Meggy Knows Best

The Boracay Chronicles

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:21:00 +0000

Bad News First is Always Better...

On my last tricycle ride down Main Road, as I was leaving Boracay, my home for almost a year now, I sat there thinking that this is right. Leaving behind all of this is the right thing to do. I passed the familiar places: my friendly neighborhood botica, my favorite grocery store, goodah, d'mall; and I'm still trying to figure out for myself why I felt no pain from leaving all of this behind. None. Nada. Perhaps the superficiality of friendships founded on those shallow waters, upon soft sands, between take-offs and landings, across manila-kalibo/caticlan-manila runways, on perfunctory alco-high conversations at bars, the transitory nature of people on the island always coming and going made for a very lonely life on this island. I guess, I was looking for a place to nurture me, for soulful conversationalists, lasting friendships, realness, insight, solidity, but boracay is not that sort of place. Of course some people were nice to have around as friends, maybe - I did not stick around long enough to test them but generally, most of the people were only good for small talking and nothing more - "How empty to live here...", I thought. To be a tourist is different. I used to spend new years and summers in boracay before, but I always knew that I'd be going back to my life after, and a few days of superficialities was bearable coz I wasn't gonna have to take that home with me - I didn't have to wake-up to it everyday, unlike when I lived there. So in many, many ways, I am glad to have left that place. If tomorrow I find myself with my tail between my legs back on the island, ah well...c'est la vie, oui? But I really doubt it.

That place is for people that don't want to get too close to other people, to put it simply. The people that can stand living on the island are happy to stay away from anything lasting. Many I know are looking for cheap thrills, an easy lay, stupid fun, to heal old wounds, to run away from their problems, to sweep things under the rug. It is not about facing your demons there, like I used to believe. It's more about quelling the dragons of the day and pretending all in your life is ok. Then you go to bed with someone or one too many beers, wake-up feeling the emptiness creep-in, and you head-out to once again, quell those dragons, burn some "boramphetamines" - anything to mask your pain, anything to get by for the day. Boracay is a good distraction. A mirage. A fantasy island. A phantom land. How can you grow your roots on sands as easily blown away as powder? I woke-up from this dream, finally. Now I'm looking for more solid land. Not in this concrete jungle, no. But somewhere else. I can't say where yet, but somewhere. I suspect, it may be time to slip in my gypsy bangles, bring out the maps, follow the north star, and venture off to wherever the winds may take me.

More Bad News...

Coincidences can sometimes be full of mischief. You end-up at some place somewhere you thought at some point could or would bring you some semblance of stability but something unexpected arrives and suddenly the ground you have come to rely on is shaky. It's not like Life throwing you a hard blow. More like J.K. Rowling proclaiming that Dumbledore is gay after you have read Books i-vii with innocent notions of Dumbledore being the grandfather you always wished you had...but never was the old wise man's sexuality a necessary topic in relation to the story. Right? Of course, J.K. Rowling's announcement is not a concidence in itself but it is indeed mischievous. What is a coincidence though is my sharing the same birth date with Harry Potter - but that too is an unecessary topic right now.

Let me put it this way, a mischievous coincidence would be Koreans living in and traveling to Boracay. I heard the first Korean to ever discover Boracay was told that D'Mall was convenient for walking in high-heeled shoes, unlike Panglao Island in Bohol. Coincidentally, her Filipina friend had bought her as "pasalubong" a Boracay souvenir t-shirt and she thought that it'd be so cute if she got one for her boyfriend to match hers. The rest is history.

Another mischievous coincidence is Boracay's commercialization. Some wise dude accidentally discovered the island while flying over it some time back in the 70's; a decade later until today, its facade is perennially under construction and the paved walkways of D'Mall continuously bringing about the influx of high-heeled Koreans sporting matching tees and shorts with their respective partners on the island, ineffect, has turned-off a large number of European, American, and even Filipino tourists that used to constitute about 80% of the island's tourists. Now Boracay's "stability" seems to rely on its fast-growing commercialization and its foreign (mostly Korean) investors even if it means sacrificing its residents' quality of life with its turbo-powered sewerage system digesting more than it can accommodate, its power fluctuations and shortages, and its unusually high rate of food poisoning caused by these regular and sporadic brownouts and blackouts, there is also the increase in Boracay's crime rate, and very visibly, prostitution; the list goes on.

Coincidentally, a friend just gave me a pair of Coach high-heeled sandals. God forbid I strut down D'Mall in them! Instead I took a leisurely stroll along the shoreline with each step sinking myself deeper and deeper into the sand, the salt water corroding the wooden heels, staining the leather and cloth of the shoes. I tell myself, inspite of this shaky ground I now stand on, these shoes, after they're wornout, I will one day soon mount on D'Wall at D'Mall as a symbol of Boracay's decay; and hope, coincidentally, that someone gets the message. Needless to say, in my occasional prejudiced perspective of things (this instance Koreans in Boracay), I have made my point. Where in many cases, I am aware that my opinions have been taken quite harshly by some, poke me in the eye with a high-heeled shoe, I will remain rooted to the ground, barefoot and firm-footed in my verdict: Mischief, coincidental or not, has gone too far this time.

Now The Good Part!!! :)

No matter how living on the island has allowed me to see beyond its picture perfect surfaces, Boracay, simply, is beautiful. Period. There are no ifs or buts. It is what it is. Beautiful.

I'm thinking Boracay again. It's been more than a year since I've left it I'm starting to miss its cool waters and, cliche as it is, but not entirely overrated sunsets. I enjoyed the sunsets most while sitting on the wing of a hobiecat cruising, the gentle winds on my face, with a bottle of wine to share with friends, and Miles Davis playing over my ipod - it's almost better than chocolate that is better than sex!

Soon, I shall prep myself for a trip to Boracay and visit old places that at one point in my life had become too familiar. Now, I'm starting to miss them. My favorites were: Real Coffee, love their healthy menu of breakfasts, and of course, Lee, the Italian-American coffeeshop owner who was always such a charming hostess with her warm smile and interesting anecdotes; then there's Jonah's (fruit shakes), Station 1, the melon and banana shake was one of my favorites for a thirst-quencher, and the chocolate banana shake was simply yummy; that quaint hideaway in Diniwid called Spiderhouse was THE MOST romantic spot on the island, and the curry is unforgettable - nice for quiet time alone or with someone special ;); on the far side of the island, boat station 3, La Luna Rosa, had Oh-My-God-I-Just-Died-And-Went-To-Heaven Fettuccini with White Truffle Oil and Cream Pasta; and the pizzas at Paraiso Bar & Restaurant right beside Gastoph was...Mwah! Bellissimo!, was also addicted to their banana and mango topped with chocolate syrup and rum crepe; my favorite afternoon delight when noone was around was Smoke inside D'Mall where I'd have lots of coffee (nothing special), and great music - had an Old Malate ambience which made me quite at home in it; the mountain I loved climbing, a good 45 minute trek uphill with the reward of a grand view of the island, is something I will not fail to return to whenever I'm there; also miss the obscure cove in Baling Hai where my friends and I would lounge around in whenever we wanted to escape the noise of White Beach; naturally, I would never ever forget my favorite secret hideaway that I used to go to at daybreak just to sit quietly with a good book and their fresh Barako coffee; it had throw pillows on the floor, a low table, a very cozy private corner above the restaurant facing a garden - this was my Bora sanctuary.

