CORNER PARADISE

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CRUISE VACATION

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Tue, 17 May 2011 21:06:00 +0000

What can you say about living in luxury in a floating building, in the middle of the ocean? Me, personally, I wouldn’t miss this chance for anything in the world. But in order to have a fabulous cruise vacation, you have to make the right choices. To this end, before buying the tickets, ask yourself the following questions: where do I want to go, how long do I want my cruise to last, or how can I select the right cruise ship?

When we speak about the right destination, it is essential to know what you are looking for: a warm climate, thousands of beaches, great shopping at duty free prices and incredibly clear seas teeming with marine life? If this is the case, then a Caribbean cruise could be the right option for you. With a lot of choices of cruise itineraries and lengths, with anything from a two-night getaway to an extended voyage sailing from ports from New York to Central America, it is a vast and diverse destination.

If you are uncomfortable at the thought of wearing a tuxedo, you might want to choose freestyle cruising. To this end, you should consider transform the traditional cruise into a more personal and unique experience: by eating at any time of the day, choosing from a multitude of dining options, or wearing whatever you feel like and not worrying about packing a tuxedo.

Another important question is how long you can go on a cruise. For instance, if a week is all you can spare, then a Russian river cruise may not be an option for you. And if you can spare two weeks or more, the urge to go and see too many destinations all in a short period of time may leave you with the feeling of not having really enjoyed your vacation. To this end, leave alone your nitro rc cars or any other hobby you got (at least for a while) and choose a cruise vacation.

Not least, when it comes to selecting the right cruise ship, you have to choose between the giant ships with a couple of thousand people, or the smaller, cozy boats. There are so many kinds of boats you can choose from, and since you will be spending a large part of your vacation on the vessel, you might as well give some thought about what kind of ship you would rather be on.

FISHING IN HAWAII

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Tue, 17 May 2011 20:55:00 +0000

When you have in mind to go fishing in Hawaii, first of all you have to select the boat wisely. A boat that meets your requirements and your objective on what you want to do with the fish you catch are the things to look at when selecting a boat. Then you have to select the appropriate island that meets your desired duration of the trip. For shorter excursions, pick an island that has deep water near the shores. These islands are ideal for shorter fishing excursions where catching the fish won't take a very long period of time.

Don’t forget about the tackle, bait, ice and fresh water. Confirm with the boat organization if they will offer also these products. Tackle is really a set of pulleys and ropes assembled to facilitate the mechanisms for hoisting and pulling. Bait is for luring the fish. Ice is for keeping fresh the fish caught during the journey. Lastly, the fresh water is for thirst quencher during the fishing trip.

Wear comfortable clothes that are suited for a hot summer day. T-shirts and shorts are the greatest clothes to have in mind when you go fishing. Keep in mind that an additional t-shirt will also be helpful. Also, bring with you a baseball cap for shading. This is efficient in shielding the hot rays in the sun during the journey.

Bring with you polarized sunglasses to see the fish inside water. There are a lot of fish species in the Hawaiian archipelago. In order to continue with the list of tips to have in view for a perfect fishing trip in Hawaii, procure also food and drinks if the boat renting company won't offer such products. Don't forget to bring medicine for seasickness. To minimize feeling seasick, take an 8-hour sleep prior to the vacation. Being fully awake and active before the boat leaves the dock will prevent you from feeling seasick. Making use of the above mentioned ideas will assure you an enjoyable day of fishing.

HOW TO DEAL WITH AN ANXIETY ATTACK

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Tue, 17 May 2011 20:48:00 +0000

Many people use the terms anxiety attack and panic attack to mean the same thing, but in fact there is a difference between panic attacks and anxiety. From a clinical perspective, both panic and anxiety are defined by different features: a panic attack is just a symptom associated with panic disorder, a type of anxiety disorder. An anxiety disorder is any mental disorder characterized by a significant amount of anxiety. In conclusion, anxiety attacks should refer only to the common symptoms of anxiety in an individual.

In addition to panic disorder, anxiety disorders include phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Phobias are the most common form of anxiety disorder, and can often trigger a panic attack or symptoms of anxiety.

Both panic and anxiety disorders could be also a result of using drugs like Zoloft, which used to be considered as treatments for depression. Such drugs may produce side effects that are harmful, including for example psychological side effects like homicidal or violent behavior, hostility, and suicidal behavior. To this end, a lot of zoloft lawsuits surfaced against the producer, as many it was claimed that the potential side effects were not properly disclosed.

Returning to the panic attacks and anxiety, the biggest differences between their symptoms are the severity and length of symptoms associated with both. Symptoms during a panic attack are usually very sudden and intense. They also do not last for a very long time, and usually end within 10-20 minutes. Common symptoms of panic attacks can include heart palpitations, increased heart rate, trouble breathing, chest pain/discomfort.

Conversely, symptoms of anxiety take a while to develop, and may be worse depending on how much the individual is worried. While some symptoms are very similar to panic attacks, they are considerable less intense. These symptoms may last days, weeks, or even months, as they are associated not necessarily with a specific situation or entity, but from a variety of sources. Some symptoms include muscle tension, increased heart rate, startle response, and shortness of breath.

An anxiety disorder such as panic disorder can usually be treated through therapy, medication, or relaxation techniques. Using these treatments can reduce the negative symptoms associated with an anxiety disorder. As an anxiety disorder is chronic and debilitating, it is important to seek treatment for them as soon as possible. It just may be the difference between living the life with anxiety and living your life the way that you want to.

