abolished in January, 1880 and the two 'Gun' reverted again to 'hyeon'.In 1895 (King Gojong's 32nd year), Jeju-mok was redesignated as Jeju-Bu with a governor (Gwanchalsa) and Vice-governor (Chamsagwan) and a police agency was newly established, while in both Jeongui and Daejeong the offices of 'Gunsu' (county chief) were again established. The very next year, the office of 'Gunsu' was abolished and the old system was restored.Then in 1906, abolishing the Moksa system altogether, the Gunsu or County chief system was adopted. In 1910, Jeongui and Daejeong were included in Jeju gun while Chuja-myeon was placed under the jurisdiction of Wando-gun, part of South Jeolla province.[edit]Modern history Halla Mountain in Jeju.Japan annexed Korea in 1910 and in 1915 the gun or county system which had been adopted in 1906 was abolished and Jeju island was designated as part of the 'island' system and called Jeju myeon under South Jeolla province. In 1931, Jeju-myeon was raised to the status of Jeju-eup or 'township' which gave the island one township (today's Jeju-si area) and 12 'myeon'. On August 1, 1946, Jeju Special Autonomous Province was removed from the 'island' system under South Jeolla province and designated as an independent province with 2 counties, North County and South County, one 'township', today's present Jeju-si area, and 12 'myeon'.The provincial administrative building was burned to the ground in September, 1948 (during the April 3rd Rebellion, also known as the Jeju Uprising) and a new building was completed in 1-do, 2-dong in December, 1952. The rebellions of April 3 were actually part of a larger problem across Korea at this time. The rebellions on Cheju-do, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of officials, armed organizations, and villagers alike culminated in widespread violence on the island and the center of the island (Halla Mountain) being listed as an "enemy zone" by the government of the Republic of Korea. Over 30,000 people were killed as some villagers and communist radicals alike were imprisoned in internment camps under the policies of mainland government.[7] Cheonjiyeon Waterfall in Jeju.While claims have been made that the US government oversaw and supported "anti-communist" activities administratively if not openly in the field, validation remains to be made. It is a fact the US was heavily involved in counter insurgence operations across Korea at this time leading up to the Korean War and UN involvement. Similarly, the Northwest Youth League, a Korean government sponsored watch-dog group made up of refugees who had fled northern Korea, actively repressed any and all "communist sympathizers" with an ardent campaign of shooting anyone on sight entering or leaving the president's "enemy zone", raping/violation, torturing, and killing hundreds of islanders using open armed violence and what would be labeled today as terrorist activities. Intolerance by mainland Korean officials of islanders in general at the time, government and organization sponsored isolation of the island, and rumored cover up of evidence linking the rebellion's suppressors with foreign powers and people who have today gone un-prosecuted is believed to be the primary cause of public ignorance, hedging on denial, over the April 3, 1948 genocide on Cheju-do. A documentary by the BBC and PBS, Korea: The Unknown War and many activities and publications by organizations and persons from within Cheju-do and around the world continue to attempt shedding the light on this event.On September 1, 1955, Jeju Township was elevated to city status with 40 administrative wards which on January 1, 1962, were reduced to 14 wards. On July 8, 1956, Seogwi, Daejeong and Hallim-myeons were raised to the status of townships while the southwestern portion of Hallim Township was separated and newly designated as the Hankyeong district(myeon) which gave the province one city, two counties, three townships and 10 myeon or districts with 14 wards in Jeju-si. May 23, 1979 saw the restructuring of the Jeju-si wards and the addition of three more, giving 17 wards.In March, 1980, the construction of a new provincial office was started in Yeon-dong of Jeju-si and in December of that year the four myeon of Aewol, Gujwa, Namwon and Seongsan were elevated to the status of townships giving the administrative area one city, two counties, seven townships, six districts and, within Jeju-si, 17 wards.In 1981, the development of the Jungmun Tourist Complex brought about the unification of Seogwi township and Jungmun-myeon (district) into one as Seogwipo-si consisting of 12 wards (dong) giving the province two cities, two counties, six townships, five districts and 29 wards. Former flag of Jeju-doOn October 1, 1983, Jeju-si's Samdo ward was divided into two wards to give a total of 30 wards in the province.Yongdam ward in Jeju-si was restructured into Yongdam ward one and Yongdam ward two on October 1, 1985. On April 1, 1986 Jocheon myeon (district) was elevated to the status of Township and Yeonpyeong-ri Gujwa township was raised to the status of Udo district (myeon). The provincial area now administered 2 cities, 2 counties, 7 townships, 5 districts and 31 wards, the status of the province as of 3 December 1996.Jeju (Cheju), on 1 July 2006, was made into the first and only special autonomous province of South Korea.[edit]Administrative divisionsUntil 2005, Jeju Province was divided into two cities (si), Jeju and Seogwipo, and two counties (gun), Bukjeju (North Jeju) andNamjeju (South Jeju) respectively. The two cities were further divided into thirty-one neighbourhoods (dong), while the two counties were divided into seven towns (eup) and five districts (myeon). The seven towns and five districts were in turn divided into 551 villages (ri).In 2005, Jeju residents approved, by referendum, a proposal to merge Bukjeju County into Jeju City, and Namjeju County into Seogwipo City. Effective 1 July 2006, the province was also renamed Jeju Special Autonomous Province with two nominal subdivisions, Jeju and Seogwipo city. In addition to changes in name, the province has been given extensive administrative power that has been reserved for the central government. This is part of plans to turn Jeju into a "Free International City".[8][edit]Towns and Cities Map#NameHangulHanjaAdministrative Type 1Jeju City제주시濟州市City 2Seogwipo서귀포西歸浦City [edit]SymbolsProvincial flower: Rhododendron (Rhododendron Weyrichii / Max (Chamkkot)) Provincial tree: Camphor Laurel (Cinnamomum camphora siebold / Noknamu) Provincial bird: Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos quelpartensis) [edit]Society and culture Dol hareubang.Because of the relative isolation of the island, the people of Jeju have developed a culture and language that are distinct from those of mainland Korea. Jeju is home to thousands of local legends. Perhaps the most distinct cultural artifact is the ubiquitousdol hareubang ("stone grandfather") carved from a block of basalt.Another distinct aspect of Jeju is the matriarchal family structure, found especially in Udo and Mara, but also present in the rest of the province. The best-known example of this is found among the haenyeo ("sea women"), who were often the heads of families, because they controlled the income. They earned their living from free diving, often all year round in quite cold water, without scuba gear, in order to harvest abalones, conchs, and a myriad of other marine products. It is thought that women are better at spending all day deep-water diving because they resist cold better. [1] However, because of rapid economic development and modernization, few haenyeo are still actively working today. [2], [3]BangsatapBangsatap are small, round towers made of many stones. There are many Bangsataps and you can see them near the countryside in Jeju. People usually pile up many stones, making a shape like a tower in order to protect themselves from the bad luck in their village. They have built Bangsatap according to the theory of divination because they believe that geography is very important in choosing the right place for them. It is also a good example to demonstrate religious belief in Jeju island because it is an object that people can rely on putting rice paddle inside the Bangsatap to gather as much money as possible and also putting an iron pot to overcome a disaster and fight fire in their village. Nobody knows that when the Bangsatap was built in the past year. CuisineJeonbokjuk, abalone porridgeJeju Island is the southernmost and largest island isolated from the Korean peninsula. Due to its lack of fresh water, paddy farming is only done on a small scale on the island, with the cultivation of cereal crops such as millet, barnyard millet, buckwheat, and barley being the main feature of agriculture. Therefore, the traditional Jeju meal generally consisted ofjapgokbap which is a bowl of steamed multiple grains as a main dish, with various salted dried fish called jaban[9][10] asbanchan (side dishes), and a soup based on doenjang (soybean paste) such as baechuguk made with Napa cabbage,kongnipguk made with soybean leaves, or muguk made with daikon. Jeju dishes are made with simple ingredients, and the taste is generally salty. Raw seafood called hoe is commonly consumed as a part of the meal. The warm weather affects Jeju cuisine in that gimjang, preparing kimchi in late autumn for winter consumption, is not necessary to Jeju locals unlike the other provinces. Only a small amount of kimchi is pickled by Jeju locals. Representative main dishes in Jeju cuisine are porridge made with fish, seafood, seaweeds, or mushrooms. Examples include jeonbokjuk made with abalone, okdomjukmade with Red tilefish,[11] gejuk made with crabs, gingijuk made with small crabs called bangge (Helice tridens),[12]maeyeoksae juk made with young wakame,[13] and chogijuk made with shiitake.