Travel Page

-Travel Peru- Capital of the Incas: Cusco

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:12:00 +0000

CUSCO -- Peru is the third largest country in South America after Brazil and Argentina with a total area of 1,285,216 square kilometers.

It is the 20th largest country in the world in terms of area. Peru is bordered by Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador. Western Peru is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, and the total length of its beaches is about 2,500 kilometers. The Andes Mountains are located towards the center of the country running from north to south. The highest peak is almost 7,000 meters. Due to its close proximity to the equator, Peru is subject to quite direct rays of the sun. You can suffer sunburn if you do not take precautions.

Argentinean José de San Martin proclaimed Peru’s independence in 1821. Peruvians do not much care about arms because they believe that the United Nations will protect them in the event of war. Peruvian people love to have fun and dance more than anything.

Although Lima is the current capital of Peru, the capital of the Inca Empire was Cusco. Cusco means ‘center of the world’ in Quechua. It is one-hour flight from Lima. Those who travel from Lima, which is at sea level, to Cusco, which is 3,450 meters above sea level, may suffer from altitude sickness

Since the country was dominated by Spaniards for 300 years, the official language is Spanish. Spanish is used in official paperwork. Moreover, along with Colombia, Peru is known as a country where the best Spanish is spoken. The local Quechua language is still alive among the people. The language is written in the Latin alphabet because Quechua had no written alphabet.

In Quechua, Peru means the “land of abundance.” Among its population of 29 million people, 45 percent are Amerindians, the indigenous people of Peru; 37 percent are mestizo, people of mixed European and Amerindian ancestry; and 15 percent are Europeans. There is also a significant minority from Africa, Japan and China, comprising 3 percent of the population. Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori is of Japanese descent. Most of the population follows Christianity. The number of Muslim believers is small. Out of the 29 million people in this country, only 600 are Muslims.

City center, Cuso

Although Lima is the current capital of Peru, the capital of the Inca Empire was Cusco. Cusco means “center of the world” in Quechua. It is one-hour flight from Lima. Those who travel from Lima, which is at sea level, to Cusco, which is 3,450 meters above sea level, may suffer from altitude sickness. The body may have difficulty in adapting to such a change in an hour. Therefore, visitors of Cusco are advised to spend some time resting once they arrive in the city.

The population of the Cusco region is about 5 million. The largest square in the city is called Wakaypata in Quechua, meaning the “crying sector.” Almost everywhere in the city is filled with tourists. Tourists get tired soon due to the city’s altitude as the breathing rate increases and the heart beats faster. This is normal for local people.

The historical features of the city have been preserved as much as possible. Traces of colonial times can still be felt in the architecture and the arrangement of the streets.

Stones, used in the construction of palaces and city walls in particular, clearly show how architecture developed in Incan times. Large, smooth stones, carefully slotted together, made quite strong structures. There are even stones with 12 corners. In a period when cement did not exist, buildings were made strong in this way.

Machu Picchu, Cusco

Some people earn a living taking photographs of people in Cusco’s square. Local people wearing traditional clothes come to the square with their dogs and goats and earn money by posing with tourists for photos. Those portraying Incan kings with their weapons and crowns attract more attention from tourists, who experience the thrill of taking a photo with an Incan king.

Cusco: A lively city

You can encounter many different activities and events as you stroll around the city. Festivals are a common sight: The streets of Cusco play host to festivals, which are held by different towns, almost all the time. Peruvians from different towns and cities keep their traditions alive with their traditional clothes and dances during these festivals. Both tourists and Peruvians are excited to witness these different cultures. Although it is known that there are many types of corn, purple corn is not well known. Purple corn is an agricultural product that can be found only in Cusco. Peruvians call it “mai morado.”

There are no legal obstacles to selling coca leaves, which is the raw material for cocaine, in Cusco. Thus, you can frequently find coca leaves in the markets of Cusco. Local people make tea out of these leaves or they chew them. Unfortunately, forests surrounding the city are destroyed to raise coca plants. Peru is the second largest cocaine producer in the world.

There are a lot of butcher’s shops where meat is sold outside. Slaughtered chickens are sold with their feet still attached. It is possible to see dozens of people waiting in the marketplace with their cell phones in their hands. These people make money by letting people who urgently need to use a telephone use their phones. People in need use their phones and pay them. This is one way to earn money here.

[QUICK FACTS]

Capital: Lima
Official language: Spanish and Quechua
Government: Constitutional republic
President: Alan Garcia Perez
Area: 1,285,216 square kilometers
Population: 29,546,963*
Gross domestic product (PPP): $253 billion**
Main religions: Roman Catholic (81.3 percent), Evangelical (12.5 percent)

*July 2009 estimate
**2009 estimate

The most popular food is here is ceviche. In this quintessential dish of Peru, they use raw sliced fish marinated in lemon and lime. Sweet potatoes are also an essential part of Peruvian cuisine. Mai morado is the most popular beverage, which is made out of the juice of the purple corn. Sugar is added to the purple corn juice and left to sit for one day before being served. It is also served with pineapple or apple.

As the female population is greater than the male population, it is normal to see females in every business here. For example, traffic officers are mostly women.

Peru has many natural beauties. It also has a wealth in underground resources, including bronze, silver, gold, oil, natural gas and coal. Agriculture, fishing and logging have an important place in the country’s economy.

There is a Turkish Cultural Center in Lima, but there are only 20 Turks living in the country. The center holds events to bring Turkish people together with Peruvians. They gather at the center, eating desserts and chatting. There are even Peruvians who are trying to learn Turkish. As a result of the efforts of the Catarata Education Company, Turkish is taught as a foreign language at a state school in Peru.

Celebrations in Cusco

06.05.2010 Travel Page

France and its world famous capital 'Paris'

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:07:00 +0000

PARIS

France is one of the largest countries in Europe. It has a population of about 64 million, and its capital, Paris, is a three-hour, 40 minute plane ride from İstanbul..

One of the world’s five largest economies, France is not made up of European soil alone. Because of its colonial past, it still has territories in various regions of the world, including French Guiana, located in South America, Guadeloupe and Martinique, both located in the Caribbean Sea, and Réunion, located close to Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.

France is a Catholic country. Eighty-eight percent of the country is made up of Catholics, and the nation has, in the past, spread Catholicism. In schools they opened in various nations years ago, they taught their language, religion and culture to other peoples. Today, French is spoken in 49 countries by 160 million people; there are 15 Francophone countries in Africa alone. France is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

There are about 500,000 Turks in France, although some sources say this number may be as high as 600,000.

France is a country that has done very well promoting itself internationally. It has done an excellent job utilizing its tourism wealth. France hosts approximately 80 million tourists annually.

Home to 13 million

Paris is set on flat land and is home to 13 million people. It is one of the world’s most famous capitals. The streets of Paris are filled with tourists all year round, so much so that it becomes hard for one to run into the French on touristy streets. Paris alone hosts 30 million tourists each year.

The Eiffel Tower, which is a massive structure 324 meters high and weighing approximately 10,100 tons, was built between 1887 and 1889 by architect Gustave Eiffel. It has three levels for visitors. One can climb the first two levels; however, one must take an elevator to reach the third level. The highest level is 276 meters high, and the view of Paris from the top of the tower is quite exquisite. The long line of people waiting to visit the tower is truly a sight. On an average day, it takes about one to one-and-a-half hours to get into the tower for a fee of 13 euros. This fee changes according to the level you visit. Roughly 7 million people visit the tower each year, and the lines remain even in winter. Once up the tower, one can see the River Seine complete with tour boats full of people.

The architect who built the tower never thought the tower would have such a magnetic effect. The tower, which was initially seen as a pile of metal and said to ruin the esthetic of the city, is France’s most popular venue today and accommodates about 1,000 tourists at a time on all three levels.

The Arc de Triomphe is a monument left by French military and political leader Napoleon Bonaparte. The massive monument, which is 50 meters high, is located at the intersection of 12 streets. The Axe historique, where the arc is located, is home to the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. It costs nine euros to climb the Arc de Triomphe.

The Champs-Élysées is Paris’ most famous street. There are shopping districts, cafés and restaurants as well as nightclubs. This street, which is two kilometers long, never sleeps. It begins at the Arc de Triomphe and ends at the Place de la Concorde. Designer shops can be found on this street, and items are priced at fees that are sure to raise your eyebrows.

Place de la Concorde

The Place de la Concorde is one of Europe’s largest squares. The square, which is quiet nowadays, was once an area that witnessed very important events. Following the French Revolution, 119 people were beheaded in this square, including French King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.

There is an obelisk in the Place de la Concorde that is similar to the one found in Sultanahmet Square. It was brought from the tomb of Ramses II in Egypt. The obelisk has been there since the 19th century.

A garden called the Jardin du Luxembourg is located in the heart of Paris. It is a tranquil getaway for Parisians.

Notre Dame de Paris cathedral sits on the banks of the River Seine. This church has hosted the coronation ceremonies for many kings and queens as well as Napoleon.

The Sacré-Cœur Basilica is a church that is located atop the summit of Montmartre. This hill is another wonderful location where one can get a great view of the city.

Paris, which has no connection to the sea, cherishes the River Seine. The Seine was so appreciated by Napoleon that he asked for his ashes to be sprinkled over it after his death. However, Napoleon’s request was not honored. Today the Seine is quite popular for boat tours. One-hour tours on the river, which divides the city into two, that cruise under the numerous bridges are another tourist must.

The Palace of Versailles is one of the largest palaces in Europe and another tourist magnet. The palace was built in 1168 by King Louis XIV and could host up to 20,000 people at once. However, this massive palace doesn’t have a single washroom, which tells us that there was no concept of indoor bathrooms in 17th-century France.

The Palace of Versailles, which was transformed from a small hunting mansion into a massive palace, is 25 kilometers from Paris. This large and glorious building is a sizeable structure. Its spacious garden contains bodies of water that would have allowed the king to take boat tours. Because the garden continues to receive a deluge of visitors, its maintenance is quite impressive. Visitors rent golf carts for the garden as it may prove to be too large to travel on foot for many.

This palace is the very location where Marie Antoinette uttered the famous sentence, “Let them eat cake,” in response to the population that was suffering from hunger and unable to find bread to eat.

Disneyland Paris, located 27 kilometers outside the capital, is another popular spot, particularly for children. It receives 13 million visitors a year.

Paris does an incredible job hosting its visitors. It’s possible to see traces of history in every corner of the city.

Jardin du Luxembourg

The Palace of Versailles

The Sacre-Cœur Basilica

The Champs-Elysees

Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral

[QUICK FACTS]

Capital: Paris

Official language: French

Government: republic

President: Nicolas Sarkozy

Area: 643,427 square kilometers

Population: 64,057,792*

Gross domestic product (PPP): $2.11 trillion**

Main religions: Roman Catholic (83-88 percent), Protestant (2 percent), Muslim (5-10 percent), Jewish (1 percent).

*July 2009 estimate **2009 estimate

20.05.2010 Travel Page

Japan, its old capital Kyoto and the Aoi Festival

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:48:00 +0000

The Yasukuni Shinto shrine in Tokyo

KYOTO -- Located on an area of land half the size of Turkey, Japan's population is twice that of Turkey. It is the second-biggest nation in the world in economic terms; this country, whose people are known for their diligence and eagerness to work, consists of an archipelago of more than 6,800 islands.

It achieved striking development in late 19th and early 20th centuries and has become a world leader in technology.

Japan is one of the most expensive countries in the world. It is also a crowded one; this country is most probably uses its land more efficiently than most countries in the world. It has a high population density: 337 people per square kilometer.

Before visiting Japan, one expects to see the traditional Japanese houses, streets and temples which we are familiar with from the movies. However, in reality there are few traces of this history in the daily life of the Japanese because Japan is now a technology giant, but there are places where you can experience something of this history and tradition; special attractions have been created for tourists and locals curious about the historical Japanese lifestyle. One of these is the Edo Wonderland Nikkon Edomura theme park which recreates the Japan of the Edo dynasty. In this recreation of a traditional village you may find what you are looking for: Japan, the country of ninjas and samurais. A really enjoyable tour including various attractions -- such as seeing traditional hairstyles, traditional places for making wishes, tarot reading and classical Japanese theater -- awaits you at this place. I watched curiously when my friends had their palms read. Thank God, the fortune tellers said only good things about my friends' futures so they kept their happiness alive. With their covered heads, the fortune tellers may seem similar to Muslim women at first sight; however, they are actually Buddhists. These women cover their heads because of their faith.

Priests at a Meiji shrine in Tokyo

We kept walking around Edomura and, like everybody else, we wanted to see the ninjas and eventually we got the chance to watch their live shows. The shows were very interesting. We left the warriors after their demonstrations. It is possible to witness such exciting shows in Edomura. This is a great place for those who want to see what old Japan looked like and how life was during the Edo dynasty.

Kyoto became the capital of Japan after Nara; it is a historical city full of temples and palaces. In May, festivals are held almost daily in Japan. Our visit to Kyoto coincided with the Aoi festival. You feel like you are living in ancient Japan during this event. You take a journey into ancient Japan, leaving modern Japan behind. The Aoi festival starts at the Kyoto Imperial Palace and ends at the most famous shrine in the city. This is a tradition that has been kept alive for 1,000 years. This festival is not only for adults, children also participate in the festivities; this festival is fun for them as well.

Maikos dance at festival for Kyoto's traditional culture

We then left the old capital to visit the new one: Tokyo. The Shinto faith is dominant in Japan, so we visited a Shinto shrine in Tokyo. Unlike the Buddhist temples, there are no gods represented by sculpture in these shrines. These are simpler buildings where you can give offerings of food and drink to the gods.

Shinto is the major religion of the Japanese people, combined with Buddhism. “Shin” means gods whereas “To” refers to path; combined, “Shinto” means “the path to the gods.” There are thousands of Shinto shrines in Japan.

We wear white garments around our necks to symbolize our cleanliness before the gods when we visit the shrine. Shinto shrines are fairly simple; a mirror placed at the heart of the shrine is seen as a tool to reach the gods. Priest Okano Kamisama, who served as a guide during our visit, says the gods have no form or shape. They call the forefront of the shrine the “Honden” and the rear the “Haiden.” There is a 15-centimeter long mirror inside the shrine. The priest cleanses himself before starting a prayer. He then commences with the prayer, a ritual that we have never seen before in our lives.

