HOLIDAY LOCATION

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2011-05-30T01:09:00.000-07:00

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Kampong Ayer,Brunei

2008-09-16T07:52:00.000-07:00

The Water Village (Malay: Kampong Ayer) is an area of Brunei's capital city Bandar Seri Begawan that is situated in the middle of the Brunei River. 30,000 people live in the Water Village. This represents roughly ten percent of the nation's total population. All of the Water Village buildings are constructed on stilts above the Brunei River.

The Water Village is really made up of small villages linked together by more than 29,140 metres of foot-bridges, consisting of over 4200 structures including homes, mosques, restaurants, shops, a school, and a hospital. 36 kilometers of boardwalks connect the buildings. Private water taxis provide rapid transit. Most of these taxis resemble long wooden speed boats. From a distance the water village looks like a slum. It actually enjoys modern amenities including air conditioning, satellite television, Internet access, plumbing, and electricity. Some of the residents keep potted plants and chickens. The district has a unique architectural heritage of wooden homes with ornate interiors.

People have lived in Kampong Ayer for over 1300 years. Antonio Pigafetta dubbed it the Venice of the East when the fleet of Ferdinand Magellan visited in 1521. The district is a culturally important part of Brunei that preserves the nation's river dwelling origins. According to geography professor Abdul Aziz of the Universiti Brunei Darussalam, this is the largest and most famous water settlement of Southeast Asia. "It was historically the very core of Brunei and one of the most important centres of trade in Borneo."

In order to preserve Kampong Ayer as Brunei Darussalam's most valuable heritage, the Government through the District Office has provided it with numerous facilities including foot-bridges, concrete jetties, piped water, electricity supplies telephones, a school, mosques, clinics, a police station and a marine fire station. All of the six water village mukims (districts) are collectively known as the water village (Kampong Ayer) but are identified as separate mukims for administrative purposes.

Nha Trang ,Vietnam

2008-09-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Nha Trang Virtual Tour. Nha Trang is a city in the South of Vietnam, 280 miles (450 Km) Northeast of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). The city is famous for its beaches, for its turquoise waters and for its islands.

If you are traveling around Vietnam, Nha Trang is a great place to relax for a few days. The town has a splendid beach. I recommend also a visit to some of its 19 surrounding islands. Scuba diving and snorkeling are also very popular among visitors.
Nha Trang is a place to relax by day and to party by night. Its long beach is visited by locals first thing in the morning, from 5 am to 8 am. Vietnamese do not appreciate tanned skins. Foreign visitors come to the beach quite later.

Throughout the public beach are restaurants and bars that offer umbrellas and beds for rent. Most of these bars offer drinks and food. Prices are quite low, and the quality of the food is surprisingly high. Local vendors will offer you everything else you need. From fresh fruits to massages. I found these sellers some times annoying, but at the same time I found the goods they sold useful.
Nha Trang has an airport with daily flights from Da Nang, Hanoi and Saigon. You can also come from Saigon by train or bus. If you are traveling from the North, you can get to Nha Trang from Da nang by train. It is also possible to get to/from Da Nang by bus. I cannot recommend the bus, unless you have plenty of time and a low budget. By the way, if you are planning a backpack travel to Vietnam, there is a bus service that offers an open ticket from Hanoi to Saigon (or vice versa) for a few US dollars. With the Open Bus, you can stop in several cities on the way to your destination, stay there as long as you want, and continue the trip. You will find more info about the Open Bus tickets in any travel agency in the center of Hanoi and/or Saigon.
The offer of accommodation in Nha Trang is very varied. You may have to book in advance if you come during the high season (summer), but if not, it may not be necessary. Most hotels are located along the city's main beach road, Tran Phu Boulevard. Unless you stay in a first class hotel, I recommend staying in hotels one street back from this road. Hotels in front of the road can be noisy. You will also find better deals and better services if you move inland.

If you do not have a hotel reservation, I recommend bringing a good and updated travel guide. If not, you will have to ask a taxi driver to look for a hotel. It is not that taxi drivers will rip you off, the problem is that you may waste a lot of time going from one hotel to the other till you find the one that satisfies you
The culinary offer in Nha Trang is also very varied. One of the reasons I enjoyed my stay in Nha Trang was the quality of the food. This city is nation wide famous for its sea food specialties. Around the first class hotels you will find the best restaurants in town. In the tourist center of Nha Trang you will find some cheaper options. Some of the restaurants in this area serve western food (pizzas and burgers). For the real deal, ask a taxi driver to bring you to one of the local sea food restaurants. I went to a sea food restaurant North of the city, on the other side of the bridges, with an excellent offer of local sea food. Prices were not very high.

