If golf is your major objective for getting away for a while, why not get away to a virtual paradise that combines the best of golfing with other pleasure pursuits that delight the senses. Yes, Nerja is the place for the perfect golf get-away. While not as famous as the other destinations that Costa del Sol has to offer, it is definitely worthwhile for just the same reason.

Golf on my mind – Of course that’s what you are here for and it makes perfect sense to head straight for Baviera, just 15 minutes from Nerja, designed by a professional to suit all handicaps, and offering a range of strokes. The breathtaking landscape flanked by the Mediterranean Sea on one side and majestic mountains on the other makes this course unique in a land peppered with golf courses.

About Nerja – There really is more to Nerja than golf and you would do well to take a trip around this sleepy little village. The narrow cobbled streets invite exploration and long walks that lead to delightful surprises and hidden gems for non-golfers. There is a Tuesday market that displays local wares ranging from jewellery to exquisite craftwork. Local eateries and bars abound, especially on Burriana Beach. Walking tours are a Nerja speciality and takes you through exotic locations inaccessible any other way.

Balcon de Europa – This is a balcony on the side of a cliff that affords indescribably beautiful views of the Mediterranean and the sandy beaches nestling it. An avenue fringed by palm trees leads visitors up to this panoramic view. Besides being a tourism icon, it also serves as a focal point for local celebrations. The procession for the festival of San Isidro starts here and winds its way to the famous Caves of Nerja. It is a beautiful sight with the majestic Andalucian thoroughbreds and flamenco dancers, flanked on all sides with food stalls selling goodies from pescaito frito and paella to burgers.

Cueva de Nerja – These are the pre-historic caves of Nerja, a huge cavern of which has been ingenuously converted to a concert hall. It is supposed to have been accidentally discovered by goatherds and ever since has become a must-see attraction which draws thousands of visitors from all over. Prepare to be awed by the immensity of it all.

It’s that time of the year when you pack your bags and leave on a family vacation: but you would rather golf. Make life easier for you by combining the two in Marbella, decidedly the best spot on the globe where golfing lends itself easily to a family outing. Here you have some of the best courses in the Costa del Sol area, in addition to sunny skies, golden beaches, and stunning landscapes, with all the associated pleasures.

Golfing for the family man – Places like the Atalaya Golf & Resorts take the strain out of vacationing with family and golfing at the same time. Here they have the perfect proposition that combines two fabulous 18-hole courses, with provisions for adventure activities like kayaking, rock climbing and water sports that should keep older kids engaged. You can concentrate on a good game of golf while they can probably hear your “fore.” However, this may not always work as perfectly as it sounds.

What are we supposed to do when you go golfing?!!! Now you knew that was going to come up. Not to worry, Marbella accommodates all types, not just golfers. Funny Beach is where young children get a piece of action with Go-Karts, Mini-motorbikes, trampolines and water sports. Or they might prefer bowling at the Mega Bowl Sports Bar, which caters to all levels from professionals to the drop-ball-on-own-foot beginners; after which one might choose to limp to the Video games centre to soothe an aching ego. Another Marbella speciality is jet-skiing using cables rather than a motor-boat.

For the golf-widow – The Contemporary Spanish Engravings Museum houses works by Picasso, Dali and others. If art is not really your thing, you can proceed to the Bonsai Museum situated in the Arroyo de la Repressa Park. If architecture is what fascinates you, head down to the Orange Square where you can gaze at the Town Hall, Magistrate’s House, and the Santiago Chapel, all dating back to the 15th century or so. If it’s a Monday make sure you drop in on the street market, which runs from 9.00a.m to 2 p.m. next to the Recinto Ferial Marbella, where you might find ancient treasures at bargain prices. If you are in a particularly daring mood you might even sign up for flamenco dancing classes at the Escuelas de Flamenco en Marbella.

Where are we going on summer vacation this year?

Perhaps it should not amaze me but I am still intrigued by human nature in choosing a summer vacation. Why do some people almost automatically book the same hotel, in the same resort year after year while others insist on something totally different from they last summer vacation?

I am sure that it would take a lot more than one article to explain it! If you and your family are considering your next summer vacation, you will know as well as I do that a whole bunch of decisions have to be made. Three of the most important decisions to consider when scheduling a summer vacation are typically:

# Destination
# Suitability
# Price

With the wealth of information now available on the internet posted by travel agents, tourist boards, airlines, hotels, travel companies, and individuals, we can almost run the risk of information overload. We can end up with too many decisions or too many options to choose from.

Whereas some people may prefer and get a lot of fun out of organizing the whole trip themselves, others may prefer to take advantage of a particular summer vacation package that is on offer. Even so, there is still a level of uncertainty as to what a summer vacation package should or should not contain. This is not surprising since different resorts, different travel companies may offer a variety of ‘incentives’ to attract more customers…

# All inclusive deals
# Tours and excursions
# Children’s entertainment
# Free access to private beaches
# Free park admissions
# Airport transfers
# Car rental

The list is endless. Summer vacation packages are offered by a wide variety of different companies with each company likely to offer their own package inclusions. Depending on our own personal family circumstances, however, it is likely that we can find one that almost ticks all the boxes if not completely.

