Top 5 Hidden Destinations in Colombia

From the caribbean to the Andes, Colombia is an unseen treasure. Cartagena, San Andres, Bogota, Medellin are all more or less well known Colombia destinations, they are unique and you should definitely put them in your Colombia "places to visit" list, but this time I want to use my Colombia Travel Blog to share a few words about what I consider to be the top 5 hidden destinations in Colombia, fantastic and almost unseen places perfect for those that have a little more time and are willing to explore beyond regular travel agencies' Colombia Tours.

1. Cano Cristales.
To the south west of the country, in the National Natural Park of Serrania de la Macarena you will find the "7 Colour River". One of the most spectacular and untouched rivers in South America. Its coulors, endemic species together with the joyfulness and kindness of the locals, makes this place an unreal experience.

London Eye

It certainly does not feature in the list of The Seven Wonders of the World, but is is a tourist wonder in itself. London Eye for long has been one of the most visited tourist spots in the city for many years drawing more than 3 million annually. With a height of 443 feet, the Ferris Wheel is one of the largest in Europe. Tourists visiting London from across the world every year on vacation go to see the London Eye and pay to catch a glimpse of one of the most amazing creations ever. Located at the Western End of Jubilee Gardens which is towards the South Bank of River Thames, London Eye is a mini carnival in itself.

There are 32 sealed air conditioned passenger capsules which people enter in groups to take the ride, which lasts for a long time. People have shared their experiences saying that the whole Skyline of London is visible clearly through these capsules. For the record, ever since its inception more than 8.3 million people have travelled in it making it one of the most visited spots in recent times. The whole creation resembles a bicycle wheel that is constructed of robust steel. It has been reported than a total of 1700 tonnes of steel has been used to create this eye which offers one of the most spectacular views at twilight.

Tourists from across the world specially come to see this eye for the fact that it is one of the most amazing spots to watch. The best thing about the London Eye is that it is for everyone, not only meant for the elite. In a capsule, one might often spot a Senator sharing space with a teacher, an engineer and a lawyer along with a plumber. Since the whole of London is free to get inside the capsule anytime, people really cherish the independence it provides. Apart from all the other hot spots that tourists visit while in London, visiting the London Eye is a must as the manner in which the Skyline is visible cannot simply be described in words but has to be physically felt by being inside one of the capsules and taking the ride. Since parts of the Ferris Wheel have been brought in from six different countries, there is an element of multiculturalism that can be associated with the London Eye which makes it so appealing to people from all parts of the world.

The London Eye is indeed a spectacle. It has of late become the crowning glory of London and is looked up to by many. It is a tourism marvel; and a visual spectacle that offers the highest order of delight to the eyes and an unforgettable experience in a lifetime. Be it its construction, the way the capsule have been arranged or the Skyline view that one gets to see from inside the capsule, the London Eye is indeed meant for the chosen ones who come to London and become a part of History.

Hotel Torrequebrada in Benalmádena

Luxurious, modern hotel stands on the beach, halfway between the resort town Benamaldena and the airport of Malaga. Between the building of the hotel and the beach stretches a magnificent garden. Exotic palm trees, bright tropical flowers, picturesque ponds and waterfalls ... All rooms have views of the Mediterranean Sea. The complex includes a casino (one of the largest in Europe) and a fashionable nightclub "Sala Fortuna", where you can admire the performances of flamenco dancers.
Location: 12 kilometers from the international airport of Malaga.

In the hotel: 2 restaurants, 2 bars, 3 swimming pools (2 outdoor and one indoor heated), beach, tennis court, gym, sauna, massage, beauty salon, casino, night club, conference facilities.

Rooms: 350 rooms, including 44 rooms of category "Junior Suite", 20 rooms of category "Executive Suite" and 1 room "Royal Suite". Rooms are located in two 11-storey buildings, towers.

Rooms: balcony, air conditioning, heating, satellite TV, telephone, minibar, safe, hairdryer.

Junior Suite: spacious rooms with a large guest area.

Executive Suite: in the room - bedroom, living room / dining room, large bathroom. Also in the room - bathrobes.

Presidential Suite: 2 balconies, bedroom, living room / dining room, 2 bathrooms with Jacuzzi. Also in the room - bathrobes.

Russian Orthodox Church In Buenos Aires

It may be, you will not belive me, but my husband found a Russian orthodox church in Buenos Aires. The relatively old church, built in 1904 and adorned with icons and mosaics sent there by zar Nicholas II and Zarina Alexandra is situated in a beautiful park Lezama (or nearby).



This is a classical look of the Russian churches. They are built this way at least from X-th century. What I liked when I was in Russia last time, the modern churches have the same architecture. I see many modern Catholic churches here, in Italy. As for me, I would never pay the architects for such humiliations of the House of God. THEIR God, of those architects. A photo and my thoughts about it you can read in my post about the modern churches too.

Fortunatelly, Russian Orthodox Church as institution did not arrive at this point and their Houses of God continue to enjoy the eyes of the persons.

