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Author Archives: Pushpitha Wijesinghe
Spinning and twirling, let the Golden Dragon Dance mesmerise you
On the northeast side of
On this auspicious day which was the 18th of March 628, a Golden Dragon appeared above the village in the sky to mark the finding of this statue.
Dragons are popular among Asian nations, and unlike their Western counterparts are usually serpentine in appearance, wingless, and comparatively benevolent. Of these the golden ones are a rare breed and are not seen easily as they are invisible.
The appearance of this Golden Dragon in the
Thereafter every year, a special Golden Dragon Dance is held to commemorate the visitation of the original dragon nearly 1300 years ago. This dance dragon weighs only 75 kilos and is around 15 meters in length, whereas its live counterpart was thought to be over 30 meters long.
The dragon dances thrice before it disappears from public view until the next year. This dragon is held up on poles and is manoeuvred by 8 men. Whilst the dragon dances, ladies attired as geishas use traditional instruments to play music.
Visitors to
Fete De La Musique- A Melodious Celebration
Fete de la Musique is a festive celebration of musical talent which originated in France, 1982. This attractive celebration has since caught the attention of thousands of fans worldwide and is now celebrated in a number of countries across the globe. The idea of such an event was first thought of by Joel Cohen, an American musician whose professional endeavors saw him move to France. While he was working for France, Musique Cohen came up with the idea, taking music in France to another level. Also known as World Music Day, this wondrous celebration brings together musicians from all walks of life, regardless of their professional background or where they come from.
With the simple goal to “Make Music” the festival can be divided into two categories. The most distinctive feature of this celebration is that it allows amateur musicians to perform on various locations of the city that the event is hosted in. The Fete de la Musique celebration which takes place in Manila provides this opportunity to the local musician who dreams of performing in front of cheering fans. The other aspect of the occasion is the fact that several concerts are staged, catering to the tastes of the varied fan base attracted by the festival.
Music lovers of all age groups will be in for a treat as the drums start to pound and the guitars start to sing. Almost every musical genre known to modern man can be heard when in Manila in the month of June. From the deafening sounds of hard metal to the easy beats of Reggae music, the sheer variety and the contrasting styles of the performers on show will no doubt impress the visitor. As the atmosphere created during these festivities is simply remarkable and the event is free for all, this mega event is an experience that you should not miss out on.
Ascott Makati is home to some of the finest Manila serviced apartments where the traveller in search of luxury accommodation will enjoy residing in. Each Makati apartment at this apartment hotel enjoys panoramic views of the cityscape and offers a variety of modern facilities to its guests.
An ideal holiday experience for the family, the Zoo Lights at the Phoenix Zoo
Known as the “west’s most western town” the city of Scottsdale is located towards the east of Maricopa County in the state of Arizona. Regarded by the New York Times to be the desert version of Miami’s South Beach, Scottsdale has a thriving nightlife with trendy bars and restaurants.
Over the years it has successfully moulded itself into an upscale retreat for both local and international tourists hosting a vast array of trendy boutique stores and the latest abodes anywhere in the USA.
The city’s relatively small population size ensures that the metropolis is kept exclusive without the hustle and bustle of larger cities such as Los Angeles and New York.
Originally the home of the Pima Indians, the first European settlers to the area came in the 1800s and since then the city has rapidly progressed becoming a model for others like it. Scottsdale has always been a haven for free thinking and creative influence; it was the muse for renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright who built many of the city’s prominent landmarks and buildings. A monument was erected after his passing to commemorate his contributions to Scottsdale.
Of the many distinct attractions that dot the Scottsdale landscape none are more popular than the Phoenix Zoo. Opened in 1962, it is the largest non profit zoo in the United States and has been dedicated to the preservation of wildlife since its inception. The zoo’s groundbreaking project was the preservation of the rare Arabian Oryx and its successful reintroduction into the wild.
Despite initial difficulties in the 60’s the zoo has gone from strength to strength and now boasts over 1300 animals featuring four unique sections ranging from indigenous Arizona to the Tropical flora and fauna.
A popular event the zoo hosts during Christmas holiday season is the zoo lights. All the sections of the zoo are decked out in a colourful array of lights to represent the holiday season. Each of the light shows represents a theme relevant to the particular section of the park it is located in.
From savannah style light shows with subdued shades of orange and yellow to the chillier blue tones for arctic animals the light shows are a dazzling experience for the entire family and a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Do not forget to take in the musical lightshow featuring international music themes that are accompanied by dancing lights alternating according to the beats to give a truly mesmerising show.
Visitors looking for a quiet elegant Scottsdale hotel to reside in need look no further than the sublime Millennium Resort Scottsdale McCormick Ranch. With pristine views over the Camel Back Mountains it is the only lakeside Scottsdale resort in the city. Wake up to a pristine morning overlooking the calm water of the lake and explore old town Scottsdale.