The Kiyomizudera (The Clear Water Temple) in Kyoto

This ritual requires an offering of salt, water and rice to the gods at 7 a.m. every morning. The same ritual is repeated on important days, but the amount offered to the gods is larger on these days. There is no sacred book in this religion. The major teaching of Shintoism is to lead pure and clean life. Conscience also has a special place; this is represented by the mirror analogy. The mirror is supposed to reflect whether you have done the right thing whenever you take a look at it. Respect is also a core value in Japanese society. Respect is essential and a must. Everything is considered for the benefit and the good of the people; in their prayers, they ask the gods not to let them go astray. The total number of Shinto temples in Japan is nearly 90,000. After the ritual, Priest Okano invites us to his home; he offers us a traditional meal and dessert. Tea is served with dessert.

An archer at the Yabusame Shinto ritual

We later visit the Shinjuku Turkish Cultural Center founded by Turkish entrepreneurs in Shinjuku, an important area of Tokyo. The Japanese people here have great interest in learning how to speak Turkish. We are pleased to discover that they are interested in playing our traditional instruments and speaking our language. It becomes evident how active this cultural center is once you set foot in it as Japanese people are able to sing classical Turkish folk songs, play classical Turkish instruments and the people taking the Turkish courses are able to speak the Turkish language quite fluently. It is obvious that this cultural center is performing well. Students are very pleased with their studies and training. They registered with this center to learn Turkish and they are eager to learn.

Turkey is promoted well by the Shinjuku Turkish Cultural Center, therefore, the Japanese people who visit once often bring their friends on their second visit. Turkish tea is popular at the center. We wonder about the secret of the center's success. I was really surprised to see the eagerness of the Japanese people to learn Turkish. How was this done? Most probably, sincerity and faith were the keys to such a great achievement.

[QUICK FACTS]

Capital: Tokyo

Official language: Japanese

Government: a parliamentary government with a constitutional monarchy

Emperor: Akihito

Prime Minister: Taro Aso

Area: 377,915 square kilometers

Population: 127,078,679*

Gross domestic product (PPP): $4.348 trillion**

Main religions: Buddhism and Shinto (84-96 percent)

China’s Shanghai: A modern city in the East

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:45:00 +0000

Nanjing Road in Shanghai

SHANGHAI--We first land in Beijing, the capital of China, before flying to Shanghai aboard a two-hour flight from the capital. As soon as we set foot in this city, we immediately realize that we are in a world city.

This city is a clear indicator of China's development. Giant skyscrapers are ordinary in Shanghai. In a district that is so large it could engulf several Manhattans, giant buildings have been built and are still being constructed. Trade and commerce have resulted in incredible wealth for this city. As you wander the streets of Shanghai, you frequently come across luxury houses and cars. There are giant housing complexes, each of which is more populated than some cities around the world. For instance, one building complex comprises some 250 buildings, each of them with some 30 floors. They say that about 40,000 people live in this complex. There are even larger complexes housing about 100,000 people each. Given their immense population, the Chinese naturally have to tinker with the idea of building complexes of buildings.

A small fishing town just 150 years ago, Shanghai today is among the world's biggest and most important cities. Shanghai does not have much background in Chinese history, as the city flourished after the arrival of Europeans. Since then, European have never left this major city. The impact of Europeans is clearly visible in the buildings scattered around the city. There are about 500,000 foreigners living in the city.

Shanghai is the heart of the Chinese economy. It is a rapidly growing and developing city. With a population of 18 million, Shanghai is called the "Manhattan of China." The Shanghai skyline is littered with giant skyscrapers. As the city has seen considerable development during recent years, Shanghai is very different from what it was even 10 years ago.

A pagoda in Suzhou

Chang Jiang, meaning “long river,” flows through the middle of Shanghai. Westerners call it the Yangtze river; it is the third-longest river in the world.

The city has misty and foggy air; this does not change year round. The city's inhabitants enjoy sunny days only for a week or so each year.

In the city center, the Jin Mao Tower, a 421-meter tall, 88-story skyscraper, is now accompanied by the 101-story Shanghai World Financial Center, which reaches 492 meters into the air. Shanghai is brimming with such grandiose skyscrapers. In order to allow for the smooth flow of traffic, giant, multi-layered junctions have been built, and there are overhead highways where cars travel at a height of a seven or eight-story building. These highways lead to the main centers around the city. Seeing them, one might think such projects could be readily implemented in İstanbul.

Nanjing Road is the most famous and busiest street in the city. There is where tourists flock for shopping and entertainment. The street is busy at every hour of the day, getting progressively more crowded in the daytime and reaching a peak in the evening. World-famous brands have opened shops along the street.

The Yangtze River

One sees a flood of human beings flowing through Nanjing Road. Since it is closed to vehicle traffic, people can freely wander to and fro in this junction where Chinese and Western cultures meet. It can be likened to İstiklal Caddesi in İstanbul. Nanjing Road is not only crowded; it is also the most expensive place in the city. The leasing prices for shops are astronomical. Small battery-operated cars serve the same function as the historic tram on İstiklal Caddesi. At night, Nanjing Road becomes luminous and colorful and vivid. It is one of the most-illuminated streets in the world.

Shanghai is a city on a plain, at a low elevation. There are large parks in the city. The city planners placed great importance on vegetation. Although it is located in the far eastern reaches of China, it is extremely Western oriented. Western lifestyles are dominant in the city. There is a Shanghai school in response to the Beijing school, the former being more progressive and open than the latter. Having mingled with Westerners for many years in the past, the city has always represented the progressive school in literature, philosophy and commerce. The traffic signs are bilingual, Chinese phrases being followed by their English counterparts.

Chinese citizens need to obtain permits in order to live in this city. Working in Shanghai is also regulated, as the people who aspire to work in this city are required to obtain a permit for this. Obtaining this permit is a difficult process. This is intended to curb migration from rural areas to cities.

There is a matriarchal structure in China. In Shanghai, it is ordinary for men to cook meals, wash the dishes and do the cleaning. Women are the heads of the household. It is said that this is the case for a large percentage of households in Shanghai. Shanghai women are depicted as practical bosses.

Silk production

We go from Shanghai to Suzhou, a one-hour highway trip. Suzhou is called the "Venice of the East." It is famous for its canals as well as for its gardens and pagodas. The historic Auspicious Light Pagoda, a Buddhist temple, is a popular destination for tourists. Built in 1004 B.C., the pagoda is 53 meters tall. It is a mostly wooden structure. The pagoda was built to reach up to the gods. We climb to the highest point in the pagoda and gaze over the surroundings of the temple.

Then, we pay a visit to the Humble Administrator's Garden, a 500-year-old garden built during the Ming dynasty. It is one of the four most-famous gardens in China. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The garden, spanning an area of 5.2 hectares, was built over the course of four years. Local and foreign visitors show great interest in the garden. As guides speak about the garden, tourists carefully listen to them.

We start to tour the streets of Suzhou. Souvenir shops line the streets lying parallel to canals. The owners of these shops both produce and sell a variety of souvenirs.

As we travel toward Hangzhou, we remember a famous Chinese saying. In order to depict the beauty of Suzhou and Hangzhou, the Chinese say: "Paradise above. Suzhou and Hangzhou below." Hangzhou has a lake called Xi Hu, or West Lake. The landscape around the coast of the lake is beautiful.

Silk is one of the symbols of China. China has sold silk to the world for centuries. We visit a silk factory and touch silkworm cocoons. For many years, China maintained strict control over knowledge about silk production. It is said that when several silkworms hidden inside the hair of a Chinese princess were taken out of China, the rest of the world learned how to produce silk. We watch how cocoons are processed in the plant. With awe, we observe how silk is transformed into thread. Silk threads are carefully peeled away from cocoons and wrapped around reels.

Cocoons may be spun separately or side by side. Single cocoons generally produce higher-quality silk, which is used for apparel. Double cocoons produce lower quality silk which is used for rugs, carpets or covers.

A small test is held for tourists in order to show whether two scarves are made of real silk. Only one of the scarves is made of real silk. Scarves are burned. Only the scarf made of real silk emits neither black smoke nor a bad odor. This is not the case for the fake scarf. This test clearly shows which one is authentic.

The importance of silk around the world has always given China an upper hand in trade. For this reason, silk is an important commodity for China. When silkworms were smuggled out of the country, other countries started to produce silk, which dealt a large blow to the Chinese economy. Even local Chinese buy imported silk, thinking that imported commodities are of higher quality. Even today, this is a common perception among the Chinese. Although China is a textile giant, its people still prefer to buy imported apparel.

We tour a silk showroom in Hangzhou. Colorful clothes made of silk are displayed for prospective buyers. One thing to note is that bargaining is important in China. Whatever price is offered to you, you should bargain with the seller because the Chinese like to bargain.

[QUICK FACTS]

Capital: Beijing

Language: Standard Chinese or Mandarin, Yue (Cantonese)

Government: Communist state

President: Hu Jintao

Premier: Wen Jiabao

Area: 9,640,821 square kilometers

Population: 1,330 ,044,544*

GDP (PPP): $7.8 trillion**

Religions: Daoism, Buddhism, Christianity (3-4 percent), Islam (1-2 percent)

FINLAND: Land of forests and lakes Travel Guide

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 19:19:00 +0000

The nation lies between Sweden and Russia and is a neighbor of Norway. It is a clean and quiet nation.

Finland, which longs for the few sunny days it gets, has only a very brief summer. The winter days here seem as though they will never end. Conversely, during the summer months in Finland it sometimes seems like the sun never sets. This country is famous for the reindeer and sleigh-pulling huskies that live in its northern regions. With its beautiful blue lakes and rivers, Finland's forests, which cover a good 75 percent of its land, are a gorgeous shade of green. In fact, with 23 million hectares of forest, Finland has the most forestland in all of Europe.

The industrialization of Finland began during the 19th century with the processing of its forest products. In fact, forests are still the most important source of raw materials for Finland.

The resolute efforts and hard work of the Finnish people in past years mean that they now inhabit a nation which, despite having been at one point a country of swamps, is now one of the most developed nations on earth. Finland produces internationally recognized brands of electronics and metal goods and is also famous for its engineering capabilities. Its goods sell well in world markets. Finland is a leader not only in production, but in trade as well. One of the greatest factors in this nation's growth during the 1990s was the spread of cell phones and other telecommunications technology. Today, this nation is both modern and developed.

Finland joined the European Union in 1995 and converted its currency to euros in 2002. The country has a population of 5,250,000. Newspapers sell an average of 3 million copies per day. A majority of these sales are to regular subscribers.

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a port city founded in 1550. It is the northernmost EU capital, and it hosted the Olympics in 1952. Helsinki is an orderly city with large parks. One of the most famous city squares here is Senate Square. This square is home to Helsinki Cathedral, a large white church with green domes, as well as a statue of Russian Czar Alexander II. The Russians ruled Finland between 1809 and 1917, and before them, the Swedes controlled these lands for many years. In fact, you can see evidence of the years of Swedish rule in the language and culture of Finland today. The official languages of Finland are both Finnish and Swedish, and in fact, both are taught in school. Of course, the Swedish spoken in Finland is a bit different from the Swedish spoken in Sweden. Around 6 percent of all Finnish citizens speak Swedish as a native language. Street and boulevard names are in both Finnish and Swedish here, as are street signs and placards.

The population of Helsinki is around 600,000. Actually, Finland, with its relatively small population, is doing what it can to encourage an increase in birth rates. Financial assistance is offered to families when they have a child, and in fact, these family payments are one of the largest expenditures of the Finnish government's budget. It doesn't matter how rich or poor a Finnish family may be; they will receive a special package from the government for each child they have. These packages include things like blankets, diapers, children's clothing and even toys.

Every morning people living in Helsinki head for the large parks that dot this capital city. The city has dog parks where you can take your dog and let him run free with other dogs all day long if you wish. In fact, there are 15 dog parks in Helsinki alone. Interestingly, Finland also has cemeteries for dogs and cats. These cemeteries are well maintained; you can see dates of birth and death on the headstones at these cemeteries, and candles are lit by the gravesites.

There is an open market near the presidential palace in Helsinki that you must visit if you are in Finland. In fact, because it is near the presidential palace, even the Finnish president sometimes takes her visitors to tour the open market and drink some coffee there. One of the most unique aspects of this open market is that sellers here still use the old liter system rather than a scale to price and sell their goods. For example, when you buy foods like potatoes, peas or mushrooms here, they will measure how many liters of these foods you are buying and charge you accordingly. The price for one liter of peas here is 3 euros, for example. The EU doesn't look warmly on this traditional form of pricing, so it appears that this method will go by the wayside and become history not long from now. The Seurasaari Open-Air Museum in Helsinki is also a very important spot for Finns. One of the first signs that you are about to head off on a historical tour through years past is that when you arrive at the museum, you are greeted by people wearing costumes from the 19th century. Inside the museum, you see examples of old Finnish homes. Visitors can experience old ways of living when they come here; the most distinctive quality of these old Finnish homes is that they are made entirely of wood. The Seurasaari Open-Air Museum is definitely a place to see if you are interested in traditional Finnish life.

Another popular spot to visit in Helsinki is Temppeliaukio Church. Carved from stone, this churched opened for services in 1969.

There are around 188,000 lakes, some large and some small, throughout Finland. Of course, it is not surprising that a country that gets as much rain as Finland does would have so many lakes. The homes that stand beside these lakes are also quite famous in Finland. Many Finns especially relish the idea of being able to spend their vacations on a quiet lakeside, leaving the crowds and chaos of city life far behind.

Another aspect of life much loved by Finns is the sauna. In fact, Finnish society adores saunas, and almost every Finnish home contains its own sauna. Apartment buildings have shared saunas that their residents use together. It is reported that there are 1,700,000 saunas in Finland, which is a lot when you consider that the nation's population is only 5,300,000. The word "sauna" itself comes directly from Finnish. A favorite tradition of Finns vacationing at their lakeside homes is to rush from their saunas straight into a cold lake. It doesn't matter whether it is summer or winter when they do this!

Finns are also known for their love of coffee. They are one of the top coffee consuming countries in the world, with an estimated 20 million cups of coffee drunk per day.

Following Helsinki, the second largest city in Finland is Espoo, with 240,000 residents, and the third largest Finnish city is Tampere, with a population of 200,000. There are two large lakes that lie outside Tampere. One place you must be sure to see in Tampere is the espionage museum. All sorts of interesting tools and devices used by spies are displayed there. Schools in Finland all provide lunch to their students for free. This is a service that everyone receives from preschool all the way through high school. In fact, special lunches are even offered for students from various religious backgrounds. One last note is that alcoholism is a big problem in Finland, not only for men but for women as well. And the divorce rate here is high, as is the unemployment rate. Around 7 percent of country's population is unemployed.

