Wingardium Leviosa

2005-11-30T21:44:00.000+08:00

Where do we want to go today?

Fiji :: Natadola Beach

2004-10-15T23:26:00.000+08:00

Fiji!
the exciting land of is-it-today-or-tomorrow.. =p

Natadola Beach, located on Fiji's main island of Viti Levu, is the most beautiful white-sand beach in Fiji. Natadola's lush beauty and variety of recreational activities, from snorkeling to horseback riding, draws vacationers from around the world.

Nearest major international airport:
Fiji's International Airport at Nadi

Fiji enjoys a year-round warm, sunny climate without extremes of heat or cold. The mild, dry season runs from May to October with a warm, wetter phase from November to April. Temperatures range from 83 F to 88 F (daytime), and the evenings are in the high 70s throughout the year.

Natadola Beach Resort
11 spacious suites
Twin variable speed ceiling fans
Intimate Restaurant featuring a la carte meals
Bar
Freshwater swimming pool
and -- no, wait for it --
No children under 16. (?!)

=p

Hawaii :: Waikiki Beach

2004-09-25T21:16:00.000+08:00

Hawaii! the party land, the volcano hotspot, the Pearl Harbour. Waikiki Beach only reminds me of the boardgame Hotel. actually i've never known it was in Hawaii, oops. tourist land, with zillions of hotels and activities and sun and beaches. a 2 mile long Waikiki Beach spans from Diamond Head Crater at one end to Ala Wai Yacht Harbor at the other end. too bad I don't have a yacht. Waikiki Beach used to be a playground for the rich and famous, but not nowadays.
(photos from someone's pbase site)

"Waikīkī is a neighborhood of Honolulu, Hawaii, in the City and County of Honolulu, on the south shore of the Island of O'ahu. The name means fetched water in Hawaiian for springs that fed wetlands that once separated Waikīkī from the interior. Waikīkī has long been a place of relaxation, and is today the very center of the tourist industry in Hawaii. Waikīkī extends from the Ala Wai Canal (a channel dug to drain the former wetlands) on the west and north to Diamond Head on the east."

"It all begins at the yacht harbor where every boat imaginable, from sporty, racing numbers to salty-dog blue cruisers, lines the water. It is here where Hawaiian canoe clubs train and stately yachts strut their stuff. Next door, the Hilton Hawaiian Village stages hula shows to welcome the weekend and blasts fireworks visible from miles away. The beach is wide, the water is safe and any beach toy imaginable is available to rent.

However, not enough visitors find time to visit the other end of Waikiki, where 200 acres of parkland wrap around the base of Diamond Head Crater and there's always a quiet spot in the shade. This is where the locals come to jog in the park, swim at Sans Souci Beach or barbecue dinner with family and friends.

Between these two extremes, the seven-tenths of a square mile that make up Waikiki are packed with hotels, theaters, restaurants and shops and crowded with executives, backpackers, families and hookers, who collectively speak every language under the sun. Late-night revelers cross paths with dawn-patrol surfers, and another day begins on one of the world's most famous strips of sand. "

World Invitational Hula Festival November (Annual)
"This unique hula festival, held at the Waikiki Shell, is an ongoing celebration of Hawaiian culture, art, history, language and the people's relationship to all natural things in the Hawaiian environment.

Every November participants come from all over the world to celebrate Hawaiian culture through the performance art of the hula. Halau hula (hula groups) and haumana from the US mainland, Japan, Guam, France, Germany and Iran return to the source and join with those from Hawaii to share their love of ancient and modern hula and the proper use of the Hawaiian language.

Artists perform in both 'Olapa (traditional) and 'Auana (contemporary) styles. Competition divisions include Combined (male & female), Kane (male), Wahine (female), Kane solo and Wahine solo. Judging is done by 21 Hawaiian masters, experts in every aspect of hula, music, language, leis and adornments and costumes."

France :: Le Mont-Saint-Michel

2004-09-25T20:37:00.000+08:00

Le Mont-Saint-Michel, rocky, cone-shaped islet in northwestern France, in the Gulf of Saint-Malo, connected by a causeway with the mainland. The islet, celebrated for its Benedictine abbey, has small houses and shops on its lowest level. Above these stand the monastic buildings, many of which date from the 13th century and are considered outstanding examples of Gothic architecture. The entire islet is crowned by the abbey church, about 73 m (about 240 ft) above sea level.

The islet is covered with this huge church and miscellaneous associated stuff. There's a market in there too. The history dates all the way back to 708AD, imagine that, undergoing lots of church reformations. It is listed on UN's world heritage list, not surprisingly. There is a raised road from mainland, but it is possible to walk over the 'mudflat' at low tide! how cool is that. At hightide, the sea comes in and surrounds the entre islet, a thing to watch out for. There are still monks in there, with all the real medieval cloisters and stuff. The place is just so impressive and beautiful

distraction

2004-09-25T14:31:00.000+08:00

hello dear...

a little sidetrack.
here are some mountain daisies for you. from kiwiland. =)

(wonder if we sound schizophrenic...)

Cruises :: Queen Mary 2

2004-09-24T11:55:00.000+08:00

just about the current most luxurious mass commercial cruiseliner. maiden voyage at the start of 2004. spends most of it's time shuttling out of New York. regular itineraries vary between carribean cruises, transatlantic runs, fjord visits, and other special routes.

www.cunard.com
Classic Cunard hallmarks weave throughout Queen Mary 2: sweeping staircases, soaring public rooms, a grand ballroom, a 360° promenade deck. With one staff member per couple, Cunard's renowned White Star ServiceSM is also assured.

The most anticipated ocean liner in the world also comes with an unprecedented cache of luxuries and innovations. Three-quarters of her staterooms have balconies. Lavish two-story duplexes even have their own private exercise equipment. Exciting restaurants like Todd English and Cunard's renowned Grills create the premier dining experience at sea.

A space ratio of 57.25 makes her one of the roomiest vessels anywhere. Even that can't prepare you for the endless possibilities which occupy all this space - 14 decks of sports facilities, shops, bars, lounges, 5 pools and no fewer than 10 restaurants, a largesse which allows you the freedom to experience your own preferences and passions. Rejuvenate at the celebrated Canyon Ranch SpaClub®. Or how about the classic British deck game of quoits?

Try something novel. Learn something new! Cunard ConneXionsSM is almost like a college at sea, taking into account, of course, that you're on vacation. Or take a virtual ride into space at IlluminationsSM, the only planetarium afloat.

recent Natas advertisement price:

S$5800 for 12 days. carribean
S$7900 for 16days. mediterranean
S$6000 for 11 days. transatlantic

includes flight from singapre.
pre&post cruise accomodation.
price is per individual, for a doubles package.

sympathetic response

2004-09-23T23:38:00.000+08:00

commonly described as fight-or-flight response by the body.

whee! here goes. finally shall maketh the list of places to visit, when to visit, what to visit. the start of The Great Plan to traverse the world in a lifetime, with no money, no brains, no luck.

to apparate instantaneously to a destination is not to learn, not to enjoy, not to experience, for it is the process that values, not the destination. through life we must pass, but through where, and through what.

Wingardium Leviosa

2004-09-23T23:19:00.000+08:00

and we take off.