Author Archives: Caliope Sage

Singapore Writers Festival 2013 – an outstanding literary event

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The much anticipated Singapore Writers Festival is a delightful experience for anyone interested in the field of literature. Having completed 15 years of successful existence, the yearly event has secured a strong reputation as one of Asia’s most significant literary extravaganzas. Having evolved into being one of the mainstays of the international literary calendar this event attracts many notable writers from across the globe.

The festival has featured notable literary personalities like Steve Levitt, Michael Chabon, Bi Feiyu, Neil Gaiman and Gail Simone. The engrossing organised events like lectures, workshops and other features combined with the cosmopolitan ambience of Singapore make this extravaganza a unique experience.

Initially the event commenced as an offshoot of an arts festival and a springboard for local Singaporean writing talent. However the event has developed into a truly international occasion which draws the attention of literary aficionados the world over. A noteworthy aspect of the event is that it is multi-lingual, with English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil panels and the necessary translations available. The festival is also significant for its diverse topics and themes which make it appealing for a broad cross-section of readers and writers. The extravaganza encompasses various genres such as highbrow concerns, cookery writing, sports writing and children’s fiction just to name a few.

This is also an excellent venue for aspiring writers to show off their work and if fortune favours them, to leave the event with an agent’s attention or even a book contract. Aspiring writers should take the opportunity to attend features like lectures, workshops and symposiums which will explain how to develop a novel, biography, screenplay or poem from a mere idea to completion and publication. It is even possible to have a meal with your favourite author and discuss literary matters.

Although this is unquestionably a premier literary event many of the events are modestly priced while others are free of charge. Anyone with an interest in books will be enthralled by this splendid event.

Visitors to the city seeking hotels in Singapore will find an exemplary choice in the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Singapore. These fine Singapore hotels offer well-appointed interiors and an array of amenities.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Caliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.

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Christmas Celebration in Maldives – Tis the season to be jolly

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Christmas in Maldives is truly a joyous one. Maldives luxury resorts celebrate it best but for a more intimate and sublime celebration, choose a Maldives villa such as the Baros Maldives. The whole archipelago clothes itself in Christmas attire for this glorious festival in colourful strings of fairy lights, tinsel, various baubles and decorations. The streets are busy as natives go out to buy gifts for their loved ones to gift to one another on Christmas day. Embellished pine branches and Christmas fir trees decorate households during this time of the year which is usually filled with much joy and laughter. Another popular activity that goes on at this time is the purchasing of new cloths for going to midnight mass on Christmas day. Many families go out and enjoy as families on Christmas day and engage in family activities, various games and pastimes, making Christmas day into the joyous family event that it indeed is.

Chinese New Year – A joyous event

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A traditional holiday of great importance, the Chinese New Year also known as the Spring Festival falls on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese calendar which typically falls on February. Ascott Beijing is a luxury apartment in Beijing which is known to provide comfortable Beijing accommodation right at the heart of the city from which you can observe the numerous customs and traditions of this time honoured traditional festival celebrated not only in China, but also in a wide array of countries like Malaysia, Macau, Taiwan and Singapore. Chinese are known to sweep their houses thoroughly to sweep away any ill fortune on this day and to make room for good luck to come in. it is a period of great joy and festivity where houses are decorated in red and adorned with couplets with themes such as happiness, wealth and longevity while the sound of firecrackers are heard permeating through the place adding to the jovial atmosphere.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.

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Celebrate your Anniversary in Maldives

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It doesn’t get any more romantic than the Maldives. Celebrate your anniversary basking in the natural romance that Maldives brings. A Maldives resort to celebrate your special day is not that hard to find since Velassaru Maldives is a Maldives honeymoon resort renowned for the boundless generosities that it offers its guests. Let the sea, the sun and the sand be your witness as you renew your romance on the beach, a quiet and intimate affair with just the two of you hand in hand on a secluded beach. Or reserve a private island all for yourselves and be king and queen of your own land for a day. Perhaps a sunset cruise on a dhow would set the old flames roaring while a romantic candlelight dinner is sure to inundate the air with love and romance. Celebrate your anniversary in Maldives, the ideal place for romance.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+

New Year Celebrations in Singapore – A joyous event

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While the 31st December, the eve of the New Year is a special one for almost everybody all over the world, it is even special for Singaporeans. The Singapore New Year countdown is indeed everybody looks forward to. Celebrate this event at one of the most comfortable luxury hotels Singapore has on offer and a recommended choice would be The St. Regis Singapore which offers Singapore luxury suites fulfilling every possible need of its visitors. New Year is an important event for all since it signifies the ending of a year and the beginning of a new one, thereby signifying new beginnings. It is a symbol of hope which is why the dawning of the New Year is celebrated in a large bout of fanfare in this island. Get into the groove of thumping music, vibrant firework and frenzied dancing at the Padang at City Hall facing Marina Bay, Merlion Park, Esplanade Bridge, and the Benjamin Sheares Bridge. While all the top hotels of the country will be taking part of the joyful event, there will also be exciting beach parties for all those who are eager to celebrate to their hearts content at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s eve.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+