MAKING SUSHI AT HOME

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:38:00 +0000

Sushi is a food that is eaten worldwide in both casual and formal settings. If you don’t have the ability or experience to eat sushi in a high class or formal experience you can make your own sushi at home and it can taste just as good as when the chef made it.

But first of all, you must understand exactly what sushi is: a roll of fish or other sea food wrapped up with rice. These ingredients are placed inside of seaweed, also known as nori. There are two different types of sushi: simpler (contains only one type of filling which can be fish, seafood, or just a simple vegetable) and futomaki, also known as fat maki (contains two or more fillings for a fuller type of sushi).

Sushi can be rolled or folded in different ways. Hand made sushi, known also as nigri sushi, is the most common type and includes pressed rice along with some toppings. Another type is known as maki sushi which is rolled up, the seaweed being wrapped around rice and a filling.

In order to make sushi a few basic ingredients are required: seaweed, short grained rice, seasonings (i.e. ginger root, wasabi, or soy sauce), raw fish or vegetables like avocado, cucumber, carrots, or asparagus. If you want to include seafood shrimps, eel, or salmon will be a good idea.

Now that you have the ingredients, the actual process of making the sushi follows: place the seaweed on a bamboo mat in order to be filled and after that spread a very thin layer of rice on top of the seaweed. At this time, any ingredients you wish to be placed inside the sushi are now placed in the middle of the nori. Now it is time to roll the sushi. Hold the bamboo mat edge and roll it. Be sure that the roll is tight but not tight enough that the fillings seep out of the edges. After the roll is complete the bamboo can be separated and the roll is left intact. The entire sushi is now ready to be sliced into sections. Depending upon the size you want each roll to be, cut it into sections.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different ingredients and combinations. You never know with what kind of creation you will come up.

A PICNIC IN A PICTURESQUE SURROUNDING

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 22:29:00 +0000

In contemporary usage, picnics are defined simply as a pleasure excursion at which a meal is eaten outdoors, ideally taking place in a beautiful landscape such as parks or caravan sites, beside a lake or with an interesting view and possibly at a public event such as before an open air theatre performance, usually in summer. Picnics are often family-oriented but can also be an intimate occasion between two people, or a large get-together such as company picnics and church picnics.

If we speak about romantic and family picnics, a picnic basket and a blanket is all you need. A romantic picnic is a great way to show you care, whether you’re at the beginning of a relationship, or you’ve been married for ages. Find a picturesque surrounding, for example a hidden recess with a nice view or the noise of running water. But be careful, it is not a good idea to try out a place where you never been before for a romantic picnic, because it might not turn out to be quite what you think. In the end, you don’t want to share your picnic spot with a herd of cows.

Some picnics are a potluck, an entertainment at which each person contributed some dish to a common table for all to share. When the picnic is not also a cookout, the food eaten is rarely hot, instead taking the form of sandwiches, finger food, fresh fruit, salad, meats already prepared on toasters and accompanied by chilled wine or champagne or soft drinks.

DISCOVERING TUNISIA

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:14:00 +0000

Tunisia is ranked by each tourist in accordance with their preferences: some will go there for the sea, others for Sahara, and others to discover the secrets of ancient Carthage. The main resort area of Tunisia is located along the Mediterranean coast of Hammamet to the island of Djerba. The tourists are attracted there by the beaches covered with soft sand, opposite from the capital Tunis side coast until Tabarka, which is practically on the border with Algeria and not so popular, due to the beaches driven by rocks.

The options for excursions are not so many, having the opportunity to choose from a set of tours which will be available no matter where you stay: the ruins of Carthage, the largest Roman Coliseum in North Africa at El Jem, Kairouan holy city of Islam, with the oldest mosque and mausoleum on the continent. Besides this, directly in the sand, there are some other entertainment options waiting for you: air balloon, camel racing, horse riding, and jeep safari.

Hammamet is one of the most popular resorts among foreign tourists. Last but not least is the fact that here is the fourth largest thalasso therapy center in the world. Besides this, Hammamet or the garden city of the country of sand, as it is called, has another special value: here it can be found hotels for every taste and price.

If you take the road from El Kantavi to Sousa, at only only 5 km, you will find the town of Sousse. This is not only a major resort, but also the third largest city of Tunisia, older than Carthage. Here should not be missed the museum of mosaic art, the Christian catacombs, or the old fortress. As for shopping, even if in Tunisia you will find mostly small shops with souvenirs and beach items, in Sousse there are a lot of shops, including fashion boutiques.

HOW TO TURN YOUR BATHROOM INTO A SPA

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 19:12:00 +0000

If you want to turn your own bathroom into a spa all you need is a bit of creativity and imagination. Unlike few years ago when the idea of such a project would cost an absolute fortune, it is now an affordable and viable option for any home owner. But first, you have to determine what you expect to gain from this spa. Because in a real spa, you can always have at your disposal various attendants who will wait on you, or will offer massage services, etc.

Even though in a bathroom spa you cannot enjoy the services of a specialized attendant, you can create the right ambiance for the so much needed daily short break. For instance, the colors, the look and the feel of the place are very important in a bathroom spa. Usually, in a typical bathroom you can find just the tones of white or beige. A bathroom spa should use colors more interesting like purple, pink or even green. This is what makes the ambiance of your bathroom more "spa-like" than “bathroom-like” and which leads, for sure, to more time spent in the respective place.

