TravelCent

Hong Kong’s Culture Scene is getting a Much Needed Boost

Many visitors to Hong Kong feel that this city is culturally at a full stop instead of being at full speed ahead. Hong Kong’s seems to have been more focused on building a strong financial center and let culture fall to the wayside. However, that’s all about to change.

There are plans for the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) , which will reclaim Kowloon’s waterfront and put this city culturally even with New York and Paris. People from all over the world and staying at a Hong Kong hotel , participated in an exhibit unveiling the master plans, which generated a tremendous response from the public as hundreds of people poured over the models and scribbling down their opinions on a 15-page questionnaire.

This ambition master plan will include everything from a contemporary arts museum to a Cantonese Opera house, to art schools, concert halls, artist studios, theatres, a film school, plenty of retail outlets, parks and apartments. The WKCD want to create a ‘village-life’ model where people mingle in a defined and culturally vibrant space.

Although construction isn’t slated to begin until 2015, the excitement WKCD is generating is a significant sign that Hong Kong’s future cultural scene will be a force to be reckoned with, both here and internationally.

Tupac and Las Vegas

There are plenty of famous events that have happened in this particular city of lights. For anyone who’s ever been a history buff with an interest in the big cities in the southwest, Las Vegas shines as one of the most fascinating places. One can visit the spots where some of these incidents took place, in order to see it from the inside. The last day of Tupac Shakur is one of the most widely disputed in terms of what exactly happened when he was shot, and who did it. It’s the stuff of great urban legends, but he himself was an urban legend, who left the earth far too soon.

The night of September 7, 1996 will go down forever as one of the pivotal moments in the history of hiphop music. Music fans at Las Vegas hotels will find it particularly interesting, and probably know more details than can be recounted in print, but the basic story is this: He was attending a boxing match where Mike Tyson won over Bruce Seldon in just a couple minutes. There was some scuffling going on, but it died down.

He went to his hotel, and left to go out and play at a club with Run DMC, when his car was sandwiched between three others. Shots were fired at him and Suge Knight, and he would die a few days later from the wounds. It’s a difficult moment in music history, but his legacy has proven that stars shine forever. His mother started the Tupac Amir Shafur Foundation after his death to provide grants to kids with interests in the arts, so they have a fighting chance.

Beijing’s Electronic Music Scene

In a city that’s undergoing so many rapid changes, Beijing is seeing the birth of some fascinating new forms. There is an energy here that some are comparing to New York City in the late 70s, where there was already a well-established cultural scene, but still room for explorations in new directions. It’s the exact kind of laboratory environment that is capable of fostering new art movements, and lately the electronic music scene is becoming a new center of attention.

Granted, it’s a rather small center, and something that some would call a niche market. However, practitioners of experimental music have not generally been concerned with markets at all, but instead are making art for art’s sake because they find it interesting. One space in particular, Sugar Jar , has become the locus of energy, where the players can gather, learn from each other, and push each other. The last factor is perhaps the most important in developing something that can take a form in new directions.

The store’s space is small, and so are the number of musicians currently occupying the niche, and these are also great conditions for a beginning phase, and as the world continues to wake up to what’s happening here, one could reasonably expect young musicians from places like New York checking into a Beijing hotel to work with the locals and start collaborations.

Travel Insurance and the Instinct for Travel

If you have the instincts of a traveler, the idea of remaining in the same home town or state for your entire life seems unthinkable. The non-travelers among us might argue that there is a comfort and security to be found in staying put; however, especially when younger, it’s difficult to imagine a time when you wouldn’t want to climb into a car or walk onto a jet and, within a few days or a few hours, respectively, find yourself thousands of miles from where you were that morning.

In the United States, even a few hundred miles can take you to dramatically different places; by car, one may go from the beaches of Santa Monica in California to the deserts and Superstition Mountains of Phoenix, Arizona, in just six to eight hours; by plane, that same journey may be completed in about an hour and fifteen minutes. Take the same four hundred miles but move it to Europe, and you’re likely to find yourself in an entirely different country.

The only thing that may take the shine and wonder out of traveling is a health problem overseas. When Jane Goodall planned to spend years studying primates in the jungles of Africa, she had her appendix removed, because if anything did go wrong, she knew she wouldn’t have been able to receive proper help. There’s no need for most of us to go to that extreme when we travel overseas. After all, most of us are within reach of modern medical facilities if our internal organs act up; however, it is a good idea to obtain visitor travel insurance , so that we’re not burdened with the cost of a medical emergency when we finally do go home and settle down.

