posted by Savanah on Mar 31
In New York’s city of Brooklyn, in the south end of the town, there is an attraction that is steeped in history, and remains a viable attraction for tourists and locals to this day. The park on Coney Island, the five star New York hotels and resorts in Brighton Beach, were in their grandest form in the early part of the Twentieth century, but popularity waned in the years following World War II. With many amusement rides still operating and the Coney Island hot-dogs , the beaches and the sunshine, this little section of New York is still quite famous and traveled. In 1876, the carousel was built. For three years the beauty was lit with kerosene lanterns, however in 1879, lights provided by Edison’s invention took over. The various animals and horses remain as they were, and are hand carved out of wood. In the early years live music accompanied the lights and colors. The carousel alone, is one of the most visited attractions in New York.
In addition, the famous Cyclone roller-coaster still provides the thrills and the terrifying ride it has since being built in 1927. It is one of the few that have been famous throughout history that is still standing, and has the reputations the world over as being the most impressive wooden roller-coaster to date. In addition to the amusement park rides and the famous hot-dogs, the island is home to the Amphitheater and the Asser Levy Park. There are three miles of beautiful boardwalk that run through the park and along the Atlantic ocean. One must not miss the Aquarium in Coney Island. Open for just about sixty years, this is the only aquarium in New York City. There are tours and educational classes for the children. And the site has become well known over the years for their care and dedication to the preservation of the Beluga Whales, of which they offer many opportunities to learn about and interact with these incredible mammals. Family fun is the goal of the island and as it has provided it for almost one hundred years, this treasure in Brooklyn will continue to do so for many more to come.
posted by Savanah on Mar 28
February 2009 saw double-digit drops for hotels in the Asia/Pacific region. Occupancy rates dropped 12.1 percent to an average of 59 percent. While tourism has been hurt by the current bank and credit crisis, the numbers indicate the true impact of the decline that started in December.
There are three key performance metrics used to gauge the health of the hotel industry. In addition to occupancy rates, the region saw a 21 percent decline in the average daily rate which dropped to US$114.82. The revenue per available room also fell 30.5 percent in February to US$67.70 according to statistics compiled by STR Global.
Phuket, Thailand saw the greatest decrease, falling 20.3 percent from last February when they were at nearly 100% occupancy. The island paradise has been a haven for tourists from across Asia and other parts of the world. The hospitality industry is in crisis mode. The immediate future seems bleak, especially for a five star hotel Phuket.
Jakarta, Indonesia only fell 3 percent while several key markets registered increases in the year-over-year numbers. Seoul, South Korea saw an increase of 22.1 percent while Bali (Indonesia) grew 2.6 percent. In Japan, both Tokyo and Osaka saw modest increases as well, 5.4 percent and 1.5 percent respectively.
Occupancy rates by country ranged from a 35.3 percent drop in India to a 9.9 percent drop in Australia. China and Singapore both experienced decreases of over 20 percent.
posted by Savanah on Mar 26
One of the world’s most breath-taking cities is Cape Town in South Africa. Located on Africa’s southernmost coast, Cape Town features incredible beaches, stunning mountains, and the luxuries and attractions of most global cities all rolled up into one exciting experience.
Table Mountain National Park is a major draw for outdoors enthusiasts. This protected wilderness features numerous hiking trails, campgrounds, and awe-inspiring views of the ocean and surrounding countryside. There is lush vegetation, including some beautiful native species, and an abundance of wildlife to glimpse.
The beaches of Cape Town are ripe with opportunity. Whether simply relaxing on the beach or exploring the waters off the coast, visitors will find dozens of activities to enjoy. Boating, kayaking, jetskiing, and sailing are popular sports. Scuba diving and snorkeling draw countless tourists every year. The more adventurous can seek out a great white shark expedition or go on a whale watching cruise.
