Bob Travel

I was needing to get out of the house for a while today so I headed to the local coffee shop to catch up on some emails take care of a little business and people watch. This time the person I would like to watch is right behind me so watching is difficult with out being obvious. I have been listen to this conversation for over an hour now. Well it isn’t much of a conversation as much as it is some guy talking, talking and talking some more. I am supposing he has met the women he is with here or the first time and is nervously rattling on and saying all kinds of silly things to impress her. He was just listing all the things he has purchased recently. The women he is with is in a position where I can catch a glimpse of her every so often and not be too obvious. She doesn’t look duly impressed. Yet he keeps rattling on as if he is completely unaware he is looking her interest. He was just saying that he had been in Texas and stayed at the best San Antonio hotels. Um OK… is how I interpreted the look on her face. She is being very polite and clearly acting like she is engaged. I guess he cannot see she is acting. He continued to rattle on and then all of a sudden stopped and said “tell me about some of your undergrad experiences’. Surprisingly he was quiet for a moment and she made her statement, but then the switch was turned on again and off he goes talking and talking some more interrupting her thought. I just can’t help but think this is not a first date going well. But then I could be interrupting this all wrong and perhaps she enjoys a guy just rattling on and on.

While we were staying in Fort Wayne, Indiana, we happened upon the Three Rivers Festival. It appears that both locals and any traveler, like my husband and me, could not only experience the week long festival, but participate in it if we so wished. As we left our room at one of the hotels Fort Wayne offers its visitors, we headed straight for the main part of the festival and searched for the food alley. It was hard to figure out just want we wanted to eat. The food alley, which we like to call the grease and fat alley, had a great array of carnival food to choose from. Everything from pulled-pork sandwiches to Wisconsin cheese to elephant ears. Yes, elephant ears. That did not sound appetizing to me. So, we went for the pulled pork sandwich instead.

As we walked through the crowd, we noticed they were all waving bright, red Carthage flags. We got a good educations by those around us at the festival, all about Carthage College. We actually had the privilege to talk to a parent of one of the students. But, what was the best part about the festival was the Bed Races. Every team had five members. The teams must provide their own decorated bed, which has to be on wheels. Then they race against the other competing teams for the length of two city blocks. All the while, one team member has to me on the bed itself while the other four team members have to push. I never knew bed racing could be so intense and competitive. We were lucky to be sitting right at the finish line. They had heats set up in a bracket system. So, the losing teams slowly got eliminated and the winning teams could continue to race until only two bed racers remained. So, the winner not only has to be the fastest, but also has to have the best decorated bed. This was definitely the highlight of the festival and the highlight of our trip.

There are some places that naturally attract the allure that commands a five-star hotel.  Goa, one of the most biologically diverse places on earth, is certainly among them.  Our hotels will put you in the center of this place of natural wonder, where you can enjoy the gorgeous beaches, a lively urban center, and access to nature centers all at the same time.  Children of all ages will enjoy the special attractions that take place in the reserves, where wildlife of all sorts can be seen close up, in a setting that is as educational as it is entertaining.  In the midst of this fascinating paradise, our hotels add another level of pleasure.  Meeting the highest standards in the industry, you will find yourself surrounded by luxury, in the midst of natural splendor.  Life was never so good!
Goa has been a main attraction for a few decades now, experiencing a tremendous growth in tourism in the 1960s, when counterculture explorers came looking for enlightenment and beaches.  This was the beginning of a very strong party scene in Goa.  Though it is not everywhere, the parties can be easily found, and techno music can be heard until dawn at some of the more lively clubs.  Goa trance takes its name from a kind of pre-techno electronic music that combines modern musical technologies, altered states of consciousness, and local influences from classical Indian music.  The scene is strong enough that it is the subject of Venkat Prabhu’s next release, titled Goa, appropriately enough.
Prabhu, who directed the very successful features Chennai 600028, and Saroja, is one of the hottest Tamil directors working today.  This new effort will be a side-splitting comedy, by all accounts, and will take on the reputation of Goa in popular culture and give it some new twists.  In the style of sexy teen comedies, this is a story of young men on holiday in Goa, who get into a particularly perilous situation.  The film will star Jai and Vaibhav Reddy, among other top names, and will also star Sneha, in a role that was once being considered by Jessica Alba.  In the tradition of feature films being made in other locations, Goa is filmed in Malaysia.

My Acupuncturist advised me to check out another Acupuncturist who specializes in a technique called Gua Sha. I asked why my Acupuncturist was recommending another acupuncturist and he told me that he has heard about the benefits of this Gua Sha practice and thinks I will benefit from it, plus, he does not know the technique. I took the advise of my Acupuncturist and made a reservation for a New York City car hire and hotel room. Oh, and an appointment with the Acupuncturist.

When I arrived to my appointment, I was impressed with not only the office, but just how well known this Acupuncturist is within the medical community. She practices in her office and at several well known hospitals in New York. My first visit was a consultation which she explained the difference between the Acupuncture technique that I’m used to and Gua Sha. Gua Sha is a East Asian healing technique. Gua means to scrape or rub and Sha is a reddish elevated, skin like rash. Sha describes the blood stasis in the subcutaneous tissue before and after it is raised as petechiae. So, Gua Sha intentionally raises the Sha rash (petechiae). That sounded weird to me, but then when I first heard about Acupuncture itself, that sounded weird to me too, but after experiencing the results, it no longer seems strange.

