Gradara, Italy

Gradara – Medieval Village of Italy

Gradara one of the medieval villages of Italy is situated along the border of Le Marche and Emilia Romagna. It is a famous destination for day trippers and provides some of most amazing historical attractions, comprising of the imposing fortress which is considered to be one of the best preserved monuments.

One can catch incredible glimpses of this village which has a castle placed on the hill overlooking the waters of the Adriatic Sea. Towards the opposite end one can see olive groves as well as farms with fields and vineyards which are eye catching. The entire village arouses a feeling of serenity and tranquillity with rows of cypress trees and farm cottages that are gracefully lined all along the hillside.

 In 1150 during the Middle Ages, the nobles Pietro and Ridolfo De Grifo had begun building the main part of the caste and over the years the ownership of this land had been transferred to the Malatesta family. This medieval village has a natural beauty in the midst of pristine surroundings.

Castello Malatestiano should not be missed and the best attractions are the glimpses of the history with plenty of fascinating facts. Besides this one can visit the historical museum and the Olive Trees Garden, the Church of Saint Giovanni which has the lovely wooden crucifix.

Fortress of Gradara – Best Preserved Medieval Structures

People who intend on recalling some of the stories of the past could visit the amazing destination where the internal rooms of the castle reminds you of the powerful families who had ruled there in the past. The beautiful castle was constructed around the 11th century by Pietro and Ridolfo De Grifo.

One can view the brilliance of the architecture design of the castle and its intricate details comprising of the three polygonal tower blankets. Besides this, one can also see the double wall as well as the drawbridges which tend to define the majestic fortress.

The fortress of Gradara together with its town signifies the best preserved medieval structures in Italy with the two surrounding walls protecting the fortress and makes it one of the most fascinating destinations. Around 1150, it is said that the donjon had been constructed by the De Griffo family. However, it was the Malatesta family who had built the fortress together with the two surrounding walls between the 13th and the 14th centuries which gave Gradaraits current appearance.

One of the Prime Art Centres

Gradara is also said to be one of the prime art centres that had a theatre in 1289 which recounts one of the heart wrenching stories of the ill-fated love between Paola Malatesta and Francesca Polenta. Besides this, one can also go on a tour of the Granada castle which will take you on a historic journey from the heart of the village to some of the historical attractions of the amazing location.

One can also get the opportunity of seeing some of the best paintings and attractive architecture of the interior design and furnishing that were used there in those times. The town has been distinguished for its outstanding reliability and density of the ancient living centre.

 The management of the road system in the historic centre provides enjoyment and visiting by foot with a great experience while exploring the attractive sites of this amazing destination.

6 Great Mods for Your UTV

If you're still driving the side-by-side that came off the lot, you're missing out on prime opportunities for customization and accessorization. Here are just a few ways to trick out your UTV and make it your own.

1. Lifts

Lifts serve a dual purpose for UTVs. Not only will they add a little pizzazz to your vehicle, but they'll also prevent rocks and debris from hitting, denting and rusting your bottom frame. This makes your lift a multipurpose tool for safety and style.

2. Lights

LED lights are all the rage for side-by-sides, and it's easy to understand why. You can add them to everything from your bumper to your overhead mount, and in addition to looking cool, they'll also illuminate your path during even the darkest of nights. You don't want to mess around with safety while driving your UTV.

3. Audio Systems

There's nothing like blaring some good old-fashioned rock music while the wind whips through your hair. Even if you aren't into Guns N' Roses, however, a good stereo system can help you with things like GPS navigation and radio communications from one vehicle to another. This is invaluable if you use your UTV for racing or deep off-roading.

4. Enclosures

Enclosures are another way to add personality to your UTV while also reaping real-world safety benefits. Buy them in any color or with any pattern; decorate your vehicle however you'd like. They'll all protect you from the elements and keep you safe from harsh environments.

