Author Archives: Fritzjames Stephen

Chakri Day – remembering the kings of old

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The kings of the Chakri Dynasty have ruled Thailand since the year 1782 and to this day locals commune to pay tribute to these leaders who contributed in moulding the country’s vision for a better tomorrow. Chakri Day which falls on the 6th of April is an annual event and one that must not be missed. Choose a Bangkok hotel to stay during your time in Thailand. Anantara Bangkok Sathorn which is one of the more popular luxury hotels Bangkok has to offer will be a good place to come home to after viewing the proceedings of this historic day.

The day witnesses the people of Thailand hold a series of ceremonies to honour the contribution of the kings who once presided. A ceremony is led by King Bhumibol Adulyadej who is the 9th king of the dynasty which witnesses members of the royal family taking part in religious observances at the royal chapel. The king pays his respects to his predecessors at the Royal Pantheon and this is followed by the laying of a wreath at the statue of King Rama I at the site of the Memorial Bridge. The Prime Minister together with members of the government attend this historic festival which successfully attracts many tourists who want to catch a glimpse of the country’s unique and well-documented past.

 

Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Fritzjames Stephen. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.

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Qingming – honouring the souls at rest

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The Qingming festival also called ‘Tomb Sweeping Day’ is an important event which usually falls on the 5th of April every year. Regarded as a traditional Chinese festival which involves families paying tribute to their loved ones long departed, Qingming also brings families out into the open to enjoy the lush vegetation of springtime. Select a Sanya resort such as Anantara Sanya Resort & Spa which will offer you suitable accommodation during your stay in the city. This Sanya hotel is sure to be an ideal place to come home to after you experience the charm of this Chinese festival.

Watch as family members are brought to closer as they pray, burn joss paper and celebrate the lives of their dearly beloved. Dating back to the times of the Tang Dynasty, the practice of making the locals gather at the site of the graveyards of their family members was initiated by Emperor Xuanzong more than 2500 years ago. Well known in regions such as Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, the festival is one of the public holidays that is looked upon with great enthusiasm. Practices include offering food to the deceased and sweeping of the graves. Such a time also provides families the space to go on outings and fly kites denoting the shapes of animals or characters that feature prominently in the local opera scene. Such an event must not be missed when holidaying in Sanya during this festival.

Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Fritzjames Stephen. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.

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Sinhala and Tamil New Year – a cultural festival of colour

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For all Sinhalese and Hindus, April is all about festivity. From the end of March even the environment seems to feel this heart-warming change. The trees look much greener with flowers blossoming covering up every inch making it look like Mother Nature’s decorations done specially for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. To add to this beautiful site, the sound of the cuckoo bird can be heard as the background music throughout this special time. While nature gets ready to celebrate this festival in its own way, the people in Sri Lanka too start adding their contribution to enhance the excitement.

Everything is done according to an auspicious time, so when the time gets closer the astrologers in the country get together to give the proper auspicious times that the people need in order to follow the traditional routines. Since all schools are on vacation the involvement of children with the celebrations is very high. Families get together to give a new look to their home as every house gets a fresh coat of paint and new appliances. Then the preparations of sweetmeats begin. The aroma of freshly prepared sweets can be felt anywhere you go.

The sound of laughter can be heard from every corner of the country. Children and adults have their special traditional New Year games which are very simple but fascinating to watch or even join. All shops would have the massive red discount signs plastered on their doors and windows inviting the shoppers to come and visit them for a good deal. Shops would be packed with both the young and old who would be buying hoards of gifts for their loved ones.

The sound of fire crackers can be heard weeks ahead. The end of the old year is considered as an inauspicious time where no important work is done. During this time people visit temples and avoid any other activity. This time is called the nonagathaya. The dawn of the New Year is marked by the endless sound of fire crackers while a pot of milk is kept on the fire and is let to overflow to symbolise a prosperous year ahead. The day continues with more celebrations and get-togethers where everyone enjoys to their heart’s content.

So if you are planning a trip to Sri Lanka, then the month of April would be the best time to enjoy the local culture. Celebrating the New Year in the coastal area would be more refreshing. Accommodation would not be an issue at any time. Palagama Beach Kalpitiya is one of the many Sri Lanka beach resorts where you could relax and unwind while on vacation. It is amongst the leading Kalpitiya hotels and has all modern amenities and delicious cuisine that would make your vacation in paradise a reality.

Vision X Dubai 2014 – taking care of your greatest possession

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The optics industry in the Middle East knows no greater stage than Vision X Dubai 2014 which is fast becoming the benchmark in eye care and eye fashion wear. A Dubai airport hotel such as Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai would offer good accommodation should you be on the lookout for even a 5 star hotel Dubai boasts of having.