Haiti: Hotel Oloffson Appears to Have Survived

Port-au-Prince landmark hotel survived the quake

Back in the early '80s, during a period of relative quiessence in Hait (Papa Doc Duvalier having been succeeded by his more benign son, Baby Doc), the country was taking advantage of a relatively quiet period and was trying to entice foreign tourists to return. Yes, our small group of travel journalists was driven past heartbreaking shantytowns and shameful slums, but also visited places of hope and creativity. We visited the cathedral (now in ruins), repeatedly drove past the Presidential Palace (now collapsed), visited the Centre d'Art and bought some wonderful primitive paintings, bought other handcrafts at the Iron Market and drove up into the mountains past deforested mountainsides to a crafts coop and a rum distillery. And I stayed at the Hotel Oloffson, a labyrinthian frame building bedecked in elaborate fretwork and set in lush private grounds.

In Haiti's heyday, when the rich and famous frequented Haiti, the richest and most famous stayed at the Oloffson and anchored its bar. A cigar-chompoing Connecticut native, Al Seitz, took over the hotel in 1960, and over the years, hosted such big names as Jackie Onassis and Mick Jagger, and Seitz named hotel rooms after them. Graham Greeen set The Comedians at the Oloffson. After Al Seitz' death in 1982, his widow, the former Suzanne Laury, continued to operate it, and that's when I visited. The Oloffson survived thanks to foreign reporters and international aid workers who needed secure lodging

As I watched television reports of the horrible earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince two days ago, I also wondered how the Oloffson fared. The hotel has survived decades of a challenging climate, natural disasters, merciless dictatorshops and insurrections, but might have been the cruelest blow. However, it is known that wood-frame buildings withstand quakes and shakes better than poorly built masonry ones. According to a report in USA Today's "Hotel Check-In," the Oloffson seems to have dodged yet another bullet:

"At least one prominent hotel is safe - the Hotel Oloffoson, owned by Richard Morse. According to his tweets today, everyone is safe at the hotel. He tweeted, 'all my guests slept in the driveway last night..people came up from the streets thinking they were bodies.. neighbors helping neighbors.'

Christine Blanchard of New Jersey wrote in to the BBC that she 'heard a lot of people are at the Hotel Oloffson - near the center of Port-au-Prince - because it's one of the few hotels still standing.' She'd written to BBC earlier this morning after staying up all night searching for missing family in Haiti.)"

I know that is is but one small island of good news in a sea of untthinkable tragedy, but in a Molly Brown sort of way, perhaps it's a sign that beleaguered, resilient Haiti "ain't down yet."

January 2010 Wallpaper

Happy New Year everyone! I love 2010 because it is the year of blessings for you and me. Before the year ends tonight and the new year approaches every minute as I type away, I leave you with the first desktop wallpaper for the year.

If you're wondering why I chose a surfer shot for the first Wallpaper of the year, its simply that I hope to find myself surfing more this 2010 than in 2009.

The image posted is 1280x835. You know the drill - click then save, or click here to get the 2560x1600 version.

This photo was taken during one of the heats of a surfing competition held in Playa de Catalina, Can-avid, Eastern Samar.

Bangkok Interesting "The Grand Palace"

The Grand Palace

This Palace is the most importance place for every Thai people and it's the first place where travellers must visit when they come to Thailnd.

The Grand Palace was build under the royal command of King Rama I in order to relocate Thailand capital city from Thonburi to Bangkok. The Palace was constructed near the river and face the north which is the same objective as Ayuthaya's Palace. The Grand Palace has been seperated into three courts which are Outer, Central and Inner courts.

The importance throne Halls are Chakri Mahaprasat and Dusit Mahaprasat. Chakri Mahaprasat was built by King Rama V and it is the combination of Thailand and European architecture. On the other way, Dusit Mahaprasat was built by King Rama I as it was incorporated with many beautiful and significant architecture that travellers can't be miss.

As the travellers, you will discover antique Thailand's culture and architecture by visiting the Grand Palace.

Leaving Mar del Plata, Back to Buenos Aires

For our last meal in Mar del Plata, Maru made a feast of various types of gourmet pizzas. They were made completely from scratch with ingredients that we bought at the store just moments before, and were ridiculously delicious. Though I'm a fan of the pre-pizzas that I buy and cook here in Buenos Aires, these homemade pizzas obviously wiped the floor with them. It was a good and laid back dinner, but before long it was nearly 1 am and we were all pooped, so we decided to just call it a night, rather than forcing bad hangovers for the ride home on Sunday afternoon.

Even with a laid back night, I was exhausted on Sunday, and just moving about the apartment for a few moments was laborious. What made it worse was the sunburn, and extreme third degree burns I got on my feet. It made me feel sick, and I actually got a runny nose, but in general my body just felt like it had been hit by a truck. After the apartment was cleaned up and we were all packed and ready to go, it was time to leave Mar del Plata.

It was a nice and sunny day, already very hot and humid. Imaginably, Buenos Aires would be much hotter. Picking up some more snacks for the road, it was time to start back on Route 2, and back through the empty pampas. There wasn't as much conversation on the trip back north, mostly because we were all pretty exhausted from the weekend, but a car ride has its ways of being enjoyable nonetheless. As I fought fatigue, I looked from left to right soaking up as much of the green space as I could, aware that soon it would all be concrete again.

