Monthly Archives: January 2009

Visiting Chennai

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India is a country of contrasts. Its cities are filled with both ancient landmarks and modern steel structures. Hindu traditions are honored while contemporary urban lifestyles are adopted in the growing megacities. Eastern heritage clashes and then blends with Western influences and fashions. Chennai is one example of how the contrasts of the past blend to create modern India.

Technology is on the rise in Chennai, as in many parts of India. Business-outsourcing and information technology are booming industries for Chennai. The city has developed an infrastructure of modern office complexes and the restaurants, shops, and clubs that support the hordes of office workers bringing India into the modern era.

Yet, Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu and, therefore, the center of all Tamil culture and history. Tamil populations throughout India and the rest of the world look to Chennai to preserve and celebrate this rich heritage of food, art, dance, music, and film. During British colonialism, Chennai was known as Madras and the annual Madras Music Festival is still held there each year. It offers five weeks of Indian theater, music, and dance, including Bhratanatyam, a classical Indian dance for which Chennai is world famous.

The National Art Gallery in Chennai provides a sampling of Tamil and general Indian artwork. The city is also home to numerous museums, historic temples, and architecturally stunning mosques that provide further insight into India’s rich past.

Visitors will want to take advantage of the great shopping available in Chennai. From neighborhood markets to modern malls, shoppers can choose from everything from traditional Tamil arts and crafts to electronics and designer clothing. Hotels range from traditional inns to five star Chennai hotels. And Chennai ofers delectable Tamil cuisine as well as foods from other regions of India and even from other parts of the world.

Those wanting a more outdoors experience will find plenty of opportunities in Chennai. The city encompasses an entire National Park (one of only a handful of cities in the world with that distinction). The numerous beaches offer windsurfing, swimming, and sailing as well as simple sunbathing. Chennai boasts beautiful botanical gardens, several wildlife preserves, and zoos. Sports enthusiasts will find that Chennai is a center for motorsports, tennis, and is the home of one of the oldest cricket stadiums in India.

The History of Hong Kong

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While it is officially designated a Special Administrative Region, most visitors consider Hong Kong to be an overgrown city. The region is centered on Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula, which is what most people think of when they think of Hong Kong. However, the region also includes the New Territories, Lantau Island and around 260 other small islands.

Hong Kong can trace its human inhabitation back to the Paleolithic Area, but much of its ancient history is lost. Recorded history mostly begins with the arrival of Europeans in the early sixteenth century and the name “Hong Kong” doesn’t appear in official documents until the 1842 Treaty of Nanking. This followed the First Opium War that was waged between Great Britain and China beginning in 1839 and lasting until Hong Kong became a Crown Colony with the signing of the treaty. The Second Opium War ended in Chinese defeat in 1860 and ceded additional territory to the Brits. Then, in 1898, the famous 99 year lease by Great Britian of Lantau Island and the area now known as the New Territories, solidified British control of the region and Hong Kong’s position as a major British trading post.

Hong Kong remained a free port through the middle of the twentieth century. During World War II, Hong Kong was occupied by the Japanese Empire from December 1941 until the Japanese surrendered in 1945. Over half the region’s population had left during the occupation, but rebounded quickly with refugees arriving during the Chinese Civil War. Hong Kong’s unique position as British-ruled Chinese territory made it an ideal liaison between the western world and the increasingly isolated mainland. The influx of corporations and industry headquarters made Hong Kong one of the world’s important financial and business centers.

The second half of the 20th century was dominated by anticipation of the end of Great Britian’s lease and fears about returning control of the region to mainland China. In 1984 the the Sino-British Joint Declaration outlined the transfer of Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China in 1997. The agreement allowed for Hong Kong to retain most of its autonomy for at least the first fifty years following the transfer with Hong Kong Basic Law serving as the region’s constitution. This is generally referred to as a policy of “one country, two systems.”

Today, Hong Kong retains its identity as a leading Asian financial and commercial center. Visitors to the region can enjoy the 5 star hotels of Hong Kong, modern shopping malls, and some of the best fine dining experiences in the world. Hong Kong is also known for its incrediblely beautiful skyline featuring stunning skyscrapers and views of Victoria’s Peak. Tourists can also peruse the area’s many fine museums, galleries, and historical sites to get a sense of Hong’s rich culture, heritage, and art.

Exploring New York City

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Ever year millions of visitors head to New York to enjoy one of the most exciting and dynamic cities in the world. As a global leader in a variety of areas ranging from fashion to finance, from art to diplomacy, New York promises an experience that can’t be matched anywhere else. Whether in the city for business or pleasure, the many attractions of New York will lure visitors to explore, relax, and have a good time.

