Annual Albuquerque Sci-fi Convention

Posted on June 23, 2010 by admin

If you are a bit of a science fiction or fantasy geek and living in the Southwest, or able to travel, you might want to make plans to be in Albuquerque, New Mexico for Bubonicon 42 being held on August 27 through 29, 2010. This year’s theme will really please fans of Douglas Adams as the theme is Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Science Fiction and Fantasy conventions are gatherings of fans of various forms of fiction including science fiction and fantasy. Generally the obsessive nature of these fans is what labels them geeks and what one can expect to find at a given convention varies from convention to convention depending on what the local fan base wants to see the most of. While originally the conventions purely focused on literature now a fan can find conventions in a full range of types from anime and movies to comics and written word, even games have developed a large enough fan base have started conventions.

Though it was started in 1969 as a gathering of fans of literary science fiction its name was not always Bubonicon . In its early days authors Roy Tackett and Robert E. Vardeman were two of the key figures in establishing and promoting it. By the fifth year of it’s run, in 1973, over a hundred people were attending. Traditions began popping up and the name Bubonicon and the convention’s mascot, Perry Rhodent began forming as a reference to the frequency Albuquerque would experienced bubonic plague outbreaks.

Another convention tradition began in 1976, the Green Slime Awards, which were created to honor the worst in Science Fiction media from the year before. This was a turning point and showed the growth of the Bubonicon over the years from purely a literary gathering to one which now incorporates fiction and fantasy of all media. There have been many guest speakers over the years on topics ranging from books and fantasy theory and the scientists that would come out and explain anything from physics to microbiology . Recent convention attendance reaches upwards of 500 attendees and often hotel over flow is handled by booking rooms at hotels through sites like ” best hotels Albuquerque “.

Museums in Orlando Florida

Posted on May 30, 2010 by admin

Every city has a story and many of those stories are waiting to be revisited at the local museum. Orlando has some great museums to enjoy local and international history and events. For the real art lovers, the Orlando Museum of Art may be the place to check out on a nice day. There have been some great exhibits and the summer is coming with new ones. Check out Clyde Butcher exhibit called Big Cypress Swamp and the Western Everglades. What amazing black and white photography. He give such wonderful still moments taken of the everglades that will leave you breathless.

The Orange County Regional History Center has the best scoop on the local history and landmarks. Here visitors learn about the first people who lived on this land the pre-European Florida. Then it moves into the how the area was changed with the Spanish arrival to the land. The pioneer live that followed years later. See how the state went from cattle and citrus industry’s to theme park extravaganza. They also have permanent exhibits featuring the space exploration industry in Florida. What a perfect overview of Florida’s history.

When visitors walk into the building of the Titanic the Experience they are really walking onto the ship and experiencing what it looked like before its fatal end. The whole building is the exhibit and they have actors dressed as the notables who will take you on a tour of the grand voyager. What a great way to make a full scale replica experience of something so mysterious until now. They have many authentic artifacts and historical treasures. Ask your hotel concierge. Orlando has a plethora of hotels and they all know were to find, Titanic the Experience.

Another fun museum is the Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Everyone of these museums has a different collection. So to go to one in a different city doesn’t mean you have been to them all.

Cafe Popular in DF

Posted on May 24, 2010 by admin

There is something like a ghost of Octavio Paz that haunts Mexico City, all the time, and it might be so close to Paz that it is Paz. To describe the city as peaceful, however, would be a stretch of any imagination, until one gets the chance to visit here for awhile. It is a sprawling metropolis that goes in all directions for miles and miles, and seems impossible and wonderful all at the same time. Mexico City’s hotels are strategically located to put visitors in the most exciting parts of town, but they’re all exciting. It is an energy that doesn’t stop, and although the streets may not be as populated in the wee hours as New York City’s can be, there are lots of things going on behind the metal doors.

Visitors who are here, enjoying an evening at a friend’s apartment, where everyone is staying up too late and the conversation’s not stopping, might find themselves making a visit to Cafe Popular . This is a favorite local spot, just a few steps away from the zocalo. Late at night, it’s a very good idea to travel with people who know the city well, because it is the largest city in the world. But this place is always occupied, and they’re always serving.

