Sipadan kaplai dive resort in sabah borneo malaysia

Kapalai Island Resort or more correctly Sipadan-Kaplai Dive resort in Sabah Malaysia although it is part of Borneo is only a short distance by boat from the islands of Sipadam and Mabul. Having said all that it is another world altogether. Kapalai Island Resort actually sits on stilts on the shallow sandbanks of the Ligitan Reefs. It is not attached to any land whatsoever although over a mile of powdery white sand appears at low tide for sunbathing. The architects who designed the complex must have been extremely innovative, because the Sipadan-Kapalai resort consists of a chain of chalets that are all linked by almost two miles of walkways, so you will never be short of exercise here, especially if you like jogging. The incredible thing is the plethora of fish just a few inches between your feet as you travel along the boardwalk. Kapalai is totally peaceful and quiet, just a turquoise sea stretching off into the distance, and yet right underneath is the water which is literally teeming with life, so you can snorkel straight off the resort. Kapalai accesses the best diving spots in Sabah Borneo, which makes it the best hotel in Sabah if you want to dive. From here you can dive in Sipadan where you will find big fish and turtles. You can go muck diving at Mabul, or stay close to Kapalai itself. The Sipadan-Kapalai Island Resort, whilst geared towards divers is also a wonderful escape from the pressures of the 21st century. The rooms are a bit like the Maldives were a few years ago, and as an added bonus they are a fraction of the price, and at no time to you feel crowded on this very special hotel in Sabah. The food is good, very varied, and served buffet style, plus there is a lot of it, and is served almost 24 hours every day. You can dive five times a day and never go to the same place twice, but of course Kapalai Island resort is one of the world’s top diving destinations. Everyone at Sipadan is very helpful, and you will get exceptional service from all of the staff from the divemasters to the hotel staff. If you are visiting the region of Sipadan then without doubt the airy sunny resort of Kapalai, totally built on stilts is the place to stay. This is an absolutely tremendous resort ! If you are interested in othr far East Hotels and destinations then go to worldwidevacationspots/categories/Far-East-Hotels/

Lewa wilderness trails laikipia plateau kenya

The reasons you should visit and stay at Lewa Wilderness Trails as part of your Kenya Safari Holiday are many. The situation of Wilderness Trails in the wildlife rich eastern corner of the Lewa Downs Conservancy is one of the most obvious, as wildlife viewing is almost the whole point of being on safari!! Wilderness Trails has been entertaining guests in some luxury for the past thirty years. The Lodge sleeps 16 people in eight beautifully decorated cottages with fireplaces and verandas, and it is the home of Will and Emma Craig, who are wonderful hosts. In addition there is a refreshing saltwater pool, and a clay tennis court with racquets and balls supplied. There is a stable full of horses for guests to ride. Guests can relax by the fire in Will and Emma’s cosy sitting room, and feel totally at home, and then communal eating at a large dining room table, makes meal times more like a banquet. Food and drink is included on this all inclusive ranch, and this means full board, wine and beer, plus all game drives and other activities. The food is a joy with home raised livestock, natural spring water, and a five acre organic garden as the resource for the very skilled chefs to create their masterpieces. When it comes to safari activities at Lewa Wilderness Trails, there is a totally professional guiding team to lead guests out every day, but only after customising the game drive to the needs of the guests. As a result the guests see more, and also learn a great deal about flora, fauna, animal behaviour, and importantly conservation. The history of the Lewa Conservancy is explained in detail because of its importance to threatened species. If you want to as a guest you can even go jogging with a Masai warrior, or take a camel ride, and something everyone should do, is to visit orphaned animals to see the Conservancy work at first hand Guests can also go on Bush walks with a professional tracker, using a Game Blind, visiting lewa’s ancient archaeological site, and also visiting a maasai cultural boma, where you will get an insight into their rich local traditions. There are other excursions which cost extra including an air tour of Lewa Conservancy and Mt. Kenya, including trout fishing on a high altitude lake, and a five day walking tour of Lewa and the nearby Il Ngwesi. Other excursions that can be arranged at an additional charge include: Guided tour by air of the Conservancy and Mt. Kenya with a stop for trout fishing in a high-altitude lake, and 5-Day walking safaris through Lewa and nearby Il Ngwesi Whatever you do, don’t miss Lewa Wilderness Trails on your Kenya Safari Holiday.

