Southampton ? City of Many Museums
Posted July 30, 2009 , add a comment
The city of Southampton has plenty for visitors and locals to see and do, and one thing there’s certainly no shortage of is museums! Tourists can find out more about the city’s long history, its important relationship with both the sea and the sky, and much more, in the variety of museums in Southampton. Museum of Archaeology and God’s House Tower The Museum of Archaeology in Southampton is an excellent museum with some great exhibits and collections on show, though when you visit this museum you also get to experience the interesting building in which it is housed. God’s House Tower is an historic building. In fact it is actually two buildings that have been merged together. The first, a gatehouse, was built in the 13th century, then two hundred or so years later a two storey gallery and a three storey tower were added. The building adopted the name of a nearby hospital, called God’s House. Having been used for a variety of important roles, it was decided in 1957 that it would be converted into the Museum of Archaeology, which opened its doors to the public in 1961. This Southampton museum is now home to one of the best collections of archaeology from around England and treats visitors to the interesting history of the city from Roman times right through to Victorian times. The Maritime Museum Southampton has always had an important relationship with the sea, and visitors to the city can find out more about this part of Southampton’s heritage at the Maritime Museum. There are interesting exhibitions and displays here including special exhibits on the large liners that have called Southampton home. These include the Titanic, and the Maritime Museum features a permanent Titanic exhibition, called ‘Titanic – Southampton Remembers’. This focuses on the crew members and passengers who lost their lives as many of them were Southampton residents. Medieval Merchant’s House Unfortunately as Southampton was such a prime target for bombing during the Second World War, many of the city’s great historical buildings were destroyed, however some do still remain. The Medieval Merchant’s House is one that did survive and is now one of England’s oldest surviving merchant’s houses. Construction of this house began way back in the year 1290 by merchant John Fortin. The building served as both a home and a place of business and is situated on a street that was one of the busiest in Southampton at that time. Visitors can enjoy a tour of this historic building and popular Southampton museum. It has been restored and furnished to how it would have been in the mid-14th century. Solent Sky (Southampton Hall of Aviation) Many visitors to Southampton are well aware of the important part that the sea has played in the city’s history, but not so many are aware of the relationship with the sky too. The Hall of Aviation, also known as Solent Sky, is situated near to Southampton’s popular Ocean Village, and focuses on portraying the history of aviation in the Solent area. There are some fabulous old aircraft on display here, as well as engines and a number of other major exhibits too. National Motor Museum The National Motor Museum, in Beaulieu, is one of the Southampton area’s best known museums and also one of the most popular visitor attractions in the south east of England. Situated in the beautiful New Forest near the town of Brockenhurst, the National Motor Museum is less than a 30 minute drive from the city centre. In addition to the National Motor Museum, visitors can also see the Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey, and an assortment of changing special exhibitions throughout the year. More Southampton Museums The museums above are just some of the most popular museums in Southampton. The city has even more museums than this to visit, and many other fun and interesting attractions too.
Hospitable Canton Hotels in Ohio
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Ohio is one of the most frequently visited places in the US. It boasts of many natural landscapes and historical sights. There are several hotels in Ohio that provide warm and hospitable services. Canton is Stark’s county seat and also a city of Ohio. It is on the northeastern region of the state, along the Nimishillen Creek, south of Cleveland and Akron. It is also home to the First Ladies National Historic Site, William McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, McKinley National Memorial and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Apart from these attractions, Canto has a lot of hotels that provide relaxation and convenience to its guests. These hotels are not only noted for their fascinating amenities and facilities, they are also praised for the warm, friendly and hospitable staff they employ. Here are some of Canton’s most hospitable hotels: Comfort Inn Hall of Fame Bertram Inn at Glenmoor Courtyard by Marriot Hampton Inn Parke Suites McKinley Grand Hotel Quality Inn & Suites Accommodations in any of these hotels are astounding and well regarded by their guests. Each room is equipped with phones, hair dryers, TVs, microwaves, air conditioning and coffee makers. Some even have jetted tubs and whirlpools.
This hotel is located in Northwest Canton of Ohio. Guests of this hotel have rated it very high although it does not have a swimming pool or an exercise facility. However, it is close to all that Canton can offer. It is near shops and restaurants. Aside from this, their rooms are clean. Their staffs are warm and friendly.
This pet-friendly hotel is also in Northwest Canton. Dogs are the only pets allowed and they should not exceed 20 pounds. They charge $50 per dog per day. Guests are happy with the hotels fabulous atmosphere, outdoor pool, fitness center, lounge and restaurant. It is also close to shops and restaurants.
This smoke-free hotel located in Metro Circle Northwest Canton in Ohio. It provides complimentary shuttle services to the downtown area and airport. The hotel has a total of 144 rooms in its 6 floors. They have a lounge, fitness center and pool. The rooms are attractive and inviting. They do not serve breakfast or coffee. And pets are not allowed.