The food here may not be up to gourmet standards, but for an experience, it packs everything anyone could want. If the world seems like an interesting place already, it’s just doubled. There is an upstairs if downstairs is too crowded, but take care in negotiating the precarious steps. You’ll find yourself elbow to elbow with other people who had the same idea, and it is a good one. The chilaquiles are always as scrumptious as the chicken enchiladas, but the real treasure here is the coffee. Like any of the Chinese-run restaurants in town, its different from what you’ll find at other DF coffee shops .

Cafe Chino is a gift to caffeine lovers, and here they’ll pour steaming hot espresso into your glass, and ask you to say when. You get to decide the strength, and for about a dollar, it’s a very good deal. However, the real gold comes when they bring the evaporated milk. This addition adds a perfectly ridiculous amount of sugar sweetness that can send a roomful of sleepy Chilangos into a fury of conversation. Join in.

Saint Malo Developed as a Monastic Settlement

Posted on May 21, 2010 by admin

The walled city of Brittany, Saint Malo, France is continually growing in tourist interest and popularity. One of the things the Internet has done for travel is to increase awareness of and interest in some of the lesser known though amazingly beautiful destinations. Saint Malo has always enjoyed an interest in from both the historical perspective but also for its amazing views. In addition, its status as a port city has kept it prominent in certain minds throughout the decades, but the internet has unleashed it unto a whole new population of eager travelers and every year the hotels in this beautiful city have continued to expand their tourist demographics as well as their numbers.

This is fine for the city of Saint Malo, who is actively cultivating its status as a tourist destination. There are numerous places to visit and things to do while you are there and the government of this Brittany city encourages awareness of all that it has to offer and continues to find ways to make Saint Malo more accessible and tourist friendly. Of course one of the aspects of the city that is getting it strong recognition is the great seafood that is available there. Seafood is the main genre of cuisine and represents a great deal of the local culinary tradition. Tourists love all of the options they find and the great little sidewalk cafes they find on the city streets. Who can think of a better way to spend the afternoon than with a plate of oysters and bottle of Muscadet .

One of the interesting aspects of the history of Saint Malo, which is frequently overlooked today, is that it was originally established as a monastic settlement. In the early 6th century Saint Aaron and Saint Brendan. It is believed to have been derived from a follower of Saint Brendan . It developed into the main port city that its positioning destined it to become and in during the Middle Ages the fortification wall was erected for protection. Its positioning at the mouth of the Rance River gave it control of the estuary as well as opening to the sea beyond. Today the wall remains as a point of historic interest and also fascination.

A Trip to Goethehaus in Frankfurt

Posted on May 17, 2010 by admin

While anything from business to frankfurter sausages might draw a traveler to the fifth largest city in Germany, the desire to visit the home of a literary giant might also take you to Frankfurt and the Goethe-haus .

Goethe-haus, of course, is the home where Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born. The author lived from 1749 to 1832, dying at the age of 82. A German writer, Goethe was also considered a polymath (more simply, a person who was expert in a number of subjects), and his fields included not only literature, but poetry, drama, theology, science, pantheism, and philosophy. He’s most familiar to people for his work on a two part drama, known as “Faust,” a tale about a scholar who knows a vast number of subjects, but who wishes to make more and does so by making a deal with the Devil, trading his soul for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures.

Other work by Goethe include his well known poems, the Bildungsroman “Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship,” as well as the epistolary novel, “The Sorrows of Young Werther.”

In the 18th and 19th Century, Goethe stood as a key figure in German literature and, in particular, the Weimar Classicism movement, which occurred about the same time as movements such as the Enlightenment, Sentimentality, Sturm und Drang, and Romanticism.

Goethe was the author of the science book, “Theory of Colors,” and his ideas about plants and animals influenced the 19th century naturalists such as Charles Darwin. He orginated the concept, too, of Weltliteratur or “world literature,” after taking an interest in the fiction of France, Italy, England, Persia, classical Greece, and others.