DUBAI: Modern desert warrior Travel Guide

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 19:15:00 +0000

Arabs call Dubai the city of the 21st century. This is a city with skyscrapers in the midst of a vast desert. Petrodollars are reflected in its rapid urbanization. This is the modern face of the Middle East.

Some see it as a city created by combining Arab culture and European style; some view it as the Venice of the Middle East. Dubai is a modern and clean city. You would even think you were taking a stroll in a European or American city if there were no billboards in Arabic. The most luxurious SUVs in the world are on the streets of Dubai. Its residents drive different cars for day and night.

Seven emirates decided to merge in 1958 when a process of dramatic change started because of oil exploration. These emirates founded the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1971; Abu Dhabi was picked as the political capital of the country, while Dubai emerged as the commercial capital. Dubai, which was an endless desert 30 years ago, is now a symbol of money and wealth. The whole city is green despite the fact that it normally receives rain just two times in a year. The city has only one season: summer. However, it is divided into three phases: hot summer, regular summer and mild summer. The city hosts a number of parks, although you usually have to pay 5 dirhams for admission.

Only 20 percent of the city is Arab; there are a number of Filipino, Pakistani, Indian and Thai workers there. Most of these workers do not have their families with them. They want to make money and go back to their native lands. A foreign worker earns 800-2,000 dirhams per month. The workers are expected to speak English. Because rent in the city is generally quite expensive, workers usually have to share their rooms with others. A cab driver makes about $555 each month.

Because the city hosts people from diverse backgrounds, English has become the common language. Arab residents are fluent in this language because of the city's great emphasis on tourism and trade.

Dubai Creek has always occupied a central place in the city; it has played an important role in daily life; now it serves to host key commercial and tourism activities. Boats, called abra, are available for those who want to cross the creek. The abras can carry 30 persons each trip, and the fee is 50 fils (half a dirham).

It would be no exaggeration if we called Dubai a city of hotels. You will encounter a number of 5-star hotels in downtown Dubai. But Burj al-Arab, a 7-star hotel, is the symbol of Dubai and is the only 7-star hotel in the world. Burj al-Arab stands on a small island in the sea and is made of glass and steel; it looks like a sailboat. Before its construction was started, a manmade island was built in the middle of the sea. This took three years, while construction of the hotel lasted for two. The people of Dubai are so proud of this building that even the license plates here include a small picture of it.

Weekends in Dubai fall on Thursday and Friday. The week starts on Saturday. Working hours are also rather different: There is work between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., then a two-and-a-half hour break followed by another working period between 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Local Arabs are encouraged to marry other local Arabs. When such a marriage happens, the couples are given a large villa and $20,000. If the groom does not have a job, the government arranges employment for him. If necessary, the couples may also be entitled to loans from a bank. However, these incentives do not apply to marriages involving a non-Arab. If a Dubai resident female marries a foreign man, she loses her citizenship. If a man living in Dubai marries a foreign woman, she can be naturalized five years later.

While no trace of the desert is left in downtown Dubai, it is possible to have fun on desert safaris in the rural parts of the emirate. Arranging safari tours is part of the local culture; the tours attract a great deal of attention from foreign tourists. The tours usually start before sunset.

People are excited about experiencing the sunset in the desert, and many hurry to catch a still image of this moment with their cameras, trying to maximize the pleasure of the moment.

Dubai is also famous for its regularly held camel races. These camels are bred in exclusive farms owned by the royal family. The camel races sponsored by the sheikhs are pretty prestigious for them. The camels are trained for two hours every day.

Dubai is an attractive center of shopping and commerce. It tries to appeal to shoppers from all over the world by holding festivals and special events throughout the entire year. Numerous malls have been built all around the city. Some shopping centers, such as Mercato, have a historical appearance. This is a deliberate choice to attract visitors, as they were actually erected just a few years ago.

The emirate of Dubai has made visible accomplishments and completed attractive projects. Manmade islands in the shape of a palm tree have been constructed in the middle of the sea to host tourist facilities. The houses and facilities on the islands have already been sold out. In another project, a group of small islands in the shape of a map of the world is being constructed in the sea. Each island represents one country in the world; the prices of the islands vary, but the rates start at $7.5 million. The most expensive one is $30 million. Foreigners can also invest in these projects. Dubai residents say the palm-tree islands and the world-map project are amongst the few man-made structures visible from outer space. Dubai hopes to host 15 million tourists a year by 2010. For this reason, they are always developing new projects.

Dubai has nice, calm beaches. It is possible to swim any time in the year because there is no winter there. People are always flowing into the city because of attractive events including exhibitions, meetings and conferences. But this is also a city where sandstorms are a part of daily life. You may hear the sounds of hawks used in hunting amidst the modern skyscrapers that cast their silhouettes on the desert. Vast areas of desert have been turned into golf courses. The whole area has become a place that appeals to the wealthy tourists of the world. Modernity and desert life exist side by side in the emirate. East and the West meet here as Dubai takes your breath away.

TRAVEL TIPS

Visa: The UAE requires a visa for Turkish citizens. Although visitors from the US, England, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore and EU countries are also required to get visas, they can obtain them upon arrival at the airport. The visa fee is 100 dirhams. However, British citizens are exempted from this fee.

How to go: Both Turkish Airlines (THY) and Emirates have direct flights to Dubai.

Accommodation: There are many nice hotels, but prices are generally quite high.

What to eat: You should try the delicious Arab food in the city. There are plenty of nice restaurants.

Best times to travel: The best time to visit Dubai is the period between November and April. December, January and February are particularly suitable for a visit. The city is very hot at other times. There is also high humidity.

QUICK FACTS

Capital: Abu Dhabi

Official language: Arabic

Government: Federation, powers split between UAE federal government and emirates

President: Khalifa bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (chief of state)

Prime Minister: Muhammad bin Rashid Al-Maktum (head of government)

Area: 83,600 square kilometers

Population: 4,621,399*

GDP (PPP): $164.4 billion**

Religions: Muslim 96% (Shiite 16%), Other (includes Christian, Hindu) 4%

Travel Guide Denmark "Of bicycles and merchants: Denmark"

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:54:00 +0000

Denmark is a country consisting of 500 islands and islets. Germany is the only neighboring country adjacent to Denmark's territories.

The Danish-German border is 68 kilometers long. The highest point in the country is 173 meters while the lowest is minus 7. It takes a three-hour flight to get to Denmark from İstanbul.

Denmark extracts huge amounts of natural gas and oil from the North Sea. The country markets know-how to the world. It is known for its leadership in engineering sciences. Danish experts founded most of the cement factories in the world. Danes read a lot; 30 million volumes are picked from libraries in a year. This is a great figure when compared to the small population of the country. Denmark is home to Hans Christian Andersen, the great master of fairytales whose works were also translated into Turkish.

Danish is the official language in Denmark. The Scandinavian languages are pretty similar, and Danish people actually speak most of them. English is the second language in this country; almost all are able to communicate in English.

Denmark is governed by a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is Queen Margaret II, and the crown prince is her son, Fredrik. The queen's winter residence is located in the heart of Copenhagen. Whether she is in residence is signaled by the flags hung on the palace. Denmark is one of the oldest kingdoms in the world; “monarchy” is still the official style of government, and ceremonies held in front of the palace to exchange duties between the royal guards attract a great deal of attention. You may encounter many tourists present at the spot to witness the moment of exchange and subsequent rituals.

Article 4 of the Danish constitution states, "The Evangelical Lutheran Church shall be the Established Church of Denmark, and, as such, it shall be supported by the State." Article 6 notes, "The King shall be a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church." This means that in order to be a queen or king, the candidate needs to be Evangelical Protestant; not only that, he or she also has to be a member in the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mary, the spouse of Crown Prince Fredrik, was a member of a different denomination of Christianity in Tasmania, but she converted to evangelism right before marriage and subsequently became a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Every city has a symbol, and Copenhagen's is the Little Mermaid statue. One million tourists come to this country to see this every year. Visitors take pictures in front of the statue; Denmark did a great job by marketing this little statue as a valuable asset of tourism. The initial reaction of the visitors is sort of a mixture of disappointment and surprise, yet they don't miss the opportunity to take plenty of pictures.

Copenhagen means "city of merchants." The city has been serving as the capital to this country for six centuries. It has a population of 1.7 million.

The best way to contemplate is to climb on the Round Tower of Copenhagen. A gradually ascending road is used instead of stairs to get to the tower. You need to travel a distance of 209 meters; horses were used to get to the tower in the past. It is possible to get the whole view and scenery of the city and even Swedish territories. The city consists of five- and six-floor houses; tall towers constitute part of the city's overall silhouette. The observation house attracts visitors every hour of the day. People take pictures as soon as they get there.

The Danish parliament building is located in downtown Copenhagen. The 179-seat parliament has two Turkish deputies. There are a lot of bicycles in the country; you may see many bicycles parked in front of the parliament building as many deputies ride bicycles.

You may see a gathering in front of the assembly protesting the Danish government for sending troops to Afghanistan and Iraq. A group of 20 protesters is replaced every three hours to make their voice heard all the time. The government took no action to stop the protests, which have been going on for six years.

Riding a bicycle is pretty easy in this country. Young or old, almost everybody owns a bicycle. People take their kids to school on bicycles even in cold weather. This is ordinary for Denmark.

Cars are relatively inexpensive in Europe; however, this is not the case in Denmark. Autos are pretty expensive in this country because of customs levies. The state imposes 180 percent customs levies for auto owners. Let's say you bought a car in Germany paying 10,000 euros. If you want to take this to Denmark, the overall price of this car nears 30,000 euros.

Prices go down by at least 50 percent in neighboring country Sweden; you can get a car in Malmö, 30 kilometers away, for half of the price you pay in Copenhagen. For this and other similar reasons, a number of Danish people live in this city. These people work in Denmark but live in Sweden. Statistics show that Danish people pay 39 percent more than the Europeans do for food. A 25 percent tax is imposed on food in this country. Finland and Sweden follow Denmark in expensiveness.

If you love shopping and happen to be in this country, you need to consider the skyrocketed prices. But you should also note that the Stroget, located in the center of the city, is the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe.

In downtown Copenhagen, you may see a lot of skating rinks where kids and young people ice skate along with their parents. This is a free of charge service offered by the local administration. Those who do not have a pair of skates may rent them at the entrance; there is no time limit on the rink. Small kids start ice skating at early ages.

In Denmark, many jewelry stores sell amber stones. These are Baltic ambers, which are fairly pricy because formation of one amber stone takes at least 1 million years. Resin becomes hard and then remains underground for 1 million years before it converts to amber. The jewels made of these stones are symbols of this country; an amber rosary with 33 stones is $1,300.

There is one place called Christiania at the heart of Copenhagen; at the entrance, there is a placard reading, "Welcome to Christiania." It is pretty close to the parliament building. This place hosts a world where irregularity is rule and lack of an order is the main element of order. Hippies took control of this vicinity in 1971. When military units withdrew from there, hippies filled the void. About 1,000 people spend their lives in this interesting place. Young people unable to integrate with the society prefer this. Drug sale is forbidden in Denmark with the exception of Christiana. People do drugs in this area, and taking video in this area is forbidden.

Most Danish drug users have their first experience in this secluded place. Actually, the Danish government is pretty uncomfortable with it and wants to close it down. However, the country, which named the Copenhagen criteria, is unable to deal with Christiania. People are so into drugs that you may have difficulty communicating with people on the street because of the effect of the drugs. It is impossible to understand what they are saying. The government fails to adequately address this growing problem. There is a small area in this place where old garments are left. Those in need pick up what they need there.

Visa: Denmark is a Schengen country and requires Turkish citizens to get a valid visa before entrance. The visa application fee is YTL 100. It does not ask for visas from citizens of European Union countries, the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland. While EU citizens may stay indefinitely in this country, visitors from other countries need to leave the country within three months following their admission into the country.

How to go: Turkish Airlines has regular direct flights from İstanbul to Copenhagen every day.

Turkish Airlines: starting from 178 euros plus tax Every day

Departure: 10:15 a.m. Arrival: 12:30 p.m.

Extra flights by Turkish Airlines: Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday

Departure: 2:15 p.m. Arrival: 4:30 p.m.

Accommodation: It is pretty easy to find cozy and neat hotels in Denmark, but it should be noted that rates are a little bit expensive.

Food: There are Turkish restaurants in Denmark; you may dine in a Turkish establishment in downtown Copenhagen. I also recommend fish.

Best time to go: The weather in Denmark is usually rainy and cloudy. People miss the sun a lot. The best time to travel to this country is summer, when the average temperature is 20 degrees Celsius. Winter is cold; the coldest month is February. Those who do not like the crowds may go in the spring. Make sure to bring your umbrella, coat and sweater.

[QUICK FACTS]

Capital: Copenhagen,

Official language: Danish

Government: Parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy

Monarch: Queen Margrethe II

Prime Minister: Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Area: 43,094 square kilometers

Population: 5,484,723*

GDP (PPP): $203.3 billion**

Religions: Evangelical Lutheran (95 percent), Other Christian (3 percent), Muslim (2 percent)

'Portugal' one of Europe’s finest

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:47:00 +0000

Downtown Lisbon

You can reach Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, after about a five-hour flight from İstanbul.

Portugal, located in the very southwestern tip of Europe is, in fact, quite a small piece of land. (It measures just 92,391 square kilometers.) Eighty-four percent of Portugal is Catholic, and this nation was one of the most influential in the world in terms of spreading Catholicism.

Since the airport in Lisbon is located in the center of the city, visitors can reach their destinations shortly after they arrive. There are many trams that run through Lisbon. One of them is the Number 28, which runs by many of the tourist sites in the city and is a favored means of transportation for first-time visitors.

Despite Portugal's relatively small population, Portuguese is one of the most spoken languages in the world. There are just under 200 million people who speak Portuguese: In South America, there is Brazil, and in Africa there are nations such as Mozambique, Angola, Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde, and of course in China, Portuguese is spoken in Macau. In fact, Portuguese is ranked the sixth most spoken language in the world by the European Union.