So, are summer vacation packages worth it? Well, that depends.

For some, the overall package price (within reason) may take second place to the convenience and range of inclusions offered in that package. To others it may be a case of shopping around to get a price more suited to their budget and having to compromise on what’s included in the package.

With summer vacation packages, there is a misconception that savings will be made by buying a package compared to a more DIY style of vacation where we pay as we go. Packages are often regarded as deals and, yes, they can benefit from discounts but this is not always the case. Whoever has put the whole package together still needs to make a profit somewhere.

So, unless you want the package because of the convenience and the ‘worry-free’ arrangements that are included, I would encourage anyone to take some time and compare the cost of the package to the overall cost of doing it yourself. While doing this, also compare the benefits offered to individuals against those offered in a package which may have been organized by a large tour operator with ‘buying power’.

Hotel accommodation and nearby vacation facilities or attractions are a good example of this. I have found that booking accommodation directly with the hotel often offers a less attractive deal compared to booking through a travel company or buying a package. This may be actual price per night, meals, transfers or even excursions.

This is all the more reason to make sure there is enough time to do some research which, again, is easy given the information available on the internet. For example, if you have a specific hotel in mind, visit the online website of the hotel you wish to check out. You may be surprised to see a difference between the summer vacation package price and booking directly. Depending on the vacation destination package in question, you may find the difference saves you money or ends up costing you more.

Online travel websites and professional travel companies are where most vacation packages are found. Online travel websites are good because they are free to use, but you are encouraged to watch for hidden fees. These hidden fees, if they do exist, could cause a significant increase in the overall cost of your summer vacation package.

When the right research is done, we know when we have found the ‘right’ summer vacation whether it is a packages deal or a vacation we have organized by ourselves. There is no doubt in my mind also that depending on our personal circumstances and with a bit of research, summer vacation packages can definitely be worth it.

Are you bored with the same summer vacation routine? Struggling to find that vacation of a lifetime? Then open your mind to the unique possibilities by visiting the link below. You will be delighted by the choice and the great comments made by clients from North America and other countries.

Packing is one of those things you never think about until you have to do it. It is also something you don’t think about until you go with somebody or see somebody who has mastered it. You will then be embarrassed when he (or chances are she) unpacks and packs in half the time it takes you. He/She will know where everything is and have a spot for everything. They will not leave a necessary item at home…

Speaking of necessary items, you do not have a car and you must be ruthless in what you take and leave behind. Once you have your list there will always be something else that is vital, try to use this list as best you can adapted to your individual needs.

To start off, you wear your riding gear (leathers, Jeans or whatever and underwear appropriate to the season; plus a t-shirt under it, plus a light jumper if it’s really cold. Add boots waterproof and protective, helmet (possibly with a tinted visor – it makes a big difference to your fatigue level) and a pair of gloves. You also make sure that your bike’s toolkit is fully stocked and in place.

Then you pack:

* A clear visor (for night riding)
* In summer, a spare pair of gloves (warm and waterproof)
* Rubber overboots if you aren’t wearing waterproof boots

All of these should be packed somewhere easily accessible.

Next:

* A pair of jeans or moleskins
* A pair of light walking shoes (sneakers)
* A pair of thongs (or whatever you call them in your country – flip-flops, jandals)
* Two t-shirts
* Two pair of underpants
* Two pair of socks
* Two handkerchiefs (more practical than tissues)
* A light jumper (unless you’re already wearing one – then add a light nylon windcheater or a sweatshirt)
* Two pair of shorts
* Swimming costume (in summer); a pair of shorts could double up here
* A baseball-type cap

Pack all the clothes in a plastic bag and toss in a small container of laundry detergent so you can wash them. If you’re fastidious, include another plastic bag for dirty clothes.

Motorcycle tools, spare parts and accessories:

* Inner tube
* Small socket set
* Owners manual
* Workshop manual
* Fire extinguisher
* Fist aid kit
* Torch with a bulk and fluorescent tube
* Aerosol type inflator
* Pump
* Multi-purpose spanner
* Impact screwdriver
* Tyre levers
* Tyre valves and key
* Spoke spanner
* Tyre pressure gauge
* Spark plugs (full set)
* Spark plug gapping tool
* Aerosol lubricant
* Insulating tape
* Length of rope
* Brake and clutch cables
* Throttle cable
* Standard tool kit
* Tube of silicone sealant
* Bulbs (head, turn, stop/tail)
* Puncture outfit
* High tension wire
* Short length of chain
* Chain breaker
* Spare ignition key (carry in your wallet or hang on a light chain around neck)
* Fuses
* Allen key kit (change crosshead screws used on engine for an Allen key kit and take an Allen key)
* Epoxy bond
* Foam, plastic and ties for wrapping other small spare parts and tools
* Soft-face hammer
* Plastic bags

Wrap all items together in a tough, water-resistant material, such as canvas, and strap them securely to the motorcycle. First aid items may be carried in the tank bag.

