Author Archives: Caliope Sage

The Airport Show 2014 – The Future of Middle Eastern Aviation Industry

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2014 looks like a very busy year for the city of Dubai with many exciting events such as the Design Days Dubai, Middle East Film and Comic Con and the Airport Show taking the centre stage during this period. All of these events are organized in order to make plans, enhance productivity, maximize utilization of resources, reduce living cost and to increase the quality of life of the citizens of Dubai and Middle East as a whole.

The Airport Show 2014 is a major airport and aviation based exhibition which sets the stage for businessmen and business related parties to engage in B2B sales pertaining to airport related products and services. The 2014 Airport Show will take place from the 11-13 May 2014 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. With a forecast of nearly 400 million passengers passing through the GCC regions by 2020, massive development projects are to be discussed in this convention in order to ensure that seamless and safer aviation services reach its customers. With the unstoppable changes that take place in technology, the aviation industry too is in constant competition to be the best amongst the best. When one airline introduces a new Airbus with luxury comforts and ultimate safety, another airline introduces something better than the former. In a time like this, it is very much appropriate that conventions such as these are held in order to make stakeholders aware of the changes to be made and what to expect in the future.

With many Dubai airport hotel venues near the Dubai International airport vicinity, one can choose a suitable lodging place as they please. Starting from many a 5 star hotel Dubai is famous for to somewhat ordinary hotels, the choices are so vast. Since the hotels are closer to the airport, travelling is very much hassle free too. The Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai is much more than an ordinary hotel. Being awarded as the Middle East’s Leading Airport Hotel at the World Travel Awards 2013 it is truly a place where modern technology is combined with the contemporary lifestyle in grand splendour.

Travel Catering Expo 2014 – Culinary Delights on Air

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Running parallel alongside the Airport Show 2014 which is to be held in Dubai from 11-13 May 2014, the authorities have also organized a Travel Catering Expo to take place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, formerly known as Dubai World Trade Centre; same dates, same venue, two different experiences.

With an estimation of over 400 million air passengers to Dubai by 2020, there is certainly much planning and preparation to do in order to provide superlative customer services, care and attention in all areas related to air travel and hospitality. A main feature of a world class airline together with unparalleled customer service would be the food and beverages served on air. We all would love to have a taste of a home cooked meal, nutritious and fresh, especially when one is off miles and miles away from home. Therefore this Travel Catering Expo 2014 is all about enhancing the quality of the technology, techniques, kitchen appliances used, food packaging and storing in order to ensure that the final product, which in this case would be food and beverages served to air passengers in Middle Eastern flights, the very best. Participating in this event will definitely create lucrative business deals for caterers, chefs, procurement managers, purchasing managers, cutlery providers, manufacturers and solution providers. Altogether around 30 exhibitors and over 1000 trade buyers are due to be present at the exhibition representing numerous food and beverage companies, catering services, hospitality and travel / aviation industries.

Dubai’s neighbouring Abu Dhabi is another colourful city in the UAE. Accommodation at Abu Dhabi hotels can be expensive since the city itself is known as one the most expensive cities in the UAE. But the Abu Dhabi city hotel complexes built facing the Arabian Gulf Sea with a panoramic view of its beauty and hotels complexes that are in the city closer to all major business entities and shopping complexes will be worth the price paid. Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi, located just 500m away from Abu Dhabi’s main business district and shopping malls is a luxurious hotel belonging to the world renowned Millennium Hotels and Resorts Group.

