Friday, February 1, 2008

Alyeska Resort

Spectacular Views

Alyeska Resort is located 40 minutes south of Anchorage, Alaska, in the community of Girdwood. Here you will find a variety of lodging & activities that create a true Alaskan vacation for the entire family.

This resort is remarkably at the lowest base elevation (250 feet) for any major ski resort in the United States.

This burgeoning mountain resort features 1,000 acres of terrain, ranging from gentle slopes for beginners to a vast selection of double black diamond runs to challenge the experts.

Alyeska offers 68 runs, a vertical drop of 2,500 feet and an average snowfall of 720 inches -- all surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Chugach Range. Cross-country skiers can enjoy 50 km of nordic trails.

The Alyeska Ski School features learn-to-ski packages as well as learn-to-ski-better packages for ages 4 to adult. Night skiing, with more than 2,000 vertical feet of lighted trails, extends the ski day to 9:30 p.m. two nights per week.

A 60-passenger aerial tram was designed in part to accommodate the many Alaskans and visitors who had yet to enjoy the spectacular view of the Chugach Mountains, Turnagain Arm and Glacier Valley from the summit of Mt. Alyeska.

Two cars take skiers, snowboarders and sightseers from the base of the mountain to the 2,300-foot level. The five-minute ride takes you up the dramatic north face of Mt. Alyeska to the Glacier Terminal, where you can take in the view from two restaurants.

In addition to alpine skiing, enjoy a day of snow machining, ice-skating, snowboarding, telemarking, skijoring, snowshoeing, glacier and Northern Lights viewing, or flight seeing.

Throughout the year, numerous ski events, fun runs and festivals are held in the valley, making Alyeska Resort a popular year-round destination.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Kenya; an Expert guide to the Kenyan Coast and Islands


Straddling the Equator, The Kenyan Coast and its numerous islands have long been regarded as a fantastic Indian Ocean location for both summer and winter sun.

Sadly though, due to a tendency to cram as many visitors as possible into a minivan, the country has also managed to gain a poor reputation for overcrowded parks and beach hawkers. Over the last decade, however, with the advent of responsible tourism and community management, there has been a shift in focus away from numbers and back to quality.

With this new focus has also come a new and improved brand of lodge and camp experience. Flying safaris, incorporating two or more destinations in a trip, have today become the standard, combining great game viewing with the powdery white beaches of the coast.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Eco Places in India


Chanting the ecotourism mantra in India

The diverse geographical features of India are enriched with hundreds of tourist destinations. No matter which region you explore, almost every part of the country is laden with numerous spots giving tourists wide range of Eco tourism places to explore.

Whether you are exploring the Monasteries and Himalayan glaciers of Ladakh in Northern part or roaming through rich Coffee plantation and world famous Kerala Backwater in South or enjoying the arduous trekking in Kanchenjunga in North-East or taking a desert camel safari tour in Thar desert in Western part of the country, the Eco tourism spots are pervaded everywhere. Many of them lying still in the pristine lap of mother lap guarantee its visitors to fetch them a unique view of their natural richness.

The thousands of species of flora and fauna find its natural abode in 89 of national parks and approx 430 of wildlife sanctuaries set in different naturally rich locations of the country. Besides, many of the dense forests, mountains and its hills, and rivers offer an immense range of adventurous Eco activities like Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Trekking, Mountain Biking, Nature Walking, Wildlife Viewing and River Rafting.

Coorg

Location : Western Ghats, Karnataka, Southern India.
Time to Visit : Between September and March, it is best time to visit Coorg.
Weather : Coorg experiences moderate climate with pleasant winters, warm summers and heavy monsoon.
Known For : Scenic Beauty.


The scenic beauty of this hill station is unmatched. Exploring this hill station and its natural possession, world famous waterfalls, Iruppu and Abbey, and Nagarhole National Park is worth making one's Eco vacation extremely enjoyable.

Garhwal

Location : In the state of Uttranchal in the northern part of India.
Time to Visit : Any Time of the year.
Weather : Salubrious and Pleasant.
Known For : The Rich Biological Resource.

Garhwal"Garhwal is the most beautiful land in the mountains of the Asian subcontinent"
- Dr. T.L. Longstaff, world renowned mountaineer, naturalist and trekker.