Scheduled to be held from the 25th – 27th of November 2014, the Dubai World Trade Centre will yet again come alive with visitors from all corners of the globe arriving to witness such an important exhibition. A total number of 85 exhibitors from 15 countries will be there to offer you valuable information on the latest technology advancements in the eye care sector. A host of seminars, workshops and conferences are lined up for the benefit of every visitor who wishes to learn of every detail in the ophthalmic and optical industry. Various eye care specialists will grace this occasion and you could be taken through the process of obtaining a brand new pair of glasses which is sure to serve you well in the future.

Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2014 – a major hit

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For all you bookworms out there, there’s no better event to mark down on your diary than the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2014. Tipped as one of the grandest festivals in the region, this spectacle can be accessed by choosing the comfort of an Abu Dhabi city hotel such as Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi. Ranked amongst some of the finest Abu Dhabi hotels in the area, this property could be considered when one is planning to holiday in this part of the world.

Held with an objective to promote reading in Abu Dhabi, this book festival has been rated as the fastest growing event of its kind in the Middle East and Africa linking the Arab world with the global publishing community. Many literary works covering a range of subjects will be up for grabs and one is sure to spend hours on end here. You can also meet and express your views with the industry professionals that commune in their numbers at the festival. Determined to contribute towards the global book business, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is a joint venture of the Frankfurt Book Fair and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and yet again is sure to capture the hearts of the ardent reader.

Nuwara Eliya Spring Festival – When a Beautiful World Just Got Prettier, One Cannot Cease to Celebrate

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As the veils of powdery mists engulf the mighty mountain range, re-telling a love story that is as old as time, the air grows colder and the soft winds whisper the secrets so charming, to tree and turret. Flowers bloom bright and dance to spring time songs, while melodies echo of the gay singing birds. “Little England”, they called it, this little town where romance beams every step of the way, Nuwara Eliya.

In a land that sees no winter snow, the dawn of spring is rarely celebrated. However in this little town of romance, when all the colours in the world burst out in jubilant song in flower and bud everywhere and the happy chorus of the birds singing spring time songs echo thorough the air, the people of the town awake to a new kind of charm. Banners welcoming spring wave in the skies, as people prepare to celebrate the many activities that spring bring with it as they have been doing since the colonial times. Many tourists gather in the town of Nuwara Eliya, during the Spring Festival to become a part of these good times.

Racecourse of Nuwara Eliya is utilised to its fullest capacity during this period where races are run to win the many awards and cups that are being given out. Apart from the horse races, motor races also take the modern face of racing and the Nuwara Eliya Road Race, 4X4 Lake Cross on the edge of Lake Gregory and the Mahagastotte and Radella Hill Climbs are held during the period while large crowds gather and watch.

Golf, being a popular sport played in Nuwara Eliya, also becomes a part of the celebration of the spring as a golf tournament complementing the list of events in style. Carnivals and the Annual Flower show also beautify the Spring Festival of he town so wholly that one may not regret a trip to this little part of sunny Sri Lanka during this period.

Getting to the city of Nuwara Eliya is best arranged though an airport taxi in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Many reliable and trusted Sri Lanka car rental companies can be found and one could consider contacting Malkey Rent A Car, that offers transport from the airport to any part of the island, for a safe and a reliable transportation service.

Takin Festival in Bhutan – an enthralling experience

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The mountainous nation of Bhutan offers many attractions for the visitor and there is no better time to visit this fascinating country than during the much anticipated Takin Festival. The festival is named after the Takin, a unique animal which has the distinction of being the national animal of Bhutan. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, grazing placidly in the grasslands. These animals, unmistakable and surprisingly agile, thrive in the mountain environment.

The festival is held in the locality of Gasa within the Jigme Dorji National Park which is counted amongst the largest natural sanctuaries in the nation. This part of the country is beautiful and picturesque, offering sensational panoramas of pristine scenic vistas. This lovely natural environment has been thoughtfully nurtured by the local inhabitants for generations, so that the unsullied habitat has been preserved.

In the midst of this idyllic landscape the Takin Festival offers many unique experiences for the visitor. You will enjoy exploring some of the most appealing trekking terrains on the globe, immersing yourself in delightful hot spring pools and admiring the locally produced handicrafts. Visitors may look through and purchase attractive creations like yak wool apparel and tents, leather and bamboo items and other craft products.

You will have the opportunity to feast on the irresistible local culinary creations, whilst sitting around a customary stone fireplace, just as the local nomads have done for innumerable generations.

The journey to Gasa is an intriguing experience itself, as the traveller will traverse through verdant forests which form the habitat of the majestic Bengal tiger and the winter home of the Takin. On the journey you will see flourishing vegetation and shimmering waterfalls framed by the awe-inspiring peaks of the Himalayas.
A visit to the Takin Festival in Bhutan is a one of a kind experience which will undoubtedly be enthralling and memorable. This magical age-old culture may be experienced in no other location in the world.

Well-informed visitors seeking a quality Bhutan hotel will find an outstanding choice in the Uma Bhutan. The Bhutan tour packages offered by this travel specialist are an excellent way to explore this magical country.

Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Free Spirit. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+