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From melting glaciers to increasingly intense weather patterns, we know that climate change is already impacting life on our planet. On Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 8:30 pm, Queen Bee Maternity will take part in Earth Hour-the world’s largest global climate change event.
By simply turning out all non-essential lighting for one hour at our company building and in our own homes, we will join tens of millions of concerned citizens throughout the world in calling for action to save our planet for future generations. We’d like to invite you, our valued customers, to join us in the important effort.
Earth Hour is an event led by the World Wildlife Fund. In 2008, more than 50 million people in 370 cities around the world took part, as the lights dimmed at Sydney’s Opera House, Rome’s Coliseum, the Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge. Even the Google homepage went dark for the day. This year, Earth Hour will be even bigger. In Australia cities large and small have said they’ll participate including Vodafone, Westpack, Woolworths Limited ….with more signing on daily. They will join international cities such as Auckland, Beijing, Bogota, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Helsinki, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Kiev, Kuala Lumpur, Lisbon, London, Manila, Mexico City, Moscow, New York, Oslo, Paris, Rome, Singapore, Shanghai, Sydney, Toronto, Vancouver, and Warsaw.
To get a better sense of the magnitude and inspiring nature of the event, take a moment to watch WWF’s video on Earth Hour 2009 by visiting www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjWD8pbK5t8. Energy efficiency isn’t just good for business. Each one of us has a stake in the future of our planet and must do whatever we can to operate in ways that don’t deplete our world’s limited natural resources.In the weeks leading up to Earth Hour, we plan to take a close look at ways our company can operate more efficiently, waste less and reduce our environmental footprint-not only in our own operations, but throughout our supply chain. Joining Earth Hour is a great way to demonstrate that the employees of Queen Bee Maternity care about the planet and want to operate in a responsible way.
We hope you’ll join us in this important and inspiring effort and encourage your employees, customers and suppliers to take part.
Participating in Earth Hour is easy, fun and costs nothing. To get more information and to sign to have your business listed as among those participating, visit www.earthhour.org/australia and agree to turn out all nonessential lights from 8:30-9:30 pm on March 28, 2009.
Don’t forget-on March 28th at 8:30 pm, switch off. One simple hour that will help make the world a better place.
There is more to Russian river cruises than you may expect. These trips are a wonderful way of exploring the heart of Russia, meeting some local people and delving into the chaotic history of this strong country. These cruises are appropriate for any kind of group dynamic; whether you are taking the cruise for a family break, a honeymoon or just a chance to learn about a new culture, Russian river cruises will not disappoint.
The river cruises of Europe that take passengers through Russia generally run from St. Petersburg in the north, through Moscow and down to Rostov-on-don. You can spend hours taking in the breathtaking landscapes and catching glimpses of old historical buildings and wonderful wildlife.
It is quite often the case that the ship will dock in some smaller towns and villages which gives the passengers a chance to investigate the Russian way of life in more depth. This provides a wonderful opportunity to take in some traditional ways of life which would otherwise be completely omitted. It is also the case that the boats stop at renowned destinations so you will not miss out on visiting some of the county’s well known landmarks and attractions.
The river cruises in Europe provide comfortable cabins, many of which have en-suite bathrooms and showers. You can requests a cabin which has a balcony or large French doors, which will enhance the beautiful scenery as you pass by. There are also onboard facilities such as internet access, spas, gyms, hair salons and games for the kids.
The Russian river cruises normally include all food and drink. It is quite common to find a mixture of dishes on the menu and of course there is the option of trying some real Russian cuisine. You can either try these authentic dishes on the boat or on dry land in any of the villages and towns.
You will find numerous river cruises in Europe advertized on the World Wide Web. There are lots of cruise companies who have their own websites and it is possible to book your trip online. Remember to mention any specific requirements you have such as dietary needs.
The amount of time that you have to enjoy Russian river cruises varies by package and operator. If you are looking for a mini break, you can spend three or four days on this type of cruise. It is also possible to spend as long as a month on the waterways of Russia.
No matter which of the Russian river cruises you opt for, it will be a fabulous trip which will be exciting and leave you with some unique and lovely memories to cherish.
