Archive for June, 2010

Donald’s Vacation (Disney 1940)

Donald Duck goes on a kayak trip. When he gets to his campsite, he unloads the kayak, fights with his folding chair, and goes to sleep. Meanwhile, the chipmunks of the forest, attracted by his squawking, make off with the huge pile of food he carelessly unloaded. They get the attention of a bear, who Donald is soon battling.

Recreation While on Your Shopping Trip to Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the world’s most famous tourist cities, but it is also a good place to go for recreation in East and Southeast Asia. It is has had a worldwide reputation as one of the world’s best places to shop. This makes sense since there are no sales taxes and almost no taxes at all, and it is one of China’s busiest ports, right next to the ShenZhen Special Economic Zone and the many factories in GuangDong Province. Products from around the world may be bought there at competitive prices. Business people from all over the world come to conduct business with people in Hong Kong and mainland Chinese.

It is known as the “gateway to China,” and the Chinese made products that are sold are cheaper than comparable goods that you would find in your local malls back in your home countries. With all this hustle and bustle and money exchanging hands, is there another way to have fun other than by strolling in the malls and bargaining with shop owners? There are plenty of recreational opportunities in Hong Kong.There are plenty of fun places to go, interesting things to see, and fun things to do in Hong Kong and much of this fun is free or inexpensive. Hong Kong has some of the best natural recreation areas in the region, good museums, zoos and parks that are free or inexpensive, amusement parks, an inexpensive transportation system including a cheap ferry system, lots of English language churches, and there is the fun and adventure of seeing and mixing with people from all over the world. So though Hong Kong is known as a good place to shop, to me the recreational activities is what makes Hong Kong enjoyable.

Looking at the market situation from an economic standpoint, from the many luxurious malls and stores, from all the thousands of small shops and boutiques, and from all the people hawking merchandise at tourists on the streets, there is plenty of competition to keep prices down. Labor costs in Hong Kong are still much lower than in the most of the world’s developed economies. It sits on one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, and products from all over the world are sold by merchants who have come to live there from all over the world. People from around the world go there to shop, have holidays, and enjoy the clean environment, scenery, resorts, hotels and restaurants. But if you are tired of business and shopping, people in the region looking for a place to get away from people, enjoy natural activities like hiking and swimming in a clean ocean, enjoy real Western food and enjoy some English language films or English friendly cultural activities, Hong Kong is sort of unique. This is what I found about Hong Kong. It is also interesting to watch all the world cultures merge, and see the people from all over the world.
Natural Recreation

The Chinese SAR (Special Administrative Region) of Hong Kong is covered with hills and mountains. It is wonderful to take a train or bus from the border and see green tree covered hills that seem empty. These mountains and hills are fairly steep, and until recently people have left much of the region of Hong Kong undeveloped. Especially, the region of the New Territories is still largely undeveloped. About 40% of Hong Kong is protected in 23 parks, including three marine parks and one marine reserve. Hiking trails, waterfalls, clean swimming spots and places to fish, lakes, rivers and some of Asia’s best beaches are within walking distance from the modern rapid transit train stations, and are often empty or have few visitors each day. As one person reported, “We hardly met a soul on our hikes.” Some of Asia’s best beaches and natural ocean areas are empty, but easily accessible. The 10 tallest mountain peaks all have hiking trails. Books and trail guides are easy to find in book stores and information kiosks. So for those who want to stroll or to go swimming or hiking, these still empty places in Hong Kong may be among the best places to go in East Asia.

As an example of a quick natural excursion from a ritzy mall, when I am on Hong Kong Island I like to take a 20 or 30 minute walk through the new IFC Mall that is one of Hong Kong’s most deluxe and arrive at a narrow road that climbs through a wooded park up Victoria Peak, rise above the high rises, and once reaching the top, see the great views on both the city side and the seaward side of the peak. If you really want to shop, there are two more malls to shop in on the top of Victoria Peak! Along the way, near this road is one of the coolest zoos I have ever seen, partly because it is free. I accidently walked in, trying to find my way up the hill one day, and found myself facing strange animals in cages. I thought I was in a small park, such as Chinese like to build to sit in, but found myself in one of the coolest zoos I’ve ever seen because it was clean, quiet and contained mainly primates, some of which I have never seen.