[14][edit]Traditional foodGamgyul is a type of orange similar to the Mandarin orange or tangerine. Black pig is a delicacy on the island. Black pigs are famous for their black hair and their meat for its chewy texture. The meat is chewy and nutritious, but does not have the unique smell of pork. Black pigs other notable features are their long faces, narrow snouts and small ears that stand up.[edit]Myth & LegendSeulmundae Halmang (Grandmother Seulmundae) is a very famous myth in Jeju, known to many Jeju residents. According to this myth, Seulmundae Halmang could reach from Sung San Ill Chul Bong with one foot to Guan Tal island at Aeweol, and with both feet to Mt. Halla. She was very strong, had 500 children, and built Mt. Halla with seven scoops of the earth.One day, Seulmundae Halmang was making soup for her sons and drowned to death in the pot while her sons were hunting. After they finished hunting, they felt hungry and ate the soup, without knowing that their mother had passed away in the soup. However, the youngest son knew. He told the truth to the rest of the sons, and the whole family cried, and eventually turned into 500 stones.[edit]EconomyJeju FIFA World Cup Stadium in SeogwipoIn 2006, the GDP of the province was projected at 8.5 trillion won (about US$8.5 billion), approximately 15 million won per capita. The provincial government's budget for 2006 was projected at 1.1 trillion won, an increase of 10% over 2005.Jeju is also a home for key functions of Daum Communications, a leading Korean internet site, and sole owner of Lycos.Jeju is also famous for hosting many conferences and international meetings, including the World Scout Conference in July 2008. Jeju has its own convention center called International Convention Center Jeju. The ASEAN-KOREA Commemorative Summit 2009 was held at ICC Jeju.[edit]TourismJeju Stone Statue Park Statue.Tourism commands a large fraction of Jeju's economy. Jeju's temperate climate, natural scenery, and beaches make it a popular tourist destination for South Koreans as well as visitors from other parts of East Asia. The most popular tourist spots on the island are Cheonjeyeon and Cheonjiyeon waterfalls,Mount Halla, Hyeobje cave, and Hyeongje island. There is a variety of leisure sports that tourists can take part in Jeju including golf, horse riding, hunting, fishing, mountain climbing, etc. Depending on the season, Jeju hosts many festivals for tourists including a penguin swimming contest in winter, cherry blossom festival in spring, the midsummer night beach festival in summer, and Jeju horse festival in autumn, among others. For most tourists, traffic to and from the island is mainly taken throughJeju International Airport and transport within the island by rental cars. Some local products are popular to tourists, including Jeju's special tile fish and mandarin oranges, aside from souvenirs and duty-free shopping.Jeju was chosen as one of the 28 finalists for the New 7 Wonders of Nature at www.new7wonders.com.[edit]Tourist attractionsHallim ParkThis is one of the oldest and most popular tourist attractions on Jeju. It is located on the west coast of the island.Fire FestivalThere is an annual fire festival on the island that stems from a custom of removing harmful insects and old grass in villages every winter. The fire festival is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month each year. Dal-gip(to pile up much wood) is burned when the moon rises while praying for good harvests and making good wishes. Jeju traditional food is all eaten at the site of the festival. This festival was held 13 times until 2009. The Jeju Jeongwol Daeboreum Fire Festival started in 1997 and become a leading festival of Jeju. This takes place in Saebyeol Oreum located in Bongseong ri, Aewol Eup. It takes up 25 minutes from Jeju international Airport by car. Jeju citizens do their utmost to prepare the Fire Festival so as to pass down, develop and ultimately develop branding for the unique folk culture resources of Jeju. Saebyeol oreum has a characteristic of a complex volcano. It has the horseshoe shaped crater that is both very wide and slightly split. Also, it is rising high with the little peaks making oval from the south peak to northwest. The scale is above the sea level 519.3m, height 119m, circumference 2,713m, area 522,216㎡. Saebyeol oreum, which is the middle size among the 360 oreums in Jeju island. It's named after the saying "it brightens like a star".Olle"Olle" is a word in the local dialect which refers to the paths between houses and public roads." "Jeju Olle" is a hiking trail founded by Suh. Myugsook. There is a narrow pathway connected from the house to an open space called "Olle". It is the jeju word and has the same sound as "Would you come?" in Korean. The first trail route was opened in September, 2007. There have been 14 opened (recently a 15th course was opened- see the September Jeju Weekly for details)and the trail exploration team is still working on new routes. "Olle" is the most beautiful and peaceful road in the world and became a synonym of tracking course in Korea. There are many route signs. Those are blue arrows and you can fine that on the stone walls of lacal villages and rocks near the seaside. You also can see blue and yellow ribbons knotted around trees. That lead you to the Olle. Jeju Olle's chief director Suh Myung-sook got prize from President Lee Myung-park at the celebrate of 'The 36th anniversary of the day of the tourism' and she will get the prize from the minister of environment at the ceremony of 'The 31st the charter of conservation of nature' that will be held coming October 5.ManjanggulManjanggul is one of the longest lava tubes in the world. Manjang Cave, situated at Donggimnyeong-ri, Gujwa-eup, North Jeju, 30 kilometers east of Jeju City, was designated as Natural Monument No. 98 on March 28, 1970. The annual temperature inside the cave ranges from 11℃ to 21℃, thus facilitating a favorable environment throughout the year. The cave is also academically significant as rare species live in the cave. Created by spewing lava, "the lava turtle", "lava pillar", and "Wing-shaped Wall" look like the work of the gods. It is considered to be a world class tourist attraction The Geomunoreum lava tube system is the most impressive and significant series of protected lava tube caves in the world and includes a spectacular array of secondary carbonate speleothems (stalactites and other formations). And it overwhelms other lava tubes with its abundance and diversity. The Geomunoreum Lava Tube System, which is regarded as the finest such cave system in the world, has an outstanding visual impact even for those experienced with such phenomena. It displays the unique spectacle of multi-colored carbonate decorations adorning the roofs and floors, and dark-colored lava walls, partially covered by a mural of carbonate deposits. In addition, lava tube caves are like those in limestone karst in scale, shape and internal decoration, but completely different in origin. Lava tube caves are known from basaltic terrain in most of the world's volcanic regions. The lava tube caves of the Geomunoreum Lava Tube System are, however, regarded as internationally important due to their length, massive volume, intricate passage configuration, well preserved internal lava features, abundant and spectacular secondary carbonate formations, ease of access, and their scientific and educational values. Another feature making Geomunoreum Lava Tube System globally significant and distinctive is the presence of carbonate deposits and formations. Very small deposits of calcite are common in lava tube caves, and are more significantly developed as speleothems in Duck Creek cave in Utah, USA. However, in abundance, density and diversity they are far less impressive than those of Yongcheongul and Dangcheomuldonggul Lava Tubes in Jeju, and the scale of these decorations within the lava caves of Jeju Island far exceeds any other comparable examples. The nomination is supported by the Commission on Volcanic Caves of the International Union of Speleology - the world's most authoritative scientific body on volcanic caves, which regards Jeju's lava caves as being of the highest international ranking. Further, a 1995 global review regarded Dangcheomul cave as the "best display of different calcite speleothems within a volcanic cave." Yongcheongul Lava Tube has been discovered subsequently and is of equivalent valueSangumburi