This is another affordable hotel in Northwest Canton. It has a total of 109 rooms in its 4 floors. Even if this hotel does not allow pets, it has no pool and exercise room, guests have rated this very high. This is because of the good services like their friendly staff, clean rooms, and comfortable beddings and the delectable breakfast they serve and its close proximity to the football Hall of Fame. However, the hotel is noted for its tendency to over charge their guests, instead of the confirmed nightly rate.
This pet-friendly hotel is also in Northwest Canton. They charge $5 per pet per night. This hotel does not have a pool. The hotel is conveniently located near a hospital, universities and Ohio attractions.
This smoke-free upscale hotel is located along Market Avenue, South Canton. It has a total of 166 rooms in its 8 floors. It is located along the downtown area. The hotel has a lounge, restaurant, fitness center and indoor pool. It does not allow pets. Guests appreciate the hotel’s clean and beautiful rooms and extremely comfortable beds and friendly staff.
This hotel located along Everhard Road Canton. It has an exercise room and heated indoor pool. Pets are not allowed in this hotel. Their rooms are equipped 2 Queen-sized beds, a kitchen and fridge. They serve a delectable complimentary breakfast.
Internet Access in Turkey : Travel Tips
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Turkey is the one of the prime holiday destinations in Europe. Currently more than 20 million tourists are visiting turkey every year. Turkey is modern country in compare with the neighbors especially other Muslim Middle East countries. If you are too connected to internet you probably carry your laptop to Turkey while you are in holiday. Wireless access is not a new term in Turkey holiday resorts you may even find free connection in your hotel or apart. On the other hand some resorts has limited access to the internet you might need to search around a internet café which is also very common in Turkey. Travelers to Turkey need not think that it is a country where camels are still the sole means of conveyance and where people have not heard of any modern amenity and technology. Getting Internet access in Turkey is quite trouble-free and cheap. Most of the resorts, hotels and inns have one or more computers with Internet facilities enabling the guests to have access to the web. In case it is a hostel or a lodge where a computer is not provided for the guests’ use, the owner or the administrator will allow the guest to use the computer allotted for official use. The hotels also provide Wifi or wireless Internet access to the guests who are traveling with their personal laptops. This facility is available even in almost all medium and small hotels where they let the guests use the lounge or the lobby for this purpose. The number of hotels having repeaters that transmit the signal to every guest room is also increasing. Wifi access is normally available free of charge in small inns and hotels. Places like the tree houses of Olimpos and the cave rooms of Cappadocia also have Internet accessibility. Turkey gets its Internet access through ISPs or Internet Service Providers like: Atlas Telecom Online:It is a Turkish service provider with the domain atlas.net.tr. ISPro Turkey:It is a service provider that has a web-designing unit as well. Its domain is ispro.net.tr. Super Online:It is a Turkish ISP and an online service provider. Its domain is superonline.net. TR-net:It provides dial-up connection and relay and allied services. Its domain is tr-net.net.tr. TTNet Turkey:This ISP of Turkey provides dial-up connection and ADSL solutions and services. Its domain is ttnet.net.tr. Restaurants and cafes in some of the large cities of Turkey are also arranging for Wifi access for their clientele. More and more public buildings in most of the Turkish cities are also setting up Wifi facilities. The principal airports of Turkey also have Wifi. The traveler or the visitor only needs to ask the concerned staff for the relevant password that allows one to access the system. Almost all luxury hotels of Turkey possess RJ-45 or Ethernet ports for speedy connections. Internet access also enables one to talk with another Internet user sitting at any corner of the world with the help of Internet Telephony facilities.