5. Cold Weather Gear

Speaking of harsh environments, if you have to take your UTV out during snowstorms, it's critically important that you prepare for the weather before you go. Make sure your heater is fully operational; double-check the seams on your enclosures and doors; invest in plows or skid plates. You don't want to get stuck in sub-zero temperatures without protection.

6. Tires

These can be costly accessories, but they can also be worth the expense if you buy and use the right kinds. Don't be satisfied with the tires that came on your factory-issued UTV. Do some research and figure out the best make and model for you.

These are just a few mods that will improve the speed, power, performance and aesthetic of your UTV. For more information, including how to find and purchase these side x side accessories, check out sites like SidebySideStuff.

The Kaaba -Masjid Al-Haram

The Kaaba – A Cuboid Shaped Building

The Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is a cuboid shaped building which is the most sacred site in Islam as well as the oldest and the most Famous Cultural monuments in the world. According to the Quran, the Kaaba had been constructed by Abraham – Ibrahim in Arabic and his son Ishmael – Ismaeel in Arabic, after the latter settled in Arabia.

The building is said to have a mosque constructed around it known as the Masjid al-Haram. Muslims all over the world face the Kaaba while praying irrespective of where they are. This is known as facing the Qiblah. The Kaaba is also known as Kaaba Muazzama. Being the most sacred site of the Muslims it is considered the `House of God’ just like the Tabernacle and Holy of Holies in Judaism. The present height of the Kaaba is 39 feet, 6 inches with the total size amounting to 627 square feet.

 The interior of the Kaaba is 13 x 9 meters and the walls are one meter wide. The floor inside is 2.2 meters higher than the place where the perform Tawaf. The ceiling and the roof are two levels made of wood and were reconstructed with teak capped with stainless steel. All the walls are made of stone where the interior stones are unpolished and the exterior are polished.

Subject to Danger – Natural Disasters/Human Attacks

The Kaaba had been reconstructed recently as close to four years ago and had been subjected to danger by natural disasters like floods as well as human attacks. One of the Five Pillars of Islam wants every Muslim who is capable of performing the hajj pilgrimage, at least once in their lifetime.

Multiple parts of the hajji need pilgrims to make tawaf, which is the circumambulation seven times around the Kaaba in a counter clockwise route. During umrah or lesser pilgrimage, tawaf is also performed by pilgrims but the most amazing times are during the hajj when millions of the pilgrims assemble to circle the building on the same day.

The total number of pilgrims from outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform hajj in 2013 was officially reported as 1,379,531. Saudi Arabia had reported in 2014, of having completed Hajj permits for 1,389,053 international pilgrims and 63,375 for residents.

The Holiest Shrine in Islam

Pilgrimage to holy site is main principle of all faiths and the Kaaba which means cube in Arabic is a square building which is gracefully draped in silk and cotton veil and is the holiest shrine in Islam. The Muslims in Islam tend to pray five times a day and these prayers after 624 .C.E had been directed towards Mecca and the Kaaba instead of Jerusalem.

 This direction or qibla is marked in all mosques enabling the faithful to understand in which direction they need to pray. Most of the Muslims tend to undertake the hajj or the annual pilgrimage to the Kaaba at least once in their life if they are in a position to do so. On arrival at Mecca, the pilgrims draw together in the courtyard of the Masjid al-Haram around the Kaaba and the circumambulate or walk around the Kaaba where they hope to kiss and touch the Black Stone or al-Hajar al-Aswad that is embedded in the eastern corner of the Kaaba.

Amman, Jordan

Amman – Modern City with Various Ancient Ruins

The capital of Jordon – Amman, is a modern city having various ancient ruins. On the top of Jabal al-Qala hill one will find the historic Citadel which comprise of the pillars of the Roman Temple of Hercules together with the 8th century of Umayyad Palace complex which is known for its amazing dome.

