World Venture Travel

Folk tales and legends have a way with most of us.  They can catch the attention of most anyone, and children’s ears usually perk up when you start telling a story in the way it was meant to be told.  Even unfamiliar folk stories have a way of speaking to something in us, and they always sound so very familiar.  They may have that unusual mark of antiquity, where some stories bear multiple repetitions over time, or they may have worked their way into the popular imagination so that they indeed are familiar.  Perhaps we have heard a retelling from a distant relative, or we’ve seen a movie where the storyline is based on an original folk tale.  Traveling in the Rhine has that same uncanny sense, even without the folk tales, but they’re a splendid accompaniment to any journey here.

Cochem is one of the particularly interesting little towns, with a lot of history and a lot of mystery.  A castle that’s over a thousand years old, fantastic scenery, and a magnificent sense of the faraway are all available here.  It’s also spectacularly built for tourists, with a number of visitors coming through to taste the old world sensibility, as well as the hospitality.  Cochem’s hotels are terrifically equipped to provide all the comforts of the contemporary world, but in a wonderfully quaint setting.

It would be very much worth your while to pick up a copy of Wilhelm Ruland’s Legends of the Rhine before setting foot here.  It won’t help with any of the usual tourist attractions, but can offer a beautiful sense of the depth of folk cultures here.  Ruland lived and wrote between the 19th and 20th centuries, and the stories capture some of the inner life of the people who lived here, before the old ways of Europe had faded away completely into modernity.  The stories take place in multiple locations, and multiple times, but they all have that sense of existing somewhere in the olden days, and in Cochem, this time sometimes feels close again.

Yes if you find yourself wandering to the most western point of Europe you will be in Lisboa. So check out the hotels Lisboa has waiting for you and settle in for a little relaxation before turning back on your journey. This is the capital city of Portugal and is such a sunny pleasant place to be. It has as much history as many of the coastal port towns along Europe. The big claim to fame in the early years was the discovery voyage of Vasco da Gama as he returned to India. This was a city with an early air of culture. There were visits by so many explorers from many different countries. They came from South America, China, Macao, Inda and Goa. You may catch the adventures bug in this town created from explorers. There are some tours that can take you on the journey of the likes of Prince Henry the Navigator and of course Ferdinand Magellan.

As you tour through the city you will see all the influences of different times and cultures mixed in the architecture of the old buildings. Visit the Jeronimos Monastary, where Vasco da Gama is buried. It is a symbol of the wealth and power that Portugal had in the Age of Discovery. Inside this European Gothic monument you will also see the tomb of the poet Luis de Camoes who wrote about the glory of triumphs of Gama, and two other poets Fernando Pessao and Alexandre Herculano. Then there were also a couple of Kings like of course King Manuel and King Sebastiao.

All the voyages of discovery were protected as they came and went by the Belem Tower. It was the welcoming site of all who had been at sea for a long time. It was built by Fransisco de Arruda who was a known architect. It is a great place to check out an old Moorish style mixed with Venetian style architecture and decor.

What is your patio to you?  Is it a concrete slab, or is it an oasis waiting to happen?  It is an oasis, just waiting for your style and your taste that you demonstrate inside, to be moved to the outside.  Plant life and gardens add to the connecting walkways, and lead to the main areas completed with patio fireplaces.  The fireplace outside, will illuminate your back yard and will create dancing shadows of your garden along the walls.

The topography changes as the new levels develop, giving your back yard dimension and depth.  This will all be determined by the amount of space you are working with, so plan ahead and consider everything before you begin, meaning have a plan.  Some choose to consult with professionals, but this really is a project that you can accomplish on your own.  And in the end it will be all yours.  You can write down the elements in which you want to include, keeping in mind the view, and the scents.  For once you create this perfect refuge, you will spending a lot of time in it.

Focal points in design are one of the mainstays of composition, so if it is your fireplace or if it is your garden, be sure that all lines lead right to it.  And if you have a small space to work with, keep it simple.  It is better to have more open space, than to have space crowded…even if it is crowded with beauty, you will feel perhaps a bit closed in.  There are many options, such as surrounding the space with either vibrant colors of the flowering plants, or finely designed patio furniture and sculpture.  Which ever you decide, by choosing to include an outdoor fireplace, you will ensure that the most ambient light will be falling on your designs.  You will have a calm place to relax, right in your own backyard.

