Westin Luxury in Las Vegas

As they say in real estate, "location, location, location", and in Las Vegas, the new Westin Casuarina is a real estate dream come true for leisure or for the business traveler.

Although not located directly on the Strip, the Westin is within walking distance to Bally's Hotel and Casino for traditional Vegas entertainment, Caesars Palace for the new Colloseum, the Flamingo Hilton for the magnificent gardens, and the Bellagio for fine dining at Picasso's.

The new 825-guestroom Westin Casuarina is the sister property to the Westin Casuarina Grand Cayman, and it is built around the eko-skeleton of the former Maxim Hotel, but you won't recognized the dramatic and expensive and expansive design changes of the Asian owned and Sheraton branded Westin. Hopefully they add the Maxim's infamous Sunday champagne brunch to the list of amenities!

After pumping millions of dollars into the makeover, the first Westin in Nevada has rolled out the red carpet for a price conscious clientele that still wants high end amenities, such as business services, high speed internet access, breakout business conference rooms, and a 3,500 square foot ballroom.

The Westin Casuarina features four two-bedroom suites and six one-bedroom suites, which are a cut above the standard rooms, but each room has superb amenities, and the most pillows I have ever witnessed in a hotel room: five queen size and king size pillows with a duvet coverlet on the Westin trademarked Heavenly Bed, a custom designed pillow-top mattress set with a cozy down blanket, three crisp sheets, and the soft duvet comforter.

The Heavenly Bath, a moniker also trademarked by the chain, is a customized shower with two heads for power and wider water coverage, and each showerhead has five adjustable jets and spray options, from the light misty feature to the pounding massaging needles, so you can customize your shower depending on how grueling that business conference was. The Heavenly Bath features a curved shower curtain rod that provides eight additional inches of elbowroom and eliminates the dreaded shower curtain cling, and the oversized Brazilian combed cotton bath towels are as big a treat as the custom designed velour bathrobes and spa amenities.

Other in room amenities included a fully stock refreshment center, cable TV, in room movies, a laptop-sized safe and a coffee maker.

For the business traveler the hotel features five contiguous meeting rooms with 10,000 square feet of meeting space and the largest space, the 5,000-square-foot meeting room, can divide into five sections, perfect for a variety of events. Two private boardrooms hold up to ten people each. There is something that sounds totally techy, called the Starwood Turbo Net High Speed Internet access, which is available in all meeting rooms. Westin is the number one upscale hotel chain brand for business, according to Business Travel News in 2003, so there is no excuse now to email or conference call the home office when you road warriors come to Vegas.

What's even better for the business traveler is the new Las Vegas Monorail station across the street from the Westin Casuarina. With a ticket on the new monorail you can attend conventions at the MGM Grand, Sands Convention Center, or the Las Vegas Convention Center, and soon the monorail line will connect to the downtown casinos. Westin offers the best location in Vegas, and away from the hubbub of congestion on the Strip.

The Casuarina Casino is one mile from the Vegas convention Center, Sands Convention Center and Mandalay Bay Convention Center and 1.5 miles from the airport, so even if the monorail still doesn't go to the airport, you are within a quick hop to the conventions, in the largest convention city in the

world.

I certainly enjoyed the dining at the Silver Park Grill Restaurant, open around the clock like the rest of the town. Cuisine highlights include prime steak, fresh seafood, and Mediterranean cuisine. Featured items on the menu include crisp ciahbatta sandwiches, field chop salad with bruschetta, yellowfin tuna tartare, prime filet of beef, and hazelnut crusted Seabass. The restaurant seats 250 with a private dining area seating 30. A breakfast buffet is offered in the morning. Meeting planners can choose from a variety of buffets, box luncheons, or reception packages that range in price and selection. They have fresh à la carte California cuisine, but my bet is the breakfast buffet with everything imaginable on the menu, set in an ambience of geometric patterned fabrics.

A translucent screen in the Casino Lounge gives viewers privacy and intimacy of the Casuarina Casino, modeled after European casinos, with sofas, loveseats, and divans artfully placed around the casino floor like a residential living room so onlookers can relax when the lucky lady hands hit handsomely.

For players the 20,000-square-foot casino features 350 slots and video poker machines and ten table games (blackjack, roulette, poker, craps, and pai gow). Slot machines feature ticket-in-ticket out systems. No clanging payouts here! The Premium Players Club allows guests $10 in free slot plays when they sign up for the premium players card, and your are eligible for cash back and personalized benefits. I was playing the penny slots in the state-of-the-art casino and won $3.85, so of course I had to treat myself to a Starbucks café coffee au laite, located on the western end of the hotel, open 24 hours a day.

What I really liked at the hotel was the service, especially something called Westin Express, where you dial one number from your room telephone for all your needs. All rooms have two-line speakerphones with a data port for Internet, and a cordless bedside phone with voice messaging.

The completely refurbished 17-story property reflects Westin's brand standards in the lobby, guestrooms, meeting space, and public areas. A massive $75 million renovation and upgrade over the past years has transformed the location into a modern contemporary architectural design.

The 10,000 square-foot Hibiscus Spa at the Westin Las Vegas opened in April, 2004, and accepts both hotel guests and local residents (with a 20% discount on all spa services and products for Nevada license holders).

After an hour with Kevin who professionally kneaded and firmly pressed out all the stress with a full body Deep Tissue Sports Massage, I am gong to have to come back to take advantage of the discounts. The spa has a unique and extensive menu of massages, facials and body treatments.

Hibiscus Spa is a full-service spa and salon with a retail center, relaxation room, and a complete fitness facility. You can even get a haircut or styling treatment. The spa offers 15 treatment rooms (one with Vichy shower), including three esthetic rooms and one couples room. The spa is great for the business person who really needs the services for a total lifestyle approach that encompasses the entire person – body, mind and spirit. Kevin is a certified Nevada School of Massage therapist that also teaches at the school. He is one of the best I have ever experienced

Shanghai Experience

Shanghai experience

Shanghai is really a city which is developing itself prosperously and positively.

When I had the chances to go shopping in one of the busiest shopping streets, I found that things sold in HK can also almost all be found there, except that if you were expecting things to be there cheaper, then you would be absolutely disappointed. 

All the meals I had were served in Shanghainese style - 8 cold appetizers followed my 8 hot dishes. All were very delicious. One would notice that Shanghai people are not the meat-eaters in HK. They tend to serve quite a few vegetarian dishes, except that they are able to think of many different styles of frying them in different sauces like cabbage in black bean sauce, stir fry green beans, various mushrooms fried in oyster sauce, etc. Do ask for more chopsticks and spoons if you want to be more hygienic since it seems that they do not have the practice as in HK of using a pair of shared chopsticks for everyone.

They seem to like serving dessert in the middle of each meal and a soup would come at the end. Tea is not served in the same way as in HK. Tea would be served but if you want a refill, you will have to ask for it and so this only can make the waitress busy enough.

We were a bit surprised to see that we were not served any meat buns in baskets which is one of the most famous food in Shanghai. Interesting enough we were told that these meat buns are

not classy enough to be served to guests. At the end, we decided to go to the most famous place which serves these buns on our own in Yu Garden - Nan Cheong Man Tou Dian. Remember one thing, do not just go to the second floor because it only serves the typical meat buns at a price of 15RMB for 16 buns. Go to the third floor then you can experience the real crab meat buns which serves 6 buns at a price of 40RMB. A huge difference!

At the end of our trip, we took a chance to take the Transrapid Syatem which took us to the airport from the city in just 8 minutes. It is the fastest rail system in commercial operation in the world. At its top speed of 430km/h, it really gave us a thrilling experience and made the 50RMB worth the cost!

All in all, the experience was a very good one. I am sure that Shanghai will continue to set as a good model for many other cities to follow in China and we are proud of home country

South Africa - Tour the Origins

South Africa is home to some three million years of prehistory and history, inherited from the ancient cultures which made the mountains and plains their home. This rich inheritance places the country among the few regions in the world where these footsteps towards the development of culture can be followed. If you are interested in the origins of mankind a trip to South Africa is highly recommended. There are a multitude of sites where remarkable discoveries have been made throughout the years and they are now open to members of the public. The tours of these sites allow enthusiasts a glimpse into their own origins.