It is also possible to have sea food on the beach. While I was lying on a bed, this nice lady asked if we wanted to try the local lobsters. After a long negotiation we agreed on the price. She went to the local market, bought two lobsters and brought them alive. She cooked them on a small pan on the sand. Although tropical lobster is not as good as cold water lobster, this was a great lunch. If you buy sea food from a local, make sure it is alive.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

2008-09-16T07:41:00.000-07:00

The world famous Halong Bay is a must see in any travel to Vietnam. The bay and its 3,000 islands will surprise you no matter how many pictures you have seen before.

The area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Many travel agencies in Hanoi offer excursions to Halong Bay. Allow, at least, two days to visit the bay. The islands vary in size, some are small -- as the one in the picture --, others are quite big. Some of the islands have grottoes that can be visited.

If you stay with me, I will give you a sneak preview of the Halong Bay area, and give you some useful tips.

Halong Bay, tourist boat

In Hanoi you will find plenty of agencies that offer tours to Halong Bay. Usually they offer one, two and three days trips. One day is not enough to visit the bay. The trip from Hanoi to Ving Ha Long will take you almost five hours. With the one day excursion you will only be able to do a small boat tour. Two days is the minimum stay recommended. If you add a third day, you will be able to sleep in one of the islands in the bay, Cat Ba Island for instance.

The trip from Hanoi is done on bus. Your guide will bring you to the halong Bay port, where you will get on one of the boats.

Halong Bay, limestone islets

The best time to visit the Halong Bay area is in Spring and Summer. In fall and winter the sea is not very clear because of the muddy waters the rain in the region brings to the sea. In summer, days are clearer and temperatures can be somewhat high. In winter the area may be visited, but you won't be able to swim.

Halong Bay, fishing boat

For the two and three (or more) days tours there are two options of accommodation. One is sleeping in one of the boats. The other is sleeping in one of the islands in the bay. Tourism is developing in the area. New hotels are being built in the bigger islands. I recommend sleeping one night on the boat, but if I were you I would not sleep a second night on board. Boats are small, noisy and do rock a lot. If you want a tip, sleep in a hotel the second night.

Halong Bay, grotto

Some of the bigger islands have grottoes. They are open to the public. Most of the organized tours will stop in one of these islands, and take you on a guided tour of a grotto. The visit to these caves lasts around an hour. Some of them are in better conditions than others, but it is always a magical experience to get inside the mountains, and see how powerful water is.

Singapore's vibrant Chinatown

2008-09-12T15:47:00.000-07:00

Explore Singapore's vibrant Chinatown on a balmy evening tour that's filled with activities. After exploring Singapore's Chinatown and enjoying a Chinese dinner at a Chinatown restaurant, you'll take a tour with a difference by trishaw through Singapore's exciting Night Market then cruise along the Singapore River by traditional cargo boat.

The four-hour evening tour of Singapore's Chinatown offers rare insights into Chinese history in Singapore. You'll take a visit to the Chinatown Heritage Center, housed in three restored traditional shop houses. The Heritage Center takes you back to a different era and provides a first-hand experience of life in the cramped quarters of a typical Chinatown shop house. You'll also have the opportunity to wander along Chinatown’s narrow lanes at the Night Market and test your bargaining skills with street vendors selling souvenirs, fashion, leather goods and much more.

The highlight of the Singapore Chinatown evening tour is your trip through Chinatown’s exuberant Night Market by trishaw. You'll thread your way through the market's hustle and bustle by the “chauffeured limousine” of times gone by, traveling through Chinatown to Clarke Quay. Here you'll take a cruise along the Singapore River in a bumboat, the traditional cargo boats once used to ferry goods up and down the river. You'll see Singapore lit up at night, highlighting the beautifully restored shop houses, the modern skyscrapers of the financial district, colonial buildings and the iconic Merlion statue. The cruise disembarks at the Esplanade–Theatres by the Bay venue on the waterfront.

Sentosa Island, Singapore

2008-09-12T15:46:00.000-07:00

Expand your Singapore experience with an afternoon visit to Sentosa Island, Singapore's relaxing island resort. You'll travel to this island haven by scenic cable car, see pink dolphins at play in the Dolphin Lagoon, visit the Underwater World oceanarium, see the “Images of Singapore” story and after dinner enjoy the multi-sensory sound and light water show “Songs of the Sea”. This action-packed, family-friendly afternoon tour to Sentosa Island is guaranteed to please children and adults alike.

