Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Northern Exposure

Executive summary by darmansjah

Rugged scenery, vibrant wildlife, and rich historical sites combined with a languid pace of life make the north of Bali and ideal getaway for travelers in the know.

Although the northern shores of the island are becoming increasingly developed, they are still relatively quiet, and staying here can be a more peaceful way to enjoy the same amenities found in the south. Dramatic mountain scenery marks this area, and beaches predominantly consist of grayish-black volcanic sand. Although they may not be as celebrated as the stretches of white sand in the south, northern beaches, particularly that of Lovina, are just as breathtaking. The abundance of coral reefs just off the coast makes for calm waters, which are also popular due to their large dolphin population.

East of Lovina is Bali’s second city, Singaraja, which was Bali’s colonial capital during the Dutch period. Its one of the few places on the island where visitors can still see colonial era architecture, especially around the harbor and waterfront. West of Lovinga is the village of Pemutaran, which is the ideal place to begin exploring northwestern Bali and the 19,000-hectare Bali Barat National Park. From Pemutaran,  there is direct boat access to the island of Menjangan, a nature reserve that offers some of the best diving and snorkeling in Bali.


Monday, October 29, 2012

Staying in Style

Executive summary By darmansjah

Occupying a prime location in the city, Hotel Nikko Hongkong offers the perfect blend of luxury and accessibility.

Since opening its doors in trendy Tsimshatsui, Hotel Ni’kkon Hongkong has received countless plaudits from critics and guests. The latest accolade that has come its way is being listed as one of the recommended hotels under the ‘Very comfortable’ category in Michelin Guide hongkong Macau 2012, reflecting the sustained quality of the hotel.

Because the hotel business is not just about fancy hardware but rather, a uniquely human enterprises, Hotel Nikko Hongkong places a premium on the personal touch, or’service with heart’, It’s an extradordinary service ethos that stems from Hotel Nikko’s Japanese heritage, with its emphasis on sincercity, generosity and self-motivated hospitality.

On top of this, the hotel offers an expansive and impeccable range of amenities and services that make it ideally positioned to serve the needs of both business and leisure travelers.

In The Right Place

Situatated in one of the city’s choicest locations along the Victoria Harbor waterfront, the hotel is a stone’s throw away from the hustle-bustle of Tsimshatsui, Hongkong’s most vibrant an famous shopping, entertainment and business district. Attractions such as The Avenue of Stars, The Hong Kong Cultural Centre, The Clock Tower, and 1881 Heritage are all within close proximity to the hotel.

The hotel is also closely linked to the city’s major transportation systems. A seven minute walk takes you to the Hung Hom MTR Station, where you can hop on to a train to mainland China. Similarly, a four minute walk to the east tsimshatsui MTR Station gives you easy access to trains interconnecting Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories region.

For The Selected Few

The hotel boasts 463 guestrooms including 18 suites, many with a harbor view. All the rooms are equipped with the latest amenities including LCD Television, wireless broadband service, international direct dial telephone and voice mail.

The top four storeys of the hotel are reserved for those who place privacy and peace as their priorities. Located on the 11th, 12th, 14th and 15th storeys, the Nikko Floors are tailored specially for the discerning executives. Besides the luxurious accommodation, guests of these floors gain entry to the exclusive Nikko Longue. The cosy lounge offers complimentary breakfast, all-day refreshments and snacks, evening cocktails, wireless broadband connectivity, and access to international periodicals.

For more information about Hotel Nikko Hongkong, go to www.hotelnikko.com.hk or call 852 2313 4305

Sunday, October 28, 2012

The charm of the Old City of Berlin

Alexanderplatz area that afternoon

Original Text by Elita Pingkan Dundu, executive summary by darmansjah

If the Berlin, Germany, do not forget to come to Checkpoint Charlie. Swing your legs and photos of the Berlin Wall and Brandenburg Gate. Belin also visit the Cathedral, Deutsches Historisches Museum, Reichstag, and other historic buildings. Centuries-old building is too good to pass up.

While visiting Berlin together, some time ago, almost nothing has changed compared to when visiting this city nine years ago, 2003. Once entering the western region of Berlin, was an old building with the appearance of the town bearing the bear's face it.

Berlin in the winter temperature extremes. When the early morning, the temperature reaches minus 4 degrees Celsius. In the afternoon until the evening back to minus 4 to minus 7 degrees Celsius.

With extreme cold temperatures will not change the intention of travelers to enjoy the beauty around the city.

Bradenburg

The first choice fell to the Brandenburg Gate or in German called the Brandenburger Tor. This place is the old city gate rebuilt late 18th century as the triumph of neoclassical arches.

His position is located west of downtown at the intersection of Unter den Linden and Eberstrabe, Pariser Platz and the west. Currently the site is one of the landmarks of Berlin in particular and Germany in general.

This gate had suffered severe damage during World War II. However, by Berlin Monument Conservation Foundation, the gate was revitalized.

If you've been in this place, do not be shy photographed with two men in military uniform complete with Germany and the United States flags. The background of the photo shoot is a gate.