Maldives Republic Day – A day of national pride

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It was on the 11th November 1968 that Maldives became a republic after being a monarchy for a considerable time. And this day is celebrated all over Maldives on the 11th November each year, when much rejoicing and commemorations can be witness in all parts of the archipelago. If one wishes to participate in the Republic Day activities and capture the spirit of the celebrations, look for Maldives accommodation in a reliable Maldives hotel such as the Adaaran Club Rannalhi of which the reputation as a desirable abode for holidays precedes it. Many events and parades of different nature take place on the streets on this day as part of the celebrations but the most highlighted are the delightful parades of the National Security Services and the National Cadet Corps who march the streets in perfect unison with one another. Also to look forward to are the varied performances of colourfully dressed school children that are definitely a pleasing sight to many. The Republic Day of Maldives is without a doubt a day that evokes a sense of family, togetherness and a sense of national pride where people get together to share feelings of patriotism with the community.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+

Nation’s Father’s Day- Birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej

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His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej very much loved by the good people of Thailand is considered as the Father of the Thai Nation. It is on his birthday, 5th of December that is celebrated as a public holiday commonly referred to as the Nation’s Father’s Day. There are many Bangkok serviced apartments from where one could observe this national holiday but choose a comfortable serviced apartment in Bangkok such as the exclusive Ascott Sathorn Bangkok to ensure a comfortable stay. On this day of many celebrations which is also considered as Thailand’s National Day, households, private and public companies, streets and monuments are decorated with lights in true festive spirits. Sometimes also fondly referred to as  Pho Lhuang – Royal Father,  His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej will make a public appearance from the  balcony of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall in Bangkok much to the delight of his people who eagerly await his presence.

 

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+

Vinayak Chaturthi Festival – Dedicated to Lord Ganesha

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Observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, the Vinayak Chathurthi festival usually falls between 19 August and 20 September lasting for a period of 10-12 days ending on Anant Chaturdashi. Book a Pondicherry hotel during the festival to take part in all the activity and Hotel Atithi is known to offer comfortable Pondicherry accommodation allowing you to participate the festivities with peace of mind. It is said that this is the day that Shiva declared his son Ganesha as superior to all the gods and it is believed that on this day, Ganesha bestows his presence on earth for his devotees on this day. Hindus prepare for this festival several months before hand by creating clay statues of the Ganesha which are then installed in houses and public places in pandals. Offerings of modakas, Coconut, jaggery, durva, (trefoil) blades of grass and red flowers are made while the statue is anointed with kum kum and sandalwood paste. Mantras are chanted right throughout the festival such as Vedic chants and hymns from Rig Veda, the Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad, and the Ganesha stotra.

 

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.

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Bali Spirit Festival – Bringing Bali to life

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Yoga, music and dance comes together in festive form for five days in a row with the participation of international music artists, bringing Bali to life each year. The Bali Spirit Festival is based in the country’s cultural capital Ubud and visitors are therefore advised to seek out an Ubud hotel to lodge in during the festival. However, finding Ubud accommodation may not be very easy during this period and specially if you want a comfortable abode like Alila Ubud Bali, you may have to book well before hand. During these vibrant days of celebration, Bali sees hundreds of the world’s top dancers, musicians, artists, yoga instructors and the like bring together elaborate workshops, seminars, exhibitions, performances and concerts bringing the city to life. Soak up some culture and mingle with like-minded people. Head to the Bali Spirit Festival – you will not regret it.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered.

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Camel Beauty Pageant in Abu Dhabi – A joyous mishmash

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An indispensable creature gracing the harsh desert lands with style, the camel beauty pageant in Abu Dhabi is inevitably one of the most looked forward to events in the country. This popular event sees a massive influx of tourists every year to this part of the world and therefore, it is always wide to reserve a Hotel in Abu Dhabi for your accommodation needs well before hand. Kingsgate Hotel Abu Dhabi offers you a variety of accommodation options while being a hotel Abu Dhabi is greatly proud of. Peer into the very soul of the desert, the soul of the Bedouin for whom the camel is worth much more than money or gold by catching a glimpse of this uniquie beauty pageant that one can only witness at the depths of Abu Dhabi. Outside the desert city of Madinat Zayed is where all the actions take place while vehicles loaded with Bedouin trickle into the location, proudly flaunting their camels in trains of water tanker trucks and flatbed trucks dedicated entirely for their prized specimen. The event starts at dawn. Decked out in gold, silver and corals, the majestic camels step outside their encampments eager to strut their stuff. A social mishmash of sorts, the men grace the occasion in their white desert attire, smoking pipes and exchanging greetings with one another while jovially contributing to the festiveness that permeates through the air.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+