Apparently, this practice has different names depending on which country it’s practiced in. She told me due to my disorder, that I’m a perfect candidate for the practice of Gua Sha. So, I made an appointment for the next day. We I arrived and received my treatment, I was shocked. During the treatment she applied a lubricant on all the major Acupuncture points with the Gua Sha tool. She held the tool at a 30 degree angle to my skin. She then rubbed with a the round edged tool in a downward stroke. An area is stroked, downward, until the petechiae surfaces and completely raised. If I had no Blood stasis the petechiae will not form and my skin will only turn pink. The area which she worked on me were the back, neck, buttocks, shoulders and my arms, but she didn’t apply it on my chest or abdomen. She raised the petechiae everywhere she stroked on my body. She told me the effect will last 2 to 4 days. If it fades very slow, that indicates I have poor blood circulation and there may be a more serious deficiency which will require additional treatments alongside my regular Acupuncture treatments. She advised that I can get Gua Sha treatments up to three times a week. But, that I must at least get one treatment per week.

My petechiae did fade very slowly, but I was fortunate enough, one: to be able to go to New York every week, and two: my petechiae didn’t form only after 4 treatments. I must also mention that the disorder with which I was suffering has dissolved, completely.

“Man, I would kill for a bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich. Can we get one?” asked Steve for the eighty seventh time, as we traveled through India, not a big BLT nation. We had traveled before and he would get these cravings for some crazy food and that was all he would talk about until he got some or you socked him in the head. I only had to do this once. While in Maine last summer on break we were in Acadia Island and he had to have a Coney. I threatened to drive to Detroit to shut him up, but instead bonked him on the head. We had decided to come to India and were now looking for any Jaipur hotels that would have us. And bacon sandwiches were on his feverish, Indian heated brain. “Hey, maybe on of those fancy British place will have them, d the British eat a lot of bacon?” I knew the British were pig friendly, but the BLT? Why not? Just then, the Canadian embassy came in to view. “Hey, let me off, I’m going to go ask the Canadian guys.” Steve later explained that since that was the nation that brought us Canadian bacon, they were bound to have a source. Off he went crossing the street and dodging the auto rickshaws, the fantastically decorated taxis, two skinny dogs, a lady selling umbrellas, and a guy on a bicycle push cart selling fresh coconut juice. I wanted to get to a nice Indian restaurant, my tender stomach recovering now, and we had been given the name of a vegetarian restaurant in the central city of Jaipur. He was gone for about twenty minutes and I began to worry when out he bounded down the street with a paper bag. the embassy had sold him two BLTs, and he was happy.

Wow. I truly feel like I am on the other side of the globe. India is a way incredible and diverse place. It even smells different, I mean smells. Cow dung, burning cow dung, Indian food, incense, flowers and garbage all mixed together equals the aroma of India. It’s actually not as bad as it sounds. I’ll start from the beginning: My friend Mark and I had a great flight on Qatar Airlines. We really thought the airline was particularly good. We had a lay over in Saudi Arabia. At the airport, Mark and I experienced the most diverse group of people we have ever seen in one place. There were so many different skin colors, colorful robes and great turbans. Women covered from head to toe while other women were dressed like me, very casual travel loose cotton clothes. It was truly amazing.

Mark, interviewed a man from Oman and thought his English was broken, be was very friendly and welcoming. Anyway, we had a fascinating layover and definitely made me want to learn more about the variety of cultures in that part of the world. We landed in India around 3:30am and even though we hadn’t much sleep, we were wide awake due to our excitement. As soon as we left the airport, I could feel the amazing energy of India. After we managed to get a ride to our Udaipur palace hotel and unpack, we hit the streets. Our first day in India was surreal and beautiful. We met up with one of Mark’s friends, a Buddhist nun. She made us feel great just by being near her. Her name is Venerable Tenzin. We walked all around one of the nicer parts of Udaipur with her, Mark had a great interview with her, and we filmed her getting her head shaved. All Buddhist shave their heads because they are working on not worrying about appearance, so they can dedicate their energies towards their practice. Anyway, it was great walking around town. We got so many looks from the people we were passing. A Buddhist nun, a 6′6″ blond man and an American girl dressed very differently from all the other women on the street. We were quite a site for all those people. It was a great first day and we learned a great deal about Buddhism.

Mark and I headed back to our hotel room and crashed for a whole day, jet lag and excitement finally met and Mark and I lost.

Quayside Newcastle is a beautiful area along the Tyne River in the city of Newcastle. This is an incredibly beautiful area with many interesting features and attractions. Tourists who visit the city and stay in one of the quaint old bed and breakfasts that may have been adapted from an old Victorian house, and those who prefer the comforts of one of the Newcastle luxury hotels, almost always enjoy at least one trip to this area along the river’s edge.

The riverfront in this section of the city has a dynamic and thriving area on both sides. The Gateside of the river is well known for its housing developments, as well as featuring great restaurants, pubs, music venues and museums. One of the major attractions on the Quayside of the river is the Millennium Bridge. This incredible structure spans the river area between the BALTIC Center for Contemporary Arts and the Newcastle Law Courts. The bridge is a cyclist and pedestrian tilt styled cross bridge. It was designed by Wilkinson Eyre and Gifford, and it has won awards for its shape and design.

The BALTIC Center for Contemporary Arts consists of a continually changing program featuring various exhibits, lectures and other events. It is an international center for contemporary art is one of the world’s leaders in the presentation and commission of contemporary visual arts. The Center opened in 2002 and celebrated its successful first five years with a Beryl Cook exhibition, as well as presenting the opening of the new Learning and Community Center20called simply Quay. Education and the support of new art development is a major focus of the center in their short existence have already created and presented various educational programs for students and children.

Mauritius is an island of districts, districts that are diverse and have the influence not only of the rich cultural history, but the influence of the various ethnic groups that inhabit the island today.  One of those districts is that of Port Louis.  This is one of the more popular districts with the tourists and as such there is a wide range of options concerning the many luxury hotels.  Mauritius is an island with a variety of landscapes, be they made up of mountains and forests, ocean waves and beaches, or the gardens and the architecture.

The capital of Mauritius is also Port Louis and this is one of the most culturally active and happening cities on the island.  Most who travel to the island on holiday choose to stay in Port Louis for this reason.  Many of the larger companies and corporations have their headquarters and office buildings in the city, and the mix of culture and different races combine to make this one of the most cosmopolitans regions, as well as one of the most important of all the port cities located along the shores of the Indian Ocean.

