As a kid, I had a great affinity for trains, no matter what the size.  I loved especially the miniature railroads that are designed with children in mind, and one of the best of these is located in another favorite of mine, the city of Austin, Texas.  You’ll find on that city’s southwest side, just east of the Mopac Expressway, and off Barton Spring Road, the Zilker Zephyr Miniature Train.  A part of the concessions at Zilker Park, the train is a pleasant diversion for parents and their kids, running on a narrow-gauge, light rail track, which leisurely takes you and your family along scenic Barton Creek and Austin Town Lake.  The train departs every hour at the top of the hour on weekdays and every half-hour on weekends, as long as the weather allows, and only costs a few dollars.

You can bring food and drink onboard, which you can purchase at a nearby concession stand.  The train itself circles a large field in the park, comes round the river and then back again.  There’s a number of ducks and geese and plants native to central Texas, which you can point out to kids as you go.   You may want to note that parking can be hard to find on a weekend, and that part of the ride may be in the sun.  Definitely bring a hat.  If you’re traveling, check into one of the fine Austin hotels and come have one of the best miniature train rides in Texas.

If you’ve never been to Austin before, you should have a great time, just exploring the city’s natural environment, from Zilker Park and the Barton Springs Pool, to Austin Town Lake.  At dusk, you can watch over a million bats fly from under the Congress Avenue Bridge.  Depending on the age of your kids, this can be a fascinating and thrilling experience.  Take your time, though, and get to know this wonderful city.

As a kid I had a large coin collection. The coins came from all over the world. Many of them my grandfather brought home from his travels. Before I was born my grandfather was traveling to Europe on business’s on a regular basis. This was in the times of propeller planes bumping their was across the Atlantic low enough to see the white caps on the ocean. These coins came in many shapes, sizes and materials. Some of the coins had writing on the edges. I though that was very interesting since all the coins I had seen to date were smooth on the edge or had ridges. I particularly remember a large coin from Greece with the Greek script adorned the edge. A short distance from my Barcelona Spain Hotel was an exhibit of old European coins. Greek and Roman coins with the faces of Caesars and emperors. Napoleonic era coins depicting and commemorating events. Coins of gold, silver, copper, bronze and other metals. I recall having a bunch of European coins struck in aluminium. These were so light weight and strange to me. It wasn’t until years latter I learned these coins were struck post World War II during high inflationary post war Europe when the countries could not afford to mint coins in precious metals. Coins have existed for centuries and currency for thousands of years. Some of the earliest coins are beads used as trade for goods and services for more than 10,000 years. My coin collection taught me a lot about the world. Geography as I learned where in the world the coin came from. History as the faces adorning the coins would change in some countries and through commemorative coins. Economies ups and downs as the coins changed in size and materials used.

We started at the Opera House because it just seems to magnetically draw you toward it plus it’s in every picture of Sydney anyone has ever seen and we were just awed by the architecture. As we hovered around the building taking snap shots (can you say that with a digital camera?) we kept noticing the Sidewalk cafe and popped in for some satay chicken and Thai salad with prawns and the obligatory glass of wine or two. the view here is extraordinary, and we could see Sydney Harbor and relaxed in on the terrace.

There’s a path we can walk to the ferry dock to Circular Quay over the Harbor Bridge which I found out has over six million rivets and opened in 1932. Ask at a hotel Sydney Australia furnishes on how to get there, but it’s easy. WE found out one can climb to the top. We like heights having been to the CN Tower in Toronto and other sights so we went for it. From up there we could see everything, especially many beaches (I found out there are over one hundred sixty beaches in Sydney, in case you were wondering.) Since I once had a Bondi Blue computer once, we decided to go to Bondi Beach. I the famous one you see on on video with sand of gold and lifeguards. Apparently there’s a bit of a rip tide and so I just decided to stay out of the water for this one until we came across the ocean swimming pool that’s set off from the wild water. I must say it was a delight to swim in the Southern Hemisphere. There’s a trail that runs along the cliffs and brings yo out to quiet bays. WE made it back and by then the waves had started to get big and I watched as the water knocked down more than a few swimmers who tried, who knows why, to head out to the ocean.