Your afternoon Sentosa Island afternoon tour begins with panoramic views from a cable car as your swoop over the water from Mt Faber to the Sentosa island resort. You'll be amazed by the playful antics of the pink dolphins at the Dolphin Lagoon, with their tail-flapping, calling and synchronized tail-walking. Your view of fascinating sea life gets even closer at Sentosa's Underwater World. You’ll be taken on a “voyage to the bottom of the sea” as you walk through a transparent underwater tunnel with close-up views of more than 2,500 sea creatures.

At “Images of Singapore” you'll experience the colorful culture and vibrant heritage of Singapore, retold through life-size figures, aipnimatronics and special effects. After dinner, you’ll head for "Songs of the Sea", Singapore's multi-sensory extravaganza. The world-class water show features dramatic effects, water jets, lasers, burst of fire and foot-tapping music in an underwater setting, transporting you to an enchanted world where mystical sea creatures, a dashing young hero, beautiful princess and all things magical come to life. Your return to Singapore is by private air-conditioned coach.

Singapore's Jurong Bird Park

2008-09-12T15:37:00.000-07:00

Take a ride on the air-conditioned Panorail for a panoramic view of Singapore's Jurong Bird Park and into a tropical world of jungle mists at the Waterfall Aviary. With this 4-hour tour you'll also enjoy the spectacular Penguin Exhibit with an underwater viewing gallery and do not miss the All-Star Bird Show, reputed as world-class.

Jurong Bird Park is located on 20 hectares of lush greenery in Singapore's model industrial estate and is home to over 8,000 birds from more than 600 species.

There is something for everyone at Jurong Bird Park. The kids will love the Birds n Buddies Show with colorful costumed characters showing at 11:00am and 3:00pm daily as well as the Splash n Slide Station. Be wowed by nature's most ferocious flying predators at the Birds of Prey Show also showing daily at 10:00am and 4:00pm. There are many shows running throughout the day, be sure to check the schedule upon arrival at the park.

A great day out for the whole family!

The Beaches of Palawan

2008-09-12T15:13:00.000-07:00

The exotic beauty of Palawan remains undefiled. Branded as the country's last frontier, Palawan is a sanctuary to an amazing variety of exotic flora and fauna that are found nowhere else. Palawan is also home to Tubbataha Reef, the only national marine park that made it to the World Heritage List and whose grandeur is comparable to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

With more than a thousand islands and islets, Palawan boasts of white-sand beaches, scenic rock formations, underwater rivers and magnificent caves. Other well-known attractions include Saint Paul's National Park which boasts of caves that nestle an underground river; El Nido, a world-class resort famous for its awe-inspiring seascape and limestone cliffs; and Calauit island, home of Philippine and African wildlife.

Also in Palawan is the primordial island of Busuanga, a perfect starting point for sorties to other nearby islands.In Palawan, each day is promising. The sun rises over the South China Sea and soon everything else sparkles, including the smiles of its people.

Enchanted Kingdom

2008-09-12T14:59:00.000-07:00

Thousands of people head south of Manila to spend a day of fun-filled relaxation and adventurous excitement within the American-style walls of Enchanted Kingdom, a 17-hectare world class theme park conveniently located in the outskirts of Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Enchanted Kingdom, a short five-minute ride from the Sta. Rosa Tollgate of South Luzon Expressway, brings the closest version of Disney-type leisure in the country. The theme park, managed and operated by Amtrust Leisure Corporation (ALC), offers educational entertainment tours to students and "gastronomic treats" to families.

The P1.2-billion park, which has been operating since July 28, 1995 was conceptualized by Landmark Entertainment Group and designed after the Knott's Berry Farm, America's first amusement theme park located in Buena Park, California. It is a member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). As such, it provides visitors with thrilling rides, stunning sights, and wondrous experience.

In the words of the Enchanted Kingdom operators, "the place is an active mix of thrills, attractions, entertainment, food service, celebrations and shopping set amidst an enthralling place that presents the past and the future, the quaint and the sophisticated, the picturesque and the dazzling in one unique package."

Enchanted Kingdom is an aggregate of seven theme zones: Victoria Park, Portabello, Brooklyn Place, Spaceport, Jungle Outpost, Midway Boardwalk, and Boulderville. These zones serve as enclaves to 21 thrilling rides and attractions meant to provide daring visitors with a sense of flight, twist, twirl, and other acrobatic stunts.

The rides include the Grand Carousel, Flying Fiesta, Rialto, Space Shuttle, Log Jam, Wheel of Fate, Condor, Up Up and Away, Roller Coaster, Anchors Away, Dodgem, Stone Eggs, Air Pterodactyl, Swan boats, and Bump n Splash. In the near future, the park is set to introduce other exciting rides such as the Kiddie Train Ride and the Rio Loco River Rapid Ride.

