MEXICO - FOR A MAYAN ADVENTURE
In Mexico, a fantastic adventure awaits you, exploring the ancient temples of the Mayan Civilisation. For the adventurous, archaeologists, photographers and historians this is an exciting holiday visiting these World Heritage Sites. Explore one of the most powerful and mysterious empires of the ancient world.
Mexico, a vibrant and colourful country is home to the finest legacy left by the ancient Mayan Civilisation. The Mayans built magnificent temples and pyramids. These ruined limestone buildings, built originally in their huge cities, are amongst the world’s most impressive sites. Apart from religious functions these buildings were also used for sacrificial rituals. The Maya greatly respected death and rituals were an important part of their religion. Here are some of the larger, accessible sites:
Chichen Itza (”At the mouth of the well”) in the northern centre of the Yucatan Peninsula is one of the largest of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Dominating the centre of Chichan is the Temple of Kukulan. The Temple of the Warriors complex is a large stepped pyramid with rows of carved columns depicting warriors. Seven courts have been identified for playing a ball game by the Mayan where men attempted to hit a ball through a stone ring using only hips and shoulders to strike the ball. One story is that the loser was sacrificed on the spot! Other buildings include an observatory, El Caracol, the High Priests Temple and nearby are caves with idols still in position
Calakmul is one of the largest cities ever uncovered, being discovered from the air in 1930. The city probably supported a population of 50,000 and has a series of water management features, including the largest reservoir in the Mayan world at 22 square kilometers.
Palenque is a smaller site in Chipas State and contains some of the finest Maya architecture, carvings and sculptures. Important structures include, The Palace, which is a complex of connected buildings and courtyards, The Temple of Inscriptions and a set of four temples on top of stepped pyramids The Temples of The Sun, Cross and Foliated Cross.
Coba is 90 Km east of Chichen and is built around two lagoons. It contains several large pyramid temples, the tallest, known as Nohoch Mul being 42metres high. A unique feature is the elevated, stone causeways (sacbeob) which radiate from the centre of Coba. Some of these reach the Caribbean, with the longest being 100 Km in length.
Uxmal before any restoration was in better condition than many other cities due to the quality of its construction. Its architecture is only matched by that of Palenque. Its buildings include, The Governor’s Palace, the Adivino or Pryamid of the Magician and The Nunnery Quadrangle which was a government palace. There is also a large Ballcourt.
These are just a selection of the many temples and pyramids you can visit. This is truly a unique holiday experience seeing at first hand the marvels of this ancient Mayan civilization.
FREE THINGS TO DO IN LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas is not all about spending money. Of course you can while away a few hours gambling and that may cost you a fortune or win you a fortune, who knows. But there are plenty of free things to do in Las Vegas for you and the kids. Here are my top ten free fun things to do in Las Vegas:
1. Ethel M Chocolate Factory. Free admission and a behind the scenes look at candy making. Great for the kids and adults too.
2. Fremont Street Experience. This will get you dancing. It has a $70 million light canopy and a 540,000 watt sound system. So enjoy the light and sound show when it gets dark. The whole family will enjoy this.
3. Las Vegas Preview Studios. You can take part in the advertising and product testing of loads of products. Movie trailers, food, television shows and slot machines. Just give your opinions.
4. Marjorie Barrick Museum. Here you will find displays of western culture, desert life and the ancient history of Mexico. This is both educational and fun.
5. M&M’s World. This is a very popular site and delicious too. Again great for the kids but Mom and Dad like M&M’s too.
6. Masquarade Village. This is at the Rio. Where it is Mardi Gras Las Vegas style all the time.
7. The Conservatory at Bellagio. For all of you who love flowers this is a great place to visit. A beautiful and elegant conservatory with elaborate arrangements of plants and flowers.
8. The Fountains at Bellagio. Each evening there is a water and music show for free at the spectacular fountains at Bellagio where the fountains fill the quarter mile long lake.
9. Volcano a the Mirage. The children will like this I am sure. Every hour in the evening the volcano at the Mirage erupts.
10. The Sirens of Ti. The Sirens who are part pirate, part temptress battle a band of pirates in Siren’s cove. This is more for adults, but creates a great party atmosphere.
These are just some of the free attractions in Las Vegas. You could fill at least a couple of days just visiting these fun free sites. I am sure there are plenty more to keep you and the family amused without costing a fortune.
NEW YEAR’S EVE IN LAS VEGAS
For a wild and fantastic start to the New Year and an end to the old why not try Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve.