Until 1924 the world had focussed its attention on Asia in their quest for the origins of mankind. Professor Raymond Dart revolutionised this way of thinking when he discovered the skull of a six year old child in a block of rock sent to him from the town of Taung in South Africa's North West province. The skull displayed both ape-like and human-like anatomical features and was named Australopithecus africanus. The skull is regarded amongst the 20 most significant scientific discoveries of the 20th century. Once the skull had been discovered scientists turned their attention to South Africa and a huge number of archaeological sites were found. The Taung Heritage Site is now one of South Africa's top tourist destinations, a monument has been built to commemorate the discovery and an old mine tunnel has been reopened for visitors to explore. The Blue Pools are another feature that attract visitors to the Heritage Site. Discovered after a dynamite explosion in a mountain in which lime was being mined the pools are surrounded by caves and streams and are a popular site for hiking, abseiling, picnicking and barbequing.

South Africa's Limpopo province is a land of myths and legends - the area has a rich cultural history and there are many archaeological sites. The Makapans Cave and nearby archaeological and fossil sites are situated on the farm Makapansgat, 19 km north of Mokopane. It was here in 1948 that the fossil remains of Australopithecus africanus, a 3, 5 million-year-old ape-man, were found by Raymond Dart. The Makapans Valley, a National Heritage site and currently in line for World Heritage Status, contains an extensive and complete record of hominid occupation. The Makapan caves are full of fossils and archaeological remains and you can take a tour of the caves and area.



Long before Bartholomew Dias rounded the Cape in 1488 the art of working gold was being mastered by Bantu-speaking people living near the Limpopo River. Recently gold objects and other exciting finds have been made here. Also near the Limpopo River, Thulamela in the Kruger National Park was home to a large stone-walled settlement. A large section of the ancient stone walling has been restored to its former glory and the National Parks Board is working on plans to make this bewitching site a tourism destination in the northern part of the Kruger National Park. Not only can you marvel at the sites archaeological finds but you can also enjoy spending time in one of the worlds most acclaimed game reserves.



In more recent years South Africa has once again captured the world's attention with the discoveries of human remains at the Klasies River Caves along the Eastern Cape coast. Human remains with anatomically modern features have been found, dating well over 100 000 years old. If these dates are correct, then it is in Southern Africa that the world's oldest remains of our own species, Homo sapiens, have been found - some 60 000 years before their arrival in Europe and Asia.

Apart from all of the human remains discovered in South Africa throughout the years the treasure trove of art. South Africa has the greatest collection of Stone Age paintings and engravings in the world. The San have left us a priceless and unique artistic legacy

Africa - The Cradle of Humankind

World-renowned archaeologist Professor Phillip Tobias once said that "Humanity was a gift from Africa to the World". Many scholars believe Africa to be the birthplace of mankind and with the substantial archaeological findings in their favour the world tends to agree.

Robert Ardry wrote that, "Humanity evolved beneath the canopy of African skies on the immense card table of the African Savannah". Exploring this evolution is a magnificent way to gain insight into the origin of mankind. Not only will you be enlightened on your tour of South Africa's archaeological treasures you will also get to experience this beautiful countries modern day treasures

Another remarkable find was made in 1947 by Dr Robert Broom, who discovered a perfectly preserved adult Australopithecus africanus cranium, belonging to the 2, 5-million-year-old "Mrs Ples", at Sterkfontein. Several hundred discoveries followed, some dating back 3, 5 million years and the Sterkfontein site earned its name - The Cradle of Humankind. Some of the cradles findings include 500 skull, jaw, teeth and skeletal fossils of early hominids, thousands of other animal fossils, over 300 fragments of fossils wood, and over 9,000 stone tools. The Cradle of Humankind is a World Heritage Site and certain areas are open to the public. There are also various exhibitions, guided tours and lectures from reputed archaeologists. The Cradle restaurant is the perfect day of exploration and enlightenment. This beautiful restaurant built from stone, steel and glass opens up on three sides with a magnificent view of the African landscape

Where To Stay in Bangkok?

Finding a Thailand hotel is super easy these days. Do a search at google, and you'll have some pretty good idea of where you want to stay. Plus, you can just go ahead and book for a Bangkok Thailand hotel right online.  

If you plan to find a Bangkok hotel, you have tons of choices. Stay at Kaosan road if you're a backpacker. If you're not one, then stay close to the skytrain if you love shopping. If you're into good atmosphere and don't care much about getting around the city, then stay close to the Chao Phraya river, which is the main river of Bangkok.

If you want to stay at Kaosan road, you don't even need to book in advance. You can just walk around to see the guesthouse you like, and then just walk in. They always have a vacancy.

If you prefer to stay in the city center in order to get around easily for shopping, (and let me tell you, Bangkok is shoppers' paradise -- Hong Kong isn't cheap... but Bangkok is) then I suggest you check out Patumwan Princess hotel. It's right in the MBK shopping center (fake jeans, watches and bags) and also right at the Siam Square skytrain station. Erawan hotel, Le Meridien and the Four Seasons hotel are more luxurious. They're right at the intersection where you can see Zen and Isetan shopping malls right across the street. The Siam Square (where they sell funky clothing) and the Chidlom (Central

shopping mall) skytrain stations are within minutes away.

A lot of tourists like to stay at the Asia hotel, which is right at a Rajdevi skytrain station (one station away from MBK shopping center). It may be cheap, but it's kind of old. Well, very old actually. I don't recommend it. But it's totally up to you.

If you don't care much about shopping in Bangkok, then I'd really suggest you stay at the Sukothai hotel. It's a classy and luxurious Thai-styled hotel --but you'll have to take a taxi if you want to go anywhere. Or even better, stay by the Chao Phraya river if you can. It will give you a different feel of Bangkok, especially at night. It's rather expensive though, especially if you want to stay at the world-renowned Oriental hotel or the Peninsula hotel. If these two are too expensive for you, try Shangri-la hotel. It may be a little bit cheaper. And don't forget to book a Bangkok river cruise dinner at your hotel. The Chao Praya river is glamorous at night -- with a view of well-lit Wat Arun.

To get around town from your Bangkok hotel, you can ask the hotel's doorman to help you get a taxi. It's not expensive at all

New Places to Live and Retire Around the World

Places to Live in the World: Emerging Alternatives

From Canada to Europe, Africa to Asia, it's time for a fresh look By Phillip Townsend

The advent of fast Internet communication and inexpensive air travel makes it easier to turn any far-flung paradise into a permanent home. Which places in the world have the most to offer? The perfect place to live or retire, of course depends on your idea of perfection.

I'm taking a different approach for this article. Instead of giving an overview of the better-known and increasingly-popular expatriate destinations around the world (Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, Panama, Nicaragua, Ecuador, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, etc.), I've decided to introduce you to the below 7 locales you probably don't know much about. All offer affordability and abundant recreational and cultural opportunities.

Nova Scotia Just east of Maine, in the North Atlantic, Nova Scotia's pristine coast is slowly becoming a sought-after affordable getaway. Only two hours from New York or Boston, it feels a world away. A pleasingly crowd-free province on Canada's Atlantic Coast, little-known Nova Scotia could just be the perfect full- or part-time retreat. Halifax, the capital, has been luring tourists for years. Waterfront cafes, European architecture, and spectacular seafood keep them coming back. Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island boasts the some of the best scenery in the world, from the picturesque highlands to the picturesque Bras d'Or Lake (pronounced "bra door"), with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. In the winter months, the Gulf Stream keeps the climate milder than most northern U.S. states, with the area more rain showers than snow storms. Picture the American East Coast a century ago, and you get a feel for what Nova Scotia is like. Almost an island, it is best known for its stunning coastline, sleepy seaside towns and friendly people. The province's natural beauty, cheap real estate and low cost of living make it well worth a look: oceanfront lots start at $10,000, three-bedroom homes on acreage from $50,000. A lobster dinner with a bottle of good local wine set you back no more than a twenty spot. Scenes of the Hollywood blockbuster Titanic were shot in Nova Scotia, and celebrities including Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore and Billy Joel maintain summer homes here.