The house was destroyed in the second world war; however, it’s been restored to look exactly the same as it did when he lived there, and even contains a few original items.

Adjoining the house, you’ll discover the Goethe Museum, which will have the only picture gallery which is devoted exclusively to the Age of Goethe. On display, you’ll find work by important artists from the Late Baroque period through Sturm und Drang, Classicism and Romanticism, all the way through to the Biedermeier period.

While you might visit his old bedroom, you’ll have to stay in one of the Frankfurt hotels where you can better rest and contemplate one of the world’s great writers.

International Stars Perform in Budva, Montenegro

Posted on May 12, 2010 by admin

Montenegro is one of the beautiful countries that is located off the Adriatic Sea . The coastline is incredible and the views are amazing. The coastal town of Budva is one the country’s most popular tourist destinations and this quaint historic town actually dates back over two thousand five hundred years which also makes it one of the oldest settlements along the coast. In addition to the gorgeous beaches and the dynamic nightlife that is associated with and found in the town and surrounding area, there are also amazing examples of Mediterranean architecture. This includes some of the hotels in Montenegro as well as some of the popular tourist destinations.

Regardless of your specific reason for visiting the country and the town of Budva, there is a large number of attractions, events and recreational activities to keep you busy, captivated and entertained. Of course there are also some people who visit the coastal area of the country for some quiet relaxation and they seek to get away from all the commotion of cities and bustling nightlife venues. This is also possible along the beautiful coast, and amazing opportunities for quiet reflection attract many people throughout the year.

There are many famous and popular tourists attractions in the city of Budva and some of them are located in its beautiful Old Town area. In addition, growing numbers of foreign visitors are visiting this small coastal town because of its incredible social scene and nightlife. There are many open air clubs that attract people from all over the world and around one o’clock in the morning they move into the covered venues and many people stay there until the early hours of the morning. In addition, the town is attracting major international stars to perform there. Madonna and the Rolling Stones are just two examples of the major musicians and bands that have been attracted to the stages of Budva.

Catskill Mountains New York

Posted on April 30, 2010 by admin

There are other areas to the state of New York besides the Big Apple. Check out the Catskill Mountains for some great preservation of the states and the countries history. This is also a great area to explore with your kids. Catch a ride on the Delaware and Ulster Railroad and let it do all the traveling work for you. This is a really fun ride on an old train that take you and your family through the mountains. The train was one of the biggest contributor of area growth all over the country. This is your chance to see how it helped the state of New York grow and develop. There are lots of farm lands, mountains and fields coupled with little quaint towns and the pristine waters of the Delaware River.

The concierge can point you in the right direction for visiting the Catskill mountains even the small hotels. New York city isn’t the only place to find some great live entertainment. The Forestburgh Playhouse puts on some great presentations of all of the great classics like Fiddler on the Roof, Singing in the Rain and A Chorus Line. Then there is a trip to the historical Maverick Concert Hall which was constructed by hand in 1916. It is such a great old wood building in the forest. It has perfect acoustics and it draws all sorts of amazing musicians into this intimate setting.

These mountains are also the home of Woodstock which is a town that has all sorts of creative people living in it. It is a great place to walk about and check out the small galleries, museums, craft shops and performance venues. The area did not become a mecca of artists because of the great rock concert. It was already a mountain town filled with artists because of the amazing mountain surroundings for which they are inspired.

Three Free Things to do in Miami

Posted on April 13, 2010 by admin

For visitors of Miami, Florida who prefer to stay outside to enjoy the perfect weather and who are on a budget, there are tons of great free things to do other than going to the beach. Plus, if you are staying at any one of the hotels Miami offers to its tourists, you don’t have to look far to find a bunch of fun.

The Bayfront Park , located on North Biscayne Blvd, next to the famous Bayside Marketplace, offers free yoga taught by a certified yoga instructor every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. But, if yoga’s not your thing, explore the shopping at the Marketplace, or the small sandy beach, or the 32 acres of greenery, rock garden and waterfall, which dates back to 1926. This unique park is an outdoor paradise inside the paradise of Miami.

