Sexy Savanah

I was alarmed about the number of Shisham trees dying in India. I read a survey by the Forest Research Institute (FRI) which sites that the mortality of Shisham trees, also known as the ‘money’ tree in the timber business vernacular, has caused a loss of well over 1,000 crore in the Indian sub-continent. When I arrived and checked into the Palace Hotel India, my first call was to the Forest Pathology Division and make arrangements to help out as an environmentalist and scientist.

Nearly 8 to 10 lakh trees have wilted causing a huge loss in the nation. The FRI have set up multi-location trials through a series of root-dip methods. The trials, they tell me, are trying to bring back the resistance in the Shisham trees. These trees are the biggest provider of timber for making furniture and for building materials in India. So, the whole timber industry is helping out financially with these trials.

It appears that as soil-born fungus called Fusarium Solani is the root cause of the disease plagued Shisham. This fungus inflicts upon the trunks of the trees and causes them to be unable to recoup. A telltale sign that the fungus has stuck a tree is that the leaves turn pale and within a week, maybe two, the tree dies. The fungus works that fast. The staff at FRI showed me satellite pictures which show a brown haze over Delhi and extends the entire stretch of the lower Himalaya and up to West Bengal on to Bangladesh and other Southern Asian countries. They tell me that they believe it’s due to this phenomenon along side the drought which has aided to the stress of the trees not being able to fight off the fungus.

The Shisham is a most important timber in India, so we are taking steps to save it from further decay. I don’t know if there’s anything more to be done than what is already being done, but I’m not the only environmentalist working diligently on this task.

The show that just happened over the past weekend was much more than a rock concert.  U2 paid tribute to the late Micheal Jackson, transmitted the concert to the International Space Station, and became Bono’s platform for Human Rights issues throughout the world.  When the ninety thousand tickets went on sale in Barcelona, those tickets sold out in a mere fifty-four minutes.  And it was not long afterward that the five star Barcelona hotels were booked up as well.  These guys are megastars, hailing from a small town in Ireland they have continually sold out shows world-wide for more than two decades.  The show this weekend was held at Camp Nou, the stadium and the home of the football team of Barcelona.  The stage was immense and the crowd in attendance was punctuated by those, unable to score tickets, surrounding the arena and listening from the grassy parks on the other side of the fences.

The innovative stage design included a massive structure.  A giant creature with four metal legs suspended and weighing in at almost four hundred tons.  Once Snow Patrol had warmed up the audience, Bono and his band mates took the stage.  This was the first date on the upcoming worldwide tour, and as stated, was more than a show.  Bono commemorated the fortieth anniversary of the first landing on the moon, spoke frequently about peace and the necessity of that idea in this modern world, and even sent a message to those in the government of South Africa, imploring them to put a non-concerted effort into fighting malaria and AIDs epidemics.  The song dedicated to Michael Jackson, was ‘Angel of Harlem’ of which Bono included a montage of Jackson’s songs, including ‘Don’t Stop til You Get Enough’.  What started years ago, with a few lads singing about what they believed in, has turned into an institution wherein what they sing about, is something that all have come to believe.

I was told, if I want to find the essence of Goa, India , to check out the Friday Market located outside the Mapusa Municipal Market in Mapusa. I didn’t know if that’s exactly was my husband and I were wanting to visit during our stay at a Goa Resort Spa , but we decided why not. Why not, it is Friday after all and it might be interesting to see how the locals live from day to day.

We found only a few roads or lanes in Mapusa’s business area have names and even fewer residents know them. Instead, the locals, use landmarks to navigate. Luckily, the biggest landmark is the Municipal Market where we were headed anyways. We did our best to stay unobtrusive and obscure so as to be able to truly see how the locals interact. We saw mostly housewives from Bardez and Tiswadi attend the market and descend on the stalls selling a staggering variety of local produce which was brought in by the local farmers and what seemed to be small time backyard gardens from all over Goa. My husband and I were quite impressed. The Friday Market was a parade of color and noise. The Goan women wore their most colorful best. We trying to not stand-out, wore the wrong clothes, our white linens. We stood out like a sore thumb. Oh well, we decided to just go with the flow and through ourselves into the throng.

The stall hawkers not only sold local produce, but manufactured wares, including spices of all kinds. We found wonderful bargains at the market. Fresh fruit, mostly organically grown. We were drawn to an almost elusive smell that had our noses twitching, Goa’s ingredient for all their splendid sweet and sour curry dishes. Locally known as tamarind or amot . We sat down at a makeshift table and devoured a scrumptious red rice curried dish apparently known for it’s longevity and good health qualities. We topped that off with a dish made with fried Goan Churis, a mouth watering sausage spiced and marinated in feni. We were in absolute heaven. The best part about this Friday Market was the shopping, we haggled our way through every stall, thoroughly enjoying the win-win atmosphere. We were back to our hotel room by dusk, absolutely exhausted but terribly enthralled.

Ibiza is one of the four major Balearic Islands located off the coast of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea. Of the four major islands it is the 3rd largest, following Majorca and Minorca, though it is larger than it near neighbor of Formentera. Each of the islands has beautiful beaches and their own cultural atmosphere. They are all popular with tourists, and guests staying in one of the 5 star Ibiza hotels often ferry to the other islands as part of their Balearic experience.

Ibiza is often considered to be the party island, and it is internationally known for its numerous clubs and nightlife scene. The major city of San Antonio is also rich in its nightlife elements and has some of the best clubs on the island. Ibiza Town is another popular vacation location. While each of these towns has much to offer for the evening hours, they also have beautiful beaches to while away the day. With great beaches also comes great opportunity for water sports and there are many that are popular on this little island paradise. This is definitely the island for the live hard, work hard, play hard crowd.