Garhwal
Garhwal in the northern state of Uttranchal is an exceptional destination with charming surroundings. The snow-wrapped mountains, luxuriant meadows, high-altitude lakes and impenetrable forests in the hills of Garhwal support exotic wildlife, bird life and plant life. The beautiful creations of nature in the Garhwal region add a bit of splendour to nature's wealth that dwells in its surrounding.

In order to preserve this gift of nature and also to enable the visitors to have a privileged view of the abundant surroundings, the Government has created special areas, National Parks and Sanctuaries, which conserves the ample natural beauty, flora & fauna of Garhwal Uttranchal.

Garhwal Region
Garhwal comprises of the seven districts - Dehradun, Hardwar, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pauri, Tehri and Rudraprayag. The region is a unique mix of diverse geographical, demographic and social characteristics, heightened by an intensified sense of religiosity. Garhwal is the supreme haven for the devout, and the home of varied flora & fauna. Garhwal also has immense scope for adventure sports like river rafting, aero-sports and skiing. There is ample scope for wildlife watching also, making it an essential entry on the itinerary of adventure lovers, pleasure seekers and pilgrims, alike.

The sacred shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri & Yamunotri are located here and so are the source of the most revered rivers Ganga and Yamuna. The legendary valleys of Garhwal blooming with natural beauty, also offer an unique style of hill temple architecture and fantastic handicrafts.

Himalaya

Location : Stretches from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast India.
Time to Visit : Any time of the year, depending on the place you have picked to visit.
Weather : From freezing cold to desert hot.
Indian States Covered : Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttranchal, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh.

Extending over 2500 Km in East to West, and 250 Km to 400 Km from North to South direction, Himalaya with its many of highest peaks and rivers is one of the most favourite destination for Eco tourists.

HimalayaThe Himalayas
The Himalayas or the 'Abode of Snow' stretches from Jammu & Kashmir in north India to Arunachal Pradesh in the extreme northeast India. The Himalayan Mountain Range bisects India from the rest of Asia by its invincible mountain ranges. Though, major range of Himalaya does not cover the entire northeast India, its smaller ranges extends into the remote parts of northeastern states of India, thus it also separates northeast India from the southeast Asian countries.

The Himalayan Topography
The billowy Himalayas beckons with lush green thickets in the foothills of Shivalik Ranges, snow covered Dhauladhar range over shadowed by the Pir Panjal Ranges and the Great Himalayan Ranges. The land is sprinkled by beautiful lakes and luxuriant valleys located between an altitude of 350 m and about 6,810 m, interlinked by rivers and sprawling valleys.

The forests, flora & fauna, and natural scenic beauty with salubrious climate is a haven for the visitors. The alpine land, spread over Lahaul and Spiti to Pangi valley, is an ardent destination for Aplinists and a feast of hedonists.

In Himalayas, medicinal herbs have been growing throughout the region since times immemorial. Adventure sport is another area of tourism activities, which yields greater scope for trekking, camping, mountaineering and skiing, etc.

Goa

Location : On the western coast of Indian Peninsula, Goa is geographically located between the latitudes of 15deg.48' N to 14deg. 53' N and longitudes between 74deg. 20' E to 73deg.20'E.
Time to Visit : The best time to visit Goa is during peak monsoon season between Mid July to September or peak winters in the months between November to Mid February.
Weather : Goa experiences moderate climate with negligible variations throughout the year. May is hottest month of the year while January-February are the coldest. Monsoon shower this bewitching place from Mid July to September.
Known For : Sandy Beaches and scenic beauty.

Goa beachGoa
Spell bounding travellers with its magnificent beauty and crowning beaches, Goa is an ultimate tourist destination in India. There is a famous saying that says life itself is a beach in Goa. These magnificent wast stretches of sea and sand are life line of this union territory of India. An amalgamated form of monuments, century old churches, wildlife and beaches are the true essence of Goan life.

With roars and cheers all around, life is a great celebration for people here. The dew on the palm trees, blue sea, and breeze on the sea shore; Goa seems a perfect destination for nature lovers. The kissed sandy beaches of Goa are the perfect remedy for all ailments. Spend some time here, rejuvenating and healing your inner self.

