What's The Best Attractions In Beijing?

Beijing Brief

Beijing, the heart of China, is always the first choice of travelers who are willing to know a time-honored and developed city of China. It has been the political, economic and cultural center of China for over 800 years from the Yuan Dynasty. The numerous royal buildings with long history endow Beijing with incomparable charm, not only the 'Nation's Best' but also the 'World's Best'. On the other hand, as the host city of the 2008 Olympic Games, this oriental ancient city presented her best fashion fascination to the world.

Top Attractions:

• Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)

Summer Palace

Once a summer retreat for emperors, this 290-acre park is still a retreat for the crowd-weary tourist, who can relax here or stroll around ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges and huge lake, stopping occasionally at a shop or tea-house.
Attraction type Parks; Castles; Historic Sites; Architectural Buildings; Gardens; Biking Trails; Monuments/ Statues
Distance 9.7 miles from city center

• The Great Wall

Stretching more than 5,000 kilometers in length, China’s greatest ancient fortification was built over a period of two thousand years. Construction of the first section began between the 7th and 6th century BC and the last work was completed between the 14th and 17th centuries.want to visit Mutianyu Great wall with me ?please searching my home page on Google bestbeijingtours
Attraction type Landmarks/ Points of Interest; Historic Sites
Distance 37.8 miles from city center

• Forbidden City (Imperial Palace)

Forbidden City

Consisting of more than 9,000 rooms and spread over 250 acres, this huge palace complex was built in the 15th century and later extensively renovated and restored during the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century.
Attraction type Historic Sites; Architectural Buildings; Castles; Landmarks/ Points of Interest; Museums
Distance 1.3 miles from city center

• Beihai Park (Beihai Gongyuan)

Kubla Khan in 1260 took up residence in this palace, which today is a 168-acre park filled with historic buildings, restaurants and a lake.
Attraction type Parks; Bodies of Water; Landmarks/ Points of Interest
Distance 1.8 miles from city center

• Beijing Capital Museum

Fantastic building filled with exhibitions and amazing displays. 5 floors of unique Chinese art not to be missed.
Attraction type History Museums
Distance 3.5 miles from city center

Jingshan Park

• Jingshan Park (Yingshan Gongyuan)

On Sundays particularly this park is full of community activities. You are welcome to join in if you wish. There are community singing groups (You need Mandarin for that, but sheets with the words...
Attraction type Parks; Lookouts; Landmarks/ Points of Interest
Distance 1.5 miles from city center

• Temple of Heaven (Tiantan Park) 

 Built in 1420 with a total area of 270 acres, this is the largest building for religious worship in China, which was originally used by the Ming and Qing emperors to pay homage to Heaven and to pray for a year of rich harvest.

Attraction type Religious Sites; Historic Sites; Parks
Distance 1.5 miles from city center

Madagascar Tourist Information

The almost endless coastlines and huge selection of beaches are the principal reason that Madagascar has become such a popular holiday destination, with top tourist resorts based on both the main island and many of its smaller islands. Some of the most appealing beaches can be discovered on the islands of Ile Sainte Marie, Nosy Be, Nosy Iranja, Nosy Komba and Tsarabanjina, while on 'mainland' Madagascar, the beaches of Le Paradisier and Manafiafy are worth looking out for, amongst many, many others. More information about Madagascar Beaches.

If you are a tourist on holiday in Madagascar and looking for some memorable sightseeing, then Antananarivo is an excellent place to start your adventure. Consider walking tours of the capital, taking in attractions such as the famed Queen's Palace, which also goes by the names - the Manjakamiadana, the Palais de la Reine and the Rova. This royal complex dates back to the 17th century, with considerable fire damage in the mid-nineties resulting in a huge, albeit slow, restoration project.
Also in Antananarivo is the Prime Minister's Palace (Palais d'Andafiavaratra), the President's Palace (Président Palais), the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium (Stade Municipal de Mahamasina), the family friendly Tsimbazaza Zoo and Botanical Garden, and some very enchanting markets, such as the Marché Artisanale de La Digue and the Marché Communal de Petit Vitesse. Elsewhere in Madagascar, the vineyards of Fianarantsoa, the Ivoloina Zoological Park at Toamasina, the Ranomafana Hot Springs, the Royal Palace of Tsinjoarivo and the Sahambavy Tea Estate in Ampaidranovato all deserve mentioning.
Many wonderful national parks are spread around the country, allowing you to experience indigenous Madagascar wildlife in its natural habitat. As you might expect, most people simply want to see the lemurs, of which there are numerous different species. The Kirindy Mitea National Park at Menabe is the place to come for lemur spotting, as are the national parks of Andohahela, Andringitra, Isalo and Ranomafana, as well as the Berenty Nature Reserve and the Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve. The Amber Mountain National Park contains important groups of Sanford's brown and crowned lemurs, and is highly regarded for its crater lakes and cascading waterfalls. More information about Madagascar Tourist Attractions and Madagascar National Parks.
Madagascar is a particularly important country when it comes to history and preserving the past, with a host of classified monuments and many impressive World Heritage sites. Some of the most familiar and touted include the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, which resides close to central Antananarivo and is now regarded as an important archeological site, with its royal tombs and holy shrines. Close by, the vast Anosy Lake (Lac Anosy) forms the capital's scenic centrepiece and functions as an important recreational space.
Roughly two hours to the west is the even larger Lake Itasy (Lac Itasy), while considerably closer and to the east, man-made Mantasoa Lake (Lac Mantasoa) has become a leading weekend haunt for those living in Antananarivo. Located just off the north-western tip of Madagascar's main island and only a short boat trip from Ambanja, Nosy Be comes highly recommended, as do excursions to Ile Sainte Marie (Nosy Boraha) off the north-easterly coast, where a fascinating pirate heritage and seasonal whale watching (June to September) serve as major draws for tourists. More information about Madagascar Landmarks and Monuments.
If you are coming to Madagascar with a view to taking in some of the country's premier museums, then Antananarivo should certainly be your first port of call. Here you can explore the Musee Andafiavaratra, where pink architecture is accompanied by information and well-captioned exhibits relating to the Merina royalty - including the valuable Merina crown jewels. Further cultural highlights in Antananarivo include the Musee de l'Art et de l'Archeologie (Museum of Art and Archaeology) and the Musee d'Ethnologie et de Paléontologie (Museum of Ethnology and Paleontology), the latter of which is the place to come if you are interested in learning about the island's now extinct elephant bird. Toliara, the University of Toamasina and Sarodravay Marodoka on Nosy Be are all also known for their reliable Madagascan museums. More information about Madagascar Museums.
If you are prepared to travel, then a holiday in Madagascar will be all the more rewarding, with many day trips to towns, beaches and attractions being quite possible with only minimal planning and organisation. Literally dozens of airports (large and small) are dotted around the archipelago, meaning that trips to chosen destinations are often no more than a short flight away. However, the more adventurous may like to continue their travels on mainland Africa, with the surprisingly plentiful attractions of Mozambique lying directly to the west. To the north-west is the country of Tanzania, where the Serengeti National Park and the beaches of Zanzibar stand out in particular. Head to the south-west and you will soon reach South Africa - home of bustling cities Cape Town and Johannesburg. More information about Madagascar Attractions Nearby.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Information

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

The Gemsbok National Park (Botswana) and the Kalahari Gemsbok Park (South Africa) have been formed into one unit creating the first of a series of 8 Frontier Parks to be established in Southern Africa - the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

The absence of man-made barriers (except to the west and south of the Park) has provided a conservation area large enough to maintain examples of two ecological processes that were once widespread in the savannahs and grasslands of Africa. The large scale migratory movements of wild ungulates; and predation by large mammalian carnivores.

It is a vast area of unspoilt countryside with low vegetation-covered dunes, grasslands, scrub bush and woodlands. Its pans are bordered by high peripheral dunes. The pans fill up with water during the rainy season and contain nutrient-rich soils, and salts.

In the southern part of near Bokspits, are large, red dunes which are a spectacle to watch and a challenge to climb. Because of its tough terrain, many parts remain virgin waiting to be experienced.