CraterSangumburi Crater is the crater of an extinct volcano. Unlike its brethren Halla-san and Songsan Ilch'ubong, this one exploded quickly, but did not spew much lava nor did it form much of a surrounding cone. This phenomenon is called maru in Korean, and Sangumburi is the only one of its kind in the country, making it Natural Monument #263. The remaining crater is 100 meters deep and an average of 350 meters across. Over 400 species of plants and animals live inside the crater. Visitors can walk around part of the rim (the rest is private property and fenced off), but they cannot venture down inside the crater. A well-paved path leads from the parking area to the viewing area which has a small pavilion and several vista points. Also on the grounds are numerous grave sites made in traditional Jeju fashion: a wide, trapezoidal stone wall surrounding the burial mound. Several of the sites also have small stone figures that guard the mound from evil spirits. At the park entrance are several large rocks from the crater. During the eruption, molten rock flew from the volcano into the air and cooled into many exotic shapes.Jeongbang Waterfall[edit]UtilitiesThe island's power-grid is connected to mainland plants by the HVDC Haenam-Cheju, and electricity is also provided by generators located on the island. As of 2001, there were four power plants on Jeju, with more under planning and construction. The most notable of these are the gas-fired generators of Jeju Thermal Power Plant, located in Jeju City. The present-day generators of this plant were constructed from 1982 onwards, replacing earlier structures that dated from 1968.[15]As elsewhere in Korea, the power supply is overseen by the Korea Electric Power Corporation, or KEPCO.[edit]Sister provincesJeju's international sister provinces are also islands: Hainan Province (People's Republic of China), Hawaii (U.S.), Sakhalin (Russia), and Bali (Indonesia).

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Something is rotten in the Denver airport (13 Photos) by John | Mar 8, 2012 in: Creepy, High-Res, WTF 847 Located 25 miles from Denver on a plot of land encompassing 53 square miles (twice the size of Manhattan), sits one of the most curious airpots in the world, The Denver International Airport. Leo and I had a long layover at the airport last weekend. As we walked around, we couldn't help but notice that something about this place isn't right. So I did some digging. *Note: I'm not a conspiracy guy in any way, I fancy myself as more of a beer drinker, so take this post more in the spirit of WTF than an accusation. But anybody who has flown through Denver Airport will tell you this place is a few fries short of a Happy Meal. Let's start at the beginning. Denver Airport was commissioned in 1989 at a cost of 1.7 billion dollars. The airport was finished in 1995, 2 years late, at a cost of 4.8 BILLION dollars, roughly 3.1 billion over budget, like ya' do. The airport was privately funded, and nobody really knows by whom. A marker stone in the terminal reads the airport was funded by The New World Airport Commission. It should also be noted that Denver had a completely functional airport, Stapleton, that many people liked just fine. Stapleton was only 6 miles from Denver after all. There was really no need to build the airport in the first place… unless you needed a construction project up above to mask a larger construction project happening down below. And this is where the conspiracies begin. Many people believe that the largest underground bunker in the world lies beneath the Denver airport. Specifically a 360,000 sq. foot bunker, built by the New World Order to house the elites in case of economic collapse or nuclear holocaust. The construction of the Denver airport was necessitated as a dumb show; an above ground construction project to hide the the creation of something that lies beneath, hiding in plain sight. Hints that the Denver airport is hiding something big are everywhere. Visitors to the Denver Airport will immediately notice a number of mysterious masonic symbols and murals clearly depicting the end of the word. They're hard to miss. Many believe these murals hold a deeper meaning which can be gleaned by the initiated of the New World Order and Freemasons. Let's have a look. 2 You are greeted at the airport by Mustang, by New Mexico artist Luis Jiménez, was one of the earliest public art commissions for Denver International Airport in 1993. Standing at 32 feet tall and weighing 9,000 pounds “Mustang” is a blue cast-fiberglass sculpture with red shining eyes. Jiménez died in 2006 while creating the sculpture when the head of it fell on him and severed an artery in his leg. The murals are fairly shocking. Here we have efugees living in a basement and the Lord of Death, brandishing an AK-47, killing the dove of peace. Gray waves pulse from the figure, the waves pulse outward, killing everybody in its path. The figure wears a gas mask implying the gray waves, the instrument of death in this case, is a biological weapon. 4 At a glance, AU AG would logically be the symbols for gold and silver. But that meaning is called into question when you find out that one of the founders of the airport also discovered a new, deadly strain of hepatitis known as Australia Antigen, also called AUAG. It has been rumored that AUAG could be a potent weapon in biological warfare. This symbol rests on the ground directly in front of the biological warfare mural. 5 Nobody really knows who paid for the Denver Airport construction. Besides the fact that this dedication stone says it’s covering a time capsule for the people of Colorado, it also says the airport was paid for by the New World Airport Commission. The New World Airport Commission does not exist. 6 Set against the backdrop of a solar flare and horrific destruction, not to mention the extinction of various species including whales and sea turtles, children are in the center sobbing over three open caskets. I really hope my flight isn’t delayed. 7 You’ll notice there is a little girl in the back right holding a Mayan tablet alluding to Dec. 21, 2012, the end of the world. But the Mayans also predict a ‘rebirth’ which is why some life, such as the penguin and bird, are being preserved. Oh, and let’s not overlook the city being destroyed in the background. 8 All of the children of the world bring in the weapons from their country, handing them to a German boy. The gas mask man from the previous scene is now dead, two doves perched on his body. All of the children appear to be relieved. The deeper metaphor is the return to peace, a rebirth; there will be no more need for weapons in the new world. Oh great, my flight just got delayed for, lemme’ see here, All of Eternity. 91011 Nothing says welcome home like a demonic figure crawling out of a suitcase. 12 The final mural is oddly reminiscent of the Garden of Eden, the world now lives in peace after the horrific events that have taken place. All the murals, when viewed in sequence, depict a massive genocide followed by the formation of a now less-populated, harmonious new world. 13 Finally, let’s return to those bunkers. The photo above is a blueprint of 5 buildings that were mysteriously buried during the early days of construction on the Denver Airport. These five large buildings were fully constructed and subsequently deemed to have been ‘positioned incorrectly.’ Rather than being demolished, the buildings were ordered to be buried, yes buried. The ‘underground bases’, as they are referred, are currently being used as “storage” according to airport authorities. This fact is not debated. We already know there is an underground structure beneath the airport. The real question is how deep the worm hole goes. We may never know… UPDATE BY LEO: President Obama was in Denver Sept 27th last year when Comet Elenin passed by the earth, “barely missing” us by 22 miles. Some say, that if the comet would have struck earth, it’s back to the stone-age for us. Nonetheless, their was a chance that it could have hit and President Obama was conveniently ushered to Denver… which, in my opinion, adds more to the existence of not only a military bunker, but also the largest, most advanced bunker in the US -because the President wouldn’t go to some half-ass bunker if there was a threat of complete world destruction. Just sayin.. UPDATE 2: Just got a weird phone call from “Government Affairs” (whatever that is) on our office phone caller ID and they hung up after we answered. If this post disappears for some reason tomorrow, you know why.. Show More CommentsClose Comments