There are many fascinating activities and events that begin in mid October and continue through the thirty first of the month, also known and celebrated as Halloween. People all over the country explore local haunted houses, and they also provide many seasonal job opportunities and extra income for adventure seeking workers. Pumpkin carving and trick or treating is one of the most exciting activities associated with the holiday and many people decorate their houses and yards to enhance the overall experience. One of the favorite events for some people during this time is to take part in a haunted pumpkin patch tour.

Maris Farms in Washington State offers a fascinating selection of Halloween events and activities that are sure to thrill visitors of all ages. It is located South of Seattle and East of Tacoma on the old Sumner-Buckley Highway. This scenic rural area is quietly removed from the urban sprawl and people begin to feel the change in ambiance before arriving on the farm. Event tickets for the various activities are available all year and include more than those focused specifically on Halloween themed encounters.

However, for those with enough courage, there is the legendary Haunted Woods. This is a great adventurous event that begins on October 2 of this year and will continue through the end of the month. The journey includes a 35 minute sometimes terrifying walk through the haunted woods that are full of ghouls, spirits and other frightening creatures. Be prepared, the hauntings are not limited to the woods and the frights begin from the moment you step out of your car. Anyone interested in taking part in this unforgettable experience should know that Maris Farms likes to keep the parties small – no, not for easier targeting, but to maximize the experience, and well, maybe even to make sure no one gets lost in the eerie night.

Attending a rock concert at Deer Lake Park is my favorite summer evening past-time. The Best Rock Concert Tickets I purchased at the park was for Feist. She absolutely blew me away. The Deer Lake Park itself is a magnificent venue for just that type of band. It’s a stunning outdoor venue unlike any other outdoor venue. But, it’s really hard to get to, it’s located in the middle of nowhere. A place called Burnaby.

Most out door venues that I’ve been too only offer flat fields to view the band, but here at Deer Lake, the stage is at the bottom of a hill, so no matter where I put my blanket, I have an excellent view of the stage. The backdrop for the venue is a lake and if the concerts being performed during the right time of the month, you can watch the sunset as the full moon rises behind the stage. How magical is that?

The venue, though, can’t handle when a crowd arrives all at once. I missed the opening act because all 8000 people showed up at the same time. We were wrapped around the outside numerous times in a zig-zag pattern, kind of like the long lines a Disney Land. But, once inside, I had a good amount of time to find a good place to put my blanket down and relax before Feist began to play. And boy, was her performance well worth missing the opening act. She came on stage with her guitar in hand, a cute little dress and began to sing from her ‘Let it Die’ album. The crowd roared and I was in heaven. A highlight for me though, was a little side show of shadows that played on the backdrop. During each song Feist sang, a shadow story would be performed by her assistant using her hands, some cut-outs, flowers, branches and a few other props. What a get way to not show videos, but to bring back memories of childhood with the shadow stories. I wanted to stay there all night and just be transported away to Feist’s world and stay there for an eternity.

I won 2 Concert Tickets through this local radio station I listen to for the Justin Timberlake tour. His first tour in three years! I was so thrilled, this will be my first time to get to see him live. I’ve watched his career forever.  He’s grown so much as an artist, I mean he writes his own songs, sings them and plays his own instruments. I mean, really! Now, all I had to do was pick which friend to go with me. Not a difficult choice, really, my best friend of course!

It took us forever to figure out what to wear to the concert, we were so nervous, but once we arrived, we completely forgot about how we looked. We were so enthralled and ga-ga over Justin. One of the highlights was when he took on the piano and began to serenade the crowd. Then he did a sexy dance with two girls dressed in some kind of burlesque outfit. Justin played for two hours, non-stop. He was so hot.

For me, the best part of the show was when Timbaland joined Justin on stage. It was so fantastic. I felt like I was in a club instead of an arena. Those two mixed music like Michael Jackson, Jay Z, Nelly Furtado, Kelly Clarkson and then they did a tribute to Aliyah. What was even more fantastic was while Timbaland and Justin were mixing Nelly’s ‘Say It Right’, I spotted her right next to us! Nelly was all by herself, well she had a bodyguard with her, but she was dancing to the music. I almost died, she was so nice. She even told me a little bit about her new album.