Despite this dryness and low rainfall, the Kalahari supports a diverse and abundant mammal fauna. The best time to visit the park is towards the end of the rainy season, roughly March to May, however, game can he seen at any time of the year. The area supports numerous Kalahari ungulates which include wildebeest, eland, hartebeest, gemsbok and springbok, and a healthy population of large predators - lions, leopards, cheetah and hyena.

Because of the sparse vegetation and concentration of animals in the dry riverbeds of the Auob and Nossob Rivers, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park offers premium mammal viewing destinations anywhere. It is especially renowned for predator watching and for the seasonal movement of large herbivores such as blue wildebeest, springbok, eland and red hartebeest. Ground Squirrel andSuricate (Meerkat) are two more of the park’s more prominent species. Both these ground dwelling species live in large family groups for added protection and can easily be seen throughout the park. Honey Badger (Ratel), Pangolin (Scaly Anteater) and Bat-eared Fox are some of the park specials to search for. But it is the predators that are the park’s biggest attraction. Excellent chances of seeing cheetah, leopard, brown and spotted hyena and the definitive black-maned lionexist.

A Vacation In The Desert

A vacation in the desert has the potential of turning into one surreal experience that is bound to leave a lasting impression on the traveler. Vast stretches of open barren land, mounds of sand and occasional splashes of green in the form of some vegetation are what the desert is all about. But even this dry land has some magical portions hidden in it which splashes on travelers and leave them completely mesmerized. The silence during the nights is completely overpowering and baring the occasional twitter so some odd insect there is nothing what so ever that one can hear for miles. The sky at night is at its clearest and the experience of sleeping under this clear sky with a blanket of stars on top is surely one spectacular and soothing experience.

The Kalahari Desert is located in Botswana and extends deep into the areas of South Africa and Namibia providing it a total expanse of around 900,000 square kilometers,covering much of Botswana and parts of Namibia and South Africa, as semi-desert, with huge tracts of excellent grazing after good rains. The Kalahari Desert is the southern part of Africa, and the geography is a portion of desert and a plateau. The Kalahari supports some animals and plants because most of it is not a true desert. There are small amounts of rainfall and the summer temperature is very high. It usually receives 3–7.5 inches (76–190 mm) of rain per year. The surrounding Kalahari Basin covers over 2,500,000 square kilometres extending farther into Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, and encroaching into parts of Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The only permanent river, the Okavango, flows into a delta in the northwest, forming marshes that are rich in wildlife. Ancient dry riverbeds—called omuramba—traverse the Central Northern reaches of the Kalahari and provide standing pools of water during the rainy season. Previously havens for wild animals from elephant to giraffe, and for predators such as lion and cheetah, the riverbeds are now mostly grazing spots, though leopard or cheetah can still be found.

This desert has allowed vegetation like wild grass and short scrubs to grow on it and also serves as an abode to the Tswana herdsmen and the Bushmen known as the San. the Kalahari desert is known as Kgalagadi in the local dialect and it is primarily the south west region of this desert with its small reddish sand dunes and small ridges that reflects and portrays a desert in true sense. The desert provides its boundaries to several wildlife parks and sanctuaries and in turn provides a safe haven to several varieties and species of wild animals and birds. These include the likes of cheetahs, leopards, giraffes and the famous black maned lions. Apart from these animals there are also present about 250 varieties of birds which have made the desert as their home.

There are several activities which can be indulged in when touring the Kalahari Desert. One of the most popular excursions here in the Kalahari involves spending a day with the members of the local San Bushmen. The language spoken by these Bushmen I heavily accented and it is very pleasing and interesting to hear them speak. They share in depth knowledge about the Kalahari Desert area and have learnt to live harmoniously with the local flora and fauna. The amount of information that one can get on the desert from them cannot be compared with any other information source as whatever input they provide it comes with their experience of living there in the midst of the desert.

The Kalahari Desert is not expected to provide any permanent camps or camping sites for the tourists and therefore the guests are expected to bring with them all the supplies when they plan to set up camp in the desert. But there is still an oasis of hope in the Kalahari for those wishing for some respite and luxury. This aid comes in the form of the Central Kalahari Game reserve which is very well equipped to provide you all the conditions required for an adventurous and at the same time a luxurious mobile safari option. Providing the luxuries of a spacious tent along with a bathroom, fine cutlery, a chef, good tasty food and wines it surely makes the desert look not so formidable and treacherous. But all said and done in order to experience the real desert one should camp there on their own without expecting to be waited upon and in return get the true unbridled experience of living in the wild amongst nature and under the watchful eyes of the stars and the moons. Truly heavenly!

Sun City, A Hobbit Dwelling Place

He purchased over 3000 hectares of wild forest, a terrain rich in hills and water. And that's how this spectacular "Sun City" was built. When I look at the pictures, it reminds me of Hobbit Village from Tolkien's "Lord of The Rings". The area is full of lush green nature, serenity seems built into the landscape.

If you want to live at Sun City (which is as away from the concept of "Sin City" as possible), there are special rules to go by, including a routine different from a common life.

First, three-storey houses are made of environmentally friendly materials constructed in a manner, which takes the terrain into account. The specific design of the houses makes the windows of each house not visible to other houses.
Secondly, near each of the 300 houses there is a small lake and forest, all of it included in cost of land (from 0,4 to 1,3 ha each).

Thirdly, all houses are equipped with central sewer (there is a special equipment laid under the roots of pine and fir trees!), High-speed Internet, electricity, and each house has a geothermal heat pump with borehole 90-100m deep, which converts the energy of the earth into the heat. The amound of heat produced is enough to provide enough energy to heat the house (and water) all year round. The need for using additional traditional firewood heating may only occur during some severe winter days. Of course, a fireplace is also available in every home.

Additionally, garbage collection and other urban amenities are also available.
Fourth, in this unique forest city, there are some more special rules - for example, it is forbidden to build a fence and have a guard dog (even if it's a chain dog). Dogs are allowed only in the houses. The reason for this rule is because of roe deer and other wild animals roaming freely in this "city", and barking dogs simply would chase them away.

For the Russian and Belarusian consumers, owner of Sun City offers special conditions - the sale of land with the house and unique postal address, the plot can be issued as a "production area" This entitles those customers to having a year-round "Schengen area" (very handy for those businessmen, who have their companies outside the EU).

Just an example for land and house pricing: plot Tilbites with a three-story house which includes all the necessary amenities, and also has a lake and forest area of 0.44 ha costs as much as 94000 Euros. The design of each house is unique, there are no identical buildings in there.

Did You Ever Go To Coca Castle?

The Castle of Coca, also known as “Castillo de Coca” in Spanish, is situated in the province of Segovia in Spain. Building this luxurious castle took more than ten years and its construction began in the late fifteenth century by Alonso de Fonseca, the archbishop of Seville.

The name “Coca” was given to the castle because of its proximity to the small town of Coca which used to be “Cauca” in the Roman era. This castle is one of the most important in Spain not only because of its age, but also because of its unique architectonical style and its strategic position.

This castle is special and different to many other medieval castles because of the direct Moorish influence in its interior decorations. Unfortunately, the Mudejar style in the interior has been lost as centuries have passed, more notoriously when during the XIX century most classical columns were removed from the courtyard.

Because of the flat landscape in which the castle was built, it was possible for a moat to exist. This moat was the first line of defense against and attack and even though it was dry, it could potentially slow down an invading army. For the castle itself, bricks were mostly used. Some of the castle’s walls were up to 2.5 meters thick – strong enough to easily withstand a siege.

At a first glance, the Caste of Coca does not seem as a mighty military fortress. Nevertheless, this is a very strong concentric castle for the main square is protected by three walls each with many towers especially designed to give an advantage to the defending archers.

When gunpowder was incorporated into medieval warfare, the Castle of Coca suffered some minor modifications to support fire weapons. Fortunately, these were rarely used and the Castle of Coca was mostly used as a way to show Segovia its own power and to potentially stop any invaders.

Today the castle may be visited only with a tour guide and it is just an hour away from Segovia. The castle is now a school owned by the Alva family in which foresters are trained in the inner bailey. Unfortunately, most parts of the castle are off-limits for all tourists – including many tunnels and the moat.

Kruger National Park

Formed in 1898 by Paul Kruger, this world famous Kruger National Park is now also part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a park that links Kruger National Park with the Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe, and with the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique.

