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Bangkok Palace Museum

admin — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:17:33 +0000

Bangkok is a city that is extremely proud of its heritage and has many monuments and cultural icons to demonstrate this. In addition the city has approximately 184 museums that are dedicated to Thai history and culture as much as they are to great works of art. Many of the museums are palace oriented and reflect the great royal history and its prominent characters. The Suan Pakked Palace Museum is an excellent example of this. It is the former home of Prince Chumbhot and his wife Rajawongse Pantip. Tourists visiting Thailand and staying in 5 star hotel Bangkok have a difficult time navigating through all the wonders and many museums of the city, though these royal palaces are by far one of the most popular places to start.

Under the management of the Chumbhot Pantip Foundation the palace was converted into a museum in 1952. Originally, this consisted of 8 traditional Thai houses that were dismantled to be moved to its present location. The houses are joined by corridors, which makes it seem like it is one large building. The newest addition was added in 1996 and was constructed specifically to house the enormous Bang Chiang collection. The collection contains numerous artifacts and relics dating back to 3,600 BC. This ancient civilization is known for its cultivation of rice before the development of bronze tools and ceramics. It is considered to be one of the most important prehistoric sites in Southeast Asia.

Each of the 8 houses of the palace contain specific themes and collections. House one displays artwork from the Ayutthaya period as well as ancient swords, spears and muskets. House two shows traditional hand fans and mother of pearl trays. Banjarong Porcelain in its five principle colors is displayed in house three. House four shows a formal dining area and has a fine collection of Buddha statues. House five displays Udon Thani pottery and jewelry. House six contains carved figurines representing characters from traditional Thai Khon dance. House seven holds a rare sample of Sukotai ceramics. And house eight contains the formal dinnerware of Prince Chumbhot.

Bangkok Palace Museum is a post from: Bob Travel

Where to Stay in Jo’berg

admin — Sat, 02 May 2009 17:31:18 +0000

Johannesburg is the largest financial, commercial and industrial city in South Africa. However, the once prosperous central business district is now an area of abandoned office buildings. Very few of the original buildings are still standing. The central area is worth visiting, if only as a history lesson about the government of Apartheid. Despite Apartheid’ demise, Johannesburg is still for the most part, a segregated city. The center of the city and the closely neighboring suburbs are home to a black urban population. They inhabit a condensed area of overcrowded hi rise apartments where poverty and crime are prevalent. Despite significant and often successful efforts in recent years to make Johannesburg safer, it’s still not wise to go anywhere on foot. It’s suggested that one visits the city with an organized tour (most likely in a bus). The city’s thriving and mostly white suburbs are situated close to the main highway, the M1. In the hills, north of downtown Johannesburg is where you’ll find rows of mansions, well tended gardens and shopping malls. Seemingly out of place is the amount of security around the properties. You’ll find razor wire, guard dogs, guards and armed intruder alarms. The suburbs are a great deal safer than downtown Johannesburg and this is where you’ll find your choice of accommodations and many of the South Africa five star hotels, especially in the towns of Rosebank and Sandton. Many of the sights, shopping malls and entertainment complexes are in the suburbs, so there’s little reason to venture right into the city to find something to do. Melville, Parkhurst and Parktown are the new “trendy” suburbs where most of the more popular restaurants and nightlife are to be found. The train station and main bus terminal are easily accessible, but on the whole, it’s safer to stick to radio taxis or to rent a car. Johannesburg is a city where you really do need to have a car to get around.

Where to Stay in Jo’berg is a post from: Bob Travel

Bangalore: Garden City and the Silicon Valley of India

admin — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:40:09 +0000

Bangalore is a fast growing and progressive city. It is known as both the Garden City of India, and also India’s Silicon Valley. These seemingly contrasting names are indicative of the diverse nature of the city and area. Garden City refers to its luscious and green landscape and the reference to Silicon Valley is based on its position as the leading employer and having the highest number of information technology companies in India. It is India’s third most populous city and also the capital of Karnataka. Tourists who are staying in 5 star hotels Bangalore can be first hand witnesses to major landmarks that testify to these deserved nic-names. The Lal Bagh Glass House, and the pyramid designed headquarters of Infosys, India’s second largest IT company.