If you want to take this walk to the zoo or up Victoria Peak, the IFC Mall can be reached from Tsim Sha Tsui area of Kowloon aboard the Star Ferry. After a 12 minute walk on the covered walkway from the ferry terminal, you’ll be in the IFC Mall. But you may have to ask directions. One thing I’ve found strange about both China and Hong Kong is how there are few signs giving directions. The mall is large and spread out over several huge buildings. From the side of the IFC that faces the mountain, you can follow more covered walkways, escalators and stairs that lead up to the road that ascends up the hill. It is difficult to find the road because there are no clear signs, but people may give directions. Next to this park is the free small zoo called the Zoological and Botanical Gardens. It is worth seeing. I describe it more below.

The hike though the park to the top of Victoria Peak takes about 35 or 40 minutes. It passes through woods, and there are places to sit along the way if you are tired. It is fairly quiet in the park, and usually only a few people, mainly foreigners, may be found walking along the road. At the top there is a mall called the Peak Tower. There are coffee shops including a Starbucks for refreshments, and there are many restaurants with views from the top of the peak. There actually are two peaks at the top of Victoria Peak with good views. The other peak is about a 15 minute walk away. From the first peak next to the malls, you can see the ocean and the shoreline from the ocean side of the island. From the second peak, there is a good view of the bay and city below. At night, the city lights are a spectacle (see my picture, taken during the day). The mall area is served by a tram, and there are buses and taxis available if you want a ride.

The city from Victoria Peak

Museums

It was really cool and fun visiting 3 museums and seeing an “Imax” movie called “The Alps” at the Space Museum this summer with some friends – all in one day. We went on the day the museums are free, so the Science Museum was crowded with kids. The museums in Hong Kong are inexpensive and interesting. Ticket prices range from 10 to 25 HKD which is only about 1.2 to about 3 US dollars. On Wednesdays, entry is free. If you are in Kowloon or Tsim Sha Tsui, the best museums are within walking distance. For busy shoppers, within easy travel distance of the busy shopping districts of Central on Hong Kong Island and of Tsim Sha Tsui are four of Hong Kong’s best museums and the Hong Kong Cultural Center.

The Museum of Art houses about 15,000 exhibits. Its focus is to preserve Chinese artistic heritage. The collection includes an impressive display of antiques, and it includes many works of art from ancient China. It also has an extensive calligraphy section.

The Hong Kong Space Museum is next door to the Museum of Art. It is a distinctive white dome shaped building. There are two collections and a large and sophisticated “Omnimax” or “Imax” style movie theater. The theater projects movies on the very large screen which is actually the roof of the building, and the audio is broadcast simultaneously via headphones in English, Cantonese, Mandarin and Japanese. The Hall of Space Science collection is on the first floor, and the Hall of Astronomy is on the second floor. The space science collection features mainly Chinese astronomical instruments and charts, early Chinese rockets that were used as weapons, and rockets that were invented in the West during the last two centuries. It also includes a mockup of the American Space Shuttle cockpit that is very interesting because it is realistic and huge. The Hall of Astronomy collection instructs visitors on the solar system, stars and universe. There is also a small collection of meteorites. Some of the exhibits in the museum are interactive. It is a place to go if you like science or want to learn about the history of astronomy or space flight, or if you simply want to see an exciting super screen movie.

Like I said, I visited this Space Museum this summer. The recreations of Chinese rocket weapons were interesting. And I was amazed at the size of the Space Shuttle cockpit. It is like a jetliner, but it doesn’t look very big on TV. The dome-screened “Imax” movie threatre was really a wonderful place to be. It was clean and quiet, and I was tired. But to view the movies, people have to lie down on the chairs that are more like beds. It was really cool. I was impressed by the scenery of the Alps, and the great music. The movie touched me. It was about a climber whose father had died climbing this same peak when he was a kid. It was really moving. He accomplished his life-long dream and burden to get to the top of it.

The Science Museum is about a 25 minute walk away. It is another place to go to learn about science. It is especially a fun place for kids and for adults who like to play because most of the exhibits are interactive. There is a hall of mirrors and a sports fitness test area for example. The hall of mirrors is fun to walk through. The fitness test area was the most fun part of the museum for me. But I suggest go when there aren’t so many kids. The lines were quite long on the “free day” when I visited.