There are so many other lovely popular and unpopular spots in Boracay that I'd love to revisit but what I've mentioned are on the top of my list. I suppose going back to an island that not too far back had left a bittersweet aftertaste in my mouth is apt at this point. No, but I think Time has done its job here and I am ready to give it a second chance to help me begin loving it all over again. Boracay, baby, here I come!

BEST CHRISTMAS SEASON HOTEL DEAL

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:26:00 +0000

Creekside Amorsolo Hotel

Creekside Amorsolo Hotel

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WHILE EVERYONE ELSE IS JACKING UP THEIR PRICES, WE ARE BRINGING OURS DOWN.

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We offer great value accommodation at a very convenient location. Situated on the trendy side of the Manila Metropolis, at the heart of Makati City, just a few minutes walk from the Central Business District and major shopping malls and entertainment venues, Creekside Amorsolo Hotel offers sleek, clean, and comfortable urban contemporary rooms at very affordable rates. Makati City is an interesting tapestry of non-stop activity, excellent cuisine, museums, night clubs, theatres, parks, and shopping malls. All of these places are just a few of blocks away!

With efficient, dedicated and friendly staff committed to making your stay enjoyable and memorable, we make it our business to give you a home away from home even on a budget.

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The Creekside Amorsolo Hotel is located at the Mezzanine Floor Creekside Mall,

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Tel: 632 – 8934123/817-8726 to 28

E-mail: creeksideamorsolohotel@yahoo.com

For comments and suggestions please email us at

comments@creeksideamorsolo.com

Creekside Amorsolo Hotel

Creekside Amorsolo Hotel in Makati has 3 reviews

Most Romantic Boracay Dinner for Two

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 09:39:00 +0000

Shop for Quality Products at Bargain Basement Prices at Meggyknowsbest.com

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 06:09:00 +0000

Meggy Says:

I am so amazed at how consumerism has become the apex of our lives today!

We seem to have forgotten about the virtue of true greatness. Not realizing that we are sitting at the threshold of something always; leaving compounded blocks of time and opportunities insatiated as we go about our 9-5 jobs, 5-7 cocktails, 7-9 dinners, 9-unlimited partying, and weekend-long shopping sprees. PHEW!

Nevertheless, I am just as much a consumer as everybody else. So here is my contribution to the rest of my fellow shopaholics: a website that gives you updates on the best deals you can find on the internet.

Much Love,

Meggy

Steal of The Day!

Meggy ‘s daily showcase of the latest products, promos, and great bargains

C a r Deals of the Month

Meggy gives you a monthly rundown of the best car deals out on the market

Bo o k s and Literature

Meggy’s reviews on her favorite book finds plus updates on online book sales

Tr a v el Deals

Cyber-globetrotting with Meggy for the best travel ‘n tours packages and budget travel deals

Market Finds

Interesting ideas and stuff you can find online that Meggy would like to share with you

Pl a ces I’ve Been

Meggy’s “Been There; Done That” travel blog

Fashion Finds

Meggy does “Fashionista”. Look here for great bargains on designer clothing and accessories

M o netize On line

Great internet money-making ideas Meggy has discovered

Best Online Bargains Today

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:40:00 +0000

Creekside Amorsolo Hotel

Creekside Amorsolo Hotel

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WHILE EVERYONE ELSE IS JACKING UP THEIR PRICES, WE ARE BRINGING OURS DOWN.

BOOK NOW for DECEMBER 2010

and get

50% off on ALL ROOMS

*ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS

With efficient, dedicated and friendly staff committed to making your stay enjoyable and memorable, we make it our business to give you a home away from home even on a budget.

Website: http://www.creeksideamorsolohotel.com

FOR OTHER HOTEL PROMOS: http://www.creeksideamorsolo.com/promos.html

The Creekside Amorsolo Hotel is located at the Mezzanine Floor Creekside Mall,

Amorsolo St. cor VA Rufino St., Legazpi Village, Makati

Tel: 632 – 8934123/817-8726 to 28

E-mail: creeksideamorsolohotel@yahoo.com

For comments and suggestions please email us at

comments@creeksideamorsolo.com

Creekside Amorsolo Hotel

Creekside Amorsolo Hotel in Makati has 3 reviews

Steal of the Day!

Liquid Image Explorer Series 302 5MP 15' Underwater Digital Camera Diving Mask (Yellow)

Reg Price:	$99.95
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Warranty:	1 Year
Condition:	New
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Manufacturer:	Liquid Image
MFG Part #:	302
Model #:	Explorer Series 5.0MP

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link: http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=ES-302&cat=CAM

Features/Specifications:

Liquid Image Explorer Series 302 5 MP Underwater Digital Camera Mask
General Features:
Yellow color with black accents
Goggles constructed of plastic and tempered glass
Adjustable strap for a customized fit
Waterproof up to 15 feet (5 meters)
5.0 MP still image capture
1/2.5" 5.0 Mega Pixels CMOS sensor
2560 x 1920 still image resolution
640 x 480 (VGA) video resolution
JPEG and M-JPEG file formats
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microSD expansion card slot (supports up to 2 GB)
Store up to 3000 (2560 x 1920) still images on a 2 GB microSD card
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2G2P fix lens
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Liquid Image Explorer Series 302 5 MP Underwater Digital Camera Mask
USB cable
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Carrying Case
Silicon Tube
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ArcSoft MediaImpression Software CD

Additional Information:

Notes:
Model: Explorer Series 5.0MP
P/N: 302
UPC: 8 37254 00302 6
The camera mask does not require software to download images.
The ArcSoft MediaImpression Software is compatible with PC only.
Product Requirements:
Windows 98SE/2000/Me/XP/Vista
Mac 9.x or above
4x CD-ROM drive
Pentium II or above CPU
At least 64 MB of RAM
Available USB port
microSD memory card up to 2 GB for expanding memory

Information Links:

Specifications

More Steal of the Day!

Best Idiot Proof WP Themes Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 03:24:00 +0000

For The Non Wordpress Savvy Individual

Let’s face it, many of you aren’t Wordpress savvy; and Wordpress themes can appear to be a complicated matter particularly because there are so many themes to choose from that you can’t get around to figuring out what theme is for what and which among the variety of themes would be the right one for your weblog. If you don’t know whether to wind a watch or bark at the moon, the easiest way to go about learning the ins and outs of Wordpress themes is to not get overwhelmed by the scope of details but to simply go through the basics one step-at-a-time.

What is a Theme?