Travel money saving websites on the internet

The Internet seems to have been made for ferreting out travel savings. So many sites that offer information on hotel and transportation vendors exist that there really is a need for a way to compare these offers. And that exists too. There are several websites that will compare tours and individual transportation and hotel rates to any given destination by price and customer rating. Our site is an especially useful website that helps you to create your own travel itinerary. It allows you to store the destinations, hotels, attractions and restaurants you have uncovered and other information for your trip. It is then an easy matter to print this information out and take it with you. Custom maps and driving route plans can also be generated for your trip. Other great travel websites are Expedia, Cheap Trips and Price Line. These are websites that offer comparison shopping par excellence and their resources for discounted transportation and places to stay are vast and all encompassing. Some of these are booking agents that get vacancies from the hotels and airlines and broker them to the public. Others work by buying up a certain number of flights or hotel rooms at a bulk price and reselling them to their customers. In either case, they offer savings that the average traveler would not find on his or her own, or at least not without a considerable number of hours spent searching. Using a travel agent can sometimes represent a savings in travel. They have connections with transport companies and hotels and keep an ear to the ground for bargains. Even more likely to provide travel savings is a travel booker, who works with the airlines, car rental agencies and major hotels to turn their un-booked or under booked vacancies into real savings for the travel consumer. When looking for travel savings, don’t omit going directly to airlines’ websites for specials they may be offering. Cash in your frequent flyer club miles if you have them, don’t forget you may have been accumulating these all along through your credit card. Just 10,000 miles will get you a domestic, round trip economy class ticket. If you are short of this number, most airlines allow you to purchase miles. For a few hundred dollars you may have the transportation segment of your travel solved. This strategy also applies to hotel booking. It is possible that you can apply your airline miles to the cost of a hotel room, or your credit card companies may be offering an incentive with a partner hotel chain that will result in getting great accommodations at an equally great savings. Bear in mind that the Internet is a terrific source of travel savings and the amount you save will probably be proportionate to the amount of research you put in. But, as you leave for your holiday with the knowledge that you have saved enough to take another, or at least a long weekend, you know your hard work was well worth it.

Relax with a fabulous victoria accommodation package

If you looking for the perfect getaway from the every day hum drum, if you want to get a vacation from the kids with their screaming and fighting, or if you just want to get away from work and all the deadlines that are on you, then perhaps it is time to take a Victoria accommodation at one of the beautiful hotels, motels, cottages, bed and breakfasts, or resorts. There is a wide variety of hotels to choose from that will accommodate whatever your needs may be. To make the most out of your trip, you will first want to know what your budget is. This will help you in knowing what your price range is to match it with the perfect place to stay. You will want to make sure you get your money’s worth and get the treatment that will make you feel pampered and well taken care of. Depending on what you want to do on your stay, you can choose a Victoria accommodation that is the right one for you. Most facilities offer many different packages to meet even the fussiest of traveler’s expectations. From weekend getaways at quaint bed and breakfasts to plush accommodations at a five star hotel you can be sure to stay within your budget and have the best time for all. Perhaps you just want to get some much needed rest and relaxation or you want to see the site. Either way, plan your trip around what you want to do. Having an itinerary is most helpful with this as well. Many facilities even offer individual spas, relaxing massages, steamy saunas, and fantastic swimming pools for a little salt-free swimming. You can also enjoy a stroll through gardens, settle back before a cheerful fire in your own fireplace or the one in the common room, or tempt your taste buds at one of the many fabulous restaurants both on and off site of the hotels. The varied menus are sure to tempt your taste buds. Many of the most chosen vacation spots include tours of some of the famous wineries or cheese factories, visits to well known historical places, museums, farms, and out-of-this world scenery that will leave you breathless with anticipation. Some spots even include a free balloon ride, or have pristine beaches that are just lovely for sun bathing, or getting in a little fishing. Take the time to enjoy native birds and wildlife from wallabies to wombats to deer. Or why not take a cruise that will have you watching the dolphins at play and the whales in all of their magnificence? In the wintertime, some areas are located near ski resorts for some great winter sporting fun or take the time to indulge yourself in a little creative surfing at some of the ocean side resorts. You can find a Victoria accommodation that suits your tastes from modern to the romantic with a touch of quaint. The bed and breakfast places are so charming that they are the perfect place for a couple looking for a little romance or even a single person wanting to enjoy some time alone without having to stay at an impersonal hotel or motel and does not mind a little company with the rest of the guests. All you have to do to ensure a great Victoria accommodation for your next getaway is to visit greatozscapes. au. Let the friendly people there help you find the perfect place for your next holiday or weekend trip that will get the fuzz out of your brain and restore you to the happy person you normally are. You won’t regret it.

