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Thanksgiving. It is a holiday most Americans revere, yet some Europeans find strange. To gather for no reason other than to feast and “give thanks” to all they have, whether spiritual or material. But hey, it’s not all about that. Thanksgiving is about homecoming, about enjoying human contact, great food, and all the traditions that comes from the companionship of friends, family, and our fellow man. While there have been many Thanksgiving feasts, the one heralded as the traditional “First Thanksgiving” took place with the pilgrims of Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621. And to this day, there are many historic sites one may visit to pay tribute to this American holiday.
Mayflower II
To commemorate the wartime cooperation between England and the United States in World War II, it was decided, in 1954, that a full-sized replica of the original Mayflower would be built and sail from England to the United States along the same path the original pilgrims took some 330 years before. “Project Mayflower” was formed with the cooperation of the Plimoth Plantation museum and a vessel was built to match the original Mayflower as accurately as possible. The wood is English oak, the sails hand-sewn, and the nails hand-forged. In 1956, the ship was christened in the style used during the 17th century. A few months later, it would set sail across the Atlantic. Today, the ship can be found at State Pier in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It is still seaworthy to this day.
Mayflower Barn
From its appearance, it would seem to be just any old barn, but in fact this is a building of controversy. Whether true or not, this has so far proven to be the best bet as to where the original Mayflower came to be. “Where is it?’, you may ask, ‘Inside the barn?” No. Actually… it is the barn. The site itself dates back to the Middle Ages. In 1618 it was purchased by a Thomas Russell, and six years later, in 1624, Russell would build a new barn with the timbers from a ship he purchased at the shipbreaker yards in Rotherhithe. The name of that ship? “Mayflower”. In the 1920’s it would be concluded this was indeed the original Mayflower that brought the Pilgrims to the new world. This conclusion, however, has been hotly debated to this very day as there were dozens of ships with the name “Mayflower” in the 17th century. The barn is located in England on the edge of the Chiltern Hills in South Buckinghamshire.
Plymouth Rock
400 years ago, it was just a rock… And then a pilgrim stepped onto it from his boat. Plymouth Rock, one of the most revered relics of early American history (early, of course, being a relative term). While there is no documentation from 1620 that references the rock, its location was instead passed down from generation to generation. Some claim that this is unreliable, and the rock is therefore most likely apocryphal. Our response? So, what! Whether or not the pilgrims actually stepped onto this rock when they left their boat has largely grown to be irrelevant. What is important now is what the rock symbolizes, a piece of the origin of the United States. One could argue that the rock still then has no “historical” significance. But consider this, the belief that the rock stood at the landing site of the pilgrims is even older than the United States itself. Today, the rock has a history all its own. In 1774, the rock was split in two with the bottom-half being left at the sea and the upper-half being taken to the town’s meeting house. In 1880 the two halves were recombined in a knew housing close to the sea. In 1920, the rock was again relocated to where it rests today, within a waterfront promenade in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Pilgrim Hall Museum
This is, quite simply, the oldest continuously operating public museum in the United States, having opened its doors in 1824. The museum is run by the Pilgrim Society and tells the story of the Plymouth Colony of Massachusetts as well as the Pilgrims themselves. The top half of Plymouth Rock spent a portion of its time here during the period when it had been divided in two. The museum was upgraded in the 1880’s and once again given a renovation in 2008. The museum is home to various artifacts from the Pilgrim era including the only known remains of a 17th century trans-Atlantic ship.
Plimoth Plantation
This living museum features an outdoor, full-size reconstruction of the Pilgrims’ original settlement in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The museum has meticulously researched the era in an effort to portray the settlement as accurately as possible. From the homes, to the streets, to the everyday items, every detail is a faithful recreation. The settlement follows a timeline from March through November when it is open to the public. The museum was founded in 1947 and the village built in the 50’s. The actual, original settlement is believed to have been located 2.5 miles to the northwest along Burial Hill and today’s Leyden street. The Plimoth Plantation is also responsible for the upkeep of the Mayflower II docked nearby.
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Since most of the sites on this list are located here, it’s only fair that the town itself be mentioned. Plymouth, Massachusetts is obviously one of the oldest municipalities in the United States, and it is here that the first Thanksgiving feast took place. The name “Plymouth” came from the British city of the same name, which in turn was named after the mouth of the River Plym, where the city is located. Today, Plymouth’s major industry is tourism.