The city itself can offer a wealth of adventures. Tourists can chose from a variety of hotels in Cape Town South Africa, including hostels, guest houses and even specialized backpacker lodgings. There are galleries and museums to explore, as well as historic neighborhoods and landmarks. Shopping in the city ranges from open markets displaying traditional arts and crafts to designer boutiques, from street vendors at traffic lights to large climate-controlled malls. At night, the city’s many restaurants offer a wide-range of cuisines from across the region and all over the world while the nightclubs attract music and dance lovers. Live music is king here, with concerts and festivals attracting musicians from all over the world.
Visitors will find a Cape Town experience to suit their personal taste. Beach recreations, deep sea exploration, urban adventures, and rugged wilderness excursions can all be part of a Cape Town holiday.
posted by Savanah on Mar 19
Last week marked the beginning of survey work for the central part of the bridge linking Hong Kong to mainland China. A ceremony marking the start of the design and survey work was held in Zhuhai. The official contract adding CCC Highway Consultants Co. Ltd. to the project was signed on Friday.
The consortium overseeing the construction of the bridge also includes Ove Arup and Partners Hong Kong Ltd., the Shanghai Tunnel Engineering and Rail Transit Design and Research Institute, CCCC First Harbor Consultants Co Ltd., and Denmark’s COWI A/S.
The contract for the project’s survey and design work was awarded to the consortium last December. The estimated cost for this stage of construction is just shy of 210 million yuan or $30.8 million USD. The total cost of the project is 72.6 billion yuan ($10.6 billion US).
Businesses in all three cities are excited about the project. Hong Kong’s best hotels, restaurants and retail shops look forward to the day when the bridge is complete, linking their fair city to Macao with branch lines between Hong Kong and Zhuhai. Currently only ferries run between Hong Kong and the two mainland cities.
When finished, the bridge should span 29 kilometers. Construction is currently projected to be complete in 2016.
posted by Savanah on Mar 7
For the last ten years, jazz musicians from all parts of the world have come together in Singapore for the Mosaic Festival. This ten day festival occurs every March at the Theaters on the Bay at the Esplanade in downtown Singapore. The complex was built in hopes of bringing a wide range of live music to Singapore, and is set close to other attractions such as the many 5 star Singapore hotels. With so many options it is quite easy to find a place to stay during the run of the festival. Famous jazz masters play along side those just breaking into the musical tradition, it’s a meeting of the most creative of minds. When the Esplanade Center for the Arts opened it was the goal and dream to bring such incredible talent and beauty and freedom to an island so much controlled by its government. In a world where a ticket is issued for chewing gum or a student is caned and tortured for speaking there mind and capital punishment is dished out like parking tickets in Los Angeles, music is what heals and makes life worth living. The people involved just wish for an audience to witness and experience and to feel what is good, and not for monetary gain, but spiritual and artistic health.
Singaporeans sat up and took notice to the international music during the invasions of the Fab Five in the sixties. The British Invasion was not missed on this tiny island. Since that time, music from the punk rock and R and B genre have gained popularity. And just as it always does, exposure inspires creation. Punk and rock and even the American brand of country music, is starting show itself in the influence on the local bands. And given the government they have to work with it is an amazing achievement, a window into what it is to be really free in the mind and soul, while perhaps not being so free in the physical and governed sense. To be able to fine expression in the midst of oppression, to have the opportunity to make others sing and dance and play along…to quote an Amnesty International film, Shadowland, “you can take my body but you can’t take my mind” is what the music and the arts offer to people, the artists and to the audience. From philharmonic symphony to heavy metal, and from opera to alternative, the Esplanade in Singapore is helping the people take there lives and put them in a safe place and a place where it is safe and encouraged to express one’s self in a dynamic way.
posted by Savanah on Mar 6
From its fabulous beaches to its beautiful architecture the allure of Goa, India is unparalleled. Though it is the smallest of the states in India and is known by many as a gateway to other parts of the country, Goa has built a reputation as one of Asia’s most popular holiday destinations. This is due largely to the aforementioned beaches, but also to the wonderful nightclub scene which attracts the young and beautiful to this exotic region.
Goa is much more than trance music and sunbathing. The state is home to some stunning architecture that blends Indian tradition with the Portuguese influences of the colonial period. Churches and other buildings from the 450 years of Portuguese rule have been preserved in many of Goa’s cities. There are also forts and other landmarks that celebrate the rich heritage of the area.