Aside from the rides, Enchanted Kingdom also charms its visitors with various treats such as the fireworks show every weekend, dance presentation by the park's in-house talents, theater shows, seasonal shows, well-manicured gardens, classic American brownstone facades and establishments, and a variety of characters and mascots led by the Wizard.

Bohol's Springs and Beaches

2008-09-12T14:42:00.000-07:00

Bohol is one of the loveliest islands in southern Philippines. It is situated at the heart of Visayas and with coastline skimmed by gentle coves and white-sand beaches. Many highways snake along sparkling beaches or leafy rivers where one can stop at any point and jump in.

With its rolling hills and plateaus, crystal springs and beaches, the province of Bohol is a picturesque province replete with ancestral homes and centuries-old churches. Bohol is composed of numerous isles -Panglao, Pamilacan, Cabilao, Jao, Mahanay and Lapinin, which are excellent dive spots.

The Chocolate Hills is but one of the many natural wonders to be found in Bohol. The province is the home of the world's smallest monkey, the tarsier. The size of a fist, the tarsier lives on the hills of Corella, some ten kilometers from Tagbilaran. Other exotic flora and fauna may also be found amongst the forest of Bohol.

Bohol's various mountainous and water formations also serve as a natural playground for the adventurous tourist. One can cruise its rivers, hike up the hills, swim the deep waters, or just stroll down the avenues. Bohol is just waiting to surprise you.

Tagbilaran, Bohol's capital town can be reached by plane or boat from Cebu and Manila. Numerous tourist inns and excellent resorts are found in Tagbilaran and Panglao island.

source:http://www.txtmania.com/trivia/tourism.php

MANILA OCEAN PARK

2008-09-12T04:10:00.000-07:00

Manila Ocean Park, the PhPhP1-billion marine park constructed by Singaporean and Malaysian investors at the back of Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park, opened on 29th February 2008.
"The park is set to be the city's major tourist destination. It is expected to draw millions of visitors on its first year, offering a unique tourist experience beyond the usual shopping activities," said park developer, China Oceanis Philippines, Inc., a joint venture between Singaporean and Malaysian investors.

Tourism executives and local officials of Manila hailed the country's newest tourist destination as something that will reinvent Rizal Park and reinvigorate tourism in the capital.
Manila Ocean Park president Lim Chee Yong said several developments are already happening around Luneta with the completion of the first phase of Manila Ocean Park .

Lim said Manila Ocean Park will showcase the rich marine resources of the Philippines , which along with Malaysia , Indonesia and the Pacific Islands form the Coral Triangle, considered as the world's center of marine biodiversity.

The Coral Triangle is home to 75 percent of all known coral species and more than 3,000 species of reef and pelagic fish.

The marine park's oceanarium features 20,000 exotic and colorful fishes, most of which are endemic to the Philippines.

The opening of the marin park has been deferred from December 2007 to February 2008, because of a minor fire last year, which caused the construction delays.

Completed was the first phase of the project, which include the main facility and oceanarium, a magnificent glass and steel structure featuring a 25-meter long, 220-degree curved acrylic walkway tunnel, where guests can view the country's different marine species.

Set for completion later in the year are the open water marine habitats, a shopping mall, restaurant row, hotel, and multi-purpose function facilities.

When completed, the whole project will be the first of its kind in Asia Pacific, according to the marine park's management.

The management of the Manila Ocean Park has partnered with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to spread awareness for Philippine marine environment.

WWF-Philippine vice chairman Lory Tan said the conservation group partnered with Manila Ocean Park after the company committed not to display endangered species, except for captive-bred, and to strive for best practice in collection of marine animals.

Dave Valdes, president of WWF-Philippines, said his organization will use its partnership with Manila Ocean Park to educate students and train the staff of the company in the area of conservation.The Manila Ocean Park will help clean the water of Manila Bay , because it will draw water directly from the bay, which will undergo an advance filtration system.

Some 12,000 cubic meters of water from the Manila Bay will be pumped into the oceanarium, five other display tanks, and open water marine habitats daily.

Aside from the aquatic display, park visitors can enjoy a glass-bottomed boat ride, the 20-foot acrylic underwater tunnel, and the activity center.