The Kruger National Park is huge, about 350km from North to South and covers an area of two million hectares and is home to an astonishing array of wildlife, including 147 species of mammals, 500 types of bird and 33 types of amphibian. The flora is equally diverse with 300 difference types of trees. All the big game can be found here including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, hippo, giraffe, rhino and buffalo. The Southern section of the Kruger National Park is the most popular as it has the richest diversity of habitats and animal life.

The Park attracts more than 750,000 visitors annually and caters for day-trippers and well as overnight guests and campers. The Kruger Park has 21 rest camps, as well as 7 private lodge concessions, and 11 designated private safari lodges. The concessions are parcels of land operated by private companies in partnership with communities, who outsource the operation of private lodges. Accommodation, apart from camping, must be pre-booked through the National Parks Board.

The park offers numerous organised wilderness trails as well as ranger guided day and night safaris in open vehicles. All the main camps have petrol stations and shops. Skukuza is the biggest rest camp and has a large information centre, a bank, post office as well as a photo developing service and vehicle workshop.

Because if it's sheer size and diversity, it is almost easier to list the African wildlife that is not in the Kruger National Park, than what you can see! With about 145 mammal species from the mighty Elephant, hippopotamus, rhino and buffalo, to the tiny Four-toed Elephant-shrew and pretty much everything else in between.

Most people who go on safari aim to see Africa's Big 5 animals, and with an estimated 2 thousand Lions, 12 thousand Elephants, 5 thousand Rhinos (black and white) and approximately 1 thousand Leopards, the Kruger Park is definitely a good place to start.

What To See In Monreale Cathedral

Famed for its glorious golden mosaics, Monreale Cathedral is perhaps the finest Norman building in Sicily. It was built in the 12th century as part of a grand royal complex a few miles outside of Palermo.
Monreale Cathedral was built from 1174 to 1185. It was commissioned by William II (1154-89), the Norman ruler of Sicily, who wished to demonstrate the magnificence of his kingdom and outdo the splendid Palatine Chapel built by his grandfather, Roger II. The project employed both Sicilian and Byzantine craftsmen, resulting in a magnificent fusion of eastern and western influences.
Exterior
The exterior of Monreale's Duomo is pleasant enough, but gives no indication of the golden splendor within. The west facade has two towers, only one of which was finished. The Neoclassical portico was added in the 18th century. Far more interesting is the exterior of the apse, richly decorated with interlaced arch and circle designs made of marble and tufa. It is well worth walking around back for a clear view from Via Archivescovado.
Bronze Doors
Monreale boasts two sets of Romanesque bronze doors, of which there are only a handful remaining in Europe. The doors of the main entrance were sculpted and signed in 1185 by Bonanno da Pisa (a.k.a. Bonanno Pisano); they depict 42 reliefs of biblical scenes set within decorative frames. The north doors, completed in 1179 by Barisano da Trani, depict 42 portraits of saints and evangelists. The portico over the north door dates from the 16th century.
The Mosaics
The undisputed highlight of Monreale Cathedral is its richly mosaiced interior. Dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, the golden mosaics completely cover the walls of the nave, aisles, transept and apse - amounting to 68,220 square feet in total. The mosaic cycle is second only to the Hagia Sofia in size, and much better preserved. Some of the mosaics were created by craftsmen brought from Venice.
The eye is drawn immediately to the apse, where a magnificent portrait of Christ Pantocrator ("Ruler of All") gestures in blessing and gazes serenely off to one side. The Greek inscription reads, "Jesus Christ, the Pantocrator." Populating the rest of the apse are standing saints and apostles. Old Testament stories are depicted in the nave, while scenes from the life of Christ adorn the aisles and transept.
Other Interior Attractions
Contrasting with the rest of the medieval interior, the Cappella del Crocifisso in the north apse has been fully Baroqued. The Cappella di San Benedetto, decorated in the 16th century, contains the porphyry sarcophagus of William I (d. 1166) and marble tomb of William II (d. 1190). The beautifully painted woodenvault, with Latin inscriptions, was added in 1816-37.
The cathedral's treasury contains an impressive collection of sacred art, including vestments, silverware, and goldsmithery from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Cloister and Terraces
The lovely cloister adjoining the south side was built at the same time as the cathedral. Consisting of 228 double columns supporting Arab-style arches, it is richly decorated with Romanesque figurative carvings on the columns and capitals. Mosaicwork appears on some of the columns as well. The craftsmen who worked in the cloister came from all over southern Italy.
Overlooking the south side of the cloister (opposite the cathedral) is a wall of the original monastery. A mini-cloister at the southwest corner contains a beautiful fountain with lion-head spouts.
It is possible to ascend to the roof terraces over the cloisters, which is well worth the climb (and small fee) for the views. The highest terrace provides a beautiful panoramic view to the sea and the bay of Conca d'Oro.

Overlooking The San Miniato In Florence

Overlooking the Southern part of Florence, the mosaic facade of church San Miniato al Monte glittering in the light of lowering sun is even more impressive, when seen from close distance.

To reach the church you need to leave the city center move over Arno river and climb the path rising from Piazzale Michelangelo. Several minutes of ascending will be revarded with the splendid panorama of Florence with Forte di Belvedere, Dome and Piazzale di Michelangelo when turning down the path, and enchanted Tuscany landscape, looking into the opposite direction.

The patron San Miniato was the Roman soldier, who in the third century A.D. was executed because of his Christian, at that time forbidden, religion. The order of Caesar Decius has been executed in a Roman amphitheatre, but as the legend goes the corpse of beheaded martyr saint took his head under arm and walk away into the hills.

On the place where the saint found his final shelter the funeral chapel was build to be replaced later by the Romanesque church finished in 1018. The buildings of the cloister were firs occupied by the Benedictine monks, later by Cluny and finally by Olivetes who take care abuot the church till the present time.

At the end of 11th century the church received the typical Tuscany facade of white and green marble, adorned with the sculpture of an eagle carrying the lump of cloth, the coat of arm of powerful medieval guild of cloth merchants Arte di Calimala, the church donators.

The richness of the families sponsoring San Miniato one can judge from the preserved tombstones on adjact cemetery.

The outside mosaic from 13th century shows adult Jesus with Saint Mary and San Miniato aside, these saints are also depicted inside of the chuch.

The interior features the wooden ceiling from 14th century,and the floor finished in 1207 with lions, doves and signs of zodiac. Besides the main altar there are the side chapel commissioned by Michelozzo in 1448, and the tomb sculpture by Cardinal Jacopo di Lusitania surrounded by the angels, the work of Antonio Rosselino ( 1466 ).

The belfry rising above the church has never been finished, as it was changed into the gunpowder tower with guns firing angainst the Medici family in the 1530 war.

Thailand Is The Most Popular Tourist Destination

Thailand is the most popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia, and for a reason. You can find almost anything here: thick jungle as green as can be, crystal blue waters that feel more like a warm bath than a swim in the ocean and food that can curl your nose hairs while tap dancing across your taste buds. Exotic, yet safe; cheap, yet equipped with every modern amenity you need, there is something for every interest and every price bracket, from beach front backpacker bungalows to some of the best luxury hotels in the world. And despite the heavy flow of tourism, Thailand retains its quintessential Thai-ness, with a culture and history all its own and a carefree people famed for their smiles and their fun-seeking sanuk lifestyle. Many travelers come to Thailand and extend their stay well beyond their original plans and others never find a reason to leave. Whatever your cup of tea is, they know how to make it in Thailand.

This is not to say that Thailand doesn't have its downsides, including the considerable growing pains of an economy where an agricultural laborer is lucky to earn 100 baht per day while the nouveau riche cruise past in their BMWs, Bangkok, the capital, is notorious for its traffic jams and rampant development has wrecked much of once-beautiful Pattaya and Phuket. In heavily touristed areas, some lowlifes have made scamming tourists into an art form.

