tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88114912948699032592024-03-13T13:16:57.235+08:00answerstravel blogA quirky, entertaining and extremely informative blog with an experienced and opinionated perspective on travel, aviation and tourism.answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-44782628259183969512021-10-04T18:33:00.002+08:002022-01-12T16:13:40.039+08:00<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 180%;">The Best Asian Discovery</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIocTUHuYzAPZ9smM689c6uE0Ae2c0x26ErTp7-1tPNs_G0wJMRpduz-K_wfRlAlIDE0cWej_F22RwRhWUvKpSt_y9ItSrgoFOGaMPyONAOoCAiVmvMHMTbB5OjJNezQqVcum-nedhpz0/s1600-h/Indonesia+Sunset+GiliAir.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253250930887432450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIocTUHuYzAPZ9smM689c6uE0Ae2c0x26ErTp7-1tPNs_G0wJMRpduz-K_wfRlAlIDE0cWej_F22RwRhWUvKpSt_y9ItSrgoFOGaMPyONAOoCAiVmvMHMTbB5OjJNezQqVcum-nedhpz0/s320/Indonesia+Sunset+GiliAir.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">It sprawls across Asia in a glittering geographical garland of 17,500 beautiful islands that stretch from sophisticated Singapore in the north to sunbaked Australia in the south. It is a crucible of the oldest religions and cultures in human history; with Hindu, Buddhist and Christian traditions enduring amidst the largest Muslim and animist communities in the world – yet its government is decidedly secular and its thriving business-world fully materialistic. Its 265 million people belong to 350 different ethnic groups and speak 530 unique languages, yet are remarkably united in national identity. The character of this amazing nation is grounded in local community, yet its outlook is increasingly global. It is a gorgeous cornucopia of colourful cultures, creeds, cuisine and crafts, and it welcomes the world with wide-open arms. </span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="color: #ffff33;">This is Indonesia - The Best Asian Discovery for travel and leisure.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQ2wPnF2IAJrDLVjU9GzKnf-fMUzBvScU6-v61-D10KoTRy2r5YMEZnumoz65PlMnPdkC-8cNcsMhIsGeqyUuobDwIf7jjWxoKlSUDW722YxbH8vinPkPJpJhhKJ_Q0AyABNpFoUqfq-i/s1600-h/Indonesia+Dancers+01.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253303566221153634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQ2wPnF2IAJrDLVjU9GzKnf-fMUzBvScU6-v61-D10KoTRy2r5YMEZnumoz65PlMnPdkC-8cNcsMhIsGeqyUuobDwIf7jjWxoKlSUDW722YxbH8vinPkPJpJhhKJ_Q0AyABNpFoUqfq-i/s320/Indonesia+Dancers+01.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">In a crowded and competitive travel-industry, what makes Indonesia stand out? First of all, the nation’s sheer size and strategic location ensure that <span style="color: #ffff33;">ancient cultures and traditional crafts thrive in our modern technological world</span>. Modern houses have intricate ethnic décor, and high-powered deals are finalised by tycoons in traditional batik shirts. Sleek imported sedans vie for traffic-space with horse-drawn carts, and satellite-dishes relay telecasts of ancient dramas in authentic detail. In Indonesia, culture is alive and handicraft is part of daily life. Secondly, the fact that most of the islands in this vast archipelago were relatively remote from each other in ancient times results in art, architecture, culture and cuisine being very different from place to place. This gives Indonesia a powerful ‘pull-factor’ in tourism: it is </span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="color: #ffff33;">an excellent destination for repeat visits. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsK_fFqNActHAcrY4Np0jSPJUmczhwJQLYsHlXhyphenhyphenX0ezqWP6hyESHZFw61DQ3Wofq_whwK3nqfxKJpNxqOymYIHXweVOtppFzaluAPK-qlwHUkXkNzU2XkNvlsJFKns5m7wdqqYmuzLyp/s1600/Indonesia+Horse-cart+01.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268811897944815746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsK_fFqNActHAcrY4Np0jSPJUmczhwJQLYsHlXhyphenhyphenX0ezqWP6hyESHZFw61DQ3Wofq_whwK3nqfxKJpNxqOymYIHXweVOtppFzaluAPK-qlwHUkXkNzU2XkNvlsJFKns5m7wdqqYmuzLyp/s400/Indonesia+Horse-cart+01.jpg" style="display: block; height: 266px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial";">Indonesia is probably <span style="color: #ffff33;">the world’s last great ecotourism frontier</span>, with its varied geography and unimaginable biodiversity. Try figuring out 28,000 known species of local flowers! From the giant Rafflesia that can weigh over 10 kg, to exquisite tiny orchids as rare and as precious as any gem, Indonesia is a flowering paradise of seductive scents and sensations. Bird-watchers from all over the world fly here to spot as many of the 1500 native species that they can, mindful of the fact that Indonesia has more endemic species than any other country on the planet. There are also over 3500 species of wild animals, from ferocious carnivores like the terrifying Komodo Dragons and the mysterious Sumatran Tiger to furry friends like the appealing little Slow Loris and the gentle and intelligent Orang Utan. And still on the topic of ecotourism, we haven’t even begun to describe the underwater wonders awaiting discovery in some of the most varied and spectacular dive-sites ever known!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESvpsGVwT7LNgGbkn7YLEQNNb8hBVqOPkZI5hYyVPHPG4bO1v19c6UtX2LC0pTzDxCZPmag-N1PH96xYL6EVO4AsBUGhEGA4x-Tw6t_cLBf1cx34j1s-v_y0N6Zy5yusS50LH_01u5n-B/s1600/Indonesia+Lombok+scenery+01.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268811536335539826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESvpsGVwT7LNgGbkn7YLEQNNb8hBVqOPkZI5hYyVPHPG4bO1v19c6UtX2LC0pTzDxCZPmag-N1PH96xYL6EVO4AsBUGhEGA4x-Tw6t_cLBf1cx34j1s-v_y0N6Zy5yusS50LH_01u5n-B/s400/Indonesia+Lombok+scenery+01.jpg" style="display: block; height: 251px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUkINJoU04qzWoM0JRIt2czn-hxtAXv-7rebZ0R6yIHiX-u1IH4s8xl9uziT1Mhxfs-6xpa1VCKnCNgzCznKeBsuZ8m2NpI3SOOB80wBZ0CJ9qn2XxD0bqJRSNbVFqsk6_qjFGhEpL2lL/s1600-h/Indonesia+Lombok+scenery+01.jpg"></a><span style="font-family: "arial";">There are enough websites and publications that extol every detail of this great nation's tourism attractions. For us at <strong>answers!</strong>, however, one special quality stands out here - and this is the warmth and love of the Indonesian people. From the most luxurious international hotel to the humblest native dwelling, hospitality in Indonesia is spontaneous and thoroughly sincere. The harried street-hawker hustling in a traffic jam, the musical Batak troubadour at your dining-table, the busy village mother with child on her waist, the tattooed tribesman in his jungle domain, the multi-lingual European-educated boutique owner, the tired farmer trailing his buffalo home across the rice-fields - every single Indonesian you meet will give you a smile and a beaming welcome. The hospitality and friendships that await the visitor can only be experienced personally - and <em>that</em>, alone, should be reason enough for YOU to head for Indonesia, the Best Asian Discovery in travel!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268843531687249842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYXqzQ614cd09AJWcsdNlUWt_nEkzf-2nVCKYu7tYCgC7qLJ2Q7pURhAu5DR7NhIBNTjq1lSRkwmIkQPJLKEnudXBn4HYxLydRgWuavpOZtaI0685Oq5k81ffaY3VmKiZdbs9FYR5pTec/s400/Indonesia+Parepare+Children.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><em>(<span>A</span></em><span><em>ll pix by Andrew Ponnampalam</em> <em>unless otherwise stated</em></span><em>)</em></span></span>answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-73525699865606125172020-07-25T17:27:00.000+08:002022-01-12T16:25:28.142+08:00The Best Asian Mountain Experience<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">All over the world,
mountains invoke awe and admiration, attracting visitors from far and wide.
Across Asia, some mountain destinations have become global tourism icons, from
the giddy heights of </span><span style="color: #ffe599;"><b style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nepal’s</b><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><b style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mount Everest</b></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> to the lovely snow-capped
symmetry o</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">f </span><b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #ffe599;">Fuji-San</span> </span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #ffe599;">in Japan</span></span></b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white;">Like both these
famous peaks, several places across Asia have become popular tourism magnets. The
iconic status of </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ffe599;">Malaysia’s Mount
Kinabalu</span></b><span style="color: white;"> attracts thousands of ecotourists, hikers, climbers, birdwatchers
and plain day-trippers to the Kinabalu National Park each year. Those who wish
to climb the mountain itself are advised to make reservations at least six
months in advance as only 135 climbers are permitted each day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white;">The stunning volcanic
crater and spectacular sunrises at </span><span style="color: #ffe599;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mount
Bromo in Indonesia</b> </span><span style="color: white;">lure a daily stream of visitors who ascend its slopes on
foot, by jeep or on the hardy and lovable local ponies.</span> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ffe599;">India’s Doddabetta Peak</span></b> <span style="color: white;">is close to the beautiful montane resort of
Ooty in Tamil Nadu, and has scenic views of Bandipur National Park. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ffe599;">South Korea</span></b><span style="color: white;"> attracts tourists to its
popular ski resorts, with our particular favourite peak being </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ffe599;">Balwangsan Mountain</span></b><b style="color: white;"> </b><span style="color: white;">in Yeongpyong.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Some peaks are only
accessible to the intrepid adventure-tourists and determined climbers. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mongolia’s
Mount Khuiten</span></b><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> is located
in what is considered to be one of the most remote and untouched regions in the
world. Visitors have to take a couple of flights, endure a rugged 400km drive, and
then undertake a 17km trek just to reach the base camp of this pristine peak.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0WjniG1ZDmuEWMxfkLpxvc0k-HKeJwJiUItQXX0prG7nGQ7lSlK8NR02vkNCUCmwA5IuvdrGH-8hDuzeSoLj3bfdLEtfiOFS9Eb833Q7MK0_UBVhe7iKmlCXPhCVmZgwRvEpkZzoCMQ7/s1600/huangshan-1-painting-Phosamosa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="900" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0WjniG1ZDmuEWMxfkLpxvc0k-HKeJwJiUItQXX0prG7nGQ7lSlK8NR02vkNCUCmwA5IuvdrGH-8hDuzeSoLj3bfdLEtfiOFS9Eb833Q7MK0_UBVhe7iKmlCXPhCVmZgwRvEpkZzoCMQ7/s400/huangshan-1-painting-Phosamosa.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(0 , 0 , 0); font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white;">Our choice for </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">Best Asian Mountain Experience</span></b><span style="color: white;">,
however, is the legendary </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">Huangshan in
China</span></b><span style="color: white;">’s Anhui Province. Since ancient times, poets, painters and pundits of
prose have tried to capture the dramatic magnificence of the amazing and
surreal-seeming landscape. A visit to the actual place, however, shows that
reality is every much as breathtakingly beautiful today as was displayed in
ancient art.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(0 , 0 , 0); font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">Sheer rock-faces tower
up to dizzying heights, actually piercing the clouds to create a visual fantasy
for the stunned traveller. Solitary pine trees calmly grow out of tiny side-fissures
at terrifying heights, lending a serene tone to the dramatic landscapes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What makes Huangshan a truly memorable
experience is that the most heart-stopping spots are accessible to visitors,
complete with all modern facilities that an international traveller would
expect!</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYtdC2OtD0Q23k_z_eQsf_pYoUbHv9cATFRErsJoYmRy-kvcrgUVRQEgLI4cgo-rGX-xYCf9y4lBPv95RwqgzGPNqFuckSbf1DzaRf-Rzr4xBeeAmQQ7L5-GgZUtyLz8iMhVsaiNQeyE2/s1600/Huangshan_Nicoline-Patricia-Malina_06777-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1001" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYtdC2OtD0Q23k_z_eQsf_pYoUbHv9cATFRErsJoYmRy-kvcrgUVRQEgLI4cgo-rGX-xYCf9y4lBPv95RwqgzGPNqFuckSbf1DzaRf-Rzr4xBeeAmQQ7L5-GgZUtyLz8iMhVsaiNQeyE2/s200/Huangshan_Nicoline-Patricia-Malina_06777-1.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="background: rgb(0 , 0 , 0); font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">Over time, several
routes with over 60,000 steps have been hewn on the sheer granite faces of
Huangshan. Climbers take between 3 to 7 hours but porters laden with huge loads
of things like furniture, refrigerators, building material and other heavy
items can take a back-breaking 12 hours. For savvy and well-heeled tourists,
however, there are three spectacular cable-car routes, each taking between 10
to 12 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hILBjbNWDl5GSGUtKINaQIsNPtMDAi_SJhyphenhyphen5c58Bf-6fDtZkANcGU82HtRrNe9CHVJbvivJFZiqhsDSiiAtzUYdnsMcqtKCPL4DWrvzTuMGBXe4szihZPV_z825qSBXa3StCmTrjAc5t/s1600/Huangshan+Jade+Screen+Hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hILBjbNWDl5GSGUtKINaQIsNPtMDAi_SJhyphenhyphen5c58Bf-6fDtZkANcGU82HtRrNe9CHVJbvivJFZiqhsDSiiAtzUYdnsMcqtKCPL4DWrvzTuMGBXe4szihZPV_z825qSBXa3StCmTrjAc5t/s1600/Huangshan+Jade+Screen+Hotel.jpg" /></a><span style="background: rgb(0 , 0 , 0); font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">At the foot of Huangshan
and along the access highways there are numerous accommodation-options ranging
from luxury hotels to spartan backpacker hostels. For us, however, the most
memorable part of our Huangshan experience was staying at the small but
well-appointed hotels built decades ago on the giddy heights of the legendary peak. Nestling in nooks and crannies of the magnificent mountain, they
provide quintessential Chinese hospitality with surprisingly excellent service.</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stunning scenery,
spectacular sunsets, dramatic landscapes and unexpected levels of hospitality
are just some of the elements that make </span><b style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: yellow;">China’s
Huangshan</span></b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> our choice for </span><span style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Best Asian
Mountain Experience</b>!</span><br />
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<span style="background: rgb(0 , 0 , 0); font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i style="background-color: black;">Photographs © Phosamos, Patricia Malina, Jade Screen Hotel</i></span></span></div>
answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-75211852917224671902019-05-24T14:23:00.002+08:002021-11-09T14:40:13.374+08:00The Best American Airport Hotel<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Airport
Hotels differ from other types of hotels in several ways. For example, most hotels have a fixed check-out
time and a set schedule for housekeeping no matter if they are budget inns,
luxury establishments, business hotels, vacation resorts, hunting lodges or any
kind of pay-to-stay place at all. At airport hotels, however, check-out
proceeds around the clock, as does housekeeping and room-service. Most other
hotels rent out their rooms by the day, whereas Airport Hotels make their rooms
available in a variety of time-slots, including ½ day and hourly.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">In
some ways, an Airport Hotel operates as a combination of hotel, hospital and
24-hr mall all rolled into one. In cases of unexpected security or AOG (aircraft
on ground) situations, an Airport Hotel is transformed into an Emergency Accommodation
Facility. At other times, an Airport Hotel may double-up as an in-house
Convention Centre for busy corporate air-travellers meeting in a convenient
location. For these and various other reasons, we tend to rate airport hotels
in a category of their own.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GJw3T0iF3uQGwdP89SKqbU6ZVydeLOOQD06o_drF6AMjJhH8R2B5i3uVlHedhlx2skBaGA02uDa40yfPhiOwARy2xINYlNfJFG1b61knWfa_koLzE6j010rE4h3WTIS1es67WKnckAqP/s1600/TWA+Hotel+external.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GJw3T0iF3uQGwdP89SKqbU6ZVydeLOOQD06o_drF6AMjJhH8R2B5i3uVlHedhlx2skBaGA02uDa40yfPhiOwARy2xINYlNfJFG1b61knWfa_koLzE6j010rE4h3WTIS1es67WKnckAqP/s320/TWA+Hotel+external.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">In
North America, one Airport Hotel stands out for imagination, innovation, style
and sheer iconic status. Located beside New York’s John F. Kennedy
International Airport’s Terminal 5, the retro-chic </span><b style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #ffd966;">TWA Hotel</span> </b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">opened in May 2019
in what was once the historic TWA Flight Center that operated from 1962 to 2001.</span><br />
<div class="canvas-atom" content="The terminal was designed by legendary architect <a href="http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,891296,00.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Eero Saarinen</a> for Trans World Airlines, a now-defunct airline long controlled by Howard Hughes. It was closed after TWA was acquired by American Airlines amid financial struggles in 2001. The building sat largely unused since then, save for the occasional tour and other events. Conversion work began in 2016." data-reactid="24" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 12pt; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" type="text">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;">The original TWA
building was designed by world-renown architect Eero Saarinen</span><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: black;">for Trans World Airlines, an airline long-controlled
by the legendary Howard Hughes. Conversion work began in 2016, and today there
is a 512-room hotel complete with retro-themed restaurants and bars, infinity
pool, ballroom, library-cum-bookshop, an enormous fitness-centre, meeting rooms
and what is reputed to be the world’s largest hotel lobby at 200,000 square
feet.</span></span></span> </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYZPlL4Dj30bfY2dHIhD4t-LXU1VvHPhy472UwzRn1B86dnUYqtAAJk00qslp9b-YXR_Q1WcmhFGo_JuwK6A_45ivgXJBxc38AjhINjwjXbMsYWoi3oNriIDJZsJ0vAN97AFmlNGSK4UN/s1600/TWA+Hotel+amd+aircraft+restaurant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="656" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYZPlL4Dj30bfY2dHIhD4t-LXU1VvHPhy472UwzRn1B86dnUYqtAAJk00qslp9b-YXR_Q1WcmhFGo_JuwK6A_45ivgXJBxc38AjhINjwjXbMsYWoi3oNriIDJZsJ0vAN97AFmlNGSK4UN/s200/TWA+Hotel+amd+aircraft+restaurant.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">In
keeping with the nostalgia theme, the bedrooms are equipped with
Saarinen-designed chairs, a 60’s style martini bar, and even a working rotary-dial
phone. Museum exhibitions of Aviation History run around the year, and parked
at the back is a 1958 Lockheed Constellation aeroplane converted into a unique restaurant.
