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Various parts of the eastern hemisphere are experiencing a rare occurrence of an extremely long solar eclipse. Some cities in northern India and China can expect a complete blackout on the morning of Wednesday, July 22, 2009. This is a fascinating event, and many people will visit the cities that will be strongly affected, just to experience it. There are also cruise tours that will pass through the strong eclipse areas and are booked to capacity with passengers that wish to experience the eclipse from the open water. This could add a romantic element, and what a perfect time for a marriage proposal. Hotels are booked to capacity in the major cities that will be affected, and though Goa will not experience the full eclipse that is will occur on Wednesday, the Goa hotels are almost always full. And this is a major tourist time of year.

In Goa, there was a partial eclipse in the early morning of Monday, March 19, 2007. This was a beautiful event, and many photographers were able to capture the silhouetted image against the moon. The eclipse occurred close to the horizon, which may have made it less visible from specific locations, though it also created a beautiful linear view. There is actually an eclipse season, and it will begin in late August of this year. On August 28 there will be total lunar eclipse followed by a partial solar eclipse in October. With any eclipse, it is important to take precautions when looking at them, as even partial sun directed into ones eyes can cause extreme damage. Many schools have special viewing projects for students and make it a class event to view them through the crudely constructed instruments. This is also a great opportunity for astronomy classes to create an interactive lesson.

A decision went down a couple of weeks ago regarding the United States International Trade Commission voted to impose duties on as much as 55 percent of Chinese tire imports. These are car tires that are offered at very low costs.

The United States International Trade Commission voted on this because they felt these Chinese tires are affecting the United States tire market. The United States market has been affected by the economic downturn, and there is worry that not imposing duties on the cheap Chinese tires will hurt the United States market even more.

President Barack Obama has to approve the vote if the tariffs are beneficial or not to the market.  Opponents of the duties say that by imposing them the market will continue to suffer. China is the largest provider of tire imports to the United States and they sell for about half of what American made tires sell for. Therefore, they are very attractive to consumers, especially those needing large truck wheels.

The United Steelworkers Union filed the case, citing that the cheap Chinese tires are taking a real bite out of the United States market.  Opponents say that the duties will just be passed onto the consumers who are purchasing the tires, and they will not have as many options as they once had in the past, before the duties.

Will doing this really save domestic jobs? Or is this just an industry that is not able to keep up with the times and the current economy? It’s difficult to take sides on this one, consumers need cheap tires, especially now, but families need those jobs. It’s a tough call.

In a country where our truck rims are more expensive than the tires around them, what is more important? American jobs or cheap tires for consumers, it’s an interesting debate.

Mauritius is a beautiful island and considered to be a paradise on earth by many of the people who have visited it. There are a great many things to do and see on this island, though many people are greatly attracted to its beaches and opportunities for sunbathing and water sports. Some of the five star hotels Mauritius are located on or near a popular beach, which provides visors with great views and convenient access to their favorite activity.

Deep sea fishing is one of the more popular activities available on, well actually just slightly off, of this island. There are many marine species in the area, and seeing them is often as or even more exciting to the fishers as is catching some of them. The blue and black marlin are popular and widely seen as well as are all types of sharks. The yellow tuna, known as the Bonitos frequent the seas, and as well as the infamous barracuda. Most of the main hotels and resorts offer fishing tour packages and services to the guests. Deap sea fishing is so poplar on the island that Marlin World Cup is found there, and is hosted by the La Pirogue Hotel. This prestigious event takes place in December of every year.

Of course fishing and other water sports are not the only activities to be experienced on the island. There are many landmarks and monuments that attract visitors, as well as a popular entertainment scene. One of the primary tourist locations on the island is the Triolet Shivala, which is also the longest village on the island. It is the home of the Maheswarnath, which is its largest Hindu temple. The temple was created in 1819 in honor of the gods Shiva, Vishnu and Krishna. It’s beautiful design inspires the awe afforded to these great Hindu gods and their worship.

Mumbai India is an historic metropolitan center that had humble beginnings. And while it has grown into one of India’s most financially progressive and also largest metropolitan areas, it remains much of its heritage, which is incorporated into the current society and various arts genres. A Mumbai Bombay hotel provides excellent accommodations, and many are located near some of the most prominent cultural landmarks and major tourist attractions.

Elephanta Island is one of the more popular locations for tourists to visit while enjoying the many diverse aspects of Mumbai. It is located in the middle of Mumbai Harbour and the rock cut temples are almost legendary. These temples are generally cut into the basalt rock of the island, creating an almost labyrinth of caves. They are full of carved artwork, which represents some of the most elaborate sacred art in India. The central temple is that devoted to Shiva, and it is well known for its grandeur. There are courtyards, pillars, halls and shrines filled with ornate art and sculptures. One of the most impressive is the 6 meter tall statue of Sadhashiva. Though the three faced destroyer god is known as the protector and of the universe, the view of him with his eyes closed provides a serene and peaceful observational experience.

