Introducing the East End of London
July 16, 2008
Of course most people know of London because of the Queen, who lives at Buckingham Palace and has a number of other properties around the city. There is much more to London than the Queen and the usual tourist attractions of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the likes. As the largest city in Europe the city is one of the most cosmopolitan in England and each sector of the city has it’s own uniqueness. To experience the quintessential London it is best to spend some time in the area known as the East End.
To some people the location of the East End is obvious, but the average tourist is often confused, expecting only a small area. In actual fact the East End encompasses all those districts which are to be found east of the centre. Of course such a large area contains a number of highly interesting places to visit and a number of top class tourist attractions. One thing that you really should make the effort to see is the fascinating collection of dolls houses at Bethnal Green Museum. The collection contains numerous antique houses dating back to the 17th century.
When you mention the East End of London, a great many people automatically think of the word “Cockney” or “Cockneys”. A Cockney is a person who was born in the East End of London within hearing distance of the bells at Bow Church (Bow Bells). You may wonder about the origins of such a strange word and you may be surprised to learn that it came from an old middle English word for a misshapen egg (or cock’s egg) - “cokeney”.
In the grim years of 1348 - 1350 London suffered the effects of the Black Death (Plague), because of the vast number of people inflicted it became necessary for the dead bodies to be piled into huge pits (this was mainly because the number who died was so huge, and the number of fit folk so few). Excavations, near to Tower Bridge, have unearthed over 700 skeletons in one of these pits (known as plague pits).
The very first dock to be built in the East End was called the West India Dock (built 1800-1802) closely followed by the building of the East India Dock (1806). Servicing the city of London the port continued to expand and until the 1960’s it was the busiest port in the world. With such a large amount of goods being handled, around 35 million tons at it’s peak in the 1930’s, the port had an extremely large workforce of around one hundred thousand souls.
Joseph Merrick, or the “Elephant Man” as he is better known, was, for some time, one of the attractions of an East End freak show. Another famous East Ender is the seafaring explorer Captain Cook. He lived in the Wapping area, and in 1762 married his wife who was also from the East End. She was first introduced to her future husband when she was only a child.
The East End has an even darker side to its history; steeped with murder, mystery and other crimes. Two names that spring to mind when talking of the East End are those of the infamous, gangster twins, Ronnie and Reggie Kray around whom a number of modern myths and legends have developed. The most famous criminal associated with the East End will, most probably, always be Jack the Ripper, because of the brutality of his crimes. In 1888 he butchered five women in Whitechapel then disappeared, to this day nobody can be sure of his true identity though there are many theories.
Many assumed that the Ripper was a Jewish person because, at that time, Whitechapel was almost entirely Jewish. The East End had always been where most new incomers first set up home when arriving in Britain. Even today the East End has a massively diverse multi-cultural populous and this is likely to continue for a great many years yet.
Strange Places To Visit in London
July 15, 2008
When you consider the fact that the metropolis of Greater London is the largest in Europe and that it covers an area in excess of 1600 sq km you will not be too surprised to learn of the multitude of world famous tourist attractions that are to be found there. Amongst the most widely known landmarks and tourist attractions are the relatively new London Eye and London Zoo and the many historical buildings such as Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. However London has much more to offer than first meets the eye and, with a little investigation, you will be able to uncover a number of fascinating hidden places well worth visiting if you are in the city.
If you are a fan of gothic horror movies or the black and white classics of Boris Karloff then you will simply have to visit one of London’s finest hidden gems, Highgate Cemetery. This overgrown Victorian masterpiece has all manner of grave monuments ranging from the ancient and traditional to the modernistic bust of Karl Marx which can be found in amongst the mausoleums, catacombs and multitudes of statues.
Known as the ‘Father of Communism’ Karl Marx is one of the most highly respected persons in the communist movement. He had moved to London in 1849 and when he died, in 1883, he was buried in the family plot which was a pretty simple affair. In celebration of his importance the Communist Party of Great Britain commissioned an incredible monument which was presented to the public in 1954. Although many were pleased some folk felt that his original was more suitable and some radicals even tried to blow it up in 1970.
Of course you will also find many other graves belonging to famous people of the past including that of a once famous bare knuckle fighter called Tom Sayers. Charles Dickens’ family grave can also be found at Highgate and other famous graves include those of; George Eliot, J. W. Cross, C. H. Newton, Michael Faraday, Julius Beer, Christina Rossetti, G. Wombwell, Dr S.Birch, James Selby, John Lobb and six former Lord Mayors of London.
