If you thought booking a deluxe suite has gotten pricey, hold on to your hat. Some of the world’s most luxurious hotel suites are going for tens of thousands of dollars per night. So fire up your private jet, pack your Louis Vuitton bags, and get ready for an over-the-top stay.
Hotel Martinez Presidential Suite, Cannes, France
Certainly most U.S. Presidents haven’t even experienced the level of luxury of the Penthouse Suite at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes, France—and it can be yours for the bargain price of 12,000 to 34,000 Euros during the high season (that’s about $53,000). Clocking in at a massive 10,700 square feet, the Art Deco-inspired suite (which can be split into two apartments) offers a Jacuzzi on a private terrace, four bedrooms, four bathrooms equipped with Whirlpool baths and Turkish baths/showers, an open bar and two saunas. And in case anything is amiss, you’ll also have a butler at your disposal 24 hours a day.
Palms Resort Hugh Hefner Sky Villa, Las Vegas, NV
Get ready to don your red smoking jacket and slippers: Even if you can’t party at the Playboy Mansion, you can stay in the lavish Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at the Palms, featuring Playboy artwork selected by Hef himself. For $40,000 a night, you’ll have an outdoor terrace overlooking the lights of Vegas with a cantilevered Jacuzzi tub, a personal massage room, workout room, dry sauna and more. Oh, and there’s also an eight-foot round, rotating bed with mirrored ceiling, in case you’re thinking of living out any of those Playboy fantasies.
Four Seasons New York Ty Warner Penthouse, New York, NY
Forget the view from the Empire State Building. This lavishly appointed Four Seasons suite’s floor-to-ceiling bay windows offer a sweeping 360-degree view of all of Manhattan. For $30,000 a night, guests can enjoy the view, as well as living and dining areas, a library illuminated by a gilded bronze LaLanne chandelier, an infinity-edge bathtub, a master bedroom with a gold-threaded Thai canopy bed, an indoor-outdoor Zen garden and a private spa room. Should you want to leave the suite, you’ll also have access to a private chauffeur in your choice of a Rolls Royce Phantom or Mercedes Maybach. Decisions, decisions.
President Wilson Hotel Royal Penthouse Suite, Geneva, Switzerland
In case you’re thinking of entertaining while you’re away, the mahogany dining table at this $37,000 per night suite at the President Wilson can seat 26 people. The suite, reached by private elevator, also boasts a cocktail lounge, a library and billiards room, along with four bedrooms that all overlook serene Lake Geneva. If you’re concerned about security, all of the windows and doors are bullet-proof to ensure maximum safety.
Grand Resort Lagonissi Royal Villa, Attica, Greece
This gorgeous resort villa at the Lagonissi, going for about $35,000 a night, on the Aegean Sea is a swimmer and sunbather’s paradise. It not only features a private indoor pool equipped with a gym and workout area, but an outdoor pool as well (accessible by an open living and dining area). And did we mention the private marina and private beach? Guests at the Royal Villa can relax in one of two master bedrooms, a bar area or a private massage room. There’s even a full business center (not that you’ll want to do any work).
(taken from: here)
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Wednesday, July 2, 2008
The World’s Most Expensive Hotel Rooms: Prepare to Max Out Your Credit Card
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Indonesia Diving, Raja Ampat Island "The incredible reef and fish"
No doubt about it, the Raja Ampat is definitely the richest place for fish, that I have ever been. Dr G.R.Allen
"I was like a five-year-old, seeing a reef for the very first time. I was awestruck, held by the incredible power of this richest reef. We must, with all available resources, preserve the beauty of Raja Ampat. This may be the last frontier." Michael Aw
"I love the people, I love the diving, It's super!! I've never been for a second time to the same dive destination but now I'm thinking about going back for the third time!! Should I say more?" Peter van Dalen
(Taken from www.iriandive.com)
Raja Ampat Island is the most western district of the Indonesian province of Papua. Raja Ampat consists of an area surrounding four major island off the western coast of Birds Head Panisula of New Guinea Island. The western half of which is Indonesia and the eastern half, Papua New Guinea. The province was called Irian Jaya, and its a cluster of over 1500 small Islands.
Raja Ampat is the most bio-diverse location in the world more than 3000 species of fishes and over 300 species of corals have been identified here, in a single one and half hour dive you can identified more than 282 fish species and more than 400 species. Till this very day the area is virtually unexplored and unknown due to its size. This area as there are still many remnants of WW II.