Picture in your head the fundamentals that go into building a house: you’ve got the lot itself, the materials and tools, the architectural landscape, the skeleton structure of a house, and the exterior and interior design. In a weblog, the lot would be your webhost which gives you the venue to develop your blog. The materials and tools in a blog site would be the web builder program which provides what you need to develop the basic graphical interface that includes the page layout, the theme, and the skin. The architectural landscape would be the layout design on your page where you assign the different widgets, boxes, and other add-ons to your weblog. The theme would be like the skeleton structure of the house setting the scaffolding and framework for your entire weblog. Finally, the exterior and interior design would be your blog’s skin or “visual look”.

Components of a Theme?

First thing is first, you’ve got to install Wordpress on your site. Afterwhich, you can choose from either the existing themes that came with the installation, or scan the web for free themes. Either way you have to consider a lot of things that go into each theme on the menu. You should take into account components of a theme such as: the icons on links, the design style of the header, and the width and length of the elements that go into the page. You have to ask yourself if the theme has fully integrated all the elements that you need for your specific weblog. You may have to spend some time deciding on your theme - be thorough and patient with the process because your theme sets the tone for how your site will perform thereonafter.

The Best Asian Budget Travel Website

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:10:00 +0000

OFF FOR A VACATION?

Here is Where You'll Find the Best Travel Deals Online.

Don't we all love good deals? Whether we are shopping for personal care items, books, vehicles, groceries, home accessories & furniture, or travel packages we simply cannot say no to a good deal.

The internet is bombarded with millions of websites offering this and that at bargain basement prices that searching online for what we want and need can be very time consuming. This is where I come in to help. I spend all day just searching for the best deals you can find on the internet to save you the trouble.

Right now, my latest find is Asiatravel.com, online budget travel and booking website that doesn't charge for booking fees, has the lowest rates so far on the net, and has no hidden costs. Asiatravel's budget travel tours, travel vacation deals, budget adventure travels, great travel deals, travel advice, asia travel packages, travel bargains, etc easily puts this travel agency on top of the list of some of the best travel n tour affilliates wordlwide.

Services

- Quality hostels, budget hotels and budget apartments in over 2,900 destinations Worldwide.

- Top Deals in the most popular worldwide destinations

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-Useful information when travelling to different places across the globe

- Google Street View and Map

Budget Travelling vs. Luxury Travelling

The reason going first class all the way is such an attractive package is because people want to be spoiled rotten. It's elementary, really; and that can't be a bad thing at all if you can afford to pay for 1st class accommodations at luxury hotels. But considering the global economic crunch, fewer people can book at the Ritzes nowadays, and even those that can, still sometimes choose to use their money wisely and book themselves in inexpensive budget hotels, hostels, or apartments when travelling to different parts of thr world.

The boom in the budget travel industry is the reason more and more budget travel accommodations are popping up in all corners of the world. Not only are they prolific, but they have been giving luxury hotels a run for their money.

Back in the old days, budget hotels would look and feel like you were really scrimping on pennies. The rooms would smell like they've not been cleaned since the last checkout; the 50 threadcount bedsheets would often be rough and dusty; bathroom sinks and toilets stained; noise from the airconditioners would be ear shattering; the location usually off the beaten track; and the service, even less than what you bargained for. But times are fast changing and travellers are getting smarter, in effect, budget hotels are sprucing up their image and delivering service that is at par with luxury status. There are less reasons now to book your next travel in a luxury suite at the Hilton when you can have the same impeccable service, crisp bedsheets, immaculate bathrooms, and tasteful interiors in many of the top quality budget hotels worldwide today. Any traveller would be smart to cut down on travel budgets without sacrificing his or her convenience and satisfaction by booking with an online budget travel website like Asiatravel.com.

Back to The Happy Traveler

Back to HOME

Places I've Been

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 14:39:00 +0000

The Boracay Chronicles

Bad News First is Always Better...

More Bad News...

Now The Good Part

No matter how living on the island has allowed me to see beyond its picture perfect surfaces, Boracay, simply, is beautiful. Period. There are no ifs or buts. It is what it is. Beautiful.

The Best Things In Life Are Often Forgotten

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 09:20:00 +0000

I bless the day I was born to immune you of all your kind. To lie about the softness of a woman is hateful...the malevolent triviality that turns them into a trap. The horror of nothingness that is the imprescriptable All. The ocean, despite its misleading masculine image, rolled in the darkness like a bitch in heat. The ocean, like a woman, can engulf you and make you vanish into lows. So...you feel trapped by a kind of sorcery of the signs and obscene sounds of nature surrounded by the pleading moans of the weak, only, you were strong alone -- a captive of her world.

Poetry, fiction, the literati - these are the last bastions of the uninspired. Words can cut and words can lift us up, but regardless of syntax or vocabulary, basking in a gifted few's eloquence is indeed a priceless encounter.

But somehow television has turned us into a nation of illiterates. Somewhere down the road of mid-day soap operas and late-night talk shows, people have forgotten the timelessness of a good book; replacing its nobility with second-rate entertainment. And the few that still read, besotted with fancy titles and bookcovers, have bought into the hype of these hard-boiled paperbacks: Sex And The City, Chicken Soup for everything, and a trend of books for DUMMIES & IDIOTS ( my thoughts exactly ).

We have been sucked into the vortex of formula plots, blockbuster movies, addictive telenovelas, and short-lived bestsellers. Entertaining and fun, maybe, but nothing is really said and anything said really says nothing. Any writer worth his/her pen and ink knows that it is not the plot that matters, it is the way the story is told.

I am saddend by the mediocrity of it all and I wonder to myself if there is any good in all this. Or do we just have to console ourselves with poetry-readings, the NY Times, Oprah's Book Club, or Amazon.com to remind us that the Literati are still somehow appreciated?

If I'd have to spend my life dimeless yet reading, writing, and indulging in eloquent inspiration, then I would be a happy woman, indeed. Still, a small part of me yearns to share this bliss that I know. I think about the unenlightened millions of brainwashed t.v. fanatics and sigh. Like a soldier armed with nothing but a rifle and cyanide, I retreat into injured silence. Television, the false prophet, as I call it, has won this time; for nothing holds its audience in its thrall, not even Jesus Christ Himself, as much as television does.

When Judas told Jesus (in Jesus Christ Superstar) that if He had come today, He would have reached a whole nation, he definitely had a point. But JC knew better. JC undertood the importance of a well-written book, and the power of its timelessness; and so, the Bible was His chosen medium. In my opinion, if there is anything that would attest to Jesus Christ's brilliance it'd have to be that. And for that alone, I drink His Cup Of Blood and toast to a point well-made!

The Best Designer Clothing Online Bargain Store

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 01:20:00 +0000

Because sometimes online shopping can be a drag, I am always on the lookout for one-stop-shops that are easy to navigate, give the best deals, are reliable, and have a wide variety of items to choose from. Easy shopping is my goal; and so I have taken the time to surf the net for the best websites I can find that meet my expectations.

