World Venture Travel

In the year 1979, Soho, (South of Houston) was still a quiet neighborhood.  There were a few restaurants like the Spring Street Bar, Ken’s Broome Street Bar and Berry’s.  There was also Wally’s, an unpretentious store where you could buy ice cream or a good tuna salad sandwich. They were all owned by locals who were determined to create a prosperous neighborhood in this former manufacturing district.

Far from midtown Manhattan and the top New York City hotels, residents of the area plied away at their chosen art, whether it be painting, sculpture or theatre. There were periodic exhibits in huge galleries and theatre performances in what is now called off, off, off Broadway.  In those days you could bypass the NYC building code and live in a “Loft”, a former manufacturing space which wasn’t zoned for residential use. That is, if you were able to attain an AIR (Artist in Residence Status).  Many hung onto that status and later when they became established and wealthy, went through the official zoning process. Living in Soho became the fashionable thing to do if you had the means. By the mid 80’ most lofts were occupied by bankers, actors, musicians and a few successful artists.

Quietly, small specialty stores began to pop up.  Some opened to simply service the community, others to capitalize on what was now being called the “yuppie” generation.   A small store on Prince Street opened in the late 70’s.  It was called Dean&Deluca, named for the two owners Joel Dean & Giorgio Deluca. Giorgio was a bit of a fanatic when it came to food.  Both he & Joel had traveled the world and were especially in love with all things Italian.  Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Balsamic Vinegar, Olivada, Sun Dried Tomatoes and of course Olive Oil were the first items to be imported and eventually sold at the store on Prince St.  These products were also sold wholesale to “gourmet” stores across the US. It took a few years, but these products are as well known as pizza and pasta. It was Dean&Deluca who introduced the ubiquitous coffee bar to the US in 1989. Like most good ideas it was imitated all over the country.  If you watch the TODAY show, you can see the Dean& Deluca sign for the Rockefeller Center coffee bar.  Thirty years later and the legacy lives.

Not only is Mumbai the largest city in the world, it is also the cultural, commercial and entertainment capital of India. Formerly called Bombay, the city proper has approximately 14 million people and lies on the Western coast of India. Being the economic epicenter of India, it houses many of the nation’s important financial institutions and the corporate headquarters of major companies. It only stands to reason that tourists flock to this metropolitan area and stay in one of many 5 star Mumbai hotels.

Bollywood is the local name for the movie center of India, an obvious reference to the film capital of the United States, Hollywood, California. Dhundiraj Govind Phalke was an Indian director, screen-writer and producer. He is credited with establishing the film industry in India. His first feature film, Raja Harishchandra, is also recognized as the first full length film to be shot in India. In his 19 year career Phalke made 26 short films and 95 movies, profific for anyone, but even more so for a pioneer in the field. Some of his most well known films include Shri Krishna Janam, made in 1918, and Kaliya Madan, made in 1919. The prestigious Indian film award, Dadasaheb Phalke Award is named after him and was created in his honor. It is given for lifetime achievements in cinema.

The term Bollywood is taken from Bombay, and unlike its American counterpart, it does not refer to a specific area or location, but to India’s largest film producer. It is commonly mistaken to include the entire Indian film industry. The early Twenty First Century saw Indian films becoming more popular and respected througout the world. This created a boom in the industry and led to better quality productions. Large production houses like Yash Raj Films and Dharma Productions made most of these new films. Phalke died in 1944 though his legacy lives on and thrives in its remebrance of him.

There are many attractions and opportunities for entertainment in the country of Malaysia, and in the city of Kuala Lumpur.  In 2007, a huge ferris wheel was built, in conjunction with a tourism campaign that ran that year, the “year to visit Malaysia”.  The ferris wheel was fashioned after the one in the United Kingdom called the London Eye, and was so named Eye on Malaysia.  Until this time, no other ferris wheel of this kind existed in the country.  It is such a big wheel that to go around one full time can take up to five minutes.  No worry though, as all of the forty-two gondolas are equipped with air conditioning, and ensure that the ride remains comfortable even during the warm summer months.  There is no question about the safety of the ride, as it was put through a rigorous set of tests.  Aside from the thrill, at the top of the rotation, the views of the city and theTitiwangsa Lake are spectacular.  And a night ride is magical as the lights of the buildings and the luxury hotels, Kuala Lumpur on the whole…create a twinkling landscape.