The Roughest seas and decreased visibility in the Raja Ampat area are from mid-June until the end of August. During the rest of the year, the sea is mostly very smooth whit good visibility.
Dive sites in Raja Ampat Island:
At a Glance Irian Diving
It is easiest to fly through to Sorong via Jakarta or via Singapore. Merpati, Pelita and Lion/Wings Airlines operate daily flights from Jakarta to Sorong (with stopovers in Ujung Pandang/Makassar and/or Manado), whereas Silk Air operates regularly from Singapore to Manado. Daily flights to and from Sorong by Airlines Merpati, Lion/Wings or Pelita.
Raja Ampat Island have several accommodations whit traditional design, and there many boat you can rent for a stay. If you using dive operator they will arrange for your base came.
Raja Ampat islands have a very diverse topography with steep mountain shores and deserted white sand beaches. Explore the land on foot. Use a boat to move from one dive site to another dive site.
There are several restaurants and cafes throughout Sorong. Try their specialties: traditional irian foods!
There are many traditional souvenirs made from wood.
You can visit gorgeous waterfalls, ancient burial sites, bat caves and stunning waterways breathtaking limestone landscapes and Manta ray spotting and bird watching.
(taken from: here)
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Tuesday, June 10, 2008
10 Must-Try Exotic Fruits
Traveling to an exotic destination is not just about swimming in the turquoise waters or sunbathing. You also have to taste some of the cuisine and sample some of the exotic fruits of the place. For those hot summers when you need something refreshing, we have collected 10 tropical fruits you absolutely must try.
1. Rambutan
Native to Malay Archipelago, Southeast Asia
Coming from an evergreen tree, the Rambutan fruit resembles the Lychees, have a leathery red skin and are covered with spines. Rambutan is a popular garden fruit tree and one of the most famous in Southeast Asia. The fruit is sweet and juicy, being commonly found in jams or available canned.
2. Jackfruit
Native to southwestern India, Bangladesh, Philippines and Sri Lanka
Jackfruit is a common fruit for Asia and Australia and considered as one of the largest tree borne fruit in the world. The juicy pulp around the seeds have a taste similar to pineapple, but milder. Apart from canned jackfruit, it is also available as sweet chips. The wood of the tree is used for making various musical instruments, while the fruit is a common ingredient for many Asian dishes.
3. Passion Fruit
Native to South America, grown in India, New Zealand, Brazil, etc
The passion fruit has a soft, juicy interior full of seeds, being commonly found in juices to boost their flavors. There are two types of passion fruit: the golden one (maracuyá), similar to a grapefruit and the dark purple passion fruit (gulupa), comparable in terms of size with a lemon. However, the ladder ones have been reported as being mildly poisonous.
4. Lychee
Native to southern China, found in India, Taiwan
Coming from an evergreen tree, the lychee or litchi are small white flesh fruits, covered in a red rind, rich in vitamin C and with a grape-like texture. The fruit has started making its appearance in markets worldwide, refrigerated or canned with its taste intact.
5. Star fruit
Native to Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka
The star fruit comes from the carambola, a species of tree with pink flowers grown even in the US. The golden-yellow fruit is crunchy, sweet, with a taste of pineapples, apples and kiwis combined. There are two kinds of star fruits - acidulate and sweet, both rich in vitamin C. The fruit is particularly juice, some even making wine out of it.
6. Mangosteen
Native to the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas.
The mangosteen is another evergreen tree that produces oddly shaped fruits. The fruits are purple, creamy, described as citrus with a hint of peach. It is rich in antioxidants, some scientists even suggesting it can lower risk against certain human diseases, such as cancer. There are even legends about Queen Victoria offering a reward to the one that brings her the fruit.
7. Kumquat
Native to China
The kumquats or cumquats are small edible fruits resembling oranges that grow in a tree related to the Citrus. As with most of the fruits in the Citrus family, the kumquats are eaten raw. They are often used in marmalade and jelly but also in alcoholic drinks such as liquor. The Taiwanese add it to their teas, while others boil it and use it as a remedy for sore throats.
8. Durian
Native to Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia
Also known as the “King of Fruits,” Durian has a very particular odor, a unique taste and is covered by a hard husk. Having a disagreeable smell, compared to skunk spray or sewage, the fruit is forbidden in hotels and public transportations in Southeast Asia. Still, the whole experience is worth it, considering the absolutely divine taste of the Durian.