Regardless of its retro appeal and attention to historical detail, this is
fundamentally a functioning commercial enterprise, and given its convenient location
and commitment to service, we have no hesitation in naming the </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">TWA Hotel</b><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">as </span><b style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: yellow;">the Best American Airport Hotel</span></b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> by far</span><i style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">!</i><br />
<i style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Pix by TWA Hotel, Michelle Young </span></i>answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-72662936848056080162019-04-29T10:21:00.002+08:002022-01-18T09:00:11.716+08:00The Best Hidden Arabian Destination<br />
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<span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Speak of an Arabian
destination, and places like </span><span style="color: #ffe599;">Qatar, Dubai</span><span style="color: white;"> and </span><span style="color: #ffe599;">Abu Dhab</span><span style="color: white;">i immediately come to
mind. This is largely due to the influential international airlines these
countries own, which carry passengers from all corners of the globe to their
strategic air-hubs. Other destinations like </span><span style="color: #ffe599;">Iran, Saudi Arabia</span><span style="color: white;"> and </span><span style="color: #ffe599;">Syria</span><span style="color: white;"> are
known largely for their prominent positions on the global political landscape,
while places like </span><span style="color: #ffe599;">Kuwait</span><span style="color: white;"> and </span><span style="color: #ffe599;">Iraq</span><span style="color: white;"> command international awareness for their
rich petroleum resources.</span></span></span><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">Tourists do flock to
the picturesque attractions of </span><span style="color: #ffe599;">Morocco</span><span style="color: white;"> and </span><span style="color: #ffe599;">Jordan</span><span style="color: white;">, but to us there is a hidden
tourism treasure tucked away at the north-east of the United Arab Emirates that
is largely unknown and unappreciated.</span><span style="color: white;">
</span><span style="color: white;">This is the little kingdom of </span><b><span style="color: yellow;">Fujairah</span></b><span style="color: white;">,
one of the seven emirates of the UAE. </span></span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Gly1h46gwFdcG-EQS1n6XT7GlofYOh49hF5JoGYllM2W4MQU1b9P9ZkN8yTrOZu0A_Gz-89idyriRJ5zqqZdKTcaBeSP1vUSWgFr0dwfsHvCWIiZTtoBevUaLsec_pwWpyKBx2j05xij/s1600/Fujairah+aerial+view.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Gly1h46gwFdcG-EQS1n6XT7GlofYOh49hF5JoGYllM2W4MQU1b9P9ZkN8yTrOZu0A_Gz-89idyriRJ5zqqZdKTcaBeSP1vUSWgFr0dwfsHvCWIiZTtoBevUaLsec_pwWpyKBx2j05xij/s320/Fujairah+aerial+view.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span face=""arial" , sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">Relatively secluded from the world since
ancient times, this delightful diminutive emirate is still relatively isolated,
relying mainly on air-links from Abu Dhabi and a highway to Dubai for tourism;
despite its having an excellent deep-water port at Fujairah city.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprKezdgZZM94OIGXtlEyBNNHXKHNOUQpnZJtXpCPbh_lZxmT5rTgvK_MNTqZe8mEy1LhfEZ1exkdux6qamiOYXpAF6HduptZIZ1cwzXO-2c4djRuxJ9tswywVNtQFFZ5CxGGMQtsBg-eG/s1600/Fujairah+Fort.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="920" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprKezdgZZM94OIGXtlEyBNNHXKHNOUQpnZJtXpCPbh_lZxmT5rTgvK_MNTqZe8mEy1LhfEZ1exkdux6qamiOYXpAF6HduptZIZ1cwzXO-2c4djRuxJ9tswywVNtQFFZ5CxGGMQtsBg-eG/s200/Fujairah+Fort.jpg" width="200" /></span></span></a><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The drive along the ultra-modern </span><span face=""arial" , sans-serif">Sheikh Khalifa Highway
from </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai" title="Dubai"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="color: white; text-decoration: none;">Dubai</span></a><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"> is a pretty fascinating experience, passing through vast
desert landscape as it connects Dubai with photogenic places in Sharjah, Ras Al
Khaimah and Fujairah. Officially inaugurated in December 2011 to celebrate the
40th Anniversary of the UAE, the 45-kilometre (28 mile) highway takes just
30 minutes to cover non-stop. For our visit to Fujairah in 2012, we flew from
Abu Dhabi. This gave us an equally fascinating bird’s eye view of the dramatic
coastline of pristine beaches and dramatic rocky cliffs that form Fujairah’s
entire eastern border.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwRIaHtHntt2zjtrqmNSQ_yOyXcdTjdhE3tFvo2B8xYZ0ybXv6AByAGWjirNNvWb0RfvUofSq-10fweqitcCdRSdxvrwgqn8BAcbHzNqcCBOAcKrFdTSdeoehX4bFSgv6gIxItCNzctnn/s1600/Fujairah+Friday+Market+-c+Odyfolio.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="721" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwRIaHtHntt2zjtrqmNSQ_yOyXcdTjdhE3tFvo2B8xYZ0ybXv6AByAGWjirNNvWb0RfvUofSq-10fweqitcCdRSdxvrwgqn8BAcbHzNqcCBOAcKrFdTSdeoehX4bFSgv6gIxItCNzctnn/s320/Fujairah+Friday+Market+-c+Odyfolio.jpg" width="320" /></a><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Some
of the memorable sightseeing spots in this idyllic Arabian hideaway include the
imposing Hajar Mountains, the sheer cliffs of Dibba, the quaint village of
Masafi with its traditional Friday market, the Ain al-Madhab Hot Springs, the
Wadi al-Wurayah oasis with its spectacular waterfall and the ancient mud-brick
Al-Bidayah Mosque,the oldest in the entire UAE. Gorgeous beaches line this
destination, with pretty impressive dive-sites out in the crystal-clear waters
of the Gulf of Oman. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Around
Fujairah city itself, you can visit the 17<sup>th</sup> century Fujairah Fort,
the massive Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the fascinating Fujairah Museum,</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievSet32AFXLbbKISVzu9ZyyiBSJiDWSrlCe92KVaZGc7xAyVV-KdSeSDHkYSkJo3ks-JGP9QZ_umTsltJ1nuyrVvhgr3f2cJD6Ya3JJywCvBHqMgJNi_VtfoD4BPVG6gkwHjfoqZCpenj/s1600/Fujairah+Museum.jpg" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievSet32AFXLbbKISVzu9ZyyiBSJiDWSrlCe92KVaZGc7xAyVV-KdSeSDHkYSkJo3ks-JGP9QZ_umTsltJ1nuyrVvhgr3f2cJD6Ya3JJywCvBHqMgJNi_VtfoD4BPVG6gkwHjfoqZCpenj/s200/Fujairah+Museum.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">the giant
golden tea-set and stylised giant eagle statues, and various historic sites.
Accommodation ranges from affordable city hotels to spectacular seaside luxury
resorts. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span face=""arial" , sans-serif"><span style="color: white;">From an Aqua Bounce Funpark and parasailing to shopping at
air-conditioned malls and traditional souks, from heart-pounding 4WD
wadi-bashing to serene wellness spas, there is something for everyone in </span><b><span style="color: yellow;">Fujairah</span></b><span style="color: white;">, our </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b>Best Hidden Arabian Destination</b>!</span></span><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Pix © Odyfolio. Andrew Ponnampalam</i></span></span></div>
answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-70983656332616462922019-03-09T10:10:00.003+08:002019-05-24T09:26:26.214+08:00The Biggest Waterfalls In The World<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Waterfalls always make for spectacular tourist-attractions, exciting the senses with a combination of breathtaking sight, overpowering sound, exhilarating spray, impressive vibration, and often a unique potpourri of scents.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; line-height: 115%;">From the towering </span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Angel Falls</span></span></b><span style="color: white; line-height: 115%;"> in Venezuela<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>with
an uninterrupted height of 979 </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">metres (3,212
ft) to the broad 10783-metre (35,376 ft) span of the </span><b><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Khone Falls</span> </b><span style="color: white;">on the border between Laos and Cambodia, waterfalls have
always amazed mankind since the dawn of time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">Whether you are at remote
cataracts like </span><b><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Dyanjandi</span></b><span style="color: white;"> in Iceland
or at crowded sightseeing favourites like the </span><b><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Niagara Falls</span></b><span style="color: white;"> on the USA/Canada border, you will be spellbound by
the majesty and power of natural cascades. From the shocking deep-red </span><b><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Blood Falls</span></b><b style="color: white;"> </b><span style="color: white;">in Antarctica to the
brilliant multi-coloured hues of Colombia’s </span></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Caño Cristales Rapids</span> </span></b><span style="color: white; line-height: 115%;">and
the eye-catching rainbows dancing about a myriad other waterfalls around the
world, colours are part of the attraction when water tumbles from one level to
another.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErae9kimwpLJyEa4s3bU93OK13UX6K68uJbSZ5n0nUOk6KJFqACrUsfVEtCZyF9LS9wZFXxiOm7fMy3fTafmvF8FMa5gkL9zmzRrM9UeAX-hchrXxnLCgvOrECY-dM5qXs0as6pkg_Gf4/s1600/Zimbabwe+June+2013+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1301" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErae9kimwpLJyEa4s3bU93OK13UX6K68uJbSZ5n0nUOk6KJFqACrUsfVEtCZyF9LS9wZFXxiOm7fMy3fTafmvF8FMa5gkL9zmzRrM9UeAX-hchrXxnLCgvOrECY-dM5qXs0as6pkg_Gf4/s200/Zimbabwe+June+2013+069.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">Our choice of the best waterfalls in the
world are also the largest. The </span><b><span style="color: yellow;">Victoria
Falls</span></b><span style="color: white;"> that straddle the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia are </span></span><span style="color: white; line-height: 115%;">the biggest singular waterfall in the world, with a width of 1.7
kilometres, a height of 108 metres, and an average flow of a massive 1 million
litres of water per second<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">On
our visit to Zimbabwe, we learnt that these impressive waterfalls are most
commonly known as “mosi-oa-tunya” or “the smoke that thunders”. Since ancient
times, this tremendous natural phenomenon has been identifi</span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">ed from miles away by
the perpetual cloud of spray and the deep rumble of its cascading torrent. Considered
one of the seven natural wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site,
two-thirds of Victoria Falls lie within Zimbabwe, which also has the most
vantage points.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtv-N0hubf5N8io4QsA14nKk6KHqerj_Lq4cSvPBNASKPc06cohC74I-ZJUlGP0Ee7OZU6owhIncyLP-8RVgELma0qR_0kvL_uy9lqXa7jrx2p18IpHmdmJ02C3x1uVzZG2imjKcssZncO/s1600/Zimbabwe+June+2013+142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtv-N0hubf5N8io4QsA14nKk6KHqerj_Lq4cSvPBNASKPc06cohC74I-ZJUlGP0Ee7OZU6owhIncyLP-8RVgELma0qR_0kvL_uy9lqXa7jrx2p18IpHmdmJ02C3x1uVzZG2imjKcssZncO/s320/Zimbabwe+June+2013+142.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">For
a variety of reasons, much of the Victoria Falls National Park has been left in
its natural state, apart from broad cemented paths and a large Interpretive
Centre at the entrance. While families
with small children need to be aware of the ‘wilderness environment’ awaiting
them, we find that the lush natural habitat adds to the allure and adventure of
the experience at </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b>Victoria Falls, the
Largest Waterfalls In The World</b>!</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(Photographs by Andrew Ponnampalam)</i></span></span></span></div>
answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-66693167102563825782019-02-27T10:43:00.001+08:002019-02-27T19:19:06.238+08:00The Oldest Airline In The World<span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;">It was established in 1919, a full century ago – and is still operating under its
original name!</span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Set up at a time when horse carriages were the most common mode of
transport in Europe and ox-carts reigned supreme in Asia, Koninklijke
Luchtvaart Maatschappij </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">is </span><b><span style="color: #ffe599;">the oldest airline in the world</span></b><span style="color: white;">.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><span style="color: yellow;">KLM</span><span style="color: white;">, as it usually known, literally means </span><i style="color: white;">Royal
Aviation Company</i><span style="color: white;"> in Dutch, with its ‘Royal’ designation granted that year
by Queen Wilhelmina. The usual English translation is </span><span style="color: #ffe599;"><b>KLM</b> <b>Royal Dutch Airlines</b></span><b style="color: white;">. </b><span style="color: white;"> As the national airline of The
Netherlands, </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">KLM
pioneered several milestones in the early days of aviation.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntMXXA0JFtEQihqObdSTvJFk5U49L9si97ViCmLnXO9u739gSFYeWnUAQueuDj8u_OwKSr-CMxTtIaoCvlsxQwwMQ2tIAPCCThuhm3chGThW4z6236oMcOBSl1Sz-wFtH55sjAdIMb5N3/s1600/DH16-Air-Transport-and-Travel-KLM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1016" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntMXXA0JFtEQihqObdSTvJFk5U49L9si97ViCmLnXO9u739gSFYeWnUAQueuDj8u_OwKSr-CMxTtIaoCvlsxQwwMQ2tIAPCCThuhm3chGThW4z6236oMcOBSl1Sz-wFtH55sjAdIMb5N3/s200/DH16-Air-Transport-and-Travel-KLM.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">From the very start, Asia
was in its sights. In 1924, the first KLM plane departed for Batavia, the
capital city of what was then the Dutch colony of Indonesia. The journey to the metropolis now called
Jakarta took weeks to complete. This route became part of KLM's regular scheduled
service in 1929; and for more than a decade it remained </span><span style="color: #ffe599;">the</span></span><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ffe599;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ffe599;">longest
scheduled air-route in the world</span><span style="color: white;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Along its way on that
pioneering flight, the national flag-carrier of the Netherlands stopped in what
was then known as Malaya; probably shocking the locals who could not imagine a
machine flying in from the sky<i>!</i> KLM became </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">one of the first airlines to
have scheduled commercial flights into the country, and continues till this
day to operate daily flights into Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of modern
Malaysia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white;">In 1934, KLM reached the Americas for the
first time, crossing the Atlantic Ocean to Curacao, an island in the Dutch
Caribbean region off the coast of Venezuela. In 1946, KLM became </span><span style="color: #ffe599;">the first
European airline to start scheduled trans-Atlantic flights</span><span style="color: white;"> to New York.</span></span><span style="color: white;">
Today, the airline has direct flights from Schiphol to over 30 destinations
across the Americas. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXJo8nVWI0BoAaitx_KCbDSdL-bwxltXkKJtDF1Ixk2zflIjoooqcgURGUcC8g1AU7qHdvb-39ot8oV_O23Hv7m4Biibj5_ofDbyCnzPPF5FoGTWPqCrl-CtebsDyzm4E5RZz7CbMZIlC/s1600/KLM+plane+tail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="1080" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXJo8nVWI0BoAaitx_KCbDSdL-bwxltXkKJtDF1Ixk2zflIjoooqcgURGUcC8g1AU7qHdvb-39ot8oV_O23Hv7m4Biibj5_ofDbyCnzPPF5FoGTWPqCrl-CtebsDyzm4E5RZz7CbMZIlC/s200/KLM+plane+tail.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As a modern and efficient airline of the 21st Century, KLM operates more than 168 planes to 165
destinations, including about 50 aircraft used for its Cityhopper regional operations.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;"> Its hub is at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Apart from
Cityhopper, KLM has interests in several other airlines, including Kenya
Airways, Martinair and Transavia. It employs about 31,000 people in the
Netherlands, and nearly 4000 more in about 500 locations around the globe - the human dynamics of </span><b><span style="color: yellow;">KLM - The Oldest Airline in The World</span></b><span style="color: white;"><i>!</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: black;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> (Pix copyright unknown/KLM.)</span></i></span></span></div>
answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-57039106235662101612019-01-28T17:00:00.000+08:002019-02-02T11:36:33.199+08:00The Best Hotel Buffet<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What we regard as the
best hotel buffet in the world has also been described as the longest,
though there are now several other claimants to the record in length. All we
know is that it takes 10 to 15 minutes just to walk from beginning to end of
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: yellow;">the </span><b><span style="color: yellow;">Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace
in Las Vegas, USA.</span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaY2UDL68IhGdgnwxqcxXpBULo8JVqncRSpun0D0U-o1PJuDrqrJO1m5vN8ItEb8_YGkicfYx2ESQZy5oks_Ndd52ii04fgOkgxyXaU7eKBNzr826Wu1-7_dex8ifmutJ1KwBFAcsbVQEN/s1600/Bacchanal+Buffet+Salads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="550" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaY2UDL68IhGdgnwxqcxXpBULo8JVqncRSpun0D0U-o1PJuDrqrJO1m5vN8ItEb8_YGkicfYx2ESQZy5oks_Ndd52ii04fgOkgxyXaU7eKBNzr826Wu1-7_dex8ifmutJ1KwBFAcsbVQEN/s320/Bacchanal+Buffet+Salads.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Having personally sampled
the buffet at over a thousand hotels around the world, we believe the Bacchanal
Buffet is deliciously distinctive both in quantity and quality. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In terms of quantity,
there are literally hundreds of daily offerings spread out over 25,000 square
feet, with something for everyone, including the most enthusiastic eat-all-you-can
aficionado. The variety ranges from strictly healthy items like the Acai
Breakfast Bowl, fibre-rich salads, gluten-free options and freshly-squeezed
juices to decadent diet-destroying delights at the centre-island dessert bar –
and seemingly everything in-between!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">Apart from classic
</span><span style="color: #ffe599;">American </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">fare, there are also offerings from the eight other ‘show kitchens’
namely </span><span style="color: #ffe599;">Mexican, Italian, Seafood, Pizza, Deli, Desserts, Japanese</span> <span style="color: white;">and </span><span style="color: #ffe599;">Chinese</span><span style="color: white;">. Guests
from </span><span style="color: #ffe599;">South and South-East Asia </span><span style="color: white;">will be delighted to discover the sumptuous
seafood laksa and curry dishes evocative of the mouth-watering traditions of
India, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our personal
favourites must be the outstanding Cantonese selections of dim sum, noodles and
stir-fry dishes – probably the best we have tasted anywhere in the entire USA,
if not in Europe as well. Tucked away at the very end of the buffet-table, they
awaited us every morning with authentic Cantonese-style serveware, including
bowls, chopsticks and even toothpicks! </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cantonese-speaking
guests from Southern Chinese provinces like Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong and
Guangxi, as well as the global Nanyang diaspora will feel very much at home
with this section of the buffet. Interestingly , Japanese guests were also enthusiastic
in their affirmation that the food in the Japanese station was authentic and decidedly
“oishi”!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAz-0p51Z9zoVc2DYYVF3mMzfYhLipjHe69d8JeQIAZPFyTNPhWBEdVTlfp2YFUVhG-NVzFIMsvlX2LPyuS5XOH4pNdGafDyMS1qCBU2jg4KQRCpyfUzPpDW-gehsos8vNT2JPCmsIgty/s1600/Bachhanal-Buffet+Appetisers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="550" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAz-0p51Z9zoVc2DYYVF3mMzfYhLipjHe69d8JeQIAZPFyTNPhWBEdVTlfp2YFUVhG-NVzFIMsvlX2LPyuS5XOH4pNdGafDyMS1qCBU2jg4KQRCpyfUzPpDW-gehsos8vNT2JPCmsIgty/s320/Bachhanal-Buffet+Appetisers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Overall, the quality of
the Bacchanal Buffet would satisfy the most demanding gourmand. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ranked “Number One Buffet in the country” by
the New York Post, it has also won accolades from publications as diverse as
USA Today, Thrillist, Food Beast and Travel+Leisure. From the much-lauded
crab-legs and delectable oysters to the luxurious Wagyu beef and dry-rubbed smoked
spare-ribs, to the garden-fresh vegetables and the impressive choices in sauces,
we found an attention to detail and a passion for perfection that belies its
gargantuan size.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">It is these finer qualities
that led us to dub the <b>Bacchanal Buffet
at Caesars Palace </b>as</span><span style="background-color: black; color: yellow;"> the</span><b><span style="background-color: black; color: yellow;"> Best Hotel
Buffet in the world!</span><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">(Photographs Copyright of Trip Advisor)</span></i>answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-29943313069941719482018-12-06T06:14:00.000+08:002019-07-11T10:07:59.025+08:00The Best South Asian Birding Destination<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkai6dsIMlk0MJ-BC2bIDB-EHgytzRjBQvyj9UB5Qh9EWJVrf1mLlFdBMbE6sg10syJL3p3QI7OR01RoZZczXI9Vfb3QbXO8iae1XjlzOi2e-GDcDFvuw2Vo4Ur0J0kczc5zWuKdelWytz/s1600/Mankudy+scenery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkai6dsIMlk0MJ-BC2bIDB-EHgytzRjBQvyj9UB5Qh9EWJVrf1mLlFdBMbE6sg10syJL3p3QI7OR01RoZZczXI9Vfb3QbXO8iae1XjlzOi2e-GDcDFvuw2Vo4Ur0J0kczc5zWuKdelWytz/s320/Mankudy+scenery.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">The vast region of
South Asia is a paradise for ecotourists, and birdwatchers in particular have a
field day. From the giddy heights of northern Nepal to the scenic south of Sri
Lanka, and from Pakistan in the west to the east of Bangladesh there are rich
ecotourism destinations with bird-species galore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">In India alone, there
are world-class bird-watching destinations in numerous states, but our particular
favourite is a relatively unheralded triumph of local government and community-led
conservation efforts at the very southern tip of India.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">To us, </span><b><span style="color: yellow;">The Best South Asian Birding Destination</span></b><span style="color: white;">
is t</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">he </span><b><span style="color: yellow;">Suchindram
Kulam Wetlands</span><span style="color: white;"> in Tamil Nadu. </span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">We
have chosen this hidden treasure for several reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">First is </span><span style="color: #ffd966;"><span style="color: #ffe599;">its unique location</span><span style="color: white;">.</span></span><span style="color: white;"> As part of the </span><span style="color: #ffd966;">Suchindram-Theroor-Manakudy
Conservation Reserve</span></span><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, this area underlies the southernmost continental
range of the Central Asian Flyway.</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> About two-thirds of </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanyakumari_district" title="Kanyakumari district"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">Kanyakumari District</span></span></a><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> consists of lowland plains dotted with over
2000 freshwater <i>kulam</i> or ponds. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">The
second is </span><span style="color: #ffd966;">its rich biodiversity</span><span style="color: white;">. Although it has a few small mammals such as
flying squirrels, giant fruit-bats, macaques, otters and the rare Malabar Giant
Squirrel, this Conservation Reserve </span></span><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">has an impressive array of plant-life, ranging from
towering mangrove trees to over 110 species of tiny aquatic flowering plants. Its
large variety of aquatic vegetation includes water-lilies, lotus, floating-hearts, </span><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">water-plantains,
arrowheads, cat-tail reeds and other water-plants that attract birdlife. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0y_ORaAMcHSQGsPo9xHlAu-xqBIPlMJMeeqxC4NLwmPZ5KwPoVVMB3v32mMm1gkn1_em1B4zQ-XauWcnF0MLPNR4BoDFBUbtqyxHQdIznqYb5MDsUlstvrjkRDl4KD4eDiN0Qhqodbfv/s1600/flamingos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="753" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0y_ORaAMcHSQGsPo9xHlAu-xqBIPlMJMeeqxC4NLwmPZ5KwPoVVMB3v32mMm1gkn1_em1B4zQ-XauWcnF0MLPNR4BoDFBUbtqyxHQdIznqYb5MDsUlstvrjkRDl4KD4eDiN0Qhqodbfv/s320/flamingos.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">The main attraction of the Conservation Reserve, of course, is</span><span style="color: #ffd966;"> its variety of birdlife</span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">. About 250 bird-species have been recorded in the district,
including both migrants and residents. 4
species are relatively rare or threatened, while another 12 are endemic. </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A few
tall trees and bushes on a central island have become a natural safe
roosting-place for breeding birds such a Black-headed Ibis, Spot-billed
Pelicans and Painted Storks, forming a precious ecosystem that has flourished
since the area was officially designated a Conservation Reserve.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFVfBz7I9DMCcne2xhEmLFPnhZNfWUkP4yplb7Sj5IAniLg7_ifKT3eDQPmxJo76DhwoAKbsc7va-naKxysh5CmUhFc0ju2aIiVNTs6RWw7CqhGxnA2aRYhe2XkM9hdBfcFZYGivbS4Ce/s1600/White+Ibis+Suchindram+Kulam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1080" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFVfBz7I9DMCcne2xhEmLFPnhZNfWUkP4yplb7Sj5IAniLg7_ifKT3eDQPmxJo76DhwoAKbsc7va-naKxysh5CmUhFc0ju2aIiVNTs6RWw7CqhGxnA2aRYhe2XkM9hdBfcFZYGivbS4Ce/s200/White+Ibis+Suchindram+Kulam.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">However, what stunned us on our visit to Suchindram Kulam was </span><span style="color: #ffd966;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">the sheer </span><i style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">quantity </i><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">of birdlife</span><i style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">! </i></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There were literally hundreds of waterbirds, large and small, crowding the wetlands. It was a stunning sight. We were informed that b</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">irds such as Greater Flamingo, Northern Pintails, Common Teals, Spotbill Ducks,
Bronze-winged Jacanas, Whiskered Terns, Little Terns, Black-Winged Stilts</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">have been recorded in the greater Conservation Reserve, while species such as Gargeneys,
Pintails, Ruffs, Reaves, Coots and Little Stints have sometimes been recorded in
their thousands. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">What
specially inspired us about Suchindram Kulam however, was </span><span style="color: yellow;">the splendid community-led effort</span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: yellow;"> that led to its conservation</span><span style="color: white;">. In 1988, local resident and renown ornithologist Dr. Robert B. Grubh
of nearby Nagercoil initiated a proposal for the conservation and management of
Suchindram-Theroor-Manakudy wetland complex in cooperation with global
organisations such as Birdlife International </span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), </span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wild Bird Society of Japan, the World Resources Institute, and the United States Agency for International Development.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">Although
some traditional fisherfolk and farmers had initial misgivings, the majority
were eventually won over by the passionate efforts of a </span></span><span style="color: #ffd966;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">large number of local</span><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> people</span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: #f6b26b; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">ranging from schoolchildren and undergraduates to village-folk and pensioners who
were engaged in wetlands conservation. Community
workshops, local television broadcasts, field-demonstrations, press-coverage, school-programmes,
and intense personal efforts were utilised in the local languages to raise
conservation-awareness. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYPGk3gPaP6MNxkvneuh5MOMNBsTNt_A4OmHVQGlGHT0hPd1aQipwx39vldkMLOdG3b05ABBSKLwzK4xiO4AhJa6yy4Ws1ssT4yoF5sY69BjzZlT5GCvy76r-yTQEkvV3mzqhnawt0FZJ/s1600/Purple+Moorhen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="583" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYPGk3gPaP6MNxkvneuh5MOMNBsTNt_A4OmHVQGlGHT0hPd1aQipwx39vldkMLOdG3b05ABBSKLwzK4xiO4AhJa6yy4Ws1ssT4yoF5sY69BjzZlT5GCvy76r-yTQEkvV3mzqhnawt0FZJ/s200/Purple+Moorhen.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">Most
importantly, </span><span style="color: #ffd966;">visionary local government leaders</span><span style="color: white;"> swung into action. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department</span></span><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, District Collectors, the Public Works Department,
Village Panchayats (Councils) and other local and regional government entities
have supported the conservation efforts. The synergy of local people and
government in effective conservation is exemplary<i>! </i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;">The
practical benefits of nurturing the area’s rich local natural heritage are now
being realised, and today the Tamil Nadu Tourism blogspot has a prominent
feature on the Suchindram-Theroor-Manakudy
Conservation Reserve – showcasing
this exquisite ecotourism gem to the world. What a source of pride for the
state of Tamil Nadu<i>! </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white;"></span></span><span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: white;">If the Tamil Nadu Forest Department continues its serious efforts to protect this area
while providing visitor-friendly amenities such as tourism-information kiosks,
car-parks, public toilets and well-managed nature-trails, we believe that </span><span style="color: #ffe599;"><span style="color: #ffe599;">Suchindram Kulam</span><span style="color: white;"> </span></span><span style="color: white;">and the rest of the </span><span style="color: #ffd966;">Suchindram-Theroor-Manakudy
Conservation Reserve </span><span style="color: white;">could continue to be </span><span style="color: yellow;">The Best South Asian Birding
Destination</span><span style="color: white;"> for generations to come</span></span><i style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">! </span></span></i><br />
<i style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></i>
<i style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: white;"> (</span><span style="color: #cccccc;">All photographs by Dr. Robert B.Grubh)</span></span></i></div>
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answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-14363217205257093912018-11-06T18:37:00.000+08:002019-02-01T17:24:30.519+08:00The Best Airport-Lounge Company<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">For nearly a century of commercial aviation,
Airport Lounges were exclusive cocoons that individual airlines
provided for their elite passengers flying First and Business Class. In that milieu, front-end passengers paying top-dollar for exclusivity and luxury in
the air could enjoy similar benefits at airports before their flights, provided
by the airline they were travelling with.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then, just before the new Millennium, came a
former global banker and erstwhile entrepreneur. Once a frequent-flyer on business trips, Hong Kong-based businessman Hoi-see Song chafed at not being able to
access the privileges and conveniences at Business Lounges for a variety of
reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“For one thing, in some countries many airlines
did not provide Airport Lounges for passengers on short-haul or domestic routes.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For another, most airlines simply could
not provide an Airport Lounge at an airport where they did not have a
sufficient number of flights to justify the significant investment involved. As
air-travel became more and more a necessity, many affluent air-travellers found
that they could not enjoy the benefits of an Airport Lounge simply because they
were flying Economy Class due to corporate policy or governmental
regulations”,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Song recalls wryly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjya7bZq1Opj8ShQbUAeyoKmIeCHZVtmIkAGiIRJSOQuwteyxbveI7lSRsoMK1dv8YgpIKP5YqMBlNmsUFbtE8_i4FMNfUTGoikXxYrySWt3_jk_q4s_EdmGYTGIx3QJJ66wlTeLi80jj-n/s1600/Plaza+Premium+First%252C+Hong+Kong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjya7bZq1Opj8ShQbUAeyoKmIeCHZVtmIkAGiIRJSOQuwteyxbveI7lSRsoMK1dv8YgpIKP5YqMBlNmsUFbtE8_i4FMNfUTGoikXxYrySWt3_jk_q4s_EdmGYTGIx3QJJ66wlTeLi80jj-n/s200/Plaza+Premium+First%252C+Hong+Kong.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Personally, I did not mind dining at the
excellent variety of restaurants at most airports, but I did miss the
convenience of being able to have a bite while accessing Internet and Wi-Fi
facilities as well as the business-requirements of that time such as printers,
fax-machines,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>telephones, meeting-rooms
and even the ability to have a refreshing hot shower in one convenient location
at an airport. Airport Lounges also provided helpful staff and a conducive
environment to relax, think or get work done, depending on my needs or mood at
any particular time.” </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thinking out of the box, Hoi-see Song came up
with the innovative idea of Pay-Per-Use Airport Lounges<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that would cater to all air-travellers . This
immediately empowered airlines of all sizes to provide a full-service Airport
Lounge for their elite front-end passengers, practically anywhere in the world<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">!</i> Credit-card companies also found that,
for the first time, they could extend executive facilities at airports to their