Portuguese history is particularly marked by the exploration that took place in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was during these centuries, due to the seafaring and colonizing done by the Portuguese, that Portugal experienced its golden age. In fact, even nowadays in Portugal, you can see signs of the wealth that date back to those days. The seafarers who came out of Portugal are still known and remembered throughout the world; Bartholomew Dias, Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan are just a few examples.

Some say that there are more than 3,000 Arabic-rooted words in Portuguese. Words like "al-Garve," "al-Fame" and "al-Kantara" -- in other words, mostly everything preceded by "al" -- comes from Arabic. Muslims entered Iberia in the year 711 and stayed for exactly eight centuries. And despite the fact that many years have passed since the Muslims left, you can still see the influence of this presence everywhere. The tiled buildings and Arabic words sprinkled through the language are just some examples. Even so, almost none of the structures built during the time of the Umayyad caliphate of al-Andalus are still left standing in the city. There is not, for example, a single mosque left from that period in Lisbon.

Visitors to Lisbon are treated to the natural beauty of the Rio Tejo ("Tagus" in English) that starts in Portugal's neighbor, Spain, and runs through Portugal, before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal's western coastline with the Atlantic Ocean stretches for 832 kilometers.

One of the most important points in Portugal is the Cabo da Roca. This is the European continent's westernmost point. West from here is the Atlantic. It is also a wonderful point to look out upon the magnificent marine view, facing the strong winds that blow off the ocean.

Like İstanbul, Lisbon sits atop seven different hills. You can look out on this city of 2.7 million from the highest point in the city, from the Sao Jorge tower, and get a memorable bird's eye view. Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since 1260. In Portuguese, the city is called "Lisboa."

One of the first things that might attract your attention in Lisbon is the giant statue of Christ. It is reminiscent of the famous one in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. The one in Lisbon stands on a hill that overlooks the city, and is 22 meters high. You can reach the terrace to view this statue by elevator, and after you get to the top, you have a wonderful view of the city.

The central boulevard in Lisbon is the Avenida de Liberdade. This is the most famous boulevard in Lisbon and is lined by trees on both sides. You can find hotels, administrative buildings and world-famous stores all along this road.

Walking through the center of Lisbon, you will likely also notice an interesting, historic elevator. The construction on this 45-meter-high elevator -- called Santa Justa -- began in 1900, and took two years to complete. It is now one of the most popular tourist sites in Lisbon because of the city views you see when you head up the elevator. In addition to the gorgeous views you get of the city grid when you go up the elevator, you also get to tour through the narrow, historic streets of Lisbon afterwards, for the elevator deposits its passengers at one of the highest neighborhoods in Lisbon. In fact, it was for the inhabitants of this steep neighborhood that this elevator was originally constructed. And the people who live here still use this elevator for that purpose, to get back to their homes.

"Fado" is a kind of music that is strongly associated with Portugal. You can hear fado live all over Lisbon, and one of the most famous places to go enjoy the strains of this kind of music is Luzo. According to fado musician Filipe Acasio, who has been playing for 29 years, fado is more than music, it is a way of life. Some say the word fado comes from the Latin word "fatum," or fate. There is pain and melancholy expressed in fado, which often expresses those who have been lost, and the sorrow and longing felt for them. Some say it's a kind of music that came about from long months spent at sea. Others say it was music sung in memory of those at journey out at sea by their loved ones on the land. But whatever the reason, Fado is a music which keeps the past alive today. At many places where fado is sung, five or six singers will take to the stage in one evening. And generally these singers will sing around three or four fado songs each before leaving the stage to their counterparts. You can find a fado bar on almost every corner of Lisbon.

Make sure that while you are in Lisbon, you don't leave without eating some of the delicious fish dishes offered in this fantastic city. From sardine to red mullet, from tongue fish to codfish, you can find everything here. This bounty comes from being located just on the edge of the Atlantic.

Finish up your meal with a slice of Belém cake. This is a famous item in Portuguese cuisine, and can be found everywhere.

With its historic cities, its atmosphere combining the past with the present and its delicious cuisine and warm people, Portugal is a country well worth visiting.

[TRAVEL TIPS]

Visa: Portuguese requires visas from Turkish citizens. Visas cost YTL 105 and can be obtained from the Portuguese Embassy in Ankara. No visas are required for citizens of the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the UK or other EU countries.

How to go: Turkish Airlines (THY) offers regular flights to Lisbon from İstanbul.

THY charges 325 euros, inclusive of taxes.

Departures: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from İstanbul

Departs: 10:25 Arrives: 13:15

Returns: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays to İstanbul

Departs: 14:10 Arrives: 20:40

Where to stay: You will have no problem finding clean, wonderful hotels to accommodate any kind of budget.

Cuisine: We recommend any one of the delicious fish meals.

Best time to go: In the summer, Portugal is hot, while in the winter, it can be chilly in the north. So we recommend a visit during spring. And since these are not the crowded months of the high season, hotels will be cheaper, too.

[QUICK FACTS]

Capital: Lisbon

Official language: Portuguese

Government: Republic; parliamentary democracy

President: Anibal Cavaco Silva

Prime Minister: Jose Socrates

Area: 92,391 square kilometers

Population: 10,676,910*

GDP (PPP): $232.3 billion**

Religions: Roman Catholic (84.5 percent), other Christian (2.2 percent), other (0.3 percent), unknown (9 percent), none (3.9 percent)

*July 2008 estimate **2007 estimate

Iceland: The dance between fire and ice

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 01:51:00 +0000

Iceland is a country whose name has most recently been associated with the global financial crisis.

This island of 350,000 became the first national victim of the crisis when it declared bankruptcy earlier this month. Although this may lead one to believe that this isn't a desirable location to visit on the world map, Iceland remains unique place with its landscape and history.

Despite including five enormous icebergs as part of its topography, Iceland is actually a nation of volcanoes, with 15 volcanoes active even now. In fact, its Hekla volcano is one of the world's most active. Earthquakes are common occurrences in Iceland. In fact, there is so much tectonic movement that little islands form off of Iceland in the middle of the ocean from time to time. One such island is named Surtsey -- it came about as a result of lava spewing into the ocean from a volcano in 1963.

Iceland, which had previously been tied to Denmark, acquired full independence in 1944. Though not a very rich nation in terms of natural resources, Iceland's annual per capita income is around $36,000. The minimum wage here is 1,200 euros per month. In short, the level of prosperity is quite high here. Interestingly, Iceland has one of the lowest national populations in the world. The literacy level here is 100 percent. In 2007, Iceland was chosen by the United Nations as the best country in the world to live in from the perspective of education, income level and life expectancy rates. In fact, the people of Iceland have some of the longest life expectancies in the world. While men live an average of 80 years here, women live an average of 83.

At the same time, Iceland is an expensive country. Meals at Icelandic restaurants are two to three times as expensive as similar meals in European restaurants. In terms of foreign residents in Iceland, most are from Poland. There are around 10,000 Poles who live here. Following them are Danes and Germans.

As for its economy, Iceland is very dependent on fishing. There are 1.5 million tons of fish caught in Iceland annually. A full 6 percent of the residents of Iceland work in this sector.

Of the total population of 300,000, 190,000 live in the capital. Reykjavik holds the title of being the world's closest national capital to one of the poles. In other words, it is the world's northernmost capital city. With the national population being as low as it is, you won't see so many people wandering around the streets and boulevards of this nation. In fact, there is one square kilometer here for every three people. Reykjavik is a small and serene capital city.

In Iceland, the official language is Icelandic. This is actually Europe's oldest living language. But don't worry about communicating once you get to Iceland; if you speak English, you shouldn't have any problems.

There are more than 10,000 waterfalls throughout Iceland. The most famous of these is Gulfoz, which is about 140 kilometers from the capital. Its waters cascade a distance of 70 meters from the top.

During the month of February in Iceland, the sun doesn't come up until around 9 a.m. The snow falls constantly, which is why you might notice that road traffic signs display not only the outside temperature, but the temperature of the roads themselves. Thus, drivers can be forewarned of the temperature the road they are driving on and proceed with more or less caution.

Iceland is famous not only for its natural beauty but also for the Icelandic horses the Vikings themselves brought to these lands in the ninth century. In fact, since then, this type of horse has been preserved on the island without change. This is why today it is strictly forbidden to take them of the island, and likewise, it is also forbidden to bring back any Icelandic horses that have been transported off the island. If you visit a farm where these horses live, the first thing you may notice will be how still these horses stand. With their long hair, they are able to withstand extremely cold temperatures during the winter, as low as -15 degrees Celsius. And, despite how small they appear, they are also quite strong and muscular. Icelandic horses are famous for being able to run in five different styles. Most other kinds of horses can only run in four different styles.

They say that fire dances with ice in Iceland. While the top of this nation's soil may be covered completely in snow and ice, boiling waters burst forth from underground in various places. There are more than 800 natural sources of hot water in Iceland. Despite wintry temperatures, you can find water as hot as 100 degrees bubbling up from the ground.

The most famous of the natural hot water sources in Iceland is a geyser named Strokkur. The hot water that intermittently bursts out of Strokkur shoots a full 30 meters into the air. Those who come to see it will be dumbfounded by the display, which occurs every five or 10 minutes.

This is definitely a favorite tourist attraction in Iceland. You can see people standing with their cameras and video recorders, waiting to document the water that shoots up into the air. You can tell when the water is about to rush out of the ground when you see a sort of depression forming in the ground around the place where the water emerges. Interestingly, this spot is also one where people come to make wishes. It is such a sight that this place manages to attract around 500,000 visitors a year, winter and summer, even though there are only around 2,500 Icelanders who live nearby.

The months of April and October are great months in Iceland for whale-watching tours. In fact, a chance to see these enormous creatures in their natural environment is in itself a reason that people come to visit Iceland. Not only whales but puffins as well are also a reason that people travel to Iceland. These birds can dive to depths of 50 meters in the ocean and can fly at speeds of 80 kilometers an hour. There are more than 10 million puffins in Iceland.

With its volcanoes, bursting geysers, spectacular horses, millions of puffins, whale-watching opportunities, clear waters and so much more, Iceland is really a unique country. For those who are curious about the dance between ice and fire, this is the place to visit, no doubt about it.

[TRAVEL TIPS]

Visa: Turkish citizens are required to have a visa to visit Iceland. But if you have a Schengen visa, you can enter with no problem. You can obtain your Schengen visa for Iceland from the Danish Embassy in Ankara, or the Danish Consulate in İstanbul. The price for this visa is YTL 110.

Citizens of the US, England, Canada and New Zealand can enter Iceland for three months without a visa.

How to get there: You can reach Iceland by connecting through Europe. One of the preferred ways is flying through Denmark. We advise you to fly with Turkish Airlines to Denmark, and then from Denmark to Iceland on Icelandair.

Turkish Airlines: 178 euros plus tax

İstanbul departure: 10:15 a.m.

Copenhagen arrival: 12:30 p.m.

Icelandair: 282 euros plus tax

Copenhagen departure: 2 p.m.

Reykjavik arrival: 3:10 p.m.

Cuisine: Eat lots of fish while you are here. The soups here might seem a little salty, though, so be forewarned. The prices are quite high in comparison to eating out in Europe and, interestingly, restaurants seem to have their tables really squeezed together.

Where to stay: There are lots of clean and wonderful hotels here. But again, the hotels are quite expensive in comparison to European hotels.

Best time to go: It is definitely best to visit Iceland between the months of February and March if you want to see the snow and ice, as well as the hot water bursting forth from the ground. If you go earlier than these months, the days will be much shorter. And if you want to see a greener Iceland, you might try the summer months.

[QUICK FACTS]

Capital: Reykjavik

Language(s) spoken: Icelandic

Government: constitutional republic

President: Olafur Ragnar Grimsson

Prime Minister: Geir Haarde

Area: 103,000 square kilometers

Population: 304,367

Main religions: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland (82.1 percent), Roman Catholic Church (2.4 percent)

Take a walk on the 'south side' London south of the Thames

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:32:00 +0000

Whether you live north or south of the Thames says something about you in London. I am not exactly sure what that is in reality, and in some ways it is a joke, but there is a definite divide.

Sure, north of the river has all the big sights in London: Buckingham Palace and all the surrounding gardens, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, the National Gallery, Harrods, Regent and Oxford Streets. In recent years, however, a visit to the south side of the Thames has become more than a quick walk past tired old buildings and through dark urine-drenched tunnels, but an enjoyable stroll. In fact, stopping at all there will keep you occupied for days.

So after leaving the Houses of Parliament, cross the Westminster Bridge, staying on the same side as Big Ben. Straight ahead on the next right-hand corner is the specialist Florence Nightingale Museum, dedicated to the world’s most famous nurse and to the history of nursing in general. The museum contains an archive of books and letters written by Florence, along with her own personal items. But if you are not into things medical, then walk down the steps onto the embankment and turn to duck under the bridge. The London Eye, or Millennium Wheel, looms ahead on the edges in Jubilee Park, literally dipping into the Thames. The tallest Ferris wheel in the world moves people around in closed capsules at about 26 centimeters per second, lifting them up and around for the most spectacular view of London.

Before the Eye, to the right, sits Country Hall, home to the London Aquarium and permanent Salvador Dali exhibition. Sea creatures swim around in 2 million liters of water in one of Europe’s largest global aquatic exhibitions alongside a surreal fantasyland of over 500 of Dali’s works.

Beyond the Eye, toward Waterloo Bridge, sees the transformation of this mostly homeless and itinerant hangout block into a café and restaurant hub. Nestled in and around the Royal Festival Hall, where the Golden Jubilee Bridge crosses from Embankment underground station, hundreds of people flock to the area to sit and talk, eat and drink before or after shows, or just to meet.

As you pass under the Waterloo Bridge, booksellers will have their secondhand wares on offer, set up on portable benches out front of the National Film Theatre’s café doors. To the right after the bridge is the National Theatre, but continue walking along the water’s edge, past the Oxo tower, then under Blackfriar’s Bridge. Sitting alongside this next strip of walkway is the Tate Modern, the huge converted power station making its mark on the skyline and on the art scene in London. The gallery houses the country’s international modern art collection, that is, anything post-1900. The permanent exhibitions are free, with special exhibitions attracting fees and sometimes long lines.

Since the opening of the Tate Modern in 2000, many other smaller galleries, in the back and side streets of Southwark, have opened their doors and walls. The Bankside Gallery hosts the Royal Watercolour Society and the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers exhibitions where pieces are available at reasonable prices.