Caribbean Almost everyone has had dreams of living a laid-back, stress-free life on a tropical island. One by one, the Caribbean islands were discovered and eventually became sadly over-developed, terribly over-crowded, and ridiculously over-priced. Unfortunately, due to mass tourism, most places in the Caribbean have become little more than artificial, tropical Disneylands with luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts. But there is one place that still maintains its original charm and natural beauty. This place is quite inexpensive (by Caribbean standards) and is virtually unspoiled. Relatively undiscovered, here, you can still find ocean view lots for as little as $22,000 and have a small cottage built for prices starting at $25,000. To protect it from the fate of its Caribbean cousins, I won't reveal the name of this special place just yet. You can find a link to more information at the end of this article. Cuba Think Cuba, and vivid images come to mind: of men in Guayabera shirts and Panama hats, tropical breezes and cool drinks, steamy Latin rhythms and sultry women. It has always been an intriguing place, steeped in truth and in fiction by the novels of Ernest Hemingway. Because travel to Cuba is restricted by the U.S. government, relatively few Americans visit the island each year. While their counterparts from Europe, Canada and Latin America bask in the warm Cuban sun, most U.S. citizens can only hope to experience this "pearl" of the Caribbean after Castro is gone. Of those who do manage to get to Cuba via Mexico or Canada, few are disappointed. The largest Caribbean island (pop. 11 million), Cuba is also one of the most beautiful and unspoiled. There are miles of pristine, underdeveloped beaches, tropical forests teeming with wildlife and some of the best deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling the world has to offer. And there is Havana, not only the capital of Cuba, but also long the most important city in the Caribbean. With tourism once again thriving, Havana has regained much of its past allure. Famous old bars, restaurants and hotels are enjoying a proud comeback, and stunning new places are being built. As one taxi driver put it, "We have the best cigars, best rum, best music, and most beautiful women in the world. What more could anyone want?"

Romania Best known for Transylvania, the legendary home of Count Dracula, Romania is steeped in history, myth and folklore. Unlike other Eastern European countries with Slavic origins, Romania, whose name means 'land of the Romans,' absorbed much of the culture, religion, and language of the Roman Empire. Bordered by the

Black Sea (which is being called "The Next Riviera") and the Danube River, with the Transylvanian Alps and Carpathian Mountains nestled in the center of the country, Romania has long stretches of seacoast, mountains, forests, medieval villages and gothic castles galore, giving it all the makings of a fairy-tale setting. The capital Bucharest, a former communist citadel, has a growing number of discos, while restaurants at most major hotels double as nightclubs, there are several Parisian-style cafés, and cheap wines and plum brandy flow freely everywhere. Due to its wide boulevards, sidewalk cafés, and Triumphal Arch, Bucharest, was known as the "Paris of the Balkans" prior to World War II. Today the city's 19th century neoclassical architecture and numerous tree-lined streets still maintain its charm. A sizable enclave of foreigners (Germans, Jews, Turks, Russians, Ukrainians, Serbs, Croats, and Gypsies) live in Romania. French is the most widely-spoken second language and English is spoken by many of the younger generation. The real estate prices are some of the lowest in all Europe (the country's economic woes spells opportunity for you).

Malaysia

Asia's best-kept secret for expatriates, Malaysia has a vibrant mix of foreign and indigenous tribal cultures, creating a veritable melting pot of peoples, traditions and religions. A sizable enclave of foreigners (Brits, Americans, Australians, and Canadians) live full time or maintain holiday homes in Malaysia, and you'll find that just about everybody speaks English, since its compulsory in local schools. Not only are three world-class playgrounds (Thailand, Bali, and the Philippines) all within a few hour's travel from Malaysia, but miles of beaches and numerous coastal islands add to its tropical appeal. Despite being the capital of a developing nation, Kuala Lumpur is a modern cosmopolitan with clean streets and every modern convenience to found in New York or London. Compared with other major Asian cities (Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong, for example), Kuala Lumpur is downright cheap. The cost of 2-bedroom rental apartments begins at around $225 per month and 3-bedroom houses start at $35,000. Naturally, comparable housing in expatriate communities or the luxurious homes that date from British colonial period can set you back considerably more.

New Zealand Imagine an interesting land of breathtaking and contrasting scenery: craggy coastlines, golden beaches, lush forests, snow-capped mountains, bubbling volcanic pools, fish-filled rivers and glacier-fed lakes, all beneath a brilliant blue sky. New Zealand is accessible, spread over three relatively small islands with modern and efficient transport, quiet roads, plenty of flights and two stunningly scenic rail journeys. Other pluses are friendly, English-speaking people, virtually no crime, and a trio of rich cultural influences: adventurous Polynesian navigators (Maori), pioneering European settlers who followed a thousand years later, and modern Pacific Rim immigrants. The plant and animal life are unmatched, giving opportunities for close-up experiences with birdlife (including kiwis), seals, dolphins and whales. Enjoy the chance to explore two of the richest wine regions on the planet, taste wonderful cuisine, stroll on sandy beaches. Prefer urban living? Immerse yourself in the culture of the capital Wellington or the large cities of Auckland or Christchurch.

Tanzania Many people tend to associate African countries with wars, famine and political unrest rather than the good life, but Zanzibar, Tanzania is an exception. Located only a short distance off the east coast of Africa, exotic Zanzibar has lured explorers, traders and colonists for centuries. The islands' powdery white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and turquoise waters continue to attract European and Asian tourists. Outside of an unusual mix of black African and Arab cultures, you'll find the islands teeming with tropical forests, remote villages and idyllic coastline. Despite flare-ups between residents of Zanzibar Island and the smaller island of Pemba (due to differing views on unification with the mainland), Zanzibar is usually quite stable. Cheap real estate (oceanfront or raw land with fruit trees), mouth-watering seafood, some of the world's best scuba diving, and pure tropical bliss make it an attractive expatriate haven. A few wealthy Europeans and African aristocrats have already made Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania home. Why not join them?

WALT DISNEY WORLD IN JUST 3 DAYS

So your headed to Walt Disney World, but you only have time for a long weekend. Although it’s certainly not the ideal way to see “The Happiest Place on Earth”, it definitely can be done, especially if you’re willing to hit the parks early, stay late, and be content with only catching the highlights. Even though you’ll only be touring for 3 days, buy a 4-day Hopper Pass (unused days never expire) in order to visit two parks on the last day. Stay on Disney property for easy access and pre-arrange priority seating, Disney’s answer to dining reservations, weeks before your trip by calling 407-WDW-DINE. Most importantly, bring along a great pair of walking shoes and lots of energy. Hang on for a whirlwind of a tour.

Friday at The Magic Kingdom

1. Arrive one hour prior to opening which allows enough time to park, shuttle to the Ticket
and Transportation Center, and cruise over the Seven Seas Lagoon by monorail or ferry to the park’s entrance.
2. Grab a quick breakfast at the Main Street Bakery. They usually begin serving their mouthwatering pastries around thirty minutes before official park opening time.
3. Head straight to Splash Mountain in Frontierland, then take in Big Thunder Mountain next door.
4. Cut back through the hub to Tomorrowland, pick up a Fastpass (Disney’s nifty, free, timesaving device allowing you to return at a given time with little or no wait in line) for Space Mountain (if necessary). During your wait see ride Buzz Lightyear.
5. If anyone in your party is interested in the Fantasyland attractions (as I usually am) go there now. It will probably be necessary to pick up a Fastpass for either Peter Pan’s Flight or Winnie the Pooh, so check it out first. Ride Peter Pan’s Flight and The Many Adventure of Winnie the Pooh and be sure to see Mickey’s Philharmagic.
6. After Fantasyland have a fast food lunch at the Pecos Bill Cafe.
7. Pick up a Fastpass at The Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square before settling down for the afternoon Share a Dream Come True Parade at 3 PM.
8. After the parade, head to The Haunted Mansion and then to the Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland.
9. Make a priority seating reservation for Cinderella’s Royal Table or Tony’s Town Square Restaurant for dinner and enjoy the park until the evening’s festivities begin.
10. See the SpectroMagic parade and the don’t-you-dare-miss Wishes fireworks.