Bluefly

In the category of online shopping for the best deals in designer clothes and accessories and bath and home items, http://www.bluefly.com is at the top of the list. Their online selection is extensive so you can find almost every brand name that you look for; you don't have to browse through other online stores for your designer needs. The discounts go from 40% to as much as 75% off regular retail prices on most items. It's quite a steal!

One other thing that I like about their service is that they offer flat-rate U.S. shipping, no matter how many items are in your order. Shipping takes about 10 or less business days from the time the order is placed. For international shipping details you can go here: http://www.bluefly.com/custom/custom.jsp?promoId=m480128.

BLUEFLY NEWS

If you want to get the latest fashion news checkout Flypaper, bluefly's online blog filled with fresh and intersting fashionista tidbits, designer clothing top picks, make-up and cosmetics tips, and news articles about anything and everything fashionable.

THIS WEEK IN FASHION: MADONNA & WHITNEY HOUSTON WEAR THE SAME DRESS

B

Search Engine Optimization and SEO Tools

The Best Themes Online Are Free

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 02:32:00 +0000

Free Wordpress Themes

Back in the days, freebies were usually just old, small samples, almost expired, discardable, low-quality versions of products and merchandise. The only good thing about them is that they were free. Somehow, in the course of time, businesses have evolved and adapted more intelligent marketing and promotional gigs while consumers have become more discriminating and far more intelligent in their purchasing habits. Getting a substandard free product is not going to fool consumers anymore into thinking that paying for it will get them better quality all the time. This is not how it works today. Many good quality products are being offered for free, and yet, despite that, businesses have not suffered; in fact, most claim to have increased in sales and profits since.

On that note, free wp themes are not at all mediocre versions of their paid themes. The free wp themes available on the internet are state of the art designs offering some of the best themes with advanced graphical interface programs, community friendly templates, and innovative widgets and plug-ins. Generally, free wp themes come with the same set of features with a few variations depending on the category of its design.

WP Themes and Features:

Widget compliant
RSS subscription
CSS/XHTML supportive
Adsense
JPG, PNG, GIF compatible
Easy customizable designs and layouts
“skinable” themes
Web 2.0 compliant
Grid-aligned, 1, 2, 0r 3 column layouts
Theme Editor enabled

Free Wordpress themes are all over the internet. Any search engine would spawn a long list of various websites offering a selection of free themes. Since the free themes run in the hundreds and thousands, it may take too long for you to decide on a theme you want if you don’t know about choosing themes according to what they were originally designed to accomplish. Themes can be classified under a wide range of categories and styles: eCommerce, 3D, Joomla templates, Law, Art & Photography, Architecture, Flash Site, CSS, Medical, Military etc. Wordpress has got themes for every type of website you can think of which makes for a very fun and interesting free Wordpress themes almanac.

Three Handy Tips:

Browse through categories that are both specific and somewhat related to what suits your site. For instance, if you are setting-up a weblog on the subject of literature or similar topics, browse through the Books category but also look through the themes in the Artworks category for more options.

Don’t just choose a theme because it looks nice; you have to also consider the rest of the elements that constitute the theme, such as: the links, the icons, the header design styles, the length, widths, and sizes of the columns.

Remember that not all themes are for free so you have to make sure that the download webpage for the theme you have chosen indicates that it is free.

Blue Sky is a “must have” quality-premium WP theme. The header template has a very refreshing wide-angle image of the vast blue skies with white fonts.

Features: SEO oriented, rounded corners, widget ready, fixed width, 2 columns with right sidebar, XHTML/CSS compatible, usable with Internet Explorer 6.7, Firefox, and Opera

Once you've picked out your WP Theme, you can now begin to customize your theme. The first thing that people see when they visit your website is your header. An attractive header can make or break the success of your website. Learn the easy steps to customizing your WP headers below.

How to Upload Images onto WP Headers

Blue Sky Theme banner header template can be easily customized. This theme has a majestic yet naturalistic look to it, but its design features include easy to modify boxes. So if you want to change the look and feel of your header, all you need to do is choose an image you want to replace the original WP theme image with and upload your own image onto the header section of the page, here’s how to install wordpress images onto your header:

Click on top of your site the Presentation/Themes section
Click Custom Image Header
You are now on the Header Image page. Click on browse button below where it says Upload Header Image
Choose your image on your hard drive, click it, then click upload button
After image has uploaded, a crop option will appear on your new image header, crop as you please
Refresh your page and you’re all done!

The rest of the theme is just as easily manageable; and uploading images or changing the skin and visual images on your page, as well as creating your own banner heads or custom boxes (for more advanced wp users) can be accomplished with ease. The flexibility of this theme makes it one of the most popular WP themes on the internet.

Thesis Theme

Thesis is designed as an SEO optimized Wordpress theme that is easily customizable giving you a lot of control over the elements of the theme including the header. Just clicking the mouse over the header of the WP Thesis Theme enables you to modify it even without the help of the theme editor.

Things You Need To Know

This theme accepts GIF, JPG, PNG formats.
Pixels are adjustable by cropping the uploaded banner head photo of your choice, but as a general rule, a size not more than 200kb should work best. Shoot for a height between 50 and 200 pixels to avoid cutting the image
Create a custom path for your image before you upload to Thesis

You Can Now Start Adding Your Banner Head

On your main page, go to the Presentation/Themes section
On that page, look for Custom Image Header on the bar above the page
The path will take you to the Header Image page where you scroll down to the Upload Header Image portion, click browse, choose among the images on your PC files the banner image you want to upload, click it, and then click upload
Wait for image to upload on the header section of your page
There is a crop option over the newly uploaded header image that you can move around and click once you have decided what part of the image header you want to crop, the click on the crop button on the lower left hand corner
Refresh the page, the image should be on your header by then

For more free WP themes go to: http://www.freewpthemes.net/

Best Car Deals for The Month

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:39:00 +0000

Some of the best brand names in the car insudtry

are giving out superb deals for their July 2009 promos.

USA News Ranking and Reviews for July 2009 Car Deals

Car Brand

Car Deal

Expires

Buick, GMC,
Cadillac,Chevrolet,
HUMMER,Pontiac,
Saturn, Saab

Discounted prices combined with cash-back offers. 0% financing available in some regions, but cannot be combined with discounts

7/31/09

BMW

2.9% APR financing for 36 months on most models

8/31/09

Chrysler, Dodge,Jeep

"Double Ca$h For Your Ride" promotion offers cash-back rebates of up to $4,500 on top of federal CARS incentive. Not all models qualify.

8/31/09

Ford,Lincoln,Mercury

0 % APR financing for up to 60 months, rebates as high as $5,000 on many 2009s, plus payment protection under new Ford Advantage Plan

8/3/09

Mercedes-Benz

1.9% APR financing for 36 months on most models

7/31/09

Toyota

Toyota deals vary regionally, but many models are available now with 0% APR financing or cash-back rebates as high as $4,000

tba

Mazda

0 - 1.9% APR financing for 36 months, which can be combined with cash back offers on most models

7/31/09

Christian Louboutin Shoe Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 02:58:00 +0000

Footcandy Has Got Great Bargains on Designer Shoes

Purchase any of these shoes exclusively designed by Christian Louboutin for Footcandy and help save the elephants. This promotion is a joint project between Louboutin and Footcandy to raise money for Asian elephants. All proceeds go to GTAEF (Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation), a group that committed to the rescue of elephants in the streets of Thailand.