The temples are believed to have been created between the years of 450 and 750 AD. At this time the island was known as Gharapuri, which means the place of caves. Later, when the Portuguese arrived on the island, they renamed it after seeing the large stone elephant that stood on its shores. This sculpture collapsed in the early 1880s and was moved to Victoria Gardens. There are many guided tours available to tour this island, though private individuals are welcome to explore the caves on there own, and there is plenty of information available on them to make this possible. One thing that should not be missed is the museum on Elephanta Island, which is dedicated to its preservation and education on its history.

The Jenolan Caves are located within the Blue Mountains of Australia.  Any vacation to the city of Sydney should include not only nights at the best Sydney hotel,  visits to the Sydney Opera House, a cruise around the Harbor, and a trip to the Blue Mountains.  Located just a short drive from Sydney, approximately two and a half hours, the Mountains offer some of the most scenic views in the world, wine, food and music festivals, including regular symphony performances in the caves.  This system of caves is one of the oldest and finest in the entire world.  And they are the oldest caves that are open to public.

There are over four hundred caves in all, guided tours through nine of the caves, the formations and the rivers that run underground, as well a self tours and opportunities for caving adventures.  There is live music during the afternoon and evenings on a regular basis, as well as restaurants and bistros, with accommodations available should one desire a couple of days on the reserve and in the park.  Lucas cave is one of the caves in which music is held, which one of the highest chambers of all the caves, and incredible acoustics.  Another cave that should not be missed is the Temple of Baal, known as one of the most beautiful under grounds caves in the world.

The view and the formations above ground in the reserve are spectacular as well.  Tours are available here as well, through Blue Lake and Carlotta’s Arch.  The Blue Mountains are all about the Scenic views, and there are a few options as to how one experiences that.  The Scenic ride on the train takes one down into the valley, through cliffs and rain forests.  Then once in the valley there is a Scenic walk leading to the suspended cable car, which will then bring one back to the top via the air, through waterfalls and spectacular ravines.  This is a must see day trip for anyone visiting Sydney, or anyone living in the city wanting a bit of the outdoors.

I booked a room at one of the Rajasthan Luxury Hotels so I could take a tour of the internationally known ‘Ranthambore National Park’ and the ‘Ranthambore Tiger Reserve’. They both are rated among the finest wildlife Sanctuaries and Tiger reserves in all of India.

The park is located among the most amazing surroundings which constitutes the Aravalis and the Vindhya ranges in eastern Rajasthan. It’s known for the rich and varied fauna and flora. Over 400 square kilometers, the park spreads out long rocky ridges and undulating and rugged terrain. The hills open to valleys with lakes and pools. There are two rivers, the Banas and the Chambal flow in the North and the South part of the park respectively. Six of the lakes are artificial, the Mansarovar, the Gilai Sagar, The Raj Bagh, The Malik and the Padam Talao. There beauty only adds to the Ranthambore National Park. Green lush vegetation alongside plenty of water aids in making this an ideal place for survival and growth of all the varied wildlife. Perfect conditions for the tigers and their prey. I found the greatest attraction to be the world-famous Royal Bengal Tigers. Once endangered due to this being the hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur, it’s now a sanctuary for the very same tigers.

The Park supports a wide variety of wildlife besides the Bengals. Like birds, mammals and reptiles. But, what’s most important is the Tiger. The park promises to offer the best opportunities for tourists to track a tiger in its own natural habitat. So this park is naturally the favorite for wildlife photographers. Even though the park is relatively small, it has a rich diversity of fauna and flora which include over some 30 mammal species, some 270 bird species, some dozen reptile species and about 350 species of plants including 50 aquatic plants. I will most definitely not be bored exploring this wonderful park.

We reached Phuket safely at 7:50 Thailand time. We took this van that charged us 1500 Baht for one to our one of the Luxury Phuket Hotels. The journey took approximately 40 minutes. Here’s one tip for you guys, do some research on your trip as there will be lots of con men hanging around, just waiting to take all of your money.

Phuket is quite similar to Muar: a small town with lots of old buildings and small roads. One thing I realized is that the drivers of Thailand are so furious, like in the movie Fast and Furious. They step on the gas like no body’s business, and yet, they manage to stop in time. But, one difference between Phuket and Muar is Phuket has really clean toilets.

We has lunch at a nearby restaurant before checking in, and wow, this place was the most expensive meal we had in Phuket. Then we went to our Hotel and we were all very satisfied with the rooms. It’s really spacious and clean. For any of you who wish to enjoy a good stay in Phuket, I truly recommend the link up above for your best choice in hotels. It’s amazingly inexpensive when we shared a room with 2 other friends. We stayed 3 days and 2 nights.

After about 45 minutes of settling down, we headed to Patong Beach. It took us only 15 minutes walk and there were vendor stalls along the way. Beach wear was quite cheap if you are good in negotiating the price. Teh Patong Beach is quite clean, but not the water. It’s something like Redang the island itself. The tsunami evacuation signs cam be seen all along the seaside and there’s even some stalls selling DVD’s of the stories about the tsunami that hit Phuket in December of 2004.