Saturday at Epcot

1. Have breakfast at your hotel and be at the park one half-hour before opening time.
2. Head to Mission Space and Test Track first and then move over to the west side of Future World to see Honey I Shrunk the Audience at the Imagination pavilion.
3. Hop next door to The Land where you’ll want to ride the Living With The Land attraction.
4. Ride

Spaceship Earth.
5. Move on to the Universe of Energy.
6. Head to World Showcase and pick up a late lunch at one of the many international fast food spots.
7. Work your way around World Showcase for the remainder of the afternoon, making time between stops for shopping and a few highlights including Maelstrom in Norway, the Reflections of China film, The American Adventure show, and Impressions de France.
8. Make priority seating at one of the World Showcase restaurants for 7 PM. My favorites are Mexico’s San Angel Inn, France’s Bistro de Paris, and Morocco’s Restaurant Marrakesh. Search for a nice viewing spot around the lagoon for the 9PM Illuminations spectacular about thirty minutes prior to showtime.

Sunday at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney-MGM Studios

1. Have breakfast at your hotel, head to the Animal Kingdom, and be at the park gates one half-hour before opening. Use the time before rope drop to walk the paths of the Oasis.
2. At rope drop head straight to Kilimanjaro Safaris and then walk the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail.
3. Backtrack to Discovery Island to take in It’s Tough to Be a Bug then head to Asia and walk the Maharaja Jungle Trek.
4. Work in the Festival of the Lion King at Camp Minnie-Mickey sometime during the day. If you have young children, stop for a visit at the Character Greeting Trails.
5. Pick up a fast food lunch. My favorite is the Tusker House in Africa.
6. Then it’s time for Dinoland. Pick up a Fastpass (if necessary) to Dinosaur. During the wait take in Primeval Whirl at Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama.

7. It will now be late mid-afternoon and time to head to Disney-MGM Studios. Thrill junkies should immediately head down Sunset Boulevard to the Tower of Terror and the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
8. If touring with young children or if thrill rides aren’t your cup of tea, skip the scary
rides and see the The Voyage of the Little Mermaid then the Great Movie Ride. Afterwards take The Magic of Disney Animation tour.
9. Ride Star Tours and if there is time see Muppetvision 3-D.
10. Make the latest priority seating possible for a late dinner at the Hollywood Brown Derby for dinner. Head back to your hotel and collapse.

Travel Asia: Festivities and Fun

Travel Asia: Festivities and Fun

Are you planning to travel to Asia within the next year, and are looking for some fun festivities to attend? Well, look no further – we’ve researched some of the more incredible Asian festivals for you to check out during your travels.

Travel Asia: Pulilan Carabao Festival

You’ll probably never see a water buffalo adorned quite like this! If you travel to Pulilan in the second week of May, you’ll witness the homage to the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro Labrador. Families take their prized water buffalos, scrape away the dirt, shave them, anoint them in oils, and then parade them around the city square dressed as kings. The priests of the Asian city then kneel and ask the buffalos to bless them, promising health and good wishes for the upcoming year to all, including visiting travelers.

Travel Asia: Parade of the God of Medicine

On the 15th day of the third lunar month, the city of Taiwan is taken over by this world-renowned Asian festivity – a must for travelers in the area because of its spectacular parade. At the nucleus of the 160 temple celebration are Pao Sheng in Taipei and the Temple of Ching Tzu in Hseuhchia. Spearheaded by a group called the Centipedes, worshippers attending the city-wide parade throw themselves on the ground to be stepped upon, as a symbolic exorcising of their demons.

Travel Asia: Yasothon Rocket Festival

In the middle of May, things get very noisy for Asian travelers to the Phaya Thaen Park in Thailand. Historically, the festival started as an offering to the gods of the sky, exploding beautiful rockets to encourage rainfall for rice crop growth. Nowadays, event has

become something more of a sport, with competitions to see whose rocket can fly the farthest, and whose explodes the most.

Travel Asia: Asakusa Samba

Toyko’s version of the Rio Carnaval happens every August, in the Asakusa district. Travelers to Asia and natives alike are amazed by the colorful sequined costumes and feathers of the dancing Samba girls, along with their full bands marching down the street alongside them.

Travel Asia: The Festival of the Hungry Ghosts

Hong Kong hosts this unusual yearly event, held on the 14th day of the seventh moon (sometime in August, during a full moon). Legend says that the gates of Hades were opened on this day, and the dead who cannot rest were left to run the streets mischievously. The Yue Lan Festival, as it is known in Chinese, has natives of the city putting up odd paper monuments all over the streets, which are then ceremoniously burned on the last day.

Travel Asia: The Monkey God Festival

The Monkey God first appeared in Chinese literature during the Ming Dynasty in the book, “Pilgrims to the West”. Since then, this deity has been celebrated during the month of September at Kowloon’s Sau Mau Ping Temple, by recreating a bizarre attempted execution by other the other gods – which includes such things as a ladder of knives, and charcoal set on fire. Travelers to this strange Asian celebration need not be concerned, though – the Monkey God lived, and so do the participants in this celebration.

Singapore, introduction to Asia

To understand Singapore you need to realize that it is the extension of one man's intelligence, dream and drive. And that man is Lee Kuan Yew, the original prime minister of the Republic of Singapore. Yes, it is true he was aided in his task by the people of Singapore. It is interesting to ponder on what would have happened to Singapore if Lee Kuan Yew, one of the remarkable men of his century, had not been present. 

Lee Kuan Yew is a nonya. That is he can claim both Malay and Chinese heritage. He was born in 1923 and was prime minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. And during his rule, as a simple statement of fact, Singapore went from being something of a backwater to becoming the most prosperous nation in Southeast Asia.

Lee Kuan Yew went to Cambridge University where he got a double starred first which is not something that is given out with the rations. He became a lawyer and was admitted to the English bar but returned to Singapore to work, as a committed socialist, with the unions.

In 1963 Lee took Singapore into the newly created Federation of Malaysia.

This created all sorts of problems. In Singapore 75 percent of the members of the PAP were Chinese and there was much tension between Chinese and Malays. There was communal rioting in Singapore and in 1965 Lee Kuan Yew was told by his Malaysian colleagues in the federal government that Singapore must leave the federation.

Singapore had to secede and it then became a sovereign state with Lee Kuan Yew as its first prime minister.

It is fair to say that in return for a mildly authoritarian style of government that sometimes infringed on civil liberties Lee Kuan Yew brought Singapore honest and efficient administration and spectacular prosperity.

Lee Kuan Yew resigned the office of prime minister in November 1990. It is, perhaps, sad that such a great man who did not believe in inherited power has appointed his children in just such a manner. Does not affect the tourist. Possibly affects the future of Singapore. Singapore is not a big place. It sits at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula 137 km north of the Equator. The main part is Singapore Island and there are also about 60 very small islands.

The main island is connected to Peninsular Malaysia by a road and rail causeway which bridges the Johor Strait.

Singapore does not depend on tourism for a living. It is the largest port in Southeast Asia and one of the busiest in the world.

Singapore is not just a small island. It is also a very flat island. Most of it is less than 15m above sea level and its highest point is Timah Hill which soars to 162m.

Climate

Singapore is near the equator and in the monsoon region. The average monthly temperature varies from about 27 degrees C in June to 25 degrees C in January and the difference is not noticeable. The wettest time of the year is November-March and the period with the least amount is May to September. Not that it makes very much difference. Rain falls somewhere on the island every day of the year. Which is why it is very green. Do not let the rain worry you. In the constant warm temperature you very quickly dry out.

There is not much left of the original Singapore. There is a fragment of evergreen rain forest preserved around catchment areas and some mangrove vegetation survives in the Kranji area on the northwest side of the island but otherwise it is all cultivated in one way or another.

The city is in the south of the island but, in truth, most of the island of Singapore has now been built up and over.

At one time it looked as though every old building in Singapore would be knocked down and replaced with a new and shining skyscraper. Eventually the penny dropped and the government decided that refurbishing rather than demolishing the once-common Chinese shop-house would not be a bad idea. And keeping the Raffles hotel (just changed hands) operating in its old premises but with a new style was part of the campaign.

Nevertheless the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has changed forever the face of Singapore and has housed a staggering four-fifths of the population high-rise HDB flats located in housing estates and new towns.

Language

About three quarters of the population of Singapore is Chinese with Malays next and Indians the third.

But it does not break down as easily as that. Nearly half of the Chinese originate from Fukien province and speak Amoy; a third is from Swatow and speaks Teochew and most of the rest are Cantonese. That is three different dialects which are not understandable by all although, of course, written Chinese is a unifying force.

The Malays are pretty much one group although some of them speak Indonesian dialects which although very similar to Malay have some vocabulary differences. The Indians are the biggest mixture of them all. The majority are Tamils but there are also Malayalis and Sikhs as well as Pakistanis and Sinhalese.