The Hong Kong Museum of History is next to the Science Museum. It has interesting “real-life” displays of Hong Kong at various times, including the British Colonial era and the Japanese invasion. There is an interesting walk-through geology and natural history exhibit. The Museum has collected about 2,800 rock and mineral specimens from the around the territory, and there are over 750 specimens of shells from local beaches. The Museum has also acquired over 1,600 animal specimens, including mammals, birds and butterflies. I liked the historical displays about Hong Kong’s recent history, but I thought that the first part of the museum with the displays of Neolithic people on a beach and the recreations of prehistoric animals and etc. was kind of hokey.

The Hong Kong Cultural Center is a large building next to the Space Museum. When I walked inside, I was struck by the huge unused space. There is a concert hall that seats about 2000 people, a theatre that seats about 1700, and a small studio theatre than can seat almost 500 people. World famous orchestras and musicians perform there. At the entrance, is a model of the whole center.

Recommended Hong Kong Travel, Hong Kong tours, Hong Kong hotels.

2006 Four Winds Chateau 31p

2006 Four Winds CHATEAU 31P Class C motorhome. Sleeps up to 7, large slide, Many other nice features: Awning, large rear pass-thru storage compartment, front entertainment center with TV – cabinets and single wide pull-out overhead bunk, swivel barrel chair, flip sofa/bed, booth dinette/bed, ONAN 4KW gas generator, microwave/convection oven, shower, walk around queen bed. Contact with any questions or if interested in this very affordable class C RV. Call Mike Simpkins 1-888-310-7744 or email mike@gtwrv.com

Holiday In Croatia

Magical adventures in Croatia with hundreds of sparkling waterfalls and more than a thousand islands set amid the blue of the sea, green mountain rivers and streams, virgin canyons, wild karst and mellow plains.

Nestling between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, in the south-eastern part of the European continent, Croatia jealously protects eight national parks, ten nature parks and a whole range of special reserves, including plant life, animals, geological formations, hydrological phenomena, all within a small but rich area that can be travelled by car from one end to another in a single day.

Many paths run between rivers, mountain peaks, tiny island ports and beaches, leading to Illyrian hill forts, to Roman ruins, to towns and cities that are themselves monuments, to ethno-entities of popular architecture.

Countless footpaths and trekking trails beckon you to venture into beauty and discover the magic of nature – in the mountains, river valleys and canyons, through karstic plains and dense forests, to rock-bound islands and lush green hills. Within this most diverse of reliefs walkers and hikers can reach even the most mysterious areas strewn between sea level and the highest peak on Dinara (1831 m): in nature parks, nature reserves, national parks and other areas with particular attractions from the aspect of adventure – in Slavonic and Baranja, Northern Croatia (Hrvatsko zagorje, Medimurje, Podravina), Gorski kotar, Istria, Dalmatia and Zagorje, on hundreds of isles and islands, and down the length of the Dinara range extending along the coastline. Then there are Ucka, Velebit, Mosor, Biokovo, Snijeznica in the far south – oil offering a wealth of challenges.

Sailing It is easy to capture favourable winds among such a number of islands as exist in Croatian territorial waters – whether blowing from the land or the sea. The strength of wind and waves is not unusually excessive, but should you have had enough just sail for the nearest sheltered bay. Fully equipped sailboats of various categories (with or without a skipper) can be hired from any one of the dozens of marinas situated up and down the coast and on the islands. Yachting clubs and marinas are numerous and well equipped. We are recommending sailing regio at Zadar, Sibenik und Dubrovnik.

Alpinists and freestyle climbers will find the right climbing environment in both the continental and littoral regions, with some climbing sites being located quite close to towns and popular Croatia holiday resorts (Zagreb, Ogulin, Rovinj, Paiin, Split, Ornls…]. Routes ranging from several meters long for beginners, to several hundred meters for specialists, are open to climbing enthusiasts on the rocks of Paklenica, Velebit, Ucka, in the Dinara range (including Dinara-Ornis), Mosor, Biokovo and others, and on the islands (Brac, Vis, Mljet). The best known climbing destinations in the continental parts of the country are on the mountains of Klek, Papuk, Kalnik, on Samarske stijene and Bijele stijene

Well, I think yell get a perfect Croatia holidays!

Experience 5 star luxury accommodations in Japanese style

â??The Land of the Rising Sun’ has always been a magical place, filled with centuries-old customs and traditions. To many, Japan is mysterious. Geishas, cherry blossoms, Sumo wrestling, and Samurai swords are all very attractive to the tourists who enjoy experiencing new â?? and old – civilizations.