Where is peninsula papagayo in costa rica home of the four seasons liberia costa rica

It's all very well being told about an amazing Four Seasons hotel in Liberia Costa Rica, but first of all where is Costa Rica, and second, Where is Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica? My wife informed me that The Four Seasons in Peninsula Papagayo was where she wanted to go for Christmas as our luxury family vacation. It only took me a few minutes to discover that Costa Rica is roughly between North and South America, and the peninsula Papagayo was on the Pacific coast, and not far from the Daniel Oduber Internation Airport, Liberia, so flying in wasn't a problem. The Four Seasons looked fantastic, so we made our reservations very confidently because we knew the standards the Four Seasons group of hotels. The arrival is spectacular, because as you pass through the gate into the property, you see the whole bay before you drive around much of the golf course to reach the hotel. The welcome is genuine, the staff seemed to know who we were instantly. We had adjoining rooms with interconnecting doors for the children in the 3000 building because it is close to everything. The bedrooms and bathrooms were beautiful, and we both had huge private balconies. The memories we brought back are what made the The Four Seasons Liberia Costa Rica such a special vacation. The golfcourse which my sone loved, we couldn't keep him away. The different food in the restaurants especially the steaks at the clubhouse. The beautiful pools Mostly the service, which was absolutely up to the Four seasons mark in every way. We intend going back as soon as we have saved up, because it was wonderful but not cheap, but then when did you find anything of high quality that was cheap? Finally we don't have to ask the question. Where is Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica, Home of The Four Seasons Liberia Costa Rica? We know and we'll be back.

Find out the advantages of traveling on cruise ships

A cruise ship can be likened to a floating palace. It can afford the traveler an opportunity to relax, enjoy the ocean breeze and escape the rigors of everyday life. However, a cruise ship is also a place where one can gamble, dance the night away, and indulge in some masterfully prepared food. As far as cruise ships go, variety is the key word. Some cruise ships are small and intimate, with room for only about 500 passengers. Then there are cruise ships so large that you could virtually get lost on them, and they can accommodate upwards of 4,000 passengers. Each cruise ship has its own special amenities and features, so before booking your cruise you will need to decide what type of trip you are looking for and do a bit of research. Larger cruise ships will of course have more to offer than the smaller cruise ships. Those cruise ships that can accommodate thousands and thousands of passengers feature such amenities as personal choice dining. This option allows you to choose between casual, traditional, or specialty menus. Many cruise ships also have full service restaurants aboard, as well as exquisite dining rooms. The entertainment options on large cruise ships is also quite varied; choose from plush nightclubs, live bands, big screen movies, live theater as well as swanky casinos. If you prefer to stay active during your time on the cruise ship, many of them offer 9 hole putting courses, jogging tracks, various swimming pools and spas, yoga classes as well as work out gyms. After a day full of activity, you can wind down by taking advantage of the ships’ library, or by browsing through the art gallery, as many larger cruise ships have on display beautiful art collections. If you are a die-hard shopper, you will certainly be able to indulge on a cruise ship. Many of them feature glorious boutiques that carry upscale, name brand clothing and gift items. Shop for jewelry, perfume, or maybe a special souvenir for that friend you left back on dry land! The room options aboard a cruise ship will leave you wondering; suite with a balcony, ocean view or interior room, family suite, mini-suite or a grand suite? The possibilities seem endless. Furthermore, you can also rest assured that in the unlikely event that should you become injured or ill while aboard the cruise ship, there is always a licensed medical doctor aboard, as well as a trained medical staff. Another cool thing about cruise ships is that they go just about anywhere you could possibly imagine. While enjoying your journey, you will probably have the opportunity to travel ashore as the cruise ship docks and allows time for day trips. A cruise ship can be a wonderful way to spend a vacation, and with so many options, you will be able to find a cruise ship that offers exactly what you are looking for.