Not only watch and perpetuate the old gate, in this region there are also old buildings, hotels, restaurants, offices, shops, and cafes form a sturdy old building.

Once satisfied in this area, walk one block to the north. At this location the building stands the Reichstag, the parliament of the German Empire.

 the parliament of the german empire

Before reaching the parliament building, enjoy the beautiful linden trees that line along the road.

Reichstag building was built in 1894 until 1933. Furthermore, this building became a place of the German parliament from 1999 until now.

Checkpoint Charlie

Visit to Berlin is incomplete if it did not step on the foot or Checkpoint Charlie Checkpoint C.

This place is an intersection point on the Berlin Wall located at the intersection of Friedrichstrasse with Zimmerstrabe and mauerstrabe.

Not only to capture images, in a location that often appear in the movie spy museum and the book contained the history of Germany and Berlin. In this area you can buy souvenirs at bargain prices as souvenirs. There is also a cafe for a place to rest before continuing the trip.

The Berlin Wall

Not far from this place, about 700 meters, there Belin Wall. This wall was built the German
Democratic Republic (East Germany) on August 13, 1961. This wall separating West Berlin and East Berlin and other East German regions that make West Berlin as an enclave.

Deutsche Historiches

Following from there, try to also visit the Deutsches Historisches Museum or the Museum of German history. It may also come to the Berlin Cathedral or Berliner dom.

Not yet satisfied. Continue the journey is also towards the east of Berlin. Buildings in the eastern region looks more modern than the western part of Berlin.

If you've been in eastern Berlin, came to the Alexanderplatz, a park or a crowded field and tile in the center of Berlin, near the banks of the river Spree and the Berliner Dom. As the name implies, the park is named linked the arrival of Alexander I who visited Berlin in 1805.

Not far from this park, there Nicolai church, one of the oldest church in Berlin that survived in the face bombing allies in World War II.

The Berlin Wall (German: Berliner Mauer) was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany) starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin. The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls, which circumscribed a wide area (later known as the "death strip") that contained anti-vehicle trenches, "fakir beds" and other defenses. The Eastern Bloc claimed that the wall was erected to protect its population from fascist elements conspiring to prevent the "will of the people" in building a socialist state in East Germany. In practice, the Wall served to prevent the massive emigration and defection that marked Germany and the communist Eastern Bloc during the post-World War II period.
The Berlin Wall was officially referred to as the "Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart" (German: Antifaschistischer Schutzwall) by GDR authorities, implying that neighbouring West Germany had not been fully de-Nazified. The West Berlin city government sometimes referred to it as the "Wall of Shame"—a term coined by mayor Willy Brandt—while condemning the Wall's restriction on freedom of movement. Along with the separate and much longer Inner German border (IGB) that demarcated the border between East and West Germany, both borders came to symbolize the "Iron Curtain" that separated Western Europe and the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War.

Before the Wall's erection, 3.5 million East Germans circumvented Eastern Bloc emigration restrictions and defected from the GDR, many by crossing over the border from East Berlin into West Berlin, from where they could then travel to West Germany and other Western European countries. Between 1961 and 1989, the wall prevented almost all such emigration.[4] During this period, around 5,000 people attempted to escape over the wall, with estimates of the resulting death toll varying between 100 and 200.

In 1989, a radical series of political changes occurred in the Eastern Bloc, associated with the liberalization of the Eastern Bloc's authoritarian systems and the erosion of political power in the pro-Soviet governments in nearby Poland and Hungary. After several weeks of civil unrest, the East German government announced on 9 November 1989 that all GDR citizens could visit West Germany and West Berlin. Crowds of East Germans crossed and climbed onto the wall, joined by West Germans on the other side in a celebratory atmosphere. Over the next few weeks, a euphoric public and souvenir hunters chipped away parts of the wall; the governments later used industrial equipment to remove most of the rest. The fall of the Berlin Wall paved the way for German reunification, which was formally concluded on 3 October 1990.

Learn to organize the old town from other cities in the world, one of Berlin.


Saturday, October 27, 2012

Samana Peninsula, Dominican Republic

By Michelle Higgins

Located in a remote location in the northeast republic Dominican, Samana Peninsula is like a hidden paradise. But the condition is predicted to change soon, chiefly thanks to the presence of El Catey International Airport and the new highway to shorten travel time from Santo Domingo, the Dominican capital, from five hours to two hours.



Friday, October 26, 2012

Algarve, Portugal

Text by Alexander Lobrano, executive summary by darmansjah

Algarve on the southern coast of Portugal is the main destination for tourists Voyages in Northern Europe. But also want to widen the area in its segment. One strategy is to open a hotel-style luxury hotel that prioritizes, uniqueness, and the spirit of environmental friendliness. Hotel Bela Vista Portimao do for example, shade 38 rooms designed by local decorator, Garcia Viterbo.



Empty pockets of tourists also welcomed the new property. After the resort Martinhal in Sagres, contrad ready in November following. Olhao, a former fish canning town, also broke thanks to the presence of such impressive inns Real Marina Hotel & Spa.