Il cicloturismo rappresenta una risorsa per il territorio fermano perché permette ai nostri visitatori, italiani e stranieri, di apprezzare maggiormente e più profondamente la dolcezza e le bellezze dei nostri panorami.

Per questo Angela Garden vi permette di usufruire di 9 PERCORSI che vi porteranno in giro per il fermano e anche oltre! Percorsi impegnativi o semplici, per ciclisti esperti o per famiglie intere…l’importante è divertirsi ed assaporare il nostro paesaggio!

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By Linda Tancs

Is there a bad time to bike the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon?  It all depends on your seasonal preferences.  Weather in summer east of the Cascades can top 100 degrees fahrenheit.  And be prepared for spring rains, icy winters or slippery fallen leaves in autumn.  So, pick your poison, as they say.  Whichever season you choose, be sure to take in the scenic delights offered by the Historic Columbia River Highway (a national scenic byway), the first scenic highway in the nation.  Three Highway State Trails are now open, and more are under construction.  Beginning at the city of Troutdale and traveling east, you’ll find Oregon’s most visited waterfall, Multnomah Falls.  Views of the Gorge include Portland Women’s Forum Scenic Viewpoint, Vista House at Crown Point and Rowena Crest.  Enjoy the view; just remember to share the road.

No, I’m not referring to  the world-famous London black cab (whose drivers I appreciate the more I travel!). 

This isn’t about the famous Hackney Carriage that offers Londoners the swiftest way from A to B with juicy pearls of cabby related wisdom along the way.  This new-fangled modern one has no driver…

Driverless taxis (guided by lasers / sensors) will soon ferry passengers from the business car park at Heathrow airport, over to Terminal 5. No inane chatter, just a quick driverless ride from car park to terminal in just over five minutes.

It’s great to see further innovation from Heathrow in the run up to 2012. Certainly brings those Blade Runner-esque cars of the future a little closer. To see them in action, watch the short video on the BBC news website…

Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And although a self-proclaimed petrol head, loves the look of these cabby free carriages…

یک پیشنهاد:

حالا که نمی توانیم سواحل،نخبه ها، شهرها و….. چیزهای دیگرمان را نگاه داریم حداقل روستا ها را که سر منشاء تمدن هستند حفظ کنیم شاید در روزگاران بعد تمدن بزرگی در ایران پدید آید

For those who run or work in a hotel, you might already be aware that a decent amount of money goes towards the purchase and maintenance of hotel furniture, and if it doesn’t, then it definitely should do! Since hotel chairs are the most essential part of hotel furniture, it is crucial that you make the right decision about what chairs are suitable for the environment you work in. Guests want the furniture to reflect the standard of hotel they are staying at – for example, a 5* hotel should have immaculate furniture.

Cheap hotel chairs do little to impress those that have travelled far and wide to stay at your hotel. Cheap furniture might be easier on your bank balance, but it certainly won’t meet the expectations of the paying guests. Of course, some guests are more ‘picky’ than others, but you have to do your best to please everyone. Aesthetics aren’t as important as comfort when it comes to hotel chairs, so bear in mind this is what most guests look for.

Each new guest that comes to stay at your hotel will carefully consider the environment they are stepping in to. Appropriate hotel furniture has a lot of sway in how people see the hotel, so sitting in an uncomfortable hotel chair at reception is a black mark against you. Things have to make the grade in terms of cleanliness and the overall condition of the hotel furniture. As well as this, another area that often gets overlooked is the hotel bedroom furniture – if it is looking tired then get rid of it! If the tatty old bedroom furniture is left there, you will often find that people will remark upon it either during their stay or at checkout. The hotel furniture all around the building should be expertly chosen and you should put yourself in the guests’ shoes to check that the furniture looks good. Also remember that comfort is a priority.

Don’t let your hotel furniture let you down – buy some hotel chairs that complement your décor and give the right impression to your paying guests who will always have high expectations.

I made my second voyage to London last weekend. My first was as a pre-teen, when I had dreams of princes and princesses dancing through my head. In middle school, London was a place full of mystical history, royalty, and those funny little guards in weird hats.

As a college student, I saw a distinctly different side of London. Of course, my friend Laura and I still made the typical London circuit, eating fish and chips:

gawking over the city’s telephone booths (does anyone actually use these things anymore?):

checking the time at Big Ben:

and walking Tower Bridge:

But this time around, I saw that London goes deeper than the crown jewels or those funny little guards (which, come to think of it, neither of which I actually got to see). This time, I got to experience London as a modern, truly international city

Laura and I, in typical poor college student form, spent the weekend sleeping in our friend Geysha’s tiny flat. She graciously let us make makeshift beds (I’m pretty sure I slept under her desk the first night) and shared her Frosted Flakes in the morning. But more importantly, Geysha gave us the true London experience, which we embarked on with her friends from all corners of the globe.