Thanksgiving is often seen as a holiday of homecoming, yet there is no reason why one can’t take it as an opportunity for a family vacation to learn more about why we give thanks every November.
Photo credit: BostonPhotoSphere
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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.Thanksgiving Vacation Destinations
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Sightseeing in Berlin is exciting, informative and it can be heart wrenching. This city has seen more transformative modern history than many others in the world and visiting Berlin is an eye opening experience for anyone.
One stop that every sightseer must take in when traveling to Berlin is the Berlin Wall, or what remains of it. After World War II Germany was divided into four parts, each part was occupied by a different country, America, Great Britain, France, and the former Soviet Union. The city of Berlin was also divided into four sections. Further disagreements on occupation ensued and eventually the Soviet portion became known as the German Democratic Republic which was known as East Germany and East Berlin became the capital. The other zones were known as the Federal Republic of Germany or West Germany with the capital being Bonn. Until 1961 East Germans could move between the two portions of the country but eventually it became clear that the West side was more popular as almost 20,000 East Germans were moving to West Berlin a month. On August 13th 1961 the city of West Berlin was surrounded by barbed wire, which eventually was replaced by an actual wall, and traffic back and forth was largely prohibited. In 1989 amid revolts and street protests, in a very dramatic move, the wall came crumbling down and the people trapped within were once again free to move about freely. Parts of the wall still remain and draw tourists and visitors every year.
Germany’s history isn’t all rosy, it’s a fact that the world recognizes and Germany makes no effort to gloss over the Holocaust. The Holocaust Memorial is not only a reminder of this horrifying moment in history it’s also a tribute to those whose lives were lost. The original idea for the Holocaust Memorial was proposed in 1988 but the design wasn’t approved until 11 years later. Eventually Peter Eisenman’s design was chosen and his memorial of 2,711 plain gray stone slabs stretched out over 205,000 square feet now stands as the Holocaust Memorial. Each stone is unique in its own way and when viewed from the right angles the stones like up to create a wave-like pattern across the ground. Eisenman’s vision was to create visual instability and disorientation. Known by most as the Holocaust Memorial, its official name is the Monument to the Murdered Jews in Europe. Take a moment to stop at the information center at the base and find information on the tragedies of World War II and hear personal stories from families and individuals who survived.
Reichstag is the seat of German Parliament and one of Berlin’s most historical and noted landmarks. The Reichstag came out of the German Empire in 1872 and was a necessity to house everyone during governmental proceedings. In 1933 a fire destroyed most of the building. Inside the central dome are most of the original ornamentation which were painstakingly restored in the 1990s. The glass dome at the top is particularly popular with tourists as they can walk all the way to the top.
One of the most popular tourist stops in Germany is St. Nicholas Quarter or Nikolaiviertel. This district is one of the oldest and most historic in the city of Berlin but most of the buildings were destroyed in World War II so many of the buildings you see there today are replicas that were created in 1979 as part of the 750th anniversary of St. Nicholas Quarter. In the center of Nikolaiviertel is the oldest church in Berlin, or at least a rebuilt version of this 13th century church. Inside the church, Nilolaikirche, is a museum which is a must stop for tourists who want to learn more about the city’s history.
To get a better look at the cultural aspects of Germany Museumsinsel or Museum Island is a perfect stop for tourists. This island in the Spree River houses several noted museums and is a convenient stop for people looking to explore the cultural side of Germany. The oldest museum is Altes Museum which holds the antique collection of the Berlin State Museums. Originally built between 1823 and 1830 it was once the Royal Museum. The Neues Museum is also called the New Museum and was originally built between 1843 and 1855 but was heavily damaged during the war. The Neuses Museum is noted for its Egyptian, prehistoric, and early history collections. The Alte Nationalgalerie is the local art museum with noted pieces from the Classical, Romantic, Biedermeier, Impressionist and Modernist eras. The Bode Museum has a number of sculptures from a huge variety of regions and eras. And finally the Pergamon Museum which is quite an impressive museum with reconstructions of noted monuments which have been transported from their original excavations and moved to the island. The Pergamon is the most visited art museum in Germany with an estimated 850,000 people visiting each year.