Taylor Swift is a by all standards an incredibly young star who has already reached the top of the charts and won numerous awards. She is recognized as one of the brightest stars on the country stage and lately has been admired as much for her musicianship as for her personality and depth of character. This is particularly impressive for someone who has been alive on this planet for so few years. And although she is an adult and seems to be mature beyond her twenty years, she retains a sense of innocence and sincerity that is rare in the business. She has also been tested by the cruelty of the business and has been insulted in the public eye, and all of this has occurred while she was still a teenager.

Earlier in 2009 at the Video Music Awards Swift won the award for Best Female Video. As she was standing onstage acknowledging the win the rapper Kanye West, who continues to increase his notoriety, burst onto the stage and interrupted Swift with his declamations that singer Beyonce created one of the best videos of all time. Meanwhile, Beyonce sat in the audience and seemed to be completely stunned by the situation. The higher Swiftrank demonstrated by Taylor’s poise and composure than could be expected by many artists who had many more years of experience under their belts. She also handled the response and aftermath of the awards with dignity and grace. And while this could have been a potentially shameful and embarrassing situation, Swift’s composure through it has increased her popularity and gained her respect from previously indifferent populations.

Swift began her career performing in bars, coffee shops and other clubs when she was a young teenager. She has had different situations throughout her young years that may have been difficult though nothing could prepare a performer for the situation that occurred on the VMA stage. Her ability to handle the situation so calmly and gracefully is representative of her personal character. The strength she showed in this difficult public situation should help her through many of the other difficult circumstances she may face throughout the rest of her career, which we are all anticipating will be long and fruitful.

Some of the best ghost stories in the world come from Singapore.  They have special organizations devoted to investigating the paranormal, and the belief in the spirits of the dead is fairly common.  It’s common among the cultures that make up most of Singapore.  From China, India, and Malaysia, there are many different traditions and customs that speak specifically to dealing with ghosts.  This is certainly not a hold-over from old-fashioned ideas at all, but comes from the world’s most widespread religion, ancestor worship, which is found in every culture, and on every continent.  Singapore is an exciting place to visit, anyway, but this is just one more reason to make time to get there.

It’s hard not to see why this is such an attractive place for world travelers when you get to stay in Singapore’s hotels, where hospitality and graciousness are everywhere, and there is such an exquisite sense of contemporary life at its best.  All the modern conveniences come with a spectacular sense of old-world world charm, to make for a lovely stay.  If you’ve come for a tour of its spooky side, try to arrange for travel during the 7th lunar month for the Hungry Ghost festival.  If you’re not looking for ghosts, however, there are still a couple of things to be aware of, just out of etiquette and respect for both the living and the dead.

During the Hungry Ghost festival is when most of the traditional practices are visible, but there are celebrations for the dead that can happen any time of year.  It’s nothing to worry about, as long as you use a little common sense and keep your distance, and be quiet when in the presence of things you might not understand.  For example, if you see plates of food laid on the ground, don’t step on them.  These could very easily be food offerings, laid our for the dead ghosts who are only allowed out of hell for one month out of the year.  It’s nothing personal, but there is bad luck for those who do decide to step on sacred food.  You know how you get when someone interrupts you at dinner.  It’s the same thing here.

Michael and Sally were finally able last summer to take their dream vacation to Italy, which they had always talked about doing. Well, they actually only discussed this wish with others in the last two years but they talked about it enough that it felt to friends and relatives like they had been wanting to do it forever. However, last summer the time had finally come and the two of them were going to spend a week and a half in Venice and the surrounding area. They made their flight plans and reservations in one of the hotels Mestre that is located on the mainland as part of the greater Venice area.

The two of them were almost like children in a fairytale when they arrived and were immediately captivated by the historic beauty and the mystique of the town are region. They had a nice little room that gave them a good view of the town Watchtower and they discussed visiting it over coffee and pastry on their first morning. They actually loved the little café they had their morning coffee in that day and while both of them were interested in exploring as many different places, including dining options, as they could when they visited other cities they thought they might enjoy their coffee and pastry there every morning.

