Wednesday, April 6th, 2011
It is rather difficult to capture the essence of Mar del Plata without deploying every cliché one can summon up. Golden sand dunes that beckon in the twilight, a spectacular seashore, and the shell-flecked beaches on which lie lazy sea otters sunbathing… small wonder Argentines simply throng the place during summer.
Relatively young compared to other Argentinean cities Mar del Plata, literally meaning ‘sea of silver’ in Spanish, was founded in 1874. Lying some 400 kilometers from Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires it is the second largest city of Provincia de Buenos Aires and the seventh largest in Argentina.
Reaching Mar del Plata
This lovely beach town is serviced by as many as five airlines. These include Austral, Lade, Lapa, Dinar, and Aerolineas Argentinas. The airport, Brigadier de la Colina, is about 40 minutes from the main downtown area.
Trains depart on a daily basis from Buenos Aires. The journey to Mar del Plata lasts about five hours.
You can also travel by bus or by car if you take Route 2.
Things to do
Apart from a being a beautiful resort town Mar del Plata is a great center for culture. On landing there don’t forget to visit the Basilica of San Pedro and Santa Cecilia. The stained glass paintings, the soaring steeples and the gorgeous Gothic interiors are all calculated to leave one breathless.
Take a stroll down the leafy suburb of Los Troncos and you cannot miss Centro Cultural Villa Victoria, the summer home or veraneo belonging to ace litterateur Victoria Ocampo. The Villa Victoria has hosted several literary stalwarts including Igor Stravinsky and Rabindranath Tagore.
Another ‘must visit’ is the Museo del Mar on Colon. Based on a tiny hillock in the main plaza the museum houses absolutely fabulous aquariums showing off local aquatic species at the two bottom levels. The shell collection from the world over has to be seen to be believed.
During evenings treat yourself to lively Tango shows at Teatro Colón while drinking the rather bitter but extremely addictive mate. But before that don’t forget to window shop, or actually shop till you drop, at the trendy Güemes. Do pay a visit to the casino and sharpen your gambling instincts. Even if you don’t gamble the casino is one of the most visit-worthy spots in the city. Apart from being a lively hot-pot it reeks with atmosphere from an earlier era. Step out into the promenade and treat yourself to beautiful views of the city.
Places to eat
If you are feeling only slightly peckish the Via Veneto café restaurant is ideal. Their croissants are pretty delicious and go well with the coffee. And if you want some atmosphere thrown in try the La Bodeguita del Medio in Los Troncos. Known for its mojitas and rather tasty Cuban fare, this restaurant was greatly preferred by the writer Earnest Hemingway.
But if it is Japanese sea food that you’re after don’t forget to check into the Amigos del Mar in the downtown area. The sushi-sashimi platter will leave you hankering for more! The lively music in the background simply adds to the atmosphere.
Like pizzas? Then look no further than Bocitas. The eatery, also located in the downtown area, might appear a little run down compared to others but offers great pizzas. The fare is pretty easy on your pocket too.
There is plenty to see, do and of course, eat (!) in this Ocean of Silver.
Author Bio:
Angelina Christy is a travel author who has written many articles that keeps on guiding the travelers throughout the world. Angelina herself is an avid traveler who has traveled more than 22 countries. She also talks about travel options like Flights to Istanbul and Istanbul Flights that explains how tourists can minimize the cost of their travel fares.
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Friday, July 30th, 2010
Backpack is the most important equipment for the backpacker, this time a lot of backpack and widely used by travelers around the world. advantage of this bag backpack is a much more practical than a tote bag. there ae many types of backpack,
1. trekking / tramping / adventure pack
This backpack designed for the adventure activities like climbing a mountain and camping. This bag is widely used by adventurer because it is convenient and practical than usual pack and able to accommodate large items around 40 to 100 liters. the shape of this backpack that similar to a bag make items well organized.
2. travel pack
This backpack was designed and widely used by travelers. technology used for this bag is almost the same as that used for adventure backpack. weakness of this type of bag is that the price is relatively expensive with all the its strengths and uniqueness.
to be continued…
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Friday, June 19th, 2009
You have lots of stuff to pack for your trip. How do you decide what stays and what goes? How are you going to fit it all in your pack and how are you going to carry it? Here are some tips to consider when packing for your backpacker trip:
1. Buy a good backpack. Investigate the right kind of backpack for your trip and you will make your packing easier before you go and when on the road.
2. Put your sleeping bag in first.
3. If you are going to be camping get a tent that is lightweight and durable and pack it in the tent compartment in your backpack.