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Revision as of 21:51, 12 June 2012 by 90.175.108.191 (Talk) By car By thumb See Itineraries Do Festivals Clothes and shoes Designer brands Eat Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner times Tipping and VAT Menú del día Touristy places Non-Spanish cuisine Specialties to buy Spanish dishes Drink Tea and Coffee Cider (Sidra) Sherry (Fino) Sleep Small villages Casa rural, the bed and breakfasts of Spain Apartment rental Stay safe Police Other things you should know Stay healthy Smoking Respect Culture and identity [[File:|250px|frameless|Spain]] Constitutional monarchy Euro (EUR) € Total: 504,782 km2 47,725,002 (July 2011 est) Castilian Spanish (official) 100%, Catalan (also official in Catalonia, Comunitat Valenciana and Balearic Islands) 17%, Galician (also official in Galicia)7%, Basque (also official in Basque Country and Navarra) 2% Roman Catholic 72%, none 20% other 8% UTC + 1 Spain [1] (Spanish: España) is a diverse country sharing the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal at the western end of the Mediterranean Sea. It is the country with the second-largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, after Italy, and the largest number of World Heritage Cities. Spain is considered an exotic country in Europe due to its friendly inhabitants, relaxed lifestyle, its cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and world-famous folklore and festivities. Among many places worth visiting are Spain's thriving capital Madrid, the vibrant coastal city of Barcelona, the famous "Running of the Bulls" at Pamplona, major Andalusian cities with Islamic architecture, like Seville, Granada and Córdoba, the Way of St. James and the idyllic Balearic and Canary Islands. With great beaches, fun nightlife, many cultural regions and historic cities, Spain makes a great destination for any kind of trip. A country of large geographic and cultural diversity, Spain is a surprise to those who only know its reputation for great beach holidays. There is everything from lush meadows and snowy mountains to huge marshes and deserts in the south east. While summer is the peak season because of the beaches, those who wish to avoid the crowds should consider visiting in the winter as attractions such as the Alhambra in Granada and La Gran Mezquita in Cordoba will not be overcrowded. Once the center of a global empire with territories in North, Central and South America, Africa (e.g. Equatorial Guinea or Western Sahara), and Asia (e.g. the Philippines), contemporary Spain has overcome civil war and fascism in the 20th century to stand proud and centered in itself. Spain holds a historical attachment to its neighbors within the Iberian Peninsula, Andorra and Portugal, to its former colonies, to former citizens and their descendants, and to a special category of former citizens, namely Sephardic Jews. Individuals from these categories may acquire Spanish citizenship in an accelerated fashion which may or may not require that the individuals reside in Spain, and residency requirements are as short as one to three years depending on the category. Citizens of countries in the European Union may acquire citizenship after living in Spain for five years. Citizens of any other country may acquire citizenship after residing in Spain for ten years. The population of Spain is growing in large part due to migration from relatively poor or politically unstable areas of South America, such as Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador or Peru, Europe, mostly Eastern Europe, that have a historical or linguistic attachment to Spain, Africa and Asia. Spain is divided into autonomías or autonomous regions, plus two independent cities. Some of the autonomías - notably the ones which have other official languages alongside Spanish - are regions with their own unique historical tradition. These include the Basque Country or Euskadi (Basque), Galicia (Galician), Catalonia or Catalunya, the Valencian region or País Valencià, and the Balearic Islands or Illes Balears (Catalan), but also Andalusia. Travelers to these parts of the Iberian Peninsula should respect their history and language. The Canary Islands lie off the coast of Morocco and are geographically part of Africa, as are the two cities of Ceuta and Melilla. For ease of reference, Spain's many regions can be grouped as follows: Regions of Spain Northwestern Spain (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria) Northern Spain (Basque Country, Navarre, La Rioja) Northeastern Spain (Catalonia, Aragon) Central Spain (Community of Madrid, Castile-La Mancha, Castile-Leon, Extremadura) Eastern Spain (Murcia, Valencia) Andalusia Balearic Islands Canary Islands Autonomous Cities (Ceuta, Melilla) Spain has hundreds of interesting cities. Here are nine of the most popular: Madrid — the vibrant capital, with fantastic museums, interesting architecure, great food and nightlife Barcelona — Spain's second city, full of modernist buildings and a vibrant cultural life, nightclubs, and beaches Bilbao — industrial city, home to the Guggenheim Museum Cadiz — oldest city in Western Europe with nearly 4,000 years of history, celebrates a famous carnival Cordoba — The Grand Mosque ('Mezquita') of Cordoba is one of the world's finest buildings Granada — stunning city in the south, surrounded by snow capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada, home of La Alhambra Seville — a beautiful, verdant city, and home to the world's third largest cathedral Valencia — paella was invented here, has a very nice beach Zaragoza — fifth largest city of Spain that held the World Expo in 2008 Costa Blanca — 200 km of white coast with plenty of beaches and small villages Costa Brava — the rugged coast with plenty of seaside resorts Costa del Sol — the sunny coast in the south of the country Gran Canaria — known as "a continent in miniature" due to its many different climates and landscapes Ibiza — a Balearic island; one of the best places for clubbing, raving, and DJs in the entire world La Rioja — Rioja wine and fossilized dinosaur tracks Mallorca — the largest island of the Balears, full of amazing beaches and great nightlife Sierra Nevada — the highest mountains on the Iberian Peninsula, great for walking and skiing Tenerife — offers lush forests, exotic fauna and flora, deserts, mountains, volcanoes, beautiful coastlines and spectacular beaches Minimum validity of travel documents EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, need only produce a passport or national identity card which is valid on the date of entry. Other nationals must produce a passport which is valid for the entirety of their period of stay in Spain. More information about the minimum validity of travel documents is available at this webpage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain. Spain is a member of the Schengen Agreement. There are no border controls between countries that have signed and implemented this treaty - the European Union (except Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom), Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Likewise, a visa granted for any Schengen member is valid in all other countries that have signed and implemented the treaty. But be careful: not all EU members have signed the Schengen treaty, and not all Schengen members are part of the European Union. This means that there may be spot customs checks but no immigration checks (travelling within Schengen but to/from a non-EU country) or you may have to clear immigration but not customs (travelling within the EU but to/from a non-Schengen country). Please see the article Travel in the Schengen Zone for more information about how the scheme works and what entry requirements are. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who enter Spain on a national identity card, who are under 18 years old and travelling without their parents are required to have written parental consent. For more information, visit this webpage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain. Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Mauritius, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Seychelles are permitted to work in Spain without the need to obtain a visa or any further authorisation for the period of their 90 day visa-free stay. However, this ability to work visa-free does not necessarily extend to other Schengen countries. When entering by air from a non-Schengen country, you will be expected to fill out a brief form which includes an address in Spain, such as a hotel or hostel. This does not appear to be stringently checked, but you will not be allowed in unless an address has been entered. There are a number of ways to get into Spain. From neighbouring European countries, a drive with the car or a train ride is feasible; visitors from further away will probably be using air travel. By plane Spain's national carrier is Iberia. The busiest airports are Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Malaga, followed by Seville, Valencia, Bilbao, Alicante, Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, Gran Canaria and the 2 airports in Tenerife. All are listed on the official airport governing body website: [2] Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao have the most beautiful airports, designed by famous architects. Low cost carriers operating to Spain include: Vueling [3], easyJet [4], Ryanair [5], Blue Air [6], and Jet2.com [7]. Warning: If you buy an e-ticket from Iberia over the internet with a credit card, you may have to show the original credit card upon check-in. If you fail to do so, you will have to purchase another ticket for the same fare, and the original ticket will be refunded