The town of San Antonio offers something for everyone, and is more than just a nightlife-oriented city. It has beautiful sunsets for the romantic and that is just one of its natural wonders. There are plenty of restaurants, museums, hotels and apartments specifically suited for the tourist crowds. The major vacation oriented season begins in July and lasts through early September, though the months of May and June are popular too. The near by Ibiza Town is only a 20 minute drive from San Antonio and also offers a diverse selection of entertainment and accommodation options. It is commonly considered to be the most fascinating town on the island and it makes every effort to live up to this reputation. The Old Town section offers great views of the bay and its atmosphere can create the feeling of going back in time.

A good Indian meal requires an expansive table set outside under the shade of a mango tree surrounded by a lush garden. The dishes are countless with chapatti’s with melting ghee; a variety of hot or mild dishes where the smells alone transports you over tender moments of exquisite tastes. But, staying at Johannesburg Boutique Hotels makes all that seem to be a hopeless fantasy. Yet, I remained diligent and through asking the concierge and the locals I managed to find a few Indian Restaurants that met my wildest dreams.

The first India Restaurant I was steered to was the Shani Khana . A vegetarian friendly affair with outlet strewn throughout Johannesburg. Stepping into a Shahi Khana, I was pleasantly surrounded with Hindi cinema songs and the patrons were mostly local Indians. I could even speak Hindi to my waiter and feel right at home. On my table was a complimentary cucumber raita, pudina ki chutney and papad. And the meal I ordered, Paneer Jalfrezi with buttered naan and Kashmiri pilaan was completely delightful.

For dinner that night I checked out Shahi Shayona, which is strictly vegetarian. Their menu is simple and offers the perfect dishes. I ordered the deluxe 3 curried rice, dal, and papad served with a salad. Shahi Shayona also has complimentary samoosa and kachori with methi bhaji filling. I was overwhelmed with their delicate blend of spices. I found out from my waitress that Shahi’s dishes come from generations of family recipes focused with a devotion to the stirring and the mixing in the kitchen. She said it was pure meditation in the preparation of the dishes. I was thoroughly impressed with how they combined the sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, salty, dry and wet that all but consumed me. Truly a spiritual experience.

It was hard to go try another Indian restaurant after that, but I forced myself to Bombay Blues, vegetarian friendly and even alcohol is served there. I fell in love with the interior, tastefully minimalistic. But, what captured my eyes was the ’staging’ of the food. The owner do a fantastic job of presenting each dish. I started with a sensational saundhe aloo prepared in the tandoori oven which I could see through into the kitchen and watch all the intrigue of the happenings amongst the head chef and the subordinates. Fascinating. Really.

I must say, Johannesburg’s Indian restaurants did not disappoint me, it only made me feel like I was at home in Mumbai.

Bangkok is a thriving city and has grown to become a major economic, political and cultural center for Thailand, as well as South East Asia. It is internationally recognized for its culture and arts scenes, and is considered to be a global city. As with most major cities, their climates and geography play an essential role in outside perspectives and orientations. Bangkok has an interesting topography and climate, which may be different than many tourists staying in a 5 star hotel Bangkok are used to.

The Chao Phraya River is one of Bangkok’s primary geographic features. It leads to the Bay of Bangkok, which is approximately 30 kilometers south of the city center. It is a beautiful river and tourists are invited to take a guided tour. This creates an excellent opportunity experience much of the city from a different perspective. Unfortunately, this great river can also pose a threat during the monsoon rain season . Bangkok lies about two meters above sea level, so it is easily at risk for flooding during great storms. In addition, the river breaks off into various deltas and canals. While this gave Bangkok the nickname of Venice of the East, it brings with it additional flooding potential and water damage threats to greater areas. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has installed higher banks around the river and canal edges to reduce the chance of the waters reaching the streets and beyond. In addition, the fact the Bangkok is basically situated in a swamp accounts for calculations that the city is actually sinking approximately two inches per year.

The tropical monsoon climate brings with it warm, wet temperatures. On average, Bangkok’s temperatures are a little over 3 degrees higher than those shown in the Don Mueang Airport. The highest temperature expected to be reached is 104 degrees, which is nowhere near some of the extremes desert regions can reach. However, with the humidity it contributes to the sweltering atmosphere on a hot summer day. The coldest months are usually January and February. One of the positive geographic aspects that is relative to whether patterns is that there is almost never a hail storm in Bangkok.

The Pamplemousses Gardens of Mauritius are the result of almost two hundred and fifty years of tending.  The French Governor, Pierre Poivre devoted his life to his interest in botany, and traveled the world collecting the various species that are represented in the Gardens today.  Not only are there many different aspects to the gardens that are visually incredible, but there are many historical facts that are interesting to discover as one tours the land.  Throughout the years the Gardens have had various directors, each one contributing to not only the survival and the care, but adding to the variety of plants and animals that exist there.  During 1859, the director was James Duncan.  When he took the position the gardens had been neglected for almost forty years.  It is to his credit that they are back to their original beauty, and to his credit he added many more species, most notable wide variety of palm trees, including the Royal Palm trees which now line the streets of island as well as adorn the walkways of the luxury hotels Mauritius now supports.

There are two specific historical situations that have been affected by the gardens.  The first was in the year 1866.  The epidemic of Malaria was sweeping the island.  The director at the time, introduced Eucalyptus trees, planting thousands of them to be used in marshes, thus drying out the breeding spots of the mosquitoes that were spreading the disease.  And then in the middle of the 1900’s, the Industry of Sugar that had been developing on the island was further enhanced as many different varieties of cane were introduced and grown on the grounds.  Today, there are many beautiful monuments and structures throughout the Pamplemousses Gardens, that honor those who have contributed to it over the years.  There is such a variety in the garden, including the palm trees, the Acajou trees, and some of the largest Swietenia Mahagoni trees, those that produce the coveted red mahogany timber.  There are lily ponds and lotus ponds throughout, as well as an entire section devoted to various ferns from around the world.  The Fernery also contains a flower garden that is filled with begonias, hibiscus, and orchids. These gardens are a must see when visiting the island of Mauritius, at any time of the year.