Somewhere along the road near a town called Maipu, we stopped for about 45 minutes at a little lake hidden off the road. Though it had a sign advertising it, the area seemed forgotten, and only a handful of people were there. Pablo had discovered it the last time he was down in the area, and we walked to the shaky wooden dock, taking some pictures and looking at the dark, motionless water. Only occasional bubbles would pop up from fish down below. The heat had died down as dark gray clouds loomed in the distance, and with some shanty tin buildings, a few picnic tables, and windmills spinning wildly, I again thought back to how the pampas reminded me of my image of the Midwest United States. I could see some movie where the peaceful farm town was about to be rocked by a tornado.

It was so quiet and relaxed, with the gentle breeze blowing from the west. Pablo said the last time he was there it was packed with cars and people, and the water was filled with swimmers. We got lucky and had it nearly to ourselves for almost an hour before getting back on the road towards Buenos Aires. Up through the north of the pampas I noticed that on the side of the road, where one might find McDonald's and diner's in the United States, all you would find here were parillas, or steak houses. McDonald's will generally always be bad (though good), and it's possible to get a so-so diner. But I had to think that every one of those steak houses was great, and what's worse about not trying all of them was not trying any of them. But it was Sunday afternoon and we had snacks, so on to Buenos Aires we kept going.

Reaching the outskirts of the province and city, we passed through many small towns along the way, with the population steadily rising as Buenos Aires grew closer. Finally we came to Banfield, where Pablo and Paola let us out to catch the bus back to the city center. It was a fun weekend and was great to see another part of Argentina, but what made it so worthwhile was that I was able to share the experience with Argentinians, learning cultural things, sharing mate, and speaking in their language. Though I've had some experiences with locals, this was by far the longest of its kind in my time here, and just a few days in the presence of Porteños taught me almost as much as my time winging it alone has in 4 months here. A successful start to the new year, and hopefully with many more good times to come.

Nightlife in Thailand

Justly famous for its nightlife in Thailand. Empire is one of the best clubs to play the latest music, and not all of the capital - the islands of Thailand, host of the world-class concert halls and events (such as "Full Moon Parties"), and some regional capitals, for example Chiang Mai. Empire is also a very good relationship between the cinema audience - ticket prices are much cheaper than in many other parts of the world, and most of the cinemas of the country's top models. In addition, the country is also all over the world-class shows (cabaret, etc.), the leading artists in the world grace the beaches of Thailand on a regular basis - so far in 2005, Sting, and Marilyn Manson, with many other projects planned for the rest of the year! Naturally, the discussion about nightlife in Thailand to be supplemented by his "famous Go-Go scene. Again, this is not limited to Bangkok - Pattaya Go-Go is an approved center, but this type of entertainment you found in various places in Sweden. Whether we are in Thailand, you can have more time for everyone - whatever your taste dancing!

New Radisson SAS Iveria Hotel Tbilisi

Located in the City Center in Rustaveli Avenue.
All Rooms are equipped with bathroom, satellite TV, phone, mini bar, free Broadband.
Hotel services are: Italian and International restaurants, Iveria Casino, business centre with conferences and meetings facilities, Wireless Internet access, Massage, Health Spa and Fitness Centre with an indoor pool and a Juice Bar, sauna, safe-box and parking.

Travel Guide to Lovina

Lovina Beach, located about 9 km from the City of Singaraja, the Bali region in the north, precisely in Kalibukbuk Village, Buleleng District. Domestic and foreign tourists who visit Lovina no objection to the morning wake up blind. In the cold morning freshness, the tourists to the sandy beaches of black ago anchored the boat motor with a maximum of five people that sometimes they do not know each other. Not infrequently the boat passengers are encouraged from the first edge of the beach by the boat owner. A work in the morning it was already able to offer a warm and intimate atmosphere between the passenger and owner of the boat motor service. Tourist boat in the end come and talk along the way more than one kilometer toward the sea.

In the blue waters of the tourist attractions akan disuguhi tens natural tails dolphin. Despite the tens of appearing in number, it is trusted that the water in the Sea of Bali is more than 100 live dolphins tail. They appear only around 06.00 to 08.00 Wita.

The boat owner who acts as tour guide in the morning that will lead perahunya toward the sea to search for dolphins. At the time dolphins have been hectic pop voice screaming tourists berbaur impressed with the sound berisiknya thruster motor boat.

When the boat is close to the dolphins, perahupun motor is turned off. In the quiet atmosphere, tourists can witness the action with the dolphins more comfortable. Herd dolphins akan disband if there is a boat near the motor is still on.

Scenes like this, already in progress since 1976. When was the first time fishermen, fishing in open waters Lovina boat rental service to see the agility dolphins use a sailboat for the first time. Then as technology sophistication sailing is replaced with the boat motor for the time and energy efficiency.

The average boat owner carry 4-5 people in each passenger turnya. Price Rp 60,000 to the fishermen already fit, may not be less or more. To avoid unhealthy competition among the boat owners, boat owners are not allowed to offer price outside the agreement. The agreement is binding on all fishing boats motor bidder services in Lovina.

For a tourist area, the facilities available can be said is quite complete. Start from the lodging of the inn, cottage, villa-star hotels to 5, shops, pubs, places to eat are open until late at night. However, the area this tour looks quiet compared to the tourist area of Pulau Dewata in the south. Say, Kuta, Sanur, which is now developing to Seminyak and Kuta. Campaign may be less or less or entertainment facilities as well as from the less incentive peemerintahnya promote Bali to the north of the world?