Presbyopia does not have to ruin your outdoor relaxation time

It’s a beautiful day outside, maybe you have plans to sit outside in your hammock, patio, or beach lounger. You put on your stylish sunglasses, let out a big breath of relaxation and delve right into your latest read. It’s tough to relax when the font in your book is so small and fuzzy, isn’t it? Well there is a way to read easier while outside and still manage to protect your eyes while looking and feeling good. That is a lot to promise for a simple pair of reading sunglasses, and that is all you need to reclaim your outdoor relaxation. There are a few things to consider when choosing your sunglasses. For starters, what power do use? In general the higher the power in your readers, the smaller font you can see. However, you will also have to hold your reading material closer. A good rule of thumb is to use the lowest power that will allow you to see your reading material at a comfortable distance. This way, you won’t get a stiff neck by leaning in too close. That would defeat the whole purpose of relaxation. The next thing to consider is what style lens you like. In general there are two lens types for reading sunglasses. The full lens sun reader will have a reading correction over the entire lens. Meaning you will not be able to use your sunglasses to see anything in the distance. These lenses offer a full view of your reading material as long as you understand that you will need to look over your glasses or simply take them off to see clearly in the distance. Another style is the bifocal sunglass. A bifocal lens has two distinct areas of correction. The lower segment has a reading add, while the top portion is a pure sunglass, with no correction. With Bifocals you can read up close and still see clearly in the distance through the same pair of readers. You will also want to select an appropriate tint for your lenses. Just like regular sunglasses, sun readers are available in varying tints. You will find lenses varying from a light rose tint all the way to heavy darker shade. More recently, you will even find polarized reading bifocals. Be sure to purchase your sun readers from a reputable reading glasses retailer. Look for quality, such as the readers you will find at readinstyle/catalog/ReadingSunglasses. aspx . You want frames that will look and feel good. And your sunglass lenses should always offer 100% UVA and UVB protection. Take back your relaxation time; after all, no one deserves it more than you.

Journey to where the sky is born the yucatan s sian ka an biosphere reserve

As the largest protected area in the Mayan Riviera and esteemed UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sian Ka’an has been the region’s premier nature and outdoor recreation destination since it opened 20 years ago. With nearly one-third of Mexico’s Caribbean coast dominated by the park, there is also no shortage of nature to explore. Located just south of Cancun near the ancient city of Tulum, Sian Ka’an offers some of the best daytrip opportunities for tourists staying in Cancun. As the park’s name is taken from a Mayan phrase meaning “where the sky is born,” it is no surprise that Sian Ka’an is also home to numerous historical sites. Human remains and artifacts found within the largely unexcavated Mayan sites in Sian Ka’an have been traced back over 2,300 years. In addition to the 23 distinctive archeological sites in the park, it is believed that the northern section of Sian Ka’an contains a once-vibrant Mayan trade route. When you visit the park, you will be able to see ancient Mayan temples resting undisturbed amongst the beauty of the natural environment. In fact, several tour operators visit these sites as part of active kayaking and hiking tours, allowing visitors to experience the best of both worlds. Despite such fascinating history, the true value of Sian Ka’an rests in the fact that the park is one of the most biologically diverse preserves on earth. In fact, within the boundaries of the park, researchers have found 103 unique mammal species and 336 different species of birds. Unlike anywhere else in the world, Sian Ka’an allows visitors to experience several types of natural habitats in a single day. While touring the park, these are just a few of the unique natural habitats that tourists can explore: • Coral Reef – Along the Caribbean coastline, Sian Ka’an protects over 60 miles of the world’s second largest barrier reef system. Besides offering unparalleled diving and sightseeing opportunities, the park’s coral reef protects a number of endangered aquatic species. • Beaches – Four species of endangered sea turtles use the Caribbean beaches of Sian Ka’an as a nesting ground during the summer months. These unspoiled stretches of sand also grant visitors a great opportunity to see many nesting sea birds in their natural habitat. • Wetlands – The greatest ecological diversity in the park is found in the wetlands. As the classification of wetlands includes such diverse environments as grassy savannas, nutrient-rich swamps and four distinct species of mangrove, these areas are of particular interest to tourists and researchers alike. • Tropical Forests – The majority of the park’s mammal populations are found in the tropical forests. Found inland from the Caribbean coast and the wetlands areas in the western portion of Sian Ka’an, the tropical forests provide many of the favorite sites for visiting nature lovers. • Lagoons – Supplied by the immense underground waterways beneath the Yucatan peninsula, the numerous lagoons found in Sian Ka’an are home to many unique species. Near the coastline, ocean water mixes with fresh water to support crocodiles and wading birds. Further inland, the fresh water lagoons connect to the underground rivers through cenotes. These large sinkholes found throughout the Yucatan Peninsula have long been popular destinations with divers and water sport enthusiasts. • Hummocks – The most unique of Sian Ka’an’s environments, these forests are found only in Florida’s Everglades, parts of Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula. Known locally as petenes, this particular type of hummock habitat is defined by isolated forests surrounded by swamps or other wetlands. Much like true forests, these tropical hummocks support an incredible diversity of plant and animal life – including exotic birds and mammals. Many local tour companies and ecological organizations lead groups through the park’s diverse habitats each day. One such group is the Centro Ecologico Sian Ka’an (CESiaK), an organization created to educate both locals and visitors about all aspects of the park’s environment. In addition to the opportunity to learn about the environment, visitors can participate in tours that feature a number of outdoor sports. From snorkeling and swimming in the park’s rivers and cenotes to hiking and bird watching in the tropical forests, Sian Ka’an provides the perfect daytrip for the adventurous tourist. If you want to experience the natural beauty and incredible history of the Yucatan Peninsula while in Cancun, you won’t find a better destination than Sian Ka’an. Make the journey to “where the sky is born” and immerse yourself in one of the most vibrant natural environments in the world.