Due to the rapid increases in the population of London during the Victorian period the disposal of the dead became something of a problem. In response seven cemeteries were created which are known as the “Magnificent Seven” due to their typical Victorian design and over indulgence which can be seen in the many public buildings which remain today. Of the seven graveyards the one at Highgate is the most decorated and it is considered the finest.
Successful Victorians liked to display their wealth and success even in death. One of the most amazing parts of Highgate Cemetery is the area which includes the much photographed Egyptian Avenue and Circle of Lebanon, both of which contain numerous mausoleums. Once through the Egyptian Avenue you arrive at the Circle of Lebanon which is two circles of mausoleums arranged around an ancient Lebanon cedar tree.
One of the most exciting aspects of exploring Highgate is suddenly seeing an incredible statue appear amongst the overgrown bushes and vines. Throughout the cemetery there are many examples of the most incredible memorial sculptures which include representations of the usual religious subjects and even family pets. Of special note is the grave of the famous coachman James Selby which is well worth searching for.
If you really do want to know more about the grave of James Selby I would suggest you search online as I have chosen not to describe it in this article because I feel that describing it in full will destroy the impact and wonder if you visit it yourself. I am sure that if you do find it you will fully appreciate my decision to omit it and also understand why I made a point of highlighting it - it really is something special.
All about online Scuba Diving Lessons
July 13, 2008
Fortunately, in this modern age and time, one need not actually go to a physical location to learn about Scuba Diving, as it is no longer necessary to get Scuba Diving lessons from a brick and mortar school or institute. In fact, there are many websites that deal with Scuba Diving that actually provide you with a chance to learn through their Scuba Diving lessons. They will provide you with certification once you are through with the online Scuba Diving lessons in much the same way as you would otherwise get if you went to a real Scuba Diving institute.
Online Courses
Possibly the best option to consider when choosing which Scuba Diving course to take online is to check out SDI recognized Scuba Diving learning courses which is available at www.scubadiver.com. In fact, these online Scuba Diving lessons are given to you by Dayo Scuba, a Orlando based training program that provides you Scuba Diving lessons for a fee of about just eighty-five dollars US.
The key advantage of doing your course online is that it allows you to set your own pace according to your own needs, and schedule them to suit you and you can even repeat your lessons in case you need to go over certain things that were not clear to you at the start of the course. In addition, you will need to answer periodically given quizzes that address the important Scuba Diving concepts. Once you have successfully solved such quizzes, you can then move on to the next level.
Another option when it concerns online Scuba Diving lessons is to go to Force-e, which is another South Florida based diving center that also has the approval of Scuba Diving International (SDI), which is the premium institution that imparts Scuba Diving lessons in the physical environment. With Force-e you get to study the underwater realm as well as learn how to deal with pressure, plan as well as monitor your dives and also learn what it takes to select the proper equipment for your Scuba Diving needs.
Yet another good option is Scuba-diving.net a online teaching institute that operates out of Vero Beach in Florida and offers a number of different courses such as open water scuba, dry suit diving and surface-applied air diving are good examples.
Many Online courses will help you gain at least the most basic understanding of Scuba Diving and when completed you can get your certificate, which is recognized by any scuba business worldwide. After that you should not have any problem in progressing on to training in the open water and other locations.
Where to find the best luxury holidays
June 29, 2008
Free2.co.uk is a specialist for luxury holidays to some of the world’s most exotic locations. Whether you are looking for exciting twin centre holidays to the Far East and Middle East or relaxed chilled out luxury holidays to the Maldives, Free2 has something to suit everyone.
The Free2 website has feature pages for romantic luxury holidays to the Indian Ocean islands of the Maldives, Mauritius and Zanzibar and special offers for exotic luxury holidays to Thailand, Malaysia and East Africa
As a specialist agent for exotic luxury holidays, free2.co.uk is able to provide many additional benefits including, free room upgrades, luxury airport lounges and private limousine transfers.
Free2 is based in Oxfordshire and have a call centre which is open to take your enquiries between 9am and 7pm Monday to Sunday. As well as being able to enquire by e-mail through their website they also have a free-phone number, so you can call them at no cost.
Free2 has a dedicated team for each and every area of the world, so you are guaranteed the very best advice and service. Each client is allocated their own personal travel agent to guide them through every step of their holiday booking to ensure all arrangemants run according to plan.
With access to over 35,000 hotel offers and 130 airlines around the world, Free2.co.uk can provide you with the best deals for anything from a 6 star package in Dubai to a short break to Paris or Barcelona.
Free2.co.uk is a member of the Freedom Travel Agents consortium and all luxury holidays offered on the website are fully ABTA and ATOL protected.