Manali

Location : Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh in the northern part of India.
Time to Visit : Any time of the year.
Weather : Pleasant & healthy.
Known For : The Rich Biological Resource.

ManaliManali
Manali is situated at the northern end of the Kullu Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. Manali has spectacular vistas of snow laded peaks and wooded slopes. The river Beas gushes along its rocky treks amid grassy surroundings, layered with wild flowers and wagtails hop along from stone to stone along the stream's edge. The lined orchards and fairy-tale forests of deodar offers marvellous walks.

The Manali market is peopled with mosaic of interesting shops selling Tibetan carpets and crafts, and the appetizing aroma of steaming noodles hangs about the little restaurants located around. Manali also has a Mountaineering Institute, which is a popular base for trekking and mountaineering in summer and skiing in winter. Interesting routes into the surrounding valleys, over the high passes, are provided with tourist huts and rest houses for trekking enthusiasts.

Rishikesh

Location : In the state of Uttranchal in the northern part of India.
Time to Visit : Any Time of the year. Rishikesh hosts an International Yoga Festival, which is held every year in the first week of February.
Weather : Temperate.
Known For : The Pilgrimage Centers and Yoga & Meditation Centre.

Rishikesh
RishikeshRishikesh is the Gateway to the Himalayas in the Tehri-Garhwal region of Uttranchal India. Rishikesh blossoms in natural splendour. The charm of the Ganga gushing through the Himalayan foothills is a spectacular sight. Several temples stands on the banks of the river Ganga at Rishikesh. This place is considered as the entry point to the three other pilgrim places of Badrinath - Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri the four great places which combine to make Chardham .

Located at a height of about 1360 ft from sea level, Rishikesh has been an abode of several yogis and sages since time immemorial, who lived and practised penance here. Rishikesh represents the place where Vishnu vanquished the demon Madhu. Rishikesh is also world famous for ashrams teaching Yoga & Meditation. Rishikesh is not only attracts pilgrims but also the foreign nationals, who want to know about Hinduism, who want to spend some time close to the Lord, people who love rafting come here to conquer the rapids of Ganga. Rishikesh is also an ideal base camp for trekking in the nearby Himalayas.

Yoga & Meditation in Rishikesh
Rishikesh is home to many ashrams, and most major Indian ashram, including Vivekenanda, Sivananda, Osho, Bihar school of yoga, have an office there. If you want to experience the classical Indian Yoga & Meditation, then this is the place for you. The slow and spiritual atmosphere of Rishikesh makes its an idealistic place to begin discovering what India has to offer. Rishikesh is slow and less intense as compared to other parts of India, probably because people have religion in their minds.

The pilgrims gather in Rishikesh to bathe in the sanctified waters of the Ganges, as Hindus believe this can remove layers of sin. This peaceful ashram centre here is certainly one of the most atmospheric places in India. Right from the dawn to the dusk, the entire ambience of Rishikesh is filled with a divine aura. The air of Rishikesh allows the chimes of the temple bells and religious chants float through out the city, creating a celestial synergy, where God and Man seems to unify, without any caste or creed discrimination. The day starts at 4 am in Rishikesh, from then onwards various religious activities are performed till the night arrives.

Rishikesh is completely vegetarian, you won't even find an egg there.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Experience Palau


Palau is part of the Micronesia Island chain and is beautifully located just seven degrees north of the equator in the western Pacific Ocean. It lies 1000km (600 miles) east of the Philippines. The Palau islands include more than 200 islands, of which only eight are inhabited. With three exceptions, all of the islands are located within a single barrier reef and represent two geological formations. The largest are volcanic and rugged with interior jungle and large areas of grassed terraces. The Rock Islands are of limestone formation, while Kayangel, at the northenmost tip, is a classical coral atoll. This gives Palau some of the most favorable tropical weather on earth. Palau beckons to you with some of the world's most awesome natural wonders.
Micronesia has always been hailed as one of the premier dive destinations of the world. From large manta rays to tiny cleaner shrimp, the underwater world truly blossoms and comes alive in Palau. With 5 dive guides and two 30ft tenders Big Blue will show you the time of your life where each day brings new dive sites to explore. Dive days on Big Blue consist of four to five dives, each starting with a short dive briefing and equipment check before heading out into the sea for some underwater exploration.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Maldive!!!