A ‘twinkling landscape” of a different kind, is a collection of galleries in the lobby of the Petronas Towers in downtown Kuala Lumpur, which contains the private collection of paintings and sculptures that are owned by the gas company of the same name, Petronas.  The corporation’s goal is to promote and educate the public on the necessity of art preservation in Malaysia.  Art is displayed, published book and magazines are available and there are resource centers in which lectures and seminars are presented.  They also offer classes in sculpture, pottery, painting, and working with batik patterns on materials.  This is not only the largest center of its kind in Malaysia, but in all of Southeast Asia.  The five galleries represent artists not only from the region but international artists as well.  This center has provided opportunities for the public and for aspiring artists, and has ensured that the dedication to the visual arts will continue to thrive.

Three sites that must not be missed when visiting the Indian city of Bangalore are the Kariappa Memorial Park, the Cubbon Park, and the Lalbagh Botanic Garden.  Known through India as the green city, Bangalore has long been admired for the parks, and gardens and the city streets lined with shrubs, trees, and flowers.  The residents, the businesses, and the government take pride and take care of this beautiful aspect of their homeland.  These attractions are located within walking distances and provide those staying in the four star hotels of Bangalore, delightful journeys while making their way through the streets toward their destinations.

Karriappa Park was created in 1996.  It was built in honor of K.M. Kariappa, a field Marshall in the Indian Army, and at the entrance to the park there is a 7 foot tall monumental sculpture of the man.  This sits next to a large waterfall which is beautiful not only in and of itself, but serves to attract a variety of birds.  The park is divided into sections and each one is cared for regularly by members of the Army.  Bands in the military perform in the park regularly, and their is a playground for the children, militarily designed to promote health and fitness.

Cubbon Park is a bit more relaxing in nature, there is a bandstand where the symphony and various traditional, as well as pop groups, play music.  And it is a virtual outdoor art museum as there are many sculptures placed throughout the winding paths and amongst the flower beds and shade trees.  Art classes are give regularly at the park, and young and old can wander through the paths, or bicycle or skate.  This is one of the most favorite parks in general, and a well known favorite of the runners and joggers of the city.

One of the most diverse and plentiful gardens in all of Southeast Asia is the Lalbagh Botanic garden in Bangalore.  This garden was designed in 1740, and many of the plants and trees were planted at that time.  Every year the garden hosts a flower expo, and one of the main attractions, similar to the one at the Princes Street Garden in Edinburgh, Scotland…is a working clock made with thousands of flowers.  A glass house sits in the center of the garden, inspired by the Crystal Palace in London, and houses many plants that have been imported from the United Kingdom.  Upon a visit to any one of these outdoor gardens, one is certain to put the hustle and bustle of the nearby city, far, far away.

Voting begins throughout India today.  It is estimated that many of the eligible voters, more than 700 million, with partake in this year’s election.  Along with the greater with greater accessibility to urban voters through the recasting of the electoral districts, it is expected that many younger citizens with participate this year.  India is soon to overtake China as the country with the greatest population in the world.  This is the most populated democracy in the world, more than twice the population of the United States, and the capital city of Mumbai, is the most populated city in the world. Mumbai businesses account for more than seventy percent of the economic growth for the country, with five star hotels in Mumbai holding conventions for the next month of the election.  Citizens of India will have one month to cast their votes, and the discussions and debates will last throughout April and the beginning of May.

Candidates for the various political parties are focusing on the younger generation of voters.  The power of those under 25 is not underestimated as they number more than 200 million.  New voter registrations drives have been placed on various blog sites, television commercials and even YouTube.  Thermal, one of the famous rock bands in India, has written a new song that is played extensively on the radio, “Shut Up and Vote”  Many are hoping that the younger voice will encourage change in the country, perhaps influencing political policies and culture.  Many older politicians are hoping to garner enthusiasm by placing ads wherein they are working out, and many are noticing the value of creating websites, and other alternative forms of networking, in much the same way Barack Obama utilized the MySpace site during his campaign.  One of the older members of Congress, reportedly spent quite a large sum on attaining the rights to the theme song from the movie “Slumdog Millionaire”, in hopes that this connection to the popular award winning movie would help with his own popularity.  It will be some time for the results to be calculated as the election is occurring in 5 stages, and as stated previously, will continue for one month.

Every year, tradition has dictated the the Cyclone roller coaster on Brooklyn’s Coney Island opens to the public, a celebration of spring that is here and summer that is to come.  The Cyclone is an historical structure, not to mention one of the much loved attractions in the amusement park.  However, that district is a smaller version of its once spectacular self.  Many sides, are ’standing off’ over the decisions of what is to become of the treasured locations of New York history.  One man may hold the future of this legendary part of not only the history of  Brooklyn and New York but the rest of the United States as well.  Mr. Joe Sitt has invested millions of dollars in the reconstruction and redevelopment of Coney Island, the freak shows, roller coasters and the most famous hotels New York, USA has to offer, not only for a night’s accommodation, but for a memory as well.