The world famous Las Vegas Strip will be closed to traffic and become a four mile long party. It will be the worlds biggest nightclub! You can party while half a million dollars worth of fireworks go off over your heads.
As you party, you can try out the casinos, bars, restaurants and entertainment on the strip. There will be everything from Mexican Fiestas to candlelit dinners and classic entertainment. Whether you want something to please gran and granddad or your teenagers you are going to find it here on The Strip.
People flock to the Las Vegas Strip because of the amazing number of parties that night. Every nightclub will celebrate in a different way and they all try to out do each other. It doesn’t matter where you stay there is bound to be a celebration. Top international entertainers and DJ’s will be there to entertain everyone and see in the New Year.
So get planning your New Year’s Celebrations after all you don’t want to miss out on the biggest party around.
INDIA - AN ECO HOLIDAY TIGER WATCHING
Posted by Roy
The Bengal Tiger, a superb predator, invokes feelings of awe, admiration and often fear and is probably the best known animal in the world. Sadly, due to hunting in previous times and more recently by poaching, the tiger was facing extinction in India. Fortunately the enlightened Indian Government created natural and protected habitats where these magnificent beasts survive in comparative safety.
The rise in popularity of ecotourism has ensured that these large areas of land exist for visitors to see tigers in the wild. One of the best tiger reserves in India is at Kanha in Madhya in the very centre of the sub-continent. Situated on a plateau in the Maikai Range the park rises to a height of 915 metres. Below the tree covered slopes are rolling grasslands and bamboo, with a lake and numerous pools providing drinking holes for the abundance of wild animals.
If tigers prove difficult to see the park is also home to all the species found in Central India. Mammals include the Spotted and Swamp Deer, Asiatic Bison, Boar, Jackal, Leopard and the Dhole – the wild Indian Dog. For the keen bird watchers, there are Raptors (birds of prey) such as Vultures. Eagles and Buzzards which inhabit the area. Perhaps not quite as welcome are the Cobra, Krait and Pythons. Since walking is not permitted inside the park you will be safe.
Most people stay in a comfortable Lodge and visit the reserve in the early morning or late afternoon when the mammals are most active. Travel will be either in 4×4 vehicles or for the lucky ones, on the back of an elephant. Some of the places are inaccessible to a road vehicle. Riding in a Howdah on the back of an elephant must be something special to boast about when you return home. Whichever method of travel you chose you are sure to be able to see and photograph many of the beautiful animals in the reserve.
This is ecotourism at its finest and makes for an exciting family holiday. It is a rare opportunity to see magnificent tigers and other animals in their natural environment and also to visit the mystic sub-continent of India.
DIVING IN MALTA
Posted by Sunny
Located in the beautiful, blue Mediterranean, Malta has some excellent dive sites. Whether you prefer onshore, offshore, cave, reef or wreck dives you will find plenty of sport here in Malta.
Because of the very clean and clear water in the area you have outstanding ranges of visibility.
Around the coast of both Malta and Gozo there are a number of shipwrecks from both the first and second world war. There are also a number of ships which have been sunk to create new attractions for divers.
The Rozi was a tugboat that was intentionaly sunk off Cirkewwa. It is in almost pristine condition and sits between 25m and 36m. It makes an excellent reef for an abundance of marine life.
The Imperial Eagle is a former Gozo ferry which sits in 43m of water off Qawra. It is watched over by a statue of Jesus which was belssed by the Pope. This is a more demanding dive due to the greater depth.
HMS Stubborn is in 50+m. This World War 2 submarine was sunk in 1946, but is pretty much intact and you can explore the conning tower and the torpedo tubes.
The Blenheim Bomber, a World War 2 British aircraft sits in 40+m off Marsaxlokk Bay. It is well preserved but there are strong currents and it is quite deep so this is a dive for experienced divers.
There are also a number of excellent caves around the coast. Ghar Lapsi, Comino and the Cathedral Cave being the best. All are atmospheric and worth seeing.
There are also fascinating reefs with corals and exotic fish. The Dwejra region of Gozo is excellent with plenty of crevices and rock features to explore. For this one you start at the Inland Sea and heading out throught the tunnel you go into the open water. Paradise Bay is another good site and finally Comino’s lighthouse reef dive is good and unusual because you can swim down along a reef to a cave, where you ascend up a chimney back to shallow water.
Diving in Malta is a great experience and there is plenty to see. You can dive almost anywhere and start exploring and find plenty to see and provide you with an adventurous day underwater.