Charlottenburg Palace is the largest palace in Berlin, built in several stages the original stage began in 1695 and 1699 and was meant to serve as the summer home for Sophie Charlotte. Once Sophie’s husband was named the first Prussian King, Friedrich I, the palace began its massive expansion. Inside this wonderful historic architectural masterpiece are beautiful interiors emphasized with art pieces collected throughout the years. The Eichengallerie, or art gallery is an excellent example with oil paintings and a Porzellan-kabinett with restored Chinese and Japanese porcelain. If you prefer the art of the German romantics, the Galerie der Romantik deserves a good look. Behind Schloss Charlottenburg, or the Charlottenburg Palace, is a park that was originally laid out in French Baroque style. It had been converted into a landscape garden but after the restoration part of it resumed its French influence. Not just a park, explore the area and find the mausoleum and the porcelain museum and many other highlights.
In addition to these few sightseeing highlights there are a number of significant sightseeing stops that will give you a deeper understanding of traditional German culture and its incredible citizens.
Photo credit: wit
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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.Sightseeing in Berlin
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Below is a list of travel news and stories for 11/24/2009
Flying an Engineless Plane Is Closest Humans Can Get to Soaring Like a Bird
"GMA Weekend" anchor Kate Snow breezes through the sky in a glider plane.
http://abcnews.go.com
Hong Kong Citizens Are Living in Cages… Literally
Hong Kong is a vibrant city chock-full of people — so much so that the quality of life for those at the bottom tier is atrocious. And I’m not talking about, “Oh my goodness, I have to share a bathroom with my brother and sister.” I’m talking about up to 18 strangers being smashed into a tiny 625 square foot flat with just one toilet to share.
http://www.weirdasianews.com
Low Ryanair Jet Blows Roof Tiles, Puts 82 Yr-Old in Hospital
Apparently, a Ryanair jet flew so low over her house, that it actually blew roofing tiles off the roof. One villager told the local paper that she actually had to duck when the plane came in for its landing at the local Lübeck-Blankensee airport.
http://www.gadling.com
‘Keystroke error’ turns $289 rate into $28
Terry Capps finds a $28 a night room rate at a Westin hotel in Orlando. Turns out the hotel made a mistake, and that the real price is $289 a night. What now? Should the resort honor the original price or can it change the rate and force Capps to pay?
http://www.elliott.org
Continental’s little PIN problem is fixed — finally!
When Tim Milller tried to cash in a travel certificate to buy a Continental Airlines ticket, the system didn’t accept his PIN number. But instead of working with him to fix the problem, the airline charged him for the full amount of the ticket and told him he was out of luck.
http://www.elliott.org
The Top Ten Gross Things People Do On Airplanes
We all know about the rare instances of airline passenger misconduct that make it to the headlines, like the case of the naked, angry flyer or the fighting Lohan, but every day little instances of pure gross occur unnoticed or just unreported.
http://www.jaunted.com
Could Cockpit Conversations Soon Be Available For Review?
Remember when some pilots were recently screwing around on their laptops instead of paying attention to the whole flying-the-plane thing? It would have been nice to hear portions of their conversations in the cockpit—just to see what was actually going on. Well a new bill might allow airlines to listen to portions of cockpit communications.
http://www.jaunted.com
San Diego: Whale-watching charters for the whole gang
Just in time for the holidays, the migration of the California gray whales will soon be viewable to us Southern Californians. Whale-watching season, which typically begins in mid-December and continues through February (though sometimes the season stretches to March or April), presents the perfect incentive to get out into the water and see these [...]
http://travel.latimes.com
Top 25 American hot spots
From inventive restaurants to chic hotels, T+L chronicles a burgeoning of homegrown innovations across the heart of the country and beyond.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com
Best New Trips in the World: Sea Kayak, Snorkel, and Swim with Whales in Tonga
The world’s far corners are now well within reach. TONGA: Whale World Each June, some 450 humpback whales arrive in the shallow waters off Tonga’s Ha’apai Islands to mate and calf, transforming the archipelago into an oversize nursery until September. The Ha’apai are one of the only places in the world where you can snorkel with the 50-foot-long mammals
http://ngadventure.typepad.com
Great coffee shops around the world: What makes a great one anyway?
