Monthly Archives: February 2009

La Guardia Airport

Posted on by
Reply

While it is the smallest of New York City’s three airports, La Guardia holds the distinction of being the most popular NYC airport for domestic flights as well as for Caribbean, Canadian, and US transfers.  It is also the oldest of the three airports, tracing its history back to 1929 when it was a private airfield.

Located in the borough of Queens, La Guardia sits on Flushing Bay and is the closest airport to midtown Manhattan. Since it is located on Long Island, it’s easy to find a New York airport hotel near La Guardia that is close to the the neighborhoods and attractions of Queens and Brooklyn as well as Manhattan.

Originally the site of the Gala Amusement Park, the airport was first named after aviator Glenn H. Curtiss and then became known as North Beach Airport. Mayor Fiorella La Guardia campaigned for a commercial airport in the city after Newark opened their airport.

Dedicated as the New York Municipal Airport when it opened as a commercial field in late 1939, the airport was later renamed to honor the mayor who was instrumental in its development.  In 1960 LaGuardia was voted “the greatest airport in the world.” Recent renovations to the Central Terminal Building and the layout of the airfield have smoothed operations. In 2006 work began on a new tower to replace the existing tower which has been in operation since 1962.

Over 25 milion passengers traveled through LaGuardia in 2007. The airport has four terminals, the largest of which is the Central Terminal Building, with 38 gates on four individual concourses.

Phuket’s Beach Experience

Posted on by
Reply

The fabled island of Phuket is a Thai paradise. With its incredible beaches, wonderful food, and famed nightlife, Phuket is an ideal escape from the stress and strain of daily life. These are the main reasons that “Junk Ceylon” has grown into one of Asia’s top tourist destinations. The white sand beaches and sparkling ocean are just impossible to resist.

Since the ocean is the prime attraction of the island, it’s very easy to find a five star hotel on Phuket that is on the beach. Visitors can also rent guest villas and cottages or find comfortable hotels in the island’s lush interior.

The beaches of Phuket take full advantage of the Andaman Sea. Many visitors simply want to relax under a shady palm tree or get a nice tan. However, the beaches also offer recreational activities such as swimming, snorkellling, windsurfing, and sailing. Fishing and scuba diving are also popular with tourists.

While some of the beaches are secluded, quiet havens, many are bustling with activity as well as people.  A number of beachfronts include shopping areas and restaurants. In addition, the beaches are home to some of the hottest nightclubs. During the height of tourist season it’s not uncommon for raves and parties to be held on the beaches.

Of course, there is more to Phuket than the beach. Visitors willing to explore will find the island home to national parks, virgin forests, spectatular vegetation, beautiful waterfalls, and some exotic temples and mosques.

Singapore’s Love Affair with Food

Posted on by
Reply

It has been said that the people of Singapore have some of the most delicate and sophisticated palates in the world.  Due to the very high level of cultural diversity and traditions, these culinary flavors have become blended and create some of the most interesting flavors and exciting culinary experiences in the world.  From the famous restaurants to the five star hotels in Singapore, the people of this country have much to offer and offer it up they do.

And although the restaurants and cafes are great places to enjoy meals, some of the more fun and exciting experiences are to be had outside in the open air.  Singapore is well known for the amount and variety of festivals and celebrations that occur throughout the year.  Celebrating over 5000 times a year, holidays not included, this aspect of the culture creates fun and flavor for the locals as well as business travelers and people vacationing from all over the world.  The open air market is a festival in and of itself.  Sports are quite popular as well as art and music festivals, and theater and opera.  And any given performance is reason enough for the food to be brought out and the feasts to be partaken in.  Add to that a very richly celebrated holiday season and you get cities and people celebrating all year round in restaurants and the best Singapore hotels.

Another aspect of the outdoor food culture is known as the hawker center.  Many of these street side vendors have been practicing their tradition for years and it’s been practiced to point of perfection.  And while the wait to be served by one of these chefs may be quite a wait, it is well worth.  There pride and dedication come through in exquisite flavor that is well known in the region.  And while many of the centers are redesigning the look, making them more upscale or trendy or cosmopolitan the results are still the same, delicious food and a most wonderful way to experience the Singapore culture.

Goa: Vacation Paradise

Posted on by
Reply

Travelers looking for a warm, sunny holiday that offers awe-inspiring scenery, beautiful beaches, incredible food, and a truly international atmosphere would do well to consider a trip to Goa.  Though it is the smallest state in India, Goa has many attractive features that can make a vacation truly memorable.

Located in India’s Konkan region, Goa is considered a paradise by many, making it one of the more popular holiday destinations in Asia.  Bordered on the West by the Arabian Sea, Goa is situated next to the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra, which make it a wonderful stopping point en route to the India interior. Luckily for tourists, the best Goa hotels are sprinkled throughout the region, rather than being concentrated in just one city.

Goa spent four and a half centuries as a Portuguese colony. This give it a more European feel than the rest of India which was influenced by British colonialism.  The area is a blending of religions, languages, and traditions from many different cultures, making it a wonderful melting pot to experience.

Besides its many beaches, Goa is home to beautiful ancient temples, unique architecture blending Portuguese and Indian styles, and a number of historic and cultural sites of interest.  The cities in Goa tend to be more modern, complete with air-conditioned shopping malls and trendy nightclubs.  The many Goan villages offer a more traditional and slower-paced experience — though all of Goa tends to operate at a slower speed than the rest of India.

Another wonderful feature of Goa is the delectable food.  With its extensive coastline its easy to see why Goan cuisine relies heavily on fresh seafood.  Like many other aspects of Goan life, the food here is decidely Indian, but some dishes incorporate Portuguese flavors and techniques. Make sure to wash down at least one meal with the famous Goan feni.

The Kingdom of Thailand

Posted on by
Reply

Thailand is full of beautiful scenery, gorgeous beaches, lush countryside and warm, friendly citizens.  From the modern landscape of Bangkok to the famous beaches of Phuket to traditional villages in the mountains, it is easy to see why it is refered to by some as a “golden land.”

Located in the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand is a constitutional monarchy and is the only country in the region that was never ruled by a European nation. During World War II, Thailand was occupied for a time by the Japanese.  The current king holds the distinction of being the longest reigning monarch in the world, serving for over fifty years.

The country changed its name several times. The name Thailand replaced the former name Siam in 1939. However, it reverted to Siam from 1945 to 1949 before returning to the official name Thailand.

Buddhism is the main religion in Thailand, with over 95% of the population following the national religion of Theravada Buddhism. The influence of Buddhism on Thai culture is unparalleled, though there are also strong influences from Chinese and Indian cultures as well as some western influences.

Bangkok is the capital city and Phuket is the largest island. Both are major tourist destinations for the entire region, not just Thailand.  Bangkok draws many business and commercial visitors as well as those seeking to experience the country’s rich history and culture.  Phuket is an island paradise with white sand beaches surrounded by the Andaman Sea.  Thailand has many cities and villages as well as national parks, beaches, islands and mountains. This variety makes it an exotic and interesting destination.

One of the best things about visiting Thailand is the food.  Connoisseurs of Thai cuisine will be in foodie heaven. Local and regional dishes are available everywhere from food stalls on the beach to fine dining establishments in the cities.  Shopping throughout the country is incredible. There are open markets, small shops, and Bangkok is known for its plethora of modern shopping malls.  Visitors will find 5 star hotels in Thailand as well as boutique hotes, guest houses, and business and chain hotels.