The following morning they forced themselves to hold off on coffee or any food items until they had found a new place in the marshy region of Venice. They toured the city in a gondola and were struck by the romantic atmosphere they felt prevailed in the city. While they were there they knew they wanted to attend an opera performance as that was one of the main historic art forms the city is known for. And luckily for the couple there was a performance of Vivaldi’s La Silvia and they were able to get tickets for it. This truly is the most beautiful city in the world they both thought as they returned to their room that evening. And each morning they found a new café they loved as much as the one the day before.

Visiting Singapore is a habit-forming adventure, and there’s never been a better time to come and check out the latest happenings in the city state.  It’s like no other place on earth, with a fantastic array of attractions and events, and there’s something special for visitors of all ages.  People have been drawn to Singapore for a long time now, and it’s cosmopolitan atmosphere might explain some of the appeal.  The fascinating blend of cultures here makes for some very interesting and lively arts and cultural events, and as long as there are new people coming, there are new trends and styles coming from this unique place.  With all the galleries, hotels, and restaurants in Singapore, it’s a tourists feast.

Feast is a good word for anything that happens here, because it’s long history as a major port means that the relics of the spice trade find their way into the spectacular array of ingredients that are always available here, and always fresh.  The culinary activity here is very high, with lots of room for experimentation with taste combinations, and sturdy traditions that keep the same mouth-watering combinations that have pleased generations.  After a delicious meal, it’s always a good time to dance.  There are plenty of places to go every night of the year, and the culture is lively.  Music acts from all over the world come here to perform, and the audiences are very receptive.  You can see some of the best of this in one place if you’re here during ZoukOut.

This fantastic event is almost a decade old now, and is held annually in December.  Held at Siloso Beach, it’s one of the biggest festivals of dance party music in the world.  Here, you can experience the enthusiasm the Singapore has for dance music in general, but in a very distilled form.  This means that for fourteen hours, on three stages, artists from all over the world are playing to an unstoppable crowd.  It’s a very contagious kind of excitement, so prepare to be taken to new levels.

From the Delaware river to the Schuylkill river. From High, aka Market, Street to Dock Creek is the original plan of Philadelphia. This city started with caves dug in the banks of the river or a shabby hut in the center of the land area. The kettle swinging on a transverse between two poles above a home spun fire pit. The Swedish and the Dutch were the first to arrive here and meet the native people. The new settlers sure worked hard and fast to bring this town up to a better standard of living. The city grew and grew as it added on the “suburbs” of the early conception.

The first additions to the city areas were Southwark, Moyamensing, Northern Liberties, Kensigton, Spring Garden, Pen District and West Philadelphia. They were all pretty much one town built up side by side. From there there were other townships and settlements that grew from there. There were about 18 areas that eventually became a part of the “city of Philadelphia” as their streets connected and boundaries touched. In 1854 all of the settlements finally came together under one municipal government. The districts of the city are still marked from the original growth of the city, however, many of the unique markers of individuality have now disappeared.

Philadelphia went on to be the home of many of the founding fathers. There were many significant events that took place in Philadelphia that contributed to the United States we know of today. It was one of the largest original cities in the new world. In 1775 the Congress was in session in Philadelphia and the order of the day was to elect Benjamin Franklin to be the first Postmaster General of the United Colonies. He established a Pony Express which took mail from New York to Philadelphia two times a week. This of course grew to be a country wide delivery from the Hudson River to the New Golden Gate Bridge. One year later the Declaration of Independence was adopted and and read from the State House Yard by John Nixon. Now it’s time to check into a fine hotel, Philadelphia has many, and see the history for yourself.

Denise had wanted to go to New York and see a Broadway musical since she first saw a touring production of Beauty and the Beast when she was still a child. She was absolutely fascinated by the performances and the incredible costumes, however it was the amazing and elaborate set that really intrigued her. She wondered how much work it took to create such a thing and who the person that came up with the idea for it. She also loved the way the lights changed the colors on stage and how they were able to combine with the music to dominate the mood.