many weeks or even months later. RENFE [8] - Timetables and Prices FEVE [9] - FEVE's web page Train system in Spain is modern and reliable, most of the trains are brand new and the punctuality rate is one of the highest in Europe, the only problem is that not all the populated areas have a train station; sometimes small towns don't have one, in those cases you need to take a bus. Another issue with the Spanish Rail network is that the lines are disposed in a radial way so almost all the lines head to Madrid. That's why sometimes traveling from one city to another geographically close to it might take longer by train than by bus if they are not in the same line. Always check whether the bus or the train is more convenient. Bus travel in Spain is increasingly an attractive option for people traveling on a tight budget. There are lots of private bus companies offering routes to all major Spanish cities. If you want to travel around Spain by bus, the best idea is to go to your local bus station (Apart from Madrid and Barcelona, most towns and cities have just one) and see what is available. Traveling by bus in Spain is usually reliable (except on peak holiday days when roads can be very crowded and you should expect long delays on popular routes), coaches are modern and comfortable. You can expect to pay about €8 per 100km. From the UK, Brittany Ferries offers services from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Santander and from Portsmouth to Bilbao. The journey time from Portsmouth to Santander is approximately 12 hours. Ferry services were once run by P&O from Portsmouth to Bilbao and from Plymouth and Southampton to Santander. However, P&O no longer operates these routes. As well as the UK, Spain is also well connected by Ferry to Northern Africa (particularly Tunisia and Morocco) and the Canary Islands which are owned by Spain. Routes are also naturally available to the Spanish Balearic islands of Mallorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. Another popular route is from Barcelona to Genoa. Visas Spain is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Agreement, which governs its visa policies. No visa is required for citizens of other EU member states, and those of nations with whom the European Union has special treaties. There are no border controls between Spain and other Schengen Agreement nations, making travel less complicated. As of May 2004 citizens of the following countries do not need a visa for entry into Spain. Note that citizens of these countries (except EU nationals) must not stay longer than three months in any 180 day period in any country covered by the Schengen Agreement and they and must not work in Spain: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela. For Latin American people, especially those from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, and in some cases Argentina, Chile, and Venezuela, you need to have a hotel reservation confirmed, and international insurance for at least 30.000 EURO; if your trip is from 1-9 days you need €514, for each additional day €57 and a return air ticket. Venezuelan credit cards are not accepted like funds for immigration due to the currency exchange control in this country. Renfe [10] is the Spanish national rail carrier. Long-distance trains always get in time, but be aware that short-distance trains (called Cercanías) can bear long delays, from ten to twenty minutes, and especially in the Barcelona area, where delays up to 30 minutes are not uncommon. To be safe, always take the train before the one you need. The easiest way to get around most parts of Spain is by bus. Most major routes are point to point, and very high frequency. There is a different operator for each route, but usually just one operator per route. At the bus station, each operator has its own ticket. The staff at any of them is usually happy to tell you who operates which route, however. Wherever you are in Spain, from your private yacht you can enjoy gorgeous scenery and distance yourself from the inevitable crowds of tourists that flock to these destinations. May is a particularly pleasant time to charter in the regions of Costa Brava, Costa Blanca and the Balearic Islands as the weather is good and the crowds have yet to descend. The summer months of July and August are the hottest and tend to have lighter winds. There is no low season for the Canary Islands, as the weather resembles springtime all year round. If you would like to bareboat anywhere in Spain, including the Balearic or Canary Islands, a US Coast Guard License is the only acceptable certification needed by Americans to bareboat. For everyone else, a RYA Yacht Master Certification or International Certificate of Competence will normally do. Although a skipper may be required, a hostess/chef may or ma

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Home Information Contact Us Special Offers Signup Media Queries About Us Aer Arann History Press Room Aircraft Charter Careers About Us Aer Arann HistoryPress RoomAircraft CharterCareers The Aer Arann Story Aer Arann was established in 1970 by James Coen and Ralph Langan to provide a friendly, reliable, value for money air service to 1,000 islanders, located in Inis Mór off the west coast of Ireland with a fleet of BN-2 Islanders. In the 1980's Aer Arann's unyielding spirit of independence saw the airline expand its services which began with the introduction of the Dublin - Galway route. In 1994, Pádraig Ó Céidigh purchased the airline. In that year, passenger traffic doubled, but just as importantly, the airline won its first award for service. In obtaining the ISO 9000 Quality Award, Aer Arann became the first European airline to achieve this accolade. In 2001, Aer Arann branched out from its sister company Aer Arann Islands to become an entirely separate company, operating under an independent Air Operator's Certificate (AOC). This move signified the growth of the company as it became widely recognised as Ireland's Regional Airline, offering a complete air-link from regional airports to major Irish hubs. 2002 marked further growth for Aer Arann as it launched its inaugural flight to the UK with the establishment of its Cork - Birmingham service. This hugely significant milestone was a major launch pad for the airline moving from a small domestic carrier to a premier regional airline that offered customers in the regions throughout Ireland greater connectivity to major international hubs. In 2004, following the phenomenal success of the UK routes, the airline introduced its Lorient routes from Galway, Waterford and Cork, marking the airline's first step into continental Europe. The routes proved extremely popular with holiday makers from the regions who were keen to experience a relaxing sun-filled holiday without having to travel long distances to get there. Aer Arann's excellence in customer service was formally recognised in 2006 when it received the Palme D'Or European regional airline award for sustained excellence, reinforcing the airline's belief that providing a progressive airline service doesn't have to mean compromising the human touch. In 2007 Aer Arann signed an agreement valued at €180m for the delivery of 10 new ATR 72-500s, the next generation in turboprop technology. Aer Arann's decision to purchase turboprop aircraft, as opposed to jet aircraft, was carefully calculated. The procurement rationale was chiefly based on the fact that turboprops are the most economic way to transport passengers on short-haul sectors. In January 2010, Aer Arann and Aer Lingus announced the establishment of a franchise arrangement between the two airlines which saw Aer Arann operate a number of routes from Dublin, Cork and Shannon to the UK under the Aer Lingus Regional brand. As a result of the challenging economic environment and the direct impact of volcanic ash disruptions, Aer Arann officially entered Examinership in August 2010. Examinership is a provision in Irish company law that is designed to help companies that have financial difficulties but that also have a reasonable prospect of survival. Aer Arann emerged from Examinership in October 2010 following a business re-structure and new investment. During the period of Examinership, the airline continued to operate all of its services as normal. Demonstrating the success of the strategic partnership, in March 2012, Aer Arann and Aer Lingus announced the further expansion of the Aer Lingus Regional franchise agreement, which saw Aer Arann operate all of its routes under the Aer Lingus Regional brand. All Aer Lingus Regional flights are sold and distributed through www.aerlingus.com. Aer Arann assumes full operational and commercial responsibility for the services covered by the franchise agreement with Aer Lingus receiving a franchise fee in recognition for providing its brand and product suite to Aer Arann. Under the leadership of Sean Brogan, Interim CEO, Aer Lingus Regional continues to expand and has grown its network to 25 routes, with the addition of Newcastle in October 2013. The Aer Lingus Regional franchise has flown over 2 million passengers since it started and continues to grow steadily.