Thailand’s nightlife is undoubtedly one of the most renown around the world. I took the opportunity to check out the main places to crash, so I’ll just give you a brief overview of areas to go, since there are so many to choose from.

The very first place you need to check out is Royal City Avenue (R.C.A), which is down by Petchburi Road, if you’re taking a cab, all you have to say is ‘R.C.A.’ and they’ll know exactly where to take you. RCA is just a road filled with famous clubs and bars that Bangkokians love going to. The famous ones are ‘Slim’ or ‘Route 66′ to begin with. These clubs varies from live bands, techno, hip-hop, to Thai and International songs so you get a long range of choices. All are excellent.

The second place I recommend is Ekkamai and Thong Lor Road. These two roads are completely filled with clubs, pubs and five star restaurants known through out the world. The famous clubs in Thog Lor is the hot and vibrant H2 and the always entertaining Escudo. In Thong Lor Soi 21 there are several bars, famously known by locals and tourists alike, that you will enjoy. In Ekkamai, there is an endless night-life with internationally known clubs like ‘Nung Len’, ‘Weeza’ (my favorite) and ‘R&B Karaoke’.  These two roads are down by the Sukhumvit area, which are accessible via the Skytrain (BTS) and near any Hotels in Bangkok Thailand because there is both the Thong Lor Station and the Ekkamai Station.

The third place is Khao Sarn . Well known by tourist, especially backpackers who can find affordable hostels and Inns to stay in and bars with nice ambiance. Don’t worry if you feel you don’t have enough information on these places, just let the hotel staff where you are staying that you would like to go to any of the places I mentions above and they will direct you to any of these clubs because, to be honest, these clubs are the three most famous locations where all the locals and foreigners go to party.

There is a Dubai beach resort that will suit your every need, and cater to your tastes with elegance and grace.  The resorts here specialize in a long, local tradition of hospitality, coupled with the conveniences of modern technology.  Guests are well-connected to the outside world, to make international business pursuits here a premium, and there is enough beach to make a getaway from the every day concerns possible.  Whatever the reason for travel here, business, pleasure, or cultural tourism, guests are treated to a beautiful time in a beautiful place.

Dubai is a fascinating city with a fascinating multicultural flavor.  There are locals and tourists and international expats here who make this their home for at least part of the year.  There are also gorgeous shopping malls, old world markets, and an increasingly vibrant local art scene that is making international news.  The traditional cultures are very interesting, and for the respectful traveler, there is much to see.  In some of the local markets, there are varieties of herbs for sale, which reflects some of the practices of traditional Bedouin culture in the region.  This is part of a long continuum of herbal healing traditions, that stems from the time when people were traveling across the deserts and only had access to local medicines.  Combining the herbal wisdom from India, Africa, Iran, and locally, there were hundreds of cures, and possibly thousands of herbal remedies.  One of the most popular remedies was, and still is, camel’s milk.  Camel’s milk is noted for its usefulness in helping to heal stomach ailments, and problems with circulation and bone ailments.

Herbal medicine is still very popular, and there are many traditional healers who practice.  It is not uncommon to find women practicing healing techniques, as the tradition of Emirati medicine women has a long and fascinating history.  One of the main roles, outside of healing, for women who work in this capacity is to bring rural communities together.  Her role as a consultant could range from anything like curing common ailments, treating wounds, and serving in a sort of diplomatic function to help in more social affairs.  But the bulk of the work is in healing and plants.  The unique mix of cultures and herbs available here means an extensive knowledge of plants and healing techniques.  Here, the desert also serves as a pharmacy.

Taking a taxi from the airport to one of the Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Hotels turned out to be expensive. I was unaware of the city’s population of the Taxi Shark Also known as a Black taxi or, counterfeit taxi or cloning. Being not a worldly traveller, I guess it was written all over my face when I stepped outside the airport terminal; all excited, drooling at the mouth and doing the classic Mary Tyler Moore ’spinning around and tossing my hat into the air’. That would’ve given it away to any Shark Taxi or really, any con-artist waiting at the airport terminals for people just like me.

I was just standing at the terminal curb, getting my bearings and this taxi just pulls up right in front of me and the taxi driver steps out looking all friendly and happy asking me what hotel am I going to as he takes my bags and puts them in the trunk of the taxi. I thought, ‘how fortunate,’ I didn’t need to worry about how to get to my hotel, that I had this nice friendly taxi driver who will make sure I will make it to my destination in one piece.

Boy was that a wrong assumption. I was never so scared for my life as he careened in and out of traffic, taking me through some very dicey alleyways and and tight fits. I wanted to get out, but he never once stopped. Not once! That’s how scary the ride was, he either went through red lights or went across traffic to turn right instead of stopping at a light. I’ve heard about bad taxi rides, but I never imagined that they could be death wish scary. He did finally stop at the front entrance of my hotel and told me the taxi ride will cost me $350.00 Ringgits, approximately $100.00 U.S. dollars. Besides being in shock about almost losing my life, I was now in shock at the sticker price. I paid the man and as the hotel bell-hop took my luggage out the the taxi’s trunk.

I found, by the bell hop, that I was just scammed by a Shark Taxi. He told me he could tell because the taxi didn’t have a ‘For Hire’ sign in his window and there was no placard on the passenger side of the car showing the drivers registration number. I thanked the bell hop for his information and wobbled up to the check-in counter.

It all with who you know to get anywhere at all in the world. Networking is the key to success in all aspects of your life. Like they say, ‘Its not what you know, it’s who you know.’  Even if your definition of success is to be a millionaire, a musician or a movie star, all that is required is the help of other people. Creating a network of contacts, if you love people, can be intriguing and fun or if your people skills are lacking, can be intimidating and daunting. But, I’ve compiled a list that will get you on your networking way for both the aforementioned personality types.