Adrift on a honeymoon vacation

When it comes time to celebrate an unforgettable moment in your life with your special someone, there is no more romantic way to do it than sharing that time together aboard a cruise. There’s something about a cruise that just says romance. It may be the thought of taking off on a journey to new worlds and sailing the horizon to adventure together. Or possibly it’s the concept that all your needs and wants are taken care of by the staff and crew while you get the luxury of spending all your moments concentrating on each other. You can spend a night, dressed up to the nines, having a formal dinner with a slow dance afterwards, and the next day be dressed in khakis exploring a hidden waterfall in a rainforest. The possibilities to create your own perfect trip are nearly endless. Imagine standing on the deck together at night, at sea, miles from civilization, a complete canvas of celestial lights in the night sky and the cool wind making you snuggle a little closer to one another as you watch for a falling star to wish upon together. That’s romance you can only find on a cruise ship. If you are debating your destination options when it comes to honeymoon vacations, why stick with just one? If you book a honeymoon cruise you can be in a new destination every day and see a number of parts of the world without having to ever pack your bags to go to each new location. At the end of a day of exploring, you can return to your room and enjoy talking about the experiences you just shared. Many cruise lines also offer special perks for those who choose to spend their honeymoon with them. Quite often, if you book a honeymoon trip you will be able to take advantage of special rates, romantic extras like a private table for two for dinner, you may even be able to get special couples experiences, like your own mini wedding cake to share onboard, or romantic breakfasts in bed. If you want event more options, you can also order things such as a room bustling with bouquets of flowers to take the new bride into, or book couples spa treatments. Carnival Cruises is very popular with couples looking for a romantic trip because they offer perks to for special couples who chose to sail with them, like bring a wedding cake to your first dinner onboard. In addition, for minimal fees, you can have a room decorated with balloons and flags, or with chilled champagne waiting. Princess Cruises offers free decorations and cake for celebrating couples, and they have honeymoon packages with include roses, chocolate dipped strawberries, champagne, and even engraved glasses. If you want to spend a little more, you can also partake in couples spa treatments, matching fluffy robes, and special romantic snacks delivered to your suite.