The first new bridge to be built across the Thames since 1894, the Millennium Bridge, traverses the river from the Tate Modern to St. Paul’s Cathedral. Built, as its name suggests, to see in the year 2000, the opening was originally delayed due to its severe swinging and swaying in windy times, which, let’s face it, come quite frequently in a London winter, spring, autumn and unfortunately summer!

If you liked standing in line at the Tate Modern, then Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre offers the opportunity to partake in performances in much the same as it was in Shakespeare’s day. That is, standing with necks extended to view the actors who are set high upon the stage ahead. Seats are available and recommended for the longer acts! The site also boasts the largest exhibition dedicated to Shakespeare and the London in which he worked.

After leaving the theater, the path passes a typical English pub and ducks away from the water’s edge onto a cobble-stoned path. Before the path enters a slightly darker patch, under the train tunnel arches, Vinopolis, the wine tasting venue sits with its doors open and ready to welcome visitors, who can take themselves on one of three self-guided tasting tours.

Beyond Vinopolis is The Clink Prison Museum, where the horrors of the London prison, used from 1144 until 1780, are on display. For something a little lighter yet equally touristy, the Golden Hinde, the reconstructed Tudor galleon of Sir Frances Drake, sits permanently at the St. Mary Overie Dock. Costumed actors tell the story of life on the ship and the voyages of Drake.

But if you can walk by the very touristy attractions and around the corner, both the Southwark Cathedral and Borough Market await. The cathedral is London’s oldest Gothic church and sits where at least one church or another has sat for 1,400 years. City workers will lunch in the gardens of the church, especially on a sunny day, with the market offerings tempting them away from their offices. The Borough Market, which has been in operation in some form or other for many hundreds of years, has become London’s most attractive and gourmet farmer’s market.

London Bridge sees the official end of Bankside, the London riverside precinct that starts at Blackfriar’s Bridge. The complete journey from Westminster to London Bridge is about three kilometers, but depending on whether the attractions along the way distract you, it can take anywhere from one to many days to get to the Pool of London.

The Pool of London, not to be confused with the crystal clear waters of swimming baths, is the section of the Thames bordered by London and Tower Bridges (and a little beyond) in the east of the city. A little way along the waterside from London Bridge and past the private London Bridge Hospital is Hay’s Galleria. A steel and glass barrel roof now covers this wharf, originally built in the 1850s. Modern sculptures and fountains break up the space designed to invite people in to relax, have a break over a coffee, snack or meal.

Docked on the Thames just beyond the old wharf is the HMS Belfast, Europe’s only surviving World War II big gun warship. Open to visitors, the ship has a total of nine decks to wander through. On the shore-side nearby is a space called “More London,” a new business development area, alongside The Scoop. The Scoop is an outdoor sunken amphitheater with seating for 800 people. The venue hosts free theater, music and films, especially throughout summer.

At the end of Shad Thames, the street that runs parallel to the river is the Design Museum, a space dedicated to contemporary design in every form from furniture to graphics and architecture to industrial design. Originally developed by Terrance Conran in the basement of the Victoria and Albert Museum 25 years ago, it moved to its current location in 1989 and has developed an international reputation.

If you time it right, the sun will be setting and the lights coming on along Tower Bridge. Stop to have dinner in one of the restaurants along the wharf and enjoy one of London’s most attractive views, the lights lit up over the bridge.

Places to eat

There are literally hundreds of places to eat along the south side of the Thames. Many of London’s most successful franchises
will have one, two or maybe three branches open along the way and whilst some of these are okay, and can be especially good for families, here is a selection of more
individual places worth trying.

Benugo Bar and Kitchen at the British Film Institute (BFI)
The South Bank Centre
Belvedere Road
+44 20 74019000
This relatively new spot in the rejuvenated BFI’s complex has a great comfortable lounge area along with a slightly more
formal dining area.
Open: Monday-Friday 9:45 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday brunch 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday roast 12:30 p.m.-4 p.m.

Tate Modern Restaurant
Level 7, Tate Modern
Bankside
+44 20 7401 5020
At the top of the old power station, the restaurant is open for light lunches, casual drinks as well as more formal meals. The view is one of London’s best and coupled with the food, one of the better choices along the Thames.

Tapas Brindisa
18-20 Southwark Street (Borough
Market area)
+44 20 7357 8880
Great Spanish food, especially interesting tapas.
Open: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Spanish breakfast: 9 a.m.-11 a.m.;
bookings not taken

Places to visit

Florence Nightingale Museum
St. Thomas' Hospital
2 Lambeth Palace Road
+44 20 76200374
Open: Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Closed: Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 22-Jan. 2
www.florence-nightingale.co.uk

London Aquarium
County Hall
Westminster Bridge Road
+44 20 7967 8000
Open: Daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Closed Dec. 25
www.londonaquarium.co.uk

The Tate Modern
Bankside
Open: Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Closed: Dec. 24-26
www.tate.org.uk/modern

Bankside Gallery
48 Hopton Street
+44 20 79287521
Open: Daily 11 a.m.-6 p.m. during
exhibitions
www.banksidegallery.com

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
Bankside Riverwalk
+44 20 70902 1500
Open: Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Exhibition
Closed: Dec. 24-25
www.shakepeares-globe.org

Vinopolis
1 Bank End
Open: Monday, Thursday and Friday
noon-10 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday noon-6 p.m.
Closed: Tuesday and Wednesday
+44 870 241 4040
www.vinopolis.co.uk

The Clink Prison Museum
1 Clink Street
Open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
+44 20 7403 0900
http://www.clink.co.uk/

The Golden Hinde
St. Mary Overie Dock
Cathedral Street
+44 20 7403 0123
Open: call for opening times
www.goldenhinde.org

Southwark Cathedral
Bankside
+44 20 7367 6700
Open: Daily 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
www.southwark.anglican.org/cathedral

Borough Market
8 Southwark Street
+44 20 7407 1002
Open: Thursday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday noon-6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
www.boroughmarket.org.uk

Design Museum
28 Shad Thames
+44 20 7403 6933
www.designmuseum.org
Open: Daily 10 a.m.-5:45 p.m.
Closed: Dec. 25-26

-Travel- Maldives Guide

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:53:00 +0000

For a long time, the Republic of Maldives was one of the best-kept secrets in the world; a beautiful string of low-lying coral islands in the Indian Ocean, a paradise for watersports enthusiasts and sunseekers alike. Now the islands are developing quickly to become an increasingly popular long-haul destination.

The country's 26 natural atolls offer nautical delights from night-fishing trips, windsurfing and scuba-diving. Many islands embrace enormous lagoons, where bright blue-green water laps gently.

Yet, even in paradise, trouble can bubble beneath the surface. It is precisely because the Maldives are so low-lying (80% of the territory is less than 1m/3.3ft above sea level), so transparent and perfect for snorkelling, that their very existence is especially threatened by global warming. They are also particularly vulnerable to natural catastrophe, as shown in the devastating tsunami on 26 December 2004: of the Maldives' 199 inhabited islands, 20 were completely destroyed.

These factors need to be seriously discussed by the international community in future years. Otherwise, paradise really might be lost.

Key Facts

Location

A group of islands in the Indian Ocean, 500km (300 miles) southwest of the southern tip of India.

Time

GMT + 5.

Area

298 sq km (115 sq miles).

Population

370,000 (CIA estimate 2007).

Population Density

1,242 per sq km.

Capital

Malé. Population: 83,000 (UN estimate 2003).

Geography

The Republic of Maldives consists of about 1,190 low-lying coral islands, of which only 200 are inhabited. Most of the inhabited islands are covered by lush tropical vegetation and palm trees, while the numerous uninhabited islands, some of which are mere sand spits or coral tips, are covered in shrubs. Each island is surrounded by a reef enclosing a shallow lagoon. Hundreds of these islands together with other coral growth form an atoll, surrounding a lagoon. All the islands are low-lying, none more than 2m (7ft) above sea level.

Government

Republic since 1965. Gained independence from the UK in 1965.

Head of State

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom since 1978.

Recent History

President Gayoom is Asia's longest-serving leader, re-elected for a record sixth five-year term in 2003, having first taken office in 1978. The Maldives has been relatively stable under his rule, despite attempted coups in the 1980s. Human rights groups accused Gayoom of running an autocratic state and anti-government violence flared in the streets.

The Maldives was hit by the December 2004 Asian tsunami. Homes and resorts were destroyed, and a major rebuilding programme was consequently put into place.

The country aims to hold its first multiparty elections by the end of 2008.

Language

The national language is Dhivehi. English is widely used as a business language in government offices and the commercial sector. Other languages are widely used within tourist areas.

Religion

The indigenous population is almost entirely Sunni Muslim.

Electricity

230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round-pin plugs are used, although square-pin plugs are now becoming more common.

Social Conventions

The majority of the indigenous population does not mix with the tourist visitors, with the exception of those involved with tourism in the resorts and Malé. Dress is informal, but locals who are Muslim will be offended by nudity or scanty clothing in public places, and the government rigidly enforces these standards. Bikinis and other scanty beachwear are not acceptable in Malé or on any other inhabited island; they should be restricted to resort islands only. When entering a mosque, the legs and the body, but not the neck and the face, should be covered. Handshaking is the most common form of greeting. The indigenous population not involved in the tourist trade lives in isolated island communities maintaining almost total privacy. A large number of locals smoke, but smoking and eating during Ramadan is discouraged.

Climate

The Maldives have a hot tropical climate. There are two monsoons, the southwest from May to October and the northeast from November to April. Generally the southwest brings more wind and rain in June and July. The temperature rarely falls below 25°C (77°F).

Required Clothing

Lightweight cottons and linens throughout the year. Light waterproofs are advised during the rainy season.

Going Out

Food and Drink

Malé, the capital, has a few simple restaurants which serve local and international food. On the other islands, there are a few restaurants in addition to those run by the resorts. Cuisine is international, with all food other than seafood imported. There are no bars, except in the resorts, where there is a good range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available, reflecting the demands of the visitors.

Things to know: All bars are situated in tourist resorts (no alcohol is available on Malé). Locals do not drink at all. During the month of Ramadan, visitors are not allowed to drink alcohol in public except in the tourist resorts.

National specialities:
• Seafood such as tuna, grouper, octopus, jobfish and swordfish is widely available.
• Kavaabu (deep-fried snacks made from rice, tuna, coconut, lentils and spices).
• Curries, such as chicken or beef, are widely available. Curry leaves are added to a lot of Maldivian dishes.

National drinks:
• The Maldive Lady (a powerful and delicious cocktail, the composition of which varies from bar to bar and island to island).

Tipping: This is officially discouraged.

Nightlife

There is little or no organised nightlife, although most resorts have informal discos around the barlive bands playing either traditional or Western music. Beach parties and barbecues are also popular. On some evenings, many resorts have cultural shows and some show films.

Many different types of traditional national dancing and singing may be enjoyed across the islands. areas, sometimes featuring

Shopping

Lacquered wooden boxes are the most distinctive Maldivian handicrafts, and are almost exclusively produced in Thulhaadhoo in Baa Atoll. The craft involves the process of shaping and hollowing out pieces of wood from endemic trees to form intricately crafted boxes, containers and ornamental objects. Beautiful reed mats are woven throughout the country, the most famous of which are those that are woven by the women of Gadhdhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. Ranging from placemats to full-size single mattress mats, they are hand-decorated with intricate abstract designs.

In Malé, most souvenir shops line the northern end of Chaandanee Magu, earlier known as the Singapore Bazaar for its many imports from Singapore. The local market offers stalls with a variety of local produce, mainly from the atolls, such as different kinds of local vegetables, fruits and yams, packets of sweetmeat, nuts and breadfruit chips, bottles of homemade sweets and pickles, and bunches of bananas hanging on coir ropes from ceiling beams. Vacuum-packed smoked fish and chipped dried fish are available in many supermarkets and make a different souvenir.

Note: There are strict prohibitions against the export of coral and turtle- or tortoiseshell.

Shopping hours: Sat-Thurs 0830-2300, Fri 1330-2300. Shops officially shut for 15 minutes five times a day in deference to Muslim prayer times; however, this rule is not always strictly adhered to in the tourist areas away from the capital.

Top Things To See

• Admire the superb collection of artefacts, including Sultanese thrones and palanquins, in Malé's National Museum, located in Sultan's Park.

• Opt for some aerial sightseeing and photo flights for an astonishing glimpse of the islands and a blue panorama.

• Pop your head into the beautiful 17th-century Hukuru (Friday Mosque) in Malé. The Islamic Centre, topped with a magnificent golden dome, is worth a visit. There are over 20 mosques scattered around the capital.

• See the Maldives Victory Wreck (which sank in 1981), lying on the western side of Hulule. This is a dive for experienced divers.

• Spot fish (notably grey reef shark), giant snappers and tropical reef fish at Mushimasmingili Thila (Shark Thila), located in the northern section of the Ari Atoll.

Top Things To Do

• Shop for local arts and crafts; Baa Atoll is one of the few places where traditional techniques are still practised. Malé, the capital, also has several markets of fresh and wholesome food produce for those wanting to sample local fare.

• Dive or snorkel to appreciate the exceptional and easily accessible underwater life; some of the best sites in the world are found in the Maldives. All of the resorts have professional, fully-equipped dive schools offering a range of courses. Most of the resorts also offer reef sightseeing trips on glass-bottomed boats.

• Go on a fishing trip on modern speedboats equipped for big game fishing. Go at night to catch groupers, snappers, squirrelfish or barracuda. Round off the trip with a barbecue with the day's catch.

• Visit the island of Makunudhoo, renowned for the quality of its food. It is protected on all sides by a beautiful lagoon with coconut groves leading down to the beach. The catch? It is one of the most expensive island resorts in the Maldives.

• Get away from it all and spend a day and a night alone on an uninhabited island. You can usually do so as part of an island-hopping tour. Another option is to visit a fishing village with a trip to an uninhabited island (where often a beach barbecue is served).

• Hire a traditional boat (dhoni) or speedboat to island hop.

• Windsurf at Banana Reef, where strong currents also make for an exceptionally abundant marine life, with reef sharks, bannerfish and oriental sweetlips all present.

Accommodation

Hotels

There are several hotels and guesthouses in Malé, although most visitors stay on resort islands. There are no guest houses or self-catering facilities on any of the resort islands.

Resorts

There are numerous resorts, which vary from extravagantly luxurious to fairly simple. Accommodation almost invariably consists of thatch-roofed coral cabanas with en suite facilities. Most of the resorts have air-conditioned rooms with mini-bar, although some of the resorts still have fan-cooled rooms. Many resort groups have recently installed desalination plants to provide clean tap water.