Chosing a spot to stay in Melbourne

Melbourne is possibly the best city for a first time visit to Australia. Full of art and culture, coastal, year round festivals, and a great nightlife, you never know when you will come across a hidden treasure while sampling one of the cities more obvious attractions. Finding the perfect Melbourne hotel to spend your time in Melbourne can be quite the challenge. With so many options to choose from ranging from luxury suites at a well known international chain to hole in the wall local accommodation that has it’s own atmosphere and a personality.

The first thing to do when picking where to stay in just about any city is making sure to match your trip to the city district you plan to stay in. You don’t usually stay at a boutique hotel in the middle of the art district if you’re traveling for business. Nor does anyone enjoy landing and getting all your things to the hotel only to discover ninety percent or more of the sights to be seen are all the way on the other side of the city (or worse country) so be sure to scout the regions and districts. If you are in search of nightlife, glamor a quick stumble from your room, South Yarra and Toorak in the city’s east are the absolute best regions for your stay but if live music and pubs are more your speed along with affordable hotels , or for more expensive beach side accommodations, you should head to St Kilda.

Many travelers will have a hard time deciding but thankfully, since this is a city full of attractions where no matter where your accommodations land you, you’ll find something great to pass your time just about anywhere. Transportation isn’t even limited to street bound traffic, you get the option of river taxis to ferry you to parts of the city.

Melbourne, Australia is full of contrasts and extremes you should definitely go experience it for yourself.

Cape Town Botanic Gardens and Beautiful Geography

Cape Town is one of the most diverse and internationally appealing cities in South Africa and continues to gain larger numbers of tourists every year. In addition to the amazingly beautiful geography found in and around the city there is a tremendous amount of intriguing cultural elements and fascinating entertainment options. There is a thriving theatre and performance scene in the city and an extremely diverse and highly respected arts community. And there are some gorgeous beaches within easy access of the city, which provide an excellent afternoon in the sand.

Regardless of the reason for visiting South Africa and staying in one of the Cape Town hotels , guests are always captivated by the natural beauty of the place. And most people end up exploring one or more of the beautiful gardens and parks that are found there. The Kirstenbosch National Botanic Garden is one of the favorite ways for many tourists to experience some of the beautiful flower and plant species found in South Africa. The amazing gardens are incredible displays of the flora that is indigenous to South Africa and are known and respected for showcasing only the plants that are native to the country. Not only does this provide an incredibly beautiful and aromatic experience it is also educational and informative.

Live Music and Beautiful Parks in Austin

When most people think of visiting Austin, Texas one of the first things that comes to mind for them is the great live music scene. And while this is certainly something that the city is famous for and is an extremely vibrant and an essential part of the culture, it is not the only great thing going on in this capitol city. There are a lot of intriguing, significant and impressive organizations, buildings and landmarks that also contribute to making Austin the progressive beautiful city that it is. Many of the tourists who visit the Austin luxury hotels are immediately impressed with and sometimes surprised by how beautiful the city is, while they are also incredibly fascinated by the parks and recreational options as well as the major entertainment venues.

There is always something to do in Austin and that is true regardless of your interests or budget needs. You can spend an afternoon at Ladybird Park, which has become one of the city’s most prized areas and is a favorite place for residents to ride bikes, jog or relax in the grass. And then a great evening agenda includes stopping in at one or more of the popular live music venues. Any day of the week you can find great live music in Austin and this will range from open mic venues to clubs, concert arenas and festivals. It’s all there in this great city.

Meanwhile, there are countless other entertainment options and cultural attractions. The Ziker Rose Gardens are a beautiful and environmentally inspiring place to visit and so is the Taniguchi Japanese Garden . And to further explore some of the cultural dynamics and attractions of the city you should visit the George Washington Carver Museum and Library and also spend some time at the Capitol Building . The Capitol is an amazing building and is frequently recognized to be one of the most beautiful capitol buildings in the country. It was designed and completed in the late 19th century and was styled according to Renaissance Revival. It has been placed on the list of National Historic Places. These are just a few of the great cultural aspects that make Austin the vibrant and unique city we love it to be.

Dallas Holds on to its Roots

The Old Red Courthouse, located at 100 S. Houston Street, in Dallas is an outstanding historical building, built in 1892 in the Romanesque Revival style. The red Pecos sandstone is rough-cut, but the trim is the smooth Arkansas Blue Granite. Listed on the National Register, the Old Red Courthouse is listed as the City of Dallas Landmark and is a recorded Texas Historical Landmark, but even though this structure is of historical interest, it currently houses the Dallas Visitor Information Center and a high-tech Internet Cafe is situated in one of the turrets.