One of the greates things about New York is that even the mundane parts of a vacation can be extravagant and thrilling here. Food isn’t just eaten in familiar chain restaurants. New York has thousands of street vendors offering food to eat on the go and tens of thousands of restaurants providing ethnic cuisines from around the globe as well as the flagship eateries of some of the world’s finest chefs. Hotel rooms range from historical brownstone B&Bs to luxurious New York hotel suites. Shopping is everywhere, from farmers markets and street stands to Times Square theme stores and the expensive designer stores on 5th Avenue. Many of the nightclubs and lounges in New York feature live performances of everything from jazz to rock to comedy and celebrities can be sighted at some of the more famous venues.

As for landmarks, New York is chock full of them. Visit the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty or the World Trade Center Site. Stroll through Central Park, Greenwich Village, or Times Square. Tour the United Nations, the New York Stock Exchange or get lost in the city’s many world-famous museums. New York’s theater includes not just Broadway, but Shakespear in the Park. It has some of the world’s best ballet, opera, modern dance, and orchestras.

Want more things to explore? Try Wall Street, Coney Island, or the Brooklyn Bridge. See the Yankees or Mets play. Arrive in August for the US Open Tennis Tournament. See a basketball game or concert at Madison Square Garden. Watch tapings of popular television shows at the three major networks and a number of cable channels. Or simply wander the street soaking up the sites, sounds, and energy of this marvelous city.

Mumbai’s New Name

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The city popularly known as Bombay is now known as Mumbai. While this change was declared back in 1996, it has taken a decade for the rest of the world, especially western media outlets, to catch up. Name aside, Mumbai remains one of the most exciting and inviting cities in India. Visitors to the city are intrigued by its unique blend of modern and traditional cultures and architecture — the colonial palaces and modern office buildings, the traditional bazaars and urban malls, the street food and the fine Indian dining restaurants. Check out the five star hotels in Mumbai, the variety of nightclubs and bars, as well as the restaurants and shopping options to get a feel for the range of experiences that India’s second largest city has to offer.

The switch from Bombay to Mumbai is part of a reorganization that began with Indian independence back in 1947. During the latter half of the twentieth century, India worked to bring all the colonial territories and cities into a modern union of states. Some of the states and most of the major cities were renamed as part of this reorganization. In many cases, the names were changed to reflect the native languages and cultures of the region rather than colonial influences.

The name “Bombay” originated with the Portuguese during the 17th century. In Portuguese, “Bombaim” translates to “Good Bay.” When the city switched hands to the British in 1661, the name was anglicized to Bombay. That name survived for over three hundred years.

In 1996, the Indian government renamed the city. As the capital of the state of Maharashtra, they felt it the name should reflect the Hindu population rather than the European colonial rulers. Mumbai is reported to be the name of a Kolis settlement in the area. Kolis named their communities after Hindu deities and Mumbai is named for the goddess Mumbadevi. It took some time for this name change to catch on in the western world. It wasn’t until 2006 that the Associated Press announced it would begin using the name Mumbai, paving the way for other global news agencies and media to follow suit.

Bangkok’s Unique Culture

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As the capital of Thailand, Bangkok is the center of business, fashion, entertainment, finance, and arts for not only Thailand, but much of Asia. As it continues to expand in commerce and influence, look for Bangkok to improve its already stellar global reputation. In 2008 it was the name the “Best City in the World” and has been voted the most desirable tourist destination by a number of reputable Asian publications.

Before visiting the city tourists will want to research the top places to stay as well as the best restaurants, clubs, and shopping options to ensure their ideal vacation experience. In addition, planning ahead which of the many cultural and artists venues to explore will keep first-time visitors from being overwhelmed by the choices.

The Thailand Cultural Center is located in Thailand and offers a wide variety of theater options and special events. The National Theater and the Chalerm Krung Theater have both been around since the early 20th century. The city is also home to two annual international film festivals for those who prefer the cinema.

The former primary home of the Thai Royal family is in Bangkok. The Grand Palace is one of the most popular attractions in the city. Other historical sites include Wat Arun and Wat Pho. Art lovers will want to investigate the National Gallery of Thailand and the Bangkok Metropolitan Museum of Contemporary Art and possibly the Thailand Creative and Design Center.

Planning a trip to the city during one of the traditional festivals is a good way to experience traditional Thai culture first-hand. April sees the celebration of the traditional Thai New Year during the Bangkok Songkran Festival. May features an ancient Brahman ritual known as the Roayl Ploughing Ceremony which marks the official start of the rice-growing season. In August the city celebrates the Queen’s Birthday and December is the Birthday Celebration for the King.