RODITA $895 ; PINK

Christian Louboutin RODITA strappy sandal is exclusively sold at Footcandy stores. Only 50 pairs are being made.

More Footcandy designer shoe bargains!

by Christian Louboutin

NO-PRIVE-GLITTE $775 ; Anthracite (color)

Walk foxy in the night with this pair of peep toe sling-backs wrapped in sparkling silver glitter! Hidden 1" platform, slingback elasticized, 4 3/4 covered heel.

by Jimmy Choo 60% OFF

HANOI ; $518 (Orginal Price: $1,295) ; 3.5" Covered heel ; Black

Revamp your boots collection with a pair of Jimmy Choos. Unlike other boots, this pair has got full length zipper in front and two suede stripes that run along the full length sides of the zipper.

Fashion Finds Below $25!!!@ Shopalicious.blogspot.com

Florals and bright stripes are outdated summer prints, what's hitting the scene today are summer dresses with prints lifted off your Great Aunt's vintage scarf collection! The intricate prints in muted colors come in a whimsical line of designs with spaghetti straps, sexy deep V-necks,and scoop necks. Pair them off with strappy sandals, flats or peep-toe heels and a cute tote bag and you're ready for a fun day out in the sun!

Forever21

Doreen Printed Dress (left) ; $19.80
Evelina Woven Dress (right) ; $22.80

2 Fashion Items for $10 at American Basics

Americas Basics' 2 for $10 sale! Visit: http://www.americasbasics.com's "Deal of the Day" on their website to find some of your favorite items on sale. Checkout their updates daily; new items are added to their list everyday.

Sexy Ladies Tank Tops by Monique ; $6.90

Basic Crew Neck T-shirt by Asheley ; $6.90

10%-40% OFF all SALE ITEMS @ Shoes.com Summer Sale until July 31, 2009!!!

10% Off! Men's Hush Puppies

Hush Puppies Broker boots. Waterproof leather upper in a casual mid-rise chukka boot style with a softly squared toe. Sleek design, delicate 3-eyelet lacing customizes fit over the softly padded tongue. Faux leather lining and removable insole with a cushioning gel heel inlay, flexible midsole. Durable rubber traction outsole. 1 1/4 inch square heel.

Ladies and Children's Shoes 10%-40% OFF

Steal of the Day: Laptops

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 30 May 2009 09:31:00 +0000

Best Value For Money Laptops

Cheap laptops aren't that hard to come by since laptops are getting cheaper and cheaper by the day. I remember the time when laptops were incredibly high priced that owning one was considered a status symbol. Thank God, those days are over! Now, I have a laptop to speak of. Just the same, even if the prices have dropped since, there still are people out there always looking for a bargain (that includes me which explains the reason for this blog). The thing is, in my book, it's only a smart buy when you get "quality for low value". What's the point of getting something inexpensive only to end-up discarding it or continuously getting it repaired?

That is why getting the best deals requires a whole lot of time and energy spent on research that not many have the time nor the patience for with such busy, busy schedules. But that's the part that I love the most! Before I started out doing this online, I did this on a regular basis for my family and friends. So this isn't new to me, except that it's much more convenient and cost-effective online than it is on foot.

Anyway, as I was saying, it isn't a good deal just because it's cheap. Laptop computers are expected to be used often and carried around a lot. That said, a laptop needs to be sturdy, dependable, efficient, up-to-date, and handy all at once. After having gone through the entire smorgasbord of del-ico.us laptops, I've realized that naming just one laptop as the best in value for money is not as easy as it sounded before I'd started out on this venture because these days the range of laptops are fit for a number of uses. This means mixing together different components according to your needs. Therefore, I cannot give you one laptop and call it THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY, but what I can do is give you my TOP 2 personal picks for V.F.M. laptops.

My Picks

ACER ASPIRE ONE
$209.95

Laptop Features

I only use my laptop for blogging, surfing the net, uploading and editing pics, and basic graphics. I'm no techie but I own an ACER ASPIRE ONE and it has not failed me since. I use it everyday, all day and all night; its battery lasts about 5 hours. Another consideration is that it's a trusted brand and there are service repair centers around the world which come in handy when traveling. But if you want a detailed technical review of this laptop checkout laptoplogic.com.

Other V.F.M. Laptops

LENOVO S10

$349.00

Laptop Features

This laptop is good looking, maybe not important to some of you, but I like nice, sleek, well designed laptops. It's light and easy to carry around. It has gotten good reviews among my technology savvy friends and online reviews. Plus, I also trust the brand.

Back to Steal of the Day!

Steal of the Day: Book Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:36:00 +0000

Bookcloseouts:Great Bargains on Books

Book Closeouts offers their books at amazingly low prices. I was so excited to have found some books that I have put off buying in regular bookstores hoping they would go on sale at some point. You can get books here for as low as $2.49! Their section on NY Times Bestsellers have books going for as low as $4.99. The library of books is extensive and filled with great titles.

Book Sections

New Arrivals - their latest finds

Promotions - books at Super Sale prices

Kids - wide selection of children's books

Scratch and Dent - partially damaged books (but with complete pages from start to finish!)

Our Best - includes NY Times Bestsellers, Top Titles, Oprah's Book Club, Top 10 Sellers, Special Purchases

They also have a section called Monthly Blowouts where at the beginning of each month they select great titles to offer at an additional 30% off.

Checkout some of their top sellers:

Man Gone Down

Tell a friend

Author(s):	Thomas, Michael
Publisher:	Grove Press, Black Cat
Format:	Paperback
	Bargain Book Copy

List Price:	$14.00
Our Price:	$4.99 (US Funds)
You Save:	$9.01 (64% OFF)

Qty Avail: 100

Add to cart
View cart

Overview:

Michael Thomas' first novel is a beautifully written, insightful, and devastating account of a young black father of three in a biracial marriage trying to claim a piece of the American Dream. On the eve of the unnamed narrator's thirty-fifth birthday, he finds himself broke, estranged from his white Boston Brahmin wife and three children, and living in the bedroom of a friend's six-year-old child. With only four days before he's due in to pick up his family, he must make some sense out of his life. Alternating between his past - as an inner city child bused to the suburbs in the 1970's - and a present where he is trying mightily to keep his children in private schools, we learn of his mother's abuses, his father's abandonment, and the best and worst intentions of a supposedly integrated America. This is an extraordinary debut about what it feels like to be pre-programmed to fail in life - and the urge to escape that sentence.

Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)

Tell a friend

Author(s):	Meyer, Stephenie
Publisher:	Little, Brown Young Readers
Format:	Softcover
	Bargain Book Copy

List Price:	$10.99
Our Price:	$4.99 (US Funds)
You Save:	$6.00 (55% OFF)

Qty Avail: 100

Add to cart
View cart

Overview:

When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain sin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret.


Category		Subject
Children Fiction		Horror & Ghost Stories


ISBN-13:		9780316015844
ISBN-10:		0316015849
Language:		English
Pages:		498
Dimensions:		8.20" l x 5.40" w x 1.50" h
Age Range:		12+

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Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead, and Atlas Shrugged

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 26 May 2009 01:14:00 +0000

The mere mention of the name Ayn Rand alone is provocative, not to mention, controversial. But I am a firm believer in the saying that "a novel is only as good as the words that the author has put into it"; and therefore, an author's autobiography has got nothing to do with my take on his or her works. So despite Ayn Rand's Machiavellian maneuvers to manipulate people's lives in order to inspire her to write, I am thoroughly in awe of her masterpieces, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged.

In sharp contrast to what I'd just said, Rand's novels are greatly influenced by her own life's philosophies. In the case of the The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, she speaks extensively about her philosophy, Objectivism. The book, The Fountainhead, follows the story of Howard Roarke, an architect whose approach to his craft and his interactions with several characters in the book, more intimately, his lover, his arch-enemy, his newspaper publisher, and his architectural critic, epitomizes Objectivism. Here is a supremely ethical man who reasons with his own mind, lives his life according to his terms, uninfluenced by society and standards other than his own, and who has himself at the center of his purpose. It is not surprising that the author herself follows the same philosophy; and although the character of Howard Roarke is patterned after world famous Chicago architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, much of Rand's life is portrayed in her novel. Howard Roarke's character is commonly misunderstood; despised by many readers believing that he is unfeeling and incapable of sympathy, which I do not agree with completely. Roarke is a romantic in the truest sense of the word. Don't forget that this is ROMANTIC literature. Ayn Rand, like Roarke, lived the life of a romantic; she admired and imbibed passion, love and art that reflected life long range. Both The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged took what was good and "evil" in her characters and magnified it mockingly to an extreme. It was a mirror to society and her personal scorn for their constipated bourgeois attitudes about life. I thought it was brilliant.

Literature must be either romantic, dramatic, provocative, or inspirational for it to be worth the time to read. When I read, it is for three reasons, mainly to take what I can learn from a book, but also to bask in the beauty of its composition - the weaving of words, and to gain another's perspective. Ayn Rand has aroused in those that have read her, so many curious aspects in human behavior that her popularity often supercedes her greatest literary works that anybody worth his or her ink and pen would agree that The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged should not be left to gather dust and mites on bookshelves. Written by one of the greatest thinkers of the century, Ayn Rand's two masterpieces are definitely worth reading.

Objectivism
Barnes and Noble: Ayn Rand Books and Reviews

The Best Things In Life are Often Forgotten

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 02:45:00 +0000

But somehow television has turned us into a nation of illiterates. Somewhere down the road of mid-day soap operas and late-night talk shows, people have forgotten the timelessness of a good book; replacing its nobility with second-rate entertainment. And the few that still read, besotted with fancy titles and bookcovers, have bought into the hype of these hard-boiled paperbacks: Sex And The City. Chicken Soup for everything, and a trend of books for DUMMIES & IDIOTS ( my thoughts exactly ).

When Judas told Jesus ( in Jesus Christ Superstar ) that if He had come today, He would have reached a whole nation, he definitely had a point. But JC knew better. JC undertood the importance of a well-written book, and the power of its timelessness; and so, the Bible was His chosen medium. In my opinion, if there is anything that would attest to Jesus Christ's brilliance it'd have to be that. And for that alone, I drink His Cup Of Blood and toast to a point well-made!

Steal of the Day: Madonna & Beyonce Live Concert Tickets!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:08:00 +0000

Madonna & Beyonce Live Concert Tickets!

Here is a concert ticket website that has gotten rave reviews and is trustworthy.

Viagogo.co.uk: Viagogo is an online ticket exchange that allows people to buy and sell live event tickets in a safe and guaranteed way.

You can also checkout concert news, promos and deals at: Ticketnews

Concerts to watchout for:

Madonna

Olympiastadion München, München, Germany
August 18, 2009, Tuesday, 7:30pm
Ticket Prices: range from $85-$150++ (USD)

Beyonce

Echo Arena, Liverpool, United Kingdom
November 11, 2009, Wednesday, 8:00pm
Ticket Prices: $155++ (USD)

NIA Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
November 12, 2009, Thursday, 8:00pm
Ticket Prices; $149++ (USD)

O2 Arena, London, United Kingdom
November 14, 2009, Saturday, 8:00pm
November 16, 2009, Monday, 8:00PM
Ticket Prices: $131-$139++ (USD)

More Steal of the Day!

Ford Escape 2009 Promo

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 03:46:00 +0000

STEAL OF THE DAY!

FORD ESCAPE 2009 PROMO

Compact SUVs

2009 Ford Escape: 0% financing for 60 months or up to $2,500 cash back

As automakers have shifted away from tough, truck-like SUVs toward curvier, more car-like crossovers, the Ford Escape has started to look out of date. But it isn't. An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety "Top Safety Pick," the Escape boasts better fuel-economy than many of its rivals, even if it looks more like a tough, truck-based ride. Ford's available SYNC system, which allows drivers to control iPods, cell phones and other Bluetooth devices through the car's stereo system with voice commands, is something no competitor can match.

Note:

The Escape's combined EPA-estimated gas mileage is greater than 18 mpg, so it is eligible for the Cash for Clunkers rebate.

Archives: STEAL OF THE DAY!

Best Value For Money Laptops

Great Bargains on Books

Madonna & Beyonce Concert Tickets

Name Your Own Price Hotels @ Priceline.com

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:27:00 +0000

The deal is easy. Select your exact hotel and price, tell Priceline.com how much you want to pay for your hotel booking and they will get you booked on the exact check-in and check-out dates of your choice.

I've compared their prices to other travel and hotel booking sites and they really do offer the best rates. You'd be saving as much as 50% off hotel room rates. Their list of hotel affiliates extends up to 60,000 hotels all over the wo rld. They've got 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Boutique and Resort star-level hotels so finding one that suits your budget is easier.

Their site guides you through 3 easy steps to booking your room @ Priceline. They even have a map which pinpoints exact areas whe re their hotel affiliates are located.

Here are a few more things you should know when you Name Your Own Price® or
Choose Your Hotel with Priceline.

Exact hotel is shown immediately after purchase.
The hotel will be either an affiliate hotel chain or an independent partner
You can get the same rates when you extend your stay
Bookings are non-refundable, non-changeable, non-transferable

Apart from hotel bookings, Priceline.com has got a wide coverage of great deals on vacation packages like Romantic vacations, Golf vacations, Caribbean getaways, Hawaii deals, Family travel ideas, Gambling and Casino vacations; the list goes on.

