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Shimmering Copper Fish

The redeveloped seafront from the Moll de la Fusta to the Olympic Port area has many top Barcelona hotels and has become one of Barcelona s’ most popular spaces for recreation and leisure. At the base of two landmark towers marking the beginning of the Olympic Port, lies the Frank O Gehry copper lattice fish. This installation which he designed for the 1992 Summer Olympics, is an example of the public art that he has become so well known for.

The scale of the fish is enormous 35m x54m, and as its copper color shines in the bright sunlight or and even on an overcast day. As tempting as it may be to find out what’s going on inside the fish, there’s no interior access, just a shimmering copper skin.

An award winning architect based in Los Angeles, Gehry is very much inspired by fish. In an effort to distance himself from the pervasive “postmodern” architecture during the 1980’s, Gehry became fixated on finding ways to incorporate a sense of movement and emotion in his work. As part of that search, he began to sketch various kinds of fish and then over time to add fish shapes to his buildings. Adding the fish to his formal repertoire also marked the beginning of his exploration of curved surfaces. Figuring out how to construct the fish in three dimensions made it easier, later on, to develop the high spirited organic style he and his firm are now known for.

The copper fish in Barcelona is just one of many that Gehry has created. Standing Glass Fish, in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, is a gigantic glass structure with the internal supporting structure of wood and steel clearly visible. It soars above a reflecting pool in a glass building built especially for it. Another huge Gehry fish sculpture dominates a public garden in front of the Fishdance Restaurant in Kobe, Japan.

It’s quite possible to say that the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain and the Walt Disney Concert Hall are direct descendants of the l fish sculptures Gehry designed many years ago.

Tags: Barcelona, hotels, top

Cape Town Theatre By The Bay

Cape Town South Africa is rich in its cultural history, geographical beauty and landscapes. The arts also play an essential aspect in the daily life of residents and serve as a major attraction for tourists. The theatre scene in Cape Town is alive and thriving with its diverse offerings suited for a variety of interests. The productions include world-class mainstream options, as well as the more edgy, experimental groups. The Theatre on the Bay is a perfect example of this. A multiple functioning facility, the theatre offers great entertainment and dinner to tourists who are staying in the best Cape Town hotels and flock to this South African institution.

Pieter Toerien’s Theatre on the Bay has its main stage theatre and also a restaurant, Act 1 Theatre Café which offers lunch and dinner options for theatre goers. And, as if the theatre couldn’t be more audience friendly, there is also a bar, Dietrich’s, to round out the evening. The productions from the 2009 season include For Generations, which is currently running, The Insatiables, Bigger Better Faster, and Travels with My Aunt, among others. For Generations, written by Kurt Egelhof, is a story of comic beauty, tragic truth and a triumphant return. It was directed by Nic Fine, who had his apprenticeship in Cape Town at The Space Theatre (now known as The People’s Space). He spent time in London before returning to South Africa.

Act 1 Theatre Café is a comfortable and informal restaurant that reminds one they are attending the theatre. There are newspaper reviews and previews positioned under the glass tabletops and production posters on the walls. The menu changes with the seasons and makes this the perfect compliment to a show and offers a full evening’s entertainment at one easy location. The theatre has an excellent subscription package which means up to a 50% savings on their productions.

Tags: best, Cape Town, hotels

Valencia: Rich in Historic and Contemporary Architecture

Valencia, Spain experienced a dramatic increase in tourism and outside interest beginning in the mid 1990s. This former industrial city has quickly become known for its interesting history, culture and beaches. In 2007 it gained greater prestige by hosting the renowned America’s Cup, an international sailing competition. The city has many monuments, which attract visitors, such as the City of Arts and Sciences and the World Heritage Site. The Serrano Towers and the Quart Towers are amazing relics of the medieval city that have been restored for contemporary appreciation. Malvarossa Beach remains a favorite destination for travelers who are staying in one of the 5 star hotels Valencia.

The City of Arts and Sciences, “Cuidad de las Artes y las Ciencias was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, in collaboration with Felix Candela. It is an amazing example of contemporary architecture and consists of 5 areas or buildings. These include an opera house, which is also a performing arts center, the L’Hemisferic which has a planetarium and an Imax theatre, a beautiful garden walkway, an open air oceanographic park and a science center. Each of these offers a breathtaking view of incredible avant-garde architecture and design.

The World Heritage Site, “Lonja de la Seda” is an amazing example of late Gothic architecture and is one of the premiere tourists attractions of the city. It was built between 1482 and 1548 and served as a civil building. The secular nature of this incredible building was uncommon in a time when most great structures were created for spiritual worship and services. This illustrates the great power and wealth held by this major Mediterranean mercantile town. Valencia’s prominence dates back further than the mid 15th century and the construction of Lonja de la Seda. Previously there had been another building in this location, and it also served secular or mercantile purposes. The Oil Exchange, “Lonja del Aceite” was the location of great business activity, including more than the name imply’s. Toward the middle of the 15th century the city had become so prosperous that the new building needed to be constructed, which is the one that remains today

Tags: 5, hotels, star, Valencia

Cubbon Park, Bangalore

Bangalore is one of the most beautiful cities in India, if not around the world. One of the aspects of this city, is that there are the gardens and parks throughout, and that most of the city streets are lined with flowers as well. Some have been growing for as long as the city has been here. As with many large cities, the buildings and the concrete seems to be becoming more abundant. This happened in one US city, Chicago. Mayor Daley stepped in and made certain requirements of businesses, that flowers must be planted. Now, more flowers grow down the center lane of Lake Shore Drive, than are found in some entire cities elsewhere. The government of Bangalore has also stepped in, and provides communities and businesses such as four star hotels, Bangalore and all her residents, with the plants and flowers to continually supplement their neighborhood gardens and parks. Restrictions have been placed on the use of fertilizers and pesticides and those taking care of the landscaping throughout the city are taking extra effort and care to becoming more and more eco-friendly.