Moreover, adding texture and contrast to the walls and furnishings of your bathroom could lead again to more character and interest. Using patterned wallpapers, glazed tiled floors in earthy colors, or even adding plants and various paintings on the walls can create the desired atmosphere. Another consideration should be the available space. Definitely, if your bathroom is not that big you have to create the illusion of space through the use of mirrors. Shelves and cabinets built into the wall can also store your body care products like aromatic oils, lotions or soaps. The rationale behind this is to create an illusion of more space when there it isn't. Also, all open spaces in a bathroom spa should be kept clean in order to create the feeling of space.

Finally, you have to create that luxurious feeling generated by a spa, by using similar products. I'm talking about expensive aromatic oils, bath gels, bath salts, perfumed toilet water, soft towels, room fragrances, celadon oil burners, etc. Since your bathroom spa has to shout out "opulence and luxuriousness", don’t hesitate to spend some money on these items which will create, finally, the perfect ambiance.

COFFEE BEVERAGES

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 19:06:00 +0000

If it comes about enjoying life, nothing compares with a cup of coffee. Coffee can be presented in a variety of ways: drip-brewed, percolated, or French-pressed coffee may which can be served with a dairy product such as milk or cream. Should I say more? Or since summer is on its way, we need to spoke more about iced coffee...

Espresso-based coffee has a wide variety of possible presentations. In its most basic form, it is served alone as a shot or in the more watered-down style café américano: a shot or two of espresso with hot water added. Reversing the process by adding espresso to hot water preserves the crema, and is known as a long black. Milk can be added in various forms to espresso: steamed milk makes a caffè latte, equal parts steamed milk and milk froth make a cappuccino, and a dollop of hot foamed milk on top creates a caffè macchiato. The use of steamed milk to form patterns such as hearts or maple leaves is referred to as latte art.

A number of products are sold for the convenience of consumers who do not want to prepare their own coffee. Instant coffee is dried into soluble powder or freeze-dried into granules that can be quickly dissolved in hot water. Originally invented in 1907, it rapidly gained in popularity in many countries in the post-war period, with Nescafé the most popular product. Many consumers determined that the convenience in preparing a cup of instant coffee more than made up for a perceived inferior taste. Paralleling the rapid rise of instant coffee was the coffee vending machine, invented in 1947 and multiplying rapidly through the 1950s.

Canned coffee has been popular in Asian countries for many years, particularly in China, Japan, and South Korea. Vending machines typically sell varieties of flavored canned coffee, much like brewed or percolated coffee, available both hot and cold. Japanese convenience stores and groceries also have a wide availability of bottled coffee drinks, which are typically lightly sweetened and pre-blended with milk. Bottled coffee drinks are also consumed in the United States. Liquid coffee concentrates are sometimes used in large institutional situations where coffee needs to be produced for thousands of people at the same time. It is described as having a flavor about as good as low-grade robusta coffee.

Coffee can also be incorporated with alcohol in beverages: it is combined with whiskey in Irish coffee, and forms the base of alcoholic coffee liqueurs such as Baileys, Kahlúa, and Tia Maria.

FINDING THE ROUTE TO THE REAL ITALY

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 19:15:00 +0000

Italy is fabulous at any time of year, with its hot summers and mild winters. Spring and autumn are also pleasantly warm even though the weather cools a bit. This country offers an irresistible combination of spectacular countryside and a stunning coastline combined with medieval hilltop towns and villages, fascinating history, delicious cuisine and fantastic holiday properties. In the end, your dilemma will be only which region to choose and where to stay.

If you want to discover the real taste of Italy, you can book a villa to explore some of the country’s most famous attractions, such as the Vatican City and the Colosseum in Rome, the home of the Italian Renaissance in Florence or the tranquil canals of Venice. For the experienced travelers, the hidden attractions in the country (some of them undiscovered yet) are just waiting to be explored. Regions such as Puglia and Marche offer a more authentic Italian experience as well as some incredibly beautiful scenery. Puglia is located in Italy’s ‘boot’ and as such enjoys a stunning coastline, whilst Marche also has its fair share of attractive coast and beaches and very pretty countryside. The holydays in an ItalyVilla are becoming increasingly popular as they can often be a cheaper, more customizable way to travel and as they are mostly self-catering, there are no specific mealtimes to be tied in to. Eating in one of the many restaurants or trying to prepare some delicious meals in your own kitchen facilities using the country’s famous fresh products, is a unique experience of itself. Enjoy!

MALDIVES: A PLACE FOR A HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:36:00 +0000

The Maldives (officially Republic of Maldives), is an island country in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls stretching in a north-south direction off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and Chagos Archipelago. Perhaps the ultimate in long haul luxury, the Maldives is currently enjoying incredible growth again having bounced back from a series of disasters in the past few years including the coral bleaching wrought by el Niño and the horror of the 2004 tsunami. Indeed, so superior are its beaches, so cobalt blue its waters and so warm its welcome that the country has become a byword for paradise whether it be for honeymooners, sun worshippers or divers.

A geological eccentricity nestled in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives are a series of ancient coral reefs that grew up around the sides of towering prehistoric volcanoes. These immense structures have long since sunk into the ocean, leaving behind coral islands of incredible natural beauty, now themselves being colonized by travelers seeking unbridled pampering and romance.

This is life stripped down to simplicity: bright blue skies, sunshine, fantastic diving and snorkeling in lagoons. The country embraces travelers from around the world allowing them the required freedom. Every few months, new resorts are opened having the possibility to enjoy from the top end boutique brands to ecologically sound back-to-nature hotels. Not cheap even at the bottom end, this is a place for a holiday of a lifetime. The Maldives demands the attention of anyone looking for a uniquely indulgent break, breathtaking nature and sheer beauty that stays with you long after your tan has faded.

MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH COOKING

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:01:00 +0000

With the help of this book, you will definitely learn how to cook the basic French recipes. Mastering the Art of French Cooking represent also the perfect gift for any lover of the French food. Now it is available the boxed set which brings together the first version of the book published in 1961, and its sequel, the volume two, published in 1970.

Mastering the Art of French Cooking is for both seasoned cooks and beginners who love good food and long to reproduce at home the savory delights of the classic cuisine, from the historic Gallic masterpieces to the seemingly artless perfection of a dish of spring-green peas. The techniques learned in this book, with more than one hundred instructive illustrations, can be applied to recipes in all other cookbooks, making them infinitely usable. In compiling the secrets of famous Cordon Bleu chefs, the author produced a magnificent volume that continues to have a place of honor in all kitchens.

DISCOVER SUOMENLINNA FORTRESS

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 21:16:00 +0000

Surrounded by sea and a vast archipelago, Helsinki is at its best in the summer when the dialogue between the city and nature is at its fullest. Classical Helsinki's sights can be divided into an eclectic set of churches and a wide variety of museums.

But if you have the chance to see only one place in Helsinki during the summer, then make it to Suomenlinna fortress. The "Gibraltar of the North" was once the greatest sea fortress in the Baltic, built by the Swedish in the mid-1700s to protect their eastern flank. But when the Russians invaded in February 1808, the bulk of the unprepared and bankrupt Swedish army hastily withdrew, allowing the Russians to conquer Helsinki without a fight. With no reinforcements in sight, commander Carl Olof Cronstedt surrendered unconditionally two months later, and Finland was ceded to the Russians. Cronstedt's actions probably saved countless civilian lives, but King Gustav IV needed a scapegoat and sentenced him to death for treason; fortunately, the losing king was himself soon overthrown, and Cronstadt lived out his years gardening.

Today, Suomenlinna is still living in its own time with only old buildings, few cars, fewer than a thousand inhabitants and lots of old fortifications, catacombs and cast iron cannons. But it's not just a museum: the sprawling complex houses restaurants, cafes, theaters and museums, and is a very popular place for a picnic on a fine summer day, watching the vast passenger ferries drift by on their way to Estonia and St Petersburg.

REMBETIKA MUSIC CLUBS IN ATHENS

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:51:00 +0000

As I mentioned in one of my previous posts related to the nightlife in Athens, it is said that the nightlife of this city rivals with that of New York, London and Paris and maybe surpass them. But one thing is for certain: you won't find more restaurants, bars, and clubs in a smaller area than you will in Athens with the majority of the nightlife being in central areas like Psiri, Plaka, and Thission. And if you want to get a real taste of Greece, you have to look for a place with good traditional food and rembetika music.

Rembetika music is the music of the Greek underground. It originated in the hashish dens of Pireaus and Thessaloniki with the forced immigration of 2 million Greek refugees from Minor Asia. And then it evolved into Greek popular music.

Many places are closed in Athens when the weather gets warm, but Stoa Athanaton in the Central Market of Athens is one of the best places to hear authentic rembetika. Also the Platia Iroon Taverna in Psiri has 3 guys who just hang out and jam at night. In the daytime go to Kapni Karea Cafe which is between Metropolis and Ermou Streets on a little alley near the small church of Kapni Karea. Here you will find good music in the afternoon.

One gem of a rembetika club that few people know about is in the neighborhood of Kypseli, right off Fokionos Negri, a pedestrian avenue that starts from Patission Street. The name of the club is Karabani and features Giannis Lempesis and his excellent group. Lempesis is an old style rembetika singer and bouzouki player, having a dozen or so music albums. He used to play with famous old stars like Poli Panou and Ioanna Georgakopoulou. The club is open on Fridays and Saturdays nights with the music beginning around 11pm. It’s easy to find the club if you walk up Fokionos Negri from Patission, just after the old market on the right.

MUSEUMS TO VISIT IN ATHENS

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:44:00 +0000

Every time I have the chance to visit Athens, even for just short business trips, I always find a little time to enjoy some walks around the city which reminds me that this city is loaded with museums. Below I will list some of them that, in my opinion, shouldn’t be missed if you stay in the city for a couple of days.

The Acropolis Museum. The Acropolis Museum is an archaeological museum focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens. The museum was built to house every artifact found on the rock and on its feet, from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece. It also lies on the archaeological site of Makrygianni and the ruins of a part of Roman and early Byzantine Athens.

The Benaki Museum. The museum houses Greek works of art from the prehistorically to the modern times, an extensive collection of Asian art, hosts periodic exhibitions and maintains a state-of-the-art restoration and conservation workshop. Although the museum initially housed a collection that included Islamic art, Chinese porcelain and exhibits on toys, its 2000 re-opening led to the creation of satellite museums that focused on specific collections, allowing the main museum to focus on Greek culture over the span of the country's history.

National Archaeological Museum. The National Archaeological Museum houses some of the most important artifacts from a variety of archaeological locations around Greece from prehistory to late antiquity. It is considered one of the great museums in the world and contains the richest collection of artifacts from Greek antiquity worldwide.

Kerameikos Museum. In the ancient cemetery of Athens at the bottom of Ermou past the Monastiraki market it is a nice, but little museum. The Museum houses valuable collection of steles, sculpture, beautiful vases and terracotta figurines unearthed from the site.

Museum of Popular Musical Instruments. This museum located in Athens’ Plaka district is dedicated to Greek Popular Music. You feel happy the minute you walk in and probably you will dance and sing your way through.