The Miami Beach Botanical Garden, located on Convention Center Drive, open Tuesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm and the admission is free. It’s on 4.5 acres of lush tropical landscape and touted as a showcase for orchids, trees and tropical plants. The current outdoor exhibit by Haitian Edouard Duval Carrie’ of the Vodou gods has caused quite a stir, come visit their flamboyant colors of the goddesses of love, Ezrulie, the god of War, Ogou and many other gods sunning throughout the garden.

Another well known free outdoor attraction is Ichimura Miami-Japan Gardens , located on Watson Island, and features a rock garden, a stone pagoda and a koi pond amidst carefully tended grounds. The garden is the most peaceful place in Miami. The garden is intimate and small, no bigger than the average backyard, but its beauty and relaxing atmosphere is perfect if you need a place to be by yourself for a few moments. Check for seasonal events and celebrations in the garden if you’re looking for more than a tranquil moment.

Miami’s diverse outdoor attractions can be an adventure or a laid-back journey, plenty for all to enjoy.

Honolulu Bonfire

Posted on March 22, 2010 by admin

This is a memory that’s still waiting to happen, and one that happened all the time, at least when it was happening. It only seems right later on that it was necessary to think it was everyday, otherwise it would have been regarded as too precious, so much so that the pressure would have been too large on the moment to allow it to happen.

It has to happen where there are luxury hotels. Honolulu has to be the place because it’s a perfect place in the oceans of the word, and even though it might be fraught with impossible levels of previous histories, where loves so grand they would become stories of goddesses and gods, it has to repeat for it to become like a myth.

It was something like sitting at a very simple restaurant and talking about something very simple. After two nights here where it seemed to be moving like a romance that moves like any other romance, and seemed to even bear some seeds for its eventual end, there was a comment. He makes a comment or she makes a comment, and somewhere in between comments there is something like falling in love. If not exactly falling, then certainly very close, and he moves to touch her face, and she moves closer to him, and they agree.

Later there will be a moment somewhere in public, where there is a bonfire and the smell of something very fresh being prepared for a meal, and that moment will be one that no one can forget. At that moment, he has just asked her a question, one that seemed to come from nowhere but was still so careful and considered that she did not have to consider for very long, because it was obvious that it was all leading up to this, a moment in Honolulu where things would be different, so very simple and different.

Charleston Harbor Tours and Romance

Posted on March 17, 2010 by admin

Charleston, South Carolina, is situated at the confluence of the Cooper and Ashley rivers where they empty into the Atlantic Ocean, creating a harbor that was guarded by Fort Sumter during the Civil War. The fort, which is now a national monument, entices many visitors to leave the city attractions and enjoy the beauty of this historic place from its marvelous waterways.

To see Charleston from the water, book a harbor tour for 90 minutes aboard the Carolina Belle. You’ll glide by elegant, colorful old homes, the well-known Battery and Waterfront Parks, Cooper and Arthur Ravenel Bridges, and Patriots Point. A narrator ensures you will leave with lots of interesting facts about this coastal city.

One cruise takes you directly to Fort Sumter. Civil War history buffs will love this because you actually spend time touring the fort where the Civil War began in 1861. From downtown Charleston, board a boat that will carry you on a 30 minute trip through the harbor to the fort. You will spend an hour touring the fort and its museum, then return to the city. This trip is also narrated.

Charleston dinner cruises aboard an elegant yacht are available for romantic evenings. SpiritLine recommends that you allow three hours for a gourmet meal with entertainment by a live band. Twilight and evening views of the harbor routinely inspire passengers.

To take the romance to the next level, how about a wedding on Charleston’s waters? Who would consider this when the fabled city has so many quaint, historic churches and plantations with their glorious gardens? A lovely sunset wedding on the beach or on Charleston’s harbor (with its silhouette skyline as a backdrop) is a more contemporary choice for the modern bride and groom. Book an engagement party, a rehearsal dinner, the wedding ceremony itself, and a reception aboard a cruise for a memorable experience. Just don’t forget to book the honeymoon suite !

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