Bangalore is filled with public parks, which contributes to its being known as the Garden City of India. However, the Lal Bagh Glass House is an amazing confirmation of this. The beautiful building is famous for its grand flower shows and has become a heritage monument. It is part of the Bangalore Botanical Garden, which was commissioned by Hyder Ali, a ruler of Mysore. There is an aquarium and lake in the garden, which help to make it one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions.

Although Infosys is India’s second largest IT companies, that fact alone would not make it a popular spot for visitors to seek out. However, one of the company’s buildings, the Infosys Media Center, makes it a very attractive visual spectacle. The Center houses many video studios which the company uses to broadcast reports to stockholders. This mirrored building is certainly worth the effort to drive by and view though the main destination would be the Lal Bagh Glass House at the Botanical Garden where tourists can relax in its aromatic beauty and spend the afternoon.

Bangalore: Garden City and the Silicon Valley of India is a post from: Bob Travel

Day Tripping In Goa, Ponda, Ayurvedic medicine, chili pepper

admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:00:11 +0000

In the 16th &17th centuries European countries fought wars to determine who would control the spice trade. Because the value of spices far exceeded the value of gold, it’s easy to imagine the motivation of these countries. Fortunes were made and empires fought for world domination.

Spices have long been the principal export of Goa. The cultivation and export of Indian spices since the fifteenth century, is what put Goa on the map. Nowadays they are cultivated along with other crops like cashews, other nuts and tropical fruit. In the mountains east of Goa, in the Ponda region, a few spice farms can be found. The fertile slopes, with the cool at night, warm during the day climate, create the perfect conditions for cultivation.

Many spices were first used for medicinal purposes because they act as both appetite stimulants and digestives. The practice of Ayurvedic medicine relies on the properties of spices and chilies to treat many ailments. Spices can also help the body cope with long periods of heat, a characteristic shared by a number of varieties of the chili pepper. At the heart of Indian cooking are spices; black pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, just to name a few! Used liberally in all types of Indian cooking, cardamom for example, is found in a breakfast drink, one that’s made with milk, nuts and cinnamon. Cinnamon and cloves, instantly recognizable, are used the world over in the preparation of sweets.

Local companies run excursions to the Ponda region or you can hire a taxi for a relatively short ride from the five star hotels in Goa. The spice farms in the Ponda region all employ organic methods of cultivation. Many of the spices are grown alongside tropical fruits in a terraced fashion. Because cashew nuts are grown as well, it’s likely you’ll find a “feni” distillation area on the farm. Guided tours are offered and you may even be able to get a tour from an Ayurvedic doctor who can show you medicinal plants and explain the use of them. Some farms offer buffet lunches or snack- like items served on banana leaves. The local “feni” is also offered. There are some tourist attractions like elephant rides or watching men harvest the betel nut.

While it’s possible to stay the night in one of the farmhouses, it’s a relatively short ride back to “civilization”.

Day Tripping In Goa, Ponda, Ayurvedic medicine, chili pepper is a post from: Bob Travel

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Peter’s Place, Chelsea NY

admin — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:56:43 +0000

By the end of June, 2009 a center will close that has for many years provided care and assistance for the elderly, homeless population in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. Peter’s Place is a drop-in site for those over the age of 55. Over the years, thousands of those in their 60′s and 70′s have found comfort and relief from the shelter. Those in their later stages of life, and who have found themselves homeless in such a large city, have found protection and care in the the center, as most centers are either not concerned with the care of the elderly, too over worked to concern, or those that can not afford the staff that is required to care for such a population. For although it is a homeless shelter, it has become known as a senior center that provides specialized medical services for members in the older age demographic, as well as activities such as chess games and knitting circles.