Pay With....







Sainte Anne Resort Seychelles ****** (6) Beachcomber Hotel, Mahé







Location: This luxury Resort situated on a 200-hectare private island, offering typical Seychelles scenery and several beaches of breathtaking beauty. This unspoilt island is a dream for all nature lovers. The crystal clear waters around this island is home to a wide variety of colourful fish and is a tempting invitation to swimming, diving and snorkelling. The airport is only 5km away from Sainte Anne’s private wharf. A pleasant 15 minute boat transfer in sheltered waters is offered at regular hours.Description: 2 Restaurants, the Main restaurant overlooking the beach and the swimming pool and an Italian Speciality-restaurant. One Bar. Further a Boutique, laundry, Business Centre, a Departure Lounge with showers and Dressing rooms, a conference room and a private helipad can be found there.



There are 87 Villas at the Resort. 79 Villas „Providence“ (approx. 49sqm), 3 Villas „Bel Air“ (approx. 85sqm – 1 bedroom), 4 Villas „Belle Vue“ (approx. 138sqm – 2 bedrooms) and one „Royal“ Villa (approx. 305sqm – 3 bedrooms) All Villas are ground floor sea facing and are equipped with air-conditioning, Bathroom, mini bar, Safe, Hairdryer, IDD-Telephone, satellite-TV and Tea-/Coffee making facilities.Sports activities: The Hotel owns 2 floodlit Tennis courts (Rackets available for free) and Mountain bikes (at extra costs). Further there are following water sports activities offered by the hotel: Sailing, Windsurfing, Kayak, Pedalos, Glass bottom boat-Tours and Snorkelling. At extra costs: Scuba Diving and Deep Sea Fishing. As Sainte Anne Resort is in the marine park, there are no motorised sports offered.

Maldives Hilton / Rangali Island ***** (5) Hotels Maldives




Hilton Rangali Island Resort covers two islands linked by a 500 metres bridge. It has also been recently transformed, with exciting new additions ready to transform you into raving fans of the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa. The island is located at South Ari Atoll. Transfer by Seaplane (approx. 30 minutes to Male). 25 Beach Villas, 75 Deluxe Beach Villas, 40 Water Villas, 8 Deluxe Water Villas, 2 Sunset Water Villas. All the rooms come with the most modern amenities and comfort that Hilton provides worldwide. All rooms with air conditioning, ceiling fan, sofa sitting, writing desk, tea/coffee makers, hot and cold water, shower, room safe, IDD telephone, laundry service and room safe. The Deluxe Water Villa features a Jacuzzi on the balcony, a Bose Surround Theatre system with 34" Flatscreen TV, DVD library, a King Size bed as well as a large bath with unlimited sea views. The Sunset Water Villas (over 250 sq meters) are far above any over water accommodation available in the Maldives and quite possibly the world. With stunning features such as glass floored living room, 2.5-meter round rotating bed, second bedroom, Plasma TV, in-room internet, 24 hour personal Island Host, Bose Digital Surround Cinema System, plunge pool, large L-shaped balcony.


Dining & Wining: Atoll Restaurant for all the meals with buffet, Sunset Grill & Bar offers a la carte meals and dinners in-Villa, Koko Grill on the beach, Rangali Bar, Ari Lounge serving breakfast and bar service for Water Villas only. Vilu Restaurant, Bar and Wine Cellar. The restaurant is exclusively for Water Villa guests and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Unique to the resort and indeed the Maldives are two underground wine cellars with a world-class selection of over 300 wines.Diving: International Diving School. Course with NAUI, PADI, CMAS certifications. The instructors speak English, German, French, Italian and JapaneseWater Sports: Windsurfing, Snorkeling, Surf Bike, Banana Riding, Fun Tubes, Water Skiing, Wake boardingLand Sports: Tennis, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Gymnasium, Darts, BilliardsExcursions: Fishing Villages, island hopping, night fishing, deep-sea fishing, picnic on desert islands, sunrise and sunset cruise, cruise on “Goma”.Others: Spa managed by Chiva Som, the first over-water Spa with full glass floor.Swimming Pool, Photo Lab, Jewelry, Italian Fashion Boutique, Souvenir Shop, Fitness Centre, Baby Sitter service, in-house doctor. Night entertainments include disco, live bands, “Bodu Beru” and soft animation