There are four official languages - English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. And there is a fifth which although not recognized officially, is distinct enough to be the subject of several learned papers. This is Singaporean which is Singapore's very own version of the

English language.

It contains words and grammatical from all the languages of Singapore. Therefore "Must be, lah" is an affirmative declaration while, "What to do now, lah?" is an expression of helplessness in the face of fate. It is a lovely and expressive language based totally on English.

If you speak English you will never have language problems in Singapore.

Singapore is a singularly pleasant place to visit. It is the ideal destination for someone making their first foray into Asia.

The chances of your being robbed in Singapore are pretty close to nil. And if you are, the local constabulary will move heaven and earth to fang the wretched miscreant and return your goods.

The roads are spotlessly clean - drop a bus ticket and you will very probably be fined. The road crossings are safe - go jaywalking and once again your wallet will be lightened. The roadside food stalls are the cleanest in the world. No one gets gippy tummy in Singapore. The developers are something else again. Sadly, like developers all over the world their motto is 'nothing exceeds like excess'. Almost everything that was old and worthwhile and interesting came under the wrecker's ball.

Singapore eventually saw the folly of this and you can still find parts of the old Singapore.

The Tourist Promotion Board maintains a flood, a deluge, an inundation of brochures telling of the wonders of the city state. But it bridles madly at the sign of any criticism.

Despite this nonsense Singapore is a most attractive place to visit - for one reason. The people. Singaporeans are joyous, intelligent, friendly. In the restaurants you are served with pleasure.

Singapore need never run a politeness campaign. Its people are the politest and the warmest in Asia. Partially this has something to do with the racial mix. Within Singapore, Malays, Chinese of several varieties, Tamils and Europeans get on in the most amazing racial harmony.

This harmony spills over to the visitor.

In Singapore, I promise you, the people positively love having you as an honored guest.

Pretty much all of the attractions in Singapore are man-made and of relatively recent origin. It is astounding that on this flat little island so much has been created to keep the visitor entertained. What are the main attractions of Singapore? This is my list. Yours will almost certainly be very different. Food. You can eat yourself silly with 100 different cuisines and still not have scratched the surface in Singapore. My own view, formed after spending a lifetime in the area, is that the food in Singapore - because of its wide range of styles - is arguably the best in Asia.

You can eat very cheaply by sticking to the open air restaurants that abound. They are all squeaky clean and serve ambrosia at discount prices. The first place to try is the Satay Club on Elizabeth Walk and then make your own discoveries.

The Jurong Bird Park. When I have business in Singapore I make it a point to keep half a day clear to go and sit on my own in the Jurong Bird Park. This has the largest aviary in the world. What they have done is net off a valley so that there is a waterfall inside the aviary. It brings balm to the soul.

Visit The Off-Shore Islands. It is easy to think that Singapore is just one diamond shaped island for that is the way that it appears on most maps. In fact there are several smaller islands that you can visit.

Boats can be hired from Clifford Pier which is just across the road from Change Alley. On the islands you will find an older, more peaceful Singapore. One where Stamford Raffles - the man who founded the place - would feel very much at home.

Visit The Tiger Balm Gardens. This place is truly a nonsense - but a most enjoyable nonsense. Full of statues and grottoes and buildings all garishly painted. They are, as I understand it, intended to give you an idea how heaven and hell look in the Taoist religion. Incidentally, Tiger Balm ointment, which provided the funds to build this place, does cure what ails you.

Wallow In The Luxury Of An Up-Market Hotel. My theory is that the local towkays - the millionaires - have all tried to one-up each other in the construction of hotels. The result is that in Singapore you can stay in a hotel with appointments and service you could simply not afford anywhere else in the world.

Spend Time In One Of The Many Gardens. My favorite is the Japanese Garden, again in Jurong. A well-designed Japanese garden always gives me a special sense of peace. This is almost certainly the best Japanese garden outside Japan.

And so it goes. The average visitor spends 3.7 days in Singapore which is enough time to get the feel of the place, to go shopping, to eat yourself stupid and to make instant but lasting friendships with the local Singaporeans.

Then you can nip across the causeway to Malaysia. This is where the real Asia begins. Singapore is but a foretaste. For the first time visitor it is difficult to think of a better introduction.

Sightseeing In Savannah

Treat the kids (and yourself) to a history lesson by visiting 
Savannah, Georgia. Established in 1733, “Georgia’s First City” is
rich in history and offers an eclectic mix of celebrated elegance
and contemporary flair sure to please everyone in your family.

Savannah Weather
With moderate year-round temperatures, Savannah enjoys mild
winters at an average of 51 degrees and warm, humid summers
averaging 80 degrees. Scattered showers in the spring and fall
are a regular occurrence in this riverside city, typically lasting 15-
20 minutes.

Savannah's Historic District
Savannah’s historic district is a thriving centre with 23 charming
neighborhood squares, most of which feature an active water
fountain, monument, bench or statue of a great figure in Savannah
history.

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has renovated
many of the buildings in the historic district to their original
appearance. The contemporary influence the SCAD students
bring is evident by the swanky nigh clubs, bars and coffee shops
that cater to this Generation X crowd.

This “Hostess City of the South” is also a center of African
American heritage, marked by the many historic sites, museums,
monuments and tours dedicated to over 250 years of contributions
African Americans have made to Savannah’s history.

Savannah Accommodations
With over 10,000 rooms, Savannah’s inns, hotels, and bed &
breakfasts offer a variety of comfortable, family-friendly
accommodations at a range of prices.

The Marshall House (123 E. Broughton St., 800-589-6304) in the
historic district is the oldest hotel in Savannah. This bed &
breakfast-style inn features quaint rooms and elegantly appointed
common areas. The Hampton Inn – Savannah North (7050 Hwy.
21, I95 exit 109) is a moderately priced hotel located in greater
Savannah. Offering complimentary continental breakfast, this site
is a great family value.

If your visit takes you to relaxing Tybee Island, check out the
Lighthouse Inn (16 Meddin Dr.) for a peaceful atmosphere and a
warm, friendly feel.

Savannah Family Activities
The one-hour trolley tours offer the opportunity to take note of
places of interest that you will want to return to later during your
visit.

Take a carriage ride through the historic district and experience
the charming architecture and unique “personality” of Savannah’s
downtown areas. Parents and teens will enjoy the haunted history
walking tour, which provides a spooky glimpse into Savannah’s
ghostly secrets.

Tybee Island
Tybee Island, located about 18 miles east of Savannah on the
Atlantic Ocean, is a quaint community featuring five square miles
of beaches and water activities such as kayaking, surfing and
sailing. Take the kids to the Tybee Lighthouse and Museum (just
off US 80). This landmark represents the

original lighthouse
constructed in 1736, which marked the entrance to the Savannah
River.

The Tybee Island Marine Science Centre showcases exhibits of
marine life from the Georgia coast, and offers interactive programs
for children.
Scouts of all ages will enjoy visiting the Juliet Gordon Low House.
The birth home of the founder of the Girl Scouts displays original
artwork and keepsakes of Low’s.

Savannah Restaurants
With views of the Savannah River and its paddlewheel boats, River
Street offers a variety of restaurants located in converted cotton
warehouses. Or for a more unique dining experience, the River
Street Riverboat Company (912-232-6404) operates cruises for
lunch, brunch and dinner.

City Market (Jefferson at W. St. Julian Street) a hub of nightlife in
Savannah, also offers several eateries. From elegant dining to
more casual faire, City Market’s charm offers dining options for everyone, as well as small shops for quick snacks, gourmet candies or gelato.

Shopping in Savannah
Stroll down River Street where you will find bookstores and
specialty shops. Visit the River Street Marketplace, a bustling
open-air bazaar featuring unique cultural gifts from Africa, Asia and
other countries, as well as Savannah collectables.

City Market features an array of shopping options to suit many
interests. This historic area, which began in 1755, features 23 art
studios and 8 art galleries and is located just two blocks from
River Street.

The historic district features small boutiques and art galleries that
wind throughout the neighborhood squares, showcasing unique fashions and original artwork by local designers and artists.