Hank Leukart, while savoring blueberry pie and a cup of chai at the University of Zoka in Seattle proclaimed it the best coffee shop in the world. As what happens when one proclaims something the best in the world, he immediately began to wonder if he overshot by his gushing. What does he know anyway? After all, had he been in every coffee shop in the world? Of course not, but he has been to a few.
http://www.gadling.com
The coolest job in the world? I’ve got it, says captain of Oasis of the Seas
How cool a job is it to be the captain of the world’s biggest cruise ship?
http://www.usatoday.com
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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.Travel News and Stories for 11/24/2009
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The Travel Photo of the Day for 11/24/2009 is of Scottish Rite Temple of Freemasonry and was taken by ~MVI~
Photo credit: ~MVI~
The Scottish Rite Temple is located in Washington D.C.’s Sixteenth Street Historic District and it was constructed between 1911 and 1915. It was originally meant to be the headquarters of the Supreme Council of the Southern Jurisdiction of the 33rd Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry. The building is modeled after the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.Travel Photo of the Day Scottish Rite Temple of Freemasonry
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Burma, also known as Myanmar, is usually in the headlines to highlight its democratic problems and the struggle of Aung San Suu Kyi, and there are some groups which advocate travelers should avoid making visits to Burma. However, for those who decide it’s a good idea to get to know this country better, Elena Jotow and Nicholas Ganz have written Burma: The Alternative Guide. Originally published last year in German, this 2009 English translation is an interesting addition to the relatively small collection of travel guides to Burma.
Burma the Alternative Guide
This book is a combination of useful information and a great collection of color photographs. The first half features descriptions divided up into the different geographical divisions and states of Burma, with details of history and culture and some ideas and suggestions of places travelers can visit, but without providing in-depth visiting information. The second half of the book delves into what the authors describe as the “darker side” of Burma, covering issues including the problem of opium poppy cultivation, and of course the struggle for freedom as the Burmese people fight against the longest ruling military dictatorship in the modern world.
Burma: The Alternative Guide is a great read for either would-be travelers or those who are just interested in the country, but don’t be tricked into thinking that it is a detailed tourist information guide – for trip planning, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
photo credit: antwerpenR
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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.Book Review: Burma, The Alternative Guide
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Below is a list of travel news and stories for 11/23/2009
Your Car’s Computer Brainier Than the FAA’s?
A new air traffic control system is years away, but could make flights shorter.
http://abcnews.go.com
Takeoff, Rip Off: Beware Those Airport Scales
New York authorities find problems with the scales at JFK and LaGuardia.
http://abcnews.go.com
5 Common Travel Scams Exposed
We all enjoy going on vacation. Taking that welcome break from standard everyday life in order to maybe go abroad and relax in a different environment to what we’re used to. However, there are always those out there seeking to ruin it for us in order to make a quick buck for themselves.
http://www.tripbase.com
Man visits every country on earth in record time
An Indian businessman has visited all 194 countries on earth in a record six years, 10 months and seven days. But the holiday snaps to show for it are less than gripping…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk
Gobble, Gobble: TSA Helpful Holiday Travel Tips
Can you believe it? It’s that time of year again where turkeys head for the hills and people head for the airports. It’s the busiest travel time of the year and a time when people who rarely fly, or have never flown, take to the skies, so we wanted to provide some clarification and tips for those who might come to the blog looking for some information.
http://www.tsa.gov
Festive Budapest
Two weeks ago, Budapest’s Winter Festival–a massive four-month event–kicked off. The festival includes a variety of activities, but its five-week Christmas Festival is by far the most popular. This year, the 10th annual Christmas Festival takes place today through December 29th. Attended by 600,000 people annually, it is considered one of the largest Christmas fairs in Europe.
http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com
New York: Discover President Obama’s Lost Years on a Tour of His New York Haunts
President Obama is most closely associated with the city of Chicago, but he spent five years in New York as a student and community organizer, and a local actor has created a walking tour that shines a light on what he calls Obama’s "lost years" here. The AP introduces us to Jeremiah Miller, whose two-hour "Obama’s New York" tour takes visitors to some of the places the 44th president spent time during his 1981-1985 stint in the city.
http://www.jaunted.com
Five Ways To Score Better Airline Seats For Holiday Travel
Like it or not the holiday season has arrived, and chances are you’ll be spending some time at the airport. We’ve jotted down a few of our experiences that have helped make the whole getting there process a little better, even if it’s just as simple as getting out of the middle seat. We can’t promise that these will work, but they have worked in the past, and it never hurts to ask!