The population is relatively large in the city, and many of the most impressive spots for tourist activities are located withing this hub.  One such destination is that of Chinatown, which is located here in Port Louis.  As in the Chinatown neighborhoods the world over, when one steps onto the streets in this area one feels as though they stepped onto the streets in the country of China itself.  The food and the atmosphere is overwhelming and enticing.

Shopping here, and throughout the district, is varied and has many options for bargains and rare finds in the many market places and shops.  One such market is the Central Bazaar of Port Louis,  where one can find works of art, antique stalls, and many options for finding the flavor of the island through the various restaurants and food stalls.  And of course, what is true for the island as a whole is true for this district as well, as there are many opportunities for mountain hikes and nature walks.  This is one city on the island that truly has it all.

India is full of gems. The country side, the people, the history, spiritually and literally the gems and minerals. Many stones are mined as well as cut polished and processed in India. Some very fine micro faceting of gemstones by laser has been developed over the past few years. This produces an especially sparkling gem stone bead or setting cut stone. The qualit of the carving and cutting is top notch with many factories in Delhi/ A short distance from my five star hotels in Delhi are many showrooms proudly showing these items. The richness of the history and spiritually play into this as many whom follow the Hindu faith believe it auspicious to adorn oneself only with gold and transparent stones. There for emeralds, rubies, tourmalines and many other fine stones are mined and processed in India. Adding to the richness of the sub continent. The spiritual history goes back eons with many traditions being adopted from things that developed in India. Like the Mala or Prayer Beads. These devises for ritual use specifically to count the repetitions of mantras have been adapted around the world and by many religions and groups. In Greece they are called worry beads the Catholics call them Rosary. It is all from the same ancient tradition that Hinduism grew from that the use of these beads cam into being and the concept shared throughout the world. The concept of meditation, getting in touch with your-own mind is an ancient gem from the Indian sub continent. Meditation employs quiet sitting to changing out loud or to oneself or walking or repetition of some other kind. The point of which is to focus the energy of the mind. India has many more gems to be spoken of these are just a few.

I’m writing while looking after three children whose mother, I like to call Slacker Mum, is spending nine days swanning around Thailand and staying at a Phuket resort while I’m stuck in Bangkok. Actually, I’m not writing this while I’m looking after the children. I’m writing this while I recover from watching the children. My shattered health needs to be taken care of in a private sanatorium in the Alps. That’s where nothing like domestic duty is never mentioned and I’m brought some wonderful smelling chicken soup by a very attractive Swedish nurse.

But, I’m still here in Bangkok trying to make sense of the lessons I learned during the time I spent in charge of the children, who aren’t mine I might add. The first lesson was if I was going to be the Slack kind-of-Dad, then there will be a time when my wife goes off to Phuket without me and in those first few minutes after she’s gone is where the tricky moments take place. Some very disturbing displays of emotion that reflected ill on my children’s faith in my abilities to guide and nurture them.

But, weirdly enough, everything worked out. Slacker Dad did the school runs, which is probably not a surprise to other females, but for me were a frantic and unseemly last-minute wind storm of random shouting about inefficiency and punctuality. Yet, what I found the first morning were three children, present and accounted for, dressed, hair was brushed, teeth cleaned and me trying to figure out how to fill in the extra time this splendid array had afforded me. I made them ride bikes to school. Naturally, that didn’t last long, being how cold it was outside.

I did also manage to figure out that the kitchen does need to be dealt with everyday, but the laundry can wait for a few days. But the greatest problem was the mess, mine and the three children. We were a messy lot, sloppy. So, I set down some very strict communist rules, like the one about reading at the kitchen table, that one, I must admit, only applied to me. I did notice though, with only one command giver in the house instead of the bounce back and forth several times between Slacker Mum and Slacker Dad, that my commands were acted upon immediately. At first I thought I was hallucinating at how fast things got done with only one shout.

“Here’s a good read, maybe next time we go we can stay at one of these. It’s called Luxury Hotels Melbourne Australia. Wow, they got some beauties,” said Caroline, practically whistling when she said ‘wow’. We had decided it would be easier to meet with the secondary school teachers we were interviewing for our video feature on education in Australia and the amazing new techniques developed Down Under to integrate the latest math and art studies into a program of study.

“Hmm, yeah, maybe. OK, those are nice. OK, now you’re killing me. Let’s go get something to eat,” I said. We had decided to venture out to the Melbourne Markets, full of open air shops and, hopefully, something to eat. Here we were at the Queen Victoria Market. Just like in the States, the Green movement has taken hold. At the market we saw solar panels that provide power for the Market, guides to water harvesting and how they do that to supply the buildings, and the general recycling program. Of course, the star of the show is the tremendous selection of fruits and vegetable and fresh meats and sea foods. We were hungry and popped in to Cafe Victoria and had a beautiful breakfast, a big free range organic egg omelet with bacon and mushrooms and tomatoes and nice toast. Fabulous. The whole experience was all so neat and tidy and fresh and friendly, we walked around the Melbourne and took it all in. It was like being back in the old world, dating back over one hundred forty years, and they once sold livestock back in the frontier days, and is considered a historic place by Heritage Victoria which administers and protects the historic buildings and archaeological sites of Victoria, Australia.

“I’ll just go sing karaoke,” I retorted, resisting feebly being pulled into yet another store at the Berjay Times Square mall in Kuala Lumpur. The fellow at the desk of the Kuala Lumpur Malaysia hotels we popped into looked at me with pity as Charlene squealed with delight when she found out we were within walking distance of said mall. The fellow in the pinstriped pajama like pants could sense my feeling of impending doom as I was about to lead out of the comfortable hotel with its comfortable leather chairs and cigar smoking room and quick service and out into the busy streets and bedlam of Kuala Lumpur.

