Archive for January, 2009

Things to Do in Bangkok

Friday, January 30th, 2009

Bangkok was once known as the “Village of Olives” (Bang Makok) and also as the “Venice of the East” (in reference to the many khlongs or canals that were used for transportation). In 2008, this capital city was named the “Best City in the World.” Whichever name captures your imagination, Bangkok is certainly one of the most exciting and captivating cities in the world.

Arriving in Thailand’s capital city, visitors can choose from the best list of hotels and restaurants in Bangkok. Shoppers will love Bangkok’s traditional weekend and night markets as well as the many shopping centers and malls throughout the city. Nightlife in Bangkok includes the usual bars and clubs, but also sidewalk bars that stay open all night as well as the city’s famous Go-go bars.

Bangkok has a number of historical and cultural landmarks and venues that are worth investigating. Check out the Ancient City, the Grand Palace, and the Victory Monument for starters. The National Theater, the National Gallery of Thailand, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Museum of Contemporary Art will appeal to cultural travelers. And don’t forget the city’s many parks and zoos, including Lumphini Park, the Queen Savabha Memorial Institute and Snake Farm and Siam Ocean World which is Southeast Asia’s largest aquarium.

Visitors who time their travel appropriately can attend the many festivals the city celebrates throughout the year. Some of the more popular events include the Bangkok Songkran Festival which marks the Thai New Year (held in April) and the King’s and Queen’s Birthday Celebrations (December and August).

Blackpool Attractions

Saturday, January 17th, 2009

Blackpool has held the honor of England’s most popular holiday destination since the early 20th century. Though the factory workers no longer flock to Blackpool’s beaches in quite the same numbers, the city remains the second-most visited city in the country. In addition to the sun and sand, Blackpool has a number of other attractions that draw over six million visitors to its shores every year.

Pleasure Beach is a sprawling amusement park with eleven roller-coasters. The tallest roller coaster in England is located here: “Pepsi Max Big One.” At more than 200 feet high, it held the record as the world’s largest and fasted complete circuit roller coaster for several years. It is also home to the very first Roller Coaster for which all others are named.

The Winter Gardens is an entertainment complex that includes the Pavilion Theatre, the Spanish Hall, the Empress Ballroom, and the Opera House. Located in the town centre, the Winter Gardens also house an Arena and Olympia and hosts conferences throughout the year.

Blackpool is known for its three piers. The South Pier features a theme park while the Central Pier has a grand Ferris Wheel as well as shops and restaurants. The North Pier boasts the North Pier Theater as well as a small shopping arcade.

Other attractions in the city include the Blackpool Tower (fashioned after the Eiffel Tower and housing a number of entertainment venues and restaurants), Waterworld (formerly known as Sandcastle Water Park), Stanley Park, Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks, and the Doctor Who Exhibition.

When planning a visit, be sure to research the various Blackpool bed & breakfast and hotel options to find the lodgings that best suit your preferences and pocketbook. And if you’re there in the fall, check out the nightly Illuminations when five miles of the Promenade are lit with neon and electric lights.

Special Festivals in Delhi

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009

Delhi is one of the most colorful and vibrant cities in India. As that country’s capital, Delhi provides a wonderful introduction to the East-meets-West vibe that flows throughout most of India’s modern cities. Home to Delhi five star hotels, incredible restaurants, traditional bazaars and markets, and modern shopping malls and nightclubs, the city is a also blending of ancient and modern.

For a unique look at Delhi, visitors should consider scheduling their visit to this ancient city to coincide with one of the many festivals and events that take place throughout the year. Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, which is held over five days in October/November. (In 2009, Diwali begins on October 17th.) Each of the five days holds special meaning and features special rituals and activities. The third day is the main Diwali and always includes fireworks.

Another major event in Delhi is the Qutub Festival. It takes place every year in November/December. Held in the Qutb complex, it features musicians and dancers from across India. Over three days both classical and folk music and performances are showcased at the foot of the Qutub Minar. The festival also features food from several different regions of India. Other religious festivals celebrated in Delhi include Maha Shivaratir, eid, Lohri, Holi, Puja, buddha Jayanti, aMahavir Jayanti, and Guru Nank’s Birthday.

Delhi also hosts non-religious festivals and fairs throughout the year. One of the larges is the Auto Expo, which is the largest auto show in Asia. This event is held every other year, rather than annually. The World Book Fair is the second largest book festival in the world. Held in the Pragati Maidan, it has featured twenty-three separate nations in recent years. Other events to check out include the International Mango Festival, the Vasant Panchami or “Spring Festival” and the Kite Flying Festival.

