Do It Go

As we head into Barcelona to meet with a friend of ours, Lara and her family, we come off a all day passage form Valencia where we spent three days exploring the city. Lara was staying at one of the Valencia hotels which was very exquisite. We were docked in Port America’s Cup, which is a modern marina that was built to house the 32nd America’s Cup in 2007.

Valencia itself is an often over looked city in terms of tourism. It’s a great combination of history, historical architecture, modern architecture and the home of paella, a rice seafood dish served in a huge frying pan. After our overnight from Ibiza to Valencia, we spent the morning recouping and napping. We have discovered that those nights at sea and the 3 to 4 hour watch schedule that my wife and I share, requires a catch-up nap the next day. For our multi-day passage, we simply nap on and off throughout the day, but on arrival days, the tendency has been to immediately head out into the city. We’ve learned to take it easy our first day. The children unloaded the bikes and explored the park and rode the Formula 1 race way which was built around the marina for August, while my wife and I napped and cleaned up.  Later in the day we went into the old town by bus and spent the late afternoon and early evening walking the city past beautiful old churches and museums. The doors on these buildings were works of art. They were 15 feet carved wooden masterpieces. We passed the very rich shopping area and encountered a very rare and somewhat magnificent site…a Starbucks. My wife couldn’t resist.

We hadn’t had a Starbucks cup of coffee for over a month, and here we are, sailing across the sea’s like we were in search of something familiar. I have to admit, the coffee was good.

Tags: Ibiza, Port America's Cup, Starbucks, Valencia, Valencia hotels
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Newport is one of the beautiful coastal towns on the Isle of Wight, south of the Englis h mainland. It has been settled and inhabited since at least the Roman period and remains of these settlements have been found on the island. Newport is one of the primary tourist centers on the island, and guests staying in a Newport hotel are attracted to the unique charm and beauty of this town.

It has many cultural and architectural landmarks that attract many visitors and contribute to the overall ambiance of the town. St. Thomas’ Church is one of its historic features, and with all old buildings, it has an interesting history. It was originally constructed in the 12th century and was dedicated to Thomas Becket, St. Thomas of Canterbury. This remained the name of this incredible church until the early 16th century. Under the rule of Henry VIII, Becket was declared to have been a traitor and at that time Canterbury was removed from the name. Interestingly, St. Thomas remained, and it is still called the St. Thomas Church. This left the title seeming somewhat ambiguous, though the common association is now given to Thomas the Apostle.

The church also has some famous burials and remains. Sir Edward Horsey, who died in 1582, is buried in the abbey, and so is Princess Elizabeth. She was the daughter of Charles I and Henrietta Maria. She was born in 1635 and died when she was only 14 years old. Her image has been immortalized in a painting. Shortly after the birth of her young brother Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester, the two children were painted together. Unfortunately, he also died at a very young age, passing away when he was only 20. In 1856 a memorial for Princess Elizabeth was made by Carlo Marochetti and was presented by Queen Victoria.

Tags: Henrietta Maria, Newport, Newport hotel, St. Thomas Church
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As opposed to the sparsely populated district of the Black River, the Mauritius district of Pamplemousses is one of the more populated areas, and also one of the most beautiful.  Triolet is the capital of this district and is home to many five star hotels.  Mauritius is an island of tropical beauty with many activities taking place in nature, in the forests, along the beaches and the surrounding waters of the Indian Ocean.  The village of Triolet offers a bit more of the cultural aspect of the island and the people on the island.  The district of Pamplemousses is home to a large number of the historical sites on the island, with remnants and reminders of the times when the island was under colonial rule.

This is also home to the largest Hindu temple on the island, that of Maheswarnath Temple. One of the attractions that should not be missed when traveling on the island is the the Pamplemousses Garden.   This is a garden of botanical wonders that was created almost three hundred years ago by the French governor.  The garden is a collection of many plants that were transported to the island throughout the years of trade ships and explorers.  There is a pond featuring the water lilies of Queen Victoria and there are paths throughout the garden that are lined with Palm Trees.  During Colonial times the grounds of the garden were used for research by French and British horticulturists.  The garden is also known as the Botanical Gardens of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam.  The Java deers that were transported to the island find refuge in these gardens, and for nature lovers this is a paradise for the senses.