The concert was totally insane. I couldn’t believe I actually got to see JT perform live and what an amazing performer he is, there aren’t enough words to describe just how fantastic he is. I really, really recommend, if Justin Timberlake comes to your city, no matter what, you need to see him perform live. He’s a true performer and so professional. I would’ve never have dreamed this chance. But, I really did get to see him live. Wow.

There are certain considerations to the care of hot tubs, such as maintaining temperatures and the cleaning process.  Once a cover is removed and the jets are turned on, should they be forced-air jets, the temperature of the water will begin to decrease at a fairly rapid rate.  Should one wish to cool the temperature, one may add cooler water.  The more people join in the tub, the more the water will cool.  In response one may want to raise the temperature on the thermostat to counter act this.  Perhaps even adjusting the temperature ahead of time, as once the water cools, it will a bit of time for it to heat up again.  Many varieties of tubs with various modes of thermostat control are found at choosehottubsdirect.com.  Not only will the right hot tub for ones needs be found here, but also the many other appliances and items that make ones ownership of the spas more enjoyable.

It is important that one keeps the water in their hot tub clean.  Warm water will promote the growth of bacteria faster than the cool water of a swimming pool, so care must be taken to add the necessary chemicals and agents to the water.  Most of the species found in the tubs is not fatal, but they have been known to be responsible for various rashes on the skin.  Also, from time to time, it is best to just change the water completely.  All this aside, owning a hot tub is a wonderful experience, the health benefits and the relaxing social situations that occur are well worth the time and the energy it takes to maintain the spa.

One of the results of soaking in the hot water is that the blood vessels will dilate and the blood pressure will lower.  And consequently, circulation will increase, which leaves one with the feeling of rejuvenation after a long hard day at the office, or the many hours of transporting kids from one activity to another.   The buoyancy one feels while in large bodies of water, not only feels wonderful, but is wonderful for the physical body.  Pressure is removed from the joints and the spinal column, relieving tension and relieving the work load of the heart, believe it or not.  And while soaking at night serves to relax one and get them ready for a night of sweet dreams and peaceful sleep, soaking in the morning will have the effect of revitalization and energy necessary for the start of the day.

During the mid 80’s a group of us planned an outdoor BBQ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbecue because we were tired of using the BBQ Islands at our complex in the city. It would take us until midnight to reach the hill top destination for the BBQ. During those days all the lamp posts would automatically switch off at midnight. So, at first we wanted to use a short-cut through an old abandoned warehouse, but since it was too dark and without any external lighting we had to take the longer route which cut through a park going down a long steps leading to the middle of the park facing the sea.

When we arrived, we had to use the BBQ pit in the center of the park because the one nearest to the public restrooms was already occupied and was really too far away. As some of us started preparing the pit for the fire, a few of us, including myself, took a pails to the public restroom to fill them up with water. Along the way, we could see the other people at the restroom BBQ pit, barbecuing away, however, it got pretty smoky after we filled up our pails with water on our way back to our BBQ pit. The people disappeared. They were gone, nowhere in site. It only took us about 8 minutes to fill the pails inside the public restroom, so how could they possibly vacate so quickly, leaving without a trace?

We inspected the pit, but there was no sign of any BBQ activity, no burning embers of charcoal, nothing, not even traces of water being poured over the coals to put them out. The trash container next to the pit was empty too. We were perplexed. How could anybody clear up and out within 8 minutes? And really, how many people bother to clear up the pit especially if the charcoal is still alive?

We continued our BBQ though without incident or any other strange occurrence and heading back home after it took us almost an hour to clear out the pit and clean up our area. We are all still puzzled, even today, about that night out in the park were 4 of us witnessed the complete disappearance of our next door Barbequers.

If you have taken the plunge and finally decided to get yourself a spa, you need to realize that just like making an impromptu puppy purchase; a spa is something that you need to take care of. Well, at least it won’t use your house as a toilet, so perhaps it’s less like a puppy.

