RSSAug|27|2010
Travellers: Sir Edmund Hillary
Posted by Zahir as Adventure, Asia, Australia NZ, Historical, People
“My God! We’ve climbed the thing! We’ve done it!” ~ Edmund Hillary
Between 1920 and 1952, seven major expeditions had failed to reach the summit of Mount Everest. In 1924, the famous mountaineer George Leigh-Mallory had perished in the attempt. In 1952, a team of Swiss climbers had been forced to turn back after reaching the south peak, only 1000 feet from the summit.
Edmund Hillary joined in Everest reconnaissance expeditions in 1951 and again in 1952. These exploits brought Hillary to the attention of Sir John Hunt, leader of an expedition sponsored by the Joint Himalayan Committee of the Alpine Club of Great Britain and the Royal Geographic Society to make the assault on Everest in 1953.
The expedition reached the South Peak on May, but all but two of the climbers who had come this far were forced to turn back by exhaustion at the high altitude. At …
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Aug|20|2010
Yoga In Ko Samui
Posted by Zahir as Asia, Getaways, Health & Wellness, Islands, Nature, Spa
The island of Koh Samui in Thailand is perhaps known more for its party atmosphere, large resorts, and action activites galore, but beneath the lively exterior are places where people can find some real mind and body relaxation – through yoga.
Whether you practice yoga at an advanced level, are just a beginner, or want to get your children to give it go, the island has what you need. Here are some worthwhile places to check out:
Located on Lipa Noi beach, this center offers yoga as well as a variety of health and rejuvenation treatments and activites such as meditation, breathing exercises, herbal cleansing, shiatsu massage, Thai herbal steams, dietary education, fasting, colonic irrigation, colon cleansing and other extensive workshops.
This is the largest yoga center on the island, and one of …
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Aug|13|2010
Everything You Wanted To Know About Airline Meals
Posted by Zahir as Air Travel, Food and Drink, Tips, Trivia, Website
I was actually told to visit this site some time ago by my sister (who has a knack for sniffing out extraordinary sites), but never got around to doing so until today.
Airline Meals is a site entirely dedicated to (surprise, surprise), Airline Meals. It has 8,484 images of airline meals from 534 airlines, gives you the latest news and trends on airline meals and even has a forum for those who want to discuss the meal from the skies which people (more often than not) love to hate.
Quirkiness aside, the site actually has a lot of interesting and relevant information, especially if you find yourself on airplanes a lot, or planning your next trip (which means you’re probably OC though). The creator of the site says in the FAQ, that his mission for this site is not purely for entertainment, but also to …
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Aug|07|2010
Travel Quotes
Posted by Zahir as Reading Room, Trivia
Some of the world’s most famous minds have spoken of the attributes of travel, so I’ve taken it upon myself to assemble some of my favourites here below. I couldn’t agree with them more.
Robert Benchley
“In America there are two classes of travel – first class, and with children.”
Terry Hanson
“Now I know why they tell you to put your head between your knees on crash landings. You think you’re going to kiss your ass good-bye.”Mignon McLaughlin
“Whenever we safely land in a plane, we promise God a little something.”
Carl Burns
“A child on a farm sees a plane fly by overhead and dreams of a faraway place A traveler on the plane sees the farmhouse and dreams of home.”
James Michener
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home.”
Orson Welles
“There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror.”
Spanish …
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Jul|30|2010
Wheelchair Travel Tips
Posted by Zahir as Air Travel, Health & Wellness, Tips, Transport
If you or somebody you know is travelling for the holidays and uses a wheelchair, a quick whiz through these tips below should make the trip a lot more comfortable.
1. If you are able to fly first class, go for it — more room and lot more enjoyable. If not, try to get the first bulkhead seats; they are closer to the front of the aircraft and they give you more room if you should have spasms.
2. If possible, book a nonstop flight. You’ll have fewer problems with a wheelchair. If you can’t, always allow at least 45 minutes for connecting flights. Some wheelchair travelers prefer to have a change of aircraft for an hour or so. It gives them time to relax, get something to eat, stretch or use airport restrooms.