Then add:

* Your wet pack, containing: shaving gear, toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clippers, comb, small containers of soap and shampoo and a box of matches. (Never know when you might need matches).
* A wire coat hanger, twisted together into a ball, and a tobacco tin full of bolts and nuts
* A camera and one or two spare rolls of film (plus, maybe, spare batteries for the camera), instead of the quick happy-snappy in your tank bag
* Don’t forget a small amount of cash as well as a credit card (or, preferably, two: in case one gets eaten by an ATM) and your rego papers

You will note that the contents of this list will fit reasonably comfortably into a single pannier (leaving the other for your tent, mattress, sleeping bag or your pillion’s stuff.

Try this list and see how you go.

Try this little tip. Get everything you absolutely need and pile it all onto the bed. Have a good look at it and remove half of it. Now have a look at what is left and remove half of this. Now you are left with what you should actually take – if it fits

In general Windy City business travel can be a pleasurable and lucrative experience. The key to the successful trip often lies in preparation. As a large metropolitan area Chicago can present transportation challenges to even most experienced corporate travelers. Traffic, highway construction as well as scores of major events happening around the Chicagoland can considerably extend visitor’s travel.

Most businessmen will enter Chicago through one of its two major airports O’Hare or Midway. Every year over 13.5 million passengers pass through O’Hare making this northwestern Chicago airport one of the nation’s busiest. Fortunately plenty of transportation options are available. Visitors on the budget can always count on the city’s subway trains. CTA Blue Line is always a good choice to inexpensively travel to the loop. Taxis, shuttle vans and limos are also available. Most major hotels and limousine companies can be accessed through a network of airport phones conveniently located throughout the terminals. Business travelers arriving at O’Hare airport need to be aware of the rules and regulations governing the passenger pickup. Chicago Airport Transportation Authorities devised a Chicago Limousine Passenger Pickup Procedures.

It is always recommended that corporate travelers visiting the city on regular basis will establish a relationship with on of the Chicago limousine companies. Major Chicago limo corporations offer low flat rates, expert knowledge of the city and usually guarantee their services. Large vehicle pools provide choices from sedans to stretch limos. Major companies also supply vans, shuttles, busses and taxis; becoming a top transportation choice for flight crews and businessmen. Expert and courteous limo drivers act as valuable guides during city’s sporting, cultural, and professional events; offering a real glimpse into the city’s rich night life. A cost of an average trip from O’Hare to Downtown should not excide $45 dollars. Corporate travelers visiting the Windy City regularly can negotiate better monthly rates depending on vehicle used.

Clients looking to enhance their sales process through a luxurious limousine trip combined with the sampling of Chicago’s countless entertainment options will not be disappointed. With six major league teams, theaters, concert halls, museums and fine restaurants the city has a lot to offer.

Chicago is also a host to many convention and expos including The Chicago Auto Show. Boating and motorcycle expos as well as other industry specific trade shows offer plenty of business development opportunities. Major Exposition Centers like McCormick or O’Hare Expo Center are conveniently located near major express ways offering plenty of parking space, as well as access via public transportation.

Tucked away in the far North East India, bordering Tibet, Bhutan and Myanmar is the Arunachal Pradesh. It is the largest state in the northeastern region of India. Although the Chinese government is claiming it to be in their territory, Arunachal Pradesh is India’s emerging travel destination. Itanagar is a beautiful capital city of Arunachal Pradesh. The land is unexplored and unexploited by the outside world, which is why it is famous for its diverse fauna and flora. With more than 60 percent of the state covered with evergreen forests, the greenery is punctuated by rivers, streams and the snow-clad Himalayas.

Arunachal Pradesh is a tourist’s paradise! One attraction is the tribal culture of the many ethnic groups. Most of them are Buddhists and Tawang Monastery is one of the most important religious institutes of the faith. There are other groups who worship their ancestors in the form of Sun and Moon God, “Donyi Polo” and “Abo Tani”.

The state is flourish with an incredible variety of flora and fauna, with over 500 varieties of orchids, including “Sita Pushpa” and “Draupadi Pushpa”, belived to have been worn as adornments by Sita and Draupadi in Hindu mythologies, “the Ramayana” and “the Mahabharata” respectively.

Ziro is a tumble-down city surrounded by tribal villages of Dilbo, Bulla, Hari, Hija and Hong. It is regarded as the most beautiful hill stations in the state with lofty mountains and beautiful valleys.

Nyokum and Dree festivals are important fairs in Arunachal Pradesh which displays the vivid colour of the region. During such festivals, the people performs a variety of community dances, where they wear a regalia of different materials, colours and shapes to suit the dance form.

