Moon Petal » Travel

Diverse Cultures of the Caribbean Islands

Moniker — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:10:00 +0000

The Caribbean Islands are not only beautiful, they are also frequently the stuff from which dreams are made. Romantic vacation fantasies are oriented around a trip to one or more of these incredible islands everyday. And a lucky few of these dreamers actually make the trip happen. However, the good news is that it is actually much easier and affordable to visit them than what most people realize. And of course those that do, would like it to remain their own secret.

Meanwhile, the islands have been a popular tourist destination for most of the twentieth century, and they continue to grow as a number one vacation choice every year. In addition, it is interesting to consider the diversity of the cultural traditions and ethnic orientations of these islands. This aspect is frequently overlooked by tourists who tend to think of them as a singular thematic orientation.

Barbados, the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, the US Virgin Islands and Aruba are all popular tourist attractions. Meanwhile, Cuba, Haiti Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Guadeloupe are also among them, though this begins to demonstrate the range of cultural and ethnic diversity associated with them. However, regardless of the cultural or political background of any one of these islands the amazing views offered by the 5 star Caribbean hotels are attractive to all.

Diverse Cultures of the Caribbean Islands is a post from: Moon Petal

Beautiful Beaches of Mexico

Beautiful Beaches of Mexico

Moniker — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:10:00 +0000

Mexico has a certain fascination with most people in the United States and some of its coastal towns and cities are frequent travel destinations and even fantasy trip locations. For residents of the Southwest , it provides an excellent and common weekend getaway option and tourists have historically been welcome and always have a great time. Rocky Point is one of the most famous beach areas in the country and it is easily accessed by road trip from the United States.

Some of the five star Mexico hotels are located at the country’s favorite beaches and they provide great accommodations for English speaking visitors. Some of the best, and of course most popular, tourist destinations are Acapulco Beach, which is frequently considered to be the pearl of the Pacific, and has some of the country’s best nightclubs and Cabo San Lucas, which has numerous romantic associations. Cabo is located on the far edge of the Baja Peninsula and the gorgeous blue green lagoon like waters entice everyone. It has one of the paradise like geographic qualities in the world and there is great food, golfing opportunities and night clubs as well as other great entertainment and cultural attractions. Almost everyone who visits Mexico once becomes forever enchanted and will return regularly.

Beautiful Beaches of Mexico is a post from: Moon Petal

Emo and SDRE in Seattle

Moniker — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:10:00 +0000

It’s hard to argue about the origins of Emo , because in the end, no one really cares enough. It’s one of the fights that can end in a particularly melancholy moment, when everyone will agree that life is just a little bit sad, and all the time, too. So finding a place where it was born is not only difficult, but it’s also really kind of pointless, because no one will be happier for the information.

Some put the birthplace in New York City, just because everything is from there, but it’s possible that Sonic Youth had some say in how the music was received. For Rainy Day Real Estate fans, Seattle is the city of choice, and that’s as good as any. It’s a peculiar trait to Seattle that anything that’s greatly loved is usually approached with a high level of aloofness, just so there are no mistakes about the possibility of pleasure.

Emo is an interesting form, and it’s more multiple than most music lovers give credit for. There is a particular ambience in the NorthWest that invites something of angst in everyone. True, there are also the excellent five star hotels Seattle offers, and a social scene that’s much more in the fast lane, but emo was here once, and it hasn’t left yet…

Emo and SDRE in Seattle is a post from: Moon Petal

Touring the Landscapes Around Sydney

Moniker — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:10:00 +0000

Visiting a new place, you always want to find tours that are nearby your Hilton hotel . But, when you find a good tour there is no reason to not go out on it even if it is out in the country. That is how it is with the Beach to Bush Buggy Tours just outside of Sydney in New South Wales. This tour takes you from the beaches into the rain forest. The buggies come with a professional driver for the amount of time you spend in them, and they are equipped with a full roll cage in case of any accident. Because of the driver, the cars can only hold three people at a time, but it makes the ride a whole lot safer as you travel over the uneven terrain.

Getting to these tours can be a little bit hard, so you may need to rent a car if you want to get there from most of the Sydney hotels , but if you don’t want to do that, they will pick you up, for a small fee. This is especially worth it if you decide you are going to take a half day tour over a fifteen minute ride or something. The half day tour usually consists of a tour through bushland, rain forest and beaches, with stops for food, tourist stands, and gift shops. You take the scenic route everywhere, making this a beautiful tour of Australia landscape.

Touring the Landscapes Around Sydney is a post from: Moon Petal

Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle

Portand’s Grotto

Moniker — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 20:10:00 +0000

The Grotto , a peaceful oasis in the middle of the city of Portland, located on 62 acres of botanical gardens, at 8840 NE Skidmore Street, is a Catholic sanctuary that is internationally renowned and offers a place for quiet reflection and peace of mind. There are over 100 exquisitely sculpted statues and shrines nestled among flower-lined pathways that wind under towering fir trees. Award winning architecture, spectacular cliff side vistas, peaceful reflecting ponds offers inspiration for all who visit. The Grotto is open all year around, group tours given daily, and has a gift shop. You’ll find that The Grotto well worth fitting it into your visit to Portland, especially if you’re on a business trip.