Landmarks For a Reykjavik Holiday
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On a city break to Reykjavik you are sure to enjoy the city’s unique architecture and landmarks that reflect the distinctive landscape that you’ll explore on your Iceland holidays. Reykjavik has historic and modern buildings to visit, all of which have a style that is uniquely Icelandic. Hallgrimskirkja Church One landmark that you will always be aware of on your city break to Reykjavik is the striking tower of Hallgrimskirkja Church. As one of the tallest buildings you’ll see on your Reykjavik holiday, reaching a height of 73 metres, it is an unmistakeable presence. The church, which is mostly white, has an unusual design with a skirt that cascades down from the spire merging into the ribbed walls. This has the effect of making the church resemble a space shuttle about to launch, although the intent of the designer was to emulate the texture of the basalt lava fields that you can see throughout the country. Whatever you make of it, the views of the city from the top are unrivalled, and you may be lucky enough to catch one of the classical concerts that are occasionally held here. If you like the sound of the Hallgrimskirkja, one of Reykjavik’s hotels called ‘Adam’ is just next door. Hofdi House A less assuming building, but just as important, is the Hofdi House. The house is a hundred years old, with white wooden facia, and distinctive gables, a look that strikes a balance between respectability and quaintness. This was the venue for the historic summit of Ronald Regan and Mikhail Gorbachev where in 1986 they set about ending the Cold War, and it is not open to the public because it is still used for the municipal business of Reykjavik. Holidaymakers should still take a look, however; a millionaire from Japan thought it so pretty that he had a copy of it made for his own use. City Hall If you enjoy the atmosphere of official buildings, the City Hall is worth a visit too. You can access this building all week and make use of the cafe and see the art exhibitions. The City Hall, where the Mayor of Reykjavik does his nine to five, is set on the edge of Lake Tjornin, and is another example of interesting architecture. The water seems to rise up to meet the glass walls, as do the swans and ducks, which you can see paddling around the walkways and the curved modern building. One of the halls contains a map worth looking at as you begin your holidays: Iceland and Reykjavik modelled in large scale so you can walk around it and give yourself a sense of the island’s shape. Mount Esja But you shouldn’t spend too much time inside on your holiday in Reykjavik, indeed a city break to Reykjavik need not be restricted to the urban areas. Mount Esja hangs in the distance across the water, and since the city has relatively few tall buildings, the mountain imposes itself on the horizon. Mount Esja is a popular place to walk and the routes are forgiving in terms of difficulty, rewarding hikers with amazing views of the countryside. The Laugardalur Valley The Laugardalur Valley, where the city keeps its sports fields and stadium, zoo and botanical gardens is another place to take in nature while on your city break to Reykjavik. A popular feature is the outdoor hot spring pool where you can swim throughout the seasons in the comfort of naturally heated water. The Reykjavik Art Museum is located here, another idiosyncratic construction of minimalist white domes, blocks and sloped walls. No matter which of the quality Reykjavik hotels you choose, there will be dramatic landmarks to see nearby. Be sure to take a walk in the city to soak up the local character and culture on your Reykjavik and Iceland holidays.
If you like the City Hall’s glassy and shiny design, you might do well to choose the 4th Floor Hotel from the Reykjavik hotels available. It has a similar contemporary feel with modern styled interior.
7 Unique Modes of Transport In Asia
Posted , add a comment7 Unique Modes of Transport In Asia
The very first thing that a traveller looks for when arriving at a new country is how to get from one location to another. Usually, people would expect to take what would be classified as the normal modes of transport, which is either by car, taxi, bus or train while travelling on land. This is not necessarily the case in Asia, as it has managed to develop its own way of taking people from point A to point B.
These different modes of transport are particularly unique and exotic that it can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Through the years of travelling around Asia, I’ve noted some of the unique modes of transport that can only be found in Asia and nowhere else. Here are the 7 unique modes of transport that a traveller will find only in the biggest continent in the world:
1 - Tuktuk (Thailand)
The tuktuk is Thailand’s local version of a taxi. It’s essentially a three-wheeled vehicle that looks like a modified motorcycle built with a metal frame carriage that can accommodate 2 passengers. The carriages are usually bright and colourful, and carry the “TAXI” symbol on the roof. These three-wheeled vehicles can be found in nearly every town and city in Thailand, including the mega-packed city of Bangkok.
Tuktuks are great for buzzing around the busy and crowded streets, as they can easily maneuver and squeeze through the smallest gaps in the traffic. However, this also means that you will experience the ride of your life. The tuktuk drivers can drive really fast and turn and cut corners that most foreigners find themselves clinging on to their seats! Taking the tuktuk may not be for the faint-hearted, but it’s a great way to experience and travel around Bangkok and other towns and cities in Thailand. Nevertheless, it is one of Thailand’s unique mode of transport, and a symbol of Thai ingenuity.
2 - Jeepney (Philippines)
The Jeepney is the Philippines’ take of a bus. Its name originated from the American Jeep, which was how the jeepney started. After the Second World War, when Manila was almost completely destroyed by the Japanese bombings, the American Jeep became the only vehicle available as a means of transport. The American Jeep was then modified for public transport purposes.
With a touch of local Filipino ingenuity, the jeepney evolved into the colourful and tough mode of transport we now find all over the Philippines. The Jeepney essentially has the engine of a jeep, and a long body with two long rows of benches facing each other. Normally, the jeepney can take in between 16 to 18 people (between 8 to 9 people on each side), but as regulations are pretty loose in the Philippines, this vehicle can take up more than that number. The jeepney acts similarly to a bus and travels on distinct routes, however, it doesn’t have a proper jeepney stop. You can hail it practically anywhere and get off anywhere. With this kind of setup, you can imagine the chaos that it causes to traffic. Thus, the jeepney is given the nickname “King of the Road” in the Philippines.