But I couldn’t stay indoors all the time, I reasoned, so I am going to do a little shopping. Big whoop. Our ancestors had it worse. Why, my own father had to bathe once a month in collected rain water, in a laundry tub, with a wire brush and a box of Borax. So he said. They were tougher back then. But what made this mall in Malaysia a little different was was the amusement area that includes a bowling alley (not a bowler), a game arcade (not video game savvy enough), and, of all things, a roller coaster, right inside the mall. Now this was a mall I could sink my teeth into, now if I could just get Charlene to play air hockey with me, but I digress. Up on the sixth floor it is, past the luxurious shops and well dressed shoppers in this air conditioned wonderland of shopping. Still, I would rather noodle around Chinatown, famed in Kuala Lumpur, and look at duck in the windows, and even eat some of the said ducks, in the luxury of a little less air conditioning and a lot of interesting food. When in doubt, go to the local China town if you are lucky enough to have one, and have a bowl or plate, and the local version was no exception.

Hey, those monkeys are throwing jack fruit at us!” This was highly ironic since Claudia and I were just talking about all the fruit we had seem at the market stalls and that I had never had jack fruit, much less seen one. Well here they were sailing past our heads like meteors of yellow, and they were big (the jack fruit, not the monkeys). W had no idea monkeys could whip a couple pound fruit at us like a soft ball pitcher, but for fortunately they had poor aim (we are the top primate for that, at least, or so I’m told). We took it as a sign to retreat back to the market to buy some of the amazing fruit we saw on display.

Earlier we asked at the Jakarta Indonesia One Hotel where we could shop for fresh fruit and a very natty fellow in a long robe and a Nehru hat offered directions he wrote on a what looked like a dried banana leaf, but which turned out to be some old stationary. Then, he inexplicably started to sing “Me and Bobby McGee” in a falsetto so high we thought he would hurt himself. I just stood waxing poetic and stared at him as Claudia tugged my sleeve and said “Let’s go!”  but I couldn’t believe I was hearing that famous heart wrenching song by a Texas blues singer Janis Joplin sung in Jakarta. Instead of singing, I wish he’d have told us about renegade monkeys tossing fruit everywhere and this prized fruit that is well regarded in the warmer climes of the world.

Well, we went back and bought wonder red passion fruits and we sang Bobby Magee, and jack fruits are nothin’ if they aren’t free and people in the market thought we were nuts and smiled at us the way people smile at naughty children running around a train.

For the adventurous traveler in Formentera, car rental is an excellent option, and a splendid idea.  Car rental will allow you the freedom to explore this amazing place on your own, at your own pace and on your own terms.  There is so much to see, and so many natural attractions, that the days will be much freer, and there will be more room for spontaneity if you can travel the island with your own transportation.  Island living is something else, an enviable way of life that embraces warmth, adventure, relaxation, and inspiration, and this is an excellent way to taste the island the way locals might.  The views on all parts of the island are stunning, and your own transportation means stopping as often, and for as long, as you like.

There are fantastic things to see all year long, excellent beaches and exquisite restaurants, more populated areas and areas that speak of another time, and all of these are suddenly accessible when traveling in a car.  There are also marvelous festivals here, and one of Formentera’s most successful festivals is Posidonia.  Posidonia began as idea in 2004, where artists and professionals wanted to hold a cultural festival with music, art, and performance, with an emphasis on ecology.  Because of Formentera’s natural beauty, they wanted to draw attention to its delicate balance, and promote environmental sustainability, so, with municipal support, the festival became a reality in 2008.

The festival’s newness is one of its primary attractions.  Visitors here participating in the Posidonia Festival can be part of the origins, and watch musical acts infusing the festival with a fresh and vibrant energy.  The three-day festival features some of the hottest musical talents from Barcelona, and also hosts a number of fascinating workshops, some suitable for all members of the family, as well as discussions, talks, live performances that include musical theatre and puppetry.  This is an excellent way to learn about environmental sustainability in the region, educating and entertaining all the members of the household.

People provide endless entertainment when being watched unknowingly so. There are so many great places for people watching. Malls and shopping centers, watching people look and make selections. Seeing what appears to be drawing them into one shop as opposed to another. The interaction between family members, friends and partners. The scene is ever changing and always entertaining! Watching people as they travel is fun too. Rushing thought the airport noticing the differences of behavior from the experienced traveler to the novice, the business traveler verses the tourist. All have a different look, a different demeanor and gate as the pass through the airport to their flight or their airport hotel. Busy streets offer more opportunity for people watching. I find it fun to see all the people how they dress and imaging what they are going. To work, to meet a friend, shopping, having lunch or just out for some air. It is always fascinating to watch the stream of  humanity go by. Over and over again I watch people, never getting tired of doing it. In upscale areas people are dressed nice and seem to need to act stiff and proper as if constantly being judged and watched. In areas of owner income people appear more natural, casual dress, doing what comes natural without care about who or if anyone is watching. Children are particularly fun to watch, they don’t care if they are being watched or not. Always spontaneous and honest. No filters through which their experience will be colored. It is just raw simple emotions and reactions to events right there and then. Running and playing learning about the things around them that they are interacting with. Always a learning experience to watch as well, learning to be as wondrous of life and the things around us as they are. Always fun, never a cost people is a great way of passing the time and have fun without spending a dime.

Five-star Brisbane hotels can make the trip here one you’ll remember for years to come.  Our hotels are distinguished in offering generous portions of hospitality and graciousness, to make your stay relaxing and refreshing.  There is a sumptuous blend of old world charm and new world amenities to keep you connected to the world at large, yet allowing you the space to let yourself go and come back to your senses.  We offer world-class dining by some of the most accomplished chefs on the continent, exercise rooms that help to restore a sense of balance to your world, and a contagious friendliness that will put you in a mood that you deserve, so you can enjoy this splendid city.