THE TEMPLES OF MALTA
Posted by Sunny
Malta has had a rich and turbulent history. Archaeologists have found evidence of man’s occupation going back 3,600 years. From Neolithic man to the present, the people who have lived on these islands have left their mark.
The Temple of Mnajdra is tucked in a hollow on a cliff on Malta’s southern coast. It is very atmospheric and lies in an isolated position on a rugged stretch of coast overlooking the isle of Fifla. The complex consists of three temples overlooking an oval forecourt. The oldest of the temples dates from betweem 3600-3200BC. The third temple which dates from 3150-2500BC has a largely intact facade making it probably the finest in Malta. Archaeologists found valuable relics here, stone and clay statuettes, shell and stone ornaments, flint tools and decorated earthenware. As there were no metal objects it is evidence of its Neolithic origins.
The Temple of Hagar Qim is nearby. It was excavated in 1839 and is about 5,000 years old. It is on a hilltop also overlooking the sea. The area is designated a heritage park. This site is very interesting. Found here were a decorated pillar and two table alters and some of the “fat lady” statues, all are now on display in Valletta at the National Museum of Archaeology.
The Ggantija Temples are one of the most important sites in the Mediterranean. They date to about 3,600-3,200BC. This megalithic complex has two temples surrounded by a massive common boundary wall. It is so large that for years the locals thought it had been built by giants hence the name.
The Tarxien Temples are on the most complex of the sites. Dating from 3,600-2,500BC they consist of four megalithic structures. They have wonderfully detailed carvings which include domestic animals carved in relief. There are also alters and screens carved with spirals and other patterns. In one alcove is a carving of two bulls and a sow, it is thought the site was used for rituals involving animal sacrifice.
These are just four of the many sites of archaeological and historical interest on Malta. For those who want a holiday which relects their interest in history and archaeology you will find an abundance of temple sites, museums, caves, fortifications and buildings all with their own story to tell.
VALLETTA, SLIEMA AND ST. JULIAN’S
Posted by Sunny
Valletta, Sliema and St. Julian’s are the most popular tourist destinations on Malta.
Valletta is the capital and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in 1565 and today its harbour is said to be the most beautiful in Europe.
For the visitors to the city there is just so much to see and do. There are auberges, military cavaliers, 30 churches to visit, the Manoel Theatre, The National Library, Casa Rocca Piccola, The Grand Master’s Palace, many museums, the Malta Experience, the Knight’s Hospitalliers, beautiful gardens and an abundance of cafes and restaurants. Not to mention the wonderful and picturesque Maltese architecture.
Valletta’s Waterfront underwent a complete facelift three years ago and is now the place to go. It is a lively place of restaurants bars, shops, entertainment, the Forni Shopping Complex and the beautiful view of the Harbour.
Sliema is considered to be one of Malta’s more modern towns. To the outsider it will still look more like a biblical setting as you view it from off shore with its lovely mellow limestone buildings.
Here you will find many of Malta’s best known Hotels, a commercial area and residential area. And of course the promenade. This is the favourite walk for all the locals on hot summer evenings. With the Mediterranean on one side and the twinkling fairy lights in the trees on the other this is a lovely place for an after dinner stroll.
Sliema is undergoing a period of growth and should soon have a new shopping complex and further apartments with lovely sea views. It has an abundance of bars and restaurants. You can pay a few cents for a savoury pastry or have a beautiful meal in beautiful surroundings. There is something to suit everyone, in every price range and in a variety of locations. It is popular with holiday makers and is a convenient place to catch the ferry to Valletta or join one of the boat trips around the island. It has several beaches, a good marina, a number of water sports, a lido and plenty to keep young and old occupied and happy on their holiday.
St. Julian’s has been associated with the young since it has a great nightlife, bars, pubs, clubs, casinos, cinemas, bowling alley and top restaurants. It has great shopping and a casual and relaxed air about it. There are now a number of 5 star Hotels and a true high rise office building, some celebrity apartments and an exclusive nightclub. Also a private mooring for your rather expensive boat!
It is also a very up and coming area. Because of the increased facilities house prices are rising although apart from Portomasso it is generally less expensive than Sliema.
Valletta, Sliema and St. Julian’s are wonderful places to stay and to visit. So I hope you enjoy your visit to Malta, these lovely, friendly, sunny Islands in the Mediterranean.
MALTA - HOLIDAYS, RELOCATING AND INVESTING
Posted By Sunny
Malta is a very up and coming little island. It is in the Mediterranean just south of Sicily. So as you would expect quite good weather all year round. Very hot summers and a short mild/cool winter. It is great for sailing, fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, archaeology, photography, history, architecture and so much more.