There are four wildlife sanctuaries at Namdapha National Park. Mongling Reserve Forest in East Siang district is also a national park. You will see animals like wild mithuns, white bowed gibbons, red pandas and musk deer in these sanctuaries. Birds like Indian hornbill and white-winged wood duck are viewers’ attractions.

Visiting Arunachal Pradesh is best during mid July to mid December and mid March to mid June. The nearest airports are Tezpur and Lilabari and the nearest railway stations are Lakhimpur and Harmutty.

As a veteran backpacker of both hemispheres currently traveling extensively throughout all 32 provinces of the People’s Republic of China, this writer has come to depend heavily on hostels. Without them I could not financially (or emotionally) last the 10 months I’m expected to be on the road. As such, I’ve brooded on the etymology of the word.

Hostel: a term that has become synonymous with world travel. From the Medieval Latin hospitium, it has been co-opted by over 80 different countries, beginning in 1912 Germany whence originated the idea of the modern youth hostel. Yet in spite of its global popularity, hostelling has continued to remain a relatively underground experience.

Budget backpackers, considered at once hipsters and hobos, rely on hostels for their comparatively affordable accommodations. But youth hostels are also a retreat from the road; a refugee camp for foreigners journeying abroad.

China might have opened its doors to westerners, but we are still strongly urged by the national tourism bureau to check in to pricey hotels while economical boardinghouses, luguan, are for locals only.

Hot destinations, however, like Beijing, Yangshuo and Dali are renowned for their selection of lively hostels. I’ve been to them all, and I’ve seen it all (there ought to be a reality TV series called ‘Backpackers Behaving Badly). There is one hostel I shall especially never forget, where the vibe was so deliciously laid back that my intended two-day stopover turned into seven.

DAY 1: Arrive 8pm in Chengdu, Sichuan’s sweltering capital city, and check into the ‘Stir-Fry’ hostel. The attractive Chinese front-desk staff in short shorts confirms what I’ve heard about Sichuan girls. Get a bed in a 6-bunk dorm and immediately crash out. Woken at 2am by five inebriated Australians returning from a disco vociferously complaining that Chinese girls spend all day playing online dancing games at internet cafés, but at a nightclub they just stand against the wall.

DAY 2: Browse the three-story hostel premises, drying laundry whipping in the wind like the flag of the backpacker. Take a stroll around Chengdu then return to find my previous bunkmates replaced by a guy named Pickle from Hawaii who road a motorbike across Sichuan. Pickle’s first words to me are “Mind if I smoke a bowl?” At 5am a drunk Dutch girl falls into her bunk and passes out in nothing but her g-string. The next morning she tells us “I dreenk haalf day un sleep other haalf. I need to sleep less so I caan dreenk more.” I would be stupid not to stay another day.

DAY 3: New guy in our room, a University of Oregon grad named Sven (who looks nothing like a Sven). Pickle wakes up at 2pm and suggests our little American clique have lunch at a Tex-Mex restaurant across town. I feel guilty not eating Sichuan hot pot like I’m supposed to, but my conscience is quickly lost in a world of melted cheese and refried beans. Nighttime at the Stir-Fry is hopping, the open-air courtyard crowded with people from every country imaginable sitting around drinking and chatting, their accented conversations invariably beginning with “Where are you from?” followed by “Where are you going?” Happy laughter is a constant. Our world leaders would do well to study life in a hostel. A British bloke wearing a polo shirt with an upturned collar alternates between hitting on the Chinese front-desk girls (now uniformly wearing size-too-small summer skirts) and asking everyone “Are you going out tonight?” Me, Pickle and Sven opt for watching the Quentin Tarantino blood-and-breasts fest “Hostel” on the lounge DVD player. It’s almost like the Stir-Fry…except everyone gets killed.

DAY 4: Said British bloke, his collar now only half-upturned, is passed out drunk on the lobby couch till late afternoon. He was supposed to have caught an early-morning flight back to the UK, the receptionist tells us, but they couldn’t wake him. Evening at the Stir-Fry once again turns out to be quite the social scene. A French guy with tribal tattoos and a Vanilla Ice haircut queues up a jungle drum & bass mix on the lobby sound system and everyone at once stops what they are doing to dance and bob their heads, like a scene out of some musical. A blonde girl with a nose ring unabashedly drinking backwash out of beer bottles littered around the courtyard convinces Pickle to go with her to a local café named the Pot Palace. I shouldn’t be surprised that such an establishment exists in a province where weed grows wild as a weed. Pickle returns at 4am floating. The last he saw of the drunk nose-ring girl she was fighting with a Chinese taxi driver before running out of the cab without paying.