However, Lovina offers distinctive charm, even in the silence that is the power pikatnya appears. Without having to jam or interfere with the noise, tourists can enjoy the beautiful beach. Walking or jogging in the morning while enjoying the beach and the life of the living biota, that is the activities of many people during a visit to Lovina. So renting snorkeling and diving equipment is the flare on the beach. Fish with a variety of colors and corals with the various forms can be enjoyed in Lovina. While in the boat had seen some ornamental fish are below the surface through the water.

For souvenirs, tourists who visit Lovina can craft an ornament with pearls. Ranging from earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces and pearls can be easily found there. Decoration of the clamshell to the gift of materials, recycling is also available.

The beauty and tranquility Lovina indeed deserve to enjoy. This region can be a reference for the purpose of tourism in Bali. For the area that is very easy, asphalted road facilities are available. There are several ways to Lovina area, if the first port of Gilimanuk come through, we can direct toward the north through Grogak, Seririt, and then enter the area or if Lovina come through Ngurah Rai Airport, Denpasar go through, and then ascend to the cold area for Bedugul next to Singaraja. If you or love adventure and have a long time, it is recommended through the first Klungkung area. Region that is located in the east of Denpasar, offers tranquility akan blue sea along the journey. Log In Karangasem region, we can enjoy the beauty of Candidasa Beach, about 65 kilometers from Denpasar.

Accompanied and presented after the blue of the sea north of Bali.
We enter the cool mountainous regions, namely the distance to the Kintamani Lovina lived about 50 kilometers. From Kintamani, through our area with the mountain road and turn beautiful scenery. Throughout the journey from Klungkung - Karangasem - Kintamani Lovina end up in many places of attractions that we always visit. So the trip will not be boring to sit in the car.

Travel to Morocco

Morocco is a North African country with many travel destinations. The best time for Traveling to Morocco is during the winter months. The real beauty is the Atlas Mountains. Morocco has the flavor of romance, ancient culture, and history. Some of the cities of Morocco are Agadir is a city in southwest Morocco. The city is located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. Agadir is an important fishing and commercial port. It is also a famous seaside resort with a long sandy beach.
Sightseeing in Morocco includes famous beaches, best seaside towns, represented by Essaouira, Tangier and Asilah, also the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara desert and the Dades Valley.

Moroccan Culture hosts many people including Berbers, the people of North Africa and Nile valley. The Moroccan culture is traditional with the men earning and women taking care of the cooking at home. There are lot of restrictions as far as women are concerned. You will find friendly and colorful environment in Morocco. Moroccan culture is famous for its hospitality.

A stay at Morocco is a fascinating experience. Marrakesh, being the culture center of Morocco, is a noisy and highly populated city. If you are thinking of a stay here, Riad is the best option. Marrakesh riads, the traditional Moroccan house, generally has a central courtyard along with a fountain, restaurant or a pool. Some Marrakesh riads also have terraced cafeterias, where you can eat breakfast while enjoying the beauty of the city. You can have flavor of traditional meals at Marrakesh riads. All the Marrakesh riads, are not expensive. There are many riads in Marrakesh, playing an important role in Moroccan culture. Few popular riads in Marrakesh are, Riad Magellan, Riad Dar Dialkoum, Riad Assala, Riad La Terrasse Desoliviers and many more.

Essaouria, the Moroccan city is enriched with a mixture of French influences alongwith Moroccan traditions and culture. Essaouira is known for its wood sculpting, paintings, fabrics and music. The city has tall white houses with blue doors, and workshops. Awesome beaches, seafood, and Gnaoua Music Festival are the specialty of the Essaouria. If you want to have the most fascinating experience here, you must visit Essaouria riads. A stay at Essaouria riads, is ideal for families. Essaouria riads, give a homely feeling. Rooms are fully facilitated, with extra beds, fully equipped bathrooms, multi cuisine restaurants and many more. Some of the famous riads here are Ryad Watier, and Riad Asmitou.

There are few travel tips at Morocco that you should remember. Non Muslims are prohibited from visiting mosques. If you visit the city during the month of Ramadan, you will have a different experience. Usually men and women both prefer to cover their body. You are free to dress as you please, but don’t insult Moroccans about their clothes. Local currency is Dirham. Moroccan transport is not very expensive. You will enjoy your stay over there. http://www.morocco.com

Travel Nurse Aim: Has Anyone Claimed the Body Yet?

It's strange how an old memory will just pop into my head without anything triggering it (or at least nothing I can recall). Just out of the blue. Pop, there's an old memory. It's even more strange when it's a memory of something that happened years ago that didn't seem very significant even at the time it happened. I’m one of those people who has difficulty brushing this type of memory aside without some sort of analysis as to why it came into my head in the first place. So here’s what I’ve come up with.

