Travel for Pennies

Poole, England lies along the southern coast of the country in the region of Dorset. It is an historic city with remains of human settlements dating back to the Iron Age. The contemporary town’s development and name is often considered to have originated in the 12th century. The name itself is believed to have derived from the Celtic word bol and an Old English word pool, which indicates being near a creek or body of water. Poole has become extremely popular with tourists, who are attracted to many of its historical attractions, contemporary cultural aspects, as well as the natural harbor. Every Poole hotel is busy throughout the year, accommodating the various needs and interests of people from around the world.

The Poole Arts Centre is one of the more popular venues with both locals and tourists. By some reports, it is claimed that this is actually the largest arts center in the entire United Kingdom, not including venues in London. The center offers a variety of entertainment options, multiple use facilities and venues as well as housing some of the area’s most prominent performance companies. The complex includes a 1,500 seat concert hall, a 150 seat multi-purpose studio, a theatre that seats 669 people and a 105 seat cinema. There is a also a restaurant, various lecture rooms and a large art gallery.

The concert hall in the center houses the famous Bournemouth Symphony. The orchestra derives its name from the city (Bournemouth, which is where it’s from. It moved its offices and official base to Poole in 1979 and is comfortably settled into the Arts Centre. The orchestra has a long tradition of excellence in performance and was originally established in 1893. They young orchestra, created by Dan Godfrey, displayed a strong ability to perform military classics as well as open air concerts. This is due to the strength of its early wind and strings sections. Today the symphony presents major works from world composers as well has maintaining a strong repertoire of classics.

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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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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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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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In 1965 Singapore gained their independence.  The government of Singapore thought that the best way to create bonds and a national pride in this city with multiple races of people and different cultures, was to promote the participation in sports.  They agreed that a robust, rugged and healthy society is in many ways, related to the sports of a nation.  A division was developed of the Ministry of Social Affairs.  And in 1966, began promotion sports, the participation in and the support of, and the beginning phases of construction for the stadium was underway.  Physical fitness programs were introduced in the schools, with the desire to create healthy habits in the children at a younger age, and with the hopes that this would also bring the young into the circle of sports fans.  In the early seventies a board was set up to promote competitions on the international level, bringing in tourists and their teams, and the business that surrounds the sports industries, as well as the luxury Singapore business hotels and restaurants.  Their goal was toforesee any element that may get in the way of the future development of a sports minded society, as well as the assistance and the organization of the strategies used in bringing the global arena to the city.

The Government of Singapore continues to support the future of sports, from scuba diving, a local pastime, to football to the participation of the athletes of Singapore in the Olympic Games.  Over the last eight years, more than five hundred million has been invested and programs are starting in all levels of the education system, from grade school children to the university level.  The city gained the host position of the 2010 Youth Olympic Games.  And aside from the boost the city will receive as far as industry of tourism surrounding the event, and the prestige of hosting it, the citizens are most grateful that the children of the Singapore will be exposed to the spirit of the games.  Competitions involving overall fitness have been in place in the schools since 1982.  And the students are now graded on their performances on the track and the field, as well as in their general studies.  The pressure is their for them to succeed.  The concept behind all of this is that sports and talent, is just as important as the academic studies, that a sound mind relies on a strong and sound body.

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In an area of the city best known for its Medieval Architecture, The Meseu Picasso can be found. This neighborhood is a short walk from the top Barcelona hotels.

A visit to the Picasso Museum in Barcelona is essential for understanding the formative years of Pablo Ruiz Picasso. The genius of the artist is revealed through the more than 3,800 works that make up the permanent collection and illustrate the artistic evolution from the time of his early works.

The Museu Picasso, which opened in 1963, also reveals his intimate relationship with the city, a permanent relationship that was shaped in his adolescence and youth, and continued until his death. Picasso lived in Barcelona during his formative years and most important, during the years of his apprenticeship as an artist. He established and maintained strong links to the city throughout his life and it was here where he wanted to leave the imprint of his art.