Taiwan

2008-09-11T20:42:00.000-07:00

Taiwan's climate is marine tropical.[23] The Northern part of the island has a rainy season that lasts from January to late March during the southwest monsoon, and also experiences meiyu in May.[24] The entire island succumbs to hot humid weather from June until September, while October to December are arguably the most pleasant times of year. The middle and southern parts of the island do not have an extended monsoon season during the winter months, but can experience several weeks of rain, especially during and after Lunar New Year. Natural hazards such as typhoons and earthquakes[25] are common in the region.
Taiwan is a center of bird endemism; see Endemic birds of Taiwan for further information

Namdaemun,South Korea

2008-09-11T00:11:00.000-07:00

Namdaemun, officially named Sungnyemun is a historic gate located in the heart of Seoul, the capital of South Korea. The landmark is officially called Sungnyemun, literally "Gate of Exalted Ceremonies," as written in hanja on a plaque on the wooden structure.As the southern gate of the original walls surrounding Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty, it is widely known as Namdaemun, literally "Great Southern Gate." It is the first among the National Treasures of South Korea.
Before the 2008 fire, Namdaemun was the oldest wooden structure in Seoul.The city gate, made of wood and stone with a two-tiered, pagoda-shaped tiled roof, was completed in 1398 and originally used to greet foreign emissaries, control access to the capital city, and keep out Korean tigers, which have long been gone from the area. Construction began in 1395 during the fourth year of the reign of King Taejo of Joseon and was finished in 1398. The structure was rebuilt in 1447 and was renovated several times since.It was originally one of three main gates, the others being the East Gate (Dongdaemun) and the now-demolished West Gate in the Seodaemun-gu district, named after the old gate.
In the early part of the 20th century, the city walls that surrounded Seoul were demolished by the Japanese Government, ostensibly "to ease the flow of traffic in the area." A visit to Seoul by the Crown Prince of Japan prompted the demolition of the walls around Namdaemun, as the prince was deemed to be too exalted to pass through the gateway.The gate was closed to the public in 1907 after the Japanese colonial authorities constructed an electric tramway nearby. Namdaemun was extensively damaged during the Korean War and was given its last major repair in 1961, with a completion ceremony held on May 14, 1963.It was given the status of "National Treasure No.1"on December 20, 1962.
The Gate was renovated again in 2005 with the building of a lawn around the gate, before being opened once again to the public with much fanfare on 3 March 2006.During the restoration, 182 pages of blueprints for the gate were made as a contingency against any emergencies which may damage the structure.

Kŭmgangsan Tourist Region

2008-09-10T22:29:00.000-07:00

Tourism in North Korea is organized by the state owned Tourism Organisation ("Ryohaengsa"). Every group of travelers as well as individual tourist/visitors are permanently accompanied by one or two "guides" who normally speak the mother tongue of the tourist. The whole program is dictated by the guides; any contact with North Koreans is subdued, whenever possible. While tourism has increased over the last few years, tourists from Western countries remain few. The majority of the tourists that do go come from China and Japan. For citizens of the US and South Korea it is practically impossible to obtain a visa for North Korea. Exceptions for US citizens are made for the yearly Arirang Festival.
In the area of the Kŭmgangsan-mountains, the company Hyundai established and operates a special Tourist area. Traveling to this area, one of the nicest regions on the Korean peninsula, is also possible for South Koreans and US citizens, but only in organized groups from South Korea. A special administrative region known as the Kŭmgangsan Tourist Region exists for this purpose.
It was established in 2002 to handle South Korean tourist traffic to Kŭmgangsan (Diamond Mountain).
Since 1998, South Korean and foreign tourists have been allowed to visit Kŭmgangsan, travelling at first by cruise ship, but more recently by bus on a newly built road through the Korean Demilitarized Zone. In 2002, the area around the mountain was separated from Kangwon-do and organized as a separately administered Tourist Region. Since 1998 over one million South Koreans have visited the resort.
In July 2008, Park Wang-ja, a 53 year old South Korean tourist was shot twice and killed when she entered a military area, according to the North Korean government. The South Korean request to a joint inquiry was denied. Forensic tests done on Wang-ja suggest that she was standing still or walking slowly when shot. This contradicted the North Korean claim that she was running and did not heed warnings. Immediately after the shooting the South Korean government suspended tours to the resort. In August 2008 the North Koreans announced that they would expel "unnecessary" South Korean workers from the resort

2008-09-10T22:23:00.000-07:00

Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and photographs, as well as visited by sightseers and climbersMt. Fuji stands at 3,776 m (12,388 ft) high and is surrounded by five lakes: Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanaka, Lake Sai, Lake Motosu and Lake Shoji.They, and nearby Lake Ashi, provide excellent views of the mountain. It is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. It is also a stratovolcano. The climate is very cold due to the altitude and the cone is covered by snow for several months of the year. The lowest recorded temperature is −38.0 °C while on June 2008 the highest temperature was recorded at 17.8 °C.
It can be seen from Yokohama, Tokyo, and sometimes as far as Chiba when the sky is clear.