Also of interest to those in love with the outdoors is the fact the Pamplemousses is home to a variety of beaches, forest filled landscapes and many ranges of mountains.  Tourists travel to the district for the outdoor adventures as well as the cultural sites such as the galleries and the museums, as well as the restaurants and nightlife.  This has long been one of the most loved and well visited districts on the island, a district wherein one can immerse themselves in natural and cultural beauty that is characteristic of the entire island of Mauritius.

Tags: five star hotels, Maheswarnath Temple, Mauritius, Pamplemousses District, Pamplemousses Garden, Queen Victoria
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Scuba diving an exciting adventure into the depths of sea, and offers the opportunity to catch glimpses of creatures, some bizarre while some are beautiful, that are like no others found on dry land.  Among the many wonderful aspects about a vacation on the island of Mauritius, including the hiking excursions, the cruises and some of the world’s best hotels, Mauritius offers a variety of waters in which to do just that, to scuba dive.

While this is one of the many sports that take place surrounding the island on and in the waters of the Indian Ocean, scuba diving is one of the favorites, with the locals as well as the tourists.  Various spots have gained fame due the underwater sights one will capture, such as the various reefs and coral expanses, to a myriad of wildlife that makes its home under the sea.  This is one of the most beautiful regions of the Indian Ocean, and these shores draw many a diver throughout the entire year.

Not only are their private businesses which specialize in the training for new divers, as well as offering up the rental equipment necessary, most of the resorts and hotels do the same.  For those who are not necessarily skilled in swimming or for those who have never dove before, many of the instructors will come along on the dives to provide support and to ease one’s worry.  Many of these divers are the trained instructors who are members of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.

Along with the company, these divers know the best locations for some really incredible sights.  They know where the shipwrecks are located, as well as the best locations to swim along side of the dolphins.  Any major diving attraction, they will know where to find it.  The best time to dive off the coast of Mauritius, the time of the year when the visibility under the water is best, is during November through March.  Although should one find themselves there at any time of year, one should not hesitate to jump right in.

Tags: best hotels, Mauritius, Professional Association of Diving Instructors, scuba diving
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Most Indian travellers look at Singapore as their first international travel place to go. One reason, is applying for a visa is easy, it only takes three days and the you can go online to do it. Two, you don’t feel like your away from home once you’re there. Singapore has a large Indian population and Tamil is one of the official languages. When in Little India you can almost feel like you’re in Mumbai, of course, a little cleaner that Mumbai. Also, Singapore is a country where you can exchange rupees into local currency very easily. For a first time Indian traveller, Singapore is so easy to relate to.

Shopping is the best in Singapore, starting with walking through the Changi International Airport, there are store selling all kinds of things from Nikon camera’s to Scotch. It can take you an hour or more to shop all the stores in the airport alone. But, save some of your money for the mall’s in the city. I recommend checking out the high-end leather goods at Takashimaya and then go to Sim Lim Square of the electronics, very good deals, almost steals. The Chinatown part of Singapore has great items to purchase for friends and family when you get back home to India, like chopsticks, statues, silk pouches and porcelain.

After shopping, head over to the Singapore Zoo and pose for pictures with some very hairy primates or dolphins. For peace of mind, check out Singapore Botanic Gardens, set up by a Brit Sir Stamford Raffles in 1822. After that, take a joyride to Sentosa Island and book a room for the night at one of the fabulous Singapore Sentosa hotels, because you’ll want to spend more than just a few hours there, you’ll want to spend a day and a night. The Chinese operas are a delight at The Durian. Visit the National Museum at Orchard Road where you can learn about the struggle for independence. Check out the St. Andrews Church and the Town Hall near the Esplanade which were constructed by the British. That’s a lot to do in Sentosa, plus an excellent night life. So, East Indians will thoroughly enjoy all of what Singapore has to offer, and a little bit more.

Tags: Changi International Airport, Inner Sentosa, Singapore, Singapore Sentosa hotels, Takashimaya
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Travelling back to the place where I was born, Punjab, to show my grandchildren their heritage brought back so many memories. I know longer have any relations in this region between Pakistan and India, so I had to book a room in one of the Punjab hotels for the duration of my stay.