The resorts are fully integral communities with sport and leisure facilities including scuba-diving and snorkelling, restaurants and bars and, in some cases, a shop and/or disco. There is a shop on every resort island. Different islands tend to attract different nationalities.

Map

'Lebanon' A beautiful Mediterranean vacation spot

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:40:00 +0000

The name Lebanon derives from the Arabic word "leben," which means milk. This used to be a region filled with farms that housed generous milk cows.

This is how the country came to be known as "Lebanon," which actually means "land of milk." These days there are not so many milk-producing farms here, but it is certainly still a gorgeous nation sitting on the shores of the Mediterranean.

Despite the many years that have passed since the end of its civil war, Lebanon still has not managed to shake off all the traces of its past conflicts. You cannot pass the many buildings that are still pockmarked with bullet holes without wondering what kind of hatred drove the people who shared this land with for so many years to turn against each other. This was a civil war that was waged between the Christians, Druze, Sunnis and Shiites living in Lebanon. During the heaviest period of fighting, in the 1980s, Beirut experienced dramatic destruction. Every corner of the city was in ruins. You understand, though, that life goes on -- even in these corners of destruction -- especially as you walk around and see clotheslines strung up between the partially ruined buildings still standing from that period.

When you see the present state of the Lebanese streets, you can't help but remember that for hundreds of years various ethnic groups lived in peace here during the time of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans ruled Lebanon by way of a special governor sent to the region from the center of the state, and great freedom was allowed the various ethnic groups living in Lebanon to live and act according to their individual beliefs and traditions. Immediately after the Ottomans pulled out of the region, the Middle East turned into a blood bath. The basis of the peace that had previously reigned in the region was the skill, tolerance and justice of the Ottoman rule. And so when this came to an end, everything was disrupted.

Since its civil war ended in 1991 Lebanon has been busy trying to mend its wounds. Ruined buildings are being restored, streets and boulevards have been taken under control again and the cities are, for the most part, being put back into their original order. (Yes, but I guess it's much better overall from what I hear from all my friends, too who go back every summer)

Today, along the coastal road of the Lebanese capital of Beirut, there is a strip of luxurious hotels. When you look at the shop signs along this coastal road, you can see that the French were in Lebanon for a long time. It's almost as though there is more French on these signs than Arabic, and there are French words sprinkled throughout the Arabic you hear being spoken on the streets. A great number of Lebanese people speak French. Sixty percent of Lebanon's population is Muslim, and the country is home to nearly 20 different ethnic groups.

Beirut is a coastal city that appears to have embraced all of the magnificence of the Mediterranean. In the Arab world Lebanon is a favorite spot for vacations. Even during the winter months it is filled with tourists.

One of the first things you might notice while walking around Beirut's streets is the level of traffic in this city. Don't bother asking how it is that a nation this small could have this much traffic; spending at least a few hours in traffic each day is a part of life in Beirut. Take the time to notice some of the characteristics of this traffic, though. For example, look at the old Mercedes that are used by Lebanese taxi drivers.

Make sure you take the time to visit one of the many restaurants serving traditional Lebanese food in Beirut. There is, for example, the well-known Nehr'il Funun restaurant, where customers can eat dinner as Lebanese singers take to the stage and sing songs in Arabic. Most of the customers here are Arabs, though you might see a few European tourists, too. Don't forget to eat dishes such as tabbouleh, mensef (steaming rice piled with lamb-on-the-bone and covered in a creamy, spiced yoghurt sauce), lahme ba'jin (meat-covered thin pizza) and hummus. You might notice that the word "lahme ba'jin" is quite close to what we say in Turkey: "lahmacun." This is no coincidence since the word derives from Arabic and only turned into "lahmacun" over time.

One site that you definitely don't want to miss in Lebanon is the Jeita Caves, which are visited by an estimated 250,000 tourists every year. To put this into perspective, the total number of tourists who come to Lebanon yearly is around 600,000. The lighting used in these caves is "cold lighting," which is less likely to harm the stalagmites and stalactites here. This series of caves is located in a river valley and is actually composed of two separate caves on top of one another. You won't be able to get enough of just looking at these beautiful natural stones whose shapes have been formed by running water over thousands of years. The Jeita Caves were not open to visitors during the Lebanese civil war. But then in 1995 they opened up again to curious tourists and local visitors.

The symbolic cedar tree

The cedar tree, which adorns the Lebanese flag, is not actually that easy to see in this nation. This is because cedar trees can generally only be found at sites that are well above the sea level, on snowy mountain tops, for example. You might wonder why on earth there would even be snow here, in the Middle East, but remember that in Lebanon there are mountain tops that rise up to 3,088 meters into the air.

One of the most remarkable characteristics of the cedar tree is its life span. Cedar trees can live for thousands of years. Some cedar trees have been found to be 4,000-5,000 years old. In the Old Testament, the majesty of the cedar tree is described this way: "In its branches were nests made by all the birds in the sky, and all nations lived in its shade."

Cedars are also known for their wonderful aroma and for the strength of their wood. In fact, this strength has made them a favored tree for shipbuilding and roof-building through the ages. The ancient Egyptians used cedar resin in their mummification rituals and cedar sap for when they wanted to create a waterproof surface. Sadly though, the massive forests of cedars that used to grace Lebanese soil no longer exist. The British cut down large numbers of these valuable trees during World War II for the construction of the Tripoli highway. As a result of years of being cut down, cedar trees finally fell under the protection of UNESCO's World Heritage, which is attempting to protect them for future generations. In fact, the Lebanese government has even set aside a special fund from its budget to protect these trees. There are currently five separate institutions whose duty is simply to protect cedars in Lebanon.

[Travel tips]

Visas: Lebanon requires visas from Turkish citizens. The price for visas is $35. US and EU citizens can get their visas at the airport.

How to get there: You can fly to Beirut directly from İstanbul on Turkish Airlines. The ticket price is currently 229 euros plus taxes and fees. Flights leave every night at 11:40 p.m. You can also fly to Beirut from İstanbul on Royal Jordanian, with flights leaving every day at 2:25 p.m., for 258 euros plus taxes and fees.

Where to stay: There is a wide range of wonderful hotels along the coast in Beirut.

Cuisine: You will have no problem finding delicious food that appeals to your taste buds in Lebanon. The one factor that might be a little difficult is the abundant use of spices and distinctive sauces.

Pay attention to these factors: There is still an ambiguous security situation in the nation and, technically, Lebanon is a risky country to visit. You should go only after paying close attention to the most recent news and developments in the country. You don't want to find yourself in the middle of potentially deadly clashes. There are also reports of many unexploded bombs and mines still hidden in Lebanese soil. Most of the unexploded mines and bombs are located in the southern regions of Lebanon.

[QUICK FACTS]

Capital: Beirut

Official languages: French, English

Government: Republic

Prime Minister: Fouad Siniora (interim)

Area: 10,452 square kilometers

Population: 4,196,453 *

Gross domestic product (PPP): $41.96 billion**

Main religions: Islam (53.6 percent), Christian (42.3 percent), other (4.1 percent)

* February 2008 estimate ** 2007 estimate

-travel Dubai- Cultures learn to get along in Dubai

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Sat, 17 May 2008 20:54:00 +0000

Claiming to have the world's tallest building, biggest airport and most expensive hotel, Dubai is a city of superlatives. Cultures learn to get along in the Arab melting pot.

Dubai is the city of 150 nations.

Some says there are so many interesting people in Dubai.

Some says you can feel so free, as a person, as an individual.

However, some says Dubai is pompousness and manufactured perfection. They also say there is nothing real about the city and you could hardly breathe any more.

People who live in Dubai have an "E-card," which allows you to bypass the passport control at the airport, where you simply place your index finger on a sensor, a door opens and you walk through.

When you pick up a visitor from the airport, you can go online, type in his flight number and your mobile phone number -- and receive a text message every half hour updating you on the flight's arrival status.

Water and electricity bills, dentist appointments, road toll -- everything reaches you via your mobile phone.

When there is an accident, the police record mobile phone numbers before they write down the vehicles' license plates. The mobile phone serves as a universal identity card in Dubai.

If you go to a clinic or hospital, an Indian receptionist can welcome you. You can be surprised to be greeted by Filipino nurses an a Syrian doctor can treat you.

When you leave the clinic, do not ask for the bill. For the Emirate of Dubai is paying for your treatment.

Dubai is not a city where you feel observed or monitored, and it has none of the annoying routines of places like Turkish cities, with their metal detectors at entrances to public buildings and armed patrols in shopping malls.

On the other hand, anyone wishing to read a tabloid online is greeted with this message: "The content of this Web site is incompatible with the political and moral values of the United Arab Emirates."

Paradoxically, print copies of any tabloid are for sale in Dubai supermarkets.

Nowhere else in the region are there so many young, ambitious and well-educated North Africans, Syrians, Lebanese, Iraqis and Saudis who have turned their backs on their repressive countries.

During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking in public are strictly forbidden, and non-Muslims are politely reprimanded.

On the other hand, the supermarkets sell pork, and anyone interested in wine or whisky can drink to his heart's content in the international hotels.

Dubai is a global village, but even more than that, it is an Arab village.

-travel- Sydney City Guide

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Thu, 08 May 2008 23:53:00 +0000

Vast, vibrant Sydney is the epitome of the Australian surf, sand and sun cliché. Carved out of sandstone headlands with golden beaches and world-class surf, this sun-soaked city offers the ultimate in outdoor living.

At the heart of the city is the harbour, arguably one of the most beautiful waterways in the world, where the curves of the Sydney Opera House shimmer in the sunlight and dozens of white sails float beneath the Harbour Bridge.

The state capital of New South Wales, Sydney is Australia's oldest and largest city and is regarded by many (particularly Sydneysiders) as the country's capital in all but name. It's a thriving centre for both business and the arts with a buzzing cafe culture, a vibrant nightlife, and a restaurant scene fit to rival the most gastronomic destinations.

The Sydney experience is essentially a physical one. Semitropical summers and mild winters mean that days spent indoors are rare. Take a dip in the ocean at Bondi Beach or stretch your legs along the coastal walk to Coogee. Learn to surf at Manly, swim laps at Icebergs pool, kayak around the harbour, catch some rays along the northern beaches or go bush in one of the national parks.

But despite what its neighbours might tell you, there is more to Sydney than it's good-looking exterior. The museums, galleries, theatres and concert venues should satisfy those seeking more cerebral pursuits. History buffs will enjoy The Rocks, where Sydney's sordid beginnings as a British penal colony remain, and further downtown grand Victorian structures sit side by side modern monoliths in glass and steel.

Sydney's Aboriginal heritage has, for the most part, been eclipsed by Australia's white history. Although Sydney has the highest Aboriginal population of any Australia city, a stroll around the city streets offers little evidence of their existence and they remain very much an invisible minority.

The city's busy social calendar means that at almost any time of year, a festival is underway. The summer months host numerous sporting events as well as film, art and theatre festivals but pick any month of the year and you're almost guaranteed to witness some sort of celebration.

Locals have long argued that Sydney is the city that has it all but it was only following the triumphant hosting of the 2000 Olympic Games that the rest of the world sat up and took notice. Now Sydney is a ‘must see' on many a traveller's itinerary
and once you've visited, you'll understand exactly why.

Full Airport Name

Sydney Airport

Address

Sydney Airports Corporation Limited, The Ulm Building, 1 Link Road, Sydney International Terminal, NSW 2020, Australia

Airport Code

SYD

Country Code

Telephone

(02) 9667 9111

Fax

(02) 9667 1592

E-mail

Via the airport’s website

Website

www.sydneyairport.com.au

Number of Terminals

Time Zone

GMT + 10 (GMT + 11 from last Sunday in October to last Sunday in March)

Location

The airport is located 9km (6 miles) south of Sydney.

Airport News

Planned for Sydney Airport is a major expansion and refurbishment of the T1 International Terminal. More than A$150 million will be spent on the expansion - which will be the first significant upgrade of T1's facilities since the 2000 Olympics. As part of this expansion programme, a A$65 million eight-storey car park for the International Terminal (T1) will be constructed. The car park will provide around 3,000 undercover parking spaces when it is completed in late 2008. T2 will also be redeveloped.

Transfer Between Terminals

An underground Airport Link connects the International and Domestic terminals. The T-Bus services operate frequent services between the terminals. Travellers changing between domestic and international flights (either way) may be eligible for the Qantas Seamless Transfer (tel: 131 313) service.

Driving Directions

Most routes to the airport are signposted; these signs indicate the most direct route to the airport. Travellers should visit the airport’s website for detailed driving directions from specific areas in Sydney.

Car Parking

The airport has three car parks. The T1 International Terminal Car Park is located on the Arrivals level of the T1 International Terminal. Domestic multi-storey and long-term car parks are also available. The Long-Term Car Park can be accessed via Ross Smith Avenue from General Holmes Drive or Sir Reginald Ansett Drive; follow the signs to the car park located near the heliport; there are regular courtesy shuttles to the terminals. Valet parking is also available.

Car Hire

Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Red Spot and Thrifty are all represented. Car rental desks are located on the Arrivals level in the terminals.

Public Transport

Rail: An Airport Link (tel: (02) 8337 8417; website: www. airportlink.com.au) rail service connects T1 International Terminal, T2 Domestic Terminal, T3 Qantas Terminal, central Sydney and the Sydney suburbs. Airport Link stations are located at all terminals. Trains run to the Sydney Town Hall (journey time - 13 minutes). Tickets can be purchased on-line.
Road: Bus: Sydney Buses (tel: 131 500) operates a bus route between Bondi Junction and Burwood which includes the T1 International and T3 Domestic Terminals. The bus stops on the arrivals level of each of these terminals are clearly marked. Many shuttle bus companies provide a service between the airport and most Sydney suburbs and regional areas; these need to be booked in advance. Many hotels provide a transfer service for their guests.
Taxi: Each terminal has its own sheltered taxi rank. A taxi rank is located outside the mid-point of the Arrivals hall in T1 International Terminal (journey time to city centre - 30 minutes). Companies include Taxis Combined Services (tel: 133 300), Silver Service Fleet (tel: 133 100), Legion Cabs (tel: 131 451), Premier CabsSt George Cabs (tel: 132 166). (tel: 131 017) and

Information and Help Desks

The Tourism NSW Information Desk is located in the centre of the T1 International Terminal Arrivals level 1 and is open 0600-2300, providing information and help with accommodation, tours and dining in Sydney. Gold Ambassadors, who can provide information and answer queries on the airport, are stationed throughout the airport and have help desks in the Arrivals and Departures areas in the T1 International Terminal.