All in All we had a blast for those 3 days and 2 nights. Phuket is definitely a tourist trap, but we didn’t care, it’s a wonderful tourist trap and we didn’t mind being caught.

When world travelers are looking for the best Hong Kong hotels, there is every reason to believe that ours are the finest.  With world-class accommodations in one of the most exciting cities on the planet, our guests enjoy their time here as well as enjoying remembering their stay for many years to come.  With a sense of design that is utterly modern, taking the most impeccable elements of contemporary style to make a presentation that is truly stunning, guests will always know that they are living in luxury.  There are excellent amenities, and the technology is cutting edge, so that visitors are well-connected while they enjoy their leisure time.  There is also an almost otherworldly sense of hospitality, where the old values of graciousness and elegance are still intact here.

Hong Kong itself is a magnificent place.  There is a feeling of being simultaneously in-between worlds, but firmly grounded at the same time.  It is one of the true international cities in the world, and the constant motion of cultures here influences the language, the art, and style.  It is traditional, cutting edge, and post-modern, all at once.  Hong Kong has also had a spectacular cinematic history, where, for more than a century, the world has seen new work from Hong Kong that is as entertaining as it is challenging.  One of their most acclaimed filmmakers hails from the Hong Kong New Wave, Ann Hui.

With over two dozen directing credits to her name, this director has worked on film in Hong Kong since the 1970s.  Born in 1947 to a Chinese father and a Japanese mother, she worked in television before going to film school in London.  She gradually moved from television to film, and by the 80s she had established herself as a director.  She lived in Hong Kong since she was five years old, and her documentary style is often very autobiographical, and speaks to some of her major themes, cultural identity and nationhood.  Her films are also very focused on exploring the notions of race, class, and gender, and often deal with mother-daughter relationships which reflect her own experiences with her mother.  Ann Hui is an artist who has won multiple awards, and has come to represent a standard in filmmaking.  Her cinematic voice is unmistakably Hong Kong, and her films, which have an uncharacteristic lack of action and fast pacing, illustrate that this is a voice that is forged through effort and compassion.

This morning, the weather in Dubai has become quite pleasant, the temperature was around 28C, so I took my camera out and left my room at one of the Four Star Hotels Dubai has and walked the route I have taken every morning since I arrived here. It’s only about a half hour walk, and this being my third day, I have only seen a dozen people on my way to the business where I have been doing seminars.

I usually head out around 7:30am, so that’s probably why I don’t bump into or get jostled around by all the busy people in Dubai. This helps me when I arrive to the business because I don’t have to calm down or chill out. When I was doing one of my seminars in Seoul, this would happen to me all the time and I’d have to take several moments of quiet solitude before I would meet or greet anyone.

But, today, on my way I saw a number of birds. I was so excited to when I spotted my most favorite bird, the Hoopoe. I was hoping to get a few photos of its crest spread out, but never got an angle that would allow that. I even spotted a couple of Indian Rollers, but they were quite skittish, so I didn’t get any photos of them, too bad really. What lovely birds.

Living in the desert has it’s drawbacks, I’m sure, but so far, I’ve found it to be quiet and relaxing. I admit, I have spent most of the time inside during the day, teaching my seminar, but in the evenings, I go workout in the gym at my hotel, then watch some television. I am hoping that this coming weekend I’ll be able to have a pleasant meal at one of the tauted hot-spots. I’ve heard the Lime Tree, a trendy cafe, will fit the bill. But, until then, just being able to open my window and hear the birds, I am amazed at the sheer number and I find peace.

Malaga is one of the most interesting cities in Spain. It is culturally diverse and celebrates many festivals throughout the year, as well as having a thriving arts scene. As with the other major metropolitan areas, it is rich in historic relevance and there are many landmarks and monuments that testify to its solid place in history and the present. Tourists are attracted to this enigmatic city and many come to take part in one of the annual festivals such as Holy Week, or simply to relax in its beauty and natural charm. The hotels Malaga Spain are suited to their environment and contribute to the overall grandeur of the city.

The Holy Week celebrates the last week of Lent in Christian tradition. This takes place right before Easter and is incorporated into many cultures with a Christian population. It also corresponds to the carnival celebration, which is a popular component of the season throughout much of European history. Carnival is a celebration of the excesses and generally focused on sensual abandon. There are usually street performers, and it was traditionally a time for apprentices to run through the street wrecking havoc and creating mischief. It was a time to celebrate all aspects related to the body, and was a time of turning world order upside down. Comedy played a major role in the performances and activities. This is a tradition that continues throughout many areas in the world.

The Malaga Fair is another major festival and it was chosen specifically to take place in the hottest month of the year, August. During this time many vendors take to the streets to represent various aspects of Spanish history and tradition. Live flamenco shows are common, and tapas and sweet wines are essential to the celebration. Live music is available and performed all over the town during the day. There is a transition into the evening when much of the activity moves to Recinto Ferial and includes rides, games and entertainment. Restaurants also take part in this, and will feature special menus and specific themes for the evening. Night clubs are also active with thematic specials and activities.