The combination of cultures and backgrounds makes Thailand an interesting and memorable country to visit. More people visit Thailand than any other country in Southeast Asia. This is no surprise as the Royal Kingdom of Thailand has much to offer for the visitor: historic culture, lively arts, beautiful beaches, great nightlife, friendly and hospitable people and some of the best food in the world. Travel in Thailand is easy due to a good network of trains, busses and airplanes. Most visitors enter the country via the Southeast Asian travel hub Bangkok. From there you can do great daytrips to cities like the former capital Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi, known for the River Kwai Bridge. From there most visitors head either north or south. In the north you can visit the interesting cities of Sukhothai,Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai or Mae Hong Son.

The north is known for its fantastic trekking possibilities and the interesting hill tribes. In the south the traveler can relax at some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, for example, Koh Tao, Krabi, Koh Samui or Phuket. Some areas are very touristy, but it is easy to find some quiet spots. A little closer to Bangkok there is the resort town of Hua Hin which is home to one of the most used Palaces. The Northeast is popular with independent travelers. Known by Thais as Isaan this area hosts some lovely forested mountains and national parks and very friendly people. The major highlight is probably the famous Khao yai national park, but other interesting places are easily found in this area including Nong khai and Surin.

You Will Love It,Mexico

México is a land of contrasts. From the vibrant colors woven into our textiles to the stunning hues of its landscape. From mountain ranges that run right down to the ocean's edge to lush tropical jungles and high snow capped volcanoes.whether one comes to explore the archaeological treasures, wander through the colonial cities, or simply relax on the beautiful beaches, rest assured, one will take home memories and some of the magic of México as well.

Yet Mexico’s tourism sector is doing rather well. After an appalling 2009, in which the outbreak of swine flu emptied hotels overnight, the number of visitors this year will be close to 2008’s record total of 22.6m. Even excluding 50m annual day-trippers, Mexico remains the world’s tenth most-visited country. The numbers in August were the highest-ever for that month, despite a bomb attack on a United States consulate a few months earlier. “A lot of people looked at me with a funny look on their face when I told them I was going,” admits Patrick Mathiasen, an American tourist on his way to Chiapas with his wife for a volunteering holiday. In fact, slightly more foreigners take holidays in Mexico now than before the drug wars began.

México has a wealth of natural and cultural resources due to the diverse climatic conditions and to a historic tradition of more than 3,000 years. This makes the country an ideal destination for international tourists.The opportunities for getting out to Mexico’s spectacular wild places and interacting with local communities are greater than ever – from world-class canyoneering near Monterrey or cooking lessons in the Veracruz countryside to hiking the Oaxaca cloud forests and snorkeling the coral reefs of the Yucatán.

Planning your first trip to Mexico? Be ready for more crowds, noise, bustle and poverty than you're accustomed to, especially if it's your first trip outside the developed world. But don't worry – most Mexicans will be only too happy to help you feel at home in their country. Invest a little time before your trip in learning even just a few phrases of Spanish – every word you know will make your trip that little bit easier and more enjoyable.

Surfing And Traveling Go Hand In Hand

The home of surfing. Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Waimea, Jaws. Big big waves. World class surf. The above pretty much sums up Hawaii.

Hawaii receives numerous swells from October to March, generated from deep lows tracking across the North Pacific. The swells can be anywhere in the region of 10-30ft - now that is big surf. That said, the North Shore is often flat, but when it is going off there are large crowds, huge crowd pressure and localism. Respect has to be earned. A surf trip to Hawaii will be better spent away from the North Shore as there are no shortage of spots and less crowding elsewhere. The other side of the islands see frequent 3-8ft waves so you will not be missing out too badly.

Surfing and traveling go hand in hand. Why spend your whole life surfing the same break when there is waves to be ridden on every stretch of coast. Every surfer travels, but not all of them score. Have Jamie Sterling make sure your trip is one a professional would go on. With swell forecast and equipment dialed in, you’re sure to spend your time in the water getting barreled, not reading maps and buoy reports.

Traveling with surfboards is not easy, especially if you’re looking to do some Stand Up Paddling, Tow Surfing and long boarding. Meet up with Jamie Sterling and his mobile surf garage for surf packed trip ready to handle anything the ocean has to offer. If the swell is down, let Sterling take you on some of the local adventures, or train for surf with his routine designed for getting more of the best waves.

It’s hard to show up to a surf destination for the first time and feel like a local. Let Jamie Sterling help dial you in to your next surf trip with all the local knowledge of places to surf, accommodations, and activities. Whether your looking for the best fish tacos or the best place to fish, Jamie Sterling is there to give you the help you need to make your surf trip one of surfing not searching.

Hawaii's Best Beaches

Our guide to Hawaii's best beaches will give you a good idea of what Hawaii has to offer. Keep in mind that there are over 100 great tourist beaches in Hawaii (see our individual island beach guides for Kauai's Beaches, Maui's beaches, Oahu's beaches and Big Island beaches), and many have dual personalities - dependent on weather, surf, seasonal sand erosion and recent rainfall. So even beaches that are not on this list can be paradise when conditions are right. The list below excludes beaches from Molokai and Lanai.

The Typical Hawaiian Beach
The typical Hawaiian beach has semi-coarse golden brown sand and is flanked by large lava rock formations where colorful tropical fish congregate. The water transitions from a dark blue to a ‘greenish blue’ near the shore. The water is rarely crystal clear as kicked up sand, ocean debris (plankton, coral bits etc.) and sediments from streams reduce visibility. The beach and sand are clean and well maintained, and free of sand flees (no-see-ums) and other annoying critters. A light fragrant breeze blows over calm ocean waters in the morning. In the afternoon the trade winds pick up, turning the ocean choppy with small waves. If it’s a weekday the beach comfortably accommodates all its patrons with ample amounts of play room.
Rating Factors
Below we describe the factors that form the basis for our ratings. Keep in mind that we don’t walk around with a sheet of paper and pencil, taking notes and giving marks, tasting the sand and gargling the water. We attack the beach! Our weapons include surf boards, boogie boards, goggles, soccer balls, shovels and sand trucks, kites and frisbees, and hopefully a little sun screen.
Quality of Sand
Fine, soft sand is nicer to walk and play on than coarse sand, and also better for construction projects like sand castles. Rocks or other debris greatly reduce the quality as running and playing are not possible. Light colored sand is visually more appealing in our opinion, although it produces more blinding glare than dark sand.
Waves and Water
Waves influence how much fun a beach is. The most fun and accessible ocean sport is boogie boarding, and as such we judge a beach that normally has active surf by its ability to produce the ideal boogie boarding wave.
In contrast, the most fun and accessible ocean activity is snorkeling. A location that aims to please as a snorkeling spot must have little surf, clear water, and plenty of fish.
The ideal wave is about 3 ft high, breaking perhaps 20-30 yards from the beach in waist high water. This size is challenging and exciting for those who are comfortable in the water, but not overwhelming. After the wave breaks, less experienced swimmers can still catch the white water without fear of being tumbled.
With Hawaii’s reputation as a surfing destination, some may be disappointed by what the ocean offers for non surfers, with waves often being too big or too small for boogie boarding. At many locations, the beach slopes into the ocean rather quickly, resulting in a wave that breaks on top of the beach instead of in the water. Reefs or neighboring islands also deflate wave energy, with trade winds further deforming the waves.
Size & Crowds
Some people enjoy visiting the beach to people watch, sun tan, and check out the latest beach fashions. Indeed, you'll see people sporting everything from Brazillian bikinis to snazzy one piece swimsuits. However, when we rate a beach our primary consideration is how much room there is to walk and play. Can you fly a kite, play Frisbee, build forts, put up a volleyball net, or go for a long walk or jog? Bigger beaches offer more possibilities and as such are more desirable.
Most of Hawaii’s beaches are not crowded during week days and offer plenty of room to play, both on the sand and in the water. Only a handful of beaches and snorkel locations lose points for being consistently crowded.
Surroundings
Surroundings that detract from a beach include busy roads directly adjacent to the sand, camp grounds, industrial buildings, litter, un-kept facilities (parking lot, park or BBQ area, facilities) etc. Fortunately Hawaii’s beaches tend to be very well maintained with local communities and organizations (like the Surfrider Foundation) helping to keep them clean. Also influencing the ambiance of a beach are the adjacent parks, hotels, vegetation, homes, and neighborhood.

Top 10 Best Places to Travel 2012

If past years (or recessions) have sucked up your travel budget, plan smart and get more in bang for your buck in these value destinations, from Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2012.