3. If possible, travel with an attendant …
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Jul|23|2010
Travellers: Ferdinand Magellan
Posted by Zahir as Around The World, Historical, People
Ferdinand Magellan, (1480?-1521) the Portuguese-born Spanish explorer and navigator, leader of the first expedition to circumnavigate, or sail completely around the world. He was born in northern Portugal and is perhaps the most famous explorer of all tim, proving that the world was indeed, round.
Portuguese sea captain Ferdinand Magellan and his crew were the first Europeans to sail around the world, proving that the world was round. From 1519 to 1521 Magellan, with five ships and a Spanish crew of about 250 men, searched for a western route to the Moluccas, or Spice Islands. He was killed on April 27, 1521 when he interfered in a dispute between indigenous people in the Philippines.
Only two of his ships continued to the Spice Islands. The two ships then made separate return voyages, and only one, commanded by Juan Sebastian del …
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Jul|16|2010
Banyan Tree Ringha’s Lost Horizon
Posted by Zahir as Asia, Getaways, Hotels, Luxurious, Resorts, Romantic, Spa
Like the Aman-junkies (devoted Aman resort followers who langorously troupe from one luxury Aman resort to another), Banyan-junkies are now flocking to the latest Banyan Tree hotel high up in the mountains of Yunnan, China which opened this month.
Amid a Tibetan-style atmosphere of meditative Buddhist temples, prayer flags and gorgeous mountain views, the hotel is located a gasping (literally) 10,500 feet above sea level in a beautiful part of Sothwestern China in between Tibet, Myanmar and China’s Sichuan province.
The rooms are massive and decorated rather somberly with dark woods and large splashes of Chinese red lacquer and quilted curtains teeming with Tibetan flavour. The smallest room of the hotel, the Tibetan suite sprawls at 2,200 square feet and all the other rooms of the hotel are likewise on two floors.
The bathrooms are equally grand and spa-like in size, with more lacquer and tubs so large that …
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Jul|10|2010
Most Amusing Travel Quotes
Posted by Zahir as Reading Room, Trivia
Still hot on my quote trail, here are the most amusing ones that I’m sure you’ll enjoy as much as I have. Funny how the truth can tickle.
Robert Benchley
“In America there are two classes of travel – first class, and with children.”
Terry Hanson
“Now I know why they tell you to put your head between your knees on crash landings. You think you’re going to kiss your ass good-bye.”
Mignon McLaughlin
“Whenever we safely land in a plane, we promise God a little something.”
Carl Burns
“A child on a farm sees a plane fly by overhead and
dreams of a faraway place. A traveler on the plane sees the farmhouse and dreams of home”
James Michener
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home.”
Orson Welles
“There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom …
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Jun|28|2010
Paris Pour Les Enfants
Posted by Zahir as Cities, Europe, Family
The famed city of lights has always been the favourite of lovers from all around the world. In fact, few cities can beat Paris‘ incredibly romantic streets, cafes and gardens – so much so that even the locals here are seen smooching all around town. So what better place to bring two lovers fruits of love (the kids!)? If Paris has never crossed your mind as the next family holiday destination, think again. It’s the land of some of the most charming children’s books – of the precocious schoolgirl Madeline and the regal elephant Babar, and the colourful Barbapapa (translated as candy floss or cotton candy) family.
In Paris, there are playgrounds in nearly every block, and the larger ones come complete with, manege (carousel), guignol (marionette shows), even pony rides and snack carts. Little ones will also enjoy the street performers at Montmartre, and …
Jun|18|2010
America’s Coffee Towns. Part 2
Posted by Zahir as Americas, Cities, Food and Drink, Historical
In the meantime, Starbucks under Schultz mutated into an operation of 2,000-plus stores. To San Franciscans, the coffee-as-image attitude is evidence that Seattleites aren’t as discriminating about good coffee as they are.
In San Francisco proper, Starbucks has 67 stores to Peet’s 10 and local chain Martha & Brothers’ five, and all 67 seem to be thriving.
So what does the way Seattle obsesses about good coffee and the way the Bay Area takes it for granted say about those two places?
To quote Baldwin: “It’s a question of experience and maturity, if you put it into human terms, the younger athlete, let’s say, is much more aggressive about asserting himself because he has something to prove. In the ’70s, there were just a handful of decent restaurants in Seattle, and no one came to Seattle to eat or shop or see what was going …
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