Live to Inspire

Mauritius Has Not Gone The Way of The Dodo

Of the many interesting aspects of the island of Mauritius, it has the distinction of having been the only known habitat of the dodo bird. This is an amazing, yet little known fact. And while the dodo bird has become extinct, the other elements, including its beautiful scenery, great beaches and fabulous views remain and are incredibly popular with the many tourists who visit it every year. Tourists who stay in a Mauritius luxury hotel will probably not think of the dodo bird unless they come across some sort of monument or tribute to the once unique species.

The dodo bird stood about a meter tall, which made it one of the largest birds that existed. It was related to both the dove and pigeons, though when looking at it, it would be difficult to imagine this connection. It’s diet consisted primarily of fruit and made its nest on the ground. The Dutch are credited with first discovering this bird and made the original drawings and provided descriptions of this odd creature. The called it the walghvogel, which translates as wallow bird, though it implies loathsome. This is due to the early descriptions of it having a horrible taste and the original journals describe the meat of the bird as tough.

Many popular sayings are inspired from the dodo bird, and it lives on in popular culture and many symbolic aspects. When something goes the way of the dodo, or follows in the dodos steps, it means that it has passed its prime and has been laid to waste. Literally it refers to something as becoming extinct, though it is often applied to relationships, companies who fail, and social trends that are hot for short time and are quickly forgotten. Another variation, though a bit more crude and to the point is when something is called dead as a dodo.

Night Life in Dubai

Dubai continually grows in its cultural aspects as well as its international recognition and respect. There are many elements that are significant to the metropolitan region as well as the UAE, which makes Dubai a financial and cultural center of in the region. From more traditional events and festivals to contemporary performance genres, there is plenty do and see for tourists who visit the city and stay in a 5 star Dubai hotel.

Much of the nightlife scene in Dubai is centered around resort lounges and Western interests. There are plenty of restaurants that serve cuisine from around the world, and the nightclubs offer live music and thematic events. Some of the nightclubs that feature more traditional themes and Arabic singers and dancers are most popular with visitors. In addition, there are specific cultural themed clubs, such as Irish pubs, English pubs and even country and western music clubs. There are also venues that present performances from some of the world’s top musicians, actors and dancers. There is also a thriving tour performance scene and hit plays, musicals and dance performances from London and other Western cities are frequently featured.

Tourists often begin their stay in Dubai with one or more of the fabulous tours and safaris that are offered there. As with most major cities, this is a primary component of the tourist industry and is helpful for gaining a perspective on the area, and making decisions about which attractions one is most interested in visiting. The tours provided by Dubai occur at all times during the day and evening, even some overnight tours that can include star gazing in the desert. Some of the popular places these tours visit are the Dubai Museum, the Jumeirah Mosque, and the traditional market area. Of course some people prefer to remain on their own from the beginning, and there are plenty of informational centers to assist with this.

The Hunter Valley Road Trip from Sydney

Sydney, Australia has it all, from fabulous architecture, world class museums and galleries, ballet, opera, incredible beaches, restaurants, and luxury hotels.  Sydney is also located very close to Hunter Valley.  Located just two hours North from the city, this area is home to wineries.  Beautiful wineries.  Many living in the city travel to Hunter Valley just for day trips, although there are locations in the Valley to find over night accommodations.  This is advisable, especially if one plans to do some tasting.  And as the scenery is incredible, and the services are hospitable and wonderful, it is just a nice getaway, and the stay over night guarantees not only a relaxing experience, but a fun one as well.  One can simply rent a car to drive the two hours, however, the wineries have a service which will take one from their hotel in Sydney to the Valley, and back again, in the luxury of a Mercedes SUV.

There are many wineries located in this region, and a wine tour may be something one may benefit from.  The smaller wineries have some unique varietals and wines, as well as a more personal style of service.  And should one fine a wine that suits their palette, one will most likely find it in Hunter Valley at a price that is far below the prices in the larger cities.  The tours are good for the information, and also for the driver, as tasting wines the entire day will make one appreciate that driver.  This is a tour not just of the wineries but of the entire region as well, through the countryside, with the landscapes and the local bird and animal life.  The driver details the different growers and the histories of each, this is an informative, safe and relaxing tour.  Gourmet lunches are served, or one may choose from one of the local cafes or bistros.  Along with the wines, this is an opportunity to taste some of the finest cheeses and chocolates as well.

Hanheri Caves of Mumbai

Mumbaiites, for some reason, do not generally think highly of the 103 square kilometer National Park and seem to treat it like it was only a picnic area. I’m not sure why, because some of my best memories are of the National Park. So much so, every year I book a room at one of the 5 Star Mumbai Hotels for a week just so I can visit the park. I first always have to walk from the main gate to the Kanheri Caves. The road if flanked by trees. A stream quietly gurgles lazily by on one side and on the other side there is dense dark foliage.

This time I brought my children, which are now old enough to take the walk with me. They enjoyed the sounds of chirping crickets and watched as the wind swayed the trees. We spotted birds singing and flying through the air which created a natural peacefulness. We brought along with us a picnic, Vada Pao with red chilly and garlic chutney, along with fresh cut cucumbers. We eat right outside of the Kanheri Caves, a ritual which I did everytime I came here, and now share with my children. They mostly appreciated the monkeys more than my ritual.