http://www.jaunted.com
Coeur d’Alene to the North Pole: An Idaho resort goes all out for Christmas
When not in Vegas, 1.5-million lights can only mean someone’s putting on one heck of a holiday party. Northern Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene Resort, which claims to hold the world’s tallest living Christmas tree, puts on a family-friendly Holiday Light Show annually on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene. This year, the event runs Nov. 27 [...]
http://travel.latimes.com
Swine flu puts airlines, travelers in tough spot
As outbreaks of the H1N1 virus inject more frazzle into already-frayed travelers, airlines and their approach to sick passengers are being scrutinized.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com
36 Hours in Rajasthan, India
The country is modernizing rapidly, sometimes too fast, but this spectacular old region endures, evoking rulers with giant mustaches and spectacular forts and palaces.
http://travel.nytimes.com
Antarctic Travel Guide
In recent years, one of the most popular destinations for adventure travelers has been Antarctica. The lure of visiting one of the most remote, and rugged places on the planet is a strong one for travelers who have already trekked, paddled, and climbed their way across the other six continents. But for the less adventurous traveler, it can be difficult to understand why someone would even want to venture so far south, and spend their vacation in an arctic environment.
http://www.gadling.com
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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.Travel News and Stories for 11/23/2009
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The Travel Photo of the Day for 11/23/2009 is of San Francisco Golden Gate at sunset and was taken by Carlos Madrigal
Photo credit: Carlos Madrigal
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the Golden Gate, the point where the San Francisco Bay empties into the Pacific Ocean. The longest suspension bridge in the world when it was first constructed, the Golden Gate Bridge has become one of the most recognizable man-made objects in the world and a well-known symbol of San Francisco and California. It is also known as the most photographed bridge in the world.
This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.Travel Photo of the Day Golden Gate at Sunset
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The lead-up to a fun reason to visit India in 2010 has begun. In October next year, the city of Delhi will be swamped with sports people as the Commonwealth Games are held for the 19th time. A mini-version of the Olympics, attended by Britain and its former colonies like India, Canada, Australia and almost 70 other countries, there are 17 sports involved so there is plenty of interest for all kinds of sports lovers. In fact, it will be the largest multi-sport event ever held in India, so there is a lot going on both for the sports people and the tourists the games will attract.
At least 100,000 tourists are expected to stay in Delhi during the Commonwealth Games next year, but if you can’t make it for the sporting events themselves, many of the current initiatives will be longer lasting and will benefit you whenever you visit Delhi. For example, the Delhi Transport Corporation is training its staff in speaking better English and helping foreign tourists out as much as possible. Of course, there are also new venues and refurbishments taking place across the city, and hotels are also sprucing themselves up to cater for the large influx of tourists.
photo credit:
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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.India Travel in 2010: The Commonwealth Games
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The Travel Photo of the Day for 11/22/2009 is of Manhattan Sunset and was taken by aturkus
Photo credit: aturkus
Manhattan is one of the five boroughs of New York City and it is located on Manhattan Island. It is undoubtedly one of the most important places of the world, as it serves as a financial, cultural, and commercial center for the United States and the rest of the globe. The Manhattan skyline has become a legendary symbol of New York City and of the United States as a whole.
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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.Travel Photo of the Day Manhattan Sunset
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The Travel Photo of the Day for 11/21/2009 is of Sea view of Rovinj, Croatia and was taken by akk_rus
Photo credit: akk_rus
Rovinj, Croatia is a coastal city situated on the north Adriatic Sea on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula. It is a very popular tourist destination and an active fishing port, as well as being known for the unique Romance language that only people in Rovinj speak. Most visitors to Rovinj are Europeans who flock to the beautiful city to enjoy the water.