Japan is known for many cultural facets, including its incredibly relaxing landscaped Tsukiyama (hill), Karesansui (dry) and Chaniwa (tea) gardens, which are filled with ponds, streams, paths bridges, and stepping stones. These beautifully enhanced landscapes are sanctuaries, bringing the beholder peace and tranquility in a stressful world.

Traveling to Far East Asia to explore over three thousand islands is not exactly a vacation everyone can afford. Either time, money, or both could be lacking. Such a voyage may also be very exhausting, which may be the opposite of what a large number of people expect from a holiday. This raises the question: is there a way to experience Japanese culture, but without extensive, tiresome travel?

Japanese-style retreats with five star luxury accommodations are very popular today. They are very trendy, and can even be found around Melbourne or the CBD, at the foot of the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. Originally known as â??Corhanwarrabul,’ these low mountain ranges, which consist of rolling hills, steep, weathered valleys, and thick temperate rainforest, are the ideal location for a first-class resort.

Luxury accommodation at a Japanese mountain retreat is suitable for everyone, and not only the anxious businessman. Young lovers may be looking for a romantic setting to propose, couples celebrating their anniversary can renew their vows, and stressed-out parents may need a day away from the kids. Some companies will offer a night or weekend at a prominent resort to their employees as a bonus, while other firms will book a few rooms for prospective clients, or associates as an incentive.

Individuals, couples or groups staying at a Japanese-style mountain retreat in Victoria can enjoy many advantages over traditional lodging facilities. They include:

Stylish, minimalistic, Japanese-style abodes (with modern conveniences like a TV, or a DVD and CD player, for those who cannot quite let go of every-day life).
Complete privacy â?? services can be provided to your room.
Various meal possibilities â?? you can dine in the privacy of your quarters, order a delicious six course Japanese or Thai banquet, or use the fully equipped kitchen in your room to prepare yourself a Western-style breakfast.
A deluxe ofuro (deep tub) overlooking your very own private, picturesque Japanese garden.
In-house massages, â??Hinoki Mint Mineral’ or â??Neroli Cyprus’ bath soaks,and various other, soothing spa services.
Experience the art of a traditional tea ceremony
Japanese atmosphere through the use of Tatami (traditional straw matting), Shoji (moveable screens used to partition areas of the home), and authentic Japanese Niwa (gardens). Each sanctuary has stones and Tsukubai lanterns to represent the elements of water, fire, and earth.

Despite the rumors, luxury accommodations in a Japanese-style retreat are not expensive. They are actually quite affordable and can bring you the relaxation you so desperately need, but without the usual travel delays, bad restaurant experiences, and unsatisfactory hotel services.

Professional Singles Are Dating With Tampa Matchmakers

Professional Singles Living in Tampa Professional singles have freedom enough to choose their own career as per their ability and so they enjoy a great respect in life. It may happen, many a time, these people may have feelings of depression and negativeness due to their being single, thinking that no true love can be found in this world but this is not true. Tampa has many places where professional singles can visit and introduce themselves to other professional singles coming over there which could lead to developments towards deep, intimate and meaningful relationships having a feeling of love therein. Being a professional one has limits of one’s own limits due to the fact of having been busy because of the work demands and the foresighted thoughts. But still it is a fact that the professional singles have a more advantageous posiitions than the others. Tampa is a great place, having a shining sun, full of professional singles who are friendly in nature; and has abundance of places where one could interact with new persons. Many business seminars and conferences are organized here throughout the year. Participation in them is advised in order to meet new people and also to sharpen up the professional skills one is having. Sometimes, it may happen that the right person is sitting just next to the seat but at some other time a little effort and persistnce may be required to find out the right partner. But better be committed, be positive and never loose heart because it takes time to deduce at the right choice and that the patience always pays. Living outdoors in Tampa, a luxurious life is affordable. For the beach lovers, there are thousands of hotels, resorts, restaurants, bars, clubs alongwith beach sides. Clearwater, Sarasota and St. Pete have unbelievably beautiful beaches having all the facilites. Don Cesar in St. Pete or Saint Armons Circle in Sarasota are the beachful resorts known for endless outdoor activities. Late afternoons of every Friday, one could enjoy the casual evenings, meeting new people coming over there. If having hesitation to go out alone, you could find few friends to ride along as being supportive and encouraging. A professional single is having advantages because of the professionalism. Being professional single, one usually opts for the places where other single professionals are found. In the Bay area there are plenty of bars and restaurants which are meant especially for such professionals; but a word of caution for not to get disappointed, shun going to very small bars and clubs. Bars on Harbor Island or in Channelside could be tried as they are visited by more sophisticated and mature singles having professional mindset besides the Hyde Park area. Go where people have some common interests like that you could go to Starbucks and work there. Besides coffee shops are the best place for casual social meetings. Taking place at the side of a table, it is advised to leave some chairs open by your side, so that the others could feel invited to introduce themselves to you. Start having little conversations with other single professionals you come across, like that of their workplace, in which field they are or still further if they like or hate their existing field. A little talk in the beginning could possibly lead to deeper depths towards the beginning of a wonderful relationshipl; so don’t be shy or afraid to being with the little talk. Don’t feel discouraged searching from one place to another as it always happens with most of the single professionals in order to find out the right person that matters really because of the common interests. Make some of your busy time free and browse for Online matchmaking services and a matchmaker would provide the A.B.C. and the necessities needed to find out other singles in Tampa having the same kind of profession. Depending upon the choice, one could go in for the cursory looks or go deep into that. A matchmaker only has the greateast advantage and ability to browse thousands of people with the click of a mouse. A few hours with a matchmaker make sometimes equal to many months of valuable time required to meet a variety of people. Moreover, besides the valuable time, the money spent on drinks during long and boring nights is also saved. So, it is better still to create your own profile, listing details, upload the same to a matchmaker’s website and wait patiently to have a call from someone of suitable interests to begin with.

