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Hanging Out in India

I sit quite peacefully on the Ganges River bank near Delhi. I’m a bit a ways from any India 5 star hotel and I’m having my fortune told by a little old lady with cracked skin and twinkling gold tooth. She takes my hand in hers and I expect it to be as rough as sandstone but her palms are like silk and she begins to shake a little. Just then a cow bumps me with her wet nose and then a fellow picking up firewood stops and watches. The lady looks up at me and I’m suddenly hungry and wish she’d tell me what great little restaurant is in my future and I see the outline of Mount Kalish in the background. The day before in Pharganj a kind of giant bazaar where they sell everything from glow in the dark Buddhas to back scratches, every vendor chatting at you like you were a lost friend. We could all the bolts of cloth and cheap kitchen ware one could ever want, but it was fun just to hang out and take it all in. It seems this section of Delhi has a life of its own as you dodge the bicyclists, the cows, the children darting out, the auto rickshaws. Just then I saw a fortune teller’s stand, with a thin moon and circle drawn mysteriously on what looked like black velvet. Something told me to go see her but I was swept up by the surging sidewalk and I vowed I would see a fortune teller before I left to go back to Alaska. So when I saw the lady on the Ganges River banks…

She just looked up at me again, and a small crowd had gathered around and she said in a most serious voice: “You will have a long and happy life!” and held out her hand to be paid in triumph. I thought that was the best fortune one could ask for and gladly paid her.

Tags: five star hotels, Hanging Out in India

The Port of Melbourne, Australia

Port Melbourne is a mix of new and old. This is one of the suburbs of the city that sits along the bay, with many cottages, re-habbed buildings and new residential and commercial architecture. All year long this is a favorite shore line for cyclists, runners and walkers. Along the streets there are many restaurants, bars and coffee shops. The houses in the area are well designed and the streets are lines with flowers and palm trees, and this is one of the best locations to find the finest five star hotels in Melbourne. The port has been in operation beginning in the early 1800′s, and is still a vital shipping port as well as the location to catch some of the cruises to the island of Tasmania, as well as the departure and arrival point for the international cruises during the summer months of November through March. The Ferry station is also located at the port as well. Along the pier there are many famous restaurants including Campari, Waterfront, and Three Station Pier.

Bay Street, just near the port, is a popular spot for finding a variety of pubs and restaurants, some traditional, some quite eclectic. There are historic hotels and buildings located on Bay Street. Many find the shopping in this area fantastic as their are many designer stores with a range from contemporary and modern fashions, to vintage clothing boutiques. There are markets, day spas and bakeries. As well as many desert shops and patisseries. A favorite spot among the locals is the Readings Bookstore. This is a shop known for a wide range of books as well as a great kid’s section. Located within the bookstore is a coffee shop and a small, charming restaurant. Located just a few doors away is the used book store, Stray Dog, for those who love to pass the day, flipping through the discounts and perhaps finding some treasured first editions. This is a location that is fun to visit, and the shuttle buses from the center of Melbourne run to the port all day, making this a very accessible stop on a tour throughout the city.

Tags: architecture, Australia, famous restaurants, five star hotels, Melbourne

Northern Melbourne Diversity

The Victorian Era Architecture is evident in Northern Melbourne, Australian. From the shops on Errol Street to the cafes and the Melbourne 5 star hotels. The buildings are historical in nature with porches and verandas, and the location of the old town hall, complete with the old clock tower as well as the Blackwood Street Meat Market have become thriving theater and performing arts venues. This, as many of the districts of the Melbourne neighborhoods, has its own unique and distinct character and personality, based in the arts and alive in the culture. There are many galleries exhibiting touring shows, and each street located within the district has something different to offer. Each spring the Fling Festival occurs, which in Australia is just around the corner in October, wherein all the communities, including those in West Melbourne, come together. The restaurants, the cafes, and the pubs become venues for comedy and theatrical shows. Food and wine is celebrated as well as the books, the jewelry, the local fashion designers and the musicians and artists.

The Queen Victoria Market is located just by, and offers shops for the locals and interest for the tourists. This is a historical landmark as well as being a modern example of the cosmopolitan and modern world of Melbourne today. Shoppers can wander through more than six hundred different shops, looking for everything from hi-trend fashion, to fruits, cheese, vegetables and fresh flowers. And should one be in the area, and also be a music fan, the Sea Catholic Church houses the first pipe organ in Australia, to have received classification from the National Trust. This, as in many of the districts located throughout the city is a blend of the traditional and the modern, of the conservative and the liberal, of cultures. And the diversity and acceptance of that diversity is one of the characteristics of this Australian city that makes it a pleasure to visit, and to be a part of, even if just for a short time while on holiday.

