Travel for Pennies

One of the most beautiful islands in Hawaii is Lanai.  Here snorkeling is at its best as you explore Hulopoe Bay, a famed diving spot.  With its clear blue waters, it is hard to get out of the water as it caresses your skin and soothes out all the stresses.  But there is more to do on a Lanai vacation than just this.

The Monroe Trail is an amazing destination with its breathtaking views and a 1,600 foot climb.  Just outside of Lanai city, the rustic trail reveals canyon vistas of the Maunalei gulch and neighboring island, Maui.  Head to the top of Mount Lanailhale where you will climb up to 3,368 feet.

Not to be missed is the Garden of the Gods, or Keahiakawelo, a lunar-like landscape of otherworldly rock pilings.  There is much lore around this beautiful place, and a guided tour will update you on the legends that surround it.  Hike or four-wheel drive to the site where you will experience something truly unique.

There are two championship golf courses in Lanai as well as two beautiful resorts to stay in.  Don’t take a vacation to Hawaii without at least visiting this quintessential island where you will have plenty of memories to take home at the end of your stay.

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Tags: hawaii, hawaii vacation, lanai vacation

Check out this article from Bloomberg.com

Sarah Green of Bloomberg.com wrote and article on May 12. 2009 entitled 4 tips for Efficient Succession Planning. Below is a synopsis of the article.

One of the most common leadership development questions is is planning a succession a waste of time?

1. Change the name of the process to from Succession Planning to Succession Development.

- Experience is what develops people.

Overall it is way more important to invest in the people than the plan. The planning process should not feel like the be all, end all of the development. That is what leads to leadership skills in the long term.

2. Measure outcomes, not process

- If leadership training is not important the plan can never really work.

This is important also because it will in turn help senior level executives to help build support for the succession planning and ownership of leadership development.

Thirdly it will get results.

3. Keep it simple

- Don’t be so complex when planning. It’s easier for a manager to keep it simple in the long term and short term. This will allow for managers and employees to focus down and realize what is important.       

Keep it simple is really among some of the best advice one can receive on this topic.

4. Stay realistic.

See the two classic examples of how to be completely unrealistic in the article.

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Tags: leadership development, leadership skills, leadership training

The University of Johannesburg and the Mexican Embassy have formed a partnership to inspire and support young filmmakers. Their project, The FYTA Film Festival will also offer them the opportunity to have their work screened. The FYTA stands for Filmmaking Youth Taking Action and is a unique educational opportunity combined with on hand experience. The festival will include a diverse assortment of possibilities for the participants, including exhibitions and workshops for aspiring filmmakers. Filmmakers from both countries will attend, and there will be many screenings of films by South African filmmakers. Audience members will have the chance to view cutting edge works from up and coming directors before and after enjoying some of the best Johannesburg fine dining options. Also, admissions to the screenings is free, which leaves more room in the budget for a great dinner.

All screenings at the festival will be immediately followed by a discussion or a workshop. These will take place in seminar rooms and the main auditorium. This festival is specifically focused on the youth population and intends to encourage all young people to follow their passions, regardless of their background, or family resources.  Nalisha Lalloo is the festival director and believes that film is an excellent opportunity people of diverse backgrounds and social orientations to express themselves. There will be over 10 professional directors and filmmakers from Mexico and South Africa in attendance. Both students and the general public have been invited to submit their work for a possible screening. The festival will serve as a networking opportunity for these young artists, who will have the opportunity for dialogue with professionals in the field. Footage from the South African History Archives will also be shown to give the filmmakers a perspective on the genre’s history. They will have the chance to learn about and be inspired by revolutionaries such as Teboho Mashinini.

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Tags: dining, fine, Johannesburg

The key to unlock relaxation, at times, is luxury. Perth hotels make luxury into an art. Whether its urban adventues, seaside pleasures, or hiding from the rest of the world in secret home away from home, the hotel will be the anchor for every journey here. Perth is remarkable as a multicultural place on Australia’s west coast, with large, open spaces in an isolated setting. Despite being a large city, it’s closer to Singapore than the closest Australian city, and this sense of isolation has been an interesting cultural force for some of the city’s artists.

INXS, the Australian alternative rock band, is one of Perth’s homegrown heroes. The geographical distance from more populated parts of Australia helped them to develop their sound, and also was something to overcome in making their way on the international pop music scene. In 1977 high school students Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence got together to form a new band. Calling themselves The Farriss Brothers, it was an unlikely beginning to an unlikely success. Two years later they changed their name to INXS, and by 1981, they were well on their way to international superstardom.