Knowledgeable Hotel Booking Service
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging, usually on a short-term basis. Visit Here http://chittagong-guide.blogspot.com
Hotels often provide a number of additional guest services such as a restaurant, a swimming pool or childcare. Some hotels have conference services and meeting rooms and encourage groups to hold conventions and meetings at their location. Hotels differ from motels in that most motels have drive-up, exterior entrances to the rooms, while hotels tend to have interior entrances to the rooms, which may increase guests’ safety and present a more upmarket image. Basic accommodation of a room with only a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with en-suite bathrooms and climate control. Other features found may be a telephone, an alarm clock, a TV, and broadband Internet connectivity. Food and drink may be supplied by a mini-bar (which often includes a small refrigerator) containing snacks and drinks (to be paid for on departure), and tea and coffee making facilities (cups, spoons, an electric kettle and sachets containing instant coffee, tea bags, sugar, and creamer or milk).
In the United Kingdom a hotel is required by law to serve food and drinks to all comers within certain stated hours; to avoid this requirement it is not uncommon to come across “private hotels” which are not subject to this requirement. However, in Japan the capsule hotel supplies minimal facilities and room space. The cost and quality of hotels are usually indicative of the range and type of services available. Due to the enormous increase in tourism worldwide during the last decades of the 20th century, standards, especially those of smaller establishments, have improved considerably. For the sake of greater comparability, rating systems have been introduced, with the one to five stars classification being most common.
“Boutique Hotel” is a term originating in North America to describe intimate, usually luxurious or quirky hotel environments. Boutique hotels differentiate themselves from larger chain or branded hotels by providing an exceptional and personalized level of accommodation, services and facilities. Boutique hotels are furnished in a themed, stylish and/or aspirational manner. Although usually considerably smaller than a mainstream hotel (ranging from 3 to 100 guest rooms) boutique hotels are generally fitted with telephone and wi-fi Internet connections, honesty bars and often cable/pay TV. Guest services are attended to by 24 hour hotel staff. Many boutique hotels have on site dining facilities, and the majority offer bars and lounges which may also be open to the general public. Of the total travel market a small percentage are discerning travelers, who place a high importance on privacy, luxury and service delivery.
As this market is typically corporate travelers, the market segment is non-seasonal, high-yielding and repeat, and therefore one which boutique hotel operators target as their primary source of income. A number of hotels have entered the public consciousness through popular culture, such as the Ritz Hotel in London, UK (‘Putting on The Ritz’) and Hotel Chelsea in New York City, subject of a number of songs and also the scene of the alleged stabbing of Nancy Spungen by her boyfriend Sid Vicious. Hotels that enter folklore like these two are also often frequented by celebrities, as is the case both with the Ritz and the Chelsea. Other famous hotels include the Beverly Hills Hotel, the Hotel Bel-Air and the Chateau Marmont, in California, USA, Watergate complex in Washington DC ,the Hotel Astoria in Saint Petersburg, Russia, the Hotel George V and Hôtel Ritz in Paris, Palazzo Versace hotel on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, Hotel Hermitage and Hotel de Paris in Monaco (in the French Riviera) and Hotel Leningradskaya in Moscow. Many hotels can be considered destinations in themselves, by dent of unusual features of the lodging and/or its immediate environment.
Treehouse hotels Some hotels, such as the Costa Rica Tree House in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica, or Treetops Hotel in Aberdare National Park, Kenya, are built with living trees as structural elements, making them treehouses. The Ariau Towers near Manaus, Brazil is in the middle of the Amazon, on the Rio Negro. Bill Gates even invested and had a suite built there with satellite internet/phone. Another hotel with treehouse units is Bayram’s Tree Houses in Olympos, Turkey Cave hotels Desert Cave Hotel in Coober Pedy, South Australia and the Cuevas Pedro Antonio de Alarcón (named after the author) in Guadix, Spain, as well as several hotels in Cappadocia, Turkey, are notable for being built into natural cave formations, some with rooms underground.
