jen_chan by Travelogger

Aug|17|2007

Welcome to the Hobbit House

Posted by Jen as Travelogger

Can you imagine a place more welcoming than the Hobbit House? Even someone who has never read or watched any of the Lord of the Rings series should have probably heard of it. A Hobbit House is where Hobbits (the little creatures that they are) reside. It’s quite small for the average human but supposedly quite charming. While the Hobbit House is purely fictional, somebody actually asked an architect to build him his very own Hobbit House. The client is a major Lord of the Rings fan and wanted a place to store all of his LOTR memorabilia. A personal museum of sorts. And what better place to store them than in a structure that’s out of the novel itself. …

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Aug|14|2007

Traveling Da Vinci

Posted by Jen as Adventure, Books, Education, Travelogger

Planning an unforgettable adventure can be pretty difficult, especially when we’re not exactly willing to put our lives on the line or risk injuring ourselves. However, we all want to go home with silent smiles and a sense of incomparable fulfillment as if we had just cracked the greatest mystery in the history of humankind. Well, thanks to the erupting trend of theme tours and travel, having such an experience is possible.

I am a huge Dan Brown fan. Perhaps it’s because he appeals to the conspiracy theorist in me. Along with millions, I enjoyed every chapter of The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons immensely. For those who wish to relive the whole thrill and excitement of the …

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Aug|11|2007

Beam Me Up, Scotty!

Posted by Jen as Adventure, Announcements, Around The World, Features, News, Travelogger

Soon, this famous Star Trek quote will no longer only be used during sci-fi conventions. In time, we may soon hear this catch phrase used as a common term among budding hoteliers. In outer space, that is.

Galactic Suite, which is predicted to come to completion by 2012, is the first ever hotel in outer space. It may sound a little strange and impossible but we have certainly come a long way, haven’t we? In fact, a fellow writer recently wrote about an unusual hotel that sits under the sea. Ever since the beginning of time, humankind has sought ways to reach for the heavens. Why should building a hotel in outer space be any surprising? Perhaps, the …

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Aug|10|2007

A Museum of a Different Nature

Posted by Jen as Arts & Culture, Historical, Travelogger, United States

People aren’t always interested in ancient artifacts from sacred mountain sites and centuries-old paintings of romantic painters. And frankly, not all museums are either. In New York City, for example, there are museums dedicated to other works of art that explore man’s other muses. One of them, the Museum of Sex, is an obvious example.

Art is passion, so they say. And this particular collection has a concentration of passion unlike any other. The Museum of Sex or MoSex Museum is probably one museum high schools would never send their classes to. For those with a more mature state of mind, however, there is much to learn and discover. While there is supposedly a thin line between erotica art and pure …

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Jul|30|2007

The Seven Wonders of Wales (part 2)

Posted by Jen as Europe, Travelogger

The fourth wonder of Wales is not far from the famous Wrexham steeple. You might expect it to be an infrastructure or maybe a church. Actually, it’s neither. The poem says, Overton yew trees, which actually refers to the ancient yew trees that surround the Virgin Church of St. Mary in Overton-on-dee. The trees are aged around 1,500 to 2,000 years and are even older than the church itself!

One of the oldest pilgrimage sites that continues to operate in Britain is the St. Winefride Well. This fifth wonder is regarded as a holy well located in Holywell, in Flintshire in North Wales. Its waters are said to have miraculous healing powers. The story goes that St. …

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Jul|27|2007

The Seven Wonders of Wales (part 1)

Posted by Jen as Destinations, Europe, Travelogger

Pistyll Rhaeadr and Wrexham steeple,
Snowdon’s mountain without its people,
Overton yew trees, St Winefride wells,
Llangollen bridge and Gresford bells.

So goes the rhyme that enumerates seven notable landmarks in Wales. It was written by an English visitor who came to North Wales and did not care to leave a name during the 18th or early 19th century. However, to ordinary 20th century people, what exactly are these seven wonders?

Time to take a bath!The first one mentioned is the Pistyll Rhaeadr. The words translate to “spring of the waterfall.” As you may already have guessed, this body of water is no ordinary waterfall. Pistyll Rhaedr is the tallest waterfall in Wales. It is located a few miles from …

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Jul|25|2007

Protecting Endangered Species: San Diego Zoo

Posted by Jen as Eco-Friendly, Education, Features, Nature, Travelogger, United States

Did you know that in the United States alone, there are 496 species of endangered animals listed? And that worldwide, there are about a thousand more animals whose lives are in danger? These are not just numbers, mind you. These are issues that affect every living being on this planet, whether we are conscious of it or not. Perhaps one of the main causes for the endangerment of these animals is habitat destruction. Over the decades, man has been a little less considerate when it comes to expanding and construction. Sure, there are new roads being paved and new infrastructures being built. Still, at what cost?

In recent years, a lot of things have been done to help the environment recover …

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Jul|21|2007

Barcelona Summer Camp!

Posted by Jen as Travelogger

In my previous entry, I’ve written about camping made easier and more comfortable. However, I’ve just chanced upon another different camping experience. For most families, summer camp is the best way to help their children learn new things and make new friends. After all, there are lots of recreational activities to keep them busy and satisfied for a month of two. Still, spending summer after summer in the same summer camp can get pretty boring, especially when the child has already outgrown the whole experience.

To amp the whole summer camp experience a little, there is the option of sending the kids to a different summer camp. Different meaning Barcelona, Spain! The lovely Barcelona is currently offering Junior and Teen …

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Jul|19|2007

Camping: No Longer Dirty Work

Posted by Jen as Nature, United States

Camping, for so long, has meant bug bites, frustrating tent set-ups, stray animals, a little less clean environment, cold nights… We have grown up getting used to the idea that camping is equal to isolating ourselves from modernization. We are far away from electrical sockets, fast food, clean toilets and comfortable beddings… However, these days, camping seems to present more opportunities for people who just aren’t the type to “rough it.”

Over the years, camping resorts have started popping out. These resorts aren’t necessarily expensive. In fact, most of them are actually quite budget-friendly. They come in all sorts of concepts in designs but generally share the following features:

* swimming pools and playgrounds

* activities such as canoe-ing and horse-riding

* various kids summer programs

* …

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Jul|13|2007

Playing “Tree” House

Posted by Jen as Asia, Getaways, Hotels, Nature, Resorts, Spa

Me, Jane.

You, Tarzan.

Well, in China’s Sanya Nanshan Treehouse Resort and Beach Club, I suppose such an arrangement is negotiable.

This beautiful hideaway has four tree houses for vacation rentals. Set atop Tamarind trees, they offer a great view of the ocean. Nearby is a 5,000-acre Buddhist and ecological theme park composed of lovely temples, rich pagodas and botanical gardens.

Before you write this off as a vacation spot only adventurers would appreciate, take a closer look. The tree houses here aren’t quite like the ones back home.