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The Rainforest of Singapore

When one travels to a foreign country for business at a company or a private bank, Singapore has much to offer when the business hours are over and it time to relax.  One of the most popular and serene spots on the island is the Bukit Timah Reserve.  At one time the rainforest took up much of the island, but over the years the development and expansion of the city, has left just this primary area of the forest.  Many of the animal and the plants indigenous to the rainforest are of the largest numbers here on the Reserve.

And should one be visiting the country during the monsoon season, there is nothing quite like standing in the middle of the forest as a thunderstorm breaks.  The rains are loud, as they come down in large drops that are in turn hitting some very large leaves of the plants.  This is a rain that is meant to sustain the forest during the seasons of no rain, so there is an abundance, the ground is literally soaked day after day during the season.  It is an extraordinary natural wonderment and phenomenon to bear witness to.  There is also no point to run for cover, as the rains come fast and hard and one is soaked through in a matter of seconds.  It is best to just stand and soak it up as the surrounding one does.

The forests of Malaysia date back one hundred and forty million years, bringing them in at the oldest rainforest on the planet.  The largest trees which are the main canopy of the rainforest are the Tualang trees.  The earth on the lower levels of the canopy, rely on the leaves and branches that drop from the higher levels as they absorb the waste into the ground for the nutrients to sustain itself.  A healthy rainforest therefore, will often have a relatively clear floor.  The Bukit Timah Reserve offers tours and educational study programs for locals and day trips and classes for tourists wishing to learn more about the history, the ecology and the preservation of the forest and the inhabitants of that forest.

Tags: monsoon season, private bank, Rainforest, Singapore, Tualang trees

The Gardens of Melbourne, Australia

Surrounding each restaurant, coffee shop and hotel, Melbourne Australia has vast expanses of greenery, the parks and the streets are filled with flowers.  The gardens throughout the city are well manicured and offer an array of colorful displays, amongst the public sculptures, the gazebos and the fountains.  Many of the gardens are located close to the center of town, within walking or biking distance, and what is even more wonderful, the botanical gardens in the city are free to the public.  Many include, along with the more than twelve thousands species of plant and flower life, wildlife and bird sanctuaries.  One is able to tour all of the gardens, at a leisurely pace, in the course of one afternoon.

Melbourne is a happening and funky city, but once in a while, it is good to just get out and enjoy nature, the beauty and the serenity.  There is an observatory, rain-forest walks, an herbarium and lakes.  And throughout the summers, the Moonlight Cinema is an incredible way to watch movies, series of cult movies and the classics run through the season, and many bring picnics and bottles of wine and relax under the stars watching the famous movies of our times.

One can find information and maps for all of the gardens at the tourist center just next to the Shrine of Remembrance.  There are guided tours available as well.  All of the gardens are valued for their significance to the city, be it horticultural, historical or aesthetic.  They were placed in the Register of Victorian Heritage in 1999 and derived their names from the governor of the region, Charles Augustus Fitzroy.  James Cook was the early explorer who charted the coast of Australia, and his cottage from Yorkshire was transported to one of the gardens as a gift.  He was born in this cottage, and it remains with the furnishings of his time.  There is a green house that switches out colorful floral displays five times throughout the year, and and abundance of sculpture, included that which is carved as a bas relief of sorts in the Fairy Tree.  Beautiful, beautiful escapes located within the city limits, perfect for a time away for any traveler or resident.

Tags: Australia, Gardens, hotels, Melbourne, Moonlight Cinema, Shrine of Remembrance

Valencia’s Castro y Bellvis

In the world of 5-star hotels, Valencia holds a unique position.  Holding the biggest coastline on the western Mediterranean, there is a long and extremely fascinating history of contact with other cultures.  Having food and drink as a major export, there is a love of cuisine here that holds exceptional promise, and great rewards, for the curious palate.  Valencia oranges, of course, come from here, and so does paella.  There are thousands of recipes for paella, and different schools of thought on its modifications and evolutions.  Enough so that any conversation about paella will be endlessly fascinating, if not a bit heated.  Guests here will be treated to the excellent menus by our own chefs, 24 hour room service, and also the entire city, to investigate its food.

Visitors here are always dumbstruck at the incredible architecture.  There are sites that date back to the Roman occupation, and also the most cutting edge design for some of the newer buildings.  In between these ages there was the Renaissance, and Valencia was one of Spain’s most active cities in terms of artistic output.  One of its favorite sons is the playwright Guillén de Castro y Bellvis.  He lived between 1569-1631, and he is remembered best for his plays which rework and reinvent romances, epics, and adaptations of myths and legends.  Although he was a nobleman by birth, held government and military posts, and was even knighted, he died in poverty in Madrid, and charities paid for his funeral expenses.