The Roman Theatre, built into a different downtown hillside, has a capacity of 6,000, 2nd century stone amphitheatre providing occasional events. Amman the most popular city of Jordan is the country’s economic, cultural and political centre and also the administrative centre of the Amman Governorate. Presently, Amman is said to be among the most liberal as well as westernized Arab cities.

 It is a main tourist destination in the region especially among the Arab and European tourists.The city is built on the rolling hills towards the eastern boundary of the Ajlun Mountain on the small partly perennial Wadi Amman together with its tributaries. The focus of settlement of Amman during history has been the small high triangular plateau towards the north of the Wadi.The royal palaces are placed towards the east, with the Parliament in the western area.

Main Transportation Centre of Jordon

The main industries comprise of food and tobacco processing, production of cement, together with the manufacture of textiles, paper products, and aluminium and plastic utensils. It is the main transportation centre of Jordon, with two highways leading west to Jerusalem and one of the city’s main thoroughfares is the road to Al-Salt to the northwest.

Amman is comparatively a small city and exploring the city is easy. Hotels and tourist attractions are very popular and can be reached either by taxis that are metered and economical or by private transport. Some of the places of interest are Jordon Archaeological Museum which is a small museum at the Citadel that houses an amazing collection of antiquities from prehistoric times to the 15th century. The four exhibits which should not be missed are:

• Collection of Dead Sea Scrolls found in 1952, which tells of hidden treasure on the west bank of the River Jordon 
• The Neolithic limestone statues of Ain Ghazal that are connected to advances in pro-technology 
• A copy of the Mesha Stele or Moabite Stone which had been erected in 850 BC by the Moabite King, Mesha as a celebration to his various victories over the Israelites 
• Four rare Iron-Age anthropomorphic sarcophagi of striking cocoon like design that provides an understanding of the ancient burial practises.

National Gallery of Fine Arts

Besides this there are others like Jordan Museum of Popular Tradition which displays the traditional costumes of the people of Jordon, inclusive of the attractive embroidery with beautiful antique jewellery accompanied with the domestic utensils. Moreover, it also has a collection of mosaics from Madaba as well as the other Byzantine churches of Jordon.

The University of Jordon has many small museums of various subjects, which include archaeology, anthropology, medicine/biology and folklore. Jordon National Gallery of Fine Arts has a collection of paintings, ceramics and sculptures by fashionable Jordanian and Arab artist and work by artist of other Muslim regions.

A monumental building at Sports City has a chronological display of military history together with memorabilia from the Great Arab Revolt of 1916 to the present-day.

Banff, Alberta

Banff Town – Member of Calgary Regional Partnership

Banff a town within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada is located in Alberta’s Rockies beside the Trans-Canada Highway around 126 km west of Calgary and 58 km east of Lake Louise. At a height of 1,400 m to 1,630, it is a community which has the second highest elevation after Lake Louise, in Alberta.

The Town of Banff had been the first municipality to have been incorporated within a Canadian national park and the town is said to be a member of the Calgary Regional Partnership. Banff a resort town and one of the most popular destinations of Canada is known for its mountainous surroundings together with the hot springs. It is a location for outdoor sports, featuring great hiking, scrambling, biking and skiing areas.

 The three nearest ski resorts located within the national park are Sunshine Village, Ski Norquay and Lake Louise Mountain Resort. This town site had been developed as a service centre near the railway station for tourist intending to visit the park and was administered by the Government of Canada’s national parks system till 1990 when the Town of Banff had become the only included municipality within a Canadian national park.

Series of Natural Hot Springs – Sulphur Mountain

Banff had first been settled in1880 after the transcontinental railway had been constructed through the Bow Valley. Towards 1883, three workers of the Canadian Pacific Railway had stumbled on a series of natural hot springs along the side of Sulphur Mountain and in 1885, Canada had established a federal reserve of 26 km2 surrounding the Cave and Basin hot springs.