In 1983, they released their first major album, “Shabooh Shoobah,” which established them as a recognizable force in the music industry. INXS rocked the world with their unique styles and instantly readable bravado, which is based in the roots of classic rock and roll. The energy and electricity captivated audiences, and Michael Hutchence’s good looks were no doubt extremely helpful in getting them attention and play on the recently launched

Their story is one of remarkable success, despite some of the troubles that came to the band’s lead singer, Michael Hutchence. His tragic death in 1997 is one of the more mysterious rock and roll accidents, and still haunts the band. They continue to play, with a string of new lead singers, continuing their history as one of Australia’s musical contributions to contemporary culture.

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Tags: hotels, luxury, Perth

Dubai’s fabulous reputation as a travelers’ treasure chest is not only based on its mix of lively urban city life along with old-world charm, but also for the opulence and splendor of  a luxury hotel.  Dubai has many things to see and do in this city in paradise, and the local attractions are plentiful. Whether your taste is for exquisite food, world-class shopping, or adventure parks and live entertainment, your hunger will be satisfied.

When vacationing in Dubai, the savvy traveler might arrange their itinerary to correspond with the annual Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). First initiated in 2004, the Dubai Film Festival features almost 200 films from 50 countries from around the world, recognizing and also nurturing some of the most talented filmmakers working in today’s entertainment industry. The festival shows shorts, documentaries, as well as feature films, to impress and enlighten film goers from all walks of life. Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters, as well as critically-acclaimed independent films are on the bill.

The festival attendance is increasing every year, demonstrating its success in appealing to local and international audiences. As for any festival participating on an international level, it also brings its share of celebrities. At the 2008 festival, the guest list included Salma Hayek, Nicholas Cage, Abdulhussein Abdulredha, Danny Glover, and Terry Gilliam.

Lifetime achievement awards are given to film greats who have made outstanding contributions to world cinema, demonstrating the festival’s investment in honoring long-term commitment. The next generation of filmmakers are also given a place of honor here, where there are structures in place for young filmmakers to take master classes, meet with film professionals, and practice their craft in hopes of becoming next year’s celebrity guests. The week-long event is always an electrifying phenomenon, and is something that is the subject of local gossip as well as international film news for the months that follow. For nurturing local talent, as well as highlighting the best of the best world cinema, the Dubai International Film Festival is on the cultural map.

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Tags: Dubai, hotel, luxury

To experience Paris to its fullest, you need to be prepared to walk – a lot. The winding streets and cobblestone roads are a pleasure to explore, but don’t forget your walking shoes. The best way to get around is by searching on foot, because it allows you to pick up on all the intricate details of this beautiful European city.  However, it is a large city and has a great metro system that is speedy and will get you right where you need to be; there is nearly a metro station on every street corner. You’ll need a metro map to understand all the routes and directions, but they are very easy to read.

If you know that you’ll be using the metro quite often, pick up a short-term metro pass. It will alleviate the travel process and will make going in and out of the metro station simple. Make sure you keep your ticket for the entire journey because tickets are frequently checked on the way out of metro stations. A great option is getting the Paris Visite pass for unlimited journeys for five days or less. You can choose one of two travel zones: either the city center zones and the entire metro system, or a broader range of zones that extends to the Charles de Gaulle airport.

Many attractions are right off the metro line, including the French Open. You can easily buy a 5-day metro pass for the tournament, which starts May 24th and lasts through June 7th. There are many hotels located nearby the tournament that have the French Open schedule and are also off the metro line. If you are planning to attend Wimbledon as well, public transportation is also the recommended way to travel. Tennis for all!

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Tags: French open, tennis, wimbledon

More than half of all the elephants of Asia, make their homes in the country of India.  More than twenty percent of the elephants that are domesticated for purposes of work animals or those that are part of the tourism industry either by providing rides or performing in the shows are also in the country of India.  Many roads have been constructed, dams built, or buildings raised, such as the five star Jaipur hotels, where all created with the help of these large beasts.  So it is of utmost importance that the species survives.  This role that elephants have played throughout history, remains just as important today as it was hundreds of years ago.  Much of the heritage of religion and culture is associated with elephants.  And for there to someday be a time when the elephants may not survive, is an unthinkable thought in India.

It is for this reason that the Elephant Festival that occurs each year in March, is not only a fun celebration, but an honoring of these beasts that provide so much for the people of this country.  The festivals take place in Jaipur, and coincides with the festival of colors, which happens throughout the country.  Which makes this the perfect time to be in Jaipur, as the two festivals combined make for an unforgettable experience.  The elephants are adorned with colorful costumes, and parade through the city in these attires.