Discovering the hotels in downtown chicago illinois

"I give you Chicago," the journalist H. L Mencken had once written. "It is not London and Harvard. It is not Paris and buttermilk. It is American in every chitling and sparerib. It is alive from snout to tail." Chicago is a city much romanticized in novels and movies. But who could blame writers and playwrights for paying homage to this great and bustling city? Chicago gushes with elan and vitality. One of the largest cities in the state of Illinois, Chicago is both a major business district and an important seat of culture. Downtown Chicago Downtown Chicago is the most hip and popular part of the city. The Loop area, in particular, is known for its very tall buildings. In the Loop tower massive skyscrapers like the Sears Tower, the Aon Center, and the John Hancock Center. Downtown Chicago is also the industrial area of the city, and there, major tourist attractions are found alongside offices and big financial institutions. Because of the area's popularity, there are numerous luxury hotels in downtown Chicago, Illinois. These hotels provide a slew of lodging choices to visitors from far and wide. The hotels in downtown Chicago, Illinois are known for their opulent interiors and incomparable customer service. Almost all boast of lavish furnishings and world-class pampering. It is, thus, no wonder that living in any of the hotels in downtown Chicago, Illinois is living in style. You will be made to feel like royalty during your stay. High-end Hotels in Downtown Chicago If you intend to stay in this part of the city, be sure to check out some of the major hotels in downtown Chicago, Illinois. These include the Fairmont Hotel, Hotel 71, Amalfi Hotel, Allegro Hotel, Monaco Hotel, Renaissance Hotel, the Congress Plaza Hotel, and many others. On top of ensuring that your stay is as memorable and enjoyable as possible, these hotels in downtown Chicago, Illinois offer a wide range of services that include dry cleaning, banquet facilities, 24-hour room service, medical assistance, and even secretarial and translation services. Low-end Hotels in Downtown Chicago If, on the other hand, you are staying in Chicago on a shoestring budget, there are also a number of hotels that offer room rooms at very affordable rates. In some of these hotels, you can book a room for as low as $44 a night. A common misconception among travelers is that cheap hotel equates poor service and accommodations. Such is not the case. The low-budget hotels in downtown Chicago, Illinois offer wonderful amenities and services. All have free parking facilities; valet, secretarial, and laundry services; televisions, hair dryers, telephones, and clock radios inside rooms; and continental breakfasts sure to please even the most discriminating of palates. Budget-friendly hotels in downtown Chicago, Illinois include The Seneca Hotel & Suites, where rooms go for as low as $54. The Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers and The Hilton Garden Inn Addison also offer rooms for $60 and $62 respectively. The price of a night's stay naturally varies according to a hotel's rating. Five-star hotels will always be more expensive than three-star or four-star ones. Bookings for any of the hotels in downtown Chicago, Illinois may be made online, through sites such as holiday4you. Be sure to read reviews from fellow travelers, so you will have an idea of what to expect.

Vacation home vancouver

Relax your spirit and restore your energy when you stay in a beautiful Vancouver vacation home. While you are on vacation in Vancouver; a nice way to settle in and feel at ease is to rent a vacation home. There are many great reasons to choose a vacation home away from home like much more space to spread out and relax after your day of shopping and sight-seeing or to unwind after a day trip full of activity. Plus, you'll have all the privacy you need to laze around all day in your pajamas, come and go as you please and even entertain. What you will find is that there's vacation homes tucked away all over the city so you are sure to find something that suits your style and budget. There are beautiful vacation homes located right near the ocean that are perfect for easy, leisurely beach walks and sunbathing without a commute or right in the middle of the city near all the hustle and bustle of the city's sights and attractions. Whether you need a vacation home for a week or a month what you want to look for are features like: • a full kitchen • fully furnished living room • more than one bedroom • linen • microwave, toaster, irons • appliances such as washer and dryer • air conditioning • dvds • cable tv • vcr • and a nice welcome touch like a patio, balcony or BBQ area With a rent a vacation home you'll likely want to go out and pick up a few food supplies to prepare some of your own meals. This is a great opportunity to check out the local markets. One of the best places to go is the Granville Island Public Market where you will find a ton of fresh, local, organic fruits and vegetables and locally caught seafood. And, throughout the summer keep your eye out for farmers who come in the city and set up roadside stands of fruits and produce in season. Once you've set yourself up all nice and comfortable you may find that you enjoy the city so much you end up thinking of a way to stay here. It's certainly not uncommon for people to come to Vancouver on vacation and never leave. For sure what you will find is that choosing a vacation home for your stay in Vancouver is just as affordable as staying in a hotel and there's a lot to be said for a little extra space and private retreat.