 The area was promoted as an international resort as well as a spa in support of the new railway. The reserve area had been increased to 673 km2 in 1887 and was named `Rocky Mountain Park’ which became the beginning of Canada National Park system. Banff National Park is the oldest national park in Canada which was established in 1885 in the Rocky Mountain and the park is located 110 – 180 km west of Calgary in Alberta covering 6,641 square km of mountainous landscape with various glaciers and ice field, dense coniferous forest together with alpine landscapes. Extending from Lake Louise is the Icefields Parkway connecting to Jasper National Park towards the north.

Popular UNESCO World Heritage Site

Provincial forests and Yoho National Park lies towards the west while Kootenay National Park is located to the south with Kananaskis Country to the southeast. The town of Banff is the commercial centre of the park in the Bow River valley. It is said that the Canadian Pacific Railway was influential in Banff’s early years, constructing the Banff Springs Hotel as well as Lake Louise Chalet.

This drew the tourists through wide advertising. Roads were built in the early 20th century, at times by war captives from World War I and through Great Depression-era public works projects. As the first national park established in Canada and a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site, Banff National Park is very appealing with its combination of vast unchanged wilderness, accompanied with mountain lakes – Lake Louise and an amazing destination to enjoy nature and all that it offers for a relaxed stay in the Town of Banff.

The Skyscraper Museum, New York

Skyscraper Museum – Architecture Museum

The Skyscraper Museum, located in Battery Park City, Manhattan, New York City is an architecture museum, founded in 1996. The museum tends to focus on high rise buildings as `products of technology, objects of design, as well as investments in real estate, sites of construction and place of work as well as residence. The museum also celebrated the architectural heritage of New York together with the forces and people who had created the skyline of New York.

The museum was a nomadic institution holding pop-up exhibitions in four temporary donated locations around Lower Manhattan since 1996, prior to moving to the present and permanent location in Battery Park City in 2004. The Skyscraper Museum is said to be founded and directed by a professor of architectural history and urban studies at Columbia University, Carol Willis.

 It comprises of two exhibition locations for permanent as well as temporary exhibitions, a mezzanine and a bookstore with its office situated above the bookstore. Reaching the museum can be done by a ramp starting in the basement. Original site of the museum was very close to the World Trade Centre and after the attacks on September 11; the museum had been compelled to close temporarily since its space had been seized as an emergency information centre.

Light Box Design – Entrance to the Museum

The museum had been reopened in March 2004, in its new permanent home at 39 Battery Park Place in the vicinity of Battery Park City towards the southern area of Manhattan. After the September 11 attacks, it was the first museum that was opened in Lower Manhattan occupying an area of 5,800 square foot on the ground floor of mixed use building, donated by the developer.

The new site had been designed by Roger Duffer of Skidmore, Owings Y Merrill, working pro bone. The architect had attempted to amplify the indoor height of the museum that was 10 foot which was done by using polished covers of stainless steel on the floors as well as the ceilings providing the impression of an infinite vertical space.

Besides the ultra-contemporary in design and the stainless steel floors and ceilings, it featured display cases which soared from the floor to the ceilings. A Light Box had been designed by artist James Turrell which served as the entrance to the museum.

Permanent/Temporary Exhibitions

Permanent exhibits at the museum comprise of `Manhattan Mini Models’ which is a display of two extremelydetailed hand carved minute wooden models of Downtown as well as Midtown Manhattan that had been donated by Mike Chesko, an amateur model maker from Arizona, to The Skyscraper Museum in 2008. Besides these, there were other exhibits of maps and photographs of Manhattan down the years, enabling visitors to path the extent of building in the city.

From time to time, temporary exhibits were also put up and the Skyscraper Museum also presented special programs for the audience, which included book talks, public art tours, videos and much more. Besides this, an on-site gift shop also provided prints, together with architectural books and some souvenirs too.