Geysha avoided the Tube, preferring instead to ride at the top of London’s famous double-decker busses. She said it was the thrill of watching drivers juuust miss brave bicyclists, but it was also a fabulous way to people watch and become acquainted with the life of the city. Except when a drunk, 40-year-old Englishmen threw up all over  his seat on Saturday night. That was gross.

We visited one of Geysha’s favorite coffee shops in London (which didn’t stop us from having Starbucks three times), ogled over way-over-my-credit-limit fashions, and, for the first time in three months, I saw an American movie from the comfort of a movie theatre.

On Friday night, Laura, Geysha and I transfixed her German classmates with descriptions of prom (yes, Facebook photos were unearthed). In return, Geysha’s friends recounted their own high school years. Turns out some teenage woes transcend all cultures.

As a grand finale, Geysha brought us to her favorite pub, a relaxed Dutch place with a diverse clientele. I found myself high-fiving an Irishman for his support of Hillary Clinton and belting the lyrics to “Love Shack” with an eclectic group of Americans, Australians and French. A middle-aged Englishman asked me for my opinion on a beer (my father would be so proud).

Where else but in Europe?

DOMNITA HOSTEL
A modern building that respects the traditional style of the area, located in a very beautiful areas of Valea Izei. Great view of hills covered with pastures and forests is completed by specific sounds of a village: song roosters, horses pace horseshoes from passing carts on the street, distant low of cattle or Sunday morning, church bells that call the faithful to serve. No other building in the rear building, to the top of the hill, allow your eyes to enjoy the beautiful landscape.

Dates: 28/11/2009 – 04/12/2009 – valid for minimum 4 nights accommodation

Services offered:

Hostel House of Maramures
Restaurant: dishes from Maramures.
Festive evening with traditional folk music ceterasi
Salon penru meal
Accommodation:
- In the hostel in rooms with double beds.
camping-5 consists of terrace houses for 10 people with 2 bathrooms + grill + oven + place Guías

Facilities available:

Playground for children
Barbecue
Kitchen
Parking
Dining room
Tourism programs
Cable TV
Fridge
Turret / Terrace
Central heating

- Accommodation with breakfast 15 EUR / person / night
- Accommodation with full board 20 EUR / person / night

Rates for children:
- Up to 4 years – for free – just pay the extra bed is if he is ordered
- 4 to 7 years – 30% in the value for an adult
- 7 to 12 years – 50% in the value for an adult

Contact:

George Christmas

craciun_invest@yahoo.com

0040727689884

For dates, accommodation and  information on the County Cavan Fleadh Cheoil 2010 have a look at this new web site http://www.fleadh2010.ie

عمری مردم از دست زبان و نوشتار این بزرگمرد خندیدند و حتی آنانی که رنجیدند در درون می خندیدند و ما اکنون تنها کاری که کرده ایم این است که در زادگاهش مجسمه ای حقیر قرارداده ایم و بسیارند کسانی که به فومن می روند و نمی دانند که این شهر کوچک چه بزرگ مردانی داشته است.امیدوارم روزی مسئولین میراث استان به فکر اینگونه سرمایه ها هم باشند و روزی شاهد برگزاری جشنواره و موزه طنز در این شهر باشیم

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Originally there should have been 100 tons of clay showing huge clay cube. But what happened? It collapsed, all this huge clay cube. Then somebody got brilliant idea. Let’s citizen of Helsinki (Finland) make their own art from that clay. That was nice idea, because about 1300 persons made their own art and guess if it was a great success. / Originalmente la idea era hacer de 100 toneladas un inmensa cubo de arcilla. ¿Pero que sucedió? Se derrumbó el cubo de arcil. Entonces alguien recibió una idea brillante. Se permita que ciudadanos de Helsinki (Finlandia) hagan su propia arte de arcilla. Una idea genial. Aproximadamente 1300 personas hizieron su propia arte y eso fue un gran triunfo. / Au début il aurait dû avoir 100 tonnes de d’argile pour faire une un énorme bloc cube d’argile. Mais qu’est-il arrivé ? Il s’est effondré, tout ce énorme cube d’argile. Alors quelqu’un a obtenu une idée génial.Laissez les citoyens de Helsinki (Finlande) faire leur propre art de l’argile. Cela était l’idée brillante parce que a peu près 1300 personnes a fait leur propre art. Vous pouvez bien deviner que c’était un grand succès.