Airport Facilities

Money and communications: Bureaux de change and ATMs are located in all terminals. Postal and photocopying facilities can be found at Australia Post Shop, located in the centre of Departures level 2. A post office is located in the International Terminal. Internet terminals are located throughout the airport. Wireless Internet access is also available. Mobile telephone hire is available from Vodafone Rental stores in T1 Arrivals.
Eating and drinking: There are many restaurants, cafés and bars at the airport offering a wide variety of international and Australian cuisine.
Shopping: There are over 150 retail and service outlets, including duty-free, beauty and hair salons, a wine store, an Australian produce shop, international and Australian fashion stores, and a host of speciality stores.
Luggage: Smarte Carte operates a baggage storage service located at the northern end of the Arrivals level of T1 International Terminal; there is also a baggage storage facility on the Arrivals level of T2 Domestic Terminal. Trolleys are available troughout the airport. Inquiries about lost items should be made to the property office on level 3 of the T1 International Terminal (tel: (02) 9667 9583).
Other facilities: There is a medical centre in T1 International Terminal on the administration level 3. There is also a pharmacy in the Departures area. Free showers are available in both the Departures and Arrivals area of the T1 International Terminal. A prayer room is located on level 3 of the T1 International Terminal. There are child activity centres in T1 International Terminal and Kid’s Cinemas are located after immigration, near Gate 33. Child-sized toilets are installed in all female toilets and baby changing rooms are conveniently located throughout the terminals.

Conference and Business Facilities

Sydney Airport Executive Services (tel: (02) 9667 6534; website: www.execservices.com.au) hires out a number of business and conference venues in both T1 International Terminal and T2 Domestic Terminal. There are two meeting/function rooms (the Kingsford Smith Suite holds up to 400 delegates) and two VIP suites in T1, while T2 has meeting rooms, conference space and a function area catering for up to 1,000 people. A catering service is also available. Overhead projectors, screens, flipcharts and whiteboards come as standard, while AV equipment and sound systems are available on request. There are seven airline lounges in T1 and one in T2.

Facilities for Disabled Travellers

Facilities for disabled passengers include showers, toilets, ramps and lowered telephones, text telephones, telephones fitted with induction loops, and drinking fountains. Passengers with special needs should advise their airline at least 72 hours before departure. Wheelchairs are available from the Tourism New South Wales desk. Disabled parking spaces are located at the front of the T1 International Terminal, for valid badge holders.

Hotels

Nearby hotels include the Airport Sydney International Inn, 35 Levey Street, Arncliffe (tel: (02) 9556 1555; website: www.airportinn.com.au), with meeting facilities; Holiday Inn Sydney Airport, corner of Bourke Road and O’Riordan Street (tel: (02) 9330 0600; website: www.ichotelsgroup.com), with meeting and banquet facilities; Ibis Hotel Sydney Airport, 205-213 O’Riordan Street (tel: (02) 8339 8500; website: www.accorhotels.com.au); and Stamford Sydney Airport Hotel, corner of O’Riordan Street and Robey Street (tel: (02) 9317 2200; website: www.stamford.com.au), with a business centre, secretarial services and conference facilities. The Tourism New South Wales Travel Centre can help arrange accommodation in Sydney.

Indonesian island hopping

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Thu, 08 May 2008 23:42:00 +0000

May 2008

Boasting a string of more than 13,000 sun-soaked isles stretching from Malaysia to Australia, Indonesia is an island hopper's paradise.

From the popular tourist hotspots of Bali and Lombok to the white sandy beaches of the tranquil Gili Isles, Indonesia's archipelago is bursting with culture, dramatically rugged coastlines and bustling nightlife.

With a variety of boat transfers and ferry services available, an island hopping adventure is a fantastic way of experiencing Indonesia's intriguing diversity.

Bali

Bali is an island of ever-changing facades. Whilst Kuta has become renowned for its surf culture and numerous bars, the inland villages give way to lush rice terraces and breathtaking temples.

The mountain village of Ubud is the best place to experience traditional Balinese culture. As the island's cultural heartland, the village abounds with magnificent temples, local art galleries, museums and performance venues. Ubud's most popular attraction is the Monkey Forest Sanctuary (website: www.monkeyforestubud.com), where visitors can get up close and personal with the resident, and extremely mischievous, macaques.

The laid-back beach resort of Lovina, in the north of the island, is a great place to escape the tourist throngs of the south. Boats can be chartered to the surrounding islands from the centre of Kalibukbuk, as well as early morning dolphin-watching trips, which offer a jaw-dropping view of Bali as the sun rises above the island's looming volcanic peaks.

Tanah Lot is Bali's most famed temple, and sits aloft a rocky offshore outcrop, just west of Denpasar. Set in a dramatic landscape of glistening black sand and lashing waves, the multi-tiered shrine is well worth a visit and is especially magnificent at sunset.

Padang Bai is Bali's main port for Lombok as well as boat charters to the Gili Islands and Komodo. You can buy ferry tickets from the port itself, whilst all-inclusive trips to the Gili Islands (including ferry, minibus transfer and local island crossing) are available from one of the many local tour companies.

Lombok

Although often compared to the neighbouring island of Bali, Lombok differs dramatically in culture, offering a much slower pace of life and remaining relatively unaffected by the tourist trade - earning it a reputation as a more adventurous destination.

North Lombok is dominated by the staggering volcanic mass of Gunung Rinjani, which has created an arresting black sandy coastline. As well as climbing up the mountainous terrain, visitors can cool off in one of the many waterfalls or take in some local village culture.

Nature lovers will appreciate the picturesque upland Sembalun valley, which is not only surrounded by impressive mountain peaks, but is also a far cry from the usual tourist trail. For the more active visitor, the big swell along Lombok's south-coast beaches attracts a mass of surfers to its many hidden coves.

Boats travel frequently from Bali such as Bounty Cruise (website: www.balibountycruises.com) and Bluewater Safaris (website: www.bwsbali.com), which also offers air-conditioned trips to the Gili Islands. A slower and cheaper alternative is the aptly named Slow Ferry from Padang Bai, which takes around five hours. In summer months aim for the air-conditioned lounges as the trip can be unbearably hot.

Gili Islands

The little known Gili Islands are a collection of three unspoilt havens, sitting off the north west coast of Lombok. Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air are all strikingly beautiful with vast swathes of pure white sand and evian-clear waters that boast stunning coral reefs.

Although the nightlife is fairly low-key on all three islands, there is a great choice of accommodation from traditional wooden lodges to more luxurious villas, as well as a good selection of bars and restaurants. With a population of 700, Gili Trawangan is the largest and most lively island, with nightly beach parties, bars, restaurants and numerous dive centres.

One main draw of the Gilis is the fabulous snorkelling and diving opportunities. As well as snorkelling equipment for hire, there are a number of Padi certified dive centres on Gili Trawangan, which offer courses for beginners and more experienced divers. Not only is this a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of a sea turtle or reef shark, you can achieve your Padi certificate for a nominal cost in a stunning location.

You can reach all of the islands from Lombok's port of Bangsal, from where regular public boats leave between 0730 and 1630, as well as shuttle boats and private charters. There is also a twice-daily Perama shuttle boat from Senggigi, although the running of this does depend on the weather conditions.

Komodo

For the more adventurous traveller, various organised boat trips can be taken to the island of Komodo. Although the journey can take up to a day from either Lombok or the Gili Islands, once there visitors can marvel at the stunning wildlife and get the rare chance to see the feeding of the prehistoric-sized Komodo dragons.

Perama offers trips from Senggigi on Lombok and Coconut Cottages from Gili Air (website: www.coconuts-giliair.com). Lombok Sailing (website: www.lomboksailing.com) offers a variety of trips including Komodo and Flores. Most trips last around four days and three nights aboard traditional wooden charter boats.

Further information:

For further information visit the Ministry of Culture and Tourism at www.my-indonesia.info.

'Zamboanga' The southern Philippine city home to the sea-dwelling ‘Bajau’ people

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Thu, 08 May 2008 23:36:00 +0000

Flying from the Philippine capital of Manila toward the city of Zamboanga on the island of Mindanao, you actually don’t realize at all what sort of city you are about to see.

The first wave of serious heat hit our faces when the airplane door opened. At first we thought it was just the heat radiating from the plane’s engines, but then we started to realize -- after having left the plane -- that this typical, unchanging Zamboanga heat is normal for the city, set along the coast, with no real difference between summer and winter.

Be forewarned: Heat levels here are sometimes unbearable. Even the locals feel this way as they desperately search for any shade in which to take shelter during the worst of it. Of course, this means that when electricity cuts occur -- and they do -- and people have to do without their air conditioners, they just have to learn how to deal with these levels of heat.

The southern region of the Philippines has a high population of Muslims, and Zamboanga is one of the cities in this region with the highest concentration of Muslims.

With its thousands upon thousands of bicycles and peddled vehicles crowding the streets, Zamboanga -- whose name is reminiscent of either an African nation or an African city -- is a city that shelters 1,001 different cultural treasures. One of these treasures is the Bajau, a tribe of people who consider it bad fortune to have to live on land.

The Bajaus do not build their homes on land, preferring instead to live on the sea. In fact, they have built their homes directly over the sea, forming entire neighborhoods over the water, which look like a world of wooden homes standing over the waves below. Some of the homes are patched with tin barrels where there was not enough wood, and the roofs of the Bajau homes are generally made of reeds, though sometimes also of tin barrels. Some of these Bajau homes are truly far from land, while others are closer to the shore, but they are all, in the end, directly over the sea. Bajau homes are elevated on poles that are fixed in the bottom of the sea over which they stand, allowing the homes to stay free of damage from the waves below. Keep in mind, there is neither electricity nor running water in these homes, and thus none of the modern conveniences such as televisions and other appliances that require electricity. These are a tribe of people who have firmly pushed away modernity with both hands. There are spots for toilets in these homes, but the “toilets” empty straight into the sea below.

The food needs of the Bajau are, of course, also met by the blue sea that surrounds them. Their main income is from fishing, and in every home there is at least one canoe. Just as people all over the world park their cars in their garages, the Bajau park their canoes underneath their houses. We were a bit worried when we first got into one of these canoes because they are narrow water vehicles that look as though they could tip over at any moment. Some of the Bajau have attached motors to their canoes while others use paddles to get around.

The Bajau also spend much of their time growing and caring for “seaweed farms.” Seaweed is an important source of nutrition for them. The Bajau are a poor people with very little in the way of clothing or materials for inside the home. The only thing that allows them to continue living in their homes unprotected against the cold and other elements is the climate which is fair all year around. Remember, the Philippines are right along the equator and the weather here reflects that fact.

In recent years, the children of this community have begun to finally go to school. But this does not change the course of their traditions, as the children continue their cultural inheritance of living out their lives over the sea, just as their grandparents taught their mothers and fathers. Children born in these homes are instilled in their early years with a continuing and faithful love for life at sea.

There are some elements of Bajau life that have begun to change little by little, though. The government has even built them some new homes, completely out of wood, and introduced electricity to them. We walked along the streets, built above the sea, and looked around us, catching glimpses of children’s faces peeking out of windows in curiosity. Some even gathered up their courage and tried to speak with us...

We headed back to the shore later but, thinking about the faces of the children looking out from the rickety wooden homes built over the sea, what a contrast the life of fishing by canoe and living under the sky and over the sea is to the rest of the world, which has in the meantime plunged into the era of computers. Ottoman mosque in Zamboanga Ottoman Sultan Abdülhamid II received reports from two envoys he had sent to the Far East of the urgent need for a mosque in the Muslim Zamboanga region of the Philippines. The pasha then sent the necessary money, candelabras and interior furnishings for such a mosque to be built. The spot for the construction of the new mosque was donated by the family of Faruk Nunio Bey, and during the actual construction, there were many volunteers helping out. And thus the Taluksangay Mosque was finally opened for prayers. As it turns out, this is the first mosque built on the Zamboanga peninsula and is a leader in the coming spread of Islam through the nearby region. After the Japanese invasion of 1945, the mosque was partially destroyed, though Muslims in the region banded together to help reconstruct it in 1947, turning it into the mosque you can still see standing in Zamboanga today.

Rooster fights

The Philippines are quite well known for the cock fights they hold, so seriously organized that they have their own leagues. We decide to visit a site where one of these famous fights is held. One of the roosters in the fight we watched receives a series of back-to-back deathly attacks from its opponent and tried to fight back, but failed in the end. His brain could no longer direct his wounded body. He fell to floor and died. As for the victor, he did not resemble at all the bird that first entered the ring: he was not dead, but was quite bloody. His owner was smiling as he got his bird from the ring. After all, this rooster was the winner.

Filipino-Turkish school

The city of Zamboanga on the island of Mindanao has a “Filipino-Turkish school of tolerance” for primary, middle, and high school students and boasts 300 students. Both Muslim and Christian students study here and learning tolerance of one another’s religion and way of life, just as the school’s name indicates.

This school prepares students to be entrepreneurs and to have more self-confidence in addition to the typical coursework seen in other schools. The school also extensively cooperates with other local schools, but it does have its own activity program.

This day in Zamboanga passed quickly, but it was filled with very many interesting sights and sounds -- from the city of people living above the sea to the bicycles of Zamboanga to the bloody cock fights and, of course, the heart-warming experience of seeing the Filipino-Turkish school. As the day comes to a close, we bid farewell to the island of Mindanao with a smile on our face...

[TRAVEL TIPS]

Visas: Visas are required for Turkish citizens traveling to the Philippines. These visas are good for three weeks and can be extended if requested. All you need to do is contact the Philippine Embassy or consulate and show proof of either a two-way ticket out of the country or that you are traveling on to a different destination.

How to go: There are no direct flights from Turkey to the Philippines. You can travel with Turkish Airlines to the Thai capital of Bangkok and then transfer from Bangkok to Manila. There are other ways to go, too: Fly with Singapore Airlines though Singapore or with Emirates Airlines through Dubai, but just remember that this journey is neither short nor cheap!

Where to stay: There are lots of beautiful hotels in the Philippines, especially if you are staying in the capital, Manila. Prices can range anywhere from between $40 to $300 per night, so all sorts of budgets can be accommodated.