Capsule hotels Capsule hotels are a type of economical hotels that are quite common in Japan. Ice hotels, such as the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, melt every spring and are rebuilt out of ice and snow each winter. Snow hotels The Mammut Snow Hotel in Finland is located within the walls of the Kemi snow castle, which is the biggest in the world. It includes The Mammut Snow Hotel, The Castle Courtyard, The Snow Restaurant and a chapel for weddings, etc. Its furnishings and its decorations, such as sculptures, are made of snow and ice. There is snow accommodation also in Lainio Snow Hotel in Lapland (near Ylläs), Finland. Garden hotels Garden hotels, famous for their gardens before they became hotels, includes Gravetye Manor, the home of William Robinson and Cliveden, designed by Charles Barry with a rose garden by Geoffrey Jellicoe.
Underwater hotels As of 2005, the only hotel with an underwater room that can be reached without Scuba diving is Utter Inn in Lake Mälaren, Sweden. It only has one room, however, and Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Florida, which requires scuba diving, is not much bigger. Hydropolis is an ambitious project to build a luxury hotel in Dubai, UAE, with 220 suites, all on the bottom of the Persian Gulf, 20 meters (66 feet) below the surface. Its architecture will feature two domes that break the surface and an underwater train tunnel, all made of transparent materials such as glass and acrylic. Other unusual hotels The Library Hotel in New York City is unique in that its ten floors are arranged according to the Dewey Decimal System. The Rogers Centre, formerly SkyDome, in Toronto, Canada is the only stadium to have a hotel connected to it, with 70 rooms overlooking the field. The Burj al-Arab hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, built on an artificial island, is structured in the shape of a sail of a boat.Visit Here http://chittagong-guide.blogspot.com
Image taken on 2009-06-28 15:10:42 by Shay Haas.
Russia used to be a mysterious country that few international travelers will go for vacations. Today, it is open to everyone and its tour industry is seeing an upward trend. It has so much to offer regardless you are interested in taking an historical trip around its imperial past or you want to do something a little more adventurous.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union more than a decade ago, more and more foreigners are traveling to Russia now for business and leisure. However, it can still be a difficult place if you are unable to speak their language. Fortunately, you will find that the Russians are incredibly warm and inviting hosts most of the time. If you are looking for some where that takes you away from the normal holiday routes then you should consider Russia as one of your must visit place.
So what kind of Russia adventure travel can a person expect to be able to do when visiting this unique country? Let us take a look at a couple of adventurous types of travel that you can do in Russia.
1. Trans Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian Railway or Trans-Siberian Railroad is a network of railways connecting Moscow and European Russia with the Russian Far East provinces, Mongolia, China and the Sea of Japan. During this journey, you will travel from Vladivostok Moscow to the wilds of Khabarovsk in the heart of Mongolia.
You will also get to visit Lake Baikal and the snowcapped mountains of the Urals.
This journey is a total of 6,135 miles in distance and you will pass through 8 different time zones during the journey. The trains are very comfortable, but it is the beauty of the country as you pass through the various areas that really gets an adventurer excited!
However, if you think this a bit staid for an adventurous journey in Russia, you could try the following instead.
2. Journey to the North Pole
With this type of adventure travel, you are given a chance to add your name to the very small list of people who have already made this epic journey in the past. This is certainly the more challenging of any types of adventure travel that you may find, but it will be worth it when you reach the top of the world. When traveling through the Arctic you will notice that everything seems bigger, the icebergs are massive and the horizon just seems to go on forever.
You will board an icebreaker at Murmansk, Russia and sail into the Barents Sea before breaking into the dense Arctic ice. You will experience an ever-changing panorama of wind-polished ice up to five meters thick and enjoy the immense polar landscapes from the Bridge or deck of the ship. And along the way, you can expect to encounter a variety of Arctic wildlife such as polar bears and walrus.
Certainly many people have found this particular adventure travel to be a very humbling experience and have put life into proper perspective for them.
As you can see, Russia has so much more to offer the adventurous traveler than just visiting the many historical cities. You will likely find yourself back to Russia for adventure travel and other amazing journey over and over again.
Image taken on 2009-06-28 15:33:48 by Shay Haas.
Russia today is a nation of enormous diversity and tremendous vitality. It is as if the cultural traditions of a century ago have reawakened with a newfound strength ancient cathedrals are being rebuilt and restored, colourful markets hum with activity once again and literature and the arts are quickly regaining the creative renown they enjoyed decades ago.
A new Russia is now in full bloom. The defeat of the Russian Empire in World War I led to the seizure of power by the communists and the formation of the USSR. The brutal rule of Josef STALIN strengthened Russian dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of lives.
