Before we heard of Cancun, Acapulco was Mexico’s most famous beach and is going through a renascence and is once again on the top of many visitors to Mexico’s holiday agenda. Acapulco is more than just a beach it is a huge city with a population of over 2 million known for having a good time, with bars, clubs and discos which seem to go all night. The magnificent resorts are homes to the rich and famous, movie stars, music stars or just celebs hang out by the pool being waited on hand and foot. Being set on a horseshoe the natural bay has beautiful sandy beaches and plenty of Mexican sun. You can just lazily lay by the pool or beach or get into some great activities including some of the worlds best sports fishing, golf on championship courses, every type of water sport known and of course shopping eating and enjoying the nightlife.
There is a lot to see in the Czech city of Prague and there is no better way to cover the distances between palaces, castles and museums than on the Tramvaje. The local tramway has over 500 km of tracks around the city and it is estimated used by over 300 million people a year. You will catch a tram every 10 or so minutes so there is no long waiting time but peak hours the carriages can get very busy. Tram 22 and 23 are probably the most useful for tourists they go past many of the city’s most scenic routes including passing the National Theatre to StaromÄ›stská and Malostranská metro stations, and continuing up to the Belveder, Prague Castle and PohoÅ™elec. Tickets are cheap as chips costing only 25Kc for adults and 10kc for kids and seniors, but for a real bargain get a short term tourist pass they work on all public transport . Tickets can be bought from newsagents, stations, hotels and some department stores. There are also vending machines close to many stops.
San Francisco is one of the world’s most beautiful bayside cities. The Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, the Trolley Cars and Alcatraz this city is an amazing holiday destination. Explore the city, the waterfront, the great food, the parks and gardens and meet the friendly people. This week’s You Tube of the weeks shows some of the beautiful sites all set to an amazing soundtrack.
Ned Kelly and the Kelly gang were bushrangers who ruled the Northern Victorian highlands holding up towns, banks and even murdering over two years between 1878 – 1880. Ned Kelly has since become Australia’s most known historical character and at the time was a legend who although did some very bad things was the inspiration to many Irish Australians of the time. Such was his legendary status that over 30,000 people unsuccessfully petioned for him not to be executed for his crimes and be pardoned. Today the towns of Glenrowan, Beechworth, Jerilderie, and Mansfield all celebrate the Kelly Legend. There are plenty of exhibitions and history to see along with plenty of souvenirs of Ned ranging from tea towels to artwork. These towns give you an insight into the man and these hard times when convict stock, immigrants, different classes and the English rule struggled to co-exist- but these times were the times which shaped Australia and Kelly and his gang what ever you opinion of them really helped give Australia its national identity.
December 7 marks the 66th anniversary of the attack of the US fleet at Pearl Harbor Hawaii by the Japanese. Today Pearl Harbor has been turned into a moving memorial for those who fought and those who lost their lives in this dark period of the world’s history.
The USS Arizona memorial is one of the most visited war sites on the island. Here a simple floating pavilion sits above the final resting place of the vessel and many of the 1177 crew members that perished. A shore based museum also has some moving wartime stories and memorabilia and visitors can also choose to visit the USS Missouri battleship which was the scene of the 1945 surrender.
The Barras or Barrowland Markets at the east end of Scotland’s Glasgow is a famous institution and has a tradition dating back nearly 90 years. Opening on the weekends the market has a huge collection of second hand goods and is notorious for counterfeit computer games, DVD’s CD’s and smuggled tobacco. It is not known how long the market will be able to survive, many believe it needs to be cleaned up and the regular police raids don’t seem to deter the traders doing things they shouldn’t. The market is also home to the nearby Barrowland Ballroom building which is a major concert venue hosting some of the world’s biggest names. The area has some of Glasgow’s best working man’s pubs including Baird’s Bar and other Celtic orientated venues.
Plans are underway to build a huge Las Vegas style city in Spain called Gran Escala in the Los Monegros Desert about half way between Madrid and Barcelona. The plan will feature huge resorts with 32 hotel- casinos, a race course, sports stadium, golf courses, equestrian centres and two major theme parks including a water park and spy themed park. Over 17 billion Euros have been committed to the project and over 25 million people are expected to visit a year once this stage is complete over the next decade. Tourism is a huge earner in Spain, it now makes up 12% of the country’s economy. It is hoped this development will further strengthen tourism and threaten France as Europe’s most visited city. We are not sure if there is going to be a Spanish Elvis or the wedding chapels and buffets but there’s every chance.
Taipei the capital of Taiwan is home to one of the worlds most spectacular and tallest buildings the Taipei 101. Standing 101 storeys and 509 metres high it was the first building in the world to reach over half a kilometer high. While the top floor is a private club there is a amazing observation platform at the 89th and 91st floors, the upper one is infact outdoors, both offer 360 degree views of the city below. Several restaurants including Diamond Tony’s and XEX a Japanese restaurant occupy some of the upper levels. Ground breaking for the tower started in 1998 and the tower opened to the public on the 31st of December 2004 just in time for what has become a tradition the huge New Years Eve fireworks and display. The tower infact turns into a huge NYE clock. At night the structure is especially beautiful lighting up the surrounding sky with a different colour of the rainbow for each day.
Early last century the Singapore Boat Quay was one of the Orient’s biggest trading ports and an entrance for immigrants and a huge trading hub but today it is one of the island city’s hottest entertainment areas. The river banks are a eclectic mix of lively bars, clubs, pubs and some of Singapore’s best and most expensive dining. There are plenty of outdoor alfresco options where you can watch the world go by over a few satay sticks and an iced tea or go on a bit of a hunt for some interesting gifts and fashion. The area is a very popular hangout for the thousands of expatriates who work and live in Singapore and quiet popular with tourists. Some of the favorite dining places are the famous Sukhothai Restaurant, The Moomba, Pasta Fresca and the House of Sudanese Food which has is famous for its bakar or charcoal grilling from Western Java.
Well most of us have come to the conclusion the King of Rock and Roll sadly passed away in August of 1977 but there are some die hards who just can’t bring themselves to accept the facts. Well who knows maybe Bill Beeny might be right, he put his Elvis is Alive collection on internet auction site eBay and got him self a cool $8000 from a guy called Key. The Elvis is Still Alive Museum museum is currently housed in a transformed a coin operated laundry an hours drive from St Lois. The new owner hopes to move it to Laurel in Jacksonville or even to Hattiesburg in Mississippi- No one really knows why?. The $8000 got Key a huge collection of photos, books, and memorabilia of the King and even FBI files and DNA reports which support Bill Beeny’s evidence that Elvis still lives. Well we are all hoping that the Elvis will turn up to the opening of this new museum and set us all straight… only time will tell. Read the rest of this entry »