Of course, first you must conquer your fears. Approaching strangers at some four star New York hotels or in some neighborhood coffee shops is not easy. You will feel awkward, but the more you do it, the more comfortable it becomes. When you initiate new contacts, always remember to be charming and delightful. Prepare a few opening statements or questions. They could be original or use the one’s you’ve always laughed at when you have been approached. Any to get the conversation going and moving forward in order to find common ground. The common ground can range from finding out you grew up in the same city or that you visited the same city, to liking the same movie director. The important thing to remember about finding common ground is you know have their attention.

This is where it can get tricky cause you don’t want to come off as a salesperson, but that’s exactly what you’re doing when networking, you are selling yourself and your talents. You need to gage if it’s the right time to promote yourself, if it isn’t, don’t worry or get upset. Stay relaxed and ask if they have a business card and let them know you really enjoyed their company and see if it’s okay to give them a call later to take them out to lunch or just for a cup of coffee at your favorite coffee shop. Hand them your business card and have a parting tag line. One they will remember, like, ‘Wow, I’m so glad we met, I really enjoyed your take on things’, or ‘I know you’ll have a great day, I can’t see you not having one’. Just make sure it’s upbeat.

Follow up, follow up, follow up. I would give it 2 to 3 days before you give them a call. If you done your initial first meeting correctly, you won’t have to remind them who you are, they will instantly remember you and will be delighted to meet you the next day for lunch or that cup-o-coffee.  The opportunity to network will arise anytime and anywhere. There’s no set location, selling yourself can happen in public restrooms, yes public restrooms if you handle it right, athletic clubs, parties, on a plane headed to ……. . So be prepared at all times. After a while of practicing your techniques of networking, you will find that networking will become second nature.

Singapore prime ministers throughout the last few decades have realized the importance of setting up alliances with other cities and countries.  Not only for matters of business and commerce, but for the support during times of social need, as in the case with natural disasters, as this is a small island, with limited resources, and the willingness to come to the aid of other countries, the leaders are hoping that this will lead to the willingness of the other countries assisting Singapore should the time arise when that is necessary.  Singapore is a travel destination for many throughout the world, those traveling for business and for pleasure, and each and every business is dependent on this tourism continuing, from the shopping mall, to the Singapore restaurant,  to the hotel, and the various theme parks.

As of late, the companies of Singapore have been cultivating a relationship with Ningbo, China. Lee Hsien Loong has been following in his father’s footsteps as well as those previously, in developing these international relationships, and is certain the the one between the economic worlds of the two cities with continue to strength into a symbiotic relationship that proves beneficial to both cities, and all the citizens of those cities.  Ningbo sits in the middle of the coast of China, along the Yangtze River.  The port here is tax free, and docks international ships.  The port is large, second in size of the Chinese ports, only to that of the Port of Shanghai.  This makes it the fourth largest international port.

Singapore is wanting to increase the zone of free trade, and has been creating a plan with architects that will result in the construction of the Beilun District Southern Zone.  They are hoping to complete the expansion within the next 3 years. This is not the only plans for expansion, for as this project is completed the city is looking towards increasing the already high quality of life in Singapore by expanding other industrial and technological arenas as well as developing more venues for education and cultural development.  The government sees this as a possibility with alliances of the cities of the world, such as Ningbo, especially during this time of global economic crisis.  For even during these times, this city is one of the fastest growing and developing cities of China.  Singapore has noticed this growth and the leaders know that Singapore has the same potential for their future.

Mallorca is the main island of the Balearics out of four and its Capital is Palma. The Mallorca terrain, landscapes and the beautiful white sandy beaches are all around the coast. There is something for everbody that makes it an attractive place to retire. The Spanish people of Mallorca are warm and have very charming personalities. Staying in the Best Balearic Hotels and eating at the hotel restaurant, you might run into a Hollywood celebrity; Mallorca is one of the destinations for the rich and famous from all nationalities. There is now a high demand of property because it has cheaper prices from the rest of Northern Europe.

Mallorca’s Government is taking seriously it’s ever growing population and is improving upon the infrastructure. In a few years this will bring up the cost of any property you are considering purchasing. Mallorca has all sorts of property from 1 bedroom beach view apartments to the incredible luxurious Villas which can be used for holiday homes, investments and/or first residents. In general, the resorts on the south islands coast offer a much livelier and perhaps a more suitable for groups of young singles, or those looking for an attractive active nightlife. The North East coastline has and enormous bay which is the residence of the popular resorts of Can Pica Fort and Alcudia. Near by the island’s most northerly point at Cap de Fomenter is Puerto Pollensa, a long time favorite for holiday travellers and is very popular with the cyclists, birdwatchers and hikers. Away from the resorts, Mallorca still retains a pristine charm.

Palma, the capital of Mallorca is the major seaside villa containing a port, yacht harbor and a ferry sailing to the mainland of Spain. There are many excellent shops and many good restaurants, nightclubs and bars. Purchasing property in Palma means the amenities and excellent quality of life will never go away and will make you money within a few years.

I’ve been following the Crop Circle phenomena. I don’t know if I believe that they are created by extraterestials or man-made. Maybe the majority are man-made, but then that would make the rest made by extraterestials. The closest I’ve come to believe that these crop circle are a true phenomena is when I received a postcard from a very close friend of mine staying at the Best Ibiza Hotels in Spain. The front of the post card was a picture of the hotel itself. On the backside of the postcard she wrote:

“Spent the night in a wheat field with a group of fellow travellers. Wheat ready to be harvested. We flew over the field the day before and no viable crop circles. Next morning we awoke to a stirring of excited human voices, a crop circle had formed. Wow!”

I didn’t even know Spain had crop circles. I thought only England did, which is another reason for me to be doubtful. She roughly drew what the crop circle was with the little space she had left on the postcard. I was a geometric symbol I didn’t recognize. I, at first, thought that the group of fellow travelers pulled a hoax on her. But, via emails, she relayed to me that there was only a handful of people sleeping out in the field with her, not enough to make and complete the immense size of the crop circle. She also told me she went inside the crop circle and her hair literally stood on end; her husbands did too. She took some aerial photos and documented everything in her blog.