The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the following decades until General Secretary Mikhail GORBACHEV introduced glasnost and perestroika in an attempt to modernize communism, but his initiatives inadvertently released forces that by December 1991 splintered the USSR into 15 independent republics.
Since then, Russia has struggled in its efforts to build a democratic political system and market economy to replace the strict social, political, and economic controls of the communist period.
The most important cities on the European side are Moscow, St. Petersburg and Murmansk. This is the heartland of Imperial Russia, and these great and ancient cities often become the focus for most tourists.
However there is much more to Russia, a country that spans eleven time zones and two continents, ending less than 50 miles from North America. Within this vast expanse lie the largest freshwater lake in the world, rivers and forests teeming with fish and wildlife, awe inspiring volcanoes, and towering mountains.
Russia is the largest country on earth, with enormous tracts of land that have been opened to travellers only in the last few years.
Russia has a formidable pool of recreational resources, including natural landscapes of endless variety. Inimitable beauty, monuments of history and cultural heritage, unique engineering structures and unmatched cities, towns and smaller communities.
The most popular tourist attractions are the old Russian cities of Vladimir, Suzdal, Sergiev Posad, Pereyaslavl Zalessky, Rostov, Uglitch, Yaroslavl and Kostroma, the biggest gems of Russias Golden Ring.
Also high on every tourists priority list are itineraries by boat from Moscow to St.Petersburg and the Valaam Island. A central point of religious pilgrimage, or to Kizhi, the wonderland of Old Russian wooden architecture. The Northern Caucasus and the Black Sea coast, to Mount Elbrus, the Ural Mountains and the Altai country, in different natural settings, from the Black Sea coast.
Overseas adventure travel is all about seeing jaw dropping sights and having unforgettable experiences. It’s no wonder that more and more people are getting drawn into the exciting world. But if you’ve never done any adventure travel and want to know what you’re missing, this really is the crème de la crème: 7 Adventure holiday trips you need to take before you die…
The Antarctic Circle
Amongst the least travelled places on the planet, The Antarctic Circle is the perfect place to start your overseas adventure travel. For nature lovers, this is particularly brilliant with some beautiful and unique wildlife and some truly breathtaking sights. Penguins, seals, whales and albatrosses can all be spotted during your trip.
Galapagos Islands
The islands that inspired Darwin, unique wildlife found nowhere else on the planet makes the Galapagos Islands a must visit for the adventure travel enthusiast. Amongst the wildlife you can expect to see are giant tortoises, lava lizards, and land iguanas. The region has a fascinating history and some incredible sights and sounds – the essentials of any adventure holiday.
Great Wall of China
Walking along the Great Wall of China is an amazing experience – as man made structures go, it just constantly amazes with its sense of scale and grandeur. Adventure travellers will find visiting this most famous of Chinese icons an unforgettable experience.
The Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans Siberian Railway may sound a less gruelling trip than some of the others because you’re not walking, but it still presents its own challenges. An epic railway trip that takes you all the way from Moscow to Siberia and on to Beijing, the real beauty here is that you get to take in sights that would normally be well off the tourist track. It’s an experience like no other, and one that anyone interested in overseas adventure travel should make sure they enjoy before they die.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Sure, this one is going to be exhausting and it only for experienced trekkers, but if you manage to reach the snow covered peak of Africa’s tallest mountain on an adventure holiday, you can actually see the curvature of the planet. That’s something that you never, ever forget.
The Grand Canyon
If you’re looking for adventure travel in America, you really cannot beat hiking along the Grand Canyon. The stunning landscapes mean that even after two day’s hiking, you’re unlikely to be bored of the sights. You may have seen pictures, but actually walking along it is the kind of unforgettable experience you will be recounting for years to come…
Machu Picchu
The lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful ancient sites in the world. Clinging to the steep hillside, and surrounded by jungle covered mountains, it’s no wonder this site took quite so long to find. Suffice it to say that photos, website, travel brochures, and indeed, these words cannot do the site justice – you cannot fail to feel inspired when surrounded by the beautiful ruins.
Whichever of these adventure holidays you wish to take first will not disappoint. Just remember to take your camera so you can showcase the amazing sights you saw to your friends and family!