Day 5: It’s too humid outside so I beeline to the air-conditioned lounge, where we watch seven pirated DVDs (technically only four because they kept skipping). During this time we visit Africa, various regions of Europe, Los Angeles and prison; it’s almost like traveling! An Italian girl comments, “I shoulda be outsidea meeting Chinesea people anda doinga Chinesea things,” but then settles back in the sofa when the next movie begins. At night I chat with a pair of Israeli girls who confide, “We come China to experience culture, but here have too many Israeli backpacker; we can’t escape ourselves!” And meet a young American beatnik double fisting bottles of Snow and Tsingtao (“Dude, they’re both, like, water!”) trying to round up a group to go to the Pot Palace. It dawns on me that while all these kids are literally blazing through the world looking for a good time, I’ve somehow remained the consummate professional. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I’m ten years older than the average backpacker. At midnight Sven comes in jovially exclaiming that he found the local pink-light district up by the train station. I’ve wondered where he’s been disappearing too lately.

Day 6: Tex-Mex again for lunch (fifth day in a row!), followed by the Japanese classic ‘Battle Royal.’ A German guy who hasn’t left the DVD room in ten days says that the lazy hostel life is sucking him in. I realize myself that as I still have 12 more provinces to go, I need to either get back on the road or establish permanent residence at the Stir-Fry. It’s a hard choice, but I ultimately opt for the former. Pickle is having his own dilemma. He had been trying to sell his motorcycle, but the local buyers he lined up cut their offer in half at the last minute. “I’ll be damned if I give in to those thieving b*st*rds. I’d rather drive my bike into the Chengdu River!” he shouts as he revs off down the street. I don’t know if he’s serious, but we never see the motorbike again. At 11pm I watch a baijiu drinking game between one of the Chinese front-desk girls and two Brits who have been living at the Stir-Fry for half a year while working as English teachers.

Day 7: Blearily wake up at 6am for the first time in a week and go downstairs to check out. No receptionist to be found, I look around and find the three multinational baijiu drinkers from the night before on the hallway floor. I shake them awake, one Brit crawling off to puke while I turn in my key. Stepping out of the Stir-Fry for the last time I look back to see the still-drunk front-desk girl and the other English lad checking doorknobs for an empty room, then stumble in arm in arm. Manchester – Goooooaaaaal!

When visiting Andalucia, I would highly recommend making the trip to Ronda. The winding roads up the mountainside can be a little daunting, but what a view all the way to the top!

Ronda is one of the oldest cities in Spain, having origins in the Neolithic age. Wonderful cave paintings were discovered, including the famous Pileta's Cave, depicting paintings from the Paleolithic age.

Its mountain top location made it an ideal location to build a city - very easy to defend. The first builders were the Romans, and many examples of their architecture can still be viewed in the city today.

The Moors then made their mark, and built the walls, gates and arches of the city, which are still very much intact. You can stroll alongside the walls, enjoying the fabulous views… or visit the Arab Baths, still in an excellent state of repair. State protected because of historic interest in 1931, these baths were built at the end of the 13th century or start of the 14th century.

Another fascinating building to visit is the Casa del Rey Moro - or House of the Moorish King - which appears to be from the 18th Century. The house itself is in a dilapidated condition, but the first floor has been restored, and contains the tourist office. Well worth a visit to the gardens of the house, which were constructed by the great French Landscaper Forestier in 1912. The house also has a mine which you can visit, which consists of a wide zigzagging staircase carved into the rock, covered by a fascinating system of stacked vaults. Visit the Sala del Manantial (Room of the Spring) from which slaves brought water to the King.

The hub of Ronda is the "New Bridge", that divides the city, over a deep gorge - El Tajo, with houses literally hanging on the edges of the cliffs. Right next door is the lovely Alameda del Tajo Park - perfect for a restful stroll after your busy sightseeing, and also the Blas Infante viewpoint where you can stand on a balcony over... a huge drop!

Famous people love this city - close to the Alameda del Tajo Park, you can visit the Paseo de Orson Wells - the famous actor loved Ronda and is, in fact, buried there. Ernest Hemingway was also very fond of the city and the Paseo de Hemingway has been named for him. He visited Spain during the Spanish Civil War, to report for the North American Newspaper Alliance.

The Plaza de Toros, or Bullring, of Ronda, is the oldest in Spain and was officially inaugurated in 1785 by the two bullfighters, Pedro Romero and Pepe Hillo. It is possible to visit the bullring, its museum and the surrounding buildings and paddocks. Outside the entrance to the bullring are statues to two famous bullfighters of Ronda, Cayetano Ordonez and Antonio Ordonez.

Strolling the streets of Ronda is like taking a step back in time - narrow streets with attractive buildings, tapas bars and restaurants - and wonderful shops. You will also come across interesting museums, like the Museo del Bandelero… lots of beautiful churches and lovely plazas and sidewalk cafes to rest and catch your breath.

It is difficult to mention all the wonderful attractions of this city in one article, but this is definitely a must-visit part of your Spanish tour! One little warning - try and stay a minimum of 3 days, otherwise you'll miss out on a lot of the attractions. Wear good comfortable walking shoes, and if visiting in summer, always carry a bottle of water.. it gets hot in Ronda!