Their Pricebreakers page has the best updates on discounts and promos for airline tickets, hotels, resorts, cruises, and vacation packages.

3.5-Star Orlando Hotels for ONLY $69/night This Weekend!

Save 42% on Your 3.5-Star Orlando Hotel!

Spend as many as four nights in Orlando this summer for just $69/night! That's 42% off what you would normally pay for a 3.5-Star hotel!

JetBlue's Biggest Flight Sale of the Year!

JetBlue is having a MEGA sale! Don't miss out on these rock-bottom prices starting from just $29 one-way! Fly this fall around the U.S. and to the Caribbean.

So many great deals, they've got it all covered for you. I absolutely love this website! Makes booking my next vacation hassle-free, convenient, and best of all, inexpensive. Sound like a good deal to me.

Twitter as a Viable Money-Making Marketing Tool

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 04:52:00 +0000

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Those that are in-the-know are familiar with this website. Twitter is simply a website that provides a venue for people to tell the whole world what they are doing or what they are thinking. It’s a headliner, not a journal; so it’s easy to scan through Twitter pages and keep abreast with what is happening simultaneously with people, anytime, anywhere.

It’s the new online sensation. Everybody’s “tweeting” this and that, here and there, across timelines and nations, bridging racial and social distinctions. It has become a popular hub for fans to follow their favorite celebrities’ “tweets” which is conceivably one of the primary reasons Twitter has established itself as the leading-edge of the cyber community of text messaging and networking websites.

Mostly Twitter is for entertainment, a hangout; but lately, more and more people are realizing that a website with an easily accessible network of people across the globe is a very good place to pitch your business. Apart from the fact that it is phenomenally popular, it is also FREE. Free advertising is easy on the internet nowadays considering all the available free web spaces, but a free ad that links you to a sizable global market on a regular basis is an opportunity any smart business person should not pass-up.

Like any business, there is a marketing plan, and a guideline. Twitter is no different. To get the most out of employing Twitter as a marketing tool you’d first need to learn the full particulars of the website. The Twitter Traffic Machine will get you all the inside information, “Twitter secrets” that you won’t learn tinkering with the website on your own. The Twitter Traffic Machine has tactically designed an automated system to convert your Twitter followers into avid clients exponentially expanding your client base on a daily basis. Twitter’s fame and status are your best tea leaves. Your business can grow as fast and as endlessly as Twitter did. This “traffic machine” is your best handbook to jumpstart your business growth NOW.

Statistics show that the system can boost as much as 16,000 followers in just 90 days. According to Bill Crosby, creator of Twitter Traffic Machine says that each time he posts a link at least 2% of his followers click the link immediately. That’s about 400 instant clicks. Imagine what this can do for YOUR business?

To get yourself a copy of this FREE online marketing tool, simply click on the link and sign-up: http://www.twittertrafficmachine.com/

Once you’ve sign-up, you immediately gain full access to all the following:

A very easy step-by-step guide to effectively increasing your following and your client base via Twitter text messaging.
Cyber networking and marketing maneuvers you never thought of before!

Bahrain Properties Are Proving To Be Worthwhile Investments

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:12:00 +0000

The global economic crises have recently incited panic and loss of security among businessmen and corporations in the banking industry. Many finance experts are urging investors and capitalists to purchase real estate properties until the economy stabilizes. Those who have taken heed are scouting the world for worthwhile and potentially lucrative investments - many of which on the upswing are in the UAE. The Bahrain property and real estate industry is one of the major players among the seven emirates whose rapid growth and development is setting the cornerstone and shaping the future of the kingdom of Bahrain as a real estate gold mine.

The Bahrain real estate industry is booming worldwide offering some of the most attractive property investment opportunities available in the world market to date. Although Bahrain is currently making its mark in global real estate commerce, in sharp contrast, Bahrain properties have been ostensibly overshadowed by its neighboring country, Dubai, who has been a distinguished principal in the industry for some time. Lately, new trends in Bahrain’s foreign property ownership laws are creating waves in the market and gaining an influx of investors and consumers from all across the globe keeping Bahrain hot on the heels of Dubai. The changes in Bahrain’s foreign freehold property ownership laws is not the only reason for the upsurge in their market; Bahrain has long since been the terra firma of many expatriates coming mostly from the US, UK, and Europe who have been enjoying the benefits available to them in Bahrain such as a tax-free income, a generally stable economy, and a relatively epicurean lifestyle that epitomizes an ideology that most would aspire to attain and which, in effect, has skyrocketed Bahrain to fame as a viable place of residency and commerce for foreigners and potential real estate investors.

There are a number of Bahrain properties out in the market and it may get a tad bit confusing when searching for property investments. One of the most accessible ways to search for property listings is through websites like http://www.bahrainpropertyworld.com. This website serves as an online hub for sellers and buyers to meet. There are listings for Bahrain apartments, hotels, villas, land, offices and more. The listing is quite extensive so take your time in deciding which properties best suit your needs. There are pertinent updates, guidelines, and important news and facts relevant to Bahrain’s real estate industry that will come in handy. In point of fact, Bahrain rent opportunities are increasingly becoming a popular option in the market which means investors have a lot of prospects in the rental sector that guarantee an immediate income and also a lot of room for expansion and growth with the current expatriate sect lining-up in droves to take full advantage of their right to own freehold titles in Bahrain. Owing duly to these trends is the escalating rental rates and the strengthening of the competition between Bahrain and its neighboring emirates. It would be apt to consider investment options while the Bahrain property and real estate markets are in demand and the rates are still competitive in comparison to Dubai and their neighboring emirates.

More Market Finds

Asia's Best Kept Secrets

Asia's Best Kept Secrets

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:15:00 +0000

Singapore: The New Majestic Hotel

At first glance, the clean white walls and structured exteroirs of the New Majestic Hotel might have been another example of the rigid conforminty that represents Singapore. But once I entered the lobby - with a nude and kneeling Quinn warrior copper statue, exposed ceilings, restored vintage Compton fans, glass panels and glass baubles hanging from the ceiling, and sleek modern room furniture mixed with retro vintage pieces -I knew this was not your average hotel.

A quick tour and I soon learned that it had 30 unique rooms with different quirky themes, such as the Aquarium, where one bathes in a glass encased area in the middle of the room while a giant goldfish mural floats around you, tricking the eye with visual play. In the Hanging Bedroom, the bed levitates above the floor and is creatively illuminated from underneath. Panels of mirrors run from the floor to the ceiling in the Mirror Room while the Loft Room has a resting attic chamber and twin vintage bathtubs in its bathroom. There are also rooms designed by local artists in which whimsical touches like upside down anmorphic messages which can only be deciphered when lying down in a certain angle to it. Another room has pop art murals mixing Eastern and Western icons. The Pussy Parlour room designed by Pussy Daniel, a fashion show producer, was my favorite. I was told that it is the most outrageous room in the hotel. The room had splashes of fuschia and turqoise as accents, opulent French chandeliers, a striking brass bed, neon lights and mirrors all over the room. The bathroom is designed with mosaic tile art. This over-the-top party den was inspired by the photography of celebrity lensman David Lachapelle.