Savannah’s “Hollywood” Connections
A jewel of the south, Savannah’s charm and elegance has attracted the attention of Hollywood filmmakers for decades. Arguably one of the best-known films to feature Savannah as its
backdrop is the Clint Eastwood directed “Midnight in the Garden of
Good and Evil”.

Other notable motion pictures filmed in Savannah include “The
Legend of Baggar Vance” starring Wil Smith, and “The General’s
Daughter” starring John Travolta. Not to be forgotten is the
famous scene in the movie “Forest Gump”, where the lead
character, played by Tom Hanks, sits on a park bench in
Chippewa Square at Bull and McDonough streets, munching on chocolate candies while reflecting on the unpredictable nature of life

New Zealand GreenStone or Jade

What Is Jade?
Well, to start with, there are two kinds of Jade: their geological names are Jadeite and Nephrite. The common names for Nephrite are Greenstone or in Maori - Pounamu.

Jadeite is found in an area around the northern Burnese border with China. Nephrite is found in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Russia, Wyoming and in other small deposits around the world.

Jadeite is a silicate of sodium and aluminium. Nephrite is a silicate of calcium and magnesium.

Do they look different?
Yes, Jadeite is a rare mineral and the lighter brighter colours have the greatest value. Nephrite is richer in colour with interesting inclusions, rivers and other variations of colour. It can be either dark or light - from almost black-green, through greens, rust to light, - nearly white in colour.

Is one kind of Jade more valuable than the other?
No, the preference is personal. Some people like dark stone and some prefer light coloured stone. The preferences generally depend on where you come from - your ethnicity. There are two schools of thought to be aware of: the Maori school and the Asian school of Jade appreciation. The Maori school prefers their stone to be rich in colour, either dark or light, with interesting inclusions, rivers and other variations. The Asian school has developed over the last 5,000 years and prefers lighter brighter colours with clarity and purity.

Why is Jade called Greenstone in New Zealand?
This name came from the first European explorers who came to New Zealand in the eighteenth century and saw the Maori people wearing Jade tiki and other ornaments. They didn't realise it was Jade and called it Greenstone and the name has stayed.

What should I look out for when buying Jade?
Check for cracks. Hold the piece up to the light and study it carefully. If there are any cracks they will be a point of weakness and could cause your piece to break later on. Look for richness of colour. Some Jade can be muddy or dull in colour. Look for translucence. The beauty of Jade is seen in the way light reflects and moves through the stone.

Where does jade come from?
Many of you will be familiar with Chinese jade in the form of carvings and jewelry items such as bracelets and small carved pendants. You'll know that Chinese jade comes in varying shades - from almost white to bright green. Chinese jade is jadeite -a chemically distinct mineral from nephrite, the type of jade found in New Zealand. While jadeite is a silicate of sodium and aluminum, nephrite is a silicate of calcium and magnesium.

Jade from New Zealand
Commercial quantities of Nephrite jade are found in only a few countries in the world besides New Zealand - Australia, China, Russia and Canada. New Zealand has some of the finest nephrite jade in the world. In New Zealand, nephrite jade is named Pounamu, by Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, and is also referred to as greenstone, a name given to it by the early explorers and settlers to New Zealand who first came in the eighteenth century. Nephrite jade is very rich in colour. It is often marked with occlusions or darker colours running through

it. The most prized nephrite jade in New Zealand is flower jade, jade with pale green or ochre clouds of colour. This distinctive patterning and colouring comes from the outside rim or 'rind' of the jade boulders or stones where the surface has oxidized. Maori appreciation of jade centres on these features: patterns that seem to evoke images of forests, rivers and clouds.

Jade from around the world
Jade is found in many countries around the world but commercial quantities are found in only a few. On any field where jade is found, whether it is in New Zealand Canada or China, only 5% of all jade mined will be AAA grade or what we know as "jewelry grade jade" - stone that can be used for fine carving or jewelry. This grade of jade is translucent, has perfect clarity and no fractures.

Each region has its own highly prized stone. In Australia, we look for jade that is a deep black colour. In Canada, highly sought after stone has bright green flecks through it. The best quality Russian jade can be very white with a root beer colour rind, or a very pale almost teal colour.

New Zealand Carvings
Pounamu has special significance for the Maori. The Maori believe that Pounamu absorbs the 'mana' or spiritual power of its wearer. The Maori also believe that a piece of Pounamu will always yearn to return to its source in the rivers and mountains of New Zealand.

New Zealand jade carving is unique in its designs and forms. We owe this to the Maori who have refined techniques of working with the stone over a long period of time. We can trace their use of Pounamu back to the twelfth century. Because of its extreme hardness, Pounamu was used by the Maori for weapons and tools. It was also prized by the Maori for ornaments - pendants and earrings.

Many of the designs you see today are contemporary interpretations of traditional designs, which have been carved for centuries such as the hei matua (fish hook), the tiki (representing man) and the manaia (serpent form).

It can be said that all jade carving has an organic dimension. New Zealand carving is dynamic and diverse - a fact evidenced by the increasing numbers of new and talented sculptors and carvers, each creating their own unique designs from their own particular sources of inspiration, whether that be Maori, Pacific, Asian or Celtic.

The Process of Jade Carving
Jade carving is a painstaking and exacting art form. A carver first needs to study the stone to see where its strengths and beauty lie, in terms of colour, clarity and patterning. Some carvers call this "the heart of the stone". The carver works to bring the heart of the stone to the fore. To do this, a rough shape is first cut out on a diamond bladed trim saw. Pre-forming, the grinding of edges of the rough shape follows. A high-speed grinder then shapes the piece into its final form. Still the surface needs to be polished - through a series of increasing finer grades of sand paper until the desired finish, from smooth and satin to a highly polished gloss, is achieved.

Mauritius Vaccation Guide

Mauritius has successfully managed to position itself as an exotic beach destination. With beach destinations so plentiful, this has been sustained not by mere hype, but by the substance there is to this claim. Visitors are drawn to Mauritius by the reputation of its 140 km of white sand beaches, and the superb opportunities for water sports. Swimming, beach combing, sailing, surfing, kayaking, diving and deep-sea fishing - there is a sport for almost everyone.

Arab traders discovered the then uninhabited island in the 10th century. But they were not charmed sufficiently to consider permanent settlement. The Portuguese early in the sixteenth century landed, but they too passed over the chance to lay claim for their king. But in 1598 the Dutch finally seized the opportunity. The island was grabbed for and named after Maurice, Prince of Orange and Count of Nassau -then ruler of the Netherlands.

In the century that followed, the Dutch established settlements and devised means to live off the land. They introduced sugar and tobacco, which they farmed using African slave labour. Sugar is today still an important part of the economy. The Dutch were insensitive to the extremely fragile ecosystem that makes up an isolated island such as Mauritius. On their watch, most of the islands' indigenous forests were felled, and lost. The bird known as dodo was also shot to extinction. Thus did the trigger-happy Dutch give life to the expression "as dead as a dodo".

The Dutch courage that had made them pioneers was however not to last. They were subjected to many trials by the forces of nature - cyclones, droughts and floods. And also by the forces of man, for pirates were a constant headache. In 1710, they fled to the more hospitable Cape of Good Hope, at Africa's southern tip. A short five years after the Dutch left, the French claimed the island, and renamed it Isle de France.

The French were much more successful than the Dutch in harnessing the potential of the island. They maintained law and order and laid the foundations for administration of society. Under the celebrated French Governor, Mahé de Labourdonnais, real nation building began. The French brought in more African slaves and expanded further sugar farming. They also laid out some social and economic infrastructure to support the settlers. Port Louis, named after King Louis XV, and today the capital of Mauritius, dates back to this period.

Though the French had introduced systems of law and order, Port Louis turned out to be a favourite of corsairs. Corsairs were mercenary marine who specialised in the plunder of ships on behalf of a client country. The British, a great sea power at the time, had a vested interest in terminating the power of these mercenaries. And that is how Mauritius, so far away from Europe, got involved in the Napoleonic wars. In 1810, the British backed by superior force of arms, persuaded the French to leave the island.

In the 1814 Treaty of Paris, the British - magnanimous victors indeed, allowed the French settlers to remain in Mauritius. They too were allowed to retain their property, language, religion and legal system. The British reverted to the name the Dutch had given the island, but Port Louis retained its name. But in the century and a half that the British ruled, they were never really as grounded as the French had been.