This has been a re-construction plan, of the Department of Homeless Services. A plan to reduce costs involves the cutting of the 24-hour staff necessary for ‘dropin’s', has been theorized as one way the organization will save money. It will no longer be necessary to employ round the clock workers, those who specialize in the care of the elderly. Only two centers cater to this population currently, and the cuts have left many uncertain about the future, as the regular shelters not only can not supply the care needed, but are frightening places for those already fragile souls. And no doubt this is in response to the national economic recession of the United States, for just as these centers are finding it difficult to sustain their services, more and more people are finding themselves in need of those services…finding themselves homeless for the first time in their lives. Arnold Cohen is the president of the organization, Partnership for the Homeless, and ironically, has considered the plan to cut services as a way to remain financially viable, meanwhile he has failed to consider the results that his actions will have on the population he is in charge of serving. It seems a bit like a restaurant deciding to cut costs by no longer serving food or a taxi company deciding to no longer offer fares in order to save money on gas. The Peter’s Place shelter needs help, from local businesses, five star New York hotels and restaurants and any other organizations that can and are still able to provide assistance during these times. The center was founded in the early 90′s and must have a longer run than fifteen years. The elderly population of New York requires it and deserves it.

Peter’s Place, Chelsea NY is a post from: Bob Travel

An Economic Boom for Singapore

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:08:43 +0000

The government of Singapore has made a long term investment in the economic future of the the city-state. A $100 million dollar investment that will provide and increase in tourism and the economic boosts for local businesses and five star hotels in Singapore for the next five years. Downtown Singapore has become the host of the F1 Grand Prix for five years, with the first historic race occurring last November. Historic as it was the first time the race had taken place at night, giving many countries the opportunity to watch the race live in their particular time zones, on a Sunday afternoon. This alone boosted the marketing and the sponsorships. Innovative lighten systems were created which brightened up the city streets by four times the amount of that which is seen during other night time sporting events such as football or baseball games. With the global economy struggling, the investment made by the government was and will continue to be a very wise decision.

Despite initial concerns over the inconvenience caused on the downtown streets in the days leading up to and following the race and the disruptions in regular traffic, the benefit of the race far out-weighed the initial cost of the investment and traffic jams. Last November the tourism industry in Singapore experienced increases on many levels, from increased airline sales, to sold out hotels rooms. Local retail and service industries were also made aware of the fact that so many people traveled to Singapore for the race and that they were willing to spend a lot of money in the stores and restaurants throughout the city. Party and convention venues benefited as well as the many corporate sponsors for the event. And the city of Singapore benefited in more ways than just economically, as this particular city and their government have been attempting to dispel the idea of old Singapore, the conservative and sometimes thought, to strict run of a society. The government is hoping that the rest of Europe and the world for that matter, will begin to see that along with the financial district and business corporations, there is much more to the city, and much more that is so much fun.

An Economic Boom for Singapore is a post from: Bob Travel

The Heart of Madrid

admin — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 02:22:42 +0000

Traditional dance of the gypsies in Madrid, and throughout all Spain, is the Flamenco. Originally from the southern part of the country, Andalusia to be specific, this art form has Moorish roots, as well as gypsy and Andalusian. What started as entertainment on the streets and cafes and five star Madrid hotels, this dance of music, ‘baile’ has become one of the most popular forms of expression and music. The song, or the canto, is the soul and the core, meant to express and to evoke passion. The music is often exuberant and lively, with a bit of seriousness thrown in for good measure and balance. Songs are either light, or grand, depending on the style of the musicians. Thought to have roots from East India, the more rhythmic and danceable tunes often employ the use of castanets, which are not from Spain, but most times associated with the music from this region.

Many people choose to experience the music and the dance of Flamenco at a “tablao”, which is a bit like a cabaret style of theater. Shows in venues such as tablaos are very intimate ways to take in the traditional shows. Seated at a table one can enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine, most restaurants offer a food menu, and the show is performed on a small stage. Some say this is more of a tourist attraction, but it is the traditional prototype for how shows have been put on for years. These tablao restaurant shows are also a bit on the expensive side. There are many neighborhood bars that feature Flamenco shows as well, often times much more casual and inexpensive. The shows put on in the various bars and cafe range from improvisational to authentic to performance art fusion. More likely as well, these are not the touristy type venues and are often at out of the way joints. There are also big theatrical productions put on in the grand theaters such as Teatro Albeniz or Teatro Real. The Corral is a theater located in the middle of the city, and is the most famous spot around the world for Flamenco, often called the Heart of Madrid. Performances here happen nightly with shows starting at 10 PM. This has been a draw for many years, attracting not only the locals and the tourists, but the rich and famous as well. This year marks the fiftieth anniversary and shows will be more spectacular than ever before.

The Heart of Madrid is a post from: Bob Travel