I told my grandchildren that a generation ago, the turban was the crowning glory of all Punjabis. It didn’t matter if you were a Muslim, a Hindu or a Sikh. The Muslims and the Hindus have stopped wearing their turbans, but it remains an article of faith for Sikhmen whose religion forbids them to cut their hair.  My grandchildren really liked the idea on never cutting their hair. I don’t blame them, the way my daughter cuts their hair is a crime. But, anyway, I continued to tell them about the kurta, a long straight-cut loose shirt teamed with pyjamas which are a loose baggy salwar, a kind of sarong called a loongi or sometimes a tehmat makes up the traditional dress of men. My grandchildren also liked the idea of wearing pajamas as regular daytime clothes.

In the winter, I told them, the Pujabi wears colorful sweaters which wives and mothers are very skilled at making. Then a blanket finishes the ensemble. But, when the urban, educated Punjabi goes to work, he will wear a shirt and pants, or even a suit just like the Westerns wear. My grandchildren wondered why wear a suit when you can wear a blanket? I pointed out to them the traditional Punjabi shoe, called juttis. It seems the juttis has retained its popularity with both the rural and urban Punjab man. I and my grandchildren can see why, they are elegant and comfortable.

Now, for the Pujab woman, it’s hard to tell if she’s Hindu, Sikh, Muslim or even Christian by what she wears. They all dress in salwar topped with a kameez, a garment that can be fitted like a dress loose like the kurta, and accessorized by a rectangular scarf 3 meters long called the chunni or sometimes called duppatta. My grandchildren didn’t know why the women didn’t all want to look different. I smiled at my grandchildren and told them that they are most fortunate to have the freedom to wear what they please, well as free as my daughter allows.

Tags: Dressing Punjab Style, hotels, juttis, kurta, salwar
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“We gotta go to Yum Cha Dragon, what a great name,” said Patty, practically drooling at the thought of Chinese food. How a girl from the Bitter-root Mountains of Idaho developed such a of love of Chinese food, I will never know. Oh wait, I do know. I went back with her to meet her family for the first time in the spring and we had some of the Chinese food in her hometown. I knew we were in trouble when they had ketchup bottles on the table and not a chop stick in site. Plus they served pizza. Maybe now when she get s good Chinese food she can really appreciate it. She apologized for the hometown chopsuey debacle as we like to call it now. I just think it made us stronger. “Sounds good to me,” I said. “But if they have ketchup bottles on the table, I am out of there,” and we both giggled. Patty was fun to travel with, has been all over Europe, and this was the first visit for either of us to Oceania, no less, and Melbourne. We were reluctant to try the luxury hotels Melbourne has seemingly everywhere, and wanted the Chinatown experience.

“Maybe they have Yum Cha T shirts?” said Patty in her flat Midwestern drawl. She had studied economics at the University of Chicago, and after graduating become a well known model, appearing on billboards all over the US. Well since YumCha means drink tea in Cantonese that’s what we ordered straight off as we were seated. We were in time for buffet and had our pick of seafood dumplings as we plodded around the restaurant. The prawns were worth it, and even the usual Chinese themed interior of lanterns and bamboo made us feel happy and at home.

Tags: luxury hotels, Melbourne, prawns, Yum Cha Dragon
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There are many aspects of the skill of human communication and interaction that one will find useful in the various management training and human resources programs.  There are conventional methods that are ignored by the bad managers, they are followed by the good managers, and quite often those methods and those rules are actually broken by the truly great managers.  Much in the same way society questions whether or not artistic talent is born, and not learned, such is true in the business world.

Whether or not one went to art school, one can see a difference in a drawing, or painting or sculpture that is executed ‘right’.  But when one stands in front of a Degas drawing, or a Picasso painting, or a Michelangelo sculpture, one senses that difference, as if those artists had a kind of awareness that just can not be taught.  A great manager knows instinctively how to select the best employees, how to develop them and how to motivate their teams in such a way to produce the best results.

One of the aspects in which a great manager is defined, is just that, the results one produces and the quality of the performance of their staff. One way a great manager paves their own way, is just simply hiring good people.  They are aware of those they are interviewing during the human resource meetings.  They know, that in general most humans just do not change.  A great manager knows to look for what they need and want, and that the qualities necessary for job performance and success are those qualities that a prospective candidate already possesses.

