Archives for June, 2009
Posted on Jun 30, 2009 under Travel |
There is one good thing that is coming out of this recession. Most college graduates are having a more difficult time finding their first job after graduation. This is forcing them to perhaps do something that college graduates have not had the opportunity to do in the past, think about what they really want.
Countless grads and people in general find themselves stuck in a job that they dread going to. And some wake up some day and realize that not doing something that they love is slowly driving them insane. So really students who are graduating in this current economic climate are quite lucky, if they think of it in a more positive way.
It’s not that nobody wants you. If the job market was stronger it’s certain that you would probably already have business cards right now. This economic climate is forcing people to sit down and really think about if their chosen career path is really the path that they can see themselves on in the future.
For Example, maybe you wanted to be a writer. So you are trying to find a job in the journalism industry. You love writing and want to find a way to do it every single day. That is until you discover that writing on a daily basis forces you to sit in front of a computer screen all day. And being sedentary is something that you completely hate. So you reassess your so called goals and decide you would be much happier doing something where you don’t have to sit in front of a computer all day and you can actually talk to people. So you decide that maybe being a teacher is for you because you loved your tutoring job that you had for extra income in college. So you decide to pursue your Master’s in Education, something you never had laid out for you on your path. This recession is making people think about a new path.
How about relocating to Hawaii? Or doing something you have always wanted to do.
Perhaps the beaches of Hawaii are somewhere you have always wanted to reside.
No matter what you do, remember a little time off can really be a blessing in disguise.
Posted on Jun 19, 2009 under Travel |
It was not unusual on my days off to find there were only one or two of my friends staying in a Luxury Hotel Dubai. It’s even a less of a surprise to find that none of my fellow co-workers are in town,so I’ve learned to jump on the rare moments when my friends are in the same country as me, exquisite Dubai .
Bollinger brunches are something which a few of my friends and I have completely conquered, both physically and metaphorically. However, ordering an A La Carte meal has, so far, been somewhat missing on our list of adventuresome culinary treats. We realised this pattern of neglectful consumption when my good friend, Nate and I agreed it was time to broaden our horizons and try something new. Something with which was not meant to difficult given the endless array of options Dubai has to offer. Naturally, each of the hundreds of pages of the Time Out eating guide we thumbed through produced an overwhelming amount of splendid review after review after review; it took us well over an hour to make a decision.
Finally, we made reservation, then put on our best evening shoes, just a tap of aftershave and we were ready for a very interesting experience. A table for 2 at The Aquarium . A stylish water-side restaurant. We’ve heard about this place being famous for not only its food, but also for the aquarium. We expected something more proportionate to a very large domestic tank, but boy were we overwhelmed by it shear massiveness. A floor to ceiling masterpiece.
We started with a Foie Gras on toast and dollops of sweet orange chutney. I was sure to save room for the main course, which both Nate and I ordered, honey basted-crispy skinned fish on creamy mashed potatoes and beans. The fish fell away from my knife like butter, so succulent. I believe Nate and I were both very happy to be out of view from the aquarium. Eating fish in front of fish seemed kind of wrong. But, eating the fish we did! Yum.
Posted on Jun 16, 2009 under Travel |
Cape Town, Africa is located at the tip of Africa, surrounded by the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. Tourists and locals alike enjoy and revel in the mild climate, enjoying the warm, sun filled summer days with balmy evenings and the mild, moist winters. The landscape is lush with the brilliant colors of vineyards and other vegetation while the Boland and Cederberg Mountains proudly display their snow capped peaks. Tourists can enjoy the open air music concerts at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, country festivals, wine harvesting in Cape Winelands…taking in the natural beauty Cape Town has to offer. Whether you are experiencing the great outdoors or inner city sights and activities, you will have access to the best Cape Town hotels. You will find yourself being pampered with first class accommodations and dining.
Other must see attractions include whale watching and Table Mountain. This is totally different and totally captivating. June through November marks the coming of whales to West Capes southern coastline, commonly known as the Cape Whale Coast. These massive, intelligent creatures of the sea draw 1000’s of tourists yearly as they watch, mesmerized by these gentle giants. The whales have migrated 1000’s of miles from Antarctica to the waters of the South African coast where they will mate and give birth. In 1935, after years of being slaughtered for monetary gains, these mystical beauties became protected and now their numbers have increased, much to the delight of all who are fortunate enough to view them up close.