As the third largest city in Australia, Brisbane has a lot to offer.  The city has its share of urban charms and distractions, and you’re close enough to either the bush or the beach, to satisfy your sense of adventure.  There are also tours and sight seeing that will keep the whole family occupied.  In the city, fans of visual art are in for a treat in Brisbane.  There is a thriving art scene here, with artists working in all types of media.  The gallery scene has been growing in recent times because of efforts of young artists willing to take risks, and Katie Lee Grech is one such artist.

This twenty-something artist is taking advantage of the possibilities of digital culture, and not only distributing her work in the virtual realm, but is also developing skills as a designer here.  Currently pursuing a degree in interactive entertainment, Katie Lee Grech is developing skills for 2 and 3-d modeling.  Her work is very challenging and interesting, taking inspiration from pop culture and animation to draw and paint worlds that are both evocative and provocative.  One of her projects, 100 paintings in 100 days, is a splendid experiment in creating inspirations and removing creative blocks.  She spends only 30 minutes creating a new work of art, using techniques she has already mastered.  This is an excellent way to generate new work very quickly, and keep the juices flowing.  It will be interesting to watch her career.

Filey is a peaceful stretch of beach located in England.  It is at once a charming seaside village, with many bed and breakfasts and Filey hotels to choose from, as well as camp sites for those who like outdoor adventure and the rich landscapes of the countryside.  The village has a long maritime history, with links to the explorer and famous seaman, John Paul Jones.  This is one of the regions in the country that is perfect for family holidays, with many activities and attractions, as well as amusement parks along the beach and fun fairs for the kids.  While the town is considered to be extremely elegant, the atmosphere is laid back and friendly.  Many travel from the larger cities such as London, for a bit of the piece and quiet that Filey offers.

For those who are fond of hiking, the trails along the Filey Brigg offer something for all those, regardless of skill level.  It is the perfect place for those who wish to relax, as well as being the perfect destination for those wanting a little of the adventure of the hiking, biking and water sports.  Many golf courses are located along the shores as well.  Filey has been home to many famous visitors over the years, including the writer, Charlotte Bronte and Frederic Delius the composer.

The center of town is relatively small, but offers many restaurants, pubs and novelty shops.  The streets are lined with extravagant houses from the Victorian age, surround by gardens, which often times sit next door to the smaller cottages of the fisherman.  At one time, this village was home to one of the biggest and the most famous of the Butlins Holiday Camps.  While the camp no longer exists there are many parks located throughout Filey in which families on the go can park their motor-homes and travel campers.  So whether one chooses luxury, or the outdoors, all is to be found in this seaside town.

Surrey is a county in England that is located just south of the Greater London area. This is an interesting area in the country, and as is with the case of many major cities, the surrounding areas, towns and counties run into each other. While the greater London area is a distinct region in and of itself, many of the small towns or neighborhoods, seem to blur borders and become part of the greater whole. This is true for the town of Deptford, which is north of the county of Surrey and actually located in the Greater London area. One of the reasons this might be relevant to a tourists who is staying in one of the historic Surrey hotels, is that it is frequently a destination of interest to them. This is the town that Christopher Marlowe met his untimely and controversial death.

The circumstances surrounding Christopher Marlowe’s death and the events leading up to it remain puzzling and points of curiosity even today. In addition to being on of the English Renaissance’s greatest playwrights, Marlowe also proves to be one of its most interesting characters. His personal life was as intriguing as any character’s that’s been drawn for the stage. He is believed to have been an atheist, which was illegal at the time, and there are also many claims he was homosexual. This was also illegal, though the word homosexual was not in use, or even heard of at the time. In Elizabethan England there was simply a descriptive term for the intimate act between two men, this was called buggery. In addition, there are many claims that Marlowe was as secret spy for the queen, and also a member of the allusive group the School of night. Perhaps the stage character that comes closest to resembling Marlowe as a person is Faustus, from his play The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus.

An adventure in Australia isn’t complete with out a understanding of the rich history of art on this continent. Beginning in ancient times with Aboriginal art etched into rocks to the present movement in modern arts. The rock are is so primitive and primal. One can feel the raw emotion and energy being conveyed in these images. Used to communicate trails, migrations and movement or simply as directions we may never know. The traditions continue today influenced by modern times and colonial influences. The influx of Europeans and Asians has changed the face of Australian art. Presenting a unique voice to the variety of movements and phases that have influenced art around the world. Of course you can usually gain a beginning of your appreciation of Australian art within the comfort of your accommodation Sydney Australia. Usually filled with art from locals showing modern works for immigrants to the continent to the work of surviving Aboriginal craftspeople. Endless in variety in form just like the land down under, amazing and ever changing. From the late 1700’s to the early 1900’s Australian art was influenced mainly by nature. Botanical and animal oddities were recorded for observation in far corners of the world. Some creatures seemingly out of fantasy and some truly made up for the curiosity effect. Plants and animals in proportions and colors never seen before. In the 20th century modern influences begain to gain control over the art scene. Bright colors, representation rather than photographic depiction of the world around the artists began to take favor. After World War I modernism began to really take hold. Effecting sculpture, painting, drawing, photography and every other discipline. Now in the 21st century the ideas and concepts of adaptive reuse are gaining appeal. The reuse and repurpose of discarded items and transforming them into works of art. These pieces make statements about our lives, what we use, how we use it and what we do with it after we are done with its original purpose.

I’ve been visiting the small Village Hauz Khas of New Delhi, once a month to give it’s residence tree conservation tips. From one of the many New Delhi Four Star Hotels where I stay, I organize, via the Internet, group meetings through the leaders of the community. How I’ve managed to get a good showing of people, is I’ve managed to convince them that Hauz Khas is the lungs of New Delhi.