9. Dragon Fruit
Native to Mexico and Central and South America
Dragon fruit, strawberry pear or pitaya is a fruit of several cactus species with a sweet delicate taste and creamy pulp. The most common dragon fruit is the red pitaya, but other varieties include the Costa Rica pataya and the yellow pataya. Juice or wine can be obtained from the fruit, while the flowers can be eaten or used for tea.
10. African cucumber
Native to Kalahari Desert, Africa
The African cucumber, horned melon or melano is a fruit that can be best described as melon with horns. It originated in the Kalahari Desert and is now present in California and New Zealand. The dark green pulp reminds one of bananas, limes, passion fruit and cucumber. It is often used for decorating food but also in smoothies and sundaes.
(taken from: here)
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Top 5 places to go in Sydney
The ‘Harbour City’ of Australia is an overwhelming pot pourri of culture, entertainment and history. When visiting this scenic city ensure that your camera is fully loaded with film or memory to make the most of your experience. Stay at top tier Sydney accommodation with a view of the famous Opera House or enjoy the backpacker experience and take advantage of cheap Sydney accommodation . However you decide to visit the city, having a basic plan is essential. These top 5 sights should be a must on every Sydney tour plan.
1. Sydney Opera House
Built in 1973 and made a UNESCO world heritage site in 2007, the Sydney Opera House houses the world’s largest organ with over 10,000 pipes, and is the homeground for the Sydney Symphony, Opera Australia and the Australian Ballet. Concerts, opera, plays and other events are staged throughout its many sections. The Opera house is just a few minutes walk from the circular quay that is accessible by train, ferry, bus or taxi. Visit the Sydney Opera House official website for more information
2. Port Jackson
Sydney Harbour is a natural port and home to several attractions, particularly the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the harbour cruises that are facilitated by ferries and gondolas. Dubbed “Coathanger” for its Steel-arch design, the Bridge connects the Business District of Sydney with its North Shore, channeling rail, road and pedestrian traffic. Those with an interest in engineering and with strength of body can enjoy a climbing tour over the less traveled vestiges of the bridge. Also visit the bridge climb and Sydney Harbour Cruises for more information.
3. Sydney Tower
The tower offers an all-round panoramic bird’s eye view of Sydney city and if you are visiting around the time of the ‘Tour Run Up’, you may be interested in watching or even competing in the event that sends runners hurtling up the 1304 steps to the top of the tower. Visit the Tower Restaurant with its magnificent panorama or brave the unnerving experience of the Skywalk by stepping out onto a glass-floored platform for a more comprehensive view of Sydney.
4. Royal Botanic Gardens
Step into the largest botanical garden in Sydney for a showcase of exotic flowers & plants, wildlife and waterways, open all week. The Royal Botanic Gardens are the home of the New South Wales’ Centre for Plant Conservation & Research and regularly plays host to art classes and cultural events. The gardens are an excellent place to spend a day of relaxation.
5. Beaches
Sydney beaches are plentiful and every visitor to this shore-side city should include an excursion to one of its beaches. Bondi, Balmoral and Cronulla are some of the most popular sandy destinations and the surf of Manly Beach makes it a favourite for surfers.
(taken from: here)
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5 Scary Hotel Experiences
A boring holiday can begin with choosing a boring hotel, dull and with no personality. If you want to make sure the hotel you’ll be staying at will bring you the excitement needed, we have collected some of the creepiest, scariest and most terrifying hotels across the world. While some scare simply through their lack of cleanliness, other have verified sightings of ghosts.
1. Located in Hollywood, the Roosevelt Hotel is mainly famous for being home for 2 years to Marilyn Monroe before she started her modeling career. The 12-story Spanish style hotel opened in 1927, has 302 rooms and suites and cost $2.5 million to make. Miss Monroe stayed in room 1200, which overlooked the pool side. The huge mirror that hanged in her room is now in the lobby, many guests believing it is haunted by her spirit. Some guests even say they have seen her dancing in the hotel’s ballroom.
2. On a more realistic side of scary, the Carter Hotel in Manhattan is, according to the official hotel reviews, a hotel for the budget traveler. After a more thorough search, one notices that the Carter Hotel is famous for being the dirtiest hotel in America for the past 3 years. For around 200$, you can choose to stay in any of the 700 rooms, packed with moldy patches, terrible plumbing and bugs dead or alive, a complementary gift from the staff. Probably one of the scariest things you can find in a hotel room, as reported by the New York Post, is a woman’s body found in one of the rooms of Carter hotel in August.