Once inside the Kanheri Caves and exploring, I and my children became excited. There are actually 109 caves to see, but that could take years to see them all. Most of the caves are Buddhist caves, so they are quite bare and very similar to each other, and so my children started to get bored. But, I would work on expanding their imagination in each cave, which made them want to continue to explore. I would tell them to see if they could find the rock with Brahmi inscriptions or the huge cave hall with a Buddha statue adorning the wall from top to bottom.

Then we climbed up to the open air assembly area and enjoy a nice breeze and the panoramic view of the forest and mountains. We let our minds wander about how it must have been back in the day, when these caves were busy with spiritual energy. I would tell my children to see it with your mind’s eye and imagine all the monks meditating or chanting.  It was time to head back, but my children wanted to stay. I had to almost drag them back to the car hire. I told them we will be back next year, so keep those imaginations working for our next visit.

The Ghost Town Outside of Jaipur

For an exceptional travel experience, our five-star Jaipur hotels offer the best in world-class accommodation in a truly spectacular place.  Here, one will be a welcome guest in lodgings that meet or exceed the highest standards in the industry.  With excellent food served around the clock, spectacular service, and extremely knowledgeable concierges who can help you navigate the city, you are guaranteed to an experience in luxury.  Offering nothing less than the finest amenities with many extras, your relaxation here will help to refresh your mind and body to make your time here very enjoyable.

Jaipur is an amazing city.  In 1853, the buildings were washed pink to welcome the Prince of Wales, and ever since that time is known as the Pink City.  Its design is based upon a mandala, so there is an exquisite sense of order to the city, and one that reflects cosmic principles that are intended to align human beings with their place in the universe.  There is a loveliness that pervades here, with fine foods, a lively night life, and tours that the whole family can enjoy.  There is also the mystery of India here, too, of course, and some splendid temples and even some fantastic stories.  In the realm of the fantastic, some visitors like hearing about the nearby Bhangarh.

Located about two hours away, Bhangarh is certainly deserted.  It has not been inhabited since the 18th or 19th century, and was once the seat of a kingdom.  People certainly can, and do, visit, but there is a sign that warns against visiting before dawn and after dark.  There are all sorts of tales about strange sights and sounds by people who have decided to break the law and stay after hours, and there are also tales of nothing happening.  There are some really fantastic stories of a Tantrik, a sort of dark wizard, named Singhia, who placed various curses on the place, some because of jealousy over the land, and some because of his love for a beautiful princess.   Whatever the truth might be is up for conjecture, but it’s certainly very interesting, and it’s a lovely place to visit (when it’s light!).

Malaysia’s Bigfoot

Savvy world travelers are always on the lookout for the best 5-star hotels.  Kuala Lumpur has an awful lot to offer, as the city is one of the most fascinating and lively cities not only in Asia, but the world.  Our splendid hotels here are an excellent combination, then, to make your stay here an unforgettable experience in luxury.  With our glorious accommodations, with outstanding amenities that offer something wonderful for every member of the family, you’ll find Kuala Lumpur to be an amazing place.  The make-up of Kuala Lumpur is extremely diverse, and as a result, the choices in dining cover a very wide range of food.  Traditional Malaysian cooking is fabulously rich and interesting already, so you are in for a heavenly experience.  Our chefs are tuned in to all the latest trends in world cuisine, as well as having a thorough knowledge of local traditions.

Local traditions apart from cooking also make Malaysia a fascinating place.  Here, there is also a fantastically curious blend of many world cultures, with enchanting and interesting stories that can be both extremely charming and profound at once.  Near K.L., in Johor, there is a type of supernatural beings called Hantu Jarang Gigi, which are known to locals and in the international press as their version of bigfoot.  Bigfoot is a generic term, really, that refers to any creature that displays both human and ape-like qualities, and has a tendency to travel more upright than not.  There have been sightings all over the world, and on every continent, for centuries.

The legends are really quite fascinating, and it’s also fascinating and amusing to hear about the attempts to track such creatures, capturing their images on film or their footprints in the dirt.  But in Johor, although the stories have been around for a long time, in 2005-2006, the sightings became so frequent that the government of Johor was set on getting the real story of this local bigfoot.  There was a concerted effort that, inexplicably, has faded out of the news.  The search, then, remains shrouded in mystery.

Canberra, Australia–A City for Kids of Every Age

Canberra is a city that has a rich farming and indigenous history.  This history began long before the historical naming of the city by the politicians in the beginning of the 1900’s, as the capital of the country of Australia.  New governments took over the oldest of buildings, in thus began the mix of traditional and modern that so encapsulates the city today.  Those early members of the government set out to plan the city.  Literally, geographically.  And intentionally designed a city within a park.  This gives one the feeling of the wilderness of Australia, while enjoying the modern conveniences and amenities of city life, such as many a Canberra, Australia hotel, restaurant, cafe…all charming, all different.  Be it an historical venue, or one that is hip and funky, the artistic city has it all.  From the booming wineries, which by the way had an awesome harvest despite a harsh growing season and are now in the middle of a series of annual festivals, to the Museums that offer a look at the history, and the art and the culture of the region to the various activities that are fun for the whole family and entirely entertaining for children on holiday.