Because of Picasso’s opposition to the Franco regime, it was impossible to open a museum bearing his name. This explains why the original museum was opened under the name of the Sabartés Collection.   The collection at the time of the opening in 1963, was comprised of Sabartés’s personal possessions and the Picasso works from the Barcelona Museums of Art. Thanks to the wishes of Picasso and his friend and personal secretary, Juame Subartes, Barcelona now exhibits the earliest work of one of the twentieth century’s most significant artists. The collection, which includes watercolors, oils and other medium, spans from 1896 to 1969.  Highlights include a Portrait of the Artists Father, Still Life, Harlequin and Las Meninas. There is a very large print collection, which is now displayed in the rooms opened in the beginning of 2008.

Picasso would always keep his ties with Barcelona despite his having lived in other European countries for most of his life. The Museu Picasso in Barcelona is the ultimate expression of his strong links with the city and was created according to the personal requirements of Picasso.

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The celebration of Carnaval has been around for centuries. The festival traditionally occurs around the days before Lent and ushers in a time of revel, chaos and abandon. The annual celebration in Barcelona certainly fulfills this. The two-week mega party in Barcelona usually takes place in February though sometimes it runs later into March. It is almost an understatement to say that streets are crowded during this time, it’s actually more like they’re inhibited. Costumes are popular with the old and young, and everyone in-between. Many tourists from out of town flock to the Barcelona boutique hotels and the rooms fill quickly.

Carnaval had been banned in Spain in 1938 by the dictator Franco and it remained illegal to celebrate this time-honored event for 40 years. It was only reestablished in 1981, though it lost none of its gusto and significance in that time. Barcelona quickly stepped right back into step and each year the locals take to the streets in costumes that are typically associated with Halloween. One of the original intentions with the parade was to make fun of or laugh at that which was typically grotesque or frightening. This included the archetypical characters of demons, devils, witches and more, which is the reason for the continued use of costume.

Another important aspect of traditional Carnaval celebration is the turning upside down of standard order and social roles. It is a time when anything goes and there is a huge focus on sexual expression and licentiousness. Nothing lasts forever though, and this includes the mayhem of Carnaval. The indulgences culminate in a frenzied party on Shrove Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras. The following morning marks the beginning of Lent when the party stops. In Barcelona there is another ceremony to mark this transition, El Entierro de la Sardina “the burial of the Sardine.” This is a symbolic reference as it alludes to the burial of the decadence and a return to order. It also represents the period of eating fish instead of meat.

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The 6th World Chambers Congress (WCC) will be held in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, on June 3 -5, 2009.  Organized by the International Chambers of Commerce’s World Chambers Federation(WCR) and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, this 6th biennial congress will atract companies and industries from at least 100 countries.

This international forum is open to over 12,000 chambers of commerce from across the globe. It is designed to bring together chamber and business leaders  to “get to know international peers and share experience and best practice on grassroots issues that have a direct impact on the chamber of commerce community.”

Conferences and exhibitions such as this are becoming vitally important to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that rely on tourists and business travelers. With the state of the world economy slipping, the hospitality and tourism industries have been hard hit.

This year’s WCC will focus on “Leading Sustainable Growth and Change.” Organizers see the Congress as a perfect opportunity for communities to find the tools “to survive and emerge even stronger than before,” according to Mustafa Mansur, President of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers. Topics will range from the current financial crisis to energy, food, and climate changes.

This is the first time the WCC has been held in Southeast Asia.  1,300 participants are expected to attend the June event.

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Of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, Ibiza has the reputation of the place to go for the 24 hour party vacation.  However, the Summer Solstice Celebration taking place this June, is about much more than partying ’til you drop.  The weekend celebrating summer begins June 19th with a hike of three, of the many, beautiful beaches on the island’s coastline.  Tour guides will provide healthy drinks adn wholesome treats along the way.  The hike ends with yoga on the beach.  That evening, the organization Greenheart, will have members speaking about the goals the group has for the island and details about the projects they are working on currently to reduce pollution and promote sustainable living on the island. Shankara will provide live entertainment for the close of the evening.