National Gallery. The National Art Gallery and Alexander Soutzos Museum is an art museum devoted to Greek and European art from the 14th century to the 20th century.

MAJOR WORKS OF GAUDI

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 12:38:00 +0000

With an unbeatable location, between the Mediterranean seaboard and the hills of Montjuic, Barcelona has definitely a unique aesthetic identity. Here you can see architecture dating from the 4th century (like Romanesque churches), from the 13th – 15th centuries (a whole Gothic neighborhood replete with Cathedral, plazas, streets and churches) or from late 19th and early 20th century (modernism buildings by Antonio Gaudí and other masters). But the most impressive structures belongs, in my opinion, to Antonio Gaudi, the Spanish Catalan architect who belonged to the Modernist style movement and who was famous for his unique and highly individualistic designs. Below, I will try to remember his major works which remained in my memory for their color, curvy and imaginative structure.

Casa Vicens (1884–1885). Casa Vicens is a family residence in Barcelona, designed by Gaudi and built for industrialist Manuel Vicens. It was his first important work, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí" in 2005.

Palau Guell (1885–1889). The Palau Guell is a town mansion designed by the architect for the Catalan industrial tycoon Eusebi Guell. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was used in Antonioni's film The Passenger as a backdrop for the first meeting between Jack Nicholson and Maria Schneider.

Crypt of the Church of Colonia Guell (1898–1916). The Church of Colonia Guell, Gaudi's unfinished work, was built as a place of worship for the people in a manufactured suburb in Santa Coloma de Cervello, near Barcelona. Colonia Guell was the brainchild of Count Eusebi de Guell. However with Guell losing profits from his business, the money ran out and only the crypt was completed.

Casa Calvet (1899–1904). This building was designed for a textile manufacturer which served as both a commercial property (in the basement and on the ground floor) and a residence.

Casa Batllo (1905–1907). Casa Batllo is a building restored by Antoni Gaudi and Josep Maria Jujol, built in the year 1877 and remodelled in the years 1904–1906. The local name for the building is Casa dels ossos (House of Bones), and indeed it does have a visceral, skeletal organic quality. It was originally designed for a middle-class family and situated in a prosperous district of Barcelona.

Casa Mila (La Pedrera) (1905–1907). Casa Mila, better known as La Pedrera, is a building designed by the Catalan architect which was considered officially completed in 1912. It was built for the married couple, Rosario Segimon and Pere Milà. Rosario Segimon was the wealthy widow of José Guardiola, an Indiano, a term applied locally to the Catalans returning from the American colonies with tremendous wealth.

Park Guell (1900–1914). Park Güell is a garden complex with architectural elements situated on the hill of el Carmel in the Gràcia district of Barcelona. It was designed and built from 1900 to 1914 and it is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí".

Sagrada Familia (1884 - still under construction in 2010). The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia (official Catalan name), often simply called the Sagrada Familia, is a massive, privately-funded Roman Catholic church that has been under construction since 1882 and is not expected to be complete until at least 2026. A portion of the building's interior was scheduled to open for public worship and tours by September 2010. Considered the master-work of Gaudi, the project's vast scale and idiosyncratic design have made it one of Barcelona's (and Spain's) top tourist attractions for many years.

COFFEEHOUSES

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 12:31:00 +0000

Most widely known as coffeehouses or cafés, establishments serving prepared coffee or other hot beverages have existed for over five hundred years. Various legends involving the introduction of coffee to Istanbul at a "Kiva Han" in the late 15th century circulate in culinary tradition, but with no documentation.

Coffeehouses in Mecca soon became a concern as places for political gatherings to the imams who banned them, and the drink, for Muslims between 1512 and 1524. In 1530 the first coffee house was opened in Damascus, and not long after there were many coffee houses in Cairo. In the 17th century, coffee appeared for the first time in Europe outside the Ottoman Empire, and coffeehouses were established and quickly became popular. The first coffeehouses in Western Europe appeared in Venice, a result of the traffic between La Serenissima and the Ottomans; the very first one is recorded in 1645. The first coffeehouse in England was set up in Oxford in 1650 by a Jewish man named Jacob in the building now known as "The Grand Cafe". By 1675, there were more than 3,000 coffeehouses in England.

An Armenian named Pascal established in Paris a coffee stall in 1672 that was ultimately unsuccessful and the city had to wait until 1689 for its first coffeehouse when Procopio Cutò opened the Café Procope. This coffeehouse still exists today and was a major meeting place of the French Enlightenment; Voltaire, Rousseau, and Denis Diderot frequented it, and it is arguably the birthplace of the Encyclopédie, the first modern encyclopedia. America had its first coffeehouse in Boston, in 1676.

The modern espresso machine was born in Milan in 1945 by Achille Gaggia, and from there spread across coffeehouses and restaurants across Italy and the rest of Europe and North America in the early 1950s. An Italian named Pino Riservato opened the first espresso bar, the Moka Bar, in Soho in 1952, and there were 400 such bars in London alone by 1956. Cappucino was particularly popular among English drinkers. Similarly in the United States, the espresso craze spread. North Beach in San Francisco saw the opening of the Caffe Trieste in 1957, which saw Beat Generation poets such as Allan Ginsberg and Bob Kaufman alongside bemused Italian immigrants.

WHISKY VERSUS WHISKEY

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:27:00 +0000

The word "whisky" is believed to have been coined by the soldiers of King Henry II who invaded Ireland in the 12th century as they struggled to pronounce the native Irish words uisce beatha, meaning "water of life". Over time, the pronunciation changed from "whishkeyba" (an approximation of how the Irish term sounds) to "whisky". The name itself is a Gaelic claque of the Latin phrase aqua vitae, meaning "water of life".