 1. Northeastern USA
Cities of the American northeast – New York, Boston and Washington DC – might not be the world’s cheapest, but you can save a bundle by taking advantage of the recent boom of budget bus companies. These buses, which also connect with Philadelphia, Toronto, Pittsburgh and even Charlotte, are a steal at about US$5 one way (and sometimes just US$1). Considering most destinations are ped-friendly (with good public transport and walkable centres), you can hop-scotch across the region without booking a flight or hiring a car. Better still, the ride’s comfortable, there’s free wi-fi, buses leave on time and there’s often plenty of room.
2. Japan
Japan had a rough 2011, with the March earthquake and a hard year for tourism, so travelling there is not only a good thing to do, but can actually make financial sense. Compared with destinations like London, Paris or New York, its attractions and accommodation are often much cheaper. In Tokyo, for example, it’s possible to find simple, Japanese-style minshuku guesthouses from ¥3000 (US$37). Also, many attractions are free (eg temples, botanic gardens) or just cheap (the Tokyo National Museum is a fifth the cost of Tower of London), while attractions like the Nagano ski runs or Disney tickets are cheaper than Alps lift tickets or Mickey Mouse​’s entry in Anaheim.

 3. Tajikistan
Marco Polo​ was impressed – and you will be too, once you experience the stunning scenery of this safe, stable Central Asian nation. And it can be accessed at dirt-cheap rates, even including the hire of a car and driver. Getting a Russian Lada for several days can be arranged for about US$300, which opens up the Afghan border and Pamir Highway, one of the world’s greatest road trips. You’ll stop off at hot springs, 2000-year-old stone structures and cartoon-style forts, finishing your days at village homestays or yurts for about US$10 per person. For even less, make a DIY trek to emerald lakes close to the Uzbek border.
4. Porto, Portugal

The town that put the ‘Port’ in Portugal (as well as the port in your wine glass) is a seriously good deal. Connected with much of Europe via budget airlines, Porto is a lovely town of atmospheric narrow lanes, village-like plazas and buildings decked in azuelo tile. You can stay in antique-filled inns with river views from just €25 (US$37.75), take a ride on an historical tram (€1; US$1.40) or head to the beach near Afurada village by ferry (€1). A few hours east is the traditional wine district of Alto Douro, where you cruise in a flat-bottomed boat (€20; US$28.50) and sleep in 200-year-old homes (€60; US$86). And did we mention the port?

 5. Lesotho
Mountains, cannibal caves, dinosaur footprints, crafts markets – and you get around by pony. Welcome to Lesotho, the ‘kingdom of the sky’. Completely enveloped by South Africa, it’s a cheaper proposition than its powerful neighbour, with pony treks its main tourist drawcard. The best deals are to the west at off-the-beaten-track Malealea, about 60km southeast of the capital Masuru, where multiday treks lead into a massive mountain range and landscape coloured musk and orange. It’s extraordinary – and cheaper than pony treks in the east. Overnight trips, including a pony, food and a guide, begin at US$50 per day.
6. Iquitos, Peru
Booking a five-day Amazon cruise from abroad can run to US$3500 per person, not including flights. That can be cut at least in half by dealing directly with folks in Iquitos – the world’s biggest city not reachable by road. Local outfits can tailor trips to venture into piranha fishing spots, look for pink dolphins in the wildlife-rich Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve (stopping at native villages to mingle with Amazonians) or reach the rustic Otorongo Lodge on the Colombian border. Meanwhile, Iquitos is interesting in itself: Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower) fame came to build rubber baron’s mansions. The best time to visit is October or November, when it’s still dry but before summer crowds.
7. San Francisco, USA
The city by the bay might expensive to live in, but San Francisco practically begs you to visit. Little boutique hotels near Union Square can be had for under US$100 – a fraction of what you’ll pay in New York or London. Beyond the street cars (the historical ones on Market St are cheaper than the touristy cable cars), BART has cheap, easy links to San Francisco’s airport – so no need for US$60 taxi rides. Food-wise, San Francisco’s ‘mission burrito’ (stuffed with rice, beans and carne asada) goes for US$5 in the bar-filled Mission. And there’s so much cheap and free stuff to do: walking on the Golden Gate, Pacific beaches, vintage arcade Musée Mécanique and a host of free art galleries.

8. Ohrid, Macedonia
There’s always a race for the next big thing in Europe, and budget-friendly Macedonia is rising in popularity for its mountainous setting of vineyards, lakes and Byzantine churches; it’s also a mainstay stop-off on Balkan trips. Beyond the lively capital Skopje, the spiritual heart is three road hours’ west at Ohrid, a lovely town with a medieval castle looking over church-lined hilly streets and the lush coastline of Lake Ohrid​. Private rooms are easy to find for €10 euro or less, while opulent historic villas turned into B&Bs run for under €50 (US$71.50). Bus services run to sites along the lake coast, including Galičica National Park with hiking, boating and swimming spots.
9. Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Vietnam is always good value, but you can now skip the package trips arranged in Ho Chi Minh City that tread the same worn-out routes. It’s become easier, more rewarding and just as cheap to go on DIY multiday adventures to destinations like Ben Tre, Chau Doc and the floating markets of Vinh Long, and some less-seen ones like Ha Tien or Tra Vinh. Go by air-conditioned bus or hire moto-taxis as you go; the latter know ferry crossings on roads not on any map. Boat trips go for US$5 to US$10, while most guesthouses run US$10 to US$25.
10. Mérida, Mexico
Most equate the Yucatan with the beaches, but the best place to experience the food, life and architecture of the ‘real Mexico’ is a few hours inland at this lively city. Historical homes have been turned into inns, often for the fraction of the cost of Cancún resorts. The Spanish colonial centre of Plaza Grande has 16th-century cathedrals and free art museums; on weekends it becomes the scene of dance, food and parties. Day trips to five Mayan sites on the public Ruta Puuc bus loop go for about US$40, or head to the village of Celestún and hire a motorboats (US$17 per person) to see hundreds of pink flamingos in the mangroves.

Top 5 reasons you should travel

　　There are so many excuses not to travel – no time, not enough money, fear of the unknown – but letting those anti-travel sentiments get in the way of seeing the world means you’re missing out. We’re not suggesting you spend your life savings on a trip around the world or take weeks off work to see a new place, but giving yourself the opportunity to experience new places, cultures and people is a great way to get more out of life. If you’re still not convinced to take a trip, we’ve put together a list of the top five reasons to travel. Bon voyage!

1.To get a fresh perspective
One of the best and most rewarding aspects of travel is its ability to provide you with a fresh perspective. It can be so easy to get into a routine – or worse, a rut – that we forget there’s an entire world out there just waiting to be discovered. Laundry, cooking, cleaning, shopping – not to mention going to work and coming home (likely through traffic) – keep us fused to a certain mindset, which is: Not much changes. Even if you’re happy in your job and don’t really mind folding all that laundry, taking a trip can mean opening your eyes and giving you a totally new lease on life.
Why it’s important: Whether you go one state over or halfway around the world, what you experience outside your daily routine will help you see that there is much more to life than what's on your to-do list.
2.To recharge
Day-to-day life can wear you down. There’s so much to do that time passes in a blink of an eye, and by the time dinner time rolls around all you want to do is lie on the couch, feet up and television on. While there’s nothing wrong with a little downtime, if you really want to recharge, why not get away from it all? When you’re away there’s so much more to think about than whether or not you left dirty dishes in the sink, if your boss is going to give you that raise you asked for or if that colleague is going to actually put in any work on that project you’re (allegedly) doing together. The stress of daily life is replaced with thoughts of where you want to sightsee, what you’re going to eat, whether to hit the beach and what kind of souvenirs to take home.
Why it’s important : Being away gives your brain a chance to recharge and reboot in a way that just can’t happen as easily at home.
3.To see something new
It’s a big world out there, and while there’s no way to see it all, just experiencing a small sampling of what’s outside of your own town, city or state can open your eyes to all the interesting and wonderful things there are to see and do. You may be madly in love with where you live (which is great) but if you get out there to explore, you never know what treasures you might find. From new foods and customs to great people and places you never imagined you’d see, traveling is full of surprises.
Why it’s important: Any new experience you have can only help you become a better person and enrich your life in myriad ways.
4.To challenge yourself
This is probably one of the most important reasons to book a trip. Challenging yourself is never easy – that’s why they call it a challenge – but pushing past your lingering reservations about going abroad can be very good for you. Travel is challenging for a number of reasons – everything from not knowing the language to eating unfamiliar foods and even getting lost can keep you on your toes and pull you out of your comfort zone (and let you realize you can rise to the occasion). Life is too short to skip out on great experiences just because it could prove difficult in some way.
Why it’s important: Going out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself will help you grow as a person, gain confidence and push past emotional and physical limitations that may be holding you back in other areas of your life.
5.To learn
Travel is a great way to learn about yourself and others, not to mention get a crash course in totally new ways of doing things. You can pick up new languages, try new and interesting foods, learn about other cultures and gain insight into new customs you've never seen or taken part in. You may think that learning stopped the minute you left school, but you should never stop learning, no matter how old you are, and traveling gives you a great opportunity to soak up knowledge from other cultures, people and places.
Why it’s important: The more you learn, the better you’ll feel about yourself and the more fun and enriched your life will be.

