Anyone thinking of taking a flight to South Africa will automatically think about the opportunity to go on safari. It is the seminal African experience, filled with images of wandering through the bush, pith helmet in hand, supported by vehicles loaded with baggage and equipment.

Safari tours

Modern safari tourists tend to take a video camera rather than a gun these days but the thrill of tracking and watching animals is no less exciting. One of the greatest safari experiences to be had in South Africa is at the massive 19,485 sq km of the Kruger National Park. Covering a vast area of diverse habitats and containing an impressive selection of animals, flora and fauna this is the perfect destination for a bush adventure.

Kruger National Park

The park experience is supported by an able staff of professional game wardens who are more than happy to give advice, take tours and offer assistance. The accommodations vary from remote, tranquil ranch cabins to the resort like wilderness camps. Skukusa is the parks main camp and along with its kraals and huts there are shops, a restaurant, two swimming pools, a bank and police station, it is also home to one of the worlds most exotic bush golf courses.

Guides arrange memorable sunrise trips to the waterholes to watch the elephants drink, bush stake outs to observe the lion prides in action and gentle road trips trying to spot some of the illusive big five, lion, rhino, elephant, water buffalo and leopards.

Wild life landscape

The park is home to over 27,000 buffalo, 350 rare black rhino, over 17,000 zebra, with extensive herds of impala, roebuck, kudu and bushbuck. It supports in excess of 16,000 elephants, and up to 12,000 white rhino, while over 8,000 hippos wallow in the pools daily and 300 rare eland deer can be found drinking at the edge of the waterholes.

Since the foundations for the park were laid out in 1898 it has grown into the largest undisturbed natural resource in Africa. In 2002 it was incorporated with parklands in Zimbabwe and Mozambique to create the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. The landscape varies from the towering Lebombo Mountains in the east to the luscious plains in the west. The park is also traversed by the raging torrents of the Limpopo and Crocodile rivers and a number of other smaller but equally fierce rivers.

A Kruger National Park safari is a truly unique experience and travellers can follow some of the time worn animal trails across the park or simply drive around the well-maintained tarmac roads. Visitors can sit in the car, entombed by baboons, park close to herds of wildebeest as they gently graze or spot the bobbing tails of the Springbok as they dodge and dart through the veldt. Night times in the camps are filled with copious helpings of food followed by a restful sleep surrounded by the sounds of nature in full flight.

There is an old joke, it tells of a young person on a New York City pavement asking an old man “Excuse me sir, can you tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?”, “Practice” replies the old man. For generations of performers playing at Carnegie Hall was seen as being the acme of achievement.  The Carnegie Hall/Rose Museum celebrates some of those that made it. Leonard Bernstein, Marlon Brando and the Beatles are all memorialised here.

It is unusual to find a major museum floating in the Hudson river. That is however exactly where you will find the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum. It is house, you see, on the decommissioned aircraft carrier The Intrepid. This huge ship is 900ft in length and weighs in at over 40,000 tons. She saw service from World War II until 1974.

Exhibits on show in the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum include a variety of aircraft. Included among them is a Lockheed A-12 Blackbird, which is the fastest aircraft ever built. There are also interactive rides and simulators that make this a very exciting place to visit. Along with the aircraft carrier there are two other former military ships that make up the museum. There is the USS Edison, which has been restored to look as it would while it was in service, and the USS Growler. The Growler is unique in that it is the only strategic missile submarine that has ever been opened to the public anywhere in the world.

Brave men and women in uniform are also celebrated at the New York City Police Museum. The NYPD is the world’s largest police department, and as such has passed into legend. Though the NYPD are the subject of uncountable films and TV shows, the museum offers a rare glimpse at the reality behind the mythos.

Along with the police, firefighters in New York are idolised as heroes. This goes back to the very origin of the department’s activities, when large crowds would gather to watch them put out fires. In fact the origin of the word “buff” to describe an expert dates back to this, as the firefighters would wear thick fire retardant buffalo hide jackets – they were experts at putting out fires and the term spread to other kinds of experts. Of course there is a museum dedicated to them, the New York City Fire Museum. Smaller than the police museum it is ideal for a quick visit and the chance to chat with the off duty fire-fighters who staff it.

