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Archive for January, 2008

Sydney - A City Guide Of Sydney In Australia

Posted by admin on January 30th, 2008

The harbour city of Sydney, Australia may not be the country s capital but it s still a city of majestic beauty and chic style. Located in Australia s south east coast, in the state of New South Wales, Sydney is a holiday destination famous for its long days of sunshine, national landmarks and brilliant beaches.

As the site of the first European colony in Australia, Sydney is a city rich in the colonial heritage and history. Hyde Park Barracks and Elizabeth Bay House recreate the atmosphere of the first white settlers in Australia during the 19th and 20th century, as well as housing exhibitions on Australian history, ideas and culture.

The heart of Sydney is its two landmarks, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Built on the picturesque Sydney harbour, the opera house is one of the greatest performing arts centres in the world and a source of great beauty and wonder. Opened in 1973, it was designed by a Danish architect to represent the sailing ships of the harbour. The Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened in 1932 and is affectionately nicknamed the coathanger because of its unique shape. Both of these landmarks run regular tours however the best way to really experience the breathtaking architecture is to take one of the many cruises which run up and down the harbour daily.

A more natural side of Sydney can be found on Bondi Beach. An extremely popular tourist destination, Bondi Beach is a thriving cosmopolitan centre for sun, surf and fun. The crystal clear waters and white sand of this moon shaped bay are only rivalled by the first class restaurant and eateries which fringe it.

Sydney itself is much more than a place filled with iconic attractions, it is a city with a love for art and style. The city centre boasts some of the best shopping districts and nightlife in Australia. The Chinese Garden of Friendship demonstrates Sydney s rich multicultural flavour, whilst the Sydney Markets are a perfect place to experience the friendly carefree attitude of the people and pick up some great souvenirs.

The city of Sydney is a modern metropolitan that hasn t lost its natural beauty or green surroundings. It is not a city of stress or smog but one of rest and relaxation. A perfect holiday destination.

Having Fun in Northern California

Posted by admin on January 29th, 2008

Northern California has many things to offer not only its residents, but visitors as well. From Crescent City to Lake Tahoe and everywhere in between, you can enjoy yourself not on in the sun and the ocean but on the streets of small towns and metropolises alike. There are your regular run of the mill county fairs, and then there are the small festivals that only one town can claim the glories to. It is these festivals that are often worth visiting. One unique such festival is the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee yes, Jumping Frog Jubilee.

Calaveras County is also known as Frogtown and is between Yosemite and Lake Tahoe and brings you not only frog jumps but Horse events, a Tuff Truck competition and their own take on American Idol. In Lodi you can visit the Grape Festival and Harvest Fair in the middle of September. From musical acts to friendly competitions among photographers and quilters, there will be something that you are sure to enjoy. The Mendocino County Fair and Apple Show has Dog shows and open horse shows, a tractor pull for kids, and even an Apple Bowl Football Game. If you like being surrounded by some of the oldest, tallest trees in the world, then look no further than the Redwood Acres Fair and Rodeo held in Eureka during the end of June. All weekend long there are simulated as well as real bull-riding contests, and all you need to say is Yee-Haw to get on board.

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Seoul - Soul Food For Travelers You Will Miss

Posted by admin on January 28th, 2008

While designer boutiques and cafes spring up in Seoul, I will share to you my travel experience with some sections of Seoul. This capital of South Korea offers silk worm snack foods and street jazz.

The place. It was a clear spring evening, outside Tongdaenum stadium, west of Seoul. Hundreds of teenagers mill around waiting for the clock to strike 8 p.m. I wonder if it is not a soccer match or a pop concert they have come to see. Their excitable chatter would lead me to believe otherwise.

Oh I see! The big attraction lies across the road at the Migliore department store. A 14th floors of thrifty glamor fashions and the latest arcade dance machines. Or maybe a guest pop group appearance awaits the crowd. Migliore s night-owl business hours (8 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily) have made it a beacon for Seoul s restless and hip-to-the-groove youth. And at 8:06 p.m. the first transactions are rung though. Less than eight hours after Migliore closes its doors, another hive of shopping opportunity will abuzz on the other side of the city.

We inched our way up the base of the imposing Mount Namsan, Myong-dong district, a new face of Seoul. Here we saw sleek office complexes rise over bustling local markets, Eastern and Western fashions. Coffee is the beverage of choice.

The food. Commerce is certainly the force driving the capital these days. But I find it s worth noting about our travel to Seoul is when dinner time approaches. All our wheeling and dealing, haggling and bartering, suddenly stops. We and the citizens of Seoul get down to the very serious business of eating and drinking.

I believe that there is a growing demand for traditional home-cooked food that has created an enormous range of dining possibilities for travelers and visitors to Seoul. I find it the most challenging part of dining out in Seoul is where to pull up a seat at hundreds of food stalls, restaurants and even street kitchens.

We sit down at one of these stalls and found out our fellow diners could be a mechanic chewing thoughtfully on a pig s trotter. I saw a group of immaculately-dressed office ladies tucking into a fish head stew. I find the aromas of their dishes excite, and at the same time, completely confuse my senses. I m still curious, odors fill the night air along the north side of Jongno Street back towards the Seoul s city center. Oh! It s peondaegi, or boiled silkworm larvae, wafting from dozens of street carts.

Outside Danseonsa Theater, I spied elderly women spooning steaming critters into paper cups and selling them to passers-by for US$0.95 (1,000 won). I speared them with the toothpick provided and I swallow it as quickly as possible. It is at the back of T apkol Park that I finally found an antidote for the powerful silkworm aftertaste. There are a handful of stores specializing in traditional medicine, called hanyak.

Clusters in the alleys to the north, are easily recognizable by the bell jars of snake wine in their windows. Together with dried reptiles, exotic-smelling herbs and animal parts, snake meat soup called paem t ang (don t know if I spelled it correctly), and snake wine, called paem sul. At Cheung Jin Ok restaurant, opened in 1937, located in Jongno district my problem was solved. There is only one dish to choose from, hae jang or the coagulated cow s blood broth served with extra spicy kimch i.

Did you know? Kimchi is an absolute necessity in every Korean meal and can be made from one or more kinds of vegetables including Chinese cabbage, radish by seasoning and salting them with garlic, scallion ginger, chili and fish sauce.

Travel And Leisure

Archive for January, 2008

Sydney - A City Guide Of Sydney In Australia

Having Fun in Northern California

Seoul - Soul Food For Travelers You Will Miss

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