Search results for 'civil war'

The taiko drums reverberated with deep, steady tones, as the monks on either side of the altar pounded them with consistent strokes of their long, wooden bachi (taiko drum sticks). We removed our shoes and found spaces to kneel amongst the other parishioners on the crimson carpet. It was morning outside, but the interior altar was dark and candlelit, with an array of large reflective and intricately decorated golden ornaments dangling from the ceiling. The taiko drumming monks continued, while other monks chanted and shook golden bells. The head priest, also chanting, added sticks to a fast growing fire that he had created as a symbol of peace and purification. The flames, that seemed to understand his esoteric commands, were part of a ritual that is intended to deliver the wishes of the people to Buddha. The pilgrims pray for safety, luck, and prosperity in their lives, and in conjunction with this, at the end of the ceremony, everyone brings his or her purse or satchel to the priest to be waved over the smoke. This supposedly enhances the future value of the bags' contents.

Susie and Beau have new friends in South Florida - Miss Roxie, a blond tea cup Yorkie and her long time companion Miss April Kirkwood. They are bringing new insights to the Pet Patrol.

Nowadays, we hear lots of confusion regarding the new ACA coverage during this transition. Nothing is more unsettling than traveling abroad and not knowing whether or not you should visit the local doctor because you’re not sure what’s covered and what isn’t. For me and the licensed insurance advisors at GoHealth, the online portal for finding health insurance coverage, it is important to make sure those consumers are in-the-know of their healthcare plan so that they are armed and ready for a safe and protected vacation.

Susie has been talking to her British cousins about great places for dogs in the UK so we can provide recommendations for places our European readers can visit with their best friends. One of her pals from across the water brought a whole bunch of hotels and B&B’s to our attention in the United Kingdom. Susie and Beau are ready to hop on the Cunard Queen Mary II to visit them.  This option was featured in a recent pet patrol article entitled “Cruise with your Pet?: The Options are Limited.”

Travelers from everywhere love to come to the charming place called Charleston. Cobblestone streets, colonial homes and plantations are everywhere. Husk is the perfect restaurant to visit. You can enjoy an ice cold cocktail on their porch in the afternoon and then return later for an award winning James Beard chef’s dinner menu.

The ancient city of Jericho, or Tell es-Sultan, where you will learn about the perennial spring that supported this city for centuries and provided the much needed irrigation system for the land as well as to quench the thirst for travelers.

Explore Canada’s Maritimes region – an area of rugged and pristine beauty.

As pet-friendly travel becomes more and more common we can expect the trend to even move to the cruise lines.  A 2005 court ruling requires all cruise lines to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act which opens the door to allow trained service pets to accompany their disabled owners on cruises. This is a start towards more open acceptance of pets on cruises.

It’s been said that the number one leisure activity for the baby boom generation is travel, and, being a boomer, I can attest to the allure that travel holds.  Journeying is invigorating, fun, relaxing, and romantic and it can bring history alive in a way nothing else does.

Yves du Parc, Vice President and General Manager of Beijing Sideways, sized my helmet and adjusted my lap belt in the side car of his “Chang Jiang,” literally "The long River" motor bike. He then took my photo, hopped onto his seat, turned the ignition key, and we were off. Although I had traveled through Beijing many times in the back seat of a taxi, this was a new experience, in-fact my first ever motorcycle experience!

If you plan a trip to Israel, top on your list is a visit to the sacred city of Jerusalem, second should be a visit to Masada.  You can combine a visit to Masada along with the Dead Sea, but plan on a few hours to capture the spirit and understand what happened here, so many hundreds of years ago.  

Narita International Airport, also known as Tokyo Narita Airport, is the most popular gateway to Japan, but in reality, it is not in Tokyo at all.  It is a 60-minute express train ride (80-90 minute bus ride) outside of Tokyo in Chiba Prefecture. If you are stuck by Narita Airport, because of a long flight connection, there is still lots to do.  Sakura City is a twenty-minute taxi or train ride (JR or Keisei lines) from Narita Airport.  Overflowing in history, it is renowned for its well restored former samurai residences and the National Museum of Japanese History, whose exhibits reveal the story of Japan from archaeological discoveries to modern times. From an artistic perspective, Sakura boasts two distinctive art museums: Sakura City Museum of Art and Kawamura Memorial Museum of Art.  The former was previously the Sakura City branch of Kawasaki Bank and its entrance way is a prefectural cultural property. It displays work by local artists from Sakura and Chiba's Boso Peninsula. The latter museum is heralded for its rich collection of European masters, including: Rembrandt, Renoir, Monet, Chagall, Picasso and Braque, as well as 20^th Century Japanese sensei, such as Korin Ogata. 