The beautiful environment is not only welcoming; it’s conducive to peace, spiritual inspiration and reflection. The Grotto strives to serve all people and offers support, understanding, compassion and hope through a variety of ministries including counseling, spiritual advise, and education. But, it’s the heart of the shrine, ‘Our Lady’s Grotto’, a rock cave carved into the base of the 110 foot cliff with a life-size marble replica of Michelangelo’s Pieta where most visitors find their comfort.

The botanical gardens of The Grotto provide a respite for the locals and for the more than 200,000 visitors each year from all walks of faiths and all walks of life. Visitors are thrilled to have discovered this green space sanctuary just minutes from downtown and the best Portland hotels around, and astonished to find out that this place is a not-for-profit organization solely supported by the proceeds of its gift shop and donations.

Portand’s Grotto is a post from: Moon Petal

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Spending Time in the Old Melbourne Gaol

Moniker — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:10:00 +0000

Whether you’re a young celebrity recently sentenced to ninety days in jail, or a traveler who has never once been accused of a crime, you might enjoy a trip to Melbourne, Australia, where you can go back in time and find out what it was like to take that last walk to the gallows in a 19th Century prison, or to be arrested in a contemporary police station, all possible with a ticket to the Old Melbourne Gaol Crime and Justice Experience .

Constructed in the mid 1840s, the Old Melbourne Gaol used to be the dominant feature of the city’s skyline. It operated between 1842 to 1929, closing as a prison 81 years ago, and is considered a landmark site, the centerpiece of vital moments in history. One hundred and thirty-five people were hanged here, including an infamous bushranger known as Ned Kelly.

Coming from troubled parents, Kelly was the son of an Irish convict who became a fugitive in 1878; he was hunted by police and captured in a shootout in which the rest of his gang were killed. The revolver he used in that gun battle is still on display at the jail to this day. He was hanged in 1880, and he spent his days here while his mother served time in the women’s wing. You’ll also find Ned’s death mask, a stark reminder of where crime may lead.

If you’re free to travel to a Melbourne hotel now or in ninety days, you’ll find a fascinating experience waiting inside the Old Melbourne Gaol, the historic Magistrate’s Court and former Police City Watch House on Russell Street.

Spending Time in the Old Melbourne Gaol is a post from: Moon Petal

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Legends of the Bermuda Triangle Entice Florida Tourists

Moniker — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 20:10:00 +0000

The coastal and gulf areas that surround the southern part of Florida are some of the more popular tourist destinations all year long. Meanwhile other centrally located cities like Orlando enjoy great popularity and are a favorite vacation destination due to the great theme parks that are located there. Meanwhile, some of the favorite activities for tourists take place off the shores of Florida and including fishing, sailing and other water sport activities in the Gulf of Mexico as well as on the other side of the panhandle.

One of the interesting features of that area of the ocean has captivated the imaginations of people and writers for decades and while the Bermuda Triangle has caused fear and concern in the hearts and minds of people in the past, it is rarely a worry for people who are enjoying the waters that exist there, if they are even aware that’s where they’re at. And while the triangle actually extends from a point on the coast of Florida out into the Atlantic Ocean, this is at best a thrilling piece of information for people who are enjoying a beautiful day in the water. The triangle extends out to Bermuda to the north and down to Puerto Rico and then back to the tip of Florida.

Most of the disappearances occurred prior to the twentieth century or early in it, which likely accounts for the lore factor of the stories and a lack of active concern for current travelers. Part of the reason for the fantastic stories that surround the area deal with the numerous aircraft and ships that have disappeared in that area through the years. The disappearances have all been unexplained and no trace of the craft or passengers is ever found. There are numerous stories and mythological based legends attached to the area and the lost city of Atlantis. And while many of the guests in five star hotel Florida may be extremely interested in some of the stories and legends about the area, they are extremely unlikely to alter their vacation plans that include some afternoon offshore fishing.

Legends of the Bermuda Triangle Entice Florida Tourists is a post from: Moon Petal

French Legation Museum in Austin

Moniker — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:10:00 +0000

There is so much to do and see in Austin, Texas, that it’s possible to visit this city off and on for decades and still not get to all the places one should; quickly, you might develop favorite places, such as Magnolia’s, a 24-hour breakfast restaurant in two locations, or Mozart’s Coffee Roasters on the shores of Lake Austin, and never strike out and explore the history of this university town, and its historically rich museums, such as the French Legation museum .

In 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico, and Sam Houston officially became the first President of the Republic of Texas. Three years later, King Louis Phillipe of France sent a representative to investigate whether or not Texas should become recognized as a sovereign nation; this representative was Jean Pierre Isador Alphonse Dubois de Saligny, who was a secretary at the French Legation in Washington DC.