It is impossible to put talent in, but exciting to draw it out.  This insight is valuable when creating any team, it involves taking a look at one can do already, not how to fix something, or come up with ways to enhance weak talent or ability.  The skill and the talent must be there at the beginning.  Public speaking training and coaching should not be geared at that idea of fixing someone, but as stated, it should be focused on expanding what is already there.

Tags: Do Great Managers Break the Rules?, Michelangelo, performance of their staff, public speaking training
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Our four-star New York hotels offer luxury accommodations in the Big Apple with a difference.  Here, where the tradition of hospitality is honed to a degree of extreme perfection and care, hotels have a history almost as old as the city.  New York sees some of the best minds in the world traveling through it every year, and also has a huge share of famous residents.  Your stay here should have the splendid combination of luxuries and comforts that we can offer, so that you are refreshed and ready to make your own New York adventure.  Our lodgings feature all the latest in new technologies, a fantastic offering of choices in our restaurants prepared by world-class chefs, and service that is unparalleled.

New York is by most accounts the greatest city in the world, containing a multitude of peoples, cultures, and traditions.  One of the most exciting things about the city is the opportunity to meet different perspectives several times a day.  For this reason, it has always attracted a large share of artists and thinkers.  There is also a love of tradition here, and the roots of show business can be found in New York streets.  One of the pioneers of comedy, Morey Amsterdam found inspiration in New York City for his comic genius.

Born in Chicago in 1908 to Austrian immigrants, Morey Amsterdam began his show business career in vaudeville, playing straight man to his brother, when he was just a teenager.  His quick wit soon attracted the attention of audiences and producers, and he was on his way to fame.  He was known as a Human Joke Machine, which was both literal and metaphorical.  He attached a fake machine to his chest, which would print out jokes that he would read.  Of course, the paper print-outs were blank, and he could always count on his innate sense of humor to come through at the last minute.  Morey Amsterdam spent most of his life on the West coast, but his time spent on his own show, The Morey Amsterdam Show, gave him New York chops that would serve him through his colorful career.

Tags: hotel, Morey Amsterdam, New York
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Could the Sagrada Familia be any bigger? I just could not take my eyes off this massive church, still under construction and will be for twenty or thirty more years. It is like some dreamy, ephemeral creature has set down in Barcelona, an almost organic intricacy that you just can not take your eyes off. We sat at luxury Barcelona hotels anywhere that had a good view of this astonishing edifice. Designed by Gaudi, the famous artist, the church possess a surreal Gothic Revival style that is absolutely compelling. and in the midst of this and other architectural wonders, parrots. Big green parrots that flew from palm tree to palm tree, reminding you that while you were in Europe and looking at Gothic, say, architecture, it’s just different, like weird, or, if you will, weirder Munich, with green parrots, and warped smash ups ofarchitectural types.

That’s when a guy tried to sell me a parrot. He was sort of dressed up as a parrot, what with a green leather jacket, purple shirt, and white cravat. “This Pierre the parrot. I think he likes you.” Well, what the hell am I going to do with a parrot. This guy should be selling the green leather jacket like the one he had on, and I told him so. “Oh, Senor,” he said, “A parrot is a living thing of beauty, much more valuable.” I had to agree with that, but still, how would I get on theplane back to Toronto. There are no palm trees in Toronto. The CN Tower, but no palms. Maybe Phoenix. Well, apparently he was a magician, because the bird disappeared in a wink behind a flourish of purple silk kerchiefs and marzipan. Then he disappeared too in a burst of red smoke. Just then a parrot landed on my shoulder. “Hello, my name is Pierre,” hesquawked. Looks like I had a parrot.

Tags: Barcelona, Gawdy Gaudi, luxury hotels, Sagrada Familia
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The five-star hotels in Singapore are a splendid testimony to the best that civilization can offer.  With a fantastic combination of old world comfort and hospitality with new world technologies and design, we have it all.  Guests here will find themselves living in the lap of luxury, enjoying accommodations that meet or exceed the highest standards in the industry.  There are many things to recommend our lodgings, with magnificent restaurants that serve world cuisine cooked up by master chefs, sleek and elegant exercise rooms to facilitate your international workout, and a host of other amenities.  These will add up to a rested body and mind, and one who is ready to investigate this remarkable city.