Last Minute Travel Package Deals Will Save Your Money
June 25, 2008
Airlines, cruises, and hotels and also rental car companies usually at certain times of the year when you would like to get your travel booked such getting your airline seats and hotel rooms have risen their prices higher than usual due of higher demand for them, making the prices really too expensive for ordinary and budget travelers. What make it worst is when they can’t get affordable rates their whole travel plans have to be put on hold. Travelers when they travel, usually they would like to get two essentials of travel (hotel rooms, and transport) at affordable prices.
Be Flexible With Your Destinations
However, there is no need to lose heart because there are what are known as last minute travel package deals that solve this problem though of course with the increase that it may require you have to change your destination or not have a specific destination in mind, and the reason for this is that last minute travel package deals generally involve many destinations that are at affordable priced though such destinations may be dissimilar to where you may have originally planned to go.
The good points that you should consider whenever you pick out for last minute travel package deals you are able to anticipate to spend seven nights of stay in addition to having the airfare to be included in the package cost as well hotel accommodation and hotel taxes and even transfer between airport and hotel. Additional to seven nights of stay, a few last minute travel package deals even purpose stays ranging from three to four nights and because the price of such last minute travel package deals include applicable taxes they are ideal for an low-cost holiday and hence a lot of travelers are greatly appealed to them.
Most such last minute travel package deals are flexible and naturally very economical, thence they reduce the size of world substantially and permit you additional escapade and excitement that would otherwise have been beyond your means. Therefore, let’s be grateful to last minute travel package deals. However to bear fruit of the you may need to book two weeks to even three hours before the journey begins. When you are successful with your booking, you will be able to take on once in a life time opportunity to travel to distant destinations that will take you to several parts of the world.
You are able to pick out your last minute travel package deals by considering the different holiday or airline online websites in addition to travel representations. Furthermore they will assist you in picking out your hotel and flight as well as rental car relying on how much you are comfortable to pay up and besides it’s all up to your own personal tastes. You can even get some very magnetic weekend travel deals gives thanks to the variety offered up by last minute travel package deals which will amend your fortunes of ascertaining a package that accommodates your demands as well as your budget.
Renting a Holiday Villa in Austria
June 25, 2008
The country of Austria is found in central Europe and is boarded by several other countries including Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Italy and Switzerland. The capital is the beautiful city of Vienna which is located on the Danube River.
But certainly the architecture in the country’s capital Vienna and Salzburg is extremely interesting this country has so much more to offer to those who choose to visit it. Along with its mountains there are lakes and rivers where one can participate in a variety of different outdoor activities from mounting climbing and skiing to kayaking.
The best time of year for visiting Austria will depend on the kind of activities that you would like to be doing whilst there. For those who enjoy hiking and mountain biking then going in the summer is best. Whilst for those who want to have a go at skiing or snowboarding of course the winter months are the ideal time to plan a break to this country.
The weather is at its warmest from April through to October, however be prepared as these two months can be slightly colder so it is worth bringing some warm clothing with you. However, if you find heat somewhat difficult then avoid the months of July and August as at these times the heat can become extremely unbearable for some people. Plus what you will also find is this is their high holiday season and prices for accommodation etc increase as does the heat.
Another reason why you should not consider visiting Austria during the months of July and August is that because of the heat many of the major attractions in the major cities are closed. So if you were wanting to visit the opera or take in the Spanish Riding School then this is not the time.
But although these attractions may be closed there are plenty of other things for one to do and see whilst in Austria. Certainly for Austria there are music festivals taking place throughout the year. The first ones begin in January in Vienna with the New Year concerts and lavish balls. Then in February the Fasching (Shrovetide Carnival) takes place which helps the Viennese people celebrate the return of spring.
As well as the festivals already mentioned another important one in the Austrian calendar takes place on the 2nd Thursday after Whitsun to celebrate Corpus Christi. In places such as Salzkammergut rather than the carnival taking place in the town instead it is held on the lake. But of all the music festivals which take place in Austria throughout the year the major one is the Wiener Festwochen which starts in May and continues through until the middle of June.
As you can see from above if you do decide to go on holiday to Austria there is more to do than just the skiing and mountain climbing. There are things for those who are after a little more culture and there are things which one can do which allow you to just relax and unwind.
Halloween Historical Background
June 22, 2008
The traditional Halloween celebrations come round every October 31st, and these days those who enjoy the festivities the most are the children. Halloween is a time to dress up in fancy dress and take to the streets trick or treating. Some families go to a lot of trouble decorating their homes and front yards in a ghostly and eerie Halloween theme.