Masi Magam festival – A festival of colour and devotion

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When the Magham star of the Vedic sky falls upon the fullmoon day in the Tamil month of Masi, it is the time for the Masi Magam, one of the most important festivals in the Hindu almanac. Seek Pondicherry accommodation in a suitable Pondicherry hotel during this time to feel the full swing of the festivities and Hotel Atithi is a recommended choice which is ideal for the purpose. Held between February and March, the Masi Magam Festival is celebrated with much pomp and fanfare in the French corner of India Pondicherry attracting large throngs of devotees and tourists each year.  It is quite a vibrant festival, with people getting dressed up in the most colourful cloths and attending the proceedings with so much enthusiasm. During the festival, temple idols of Hindu gods from all over India, particularly idols of Goddess Shakhti, Lord shiva and Lord Vishnu are carried to the sea in a colourful procession of loud chanting and worshipping and bathed in sea water as a part of the ritual. After the bathing ritual, the idols are once again escorted to the temples and various poojas are performed. In the meantime, a rice pudding made with milk and sugar known as payasam is prepared in homes on this day and is offered to Lord Chandra which in turn will bring good health and long life to devotees.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+

Kandyan Dance – Embodying Sri Lankan Pride

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Colourful costumes overflowing with grandeur, energetic movements and thudding drum beats characterize this lively yet elegant dance portraying the proud and rich heritage of the Sri Lankan nation. Originating from the central hills region of the country, there are plenty of hotels Sri Lanka amongst which Hotel Hilltop is amongst the hotels Sri Lanka in which one can lodge in while exploring this ancient art. It is said that the origins of the dance lies in the Kohomba Kankariya, originally performed by Indian shamans who came to the island to cure a king who had a recurring dream. The Kandyan Dance is a venerated art form and follows a tradition of its own. In the olden days, this dance was performed by dancers who belonged to a separate caste who dedicated their entire lives to the Kandyan Dance but now, it is more widely spread and is practiced as a performance art form.

The costume of the Kandyan dancer is vibrant and elaborate and also consists of a head dress and heavy anklets that make a heavy rattling sound to the rhythm of their dance moves. This costume is referred to as the Ves costume. In the olden days, only the males were allowed to train as dancers but over the years, more and more female dancers have made their way into this glorious art form that is a way of expression on its own. The dance is performed to percussion music only and the most popular instrument used for this is the Geta Beraya while a small pair of symbols known as the thalampota is also used to keep rhythm. The scope of Kandyan Dance is rather vast and there are several types of popular dances that fall under the category of Kandyan Dance. The most popular of these are perhaps the Vannams, fashioned after the characteristics of different animals; peacock, elephant, monkey and the cock to name a few.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+

Singapore Writers Festival 2013 – an outstanding literary event

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The much anticipated Singapore Writers Festival is a delightful experience for anyone interested in the field of literature. Having completed 15 years of successful existence, the yearly event has secured a strong reputation as one of Asia’s most significant literary extravaganzas. Having evolved into being one of the mainstays of the international literary calendar this event attracts many notable writers from across the globe.

The festival has featured notable literary personalities like Steve Levitt, Michael Chabon, Bi Feiyu, Neil Gaiman and Gail Simone. The engrossing organised events like lectures, workshops and other features combined with the cosmopolitan ambience of Singapore make this extravaganza a unique experience.

Initially the event commenced as an offshoot of an arts festival and a springboard for local Singaporean writing talent. However the event has developed into a truly international occasion which draws the attention of literary aficionados the world over. A noteworthy aspect of the event is that it is multi-lingual, with English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil panels and the necessary translations available. The festival is also significant for its diverse topics and themes which make it appealing for a broad cross-section of readers and writers. The extravaganza encompasses various genres such as highbrow concerns, cookery writing, sports writing and children’s fiction just to name a few.

This is also an excellent venue for aspiring writers to show off their work and if fortune favours them, to leave the event with an agent’s attention or even a book contract. Aspiring writers should take the opportunity to attend features like lectures, workshops and symposiums which will explain how to develop a novel, biography, screenplay or poem from a mere idea to completion and publication. It is even possible to have a meal with your favourite author and discuss literary matters.

Although this is unquestionably a premier literary event many of the events are modestly priced while others are free of charge. Anyone with an interest in books will be enthralled by this splendid event.

Visitors to the city seeking hotels in Singapore will find an exemplary choice in the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Singapore. These fine Singapore hotels offer well-appointed interiors and an array of amenities.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Caliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.