2008-09-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

Tokyo has numerous outlying islands, which extend as far as 1850 km from central Tokyo. Because of the islands' distance from the administrative headquarters of the metropolitan government in Shinjuku, local offices administer them.The Izu Islands are a group of volcanic islands and form part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. The islands in order from closest to Tokyo are Izu Ōshima, Toshima, Niijima, Shikinejima, Kozushima, Miyakejima, Mikurajima, Hachijojima, and Aogashima. Izu Ōshima and Hachijojima are towns. The remaining islands are six villages, with Niijima and Shikinejima forming one village.The Ogasawara Islands include, from north to south, Chichi-jima, Nishinoshima, Haha-jima, Kita Iwo Jima, Iwo Jima, and Minami Iwo Jima. Ogasawara also administers two tiny outlying islands: Minami Torishima, the easternmost point in Japan and at 1,850 km the most distant island from central Tokyo, and Okino Torishima, the southernmost point in Japan.
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National ParkThe last island is contested by the People's Republic of China as being only uninhabited rocks. The Iwo chain and the outlying islands have no permanent population, but host Japanese Self-Defense Forces personnel. Local populations are only found on Chichi-jima and Haha-jima. The islands form the village of Ogasawara.

Tokyo has many museums. In Ueno Park are four national museums: Tokyo National Museum, the country's largest museum and specializing in traditional Japanese art; the National Museum of Western Art; and the Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art, with its collections of Japanese modern art as well as over 40,000 Japanese and foreign films.[31] Also in Ueno Park are the National Museum of Science and the public zoo. Other museums include the Nezu Art Museum in Aoyama; the Edo-Tokyo Museum in the Sumida Ward across the Sumida River from the center of Tokyo; and the National Diet Library, National Archives, and the National Museum of Modern Art, which are located near the Imperial Palace.
Tokyo has many theaters for the performing arts as well. These include national and private theaters for traditional forms of Japanese drama (like noh and kabuki) as well as modern dramas. Symphony orchestras and other musical organizations perform Western and traditional music. Tokyo also hosts modern Japanese and Western pop and rock music at venues ranging in size from intimate clubs to internationally known arenas like the Nippon Budokan. Many different festivals occur throughout Tokyo. Major events include the Sannō at Hie Shrine, the Sanja at Asakusa Shrine, and the biennial Kanda Festivals. The last features a parade with elaborately decorated floats and thousands of people. Annually on the last Saturday of July, an enormous fireworks display over the Sumida River attracts over a million viewers. Once cherry blossoms, or sakura, bloom in spring, many residents gather in Ueno Park, Inokashira Park, and the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden for picnics under the blossoms.
Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo is known internationally for its youth style and fashion.[32]
Cuisine in Tokyo is internationally acclaimed. In November of 2007, Michelin released their guide for fine dining in Tokyo, garnering 191 stars in total, or about twice as many as its nearest competitor, Paris. Eight establishments were awarded the maximum of three stars (Paris has 10), 25 received two stars, and 117 earned one star. Of the eight top-rated restaurants, three offer traditional Japanese fine dining, two are sushi houses, three serve French cuisine. [1] Sports in Tokyo are diverse. Tokyo is home to two professional baseball clubs, the Yakult Swallows (Meiji-Jingu Stadium) and Yomiuri Giants (Tokyo Dome). The Japan Sumo Association is also headquartered in Tokyo at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan sumo arena where three official sumo tournaments are held annually (in January, May, and September). Football (soccer) clubs in Tokyo include FC Tokyo and Tokyo Verdy 1969, both of which play at Ajinomoto Stadium in Chōfu. Tokyo hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics. National Stadium, also known as Olympic Stadium, Tokyo is host to a number of international sporting events. With a number of world-class sports venues, Tokyo often hosts national and international sporting events such as tennis tournaments, swim meets, marathons, American football exhibition games, judo, karate, etc. Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, in Sendagaya, Shibuya, is a large sports complex that includes swimming pools, training rooms, and a large indoor arena. Tokyo is one of the cities bidding to host the 2016 Summer Olympics.