Qingdao Beer City – A Non-stop, International Bacchanalia of Beer!
The coastal city of Qingdao is famous for both the foamy waves of the Pacific Rim which lap at its beaches and the foamy beer froth of its many, many breweries and pubs. If you’re trying to reconcile the image of the traditional Eastern Chinese city with the tankards of European ale, the picture might make more sense when you take into account that the beloved brewery of Tsingtao was first founded in the city by German settlers during the turn of the 20th century. This brewery has the formidable reputation of having an uninterrupted production of beer through two world wars, several government coups and army invasions as well as several changes in management. It is no wonder that the city has rallied around this enduring industrial staple as its icon and part of its cultural heritage, resulting in the emergence of Qingdao as Asia’s most prominent international beer metropolis.
Of course, the downside of the situation is that the non-beer obsessed may find Qingdao somewhat hard to stomach. The people of the city have a peculiar custom of carrying their beer around with them in plastic bags, bought from roadside vendors. The summer dinners in the city comprise of stir-fries and beer; the city boasts a per capita beer consumption equaling five times the average consumption of the rest of the nation.
Befitting a city which has a kind of Bacchanalian reputation (replacing wine with beer and hopefully a lack of orgies which is otherwise implied by the term) the southern region of the city has claimed entertainment as its primary function. Amusement parks, plazas and pubs abound in the south of the city, and even the north isn’t entirely left out of the action as a theme park known as “Around the World” has been established there and is fast gaining great popularity.
An iconic sculpture of a giant high-heel cup with a map of the world engraved upon it spilling beer froth is found at the southern gate of the Qingdao International Beer Town, at the center of a round pond. A fan-shaped plaza surrounds this pond; the open-air arena of this plaza used to be the venue for the International Beer Festival ceremonies and still draws thousands of tourists to its beer palace and food exhibitions. It also hosts the annual International Beer Fair.
When speaking of beer, of course, it goes without saying that pride of place goes to the Tsingtao Beer Museum, in honor of the company that cemented the city’s global identity. This museum is built upon the brewery’s original site and hosts a variety of peculiar yet fun experiences, the most singular of which is the “tipsy room” which simulates drunkenness – complete with hangover! The actual beer production lines can also be observed and fresh beer is usually served at the end of the tour. The street which houses this museum, Dengzhou Road, is the centerpiece of the two week international beer festival in August, which is a celebration of brewmasters both local and foreign. However, the street resembles a beer festival even during the other 11 months of the year as well. The 1 kilometer stretch of road, whose architecture is evocative of German colonial times, is home to no less than 60 bars serving excellent seafood and liquor stores extending into large pavilions where patrons revel loud and long into the night at the end of every business day and is packed end-to-end on holidays.
It goes without saying that how well the visitor is able to partake in the beer-drenched revelry is dependent upon in which Qingdao Accommodation they choose to stay. Copthorne Hotel Qingdao is a well-reputed Qingdao hotel, being situated centrally in the business district and equipped with a plentiful range of rooms and amenities.
Qingdao Nightlife – where the party doesn’t stop at night!
The sea-side city of Qingdao, China is one of those places which is rapidly blinking itself out of its stupor of dreamy historical reveries to embrace renewed vigor as a bustling modern industrial metropolis. It is ideal for tourists in summer, achieving that enviable climate of neither too hot nor too cold, and the pockets of natural beauty which industrialization has not yet obliterated burst into colorful bloom. Along with the commercial expansion and development of the city has sprung up a newly-born night culture, which is fast becoming popular among the university youth, even though it is more subdued yet than that of its peer cities.
The night adventurers looking for fun in the city have four choices when it comes to nightlife – the homely gatherings of Central Square, dining in the food street, retail therapy in the shopping district or the time honored tradition of bar-hopping. The last one is actually a very popular option among the city’s youth – the Qingdao entertainment district of the east downtown suffers from no lack of choices for this pastime. Popular hangout spots are the Honolulu Club at Huiquan Dynasty Hotel, the American-style JFK Bar and the Music Kitchen Bar whose rooftop is open to stargazers. If you prefer something a little more off the beaten track, Yan’er Dao Road is a street devoted almost entirely to bars from which to have your pick.
