Dec
27
Visitors to the city of Kolkata find a variety of experiences to make their stay memorable. The second largest city in India, Kolkata is more commonly known in the West as Calcutta (the city’s name was changed in 2001). The city is a mixture of East and West, of tradition and modern life. Known for its culture, arts, and spirituality, the city has a number of historic sites worth exploring. But whatever attractions draw you to the city, you’ll be sure to find delectable food nearby.
Kolkata has long had a reputation for the best restaurants in India. Many of the restaurants in the Esplanada are are over a hundred years old. While there are a number of world cuisines available in more modern eateries, it is the Indian cuisines that shouldn’t be missed. Bengali, Punjabi, Mughlai and other Indian foods are available in the city. Everything from street vendors selling egg rolls, kati rolls(a Kolkata speciality), and puchkas(Kolkata’s version of pani-puri) to upscale restaurants catering to the elite of Kolkata can be found in this modern metropolis.
Kolkata is a great place to find Bengali sweets, which are famous throughout the country. Cheese balls that are dipped in sugary syrup come in several varieties. Try Rasagolla (regular), Pantua (fried), and Rosomalia (dipped in sweetened creamy milk) to experience a range of flavors. Shondesh is made from fresh, finely ground cheese and comes in several hundred variations. Pitha are made from flour mixed with sugar, grated coconut, and other flavors and also come in a number of variations, usually with sweet syrups. The sweet yoghurt known as mishti doi is enjoyed by itself or as an element in other sweets.
Indian-Chinese food is also popular in the city. Most Chinese restaurants offer Indian variations of dishes such as hot and sour soup, chowmein, and fried rice. It wouldn’t be Indian-Chinese cuisine without chillis used to improve the original Cantonese flavors. Some favorite India-Chinese dishes include chilli chicken and chicken sweet corn soup.
In between sightseeing and dining be sure to squeeze in time for shopping and take time to relax in your hotel, especially if they are luxurious accommodations such as those found at the five star Kolkata hotels. Maybe you’ll find the food so inspiring that you’ll bring home a cookbook or two, or at least a desire to check out the Indian restaurant in your neighborhood.
Dec
20
The capital of Thailand, Bangkok was originally known as Bang Makok which means “Village of Olives.” For over two centuries, this cosmopolitan city has been the economic, political, and social center of Thailand and most of southeast Asia. A popular tourist destination, it offers incredible cuisine, fabulous shopping and a variety of accomodations including the many five star hotels in Bangkok. The city’s influence extends to arts, entertainment, fashion, and education and can be felt even beyond the borders of Asia and Indochina.
Visitors to Bangkok can’t escape the presence of Tuk-tuks. Love them or hate them (or sometimes both), they are everywhere. The three-wheeled auto rickshaw is a common vehicle for hire in Bangkok and in many other parts of east and south Asia. Most consist of a open sheet-metal frame resting on three wheels. They usually have a canvas roof with space for a drive in the front cabin and three passengers in the rear. The lightness of the vehicle combined with its handlebar steering and small turning radius make it an ideal, if sometimes dangerous, vehicle for manuevering in the dense traffic common in heavily populated cities.
In Bangkok, the tuk-tuk is good as a tourist experience or for very short distances. It’s slow speeds and combined with Bangkok’s traffic congestion make longer distances untenable. Drivers are also likely to try to overcharge tourists, sometimes demanding as much as five times as what the actual price should be. Tuk-tuk’s in Bangkok should be cheaper than taking a regular taxi. If you’re in the regsidential neighborhoods, you may be able to take the less-touristy four-wheeled version. These are mainly used by locals and maids, but tourists can negotiate a trip, usually they stay in the same neighborhood, so make sure your desination is within the drivers boundaries before getting in the vehicle.
Other areas where you’ll find tuk-tuks in common use include Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Vietnam. Even cities in Canada are experimenting with versions that use compressed natural gas in an effort to control pollution.
Dec
12
Fisher’s Tools is one of the countries leading tools suppliers. They are based in Tempe, Arizona where they are owned by Greg Fisher. The company was formed as Fisher’s Tools and handles in 1964 by Howard Fisher who started selling tool and handles at a Phoenix park-n-swap.
Fisher’s Tools currently has an extensive warehouse complex on a 4-acre site in Tempe, Arizona. This includes a large showroom as well as two tools warehouses.
Fisher’s Tools provides a multitude of contractor tools including industrial tools from top manufacturers including DeWalt Tools, Milwaukee, Bosch, Stihl, Klein, Makita, Knaack, Stanley, Ridgid, and Channel Lock. For more information visit www.fishertools.com
Dec
12
While Ibiza has a reputation as a hedonistic party desintation, today’s tourists will find the island has much to offer besides a flourishing nightlife. Together with Formentera, Ibiza was known as the “Islands of Pine Trees” (Islas Pitiusas) by the Greeks. Those who brave the surrounding countryside will see the beauty that gets ignored by those seeking to party all night.
The government has been trying to change the island in recent years. They hope to attract quieter, more cultured tourism and have been working to attract more families. Part of that transformation requires that all new hotels be five (5) star, such as those at 5 star hotel Ibiza.
Many visitors fail to appreciate the natural beauty of the island. Large sections of the island are protected from commericial development as UN World Heritage Sites. Artists flock to the island to depict its natural wonders and many film and photo shoots make use of the rustic landscape. In additional to the sixty or so beaches on the island, there are forests, cliffs, small villages, and historical monuments.
Ses Salinas is one of two National Parks on the island. It is home to salt lakes, lunar cords with ghost trees that are centuries old as well as beaches and cliffs. Another protected area is the nature reserves of es Vedra, es Vedranell and the islands to the southwest of Ibiza. This park encompasses the small islands, the marine environment, beaches, forests, and other natural features. It includes the highest point on the island: sa Talai.
Of course, there is nothing to stop a visitor from taking full advantage of the natural attractions of the island and still partaking of the famous club scene. Ibiza has a little of something for everyone.
Dec
8
The island that was known in the west as Junk Ceylon has grown into a modern tourist destination. Phuket is the largest of the Thai islands. It is found in the Adaman Sea, 860 kilometers south of Bangkok. Phuket is connected to the mainland by a bridge and has evolved into the most popular destination of the islands.
The many beaches of Phuket offer a variety of activities that appeal to tourists. In addition to normal water activities such as snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing, sunbathing and swimming, the beaches of Phuket offer shopping, fine dining, and exciting nightlife.
The Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Conservation Development and Extension Center oversees the wildlife within the Khao Phra Thaeo wildlife park. A haven of virgin forest, the park seeks to conserve endangered species and features spectacular vegetation. It is also home to an environmental study center.
Home to a diverse population of Buddhists, Thai-Chinese, Malay, Muslims, and Europeans, Phuket provides a rich multi-cultural experience. The cultural diversity is reflected in the range of festivals and events held throughout the year. Some of these include the Vegetarian Festival, the Seafood Festival, the Patong Carnival (also called the Phuket Travel Fair), the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, and the Chao Le (Sea Gypsy) Boat Floating Festival.
Whatever activities they prefer, visitors will find many Five star hotels Phuket as well as fine dining, great shoppping, and a stunning blend of natural resources with modern urban settings.
—————–
|