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Crazy Clay Art / Loco Arte de Arcilla / Fou art d'argile

Samak finds food and politics don't mix

Former Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej died yesterday. He succumbed to liver cancer in Bangkok’s Bumrungrad Hospital, aged 74.

Samak was PM when I moved to Thailand in April last year. He was quite a character and his presence – along with the movements of his rivals and his interactions with the press – could at times be quite comic, if not downright farcical. Before Thai politics turned sour with mob protests, airports seiges and coups, it could even be quite fun to read about Samak’s exploits.

He was the first of three PMs in my time here (three leaders in 19 months in itself is an indictment of the state of Thai politics) and by far the most memorable. He was nowhere near as photogenic as current PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, nor was he anything like as polite as his successor, Somchai Wongsawat, but that is precisely why he made his mark. He behaved aggressively, he was beligerent to the media, he sulked in public, he was unafraid to belittle people if he felt they deserved it, he was stoic in the face of political pressure – and his hardened appearance matched these, ahem, qualities.

In deeply-divided Thailand, he certainly had his critics and enemies. It was his very presence as PM – and the fact that he was an open supporter of Thaksin Shinawatra and his ideology – that sparked the “yellow shirt” protests of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who laid seige to the grounds of Government House for weeks while Samak was in charge, and which ultimately – under Somchai’s premiership – led to deaths and the one-week closure of Bangkok’s two airports, causing untold damage to the nation’s economy and reputation.

But I respected Samak’s single-mindedness in the face of such pressure, with not only the PAD but also significant political commentators calling for his head. Not for him the weak attempts to appease all of successor Somchai, whose two and a half months in office were among the more forgettable even in a country known for the transciency of its leaders. Nor for him the squeaky clean, ever-smiling PR profile of Abhisit, who was surely appointed (notice I didn’t say elected) more for his appearance and undoubted charisma than for any heavyweight political credentials.

No, Samak told it the way he saw it, and while that of course didn’t mean he was always right, it did at least show he had the courage of his convictions, and to express himself publicly without first needing a spin doctor to polish his words.

Now, as stated before, I’m not a political analyst. This is not my area of strength, although like most people I have my own political opinions. But the news of Samak’s passing gave me cause to remember some of his more colourful moments.

Cake-eating cat

First of all, before the squabbling erupted into violent demonstrations, there was the usual tit-for-tat name-calling in Government House, with one opposition politician (I forget her name) bringing Samak to task for his choice of cafeteria food. As a man in his seventies, she said it was inappropriate for him to choose a piece of cake for lunch, washed down with a glass of bright red soft drink. She suggested Samak seek psychological help, because Adolf Hitler was known to have similarly immature tastes.

Now, even within the realms of political cat-calling, which often amounts to no more than childish spats along the lines of “You smell!” “Yeah? Well, you smell worse!”, this was adorably convoluted. Never mind education, employment and crime – “Prime Minister, would you care to justify buying that cake? Because I’m rather worried it is a sign you may be a tyrant in the making, capable of ordering the slaughter of millions.”

Samak, as was his wont, barely dignified the comment, choosing instead to fix her with a customary silent staredown.

But Samak’s finest hour would not have looked out of place in an episode of Fawlty Towers, such was the level of high farce.

Pursued on motorbikes by a press pack from Government House to Chatuchak Market, Samak sought refuge in a public toilet. Not wishing to speak to the media, he remained in a cubicle, but unfortunately for him the journalists proved even more stubborn than he. More than an hour later, Samak could no longer stand the heat, moisture, smell and mosquitoes (I have been to the toilets at Chatuchak Market and they’re no place for a dignitary, let me tell you), and emerged, furious and doused with sweat.

He ignored the reporters’ questions (surely the fact he spent an hour inside a toilet cubicle would have told them he was in no mood to speak?), instead bearing down on them with a fuming glare of which Charles Bronson would have been proud. After staring them into silence, he set about berating them and their conduct, and labelling them “disgusting” no less than a dozen times.

Reaction to this incident depended, of course, on which side you were on – either Samak was rightly defending himself against media intrusion, or he showed an arrogant disrespect towards the free press, who were just doing their job in the public interest.

There’s a bit of truth to both sides, but the bigger picture for me at the time was the fun factor of living in a country where the PM is forced to flee halfway across a city as hungry hacks literally chase him into a stinking, mosquito-blown long-drop. Add to that the picture of the nation’s leader stewing there for over an hour, followed by his ultimate outburst, and clearly you can see Samak Sundaravej was not your average politican.