Singapore is a heady mix of culture and tradition, meeting up with many contemporary cultures and ideas, and the beneficiaries of this mix are the citizens of Singapore (and visitors like you, of course!).  The energy is palpable from every corner, and there is a powerful sophistication that runs like a theme under the surface, rising to the visible realms when there is a new manifestation of creative energies.  One manifestation that is not to be missed is the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival.  This is an annual event that celebrates performance in Singapore and in the world, and attracts a wide range of cultural events.

Geared toward alternative audiences and specializing in cutting-edge works, the Singapore Fringe Festival features nearly two dozen new works from all over the world.  There is an emphasis on Singapore art and artists, but works from elsewhere are encouraged and certainly a main part of the festival.  One can see stunning new works of theatre, dance, multi-media art, and installation work here.  The theme of 2009′s festival is Art and Family, focusing on how the family (in all definitions) is represented and re-configured in radical art practices.  One of the interactive installations this year is the Museum of Broken Relationships, where viewers are invited to contribute artifacts from their own sad love lives, in a playful exhibition that unifies the spectator with the art work.  This is a must-see event for art lovers and practitioners from all over the world.

Tags: five star hotels, Fringe Festival, M1, Singapore
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The last time I was in New York City I took a friend that was visiting from the other side of the country. Never having been to New York before she was very excited to be going. One thing on her agenda was seeing a Broadway play. Not my favorite thing as I would prefer Opera over Broadway but it was her visit. We got tickets to see Wicked. I wasn’t impressed and fortunately nether was she so we ended up leaving after the first act saving us from suffering through another act let alone moment of this horrible musical abomination. Fortunately it was a matinee performance so we were able to fit in some other tings to do. We went to a cool paper store where I got some new papers to fold into origami models. we did some other shopping and window shopping in mid town Manhattan. While making our way down toward the Empire State building. My friend had always wanted to go up it. Being from New York and living there all my life I had never given a tough to going up inside the Empire State building. So it was good to have someone come visit so I would do this. We made it to the observation deck for the sunset. It was a nice evening and the lights of the city came on as we watched the sun go down. After that we made our way back to street level and began making our way back to the train station. Of course by now we need to get some dinner to eat before we faint. We were passing a 5 star New York hotel and thought what a way to treat ourselves at the end of a long day of site seeing in New York City. My friend had a lot of fun, she had never been in a city that big before nor seen so many people and had that many choices of things to do all at the same time. It was overwhelming but fun for her.

Tags: Broadway, five star hotels, New York, Opera, origami models, Visit
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When traveling to Delhi, 5 star hotels are the perfect way to make your accommodations in luxury comfort.  Our hotels are remarkably distinctive in style and panache, providing a splendid base from which to see a remarkable city.  We specialize in hospitality and graciousness, insuring that your stay here will help to revitalize the body and mind.  Dining here is splendid, featuring local and national cuisines, with international touches, prepared by our first-rate chefs.  There are also exercise facilities, and plenty of wonderful extras that make our hotels an exquisite experience.

Delhi is an amazing city.  One of the longest continually-inhabited places on earth, Delhi attracts artists, intellectuals, people in business, politicians, and others from all walks of life, intrigued by the city’s magic appeal.  There is also a thriving performing arts community here, reflecting the populations they serve.  One performing company not to miss is the Asmita Theatre Group.  Founded in 1993, their mission is to showcase works that are aesthetically innovative and socially relevant, catering to a large cross-section of the population.

Their work is very much grounded in the community here, and speaks to contemporary and very local issues and concerns.  But there is also a genuine attempt to appeal to everyone, so that visitors here will find a lot to admire in Asmita Theatre.  They perform almost entirely in Hindi, so an evening of theatre here will be very much a reflection of the place, and is a fantastic way to begin to learn about the people who live in Delhi.  The company’s director, Arvind Gaur has an extremely impressive resume, having directed over 48 plays, all over India, in the U.S., and in Australia.  He has worked on traditional plays, contemporary comedies, political dramas, and solo work.  His commitment to the form, and dedication to bringing the work to the people of Delhi, is in line with the company’s mission, and gives excellent reasons for visiting Delhi.