Table Mountain is another Cape Town marvel of nature. For centuries, adventurous souls have gazed upon the beauty and mystery of this mountain, being drawn to her, all the while she was casting her spell and enticing the onlookers…almost daring them to make the attempt at conquering her. Very few people could truthfully make the claim they had climbed her. Then in the late 1870’s, city officials began making plans to build some type of transit system to the top of Table Mountain. In 1912, the townspeople voted and it was agreed the town should go ahead. These plans suffered delays, mostly due to wars but finally on October 4, 1929 the cableway system was officially open. Since that time, over 16 million visitors (including royalty and celebrities) have traveled to the top of Table Mountain. Once there, they have experienced breathtaking views and delightful cuisine…still being captivated by this wondrous mountain. Experiencing Cape Town is an adventure you will not want to miss.
Posted on Jun 16, 2009 under Travel |
Ibiza isn’t known for bargains, but just because of the tanking economy and the Euro exchange rate , I’m not willing to cancel my yearly trip, nor should you. That’s why I’ve put together some places you can enjoy while on a budget.
After I booked a Ibiza Town Hotel , I found that picnicking on Salinas Beach, which I’ve never done before, to be very relaxing and memorable. Salinas beach was just a short drive from my hotel. It’s known for it’s beautiful people and mouth-watering food. The beach is part of a National Park, pristinely kept by the hotels for it’s tourists. Taking a picnic basket instead of eating at one of the top dollar restaurants or clubs on the beach saved me approximately $80 to $100 dollars. I found a grocery store next to a bus stop, which I also saved money on by taking the bus, and bought some delicious local cheeses and ham sliced to order at the deli counter. I also purchased an inexpensive bottle of wine and picked up some freshly baked bread to make the picnic complete.
Now, for my nightlife, I found a club that expensive with a high entry fee and expensive drinks, Pacha Ibiza . But I managed to side step the entry fee by making dinner reservations at Pacha’s restaurant which got me into the club for free after I finished my exquisite meal. My dinner included wine which took care of not having to order drinks at the club. I saved about $200 with being content with a late dinner and one bottle of free wine. Or, if that’s still too expensive for you, party at Bora Bora instead, there’s no door fee and all you’ll need to spend is what they charge for a glass of beer. It’s even located on the beach. I got there in the afternoon so I could overlook the sea while very handsome men asked me to dance on the terrace. Don’t go in the evening because for some reason, Bora Bora is required to put a wall all around the bar.
I found walking, which is free, helped me maintain my shape as I ate my though food and drink. Most tourist spend money on spa’s to do this, and I used to also, but I decided to put on my walking shoes and got to experience a side of Ibiza which I never experienced before, Ibiza’s beauty and it’s people. I was greeted by everyone I met on the streets and thoroughly enjoyed how simply Ibiza live their lives. A testament islander life, idealistic and stress-less. Spending very little in Ibiza made me feel like I was apart of that.
Posted on Jun 15, 2009 under Travel |
My sister Bobbi Ann, commonly referred to as The Bob, and her husband Larry visited Thailand in April of 2001. It was an incredible trip, and they discovered many interesting aspects of Phuket and Bangkok, the two cities in which they spent the majority of their time. They stayed in 5 star hotels in both cities and greatly enjoyed the luxury accommodations they provided. They stayed at Le Meridien, one of the best hotels Phuket, which was situated on the coast and provided incredible views of the beach and ocean. In Bangkok they stayed at the prestigious Shangri-La resort located on the Chao Phrava River.
The Bob and Larry enjoyed many of the popular tourist activities and also explored the dynamic cultural heritage of the two cities. She was greatly impressed with the gemstone construction and ornamentation of the many temples. They enjoyed their tour of the tree groves and the efforts of monkeys as they climbed up the coconut and cashew trees and retrieved the fruit and nuts. The floating market in Phuket was an exciting experience. It is the equivalent of a standard swap meet in the United States though it was primarily situated on the river. She also learned some of the cultural courtesies while she was there, which included not crossing her legs and leaving one foot dangling with a foot pointed out. This is considered to be incredibly rude, and feet and hands should not be pointed at anyone. It was also considered to be inappropriate for them to hold hands in public.