Corsica, France

Corsica – Island of Beauty

Corsica an island in the Mediterranean Sea belongs to France and is located towards the west of the Italian Peninsula, southeast of the French mainland and towards the north of the Italian island of Sardinia. Two-thirds of the island is made up of the mountains which forms a single chain. Corsica is said to be one of the 18 regions of France but by law is designated as a territorial collectivity through which Corsica tends to enjoy some superior powers than the other French regions.

However, it is referred as a region in common speech and is always listed among them. The island had formed an individual department till it was divided in 1975 in two departments – namely Haute Corse or the Upper Corsica and Corse-du-Sud, the Southern Corsica having its regional capital in Ajaccio, the prefecture city of Corse-du-Sud.

The second largest settlement in Corsica is Bastia, the prefecture city of Haute-Corse. Mountain in the sea, Corsica is also referred as the Island of beauty due to its diversity of its scenery and its preservation from the violence of development and tourism, which has made it one of the pearls of the Mediterranean Sea.

Largest Island in the Mediterranean

Corsica being one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean off the south coast of France is a scenic island with plenty of tourists visiting this destination during summer. The villa holiday rentals with good facility are ideal for those intending to visit this amazing destination.

Corsica has some great and famous beaches like the Palombaggia which is one of the top beaches in Europe with golden sands and crystal clear water. The beach is excellent for water sports like jet-skiing, wind surfing, kayaking together with diving. Beside the Palombaggia coastline one will find various villa holiday rentals within distance of the beach.

Moreover, Corsica is also known to be a holiday destination for golf with the Golf de Sperone overlooking the Mediterranean, which is considered as one of best courses of Europe that is regularly ranked among the top 100 golf courses. Corsica also tends to have some small nine-hole golf courses like the Gulf du Reginu together with Bastia Golf club. Corsica also has plenty of family beaches such as the Golfe di Sogno Beach and Santa-Giulia Beach in the proximity of resort towns like Porto-Vechio.

Great Sport Destination/Variety of Museums

It is also a great sport destination with a variety of museums for families to explore. Family holiday rentals and family villas in Corsica are an excellent choice for family holidays at Corsica. These villas seemto be large and flexible with adequate facility like the Wi-Fi, Jacuzzi, swimming pool, BBQ and covered terrace. Day trip to Gulfe De Porto which is a UNESCO heritage site should not be missed.

Regular boat trips are available from the town and one can also visit the eroded rock formation of the Les Calangues from here. A trip to the unique fortress town of Banifacio with its historic buildings like the Banifacio citadel and the large marina can also be undertaken. Ajaccio is the largest city in Corsica comprising of the Casa Buonapate, various Genoese towers as well as Fesch Museums that have one of the most extensive collections of Italian art in France.

French is the official language of Corsica though it tends to have its own languages, Corsican. Owing to the French state’s verbal strategies it is assessed that around 10% of the population of the island speak Corsican as a native language with 50% having conversational knowledge. In tourist area, Italian is also spoken.

São Tomé and Príncipe Island,

Sao Tome & Principe – Portuguese Speaking Island Nation

Sao Tome and Principe which is officially the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, in the Gulf of Guinea, is a Portuguese speaking island nation. It is off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa comprising of two archipelagos around the two main islands.

Both Sao Tome and Principe are located around 140 kilometres apart and around 250 and 225 kilometres respectively off the north-western coast of Gabon. Till its discovery by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century, the islands seemed to be uninhabited and gradually colonized and settled by Portugal all through the 16th century.

Collectively they served as a dynamic commercial as well as trade centre for the Atlantic slave trade. Sao Tome and Principe became ideal for sugar cultivation due to rich volcanic soil together with its close vicinity to the equator. Later on it was followed by cash crops like coffee and cocoa and the profitable plantation economy depended greatly on imported African slaves.

This small poor island economy was dependent on cocoa since independence around 34 years ago. But the cocoa production had considerably deteriorated due to drought and mismanagement. The outcome of shortage of cocoa for export resulted in a persistence balance of payment issue.