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Christmas Celebration in Maldives – Tis the season to be jolly

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Christmas in Maldives is truly a joyous one. Maldives luxury resorts celebrate it best but for a more intimate and sublime celebration, choose a Maldives villa such as the Baros Maldives. The whole archipelago clothes itself in Christmas attire for this glorious festival in colourful strings of fairy lights, tinsel, various baubles and decorations. The streets are busy as natives go out to buy gifts for their loved ones to gift to one another on Christmas day. Embellished pine branches and Christmas fir trees decorate households during this time of the year which is usually filled with much joy and laughter. Another popular activity that goes on at this time is the purchasing of new cloths for going to midnight mass on Christmas day. Many families go out and enjoy as families on Christmas day and engage in family activities, various games and pastimes, making Christmas day into the joyous family event that it indeed is.

Chinese New Year – A joyous event

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A traditional holiday of great importance, the Chinese New Year also known as the Spring Festival falls on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese calendar which typically falls on February. Ascott Beijing is a luxury apartment in Beijing which is known to provide comfortable Beijing accommodation right at the heart of the city from which you can observe the numerous customs and traditions of this time honoured traditional festival celebrated not only in China, but also in a wide array of countries like Malaysia, Macau, Taiwan and Singapore. Chinese are known to sweep their houses thoroughly to sweep away any ill fortune on this day and to make room for good luck to come in. it is a period of great joy and festivity where houses are decorated in red and adorned with couplets with themes such as happiness, wealth and longevity while the sound of firecrackers are heard permeating through the place adding to the jovial atmosphere.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.

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Celebrate your Anniversary in Maldives

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It doesn’t get any more romantic than the Maldives. Celebrate your anniversary basking in the natural romance that Maldives brings. A Maldives resort to celebrate your special day is not that hard to find since Velassaru Maldives is a Maldives honeymoon resort renowned for the boundless generosities that it offers its guests. Let the sea, the sun and the sand be your witness as you renew your romance on the beach, a quiet and intimate affair with just the two of you hand in hand on a secluded beach. Or reserve a private island all for yourselves and be king and queen of your own land for a day. Perhaps a sunset cruise on a dhow would set the old flames roaring while a romantic candlelight dinner is sure to inundate the air with love and romance. Celebrate your anniversary in Maldives, the ideal place for romance.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+

New Year Celebrations in Singapore – A joyous event

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While the 31st December, the eve of the New Year is a special one for almost everybody all over the world, it is even special for Singaporeans. The Singapore New Year countdown is indeed everybody looks forward to. Celebrate this event at one of the most comfortable luxury hotels Singapore has on offer and a recommended choice would be The St. Regis Singapore which offers Singapore luxury suites fulfilling every possible need of its visitors. New Year is an important event for all since it signifies the ending of a year and the beginning of a new one, thereby signifying new beginnings. It is a symbol of hope which is why the dawning of the New Year is celebrated in a large bout of fanfare in this island. Get into the groove of thumping music, vibrant firework and frenzied dancing at the Padang at City Hall facing Marina Bay, Merlion Park, Esplanade Bridge, and the Benjamin Sheares Bridge. While all the top hotels of the country will be taking part of the joyful event, there will also be exciting beach parties for all those who are eager to celebrate to their hearts content at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s eve.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+

Maldives Republic Day – A day of national pride

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It was on the 11th November 1968 that Maldives became a republic after being a monarchy for a considerable time. And this day is celebrated all over Maldives on the 11th November each year, when much rejoicing and commemorations can be witness in all parts of the archipelago. If one wishes to participate in the Republic Day activities and capture the spirit of the celebrations, look for Maldives accommodation in a reliable Maldives hotel such as the Adaaran Club Rannalhi of which the reputation as a desirable abode for holidays precedes it. Many events and parades of different nature take place on the streets on this day as part of the celebrations but the most highlighted are the delightful parades of the National Security Services and the National Cadet Corps who march the streets in perfect unison with one another. Also to look forward to are the varied performances of colourfully dressed school children that are definitely a pleasing sight to many. The Republic Day of Maldives is without a doubt a day that evokes a sense of family, togetherness and a sense of national pride where people get together to share feelings of patriotism with the community.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+