Hello from ottawa doubling up on antiquity at the museum of civilization

Today culture was on my mind. After enjoying two interesting exhibits at the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, I made my way across the river to the City of Gatineau (formerly Hull) to visit Canada’s most popular museum: the Canadian Museum of Civilization. This rewowned Canadian institution is known for its unique architecture and is host to the Canadian Postal Museum, the Canadian Children’s Museum, an IMAX Theatre (which I was going to visit later today) and a variety of special exhibitions. The Canadian Museum of Civilization has three major galleries: the Grand Hall, which is the architectural centerpiece of the museum, Canada Hall as well as the First People’s Hall. The 112 x 15 m (365 ft x 50 ft) glass wall of the Great Hall features a magnificent view of Ottawa’s Parliament Buildings and hosts the world’s largest collection of indoor totem poles. My goal today was to see a special exhibition: a traveling exhibition organized by the Cincinnati Art Museum and the American Museum of Natural History under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan." Petra - Lost City of Stone" is the most complete portrait ever assembled of the amazing and enigmatic city of Petra. This exhibit tells the story of a once-thriving metropolis at the crossroads of the ancient trade routes. Its inhabitants, the Nabateans, constructed a magnificent city in a harsh desert environment. Petra only receives about 15 centimeters (6 inches) of rain a year. Ingenously its residents were able to control the water supply of the city by capturing and collecting water from flash floods in more than 200 underground cisterns which would then be redistributed through the city through a system of clay pipes. This stored water was used during periods of extended drought and the city even prospered from the sale of the water. In effect the ancient Nabateans had created an artificial oasis. Originally the Nabateans were traveling merchants, but they became even more prosperous once they settled down and started serving and taxing other traveling merchants. Being located at the intersection of several caravan trade routes, the Nabateans integrated art and architecture from other cultures. Asian elephants, for example, were a popular symbol for strength, many carvings found show artistic elements from in the art and mythology of Ancient Greece. Several centuries later, Byzantine Christian art was widely adopted. Petra’s surrounding natural environment is visibly stunning and geologically unique. A dark and narrow gorge called the Siq (the “shaft”) cut into sandstone forms the eastern access to the city. In some places the Siq is only 3 to 4 metres wide and its end stands the magnificent ruin of the Treasury (Al Khazneh), an absolutely stunning decorated faзade hewn out of the natural stone. In total, Petra had 3000 temples, tombs and dwellings and during its heyday the population was an estimated 20,000 people. Originally these structures were covered with stucco and brightly painted, which must have been a spectular view in this desert environment. Despite the abundance of temples we actually know relatively little about the religion of the Nabateans. They apparently had a small number of Gods, with Dushara being the most important male god, and Al-Uzza representing the most important female deity. Petra celebrated its zenith between 200 B. C. and 200 A. D. when it was one of the major trading centers linking the Silk Road and the spice routes that connected China, India and Arabia with buying consumers in Greece, Rome, Egypt and Syria. In 106 A. D. Petra was annexed by the Roman Emperor Trajan. During the Byzantine period the city had its own bishop and later large Christian churches were built. Being located in a seismically unstable area, Petra had experienced many earthquakes, but a tremor in 363 AD hit the city particularly hard. Half the city was destroyed and the water system was disrupted. With the increase of ocean trade, the decline of land-based trade routes through this area had already affected the city earlier and it seems that Petra was unable to muster the resources to rebuild itself. In the early 7th century, Muslim Arabs arrived in Petra from the south. The transition to Islamic rule appears to have been relatively peaceful in Southern Jordan. By the seventh century Petra was finally abandoned and remained virtually lost to the outside world. It was not until 1812 that a Swiss explorer, Johann Burckhard, rediscovered the city. Today, less than five percent of the city has been unearthed, so this ancient city of stone still has many secrets to reveal. The exhibit itself consists of many components, including artifacts, architectural detailing, jewellery, vases and other objects. Some of the highlights of the exhibition are a striking gravestone bearing the likeness of a man’s head, a recently discovered column capital with elephant heads, a relief carving of a standing eagle and a recently reassembled sculpted garland frieze from one of the city’s main temples. 19th century paintings, drawings and prints illustrate the city’s rediscovery by Burckhard in 1812 and Petra – Crossroad of the Ancient World is an 8 minute film that presents a brief cultural history of this city. It also illustrates the Nabateans' unique rock-cutting process as well as their water management and storage techniques. This historical exhibition is augmented by a photo exhibit: The Bedouin of Petra is a collection of 25 colour photographs by award-winning photojournalist Vivian Ronay. The photos were taken at various times between 1986 and 2003 and document the life of the Bedoul Bedouins, and their transition from a pastoral life to a lifestyle based on tourism. The Bedoul had lived in tents and caves among the ruins of the ancient city until the Jordanian government became concerned about the city’s preservation. They were then invited to move to a nearby village where modern housing and facilities would be provided. The majority of them moved from tents and caves to conventional houses, giving up their old life as herders and farmers to work in the tourism industry. A fascinating look at an ancient people who have undergone an enormous change in lifestyle. As if Petra wasn’t fascinating enough, I decided to add another encounter with antiquity. I walked over to the Museum’s IMAX Theatre to see a special presentation: Greece – Secrets of the Past. This IMAX Theatre is the first of its kind in the world and actually combines two IMAX technologies. The size of the vertical screen is 10 times the size of a conventional movie screen and tilts into place to convey a multi-dimensional experience, as close as possible to actually being there. This realistic quality was definitely appreciated since one of the movie’s opening sequences starts with a flight over the Mediterranean and a stunning look down on some of the Greek islands. In dramatic pictures I learned about the formation of the island of Santorini and its volcanic eruption: the most powerful explosion in history. Images of Athens and the Acropolis demonstrated that 2500 years ago Greece was indeed the cradle of Western civilization. Art and architecture flourished while science, philosophy and literature reached impressive heights. The camera follows in the footsteps a team of archeologists and introduced the audience to innovations in this scientific field. Greece: Secrets of the Past is a MacGillivray Freeman Film produced by Alex G. Spanos in association with the Canadian Museum of Civilization and Museum Film Network with major funding assistance from the National Science Foundation. Incidentally Nia Vardalos (from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”) narrates the feature. The visual images are stunning and it’s true: it’s almost as good as being there…