First, the Memory
Tonight I was sitting here minding my own business when a crotchety old patient I attended several years ago popped into my mind. I was working as a travel nurse at a rehabilitation clinic at the time. The patient had apparently spent most of his life alienating all of his family members and would-be friends. It took him mere hours before most of the nurses in the rehab hated his guts. Every word that came out of his mouth was rude, hateful or derogatory. Even still, it was surprising that not a single person visited him the entire two months he was in the rehab hospital even though it was common knowledge that he had a large family living nearby.

One day while taking report I was told that the patient had died several days earlier. His body was bagged and placed in the temporary holding morgue where it remained unclaimed. His family was notified of his death, but none of them would agree to dispose of the body. I caught myself asking at the beginning of every shift “Has anyone claimed the body yet?” I wondered what kind of a family could be that cold and heartless. Surely that decrepit old man couldn’t have been so bad that no one cared what happened to his remains.

Finally after almost two weeks, the hospital was able to get an acquaintance to claim it. The situation made me wonder just how bad this guy had to have acted during his life to make what seemed to be the entire world turn against him.

Now the Analysis
This is the best I can come up with as to why this memory popped into my head. It might be a reminder that as a nurse I only get a snapshot of what a patient is truly like. Most of my patients are not used to spending time in a hospital. Some get scared when they are normally brave. Some get shy when they are normally outgoing. Some get angry when they are normally calm. A reminder not to judge people by how they act in the hospital (even though the crotchety old man in the hospital was apparently a crotchety old man most of his life).

Or…it could just mean that if I treat my family like crap, my body will be stuffed in a black bag, stuck in a refrigerator and left unclaimed when I die. Sometimes the simplest explanation is the best.

Belur Math

Belur Math is a place of pilgrimage for people from all over the world and is located on the western banks of river Hooghly (Ganga) in Howrah district. The foundation of Belur Math was by laid by Swami Vivekananda, the chief disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Dev. Swami Vivekananda consecrated the grounds in 1898 by worshipping the urn containing the sacred relics of Sri Ramakrishna. He himself carried the urn on his shoulders to the place of worship. The Math was constructed on 14th January 1938. The temple is notable for its architecture that fuses Hindu, Christian and Islamic motifs as a symbol of unity of all religions. Swami Vivekananda uttered these prophetic words about Belur Math on the occasion:

The blazing light of universal harmony that will emanate from here will flood the whole world

Swami Vivekananda used to reside in a two storeyed house inside the Math on the bank of the river Ganga. Swami breathed his last on 4th July, 1902. His cenotaph lies within the Math. His commodities are carefully preserved in his room and exhibited to the people.

Today, Belur Math has become the hub of worldwide spiritual movement known as the Ramakrishna Movement. The serene campus of Belur Math on the Ganga includes temples dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda, in which their relics are enshrined, and the main monastery of the Ramakrishna Order. The place has been sanctified by the stay of Swami Vivekananda and most of the monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, who spent several years here. Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi also visited this place on several occasions. The room in which Swamiji attained Mahasamadhi has been preserved here. The headquarters of the worldwide twin organizations known as Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are also situated here. An added attraction is the Museum which contains articles connected with the history of Ramakrishna Math and Mission. The green lawns and lush growth of trees and bushes everywhere add to the serenity and beauty of the place. All this has contributed to an elevating spiritual ambience that has made Belur Math an important place of pilgrimage for people all over the world. A degree college, a polytechnic, and several other educational institutions of the Ramakrishna Mission are situated in the vast campus adjacent to Belur Math.

Karachi

Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the financial capital of Pakistan and the capital of the province of Sindh. It is the twentieth largest city of the world in terms of metropolitan population, and is Pakistan's premier centre of banking, industry, and trade. Karachi is also the home of Pakistan's largest corporations that are involved in textiles, shipping, automotive industry, entertainment, arts, fashion, advertising, publishing, software development and medical research. It also serves as a major hub of higher education in South Asia, and the wider Islamic World.

Karachi enjoys its prominent position due to its geographical location on a bay, making it the financial capital of the country. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It was the original capital of Pakistan until the construction of Islamabad, and is the location of the Port of Karachi, Port Bin Qasim, one of the region's largest and busiest ports. The city's population has increased dramatically after the Partition of British India forced hundreds of thousands of refugees from India to settle in the city. Since independence from Britain in 1947, the city's vibrant economy has attracted migrants from all over Pakistan, surrounding countries such as Iran, Tajikistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and further beyond. Despite a history of political turmoil, the city continues to attract those seeking prosperity and has shown consistent growth.

Karachi city is spread over 3,530 km² (2,193 sq mi) in area. It is locally known as the "City of Lights" for its liveliness, and the "City of the Quaid", having been the birth and burial place of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, who also made the city his home after Pakistan's independence.

Clifton beach Karachi

Night view of Karachi
Clifton Park Lake

Bountiful Bled (Slovenia)

Chomping into the local delicacy of an impossibly rich vanilla and cream pastry (called kremna rezina) and a steaming black coffee on a vivid sun-drenched morning, it is difficult to imagine a more sublime place to be than at a café at medieval Bled Castle. Perched precipitously on a bare rock face, this ancient but uninteresting castle overlooks the glittering turquoise glacial Lake Bled with its fairy-tale island church, and glorious snow-capped alpine vista.