Visiting Surprise, Arizona

Monday, January 12th, 2009

Surprise is a city in the greater Phoenix area of Arizona. It was founded in 1938 and has a population of over 100,000 making it one of the fastest growing cities in the metropolitan area. Surprise is located to the northwest of the famous retiree development Sun City and many of these have spilled over into the city attracted by its modestly priced homes and low property taxes.

Surprise lies in a beautiful location surrounded by a lake, mountain park lands, and unspoiled Sonoran desert. There are many recreational activities and Surprise Stadium is the Spring Training base for the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers. There is an Aquatic Center and also a sports facility at Dream Catcher Park. There are eight golf courses in the vicinity and a 25-court Tennis & Racquet Complex.

Surprise has many medical facilities including the Sun Health Hospitals and several urgent care centers. There are many doctor Surprise and dentist Surprise. If you are looking for dental care for your household there are also many family dentist Surprise.

Local schools are hosted by the Dysart Unified School District. Rio Salado Community College offers classes in Surprise and Arizona State University West is located close by.

Mumbai’s Elephanta Caves

Sunday, January 11th, 2009

Located just outside metropolitan Mumbai (formerly Bombay), the Elephanta Caves are one of the unique attractions in India. These temples cut from rock date to the fifth century and are one of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mumbai. Located just off the Mumbai coast, the island was renamed from Gharapuri to Elephanta Island by the Portuguese.

Named after the statue of an elephant near the island’s landing area, the caves comprise 60,000 square feet. Boats bring visitors to the island to explore the temple complex which includes courtyards, shrines, and three chambers. The entire complex was carved out of rock, resulting in columns, images, chambers and corridors. The temple is essentially a huge sculpture.

The temples are dedicated to Shiva Mahadeva and feature a twenty-foot image of Trimurthi Sadasiva representing Panchamukha Shiva, though only three faces appear on the relief. Other sculptured images on the southern wall include Gangadhara, Uma Maheswara, Kalyanasundara, and Ardhanariswara. The flanking the northern entrance to the temple are images of Andhakaasuravadamoorthy and Nataraja on the west and Ravanaanugrahamurthy and Yogiswara to the east.

Visitors to the Mumbai can explore other historical sites in the city including temples, colonial palaces, and museums. They can stay in modern five star Mumbai hotels, shop in western-style malls, and dine at world class restaurants. There are also traditional bazaars, street food vendors, and local shops and eateries. As it recovers from recent terrorist attacks, Mumbai will continue to be a popular tourist destination.

Explore Fountain Hills, Arizona

Friday, January 9th, 2009

Fountain Hills is a town located in the Phoenix area of Arizona. It lies just to the east of Scottsdale and to the north of Mesa. It lies in a mountainous area with wonderful vistas. The town includes a lot of natural desert landscapes.

Fountain Hills is named after the fountain located in Fountain Park. This is one of the highest fountains in the world and the water shoots into the sky to 560 feet. There are many local amenities including, hotels, restaurants, bars, and shopping as well as services including doctors Fountain Hills, and dentist Fountain Hills and if you need one for the whole family family dentist Fountain Hills.

Fountain Hills hosts many golf courses both in the town and in the surrounding area. Every February the town hosts the Great Fair with over 500 artists as well as live music and local food. There are also other festivals including a Hot Air Balloon Rally and a Festival of Arts.The area is handy for a Scottsdale guitar instructor.

Near Fountain Hills is the Fort McDowell Adventures which showcases many things from the wild west. This includes horse rides, cattle drives and hay rides. This is a great opportunity to explore the natural desert. If water sports such as boating, tubing or skiing are more your scene you can enjoy them at nearby Saguaro Lake.

Because the area is rustic there are many camping sites located in the McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Perhaps gambling is more your thing – try the Fort McDowell Casino which includes the state’s largest card room. There are also local museums and theaters and galleries to explore.

What to look for when choosing a drug rehab

Thursday, January 8th, 2009

When choosing a drug rehab facility, there are many aspects to consider. Just as every child is unique, every drug rehab facility has its own rules and regulations that may or may not make it a good fit for whoever may be seeking assistance.
The first thing to consider is whether or not you want to enroll your friend or loved one into a long term drug rehab or a short term facility. Depending on the length and severity of the addiction, long term drug rehab may be a better fit. Another thing to consider is cost. There is obviously a higher cost associated with a stay at a long term drug treatment center but you can’t put a price on recovery. If putting your friend or loved one in a long term rehab facility is going to save their life then there is really no price that you can put on that.
Some insurance companies will cover drug and alcohol rehab. You should check with your insurance provider to make sure that they will cover this expense if necessary. If insurance will not cover it, there are alternatives funding sources that one may be able to utilize in order to get the treatment they need.