At that time, all types of whisky were spelled without the "e" letter. But around 1870, the reputation of Scottish whisky was very poor as Scottish distilleries flooded the market with cheaper spirits produced using the Coffey still. The Irish and American distilleries adopted the spelling "whiskey", with the extra "e", to distinguish their higher quality product. Today, the spelling whisky (plural whiskies) is generally used for whiskies distilled in Scotland, Wales, Canada, and Japan, while whiskey is used for the spirits distilled in Ireland and America. Even though a 1968 directive of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms specifies "whisky" as the official US spelling, it allows labeling as "whiskey" in deference to tradition and most U.S. producers still use the historical spelling.

In the late Victorian era, Irish whiskey was the world's most popular whisky. "Scotch" is the internationally recognized term for "Scotch whisky" however it is rarely used in Scotland, where blended whisky is generally referred to as "whisky". In many Latin-American countries, whisky (wee-skee) is used as a photographer's cue to smile, supplanting English "cheese". The Uruguayan film Whisky got its name because of this reason.

BEAUTIFUL LIGHTHOUSES IN THE CANARY ISLANDS

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 22:13:00 +0000

Used to be helpful in the navigation of the vessels, the lighthouses are an integral part of the sea-life. Located on-shore, they are normally in the form of a cylindrical tower with a light on top. Prior to the invention of the lighthouse, mariners were warned of hazards and guided by fires which had been lit along the shores. There are a lot of lighthouses in the Canary Islands, some of them being very beautiful, and in order to complete your photo albums I will list below the most representatives based on their location and design.

Fuencaliente in La Palma. Built in 1903 this lighthouse has a cylindrical stone tower which is joined to a keeper's house. After being damaged in an earthquake in 1939, the lighthouse was rebuilt and then restored again in 2004 when a lantern was added. The lighthouse is not active, but adjacent was built another concrete cylindrical tower. Located at the southern most point of La Palma this operational lighthouse gives three white flashes every 20 seconds.

San Cristobal in La Gomera. Built in 1903, the original lighthouse is now inactive. However, it is situated at the front of the more recent San Cristobal lighthouse. The old lighthouse is white with a green metallic roof. The new lighthouse was built in 1978 and is operational providing 2 white flashes every 10 seconds. San Cristobal lighthouse can be found on the shore a little north of the resort of San Sebastian de La Gomera.

Punta del Hidalgo in Tenerife. Built in 1991, this lighthouse has the usual architectural design of a white tower in a split pyramid form. Currently active, this lighthouse is located in Punta del Hidalgo which can be found on the northeast coast, just north of Bajamar, and gives 3 white flashes every 16 seconds.

Punta Sardina in Gran Canaria. Built in 1985, Punta Sardina is a traditional style operational lighthouse - cylindrical, painted white with several red horizontal stripes beneath the gallery. Located on the northwest coast of the island of Gran Canaria, to the west of the resort of Galdar, the lighthouse gives 4 white flashes every 20 seconds.

Punta la Entellada in Fuerteventura. Built in 1955, we have chosen this lighthouse due to its unusual appearance, being built of stone with white cement between these stones and resemble a small fortress. Located near to Las Playitas the lighthouse provides 3 white flashes every 18 seconds.

Pechiguera in Lanzarote. Built in 1866, Pechiguera lighthouse ceased operation after 122 years. A new lighthouse was built adjacent to the old one in 1988. Painted white, the cylindrical tower emits every 30 seconds 3 white flashes. You will find both lighthouses at the southwest of the island of Lanzarote.

TEA AFFILIATE PROGRAMS

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:31:00 +0000

After all these discussions about tea, I’m thinking to approach the more practical side of the topic in order to discover some tea affiliate programs which can help every website owner to earn some money while promoting related products.

Founded in 1988, Tea Garden is committed to provide the world’s finest quality Asian teas, herbal products, and more. Tea Garden is a sanctuary for serenity and healing and an online destination for unique and inspired products. All affiliates earn 12% commission on sales, the payments being made monthly by check. The minimum payment amount is $50.

Adagio Teas is a friendly online tea store, with a helpful shopping guide, lots of info, and an ability to customize products. It pays from 10% to 15% commission on sales, on a monthly basis by check after the affiliates have reached the minimum amount of $25.

Teatulia online store is named after the region in Northern Bangladesh where the tea is grown. Teatulia organic teas reflect the pristine and delicate environment from which they hail. Into this perfect tea-growing land, strong and vibrant saplings were planted with care, tea plants which have been encouraged and nurtured by Mother Nature's own hand. The result: exquisite, organic teas unlike any you've experienced before. Affiliates earn up to 15% commission on every sale.

Tea District allows customers to shop beyond the coffee and tea shop and retail stores, offering an assortment of teas and accessories to go with them. It continues to grow and add additional blends of tea daily. Tea District offers specialty teas, bulk organic tea, caffeine free herbal, free herbal tea, bulk caffeine, bulk black, white, or red tea. Affiliates earn 10% commission on sales, the payment frequency being monthly.

Golden Moon Tea produces the highest quality loose leaf tea, blended teas and flavored teas. In business since 1993, Golden Moon Tea offers a full complement of white, green, oolong, or black teas as well as unique blends and flavored teas. This affiliate program offers 20% commissions recurring for the life of the account and supports all affiliates with strong marketing tools. Real time reporting and monthly payments are an integral part of the program.

