RSSSep|30|2010
Travellers: Peter Mayle
Posted by Zahir as Arts & Culture, Europe, Food and Drink, People
When I want to do some seriously relaxing armchair travelling I turn to Peter Mayle, who has written some of the best books on what life is really like in the Provence region of France, as well as its wonderful food and drink!
Born in 1939 in Brighton, England, Mayle spent 15 years of his career in the cut-throat world of advertising before becoming a writer in the mid-seventies. He started off writing educational books for children on useful topics such as sex education.
In 1989 his most famous book, “A Year In Provence” detailing his life in Provence was published and became an international bestseller. More books followed, as well as contributions to numerous magazines and newspapers around the world.
According to sources, Mr.Mayle and his wife left the home in Provence he so aptly described in “A Year..” to return to the …
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Sep|24|2010
Dealing with Jetlag and Climate Changes
Posted by Zahir as Adventure, Africa, Air Travel, Americas, Around The World, Asia, Australia NZ, Business, Carribbean, Cities, Europe, Getaways, Health, Health & Wellness, Luxurious, Oceania, People, Tips, Transport, Trends, United States, Warnings
People who love to travel are already used to the different time zones that most countries have. Sudden changes in the time and weather may prove to be a problem on adjusting to such if a person is not used to such fast paced evolution and lifestyle.
For people, traveling to any part of the world such as the United States, Europe and Asian continents would need body clock adjustments as well. The cultural practices and traditions are not the only immediate things that globetrotters should worry about but rather their ability to cope up with change.
Climate also entails being ready for the level of health a person is able to sustain. Sudden changes like cold and hot temperatures would need standby requirements of medicine or clothing just in case to ensure that the human body does not …
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Sep|17|2010
Travellers: David Livingstones
Posted by Zahir as Adventure, Africa, Historical, People
Born in 1813, David Livingstone was a Scottish explorer and missionary and doctor who walked across Africa from coast to coast before there were any roads, bridges, hospitals or shops. He survived fevers and infections, attacks by wild animals and Muslim slave traders.
Livingstone was the first person to bring medicine and Christian gospels to many remote regions of Central Africa. His travels covered one-third of the continent, from the Cape to near the Equator, and from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean.
Livingstone was raised in poverty; the family of nine lived in a single room in a Lanarkshire cotton mill tenement. In 1838 he went to London to offer his services as a medical missionary to the London Missionary Society (LMS), which he chose because of its nonsectarian character. Livingstone was a devote evangelical Christian; his own conversion came when he realized that faith and science were …
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Sep|13|2010
Fort Galle: South Asia’s Gem
Posted by Zahir as Adventure, Arts & Culture, Asia, Historical, Hotels, Romantic
Galle Fort is often called the gem of South Asia, and after a 2-week holiday there, I cannot agree more. Upon entering the fort’s walls, one is transported to another world – one that existed centuries ago. Old merchants villas line the streets where a quiet street-life prevails and just recently, a handful of “boutique hotels” and specialty shops have sprouted around, all keeping in line with the romantic architecture of old Asia.
We rented the most charming “Emma Villa” through the Galle Fort Hotel, and it came with two very sweet houseboys, Sanjay and Nissanka as well as a nanny Harmony (who we later discovered was actually called Ramani) who although didn’t speak a word of English, was a dream with our two energetic toddlers. The house was beautifully furnished (with a tiny swimming pool no less) but the best part was the …
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Aug|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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