When I finally looked at the crop circle she photographed, I was amazed. Her drawing did it no justice. It was beautiful, intricate and mesmerizing. I definitely felt it was a message from a higher evolved society. One that has achieved peace and profited from this accomplishment; just a feeling I got. So for some small reason, maybe hope, I do believe that some are true messages from outer space letting us know that it will be alright.

Johannesburg has long been known as the leader in the realm of mining for gold, hence the nickname, ‘Egoli’ which is translated to ‘City of Gold‘. The gold of this continent is found at very extreme depths under the surface of the earth, some reaching as far down as four thousand miles such as the mines of Western Deep Level.  This is one of the worlds deepest mines.  This has been difficult for the miners due to the fact that the further below the surface of the earth one travels, the hotter it gets.  Air conditioning units are necessary to make working at these depths tolerable and bearable.  While the temperature is kept at thirty two degrees, the humidity is consistently at about one hundred percent.  Gold from this mine in particular, is gathered at the incredible expense of energy, materials and man power.  Even after the tons of dynamite, the electricity, and the various different chemicals used to extract the gold, it is still necessary for it to go through many more stages at the refineries, before it becomes the gold that is most valuable and pure on the markets.

The industry of mining gold has experienced pressure as other countries compete, such as Australia and Russia, and are able to produce more inexpensive alternatives on the world market.  This has affected many businesses in the city, such as tourism and the luxury hotels.  Johannesburg was once an untouched region of South Africa, however that changed rapidly during 1886, when the first miner struck gold.  As wold spread, one of the largest gold rushes in the world took place, and in just three years Johannesburg became the largest city in South Africa.  Many of the black members of society were forced to spend one year tours working in the mines, separated from their homes and their families.  As with so much regarding the history of this country, what came as a result was art.  The men danced to raise their spirits, and the dances of the miners still occur and are celebrated throughout the city to this day.

The lack of opportunity for education, and the segregation during the times of apartheid was evidence around the country of South Africa, from the market place to the hotels, Johannesburg and her people needed a voice.  And fighting against the barriers of these times the black artists of the city stood up to gain their rights as the teachers, the gallery owners, the curators and the artists they were and still are.  What started the change was a community art center established in 1952, that offered classes to the adults of the city, the Polly Street Art Center.  Before this time there was no educational offerings to the black artists, no chance for them to develop the techniques and the skills that were available at the time to their white counterparts.  This school was in operation for only fourteen years, but that was enough time to create the passion and the drive and the inspiration that has carried through the artists of today.

The country began re-habbing buildings to be used to house the collections of this artwork in 1872, the first one being Cape Town’s South African National Gallery.  Just about thirty years later, the then director, Hugh Lane, of Ireland’s National Gallery, assembled a collection that was given to South African city, Johannesburg.  The Johannesburg Art Gallery opened in 1915 and was the first building in the history of the country that was built with the express purpose of housing this art collection.  Many other cities have sense followed suit, as more and more people are becoming aware of the significance of the art created by the South African people.  Many of these galleries had an extensive collection of European art, however administrators felt that more of the space should be dedicated to the art that is indigenous and representative of their own country.  Whether one is traveling through Cape Town, Pretoria, or Johannesburg, there are many galleries and museums to spend the day in, to gain a bit of historical knowledge and inspiration from the people who have so long found it necessary to fight just to simply express.

The country of South Africa is bound together with arts, interwoven into the culture and the history.  Most of the parks and gardens are filled with sculpture, and any restaurant or Cape Town luxury hotel is certain to have pieces of work decorating the walls and the rooms, that are significant to this rich history.  On any trip one takes to South Africa, one must find the galleries and museums and stroll through them, not only for the visual entertainment, but for the knowledge that is gained and leads to better understandings of the country and the people of the regions.  One such gallery in Cape Town is the South African National Gallery. There are permanent collections here that are rotated to accommodate the touring shows and exhibits. At any given time one will be able to walk through the halls that are filled with everything from sculpture, to photography, textiles and jewelery, paintings and prints on paper.

The museum does lack, however, a significant amount of traditional work from the pre-colonial time period.  This is due to the high cost of Western art, and the lack of sufficient funding in order to be able to afford to house the work permanently.  There is also not much represented from the 1980’s, as the political situation of Apartheid made it difficult for the gallery to obtain the works of the artists at this time.  The gallery has been attempting to obtain more work from this time.  Beginning in 1990, work has been done to create a collection of work that celebrates the expression of the different cultures living in Africa.  Sculpture and traditional bead-works is part of a collection that is well respected throughout the world.  The women of South Africa create this art form in an expressive and articulate manner.  The gallery joined the city of Ghana in creating the Bead Society of South Africa, as this is such an important element of the culture.  The works in this gallery are stunning and one traveling here should definitely take a few days to experience all that the museum has to offer.

There are many sections to the gardens at Kirstenbosch in South Africa. The sections are separated by the streams that run through the garden, trimmed with red alder trees, ferns, and besembos.  Fig and camphor trees were planted in 1660 by Jan Van Riebeeck, a Dutch settler.  The grounds of the garden support not just the beauty of the natural world, but the science behind it all as well.  The National Botanical Institute has their headquarters here.  This is an association that administers and supports the international network of research and gardens.

One such facility that focuses on natural history is the Cape Herbarium.  All of Cape Town enjoys the benefits of this garden and the scientists, all of the businesses, restaurants and luxury hotels Cape Town offers are surrounded by the indigenous plants and flowers, creating a perfect holiday retreat filled with beauty.

A quarter of a million species are preserved at the herbarium, a collection that was started by scientists and botanists in 1825.  This is a combined effort with the South Africa Museum.  All the paths that wind throughout the garden are paved, and create easy access to those walking, or in wheelchairs, through the trees that are indigenous through Skeleton Gorge, all the way to Table Mountain’s summit.  There are paths that cut through Forest Walk, wherein one can enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the the Yellow-wood trees, the Alders and the Ironwoods.