Tags: Asmita Theatre, Delhi, five star hotels
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For international reputations in boutique hotels, South Africa has something amazing going on.  Boutique hotels are intended to give the guests something extra, a unique style and design that chains simply cannot offer.  And South Africa, being an extremely unique place on the globe, is unusually well-situated in this regard.  Guests at our hotels will certainly find the usual amenities and extras that are a part of the package at all luxury hotels, with fine dining, exercise rooms, excellent facilities for business and leisure, and a very helpful concierge.  There is much more, however, as each of our hotels is uniquely designed for flair and panache.  Guests will find themselves enjoying a sense of rejuvenation, in an atmosphere created by some of South Africa’s most accomplished designers.

Cape Town, where many of the boutique hotels are located, is one of the main cultural hubs of the continent, and the world.  It is a lively city with a long and often extremely difficult history.  Here, one can find all sorts of things to do to keep every member of the family occupied, and many tours will touch on the local history and important events.  For night life, the city is amazing, with a buzz of activity that is truly astonishing.  Some lucky travelers might find themselves enjoying a fantastic meal and later catching the Nigerian group Ayetoro playing at a local club.

Ayetoro, whose name means “world of peace” in Yoruba, plays classic high life music, and they have a splendid reputation in world music.  It is no wonder, then, that they would play Cape Town regularly.  Tourists here will come to recognize that Cape Town is an extremely diverse place, and seems to get a lot of its infectious energy from blending cultures, as well as constantly embracing innovation.  Nigerian high life music is an unusual blend of African traditional rhythms and Western jazz, so it’s no leap of logic to see how this band would find a welcome audience in Cape Town.  Here, there is a world culture that emerges from a long history of cultural exchange, and the coming years will be fascinating to witness as Cape Town continues its evolution on the world stage.

Tags: Ayetoro, boutique hotels, South Africa
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The English village of Herefordshire has a myriad of options for those traveling to the city.  From historical museums and site of significance to many restaurants that offer up locally grown produce.  There are many choices when it comes to the world of the performing arts, as well as opportunities for outdoor activities in the splendid English countryside.  One site of interest is the center ofMappa Mundi, which not only possesses the map, but two Chained Libraries, with most extensive collection in the world.

Located within walking distance from the Mappa Mundi and several Herefordshire hotels, is the All Saints Church.  This church was renovated and now contains withing the church walls a thriving and wonderful restaurant.  Two museums are located in the center of town, one being the Old House, and and other being the Cider Museum,  where one can enjoy the tastings of the different varieties of cider, while touring the facility and learning about the history of cider production inHerefordshire, as well as the means in which cider is produced.

More recently, this village has become well known for the increasing quality of the cuisine and the wine bars.  As in many cities throughout the world, citizens are becoming more aware of the benefits of local produce farms and agriculture. Herefordshire farms are well known for the sheep, the cattle, the cider and the hops.  Many vineyards have become very successful, contributing to the paradise of gourmet flavors Herefordshire offers.

One of the largest vineyards is located close by in Ledbury, this is the Coddington Winery and Vineyard.   Each year the Coddington produces close to  four thousand bottles with a variety of three different grapes.  This site was once known for their apples, however the vineyards replaced the apple trees in 1989And located nearby, in the village ofLeominster, the cheese industry is booming, a perfect pairing for wine tastings.  For those interested in a culinary vacation, Herefordshire is the place to be.

Tags: Coddington Winery and Vineyard, Fine Cuisine, Herefordshire, Herefordshire hotels
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The Salisbury Cathedral is one of the primary landmarks and attractions of this city in England. This contributes to its being known as a cathedral city. Salisbury exists in the region known as Wiltshire, and is located close to the edge of Salisbury plane. The cathedral itself is considered to be one of the earliest examples of English architecture and the main body of it was completed in 38 years. Tourists staying in a one of the beautiful and accommodating Salisbury hotels will certainly make a visit to the cathedral an essential aspect of their trip.

While it may not be as formal, or detailed in its design, there is another intriguing and possible sacred site located near the town Salisbury that draws equal, if not greater attention. This is of course, the circular series of stone blocks known as Stonehenge. The prehistoric monument is located just over 8 miles, or 13 kilometers, north of the city and attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. Some seasons, or specific time frames are more popular than others, as many people prefer to visit it during one of the perceived sacred moments the structure itself may have been intended to celebrate.