Franco-Mauritians prospered on an agrarian economy based on slave labour. But in 1835, they felt the capricious hand of a great power when slavery was abolished. This is perhaps the single most important measure carried out under British rule, and the consequences had a far-reaching effect on the evolving demographics of the nation. India, a British colony greatly abundant in human resources was the answer to the labour problem that arose. In the years that followed, the descendants of the Indian labourers who came to work the sugar fields greatly multiplied. The Chinese also came -as labourers and traders.

Today, Indo-Mauritians constitute close to 70% of the population. As in other colonies in that historic period, and upto the 1930's in Mauritius, non-whites had very limited say in the running of the country. And that is why Gandhi - that great liberator of men's minds, came to Mauritius in 1901, in particular to give heart to Indo-Mauritians. After years of protracted concessions to democratic rule, the British finally bowed out in 1968, when finally granted independence.

The events we talk about above are however very recent. About eight million years ago, the island emerged from the depths of the sea as result of volcanic activity. Occupying 1860 sq km, it is situated just above the Tropic of Capricorn, 890 km to the east of Madagascar. Rising from the sea, the central plateau formation is about 400 m above sea level. There are mountains scattered in the island, and a few peaks, the highest of which reaches 820 m.

As a country, Mauritius includes the islands of Rodrigues and Agalega, the Cargados Carajos Shoals and a few smaller mostly uninhabited islands. Mauritius is almost wholly ringed by a coral reef that is reputed to be the worlds third largest. Both the Dutch and the French were extremely reckless in allowing the uncontrolled invasion of indigenous forests. Today, less than 2% of these forests remain. Many of the nearly 700 species of indigenous plants are threatened with extinction. Starting from the late 1970's, a belated but systematic effort has been underway to conserve the unique flora of the island.

The wildlife faces similar dangers. In the first place, animal migration to this isolated island was by air or sea only, greatly limiting the diversity of species. The animals the Dutch found included out-of-size reptiles and flightless birds. But except for bats, there were no mammals and no amphibians at all. The animals brought aboard ships by man include monkeys and rats - thanks to the Portuguese, while the Dutch take credit for deer and wild boar. Some of these animals threaten to choke the life out of indigenous species - they eat their eggs, and even their young.

Mauritius is not all bad news for nature lovers' -there are plenty of birds and marine life is abundant. However, some of the endemic bird species, such as Mauritius kestrel, echo parakeet and pink pigeon number not more than a few hundred. Such are now under some form of captive breeding program, with the

hope of raising their numbers.

The island's maritime zone boasts more than 1,000 species of marine life- fishes, shells and mollusks, in numbers beyond count. The spectacular way to explore the spectacular underwater world is onboard a submarine. The sub also allows you to see some ship wrecks dating back to the Dutch period.

You can swim at various places at beaches, lagoons and inlets. Swimming beaches are best to the north, though there are other good sites to the southwest and to the west near Flic en Flac. The west coast offers good sites for surfing at Tamarin, and diving at Flic en Flac. At Grand Bay beach, you get good shopping, nightclubs, bars, and restaurants and the chance to interact with locals. In addition, the swimming, surfing, sailing and angling is good. From here, you can also make a boat excursion of the islands to the north.

In the islands' interior, there are good opportunities for hiking and trekking. Black River Gorges National Park has excellent walks, and at the same time you can see some endemic plants and birds. The Réserve Forrestière Macchabée and Rivière Noire National Park are also good for hiking. In addition, captive breeding to raise the numbers of Mauritius endangered endemic birds is underway here. For trekkers, you will do well at the plateau at Curepipe and at the island of Rodrigues.

The Royal Botanical Gardens of Pamplemousses are very popular with visitors. The gardens date back to 1735, during the French period. Here you will see a large collection of exotic and indigenous plants in excellent surroundings. Among the most peculiar specimens are the giant Victoria regia water lilies, whose origins are in the Amazon, and the talipot palm- known to bloom once every 60 years before dying. At the Casela Bird Park, you can see some of its 140 bird species, including the rare Mauritian pink pigeon. Some of these excursions are included in the Mauritius tour packages offered by the various vendors.

Mauritius offers some excellent golf courses, and visitors are increasingly aware of it. There are at least three hotels with 18-hole courses and another five with 9-hole courses. The Ile aux Cerfs course, which sits on its own tiny island is the most spectacular. For honeymooners, the island is very welcoming. Almost all hotels offer a special honeymoon package. As a non-resident, you can easily tie the knot here. But a few formalities must be completed with officialdom; make sure you comply before arrival.

Mauritius is at the cultural cross roads of Europe, Africa and Asia. The Dutch, French, Africans, Indians, Chinese and British came under one guise or another and have today influenced the character and cultural life of the island. Though the island is closest to Africa geographically, culturally it is much closer to Asia.

The biggest racial groups are Indo-Mauritians who constitute about two thirds of the nations 1.2 million peoples, followed by Creoles - Afro- Mauritians who are just over a quarter of the population. Franco- Mauritians and peoples of Chinese origin combined make up about 5% of the population. While English is the official language, French, Creole, Bhojpuri and Urdu are widely spoken. Religion is the other factor defining the people of the island, with Hinduism (51%), Christianity (30%) and Islam (17%) leading.

The cuisine of the island reflects the diversity of its people. French, Creole, Chinese and Indian foods - with local variations are all found here. Wherever you stay, you will most likely be able to watch or even dance the Sega. This energetic and erotic Creole dance has origins in the sugar fields, in the days when African labour was captive. You may also be fortunate to encounter any of the various festivals celebrated in this multicultural country. Only the most widely traveled however, will be prepared for the Cavadi. On this Tamil festival, penitents pierce their bodies, tongues, and cheeks while some march on shoes of nails.

Tourism is one of the main pillars of the economy of Mauritius. The bulk of visitors come from South Africa, Germany, France, Australia and UK. Hotels in Mauritius are plenty, and they range from 5-star luxury to those with just basic amenities. Budget stay comes in the form of bungalows, guesthouses and self-catering apartments. The period June to September and around Christmas is the busy season and if you plan to travel then, you are advised to book your accommodation in advance. Mauritius is still relatively affordable, though there has been talk of turning it into an up market beach destination.

Mauritius is a year-round destination. The best times to visit however, are the periods April-June and September- November. These are the months when it rains least and the temperatures are moderate. January to April is hottest, and daytime temperatures can reach 35°C. Temperatures tend to be lower inland, away from the coast. The main rains come between December and April, though there are light rains year round. November to February is when cyclones are most likely to occur. But do not be deterred; chances of meeting cyclones are not very high, and it is estimated that they hit the island about once every 15 years.

If you are keen on water sports, beware that diving is best December to March, and surfing between June and August. For big game fishing, come between October and April. You should be comfortable with light clothing suitable for the tropical climate. But you need warmer clothing for evenings and the southern winter months between July and September. Whatever time of year you travel, do carry some rainwear. In the summer months between November and April, you are advised to bring along sunglasses, sun hats and sunscreen.

Mauritius - A Picture Perfect Beach Destination

Mauritius has successfully managed to position itself as an exotic beach destination. With beach destinations so plentiful, this has been sustained not by mere hype, but by the substance there is to this claim. Visitors are drawn to Mauritius by the reputation of its 140 km of white sand beaches, and the superb opportunities for water sports. Swimming, beach combing, sailing, surfing, kayaking, diving and deep-sea fishing - there is a sport for almost everyone. 

Arab traders discovered the then uninhabited island in the 10th century. But they were not charmed sufficiently to consider permanent settlement. The Portuguese early in the sixteenth century landed, but they too passed over the chance to lay claim for their king. But in 1598 the Dutch finally seized the opportunity. The island was grabbed for and named after Maurice, Prince of Orange and Count of Nassau -then ruler of the Netherlands.

In the century that followed, the Dutch established settlements and devised means to live off the land. They introduced sugar and tobacco, which they farmed using African slave labour. Sugar is today still an important part of the economy. The Dutch were insensitive to the extremely fragile ecosystem that makes up an isolated island such as Mauritius. On their watch, most of the islands' indigenous forests were felled, and lost. The bird known as dodo was also shot to extinction. Thus did the trigger-happy Dutch give life to the expression "as dead as a dodo".

