Travel and Vacation Abodes: September 2008

Citadel of Chellah Gardens in Rabat, Morocco

Morocco is a very fascinating place of travel and vacation. It is a perfect place for nature lovers as well as architecture and history enthusiasts. The landscapes, monuments, historical sites, architecture, ruins, desert, beaches, and even its markets are welcome attractions to be explored that would appeal to any tourist. Rabat is the administrative capital of Morocco and is also known as the ‘Garden City’. Rabat is a mixture of the old and new, a traditional city but also a modern one. Rabat is known for its bedecked alleys, beautiful white houses, and beaches. Chellah Rabat is said to be the first place to be settled along Bou Regreg river around the third century BC. Rabat is also home to many impressive monuments and other attractions and one of these attractions is the beautiful Citadel of Chellah Gardens. It is beautifully landscaped with various flowers that bloom during springtime and fills the place with its wonderful scent. Its sanctuary was used as royal burial place and its entrance door is magnificently decorated and inscribed with Arabesque calligraphy. Chellah Rabat experienced a very strong earthquake during the 18^th century which destroyed many of its structures from ancient Morocco. What used to be a thriving city and port, Chellah is now a major tourist attraction and is converted to a lush and beautiful garden.

photos: 1, 2

Edinburgh Castle: Scotland’s Most Famous Castle

Edinburgh Castle is Scotland’s most famous castle, it towers over the city and is atop Castle Rock. The castle is 400 feet above sea level and draws approximately one million visitors every year. Edinburgh Castle is a very popular tourist destination because of its rich history, its magnificent views, and its interesting architectural structure that would delight any individual. Even children will have fun exploring its interiors and will be amazed at its military garrison and cannons. Visitors of the castle are treated to magnificent views from every point whether you are on the lowest levels or in the highest levels of the castle a breathtaking view is right in front of you. From the north you can see the mountains of The Kingdom of Fife and below you is the famous Princes Gardens. The Edinburgh Castle which was once the royal residence of Scottish Kings has a very interesting building history, the oldest building in the castle and in Edinburgh is St. Margaret’s Chapel which dates from the 12^th century which King David I built privately for the Royal Family and in honor of his mother St. Margaret of Scotland, the Great Hall was built by James IV around 1513 to be the chief place of State Assembly in the castle, the Half Moon Battery was constructed under James Douglas, 4^th Earl of Morton’s supervision on the site of old David’s Tower after the Lang Siege, and the Scottish National War Memorial after the First World War in honor of the Scots who had died in the First World War and from following conflicts. The castle also houses the Honours or the Crown Jewels of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny or the Stone of Scone on which Scottish Kings had been crowned, the 15^th century gun Mons Meg, the One O’clock Gun, and the National War Museum of Scotland. Statues of William Wallace and King Robert The Bruce are placed in the walls of the entrance to Edinburg Castle in honor of the two greatest heroes in Scottish history.

Fountain and Edinburgh Castle from Princes Street

Castle's Mons Meg

Castle Entrance

Statue of Sir William Wallace by sculptor Alexander Carrick

Bronze statue of King Robert The Bruce by sculptor T.J. Clapperton

Inner Entrance of the castle

St. Margaret Chapel, the oldest building inside Edinburgh Castle.

Inside St. Margaret's Chapel

View of Arthur's Seat from the castle

Half Moon Battery

Robert The Bruce Statue

View of the castle from Castle Street

The Palace in Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle's One O'Clock Gun

Lang's Steps at Edinburgh Castle

The Towering Edinburgh Castle

Photos: EdinburghCastle, ScotlandFlavour

Thala Beach Lodge: A Spectacular Nature-filled Travel Destination

Australia is home to some of the world’s most spectacular natural environments and adventures. Thala Beach Lodge is a privately owned five star luxury beach resort in Australia where nature and luxury vacation meet. It is the place to stay when you want to experience total relaxation in a perfectly natural environment coupled with luxurious accommodation, total security, and excellent service. Thala Beach Lodge is situated in Cairns, Australia. It is just 40 minutes from Cairns International Airport and strategically located near the center of Cairns’ and its famous natural attractions it is the perfect location to experience The Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas, and Tropical Rainforest. Thala Beach Lodge is awarded the highest level of Eco Tourism accreditation as a testament to its commitment in protecting and nurturing its rich wildlife, forests, and waters. Guests are treated to a magnificent tropical private beach where they can see and feel the waters of the great barrier reef as they take a leisurely stroll, have picnics, and take a swim on Thala’s 2km beach and coves. Picnics on the beach can easily be arranged where you can enjoy a romantic moment and taking time out to enjoy the scenery, the waves, the chirping birds, and your festive foods. Birds, butterflies, and other animals are a constant sighting in this place. Guest are also given an insight of the cultural heritage of this place, elders from the local aboriginal community come and share their stories, history, music, arts and culture.