The two paths that have been specifically designed for wheel chair accessibility are the Silver Tree Stroll and Weaverbird Walk.  These provide those with wheels instead of legs, the opportunity to experience the outdoors and nature.  There is also a pass that is designed for the blind as well.  Aptly titled, the Braille Trail, the plants are labeled throughout, with signs written in…braille.  And along this path, there is a specifically designed fragrant garden, in which each of the specimens is labeled with large print and in braille.

Looking for the perfect hideaway in Bombay, India?  Hotels here are designed with escape in mind.  Vacationing in one of the most exciting cities in the world can be invigorating, and the perfect hotel can elevate the experience from pleasurable to absolutely heavenly.  The accommodations here are stocked with first-class amenities, staffs trained to cater to your every need, and a wonderful feeling of hospitality.  As your nights will be rejuvenating, your days will be adventures into a cultural wonderland.

There is so much to see and do in Bombay, that it’s impossible to even begin in one day.  There are markets and restaurants and tours and museums, not to mention some of the oldest continually-running spiritual centers in the world.  There is also a massive art scene that is delightful, intriguing, and fascinating.  Sharmila Samant is one of the most exciting emerging artists in the area.  Born in Mumbai in 1967, she was educated at the Sir J.J. School of Fine Arts, where she earned her B.F.A.  Since then, she has had work shown everywhere, from the Tate Modern to the Jakarta Video Festival, in many countries all over the world.  She is also one of the founders of the Mumbai-based art group the Open Circle.

Her works are extremely vivid and complex interruptions in the mainstream of social niceties.  Using a variety of media, like sculpture and video installation, she uses her unique and complicated vision to make important questions about the structures of things as they seem to be.  In one installation, Samant’s Passing she used Foucault’s idea of the Panopticon to illustrate the effects of the culture at large on the formation of feminine identity.  The work is visceral and multi-layered, and speaks to ideas of otherness, putting the viewer in the role of asking questions about their participation in these systems.  This is one example from a large and incredible body of work, one that will be fascinating to watch in the coming decades.

Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Oahu spans 112 miles and is one of the most paradisical of the Hawaiian islands. With balmy weather year round, there are many beaches to choose from, all with their offer of activities that will fill your day with relaxation or adventure. The average water temperature is from 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, making this the perfect island to visit when in Hawaii. Choose to lay on the beach, relaxing with a cool drink in hand or spend your time snorkeling, surfing, or kayaking. The North Shore beaches are best for surfing as the waves can grow to powerful heights and strength. Waikiki Beach has a great surf school and is the most popular for people watching. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is ideal for snorkeling among Hawaii’s tropical fish, and Ala Moana Beach Park is great for families with kids as there is plenty of shade, grassy expanses, picnic tables, and public amenities. Lanikai Beach is a beautiful beach that invites all types of beach activities. From here you can kayak out to the Mukulua Islands where you can have a picnic lunch before returning. If its a romantic beach you’re looking for, your Hawaii vacation can’t get better than Kailua Beach where the long shoreline makes for a sweet stroll as the tide rolls in and out.

Carbon fiber (alternatively called carbon fibre, graphite fiber, graphite fibre or carbon graphite) is a material consisting of extremely thin fibers about 0.005–0.010 mm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms.

The carbon atoms are bonded together in microscopic crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber. The crystal alignment makes the fiber very strong for its size. Several thousand carbon fibers are twisted together to form a yarn, which may be used by itself or woven into a fabric.

Carbon fiber has many different weave patterns and can be combined with a plastic resin and wound or molded to form composite materials such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (also referenced as carbon fiber) to provide a high strength-to-weight ratio material. The density of carbon fiber is also considerably lower than the density of steel, making it ideal for applications requiring low weight.

The properties of carbon fiber such as high tensile strength, low weight, and low thermal expansion make it very popular in aerospace, civil engineering, military, and motorsports, along with other competition sports.

Many high performance wheel and tire package companies are now making carbon-fibre rims with each of them weighing about 9lb less than an equivalent alloy wheel. Check with a tire dealer when looking for tires and rims for your vehicle.

Next Day Blinds Columbia Maryland is well-located in Columbia Crossing II, one of the newest shopping centers in town.

Wall-to-wall selections of a large variety of window coverings are stylishly showcased to make it easy to find the products that make the perfect match for any home’s décor. The experts at Next Day Blinds are on hand to help with questions about installation or customizing blinds with a unique paint color.

Motorized blinds have become popular for use with larger windows, for those hot summers when it is not as desirable for light to pour into the house.  Another popular trend for homeowners in the area is to use vertical blinds to cover the glass doors that lead to an outdoor deck or patio. Customizable color schemes make them an inexpensive, yet personal choice – which is great for families, or anyone looking for a reasonable cost on home improvement.

For a casually sophisticated appearance, honeycomb shades are great for maintaining privacy while keeping your rooms softly lit. If a room is being decorated with a more modern look, aluminum blinds can refresh a simple, sterile look. Another way to completely transform your rooms with attractive window coverings is to consider putting in natural Roman shades. Made from natural materials such as bamboo, grasses, reeds, and yarns, these shades transform any room into an exotic oasis.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to custom decorating your space and making it feel like home. Unlike mass produced shades and blinds – customized window coverings don’t just fit into your décor, they’re made just for you! Next Day Blinds truly has it all when it comes to classy window coverings.

Shop online and discover a stylish, classy line of blinds, shades, and top-notch customer service!

There are no comparisons to the thrilling city than that of New York. A dynamic, inimitable mix of world cultures, skyscrapers towering over each other and colorful neighborhoods. Visitors from around the world arrive by the thousands every single day. One does need to consider if a medical issue comes up what and where to get the best care. New York is known throughout the world for it’s superb Medical Facilities, in which is the reason hundreds of those thousands visiting New York come to get the best treatments offered by the best doctors. Expensive, yes, but that doesn’t stop people who can or can not afford it from flying in and stay at a New York USA Hotel.