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Vava'u Tonga Beaches




Tonga - even the word is mysterious. And yet, this island-nation is about as friendly and relaxed as they get. Most visitors come here with a resort reservation in hand hoping to experience sun and sea and get unplugged from civilization.Since the island of Tonga take a little work to get to, most are not overrun by tourists. In fact on Vava'u, we found that even the central city of Neiafu was small and not at all interested in expansion or sprawl. But if you are like we - wanting to explore tiny islands in the middle of the Pacific - Tonga is for you.One of Tonga's four main island groups, Vava'u is off the beaten track. We found the beaches sparsely populated and even the towns had few residents. You can certainly be yourself here.

Levera Beach - Grenada




The best of Grenada's 45 beaches are on the southwestern part of the island - with the exception of Levera Beach. It's part of the Levera National Park, and is at the northeastern tip of the island.But be prepared. We visited some of the calmest beaches in the Caribbean on Grenada, yet this isn't one of them. Because Levera Beach fronts the Atlantic ocean, we found there was some pretty rough surf at times.Because of this, the shoreline tends to drop more swiftly. But then, it's more dramatic here and makes for some of nature's best shows. In fact, we found one beach that was a dark red color, probably from the pigments in the cliff right above it.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Poipu Beach Park







If you think surfboards and outriggers at Waikiki when you think of Hawaiian beaches, you’re in for a surprise as we list the three best on the magnificent island chain. Interestingly, that beach of the ages may be picturesque, but it didn’t make the cut. Which did?First – a travel note that will keep you happy during your time spent in the land of leis and grass skirts. Hawaiian beaches are busiest during the US winter months, specifically between December to February. This is High Season (read – high hotel prices, airfares, crowds).And while we’re mentioning seasons, note that June through October are the hottest months with temperatures getting near 90 F, and the humidity in the 70% range.December through March are the wettest months. Expect a shower, especially if you are visiting our beach pick on the “Garden Island” of Kauai.



When you travel to Hawaii, because it is an island chain, you do yourself an injustice if you visit only Oahu (Honolulu). Because of the commercialism (which you’re trying to leave a little behind), you will be charmed by Oahu its many locations and activities, but you won’t know Hawaii unless you book a hotel on two other islands – we recommend Maui and Kauai.



Kauai is the least developed of the four major Hawaiian Islands. You’ve seen the dramatic landscape in King Kong, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jurassic Park. And who could forget Fantasy Island? The opening waterfall scene was shot at Wailua Falls.When you visit Kauai, think Grand Canyon – it’s that big and breathtaking.Now on to the beach.Poipu is really a series of three white crescents, which hug some of the most awesome turquoise water on Kauai’s south coast. To give you an idea of how big it is, it starts at the Sheraton Kauai Resort and goes to the Poipu Beach Park.

Bahia Chileno - Cabo San Lucas
















You won't need any inspiration to make this beach a must visit when in Cabo San Lucas. Understand that if you come all the way out to Mexico's Riviera without visiting the Bahia Chileno, well - you might as well say you didn't have time to make it to the beach.Because this IS the beach - the one we think is the best in class for Cabo San Lucas. If rated by stars it would receive a grand "5 Stars" for "all-around" best. And here's why:Bahia Chileno (Chilean) is perfectly situated midway in the "Tourist Corridor". Hands down the finest Los Cabos beach for swimming, diving, kayaking, and snorkeling above the best reef in these parts. The locals know it,We found the beach wide, and the surf fairly flat. Each morning you'll find joggers from the nearby resorts. Swimming is safe - as opposed to many of the beaches we've reported on in the Cabos area. One side on Bahia Chileno is sandy all the way out to the reef. The other crescent is sandy but full of rock formations along the bottom, making it ideal for snorkel and diving.Underwater expect the best in colorful reef fish, sea turtles, squid, moray eels, sea urchins, those great gorgonians (sea fans), colorful sea sponges, and starfish. Look, but don't touch. Do take an underwater camera. This beauty you don't want to forget. too. Just ask and you'll be told what area of the beach is best for the sport you want to enjoy.There was a dive shop on the beach, but the host hotel was sold in 2005 and a new dive shop has not opened. Make arrangements in Cabo San Lucas.This beach is so easy to find. Bahia Chileno is close to the highway, around kilometer 14.5. There's a parking area with a bus stop. Walk from the parking lot toward the ocean - you can't miss this gem.