I picked Hauz Khaz, because one day, I was driving out of Hauz Khas village towards the Jaganath Temple, a regular trip I take, and I saw women crawling through the fence with firewood. Another time, I saw a group of kids, each with a bundle of twigs on their heads. This concerned me so much, I did something about it. I’ve been educating the locals that this little green patch of the deer park can not sustain the ever growing demand of it’s people and the scavenging population of the poor. Entering the forest by night to cut down young trees, leave it, then come back after a few days to pick it up when it has dried is how the poor deal with their cooking needs.

What I’ve done, is not only help them obtain other inexpensive cooking devices, ones that use kerosene, or the new solar cookers, but I’ve also educated them about ecology issues, how to limit their needs, and how if they continue with their normal practices of deforestation, then they are taking away the lungs of New Delhi. I educate them about the importance of trees, not only in our community, but for our planet. I also, at the same time, give them knowledge about their locale indigenous trees, like the Shisham, the Chinese Tallow Tree and the medicinal Neem.

Every month, I have been amazed with just how many, even though they struggle with their poverty, just how they really do care about their surroundings and want to do something to help preserve it.

I’ve stayed in Melbourne and now I’m staying in one of the Luxury Hotels Sydney has to offer, and as far as walk-ability goes, Sydney has more highways, freeways and motorways which criss-cross both. I found it harder to walk around compared to Melbourne. Only because Sydney is busier and there is more traffic, but that’s because Sydney does offer so much more to do than Melbourne.

Like the beautiful Botanic Gardens or the Circular Qauy. Sydney has more of a ‘big city’ feel than Melbourne and they both have very distinctive inner city neighborhoods. Like in Sydney, the Rocks and Woollomoolo. Where as Melbourne has Carlton or St. Kilda. I must admit, though, they both offer top-notch restaurants. Melbourne is really good if you like Greek or Italian, and they have a genuine Chinatown for so authentic Chinese food.  All of Sydney’s restaurants are fabulous, maybe a bit more ritzier and pricier, but well worth the cost.

As far as the music goes, in both cities, I find the music scene a bit dull. If you’re really into the club scene or unique music venues, I recommend Brisbane. I know, it’s sad that Australia’s two biggest cities can’t get their acts together and bring in some decent music. Melbourne is okay for the pub rock scene, yawn. Sydney is good for dance, electro and hip-hop, but they are behind the times when it comes to bringing in what’s new and innovative.

So, as far as walking goes, Melbourne wins out with it’s cosier, more comfortable and safer walk sites that Sydney’s busier, hillier which makes walking almost a chore. I would choose Melbourne, if you’re looking for a walkable city. Plus, Melbourne has a better inner city public transport. Sydney is more geared as a car-oriented city.

This year will be my first time to participate in the Moseley Folk Festival, but it’s the Festivals 4th year.  The Festival has expanded upon the Folk music scene and added a Healing workshop and several other workshops. I’ll be a part of the Healing workshop. What I find really exciting is just being able to be apart of something huge and intimated at the same time. I also got a great deal at the Birmingham Airport Hotel because I’m a part of the festival.

I’ve only read up on the Festival, but from what I’ve read, I wish it was an event that lasted all year round. Moseley Folk Festival is on a beautiful 11 acre woodland glade in the heart of Moseley Village. It’s only 2 miles from my hotel, so it will be in walking distance. It’s a stunning setting for a festival and it’s a natural amphitheater because the ground slopes down in front of an inspiring lake. Originally, Moseley park was a part of an estate, but in 1896, it was cut off by road developments and buildings. Fortunately, most of the land, the trees and the inspiring lake were saved by a group of local business owners who turned the property into a private park. A charitable trust runs the park today and local people donate their own time to take care of the park and the surroundings. Astonishing and inspiring. They generate funds with an annual subscription of events like this one.

When I arrived and set up my area for the Healing workshop, I was greeted by a wealthy variety of trees, plants and wildlife, right next to me was a pub. Astonishing place, full of wonder and amazement. The Festival hasn’t even started, but I can feel the energy of something great is about to unfold.

The English city of Newport is located along the Isle of Wight, just off of the southern coast of Great Britain.  Many amenities and activities are to be found throughout the region, including an array of choices for accommodation in a Newport hotel, along with a vast array of parks and museums.  One such fascination is the Seaclose Park which is located just along the Medina River.  This park is home to the annual Isle of Wight Festival of Music.   Located close to the park is the Saint George’s Park.  This is the home and the training grounds of the Newport Football team, the most successful of the teams on the isle.  Cricket courts are also located close by in Newclose, just outside of the city.  The largest museum of Postal history is located in Newport, with an exhibit that spans years of vintage equipment and post boxes, perhaps the largest collection in the world.  The largest celebration on the island occurs every June for a few days, and that is the music festival.

The Isle of Wight Music festival won an award this year, and is among the very first festivals to win such an award…the Greener Festival Award.  This award goes to festivals that participate in the Eco-Action partnership.  They look at the impacts that a particular festival has on the environment, in the areas of travel, waste and energy.  This award was considered three years ago, in an attempt to minimize the affects that festivals tend to bring on the environment and to encourage all those involved to take care, to do all in their power to reduce the pollution with a fifty six point list of greener policies for which to adhere.  Included on the list are the policies on the use of energy, the recycling and water use calculators, as well as the protection of the environment and the reduction of noise pollution.  Teams of auditors travel to various festivals and record their assessments of the practice of the green policies.   More festivals each year are becoming involved with the project, promoting not just their festival agendas, but the agenda that promotes overall greener ways of living.

One of the aspects of the culture on the island of Singapore is the love of food, from the fine cuisine found in a top Singapore restaurant, to the hearty dishes found in the food malls and the hawker stands in the open air markets.  Every festival, every celebration includes feasts that delight with foods and the flavors from the various cultures that make up the diverse society of Singapore.  One of the most anticipated events, for those living on the island, and those tourists and visitors who have experienced it before, is the Singapore Food Festival.  This year marked the sixteenth annual festival which ran from July17 through the 26th.  This is a time when culture meets food, and food is celebrated by the culture.