Other activities include races, tug of war, and polo games.  The tug of war happens between an elephant and a team of men, and spectators are held in awe of the strength of both sides.  There is also a competition at the end of the night for the most decorated of elephants.  There is also many options for food, for dancing and for listening to music.  It is an overall fun and colorful time in the city.  This is one of India’s most unusual festivals and should not be missed.

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Tags: five, hotels, Jaipur, star

Next Day Blinds offers customers a wide range of satisfying service options. Their professional installation services can partly be summed up in this quote from their web site:

Their dedication and service are at the highest level. Their blinds services are one of the best.
“Our dedication to the highest level of service is the reason Next Day Blinds does so much more to make our service department the best it can be. Our installation services are second to none.”

Some key points on Professional Installation Services from Next Day Blinds:

* Extensive professional training for all installers in our own facilities.
* Complete understanding of how to install all our window coverings.
* Next Day Blinds’ technicians held to rigorous standards of professionalism and conduct.
* All Next Day Blinds vehicles equipped with GPS and two-way communication.
* We provide a courtesy call to each customer within an hour of arrival.

Next Day Blinds is a retailer of high-quality window treatments, utilizing only the highest-quality goods for their wide range of home decorating/window treatment products. All of their products are custom made in their own factory in Jessup, MD. They have 35 stores throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area, showcasing a wide variety of window blinds, shades, shutters, and cornices. They have also dedicated themselves to top-notch customer service, including free in-home consultations.

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Tags: columbia, maryland, next day blinds

Paris is unarguably the most romantic city in the world. The lights, glamour and passion surging through the European destination are palpable. Many tourists planning their first trip to Paris are often overwhelmed by the dozens of spectacular attractions and activities to take part in. But travelers should not feel the burden of over-preparing – going to Paris should be a relaxed, fly by the whim sort of adventure. There are so many fascinating sights, but let the city be your guide and inspiration be your compass.

Although it’s important to maintain flexibility and simplicity in planning, making the best of your trip still requires some preparation. A great way to save money is to look into passes for all the great attractions. Most museums accept a universal museum pass that will definitely come in handy if you plan on going to all the great attractions, like the Louvre, and monuments. Plan your schedule accordingly if you want to see all the major attractions. For example, if you want to stop by the Eiffel Tower, do it early in the morning, when the air is crisp and the crowds are minimal.

If you are planning on going to the French Open 2009, look for tickets immediately. They go fast and you don’t want to miss out on all the excitement. The Wimbledon results are also thrilling. Happening just a few weeks after the Paris tournament, Wimbledon live can make a fun getaway while you stay in Paris. Tennis galore!
Don’t over-think your trip to Europe. Make it fun and casual, and never let the planning process take away from experiencing the city’s beauty.

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Tags: Add new tag, French open, tennis, wimbledon

Singapore’s Esplanade Theatres on the Bay is one of the city’s main cultural centers as well as a major tourist attraction. It offers a great deal in the line of entertainment, dining and cultural experiences. The Concert Hall is a spectacular auditorium and an amazing place to experience major musical performances. The Roof Terrace allows for some of the most beautiful views of the city skyline and the bay. The Theatre is another grand performance venue that adds to the prestige of the Esplanade. Tourists staying in the best Singapore hotels enjoy dressing up for an evening of dining and entertainment at one of its many venues.

The Concert Hall was specially designed to offer the best quality of acoustics. Often considered to be the Esplanade’s “crown jewel” it hosts many professional symphony and solo performances through the year. The Hall seats 1,614 audience members in the main house and accommodates another 197 in its gallery. The state of the art acoustic facility includes reverberation chambers that add to the beauty of the sound. There is also an adaptable acoustic canopy that adjusts to serve any type of musical performance. This produces an optimal sound quality to add to the grandeur of the Hall’s experience.

The Theatre is an adapted European proscenium structure that adjusts to allow for an intimate experience between performers and audiences. It is Singapore’s largest stage and extends over four levels. There are two other full size stages, which allow for quick and impressive scenic changes and an orchestra pit that houses up to 100 musicians. The Roof Terrace is specially designed to provide for the best views of the Marina Bay. This is a comfortable spot to rest before or after a mainstage production and includes ample seating amidst its lush garden landscaping. There are manicured lawns and planted trees to add to the serene ambiance of the Terrace.

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Tags: best, hotels, Singapore