Having spent over two-and-a-half straight years in the Chinese mainland without leave, it was with both anticipation and apprehension that I recently crossed the southern border into Asia’s wealthiest city.

Despite its one-stop-shopping popularity with Mainland expats needing new clothes and a new visa, I truly had no idea what to expect in the former crown colony that supposedly makes even rich men feel poor. Rather terrified of exacting reverse culture shock, I hence saved English-speaking Hong Kong and its “One Country, Two Systems” self for the tail end of my journey across the 32 Chinese provinces.

And it is here I report that all my preconceptions and fears about Hong Kong were... true. To quote the under-appreciated American writer Thomas A. Carter (me!) upon his brief sojourn in the legendary Chinese city, “I’ve never felt more poor than when I was in Hong Kong... I’ve never felt more ugly than when I was in Hong Kong.”

DAY 1: Cross the Shenzhen-Hong Kong border at Louhu and catch the immaculate KCR railway, immediately impressed that nobody is staring, shoving or spitting. Arrive in Kowloon’s southern peninsula and emerge from the underground into the land of lights – Tsim Sha Tsui. Blinded with excitement, I have to ask a resplendent group of Indian women draped in saris where the Mirador Mansion is. They point their gold-ringed fingers straight up. A towering, rust-stained concrete block, and one of Hong Kong’s only affordable accommodations. I check in to a claustrophobic dorm room (three times the price of a Mainland dorm and three times as small), then hit Nathan Road. Peering up into the neon lights, tripping in the crush of the crowds, I feel just like a migrant worker back in Beijing.

DAY 2: Awoken at 6am by one of my bunkmates stumbling in after a long night. His name is Pat, a young American backpacker with long red hair whose introduction is immediately followed by a long-winded narrative about his two-week romps in Hong Kong, including scoring with the mythical “Asian girls who LOOOVE foreign guys.” When I counter that I never had any such luck, the fast-talking but likeable Pat proffers some off-the-cuff advise (“Dude, lose the beard”) before launching into more useful information. “It’s Sunday, okay, and there’s gonna be, like, 120,000 Filipino nannies and maids on their only day off – and looking for boyfriends!” I’m a little dubious of Pat’s generalizations, but sure enough his mobile rings continuously with calls from adoring cleaning ladies he met the Sunday before. An afternoon stroll around Statue Square indeed reveals a literal blanket of thousands of picnicking South Asian women (Hong Kong’s largest migrant communities) whose collective chatter sounds just like a large flock of seagulls. When I attempt to candidly photograph one attractive young Filipino, she shouts “Hey! I klick jor ass!” So much for getting a date.

DAY 3: Fieldtrip to Shek O beach on Hong Kong Island’s south side, savoring the soft sand and splashing in the subtropical South China Sea. Supposedly this place is packed out on the weekend, but that’s what weekdays are for, no? It’s one of those moments when I enjoy being unemployed. Chase my fun in the sun with a tram ride up Victoria Peak for a breathtaking evening vista of skyscrapers, which appear to be constructed entirely out of lights. Dafnit, an Israeli girl clearly in awe of the Hong Kong skyline, remarks, “We have no tall buildings in Israel. Oh wait... we have one!”

DAY 4: Spend the day traversing Kowloon, the fashion billboards of TST turning into seedy massage parlor billboards as I descend northwest down the Nathan Road side streets, the sun lost behind precipices of neon signs stretching horizontally over the streets. The markets of Mong Kok are mobbed with uniformed students on lunch break: long-haired boys with untucked white shirts and loosened ties, and made-up girls in little outfits out of a Japanese kogal/hentai fantasy: knee-high black stockings, short skirts and a Louis Vuitton bag to carry their pencils and books. They have tattoos, tongue piercings and smoke cigarettes. After commenting that they are the hippest students in China I’ve seen, one 15-year-old boy replies in perfect English, “Yes, so cool, but so young.”

DAY 5: I want to see how the other half lives and spend the day in Central, Hong Kong Island’s microcosm of capitalism. Cross Victoria Harbor by the centuries-old Star Ferry through a morning miasma of pollution and follow white-collared crowds of businessmen contending with cell phones, briefcases and lattés into their respective skyscrapers. Later observe as many women shopping in designer department stores – these must be the wives. I notice that they all clutch their purses as I walk by, then realize why as I catch a glimpse of myself in the reflective fa?ade of the Bank of China tower. My head cast down in self-consciousness, I almost get rolled over by a Rolls (driving on the wrong side of the road, damn Brits!), then almost again by a double-decker cable car. Everyone in Central must be against me. My insecurities are firmed up that evening in Lan Kwai Fong, a gentrified neighborhood of upscale restaurants and bars on the Island’s northern escarpment. The steep streets are congested with young, well-to-do westpats toasting yet another successful day of money -making. I can’t believe there are so many white people in China who aren’t English teachers! They are all smartly dressed and have well-groomed hair; I am wearing cutoff army pants, low-top fake Converse, an eight year old t-shirt that I bought used, nor have I shaved or cut my locks in the eight months I’ve been on the road. I want to belong, but I don’t. It’s one of those moments when I regret being unemployed.