Crazy Horse Memorial,South Dakota

The Sioux fought unsuccessfully to block the development of Mount Rushmore on hallowed Native American ground. Out of defeat, they decided to erect their own monument: the Crazy Horse Memorial, which is being carved into Thunderhead Mountain within eight miles of Mount Rushmore. Yet it has sparked its own controversy within the Native American community. Some view its construction as an attack on the landscape and an affront to Crazy Horse’s beliefs.

Lonely Planet names top 10 cities for 2012

　　A king's palace, a princess's castle, and underwater habitats make the cities on Lonely Planet's just released 2012 Best in Travel list famous. The guidebook publisher announced their picks of the top 10 cities to travel to in 2012, and the destinations may surprise you.

　　An aerial shot of Hong Kong, one of Lonely Planet's top cities to visit in 2012.

　　Not surprisingly, however, is the city across the pond that takes the number 1 spot: London. From the royal wedding to the upcoming Olympics, London is the most-talked about town right now. The only U.S. state on Lonely Planet's list is Orlando (we're surprised, too, but given the recent news of new hotel developments in Disney World, including the world's largest Four Seasons resort, it's possible Orlando is making a comeback).

　　"As always, our shortlist has some known gems and a few to raise a quizzical eyebrow, but each one is poised for greatness in 2012," according to Lonely Planet's website.

　　So, travelers, pack up and plan ahead -- if Lonely Planet knows what they are talking about, these cities will be the place to be in the coming year:

　　1.London: The Olympics are riding into town and a whole swath of the capital is being transformed in the process.

　　2.Muscat: Oman is firing on all fronts to attract international visitors, expanding everything from its museums to its resorts. Muscat is the focus for the revamp, with cultural events, luxury accommodation and aquatic activities taking center stage.

　　3.Bengaluru (Bangalore): This South Indian metropolis packs in the best brews, the scrummiest cuisines, and the liveliest arts and music scene, not to mention the hippest population you could hang out with.

　　4.Cádiz: Once a year, sleepy Cádiz undergoes a Superman-like transformation and hosts Spain’s most raucous carnival – a 10-day bender of drinking, singing and dancing.

　　5.Stockholm: This is as seductive a capital city as can be imagined – cozy yet cosmopolitan, wilfully alternative and effortlessly picturesque.

　　6.Guimarães" This northern Portugal city is breathtakingly beautiful, as recognized by its place on the Unesco World Heritage List, yet mysteriously it doesn’t figure on the radars of many foreign visitors.

　　7.Santiago: Culture and sports have come to the fore and new museums have opened to acclaim. Visit Santiago and you’ll feel the buzz.

　　8.Hong Kong: Enjoy views of skyscrapers marching up hills from the Star Ferry, before challenging your senses at a wet market or divining your future at a temple. Go shopping, gallery hopping and check out the bars of Soho. Explore walled villages or go hiking on Asia’s most breathtaking trails.

　　9.Orlando: This should be a great year for Orlando as it’s hosting the 61st NBA All-Star Weekend. The hippest sporting event in the USA , it brings much of the basketball and music worlds together for slam-dunk contests, after-hours parties and concerts, as well as the all-star game itself.

　　10.Darwin: Today, Darwin is the triumph of Australia’s Top End. Beat the crowds to the redeveloping Waterfront Precinct with its wave pool, bars and wharf eateries; or score some brilliant Indigenous art before East Coast galleries snap it up and charge double.

Spatial Protest in the Era of Fast Capital

　　A video by Iva Radivojevic and Martyna Starosta exploring how Liberty Plaza is being inhabited by the Occupy Wall Street movement. "This space is our sonogram of potential."
On May 6, 2010, trillions of dollars — about 9 percent of the total world market — sloshed in and out of existence like a clumsy child carrying an over-flowing milk pail. The celebrated capital liquidity that is the hallmark of the wide spreads and cheap trades associated with High Frequency Trading (HFT) turned into hot lava as a result of the automated programming of a few trading algorithms. Traders the world over watched open-mouthed as the second-largest point swing (1,010 points) and the biggest one-day point decline (998.5 points) in the 114-year history of the Dow Jones Industrial Average unfolded over the course of 30 minutes.
Especially jarring for those who pay attention to the world's financial ecology was how the Flash Crash seemed to defy traditional conventions of space and time. Even the traders on the floor were confounded: Their bodies, the frantic voice of the announcer and the space of the stock exchange itself seemed pitifully quaint in comparison to the typhoon of 0's and 1's rocketing back and forth.
The “flash” was no more than a horrific blip only because the Chicago Mercantile Exchange​ was eventually able to pull the plug on the algorithms that were playing hot potato. But it became apparent that capital is hanging by a thread, as lightning-fast trades circle the globe continuously, beyond the average person’s understanding.
Traditionally, trades were executed by humans in close physical contact with each other. Hand gestures, emotional vibes and verbal outbursts ricocheted in the chambers of the Chicago, New York and Tokyo stock exchanges. Capital was moving, but within the context of humans communicating with other humans — even a day trader was in close contact with his or her clients over a phone line. The rapidity of HFT leaves human perspective in the dust, as market trends fall increasingly into an endless loop of responding to their own responses before the human world has a chance to catch up.
But there is another event unfolding that also pushes the boundaries of speed and unpredictability. While millions of trades are executed every second with little human oversight, the world is collectively witnessing — if not participating in — a rapidly evolving gesture that solidifies the power of a particular body in a particular place.
Today's globalized market place and the decentralized claiming of public space through protest are both powerful examples of how unpredictable flow — the gyrations of capital, the rhizomatic distribution of bodies – dictate and restructure ecologies. The collective gathering of human bodies is a different sort of liquid force, one that has the power to dissolve the traditional boundaries of territory and of how community is usually imagined under the umbrella of capitalism. One could see the emphasis on direct action through spatial occupation as a direct response to the mercurial unpredictability of today's robotized financial systems.
As Yves Smith wrote on the blog Naked Capitalism:
“There is nothing to oversee the hyper growth of derivatives or high frequency trading or endless debt games, because there is no global institution that equates with the global markets. It is a clash of the market state and the nation state … The market state is winning, which is probably why we are all on the brink of losing everything."

　　The Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement that manifested on Sept. 17, around the corner from the New York Stock Exchange, recognizes the failures of our current systems of government and market-capital. There is a critical misunderstanding on the part of the mainstream media that the people who gather in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Stockholm and hundreds of other cities are a disparate mob of disaffected and powerless individuals.
Instead, what I saw (and participated in) at Liberty Plaza was a quick adaption to change through the decentralized organization of a constellation of groups created on a need-by-need basis. Being able to change quickly, a trait lauded in the financial world, is generating new forms of conversation and possibility within the human network of the OWS movement. Basic needs are attended to by dedicated committees that distribute good food and sleeping bags. The very ground of the plaza is mapped by new territorial alignments, dictated by the overlapping and connected needs of people in close contact and constant communication with each other.
Painting the protesters as directionless individuals becomes a manufactured problem of spatial isolation. We are taught to be bodies that need to be clothed, fed and entertained so that we can function as productive workers, rather than bodies who can move together into a larger network of physical possibilities. The power of this movement lies in the fact that the gatherings of people represent themselves not as consumers, or even as voters, but as bodies in communication with other bodies, actively participating in the creation of a new horizontal community.
The importance of representation by physicality came to a head in the wee hours of the morning of Oct. 14 at Liberty Plaza. Brookfield Properties, the plaza's owner, had expressed worry about the “sanitation conditions” of the park, and a vacate order was issued for that Friday morning. In response, protesters took about $3,000 out of their OWS fund, bought cleaning supplies and washed every inch of the contested space. As of that Thursday, the vacate order remained in effect. It was not until thousands of bodies streamed into the park, despite a torrential rainfall, that the vacate order was “postponed.”