His legacy is deeply felt, however, not only for the generous use of verse and romantic flights of fancy, as demonstrated in plays like El Curioso Impertinente, but also because the great Lope de Vega dedicated a play to him, Las Almenas de Toro.  Also, his plays inspired other works by Fletcher, and Calderón, and his Las Mocedades del Cid and Las hazañas del Cid were the first dramatizations of the El Cid story.  El Cid has, of course, great importance throughout Spain, but in Valencia holds a specific place in history.  Ask the locals.  It’s a good story.

Tags: Bellvis, Castro, El Curioso Impertinente, five star hotels, Valencia

Bangalore’s Prayas Abhinav

When it comes to luxury hotels, Bangalore has a lot to offer.  There are all the usual treats from a luxury hotel, established by standards in the industry, and then there are local touches and other exquisite attentions to detail that make your stay a memorable one.  Bangalore is a fascinating place, where culture and tradition occasionally merge, but often march in diverse rhythms.  Hospitality and graciousness here, however, don’t change, and guests can expect a very healthy supply of both.  There is an impeccable sense of design here, as well as a focus on the good things in life.  Guests can enjoy the many splendid offerings of the hotel, or go out and see the town, or a healthy dose of both.  It is easy to hide away from the day-to-day obligations and melt into rejuvenating the body and soul, and it is also easy to get caught up in the rich urban landscapes that make up today’s Bangalore.

Bangalore has a strong reputation as an economic force and a center of technology in India, as well as having a superb literacy rate, and one of the world’s largest universities.  There are many great minds in Bangalore, some home-grown, some who have left and recently returned, and some who move here.  They all bring a multitude of ideas and points-of-view that contribute to the fabric of the city.  One mover and shaker with some fascinating ideas is the young artist Prayas Abhinav.  He is interested in rethinking public spaces and urban spaces, and has been involved in some of the more heady open content movements in India.  His art practice is a fascinating one, and his work in new media is one that involves many collaborators.

Currently a post-graduate student at the Center for Experimental Arts at Bangalore’s Srishti School of Art, Design, and Technology, Prayas Abhinav has been building a very impressive list of credentials, which includes small films, publishing, performance work, art exhibitions and installations, and various community initiatives which are at the cutting edge of new media work in the world.  He has participated in the Make Them Love You (MTLY) Project in Chennai which is an interesting re-imagining of how mundane signs can affect the lives of the people who live in the city.  It will be interesting to watch this Bangalore artist as he continues to make work and ask questions.

Tags: Bangalore, luxury hotels, MTLY, Prayas Abhinav

Cape Town Townships

My waiter at one of the Best Cape Town Restaurants were I was having a delightful dinner, mentioned that I should take my car to a township called KwaMandlenkosi. He told me that I would not be disappointed. The next morning I decided to take his suggestion and make a day excursion to this place. I was really impressed when I travelled along N1 Highway and came across The KwaMadlekosi Township. It was located about 1 kilo-meter south of Beaufort West, Africa. I found out later that KwaMandlendosi was the home of the late pioneering heart surgeon, Professor Christian Barnard. I had no idea, he lived in South Africa.

Apparently, the township had become the focal point of one of the shortest African tourism routes for the Open Africa Project and that it was the first in the Great Karoo. It has been designated as a development area named after Mandlenkosi ‘Tsaka’ Kratchi who was a promising young boxer which came to an untimely and unfortunate death. He became a hero during the struggle against apartheid. So, the members of this township are determined to follow his lead by actively improving their township despite their overwhelming poverty and deprivations.

During my visit, I took a pilgrimage to Kartchi’s home and grave site. I wondered through all the many talented craft shops, huts really, and bought some traditional Xhosa items and some wonderful beadwork. I got to taste some local cooking and drank an African beer with the locals at the shebeens. My last stop was to visit the school and was treated to an impromptu performance of a traditional Xhosa choral singing.

The township is in strong contrast to Beaufort West, which has some fine Victorian buildings. KwaMadlenkosi homes are built in a unique style which incorporates clay, shale stones and hessian. Beaufort west is well known for being the only town in Africa where pear trees grow all along the sidewalks, but KwaMandlenkosi has an initiative to plant many hundreds of trees over the next few years in memory of all its noteworthy citizens and community leaders. My waiter last night wasn’t wrong, I was not disappointed.