DAY 6: I give the Island another chance and take the night ferry across the harbor to the north end’s older and seedier nightspot, the infamous Wan Chai. Recall it is where Richard Mason penned his 1950’s tale of forbidden love, “The World Of Suzie Wong,” though a lot has changed since he wrote “take a minute’s stroll from the center and you won’t see a European.” The pick-up bars still line the road, yum-yum girls luring passersby into their neon-lit dens, but these are the illegitimate daughters of Suzie Wong, not of Chinese but Thai dissent, wearing not elegant silk cheongsams but cheap miniskirts raised to immodest heights. And unlike the kindly ladies of the Nam Kok Hotel, these modern-day working girls are vicious, mercenary, cold. When a group of obviously disappointed white boys emerge from one venue exclaiming, “In Thailand they take off ALL their clothes,” the brown-skinned door girl in plastic go-go boots is quick to shout back, “Then go to Thailand!” Further down Lockhart I follow a couple of older Europeans primed with drink and flirting heavily with a lovely bouquet of girls looking for generous company. After making their arrangements, one of the men leans on me and confides, “Wy mife, I mean my wife, thinks I’m *HICCUP* at a conference.” The remaining girls give this poor writer a cursory glance then quickly cross the street away from me.

DAY 7: I wake up feeling dejected and classless; the expatriates of Central don’t want me, nor do the waterfront girls of Wan Chai. Take a stroll around TST, passing by friendly knots of third-world hustlers hanging out in front of the Chungking Mansions, the immigrant ghetto of Kowloon that serves as temporary living quarters for Hong Kong’s financially insolvent émigrés. A street corner tout from Kashmir says to me “The Mansions is where anyone not wearing pastel shorts or a suit stay.” I realize this mad cauldron of multiculturalism is the only place I truly feel at home in Hong Kong. The Africans on the never-quiet front steps always high-five me, the Pakistanis all think I’m Muslim (must be the beard), and the Indians bat their eyelashes at me. The Chungking Mansions are the international haunt for anyone who is no one, and I am one of them. It is a peasant’s epiphany – in Hong Kong, I am the ‘nongmin.’

Perhaps the foremost reason why so few travelers make the journey to northwest China’s Xinjiang province is quite simply its vastness. Aside from being located on the exact opposite side of the country from Beijing, which itself is a long journey even by plane, the arid autonomous region is the largest territory in China, spanning over one-sixth of the second largest continent in the world. It’s also a long journey in terms of the cultural shift the traveler will experience especially when one spends a whole day in its street markets. And conversely, considering its proximity to central Asia, sharing borders with an astonishing eight other nations, one wouldn’t believe that Xinjiang is the People’s Republic’s least touristed province. But it is this solitude in fact that makes the provincial desert a distinct oasis in Asia.

Not far from the scalding sands of the Tarim Basin is the region’s political and commercial center, Kashgar. What Marco Polo called Cascar and the Han now refer to as Kashi the Asian outpost has fashioned itself over the centuries into one of the Silk Road’s most vital international crossroads linking China with northern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan by way of the Karakorum Highway. As such, Kashgar more closely resembles the Mid-East than the Han culture we are familiar with; the city is a veritable tapestry of central Asian cultures, as reflected in its massive weekly bazaar. Located in the Kona Sheher old town, the famous Sunday market is, like all things Xinjiang, China’s largest.

Approaching the market district, one is immediately beset by a commingled scent of smoke and fruit. If China is famous for its cuisine, then Xinjiang is responsible for half of its success. Lamb kabob roasted throughout the day over sizzling coals against an undulating landscape of spicy lamian noodles topped with peppers, tomatoes and garlic, goat’s head soup, deep-fried fish and yellow mountains of pilaf rice, all washed down with boiling vats of satiating cinnamon tea.

There may not be as much bread in the whole of China as there is in Kashgar and one is oft tempted by stacks of lightly seasoned nan or pyramids of sesame seed bagels fresh out of the oven. Scarlet slices of watermelon, Xinjiang’s most abundant fruit and pink peaches blushing like a child’s cheeks are the perfect desert dessert, with market patrons walking away with comically dripping chins.

If China is famous for its cuisine, then Xinjiang is responsible for half its success

Gorged on the regional fare, one must then dodge the merchant calls of "kilinglar!" (Turkish for "come!") while browsing the endless displays of useful household wares, useless souvenirs (genie lamp anyone?), outdated electronics, knockoff clothing and eye-catching textiles, the latter being the most popular among the women of Kashgar. It’s quite a sight to see a Muslim lady shrouded in an hijab headscarf burrowing through hills of shimmering silk and other fine fabrics to further veil herself in.