The focus this year was Peranakan cuisine.  Opening ceremonies included a parade which consisted of more than two hundred Peranakan’s dressed in traditional clothing and heading out through all the streets of downtown Singapore and meeting up at the Clarke Quay to begin the festival.  One of the greatest moments of this year’s festival was the finale, the Peranakan Buffet.  This was a table set up that ran the entire length of the Read Bridge and offered up more than one hundred different dishes, all under the night sky.  The Peranakan society is made up of a blend of Malay, European, and Chinese descent.  This is one of Singapore’s groups that evolved about three hundred years ago.

Many events that highlight the culture took place, as well as the events that were taking place throughout the entire island in Little India, Chinatown, and in the cultural heart of the city, the Kampong Glam Malay.  The theme throughout each of the neighborhoods was ’supper’ a meal that is one of the most celebrated and loved by Singaporeans.  During the festival, Read Bridge becomes known as Food Street and is open each day from 4 to 11pm.  Many enjoy the flavors of the various restaurants and chefs of Singapore, taking breaks from the dining every now and then to visit the stalls of the Singapore River Market for shopping.  Workshops were also provided, with the use of a full kitchen that was moved from location to location around the island.  In all, this last festival was a huge success and has people excited for the 17th annual Singapore Food Festival next year.

Soweto is a township located just south of Johannesburg.  Many tourists who come to South Africa stay in one of the many Johannesburg boutique hotels, and venture out into the various regions that surround the city in order to experience and gain knowledge on the history and the culture of the nations.  This was once a city that was set aside for the black population of country during the age of apartheid.  This location is the home to much of the struggles and the resistance to the unfair and cruel system of apartheid that is now home to more than two and a half million people.  This city of architectural contrast, with home-made shacks sitting next to luxurious mansions.  This area is full of interaction culturally, and of business enterprise.  Tourists travel to Soweto to attend the Kliptown neighborhood–home of the Freedom Charter,  to visit the house of Nelson Mandela, and for the shopping and the restaurants.  Soweto is home to the only privately owned health clinic in South Africa, which is one of the largest public hospitals in the world.

The township was settled in the beginning of the 1930’s and the growth of the town from then until now has been phenomenal.  Many people throughout the last one hundred years moved from the farmlands and villages to the city of Johannesburg to work in the gold and the diamond mines, most of them moving to Soweto.  Many sites in the town are of historical significance making this one of the areas of the country that can define in a very rich and real sense, the struggles and the history of the beginning of apartheid, through the uprisings and protests and victories to the historical end.  This is a melting pot of cultures from around the country and each section of the city will vary slightly, giving tourists yet another opportunity to witness the diversity of the nation and her people.  The strong sense of community is a vibe that fills the air, and will remain with one in their memory and in their heart, long after their trip to South Africa has ended.

When one travels through cities in South Africa, one will notice the color that is on many of the walls of the houses, the businesses, even the boutique hotels.  South Africa is home to many tribes that traveled around the country during times of war or political strife, and these traditions have mixed and influenced the culture.  One tradition held on to by the Ndebele is that of painting murals on the outside walls of their houses.  They have been doing this for more than one hundred years.

During the 1800’s the Ndebele still lived in grass houses.  During the times of the Boer fighting, they moved to other areas, became neighbors with other tribes, the Pedi and Sotho, and began constructing mud houses.  They also started to participate in, and eventually to alter the tradition of the Sotho practices of painting their walls with their fingers.  Now the Ndebele use brushes made with the feathers of chickens.

The began using pigments of the earth such as browns and yellows, just painting their window and door frames.  They would outline the designs with charcoal.  Soon after, they began dragging their fingers through the wet mud, or plaster.  Walls were sectioned and the various patterns present striking contrasts.  Their belief system entails the adherence to the wishes of their ancestors, which is to create a continuity of their culture through the paintings.  The older forms of this style of painting are still used by contemporary painters today, to keep the ancestors at peace.

The Ndebele moved locations again, when the freed slaves and servants migrated to the city of Hartebeesfontein.  Lacking their homeland and their King, they became exiles, and separated from their identity. They held on to their language and their ceremonies such as the First Fruits initiation and rites of passage.  They also continued to dress in their colorful clothes and to paint their houses.  And in spite of, or perhaps because of this sense of marginalization, the paintings and the colors flourished and new developments began to present themselves.

If you go to Dubai, there are 3 restaurants I recommend which I personally found to be the best. I was staying in a 5 Star Hotel in Dubai when I stumbled upon The Pizza Corner, Cafe’ Havana and BICE. All three were simply delicious in their own way and had their own unique style.

My first choice, and one restaurant I will never forget is Pizza Corner. The huge pizzas are so tantalizing, mouth watering and delicious. The menu had a really good variety to pick from, like not only pizza, but seafood, salads, sandwiches, steaks, desserts, burgers, chicken and they even have cocktails. I sat down to eat, but they also have take away or delivery. I especially liked the prices, very reasonable.  While I was in Dubai, I managed to go there quite often and got to try the Chicken Burger, the Turkey Meat pizza and a milk shake which was the best I’ve ever had.

My second most favorite place to eat, I found when I was shopping at Deira City Centre Mall and needed refreshment and a rest. Cafe’ Havana, a wonderful place for a snack, a refreshment and a very good place to people watch. Cafe’ Havan is a large cafe’ restaurant and it’s on the 2nd level of the mall on the way to the cinemas. I was greeted by the host and got to pick the table I wanted which was, of course, on the edge of the cafe’ so I could have a great people watching vantage point. The menu is varied, and I was surprised that it really wasn’t Cuban. But, I ordered the Turkey Club sandwich which came with a huge mound of fries. Very scrumptious. Very reasonably priced and very pleasant. The staff is superb, I felt like royalty stopping by after tons of shopping. I didn’t try the decadent looking cakes on display, was too full from my ’snack’.