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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.Travel Photo of the Day Sea view of Rovinj Croatia
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Below is a list of travel news and stories for 11/20/2009
FAA Computer Glitch Delays Flights Nationwide
Controllers forced to manually enter pilots’ flight plans.
http://abcnews.go.com
One wrong turn results in a 600km trip
An 81-year-old Australian takes a wrong turn on the way to the shops and keeps driving for 600km.
http://news.bbc.co.uk
LA Oil Rigs Hidden as Buildings, Islands & Palm Trees [vid]
Before L.A. was firmly established as a movie and TV town it was an oil town. In fact, Los Angeles is part of a region that is third largest oil producer in America with over 20 billion barrels of oil yet to be extracted under our feet! Who knew?
http://www.thisisbrandx.com
After car rental disaster, angry customer mails “gesture of goodwill” back to Thrifty
Like most travelers, Bette Waterstreet doesn’t expect much when she rents a car. A clean, running vehicle that’s in the same car class she ordered will do just fine. But that’s not what she got when she rented from Thrifty in Ontario, Canada, recently.
http://www.elliott.org
FAA Glitch Delays Flights Across USA This Morning
Flying this morning? If you’re reading this from a US airport, then you may have already noticed some flights showing up red with delays on the departure screens. The reason is an "FAA glitch" where their computer systems are having issues with processing flight plans, causing the FAA to process flight plans manually and significantly slowing down the system, since we rely on computer so much for this sort of high-volume, fast-paced work.
http://www.jaunted.com
Random Airline Fees Continue Into 2010, Including Super Bowl Travel
Remember all those airline fees that were pouring in a few months ago related to this season’s holiday travel? Well the airlines must have really enjoyed what they were seeing, as they are now looking to tack in some additional charges for days well into 2010. Delta, United, and American Airlines are busy adding these presents to our tickets anytime they think travel will be busier than usual.
http://www.jaunted.com
Newport Beach’s Christmas Boat Parade: Plan ahead to cruise in its midst
If you’re not going to be in the popular Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, then one of the next best places to see the lights and action may be aboard a Hornblower yacht. On five consecutive nights, Dec. 16-20, the Christmas Boat Parade Dinner Cruise, put on by Hornblower Cruises & Events, sails “right through [...]
http://travel.latimes.com
Top budget resorts in the U.S.
Forget everything you thought you knew about resorts. These 10 escapes deliver thrilling activities, plush amenities, and sweeping views, from $119 a night.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com
Best New Trips in the World: Surf, Hike, and Mountain Bike Pristine Sri Lanka
The world’s far corners are now well within reach. SRI LANKA: MIA No More After the tsunami of 2004 and the resolution of a decades-long civil war, Sri Lanka is finally starting to look like its old self: a peaceful destination where surf lineups are nonexistent despite world-class waves and centuries-old tea estates are lined with mountain bike–ready trails.
http://ngadventure.typepad.com
Abroad: Unveiling the Hanging Gardens of Armenia
The Cafesjian Center for the Arts is a mad work of architectural megalomania and one of the most spectacular museum buildings in ages.
http://www.nytimes.com
The Way of the Hermit Crab: 4 Rules for Better Backpack Living
Though we all begin life bare-ass naked and devoid of any possessions, none of us stay that way for long. The doctor swaddles us in a cozy new blanket, cooing relatives hand us stuffed animals and baby toys, while mommy and daddy shower us with gifts and buy us whole wardrobes of clothing.
http://www.vagabondish.com
"Nationwide system outage" grounds flights
Only when I arrive at my gate do I learn of the FAA’s "nationwide system outage" grounding flights across the country. Gate attendants are reading from prepared FAA statements, explaining they don’t know what caused the delay, but that they’re working to fix the problem as quickly as possible.
http://www.gadling.com
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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.Travel News and Stories for 11/20/2009
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The Travel Photo of the Day for 11/20/2009 is of Zebra in Etosha National Park and was taken by coda
Photo credit: coda
Etosha National Park is a park located in northwestern Namibia’s Kunene Region. It was first established in 1907 when Namibia was still a German colony and when it first opened, it was the largest game reserve in the world. Now, though, it only contains a quarter of its original area, but it is still a signficant refuge for the local wildlife and has become one of Namibia’s most prominent national parks.
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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.Travel Photo of the Day Zebra in Etosha National Park
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San Francisco’s Chinatown claims to be the oldest and the largest Chinatown outside of Asia. It’s also one of the top tourist destinations in the area with a number of noted locations and events.