One of the best University Hospitals is located in the heart of New York City, NYU Langone Medical Center. One of the Nation’s premier centers for excellent Health Care, biomedical research and medical education. This Medical Facility has over 50 centers, 30 academic departments and approximately 380,00 square feet of research laboratories. A few discoveries have led to Nobel prizes. NYULangone boast it has the best interdisciplinary clinical research that addresses 21st century biomedical science. Another well known Medical Facility is Mount Sinai school of Medicine. With over 300 programs, departments and clinics, Mount Sinai offers a wealth of clinical services. It is the first to describe numerous disorders such asTay-Sachs Disease, Churg -Strauss Disease and Collagen disease. So, if you have some ‘mysterious’ condition that your regular doctors just dismiss as being in your mind and don’t even offer any help or solutions. Don’t get discouraged, Mount Sinai has the doctors, the facilities and the means to help figure out what you have and cure it or at least begin to find a cure. Mount Sinai is also the first in Geriatrics and Adult Development and the first in blood transfusions with compatibility tests to point out that blood groups are hereditary.

I’ve only mentioned two of the top-notch medical facilities that New York has to offer the entire world population. When one talks about the brain drain of doctors at all the other great major cities of the world, they are also taking note that those doctors end up in New York. It is because of the well funded research facilities that cause the brain drain. Yes, these other countries do suffer from the lack of qualified doctors and miss out on the knowledge the research departments develop and discover in New York’s medical facilities. There are cheaper medical facilities around the world, but non so qualified to take the best care of the ones you love as the ones in New York.

Smaller art venues are the hidden treasures of Barcelona. When you find one, you almost want to keep it a secret because you feel it’s your own personal pleasure. Many can be found not far from Top Barcelona Hotels or nestled in the nearby suburbs. Most people, when in Barcelona visit the Picasso Museum or the Museum of Contemporary Art and miss out on the local artistic talent. Miss out on a chance to actually meet and talk with the artist. Even visiting the local coffee shops in and around Barcelona can be considered an art venue in that they display original art from local talent.

Of course, one must visit the major museums, after all, isn’t that what Barcelona’s all about? But, at least put aside one day to search for those smaller venues. Ask the people sitting in the coffee shops if they know of an off-the-beat art gallery or venue. Ask the wait staff at the local restaurants if they have a favorite art place to take their dates. Or just explore on your own. No guided tour; be as creative as an artist, and who knows, maybe you’ll discover a piece of art that inspires you soul and touches you deeply.

When you do find an art venue which you adore purchase a piece. Even though, as I mentioned earlier, you want to keep it your special discovery, blog about it! We need to support all local art, support all local artists. This will help keep art new and fresh. Always moving, always exploring and always keeping the peace. Just like music transcends conflict, art does too. With the economy in the slump, we still need to patron and support art. Art is usually the first thing to be cut in the budgets of schools and in government grants. Barcelona’s government does a wonderful job in supporting it’s artist community, but we need to step up and do the same.

Musee D’Orsay, Le Louvre, The Roland Garros French Open Venue. All places where legends have walked. Whether these legends paint in oils or mold clay, all descending on Paris are artists in their own right. The French Open brings the ‘clay specialists’ of tennis to the City of Lights from May 24- June 7.

Under the lights of the Paris skyline Rafael Nadal has made the red clay his forte, winning four consecutive titles, joining the company of Bjorn Borg and 1920s tennis princess Suzanne Leglen.

For the few who have had success on the clay, there are many more that have found it to be their nemesis. The French Open is the only major title that has eluded Roger Federer, and Nadal is looking to keep it that way.

With Justine Henin’s retirement leaving her unable to defend her title in last year’s open, Anna Ivanovic, number seven in the world, took the clay court title and will do her best to defend it.

Don’t count out Serena Williams, whose number one ranking was currently lost at The Australian Open to last year’s French Open runner up Dinara Safina.

On the men’s or women’s red clay courts, the competitiveness of the 2009 French Open will be at its peak. The Open could be a place for revenge, for Federer and Williams or continued prosperity for Nadal and Safina. Nonetheless, The French Open and the bright lights of Paris are for legends, all artists, each working in their own way.

Allah Rakha Rahman has a long career in the Indian film industry, and he has taken Chennai to the forefront of the international scene recently with his work on the film Slum Dog Millionaire. Rahman is a composer, producer, singer and musician whose work has spanned over two decades and includes numerous awards and recognitions. He has worked with many of the India’s top professionals in the local film industry known as Kollywood. This is because Chennai is the base of the film industry of Tamil. Vacationers who are staying in five star hotels Chennai have the opportunity to see Slum Dog Millionaire and other great Indian films while they’re in town.

Rahman was born in January of 1966 in a musically affluent family. His father was R. K. Shekhar and was the composer and conductor for Malayalam Films. His father died when Rahman was young and he was raised by his mother. During his youth he gained employment by playing the keyboards and arranging music for local bands. He also founded the rock group Nemesis Avenue. He attended the Trinity College of Music where he received his degree in Western classical music. By 1992 he had begun recording his own music and created a studio for recording and mixing. It was called Panchathan Record Inn, and was attached to the back of his house.

Rahman has an impressive career that includes thirteen Filmfare Awards, four National Film Awards, a Golden Globe and two Academy Awards. Worldwide he has sold over 100 million records of his film scores and soundtracks and has sold over 200 million cassettes, which makes him on of the all time top selling artists in the world.  The Golden Globe and Academy Awards he won for Slum Dog Millionaire made him the first Indian artist to do so. Other prominent films he as worked on include Shekhar Kapoor’s Elizabeth: The Golden Age, which he co-scored. He also scored the Mandarin language film Warriors of Heaven and Earth, among numerous others.