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Menu & Specials Rich in area history, our little saloon is a great place to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. Welcome to the Bethel Saloon! Located in Port Orchard, WA, our building is original dating back to the 1920's. The building has seen a lot of history! It was one of the nation's first official Texaco Gasoline Service Stations around 1928. The structure was also home to a General Store and Cafe at that time. It has also served as a Dry Cleaners and Pottery Shop. The tavern was added in 1933 after Prohibition and sometime during the 1940's it was converted to a bar and has remained so ever since. Food Menu & Specials Bethel Saloon3840 Bethel Rd SEPort Orchard WA 98366360-876-6621 (c) 2015 Bethel Saloon

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Log In • Sign Up You are in: Home > Travel Calendar > Art and Archaeology in United States Travel Tip: Art and Archaeology in United StatesAlex Prager: Face in the Crowd Alex Prager: Crowd #2 (Emma), 2012Archival pigment printCourtesy of the artist Alex Prager: Face in the Crowd UNITED STATESWASHINGTON, DC • Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design • Ongoing Featuring large-scale photographs of people assembled in congested public spaces such as an airport terminal, lobby, beach, and movie theater, Face in the Crowd is the Los Angeles artist Alex Prager�s most ambitious and complex series to date. Blurring the line between fiction and reality, Prager directed the actions of hundreds of costumed actors on specially constructed sets. Densely detailed and shot from seemingly impossible vantage points, they enact psychological narratives of private and public revelation, repulsion, fear, personal safety, and the desire for basic human interaction. This series was created especially for the Corcoran�s exhibition, which is organized by Kaitlin Booher, assistant curator of photography and media arts. �I�m fascinated by the experience of being involved in other people�s lives accidentally,� Prager has said, noting that her work has been influenced by time spent in busy cities such as New York and London. �Crowds have always been an interest of mine. It may look like a sea of people, but there are so many interesting stories, all colliding silently.� Face in the Crowd is presented at the Corcoran alongside a selection of the artist�s earlier photographs, as well as her videos Despair (2010), La Petite Mort (2012), and Sunday (2010). Alex Prager was born in 1979 in Los Angeles, California, where she lives and works. A self-taught artist, she was inspired to take up photography after seeing the color images of William Eggleston. Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design Website Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design500 Seventeenth Street NWWashington, DC 20006

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Home / Browse / Sulphur Springs (Jefferson County) Sulphur Springs (Jefferson County) aka: White Sulphur Springs (Jefferson County) Originally named White Sulphur Springs, Sulphur Springs is an unincorporated, census-designated place (CDP) located about two miles southwest of Pine Bluff (Jefferson County). It received its name due to its proximity to natural sulfur-rich springs. It was a spa and resort community during the mid-1800s and served as an important Confederate training and staging area during the Civil War. Following the war, the community once again returned to a resort community with dreams of expanding into a separate incorporated town. The expansion, however, was cut short by World War I, and the community was never incorporated. Following a flood that consumed much of southeast Arkansas in 1844, settlers began moving into the area southwest of Pine Bluff. The first settlers in what would become Sulphur Springs were George Brummitt and his family. Brummitt obtained land as an assignee of James Freel, who had purchased the land through a War of 1812 bond and sold the claim to Brummitt. While there was a dispute over the true ownership of the land containing the springs, county land records show Brummitt received a land patent from the United States in April 1855. Other settlers were soon to follow Brummitt. Brushrod Lee, a physician, settled one mile west of Brummitt and established a medical practice at “Lee Springs Plantation.” Brummitt sold his forty acres to William Poole, who then sold twenty-one acres to other settlers in the region. Poole established a large hotel that overlooked the springs. With the combination of Poole’s hotel at Sulphur Springs and Lee’s medical practice at Lee Springs, the community thrived and attracted many Pine Bluff residents who began building summer homes in the area. The 1850s saw a great influx of settlers into the area. It was during this time that Zachariah Wells and his wife, Mary Elizabeth German, moved to Sulphur Springs. Wells was later elected a county judge. The Sulphur Springs Methodist Church was organized in 1853, and an application was produced for a post office in 1855 under the name Sulphur Springs. A town in northwest Arkansas named Sulphur Springs already existed, so the community was renamed White Sulphur Springs. In 1858, the Masonic lodge was organized, and by 1860 the community had grown to become a popular resort area. Once Arkansas seceded from the Union, young men began pouring into Arkansas’s communities to join the Confederate army. This was no different in White Sulphur Springs. A Confederate staging and training area called Camp White Sulphur Springs was established to organize troops that came from Pine Bluff and the surrounding areas into units and deploy them to the eastern theater. In July 1861, the Ninth Arkansas Infantry was organized and received training at White Sulphur Springs. Later, Fagan’s Guard, which became part of the Second Arkansas Infantry Division, was organized and trained at the camp. Following the Battle of Pea Ridge in 1862, the war quickly moved southward through Arkansas. White Sulphur Springs once again played a role in the war effort. With most of the fighting forces from Arkansas shipped east, much of the state was left open to Union attacks. Governor Henry Rector began to stop troops passing through Arkansas from Texas and Oklahoma and rerouted many of them to Camp White Sulphur Springs to defend southern Arkansas. These troops brought with them the smallpox and measles viruses. The area was converted into a military hospital to care for the ill. The casualties due to the illness numbered between 150 and 175, including some civilians from the community. In late 1863, the remaining troops at camp White Sulphur Springs were transferred elsewhere. Following the fall of Pine Bluff to Union forces, the buildings housing the hospital were burned. White Sulphur Springs was devastated by the war. Many of its citizens sold their land and moved from the area. Very few of the people who had lived in the community in 1860 lived there by the time of the 1870 census. The ownership of the land containing the springs was highly contested and changed hands several times, slowing the progress of rebuilding the community. It was twenty-five years after the war before the community would regain any of its antebellum popularity. In 1889, Edward Houston and Wiley Jones of Pine Bluff bought shared interests in the land. They filed a plat for a town to be called White Sulphur Springs and once again applied for a post office. The plat called for a twenty-three-block town with a main street, Cleveland Avenue (now State Highway 54), to run down the center of the town. Both men aspired to incorporate the town but never achieved that goal. In the early morning hours of September 29, 1891, the old hotel building caught fire and burned to the ground. Houston and Jones announced that the old structure would be replaced by a new twenty-room hotel. The hotel opened its doors for the 1892 summer season. The duo then expanded their hotel to include a dining room that could seat 100 guests. Fire once again claimed the hotel on August 28, 1893. The thirty guests, along with the Houston family, escaped the building without injury. The hotel was again rebuilt and ready to receive guests by the summer season of 1894. Several prominent citizens of Pine Bluff built an additional twenty cottages surrounding the hotel. A billiards hall, bowling alley, dance hall, and swimming pool were added to enhance the resort community. The hotel was sold to Henry Hanf on October 10, 1912. He quickly announced plans to make White Sulphur Springs a large resort town to include a railway from Pine Bluff and other improvements. Another application for a post office was filed, this time under the name of Brookside. World War I stopped work on the railway and other projects, and Hanf was unable to raise the funds to continue the development of the community. Following World War I, people still visited White Sulphur Springs occasionally for picnics, parties, and dancing. The community never regained its popularity, and business began leaving the area. The hotel was converted into a residential dwelling; it once again burned in the mid-1940s, never to be rebuilt. Today, the community is called Sulphur Springs and is marked by signs along State Highway 54. The majority of the community’s citizens work in Pine Bluff, and the schools have been consolidated into the Watson Chapel School District of Pine Bluff. The population of Sulphur Springs is 1,101 as of the 2010 census. For additional information:Camp White Sulphur Springs Confederate Cemetery, Sulphur Springs, Jefferson County. http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/historic-properties/_search_nomination_popup.aspx?id=2147 (accessed April 24, 2012). Leslie, James W. Pine Bluff and Jefferson County: A Pictorial History. Virginia Beach: The Donning Company, 1981. ———. Saracen’s County. Little Rock: Rose Publishing Company, 1974. Wallis, Dave. “Sulphur Springs: An Early Learning Center” Jefferson County Historical Quarterly 27 (June 1999): 16–23. Jacob WorthanHenderson State University Jefferson County Map Camp White Sulphur Springs Confederate Cemetery Masonic Monument