Halloween is very old Celtic festival, and has continued through time most strongly in the Celtic communities in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. From there, with emigration, Halloween has spread around the world, most notably to the United States. In later years, the spread of popular American culture has kindled new interest in Halloween to some places for the first time, such as Asia and Western Europe.
The original Celtic celebrations were pagan festivities related to the changing seasons as winter approached. Traditionally it was a time when the living could communicate with the dead, and magic was abroad. The early Christian church, as with many pagan festivals, absorbed these celebrations into the Christian calendar. All Saints Day, also known as All Hallows Day, was set down for November 1st. All Hallows Evening, the night of October 31st, became known as Hallow E’en, later just Halloween, and the time for the traditional celebrations.
Halloween was celebrated in each village, and there was usually a large fire to keep warm and entertaining games. The apple harvest was going on, and games such as trying to eat an apple on a string or floating in a tub of water with no hands, were favorites. Children would go from house to house to gather fruit, nuts and other foodstuffs for the festivities, which was the origin of the “treating” visits of today. Notably in Scotland, the children would sing or put on a performance in return for the treats they were handed. Nowadays the treats handed out are usually candies and sweets, and perhaps some coins.
Halloween “tricks” were originally secret and often witty pranks played on some adults by children, with responsibility assigned to the mischievous spirits that were said to be abroad on Halloween. This trickery was especially common in Ireland. At some stage long lost in time, trick or treating became a stand over tactic: give a treat or become the victim of a trick. This unsociable development led to such customs as throwing eggs at houses and soaping windows, and what we would now see as vandalism. Today such activities at Halloween are uncommon.
Halloween party venues are often decorated with a haunted house theme. To the pleasure of children, Halloween menu items often include tomato soup described as vampire soup, spaghetti renamed as cemetery worms, and the always popular long cookies tipped with sliced almonds and described as witches’ fingers. Pumpkins are made into carved jack-o-lanterns, and the pumpkin flesh used for pumpkin dishes, such as the pumpkin pie that is traditionally a feature of Halloween menus.
For the last few years, the magic and wizards themes of the popular Harry Potter books have added fresh ideas to Halloween fancy dress and decorations for children’s Halloween parties.
Halloween fancy dress parties have grown in popularity for adults too in recent years. They are a suitable reason to dress up and party. It appears the trend today is for any costume to be fine, not necessarily just the customary witches, ghouls, vampires and ghosts of Halloween. Costume design inspirations are now taken from many origins, such as well known films and television series. Some costumes are just smart, such as the seasonally relevant theme of a “leaf blower”, being merely of a leaf on a string hung from the brim of a hat where it can be blown.
Searching For A Hotel In Santa Fe
June 15, 2008
Planning a trip to New Mexico, but aren’t sure what to look for in a hotel in Santa Fe? Or maybe you’re planning on renting a hotel room for the first time in your life? Either way, this article will show you exactly what you should look for when looking for a hotel in Santa Fe; and will show you how to make certain you don’t end up wasting your money on rooms that are less than standard.
The Basics Of Choosing A Hotel
Before you even looking for a hotel in Santa Fe, what you must do first id to know your budget. Let’s say you don’t have a big budget available for your vacation, then you have to decide whether you want to shortened (just a day or two) your trip and stay in a luxury hotel in Santa Fe; or if you might prefer staying longer in an inexpensive hotel in Santa Fe. You can only start looking for a hotel that matches your budget after you have decided what the budget for your stay will be.
You are not going to have trouble finding a luxury hotel in Santa Fe, if your budget permits. New Mexico provides some of the finest hotels in the State, and there are basically lots of five-star hotels or accommodations for you to choose from. However if you budget is a bit tight then you may have to be more selective in selecting a hotel in Santa Fe which will fall within your budget. In this case you need to learn how to choose the suitable inexpensive hotel, and learn not to rush into choosing the first place that fits your budget.
Though there are many inexpensive hotel in Santa Fe to opt for from, not all of them are going to meet your expectations as far as cleanliness and service. As with any city, there are usually many cheap hotel in Santa Fe to choose from those cheap, roach infested hotels that make you wish you’d stayed home. To make sure that you always get a quality, inexpensive hotel in Santa Fe, make sure that you ask around for reviews and recommendations from people who have already stayed at one of the many hotels in Santa Fe. All these reviews can be found online, or from family and friends.
It does not matter which hotel in Santa Fe you choose, it’s important to remember to check it out ahead of time if you are able. No one likes to make reservations (or pay in full up front) for a hotel in Santa Fe only to have it fall below their expectations.