3. The Ocean Edge Resort & Club in Cape Cod, Massachusetts is one of the few hotels not afraid to admit about its inhabitant ghosts. Even more, when you choose the “Spooky Mansion” package, they’ll even throw in the midnight cup of coffee and a flashlight to help you look for the ghost. And, if Addie doesn’t show, you’ll have plenty of entertainment opportunities to keep you occupied.
4. The Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, California is considered by many one of America’s most beautiful resorts. However, the hotel’s legend about a 24-year old gold digger that was found dead in 1892 is one of the odd attractions. Apart from the usual activities of ghost-haunting (door slamming or hearing voices), the ghost also invades your bed. She leaves shapes on one’s pillow, as if her head was resting there.
5. For a combination of remote, refreshing and scary, choose the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. The 138-room hotel located near the Rocky Mountain National Park is the one that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining. Built in 1909 by Freelan O. Stanley, the hotel is still home to the original owner. Stanley’s ghost can often be seen in the lobby or pool room, while others guests complain about hearing children playing in the hallway at night.
photo sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
(taken from: here)
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Saturday, May 31, 2008
Mt. Bromo and Semeru, a spectacular volcanic landscape in East Java
The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park covers some 800 square kilometers in the centre of East Java. It is the largest volcanic region in the province and there stands Mt. Semeru, which rises 3676 meters above sea level. At its northern end is the spectacular Tengger Caldera, Java's largest, with its 10 km barren desert-like sea of sand. Within the caldera rise the deeply fissured volcanic cones of Batok and Bromo, the latter is still active with a cavernous crater from which smoke blows skyward. Temperatures at the top of mount Bromo range about 5 to 18 degrees Celcius . To the south is a rolling upland plateau dissected by valleys and dotted with several small scenic lakes, extending to the foot of Mount Semeru, a towering grey forest-skirted cone dominating the southern landscape.
Tengger sandy area has been protected since 1919, and its believed to be the only conservation
area in Indonesia, even probably in the world possessing a unique ocean and sand at the attitude about 2000 m above sea level. There are several mountains inside the calderas namely: Mt Watangan (2,661 m asl)., Mt Batok (2,470 m asl), Mt Kursi (2,581 asl), Mt Watangan (2,661 m asl), and Mt Widadaren (2,650 m asl).
On the fourteenth day of the Month Kasada, the inhabitants of Tengger Mountain range gather at the rim of Mount Bromo's active crater to present annual offerings of rice, fruit, vegetables, flowers, live stock and other local produce to the God of the Mountain, as adherents of religion combining elements of Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism the Tenggerese ask for blessing from the supreme God, Sang Hyang Widi Wasa. This ceremony called Kesodo Ceremony.
While the Great Mountain or Semeru offer a wonderful place to 3 days hike. Serenity of small lakes and large meadows, a three hours struggling through loose screw to the peak and breathtaking views from peak Semeru explodes every half hour and sends billowing smoke upwards. These gases and belching lava make Semeru dangerous " stay well away from the vent. The fine scenery and bracing climate, easy access and reasonably visitor-oriented facilities make this one of the most popular reserves in Java.
Bromo Tengger Semeru can be reached by private and public vehicle. There are four gates to access the place, Probolinggo, Wonokitri, Ngadas and Lumajang. Probolinggo approach is the easiest and by fat the most popular route, especially if you go by public bus, Wonokitri is the closes and the easiest one if you go by private vehicle from Surabaya (5 hours journey). To get closer to Mt. Bromo you must rent 4x4 vehicles (there are many 4x4 vehicles rental there).
There are a few options that you can choose to stay. You can stay at The Bromo Guest House which is located at Ngadisari that lies 3 km from the crater rim. Or you can choose other hotels at Cemoro Lawang because it this situated at the crater rim.
Walking on the sea of sand and stepping up on the 249 steps to rim is worth to try. Enjoying the unique crater in crater, watching the dawn at Bromo is the main attractions in the area.
Its kindly hard to find some food at night, because mostly of warung are closed after 7.30 pm. If
youre in Wonokitri area, theres some warung in Tosari market, which still open at 7-9 pm.
There are many souvenir shops around Mount Bromo viewpoints who are selling T-shirts, scarf that are made from wool and others. There are also street hawkers who are selling these things too at the caldera area.
You can moving around on foot and normally it will takes 2 hours, or you can ride a horse or even rent a jeep (for this two, you are suggested to ask first and make a negotiation)
(taken from : here)
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