The cities and beaches are havens for tourists. Home to great restaurants, five star hotels Goa, swanky nightclubs and tons of places to shop, they are the center of Goa’s tourist industry. In addition to modern shopping centers, there are traditional open markets. Restaurants feature incredibly fresh seafood from the waters off Goa and those on the beaches take full advantage of their ocean views. Visitors will want to be sure to sample the world-famous feni at some point in their trip.
The villages of Goa offer a more traditional India. From charming mountain enclaves to coastal villages, the real Goa is to be found in these traditional communities. Even with the growth of its cities, most of the population resides in villages, commuting to the city for work. The pace here is even slower and the people even friendlier, though its hard to believe that’s possible until one ventures outside the normal tourist city tours.
Goa offers both historic landmarks and natural beauty. Some of the more popular attractions in the area include the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the Mangueshi Temple, and the Houses of Goa (an architectural museum). Nature lovers will want to check out the beautiful national parks and the many animal and bird sanctuaries across Goa.
posted by Savanah on Mar 3
Among the many five star Madrid hotels to choose from when looking for a gourmet dining experience, The Ritz is considered one of the best. There are two levels to this restaurant, offering up very fine, but different atmospheres. On the first floor, or terrace, the feeling is much more casual. A variety of options from the tapas menu or grill are aimed to please and tantalize. On the second floor there is the Goya Restaurant, no doubt named for the famous painter, this establishment offers up a more sophisticated and elegant night. Very refined dishes are served, originating from various regions of this country known for culinary delights and experimentation. As in keeping with the reality based shows of the United States, every so often during the year, the Goya invites chefs to participate in culinary challenges. This is meant as a regional competition, with the underlying need to compete with the close neighbor that is France. It seems every restaurant, every chef, and anyone dedicated to the preparation of food has France and its reputation looking over their shoulder. In any case, what is to be expected is some of the finest flavors of the cuisine of Spain, and something every tourist should experience.
The chef of the Goya is one of only four others to be honored with 4 Michelin Stars, quite and accomplishment considered the region he is from and the competition to be found there. Along with just a simple and delicious opportunity for a night out, this restaurant has become a popular meeting place and destination for all types of celebrations, weddings being the foremost booked events. Waiters of the Goya are well trained and versed in the language of viticulture, offering up wine suggestions that compliment any mean prepared here perfectly. From freshly prepared salads to appetizers, to dishes such at a fillet Mignon grilled to perfection and topped with a bit of tender foie gras, one has to assume that the night is complete. Not so, as a meal without a dessert is a meal that may have well not begun. Such delicacies are created from fresh fruits and by the top pastry chefs of the world. Tiramisu and some cleansing sorbet and perhaps a bit of Amarone, a perfect ending to a perfect dining experience at the Goya at the Ritz.
posted by Savanah on Mar 1
The New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) runs from February 27th through March 15th in Manhattan. The festival is the largest of its kind for children and teens in all of North America. It features films that are both critically acclaimed and achieve a certain level of audience popularity.
NYICFF screens 100 live action, animated, and experimental films from around the world. While some films are feature length, the festival also showcases short films. Since its inception in 1997 the festival has grown to have an audience of over 20,000 film lovers and in recent years all screenings have sold out in advance.
The festival also provides an opportunity for the audience to hear from filmmakers and artists. There are workshops, retrospectives, Q&A sessions, and the audience gets to vote on certain awards. The closing night Party and Awards Ceremony will be a gala event for all ages. A number of films are having their premieres as part of the festival.
Films from twenty-one different countries will be screened during NYICFF, including the much-anticipated “A Matter of Loaf and Death” which is the newest Wallace and Gromit movie. Audiences and filmmakers are expected to fill the surrounding 4 star New York hotels and keep restaurants in the area very busy.
This year’s jury includes actos John Turturro, Matthew Modine, and Susan Sarandon as well as filmakers Gus Van Sant, Rob Minkoff, and Christine Vachon.