Benefited from HPC Program

Sao Tome had to import fuels, mostly manufactured goods, consumer goods together with a significant amount of food and over the years, was unable to service its foreign debt and was dependent on concessional aid and debt reschedule.

 Under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries – HPC program, Sao Tome seemed to benefit from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000.Series of social unrest and economic instability during the 19th and 20th centuries, ended in peaceful independence in 1975 and Sao Tome and Principe since then remained one of Africa’s most stable as well as democratic countries.

Sao Tome and Principe is the second smallest African country after Seychelles, with a population of 192,993 and the smallest Portuguese speaking country. The inhabitants are mainly of African and mestico descent where most of them followRoman Catholicism. Legacy of the Portuguese rule is also seen in the country’s customs, culture and music which tend to fuse European and the African impacts.

Important in the Trans-shipment of Slaves

From late 1400, the Portuguese started settling convicts on Sao Tome, creating sugar plantation with the support of slaves from the mainland. Moreover the island was also important in the trans-shipment of slaves. The aspirations of the colony for independence were known after the 1974 revolution in Portugal.

At first the Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe was the country’s sole political party, but the 1990 constitution developed a multi-party democracy. The island of Principe assumed independence in 1995. They expect to lessen its dependence on donors and cocoa exports by manipulating offshore oil. Success of Sao Tome in the implementing of structural reforms was rewarded by international donors in 2001, who had pledged increased assistance.

Besides this, the government had also made efforts in reducing price controls as well as subsidies. Sao Tome is positive that considerable petroleum discoveries are imminent in its territorial water in the oil-rich waters of the Gulf of Guinea. Corruption outrages tend to continue in weakening the economy.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Gatlinburg – Mountain Resort City

Gatlinburg a mountain resort city is in Sevier County, Tennessee, United States and is thirty nine miles southeast of Knoxville. At the 2010 census, the population was around 3,944 and as per the 2012 Census estimate it was about 4,047. It is a famous vacation resort which rests on the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the U.S. Route 441, connecting Gatlinburg to Cherokee, North of Carolina via the national park.

Being surrounded by the Smokies, the community of Gatlinburg is two miles long by five miles wide and the people call the mountain burg home. The 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was celebrated in 2009 which surrounds Gatlinburg on three sides and has changed over a period of time into a mountain resort destination combined with various local to national restaurants together with other attractions.

Besides the National Park, Gatlinburg has the largest attraction comprising of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, the phenomenal 1.3 million gallon saltwater aquarium which has been recently voted `#1 Aquarium in the U.S’, by the travellers of Trip Advisor.

Vacation with Action Packed Fun for Family

Year round ice-skating together with outdoor family fun is provided by Ober Gatlinbug Ski Resort & Amusement Park together with a great winter snow sports that takes you to the summit, through the 120 person Aerial Tramway.

Vacations at Gatlinburg are full of action packed fun for the entire family. Gatlinburg, Tennessee takes pride in its mountain heritage together with the crafts and arts with the retail shops reflecting the heritage to a great extent. Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge as well as Sevierville offer uniqueSmoky Mountain attractions which will very soon become a favourite vacation for family.

The main parkway is trimmed with over 75 family fun Smoky Mountains attractions, with Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Die Stampede, Wonderworks, Zorb, miniature golf courses, NASCAR SpeedPark, a jungle boat ride, go-cart race tracks, movie theatres, indoor skydiving, museums, souvenir shops and various places to dine. Family entertainment theatres showcase acrobats, cowboys, comedian, together with musical entertainment and magic.

Calendar of Events – Full of Seasonal Specials

Gatlinburg is a walking community where the Downtown Parkway provides various things to see and do. If one desires to get around town on one of the city’s trolley, you can ride unlimited times with the new All Day Trolley Pass. Tourist could stroll along the river walk on the River Road which echoes the wistful sounds of the Little Pigeon River with gazebos and benches placed along the walkway.