Aside from the rooms, the hotel boasts of superb Cantonese Cuisine by award winning chef-owner Yong Bing Ngen. I had a taste of the crispy wasabi prawns and Peking duck served with pan fried spiced foie gras, braised live lobster in a creamy milk, grilled rack of lamb, and sea perch in a fine Champagne sauce.

This luxury hotel is a stop anyone traveling to Singapore should not miss. Everything about this hotel is a novelty. Think sensual overload. Who would have thought that such decadence would thrive in the heart of Singapore?

Manila's Midnight Market

A small town right smack in the center of the metropolis is Pasig City's townproper, called Pasig "bayan". In this quaint old Spanish-inspired town lies one of the most famous markets in the Philippines, the Mutya ng Pasig market which recently has opened its second floor to merchants to put up stalls for their midnight market sale.

The market has a very interesting variety of local products from baskets, to native abaca and other wooden products, home accessories, rich fabrics from the north and south, RTW, secondhand clothing designer wear, trinkets, novelty art pieces, costume jewelry, "chinelas" (slippers/flipflops), pottery, and all sorts of collectibles sold at bargain basement prices.

I found myself a funky vase made from blown glass, a wonderful color of canary yellow with pink stripes that I got for only Php100 ($2.00)! There are items below $1.00, nice ones you could take home as presents or souvenirs. Although the merchants tend to raise the prices when they see that you aren't a local which is where one's haggling prowess needs to be put to good use. That and a little research would help you know your way around the value of the different types of items in the market. The shops stay open from 12 midnight to 6am everyday.

Tips and Reminders

The market is a busy area located in a remote place within the town so keeping your cash in your pockets is the best way to protect yourself from pickpockets (there are plenty in the area).
Try to blend in, wear casual clothing fit for tropical climates.
Carry around bottled water since going around the market could get you tired and thirsty.
The travel guide to take along would be Lonely Planet, it's got information on everything you need to know when traveling around the world. It's the quickest, easiest way to learn the ropes and get acquainted with the country and the culture of the people when you travel to different countries.

Halong Bay in Vietnam

This is one of the most beautiful places to travel to in Vietnam. It is no surprise why folks have tagged it as the 8th wonder of the world. The bay is enchanting. I was awestruck by the sheer beauty and calming effect of the bay. All across the bay lay hundreds of limestone islands that stood tall above the water.

Lush green vegetations cover the islands lavishly. Many of the islands have caves with large stalactite and stalagmite formations inside. You can take a tour of the islands aboard a boat where you can rent an airconditioned cabin with its own bathroom. You can either have your meals at the boat's canteen (which is crowded mostly) or in floating fishing villages on some of the islands that offer a sumptuous array of fresh seafoods. They serve seafoods that you usually pay a lot of money for in gourmet restaurants or in hotels around the world - I could not believe my eyes when I saw the spread of seafood delicacies on my table!

After 2 days and 1 night on this tour, I disembarked at the dock and took a bus back to travel to the city of Hanoi. As I left Vietnam a week after my Halong Bay tour, on my way to boracay island (Boracay Philippines), I knew that my Halong Bay experience was indeed the most memorable part of my Vietnam vacation and that the memory would stay with me for a very long time.

A Little History

Halong Bay, when translated in Vietnamese means "Bay of the Descending Dragon". The myth says that the lush green crops on the bay were formed from the jewels and jade that came from dragons' breaths to protect the villager s that were under attack. It is believed by locals that the mother dragon settled in the bay to protect Vietnam forever.

The bay is located in the Gulf of Tonkin close to the China border; in northern Vietnam some 170 kilometers north-east of Hanoi. To travel to Vietnam, a travel guide or a travel agency would help you get around better since English is not widely spoken there (unless you speak Vietnamese or French, you won't be able to talk to locals).

Back to HOME

Mp3 Video Player, iFROFZ Phone

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:03:00 +0000

Steal of the Day!

Coby 16GB Widescreen MP3 / Video Player
Get this at $75 only!
Model no. MP815-16GB
2.8″ 240×400 widescreen LCD
FM radio
USB connectivity
Support for MP3, WMA, MPEG and more
Source

Steal of the Day!

iFROGZ Soft Touch iPhone 3G only $12.00!!

Free shipping with Buy.com

A special offer from Buy.com for iFrogz Soft Touch iPhone 3G/3Gs Case

Colors: Blue, Pink, Silver, and Green

Features: Metallic facade, "soft touch" texture, w/ great features for listening to music,
watching videos anywhere ; it is also a handy gadget when travelling.

How do I qualify for FREE Budget Shipping?
Add the appropriate amount of eligible Buy.com products into your shopping basket* If a product has this truck icon: that product receives FREE Budget Shipping regardless of its price. If a product has this truck icon: , that product is eligible for FREE Budget Shipping under one of the following minimum order free shipping programs:
For the Game or Sports store, place over $75 (before tax and shipping charges) of eligible products in your shopping basket. See the fine print below for additional details and restrictions.
For the Book, Music, DVD, and Video stores, place over $25 (before tax and shipping charges) of eligible products in your shopping basket. See the fine print below for additional details and restrictions.

Proceed to checkout and select Budget Shipping as your shipping speed (items will take an additional 3-5 days to ship).
Tracking information may be delayed 48-72 hours after shipment date.

Place your order!
The fine print:
*If you qualify for FREE Budget Shipping but your order also contains one or more ineligible items, you’ll be charged shipping fees for those ineligible items.
FREE Budget Shipping excludes certain oversized and/or overweight items, third-party Marketplace items, and those products that do not include these icons: or
FREE Budget Shipping is not available for International orders or shipments to Alaska and Hawaii.
Select skus may carry weight restrictions. Should your total order exceed the weight limit for promotional freight charges, standard rates will apply.
Select zip codes will not qualify for promotional pricing for Second Day delivery. Should your ship to address fall within one of these zip codes, standard 2-day air rates will apply.
Please note: Some special product, order, or handling fees may still apply. FREE Budget Shipping does not apply to products with surcharges.
You will not receive FREE Budget Shipping on your order for items identified by this truck icon if (a) any eligible Game store products are cancelled, bringing your total of eligible Game store products below $75, or (b) any eligible Sports store products are cancelled, bringing your total of eligible Sports store products below $75, or (c) any eligible Book, Music, DVD, and Video store products are cancelled, bringing your total of eligible Book, Music, DVD, and Video store products below $25.
Eligible Game store products must be combined with other eligible Game store products to meet the $75 requirement.
Eligible Book, Music, DVD, and Video store products must be combined with other eligible Book, Music, DVD, and Video store products to meet the $25 requirement.
Book store orders containing 10 or more copies of an item are not eligible

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