ENJOY THE UNIQUE TASTE OF SCOTTISH TEA

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 20:51:00 +0000

Even though you are probably not aware of the important role Scotland played in making tea a global drink, you definitely know that Scottish Teas are increasing in popularity with tea drinkers, lately. In the early 1600s, tea was introduced to Scotland. Scots were instrumental in founding and developing tea estates in India and Sri Lanka.

Still, many tea drinkers think of England when having a cup of tea. English Breakfast, the world's most popular tea, was actually created in Scotland. A Scottish tea master invented the blend in Edinburgh and then, sampling the tea in Scotland, Queen Victoria brought it to England. Eventually, it was referred to as breakfast tea.

One of the most recognizable brands of tea, Lipton, started in Scotland. Thomas Lipton opened his first grocery shop in Glasgow, in 1871. Lipton entered the tea business after growing his grocery business to over 300 stores, and it was among the first to create a brand of tea, sold to consumers at low prices, that would be consistent everywhere it was available.

Today, two different types of Scottish Tea are widely available: the Scottish Breakfast and the tea blended specifically for Scotland's soft water. The first one is made by tea companies around the world, being a full-bodied black tea with a malt flavor best served with sugar and milk. As already mentioned, the second type of Scottish tea is specifically blended for Scotland's soft water. Introduced in 1990, Scottish Blend is among Scotland's favorite brands of tea and was the first tea specially blended for Scotland.

TEA CULTURE

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 21:02:00 +0000

In many cultures, tea is often served at high class social events, such as afternoon tea and the tea party. It may be consumed early in the day to heighten alertness since it contains theophylline and bound caffeine, although there are also decaffeinated teas. In many cultures such as Arab culture tea is the focusing point for social gatherings. Moreover, in the Persian culture, the history of tea in Iran is another to explore. According to various sources, in early ages, the first thing you were offered when a guest at an Iranian household was tea.

There are tea ceremonies which have arisen in different cultures, Japan's complex, formal and serene one being one of the most well known. Other examples are the Chinese tea ceremony which uses some traditional ways of brewing tea. One form of Chinese tea ceremony is the Gongfu tea ceremony, which typically uses small Yixing clay teapots and oolong tea.

The American poet Wallace Stevens, a tea-fancier, is credited by Eleanor Cook with a "delicately implicit trope of drinking tea as a metaphor for reading (ingesting a drink from leaves)."

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GREEN TEA

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 20:54:00 +0000

For millions of years, Mother Nature has produced some wonderful miracles in form of herbs for the benefit and survival of people. These natural herbs and medicines have been beneficial to us in one way or another. Out of such countless miracles, one of the most beneficial with having no side effects whatsoever has been proven to be also the green tea. For more than 4,000 years, ancient Chinese have been consuming this magic potion, both as a beverage and as traditional medicine.

Nowadays, many varieties of green tea are available in the market with differences due to variable growing conditions, processing and harvesting time. Being a powerful antioxidant, the benefits of drinking green tea are proven to be innumerable ranging from lowering high blood pressure to regulating blood sugar, thus helping in controlling heart problems and weight loss.

One of the major benefits of drinking green tea is its potential to protect against cancer. So it not only kills the already present cancer cells in the body but also prevents the formation of new harmful cells. People consuming this magic elixir in heavy quantities also benefit by increasing the levels of good cholesterol, while reducing the bad one, in their bodies. This also reduces the risk of liver diseases as suggested by results of the same studies.

Not only that, green tea is very efficient in and eliminating type 1 diabetes, fights against extreme liver diseases such as viral hepatitis and reduces the chances of heart strokes and heart attacks. Traditional Chinese medical practitioners have been using its amazing powers for thousands of years, using it to prevent and treat all sorts of ailments. This disease fighting ability is largely due to powerful antioxidants contained in this amazing brew.

There are a lot of other benefits of drinking green tea. It is used to fight skin related problems, such as acne, it reduces stress and chances of dehydration by maintaining fluid balance in the body, retards the aging process, and in some recipes it can even be used for cooking rather than drinking.

TRAVEL DESTINATIONS FOR ROMANTIC GETAWAYS

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:31:00 +0000

Even if you choose a weekend in a peaceful country retreat, an elegant hotel in the centre of a buzzing European city or simply a hammock for two alongside sparkling seas, a romantic getaway is a very personal choice. With luxury hotels in a variety of locations and world renowned trains and cruises passing through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, you will find below some locations to choose from when looking for that perfect setting for a romantic vacation.

Tahiti. Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. The island has a population of 178,133 which makes it the most populated island of French Polynesia, accounting around 70% of the total population. The capital, Papeete, is located on the northwest coast.

Maldives. The Maldive Islands are an island country in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls stretching in a north-south direction off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and Chagos Archipelago. It stands in the Laccadive Sea, about seven hundred kilometers south-west of Sri Lanka. The atolls of Maldives encompass a territory spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometers, making it one of the most disparate countries in the world. It features 1,192 islets, of which two hundred are inhabited. The Republic of Maldives capital and largest city is Malé, located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll, in the Kaafu Atoll and traditionally it was the King's Island, from where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties ruled and where the palace was located. The Maldives is the smallest Asian country in both population and area.

Mauritius. It is an island nation off the coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about 900 kilometres east of Madagascar. In addition to the island of Mauritius, the Republic includes the islands of Cargados Carajos, Rodrigues and the Agalega Islands. Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands, with the French island of Réunion and the island of Rodrigues. The island of Mauritius is renowned for having been the only known home of the dodo. First sighted by Europeans around 1600 on Mauritius, the dodo became extinct less than eighty years later.