Buying a spa requires spa maintenance and sometimes a lot of it. It can sometimes feel like a full time job to keep the algae at bay and the Ph levels correct. But as long as you know what needs to be done, it’s fairly easy to maintain your spa. First off, find a pool supply store in your area and make friends with one of the employees, because you are bound to have about a million questions. But here are some of the basics.

The first things you will need are test strips. Test strips, if you have them you really have no excuse not using them. You really can’t tell what your spa needs just by looking at it. It may look perfectly fine, but it may need a ton of work. Make sure you have enough sanitizer in your spa and that ph levels are correct. All you have to do with a test strip is dip it in the water and compare colors to a color chart that is provided.

You have to sanitize as well to keep algae away! You don’t want you and your guests getting into a pool of viruses now do you? Didn’t think so. The optimal spa ph should be around 7.5. That is a neutral ph.

If you think you are up for the responsibility you should try out a site created by Steve Barbarich, choosehottubsdirect.com. They have a bunch of luxury hot tubs and Jacuzzis and excellent customer service, happy hot tubing!

Paris is the city of love, passion and lights. The French capital gathers tourists and travelers from all over the world looking to find romance and adventure. Resting on the river Seine in northern France, Paris is globally recognized as a leading business, cultural and arts hub of the world. The beautiful city is also seen as one of the most influential regions in fashion, media, politics, and economics.

Possibly most widely known for its iconic landmark the Eiffel Tower, Paris attracts 45 million tourists every year. The Eiffel Tower is the tallest building in Paris and more than 200,000,000 people have visited the tower since it was constructed in 1889. The restaurants inside the Eiffel Tower are also very popular. These restaurants include Altitude 95 (named because it sits 95 meters above sea level) and the Jules Verne, which is fancy, food savvy restaurant that has a private lift on the second floor.

Of the many attractions in Paris, the French Open tennis tournament is one of the most celebrated. The competition, held mid-May to June, brings sports enthusiasts from around the world to the region. But the competition is not only for intense tennis fans; people enjoy the sheer thrill of the competition, as well as the fine cuisines.

On top of the French Open schedule of tennis events, visitors often also stay in the area to attend the other Grand Slam tennis tournament, Wimbledon. With fierce competitors battling it out in this London city, Wimbledon scores are always unpredictable. Paris is a marvelous city, full of mystery and cultural splendor.

Playwright, educator and activist, Kuo Pao Kun lived most of his life in Singapore. He was brought there by his father at the age of ten from Beijing where he was living with his mother. Kun developed an early fascination and love for performance by joining the Rediffusion’s Mandarin Radio broadcast at the age of 14. This led to a job with Radio Australia in Melbourne after his graduation from high school.

Kun’s work focused on the social issues of Singapore’s working class population. He and his wife, choreographer and dancer Goh Lay Kuan, established the Practice Performing Arts School in 1965. Years later, Kun and his students would develop a movement called the “Go into Life Campaign” and would immerse themselves in Singapore’s laboring population to gain life experience. Many original works, which focused on social issues of the working poor, were a result of this project. Most of Kun’s work focused on political and social issues and in 1966 he directed a production of German playwright Bertolt Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle, which he translated into Mandarin. Brecht was a political writer and theorist who had revolutionized standard drama. Kun’s production of his work was the first time Brecht had been performed in Singapore.

Kun was not the only political writer in Singapore at the time. During much of the 1960s most of the Chinese theatre was heavily politicized as result of the Cultural Revolution. Drama was beginning to be viewed as a tool for social change. This led to a massive counter surge and in 1976 many artists were imprisoned under the Internal Security Act and detained without the benefit of trial. Kun was one the writers to be jailed. He spent four years and seven months in prison. After his release he immediately went back to writing and directing for the theatre, as well as teaching. Today he is known for his dramatic style, which included the use of simple metaphors and multicultural themes. Today his plays are staged more for their entertainment value than for concerns with social activism. An audience is much more likely to enjoy a show and dinner, and if they’re in from out of town they can enjoy a stay in one of the 5 star Singapore hotels.