Lest you get the idea that Qingdao’s idea of night-time fun is merely to get well-sloshed, it should be pointed out that it also provides enough entertainment venues which need not be avoided by teetotalers. The Hailedi KTV is fashionable complex housing with its own supermarket and 50 smaller rooms for private gatherings (yes, it has a pub too). The Freeman Coffee House of Hubei Road has a charming ambience evocative of a quaint street corner of 1940s Europe. If it’s the thumping beat of techno music and dancing you seek, The Feeling Club is definitely the hot-spot you’re looking for. This massive up-town clubhouse, which is packed end-to-end on most nights, boasts the centerpiece attraction of a hydraulic dance floor. The Corner Jazz Club, however, appears to trump this as a consistently fun dance club whose diverse range of music complements the ethnic diversity of its clientele. The Huiquan underground cinema, with its Korean BBQ restaurants and KFC, is also a highly recommended night-time stomping ground.
The night markets of Yan’an Er Lu and Taidong Pedestrian Street are worth an evening roam, although these usually close around 10pm. The former street is also famous for its beer (apparently, Qingdao is not for those unenthusiastic about this particular beverage); the “beer street” stretches all the way to Guangrao Road featuring beers of all brands and strengths.
It is usually the case that the best nightlife is usually found right on your doorstep if you stay at the right place. Copthorne Hotel Qingdao is one such high-end deluxe Qingdao hotel which is located in the middle of the city’s central business district. The Qingdao Accommodation offers a range of dining and entertainment options, including Chinese and Japanese restaurants, an all-day grill for casual dining and a very elegant and spacious Lobby Lounge.
Wat Indravihan, a temple like no other
As an overwhelmingly Buddhist nation it is not surprising that Thailand is dotted with a multitude of Buddhist temples, many of them very attractive and beautiful. A mesmerizing blend of the spiritual and the exotic, apart from being places of meditation and prayer Thai temples are among the most scenic buildings one might imagine. The enthralling sights, sounds and smells of the temples suggest both devotion and mystical allure.
Wat Indravihan, one of Thailand’s most popular temples is located in Bangkok’s Nakhon District. The main reason for the temple’s fame is without a doubt the immense Buddha statue it contains, reputedly one of the largest in the world.
This colossal 32 metre tall, 10 metre wide image called ‘Luang Pho To’ was constructed during the rule of King Rama IV. The statue faces the east, holding an alms bowl, and is strikingly adorned with pure gold mosaics procured from Italy. The topknot of the image contains sacred relics of the Buddha which were provided by the nation of Sri Lanka. The unusual aspect of the figure is that it is exceptionally thin, with facial features that are noticeably flat. Visitors will notice that the statue has been imbued with a modernistic style of design.
Everyday throngs of local devotees and inquisitive foreign tourists arrive at the scene to visit the temple. As the Buddha image is considered to possess the power to bestow merit, the Buddhist faithful beseech the blessings of the holy figure and offer diverse offerings at the foot of the image.
The huge size of the figure never fails to awe the visitor with its colossal proportions; even the toenails sheathed in gold like the rest of the statue are of impressive dimensions. The visitor will also see numerous small Buddha figures at the base of the main structure, on which pilgrims bestow strings of flowers to show their reverence.
The visitor will notice many caged birds offered for sale near the temple entrance. Local tradition states that buying the birds and releasing them at the foot of the statue bestows good fortune, success and prosperity.
For the astute travellers looking for Sukhumvit apartments there is no better choice than the Citadines Sukhumvit 8 Bangkok. This excellent accommodation in Bangkok offers convenience and comfort ensuring a pleasurable stay.
Dance the Night Away in Thailand’s Party Capital Patong
Lined with idyllic beaches and ocean vistas as far as the eye can see, Patong is one of Thailand’s most popular island paradises. But this captivating holiday destinations is fast gaining a reputation as one of the country’s best night time hotspots with a plethora of late night distractions on offer.
Those on the prowl for a funky nightclub to dance the night away in will have more than just a handful of options in Patong. These include the legendary Banana Disco and Tiger Disco with its cave-like atmosphere. Safari Disco is another highlight in addition to cosy Baya Beach, the newly opened Hollywood Disco and Seduction Discotheque with its chic interiors and classical ambience. Tai Pan, VIP and Club Lime are also great places to mingle with local party goers as they start their night out on the town. Beer connoisseurs on the other hand should head down to Soi Crocodile, Soi Gonzo, Soi Seadragon and Soi Eric where most of Patong’s finest beer bars are concentrated. Black Cat, The Point and Sharky Bar are among the most frequented bars in the area while sports bars don’t get any better than Club Rio and the Aussie Bar.
Live music is also a hot favourite among Patong’s party population and many of the island’s districts are littered with charming music bars and pubs that cater to a variety of musical tastes. Highlights include Molly Malone’s, Scruffy Murphy’s and The Port which is the preferred haunt of African and Filipino music lovers. The city’s best bands also take centre stage at Margarita’s, 2 Black Sheep, Tai Pan and the Hard Rock Café while Rock City attracts rock fans of all ages who love to head bang to cult favourites.