Antigua. Antigua is an island in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region, the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua means "ancient" in Spanish and was named by Christopher Columbus after a church in Spain. It is also known as Wadadli, from the original Amerindian inhabitants, and means approximately "our own". It is the largest of the Leeward Islands, and the most developed and prosperous due to its upscale tourism industry, offshore banking, internet gambling services and education services. English Harbour on the southeastern coast is famed for its protected shelter during violent storms. It is the site of a restored British colonial naval station called "Nelson's Dockyard" after Captain Horatio Nelson. Today, English Harbour and the neighboring village of Falmouth are internationally famous as yachting and sailing destinations.

Fiji. Fiji, officially the Republic of the Fiji Islands, is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean east of Vanuatu, west of Tonga and south of Tuvalu. The country comprises an archipelago of about 322 islands and 522 islets. The two major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, account for 87% of the population.

Belize. It is a country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, composed of many cultures and speaking many languages. Although Creole and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official language. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the south and west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Belize is culturally unique among Central American nations. It is the only nation in Central America with a British colonial heritage, and is the only constituent nation of the Commonwealth of Nations in its region. Culturally, Belize considers itself to be Central American but keeps ties to the Caribbean Islands.

Saint John. Saint John is an island in the Caribbean Sea and a constituent district of the United States Virgin Islands, an unincorporated territory of the United States. St. John is an exclusive travel and honeymoon destination with several resorts and one of the top ten beaches in the world. It is also considered to be the wealthiest and most expensive of the U.S. Virgin Islands, attracting a high level of affluent tourists. The island's high level of affluence has earned it the distinction of being the "Beverly Hills of the Caribbean". St. John is located about 4 miles east of Saint Thomas, the location of the territory's capital, Charlotte Amalie, and 4 miles south and west of Tortola, part of the British Virgin Islands. Because there are no airports on St. John, the only access to the island is by boat.

SPA AFFILIATE PROGRAMS

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 20:21:00 +0000

If you are an internet marketer, small business owner, or entrepreneur who want to make more money off your website traffic, email list, or social networking contacts, you can promote high-quality, reputable spa products and programs that will benefit your list, as well as, make you extra revenue each month. To this end, below are listed five affiliate programs which will help you earning some money while running a spa related blog or website.

MySpaShop.com is the web’s first virtual spa offering everything you need to lead the spa lifestyle. It brings together experts, treatments and shopping for the newest spa products and lets the spa community share personal stories. Home spa products, fitness products, skin care products, bath and body products, perfumes, or jewelries, are just some of the products you can promote on your blog or website. Over 200 distinctive brands and 2,000 products can bring you the desired revenue.

TimeToSpa offers everything you need to look and feel your best each and every day. This virtual spa center and lifestyle guide, offers a wide variety of products and tips in order to help the customers de-stress, detoxify and become better balanced. Professionally recommended European brands like Elemis, La Thérapie, Ionithermie and Steiner can be found on the site, the same products used in elite spas and on luxury cruise ships worldwide. Affiliates can earn up to 10% commission on each sale.

SpaFinder.com is a web directory dedicated to the global spa marketplace. When you refer someone to this site, you help them to find spa gifts, and you assist them in finding an abundance of information on where to redeem gift certificates and what spa treatments to choose from. With over 5,000+ spas worldwide, this network is the largest and most diverse in the world, so your customers will find the perfect spa experience. In conclusion, your visitors will get great value while you earn up to 14% commission on every sale.

Nu Body Spa carries a full assortment of natural bath and body products on their website. By joining this affiliate program, you will increase the value of your website and earn generous commissions (10% commission on every order generated through your website).

Obey Your Body is one of the largest retailers of Dead Sea products in the USA. It brings a complete line of skin care and spa products directly from the source. All of the products are 100% made in Israel using original minerals, water, and mud. Enriched with proven formulas, the miraculous benefits of the Dead Sea are brought right to your customers’ home. The payments are made each month when the account reaches a minimum of $99 by check or money orders.

THE ORIGINS OF SPAS

noreply@blogger.com (theCORNER) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 19:21:00 +0000

The spa term is derived from the name of a Belgium town, known back to Roman times, when this location was called Aquae Spadanae, perhaps related to the Latin word "spargere" meaning to scatter, sprinkle or moisten.

Since medieval times, illnesses caused by iron deficiency were treated by drinking chalybeate (iron-bearing) spring water (in 1326, the ironmaster Collin le Loup claimed a cure, when the spring was called Espa, a Walloon word for "fountain").

In 16th century England, the old Roman ideas of medicinal bathing were revived at towns like Bath, and in 1571 William Slingsby who had been to the Belgian town (which he called Spaw) discovered a chalybeate spring in Yorkshire. He built an enclosed well at what became known as Harrogate, the first resort in England for drinking medicinal waters, then in 1596 Dr Timothy Bright called the resort The English Spaw, beginning the use of the word Spa as a generic description rather than as the place name of the Belgian town. At first this term referred specifically to resorts for water drinking rather than bathing, but this distinction was gradually lost and many spas offer external remedies.

It is commonly claimed, in a commercial context, that the word is an acronym of various Latin phrases such as "Salus Per Aquam” or "Sanitas Per Aquam" meaning "health through water". This is very unlikely: the derivation doesn't appear before the early 21st century and is probably a "backronym" as there is no evidence of acronyms passing into the language before the 20th century; nor does it match the known Roman name for the location.