This touristy village in the very north of Slovenia, a pocket-sized country wedged between Austria, Croatia and Italy swells with neighbouring European travellers. Officially over 1000 years old (having celebrated its millennium in 2004), Bled like all of Slovenia has a vibrancy and energy in its youthful population and in the progress this tiny nation has made in the last decade.

Most popular is a visit to Bled Island and the Church of the Assumption via a squat gondola-like craft called a pletna, propelled by a local poleman. As you stride up the 99 steps from the dock, spare a thought for grooms who are expected to carry their wife up to the church to show they are fit for marriage. Enchantingly, the wife is meant to remain silent for the journey.

The church bell almost constantly chimes from its tower, echoing across the lake. Local legend dictates that those who ring the bell will have their wishes come true. Clearly many superstitious folks visit Bled!!

Rowing on Lake Bled continues to be popular, with international regattas regularly conducted on the marked rowing course.

Around Bled are lush fields, growing feed for the harsh winter months. Note the unique fence-like structures used as hayracks to dry the grasses for storage.

An excellent half-day hike from Bled is through Vintgar Gorge where a boardwalk hugs the rock wall, weaving back and forth across the raging river and tumbling water below. The gorge finishes a kilometre and a half down the boardwalk with the impressive Šum Waterfall which holds the delightfully alliterative name of Slap Šum in Slovene.

Bled is a real treasure, a true travel wonder. Take your time, stroll around the lake, rest and relax in the local cafés and soak up the easy going attitude of this lakeside mecca.

Scenic touring and tips on appreciating ‘the picturesque’ nature of travel

Romantic travel writer and artist William Gilpin gives tips on how to get the most out of ‘scenic touring’ in his 1794 piece ‘On Picturesque Travel’ that are just as relevant to travel now as they were over 200 years ago:
1. Seek out novel experiences and new destinations.
"The first source of amusement to the picturesque traveller is the pursuit of his object – the expectation of new scenes continually opening, and arising to his view… Under this circumstance the mind is kept constantly in an agreeable suspense... Every distant horizon promises something new…”
2. Take time to take it all in.
“After the pursuit we are gratified with the attainment of the object. Our amusement… arises from the employment of the mind in examining the beautiful scenes we have found. Sometimes we examine them under the idea of a whole: we admire the composition, the colouring, and the light, in one comprehensive view.”
3. Allow your senses to be assaulted!
"We are most delighted when some grand scene… rising before the eye, strikes us beyond the power of thought… and every mental operation is suspended… an enthusiastic sensation of pleasure overspreads it… the general idea of the scene makes an impression, before any appeal is made to the judgment. We rather feel, than survey it."
4. Make meaning from the experience.
“Our next amusement arises from enlarging and correcting our general stock of ideas. The variety of nature is such that new objects, and new combinations of them, are continually adding something to our fund, and enlarging our collection… the same kind of object occurring frequently is seen under various shapes, and makes us... more learned in nature.”
5. Let one experience enrich the next...
"We are, in some degree, also amused by the very visions of fancy itself. Often, when slumber has half closed the eye, and shut out all the objects of sense, especially after the enjoyment of some splendid scene; the imagination, active and alert, collects it's scattered ideas, transposes, combines, and shifts them into a thousand forms, producing such exquisite scenes, such sublime arrangements, such glow, and harmony of colouring, such brilliant lights, such depth, and clearness of shadow, as equally foil description..."
6. Start dreaming about new places to see all over again.

Some Views Of Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is probably the biggest city of Argentina. I've heard in the documentary, it has the population only 3 millions of persons. Not too much. I thought, it has to be much more larger.

Do you know that in 300 largest cities of the world live about 640 million people? The largest with about 10 mil. 300 is Seoul. Buenos Aires is on the 49-th place. Maybe I've heard about São Paulo, Brazil that is the second large city of the world, and not about Buenos Aires. By the way, the second large city of Argentina, La Matanza, is only on the 235 place in the list of large cities.

My husband went in Buenos Aires for his vacations in December, and I gave him my old photocamera. In this post I want to show you some of the photos he took there. Sincerely, I was surprized to see all the photos he took. I don't know why, I did not expect, it's a normal city. I don't know what I thought it has to be. Maybe something exotic. And what I see here is a city similar to all other cities I visited in my life...











This last view is the best, I think. I did not understand, why nobody swimms there? Have to ask my husband when he turns home from work.

Mallorca’s most appealling beaches, part 1

Mallorca became one of Europe’s most popular summer destinations for a reason. There’s no denying the island boasts stunning beaches. Unless you have a boat, though, it’s impossible to escape the crowds; don’t believe anybody who tells you any different. Even beaches proclaimed by locals as Mallorca’s most off-the-beaten-track were crowded when we recently went to investigate. Don’t even think about Magaluf, Palma Nova or Cala Millor, these are the spots to lay your towel – or rent a sun-bed!

* ES TRENC – for many sun-worshippers, this is Mallorca’s most sublime stretch of sand. Popular with naturists, this long, skinny beach is certainly a beauty, with pristine, aquamarine water and snowy sand. Reached by dirt roads and tracks through small sand dunes, it may not be the easiest beach to get to, but it still gets crowded.