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You are here: Home > Council and Democracy > Civic and ceremonial > Lancaster through the ages Lancaster through the ages Lancaster, is a historic city with a colourful history and a current population of over 50,000. It lies approximately 5 miles inland from Morecambe Bay and is within a 45 minute drive of the Lake District National Park. Lancaster is also approximately a 75 minute drive south from the Scottish border, via the M6 motorway, which passes through Lancaster and runs from the Midlands of England to the Scottish border. In addition, Lancaster Railway Station, which is located on the West Coast Mainline and links London (Euston) and Glasgow, Scotland, is part of the national rail network and provides easy access via rail, to all parts of the country. Lancaster boasts the top university in the north west of England and one of the top ten universities in the country, with over 16,500 students from over 120 countries. Lancaster is a popular tourist destination boasting an impressive castle, which, situated alongside the Priory Church, has stunning views over Morecambe, the bay and the Lake District hills. At the highest point in Lancaster, stands Williamson Park, with the Ashton Memorial overlooking Lancaster and the surrounding countryside. In the centre of the city is Lancaster Cathedral (right) and standing in Dalton Square, is the magnificent neo-Georgian town hall, opposite which, is the statue of Queen Victoria, the latter two being the gifts of Lord Ashton to his native town. Lancaster is within easy reach of the beautiful Lune Valley, the Crook o' Lune, the Lake District and the Trough of Bowland. Together, with a bustling city centre, theatres, a cinema, pubs, clubs and restaurants, Lancaster has much to offer the interested visitor. Origins of Lancaster The borough's history goes back more than eight centuries and even before John, Count of Mortain, later King John, granted the Liberties of Bristol in his Foundation Charter of 1193, to the burgesses of Lancaster, there is evidence of human occupation of Castle Hill and the surrounding area. Lancaster is mentioned in the Doomsday Book as Loncastre and Chercaloncastre (church owned land in Lancaster). The origin of the name LANCASTER, derives from a Roman castrum or camp by the Lune (or Loyne), which was described as being built on "a defensible hill site in the bend of a navigable river, where it is still tidal, but fordable at low water". The name of this Roman military station is unknown, but may have been Longovicus or Alaunus. A map of Lancaster from 1610 shows Green Ayre to be a flat sandy waste land, enclosed by the River Lune and the mill damn. Much of where Church Street, Cheapside and Chancery Lane now run was covered by sand, at an average depth of fifteen feet and shows how far the river has receded. Many Roman objects have been discovered in this sand including red Samian ware and during large building works in Market Street, one rare ornamental artefact was found sixteen feet down. Excavations on Castle Hill have also found flint implements from early Britons, which support the idea of early occupation. Saxon Times Within the confines of the Roman Camp the Saxons built a church, but only a part of one wall remains, now incorporated in the west end of the present Priory Church. When the church was being restored in 1911, the apse of the Saxon church was discovered under the present north choir stalls, its position is now marked by two sets of nails in the floor. Some of the most significant Anglo-Saxon finds were ten fragments from pre-Norman crosses, which were uncovered in 1902/03. One fragment shows the 'cat's cradle' design and also two figures with human feet and heads of beasts. There was also an inscribed Anglo-Saxon cross dug up in 1807, a replica of which can be seen in the Lancaster Museum. Norman Times Sometime after 1066, when William I conquered England, he gave Halton Manor and all its dependant villages, including Lancaster, to Roger de Poitou (sometime between 1086 and 1094). Roger de Poitou was the third son of Roger de Montgomery, the King's cousin, who had led the right wing of the invading Norman army at the Battle of Hastings. Roger de Poitou decided to make his headquarters on the (Castle) hill, in Lancaster. There he built a primitive Norman type resident fortress with a levelled courtyard. Sometime before 1102, in place of the wooden fortress, Roger had built a quadrangle stone keep, which was much later developed into the Lungess Tower. In 1094, Roger de Poitou founded and endowed the Priory Church (left), which he put under the control of the Norman Abbey of St. Martin at Sées. The Abbey sent Monks to oversee the service and administration of Lancaster Priory and they were directly responsible to the Norman Abbey. The Priory was suppressed by Henry V in 1424 and the first Vicar of Lancaster, Richard Chester, was appointed in 1430. When Henry I was proclaimed King in 1100, he seized land and property from the supporters of his brother Robert, who was away on crusade. Among those he defeated and deprived of their land was Roger de Poitou. There was trouble again during King Stephen's reign. An alliance against the King was formed at Carlisle in 1149, when King David of Scotland, Ranulf Gernons, the Earl of Chester and Henry of Anjou, (who in 1154 became King Henry II), agreed on a plan of attack. One of the terms of the agreement was for King David, to concede the Honor of Lancaster to the Earl of Chester, in return for the Earl relinquishing any hereditary claim he may have on Carlisle. This was in the same year, 1149, that King David of Scotland and Henry Anjou, (the future King of England) visited Lancaster Castle. Henry Anjou became King of England (in 1154) and soon after resumed possession of the Honor of Lancaster. On Henry's death, in 1189, King Richard I bestowed the Honor on his younger brother, John, Earl of Mortain, later King John. Foundations of the Borough Lancaster's status as a vil or settlement was changed into a BOROUGH, by King Richard I on the 12th June 1193. With the granting of the Foundation Charter, John, Earl of Mortain and Honor of Lancaster, granted the burgesses of Lancaster all the liberties granted to the burgesses of Bristol. In effect this meant the burgesses were free from tolls. He also freed them from the custom of grinding their corn at his mill, from ploughing and mowing his land on certain boon days. John also bestowed on them, the right to take dead wood for burning and as much other wood as they required for building, from his forest in Quernmore, under the supervision of his foresters. The final clause granted, was for the burgesses to pasture their animals on his land for as far as their animals could travel from the town of Lancaster and return home in the same day. King John's Castle at Lancaster Even before his accession to the throne, King John had interested himself in his Castle at Lancaster. Before the main rebuilding had begun, King John visited Lancaster Castle on the 26th February 1206, where he stayed for some time. Prior to his visit, one hundred shillings went on repairs and eight pounds provided food for the retainers guarding the Castle. In 1200, repairs were carried out, for the accommodation of the King and the Justices, who held the Assizes Court there. In the following years only small sums were spent in connection with the Castle. After the King's visit in 1206, the Sheriff claimed an allowance for expenses incurred from the Justices of Assize and for one hundred shillings to make repairs to the King's Lodgings. Also, in 1207, another one hundred shillings were spent on repairing the Castle The main extension to the castle really began in 1209, when the King requested Roger, Constable of Chester and his associates, 'to undertake the work of making the ditches round the Castle at Lancaster', which when completed in conjunction with other works in 1210, cost the enormous sum of £352 3s. 