The Bob and Larry enjoyed a ride on an elephant and watched as baby elephants drew pictures for tourists on the beach. They also took a hong cave tour for which they climbed into small inflatable rafts and were guided through low limestone caverns. This is a unique adventure and requires perfect timing with the tides to ensure proper access. They had to lie low in the canoe to avoid the sharp edges of limestone as they entered the caverns. The cuisine was one of The Bob’s favorite aspects of the trip and she discovered many new delicacies. Fish is a popular staple food and is incorporated into many of the dishes. One of her favorites was the prawn soup in coconut milk. She also loved the fresh fruit and they were constantly enticed by the many street vendors. The Bob and Larry had a great time on the trip, though she was also extremely happy to get home to her son Jared.
Posted on Jun 15, 2009 under Travel |
The island of Majorca is extremely beautiful and is incredibly attractive to tourists. The tourism rate on the island has skyrocketed since it first started to increase in the middle 1950s. There are many dynamic historic cultural aspects and landmarks to the island that attract some people, which its great beaches, restaurants and entertainment options are attractive to others. One thing that is standard though, is that the scenic views are amazing and attractive to all. Guests staying in a 5 star hotel Majorca often get the chance to appreciate these from their balconies or windows.
The Marineland park on Majorca is a popular spot for vacationers to visit. It is located in Costa d’en Blanes near the Puerto Portals and has been in operation for over 35 years. It offers many programs and marine life activities for guests and also serves as an educational aspect to the island and its diverse marine life world. Some of the attractions include its amazing dolphin show, the Sea Lions and Parrot Shows. There is also a Tropical Aviary and an aquarium.
The Dolphin Show has received awards for its excellence and integrity. It is rated one of the best in the world. Members of this intelligent species demonstrate their skills and intelligence by jumping through hoops, surfing and playing basketball. They swim and interact with their trainers and charm the spectators who are privy to this unique encounter. There is also an underwater glass walled exhibition area where observers can watch the dolphins and read educational material on their natural habitats and life styles. The Sea Lions are another popular attraction at the park. They also perform for spectators and often interact with them. The parrots are an extremely popular feature, particularly for children. There are parrot races and other competitions that demonstrate the special qualities of these beautiful creatures.
Posted on Jun 15, 2009 under Travel |
Edmond Pang Ho-Cheung is a playwright, novelist, filmmaker and actor from Hong Kong. He was born in Hong Kong in 1973 and developed a fascination for film and the arts early in his life. Hong Kong is an incredibly rich cultural city and contributes greatly to the fostering of arts appreciation in its youth. Tourists staying in one of the best Hong Kong hotels are often attracted to the historical landmarks of the city, but also to its vibrant entertainment scene. Ho-Cheung began working with his brother at the age of 15 when they would use their video camera to shoot short films.
When Ho-Cheung graduated form high school he moved to Taiwan for half of a year to study and enhance his cultural perspectives and experience. He returned to Hong Kong after about six months and began working for the Hong Kong Asia Television Limited . His job there was to write for a gag show. He went on to write columns for various magazines and newspapers. At the age of 24 he began work on his first novel. It is titled Fulltime Killer and is based on 18 months of research. The book became an extremely popular success and quickly sold over 100,000 copies after it was published. The book’s story was revised and became a radio program and in 2001 it was adapted into a feature film.
In 1995 he was hired by Hong Kong Commercial Radio as a scriptwriter. He began work on the script for the radio drama Out of the Blue. He wrote and directed his first film Summer Exercise. The film has been extremely successful in international film festivals and won an award in the Hong Kong Independent Short Film and Video Awards. It was also the first Hong Kong short film to be nominated in the Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan. He is well known for his feature length film Men Suddenly in Black, which was a huge popular box office success.
Posted on Jun 15, 2009 under Travel |
My first ever best girl friend was Sonam, she was a classmate of mine in elementary school. Her house was almost a hop-skip-and a jump away from my home. We’d hang around her home mostly. She was an excellent student, were as I was the class clown. Slowly, I got closer to my brother’s friends, Gunnu, Anju and Sunni and after a while I felt pretty secure with them. Reason being, they were seniors with a lot of clout with the teachers. So, being seen with them, hanging with them, was a huge deal. But, more than anything else, I really enjoyed their company.