* TRAMUNTANA MOUNTAINS – while you’ll need a boat to get to the best swimming spots on the spectacular coast skirting the majestic Tramuntana mountain range, there are some alluring beaches that can be reached by skinny tortuous roads, including Cala de Sa Calobra and the slightly more accessible, Cala de Deià. While it's not an easy drive to reach them (especially Sa Calobra), and it’s mindboggling how buses get here, they get very busy and it’s a long hot walk from the car park in summer.

* PORTO COLOM – several tiny crescent-shaped sandy beaches on an attractive bay; they’re miniscule but picturesque, backed by pine trees, with casual beach cafés overlooking the water. A marina and fishing town with cute fishing sheds beneath colourful houses, and good restaurants and bars, Porto Colom is one of the most alluring and laidback of Mallorca’s holiday towns. It's incredibly popular with Germans and Scandinavians who rent houses or dock their yachts at the marina for a while; most signs and menus are in German.

See part 2 for more beaches... pictured? Let me know if you can guess. This one was hugely popular but difficult to locate, and it's in my least favorite part of Mallorca I have to say.

Trip Base travel awards

The nice people at Trip Base recently gave me a little award - well, I was a finalist in their Best Travel Guides category - and I was so busy I didn't even have time to thank them properly (although I did as I was told and put the badge up). So, a big heartfelt thank you, Trip Base - or shukran jazeelan as we say here in the MidEast. If you want to see which other blogs won awards, you can see the full list here and here, and if you want to know more about Trip Base, check out their site.

The picture? That's Mallorca again, and the view from our room at the Maricel hotel.

Travel writing and the pace of research

This month-long research trip in Thailand for the new DK guidebook has been one of the busiest commissions we've ever undertaken. It's also been one of the most sublime. We've flown, driven, ferried, and trekked thousands of kilometers in southern and northern Thailand, in our quest to review some 280 hotels and restaurants. So please forgive the silence. There's been little time for blogging in between hotel inspections, spa treatments, breakfast, lunches and dinners, and activities that have ranged from cooking classes and elephant mahout training to ox cart rides and jungle treks. Then there are all the tedious things in between - checking in and out of hotels every day or two, picking up and dropping off hire cars, checking in at airports, hanging out in lounges and waiting at baggage carousels, and sitting in our car as we wait in line for the inevitably late car ferry - all of which consume an interminable amount of our precious time. The continual travel and constant activity has meant little time for relaxation. As I'm writing a new spa spread for the next edition of the guide, and both my partner Terry and I are working on spa-focused stories for travel magazines, our spa 'research' has comprised our only down time. Along with an hour here and there to test out our private infinity pools (such as this one at the Four Seasons Koh Samui). It's these moments of pampering in tranquil treatment rooms and gazing out across the tops of palm trees to serene sea vistas that have kept us sane. Naturally, we don't expect any sympathy.

New York Times on Travel Guidebook Work

A Happy Travel Writer

That's Brad running through the water in some warm, sunny place. Since it seems that most readers of this blog can't be bothered to click the links, I'll go ahead and give you a heads up about the recent story in the New York Times about the "trials and tribulations of being a travel writer." See, it fits right into my theme.

It's summer now, and countless travelers are fumbling their way around the globe, heads buried in guides published by Let's Go, Lonely Planet, Rough Guides and Frommer's among others. Probably few stop to consider what goes into producing travel guides or even who wrote them. And as it turns out, many of the intrepid young writers scouring the planet doing research for next year's crop of guidebooks never stopped to consider what those jobs would entail, other than the romantic — and often overstated — prospect of being paid to travel.

While the phrase "travel writing" may invoke thoughts of steamer trunks, trains, Isak Dinesen and Graham Greene, or at the very least, well-financed junkets to spas in Rangoon for some glossy magazine or other, writing budget travel guides is most decidedly yeoman's work. Most who do it quickly learn the one hard and fast rule of the trade: travel-guide writing is no vacation.

"Many underestimate exactly how much work goes into making a guide book," said Jay Cooke, an editor for Lonely Planet. "Some potential authors think it would be fun to travel and get paid for it. But they're expected to write tens of thousands of words. It's a big, big job, and it goes far beyond journal keeping on a beach somewhere."

Indeed a day in the life of a guide writer can be wearying. Amelia Atlas, a recent Harvard graduate who is now in Berlin researching a guide to that city for Let's Go, said that last Wednesday she set out early to case a new neighborhood, Prenzlauer Berg, for her Berlin guide. She visited three hostels and three restaurants before collecting the shopping and eating options around a particular square. She visited a section of the Berlin Wall that still stands, made notes about the historical displays there, and set about walking the neighborhood block by block to see what she might find. After a quick dinner, Ms. Atlas went to her apartment to write about the day's findings. Then she planned to go out to sample the night life. "Manic is a good word," she said.

Cool Travel Guide's Posting Policy

While the vast majority of comments I get on Cool Travel Guide are wonderful and warmly welcomed, I've received a few comments over the last year that have caused me to reflect upon what Cool Travel Guide is all about and what I'm prepared to post and what I'm not and to come up with a posting policy. Here it is: while I welcome comments in response to posts I've published on Cool Travel Guide and other comments that might be slightly off-topic but touch on subjects this blog covers (see this post 'What is Cool Travel Guide?' to find out what those are), there are some comments that I won't post and won't address and they are:

1) spam, including friendly on-topic comments across multiple posts where it's obvious you're just leaving comments to try to sell your timeshare apartments or cheap flights. The only exception is where I know you and you are writing from a business address, but even then if you're spamming, I'm sorry I won't post your comments.