Tags: best restaurants, Cape Town, Great Karoo, KwaMandlenkosi, Mandlenkosi 'Tsaka' Kratchi, Professor Christian Barnard, Townships

Chetana Vegetarian in Mumbai

When making travel plans, and looking for a splendid experience in hotels, India, Mumbai specifically, has all that a globe-trotter needs.  Nestled in one of the most glorious cities in the world, our hotels provide an experience in accommodation that is like nowhere else on earth.  Combining the best in tradition, and the most cutting-edge innovations, our hotels show that hospitality still matters.  There is also an impeccable sense of design, where there is an eclectic spirit that merges graciousness with modernity, and helps to create an overall experience of beauty.  The food is also fantastic, and Mumbai generally has some of the finest eating in the world.  The cultural and geographic position of Mumbai has made it so that global influences, along with a long tradition of excellent cooking, are present.

The streets are often dreamy with the smells from residential kitchens and restaurants, and one place to try the best the Mumbai has to offer is Chetana Vegetarian Restaurant.  It stared in 1946 as a coffee and sandwich shop, and developed a reputation among the artists and intellectuals as a place to meet for lively philosophical discussions, and the menu started to grow.  In 2001, they revamped the decor and the menu to include multi-food with its Gujarati and Rajasthani delicacies, along with an all-you-can-eat buffet menu.  The results of the changes have been stunning, as the rave reviews and loyal customer base can attest.

Fans of Chetana rave about the excellent and friendly service, the range of food offered, but mostly about the quality of the food.  Quantity, it seems, is also high on the list of Chetana’s attributes, as customers regularly stuff themselves with its mouth-watering delights.  It is open every day of the year, and has earned its reputation as a dependably wonderful place to eat in South Mumbai.

Tags: Chetana, hotels, India, Mumbai, Vegetarian

The Artwork of Dehli Artisans and Artists

The arts and handi-work of the artisans of Delhi is known throughout the world and people travel to India looking to enjoy and purchase the works to bring home with them.  The quality and the distinctive style has made Delhi one of the central art hot spots in the country, as well as Goa and Jaipur.  The arts have flourished over the years due to the support, and the demand of the rest of the world.  The international interest has made it possible for the artists of India to support themselves and to sustain a financially viable way of life.  If one is an art lover, then Delhi is the place to visit, from the Delhi 5 star hotels to the stalls on the streets, the art is everywhere.  There is a rich assortment of well made crafts to choose from.

From hand carved furniture, to pottery, to traditional and modern paintings, to antiques and intricate sculptures of paper mache.  There are many different styles of decorations and furnishings for the home, as well as clothing and toys for the children.  There are many items of interest.  The glazing and the painting techniques of the pottery artists have become famous throughout the country.  The traditions have been influence by the artists of Persia, and are found on coffee mugs, plates, and bowls.  The brass furniture has become well known, as well as the sculpture, and all of the items can be found at extremely good prices, and all the artists are open to bargaining.  The quality of such works is immaculate.

Another side of the arts is in the wood and marble work created.  The carving of the wood is off such technical skill, and includes items such as window frames, dressers, tables and doors.  And for those without the means to export larger items, there are smaller pieces one may bring home with them such as smaller sculptures, picture frames.  Most of the woodwork has a look of an antique style, as the traditions have been followed by the modern artists.  There, are many options for those wishing to purchase reproductions of the deities of the Hindu religion, as most of the work done in marble is in tribute and honor of the god and goddesses.  All artworks are available throughout the many festivals or the bazaars in the streets.  There is something for everyone, and it is all found at reasonable prices.

Tags: Artisans, Artists, Artwork, Dehli, five star hotel, Hindu religion

Options for Family Fun in Singapore

There is never a dull moment on the island of Singapore.  The restaurants, the theme parks, rain-forest, and the Singapore hotels, are all well acquainted with the needs of those visiting for business, and with those traveling on holiday.  This is the perfect environment for holidays with the entire family, and for those traveling alone as well.  From the fine dining restaurants to the cafes to the hawker stands, the food is simply incredible, everything from sauteed shrimp, to the famous Chili Crab, to Crayfish, Singapore cuisine offers up the flavors of an island that has been influenced through immigration over the years.  The recipes, although some Thai, or Malay or Indian will all have the distinct and unique flavor and character of Singapore.  There is even a fine dining establishment that has a renown herbalist as the chef, and where the servers will check your pulse and make a diagnosis on the suggested evening meal that will best suit whatever malady the customers are facing at the time, whether it be jet lag, a hangover, or PMS, one will feel healthy and rejuvenated after dinner at the Imperial Herbal Restaurant.