members in a savvy move which met the evolving lifestyles of their target
markets. Thus was born the </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: black; color: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Plaza Premium Lounge </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">– a
facility now found at airports all over the world, and a concept being emulated
by a host of me-too players. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1O0F_dvzBBieoP71dlTREc7El41v5qwGrslb4SzcdcA3ZcZYyGAeNWWTu6wfo66MZrZYVszbbknSrPg2QnfdrFSs09CjSO24cmJnC_vU_s_qxbpnfacksZ7SpT8BRmyLxdQ6fJYItgmqW/s1600/Plaza+Premium+Lounge+-+LHR-Terminal+2%252C+Departure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1O0F_dvzBBieoP71dlTREc7El41v5qwGrslb4SzcdcA3ZcZYyGAeNWWTu6wfo66MZrZYVszbbknSrPg2QnfdrFSs09CjSO24cmJnC_vU_s_qxbpnfacksZ7SpT8BRmyLxdQ6fJYItgmqW/s320/Plaza+Premium+Lounge+-+LHR-Terminal+2%252C+Departure.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="background: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Headquartered in Hong Kong, the Plaza Premium Group provides premium airport services to nearly 14 million passengers a year in over 160 airport-locations across the world. The Group has grown to provide four core airport-services:- Airport Lounges, Airport Transit Hotels, Airport Meet & Greet Services and Airport Dining.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">With its corporate commitment to make the airport experience exceptional for all travellers by going beyond expectations. the pioneering </span><b style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: yellow;">Plaza Premium Group</span></b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;"> is our obvious choice for</span><span style="background-color: black;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: yellow;">The Best Airport-Lounge Company</span></b><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> in the world</span><i style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: white;">!</span></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><i style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><i style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">(</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Photographs by Plaza Premium Group</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">)</span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><i style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-82897107414884391072018-10-19T09:01:00.005+08:002022-01-10T04:39:26.639+08:00The Best Public Park<span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 12pt;">Public Parks are often regarded as mundane
necessities of urban planning, but in some cities, a public park has become a
beloved landmark and a destination in itself, enhancing the city in which it is
situated.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="background: black; color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Some well-known public parks in major global
cities have matured into classics of greenery, rest and recreation like </span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="background: black; color: #fff2cc; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Regent’s
Park in London</span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="background: black; color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> and</span><span style="background-color: black;"><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">N</span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #fff2cc; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">ew York’s Central Park</span></span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="background: black; color: #fff2cc; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="background: black; color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> In this category, we like </span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="background: black; color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">400-hectare</span><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span>
<span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc;">King’s Park in Perth</span></span></span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="background-color: black; color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">,</span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" style="background: black; color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Australia, which is a serene and scenic mixture of
landscaped parkland, fascinating botanical gardens and wild, untamed natural
bushland. Gorgeous views of the Swan River and glistening city skyline add to
the charm of one of the largest inner-city parks in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="background: black; color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Other public parks have become iconic for the
people and programmes that bring a unique buzz of zing and zest<i>! </i>Our favourite
in this category is </span><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="background: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Tokyo’s Yoyogi Park</span></span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black;"> on weekends, when an amazing number of
subcultures and countercultures manifest in different parts of the park. From
classic-car buffs and proud owners of dressed-up dogs to Elvis impersonators
and sinister-looking Goths, to small chamber orchestras, bopping break-dancers
and hyperactive clowns, people transform Yoyogi into a must-see destination.</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , sans-serif" lang="EN-US"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Our
choice of the </span><b style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: yellow;">World’s Best Public Park</span></b><b style="background-color: black; color: white;">,</b><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">
however, is one of its newest and probably most unlikely in location. This is the
</span><b><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: black; color: yellow;">Gathering Place</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Community Park</span><span style="background-color: black; color: yellow;"> in Tulsa,
Oklahoma.</span></span></b><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"> A daring vision, coupled with years of planning, generous
donations and active input from the local community have transformed 100 acres
of scenic waterfront along the lovely Arkansas River into an innovative,
unconventional and thoroughly delightful interactive environment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; color: white;">Opened
in September 2018, the Gathering Place is fast-becoming a magnet far beyond the
immediate vicinity of Tulsa. We predict that this stunning and ever-evolving
experience will become a major tourism attraction, transforming the image of
this unprepossessing city – which, by the way, also has some of the most
fascinating, educational and child-friendly
museums/libraries/interpretive-centres in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZSegNITc7reczGAkWCNrxG0TxktZ5LkxrnR2CO0McZyQdKb0TY0EjflfcZJFPIkWlP4mqBMJHlA3Wnj9NYKdBFS0Tjl5UanSfm3p8o02-xbH8nPO0ngpImrJbtvZAmNR8ZGxDaWm8uOL/s1600/4jEkR5mg.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZSegNITc7reczGAkWCNrxG0TxktZ5LkxrnR2CO0McZyQdKb0TY0EjflfcZJFPIkWlP4mqBMJHlA3Wnj9NYKdBFS0Tjl5UanSfm3p8o02-xbH8nPO0ngpImrJbtvZAmNR8ZGxDaWm8uOL/s1600/4jEkR5mg.jpg" /></span></a><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; color: white;">Friends
with children tell us that their offspring have gleefully reported no less than
eleven different slides in various parts of the park as well as an amazing
mirror-maze, “old-looking holes in walls you can climb through and real
musical-instruments hanging in the air”(<i>sic</i>),
plus details of a fantastical Fairyland Forest that kept them talking excitedly
for weeks afterwards. They ain’t seen nothing yet<i>!</i> The reality at the Gathering
Place actually transcends imagination – seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; color: white;">The
Land Of The River Giants, Spiral Connector, Chapman Adventure Playground,
Skywalk Forest, Volcanoville, Ramble Sensory Garden, Cottonwood Lawn, Charlie’s
Water-Mountain, Picnic Grove, Oneok Boathouse, Williams Lodge, Yvette’s Global
Rainbow, Peggy’s Pond and The Reading Tree are just come of the wonderful
attractions, all entirely free<i>! </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArbfFnqUO3bStS7pRTSnPvpJoiR9gjH5ijaAeWPVgrTSGA3vC61JA-0XqABUymX2FiefPovHr3RIp1ggHOmApmj_nfrENwlhKGbRaqD-zrnNIKtQZBXWzOf2cKTM7ddJIwqaxkCUf9eX0/s1600/x8wv-FAw.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArbfFnqUO3bStS7pRTSnPvpJoiR9gjH5ijaAeWPVgrTSGA3vC61JA-0XqABUymX2FiefPovHr3RIp1ggHOmApmj_nfrENwlhKGbRaqD-zrnNIKtQZBXWzOf2cKTM7ddJIwqaxkCUf9eX0/s1600/x8wv-FAw.jpg" /></span></a><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; color: white;">What
‘sealed the deal’ for us are the caring touches for the less fortunate. Visitors
with disabilities are delighted to discover thoughtful features that include
dedicated parking-lots and toilets, Ultra ADA Pads, braille signs,
wheelchair-accessible dining counters and specially-designed seating throughout
the Gathering Place. All park entrances,
pathways, bridges, lawns and gardens as well as some drinking-fountains are disabled-accessible. The food-items sold here include vegan and
allergy-friendly options. The Management also invites guests on the autism spectrum
to use spaces provided in the Gathering Place to overcome sensory anxieties.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; color: white;">Foodies
and hungry guests find “exciting eating opportunities” at The Patio, Redbud
Café, Vista@The Boathouse, and a constantly-changing array of food-trucks,
kiosks and food-carts. Add the pretty scenery around the </span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; color: yellow;">Gathering Place,</span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black; color: white;"> top
up everything with a regular stream of imaginative and absorbing events and
activities, and you have a really outstanding destination that we believe is
</span><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: yellow;">the World’s Best Public Park</span><i style="color: white;">!</i><span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><i><span face=""arial" , "sans-serif"" lang="EN-US" style="color: #bfbfbf; font-size: 10pt;">Photographs: ©Alex S. Maclean, ©Shane
Bevel Photography, ©Gathering Place</span></i></span></div>
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answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-30834792054687714572018-07-10T14:38:00.000+08:002018-11-16T15:28:44.667+08:00The Best Airport Train<div class="yiv1782900088msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 18pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">When it first began operations in April 2002, it raised mixed
emotions with its odd-looking snub nose that belied its superfast speeds of up
to 160 kmh. Now on track to welcome its 100 millionth passenger, it has
in the 17 years between, won regional and global accolades as the
undisputed World’s Best Airport Rail Link.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="background-color: black;">This is the modest-looking<b> </b></span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Express Rail Link </b>(ERL)</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> that connects
Malaysia’s capital city of Kuala Lumpur to its international airport in
just 28 minutes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">For most of its existence, ERL used German train-sets from
Siemens AG, but in recent years it has added several new train-sets from CRRC
Changchun Railway Vehicles Company of China.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Regardless of the nature of the equipment, the ride on the
fastest trains in Southeast Asia seems consistently swift, smooth and seamless.
With an enviable claimed record of 99.7% on-time performance and excellent
standards of customer-service, Express Rail Link is now being called in as
consultants to other rail projects around the world.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">We particularly like its complimentary porter service where
purple-liveried porters assist you with your luggage, transfers
and check-in. This helpful porter service also
includes complimentary wheelchairs and assistance for aged or infirm
travellers. For a small fee, a porter will accompany you for the entire ride,
and usher you into or from an exclusive limousine that comes with the package. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Another feature we like about the iconic Express Rail Link is
its commitment to the environment. Its operations have been certified
ISO14001:2015 compliant for environmental management, and Express Rail Link
says it helps save 44,800 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, taking 5.3 million
cars off the roads in that period.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: white;">Add the extra convenience of city check-in for
participating airlines at its KL-CAT terminal, and we fully agree that
Express Rail Link deserves its kudos as </span><b><span style="color: yellow;">the </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: yellow;">World’s Best Airport Train</span><span style="color: white;">!</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-82745911915576285852018-02-28T22:58:00.000+08:002019-07-27T10:19:37.768+08:00The Best Commercial Aircraft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When the idea for this aeroplane was conceived in August 1965, it seemed an impossible dream. Some experts said it could not be built, while others said that even if one was ever built, it would simply be too big to fly. Yet just three years later in September 1968, the first production model was completed. It had to be seen to be believed. The body of this aircraft stretched out almost a full city-block; the cockpit perched 30 feet above the ground, the tail towered six storeys high, the wings stretched 195 ft or almost 60 metres - and most awesome of all, it had a maximum take-off weight of 735,000 lbs or 333,400 kg. This gargantuan creation was <span style="color: yellow;"><b>the Boeing 747 </b>- the world's first wide-bodied airliner, and the <b>Best Commercial Aircraft.</b></span> It looked amazing, but how could such an enormous mass ever break free of the earth's gravity and soar into the sky?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSj2TZmuyh4-3RwCUPkti0fNfIU5XiSTKJcjykuPIivotBKUyKbXKSmv19FLi72cnmo_lGLWHBmiHsr2vaKa1H4ktxmDldSLgiGDxJ0EcxMKGoK5fuvrRjn1zp6G9iHrfji0Tpq3lp4_UE/s1600-h/Boeing+747+Roll-out.bmp"></a></div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268698132848703234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaViM9FcQZmOAEiqysIG7dUxDINyfNQpS9kJCoIrZUDsnkwX7TWBzdzOTOj56p1XDZnp79BSRkGeVVwWQ7BHPVzeKPOH0flxDXE0vmEGyiQSf2QXallMwhB3qX62g1koW8uUD4WmCRe-d/s400/Boeing+747+Roll-out.bmp" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 260px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> From its birth, the Boeing 747 incorporated new technology that made the dreams of designers a practical engineering reality. Intimidating terminology such as High Bypass Turbofan Engines, Fault Tree Analysis, Widebody Design and Three-Segment Slotted Flaps were introduced, and soon became normal bywords in aircraft-engineering. In February 1969, the huge Boeing 747 made its maiden flight, and in January 1970 the first commercial flight of the Jumbo Jet took off from New York to London. The first 25 planes were bought by Pan American World Airways, and other airlines quickly queued-up to order this flying behemoth.<br />
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Once again, the naysayers were out in force, saying that just a couple of hundred units would be built before the Jumbo Jet was made obsolete by the new supersonic aircraft. Once again, the Boeing 747 proved them wrong. Now, over fifty years after the first production model was rolled out, about 1560 units have been built, with more on order. <strong>answers!</strong> has selected <span style="color: yellow;"><b>the Boeing 747</b></span> as <strong><span style="color: #ffff33;">The Best Commercial Aircraft</span></strong> for several reasons.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJn_DSqWmpN1JGuGAs69gdQz2t2XCt-Ow7BS2llKEqlYTkxrTQnQ06taMp9PaM1Ncop2rJQGXcQuExCMpyivw_o5KVWToYaI8l3xi6zqeBNf1IRI-QP_EHw3rlmtXHRzIzC52ddfr4om-/s1600-h/Boeing+747+Pan+Am.jpg"></a><img alt="" border="0" height="209" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268700681253245026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsw24ZjHFQB45SXZao_LM6AJJ4iWhBOAPLasSa_StiUniu1lN0sSVunSoE0LcmtNvF4mN_bOoErkcftVJUsE79RiwptKSGMcxd8qGeOxBdJ4qkaff8XaTcKGa3-C0qV8XYl2URGYHPOixC/s320/Boeing+747+Pan+Am.jpg" style="display: block; height: 262px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" width="320" /> <br />