In the following years Denise discovered what set and lighting design for the stage was all about and suddenly she knew that this was exactly what she wanted to do with her life. At first she thought she would be a set designer but soon realized that it was actually the power of lighting that drew her in. She was amazed with all the illusions that could be created by light alone. She was sure she wanted to study lighting design be the time she was ready to think about colleges.
Denise applied to New York University and was accepted. She found this out two weeks ago and her parents immediately made reservations in a New York cheap hotel to visit the city with her before she moved. While they were there they toured the campus of course and also saw a production of Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre. This was the moment Denise had dreamed about for years and just as she expected she was stunned by all aspects of the production but this time found herself intently studying the lighting design. She had waited all these years to be sitting in that seat and at that moment she began counting down the days before she could actually design the lights for her first Broadway production.

Taking a walk in a city allows you to fully see the sights, to meet the people of the city along the way, and to catch glimpses of the culture that you will miss by taking a drive through in a car, or even on a bicycle.  I did not get to know my city of Tempe, Arizona until I spent a year walking through it on foot.  In Baltimore, there is so much to see in the architecture, the gardens and the cityscape.  The best place to get a panoramic view is at the top of Federal Hill. This is a public park that in history was the site for the celebrations of the ratification of the United States Constitution.

Another option for such a view is the observation deck at the Top of the World.  This is located in the World Trade Center, and offers not only the view but a recorded presentation that outlines the history of the city.  A trip to the Fort McHenry National Monument will inspire, as this is the location where the successful defense of the city and the fort occurred, as well as the site for which Francis Scott Key wrote the poem that became the US National Anthem.  The Baltimore City Life Museum is located close by and offers a look into the life of Baltimore people more than one hundred and fifty years ago.  This is illustrated through the eyes of the John Hutchinson, a wheelwright and the original owner of the 1840 House.

There are many museums that offer glimpses into the past, but one neighborhood does that on its own, and that is the neighborhood of Fell’s Point. Here the past and the present coexist, and the result is a spectacular mix.  Here one will find a historic Baltimore restaurant sitting aside a modern and trendy clothing boutique just along the cobblestone street.  This is one of the oldest maritime districts in the country.  Every neighborhood in the city has something to offer, but Fell’s Point has to be one of the favorites, for tourists and locals alike.  So take some time on your next visit to the city, walk around, smell the roses, and immerse yourself in the history of this wonderful US city.

Casey and Mindy purchased their dream home last summer. And while the phrase dream home typically includes illusions of luxury and extravagance, for them it was simple three-bedroom fix it project that came with great potential. They loved the window potential of the place as well as its openness. They installed tile flooring throughout most of the house put in new doors and windows. They finished the inside before they began work on the outside for the obvious reason of being able to move in faster. They were very excited about redesigning the backyard, however and could not wait to host their first backyard dinner party. One of the things they considered when choosing both the house and the new windows was the ability to provide for a great view of what was going to be something of a fantasy backyard.

It took about six months for the couple to have their home completed inside and out. They hired a landscape artist to design the flowers and foliage that would be appropriate for their space and they installed a beautiful deck with a hot tub toward one end of the yard. Meanwhile, and this is what they were most excited about, they had an outdoor kitchen installed on the other side of the yard that was complete with sink and bar service. They purchased fire magic grills and the kitchen design also included a beautiful brick fireplace.

There was enough room between the two sides of the backyard to include a small miniature golf park in the middle. This was truly Casey and Mindy’s dream home, though it wasn’t complete until they brought home their new dog Mike, who the found at the Humane Society. They were now able to plan their first dinner party and it would include their closest friends and family and be a combination of house completion celebration and thank you to those who helped them with all of their projects. It would be the first of many parties and gatherings that Mindy, Casey and Mike would host from their beautiful home.

A successful manager will gather together a group of employees, they will have the ability and the know-how to select qualified people who while are diverse, will all support one another.  These aspects of an office and those who work within it will enable people to offer support and encouragement when working on group projects, or in other works, when working towards shared goals.  It is important for each person to realize that while they all may have attending the same employee training, everyone is different and will respond as such, with different views, opinions and ideas.  Every job I have now, is compared to my fifteen years of working in a theatre company.  We were a repertoire company, that traveled quite a bit, and all got to know and to truly care about one another over the years.  Not many jobs I have held, have had nor exhibited the cohesiveness of that team of actors.