There are outdoor spas set in the gardens surrounding the rain-forest, all varied with post-modern designs to all that is hip and funky on the island of Singapore.  After one dines they may decide to head to Ming Village.  Ming vases?…Ming Village.  This area of the island has been known throughout history for the delicately painted vases and porcelain pieces that have been created in this region.  At the Village, visitors will learn about the history, the tradition that is poured onto every delicate ‘canvas’.  And if one is traveling with particularly deep pockets, there is a wide variety of pieces available for purchase.  For those on a tighter budget, or those traveling with children, classes are made available and one can create their own legacy of the Ming Dynasty to take home with them.  Classes available range from painting, to hand-throwing the clay, to the making of molds.  This is a technique that has many years behind it and is one exciting way to take a bit of the island back home.

Tags: Family Fun, hotels, Ming Village, Singapore, theme parks

Costa Brava Attracts Tourists and Artists

When a person is asked to consider a Spanish coastal city or area, Barcelona will usually come to mind, and for good reason. It is a beautiful global city with a rich cultural heritage. However, upon further consideration, Costa Brava may enter one’s mind, and this two occurs for a very good reason. Located in the Northeastern Catalonian region, this fabulous city also has much to offer in regards to culture, historic landmarks and entertainment. And as it is with most cities in Spain, the cuisine is fabulous. Tourists who stay in a Costa Brava hotel often have great entertainment and dining options right outside their door, and often take advantage of the happy hours and amenities available to them.

In the 1950s, Costa Brava came into its own as a major tourism center and vacation attraction. Franco realized this potential and initiated the development of major holiday packages and interest draws. Many coastal resorts were constructed and businesses that catered specifically to tourists. Since then, tourism has surpassed fishing as the major economic resource of the area.

The entire Catalonia region is known for its beautiful scenery, and Costa Brava emphasizes this. It has attracted many artists, and among them is Salvador Dali, famous for his surrealist paintings. There is a museum dedicated to him, and it is one of the most popular and prominent museums in the country. Some of his most famous paintings include The Persistence of Memory and The Sacrament of the Last Supper. The Persistence of Memory is probably the most famous of all of Dali’s works and is commonly considered to be his signature piece. It is known for its drooping, almost melting looking clocks. The Sacrament of the Last Supper was finished in 1955 and took him about nine months to create. It continues to be one of his most popular paintings. It is known for its combination of classical themes with the Surrealist perspective, and is jarring for most viewers on first observation.

Tags: Artists, Attracts Tourists, Costa Brava, Franco, hotel

Barcelona Theatres And More

Barcelona is one of the most famous cities in Spain. It has a diverse cultural and entertainment scene and a dynamic heritage. It has been a prominent Spanish city and has played a major role in its history. It is also well known for the artists that it has bred, and those that have and are attracted to its cafes. It’s citizens take pride in it, and it attracts numerous tourists every year. And while it is one of the largest and most active metropolitan areas in Spain, its numerous parks and recreational centers contribute to a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere. It is positioned right on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, which provides citizens and tourists great views and easy water access.

The top Barcelona hotels and oriented to luxury accommodations and services that contribute to a fabulous vacation, or pleasant and successful business trip. Whatever the reason for visiting Barcelona, the hotels and resorts provide the necessary resources to accommodate one’s trip. Information on various entertainment and dining options is available from the front desk or concierge of many of the best resorts. They also assist with transportation information, and some even serve as money exchange centers. Whatever they offer, or however they are themed or oriented, the resorts in Barcelona are world class and suit all travelers.

The theatre and arts scene of Barcelona is world known. This city, as well as Madrid, is internationally recognized for its artists and productions. The Teatre Lliure, Teatre Tivoli and Teatre Poliorama are three of the most popular and well-known theatres in Barcelona and offer regionally developed as well as internationally known productions. There are many other companies that offer a diverse selection of performances and feature various genres of artistic expression. Dance is a common repertoire aspect of some of the companies, as well as experimental works. Barcelona is well known for its support of new developments in the arts and theatre plays an essential role in its society.

Tags: Barcelona, Teatre Lliure, Teatre Poliorama, Theatres, top hotels