The Dutch courage that had made them pioneers was however not to last. They were subjected to many trials by the forces of nature - cyclones, droughts and floods. And also by the forces of man, for pirates were a constant headache. In 1710, they fled to the more hospitable Cape of Good Hope, at Africa's southern tip. A short five years after the Dutch left, the French claimed the island, and renamed it Isle de France.

The French were much more successful than the Dutch in harnessing the potential of the island. They maintained law and order and laid the foundations for administration of society. Under the celebrated French Governor, Mahé de Labourdonnais, real nation building began. The French brought in more African slaves and expanded further sugar farming. They also laid out some social and economic infrastructure to support the settlers. Port Louis, named after King Louis XV, and today the capital of Mauritius, dates back to this period.

Though the French had introduced systems of law and order, Port Louis turned out to be a favourite of corsairs. Corsairs were mercenary marine who specialised in the plunder of ships on behalf of a client country. The British, a great sea power at the time, had a vested interest in terminating the power of these mercenaries. And that is how Mauritius, so far away from Europe, got involved in the Napoleonic wars. In 1810, the British backed by superior force of arms, persuaded the French to leave the island.

In the 1814 Treaty of Paris, the British - magnanimous victors indeed, allowed the French settlers to remain in Mauritius. They too were allowed to retain their property, language, religion and legal system. The British reverted to the name the Dutch had given the island, but Port Louis retained its name. But in the century and a half that the British ruled, they were never really as grounded as the French had been.

Franco-Mauritians prospered on an agrarian economy based on slave labour. But in 1835, they felt the capricious hand of a great power when slavery was abolished. This is perhaps the single most important measure carried out under British rule, and the consequences had a far-reaching effect on the evolving demographics of the nation. India, a British colony greatly abundant in human resources was the answer to the labour problem that arose. In the years that followed, the descendants of the Indian labourers who came to work the sugar fields greatly multiplied. The Chinese also came -as labourers and traders.

Today, Indo-Mauritians constitute close to 70% of the population. As in other colonies in that historic period, and upto the 1930's in Mauritius, non-whites had very limited say in the running of the country. And that is why Gandhi - that great liberator of men's minds, came to Mauritius in 1901, in particular to give heart to Indo-Mauritians. After years of protracted concessions to democratic rule, the British finally bowed out in 1968, when finally granted independence.

The events we talk about above are however very recent. About eight million years ago, the island emerged from the depths of the sea as result of volcanic activity. Occupying 1860 sq km, it is situated just above the Tropic of Capricorn, 890 km to the east of Madagascar. Rising from the sea, the central plateau formation is about 400 m above sea level. There are mountains scattered in the island, and a few peaks, the highest of which reaches 820 m.

As a country, Mauritius includes the islands of Rodrigues and Agalega, the Cargados Carajos Shoals and a few smaller mostly uninhabited islands. Mauritius is almost wholly ringed by a coral reef that is reputed to be the worlds third largest. Both the Dutch and the French were extremely reckless in allowing the uncontrolled invasion of indigenous forests. Today, less than 2% of these forests remain. Many of the nearly 700 species of indigenous plants are threatened with extinction. Starting from the late 1970's, a belated but systematic effort has been underway to conserve the unique flora of the island.

The wildlife faces similar dangers. In the first place, animal migration to this isolated island was by air or sea only, greatly limiting the diversity of species. The animals the Dutch found included out-of-size reptiles and flightless birds. But except for bats, there were no mammals and no amphibians at all. The animals brought aboard ships by man include monkeys and rats - thanks to the Portuguese, while the Dutch take credit for deer and wild boar. Some of these animals threaten to choke the life out of indigenous species - they eat their eggs, and even their young.

Mauritius is not all bad news for nature lovers' -there are plenty of birds and marine life is abundant. However, some of the endemic bird species, such as Mauritius

kestrel, echo parakeet and pink pigeon number not more than a few hundred. Such are now under some form of captive breeding program, with the hope of raising their numbers.

The island's maritime zone boasts more than 1,000 species of marine life- fishes, shells and mollusks, in numbers beyond count. The spectacular way to explore the spectacular underwater world is onboard a submarine. The sub also allows you to see some ship wrecks dating back to the Dutch period.

You can swim at various places at beaches, lagoons and inlets. Swimming beaches are best to the north, though there are other good sites to the southwest and to the west near Flic en Flac. The west coast offers good sites for surfing at Tamarin, and diving at Flic en Flac. At Grand Bay beach, you get good shopping, nightclubs, bars, and restaurants and the chance to interact with locals. In addition, the swimming, surfing, sailing and angling is good. From here, you can also make a boat excursion of the islands to the north.

In the islands' interior, there are good opportunities for hiking and trekking. Black River Gorges National Park has excellent walks, and at the same time you can see some endemic plants and birds. The Réserve Forrestière Macchabée and Rivière Noire National Park are also good for hiking. In addition, captive breeding to raise the numbers of Mauritius endangered endemic birds is underway here. For trekkers, you will do well at the plateau at Curepipe and at the island of Rodrigues.

The Royal Botanical Gardens of Pamplemousses are very popular with visitors. The gardens date back to 1735, during the French period. Here you will see a large collection of exotic and indigenous plants in excellent surroundings. Among the most peculiar specimens are the giant Victoria regia water lilies, whose origins are in the Amazon, and the talipot palm- known to bloom once every 60 years before dying. At the Casela Bird Park, you can see some of its 140 bird species, including the rare Mauritian pink pigeon. Some of these excursions are included in the Mauritius tour packages offered by the various vendors.

Mauritius offers some excellent golf courses, and visitors are increasingly aware of it. There are at least three hotels with 18-hole courses and another five with 9-hole courses. The Ile aux Cerfs course, which sits on its own tiny island is the most spectacular. For honeymooners, the island is very welcoming. Almost all hotels offer a special honeymoon package. As a non-resident, you can easily tie the knot here. But a few formalities must be completed with officialdom; make sure you comply before arrival.

Mauritius is at the cultural cross roads of Europe, Africa and Asia. The Dutch, French, Africans, Indians, Chinese and British came under one guise or another and have today influenced the character and cultural life of the island. Though the island is closest to Africa geographically, culturally it is much closer to Asia.

The biggest racial groups are Indo-Mauritians who constitute about two thirds of the nations 1.2 million peoples, followed by Creoles - Afro- Mauritians who are just over a quarter of the population. Franco- Mauritians and peoples of Chinese origin combined make up about 5% of the population. While English is the official language, French, Creole, Bhojpuri and Urdu are widely spoken. Religion is the other factor defining the people of the island, with Hinduism (51%), Christianity (30%) and Islam (17%) leading.

The cuisine of the island reflects the diversity of its people. French, Creole, Chinese and Indian foods - with local variations are all found here. Wherever you stay, you will most likely be able to watch or even dance the Sega. This energetic and erotic Creole dance has origins in the sugar fields, in the days when African labour was captive. You may also be fortunate to encounter any of the various festivals celebrated in this multicultural country. Only the most widely traveled however, will be prepared for the Cavadi. On this Tamil festival, penitents pierce their bodies, tongues, and cheeks while some march on shoes of nails.

Tourism is one of the main pillars of the economy of Mauritius. The bulk of visitors come from South Africa, Germany, France, Australia and UK. Hotels in Mauritius are plenty, and they range from 5-star luxury to those with just basic amenities. Budget stay comes in the form of bungalows, guesthouses and self-catering apartments. The period June to September and around Christmas is the busy season and if you plan to travel then, you are advised to book your accommodation in advance. Mauritius is still relatively affordable, though there has been talk of turning it into an up market beach destination.

Mauritius is a year-round destination. The best times to visit however, are the periods April-June and September- November. These are the months when it rains least and the temperatures are moderate. January to April is hottest, and daytime temperatures can reach 35°C. Temperatures tend to be lower inland, away from the coast. The main rains come between December and April, though there are light rains year round. November to February is when cyclones are most likely to occur. But do not be deterred; chances of meeting cyclones are not very high, and it is estimated that they hit the island about once every 15 years.

If you are keen on water sports, beware that diving is best December to March, and surfing between June and August. For big game fishing, come between October and April. You should be comfortable with light clothing suitable for the tropical climate. But you need warmer clothing for evenings and the southern winter months between July and September. Whatever time of year you travel, do carry some rainwear. In the summer months between November and April, you are advised to bring along sunglasses, sun hats and sunscreen.