Aside from the Great Barrier Reef, World Heritage Listed Rainforest, and Daintree National Park Tours guests can also enjoy other interesting activities right in Thala Beach Lodge. Guests may enjoy bird watching, nature and garden walks, star watching, sea kayaking, turtle spotting from Sea Kayaks along Thala’s secluded coast, nature photography, rejuvenate in Thala’s health spa and yoga classes, picnic on the beach, on your balcony or in a romantic cove, and lots of other exciting and interesting natural wildlife and water adventures.

The Beach

The Lodge

Accomodations

Sandpiper Bungalows overlook two secluded beaches

Coral Sea Bungalows have a spectacular view of the ocean where you may see Ospreys, Giant Manta Rays, Bryde's Whales, or a pod of rare Australian Snub Fin Dolphins.

Eucalypt Bungalows capture the intimate feel of the Tropical Forest. Colorful birds and butterflies abound in this place.

Jungle Walk Bungalows are nestled in the rainforest of Thala's peninsula.

The Natural Surrounding

Photo: Thala Beach Lodge

The breathtaking Tuscan Countryside

Tuscany is a very popular travel destination. It is a very interesting place with a rich cultural background, ideal climate, and very hospitable people. Tuscany is comprised of ten provinces namely, Arezzo, Firenze, Pisa, Siena, Lucca, Pistoia, Grosseto, Massa Carrara, Livorno, and Prato. The capital of Tuscany is Florence. One of the main reasons of its popularity among travelers is its breathtaking countryside sceneries. Tuscany’s landscapes have been a subject of many paintings and other artworks. Tuscany’s vineyards, rolling hills, charming farmhouses and castles, fields of flowers and trees, and even its roads make Tuscany’s countryside so idyllic and picturesque that it inspired many artists and makes any tourist and traveler feel like he is on a dreamland.

photos: 1, 2, 3, 4

Experience ultimate marine thrill in The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s amazing natural treasures and the world’s largest coral reef system. It covers over 350,000 square kilometers of the sea off Tropical North Queensland Coast of Australia. Explore the Great Barrier Reef and you will discover a life of marine paradise that is home to the world’s largest collection of coral reefs and 1,500 species of fish and other fascinating sea creatures such as the dugong or sea cow and large green turtles. The most popular ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef among tourists is to engage in some scuba diving and snorkeling activities. Go deep in the water and see for yourself the exciting and breathtaking abundant marine life below. Swim with the turtles and tropical fishes and gaze at the colorful sea gardens and even get the chance to see the giant Maori Wrasse named “Wally”. If you are into marine life adventure, head on to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to get an ultimate aquatic thrill and experience.

The Abundant Marine Life

Snorkeling

Scuba Diving

Whale Watching

Photos and more info on The Great Barrier Reef

Hotel Country Villa: Having the Himalayas right in your balcony

The wonderful scenic view of the Himalayas is one of the most breathtaking sights in the world. Whether in the early mornings, sunsets, and even in the evenings the Himalayas range is a sight to behold. If you are on a vacation in Nepal and you want a vacation in a place where you have a wonderful view anytime of the day and anywhere you look and having real pinewood paneling in your well furnished and spacious room then Hotel Country Villa in Nagarkot is just the place for you. All guests are treated with ultimate luxury, pampering, and exceptional service in this magnificent hotel nestled at the peak of Nagarkot hill.

The Restaurant serves Continental, Nepalese, Chinese, and Indian Cuisine

The fully equipped Hall

The rooms are well-furnished, spacious, and you can see the Himalayas right from your balcony.

photos: Hotel Country Villa

Bhote Kosi: Bungee Jumping in Nepal

Trekking might be the most popular tourist activity in Nepal but for travelers who want ultimate adrenaline rush, bungee jumping is the thing. Bungee jumping is leaping or diving from a fixed location like a platform, bridge, crane, and even on cliffs and breaking the fall with bungee cords attached to the ankles. Bungee jumping gives the jumper extreme excitement and a memorable lifetime experience. The bungee jumping site in Nepal is situated in Bhote Kosi, just a 3-hour drive from Kathmandu and very near to the Nepal-Tibet border. It is very close to the very scenic Sino-Nepal friendship bridge. Bhote Kosi is one of Nepal’s wildest rivers and is also famous for rafting and kayaking activities. The Swiss desisnged bungee jumping site has a 4x safety factor and is able to load 250kg per running meter. The bridge is the longest in Nepal and joins two magnificent valleys across a river gorge. Bungee jumping in Nepal is one of the world’s best sites for bungee jumping.