The next day will bring people to the largest open air market on the island, San Jordi.  In the section with five star hotels, Ibiza merchants offer the best in artistic goods and bargains.  The spirit of the market is joyous and colorful.  There will be tours offered later in the afternoon to one of the most pristine and unspoiled beaches on the island, Salinas, the area that is protected from development and a reserve for the indigenous plants, animals and marine life.  There are a few relaxing cafes and restaurants along the reserve where one can continue relaxing and socializing after a day spent hiking, swimming and scuba diving in the lagoons.  There will be an organized cleaning session for the beach with members from Greenheart, with a party for all those involved to follow, celebrating the care of the environment and those taking part in doing so.

The final day of the three day celebration begins with pilates on the beach.  La Casita Verde is the home base for Greenheart, and there will be performances and art exhibits all day.  One of the projects the group continues is the Aloe Vera plantation.  There will be seminars on the health benefits of the plant and the various recipes one can utilize.  There is also an organic farm located on the property and the meal provided that day will be organic and vegetarian , with specialty juice drinks available, coffee made from carob, and a variety of health conscious deserts.  As the progresses there will be film festivals and workshops relating to climate change and the dangers of not stepping up to protect the environment.  All is not instruction however, as there will be various stages with performances by dance companies, and music, with a drumming workshop intended for all to participate.  And in the tradition of the island, the party will continue on into the evening, but with just a bit more awareness, to the planet and to one’s own physical well-being, than is what one experiences in the dance clubs and bars.

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Many visuals come to a person’s mind if they have traveled to, or live near by, Washington Square Park in Manhattan.  The arch, the fountain, the street musicians.  This is the center of it all for many in the community that is the heartbeat of Greenwich Village.  It’s a smaller version, yet complete, of the whole of New York city.  It has become for many, the hub, between the NY hotels and suites of the Upper East Side and those who move to the ‘Island’, the hub for what is happening, stylish and contemporary.  While all in all, remaining a relaxing park, designed with paths and benches and playgrounds for the children.  There are permanent chess boards and dog runs, providing the children, the animals and the ‘grown-ups’ for opportunities to get out and about and to be able to bring along those that are cared for.  Ironic that the site previously known as public gallows and a burial ground for indigents, then later a burial ground for the victims of yellow fever, is now much sought after spot for real estate investments and living for the upper class.

Beatniks have gathered here since the 60′s and the part was made famous, in part, due to the artists of all disciplines, the painters and the poets and songsters.  Located close to NYU, the college crowd draw has been influential.  Cafes with poetry slams, and the bohemian influence of the music and the scene has added to the history the park has had for a couple hundred years.  During the eighties however, the park deteriorated, structurally and culturally.  Drug dealers moved in and took over.  The city of New York has spent the last years restructuring the park, with cameras and occasional police supervision.  Regulations have been put on the artists and the musicians performing on the sidewalk.  This happened in most part under the administration of Mayor Giuliani, and while the park is safer, controversies have arisen concerning the cameras and the infringement of privacy.  Much as the controversy in Chicago over the placement of cameras downtown, citizens are uneasy about the feeling that they are being watched constantly.  And while that is a philosophical debate in and of itself, the result is safer environments for those that wish to walk downtown, or to escape downtown to just simply sit on a park bench.

The park enjoyed a brief revitalization following its new design, but then began to deteriorate into a center for drug dealing by the 1980s, following the decline and recession the entire city underwent at the time. In the ’90s, it was reclaimed thanks to efforts by an active local community, and a police crackdown under Mayor Giuliani’s administration. But even this success was not without controversies over the use of hidden cameras to monitor park activity, and the regulation of artists and vendors.

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