New Caledonia

2008-09-09T22:32:00.000-07:00

Unlike its volcanic neighbors, New Caledonia is a fragment of an ancient continent which drifted away some 250 million years ago. Its flora and fauna evolved in isolation, and are now quite unique: 3500 recorded species of plants, three quarters of which occur only here; 4300 species of land animals, 1000 species of fish, 6500 species of marine invertebrates.
Five hundred kilometers long, fifty kilometers wide, New Caledonia offers an endless variety of landscapes, from some of the best white sand beaches in the Pacific to spectacular mountain retreats.
Surrounded by a 1,600 km long coral reef, New Caledonia also boasts the largest lagoon in the world. The reef can be as close as a few kilometers from the coast in some places and as far as 65 km in others - with an average depth of 40 m.
The Territory of New Caledonia consists of the Mainland, the Isle of Pines to the south of the Mainland, the Loyalty Islands to the east of the Mainland (Maré, Lifou, Tiga and Ouvéa), the Belep Archipelago in the north west and numerous islands and islets: Huon & Surprise, Chesterfield, Walpole, Beautemps-Beaupré, Astrolabe, and the Bellona reef, … a total surface of 19,000 sq km (16,372 sq km for the Mainland alone, which is 400 km long).

Where is New Caledonia?New Caledonia is the third largest island in the Pacific Region after Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. It is located in southern Melanesia, at a latitude of 19° - 23° south and at a longitude of 158° - 172° east.The island is situated about 1,500 km from Australia, 1,700 km from New Zealand, 5,000 km from Tahiti, 7,000 km from Japan, 10,000 km from the West Coast of the USA and 20,000 km from France.

The Mainland
The mainland is where most people live, and which is the richest area of New Caledonia, is divided lengthwise by a range of mountains (Chaîne Centrale), the highest points of which are "Mount Panié" in the north (1,629 m) and "Mount Humboldt" in the south (1,618 m). Various species of trees can be found in these mountains.This unusual relief, very much like a backbone, divides the Mainland into 2 very different areas:
The East Coast, humid and open to the trade winds is a fertile, exotic land with lush tropical vegetation, green valleys, beautiful waterfalls, rivers, … and authentic Melanesian huts along the roads.
The West Coast, a drier, temperate zone. There are fewer coconut trees but "niaouli" trees grow by the thousands and the endemic wildlife is rich. It is "cattle country," shaped by people who live at the pace of their cattle. There is an abundance of beautiful beaches too.

Milford Sound,

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Milford Sound was initially overlooked by European explorers, because its narrow entry did not appear to lead into such large interior bays. Sailing ship captains such as James Cook, who bypassed Milford Sound on his journeys for just this reason, also feared venturing too close to the steep mountainsides, afraid that wind conditions would prevent escape.[citation needed]While Fiordland as such remained one of the least-explored areas of New Zealand up to the 20th century, Milford Sound's natural beauty soon attracted national and international renown, and led to the discovery of the McKinnon Pass in 1888, soon to become a part of the new Milford Track, an early walking tourism trail. In the same year, the low watershed saddle between the Hollyford River and the Cleddau River was discovered, where the Homer Tunnel was to be developed about sixty years later to provide road access

The beauty of this landscape draws thousands of visitors each day, with over 550,000 in total per year. This makes the sound one of New Zealand's most-visited tourist spots, and also the most famous New Zealand tourist destination, even with its remote location and the long journey from the nearest population centres. Almost all tourists going to the sound also take one of the boat tours which usually last between 1-2 hours. They are offered by several companies, departing from the Milford Sound Visitors' Centre. There is also the option of extended overnight cruises on Milford Sound.
Tramping (New Zealand English for hiking or backpacking), canoeing and some other water sports are also possible. A small number of companies also provides overnight boat trips. There is otherwise only limited accommodation at the sound, and only a very small percentage of tourists stay more than the day.
An underwater tourist observatory found in one of the bays of the sound provides viewing of black coral, usually only found in much deeper waters. A dark surface layer of fresh water, stained by tannins from the surrounding forest, allows the corals to grow close to the surface here.

New Zealand Skiing and Snowboarding

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New Zealand is a recognised international ski holiday destination, with northern hemisphere skiers in particular appreciating our reverse seasons. New Zealand offers numerous ski areas, one Nordic cross-country area and a host of heliskiing operators, where choppers are used to lift skiers to the top of long, isolated stretches of snow.
Those who come to ski and snowboard in New Zealand will find the variety staggering, the terrain spectacular, and the lines comparatively short. All ski and snowboard areas in New Zealand are treeless offering wide-open slopes and a perfect mix of undefined terrain and marked trails.
You'll also find fantastic, fast terrain for snowboarding in New Zealand. The sport has grown in New Zealand in recent years and all major fields welcome those passionate about this sport. There are some excellent natural and man-made halfpipes as well as dedicated terrain parks, and some of the most awesome off-piste powder snow around.
Snowboard shops, instruction and facilities are widely available at most New Zealand slopes.
Most commercial fields have highly qualified ski schools, catering for the novice through to experienced skier and snowboarder, equipment rental, and cafe/restaurant facilities.
World-class ski fields combined with top quality accommodation options and great nightlife at nearby towns make New Zealand the perfect ski holiday destination.