4. Clothes – what are you going to take? Lay everything out on the bed. Now cut it down to half. If you’ve got something that’ll you’ll only wear a couple of times, leave it behind. You’re backpacking on a budget so it’s unlikely you’ll be going to any balls or ritzy restaurants. Pack your rain gear where you can reach it quickly. Make sure you have enough layers if you are going to colder areas. Don’t forget your gloves and hat. (more…)
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Sunday, June 7th, 2009
1) Beach & Surf
Bali
is well known for its pristine white beaches and secluded coves, the most famous beaches being in Nusa Dua where long stretches of soft white sand will soothe and comfort the soles of your feet. Many hotels have their own private stretch of beach with a Beach club or restaurant along. Kuta and Uluwatu are areas in South Bali well known for their good surf which makes Bali one of the most popular surf destinations in the world.
2) Padi fields
The beautiful terraced green padi fields are another must see for a visitor to the island of Bali. Many tourists will automatically head to Ubud, about 45 minutes from Bali Airport to stay in a hotel and villa overlooking the padi fields. The best padi field scenery is at Jatih Luwih and Tegallalang which are not far from Ubud.
3) Galleries and Museums
Beautiful paintings can be found in Ubud, home of many of Bali’s well known and aspiring artists. The peaceful scenery and tranquility of the area must be an inspiration for the remarkably detailed paintings these artists create and whose works are displayed in the numerous art galleries and museums found in Ubud village. Some of the more well known galleries are The Agung Rai Museum of Art, Neka Museum, Antonio Blanco Renaissance Museum, Komaneka Gallery and Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women just to name a few.
4) Dance and Music
Dance and music plays a very important part of the life of a Balinese. Every ceremony and festival is almost always accompanied by traditional dance and the soothing sounds of the Gamelan. You will find many locations in and near Ubud where you can watch these dance performances. Dancers wear glittery and colourful costumes, executing to perfection elaborate hand movements and facial expressions to convey stories of the Ramanaya. You can watch the elegant Legong Dance at the Ubud Palace in central Ubud, or see other entertaining performances such as the Warrior Dance and Kecak Dance at other locations within the town. Wayang Kulit, or Shadow Play performances are also a common evening entertainment for the local Balinese and tourists alike.
5) Yoga and Spa Treamtents
There is a growing number of world class spa facilities and health resorts in Bali especially in the Ubud area. Using natural herbs and indigenous products, you will have a wide variety of spa treatments to choose from and enjoy. Spa treatments are ideal for relaxation and what every person who needs a break from this fast paced world of work, family and stress will surely appreciate. A variety of massages using traditional, Aryuvedic, Shiatsu and hot stones are on the menu for you to choose from. Traditional treatments such as Boreh and Lulur are common. Facials, foot massages, healthy meals and private spa facilities are also available at some hotels and salons. Holistic resorts offer yoga programs and have resident teachers who will guide you to peace of mind.
6) Festivals and Ceremonies
Religion plays a central role in the life of every Balinese family. The island has hundreds of temples, for which each and every one has a temple anniversary, known as Odalan. On this day, the villagers visit the temple for prayers and socializing. It can be considered a community event to bring the people together and promotes good feelings between villagers. With the Balinese Hindu religion comes many daily practices such as placing offerings such as trays of flowers called Canang Sari in temples, shrines and symbolic locations to ward off evil and please the Gods. Nyepi Day, which is the Balinese New Year is a day that is spent in silence in reflective prayer and meditation. The days before Nyepi however provide many opportunities for a tourist to witness ceremonies and rituals including the noisy and colourful Ogoh-Ogoh procession which happens one day before Nyepi, on Melasti Day. This procession is a colourful display of the creativity of the Balinese where towering papier mache ‘monsters’ are paraded through the town in noisy processions in efforts to chase away any evil.
Galungan is another major festival for the Balinese which at the end of 10 days is marked by Kuningan Day. This festival occurs every six months so you will have the opportunity to see it in another half year if you miss the first round. During this time you will see the Barong Dance procession which goes through the village performing in front of shops and houses as an act of purification. Cremations are another village affair where the entire family and friends of the deceased are involved. The body is carried from the home grounds through the village to the cremation site where it is place in a towering sarcophagus and burnt to the ground.
7) Sea Sports
Bali has some of the most colourful and interesting sea life you will ever see. Well known dive sites are located in Amed and Tulamben where there are ship wrecks, in Menjangan Island in the North West, and Pandang Bali and Lembongan Island in the East to name a few. Nusa Dua and Sanur are ideal for snorkeling but there are many other areas as well.