Cuisine: The menus here can be very difficult for anyone accustomed to different flavors. This is certainly true for those used to Turkish cuisine. Philippine cuisine is quite far from Turkish cooking. But if you don’t like what you eat in restaurants, rest assured you can always find something you’ll like at the open buffets offered at some of the larger hotels. There are also lots of restaurants that cater to European tourists. Prices for a meal can range from $20 to $100 per head.

Best time to go: Visitors heading to the Philippines should always remember that it is quite humid here year round. There are two basic seasons across the country: rainy and non-rainy. The non-rainy season runs from December though May and the rainy season begins in June and runs through November. We do advise that if you are going to travel to the Philippines that you go when it is not rainy. Though higher spots in the country can be cooler, the average national temperature is between 24 and 31 degrees Celsius. Remember, this does not take into account the ever-present humidity.

travel guide -usa- A unique perspective on America: the modest lifestyle of the Amish of Pennsylvania

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Tue, 06 May 2008 01:06:00 +0000

We set out from New York to Pennsylvania to explore the community of the Amish, members of a unique branch of Christianity who have chosen to avoid technology and live a life reminiscent of that lived by Americans more than a hundred years ago.
We see an Amish youth sowing fields as we pass by; he’s around 14 years old and in front of him is an old-fashioned two-wheeled plowing machine pulled by eight horses. We stop for and look at how he plows these fields with this system.

The Amish, as a Christian sect, first appeared in 1525 in Switzerland. They are now spread across 19 states in the US, though they are mostly concentrated in Pennsylvania. There are estimated to be around 1 million Amish throughout the US, though they are a community that prefers to stick close to one another.

The Amish first came to America after experiencing repression as a result of their chosen lifestyle in Europe in the 18th century. The younger generations who arrived in America around that time began to be called the “Pennsylvania Dutch” by those around them. After the initial Amish migrants arrived in America, the community began to spread out, heading for Ohio, other middle-western states and even Canada. To get an idea of the general avoidance of technology observed amongst the Amish, think about the fact that some of the most conservative members of the community do not use buttons on their clothing, preferring instead hooks and knots to close their outfits.

The clothing worn by the Amish generally resembles old European styles. Their religious ceremonies take place in their homes and the men are generally bearded. Interestingly, just as the Amish refuse to work in service for the state, they also do not vote or serve in the military. Members of the Old Order Amish, considered to be by far the most conservative group in this community, are estimated number around 80,000.

High levels of discipline

From time to time, the Amish encounter serious difficulties in their relations with the non-Amish communities that live around them. Most Amish families are opposed to regular schooling for their children, as they feel it represents a threat to their way of life. They see, for example, a normal high school education for a teenager as something that would make it difficult for the teenager to continue on in his or her Amish way of life. The court system in America has supported this position, ruling that as a group, the Amish have a right to their own religious ways and that they are not required to send their children to non-Amish schools.

Agriculture is a very important part of Amish life and they plow and take care of their fields just as they have throughout history. Their avoidance of technology is very present in this area, too, as you can see from the fact that their fields are almost never maintained with tractors. Their community standards generally prohibit the use of tractors and the Amish also do not use cars. The Amish tend to be wary of anything that might pull them toward worldliness. They do use mechanical tools, however, such as the metal plows we see being pulled by horses.

We see another Amish youth working as we continue down the road. He, too, is using a plow tool pulled by horses to work his field. He is 13 years old. Even though he has only been working on this field for about a week, it looks very well plowed. He will no doubt continue doing this work for his entire life. Younger members of the community, such as this teenager, start from a very young age to learn how to use these mechanical agricultural tools and later they will learn how to use even more complicated ones and thus continue the ways of their grandparents and great-grandparents. All this, despite the fact that the nation they live in, the US, offers some of the most advanced technology available in the world.

Women and female youth in this sect of Christianity wear head coverings similar to the Muslim headscarf. Even the little girls we see running next to their fathers, who are busy plowing fields, cover their heads. When we ask their mothers about this, they tell us that it is a part of their religion and traditions. After agriculture, animal husbandry is the second biggest source of income for the Amish community. We see lots and lots of cows eating grass in the wide fields of the community we are passing through.

The fact that there is no electricity used in Amish homes means that there are, of course, no electric appliances in use in these homes, either. In other words, no refrigerators, no washing machines, no dishwashers; the Amish abstain from all these conveniences. And, of course, no televisions. The absence of cars also means that the Amish rely on other means to travel, most noticeably, horse-drawn carriages. Just as most American families park their cars in front of their homes, the Amish park their horse-drawn carriages out front and put their horses in their stables.

Another interesting aspect of Amish life is that they do not use cemeteries. They bury their dead in the gardens and yards of their homes. Photographs are also forbidden in their brand of Christianity, which places a strong emphasis on modesty and shuns anything that may lead to vanity. When we ask if we can at least photograph some of the Amish children, the elders tell us: “We need to teach our children about all this while they are still young..”

The Amish bring their children up to continue this modest lifestyle and maintain the values that have guided their communities for so long now. The younger members of the community are taught to carry on the Amish ways and so they will, even if the rest of the world around them looks on in astonishment.

[TRAVEL TIPS]

Visa: The US requires visas for Turkish citizens. You can obtain a visa from the US embassy in Ankara or the US Consulate in İstanbul. The cost is $100. Citizens from nations like England, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can enter the US without visas and stay up to 90 days.

How to get there: Turkish Airlines (THY) has regular flights from İstanbul to both New York and Chicago. This is the best way to visit the US, especially if you don’t want to transfer, but simply fly directly.

Where to stay: You will never have a problem finding a hotel to fit your particular budget in America. Of course, tourist areas during the summer months can present a bit more of a problem and you will need reservations. Prices can range anywhere between $50 and $500 per night.

Cuisine: Turkish citizens accustomed to their own food might have some problems getting used to food in the US. But there are so many options available that, in the end, you will most likely find something that pleases you. There are large Turkish populations in areas like New York and New Jersey, so you could always go to one of the many Turkish restaurants here, if nothing else.

Best time to go: The northern states of America can be cold in the winter, so try to visit in the summer months. But remember, just as the northern states can freeze in the winter, the southern regions of America can swelter in the summertime.

travel guide -turkey- Kızkalesi: sun, sea, sand -- and castles

noreply@blogger.com (sporttube) — Tue, 06 May 2008 01:03:00 +0000

Over the millennia, Turkey has been inhabited by a succession of different peoples and civilizations. Each has left their mark.

Hittite rock-reliefs, Greek theaters, Roman aqueducts, Byzantine churches, Seljuk caravanserais and Ottoman mosques -- amongst countless other remains -- litter the nation’s often beautiful landscape. Some of these sites, backed by campaigns and promotions launched by the publicity gurus in the Ministry of Tourism, have become iconic. They appear to sum up, in a series of startling photographic images, everything this fascinating country has to offer. The library of Celsus at Ephesus, Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, the Commagene heads atop Mt. Nemrut, the cliff-hanging monastery of Sumela and the palace of İshak Paşa above Doğubayazıt sites whose images lack the “in your face” grandeur and power of the “A” list but which nonetheless command your attention and intrigue you sufficiently to vow to get around to visiting them one day. Think, perhaps, of Antalya’s Yivli Minare, Amasya’s rock-cut tombs or Harran’s “beehive” houses. Top of this hypothetical “B” list for me, though, would have to be the offshore ruin of medieval Kızkalesi, or “The Maiden’s Castle.”

Situated on the Mediterranean coast between Mersin and Silifke, Kızkalesi possesses a rare beauty. Traveler and writer Michael Pereira was fortunate enough to have visited the castle back in the 1960s, when the rash of development now scarring the mainland opposite the castle was not even at the itching stage. Pereira, standing on the golden strand of beach opposite the castle describes it in glowing terms:

“Whether its setting is unique I do not know, but certainly it is superb. It seems to float upon the water like a ship, its smooth and rounded towers, menacing yet graceful, thrown into sharp relief against the brilliant sky and sea. Nothing breaks the outline, no crowding tree or dipping slope of a hill. It is a perfect silhouette of grey on blue. Isolated, inaccessible and remote as the legend which clings to it.”

Pereira, hot and bothered after his exertions exploring the ancient town of Korykos (which lies across the coast road behind the modern resort of Kizkalesi and can still be visited today) elected to swim the 250 meters or so to the castle. He found little of interest there, as the interior was just a mass of tumbled masonry and the once well-patrolled walls home only to noisy sea gulls. Today, of course, you don’t have to swim to the castle. The western end of the beach has several boats with captains quite happy to divest you of a few lira to make the crossing. Unlike Perieira, you’ll have the opportunity to take photos en route, and be well enough shod to explore inside the castle without fear of getting a thorn in your foot.

Despite the mess of concrete that has disfigured the town of Kızkalesi, it is still a great place for a vacation -- especially if you have kids. Most of the accommodation is in small, family run pensions with shady gardens and easy access to the wonderful beach -- easily the best on this stretch of the Mediterranean. The sand is fine, soft and shelves very gently into the limpid blue waters of the sea. As you lay back on a sun-lounger, reading your book under the shade of a beach umbrella, you can keep an eye on your offspring splashing safely in the shallows. And of course if they want to build a sandcastle using the very fine materials to hand, they have a perfect model to work from -- the ever-present Maiden’s Castle seemingly floating on the sea just a short way offshore. If they complete that one, just point down the beach to the so-called land castle -- another romantic ruin that was once joined to the sea castle by a causeway. It’s worth exploring this overgrown ruin, preferably around sunset, when it is cooler and the encroaching shadows lend an air of mystery. Many of the materials used in the castle are recycled -- purloined from the remnants of the ancient Roman/Byzantine city of Korykos -- including columns, capitals and other chunks of decorative masonry. The view from the battlements at this time of day is superb, with the distant walls, towers and parapets of Kızkalesi mirrored in the placid deep blue waters of the bay.

If you tire of castles and the beach, there is plenty to do around Kızkalesi. Just a few kilometers to the west is the charming seaside village of Narlıkuyu. Here the late Roman Kızlar Hamamı or Bath of Pompenius is worth a look, with a fine mosaic floor depicting the Three Graces, minor goddesses in the Greek pantheon of divinities personifying beauty, gentleness and friendship. There are a number of fish restaurants here with good reputations -- and they are certainly more atmospheric than the eateries in Kızkalesi. Far more likely to get your kids attention are the nearby Cennet ve Cehennem. After all, what kid could resist a trip to heaven and hell! Cennet (heaven) is a 70-meter-deep gorge formed by the collapse of an underground canyon, reached by a mighty flight of steps. Beyond the gorge is a genuine cave, that of Typhon who, according to Greek myth, was a fire breathing monster with a hundred heads and father of Cerberus, the fierce three-headed dog who guarded the entrance to the underworld. Handily enough, virtually next door to heaven is hell (cehennem). A 120-meter-deep sinkhole rather than a true cave, it is supposedly where Zeus imprisoned Titan and, according to local legend, marks one of the entrances to the underworld.

If the heat is not too unbearable there are a number of classical era ruins scattered in the hills behind Kızkalesi, and along the coast to the east. Adamkayalar is perhaps the most interesting. Here a terraced rock face is punctured by Roman era tombs with relief carvings of the dead -- but be warned -- the path up is steep and rock-face precipitous, so take care. Three kilometers along the coast is the modern village of Ayat, ancient Elaeusa Sebastae. The remains here date from the Roman and Byzantine periods. The pick of the monuments is a well-preserved temple, with a number of Corinthian columns still standing. Further on lie the remains of another ancient city -- Kanytelis or, in Turkish, Kanlıdivane (place of blood). The ruins here are grouped around a large chasm some 90 meters long, 70 meters wide and 60 meters deep. Locals believe it was used to execute criminals -- first by throwing them into the chasm and then by watching them be devoured by wild animals. It’s a good story for the kids even if it is only local lore.

Kızkalesi has a great beach, friendly family pensions, plenty of things of interest nearby -- and an iconic fairytale castle. What more could anyone ask for?

The legend

Your kids may be intrigued to learn the legend of Kızkalesi referred to by Pereira. It seems that a local king had a very beautiful and much loved daughter. Unfortunately, a soothsayer visiting the court one day foretold that this attractive girl would die tragically young -- after being bitten by a venomous snake. In an attempt to thwart destiny, the king ordered a castle to be built out to sea. Once the castle was completed the king sent his daughter off to live there -- protected from serpents by the natural barrier of the sea and castle’s ramparts. The girl passed her time quite happily until her 16th birthday. Unfortunately, as a gift the king decided to send his daughter a present -- a basket of figs. Excitedly the girl uncovered her treat -- only to reveal a deadly viper hidden amongst the delicious fruit. Destiny was not to be averted and the girl succumbed to its deadly bite. Locals claim the castle is still inhabited by venomous snakes -- descendents of the lethal viper -- so it may be better to tell your kids this tale after a trip to the ruins!

The real story

The real story of the twin castles is interesting enough. They were built in the 12th century when this region was part of the Cilician Kingdom of Armenia (set up by Armenians fleeing eastern Anatolia following the arrival of the Seljuk Turks in 1071) to protect the flourishing port and town of Korykos from seaborne invasion. During the 12th and 13th centuries this region was much affected by the passage of the Crusaders, traveling through en route to the Holy Land. In the 14th century the famous Crusader Lusignan dynasty assumed control of the Cilician Kingdom of Armenia (through marriage) and King Peter used the castle as a base against the Muslim Turks in Anatolia. In the end, though, Islam prevailed. In 1448 the castle fell to one İbrahim Bey and became an Ottoman possession not long after.

[TRAVEL TIPS]

How to get there:

Nearest airport, Adana (regular flights from Ankara, Istanbul and Antalya). Frequent buses from Adana to Kızkalesi (2 hours).

Where to stay:

Yaka Hotel Tel: (324) 523 2444; www.yakahotel.com

Hantur Tel: (324) 523 2322; hotelhantur@tnnn.net.tr

Where to eat:

Kızkalesi: Pata Restaurant

Narlıkuyu: Kerim Rerstaurant

Admission times and fees:

Kızkalesi (Maiden’s Castle): Daily, dawn to dusk 2 YTL

Korykos (land) Castle: Daily, dawn to dusk 2 YTL

Bath of Pompenius at Narlıkuyu: 2 YTL

Cennet ve Cehennem: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 2 YTL

Kanlıdıvane: 8 a.m.-7 p.m., 2 YTL

Guides and books: “Blue Guide Turkey; Mountains and a Shore” by Michael Pereira