For the holiday maker whether a family group, teenagers or an older couple you will find just about whatever you could wish for in a holiday. There are plenty of Hotels in every price range. In the summer it gets very hot, there are beaches to laze away the days on, boat trips, water sports, sightseeing, plenty of bars and restaurants and at night, clubs, nightclubs, cinemas, theaters, bars and some great food all to make your evenings enjoyable.
If you are thinking of relocating to Malta it is quite easy if you are from a member of the EU. Within days you could be renting a property, opening a bank account and getting settled. Three months after your arrival you should organise an Identity Card and after that get your medical card. All are quite straight forward and if you feel you don’t want to deal with it you can always use an accountant to sort everything out for you. Every day living in Malta can be more expensive than on the mainland simple because it is an island and everything is imported. However if you buy local produce and live a less materialistic life as the Maltese do it is probably not that expensive. There is no council tax, gas is very inexpensive and income tax is lower. However water and electricity are expensive and should not be used as freely as you might normally use them.
For the investor Malta is a very good option at the moment. There is an over abundance of property being built so the prices at the moment are probably considerably lower than you would expect of a Mediterranean Island in the sun. Being such a small island there is only a limited amount of land that can be built on so the prime seafront property should go up in value quite nicely over the next few years.
Malta has a stable economy, stable government, is English speaking, has a number of large foreign investors doing quite large projects at the moment (one of these being the new Smart City) there are new shopping malls being built, a new state of the art hospital has just been completed, people are investing in businesses related to the upturn in the tourist industry. So all in all Malta would seem a very good choice for investment. So whether you are just looking for your next holiday destination, a new home abroad or somewhere to invest your money, consider Malta, a lovely island in the sun.
MEXICO - A NATURALIST AND PHOTOGRAPHERS DREAM
Posted by Roy
Mexico, four times larger than Spain, with its Caribbean and Atlantic beaches, spectacular mountains, active volcanoes, jungle and desert, is a country with everything. It has a rich Spanish legacy and links to the ancient Aztec and Mayan civilizations. Mexico City is actually built on top of the Aztec capital of Tenochititian.
This colourful country with its special culture, history and food, has an exceptional diversity of animal and birdlife. Their habitats in the humid jungle, hot desert and the waters off its western coast are a naturalist’s dream.
The Baja Peninsula, off the west coast of Mexico, sometimes referred to as “The Island of California,” and the Sea of Cortez combine to provide one of the world’s finest areas to see whale’s in their natural environment. The San Ignacio Lagoon is the home to the “friendly” Grey Whale. Every year, around 20,000 of these monsters make the 8000 Km journey from the icy waters of the Bering Sea to mate and calve in the warm sheltered waters.
Further south, off Magdalena Bay are found Bryde, Humpback and Fin Whales with huge pods of Common Dolphins. The coastal mangrove swamps hold Reddish Egrets with Terns and Skuas feeding over the Bay
Banderas Bay is the home of a wide range of waders and seabirds such as Heerman’s Gull, Royal Tern and the Blue Footed Booby. The coastal thorn forests are the home of the Orange-Breasted Bunting and the rare Flammulated Flycatcher. San Blas, on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, is one of the best bird-watching places in Mexico The nearby mangrove and coastal wetlands are home to exotic tropical species and wintering land and sea birds including the Hook-Billed Kite, Tiger Heron and the Mangrove Warbler.
The deep and warm waters of the Sea of Cortez with a maze of submarine canyons and mountains are rich in food for whales. The Blue Whale, which can grow to 90 feet in length, shares these waters with Fin, Minke and Sperm and the elusive Orca and Pygmy Killer Whale. Bottlenose and Common Dolphins also frolic in these waters. The remote islands are home to seals and birds such as the Gila Woodpecker, Xantu’s Hummingbird and the rare Red-Billed Tropicbird. As a break from all this exotica, you can try snorkelling amongst the turtles and the other 650 species that live in the Sea of Curtez.
Moving onto the mainland at Mazatian, you can explore the coastal thorn forests in search of Purple-Back Jays, Russet-Crowned Motmot and Elegant Quails.
This is a unique ecotourism holiday with mind-boggling photographic opportunities, actually touching Grey Whales and swimming with turtles in this historic and vibrant country which is Mexico.
BEIJING FOR AN OLYMPIC HOLIDAY
The next summer Olympic games are being held in Beijing in 2008. If you are thinking of going I wouldn’t leave it much longer to book flights and hotels. A quick search and you will find hotels in all price ranges but for something approaching western standards I wouldn’t go below a three star. Their luxury hotels are lovely and certainly of the standard you would expect of 5 star hotels.