Visit Active Volcanoes
Indonesia has hundreds of volcanoes and Bali has some of its own famous ones as well. Kintamani town is where you will see the 2800m high Mount Bali, a popular tourist destination in Bali. The volcano has a large caldera lake and it is possible to go on a sunrise hike to the top of Mount Batur if you can wake up early enough! Mount Agung, the location of Bali’s largest and most sacred temple, Puri Besakih, is Bali’s highest and most sacred mountain at 3142m high. Pura Besakih, the Mother Temple is where Bali’s most important ceremonies are held and worth visiting if you have the opportunity to go on an East Bali tour especially in April when the temple has its anniversary.
9) Land Adventure Activities
Apart from the southern tourist towns, Bali is an island still very much in its natural state compared to other tourist destinations. You will soon realise that there are many locations that provide the ideal terrain for exciting adventure activities. Bali is not only Kuta and Nusa Dua. Travel north and you will find out what the real Bali has to offer – culture, spectacular scenery and experiences that modern tourist towns with shopping malls are totally devoid of.
The rivers, mountains and jungles are all places where you can experience Bali away from the tourist crowds. White water rafting down the scenic Ayung or down the heart stopping Telaga River rapids is one of the more popular activities for tourists who come to Bali. A mountain bike ride from Kintamani down to Ubud through the padi fields and small villages with friendly locals is another leisurely activity for families and individuals alike. Bali is home to the Taro Elephant Park, complete with accommodation, activities and elephant fun for all ages. You can ride an elephant through the jungle, marvel at their intelligence and let them make you laugh when you visit the Taro Elephant safari park in Bali. Quad driving will take you through the jungles and rougher terrain. Canyon tubing where you sit in a floating tube and coast down a river through the jungle is another fun activity. A new attraction, the Bali Safari and Marine Park is a unique blend of wildlife conservation and culture. You will be able to see wildlife in their natural surroundings and learn about the ancient Balinese culture at this tourist attraction.
10) Shop till you drop
Finally what the first thing tourists tend to do on any trip and most certainly to Bali is to shop. You have Kuta Center, Galeria Nusa Dua, Matahari in Legian and Ubud Market where you will find bargains of all sorts. The Balinese are well known for their creative and artistic skills evident in the numerous arts and crafts found throughout the island. Many craft factories are found in Tegallalang and the surrounding area. Skilled silversmiths in the village of Celuk, sell their creations in eclectic shops in Ubud but you will be able to buy their jewelry at slightly better prices. Sukawati art market is where you will find many of the fabrics used in Balinese clothing as well as hand made crafts such as woven baskets at good prices. Crafts and statues are made from natural products found on Bali such as coconut wood, bamboo and volcanic sand stone. Masks and puppets make interesting gift items. You will also find many unique home decor items such as table runners, lamp shades and wall decorations to give your home a touch of Bali style when you return. Furniture items are often available at attractive prices compared to if you were to purchase them from outside of Bali.
So there you are, a list of many things you can do in Bali. Relax, get fit, have fun, gain new experiences and most of all, a memorable holiday. And if you count them up, you’ve got a lot more than 10 things to do there. This is by no means an exhaustive list but more than enough for a 3 to 7 day trip to this wonderful and magical island of the Gods.
for more information about bali klick here
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Sunday, June 7th, 2009
you can find many
spa and hotel resort in bali and also in lombok island,so don’t waste your time, make a trip to bali when you had a time. just click the post title if wanna more information about spa resort, it will redirect you to one of biggest spa
resort in bali so you could make a reservation.
regards,
just make a comment when you need an information about indonesia
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Sunday, June 7th, 2009
there are many luxury
hotel at bali, one of it are seminyak hotel. if you’re visiting bali, don’t forget to stay on the best hotel to gain much fun. you can waste your money but not your precious time.
Recommended Rooms :
it is available 59 sea view suites type, featuring with generous living quarters with Balinese-inspired decoration, floor to celing glass doors and windows, and large balconies with terrazzo tubs for two and lounging spots with views of the sparkling waters, you can also hear the voices if the wind and beaches
Banquets & Meetings :
it is available if you wanna held the Weddings party or any others.
Spa Facility :
when you’re have checked in this hotel, Soothe and invigorate yourself in the crisp morning light or after an active day on the blue water. Treat yourself to enjoyable Balinese massage, a holistic, full-body experience of reflexology and aromatherapy and freshness, and later try their rich facials services, lavish body treatments and scrubs using the local elixirs of the earth. Your journey connects you to the rich history and spirituality of Bali.
Beach
the beaches are situated on about 3,500 square metres of prime beachfront.
enjoy visiting bali then, you’ll find a priceless experience when you’re visiting BALI
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