Kieron Sellens is the marketing manager of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AiTO). With AITO’s cultural breaks you can choose from tailor-made adventure holidays, historical tours, musical trips and many more. The independent tour operators that AITO represent specialise in worldwide holidays tailored to their customers’ requirements.
FUN FACTS ABOUT KENYA
By Alejandro Guevara Onofre
DID YOU KNOW…
Kenya is an African country with vast mountains and beautiful scenery. It is a diverse collection of coastal waters, sanbanks, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, and deserts. This land is home to a staggering diversity of plants and wild animals such as hippopotamus, cheetahs, hyenas, snakes, rhinoceros, lions, and leopards.
There are more than 65 national parks and wildlife preserves Each zone has distinct wildlife. Twenty hectares of rainforest contain more birds species than the whole of Europe. Much of Kenya’s native flora is not found anywhere else in the world.
Furthermore, Kenyan culture reflects a mixture of African, Indian, and British influences, similar in many respects to the traditions and superstitions of Uganda and Tanzania.
DID YOU KNOW…
Kenya, formerly known as British East Africa, became independent in 1963 and a republic in 1964.
DID YOU KNOW…
Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, is an international place with every kind of accommodation. Nairobi has many restaurants that serve everything from monkey to antelope.
DID YOU KNOW…
More than other Third World countries, Kenya is a multicultural country made up of numerous ethnic groups.
DID YOU KNOW…
The flag was designed by the Kenya Africa National Union (KANU); the dominant political party until 2002.
DID YOU KNOW…
Conservation is a global effort, and the African country is doing its part to conserve ecology’s bounty. Different from Peru and Ethiopia, Kenya has introduced wildlife conservation into the public school curriculum. The African country has an established record of cooperation with international conservation organizations.
DID YOU KNOW…
Kenya has become much more stable since the democratic elections of 2002.From 1963 to 2002, Kenya was a dictatorship.
DID YOU KNOW…
The Kenyan people have many idols: Henry Rono (runner), Richard Leakey (paleontologist and conservationist), Mama Ngima (ex-first lady of Kenya), Louise Leakey (paleontologist), Philip Leakey (businessman), Wangari Maathai (environmentalist), Grace Ogot (writer), Rebecca Njau (writer), and Kipchoge Keino (runner).
DID YOU KNOW…
In 2004, Wangari Maathai received the Nobel Prize for Peace for her dedication to women’s rights, ecology, and democracy. Wangari became the second woman from Africa to win the Nobel Prize. She is a really important model for the world.
DID YOU KNOW…
Since 1963, the economy has revolted around tourism. Kenya is one of the most prosperous black African countries.
DID YOU KNOW…
Paul Evans, a British runner, once said, “Only two Europeans men have made the stop three at the past four Olympics, one being the Italian Baldini, who won in Athens”. It is a problem of numbers. There are not many Europeans. In Kenya, you have tens and tens of new athletes every year…
Certainly, Kenya is famous for its athletes. Physical education is an important subject in every primary school, secondary school and college. The African country is the birthplace of Henry Rono, one of the best runners in the 20th century. In 1978, Henry broke four world’s records: the 3,000 meters steeplechase (8:05.4), the 5,000 (13:08.4), the 3,000 meters (7:32.1), and the 10,000 meters (7.32.1).In 1980, Henry qualified for the Kenyan Olympic team at the 1980 Moscow Games. But Kenya boycotted that year’s Olympics in Moscow to protest the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan. This supreme athlete, the idol of millions of Kenyans, is a symbol in Africa.
Today Kenyan Bernard Barmasai is the fastest man in the 3,000 meters steeplechase with a time of 7 minutes, 55.72s.
DID YOU KNOW…
UNESCO has declared Lake Turkana National Park and Mount Kenya National Park World Heritage Sites.
DID YOU KNOW…
In fact, Isak Dinesen, best known as Karen Dixen, loved Kenya so much. Her first novel Out of Africa (1938) focuses on Kenya’s scenery. Furthermore, Out of Africa was also the basis of a 1985 Hollywood film starring Meryl Streep, one of the best American actresses.
DID YOU KNOW…
The most popular sports are cricket, track and field, box, soccer, volleyball, rugby, tennis, and field hockey.
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