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First of all, the sheer audacity of its concept and the swiftness with which it was made a reality <span style="color: #ffff33;">changed attitudes in aviation-engineering</span> forever. We estimate that it has carried over 2 billion passengers, making it one of <span style="color: yellow;">the most popular</span> commercial aircraft models of all time. Decades before the idea of Low Cost Carriers even germinated, the Boeing 747 had <span style="color: #ffff33;">made air-travel affordable and accessible </span>to millions of first-time air-travellers. Its long-range, large capacity and economic viability <span style="color: #ffff33;">transformed the development of air-routes</span> all around the globe. The 747-400 is <span style="color: #ffff33;">one of the fastest commercial airplanes</span>, reaching up to Mach 0.85; and with up to 550 seats the Jumbo Jet was <span style="color: yellow;">the highest-capacity aircraft</span> for almost four decades. It is also the <span style="color: #ffff33;">most recognisable commercial aeroplane</span> in the world with its distinctive and much-loved frontal hump.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmb9O9JWdggQqGdMc6BSNWRRAaN4k73OucUYL4rAn7pxfY6ECTP0xCdrtTpRGlLyGq0X0Bpyx0JNDKOoHaPtHjnwoP_N3uZVmdfQnR0i_knDK63E9gxybZiwQnwrWHJyEU4hH-yO3rckD2/s1600/article-2136093-12CD6AF9000005DC-427_964x551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="964" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmb9O9JWdggQqGdMc6BSNWRRAaN4k73OucUYL4rAn7pxfY6ECTP0xCdrtTpRGlLyGq0X0Bpyx0JNDKOoHaPtHjnwoP_N3uZVmdfQnR0i_knDK63E9gxybZiwQnwrWHJyEU4hH-yO3rckD2/s320/article-2136093-12CD6AF9000005DC-427_964x551.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The Boeing 747 is also one of <span style="color: #ffff33;">the most versatile aircraft </span>ever built, being equally effective as a people-carrier, cargo freighter, presidential transport, private luxury jet, flying hospital, and even spacecraft-transporter.</div>
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Most of all, we believe that the Boeing 747 will eventually become <span style="color: #ffff33;">the longest-enduring commercial aircraft ever built</span>, with variants flying our skies more than half-a-century after its first pioneering flight. Slim supersonic beauties have come and gone, and mega-planes are lumbering over the horizon. Computer-control has become commonplace and smaller, sleeker planes are zipping across the air-lanes. But with a current production-backlog stretching on to 2022, the trusty Jumbo Jet will continue to fly for decades to come, living up to its reputation as The Best Commercial Aircraft<i>!</i><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268698863879568242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUcblO_LrItfQyDgql2T9vI6vxWGt0UtOVqzkpGFI4V-RHqcRK2lRMITJSIjNBtVS7OD2E6OaW1SaPtqH2k7ZXUK1HvapN28_VrtxSSZm2WtxK2A8l8Sx83u0czkYTVhwoXVfaWS5vUr-/s400/Boeing+747+at+sunset.bmp" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> <br />
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<span style="color: silver; font-size: 85%;">(<span style="font-size: 78%;">Pix by Flickr, Science and Society Picture Library, the Widebody Aircraft Parade, Reuters, Antoon's Foobar,etc)</span></span></div>
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answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-89482101799445242452017-12-04T12:51:00.000+08:002019-07-25T18:01:07.974+08:00The Best Destination For Enchantment<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTE0NQrA-TbYxfE1LUD986s8_NMTLg4dim50nK8OxJ71mMg6DtbDQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for Tasmania" border="0" class="rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTE0NQrA-TbYxfE1LUD986s8_NMTLg4dim50nK8OxJ71mMg6DtbDQ" data-sz="f" jsaction="load:str.tbn" name="XUnVwWlpnWF9gM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTE0NQrA-TbYxfE1LUD986s8_NMTLg4dim50nK8OxJ71mMg6DtbDQ" style="height: 183px; margin-top: 0px; width: 275px;" /></a><b><span style="color: yellow;">The Destination With The Best Enchantment</span> </b>is the lovely island of<b><span style="color: yellow;"> Tasmania</span> in Australia</b>. Vistas of stunning beauty are everywhere, though it is the leisurely traveller who will discover them. Places like Freycinet and Cradle Mountain are just some spots where the patient traveller will have moments of heart-stopping serendipity – so graceful and idyllic are the surroundings. The changing light at dusk or in the fall can create truly magical scenes, but budding photographers will find picture-perfect scenes all over the island. Beaches or buildings , farmlands or forests, mountains or marinas – everything seems ideally picturesque in Tasmania.<br />
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Even the animals seem especially enchanting. We had wonderful views of eagles swirling in aerial courtship, and wallabies in abounding conference. Warblers waited to be photographed and normally-elusive beetongs scurried away into the bush only after we saw them clearly. A deceptively innocent-looking possum politely stood on my porch trying to get invited inside my chalet, and an exceptionally enormous wild wombat placidly munched grass at my feet like a tame sheep in the gathering dusk.<br />
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People are friendly, too, and genuinely pleased to meet you. They take time to chat, and to share local lore on the bakery with tastiest meat-pies or the best vantage point for a photograph. In 2005 Tassie seemed to be what New Zealand was like twenty years earlier – rustic, scenic, unhurried and uncrowded. Places like Launceston have immaculately preserved their old buildings, and the fact that our visit to Tasmania coincided with a vintage-car rally simply evoked a bygone era with exquisite vibrancy.<br />
<a 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" style="cursor: move; height: 203px; margin-top: 0px; width: 135px;" /></a>The fresh flavour of the seafood in Tasmania ranks among the best in Australia, and the haunting loveliness of Cary Lewincamp’s guitar music among the finest of its kind in the world. Like a rare wine or a precious work of art, the true beauty of this southerly hideaway can only be experienced languidly and thoughtfully.<br />
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For those who will vacation quietly, carefully and expectantly, there is an awaiting blessing called Tasmania.<br />
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<i><span style="color: #666666;">(</span><span style="color: #444444;">I<span style="font-size: x-small;">mages by Buzzfeed.com and other sources</span>) </span></i>answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-41328258076178278552017-07-12T18:21:00.000+08:002018-11-06T08:17:18.830+08:00The Best Destination For Music<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXP_Ijy5MZino_MOLepEeFo8VjmdkZSL0XQEa6Lde0sgVW3s0inZs00LLMpwpdEgG5t_k_e9mTbkt5CKfMgUkZV0Vtkh21hqHVIBrDpT8VfUo7JcluxelXGBye2as4NH8yB1EfD7QMcsUm/s1600-h/Austria+Music+image.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361436579600348050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXP_Ijy5MZino_MOLepEeFo8VjmdkZSL0XQEa6Lde0sgVW3s0inZs00LLMpwpdEgG5t_k_e9mTbkt5CKfMgUkZV0Vtkh21hqHVIBrDpT8VfUo7JcluxelXGBye2as4NH8yB1EfD7QMcsUm/s200/Austria+Music+image.jpg" style="display: block; height: 192px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<span style="clear: left; font-family: "arial"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: black; clear: left; color: white; font-family: "arial"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">In a world that is becoming increasingly smaller through travel and the electronic media, music is the universal language that crosses boundaries today with rhythmic regularity. It is as easy to find an excellent old-time Dixieland jazz-club in Shanghai as it is to find a Cantonese pop-music concert in London, and there always seems to be an African dance presentation going on somewhere in Berlin just as classical Western music performances seem to be available in Singapore at any time of the year. Exquisite Spanish-guitar virtuso performances can be heard throughout the Philippines, and authentic Indian dance-performances proliferate off the African coast, on the island of Mauritius. Various cities across the globe have their own distinctive music festivals and the avid music-tourist is often overwhelmed with choices.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Experienced globe-trotters and savvy travel-professionals, however, point to just </span><strong style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #ffff33;">one</span></strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"> country if asked to identify a tourism destination that is defined by music more than anything else. It is a country with superb classical architecture, stunning scenery, fascinating cuisine, some very good wines, great sports facilities - and oh yes, sublime local coffee! It has an air-hub </span><em style="font-family: arial;">par excellence</em><span style="font-family: "arial";">, and both road and rail infrastructure to equal any place in the world - yet all these winning tourism features are overshadowed by the sound of music. This is </span><span style="color: #ffcc00; font-family: "arial";"><b>Austria</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial";">, the country that enchants visitors with auditory delights like nowhere else on earth.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhai29bqYCGa-RqEiuHTMOh9EEWo-KdvbRjFGEActCQupOFGuLJK7-MEsRpW-XLpkQay1pdSIcP7V1BGImU55ZbHNF7rcn-bBGmaT7kk0pqM9Of4PYDOqsU3BB1Na8_AdQ3yiZiVTv0mcas/s1600/Austria+Alpine+Singers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361423007442863506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhai29bqYCGa-RqEiuHTMOh9EEWo-KdvbRjFGEActCQupOFGuLJK7-MEsRpW-XLpkQay1pdSIcP7V1BGImU55ZbHNF7rcn-bBGmaT7kk0pqM9Of4PYDOqsU3BB1Na8_AdQ3yiZiVTv0mcas/s400/Austria+Alpine+Singers.jpg" style="display: block; height: 266px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial";">Tourists from all over the world flock to Austria to tramp the paths and film-locations where the screen Von-Trapp Singers immortalised <span style="color: #ffff33;">The Sound Of Music</span>, and soak up the melodies of Rodgers & Hammerstein. They visit the birthplaces, homes and old haunts of <span style="color: yellow;">great Western composers</span> such as <span style="color: yellow;">Brahms, Mozart, Hayden, Schubert, Schumann</span>, and <span style="color: yellow;">Wagner</span>.</span> <span style="font-family: "arial";">They relive the glories of these great musicians, and luxuriate in the timeless melodies.</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">They witness performances of <span style="color: yellow;">Strauss</span> and <span style="color: yellow;">Strauss</span>, and thrill to the wonder of the fairy-tale <span style="color: yellow;">Viennese Waltz</span>. They watch the cherubic faces of the <span style="color: yellow;">Vienna Boys Choir</span> and revel in the purity of those incandescent voices. On these great musical attractions alone, any nation could have a dynamic and world-class tourism industry. But Austria has much, much more to offer!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">There are the often overlooked genres of traditional Austrian music such as </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial";">Old Farmhouse, Schrammel and Alpine</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">, each with their quintessential Austrian distinctiveness and allure. There are the evocative melodies of neighbouring countries such as </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial";">Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia</span><span style="font-family: "arial";"> and </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial";">the Czech Republic</span><span style="font-family: "arial";"> as well as </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial";">other nations in and around the Danube-Danau region</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">. There are festivals dedicated to a single instrument, and these can include anything and everything from the </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial";">Gypsy Accordion</span><span style="font-family: "arial";"> to the </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial";">Australian Didgeridoo</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">. Austria also hosts events celebrating </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial";">jazz, opera, tango, new folk,</span><span style="font-family: "arial";"> and even </span><span style="color: yellow; font-family: "arial";">Brass Band</span><span style="font-family: "arial";"> - the latter attracting participants from at least 15 nations around the globe.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceX5GJmGWPreC55MnRWK3j2EgWNvBV-pz1xI9wPHWQLn4-z8GgIncqh_RWQEgUjccAgeykk557iPhfsQrALPDI4IPNQhL21J3giBINswvUFlgkkkbAvPmvSYwKhqdYMNx6P0JIY5mP94V/s1600/Austria+Vienna+Ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361423003133152738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceX5GJmGWPreC55MnRWK3j2EgWNvBV-pz1xI9wPHWQLn4-z8GgIncqh_RWQEgUjccAgeykk557iPhfsQrALPDI4IPNQhL21J3giBINswvUFlgkkkbAvPmvSYwKhqdYMNx6P0JIY5mP94V/s400/Austria+Vienna+Ball.jpg" style="display: block; height: 266px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial";">During a single visit to Austria in early 2009, I picked up an events-magazine and read publicity for performances of <span style="color: yellow;">Contemporary music</span> such as <span style="color: yellow;">Cabaret, Café’ Concerts, Electronic, Funk, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Opera, Operetta, Pop, Rock, World Music</span> and <span style="color: yellow;">Funk Mundial</span>, the cosmopolitan electronic Brazilian-styled dance rhythms. There were also performances of <span style="color: yellow;">International music</span> from places as diverse as <span style="color: yellow;">the Balkans, Ukraine, Egypt, Spain, Texas(!), New York’s Harlem, Serbia,</span> and various parts of <span style="color: yellow;">Asia</span>. Salzburg’s Summer Scene had <span style="color: yellow;">Indian Classical</span> music among its offerings, and Vienna’s Volksoper was staging <span style="color: yellow;">Chinese Opera</span>. And we haven't even started to talk about the glorious <span style="color: yellow;">Christian</span> <span style="color: yellow;">Sacred Music</span> that I personally find inspiring and rejuvenating...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Yes, music permeates the very fabric of Austria - it flows down its Alpine brooks and swings through its concert-halls with exhilarating freedom and diversity. Music defines much of Austria's history, and energises much of its present-day life. And for the intrepid tourist, it makes <b><span style="color: yellow;">Austria</span> </b></span><span style="color: #ffcc00; font-family: "arial";"><b>The Best Music Destination In The World</b>.</span><br />
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<em><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-small;">All images courtesy of Austria National Tourism Organisation</span></em><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: 78%;"><i>© Österreich Werbung / Trumler, © Österreich Werbung / Fankhauser, © Österreich Werbung / H.Wiesenhofer<br />© Österreich Werbung / Wiesenhofer</i></span>answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-84449916146759542822016-03-12T13:13:00.001+08:002019-05-24T10:01:26.479+08:00The Best Airline Re-BrandingOver the last four decades, we have had the opportunity to participate in or observe the rebranding of numerous airlines. Some were given a new identity because of new management or new marketing strategies, while others were re-branded because of new ownership or the merging into an airline group.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaMga0AvoN2VpVNl6BMRWWgmvbGMZB4LOpU8W9sgZcvehjKvYWAQLN2da4qGCNDf53lpLq8NT_kHGXcYdQjlH7PD0WCMEnoSBp3mkha9xrEqTe9GxjqQEP0oszWrwfJYsZUG3sUK91FKd/s1600/logo-pour-japan-airlines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaMga0AvoN2VpVNl6BMRWWgmvbGMZB4LOpU8W9sgZcvehjKvYWAQLN2da4qGCNDf53lpLq8NT_kHGXcYdQjlH7PD0WCMEnoSBp3mkha9xrEqTe9GxjqQEP0oszWrwfJYsZUG3sUK91FKd/s200/logo-pour-japan-airlines.jpg" width="200" /></a>In the first category are case-studies such as JAL to Japan Airlines, Air Lanka to Sri Lankan, and Air Pacific to Fiji Airways. The national airline of Japan actually retained its name, but after 10 years with a modernistic non-descript use of its initials, it chose to revert to its original logo featuring its full name. In traditional Japanese culture, the red-crowned crane (<i>Grus japonsensis</i>) is viewed as a symbol of long life, and it is a powerful and effective symbol of how Japan uniquely cherishes ancient culture in cultivating an ultra-modern lifestyle.<br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTLox6SJP-cwWRqj_PIY4TM51SKsyfz2tPYvf3Hdqzce8HIzsLzxA" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for Dragonair" border="0" height="100" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTLox6SJP-cwWRqj_PIY4TM51SKsyfz2tPYvf3Hdqzce8HIzsLzxA" width="200" /></a>The list of airlines re-branding under a larger group is very long, but to us, the most successful of these is the metamorphosis of Dragonair to Cathay Dragon, joining its sister-carrier Cathay Pacific in a stylish new simultaneous re-branding.<br />
We believe<span style="color: yellow;"> <b>The Best Airline Re-Branding</b> </span><span style="color: white;">is of </span><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Dragonair</span><span style="color: yellow;"> <span style="color: yellow;">to </span></span><span style="color: orange;">Cathay Dragon</span></b> because it brings the healthy and growing carrier into an elegant and effective equal-partnership within the Cathay Pacific group. Each airline has an equally elegant livery of almost identical application, but in complementing different colours.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEh7JQEt6vu41cLyb8Vpms4VhNYn53FVsGk7tGhcBufKqaFfH19Z1xxn3-P-8FUi8IkJ7Knju-x0gMtN0hoq9qUHog2gYifGDaUgTz6ODLCtEqO_xZODQjvh_dazMVJS0kIHv8RgJDKDxds8xp_cR7UKha3j-7OT6dxHZOnhq9o_UQiRbnhAopg8nA3xuwR71UYJcaGuFFF3cnihyPKPbsR0S3DpR5qgw6M7rnkAWmdIvmtzvmDlFFUkmz54Lw5aL0vwL94Lqv_t0Dv63h8_ab3mQ0U=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The new livery of Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon" border="0" height="150" src="https://www.cathaypacific.com/content/dam/focal-point/cx/new-identity/shared_growth_tail.jpg/jcr:content/renditions/cq5dam.rendition.1024.768.jpg" width="200" /></a>In 2006, Dragonair became part of the Cathay Pacific Group, and the two airlines have worked in increasing closeness to provide a synergy of connectivity and service from Hong Kong to about 200 destinations in mainland China and the rest of the world. It makes sense, therefore, that the new name deftly brings Cathay Dragon into the family while retaining its distinctive identity. The new livery of both airlines has been designed to align them more closely with each other, and we like the integration of that iconic Cathay Brushwing on the tail of all aircraft within the Group while maintaining a little updated version of the original Dragonair logo on the nose of Cathay Dragon aircraft.<br />