Towards the corner of the East Parkways and Glades Road, one will find the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community which is home to more than one hundred craftspeople and artists alongside the eight mile loop. It is the largest collection of its kind in North America and one will certainly find a one-of-a-kind craft or work of art being crafted during one of the visits.

Throughout the season, Gatlinburg tends to celebrate with parties, craft fairs, concerts and festivals and Gatlinburg’s calendar of events is full of seasonal special events like Gatlinburg Winter Magic, the nation’s first 4th of July Parade, Gatlinburg’s Fine Arts Festival together with the Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales. It is an amazing destination full of fun and entertainment

Get Your Golf Cart Ready to Roll

Whether you live in a sunnier climate or you are dreaming of warmer weather to come, your golf cart is your trusty sidekick. When you're planning on hitting the green, your Yamaha golf cart needs to take you where you have to go. Now is the time to get your machine ready for golf season. You don't want to waste a minute when you can take part in your favorite pastime. Give your golf cart some attention so you'll be ready to roll.

Give Your Cart a Thorough Inspection

A golf cart is a vehicle. Just like your car, it needs to have regular maintenance and care in order to run properly. When golf season is over and you're ready to park your machine, take the time to go through your cart with meticulous attention. Look for any potential problems. Check your battery and consider a replacement. Wash and wax your cart before it goes into storage. If you live someplace where the temperature drops down to freezing temperatures, consider removing your battery and storing it someplace warm to avoid problems.

Take Care of Any Repair Issues

When problems crop up with your golf cart, Yamaha golf cart parts are available to address the issue. Order the parts that you need and consider stocking up on any parts that typically fall prey to wear and tear. If you have the skills and knowledge, take care of your repairs on your own. Otherwise, turn to experts in golf cart repair to ensure that your golf cart is in tiptop shape for the new season.

Keep Your Machine in Top Form

If you are fortunate, you may be lucky enough to experience mild weather all year round. You'll want your golf cart available for a game or cruising through your gated community every day. It could even come in handy when you're doing yard work or entertaining. Don't neglect your golf cart. Nip minor issues in the bud and give your golf cart due consideration throughout the year. You'll get the most out of your ride.

Beijing’s Underground City

Beijing’s Underground City – Underground Great Wall

Beijing’s Underground City, a bomb shelter beneath the ancient capital’s downtown had been forgotten for over twenty years by the local citizen inspite of it being well known among the foreigners when it was officially opened in 2000. This Underground City was also called the Underground Great Wall due to the same military defense. This complex is the relic of the Sino-Soviet border conflict over Zhenbao Island in northeast China’s Heilongjiang River, in 1969.

It was at the time when Chairman Mao Zedong had order the construction of subterranean bomb shelters in the event of a nuclear attack. The tunnel which was built between 1969 and 1979 by more than 300,000 local citizens as well as school children stretch for more than 30 kilometres covering an area of 85 square kilometres eight to eighteen meters beneath the surface.

It also comprises of around thousand anti-air raid structures. For the purpose of supply materials necessary for the complex, centuries-old city walls as well as towers which had once circled ancient Beijing had been destroyed and the old city gates of Xizhimen, Fuchengmen, Chongwenmen and several others remained in name only with the exception of two embrasured watch towers from Zhengyangmen and Deshengmen which seemed to survive.

Each Residence with Secret Trapdoor NearbyLeading to Tunnels

In case of an attack, the intention was to house forty percent of the underground population of the capital together with the remaining to be moved to the neighbouring hills. It was said that each residence once seemed to have secret trapdoor nearby which lead to the tunnels. With regards to how far the hand-dug tunnels tend to stretch, there is no authoritative information available; they apparently linked most of the areas of central Beijing, from Xidan and Xuanwumen to Qianmen and Chongwen districts as far as the Western Hills. They were fortified with facilities like clinics, school, stores, restaurants, theatres, reading rooms, factories, a grain and oil warehouse together with barber shops as well as mushroom cultivation farm for cultivating foods which needs little light. They have over 2,300 ventilation shafts installed together with gas and waterproof hatches constructed in order to protect the insiders from chemical attack as well as radioactive fallout.