It is generally accepted that the first stones of this intriguing if not still somewhat mysterious monument were placed on the site around 2500 BCE. However, the full development of the site is categorized into specific stages and did not occur all at once, or in a specific time frame. In 1986 the monument was officially listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. While the exact function of the monument is not entirely understood, it is commonly agreed that the site originally served as a burial ground. Archeological evidence indicates that these early burial activities date back to as early as 3000 BCE. At this point, ditches were first being dug around the area.

Tags: Sacred Locations, Salisbury
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Bangkok came into existence in the later portion of the sixteenth century. Before this time Bangkok was a series of independent principalities that existed without official status. The city is perched on the Chao Phraya river which is formed by the convergence of the Ping, Nan and Nakhon Sawan rivers. The name derives form Bang Makok, bang being the central Thai name for village or town and makok being the name of Spomdias dulcis, a tree producing a yellow plum like fruit. In 1767 the fall of Ayutthayan to the Burmese Kingdom the newly declared King Taksin established what is now the capitol city of Thailand. The reconstructed city now on the east bank of the river was established on April 21st 1782. Through the mid nineteenth century more foreign visitors came to Thailand missionaries and traders came from Europe and North America. By the 1860′s economic trading alliances were formed and strengthened. Under the rule of King Mongkut 1851-1868 and latter his son King Chulalongkorn 1868-1910 brought many improvements and modernizations to the city. It is under King Mongkut’s rule the very first paved streets were introduced to Bangkok and his son proceeded to construct new city roads, developed railway lines, and connected Bangkok to the north. In the 1900′s market zones began to develop into residential districts. In 1932 the Memorial bridge was completed thus connecting Thonburi and Bangkok promoting growth, trade and modernization of the city. Since the 1960 modernization and population of over eight million people have brought much congestion and pollution to this city. However there are always the Bangkok business hotels with their world class service offer the visitor an escape from the modern bustle of Bangkok. Modern Bangkok offers many opportunities, historic districts, markets for shopping, temples, shopping mall, night clubs, resturaunts and more.

Tags: Bangkok, Burmese Kingdom, business hotels, Chao Phraya river, Historic
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The city of Peebles is located along the Tweed River Valley.  It lies between the Tweed River that flows towards the sea past Berwick upon Tweed, and the Eddleston River which flows north.  This Valley has long been knows as the well traveled route between the Scottish Border and the capital city of Edinburgh.  Settlements in this area date back 1000′s of years.  There are many archaeological ruins that still scatter the countryside and are found among the hills.  For those traveling in search of adventures in the world of history, there are many a Peebles hotel to choose from when organizing such a trip.  There are many old churches to wander through as well as the sites upon which old forts are located.  The location of Peebles so affected the strategies of the troupes over the years, this is evident in the remains of the Royal Burgh, which was occupied by the British during the wars that took place in the 1300′s.

One of the remains that is found at Lyne, is located aside the ruins of a road and a fort from the Roman era.  The Romans occupied the Tweed Valley only for a few number of years, and this area was to become officially part of the country of Scotland in 1016.  Years before, a church in what is now modern day Peebles was established.  There are some remains of this Church, such as part of the Saint Andrew’s Tower.  In 1458 the English armies destroyed the church, and just over one hundreds later, a new church was constructed just to the east of where the original Saint Andrew’s Church had stood.  Now on the site, close to the Tweed Bridge and High Street, the Old Parish church still stands.  Many more amazing churches are located in this area of the city, and their spires and steeples are breathtaking sights.

Tags: Archaeological Remains, Churches, Peebles, Peebles hotel, Saint Andrew's Tower, Scotland, Tweed River Valley
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On our way through the Yorkshire Dales, we first have to go through Skipton. It’s the southern gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. We thought it would be nice to stop off at all the towns we come across and find out anything interesting about the town. This wasn’t apart of our itinerary, but we still had time before we checked into one of the Dale Hotels we had made reservations with earlier.

Skipton appears to be a very busy market town. They have a castle and I found the shopping center to have some very unique stores. When we walked around the market town we would ask the shop owner to give us some historical information about the town. See, we really enjoy people, so this is our way to break in and start conversing with the locals and possible start new friendships. We found out that Skipton was once a big wool processing center. The canal network from Leeds to Liverpool and then later the railway system ensured Skipton’s success in the wool industry. There still are sheep dogs auctioned at the Auction Mart. There’s even a pub, which we found very delightful and friendly, called the Woolly Sheep Inn.  While in the pub, we couldn’t stop people from talking to us and telling us all about Skipton’s wool heritage. We had so much fun.