　　Liberty Plaza is a POPS — a Privately Owned Public Space. In return for tax abatements or increased building height, a developer can construct a space that must be available for public use 24/7. Developers construct these spaces with the intention that they are used by a passive public to eat lunch or as a resting place for a peripatetic tourist. OWS has forced both Brookfield Properties and the Bloomberg administration to examine what it means to create a space for the use of actual people, and not just as a decorative piece for “city beautification.”
The protesters who literally got down on their knees to scrub the plaza clean (which had been maintained from the beginning of the occupation by a dedicated OWS Sanitation Crew) became a powerful example of swiftly enacting ownership by taking responsibility. Brookfield Properties will now have to come up with a stronger pretense for enacting private rules in a public space.
This movement is exciting because it is in a constant flux. This flux is always mediated by the fact that groups of humans are working with the physical limitations of occupying an urban space built with a consumer in mind. This is a movement of anti-stasis through redrawing boundaries and expectations. This is a movement of bodily articulation over the cold manipulations of code attempting to generate capital for capital's sake.
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Searching for Our Metropolitan President

　　
　　In 1967, Carl Stokes​ and Richard Hatcher​ became the first African-American mayors elected to head large American cities, part of a wave of African-American urban leadership that would sweep the North and South alike over the course of the next three decades. African Americans would be elected to head famously black cities like Chicago and Atlanta, famously white cities like Spokane and Seattle, and famously Latino cities like Los Angeles. Since Stokes and Hatcher, African Americans have been elected to head virtually every major city in the United States.
It has not always been an easy ride. African-American leadership has come under fire over the past forty years as cities struggled. Inner-city poverty, much of it African-American, worsened in many places, even as core parts of many cities gentrified with public support that seemed to benefit the growth machine as a whole but not many of its poorest citizens. What we tend to forget is that African Americans won the battle for urban leadership just as the abandonment and denigration of American cities was reaching its apex. The cities they took over were wracked by abandonment, stripped of their power and populace by federally subsidized suburbanization, and ripped apart by the modernist folly of slum clearance and freeway building. Undoubtedly mistakes were made, often in the name of maintaining power rather than using it for the public good, but this merely continued an American political tradition dating back to Tammany Hall and beyond.

　　As protesters occupy the centers of American cities from coast to coast, President Obama would be wise to remember this history — not simply because he shares a skin color with his urban predecessors, or because of any debt Obama owes to African American leaders, but because the story of pioneering African American mayors parallel his current situation in more ways than one. He too broke through one of human history's most famous barriers to take the helm of a polis just as it has reached its nadir; he too has fallen into sad traditions of maintaining power by kowtowing to the powerful rather than using power to reduce suffering or raise up the powerless; he too has taken over a debt-ridden economy beset by rising inequality and redevelopment for profit rather than people, all while under-invested infrastructure crumbles and the core reproductive functions of mobility and education remain inadequate.
In the aftermath of the election, as the full weight of decades of neoliberal economic policy and two generations of terrible or nonexistent urban policy came crashing down on President Obama, I remained more sympathetic than most, in part because of the clear parallels between his situation and that of many of his trail-blazing predecessors. For all the talk in the post-election excitement about Dr. King, my mind was squarely on the bravery and tragedy of Harold Washington​, Chicago's first African-American mayor. He bore the brunt of an obstinate city machine and a brutal urban history and paid the ultimate price. This was going to be exceptionally difficult, and any progressive who felt otherwise was simply blind.
But now the time for empathy has passed, and it is time for President Obama to remember that he was elected by many of us not to be the first black president but to be the first truly urban president in American history. Part of the legacy of the past forty years is that the overblown line between city and suburb has been blurred. When we speak of urban America what we really mean is metropolitan America — those amorphous regions at the heart of our economic innovation and the overwhelming majority of our populace. Eighty-five percent of Americans live in the 376 metropolitan areas in the country, more than half in the top 50 alone. The New York, Chicago and Los Angeles regions account for more than one in ten Americans.

　　But President Obama should not only pay attention to the metropolis because we are the overwhelming majority, but because some of the often-ignored roots of our problems lie in our tragic lack of true urban policy, as do many of our solutions. While Wall Street greed undoubtedly fueled the financial crisis, let us not forget that this whole mess could not have been built on any other commodity than the American home — the only product essential and ubiquitous enough to carry the debt load needed by Wall Street to fuel its speculation. We bought into it because we wanted the American Dream, not realizing that during the past 30 years more and more of that risk was placed on us as individual consumers and citizens rather than backed by the full weight of the country itself. Whereas prior generations could count on federally-backed mortgages and transportation, the past 30 years were built more and more on sub-prime loans, unequally divided local tax dollars and a fragile and ineffective patchwork of assessment districts and impact fees — a splintered urbanism built in reaction to the sins of the postwar suburban boom, which actually made things much worse.
The true tragedy of the past 35 years is that, rather than correcting the true problems of post-war urban development — racism, an emphasis on auto-dependent development, political fragmentation, etc. — we laid blame on federal involvement in this process, crippling its critical role in urban development. We then opened up suburbia to everyone who was denied the first bite at the apple. Except this time, suburbia was being built on bad debt while the gentry slowly reclaimed the core of the city — in part through high incomes generated by a global Wall Street. Now there are more poor folks in suburbs than cities, a foreclosure problem in some of the deepest exurbs you can find, and many of the same people who got screwed by urban abandonment are getting screwed by the new struggles of suburban America.

　　More than ever, we need an Urbanist-in-Chief unafraid to look to the metropolis for solutions to the problems of the 99 percent. Obama needs to channel his memories as an organizer in Harold Washington's Chicago and develop and articulate a true metropolitan vision for America. We need to invest from the federal level, as we once did, in the transportation infrastructure of our nation: everything from inter-metropolitan, high-speed rail to bike lanes, from car-sharing facilities to Bus Rapid Transit, from aging roads to crumbling bridges. We need to invest in housing our working and middle classes and providing the secure tenure that is such a part of the American dream, but this time under the rubric of a retrofitted, denser and more equitable suburbia and a healthier and more affordable city.
And we must build — using the carrot and stick of federal monies — a regional fiscal infrastructure that can sustain future generations of American schools, roads, police officers, parks and social programs. These three actions alone can help put millions of Americans back to work in jobs that can not be outsourced, restore faith in the possibility of government at all levels, break the ridiculous political dichotomy of city versus suburb (which fuels our red versus blue mentality) and undermine the grip of Wall Street on both our wallets and our soul. We now live in an urban and metropolitan world, a world in which urban development drives industry and economy and not the other way around, and we must recognize that economy, community and politics revolve around the spaces and places we occupy.