In 2007, the government of Ibiza has been creating and marketing campaigns for the winter season of tourism on the island. The island of Majorca has always enjoyed a consistent tourist season during the winter months, which benefits all businesses including five star hotels, Ibiza wants this as well. Temperatures remain temperate throughout months spent shivering in other climates. Off-season tourism is the goal. For while the winter months are beautiful, and the yoga classes and the spas are still there, notable drops are being experienced. The industries have been attempting to entice travelers with the same opportunities, such as yoga and splendid beaches, for a fraction of the price with many of the businesses and five star hotels, Ibiza companies offer many discounted rates and vacation packages. Part of the draw to the islands in the winter, is that all the fun and craziness the regions are known for is still there, but to a much lesser degree. A more sophisticated way to party and vacation. Just the respectable nights of Friday and Saturday.

There are still late night crowds, however at a much lower intensity in the winter months. Many beaches seem a bit deserted in the winter months, but are still quite warm and provide a relaxing environment for walking off a night to lately spent. The town of Saint Agnes offers many opportunities for freshly made tortillas and tapas, or bloodymarys to assist in the quest. Over the years, the Balearic Island has been catering to a more mature crowd. The times of parties every night of the week, have slowed and there are more opportunities for a relaxing escape. The parties have become more intimate occasions, and the result is that more people are really noticing the beauty and tranquility unique to this region of the Mediterranean. Parties will always be thrown on these beaches, but it seems that islands have grown up just a bit.

Art on the streets of Bath, is and has been a common sight, sound and occurrence for many years. In 1992 however, one festival has been organized by a group of volunteers, the Bath Festival Fringe. The group has been receiving grants for every year to help with the operating costs, however this year all governmental grants have been cut. The city and the organizers of the festivals are now relying on the generosity of the business owners, the corner restaurant or the Bath hotel, and each and every artist. Many of whom perform for free, all the shows are free of charge. However, with the grants of the past, the artists were provided stipends for travel and expenses. The festival begins on June first, and is very similar to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in that there are many musicians and performers on the streets, as well as alternative venues for indoor shows. Every building is converted into a stage. Every one is a performer. The freedom of festivals such as this has attracted audience members and performers from around the world. Gipsy music from Bristol, Ramshaklicious are regulars as well as the children’s theater group ‘the eggs Youth Theater. It’s mayhem in the best possible way, the most artistic way on the streets of Bath in June.
Bath Festival Fringe

As funding for the festival usually granted by the arts councils, is being placed elsewhere, as in the Olympic games, the businesses and philanthropic donors have picked up the tab. Apparently there was quite a substantial anonymous donation provided by a private donor. Although a set schedule has not been established yet, the cooperative group that organizes the Fringe assures the public that the shows will happen. Along with, and providing support, are the music festival, and the film festival scheduled to coincide…again much like the Fringe in Edinburgh. All the artists of various schools coming together.

In 1850, Wayang Opera was a famous source of entertainment for the general public. Popular with immigrants from China and taken with them to various parts of the world. Many of the Chinese immigrated to Singapore. The stages were usually set up on the street side, just before the show began, temporary but very well lit by colorful neon lights, these shows drew quite a crowd. Most of the time the show was offered for free, or at a very minimal cost. The audience sat around the raised stage cabaret style, and often times carried on as though no show was taking place, eating and drinking and smoking and chatty loudly, as though at a party. Then, when the show became serious or reached a climax in a scene, all eyes were on stage and they were mesmerized.

Singapore is known for the eclectic cultural mix, and evidence of that is every where, from the businesses, to the business hotels Singapore has become a melting pot. From Italian restaurants to French, from Vietnamese sculptors to Roman painters, the local residents and the tourists are from a variety of back-grounds. This is true as well, for the performers of Wayang. For the most part, traditional performances are involving Hokkien actors as well as Teochew and Hokkien . And as with the times of Shakespeare, there were traditionally, no female actresses. The roles being given to young boys, as was the way the first years of Ophelia. However that is not the case today. At one point there were real theaters built for the opera, at one time about six. These theaters were located in the same district on Smith Street. Various nicknames for the street were used over the years, asWayang Street or Theater Street. However with the beginning of film and the popularity of movie house that began in the early 1930’s the permanent locations began to disappear. Many abandoned the craft and the tradition for years.