We inquired about the canal system which passes through Skipton, which part of it winds around the Castle and acts as a moat. We took a canal boat ride on what are known as canal boats. Narrow, long and very colorful. We made fast friend with the boat captain who asked us if we’d like to join he and his wife at their home for a nice home cooked dinner, unfortunately, we had to decline, because we did need to leave to make it for check in to our hotel. We asked the delightful Captain if the offer will still be open when we come back through our our way back home. He was delighted and said we could come by anytime, that he and his wife would be glad to have us over anytime.

We were so taken with just how friendly all the people were in this quaint town, we didn’t want to leave. But, leave we did, knowing will be back in two weeks time.

Tags: Dale Hotels, sheep dogs, Skipton Dales, Yorkshire Dales
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Robert De Niro has stated that when he has needed to gain weight for a particular role he is playing, such as the quick weight gain for “Raging Bull”, or in his role throughout the series for the “Godfather” movies, he pack up and heads abroad, where he eats his way around Italy.  Today, perhaps he would choose the island of Singapore.  Food is a way of life on the island, and it is suggested that one not travel to Singapore if one is on a diet.  There are not many places that offer such exotic and diverse fares, every Singapore restaurant promises everything from authentic and traditional Italian food, to Indian and Chinese.  The preoccupation with all aspects of the culinary world has created a world of flavor that is plentiful and suits all budgets.  It really is amazing that amount of locations for dining out.  From fancy restaurants offering haute cuisine, to cafes and hawker malls.

One of the reasons for this diversity is the diversity of cultures and races that have made Singapore their home over the years.  The food reflects the cuisines of those that have immigrated, the Chinese, Thai, East Indian and the European influence have presented fusion dining like none found, as well as many locations for traditional foods of each region.  Many people travel to locations for ‘food vacations’, obsessed with discovering foreign flavors and recipes, will find in Singapore a virtual cornucopia of variety.  One can stay for a month and never eat at the same place twice.  For the true Singapore flavor, one should visit restaurants run by the Peranakan culture, which is a blend of Malay and Chinese cultures.  This will be an adventure for those who do like spice, a bit of heat in their meal.  Items spiced with chilies are popular such as the favorite dish of the very spicy, very delicious chili crab.  This is a truly international island, in every sense of the word.

Tags: "Raging Bull", Diversity, Restaurant, Robert De Niro, Singapore, Singapore flavor, Variety
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For those visiting either Pretoria or Johannesburg, the Sterkfontein Caves are located just about an hour’s drive from each city, and should be on the itinerary of all those touring the country and staying in the luxury hotels Johannesburg and Pretoria offer.  These caves are located within the Heritage Site of the “Cradle of Humankind” and claim as their own, some of the most dramatic and important archaeological discoveries in the world.  These discoveries have been responsible for changes in the ways scientists, and society in the whole, the history of the evolution of human beings and humanity in general.   The two most recent discoveries that are on exhibit are those of Little Foot and Mrs. Ples.  Little Foot is the name given to the fossil remains of an almost entire skeleton recovered dating more than three million years old.  Little Foot is a member of the hominid species, Australopithecus.  Mrs. Ples, also Australopithicus was found previous to Little Foot, and is the complete skull of a female member of the species.  These are just two of the many famous findings the caves have revealed.

John Gurche is the world renown paleontologist, the resident scientist for the site who has exhibits located throughout the world, including the Field Museum in Chicago, the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan, and at the Smithsonian Institute.  Due to his vast expertise, he also served to consult during the movie shoots of “Jurrasic Park”.  The University of Witwatersrand owns the caves, and the scientists of the university have been among those responsible for the main excavation projects.  Many other fossils of the hominid species and various species of mammals have been discovered withing the caves, all dating back four million years.  In 2005 the site under went an extensive restoration process and now includes a fine dining restaurant, more accessible access into the caves, and boardwalks and pathways that present one with the incredible experience of touting the site, the site that has become known as the birth-site of humanity.

Tags: Field Museum in Chicago, History of Humanity, Jurrasic Park, luxury hotels, Smithsonian Institute, Sterkfontein Caves
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