New York City Tourist Attractions

　　American Museum of Natural History

　　The Museum of Natural History is one of those attractions in new York city that's not only enjoyable, but educational. Making it a great place to also bring children. Located in the upper west side of Manhattan on 79st, it sits directly across from central park. The museum building, which has been at this location since it was completed in 1877, is designed in a neo-Romanesque form . The museum of natural history is well known for it's exhibits like the full-scaled blue whale ( the largest living animal ) that hangs from the ceiling of the Milstein Family hall of ocean life, it's famous fossil collection, the planetarium and so many others. My personal favorite exhibit is "The Hall of the Age of Man" know called "The Hall of Human Biology". This exhibit has the most in dept history of human evolution in the world. It has a collection of anatomically correct models of are ancestor's and other early primates. Two of the models thats well known are the 1.7 million year old Peking man plus the better known and famous Lucy skeleton. A fact that you might find interesting is the father of are 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt Sr. is one of the museums founders. So if you visit this New York City tour site, you'll definitely want to have a camera.
Radio City Music Hall
One of my favorite sites and also a place that's synonymous to New York City is Radio City Music Hall. Since it's opening during the Christmas holiday of 1932 it has attracted people from all over the world to see it's many event's and concerts. Located in midtown Manhattan on sixth Ave between 50th and 51st street it is part of the Rockefeller center complx. It also shares its glory with other sites famous for the area like NBC's rainbow room, FOX studio, and the Rockefeller ice skating rink. I find the best time to visit this site is during the Christmas holiday, when you can see the rockettes perform there Radio City Christmas Spectacular. There's also other marvelous on ice escapade shows and event around that season. Radio City music hall is also a regular venue for many award shows like the Emmy award, Tony awards, Grammy awards, and even MTV Video Music Awards. With its beautiful art-deco design its a major historical piece in the puzzle of the Rockefeller center area. So definitely add these one to your winter season NYC tour list. Its also a perfect place for kids, It'll leave a long lasting memorable impression on the mind.
Ellis Island
One of the most well known historical places not only in NYC but in the whole of the united states is Ellis island. Located in New York harbor right at the mouth of the Hudson river it offers a beautiful panoramic view of the statue of liberty, jersey city N.J. and NYC's main land. The island was named after Welsh immigrant Samuel Ellis who was the owner during the late 18th century. During that time Ellis ran a tavern on the island catering to local fisherman and sailors. During the late 19th to the early 20th century

　　Ellis island had became the main immigration port for immigrants from abroad coming into America. In more than a 40 year period it has processed over 12 million immigrants which means many Americans have relative that have come through its doors. It was the start of new lives for a range of ethnicities. As with many historical sites in the united states that had huge impacts on this country's it was designated as an landmark and national monument (on October 15, 1966). Today Ellis island is one of new York city's favorite and most frequently visited tourist attraction. The circle line (a touring ferry) and other ferries have daily trips that visits the island, where you can enjoy the marvelous outside view and the beautiful well upkept building which is know the museum. The ferries that visit the island also make a stop at the statue of liberty as well, which is a two in one deal. So if you ever travel to NYC be sure to add this one to your tour list.
Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum

Located on Manhatten's westside water front at pier 86 the Intrepid museum's is in an area also known to tourist for its cruise ship terminal and the circle line, which is a famous sightseeing tour ferry. Before it was designated as an museum the u.s.s Intrepid was an navy Essex class aircraft carrier with a long and astonishing service history which include serving in world war II and the Pacific war. It was also the ship that recovered the mercury capsule and the Gemini astronauts. At 852 feet long the Intrepid is as long as a new York city block and about 10 stories high from waterline to control tower. the Intrepid Sea Air and Space museum is known for such exhibits as the world fastest jet and U.S. spy plane A10 Blackbird plus the world's first supersonic transcontinental passenger jet the Concord and a huge collection of some of the most unique military planes in the world. The museum also houses USS Growler a navy Grayback class submarine. The Fleet week annual events are held at the museum. The visiting warships are docked next door at the cruise ship terminal and the events are held on the deck of the museum. Since opening in 1982 the big war ship has been a unique part of new York City and was designated as an historical and national landmark in 1987. If you ever do travel to NYC be sure to add this one to your tour list.

Some magnificent attractions in Malaysia

　　Malaysia is considered as one of the most beautiful and stunning places in South East Asia. This country is rich in culture, traditions and moral values and provides a lot of beautiful places to visit. It is a popular holiday and tourists’ destination providing some magnificent attractions that include:
Cameron Highlands
Being the hub of tea industry of Malaysia, Cameron Highlands consists of a number of hill stations. It is a popular destination both for locals and foreigners. There are a lot of things to see in Cameron Highlands like waterfalls, dazzling valleys, beautiful gardens and hills covered with wild flowers. Tourists can also enjoy beautiful scenes and jungle walks here making their trip more enjoyable and fun-filled.

Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur offers both historical and modern attractions to visit. It is an international city that attracts thousands of visitors every year. The most worth-seeing place in Kuala Lumpur is the Petronas Towers which is the tallest building in the world. Other attractions in Kuala Lumpur are:
Batu Caves
Kuala Lumpur Tower
Merdeka Square
Malaysia Tourism Center
Thean Hou Buddhist Temple

Malacca
This old town is located in the South of Malaysia offering to see an exciting mixture of Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese and British cultures. It offers some of the most beautiful experiences to the tourists when they visit historical ruins or look at the olden junks sailing on water. There are Chinese streets, temples and antique shops to visit. You can also visit Ethnographic Museum that represents the historical and cultural facets. Another must visit attraction is Chinese temple named Cheng Hoon Teng Temple which provides you an opportunity to watch religious architecture.

George Town
It is located in Penang Island. It is one of the Malaysia’s most important resort areas. It is a compact city so tourists freely wander here and there in the streets. The popular tourists’ attractions in George Town are Chinese houses, vegetable markets and temple ceremonies.

Fraser’s Hill
It is another popular tourist attraction as it is famous as bird-watching place having 250 species of birds. There are also some other attractions for the tourists like Clock Tower; being the middle point of Fraser’s Hill. 5 KM away from the Fraser’s Hill are the Jeriau Waterfalls which are 6 meters far above the ground and fall into a puddle where you can take bath. There are rooms and shelters for those who come here for a picnic. You can also enjoy your visit to Fraser’s hill as you can go on trekking, play golf and tennis, do shopping, eat and drink in lavish restaurants and much more.

These were some must see and top tourists attractions in Malaysia. I hope that this article will stimulate you to plan a visit to this beautiful country.

Oslo is the capital and most populous city

Oslo is the capital and most populous city as well as scientific, cultural and governmental center of Norway. It is a global city having varied tourists’ attractions. Guided tours of Oslo are available providing an opportunity to learn more and more about this wonderful city. Do you also want to know about this marvelous city? Yes! Then read this post to have an idea about the beauty and elegance of this place.
Vigeland Sculpture Park
Vigeland Sculpture Park is located two miles to the north-west of central Oslo and it is one of the most popular and favorite attraction in Norway. More than one million people visit this park every year. Here in this park, you will find more than 212 sculptures of different sizes which are sculpted in bronze and granite. These sculptures were actually created by famous and renowned Norwegian artist named Gustav Vigeland. The most famous sight in this park is Monolith.

Nobel Peace Center
Nobel Peace Center opened in June, 2005 and therefore it is a comparatively new addition to Oslo’s attractions. It rejoices the contribution of winners of this prestigious award. This center is featured with a fascinating exhibition that gives explanation about Alfred Bernhard Nobel who used his wealth to create Nobel institution.

The Oslo Fjord
If you ever visit Norway, don’t miss to visit magnificent and natural beauty of Norwegian fjords. It is a popular and world-famous cruise destination and makes the most breathtaking and stunning scenery in the world. I would recommend you to grab a boat or ferry from Oslo to visit fjords. While visiting fjords, you can stop at many beautiful and worth-seeing islands which you should never miss. If you pay a visit to fjords in summer, you can relax and take rest on one of the many glorious and splendid beaches. If you have some interest in visiting a cultural and historical sight, then I will strongly recommend you to visit ruins of an old cloister that is located on the island.

Tryvann Vinterpark/ Holmenkollen Ski Jump
The Hollmenkollen Ski Jump is a famous ski arena all over the world. It has a tall observation tower from where you can view beautiful scenes of city. It also houses a museum tracing history of skiing over the past 4000 years. The best time to enjoy Holmenkollen Ski Jump is during winter season as different championships are held at this time of year.

Oslo Opera House
A recently opened attraction in Oslo is the Oslo Opera House that was opened in 2008 and a visit to this opera house must be included in your list while visiting Oslo. It is featured with 1100 rooms and spread over an area of 38000 square meters. Greatest attractions in this opera house are ballet
performances which are quite enjoyable and should never be missed at any cost.

These were some of the most famous attractions of Oslo. Visit these places and have a memorable time.