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

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Sydney Opera House must be one of the most recognisable images of the modern world - up there with the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building - and one of the most photographed.
Not only is it recognisable, it has come to represent 'Australia'.
Although only having been open since 1973, it is as representative of Australia as the pyramids are of Egypt and the Colosseum of Rome.
The Opera House is situated on Bennelong Point, which reaches out into the harbour. The skyline of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the blue water of the harbour and the Sydney Opera House, viewed from a ferry or from the air, is dramatic and unforgettable.
Ironic, perhaps, that this Australian icon - the Opera House with a roof evocative of a ship at full sail - was designed by renowned Danish architect - Jorn Utzon.
In the late 1950s the New South Wales (NSW) Government established an appeal fund to finance the construction of the Sydney Opera House, and conducted a competition for its design.
Utzon's design was chosen. The irony was that his design was, arguably, beyond the capabilities of engineering of the time. Utzon spent a couple of years reworking the design and it was 1961 before he had solved the problem of how to build the distinguishing feature - the 'sails' of the roof.
The venture experienced cost blow-outs and there were occasions when the NSW Government was tempted to call a halt. In 1966 the situation - with arguments about cost and the interior design, and the Government withholding progress payments - reached crisis point and Jorn Utzon resigned from the project. The building was eventually completed by others in 1973. After more than 30 years, the Sydney Opera House has its first interior designed by Utzon. The Utzon Room, a transformed reception hall that brings to life Jorn Utzon's original vision for his masterpiece, was officially opened on September 16 2004.
Sydney Opera House facts and figuresThe Sydney Opera house:
Was designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon Was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 20 October 1973 Presented, as its first performance, The Australian Opera's production of War and Peace by Prokofiev Cost $AU 102,000,000 to build Conducts 3000 events each year Provides guided tours to 200,000 people each year Has an annual audience of 2 million for its performances Includes 1000 rooms Is 185 metres long and 120 metres wide Has 2194 pre-cast concrete sections as its roof Has roof sections weighing up to 15 tons Has roof sections held together by 350 km of tensioned steel cable Has over 1 million tiles on the roof Uses 6225 square metres of glass and 645 kilometres of electric cable

Austrailia's Beaches

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Famous beaches in Sydney include Bondi Beach, which is featured on many postcards of Austrailia. This beach can get quite crowded on the weekends. Bondi Beach is the largest of Sydney’s southern beaches and is easily accessible from the city itself. Other beaches further south include Tamarama, Bronte, Coogee, Clovelly, South Coogee and Maroubra. Coogee is not as big as Bondi Beach, but it is a pretty beach that is also good for swimming, and has several restaurants and hotels along the ocean-front. Maroubra beach has some excellent golf courses nearby.

Cronulla beach is one of the best known surfing beaches in Austrailia, likewise Manly beach which is a little to the north of Sydney. Manly is found to the north of Sydney and has long been a popular holiday resort type place. Sydney harbour is next to Manly Beach, and it’s a good base for sailing and yacht clubs. Along with Bondi, Manly is the most popular beach in Sydney.

South east of Sydney the best surfing beaches are found – this part of Austrailia is known as the sunshine coast (Queensland). The gold coast also has some great beaches around the Brisbane area, which are also good for swimming and surfing. There are numerous resorts along the Gold Coast.

There are very good beaches just a few hours south of Sydney. The coast running south from Durras to Broulee offers great sunshine and white sandy beaches.

The beaches around Cairns are the best for visits to the Great Barrier reef. These region is your best option if you like scuba diving. You can also swim with dolphins at Sharks Bay.

There are many resorts in Austrailia that make an excellent vacation base. Airlie beach has numerous resorts such as Whitsundays, Coral Sea Resort and the Grand Mercure Azure. Airlie is a pleasant little beachside village which is also good for trips to the Great Barrier Reef. The nearby Whitsundays Islands are somewhat reminiscent of a paradise. Along with the adjacent Shute Harbour, Airlie is one of Austrailia’s main top resorts.

Mission in Queensland is a small beach village along the Coral Sea. Mission is the main gateway for trips to the Family Islands, Dunk Island and it is also good for excursions to the nearby rainforest. It is now a thriving tourist town, but maintains a small village fell.

Austrailia has a huge coastline – there are also popular resorts nearby to Melbourne, Victoria, Adelaide and Queensland. But the most famous of all is Bondi in Sydney of course! So whether you’re visiting Melbourne, Queensland, South Austrailia, Victoria or Adelaide, you find some amazing beaches along the way. The gold coast and the sunshine coast have it all for your vacation.