1d. The following year the sum of £180 18s. was spent on the castle and its extensions. This was the period when King John planned and built the medieval Castle of Lancaster, which was almost circular in design, measuring about 380 feet from west to east and about 350 feet from north to south. At the south-west corner Hadrian's Tower was built, joined on the west side by a curtain wall, to another circular tower near the Lungess Tower. A long curtain wall, running south from Hadrian's Tower was constructed, joining up with the Gateway at the south-east corner facing the town. The eastern and northern curtain walls, built at obtuse angles, stretched from the Gateway to the Lungess Tower, with two circular towers at the angles. Apart from the Keep, Hadrian's Tower, the lower parts of the Gateway and the Well Tower, very little remains of King John's medieval castle. Lancaster in the 14th and 15th Centuries The castle was a strong prison and a fortress against the Scots when they invaded the North of England. The raiders came to Lancaster in 1316 and when Robert the Bruce came in 1322 Lancaster was set alight. The Scots came again in 1389 but were unable to breach the walls of the Castle. When Edward III raised the status of Lancashire, to a County Palatine in 1351, Henry, the fourth Earl of Lancaster, was created first Duke of Lancaster and on his death, John of Gaunt succeeded him. One of the few benefits to Lancaster from the Dukedom at this time was the King's Charter granting all Sessions of the Justices and Assizes to be held at Lancaster only. This had been a request in 1362, to the King, Edward III, from his son, the newly invested Duke, John of Gaunt . Lancaster Castle still has a working Crown Court to this day. The only occasions that John of Gaunt visited his Castle at Lancaster, was from the 21st to 23rd of September, 1385 and for a few days in the summer of 1393. A later addition to the Castle was a statue of John of Gaunt, which was placed over the Gateway, on the 19th of July 1822. In 1424 and following the suppression of the 'alien' Priory Church in 1415, the building was given to the nuns of the Convent of Syon, in Isleworth, and during their possession, much of the present church was built. Lancaster's first school stood on the Castle Hill slope, below the west end of the church. Though there had been a schoolmaster in Lancaster from early times, the Grammar School owes its foundation to John Gardyner, who endowed a Chantry and paid for the rent of a mill, with a salary for a priest to teach grammar. It was also in the 15th century, 1432 to be exact, that the earliest seal belonging to the Borough, called the Mayor's Seal (left), was authorised to be used for recording debts, incurred on market days in Lancaster. Its main device is a triple towered Castle and below is a lion with a fleur-de-lys on its tail. Lancaster in Tudor and Stuart Times In Tudor times at the southern entrance to the town, was the White Cross. The road leading from here to the castle and the church was Chennell Lane, later Back Lane and now King Street. The road to the right of this was Penny Street, which continued to a crossroads with Market Street, by Butchers Street or Pudding Lane, now Cheapside. There were facilities for collecting tolls at all the entrances to the town, the stocks and whipping post were by the toll booth in the market place and the Pillory was by the castle. Late in Elizabeth I's reign, the upper story of the Lungess Tower was repaired, as the Queen's initials and those of the then High Sheriff's, Richard Assheton, with the date 1585, testify. In James I's reign, the trial of the Lancashire Witches took place at the castle from the 17th to the 19th August of 1612 and five years later, the king himself, passed through Lancaster on his way from Hornby to Ashton Hall. During the Civil War, in 1643, Parliamentary troops seized and set up a garrison at the Castle. A month later the Earl of Derby's Royalist Army, tried and failed to capture the castle and on their retreat plundered the town and burned Penny Street as far as the White Cross. Despite Parliament, in 1645, ordering all the Lancaster Castle walls, except the gatehouse and towered buildings of the southwest corner to be dismantled, the parliamentary garrison in 1648, was strong enough to beat off a royalist attack, led by Sir Thomas Tyldesley. In 1651, when Prince Charles (later King Charles II) and his Scottish Army marched south into England, he was proclaimed King at Lancaster Market Cross, on August the 12th and spent the night at Ashton Hall, before continuing his journey south, only to be defeated at the Battle of Worcester, by Cromwell's forces. Lancaster in Later Times When the Scottish Jacobites marched into Lancaster on November the 7th, 1715, they proclaimed James, as King James III of England at Lancaster Market Cross. They rounded up as many horses as they could find and left on the 9th of November, for Preston, where James was again proclaimed King of England. However, 230 of them were back in Lancaster as prisoners soon after. Thirty years later during November 1745, the Young Pretender, Bonnie Prince Charlie, with around 6,000 Highlanders marched through North West England and stayed in Lancaster for three days before moving south. On their retreat, on the 13th of December, 1745, they passed through Lancaster again and released the prisoners from the castle. After this time Lancaster's story is based around its trade, especially with the West Indies, with whom hardware and woollen goods were traded for sugars, rum, cotton etc. The navigation of the River Lune was improved and among the new buildings erected in the eighteenth century was the Custom House on the Quay in 1764, designed by Richard Gillow, founder of the furniture manufacturers based in Lancaster. New trade, which increased the wealth of Lancaster from 1845, included the production of oil-cloth and linoleum, by James Williamson Snr. and Sir Thomas Storey. The ancient toll booth in the Market Place was replaced with a Town Hall in 1668, which was in turn replaced, in 1781-3, with what is now known as the Old Town Hall. This building is now the city museum and the King's Own Royal Regiment museum. In 1878, James Williamson Snr. began work on turning the old quarries on the moor, into a public park, now known as Williamson Park. The work was completed by his son, James Williamson II, later Lord Ashton, who was a major benefactor to Lancaster. His gifts included the present Town Hall, the statue of Queen Victoria in Dalton Square and the Ashton Memorial (right) in Williamson Park. Lancaster Town Hall (below), was officially opened on the 27th December 1909, by Lord Ashton. It replaced the existing Town Hall, as the then Lancaster Corporation had outgrown the building. The Corporation was unable to finance a new building but Lord Ashton offered to pay for a new Municipal building. Lord Ashton was a local multi millionaire businessman and industrialist, who had made his fortune after inheriting Williamson's, his father's oil cloth and linoleum business. The construction began in 1906 and was finally completed in 1909. Waring and Gillows were the main contractors for the stone work, furniture and wood carvings. The stone carving over the front steps was undertaken by F.W. Pomfrey and the stain glass windows were made by local firm Shrigley and Hunt. Originally, the New Town Hall incorporated all the Council's services and departments. In addition Lancaster Police Station, including cells, was in the basement, the Magistrates Court was based on the ground floor, with a separate connecting staircase to the police cells. Located on the first floor were the Mayor's Parlour, Reception Rooms, Committee Rooms and Council Chamber. To the rear of the building was the public hall, known as The Ashton Hall and adjacent to the Town Hall was the new Fire Station. Included in the works was the Statue of Queen Victoria in Dalton Square (right), which was built on an area formerly known as The Oval. The figure of Queen Victoria is made from bronze, as are the 'faces' on the plinths below. Included in the depictions are Prince Albert and artists, writers, scientists, reformers and entrepreneurs such as Watts, Millias, Ruskin, Darwin, Shaftesbury and Rowland Hill. Also included are Lord Ashton's father, James Williamson I, and his son-in-law, Viscount Peel. The cost of the whole project, including the development of Dalton Square and the erection of the statue, was £155,000. The Storey Institute, a gift of Sir Thomas Storey in 1887, was built on the old Mechanics Institute and equipped at a cost of £20,000. When built, it housed a Public Free Library, a School of Art and a Technical School. Lancaster, before the boundary changes of 1974, was the fourth City of Lancashire, but following these changes, became the only City in Lancashire, until Preston was given City status in 2002. Email:mayor@lancaster.gov.uk Telephone:01524 582065 Feedback on this webpage Help us help you by commenting or rating this webpage. 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