Finding hotels in benidorm spain

If you are planning a trip to the Costa Blanca area, you will definitely have no difficulty finding hotels in Benidorm, Spain. There are thousands of hotel accommodations from which to choose. A shortage of Benidorm hotels is definitely not a problem, as the city has the most hotels out of all cities in Spain. Throughout the years, Benidorm’s tourism has grown dramatically and its economy is now largely based on that tourism. It is an extremely popular tourist attraction for the British and, consequently, there are many British bars and pubs to serve the British tourists. Your accommodation choices in Benidorm range from the basic hotels to the five start hotels or resorts. You can also rent an apartment or villa if you prefer a quiet more private accommodation. When choosing where you want to stay while in Benidorm, you should first consider the type of area you want to stay in whether it is residential, resort, busy or on the beach. Benidorm’s old town area has a historic feeling while the hotels on the beach offer easier access to the water, beach front activities, restaurants and vibrant beach front night life. The hotels along the beach are very popular during the summers. You should also consider the specific amenities offered at the hotel and be sure they suit your vacation needs. The hotel amenities and nearby entertainment vary factors such as whether you are single or traveling as a couple, or if you are with your entire family. If you like to golf or there is a golfer in the group, you will want to find a resort or hotel near a golf course. If you intend spend a lot of time on one of Benidorm’s three beaches, you may want to opt for a beach front hotel. A little research on Benidorm hotels will be worth the time spent and a good place to start searching is online. You can perform searches by geographic area, amenities offered, nearby attractions and prices. Many hotel websites offer pictures of the hotel and rooms, descriptions of the surrounding area and even the ability to make a reservation. Reading reviews from former guests is also a valuable source of information since they have stayed at the hotel and experienced the hotel’s services first hand. As with any hotel stay, you should learn about the hotel policy on check-in and check-out times and any cancellation policies and related charges. This basic information may save you money in the future should plans change.