Staying in Princeville Vacation Rentals

Princeville, Kauai sits along the north shore of the island and is home to some of the most stunning terrain throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Whether you are drawn to the quiet and slow pace of the area or the sheer beauty of its rolling hills and dramatic cliffs, you can enjoy everything you love about the north shore from the comforts of a vacation rental. Stay in a Princeville vacation rental for your next trip and surround yourself with some of the most breathtaking views Kauai has to offer.

When most people journey to an area that rests along the ocean, they want to be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the water at every possible moment. You can find numerous condo rentals that have unobstructed views of the blue Pacific, so all you need to do for a relaxing moment away from it all is step onto your balcony and listen to the waves crashing ashore. Start every morning with a greeting from the ocean, begging you to come down to its sandy shores and swim in its warm waters, and experience a truly relaxing vacation away from the stresses of daily life.

If you want more than an amazing view of the ocean, pamper yourself in true luxury by staying in an oceanfront vacation rental. Perched on an amazing bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, you will have not only incredible views throughout the entire home but also easy access to swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking for the duration of your trip. Catch sight of dolphins spinning by and whales teaching their young to breach from the comforts of your private lanai in a luxurious and spacious condo rental located in gorgeous Princeville.

While you may think you are cutting yourself off from the lush rainforests and thousand foot waterfalls that dot Princeville’s terrain, many oceanfront rentals also allow for easy access to the boundless natural beauty of this area. Prepare yourself for the great outdoors by settling on your balcony and soaking in the smell of tropical flowers wafting through the air and the sight of vibrant green mountains around you. And when you are ready to head out, simply make your way down to the sand to find the nearest trail that will take you past tropical plants and birds for a memorable hiking adventure.

Golf enthusiasts can have the best of both worlds by staying in a vacation rental that sits along the fairway of the Princeville Golf Course and has ocean views from its location atop an incredible bluff. Enjoy the vibrant greens and lush land of the golf course that lies at the foot of your rental and then gaze out past this spectacle of color to view the deep blue of the ocean. Whether you want to hit the links or head out for a day of sun and sand, your condo rental makes it easy to enjoy everything you love about Kauai.

Although location is a large part of determining what kind of vacation rental is right for you, there are amenities that you should consider before settling on a particular rental. Some come with private swimming pools and hot tubs that allow for nighttime entertainment while others come complete with numerous TVs, DVD players, and a fully-stocked kitchen so you can unwind and relax after a long day under the Hawaiian sun. Throw in all the towels and linens you will need for the duration of your trip and you have the makings of an inviting and stress-free environment.

Princeville vacation rentals are located along the north shore and come stocked with amenities to make your lodging more than just a place to sleep. Enjoy a home away from home in the most stunning surroundings so you can experience the most restful yet exciting vacation possible. Begin your search for the perfect rental today and get swept away by the easy-going nature of the beautiful island of Kauai.