3 - AutoRickshaw (India)
The AutoRickshaw is India’s version of the tuktuk. It is a three-wheeled vehicle that can take up to 3 passengers. The sizes of these autorickshaws are generally smaller than the tuktuks, and a great majority of these vehicles are manufactured by the local motor giant Bajaj.
As with the tuktuk, the autorickshaws are great for squeezing through the chaotic traffic of India’s major centres. Consequently, the autorickshaw drivers are also your typical Michael Schumacher-wannabes, and you would need to hang on tight as there are no seat belts in these three wheelers.
Paying for the autorickshaw is quite an interesting challenge. They have meters installed, but the meters have not been re-calibrated since 1983. Therefore, the locals came up with a conversion chart that would tell you how much you need to pay if the meter shows a certain amount. As a foreigner and tourist, it is a must to carry this card to avoid being ripped off by some sneaky drivers. Autorickshaws are part and parcel of the Indian street scene, and although they aren’t as colourful as the tuktuks, they are a great option to the crowded buses and trains of India.
4 - Songthaew (Laos)
The Songthaew originally started in Thailand, and became popular in neighbouring Laos as a means of public transport. While the songthaew that you will find in the capital Vientiane and in the historic city of Luang Prabang are pretty much similar to the ones in Thailand, this version of the songthaew is unique to Vang Vieng and the rural areas of Laos.
It uses a small tractor engine with manual handles to steer the vehicle. The tractor engine is attached to a wooden carriage, which has 2 benches for passengers to sit on. The name “songthaew” literally means “Two Benches” and it’s pretty obvious when you see the vehicle. The benches of this particular type of songthaew are not fastened to the carriage, so you need to hang on to it when going through rough patches.
The roof is made of plastic tarpaulin. It is not the most comfortable things to ride on, especially on rough terrain, but the great thing about this makeshift-looking vehicle is its ability to run like a 4WD and plough through mud and do river crossings. If you would like to explore the many caves around Vang Vieng, getting there can be challenging without taking one of these vehicles.
5 - Motorela (Philippines)
The Motorela is a mode of transport that can only be found in Northern Mindanao, Philippines. Originally from Cagayan de Oro City, this vehicle looks as colourful as the jeepneys. In fact, the motorela is somewhat a cross between a jeepney and a tuktuk. It is literally a motorcycle that is encased in a carriage with 2 rows of seats facing each other.
Motorelas can take up to eight passengers (four on each side), and the way it serves passengers is quite interesting. It generally tries to work out its route depending on where the first passenger is headed. Along the way, it will pick up passengers who are headed towards the same direction of the first passenger, or even a bit further from the first passenger.
Because of rather skewed proportion of the weight of its carriage against the motorcycle, the motorela doesn’t travel as fast and cannot travel to steep terrains well. In saying that though, it is a great and convenient way to get around the city of Cagayan de Oro without the fear of speed. The structure and use of the motorela is definitely unique, and not many people have heard of this vehicle unless you have been to this part of the Philippines.
6 - Songthaew (Thailand)
The original songthaew is a truck that is converted into a passenger vehicle, with two benches facing each other. The structure of the songthaew looks very much like the jeepney, but the body of the songthaew is slightly bigger and wider. In some cases, the wider songthaew would have an extra bench placed in the middle between the 2 opposite benches to take more passengers in. With this kind of setup, the songthaew can take up to 30 passengers.
The songthaew operates very much like a bus in that it also generally plies on a specific route. However, you can hail it on the side of the road and there are no official stops for this vehicle apart from a terminal where it starts and finishes its journey. This mode of transport is more common outside Bangkok, in the other regional centres of Thailand where buses are not available within the centres.
7 - Human-powered rickshaws (Kyoto, Japan)
The traditional rickshaw is one of the most impressionable images of Asia before the Second World War. You can find several black and white street scene images of a man pulling a passenger carriage with two huge wheels. These modes of transport are long gone with the rapid urbanization across Asia, but in Kyoto, there are sections of the city where you can still find these human powered rickshaws plying the streets.
Most of these rickshaws are only available in the small alley ways in the older parts of Kyoto, where cars are not able to travel through. The drivers of these rickshaws are not necessarily huge people, but you can see that they do have strong legs that could compensate for their size.
One unique thing I noticed about their outfit is the specially designed foot glove that they wear that helps them travel through any type of surface without slipping. The rickshaw is one of the last vestiges of the romantic image of Asia, and an environmentally and healthy way to travel.
Photo credits:
Tuktuk by Akuppa on Flickr, Jeepney by ManilaDailyPhoto on Flickr, Autorickshaw by PrinceRoy on Flickr, Motorela by Zeng Lebron on Flickr, All other photos by Kelvin Lim