Mao’s Slogan Printed on Walls

Besides this, there are also over 70 sites within the tunnels to dig the wells. Printed on the walls, one will find Mao’s slogan calling for people to dig deep, prepare provision and not to seek control. However, the underground city was never needed for the intended purpose though it had been maintained by city officials. Every year during rainy season, the water conservancy authorities tend to check if it is included in anti-vermin sweeps. Since then the tunnel has been utilised by young lovers and children challenging each other to remain in the darkness longer than their friends though they were largely shut off, for safety purpose. Some of the shelters on busy streets are being utilised as low priced hostels while the other have been changed into shopping and business centres or theatres. Inspite of the fact that there are several entrances, foreign visitors tend to see a small approved section accessed through a small shop front in Qianmen, south of Tiananmen.

Ten Days in Egypt

Egypt is a country full of mystery with its rich and ancient civilization. Egypt has been the point for centuries for merchants, travelers and conquerors, the Romans came to the land of Egypt for the beautiful Cleopatra and her gold, and the tourists from all over the world throng Egypt to view the last existing wonders of the ancient human race.

Egypt is quite a large country, but by travel can be covered in only ten days. The political movement in Egypt has disturbed the country, but overall the country is quite safe, but a word of caution to the visitors to avoid the political demonstration.

The last wonder of the ancient world

The Pyramid of situated in Giza is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and has been a tourist spot for more than a thousand years. The pyramid is basically built as a tomb of the Pharaoh Khufu. The Pyramid is a 4500 years old monument, and the height of this monument is 480ft.

In the Giza resting place, there are two more pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, and the world famous the Great Sphinx, all these monuments are located in the desert on the outside of the city of Giza. Because of the town of Cairo, Giza now not much more than a suburb. Giza now reaches right up to a few meters from the Sphinx.

You can take a camel ride to experience viewing the pyramids, and you can get camels from the tour operators in Giza, which are all tied to the posts, the camel ride more often than not take a diversion into the desert, bringing into view the pyramids across the sands, with Cairo in the background, is one of the most remarkable tourist attraction in the world of travel.

A stop in Africa’s largest city

Cairo which is the capital of Egypt is the biggest city in the whole of Africa. The other attractions are the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. The main things to see are the gold mask of King Tutankhamun and the mummified body of Pharaoh Ramses III. The museum is situated on the Nile River. Another attraction is the Citadel of Cairo, built in the 12th century. It houses the mosque of Muhammad Ali, father of Modern Egypt.

Hurghada 

Hurghada is positioned on the coast of Egypt’s Red Sea; there are beautiful beaches, excellent weather, and world class scuba diving. There are a number of beach resorts the best being Oberoi Sahi, a 5 star comfort. You can take a cruise to the Giftun islands, with its superb beaches and coral reefs.

Luxor 

Luxor was earlier the capital of Egypt, during that time it became famous for the world of luxury. Located in the midst of the city is the Luxor Temple, made of Sandstone, with huge columns and large statues is an imposing sight. The other temple is the Karnak temple; both the temples are open until late in the night. On the west banks of the Nile is the Valley of Kings, the burial grounds of mummified pharaohs.

Sail the great river to Aswan

To end this trip is to take a cruise on the Nile River. Many luxury cruise boats sail the route between Luxor and Aswan daily. The voyage between Luxor to Aswan takes about three nights and four days. The ships and boats vary in luxury and price. Aswan is located 200 kms south of Luxor, is a very quiet town, and no tourists like Giza or Luxor. You can relax here and remember the dreams of Egyptian royalty, as you sail on the gentle waters of the Nile.