Susie has for the moment declared a truce with all rabbits to focus on the need to have a safe holiday season with pets and their human companions. Whether it is Easter, Passover or Holy Week, there is a plethora of extra activity and extra holiday goodies to keep an eye on. Susie, like most dogs, has a set policy, if it falls on the floor it is legally mine. This means humans who have pets need to be especially watchful over what does fall on the floor or is accessible to their pets – whether they are dogs, cats, ferrets, pigs, iguanas and so on.

Vietnam evokes many thoughts and memories for the Baby Boomers. I remember watching the draft lottery with my college classmates knowing that a lot of my male friends would not make it home. I was so passionate about this war that I wanted to cover it as a news correspondent since I majored in Radio and Television, but it was the 60's and I was told, “no place for a woman to be.” This was a pivotal moment for our generation and somehow, time heals, seasons change and life perseveres. I never dreamed I would be writing a review of a tranquil Lodge 150 km northwest of Hanoi.

Mai Chau Lodge offers the peace and serenity we never thought was possible.

I truly love this town. It is close to San Francisco, 11 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge and reminds me of a lot of the magical New England towns. It is very picturesque and is surrounded by canyons and hillsides of Mount Tamalpais. The weather here is nice most of the year and is just a few minutes from Tiburon and the ferry. The Mill Valley Inn is a great place to stay....415.389.6608.  The first place I always need to visit is Mill Valley Market. There is parking right next to it and that is where I begin my day. They have everything true chefs and foodies would LOVE in this market. I usually can spend a good hour in here and always come back to walk out to the car with purchases.

Most international travel from the U.S., flights depart late afternoon or early evening with scheduled arrivals the following morning.  By the time you check into your hotel, you may be exhausted from your trip!   What a wasted day if you have to spend it in bed, trying to recoup from that crowded flight!

If you love to travel, chances are you have been to Amsterdam, the city of canals, windmills, museums and friendly people. I never tire of taking a Canal Boat sightseeing tour when I visit because it seems I spy something unique each time I go.

Bourbon Steak is one of South Florida’s favorite and best steakhouses. Michael Mina, celebrity chef, uses his signature methods to make everything you eat, unforgettable. 

The sun tan from my fortnight’s visit to the Bahamas had barely started to fade when I took my wife to the cinema to see the 2006 re-make of Casino Royale featuring, for the first time, Daniel Craig as British secret service agent, James Bond.

Quite early in the storyline 007 jets into Nassau, from where I had just returned, and then, much to my surprise, Bond set off in his car toward the exclusive Ocean Club resort on Paradise Island where I’d recently stayed and played golf during my familiarisation trip to the island.

As Bond made for the bar and then the beach, the film afforded me a rare moment in my life when, with great pride, I leant over and whispered to my wife: “I stayed there!”   

Should you find yourself in the Black Hills vicinity, gallop into Deadwood for some great western-style fun. This town is famous for its Gold Rush days, circa 1875, and for where Wild Bill Hickok was killed. The HBO series, Deadwood, has rekindled interest in this lively little town.

After a night of rest in Albany, NY, Susie was ready to roll to dog camp registration at the camp located at Marlboro College in Marlboro, VT. Fortunately the patrol team was only 70 miles away, so could make a leisurely drive to Marlboro taking in the interesting sites and places along the way. Registration was from 12:30 to 2:30 pm so we had time to have a good breakfast, load up and enjoy the drive down NY 7 and VT 9.

With its cocaine days in the past, the Colombian seaport of Cartagena has emerged as the belle of the ball. Cartagena, a fairy tale city of romance, legends, and sheer beauty, is a captivating place that can be hard to escape. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Cartagena draws legions of tourists and thus, inevitably, aggressive touts and money changers. This is the place to drop all sightseeing routines. Instead, just stroll through Cartagena's maze of cobbled alleys, where enormous balconies are hidden and massive churches cast their shadows across leafy plazas. 

So here's a spot you probably haven't thought to explore in Paris – the area known as Bercy. This is actually a great place to spend a few nights especially if you are traveling with your grandchildren. The Pullman Paris Bercy is one of the most reasonably priced hotels while visiting the City of Lights. Granted, you are not in the heart of Paris, but a mere 15 minute Metro ride into the center. The hotel has a very modern feel with amenities the kids will like – it is child and pet friendly. The beds are very comfortable and the food and service is quite good. The bathrooms are equipped with amenities and are quite large – all of which is hard to find in the center of Paris.

The Euro-economies may be experiencing a global meltdown, but one would never see this happening in the magnificent city of Barcelona, Spain! This colorful and cosmopolitan city, located on the Mediterranean coastline, is a must see for those interested in the world of art and architecture! From Piscasso to Gaudi, this is a travel destination not to be missed!