Apart from all the Olympic events most people will want to do some sight seeing while in China. Beijing is a huge city of 15 million plus people. However despite its size it is relatively easy to get around. There are plenty of buses and taxis and a new subway system should be completed in time for the Games.
Taxis are metered and fairly inexpensive. If however you notice the taxi you are about to enter doesn’t have a meter negotiate a price first. Buses are great, rather crowded but you can go for miles for a few cents. A great way to sightsee if you are lucky enough to get a seat, just travel the whole route and back again.
Must sees while you are there are of course the Great Wall of China. This is fantastic, a truly great experience. There are loads of junk souvenir sellers outside but if you look amongst the dross you can actually find some nice things to buy. Once on the wall you can take great photographs. Try to go very early in the morning to miss most of the tour buses so you can get some pictures of a fairly empty wall or take the harder uphill route there are fewer people on this section.
The Forbidden City is another place not to be missed. It is huge inside, well preserved and again a great photo opportunity.
The Temple of Heaven ( the largest sacrificial complex in the world), is quite beautiful and a little surreal. As you walk about the park area there is piped dance music coming from hidden speakers. In such an ancient place it does seem little odd. The temple is beautiful though. There is a market outside that is definitely worth exploring. There are a wide variety of stalls and some great antiques. These markets can be far better places to buy authentic Chinese souvenirs than some of the shops.
Tian’anmen Square is well known for all the wrong reasons but is an impressive square, the biggest in the world and worth a visit. You can also join the queue to see Mao’s body. Depending on when you visit there are frequent display and events held in the square.
Beijing has an abundance of temples, museums and sites of interest for the holiday maker. The ancient observatory is one worth seeing and the unusual police museum which is rather full of propaganda but definitely interesting. The very unusual underground city built in 1969 when thoughts of a nuclear war sent city planners underground is worth going to just to say you have been there. There are 90 hidden entrances on Qianmen’s main streets. There are hotels, restaurants and shops down there. Also worth looking at are the China National Museum and the China Art Museum both are interesting and if you have the time try to fit them in. There are literally dozens of places of interest so you won’t be short of things to do and places to go. There are photo opportunities around every corner.
To keep you fed and watered while doing all this sight seeing there are plenty of restaurants. The Hotels usually have at least one each and frequently more, the streets abound with them, many are well known names that you will be familiar with and there are hundreds of Chinese Restaurants. The Chinese food is not the same as you will have had in your home country. Here it is the real deal and is somewhat different in taste and style to the Americanised version we are all used to.
This brings to mind the toilet situation in Beijing. It is certainly better here than outside the city. However unless you use the ones in the hotels and better restaurants be prepared and take your own paper. Handy little packs of tissues are easiest to carry and I would suggest some wet wipes for your hands. When desperate I used what was referred to as “the stinky palace” I should have known not to enter when told the name but needs must. I went in, the smell was indescribable, it was filthy, there were just holes in the ground, no paper and no washing facilities. So be warned and go prepared.
If you have the time there is some great shopping in Beijing. We went to the Cloisonne factory and watched the items being made then we went into the factory shop to buy a couple of pieces. It is a great city to buy antiques, gold, silk, lovely embroidered table linens and jade and pearl jewelry. They have lovely ceramics and pieces of original art work can be quite inexpensive. There are the usual shopping malls and small shops too. My favourite places to shop were the street markets. Literally on the street, many “stalls” were just a mat laid on the sidewalk but the offerings are worth looking at. Two of my favourite antique pieces were found this way. So you may look at a lot of tat but there are also some lovely pieces to be found. Also artists are sometimes found at these markets producing original work for very low prices. So if you are a shopaholic don’t worry there will be more opportunities than you will be able to fit into the usual two week vacation.
If you are going to see the Olympics, enjoy yourself and the events, if you are just going to Beijing for a holiday I am sure you will have a great time. For the summer tourist the weather is very hot, humid and usually sunny, if you prefer sunny but cooler weather the autumn is best. The winters are great. Very cold and dry. The time to avoid in my opinion is spring. This is the time of year you are liable to get “yellow storms”, dust from the Gobi desert.
My last word of advice on Beijing is dress comfortably and wear the most comfortable shoes you have. This city is huge and you can walk for miles at any one of the places of interest above. Have a great holiday and enjoy your trip to China and the Beijing Olympics.
Latest Images
-