The city of Goa is set apart of the rest of the country of India, sitting in stark contrast as a result of the rich history and cultural heritage.  Goa is the city of  India that is the most unique.  One notices upon visiting with the people on the streets and in the best hotels, Goa is diverse, all the diversity is held important.  No religions are more important than the others.  Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of their belief systems.  Traditions are followed and respected in Goa, and they still remain to be the city known to be ahead of the trends of the times.  And just as with all those comfortable with who they are, and who they are not, the culture is very relaxed and easy going.  No fights are inspired by religious discussions or the color of someones bandanna .  All lifestyles are accepted and encouraged and supported.  This is not true for most of the rest of the country, where conservatism and tradition is just part of life.

Music is the essence of the culture in Goa.   Music is a dominant aspect of life for everyone living in the city.  While Indian music is listened to, many find Western music most enjoyable in all forms, from techno to trance, to Blues and Jazz and Country.  Just about every citizen plays a variety of instruments.  Musicality seems to run through their veins.  It is not uncommon to witness someone just break into a song on hot day, for no particular reason what so ever.  Much of the music here is from Portugal, which is due to the rule by the Portuguese at one time.  The cultures have taken on a bit of each other’s cultural and musical heritage.

This cultural diversity and heritage gives Goa so much to offer to the rest of the world.  One may notice while walking through the city a broken-down shack sitting aside a luxury hotel, and notice that the owners of the two buildings are outside having conversation and sipping a drink.  Both lend charm and are a necessary component to what makes the city so incredible as a whole.  There are less restrictions put on women in Goa, they are very confident women who have, and who are “allowed” to have, their own independence.  This is one harmonious and delicious city.

As people are becoming more accustomed to the idea of traveling to obtain good medical care, finding the right hospital and doctor for you is of the highest concern.  Companies that are involved in medical tourism are designed to help you locate exactly the right medical practitioners who will receive information such as X-rays and diagnoses as well as guide you to cutting edge hospitals with the best technology for your specific surgery.

Why are patients traveling to obtain medical care that they could easily find in their own country?  Because abroad it can be so much cheaper.  Consider lap band surgery in Mexico.  Here the costs are often more than 50% less than in the United States for surgery, hospital stay, and recovery.  Once you are discharged from the hospital, you then can enjoy the additional benefit of a local beach or an interesting town or city to explore.  Cheap knee surgery in India, where the doctors are also exceptionally trained, offers patients the opportunity to enjoy a fascinating vacation after recovery.  All at a fraction of the cost that one would find a North American setting. 

Whatever your surgical needs are, traveling abroad to undergo a procedure is no longer daunting or worrisome with the experts who can guide you through the process. 

Chennai, the state formerly known as Madras, India has an expansive economic base. It’s been established as the center for electronics manufacturing and software services for many years. More recently, healthcare and the financial services are making a huge contribution to the GNP.

However, it is the healthcare industry that was the topic of discussion recently at a Tourism Conference. Chennai is the base of the Apollo Hospitals group, one of the largest healthcare providers in the world. The hospitals are privately owned and are widely known for having the finest health care services in India, and perhaps in Southeast Asia. Nowadays, Chennai has been solidifying its position as the health capital and as such is attracting medical tourists from all over the world. Health Care Tourism, a term created by the travel industry, describes the growing practice of seeking healthcare in other countries.  Of particular importance to patients is the cost of the healthcare and the expertise in specialized fields. Because of the variations in the officially recognized qualifications vary, it is critical that a patient does due diligence prior to scheduling any surgeries.  Some of the more common surgeries performed are Gastric Banding, Hip Resurfacing Surgery, Shoulder joint replacement as well as many types of cosmetic surgeries.

India’s tourism department has held conferences recently to discuss a new strategy for converting the visiting patients and their families to visitors and tourists of the country. One way of doing this is for hospitals and the medical community to join forces with the tourism department to court the patient at every opportunity.  As a means of positioning the health care providers as giving the best value in services, great strides are being made to be competitive with costs.  In addition, medical staff, doctors, nurses and medical assistants are being trained to meet very strict and challenging standards.  The medical job community must be persuasive when discussing the medical options for a hospital stay and need also discuss possibilities for recuperating in the country. There are many luxury hotels  Chennai that are working in tandem with the tourism department to encourage this endeavor.

Just a few days ago a new policy took affect in many of the public housing, the apartment buildings and the New York business hotels..Rottweilers, Doberman Pincers , and pure bred Pit-Bulls, as well as Pit-Mixes are banned from the buildings.  The reasoning is that these dogs reach a full grown weight of more than twenty-five pounds.  Those who are already living in the buildings will be able to keep their pets, as long as they have the current city registration permits.  However, new tenants, and new dogs are not allowed.  Although not much has been mentioned in the media of the two breeds, the Rottweilers and Dobermans, and any attacks on humans, the Pit Bull has certainly had the lime light.  One tenant went so far to ensure other residents that when she had her dog neutered, she also had most of his teeth removed, even though he had never shown signs of aggression.   ?   The woman owns a miniature Doberman, that weighs in at about 7 pounds.  She stated that she thought the ban was a good move forward as Pit Bulls tend to look at other dogs as though they ‘want to eat them’.   ?   Obviously passions in the city of Manhattan have been stirred.

Dog lovers in the city are stating that this is a kind of profiling maneuver, that punishes the dogs, and the owners of good dogs, for those that are mistreated or used for fighting purposes.  Many other dogs outweigh these breeds, Golden Retriever can reach upwards of 150 pounds, however they are not banned.  As an owner of a Pit-Mix, this writer can only state that this dog is not harmful, nor is the owner a ‘gangster’.  Just someone that walked into a rescue shelter and had her heart melted by a sad puppy.  However, the gang lifestyle and culture surrounds the projects and the public housing developments, and it is something to be considered.  This writer and her dog have been attacked three times, by pure bred Pit-Bulls with irresponsible owners.  And while most proclaim that it is the owner and the way in which the dog was raised, there are just too many youngsters or promoters of the aggressive aspects of the dogs for them to exist in an environment that proves safe for those living in the surrounding apartments and vicinities.