Manchebo Beach.Aruba






















The Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa provides a vacation experience as uncommon as the island itself. Overlooking the crystalline waters of the Caribbean, this tropical paradise is nestled on the largest of Aruba's beaches, an unspoiled expanse of soft white sand in which one can almost get lost, and to which one will long to return.

Monday, June 4, 2007

CHEDI,Phuket














































Surrounded by the azure waters of the Andaman Sea and lush wooded hills, The Chedi Phuket offers its guests a choice of 108 thatched cottages sheltered under the canopy of coconut groves.Located on landscaped slopes that gently descend to meet white tranquil beaches, all 89 one-bedroom and 19 two-bedroom cottages are equipped with private verandahs, secluded sun-decks, hand-crafted teak floors and spacious bedrooms chamgers leading to private dressing areas.Renowned for its warm island hospitality and rustic serenity, The Chedi Phuket also provides spa services, dining venues, meeting facilities and recreational activities. The Chedi Phuket, you gateway to a tropical island paradise.

Friday, May 18, 2007

Casino Yacht & Golf Club Hotel












Hotel DescriptionThis unique resort in South America is exceptional. It has 493 acres/ surrounded by scenic nature/ located on the shores of the Paraguay River/ 15 minutes from downtown/ Asuncion. The hotel has Travel Agency/ Nursery/ Medical attention and 24 hour car service. A luxurious modern architecture deluxe class resort hotel with scenic nature surroundings/ excellent facilities and high standards of service.













Welcome to Matei Pointe














































If heaven was on earth then this just might be it!!! FIJI, one of the most beautiful and enchanting places in the world, is made up of nearly 300 islands. The third largest, TAVEUNI is the jewel of Fiji and rightfully lives up to its notoriety as theGarden Island. Situated on the tip of Taveuni on its breathtaking shoreline is MATEI POINTE. Kelly and Scott Schulman, residents of Chico, California, fell so deeply in love with the people and beauty of the island upon their first trip that they purchased Matei Pointe. As the Schulman's experience their dream come true, now they want to share their dream with you.
Kelly and Scott's piece of paradise has a 220-degree ocean view, with private beaches on the east side for inspiring sunrises topped off with dramatic sunsets over the west beach.
Situated on the gorgeous SomoSomo Straits, snorkeling awaits you right outside your front door. Escape on a kayak to a neighboring island, scuba in one of the top 5 dive sites in the world, or jusDuring your stay, you will be well cared for by Pita and his wife Lo. They are on the grounds daily to take care of Matei Pointe, but first and foremost, to tend to your needs. Pita and Lo epitomize the friendly, simple and loving Fijian style and unsurpassed hospitality. They will be thrilled to share their paradise and traditions with you. Their Fijian, "No worries," attitude will ensure that your needs for anything from grocery shopping, massage therapy, fishing excursions, local knowledge exchanges, laundry service or even just a song performed by Pita (he is an accomplished musician) is handled. Pita and Lo are to Matei Pointe as the sun is to our fruits and flowers. Please don't try to take them home with you. They are essential to Matei Pointe, as you will soon discover. t gather in the year-round, friendly sunshine on Matei Pointe's private beach and jetty.

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At the end of a continent lies a tranquil retreat.Where the body is healed, the soul is revived, the senses are awakenedand the spirit soars to new heights.A place where sun, sea, sky and earth join as one to form a tropical oasis like no other.A place called Esperanza.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Makaha Resort & Golf Club, Oahu


The golf course known as "Makaha West," William F. Bell’s 1969 masterpiece, remains one of the top golf courses on O’ahu. Acclaimed for its beauty as much as its rigor, Makaha West has been listed on the "Places to Play" for 2002 by Golf Digest, and named O’ahu’s number one golf course by Honolulu Magazine.A classic course requires a variety of shots and just about every club in your bag. The 18 Hole, par 72, championship golf course stretches 7,077 yards from the "tips", and holds a U.S.G.A. rating of 73.2, challenging both professionals and amateurs alike. Unlike some O'ahu courses, they allow cart access to all fairways so guests can enjoy the beauty of the Makaha area.They offer a driving range, group and private lessons from a P.G.A. professional staff. The Pro Shop offers golf club and shoe rentals, as well as golf apparel and other accessories.Makaha Resort & Golf Club is nestled between surrounding Wai'anae Mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a serene, tranquil perfect getaway spot. With such amenities as 18-hole championship golf course, pro-shop, swimming pool, meeting rooms, banquet facilities, restaurant, lounge with entertainment, truly "Hawaii’s Hidden Secret".