And his eventual dismissal from office in September 2008, after just eight and a half months, was also unorthodox, if not comic for its irony. While the country’s leading industries of tourism, exports and foreign investment were taking near-death blows from the effects of the protracted demonstrations, and while the spectre of corruption hung over everything Thaksin and his allies did, it was none of these concerns which spelled the end for Samak. No, he was booted out because he had twice appeared on a TV cooking show. Innocent enough, except politicians are not allowed to accept money for working with private enterprises. Samak’s fee was nominal and his appearance of no bearing whatsoever to his political standing, but this was a conflict of interest. Not quite along the lines of Thaksin using his position to allow his then-wife Potjaman na Pombejra to purchase multi-million-baht swathes of land, but still, rules are rules…

Ultimately, it may have been a face-saving move. As pathetic a reason it may have seemed for removing a democratically elected PM, Thailand was at the time being virtually held hostage by protesters, with the international news coverage doing the country no favours. There were far bigger concerns than the PM’s appearance on a cookery show, but Samak was steadfast in his refusal to stand down or dissolve the cabinet, the two main demands of the PAD, despite the presence of 30,000 protesters camping out on the lawns of his workplace.

So while the cookery show controversy was of negligible importance, by following the law to the letter, the courts could remove him from office legitimately. And with that removal came a lull – as temporary was it was – in the tensions. The PAD had not been placated, as the Thaksin-backed People Power Party was still in charge, but tempers were nevertheless calmed, and at a critical time.

It also proved timely for Samak himself. Despite being disqualified from the premiership, he had the opportunity to return to power if voted back in, but instead he accepted the judgement and retreated from politics. It seemed strange for such a combative man to slip away from the spotlight so quickly and readily.

But then news came less than a month later that he had been diagnosed with liver cancer, and it all made sense. It’s unknown how long he’d been sick. Indeed, it’s likely he was running the country while ill. Considering how stressful a task that must have been in the late summer of 2008, that shows either remarkable devotion or unwavering stubborness. In Samak’s case, it was probably a bit of both.

He flew to the US for treatment in the new year, returning to Bangkok and continuing to be treated at Bumrungrad, one of the country’s best hospitals. After roughly a year battling the disease, he passed away at 8:48am yesterday morning.

Invariably, the first resort workers in any resort workers will be the contractors and professionals (and the non-skilled) who are associated with the various construction and infrastructure works in a resort. The life of a regular resort worker is easy compared to a contractor. In the construction industry they work hard, live and die hard and earn more. Generally for the outdoor kinds of folks its an ideal job if not for the nature of business which is highly irregular and unorganized. Most contracted workers are just temporary workers and they would have gotten their job or works from some other contractor who would have subcontracted to them their works. This chain of subcontracting sometime would go as high as five or 6 steps to reach the very top which would be some top established brand in Male’ and their only responsibility from a perspective would be nothing more than signing some obscure papers. The real works are done by lowest of the subcontracting ladder and the real fun is also there.
From initial ground works in a typical uninhabited island to the last final touches to a full five star deluxe resort, the work goes at break-neck speed and as the deadlines looms for the eventual opening the more enjoyable the work is. Often at last stages of the construction of the resort, the works would be continuous 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The only break a contracted worker would get is when they ran out of supplies, or awaiting demolition orders for some structure which gets modification, or when they had to await for concrete to dry up a little bit etc. Also the unstructured nature of employment as contracted worker means they can take off days arbitrarily. After the resort is finally opened up and handed over to the operators, some of the contracted workers would have a tougher job in Male’ finding their bosses and getting their pay which is not very fun after toiling hard for often a year or half in a hard job. Its quite frequent to find contracted employees in and out of courts pursuing their ‘group bosses’ or the contractor who subcontracted to them etc.
The problem lies in our construction industry which is still at an early date of development overwhelmed by an unregulated workforce both foreign and local and lacking guidelines, codes as well as knowledge and know required of modern construction works.

So after you finish your light reading the kind you can just leave for a moment and then come back to it without you having to reread the entire article again, you can come back to your reading anytime. The magazines have another advantage for the pool or the beach, they can get wet and you can continue to read them and then you just throw them away, so for a great vacation light reading go buy a couple of your favorite magazines and take them with you, the spa treatments the before bedtime the beach and pool time will be filled with interesting facts and not so useful as fun information about different topics. All the reading time in a vacation trip can´t be taken up by magazine reading , vacations are also for reading more serious stuff, and it is also fun to bring it along with you.