Chinatown was established in the mid 1800s when a large number of Chinese immigrants moved to the region. During that time what is now considered Chinatown was then a port of entry for immigrants coming from the Bay. Many of the immigrants settled in the region and Chinatown developed into a congested area that was poorly built with many small shacks lining the streets. Because of this poor construction the large earthquake of 1906 was particularly damaging and destroyed almost the entire area. The area was rebuilt to attract tourists so the structures were more along the lines of what an American tourist thinks a Chinese building looks like than authentic traditional Chinese architecture. And although the region was designed to attract tourists it’s still mainly populated by people of Chinese origin and the food, wares, traditions and atmosphere is definitely authentic Chinese.
The Bank of Canton in Chinatown was previously the Chinese Telephone Exchange. This beautiful structure was built in 1891 and was the first public telephone pay station in Chinatown. The small community in Chinatown was unique in that most people didn’t have telephone numbers, the local operators memorized the subscribers names, addresses and occupations and could connect callers this way rather than by number. The operators of the day not only needed to have a good memory but they also needed to be fluent in five different Chinese dialects and English. The great earthquake of 1906 destroyed the original building but it was rebuilt and was an essential part of life in Chinatown until 1949 when technology made the telephone exchange obsolete. The Bank of Canton purchased the building and restored it in 1960.
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
Chances are you’ve had a fortune cookie from the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory as this company has been supplying fortune cookies around the world since 1962. Enter the store and you can see the cookies being made right in front of you. Although machines help the process along much of the work is still done by hand and done incredibly fast. Take not of Ross Alley, where the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory is located, is the artwork that lines the alley. Once a hotbed of sin the street used to be full of gambling and brothels, today the alley features beautiful murals depicting everyday life on Chinatown.
Walter U. Lum Place is a street that is very popular with locals and tourists as it’s where the street carnival is held annually at the Chinese New Year’s Celebration. The street is named after a famous Chinese American activist and borders Portsmouth Square.
One of the most popular celebrations in San Francisco’s Chinatown is Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is celebrated for two weeks every spring. The celebration has been held for more than 5,000 years in China and began in the 1860s in San Francisco during the Gold Rush. The event has grown to be one of the largest Asian celebrations in all of North America. During the celebration there are two major fairs, the Chinese New Year Flower Fair and the Chinatown Community Street Fair. At the end of the celebration is the famous Chinese New Year Parade, named one of the world’s top ten parades. More than 100 participants enter the parade each year and most of them tie their presentation to the year’s theme. But the highlight every year is probably the Golden Dragon, at more than 201 feet long it is always the grade finale of the parade and actually came from China. One hundred people are needed to support the dragon and walk it through the streets, this may seem like a big burden but each of the people chosen to participate in carrying the dragon feel it’s a great honor.
Portsmouth Square once bordered the area to one side but now has been enveloped and the square sits firmly in the center of Chinatown. The square was the hub of many early activities and features numerous plaques and markers noting such historical events. The square was named for the U.S.S. Portsmouth which traveled to the region in 1846. Take time during the day to walk the square and take in the monuments, enjoy the park with a picnic but be sure to come back at night. Every Saturday from July to October from 6pm to 11pm Portsmouth Square hosts Chinatown Night Market Fair. This nightly transformation of the square to a hustling and bustling market like the ones in Hong Kong is amazing and quite a lot of fun for everybody. Look for bargains on trinkets and souvenirs, fresh authentic Chinese street food, traditional entertainment and unusual arts.
The first cathedral in California was Old St. Mary’s. Much of the stone work for the building actually came from China and was brought over to San Francisco by ship. From 1854 to 1891 the cathedral served as the archdiocese for San Francisco and designed to serve as a mission where the new Chinese immigrants could be converted to the Catholic faith. Unfortunately the building, even though it was soundly constructed, was destroyed in 1906 by the earthquake. Rebuilding began in 1909 and the church once again became a hub for local worship.
In addition to all of the attractions in Chinatown there are some other experiences you just must seek out. The first is of course to dine there. The food is completely authentic and incredibly good and fresh. In fact it’s so fresh you may be a little put off by the corner markets with produce for sale as it is not sold like a traditional American grocery store. Which brings us to another experience visitors to Chinatown should soak in, the markets and stores. Buy souvenirs and authentic Chinese products in the stores where you’ll find some incredible deals. The herb shops are also a must, whether you want to try some ancient herbal remedies for what ails you or if you just want to look around, it’s an interesting experience. Immerse yourself in Chinatown and you’ll be happy you did.