Then I got to experience BICE. Very welcoming and pleasantly calm. I was kind of worried that it might have an atmosphere of being stuffy, but it wasn’t, it was casual dining at it’s best. The food was superb, really very good. I ordered the lamp chops and when my dish arrived, it was presented beautifully with cooked greens and the lamb portion was just right. The service was friendly and non-intrusive, just the way I like it. My mouth still waters when I remember that Lamb dish, so good, so juicy, mmmmmm.

I’m not inclined to often make a recommendation, but while I was staying at one of Perth Hotels Australia, I was quite impressed with The Caravan Park at Karrinyup Waters. It’s actually in a suburb of Perth. I found it by accident by car as I was driving to visit with a friend at her home.

I parked my car at the park and notified my friend that I’ll be a little late. I told her way and she told me she was hoping I would do just exactly that, see the park and have to investigate it’s simple beauty. The park is situated on a small lake. It even has ducks, black swans and geese. It was early enough in the morning, so I got to observe the fowls morning rituals, waddling up to anyone who will feed them. I noticed all the humans within waddling distance ignored the ‘Do Not Feed the Fowl’ signs posted everywhere.

I sat down and only after a few moments, felt a presence over my right shoulder. I turned my head, and there was a big black swan starring at me, eye to eye. I had no food to feed him, when he realized this, he left. It was really touch and go there for a few moments, I wasn’t sure if he’d be mad that I was the only one with no food and if he’d bite me, but, fortunately he only walked away, looking for his next human.

I stayed for about an hour and left the park to visit with my friend of many years. She took me to see Perth, the non-tourist Perth. The first place she took me too was a plaza called Forrest Place and when we arrived there was a big happening going on. There were bands, singers, dancers, mimes, clowns on stilts. We asked around to find out why all the hoopla, and apparently it was Catholic Education Day. I guess that’s a big thing in Perth. It was way too much for us so she was trying to figure out where else to take me.

We stopped at the information booth at the plaza and she told us to check out the Perth Mint. My friend has never been to the Mint, she really didn’t have anything better for me, so off we went. I do not recommend this as a place to see in Perth. I think tomorrow, after I finish my visit with my friend, I’ll do my own site seeing.

Visitors can find the hottest New York Broadway tickets here, to help make your time in the Big Apple something you’ll remember for the rest of your life.  Broadway is one of the landmarks of culture in the United States, with a long tradition of entertainment that is dazzling and thought-provoking.  So much of contemporary culture is expressed thematically in Broadway shows, that at times it is a predictor of the future, a gaze backwards at the past, and other times a mirror of the present.  The Broadway musical, one of the truly unique forms developed in the U.S., is one of the most eclectic and varied performance forms in the modern world.  The language-based plays can cover an enormously wide variety of subject matters, themes, and even styles.

Interestingly, the work of Lanford Wilson often covers a wide range of styles and themes in a single play, and he is one of the most celebrated writers in the North American theatre.  His background is fascinating, having been raised in the Ozarks, where he sensed at a young age that the calm exterior of the modern world revealed dark and troubling truths.  When he was still a fairly young teenage, he moved to New York, and found himself in the middle of a cultural storm.  In the early to mid-sixties, New York was the perfect home for young and struggling artists.  Vibrant and interesting, and in those days also fairly cheap, there were many places where artists could meet and make new work.  One of the most celebrated hotspots in that time was Caffe Cino, where Joe Cino would host some of the most brave and interesting theatre work in the world at that time.

Lanford Wilson met his future director there, Marshall Mason, who helped him develop some of his more experimental works.  They formed Circle Rep with Tanya Berezin in the late sixties, which became one of the nation’s most active companies performing new work by new writers.  Wilson and Mason went on to develop many new projects together, and have worked on an impressive number of works on their own.  Lanford Wilson has had a number of highly successful Broadway plays, including Talley’s Folley and The Fifth of July, and has won the Pulitzer Prize for drama.

The savvy traveler knows that hotels in Mumbai are some of the world’s finest, featuring a splendid combination of luxury and elegance.  There is a certain gracefulness in the city, which is one of the world’s largest, that seems almost timeless despite the very contemporary energy that plays out on the streets.  This is reflected in the hotels, to help the guests feel nourished and replenished in the body and the spirit.  The sense of design in  absolutely sumptuous, where tradition and modern styles blend into something that feels like a home away from home.  The food in the hotels is prepared by world-class chefs, and the staff is very knowledgeable about the city, and can help you navigate your way.  With this amazing city, its urban pleasures and proximity to the ocean, there are few places that offer so much in the way of new experience.

Mumbai has a long intellectual and artistic history.  Because of its position as an urban center, where many people confuse it with India’s capital, because of the constant flurry of activity, it has always attracted people who want to write and create new ideas.  In this spirit, the Women Playwrights International is holding their next conference in Mumbai, in November of 2009.  The organization’s primary goals are to promote the work of women playwrights around the world, to establish connections so that their work is more widely-known, and to help protect the rights of writers.  These simple and noble ideas help to form the backdrop of an organization that has, since 1998, held conferences all over the world, including Buffalo, NY, Mexico City, Galway, and Jakarta and Bali.  They have helped to forge strong alliances and networks among women playwrights, and established themselves as a necessary force in global theatre and culture.

The Mumbai conference will focus on the theme of Liberty and Tolerance.  Held at the Kalina Campus, University of Mumbai, it will be a week-long event, featuring symposia and performances, and promises to be very exciting and illuminating.  Co-sponsored in part by the organization Stree Mukti Sanghatana, the Women’s Liberation Organization, some of the focuses of the conference will be identity, humor in theatre, non-violence, and challenges of patriarchy in contemporary theatre.  The combination of art and academic discourse will help participants articulate some of the more essential issues facing women writers locally and globally.