The new hues are also distinctive and attractive – stylish with an understated dignity. Overall, the new Corporate Identity of <span style="color: yellow;">Cathay Dragon </span>is clean, elegant and effective – well-deserving of our award for <b><span style="color: yellow;">The Best Airline Re-Branding</span>.</b></div>
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<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Photographs by kalid.com.cn and Cathay Pacific Group</span></i></div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cathaypacific.com%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2Ffocal-point%2Fcx%2Fnew-identity%2Fshared_growth_tail.jpg%2Fjcr%3Acontent%2Frenditions%2Fcq5dam.rendition.1024.768.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEh7JQEt6vu41cLyb8Vpms4VhNYn53FVsGk7tGhcBufKqaFfH19Z1xxn3-P-8FUi8IkJ7Knju-x0gMtN0hoq9qUHog2gYifGDaUgTz6ODLCtEqO_xZODQjvh_dazMVJS0kIHv8RgJDKDxds8xp_cR7UKha3j-7OT6dxHZOnhq9o_UQiRbnhAopg8nA3xuwR71UYJcaGuFFF3cnihyPKPbsR0S3DpR5qgw6M7rnkAWmdIvmtzvmDlFFUkmz54Lw5aL0vwL94Lqv_t0Dv63h8_ab3mQ0U=" -->answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-50229692268224384292016-01-17T16:29:00.000+08:002019-03-09T10:45:15.060+08:00The Best Safari Destination<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VPO9ks9UkrHkWFHSNWtc7kg_Naqeo2KDk4tiDhyphenhyphenS9-WXMQAbeTH8wEiphgdVUVHWd3F3qFtAFOxppu5QqGbpCwrfVcQd9x9dLmnr1YMCNaHsIgdkIQXHrGoS2k6OHYTqW8lwdA9DHViO/s1600/DSCF3091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VPO9ks9UkrHkWFHSNWtc7kg_Naqeo2KDk4tiDhyphenhyphenS9-WXMQAbeTH8wEiphgdVUVHWd3F3qFtAFOxppu5QqGbpCwrfVcQd9x9dLmnr1YMCNaHsIgdkIQXHrGoS2k6OHYTqW8lwdA9DHViO/s320/DSCF3091.JPG" width="320" /></a>When I was very young, Africa burst upon my imagination with the debut of the blockbuster movies <i>Hatari!</i> and <i>Born Free</i> which brought the grandeur of the African savannah to us in larger-than-life Technicolor wide-screen, complete with stirring music and often unscripted drama from the animals. Add a good dose of Tarzan books, and I was completely enamoured with the whole adventure of an African safari.<br />
When preparing for my first visit to Africa, my mind was racing with questions. Was the legendary savannah still unspoilt? Would it be as grand as or even greater than what I saw on the screen? Were the numerous TV documentaries reflective of the true situation? Would I actually get to see many wild animals? I soon found out that the answer to each and every question was a resounding <b>Yes</b>. The fabled natural habitats of<span style="background-color: black;"> <span style="color: yellow;"><b>Kenya </b></span></span>remain green, clean and vast – far greater in scope and beauty than anything the silver-screen could convey. And as for wildlife, nothing could have possibly prepared me for what actually happened.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1qkRzb538STEyMYlRLuB0l69q21BffpVGDZqnM4Nmu8vTmuU2QR7ytzDe3UtCz8Xpxkgn8od2kkHoFw_wEq8cSEgxRmE1TwSdtWlOYd5GFwFaG6PZxejWaOVsQnBusrJT_OM8tJItgqV/s1600/DSCF3076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1qkRzb538STEyMYlRLuB0l69q21BffpVGDZqnM4Nmu8vTmuU2QR7ytzDe3UtCz8Xpxkgn8od2kkHoFw_wEq8cSEgxRmE1TwSdtWlOYd5GFwFaG6PZxejWaOVsQnBusrJT_OM8tJItgqV/s320/DSCF3076.JPG" width="320" /></a> From herbivores like the African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Warthog , Masai and Reticulated Giraffes, Burchell’s Zebra, Scrub Hare, Hippopotamus and White Rhinoceros to carnivores like the Lion, Cheetah, Hyena, Jackal, Wild Dog and Leopard, mammals could be seen at close quarters from the open-sided jeeps that cruise the vast natural habitats of Kenya.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bzIjphHoHYvhYYvSwbHyDBGb8ttxrj7l7NWqe4yLshxfvuUwtJD9PIIi7pcKdWCxrtNOA-yaI7HdWVvS-ELN5T6Q4U651d4xc2jrJs77sOl2NVURQ-0_lK4sM4AialmT-vbz2cXnERPA/s1600/DSCF3101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bzIjphHoHYvhYYvSwbHyDBGb8ttxrj7l7NWqe4yLshxfvuUwtJD9PIIi7pcKdWCxrtNOA-yaI7HdWVvS-ELN5T6Q4U651d4xc2jrJs77sOl2NVURQ-0_lK4sM4AialmT-vbz2cXnERPA/s320/DSCF3101.JPG" width="320" /></a>Of the antelope or deer genus alone, we saw large numbers of Impala, Grant’s Gazelle, Thompson’s Gazelle, Topi, Wildebeest and Common Waterbuck, while also managing to spot less common species like the Hartebeest, Bushbuck, Defassa Waterbuck, Bohor Reedbuck, the tiny Kirk’s Dik-Dik and the enormous cow-sized Eland. Omnivores like the Banded Mongoose and Baboon helped us notch up a list of about thirty magnificent mammal-species of all shapes and sizes in the four days we were on full safari in different parts of Kenya. The highlight of the trip was an accidental once-in-a-lifetime close encounter with an enormous lion!<br />
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Since then, I have travelled across various parts of Africa, and seen some amazing sights. But for <span style="color: yellow;">the Best Safari Destination</span> in my experience, it has to be Kenya – by far.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>(All photographs by Andrew Ponnampalam)</i></span>answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-36453016154029843812016-01-11T17:39:00.000+08:002019-05-07T11:17:49.952+08:00The Best Australian Destination For Sign-Power!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3ys-CkQD9d2aJ9DSvwhjbUwnEXSEhIw0Tn9HXc1b3aa5z9_tNKmbp67ys4kYDe0R_OopeSg6GLjw1_NuvOLPWvQqpFyhclRARJzW3rqKdn03vCAfw72tEH6kPUNAmbg2NhqyxQusA_lL/s1600/DSCF1082.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483647306125760930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3ys-CkQD9d2aJ9DSvwhjbUwnEXSEhIw0Tn9HXc1b3aa5z9_tNKmbp67ys4kYDe0R_OopeSg6GLjw1_NuvOLPWvQqpFyhclRARJzW3rqKdn03vCAfw72tEH6kPUNAmbg2NhqyxQusA_lL/s640/DSCF1082.JPG" style="display: block; height: 150px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" width="640" /></a> <br />
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When travelling around the world, it is essential to read the signs carefully. In a foreign country, directional signs, security information, place-names and even warning notices give you a sense of place, and a certain measure of comprehension; which in turn creates enough confidence to move on to the next leg of your journey. In one particular destination, however, I found that the signs around me became a major attraction of their own!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTMvEedV2QW2Wf-CU6Nn3QSu5YOSogxTmYfrTevSI3sq1-NaXQsCc3ki9io-XfanGo_HvRGAjbLKnPc4oEDEhCwk5yQuhSwpqTePGaB6mSoIT1ZdhLDoD4ks-OXkT1SBe3zwr2o6EKeq1/s1600/DSCF0849.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483645947280814962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTMvEedV2QW2Wf-CU6Nn3QSu5YOSogxTmYfrTevSI3sq1-NaXQsCc3ki9io-XfanGo_HvRGAjbLKnPc4oEDEhCwk5yQuhSwpqTePGaB6mSoIT1ZdhLDoD4ks-OXkT1SBe3zwr2o6EKeq1/s320/DSCF0849.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 172px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 86px;" width="179" /></a><br />
They inform, they direct, they attract, and they entertain - all by themselves. Strictly policed and stringently controlled, they still manage to exhibit exuberance and glee as they <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sta</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNUvOrwM_Wqyw7WCEDLKyfRHvtXWYgjpZc7RsLVBAiLh_x6Oh8YfTqlDwTA4B5dao6wnHbSZCHG9xL2sSOraccavqCM_L4hhY4zT-V0-c0fCzY9SL-1TpPsXT8volZFqvVxFR0m5ZeM6F/s1600/DSCF0849.JPG"></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nd</span> outside and do their daily duty in rain or shine. "They" are the signboards of <span style="color: #ffff33;">Queensland</span> - or more specifically, that part of the state from Brisbane to the Gold Coast. Ignore these signs, and you may be stuck with the stereotyped touristy trip, and miss out on the best things the region has to offer. Stop, look, and appreciate them fully - and you will transform your holiday into an enchanting experience of local passion, beauty and dedication to excellence. These signboards will lead you into a wonderful world full of local colour, humour, enterprise - and most importantly for serious shoppers - outstanding products of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">exquisite</span> finesse, great value, and solid quality.<br />
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The first group of signs that caught my eye were neither stylish or colourful. In fact, they were downright grubby, rough and weather-beaten; just like the ramshackle old shop they fronted. "MICK'S NUTS", the first sign proclaimed very loudly and rudely. "Macadamia Shop", called another, in vivid red on white. The third sign in the motley crew was the clincher. Nearest the door, it pulled me in irresistibly : "NUTS SHOP. Australian Pesticide-Free Almonds". Now, if that did not tantalise the taste-buds, what would?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimR0og3A-fQ_YVxggNcHta1QC6K1jvevHRMdm8ct6-Gkxuh_Oll4Hm4RQ0RFh-28WVwvtqfN9C_QpkJOX3rLW4wudWeXDyTVz4KiGneB38zGSpoegL2aB2WnyXX_zdkI8D11T8GOCmrFKD/s1600/Nuts+To+You...++homely+hospitality+and+healthy+food.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482381437408780370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimR0og3A-fQ_YVxggNcHta1QC6K1jvevHRMdm8ct6-Gkxuh_Oll4Hm4RQ0RFh-28WVwvtqfN9C_QpkJOX3rLW4wudWeXDyTVz4KiGneB38zGSpoegL2aB2WnyXX_zdkI8D11T8GOCmrFKD/s320/Nuts+To+You...++homely+hospitality+and+healthy+food.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 183px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 127px;" width="240" /></a> Entering the low-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ceilinged</span> store was to enter a magical kingdom of nuts and cousins. Almonds, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">brazil</span>-nuts, cashews, chestnuts, hazelnuts, macadamias, peanuts, pecans, pine-nuts, pistachios, walnuts - every nut in town seemed to be there save the coconut. Roasted or toasted, salted or spiced, sliced or diced, cooked or raw - if it was edible, it was on sale. And all related foods were there as well, in <span style="color: #ffff33;">Mick's Nut Shop</span>:- raisins, sultanas, prunes, pulses, sunflower kernels, watermelon seeds, pumpkin seeds, tiny sesame seeds, and dried fruit like figs, apricots, bananas, apples - everything you'd want for a healthy, fibre-rich <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Mediterranean</span>-style diet. Standing at the same location for over twenty years, this family-run shop has become something of an icon in Brisbane's West End neighbourhood, with the same warm Greek hospitality of its second-generation owners, who greet the regulars by name.<br />
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Hospitable was not the adjective that came to mind when I saw another sign in the lush green environs of another intriguing destination. "ENTRY RULES" it stated ominously. "Coach or Tour Groups Not Permitted. No Pedestrians. Small Vehicle Groups Only." The white-bearded gnome-like owner was unapologetic. "Coach Tours? Bah! Humbugs, the lot of them! If it was legal to shoot 'em, I would, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">bludgers</span>! Driving in here, posing for photographs, knocking off free samples, and then turning tail and leaving without spending a single penny!"<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15bk2wF5iwnQf1mOmfTOvuG0rRC0oezNNygrGpbKiY1x_7e817RD0BiiQ5rASTS1LT7BcQJ_k144mFYSOB6_Edq-XVx_WQuKbIx8bFPKfi2u0K0qrMAhvklWzM1SQIPkBOoRck4RqTSYV/s1600/Entry+Notice.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="263" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482385204934891762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15bk2wF5iwnQf1mOmfTOvuG0rRC0oezNNygrGpbKiY1x_7e817RD0BiiQ5rASTS1LT7BcQJ_k144mFYSOB6_Edq-XVx_WQuKbIx8bFPKfi2u0K0qrMAhvklWzM1SQIPkBOoRck4RqTSYV/s400/Entry+Notice.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 164px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 237px;" width="400" /></a> This was my introduction to the 'legendary' Michael Ward of Mount <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Tamborine</span>:- raconteur, orchard farmer, avid environmentalist and co-owner of the award-winning <span style="color: #ffff33;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Tamborine</span> Mountain Distillery</span>, widely-known as "Australia's Most-Awarded Distillery & Liquor Brand In the New Millennium", as its website modestly proclaims. Whatever the case, discerning connoisseurs from all over the world clamour for the award-winning fruit liqueurs, schnapps, vodka, absinthe and other fine spirits produced by this small family of dedicated distillers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYvq2WJrkrTldUXEg46TBSWEb9jsLWSrENtOVaXRWsv68eOsg6y88qK5XAlEo6aT5MJAvVcHZCQYgIUKMgDGKw7SF8Lhq_2uQ9oRQf-PRwjPMr7NB6uGZwrgL2EV4ZYYLI6GPrTfhjcSZ/s1600/Fast+Sign+Of+Good+Times..advertising+a+brewerey,+cheese+company+and+gourmet+restaurant.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482426712680977138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYvq2WJrkrTldUXEg46TBSWEb9jsLWSrENtOVaXRWsv68eOsg6y88qK5XAlEo6aT5MJAvVcHZCQYgIUKMgDGKw7SF8Lhq_2uQ9oRQf-PRwjPMr7NB6uGZwrgL2EV4ZYYLI6GPrTfhjcSZ/s400/Fast+Sign+Of+Good+Times..advertising+a+brewerey,+cheese+company+and+gourmet+restaurant.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" width="400" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Elsewhere</span> on Mount <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Tamborine</span> is what could be the world's fastest signboard - the gaudy-liveried Lotus <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">raci</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">ng</span>-car that is usually parked in a strategic spot to advertise two special businesses owned by a glamorous young couple : <span style="color: #ffff33;">Mount <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Tamborine</span> Brewery</span> and <span style="color: #ffff33;">Witches Chase Cheese Company</span>. The first combines traditional brewing methods with ultra-modern equipment to produce award-winning beer while the second is an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">artisan</span> boutique cheese factory that hand-creates internationally-acclaimed cheeses using old-fashioned recipes, the finest french cultures, pure <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">vegetarian</span> rennet, and fresh local milk. Together, these two companies make a fascinating stopover for visitors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYonszLGkRY8URt4YzGUHbiKz9m3Mlm9c9E0RvmhKzmkuxICxvb_m51zH0A2SzAhTWJknAkp9L0mh-ghBqSKf4xx4d5TeDA7ITD-nQ0-6rRAdRzRYUwyqUTVXS1zC93lWGmKZ-jrsWO52/s1600/Something+To+Quack+About...fun-filled+amphibious+tours.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482385217579103666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYonszLGkRY8URt4YzGUHbiKz9m3Mlm9c9E0RvmhKzmkuxICxvb_m51zH0A2SzAhTWJknAkp9L0mh-ghBqSKf4xx4d5TeDA7ITD-nQ0-6rRAdRzRYUwyqUTVXS1zC93lWGmKZ-jrsWO52/s320/Something+To+Quack+About...fun-filled+amphibious+tours.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 150px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 198px;" width="320" /></a></div>
Rather more sedate is the amphibious vehicle that is a mobile advertisement for the exciting <span style="color: #ffff33;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Aquaduck</span> Tours</span>. One moment, you are trundling along the traffic-clogged main thoroughfares of the Gold Coast - and the next moment you are chugging across the sea, dodging buzzing speedboats and elegant yachts while enjoying a panoramic view of the nation's most expensive and exclusive waterfront properties. Families with small children will enjoy this unique experience as the young ones get invited up to the captain's cabin to 'steer' the vessel across the waves before it transforms back into a street vehicle on dry land.</div>