The city of Brooklyn has been long determined to re-vamp the parks, boardwalks and amusement parks of Coney Island.  And the financial backing of Mr. Sitt was welcomed, however his plans for the area are not similar to the residents nor the businesses on the island.  Many have become concerned over Sitt’s plans for more ‘freak shows’ and less family fun.  Just recently he evicted the Astroland park, a park that many have come to visit on the opening Palm Sunday weekend.  The batting cages are gone as well as the miniature golf course and a number of rides that have become a tradition over the many years.  Just recently, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus was pushed away, the space being given to one of Sitt’s long time buddies, John Strong.  For a freak show.  Venice Beach, California had the chance to become a degraded freak show in the mid 1980’s, but careful planning proved successful as Venice is now one of the local hot-spots, still funky-but safe.  Cultural affairs should be left to those culturally aware and not to businessmen such as Joe Sitt.

The city-state of Singapore has a very strong anti-drug stance.  Many people accused and convicted of trafficking and selling drugs are given the death penalty or at the very least, long term sentences of incarceration.  Such a strong reputation for abiding the law, is exactly what has been putting the women of Singapore at risk for many years.  Known to be part of this law abiding society has actually created a very good scam.  Women from Singapore are less likely to be questioned or searched at airport checkpoints.  Many countries, also, do not require Singapore residents to have a visa upon entering foreign countries.   It has become a long-term investigation taken on by the Central Narcotics Bureau, the investigation of the interaction of men from Western Nigeria and the women of Singapore.  In settings such as restaurants and 5 star Singapore hotels, women are approached by men.  Just a chance meeting in a bar, leads quite possibly to a jail term or the death penalty.  One women in her early twenties met her boyfriend in such a setting.  After three years…he waited three years for the pay-off…she swallowed 64 wrapped cocaine pellets, and attempted to deliver them.  She was discovered in Melbourne, Australia.  She is now serving jail time, as are many women caught carrying drugs with false bottomed suitcases or carrying the drugs on their person.

Usually, the women are befriended, and then in time asked to carry the drugs to a second country out of Singapore.  Once there, they are told to go to a third and final stop.  With promises of vacations, holidays, money and love the women oblige.  They are approached some of the time via Internet dating services.  TheCNB has recently opened a phone line for women to report upon times when they may become suspicious, trouble is most believe what they are told.  After thorough investigation, reports indicate that most of the Nigerian men involved are between the ages of twenty and thirty.  Most of the men claim to be successful businessmen in the car industry or electronic industry, must be a lack of imagination.  However, follow up investigations most often reveal.  All foreign drug enforcement agencies have joined the crusade, as it were, to catch the men who are in part, responsible for so many of Singapore’s females ending their days in jail, as opposed to the 5 star Singapore hotels they should be treated to.

Authorities in Cape Town are struggling to gain control of an increasing problem with aggressive baboons.  The crisis is being blamed on tourists and tour operators who offer food to the animals in order to lure them into position for souvenier photographs.  Last week  baboon were blamed for “vandalizing” a car.

The car was parked on the road bettwen Miller’s Point and Simon’s Town while the owner went fishing.  Residents in the area reported that baboons tried to open the doors, which were locked. When they couldn’t gain access to the car, they bounced on the roof, bit mirrors and even ripped off the door’s rubber strip.  Residents are calling on the city to take address the problem, stating that this is not the first such incident in the neighborhood.

All across the city, baboons are becoming more aggressive in search of food.  Tour bus operators and even tourists have been feeding the animals for so long that the baboons now equate people, and even cars, with food.  The city has begun enforcing fines to anyone caught feeding baboons, but many fear that the behavior is now engrained in the animals and can not be unlearned.

Primate researchers believe that getting tourists and operators to stop feeding the baboons will eventually lead the animals to give up the search for food.  Residents in Simon’s Town are asking for clear signage warning people not to feed the animals and for baboon monitors to police the area. They are also asking that the fines be increased.

Travelers heading to Cape Town are should keep in mind that the fines are being strictly enforced and may be going up in amount in the near future. Check with Cape Town South Africa hotels to make sure that tours of the city respect the law and remember that even if tour operators promise that they won’t get caught, the lasting effect of that cute baboon photo will be felt by area residents.