Gunnu, has remained a great wonderful friend, even though we only contact each other twice a year on our birthdays. Anju, has passed away. Sad, I still shudder to think that she’s not among us anymore. To this day, I still regret not giving her the love she deserved. The last I saw of Anju, was in Hyderdabad, when she came home with Gunu and the others. I really miss her. Now, Sunni left for Mumbai in high school. We met up once in one of the thousands of Hotels Mumbai India has, but have totally lost contact with her after that. Sonam, well what can I say, she is my flat-mate, we’ve never been seperated from the day we met in elementary school. Now how many people do you know who still are in contact with their best friend from elementary school?
I continue to mingle with Gunnu and Sunni through all the social networking sites . They always keep me informed of what’s new in their lives, but still keep me away from their secrets. I just can’t keep a secret. Just can’t. Not only was I known in school as the class clown, I also built up a pretty good reputations as the class gossip. But, that’s how I am. As they say in Bengali – I was too ripe before my time. I have done a pretty good job of keeping in touch that I’m now the one everyone writes to find out about what’s new with my favorite friends. Being the class clown, class gossip has not let me down yet; it has only strengthened my friendships.
Posted on Jun 15, 2009 under Health |
There is no doubt that five-star Cape Town hotels are among the most beautiful and luxurious in the world. Considered by many to be one of the most gorgeous places on the planet, the hotels here live up to their fortunate location. With a heady combination of natural habitats for some of the most fascinating animals on Earth, amazing beaches that are more stunning than could ever be described or photographed, and a rich urban bustle that speaks of a lively global culture, Cape Town is one of humanity’s original hotspots.
With a fascinating and troubling history, South Africa is a living document of the human drama as it continues to unfold. Just as it would be difficult to speak of Cape Town without mentioning the history of apartheid, it is also hard to overlook the HIV virus. Just recently, hours ago as I write this, AIDS activist Thembi Ngumbane lost her battle with HIV. She had been diagnosed with drug-resistant TB earlier this week; she was 24 years old. Diagnosed with HIV when she was 19 years old, she has been outspoken and rather fearless in bringing light to HIV/AIDS issues in South Africa, as well as globally. She was given a microphone, and recorded her experiences with the illness, in an audio diary which has caught the attention of the globe.
She was chosen to be one of the participants in Imagine Afrika, a reality tv show which chronicled the lives of 12 people and their experience with HIV. Although this certainly brought her national attention, it was her sensitive diary entries in audio form that earned her the ears of international leaders such as Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. On her tour of the US, she was extremely outspoken about the grave spread of the illness, and the need for international attention so that education and outreach could help the growing situation. This global tour apparently gave her the courage to become more outspoken in her native South Africa. Thembi Ngumbane was not afraid to speak of her experience with the disease, documenting some extremely touching life events, such as telling her father about her HIV positive status. And though she was barely under five feet tall, she stood as a giant and spoke truth to power, a legacy that will live on.
Posted on Jun 12, 2009 under Travel |
World travelers on the lookout for five star Amsterdam hotels, wondering if they really are as splendid as their reputation, should have no cause for worry, because they truly are. Of course, this idea should certainly be tested, but the results will be enormously pleasing. All port cities have a reputation for being warm and welcoming, with a long tradition of hospitality that permeates the aura of the place. Amsterdam is certainly no exception.
There are many things to recommend the city, with an exceptional taste for style and design, an extremely lively arts scene, a fantastic university, unbeatable social services, and generally speaking, a certain taste for true civility that is hard to find anywhere else on the planet. The night life is about as exciting as night life can get, with bars and discos and restaurants, and all sorts of attractions and distractions that make any visitor’s eyes go wild with wonder at it all. Amsterdam has thousands of hidden sides, with all sorts of secrets that only the seasoned travelers seem to know right off the bat. But the city structure is such that most of these secrets are freely shared, it just takes the right questions. One secret however, that may not be so widely publicized, is that if traveling the city by car, be sure to bring a credit card, because the parking meters in Amsterdam do not accept cash.
This decision affects the 600 meters in the center of town. They are all designed now to accept cards only, due to excessive vandalism and fraudulent claims that the meters were broken. Now, in order to use the parking meters , the visitor will have to swipe their card, and enter the license plate number on a touch screen. This should certainly cut down on the attempts to empty the meters for cash, and help the city to run just that much more