The Oberoi, Mauritius
















The idyllic island of Mauritius with its unspoilt beaches and azure waters offers a unique experience of European, African and Asian cultures. The Oberoi captures the spirit of the island in a resort that combines its abundant natural beauty with refined luxury. The resort is located in 20 acres of beautiful sub-tropical gardens with a 600 meter oceanfront. Villas with private swimming pools and luxury pavilions offer panoramic views of the ocean.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Bob Marley - Rasta and Marijuana 2

about...

Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill

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Bob Marley Redemption Song the last song

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Jamaica,we are coming























































When Christopher Columbus first visited Jamaica, he described it as the fairest isle that eyes have seen. Five hundred years later, more than a million visitors travel to Jamaica annually to see for themselves this island that has been winning over and over the prestigious World Travel Awards, "Best Caribbean Destination."
Jamaica, the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean, is 146 miles long and 51 miles wide occupying an area of 4,400 square miles. The population is just over two and a half million with high concentrations in the cities and surroundings, especially Kingston, the capital. Most visitors fly into Montego Bay as the North Coast is home to most of the beautiful beaches and other famous visitor attractions, like Dunn's River Falls.
You won't be disappointed by the variety on this luscious island, from sun-kissed white sand beaches to rivers and waterfalls, to mountains and valleys in the interior. There is so much to do in Jamaica, you can only indulge in a small

History..