Photo credit: doortoriver
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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.Visiting Chinatown in San Francisco
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Below is a list of travel news and stories 11/19/2009
Ship With 100 Tourists Stuck in Antarctic Ice
Russian icebreaker carrying tourists is stuck in the ice around Antarctica.
http://abcnews.go.com
United’s Denny Flanagan: “Being nice is contagious”
United Airlines Captain Denny Flanagan had his 15 minutes of fame — and then some — when he was "discovered" by several prominent print and broadcast outlets two years ago and profiled for his many random acts of kindness. But long after the TV crews left, Captain Flanagan continues to do good at…
http://www.elliott.org
Hong Kong: Disneyland Hong Kong Isn’t Such A Small World After All
Disney seems to have decided where its future lies, and surprisingly it’s in the one major country that isn’t convulsing from an economic disaster. A couple weeks ago we posted about how the Corporation is building an entire new theme park in Shanghai, China, with a projected opening date somewhere of 2015. In the meantime they’re not exactly neglecting the Disneyland in Hong Kong.
http://www.jaunted.com
Start Planning Your North Korea 2010 Trip Now, Or Else
They won’t take our advice, but they’ll still take our money: Despite an absence of diplomatic relations between the countries, Americans can still travel to North Korea, so long as you go when they want you to go, and with whom.
http://www.jaunted.com
FlyAway bus service links LAX to Irvine
For Orange County residents and visitors, access to our country’s third-busiest airport has just gotten a little easier. This week, a new nonstop FlyAway bus service began carrying passengers between Los Angeles International Airport and the Irvine Metrolink Station. The new service on a 22-seat bus running on compressed natural gas is available to travelers six [...]
http://travel.latimes.com
Airlines boost peak-day surcharges
It could cost you even more to travel next spring and summer. US Airways said Tuesday it will add a 5 percent surcharge to all U.S. flights on or after May 8.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com
Best New Trips in the World: Hike and Snorkel in the Philippines
The world’s far corners are now well within reach. PHILIPPINES: Summit to Sea The Philippines has a PR problem. While it harbors as many islands as the Caribbean and some of the most spectacular reefs on the planet, the nation sees only a fraction of the visitors of nearby Thailand. Even travel companies, it seems, have bought the bad rap: Other than the occasional sea kayaking trip, U.S. guides have largely avoided the archipelago.
http://ngadventure.typepad.com
Frugal Traveler: Finder’s Keepers: Souvenirs on the Road
What makes a great souvenir, especially when you don’t want to spend a lot of money? And how do you find unique items of real value?.
http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com
War on Fun Goes Airborne With “No Drinking On Flights” Campaign
Christopher Elliott, ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine, is indignant. He knows someone who knows someone who was on a flight this one time and there were other people on the flight and those other people were having fun and – oh! – it was all so annoying.
http://www.vagabondish.com
Explorer hopes to visit "three poles" in one year
Polar explorer Eric Larsen has just begun an epic adventure that will literally take him to the ends of the Earth over the course of the next year. Eric has set out on his Save The Poles Expedition, in which he plans to travel to the "three poles" within one calendar year.
http://www.gadling.com
Tips for tippers: it isn’t what you expect
Tipping’s a tough nut to crack. Should you tip a housekeeper? Back in the day, the rule was leaving some cash only if your stay was 30 days or longer. Since then, however, it seems to have changed.
http://www.gadling.com
Cruise analyst: Fares for Oasis of the Seas will drop ’significantly’ over time
Are you in shock over the sky-high fares Royal Caribbean is charging for cabins on Oasis of the Seas? Don’t worry. They’re coming down.
http://www.usatoday.com
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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.Travel News and Stories for 11/19/2009
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The Travel Photo of the Day for 11/19/2009 is of Hayden Planetarium at night and was taken by ericskiff
Photo credit: ericskiff
The Hayden Planetarium is located on Central Park West in New York City and it is a part of the American Museum of Natural History. The planetarium is one of the two main attractions in the Rose Center for Earth and Space, housing the high-tech Star Theater and Big Bang theater in its top and bottom halves. The planetarium’s distinctive design makes it a recognizable part of New York City.
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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.Travel Photo of the Day Hayden Planetarium at night
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