Tags: Diversity, five star hotels, Fling festival, Northern Melbourne, Victorian Era Architecture

Barcelona, Morning and Night

One of the best times to visit Barcelona is just around the corner. When the temperatures in the city heat, the prices decrease. The city is filled with many beautiful options to choose from as far as the five star Barcelona hotels, the various museums and plazas, and the plethora of seafood restaurants and charming bars and cafes. The people of the city have a spirit and and exuberance towards the joy of living. When the sun sets, the tourists will find many of the outdoor cafes a buzz with activity, with street performers and vendors lining the street. Many people in the city begin their evenings later than many travelers are accustomed to back at home. Dinner is served beginning at nine o’clock and often times right up until Midnight. Now bear in mind that the way people eat in Spain is different from say those in the United States. A typical late night dinner in Spain consists of smaller portions of healthy food, olives and tomatoes and such, bread and wine. Many soups and seafood dishes are on the menus as well as salads and rice.

Once dinner is over, the locals will then head to the bars and cafes. There are literally hundreds to choose from in the city, ranging from quiet and romantic to the discos and clubs with DJs pumping music until the wee hours of the morning. Many of the bars serve tapas throughout the night, small plates of ‘tastes’ of food to nibble on. Of the many locations around the city, a few of the hot spots are the Barri Gotic and Mercat del Born. Both of these areas are well known for their selection of taverns. And once the fun is over for the evening, many pastry shops and located throughout these same areas offering espressos and cappuccinos, as well as an array of delicious morning sweets. The markets open up, with fresh fruit and vegetables available at the hawker stands. In the markets on can also find fresh flowers, cheeses and art galleries. Barcelona is one of the best spots in the world for those who enjoy walking and becoming totally immersed in the culture and the people.

Tags: Barcelona, five star hotels, Markets, Morning, Night, seafood

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

Beautiful Goa, India

It’s easy to understand why the beach paradise of Goa is one of India’s more popular tourist destinations. The state, though India’s smallest, is actually one of the most popular holiday destinations in all of Asia. Most of Goa’s popularity is a result of its breath-taking beaches. However, the region also has beautiful architecture, wonderful food, great shopping, and some amazing protected parks, forests, and animal sanctuaries.

With a relatively stable climate featuring sunny, warm days and balmy nights, Goa is ideal for a beach holiday. And the beaches here have something to offer just about anyone. There are small, quiet beaches for relaxing as well as large beaches with shops, restaurants, and clubs for those who want a more social environment.

Goa’s coastline offers plenty of opportunities for recreational sports as well. Try windsurfing or parasailing as well as swimming or sailing. Take out a speedboat or a jet ski for fast fun. Snorkelers and dives will also find lots to explore in the waters around Goa.

Inland there is beautiful countyside for hiking and exploration. Goa is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, with protected forests and coastal lands. The region also protects its wildlife, with several well-known animal sanctuaries such as the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary and the Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.

The cities and larger villages of Goa are home to some stunning architecture. Most are relics of the colonial period. For 450 years Goa was a territory of Portugual. The melding of Indian and Portuguese architecture is reflected in a number of churches, mansions, and other buildings that have survived the centuries.

Of course, Goa is not stuck in the past. In addition to the beautiful historic buildings and traditional shops that have stood for over a century, there are modern conveniences such as five star hotels in Goa, fine dining restaurants, and even climate-controlled shopping malls. Be sure to take advantage of the fresh seafood available in the coastal areas and to try some of the local dishes that bring together Indian dishes with Portuguese influenced-flavors and techniques.

Tags: five star hotels, Goa, Goa beaches, hotels in goa

Fashion Week in Mumbai

With all of the fashion world busy with New York Fashion Week (February 13-20), now would be a good time to mark the calendar for the upcoming Lakmé Fashion Week (LKW) in Mumbai. Scheduled for March 27th – 31st, the event is sponsored jointly by Lakmé and IMG.

The purpose of LKW is “to integrate India into th eglobal fashion world and redefine the future of fashion.” It began six years ago and focuses on the retail industry, though there are plenty of international media and celebrities on hand as required by any global fashion week.

Like New York, Paris, and Australia’s fashion week’s, LKW brings together designers, stylists, models, choreographers, buyers, and the media to showcase current and future fashion trends. In the brief history of the event a number of Indian designers have gone on to show their lines at th eRosemount Australian Fashion Week and at Coterie in New York (the most exclusive and largest fashion trade show in the world).

With an expected influx of Indian and world fashion media, designers, models, and buyers, the five star hotels in Mumbai are already planning for the five-day event. Likewise watch for a jump in business at the upscale restaurants in the area as well as the trendier clubs and discos.

Tags: five star hotels, Lakme Fashion Week, Mumbai, Mumbai Fashion Week