This building is the fifth out of four prior courthouses gracing the same location. Inside the building are theaters representing the four previous ‘eras’ of Dallas County, covering a span of two centuries up till 2007. On the 4th Floor, visit the Hatton W. Summerlee Court Room, it was just recently restored to it original appearance. You’ll end up spending several hours at the Old Red Courthouse, especially if you take in all the theaters and all the touch-screen interactive displays. The 2nd floor is where the Museum and gallery is located; artifacts from each of the 5 versions of the Red Courthouses history are expertly displayed.

The exhibit, or theaters are: ‘The Trading Center: The Sumnerlee Foundation Trading Center Gallery – 1874 to 1917. With the arrival of the first two railroads in 1872 and 1873, Dallas experience its first boom period making Dallas an important regional center for trade; ‘Big D: The Ruth Ray and H.L. Hunt Gallery – 1918 to 1945, displays how Dallas gained national recognition and at the same time faced the challenges of a major metropolitan area; ‘World Crossroads’: The Linda and Mitch Hart World Crossroads Gallery – 1946 to 2007, with post-war times just beginning, Dallas takes on a new direction and reinvents itself for the 21st century.

Nestled amongst skyscrapers, massive freeways and five star hotels, Dallas seems to stand still, if just for a moment by continuing to hold on to this very historical and distinctive building.

Vermont Maple Syrup and Lake Champlain

One of the great things about the New England states is that each of them seems to be known for specific food items that are inherent to their geography. This is particularly true for Vermont maple syrup and Maine lobster. Oh, and we don’t want to forget Boston clam chowder . And while these are prominent aspects of each of these regions there is much more to them than the individual food item. Such is the case with Vermont, though syrup is a major part of the state’s economy as well as being something for which it is extremely famous and loved. It is also the reason many people plan a stay in one of the luxury Vermont hotels or quaint bed and breakfasts. They plan on indulging in some of the delicious syrup over a plate of hot cakes in the morning. And thinking about it, this does seem like a great way to spend your weekend.

Even if it is the syrup that brings you to Vermont, and of course there is nothing wrong with that and the locals even love that fact, there are many other aspects of the state that will contribute to the enjoyment of your stay and entice you back again. Most of the towns in Vermont are relatively small, and this is part of the overall atmosphere of the state. Burlington is the largest city in the state and its population is just around forty thousand. However, what it lacks in size it makes up for in cultural and enthusiasm. There is also the amazing geography that affects the social climate of all the towns. Lake Champlain is just outside of Burlington and it is one of the most beautiful lakes in the nation. It is a fresh water lake that extends into New York. There is a quiet, peaceful beauty to it that agrees with the overall temperament of Vermont. The lake is also a popular place for camping and outdoor recreational activities.

Maui, Hawaii: A Perfect Vacation Spot

Maui, Hawaii is designed for those who wish to actively explore and for those who aren’t content to sit on the sand and watch the waves roll in. There’s so many natural wonders, from the top of Haleakala volcano to the bottom of Molokinin crater and all the things in-between such as snorkeling and surfing, you’ll be hard pressed to pack up your bags and leave your beach hotel, Hawaii will capture your heart, soul and make you want to miss you’re flight out of Maui. Consulting a travel directory, guidebook, or other resource will help you plan your dream vacation.

After exploring the volcanic wonders of Haleakala , you’ll want to try a more refreshing, but not less wondrous adventure: snorkeling. Maui’s vibrant underwater life is full of fascinating and colorful sea life. Maui has a dozen places to snorkel, and most are reached by kayak, but for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, take the 3.5 hour charter to Moloknin Crater. It’s truly one of the best dive sites in all of the Pacific. Then there is Hulopoe Bay located on Lanai and is a favorite for many snorkel fans. It will take you 5 hours by Ferry ride to reach the bay, and on a calm day, this spot offers excellent visibility, and plenty of fish and coral formations.

Surfing at Honolua or at Lanaina Harbor is a very traditional activity in Hawaii. Practiced for over 300 years all across the islands, this thrilling sport is a way of life for many Maui residents. If you’ve never surfed before, then you’re in luck, because Maui is the best place to learn. The island’s southern and western shores offer gentle breaks, which is perfect for first-timers. There a many surfing schools that offer lessons at very reasonable rates, plus they’ll rent you a surf board. They will start you out with a longboard, which is easier to stand on and to maintain your balance with. Even though surfing looks easy, it really does take practice, so don’t get upset if you keep falling off; be patient, relax and your wave will come.