Inductee: Bob Marley (vocals, guitar; born February 6, 1945, died May 11, 1981)Bob Marley was reggae's foremost practitioner and emissary, embodying its spirit and spreading its gospel to all corners of the globe. His extraordinary body of work embraces the stylistic spectrum of modern Jamaican music - from ska to rock steady to reggae - while carrying the music to another level as a social force with universal appeal. Marley cannot claim to have had even one hit single in America, but few others changed the musical and cultural landscape as profoundly as he. As Robert Palmer wrote in a tribute to Marley upon his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, "No one in rock and roll has left a musical legacy that matters more or one that matters in such fundamental ways."
There's no question that reggae is legitimately part of the larger culture of rock and roll, partaking of its full heritage of social forces and stylistic influences. In Marley's own words, "Reggae music, soul music, rock music - every song is a sign." Marley's own particular symbolism derived from his beliefs as a Rastafarian - a sect that revered Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia (a.k.a. Ras Tafari) as a living god who would lead oppressed blacks back to an African homeland - and his firsthand knowledge of the deprivations of the Jamaican ghettos. His lyrics mixed religious mysticism with calls for political uprising, and Marley delivered them in a passionate, declamatory voice.
Reggae's loping, hypnotic rhythms carried an unmistakable signature that rose to the fore of the music scene in the Seventies, largely through the recorded work of Marley and the Wailers on the Island and Tuff Gong labels. Such albums as Natty Dread and Rastaman Vibration endure as reggae milestones that gave a voice to the poor and disfranchised citizens of Jamaica and, by extension, the world. In so doing, he also instilled them with pride and dignity in their heritage, however sorrowful the realities of their daily existence. Moreover, Marley's reggae anthems provided rhythmic uplift that induced what Marley called "positive vibrations" in all who heard it. Regardless of how you heard it - political music suitable for dancing, or dance music with a potent political subtext - Marley's music was a powerful potion for troubled times.
Marley was born on Jamaica to a young black mother and an older white father. A precocious musician, a teenaged Marley formed a vocal trio in 1963 with friends Neville "Bunny" O'Riley Livingston (later Bunny Wailer) and Peter McIntosh (later Peter Tosh). The group members had grown up in Trench Town, a ghetto neighborhood of Kingston, listening to rhythm and blues on American radio stations. They heard such R&B mainstays as Ray Charles, the Drifters, Fats Domino and Curtis Mayfield. They took the name the Wailing Wailers (shortened to the Wailers) because they were ghetto sufferers who'd been born "wailing." As practicing Rastas, they grew their hair in dreadlocks and smoked ganja (marijuana), believing it to be a sacred herb that brought enlightenment.
The Wailers recorded prolifically for small Jamaican labels throughout the Sixties, during which time ska - Jamaican dance music that drew from African rhythms and New Orleans R&B - was the hot sound. The Wailers had their first hit in 1963 with "Simmer Down," and they went on to record 30 sides in the "rude boy" ska style for Jamaican soundman Coxsone Dodd's Studio One. By this time, Marley's preoccupations were taking a spiritual turn, and Jamaican music itself was changing from the bouncy ska beat to the more sensual rhythms of rock steady. An association with Jamaican producer Lee Perry resulted in some of the Wailers' memorable recordings, including "Soul Rebel" and "Duppy Conqueror," and the albums Soul Rebel and Soul Revolution.
Though the Wailers were popular in Jamaica, it was not until the group signed with Chris Blackwell's Island Records in the early Seventies that they found an international audience. Their first recordings for Island, Catch a Fire (1972) and Burnin' (1973), were hard-hitting albums full of what critic Robert Christgau called Marley's "melodic propaganda." The latter contained "I Shot the Sheriff." Reggae aficionado Eric Clapton's version of the song went to #1 in 1974, which further carried the name of Marley and the Wailers beyond their Jamaican home base.
With the departure of founding members Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer after Burnin', Marley took center stage as singer, songwriter and rhythm guitarist. Backed by a first-rate band and the I-Threes vocal trio - which included his wife, Rita - Marley rose to the occasion with 1975's Natty Dread (his first album to chart in America) and the string of politically charged albums that followed. These included Rastaman Vibration, his highest-charting album (1976, #8); the fiery, oratorical Exodus (1977, #20); the mellow, herb-extolling Kaya (1978, #50), the live double-album Babylon by Bus (#1978, #102), and the politicized, defiant Survival (1979, #70) and Uprising (1980, #46). Uprising was the last studio album released during Marley's lifetime.
So influential a cultural icon had Marley become on his home island by the mid-Seventies that Time magazine proclaimed, "He rivals the government as a political force." On December 5, 1976, Marley was scheduled to give a free "Smile Jamaica" concert, aimed at reducing tensions between warring political factions. Two days before the scheduled concert, he and his entourage were attacked by gunman. Though Bob and Rita Marley were grazed by bullets, they electrified a crowd of 80,000 people when both took to the stage with the Wailers on the 5th - a gesture of survival that only heightened Marley's legend. It further galvanized his political outlook, resulting in the most militant albums of his career: Exodus, Survival and Uprising.
He was particularly moved throughout his career by the gulf between haves and have-nots, a culture of oppression that was particularly glaring in his poverty- and crime-ridden Jamaican homeland. "We should all come together and creative music and love, but [there] is too much poverty," Marley told writer Timothy White in 1976. "The most intelligent people [are] the poorest people...[but] people don't get no time to feel and spend [their] intelligence...The intelligent and innocent are poor, are crumbled and get brutalized. Daily."
Given the violent culture that he survived and transcended, Marley's death seems almost cruelly flukish. In 1977, surgeons removed part of a toe that had been injured in a soccer game, upon which a cancerous growth was found. This led to the discovery of spreading cancer in 1980, after Marley collapsed while jogging in Central Park, that claimed his life less than a year later. Though he died prematurely at age 36, the heartbeat reggae rhythms of the enormous body of music that Bob Marley left behind have endured. Moreover, Jamaica itself has been transformed by his charismatic personality and musical output. Marley was buried on the island with full state honors on May 21, 1981. In a crowning irony, given the reviled status that Rastafarians and their music had once suffered at the hands of the Jamaican government, Marley's pacifist reggae anthem, "One Love," was adapted as a theme song by the Jamaican Tourist Board. Meanwhile, Marley's music continues to find an audience. With sales of more than 10 million in the U.S. alone, Legend - a best-of spanning the Island Records years (1972-1981) - remains the best-selling album by a Jamaican artist and the best-selling reggae album in history.

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