2) comments that are abusive, defamatory and obscene. If you have a problem with me or something I've written, then email me directly. But unless you identify yourself and write in a reasoned, calm and considered manner, don't expect me to answer. Life is too short and I don't have time to write to my friends, so don't think I'm going to waste my precious time answering abusive emails.

3) persistent off-topic comments, especially those across multiple posts that verge on stalking. If your comments are off-topic *and* anonymous, then there is no way I'm going to post them. Again, if there's something you want to discuss then email me directly and identify yourself. Bear in mind I'm not going to respond to people who accuse me of being an apologist for Dubai nor am I going to get into discussions about things like the human rights of construction workers there. This doesn't meant I don't care, it just means I don't care to discuss the subject with you on Cool Travel Guide.
4) comments that relate to content I've written for other publishers that has nothing to do with Cool Travel Guide content. For example, an anonymous person recently left an angry comment in relation to a review I wrote on a hotel for a Lonely Planet guidebook because their experience differed remarkably to my own. If you have a bad experience at a hotel, my advice is to complain to the hotel manager during your stay. There's nothing they can do about a noisy hotel room after you leave or if you leave an anonymous comment on Cool Travel Guide. If you've maintained your anonymity, I can't even follow it up with the hotel manager to find out what happened. Complain to the manager at the time of your stay and they can probably move you to another room or help find you alternate accommodation. If I didn't mention the noise in my review, then I obviously didn't experience it myself, but don't question and criticize my reviewing skills nor expect that I'll upload an anonymous comment that does so.

Robert Reid Talks about the Future of Travel Guidebooks

Robert Reid is a Lonely Planet writer who publishes an amazing internet guide to Vietnam, and doesn't mince words in his recent interview with WorldHum. He laments the demise of experienced travel guidebook writers for novices who will work for peanuts under the illusion it will lead to fame and riches, and thinks internet travel guides will someday replace traditional published guides, when technology advances and handhelds can display the chief advantage printed guides continue to have over internet sources: maps.

Robert Reid: I used to think the most important thing we guidebook authors did for travelers was hotel reviews. People like to have some sense of security that the $5 or $300 place they’re staying in won’t be a brothel or rat-infested dump. But the Internet has already completely changed this. Previously if I had a new budget hotel in a town center, or a mid-ranger with pool, travelers would have to wait nine or 12 months from the time I “discovered” it until it appeared in a guide.

Now Internet booking sites often get them immediately. When I went to China a couple years ago, I stayed at a brand new hostel in Beijing that the Trans-Siberian author had just found, but that hadn’t yet appeared in the guide. It was already full! I was amazed at how nearly all the people there had found it online, and were booking their full China trip’s accommodations online.

At a Lonely Planet workshop a couple years ago, I asked a high-up at LP who they saw as their biggest competitor, and they immediately answered “Google.” I was impressed. So publishers like LP definitely see the Internet as a growing competitor, and have for a while. When the BBC bought LP a couple months ago, one of the key things they cited for future development was online content.

Another thing is that many sites with travel content online don’t have maps. And maps are HUGE. I sometimes think seasoned travelers need only a map, with barebones details of few places to stay, and barebones details of what to see and where to eat. If they trust the author—and that’s a big if, of course—not as much needs to be said as some people think. This, again, is for seasoned travelers only.

The only other thing I fear regarding online guidebooks is if they follow the “I stayed here and it was great” TripAdvisor or Amazon.com model. Those are useful, no doubt, but they’re only based on isolated experiences. If publishers turn things over at some point to reader-generated content, you won’t have the authoritative overviews that guidebook writers can offer, and it’ll end up with deeper beaten tracks, with more travelers doing the same thing.

But I do want to say David Stanley is right, it’s sad and reckless if an old author who did good work on several editions is cut for a new author. In my opinion, in-house editors don’t completely understand what goes into researching these guides—I was an editor for years, and only figured it out once I started writing full time. The best experience for writing a guidebook to X is not living in X but actually having written a guidebook to X. Sometimes publishers forget that a bit.

Sometimes I think we’re living a doomed profession, and that we’ll look back on the wacky wild period from the 1970s to the 2000s when scores of notebook-toting travelers went and sought out the mysteries of places that are no longer mysterious. People will look back on the era like reading Graham Greene books about far-flung places at wilder times.

Will guidebooks in book form die? Probably so. But to be honest, I think there will always be room for the perspective of the “guidebook author,” at least online. Once hand-held devices get even more sophisticated, so that maps and reviews are more easily referred to—or we old folks die out and the younger generations who are not so soft on books take over—things will probably go online completely.

But I sometimes think people like holding those books. So far, though, the TripAdvisor-type sites are excellent resources, but don’t account for perspective. One person goes to Y hotel and says “it’s super!” But they don’t realize A, B, C are similar and $40 less. Who goes to all 15 museums in Bucharest but a guidebook author? So only they can tell you that something like the Romanian National Museum of the Peasant is about the best museum in the world?