Thais and seasoned visitors alike are seen heading to the specially constructed super arenas down Soi Sai Namyen once the sun sets. As the premier locales in Patong to witness the skilled martial art form of Muay Thai, these boxing stadiums draw in large crowds come night time for a sporting event that is uniquely Thai and entertaining to its core.
Visitors in search a five-star Phuket resort in the heart of Patong Beach should look no further than the Millennium Resort Patong Phuket. Pleasantly situated amidst verdant tropical foliage this luxury Patong Beach Resort is undoubtedly one of the finest rests on the island.
Wuxi nightlife hides unexpected treats for night owls
Wuxi, with its scenic lakes and riversides amid impressively vast sprawls of forest and parkland, is one of the top ten tourist hot-spots in China. The city rich in human and natural resources is one of the major transportation links between three provinces, with 9 highways and the Shanghai-Nanjing expressway and railways passing through Wuxi. As one of the major economic and commercial centres in China, the city is home to many foreigners and youthful corporate climbers eager for entertainment into the wee hours of the night.
However, the nature of night entertainment is distinctly divergent from what the jet-setters from other international metropolises are used to – the bars are still somewhat fledgling institutions in the city, still in the process of being accepted into the mainstream culture of a conservative people. However, that is not to say the conventional nightlife is disappointing; the Hubin Lu street to the south of the city and the newer Wuxi 1912 Bar Leisure Corridor comprise of a selection of nightspots and bars for the city night owls, as well as Japanese and Korean restaurants. There is no dearth of KTVs and Chinese nightclubs (such as Babyface and Club 7) either. The live entertainment at the People’s Conference Hall and Yinchun Teahouse are also popular alternatives.
However, Wuxi’s most attractive night-time entertainments are of the unconventional variety. Night boat tours along the Grand Canal or quiet walks along it, taking in the darkened beauty of Nanchan Temple or the sights and sounds of the night market are leisure options which grant visitors a greater understanding of Wuxi. The Wuxi Opera or Xiju is an extremely popular draw ideal for the cultural enthusiasts with more classical tastes.
To properly enjoy the nightlife of the city, it is essential that you stay at a centralized Wuxi hotel which will enable you to traverse the beautiful city-streets or gain prime access to the entertainment district. Millennium Wuxi is a five star hotel Wuxi located at the heart of the New District, combining the convenience of the city with the full impact of its natural beauty and serenity.
Simon Cabaret – A flamboyant theatrical performance
A spectacular display of originality and extravagance, Phuket’s Simon Cabaret is one of the most outstanding entertainment attractions in South East Asia. Known for its theatricality and flamboyance, it features a touch of quintessential Thai culture, coupled with western influences. Recognized around the world, it is a must-see for the traveller who enjoys theatre.
Phuket Simon Cabaret was established in 1991. Having been entertaining locals and tourists with the passing of time, it has firmly secured its position as the market leader of professional entertainment. Acclaimed as a world-class performance, it boasts of outstanding set designs, coupled with the glitz and glamour of the elaborate costumes. The theatre seats an enthused audience of well-over 600 people, providing a luxurious, yet intimate atmospheric setting. Spectators will be stunned by the incredible stage performances, aimed to provide a night to remember.
Priding itself for its sheer entertainment value, the performances at the theatre are enhanced by remarkable lighting, combined with a high-tech sound system. The entirety of the show runs through a range of musical theatres, derived from a number of cultures existent today. Visitors will be transported from the rustic yet mythical realm of Egypt to the legend-infused land of China. Providing an eclectic fusion of theatrical elements from around the world, the show features a majority of transvestites, expressing their talent through living life as a cabaret performer. In addition, there are performers that are celebrity impersonators, who either dress like Diana Ross or Tina Turner while belting out their popular hits. Travellers can look forward to a number of solo performances, from classical songs to the more contemporary music.
Having been trained by a number of talented choreographers, the actresses who partake in the show have to go through a rigorous preparation session, which includes costume fittings, make up and dance training. These sessions prepare the actresses to perform through hours of two flamboyant shows a night, while dressed in heavy costumes and stilettos. Recognized as a huge theatrical operation, Simon Cabaret is backed by more than 100 backstage staff, which includes costume and wardrobe departments, show managers and a control manager, who ensures that everything takes place according to the schedule. The graceful performers are trained in jazz, traditional ballet and contemporary dance.
For the traveller who seeks to experience the grandiose of Simon Cabaret, there are many accommodation options available. For those seeking Phuket villas, an ideal option would be staying at Anantara Phuket, Thailand. This Phuket resort provides the idyllic setting for travellers to relax and enjoy the charming allure of Thailand.