Romantic holidays to the beautiful island of Bali
June 12, 2008
When thinking about the ultimate island destination, Bali holidays leap to mind. The island of Bali is so fascinating with all of the excitement and wonder as well as an endless list of things to do and the wildlife that thrives in the tropical setting. Regardless of whether you are traveling with your family, children, or lover, Bali holidays can provide all you desire and then some.
Bali holidays are filled with warm sunny days with temperatures averaging between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit. During winter months the rain moves in mostly at night and delivers a plentiful watering but still the climate remains at this steady and delightful pace. This makes it perfect for year round holidays.
The panoramic vistas of the tropical landscape are gorgeous but there is so much more to this island habitat. The scenery includes: white water rapids flowing rivers through Bali, active volcanoes, historic temples and palaces, lush tropical forests, unique wildlife, and so much more. Bali holidays are memorable in so many ways.
Too many people are unprepared for just how many exciting and enticing elements there are on Bali holidays and find themselves in a quandary about what to do first. This is why there are so many repeat visitors to this exotic island retreat. Of course there are the normal water activities like diving and snorkeling but you can do that anywhere here’s the rare fun that not many vacation destinations offer: safaris and cruises of all sorts, ATV or buggy tours, bungy jumping, escape to a water park, stroll through the zoo, paraglide, go white water rafting, or even hone your skills playing paintball war games at a popular facility.
The Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay has stunning accommodations. The bay is a thick tropical paradise and the villas are over looking the tranquil beach. Luxury holidays spent at this retreat won’t disappoint. The highly trained staff provide impeccable service to their guests.
The Grand Hyatt offers choice as far as visual pleasures and views. Deciding on the tropical gardens that look and smell enchanting or the mystical ocean and the waves crashing against the beach can prove to be a hard task. This hotel adds a little personal touch on Bali holidays.
The Legian offers a wonderful babysitting service for parents so they can experience some quality time in a romantic and relaxing way. The children are treated like royalty as they enjoy their own tropical paradise holiday. Bali holidays at this hotel are very inviting.
Bali holidays may appear quiet when the sun goes down but at around midnight this tropical island paradise wakes up and comes alive! There is something for every night owl to enjoy when the darkness falls on Bali. If you love to: dance, sing karaoke, party disco style, go clubbing, listen to live music, be a part of the cultural drama-music or ceremonies then you will experience a fascinating night of fun and magical moments.
So, no matter who you are, who you are traveling with, where you are coming from or what you enjoy doing, Bali holidays can provide you with spectacular settings and a vast array of activities for everyone.
Edinburgh Short Breaks
June 12, 2008
Selecting Edinburgh as a destination for a short break is no different from selecting any other city break destination.
Going away for an enjoyable weekend can depend on what you are looking for and what you expect. It is always a good idea to do some basic research prior to selecting your destination. important factors to consider include the time of year you are planning to travel so you can be prepared for the weather. The weather in Edinburgh can be wet out with the summer months however there is still plenty of things to do and see.
Edinburgh airport has even more direct flights than ever so if you are planning on visiting Scotland’s capital city then you should find it easier than ever to get a direct flight to Edinburgh from an airport near to you. There are lots of flights from London to Edinburgh on more than one airline so as a result of the competition on this route it should be easy enough to get a cheap flight to Edinburgh.
Why select Edinburgh for a short break? Edinburgh has a magnificent selection of attractions including art galleries, sites of interest and a great selection of pubs and restaurants.
As attractions go Edinburgh’s most popular has to be its most famous, Edinburgh Castle. High above the main shopping street it is a fantastic back drop to this wonderful historical city. Depending on when you visit Edinburgh you may be lucky enough to attend an event at the castle. Obviously the most famous is the Military Tattoo which takes place every August and usually sells out very very quickly. Other events include pop concerts with world famous singers and pop bands.
Another great choice for a visit would be the Scottish Parliament buildings which offer visitors the chance to join a tour of the building. After a visit to the Parliament you could also visit the nearby attraction called Dynamic Earth and learn about the world in an enjoyable and educational way.
There is of course lots more attractions see and visit and by simply doing a quick internet search you will find lists of them. Planning ahead will enable you to make the most of your short break stay in Edinburgh.
There is a big choice of accommodation and hotel options available in Edinburgh which include small family run bed and breakfasts and low cost youth hostels to the very best in five star accommodation. The better accommodation tends to be in the more central locations however you get what you pay for.
If you are planning on a short break in Edinburgh during the really busy times such as in August or at New Year make sure you book in advance so you get the best prices and actually might get accommodation. It is not unusual on certain dates to find people booking accommodation in a different city and travelling to Edinburgh each day.
Book in advance if possible and you can have a great value short break in Edinburgh and give yourself more money to spend while you are there than on getting there.