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Leaving the<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTGoQ9BgiNKR4sukE-A5bI0P52biakSQnoMPFg9u9ctrjJwLNowdmO9Wq4ew_T5Zb19tiE2UVHI067pW6tH_2dSH4EjRdb4Fp5oJapk-bejE3nkHFsb1EKhsOynzdSiVERh_ZWcbvUmVE/s1600/An+Offer+You+Can%27t+Refuse...getting+up+close+and+personal+with+nature.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482434053796489954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTGoQ9BgiNKR4sukE-A5bI0P52biakSQnoMPFg9u9ctrjJwLNowdmO9Wq4ew_T5Zb19tiE2UVHI067pW6tH_2dSH4EjRdb4Fp5oJapk-bejE3nkHFsb1EKhsOynzdSiVERh_ZWcbvUmVE/s320/An+Offer+You+Can't+Refuse...getting+up+close+and+personal+with+nature.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" width="320" /></a> cartoon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Aquaduck</span> mascots behind, visitors to Queensland are invited to 'Get Closer' to real birds and animals at the <span style="color: #ffff33;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Currumbin</span> Wildlife Sanctuary</span>, the region's leading native wildlife experience in a coastal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">rainforest</span> setting. The clever graphics and wry local humour on the signboards all over this interactive zoo really help visitors enjoy the full benefits of the exhibits in the extensive natural surroundings. With hundreds of native <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Australian</span> birds, reptiles and animal, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Currumbin</span> Wildlife Sanctuary has been awarded <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Ecotourism</span> Australia's Advanced <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Ecotourism</span> Accreditation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnv5NcreKo0QqDncomhMv4e3DDyH0HJR5BS0yQ1F05LZC-3Ma3_gU5xIoxr3mSuCDIUQqfXOK1v1oMx-0G-oS6qnRsFcUFhuXROXLbm84EMrgLJC-sRSxDAwJgxp5ieE6dbHEt1Kc8l2K8/s1600/Honey-based+concoctions+to+gladden+the+heart!.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="269" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482435491346567106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnv5NcreKo0QqDncomhMv4e3DDyH0HJR5BS0yQ1F05LZC-3Ma3_gU5xIoxr3mSuCDIUQqfXOK1v1oMx-0G-oS6qnRsFcUFhuXROXLbm84EMrgLJC-sRSxDAwJgxp5ieE6dbHEt1Kc8l2K8/s320/Honey-based+concoctions+to+gladden+the+heart!.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 168px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px;" width="320" /></a>If furry or feathered creatures aren't enough for you, what about bees? Bee-watching is a legitimate pastime, according to the signboard at <span style="color: #ffff33;">Mount Nathan Winery</span>. A labour of love for three generations of the Gibson family, the panoramic property consists of vineyards, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">apiaries</span> and a plantation of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Paulownia</span> trees. The winery produces lovingly-created red and white wines, while the bee-hives among the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Paulownia</span> trees provide the finest honey. Paul <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Gibson</span> also produces superb mead, honey-based liqueurs, muscat and fortified wines. A visit to the scenic estate would not be complete without a walking-tour and purchase of these excellent products, which will then be specially bubble-wrapped for you to take home safely on your return flight.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwv4XNMCUV1ZzSR4kB5dpCkLViBoqPvEzTYj6EePE7nb-V_hSbfpPpgfGknvucD576e6Wmcq3AExzdDzOblpBlESxl-E_QyLZ4qcT2IVm_M_3gxFRHQPaTRwVEbSVCN_MG7kKMhruFis9P/s1600/Bee-youtiful+Dreamer...honeyed+promises+of+health+and+beauty+products.JPG"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_6BR8TBOTyRmoaApJK_KCwEk1LDl66Hs0mLpvhn1a2RI1c75PGoSLFiF_i9mGsWuluVYAMnVWz3OxFV9MSE-EZOOMleHcyhTWijnpsp_G_yYbwHWOGtdFuCwQ4Xmuu61h8K2JzG1AtQe/s1600/Bee-youtiful+Dreamer...honeyed+promises+of+health+and+beauty+products.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483643771223632050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_6BR8TBOTyRmoaApJK_KCwEk1LDl66Hs0mLpvhn1a2RI1c75PGoSLFiF_i9mGsWuluVYAMnVWz3OxFV9MSE-EZOOMleHcyhTWijnpsp_G_yYbwHWOGtdFuCwQ4Xmuu61h8K2JzG1AtQe/s400/Bee-youtiful+Dreamer...honeyed+promises+of+health+and+beauty+products.JPG" style="float: left; height: 189px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 114px;" width="241" /></a><br />
Honey-based products can also be found along the vibrant and fascinating Gallery Walk in Mount <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Tamborine</span>, with its colourful and eye-catching signboards advertising everything from <span style="color: #ffff33;">Granny Mac's</span> sinfully-delicious home-made fudge and the rustic <span style="color: #ffff33;">German Cuckoo-Clock House</span>, to the intriguing <span style="color: #ffff33;">Totally Different</span> handicraft house and the enchanting <span style="color: #ffff33;">Fairies On The Wall</span>. Now, to find out what that last sign is all about, </div>
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you will have to follow the signs in Queensland, </div>
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and discover the best things in life for yourself!<br />
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<em><span style="color: #ffcccc;"><br /></span></em><em><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #ffcccc;">(All photographs by<strong> Andrew Ponnampalam)</strong></span> </span></em></div>
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answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-84036096564463649192016-01-09T16:55:00.004+08:002019-04-03T01:20:26.562+08:00The Best African Kingdom For Craft<div class="p1">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfDtkj0Ls5dBln78E4YznhW-C4mlqJ53-cZWVySn-2IA7Gkugm5qRxohue-azbEmT9c6riVTgbo41V5J-7RvvQ5udbzBFEo8HnUronhpp04kinbcJzSy5Za0Z0Z1xWfVLUP9bnbFTAnBv/s1600/South+Africa+543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfDtkj0Ls5dBln78E4YznhW-C4mlqJ53-cZWVySn-2IA7Gkugm5qRxohue-azbEmT9c6riVTgbo41V5J-7RvvQ5udbzBFEo8HnUronhpp04kinbcJzSy5Za0Z0Z1xWfVLUP9bnbFTAnBv/s320/South+Africa+543.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
In an age when tourist-destinations from America to Africa hawk souvenirs stamped "Made In China", the small kingdom of <b><span style="color: yellow;">Swaziland</span></b> impressed me with its remarkably authentic range of traditional arts and crafts. I was intrigued by the various Crafts Markets in various parts of the country. Best of all, many are socially-responsible enterprises which provide both income and empowerment for their craftspeople from poor rural communities. This is something very exciting and exemplary, and it places Swaziland high on the list of "authentic experiences".<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange;">Bhembe Art</span></b><br />
We had the opportunity to visit a little Craft Workshop run by a local sculptor who is well-known in the local communities for his art and social-work. The guide informed us that this man trains young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to earn a living through wood-carving and art. Their works of art and sculpture encompass both the traditional and modern whimsical, and are distributed through the established craft-markets around Swaziland. <br />
This is an excellent community-empowerment project that produces authentic home-grown local products from the grassroots.<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange;">Swazi Candles Craft Market</span></b><br />
Located about 7km off the main highway in the Malkerns Valley, this intriguing spot is a must-see for visitors, who can watch the actual craftsmen being engrossed in their work. Everything here is authentically Swazi and quite enchanting. There is actually a sizable collection of internationally-admired outlets showcasing the best of what the local communities have to offer, as well as a café, rest-rooms and other amenities for the travelling visitor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTS1wiUCe2TsfpFIw7kvg1KkQR4yazPtgNMGDewRh-2qNhFAECJpOUG2MnUZJlJubH_PxFrBMjY9GDvhZvSnQ89M2JEGRpZnvouwkG563oibIav0ERE9m8y2ONAbN89XCudiXKdNhLaBR/s1600/South+Africa+542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTS1wiUCe2TsfpFIw7kvg1KkQR4yazPtgNMGDewRh-2qNhFAECJpOUG2MnUZJlJubH_PxFrBMjY9GDvhZvSnQ89M2JEGRpZnvouwkG563oibIav0ERE9m8y2ONAbN89XCudiXKdNhLaBR/s320/South+Africa+542.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The main attraction here is <b><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Swazi Candles,</span></b> where the highly decorative candles are hand-made using an ancient Italian glass-making technique called "millefiore", specially adapted for the local hard wax. With this skill, it is possible to produce a brilliant kaleidoscope of vibrant colours that infuse the wide range of Swazi-themed candles that come in all shapes and sizes. Swazi Candles are now world-famous, renowned for their quality, creativity and sheer artistry.<br />
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<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><b>Rosecraft Weaving's</b> </span>fashion and home décor accessories, <b><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Baobab Batik</span></b> Handicraft that includes wall-hangings, cushion covers, bright kiddies’ products, and scarves, <b><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">KwasiSwazi</span></b> books, music, souvenirs, jewelry and T-shirts from Swaziland; <span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><b>Amarasti</b> 's </span>beautiful bags in various designs and sizes, painstakingly hand-embroidered and beaded by the Amarasti women who take great pride in their work, <b><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Sambane</span></b> authentic Swazi souvenirs, <b><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Umgololo</span></b> African artifacts, masks, sculptures, cloth and gifts; <b><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Swazi Sense</span></b> handmade pure soaps, and <b><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">Yebo Art & Design </span></b>sells paintings, prints & sculptures by top local artists as well as Swazi textiles, quirky home decor, silver jewellery, ceramic crafts and a series of contemporary art postcards; these are just some of the attractions here. <br />
At the edge of the market is a solitary silver old Airstream caravan with a chalk-lettered sign saying <span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><b>Black Mamba</b> </span>– this is a unusual shop selling a delicious, fiery selection of food-products including piquantly tasty sauces, pestos and pickles under the startling brand-name of Chilli Venoms®. All the sizzling goodies are made with organically-grown ingredients with no artificial additives. There are also ‘hot’ and trendy t-shirts & accessories for sale here. A great place!<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange;">House On Fire</span></b><br />
Also in the scenic Malkerns Valley is the whimsical House On Fire art-complex, described by one European enthusiast as being ”One of the most eclectic art-and-entertainment venues in the world! House on Fire is a fantastical playground of imagination which captivates and inspires.” Another visitor says that “House on Fire is a surreal experience of childlike naïve art, proud traditional culture, funky contemporary music, and delicious wholesome home-cooking.” There is an indoor art gallery, an outdoor sculpture showcase, a souvenir shop, a cafeteria, a well-stocked bar, an amphitheatre and stage for world-renowned musical performances, and – quite quixotically - a children’s playground. When we visited on a hot afternoon, the place was rather quiet, but we are told it can get very crowded and exciting at night or during major art or music events.<br />
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<b><span style="color: orange;">Ezulwini Crafts Market</span></b><br />
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After hearing a lot about the Ezulwini Craft Market and the investment pumped in by a foreign country, I was a little taken aback to see long rows of ramshackle sheds with rusty zinc roofs lining a small muddy field. Brightly-coloured traditional fabrics and gaudy art-prints brightened up the otherwise dilapidated stalls. Sadly, they seemed to all sell similar products, and hardly a seller was in sight – they were all probably sheltering from the sun or taking a nap due to the slow business. It seemed a great place for bargains and really authentic local products, many of them handmade with love and care.<br />
<span style="color: orange;">SWAZILAND </span>is a great destination for many reasons, but the arts and crafts are certainly one of them!<br />
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<span style="white-space: pre;"> (</span><i style="white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">All photographs by Andrew Ponnampalam</span></i><span style="white-space: pre;">)</span></div>
answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-73373965175144119642015-10-20T15:39:00.000+08:002018-10-19T10:28:22.192+08:00<b>Countries Visited Around The World</b><br />
<u><a href="http://map1.maploco.com/visited-countries/mine.php?c1=m9cmryp94w-b5jhciqxvk-k45ss0tl3c-b67snd3zls-2rx5q8e1s5"><img border="0" src="https://map1.maploco.com/visited-countries/ml/m9cmryp94w-b5jhciqxvk-k45ss0tl3c-b67snd3zls-2rx5q8e1s5.gif" /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: cyan;">answers!</span> <span style="color: #f1c232;">has covered over 7</span></span></a><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">00 destinations across 54 countries; </span></u><u><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">more to come!</span></u>answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-21900285544793636372014-03-04T09:27:00.000+08:002018-11-01T16:40:07.093+08:00The Best Airport Railway Station<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTA79VJhItGH4wLvcw7GuxCMS8s3itTvazO3RkMJRp3YKY_vJ_XGBt7z7FK87CfmsqNkeKA92jdK-g7NEW85aZluWWh5_-kJkBCfj0tViSVZykFms32qO9ptIpZ7MidC8WfN63OB22877/s1600-h/Saint-Exupery+Station+in+Lyon+France+01.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309140157557684594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTA79VJhItGH4wLvcw7GuxCMS8s3itTvazO3RkMJRp3YKY_vJ_XGBt7z7FK87CfmsqNkeKA92jdK-g7NEW85aZluWWh5_-kJkBCfj0tViSVZykFms32qO9ptIpZ7MidC8WfN63OB22877/s400/Saint-Exupery+Station+in+Lyon+France+01.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 268px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> It is named after an intrepid pioneering aviator who is more famous for writing the most whimsical books. It was inaugurated in 1975, in an era of teleprinters, Morse Code and hand-signals – yet today it incorporates the most advanced cutting-edge technology of this millennium. It is connected by a futuristic high-speed train to some of the most modern and sophisticated cities in Europe, but you can also opt to leave this airport on the pillion-seat of a chugging motorbike-taxi. This is the enigmatic, contradictory <span style="color: #ffff33;">Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport</span> - formerly known as Lyon Satolas Airport - an important transport-hub for the entire <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rh%C3%B4ne-Alpes" title="Rhône-Alpes"><span style="color: white;">Rhône-Alpes</span></a><span style="color: white;"> </span>region. While the airport itself is pleasant enough, its railway-station was the feature that caught our attention.<br />
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When we visited this iconic airport railway-station in 2008, it was looking a little dilapidated and in need of proper maintenance. Yet its dynamic architecture captured our imagination and lifted our spirits during the bleak winter season. Completed in 1994, the terminal was designed to represent the human eye, but looks exactly like a graceful swan alighting on earth and bowing low, with its wings raised in salute. The building's most striking profile, based on two converging steel arches 120 meters long and 40 meters high, is most obviously expressive of a bird, symbolizing flight with the two main arches coming together at the bird's beak. Architect Santiago Calatrava said that he never thought of a bird, but more of sculpture inspired by the shape of the human eye. However, the avian imagery continues inside the building where two concrete cantilevered balconies look remarkably like birds on the down-wing, rising up in flight.<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309140162887506546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtath0ry57YZ1urSIP2dnIhYocTsbxeznq9NHFbjpqOUv39wLdhe5Fx9h5dLSOlczsZ-JHSJRebWmyq7nUpJLTpayohCqmMeDiHmWYsJqM8-iE7DWdpUj7hghqs9YpvagVFq8iRj11p_q/s400/Lyon+Airport+06.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 260px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />Today, 2½ decades after its construction,<b> <span style="color: #ffff33;">Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport Railway Station</span> </b>is still under-utilised and much of its sunlit cavernous space is largely empty. The superfast futuristic-looking TGV trains come in only a few times a day, and some of the lounges here are only used occasionally for special events. Nevertheless, its inspired architecture, dynamic vision, practical convenience and untapped resources make this our favourite Airport Railway Station in the world. To bring this facility to its full potential will require innovation, imagination and industry – the very same qualities that were put into its design in the first place!<br />
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<span style="color: #ffccff;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Pix courtesy of Maison De La France (Southeast Asia)</span> . </span><span style="color: #ffccff;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">1: © Lyon Tourism & Conventions </span></span><span style="color: #ffccff;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">2: © JF Marin / Aéroports de Lyon</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffccff; font-size: 85%;"></span>answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-66110139562797768562014-02-24T09:34:00.000+08:002015-12-14T23:51:46.833+08:00The Best Hotel For Hospitality<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQlvCXoxax78OgLbaIRbVZRm7mYL4XduN7lZxX78NnyUn9ZYhRuGq_HG44DyrOtodyAvZ6o1r7xaMxRfIUG4lB4ZeDwLJxCzY4BT_djYu2AdlKz0nepAZcx7jprSX0doYy8aUnGrw9OzR/s1600-h/bnr-ballymaloe-house.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306172710596483986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQlvCXoxax78OgLbaIRbVZRm7mYL4XduN7lZxX78NnyUn9ZYhRuGq_HG44DyrOtodyAvZ6o1r7xaMxRfIUG4lB4ZeDwLJxCzY4BT_djYu2AdlKz0nepAZcx7jprSX0doYy8aUnGrw9OzR/s400/bnr-ballymaloe-house.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 202px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 309px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: yellow;">The Hotel With The Best Hospitable Atmosphere</span> that delighted us is <span style="color: #ffff33;">Ballymaloe House in County Cork, Ireland.</span> Most of the properties listed in Hilary Finlay’s Blue Book Of Ireland are enchanting, but this is exceptional. Built around a 15th century Norman castle, this evocative hostelry began taking in paying guests in 1967. The 400-acre property is lovely, the surrounding Shanagarry countryside is delightful, and the cooking here is unbearably delicious. There is an excellent wine-cellar, and spell-binding Irish music to boot. But what captures your heart is the warmth, affection and honest goodness of Mrs Darina Allen, the matriarch of the elegant mansion. </div>