Gardens and parks are a necessary element in big, urban cities. They provide space for outdoor activities such as running and bicycling, and they are just places for the young and old to escape the hectic pace of the city in which they live. The parks are designed with water-ways, fountains and curving pathways, beds of multi-colored flowers, and lotus and fish ponds. Cubbon Park, one of the favorites of Bangalore, has an extensive collection of sculptures. They are placed throughout the entire spread of the park, adding to the colorful, Colonial architecture and the Neo-Classical, red painted library the sits in the center of the park. The bandstand hosts outdoor theater and concerts, and the park even offers classes such as pottery and instruction on the various kinds of plants and flowers that decorate the park. All of this is set under the shade trees and amongst the art, a most incredible way to spend an afternoon, every afternoon.

Tags: Bangalore, four, hotels, star

New Railway Through Oxford

The first rail way system through Oxford, England, in just about 50 years will create not only a route to Bicester, but through London as well. Stations are being rebuilt in the cities that currently have stations as part of the expansion and renovation plan. The plan was made available for public viewing this week for the 200 million pound project. Chiltern Railway plans to and hopes to have the route between London, Oxford and Bicester up for service in 2013.

The company is funding the project, titled Evergreen Three, themselves, and along with the extension of services, many platforms already in existence will be rebuilt. This reconstruction will enable the trains to run up to 100 miles per hour on double tracks as opposed to the single track rails that exist currently. This means a lot of changes, for the better, for the commuters and companies that operate in and between these cities, including the retail business and Oxford hotel industry. The goal is to have at least two trains running on the hour, in each direction.

This plan provides many options that were not before available due to the limited runs. Direct links into the capitol will be provided wherein they were not available from some towns and cities before. The company opened up a discussion to the public, allowing views of the plan and opening up a dialogue with the public, those who will be using and will benefit from it. The public, the day to day commuters had already voiced their opinions, given their support. There will be many more meetings with stockholders and the public as the project gets closer to fruition and completion. The needs are being addressed and concerns are being heard.

Tags: hotel, Oxford

Cape Town’s Funny Festival Goes International

This year’s Vodacom Funny Festival in Cape Town will feature stand-up comedy by Asian and English stars as well as plethora of African comedians. The five-week festival begins on June 15, 2009 and runs through July 19th at the Baxter Theatre Complex in Cape Town.

The Funny Festival is building a reputation amongst comedy festivals across Africa. The event is sure to draw comedy fans from across the country and even international visitors. There are a number of five star Cape Town hotels near the theater that cater to international guests.

Gamarjobat, an award-winning physical comedy due from Japan will make their African debut as part of the festival. Their act is a combination of mime, magic and clowning. The due will perform during the first few weeks of the festival, between June 15th and July 1st.

The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Revue, a hit musical team from the UK, will also perform for the first time on the continent. The London duo mimes lyrics from a whirling montage of songs. Their ridiculously literal interpretations are wildly popular wherever they perform. They will perform between July 2nd – 19th.

US magician and “mind reader” John Lenahan is also a featured international act. South African acts will include top female comedian Tumi Morake, the multilingual Nik Rabinowitz, and South African comedy heavyweight Trevor Noah. Favorite son Marc Lottering returns as the MC for the event.

Tags: Baxter Theatre, Cape Town, Cape Town Funny Festival, five star hotels, Gamarjobat, Raymond and Mr Timpkins Revue, Vodacom Funny Festival

Children and Greenheart

The reality is that the climate is changing all over the planet. This requires people who initially may have over-consumed, to shift their perspectives and their consciousness, to change habits that have become very ingrained in popular culture. The goal of the Greenheart organization on Ibiza is to help people alter their understanding, of the needs of our planet and our place in caring and preserving it. They focus on the cyclic nature of everything that creates life on the planet, that gives life to the planet and to the planet itself. The four elements of nature, fire, air, water and earth are elements that must be kept in balance. Marine life, plants, insects, fungus and bacteria all must remain on a self-regulating cycle. And once humans realize the role they play in the destruction of the balance and the role that they are capable of playing in the reconstruction of that balance, it provides hope and help for the future generations.

The base camp for Greenheart on Ibiza is called La Casita Verde. Here there is a garden, fine vegetarian Ibiza restaurants, and their educational center and school. For three hundred children each year, classes and seminars are provided free of charge. The classes stress the importance of caring for the environment and the Mediterranean sea that surrounds that environment. What they are hoping is that the children will take what they have learned and incorporate into their everyday lives. For those children will grow up, and they hold the future of Ibiza in their hands. Children are taught about water conservation, alternative energy forms and the effects of pollution on the ecosystems they are surrounded by. This knowledge is meant to empower them to take into their own hands these things that they can change. The are given the mission of figuring out how to carry out cleaner ways of living in their own homes. Simple things as turning off lights when leaving a room, or buying fruits and vegetables from local farmers. They are then given the assignment to paint pictures of their commitments, which are sent to the Kids Call Campaign in Japan, presented by the World Future Council. Their last mission and final assignments are to write letters to their local government and politicians, to state their concerns. This is one way in which this small island is making a difference, and the way in which the children are well informed to enter the future they are about to create.

Tags: Ibiza, restaurants