Xinjiang’s predominant nationality, the Uyghurs, flavor the region with both their unique Turkish-influenced culture and devout religious faith. With more then twelve million Muslims in China, Xinjiang naturally accounts for over half the national total. Kashar’s Id Kah is the largest mosque in the People’s Republic; the city literally comes to a halt five times a day when the faithful respond to the calling of the adhan and rush to mosque for a congregational series of Mecca-facing prostrations and Islamic prayer. Half an hour later, the city is again screaming with activity and commerce.

Despite the traditional lifestyle of the Uyghurs, Kashgar has developed itself over the years into a white-tiled mercantile metropolis, where even the famed weekly bazaar is now held in a modernized indoor facility of thousands of identical stalls. Though still quite a spectacular site, this refinement has left many enthusiasts desiring something a bit more...authentic. Not to be discouraged, the answer to anyone dissatisfied by the comparatively tamer and more contemporary Kashgar is Xinjiang’s lesser known, yet arguably more impressive souk in Hetian, a day’s scenic drive south along the lethally hot Taklamakan, the second largest desert in the world. The shaded, tree-lined respite is renowned throughout China for its jade, silk and carpets – the three treasures of Hotan (as the Uyghurs spell it), which translates into "place that abounds in jade".

Hetian- A souk beyond

Indeed the first site anyone will happen upon at the Hetian marketplace is an entire street of jade dealers, either from storefronts, on blankets spread out on the ground, in the trunks of cars, or out of their pant pockets. The rabid riots of precious stone peddlers and prospective buyers haggling in their Turkish tongue over every size and color of jade imaginable add to the chaos that is only the beginning of Hetian’s bazaar. Extending countless kilometers in all four directions, the traffic-stopping market literally takes over the city streets; ass-drawn carriages contending with big bad buses and motorcycle taxis navigating through scores of preoccupied people. An entire boulevard of fragrant fruits and prismatic vegetables intersects an avenue lush with carpets and rugs, which is then separated by the canals of the Hotan River.

Beyond the medieval blacksmiths pounding on their anvils asphalt soon turns to dust. Livestock both alive and freshly slaughtered trample the dirt or turn it into crimson mud, and baying horses, camels, mules and bulls excrete freely onto the ground while being industriously inspected by interested human parties. To a pulsating background score of 200 beat per minute Arabic tabla drums and the two-stringed dutar, the bizarre bazaar dramatically segues into heaps of faux jewelry, henna hair dye and cheap cosmetics ravaged by young, olive-skinned women wearing heavy black eyeliner who prefer neck and arm-revealing (gasp!) western fashion to their more conservatively concealed counterparts. Meanwhile the local men get a shave and their head scalped by an outdoor barber or go browsing for a new knife or an embroidered dopi cap.

The blazing desert climate begins to cool at sunset, which in the summer months is about 11pm, and the mad market in Hetian winds down. Beggars seek those last few alms, exhausted vendors relax with a few chapters of the Qur’an, and the rest of us return home to look through our treasures.

I would like to introduce you to the Florida Keys. More specifically, Key West as it is the most sought after destination in the area for sun seekers, fisherman, and those in search of nightlife at the far reaches of the island chain. Key West as the most southerly point in Florida and the most popular Keys destination, is the crown of the Conch Republic. Washed by the waters of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico to the east and west respectively, temperatures range from 69 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit with an average around 40” of rain a year and has around 24,000 year-round residents.

When you leave Florida proper through the gate of the Everglades and emerge onto Key Largo, you may notice the pace begin to slacken although perhaps not on the highway itself. As you travel southward, you will exit the northerly area’s of weekend homes and enter the middle and lower Keys where the water blends from the rich blue around Marathon to a milky and shallow appearance as you pass Big Pine Key toward Key West.

While in Key West you should park the car and rent a bicycle or scooter as to wheel around the island like a local and take in the ambiance of the place. Ready parking areas abound with these two wheeled jewels but do be sure to lock them up when you are away. I recommend spending an evening at Mallory Square enjoying the picturesque sunset, myriad’s of entertainers, and the general festive patio-like feel of the place. Just a note, the street vendors on the square may change up on the prices for their products if they think you will let them get away with it so hold them to their original price and be willing to walk away. You already knew that though didn’t you?

There is no lack of activities on this diminutive spit of land between the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. To be honest however, many people come here just for the varied nightlife and the downtown area accommodates that by being very orientated to pedestrian traffic and bar hopping visitors. A litany of things to do here might include, sightseeing, boating, sailing, flats & deep sea fishing, snorkeling, diving, skiing, parasailing, windboarding, lobster hunting, sunbathing, barhopping & partying or perhaps just being a lounge lizard.

Key West is the southern mecca for those in the Conch Republic who enjoy the city as well as the destination of choice for those who seek hedonism in the far southern US. Many of our clients traveling to Key West prefer to be near Duval street due to it’s proximity to downtown, so if you anticipate traveling there please be aware of the demand for accommodations particularly during festivals.