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Together with her daughter, the Allens are well-known TV Chefs and authors of successful cook-books. At Ballymaloe House, though, Darina is simply a proud home-owner who will welcome you with <span style="color: yellow;">quintessential Irish hospitality, laughter and kindness</span>. This same happiness and congenial fellowship permeates every activity and service, making a stay at Ballymaloe House a genuinely heart-warming experience. When we first visited Ballymaloe House several years ago, the weather was cold, bleak and foggy. It was a happy contrast to be enveloped by Darina's warm and genuine hospitality - something we recommend for any traveller in that part of Ireland.</div>
answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-52180843711548529052013-11-23T21:30:00.000+08:002018-12-06T09:46:02.638+08:00The Best Hotel With Traditional Ethnic Identity<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee8ivt8KlfAFiuI4UJsD5cq0RIpnQAy7CuYSWPDoma47M1sP5_TR4dscrBWu7PvN8_hYhF3VKgQbaxx3huvpFtwrqfFDf75DD10rQQ5t05euctRyopP4CnmJBIqaTfzzJj5Iw047h5UAf/s1600-h/Indonesia+Misiliana+01.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271845667025731170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee8ivt8KlfAFiuI4UJsD5cq0RIpnQAy7CuYSWPDoma47M1sP5_TR4dscrBWu7PvN8_hYhF3VKgQbaxx3huvpFtwrqfFDf75DD10rQQ5t05euctRyopP4CnmJBIqaTfzzJj5Iw047h5UAf/s400/Indonesia+Misiliana+01.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 280px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="color: #ffff33;">The Hotel With the Best Traditional Ethnic Identity</span> is the delightful <span style="color: #ffff33;">Misiliana Hotel in Toraja, Indonesia</span>. Nestled in the scenic Toraja Highlands of Sulawesi, this enchanting resort was built nearly four decades ago in authentic traditional Torajan style. It is staffed entirely by local tribal-folk, and everything here is genuinely native, from the ethnic Tongkonan architecture to the local village-style layout of the resort. Even the food served here is truly local – while the comprehensive menu encompasses both Western and Torajan dishes, the chefs are local people and both vegetables and fish come fresh from the ponds and organic farm-plots within this extensive resort itself! <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271850576993172242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPti2Vi96FjdXTpi60mFeecLZ2Gh908xX7gizV1PMqCyn7qdZfW63FTQEt0rTwTsXXpZLzjT9LKSUTmqpHJpFPGnTLPX_CdbDl8JW0reYbi8mdv13iDzB_4oRRVyOAY8xdDo4yuzAZJma/s400/Indonesia+Misiliana+03.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 262px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><a href="http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Family" title="Family"><span style="color: white;">The family</span></a> is the primary social structure in Torajan society. Each village is one <a href="http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Extended_family" title="Extended family"><span style="color: white;">extended family</span></a><span style="color: white;">,</span> the seat of which is the traditional Tongkonan house with its distinctive large boat-shaped roof. The elders of each household maintain village unity and nurture its traditions. In keeping with these ancient traditions, the Misiliana Hotel is family-owned and the daily management is presided over by the clan matriarch, her daughter and son-in-law. While maintaining international standards and practices in running the hotel, the family integrates the unique Torajan Christian faith and ancient local culture into administrative matters such as staff-relations, property maintenance and finance. Management cannot get more ethnic than this!<br />
What really enchanted us was how this familial tradition creates a natural warmth and hospitality within Misiliana. Every guest is treated as a friend of the family, and the staff greet you with a mixture of professional deference and spontaneous cheerfulness. From humble gardener to regal matriarch, they are really glad you came! <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271845825513469842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8hkfKZ1CoaLW-3d5EHJgeRANtD6wLQSyrO8SUlMpzIlnKz646yqWP5smXW6eci0Dm86bqJshtqWkV7MmqQ3j7YSkOg-fM3kt5UPwvLzly2qlw2n-QaYYK0XMY9dMM9IzERxh_ZbT-uyC/s400/Indonesia+Misiliana+01+001.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 290px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />Inside the picturesque two-storied Tongkonan houses, each of the 96 rooms at this 3-star property has a terrace and all the mod-cons one could wish for. The lush 8-hectare grounds include lovely landscaped gardens, two attractive swimming pools, jogging tracks, a kiddies’ fishing pond, vegetable gardens, tennis courts, a fitness centre and idyllic farm ponds with quiet ‘thinking spots’. Add majestic mountains for a scenic backdrop, and you have one of our favourite hotels in the world!<br />
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><em>All pix by Andrew Ponnampalam</em></span></span>answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-55408308198714469942013-11-23T12:27:00.000+08:002016-04-02T06:19:07.716+08:00The Tales On The Tails<div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="163" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317411754392857570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIbCIMQRYaU_iTqW0L2Tp2Akq7SO7ioaod6ZKkjSIdVaJF_B_eLLT8C4UC6YhR1co-Ljb6C3DhW_EriNDuIl_Xu1k869xLBlRm9bOxN-wuI70Hfzmx2PZWjqtexkqi7itB5Gup-sTTfYv/s640/oneworld_tails.jpg" style="display: block; height: 102px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" width="640" />Dogs do it, foxes do it and the peacock does it too! But commercial aircraft do it all the time! Holding the tail proudly upright is the integral identity of every self-respecting aircraft, but commercial planes seem to do it with the most gaudy abandon. The aircraft come in various colours and designs, but they almost always carry the logo of the airline on their erect tail-fins. Some of these logos look familiar and some are amusing, while others can be downright weird and mystifying! It can be fun tracing the tales told by these tails. I was flipping through my name-card holder the other day, and came across numerous interesting airline emblems.<br />
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Birds are the most common symbol chosen by airlines for their logo. Some, like Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Air Macau, Ukraine International, Shangdong Airlines of China and Amber Air of Lithuania have highly-stylised graphic avian depictions while many others opt for more recognizable presentations. China Eastern has a swallow in flight, while its partner China Yunnan has the lovely peacock found in that province. .China Xinhua has what looks like a dove just taking off, but the graphic depiction is clever because it also resembles a hand waving in greeting. Xiamen Airlines has a graceful crane in flight, while the former Xinjiang Airlines had its bird symbol elegantly flying past a crescent moon to denote its Islamic identity.<br />
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Air Niugini of Papua New Guinea and Air Paradise of Bali both share the exotic Bird-Of-Paradise, while Cebu Pacific carries a stylised head of the Philippine Eagle. The flag-carriers of island nations such as Air Mauritius and Air Seychelles have a long-winged seabird that can stay in flight over the sea for months at a time. Condor of Germany, Air Merlin Eurojet of Essex and Kingfisher Airlines of India simply carry the birds they are named for although the German carrier’s logo could also be interpreted as an aeroplane. By contrast, the Indian carrier dispensed with any graphic design and opted for a full-colour photo-realistic illustration of a Common Kingfisher. Another airline with a realistic illustration of a bird as its logo is Highland Airways of Scotland which carries the local eagle.<br />
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The most unique bird-logo in the airline world must surely belong to Thailand’s Nok Air, which simply shows a cartoon version of a duck’s beak! I haven’t figured out the meaning, but it really looks cute – and different.<br />
Many airlines opt for mythical birds and beasts such as the griffin and the phoenix. Egypt Air, PB Air of Thailand, Myanmar Airways International, Austria’s Styrian Spirit, and Garuda Indonesia are examples of airlines whose aircraft tail-fins bear creatures of their local legends. In this category, dragons are a favourite, especially in Asia. Apart from the obviously-named Dragonair of Hongkong, the former First Cambodia Airlines and Druk Air of Bhutan are among those who sport the dragon on their livery. Yangon Airways is the only airline I know of that actually depicts a flying elephant! Ironically, there isn’t a single Jumbo Jet in their fleet.<br />
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Animals are also featured quite regularly on the tails of commercial aircraft. Quantas has the Kangaroo, Qatar Airways has the Ibex, and Tiger Air of Singapore has a leaping tiger that looks suspiciously like the one on the old Malayan Airways aircraft. The former Vision Air of Borneo had an attractive symbol of a horse, simply because the owner had a passion for horses! People are rarely featured on airline tail-fins, but AeroMexico has a proud-looking Aztec warrior while Hawaiian Airlines has a winsome wahine with flowers in her hair.</div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328060168530774274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgG_FsCFDeQS89_ka0gOyjOJZ92NUAF91be8nMZkbqXwVGfG5pKNPV1ypdPzWYgN6orT6x1FMXxMiWbZU-E-eJFx8daO94I_04kFO6bu0nJubjIQMLi39olXd0b7RBsy1igvVJ5UzhoPC/s400/2009_TAILFIN+Skyteam.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 94px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> <br />
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Plants are another favourite choice for airline emblems, and the most famous of these could be AerLingus with the legendary Irish four-leaf clover in an evocative shade of green. In a similar vein, Air Canada carries the national emblem of a maple leaf. Tourism-focussed companies Atlantic Express Airlines and Andaman Airlines both show a palm-tree by the seaside. Vietnam Airlines has a golden lotus-flower while Lao Airlines carries a charming depiction of a local flower, too. China Airlines of Taiwan has a full-colour representation of the cherry blossom, an auspicious spring flower throughout the Orient.<br />
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American companies might think the world is their oyster, judging from the popularity of the globe on their carriers. Both the iconic Pan American World Airlines (PanAm) and Trans World Airlines (TWA) had depictions of the globe, but they both went bankrupt. Today, Continental Airlines proudly presents a strong globe logo on its aircraft tail-fins, and we wish it a much more prosperous future than its former competitors.<br />
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National flag-carriers such as Royal Brunei Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines carry very formal and intricate national crests. Unusual airline emblems include Oman Air’s traditional and lethal-looking dagger, the Maltese Cross of Air Malta, Philippines Airline’s cheerful sunburst, Mandala Airlines of Indonesia’s prayer-wheel, and in sharp contrast, the garish word “Virgin” by all the carriers in the Virgin group. If you have ever visited the eastern state of Kelantan in Malaysia and watched the graceful giant traditional kites called wau in action, you would really appreciate the unique identity of Malaysia Airlines – the only airline I know of that carries a kite on its aircraft tail-fins. Now, you can actually tell someone to “go fly a kite!”<br />
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<span style="color: #ffccff; font-size: 85%;"><em>Pix by oneworld and SkyTeam</em></span></div>
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answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-80283131213032430762013-11-18T21:29:00.000+08:002018-11-01T16:56:28.513+08:00The Best Airport With Unexpected Potential<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268836617906468034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPSEH8HxqJEL5PeWZ7dlF4BOwZYJ39xSOyiza3P4dFPYdDe55ZXobA6Qxf8mCZ_09oqfWAjGcJiPkNXBT_DvYeApZ3b3tN3qb0fHl9oWMwg_U0BetYPDbJB5R-VgChh8Dl-FkR7puzeJb/s400/Keflavik+Airport.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 165px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><span style="color: yellow;"><b>The Airport With The Best Unexpected Potential</b></span> is <span style="color: yellow;"><b>Keflavik International Airport </b></span>in Iceland. For a country known more for its remote location and desolate dramatic landscapes, Iceland has a surprisingly excellent international airport. The design, especially at night, reminds one of crystal-clear ice-cubes – singularly appropriate for this unspoilt land where water can be drunk from the glacier-fed streams and waterfalls. The Icelandic people are not especially friendly or effusively welcoming, but they are most efficient and helpful; and Keflavik Airport reflects this in its operations and ambience.<br />
The Icelandair Business Lounge has a similar character – its design is stylish and efficient, and its amenities meticulously comprehensive.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42BZaWxRHicf9wBpdqTNxCiEYOUfg4d_vhGyYdGE49lV63DMmeQLyreGe3o2ZCD8ADJVvXs1drxzJ3pXxB5o8_D39ds-0hMzK9TUmH5htz4t3tY5Mm_DMGiSbfUnKIP7Bb4rSRWoollWV/s1600/kefegg3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="963" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42BZaWxRHicf9wBpdqTNxCiEYOUfg4d_vhGyYdGE49lV63DMmeQLyreGe3o2ZCD8ADJVvXs1drxzJ3pXxB5o8_D39ds-0hMzK9TUmH5htz4t3tY5Mm_DMGiSbfUnKIP7Bb4rSRWoollWV/s320/kefegg3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Generally, Keflavik Airport is very well-run, stylish and effective – qualities airlines look for in an air-hub. And this is where Keflavik has unexpected potential – it makes an excellent major air-hub between North America and Europe. Just four hours from the USA and three hours to Europe, Keflavik is ideally located for future growth in trans-Atlantic traffic, so watch this facility that won the IATA/ACI award for World’s Best Airport In Its Class in 2005. We believe it could see an annual traffic of over 10 million passengers sooner than later<i>!</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">Pix</span><span style="color: #666666;">©</span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><a href="http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0S0205_fB1JFlgBx.qjzbkF/SIG=11ti9cn33/EXP=1226755583/**http%3A//www.flickr.com/photos/bunnylounge/" target="_top"><span style="color: #666666;">ulalume</span></a><span style="color: #666666;"> on </span><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/" target="_top">Flickr</a>, Keflavik Airport(KEH)</span></span><br />
<br />answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811491294869903259.post-16696988802864523742013-11-16T21:38:00.000+08:002015-12-14T23:51:15.476+08:00The Best Hotel Architectural Theme<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfqA2dTJkorXbg6_jkB6fuiFRWe3xh-oVdinf71U121XstZ0fNGGt6Ycj2_aWo4Oo7HW0V4waQC8O2mjEGdPWntkOulWMv6mprqPQgkptPIcMsIOriW9oOWDSI1BIRXbz3SnNhyzAjLug/s1600-h/Royal+SAS+Copenhagen+Lobby.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269249804343690018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfqA2dTJkorXbg6_jkB6fuiFRWe3xh-oVdinf71U121XstZ0fNGGt6Ycj2_aWo4Oo7HW0V4waQC8O2mjEGdPWntkOulWMv6mprqPQgkptPIcMsIOriW9oOWDSI1BIRXbz3SnNhyzAjLug/s400/Royal+SAS+Copenhagen+Lobby.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 180px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 180px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: yellow;">The Hotel With The Best Architectural Theme</span> we are impressed with is the <span style="color: yellow;">SAS Royal Hotel</span> <span style="color: yellow;">in Copenhagen, Denmark. </span>Designed in 1956 by the famed architect and furniture designer Arne Jacobsen, this 20-storey cubist edifice was one of the first skyscrapers in that part of Europe, and stands today as an immaculately-preserved monument to his passion for perfection in proportion. The seemingly outdated exterior hides an exquisite gem of interior design, style and spartan elegance. Often called <span style="color: yellow;">“The World’s First Designer Hotel”</span>, this establishment has the master’s touch in everything from the architecture and interior design right down to taps, door-knobs, and even textiles. Two of Arne Jacobsen’s most famous icons, The Swan and The Egg chairs, were actually designed especially for this hotel, and many of his innovations here have been copied throughout the world in the past half-century. In the extensive renovations undertaken in 2000, great care was taken to preserve the master’s work, and room 606 was kept exactly as Arne Jacobsen left it, right down to the curtains and bathroom tiles.</div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-size: 85%;"><em>Pix By Royal SAS Hotel</em></span></div>
answerstravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09337911643589928157noreply@blogger.com0