In the National Gallery of Australia for instance, there is an entire wing dedicated just for kids.  Here kids will find exhibitions that are hands-on and interactive.  How many galleries today are ‘hands-on’?  At the Zoo and Aquarium, tours are designed as well–especially for the kids, where they can get up close to cheetahs, monkeys, tigers, and even sharks and bears.  They can press their own coins at the Royal Australian Mint, or take a tour with a famous athlete and participate in virtual gymnastics, rowing and wheel chair basketball games.  The Center of Science and Technology is also fun, for kids of all ages.  Here one can experience what it feels like to be in an earthquake, or visit the wind turbine and tunnel exhibit, or even hold onto one of the famous, very large stick bugs that are indigenous throughout the country.  In all, for the adults and the children, this incredible town, this capital city of Australia provides fun and adventure for the entire family.

Seville Technological City Steeped in History

Seville Spain is diverse city that also serves as a major artistic and cultural center of southern Spain. It is incredibly rich in historical landmarks and significance, and also a progressive scientific community. It was the first DNA bank in Spain and remains its largest and most significant. The local company that developed the bank and technology is Neocodex. It is internationally recognized and accessed and stores some 20,000 DNA samples. There is also a major focus on environmental conservatism, with centers on research for renewable energy.

Another major technological aspect of this city is its aeronautics industry. Solar power towers were built and used in the city, which is a prime example of its focus on environmentally friendly energy sources. These research and innovation institutes are impressive in this ancient city that also features many ancient ruins and landmarks. Tourists staying in one of the luxury hotels Seville Spain visit the region for a various reasons, though they are all provided the best accommodations available.

Seville is very much a contemporary city, though it is also rich in cultural heritage. There are many diverse influences on the city’s development and evolution. There are many stories and legends that surround the history of this city and this is incorporated into its official motto, NO8DO. The sigma can be found all over the city from businesses, to park monuments and bike racks. It combines the Spanish syllables No and Do and includes the figure 8 as a balancing separating feature. The 8 represents the skein of yarn associated with traditional industry and arts. Literally the phrase means Seville has not abandoned me and the story of its creation has also been the source of legend.

Granada Paradise Between the Sierra Nevadas and Mediterranean

Granada is located at the foot of The Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is an extremely popular Spanish vacation area, and tourists are attracted both to the city and the mountain range. Also, it is conveniently placed within an hour from the Mediterranean coast, which offers a great day’s adventure for residents as well as tourists that are centered in Granada. There are many historical landmarks and monuments that represent the cultural influences and traditions present in this city. The luxury hotels Granada offer comfort and a pampered feeling to the many guests who are attracted to this urban center ever year.

The Alhambra complex is a major palace and citadel. It was constructed as a Moor palace and represents the Islamic history in the region. It is also one of the major popular attractions and draws numerous visitors every year. It constitutes on of the most famous Moorish architectural landmarks and holds a significant place in history. The University of Granada is another major icon of the city. Granada has been rated as one of the three top university towns, and the nightlife around the college testifies to this status.

The Sierra Nevada Mountains bank Granada and the surrounding region. This gives the city a sense of grandeur and awe. The highest point in continental Spain is found in its ranges. The highest peaks offer one of the most spectacular skiing opportunities in Europe. This and the Mediterranean Sea in the other direction are a strong reason Granada is such a popular tourist destination, and the reason residents are so happy and content. It also contributes the college town popularity as many students enjoy getting out of town for a weekend of skiing. Snow boarding is another popular mountain snow sport, and the Sierra Nevada offers plenty of room for both.

Magical Nights of Theater in Hong Kong

When one visits Hong Kong for the first time, the choices for a night out on the town can be overwhelming.  Good advice for suggestions can be found at the concierge desks of ones best Hong Kong hotels, with directions or even transportation to the show or the restaurant provided by the hotel.  One of the interesting activities that can often times lead to an experience above and beyond theentertainment is to check out the local art and theater scene.  There are a myriad of theaters and styles to choose from, but one will be doing oneself a favor should they find a theater that performs traditionalNoh plays.  Noh was a theater of Japan created by two close friends.  In the beginning the style was dramatic and passionate, but today has developed into a very poetic and peaceful art form.

Early forms included ritualistic dance moves of the Shinto traditions, as well as gymnastics and juggling.  Ballads and poems were often chanted as well.  Masks play and essential role in the performance and the masks differaccording to the characters being portrayed and their place in the storyline.  The main character is called the shite.  If the actor or the character is an older man, they will where the mask.  Others that will where maskes include women, as well as will the younger actors or those portraying supernatural elements.  If the main character is an adult male then a mask will not be worn.  None of the characters that enter the stage following the main actor will where masks either.  Once one has become familiar with the plays, they will recognize the different characters as more shows are seen.  Another important prop is the fan.  This is often not used as a fan, but as another prop significant to the story such as a pipe, a sword or a bottle, anything really.