By September of 1839, Dubois was instrumental in a Treaty of Amity, Navigation and Commerce with Texas, recognizing it as an independent nation; he was promoted to “charge d’affaires” to the Republic of Texas, and when the capital of Texas moved from Houston to a city known as Waterloo, and later as Austin, he moved with it. In the mid-1800s, Austin consisted of little more than some log cabins and tents and unpaved streets. In 1841, though, the French Legation house had been built; however, Dubois left Austin before he could move in.

Then, as history and politics continued their course, the capital moved again to Houston, then the country of Texas became a state of the union, and all French diplomats left for Washington DC; however, the home remained, serving as the residence of private families well into the 1940s. The last family owned the home for over a hundred years, and decided to turn the building into a museum, selling the house to Texas in 1949.

From 1952 to the present, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas have been responsible for preserving this historic residence, and have made an effort to make sure the place is an accurate reflection of the Dubois and Robertson eras. At the museum, you’ll discover a French country kitchen, with eighteenth and nineteenth century equipment.

The French Legation Museum is a place for reunions, parties, fundraisers, or, if you’re of a romantic frame of mind, weddings. Have your own wedding on the gardens, lawns, or veranda of this historic site, then retire to one of several Austin boutique hotels for the honeymoon. Such an experience could only increase your appreciation for this great city.

French Legation Museum in Austin is a post from: Moon Petal

Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle

Moniker — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:10:00 +0000

Just minutes away from downtown Seattle, in the neighborhood known as Phinney Ridge, you’ll discover the Woodland Park Zoo , 92 acres that feature almost 1, 100 animals and 300 different species. From the smallest to the largest creatures, insects to the African elephant, you and your family will be able to explore a number of intriguing spaces, such as the Tropical Rain Forest Building, the Northern Trail, the Day Exhibit, and the Zoomazium.

The 92 acres are divided into various bioclimate zones, simulating different habitats, including the humid conditions of tropical rain forests, to coastal deserts, to more temperate rain forests, such as the ones in the Pacific Northwest. In the Tropical Rain Forest Building which contains the Tropical Rain Forest dome, you’ll witness birds from South America freely flying, ocelots, snakes and poison dart frogs; you’ll find outdoor exhibits of red ruffed lemurs, colobus monkeys, gorillas, and jaguars. In the temperate rain forest, you’ll find exhibits of red pandas, Chilean flamingos, and Asian cranes, as well as wetland waterfowl, Bug World, and the Family Farm exhibit, which features miniature cows, sheep, goats, and chickens.

Along the Northern Trail, you’ll see a replica of Alaska’s tundra and Taiga region, including an inside viewing area for river otters that play and swim underwater, as well as bears that hunt for trout. In the Tundra Center, there’s a 70 foot long curving mural that displays the Alaskan tundra and a video about native people in the area. The Day Exhibit focuses on reptiles and amphibians, featuring creatures from gila monsters to king cobras.

While it might be a matter of debate if toddlers like king cobras, everyone from the toddler to children eight years old, should enjoy the Zoomazium, which is a nature-themed play space. Kids can climb a “mountain,” here, climb a gigantic tree and meet animals, and enjoy special presentations and performances specifically designed for them.

After a full day of the zoo — summer hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily; winter hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. — it’s a good thing to return to some of the top Seattle hotels , either for a well-deserved night’s rest or to prepare to go out to enjoy Seattle’s night life.

Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle is a post from: Moon Petal

Coconuts in Florida

Moniker — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:10:00 +0000

There are many good reasons that people in Florida are smiling. It’s the abundant sunshine that can be a boon to any bad attitude, changing a dark mood into a bright disposition (it’s not an accident that such dispositions are called “sunny”). It’s the proximity to the ocean, which has enormous benefits, not only for its sheer beauty, but the gravitational pull on the tides can actually help to readjust the inner rhythms of the body. It could also be the clubs, the restaurants, and the reputation for having some of the world’s best resorts. Florida has a lot to offer, but for some, it has everything to do with the coconut.

There are plenty of places in the world where one can find the fruit, to be sure, but it also seems apparent that all of these places are known for the sunny dispositions of the people. In Florida, it’s no different, and there are cooks and chefs here who can do things with the meat that are close to heavenly. The coconut patty treat is possibly so close to paradise that it’s halfway in another world, and one can find it all over the state. It’s made by combining shredded coconut with butter, sugar (it has no natural sucrose, although it’s wonderfully sweet on its own), and vanilla, pressed into balls and then usually covered with chocolate.

There are other ways of encountering the coconut here in its natural habitat, however. Florida coconuts , like anywhere else in the world, start off green. At this stage, they are useful for the juice, which is plentiful, and it’s a fantastic treat to try a fresh one cut open right on the beach. They gradually turn brown as the juice is drying out, and when it’s not completely dry, they are ready for the meat to be consumed. The husks can be messy, and also very useful, where the fiber can be woven into cloth and rope, and they have a number of other valuable uses. It’s an all-purpose fruit, and their ubiquity here is enough to make anyone smile.

Coconuts in Florida is a post from: Moon Petal