In Los Angeles, many a management training program was held in the acting school I was attending.  Executives and managers took part in the classes, working with the group of actors who too, had known each other for many years.  The managers experienced what I did first hand in the theatre company, and that is that a group of people who care about each other, and care about the project-the end goal.  And although there may be conflicts, as actors are filled with drama and passion, they never once stop motivating and supporting each other.  The managers questioned the instructor and the actors, on just how they accomplished this.  And it is simple, the end goal and the individual were both considered important.  You will not have a successful show, when there is not trust and support guiding the way.  Many business and corporate companies are learning this today, and the results are incredibly positive.

We decided to go to Mauritius to visit a friend of ours from London, but due to a bit of wrong information, like dates and numbers, he wasn’t even on the island when we arrived. We were determined to make the best of a bad situation, and not knowing much about Mauritius, we searched the web for information about places to stay and things to do here.

We finally settled on one of the five star hotels Mauritius offers, and we found the accommodations to be pretty nice and we even had a sea view. On our bus ride from the airport, we somewhat felt like we were in India, there was a large Hindi population prominent in the places we passed. Plus, Mother Nature wasn’t very kind and we walked into the middle of an anti-cyclone caused as a result of the change in seasons. We were hoping for beautiful sunshine and ended up with scattered showers and high humidity, and yes, we were still determined to make the best of the situation. We didn’t worry about the wetness as we were going diving anyways.

We were eager to get back under water, so we booked ourselves straight onto a double-tank dive. There was a dive center not too far from our hotel. The coral reef which surrounds pretty much the whole of Mauritius, creates a lagoon between the shore and the reef. The water here is still and turquoise green. Stunningly beautiful. The visibility is amazing, we got up to 25 meters in some areas. We saw many of the same fishes we saw in Tofo, but also saw a huge Moray Eel. We could tell, though, that global warming has really taken its toll on one particular island, there is now only approximately 2 meters wide of beach and it looks nothing like it does in the photos. Still, we were glad that the weather managed to sort itself out and let us have the rest of our stay in Mauritius a wonderful experience, despite a disastrous beginning.

We just returned to Cape Town from a 3 night stay at Cape Cadogan. Our room was very nice, unique really. It almost felt like a piece of art. We had a small terrace so when we opened the terrace doors we’d get nice fresh air. The breakfast was abundant and we had a good variety of wonderful food to choose from. In the evening there were snacks, like nuts and chocolate. We took full advantage of the free Internet. The staff is what stood out the most to me. They were extremely attentive, friendly and helpful. We were always greeted by the manager everyday. Our hotel was one of a select few boutique hotels South Africa has to offer and it was so peaceful and lovely, we’ll go back there if and when we return to South Africa.

Being back in Cape Town was a joy. We love it here, the city is very cosmopolitan. There’s still a stark contrast between the upper-class areas and the shanty townships. No matter where we went in Cape Town, the view of Table Mountain was majestic. When we got back, it was a nice sunny day, but the next day was shrouded in fog and it rained most of the day. The next day, we drove to Hout Bay, where there is a school in which we volunteer for when ever we are back in South Africa. We spent the entire day there, doing what ever was necessary. The next day, the sun was shining again, so we took a taxi out to Kirstenbosch Gardens.

Today, we walked up Table Mountain, it’s a steep climb and it took us a little over an hour to reach the top. A stunning view of the city and the surrounding mountains and bays. We decided to be brave and ‘abseil’ back down the mountain, well not down the entire mountain, only a portion. Table Mountain has the world’s highest commercial abseil. It’s kind of like skydiving, but not a scary. Just don’t look down over the edge or you won’t do it. It’s a 1000 meter straigh drop. After that, we took the cable car back down the mountain. As we looked out at the magnificent view of Cape Town, we both wished the city well and that they resolve the extreme contrasts of lifestyles.