But just as fashion repeats history in the United States, the younger population has begun to appreciate the art form. And the older performers and audience members are there to teach and to help revive this culturally important art form. ManyWayang operas are performed on the streets of Singapore today, as well in Opera Halls.

One of the more popular (and usual) things to do in Bangkok is a trip to the Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo. World famous as the largest crocodile farm in the world, Samutprakarn has over 100,000 crocodiles.

Founded in 1950, the farm holds the Guiness Book record for the largest crocodile in captivity, weighing 2465 pounds and measuring nearly twenty feet long.

Part of what makes the farm so much fun is the daily shows. In addition to crocodile wrestling, they feature acrobat elephant shows. Where else can you watch someone put their head in a croc’s mouth and then watch elephants on skateboards and tightropes? Visitors also have the option of paddle boating, taking a train ride around the park, or even riding an elephant.

Although the Crocodile Ponds are a major draw, the zoo houses a variety of animals. There is a large population of alligators (fresh and saltwater) as well as hippos, tigers, lions, monkeys, horses, and elephants. There are also snakes, chimpanzees, and leopards. The farm also promotes education and wildlife preservation with a research center and a dinosaur museum.

The farm is only 10 kilometers outside of the city. After a day spent at Samutprakarn, visitors can settle into rooms at one of the best vacation spots in Bangkok or any number of available hotels and resorts. There are plenty of other attractions in the city to round out a vacation — and be sure to leave time to go shopping as Bangkok has some of the best bargains in the world.

Chennai is located on India’s Coromandal coast and is the capital city of the state of Tamil Nadu. The citys temples, beaches, and historic monuments are the main reasons Chennai is a popular tourist destination. As the city expands its many industries, there has been an increase in business travelers arriving in Chennai. One of the most vibrant industries in the city is film. Chennai is home to the Tamil Nadu film industry, more commonly referred to as Kollywood.

Kollywood is named after Kodambakkam, the area of the city that houses the most movie studios as well as the residences of many actors, directors, and other filmmakers. The Tamil film industry is second only to the famous Bollywood area in Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) in Indian film production.

Film production in Chennai dates back to 1916, when the city was known as Madras. Silent films were produced beginning in that year. The first “talkie” made in Kollywood was “Kalidas” which was released in 1931. The industry had grown so large by the end of the 1930s that the legislature enacted the Entertainment Tax Act in Madras, signaling film’s importance to the economy.

Kollywood churns out more than 150 movies a year in the Tamil language. In recent years, these films have begun to develop audiences outside of India. Tamil populations in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Singapore have offered consistence audiences for Kollywood films. Tamil films have also enjoyed popularity in countries as diverse as Japan, Canada, the United States, and South Africa. Some movies are even being made in two or three languages simultaneously to increase distribution options. (These films are either produced using several different soundtracks or with subtitles.)

Visitors to Chennai will find the Kollywood affect reaches beyond the Kodambakkam studios. Film soundtracks have a heavy influence on the Chennai music scene. Restaurants, bars, and clubs are frequented by Kollywood’s stars. There is also the chance, as in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and London, that location shooting on various films will occur throughout the city. Find a place to stay such as the many 5 star hotels in Chennai, arm yourself with a map of the Tamil studios, and ready yourself for the Kollywood experience.

I love going to live theater. Its so much more exciting than a movie for me. I love the costumes, the stage sets and most of all seeing real actors in the flesh getting to grips with a role.

What do I look for when buying theater tickets? Well I either look for established shows such as Lion King tickets or entertaining spectacles like the Blue Man Group tickets.

For a really special evening I recommend going out for a nice meal before heading to the theater. Then heading to the theater bar for a drink before the show. And after the show going for coffee or a nightcap to round off the perfect evening!