Being inside one of the world’s largest city you could be excused for thinking that the natural world is very far away. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden puts the lie to that however. 52 acres of plants from around the globe are on display, and the tranquil gardens make a delightful contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city.

With flights to New York currently representing value for money, now is the ideal time to think about making a trip to the Big Apple.

Known as the “City of Brotherly Love” Philadelphia has a special place in the cultural story of America and is home to an absolute plethora of world class museums. It would in fact be possible to visit and do little else except for visiting the museums and galleries. If you only have a few days in town, picking which ones you want to see could be difficult.

One of the most famous locations in Philadelphia is the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. The steps featured of course in Rocky, but what is at the top of them is every bit as interesting.  This is one of the largest and most important art museums anywhere in the United States.

Founded in 1805 the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is the United States’ original art school and museum. American art is at the centre of the museum’s mission. Arranged in chronological order from the 1760s the overview that is provided is unparalleled.

Another absolute ‘A-List’ art institution in Philadelphia is the Rodin Museum. This museum is a collection of the work of the famed sculptor Auguste Rodin. Only Paris holds more of his work. Rodin is best known for his sculpture ‘The Thinker’. This work sits in pride of place outside the museum, meaning that even if you don’t have time to look around you can still take in the item that has top billing.

The city of Philadelphia actually boasts the most public art of any US city. This ranges from classical sculptures to murals created to allow an outlet for street graffiti artists.

The Old City district is home to a profusion of art galleries. On the first Friday of every month these galleries are all open late.

Broadway in New York may be America’s most famous theatre district, but Philadelphia was there first. The Walnut Street Theatre was America’s first, and is still in operation today.

The best way to get to Philadelphia is to take a flight to New York, which is just a short drive away. Although it is close to the Big Apple, it is a world away – and for all its highbrow credentials is pretty down to earth.

Manila is the funky, lively and cosmopolitan capital of the Philippines. In this laid back and yet teeming metropolis, cultures collide amidst old history and modern development. It is a fascinating city, and each of its many districts is a new and unique place to explore.

International Importance

At the very centre of the city, you will find the area known as Makati. This part of town is known as the commercial and financial centre for the entire country of the Philippines. It is one of the 16 different cities which make up the area known as “Metro Manila”, and one of the most populous metropolitan areas on earth.

Makati is also an important centre for international affairs, and there are many embassies of countries all over the world located within this area of Manila.

The Modern Elegance of Makati

Makati is orderly and modern, and offers sophisticated shopping, fine dining, and elegant drinking establishments. It is home to some of the most luxurious hotels in Manila, such as the Shangri-La Hotel Makati and The Peninsula Manila. It is the ultimate destination for a day of perusing the shops and then relaxing and enjoying a leisurely meal.

However, Makati is not like any generic mega mall, as it has an atmosphere that is uniquely “Manila”. It is not just for tourists either, as it is a popular destination for many locals who work, socialize, shop and relax in the area. Many expats love to frequent Makati as well, and it is filled with a wide variety of cultures and nationalities.

Shopping in Makati

One of the best places to shop in Manila, Makati is home to several first-class shopping malls. The two largest ones are:

• The Ayala Center

This huge complex has everything you could ever wish for in a mall, including dining, shopping, recreation, and more. Fashionistas will be delighted to find their favourite upscale designer brands represented, including Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci, Calvin Klein, and more. There are three major department stores, a cinema, several hotels, and even the Ayala Museum which showcases interesting exhibits about the history and culture of the Philippines.

• The Rockwell Center

This massive 15.5 hectare project is owned by the very influential Lopez family and opened in 2000. It is home to the Power Plant Mall, a place perfect for making all of your shopping dreams come true.

Historical Makati

Makati is not all about ultra-modern shopping; there are also several interesting historical attractions within the area as well. The beautiful Santuario de Guadalupe is the oldest landmark in the city. It has very interesting Doric architecture made from massive hewn stones. Another historical attraction is the Church of Saint Peter and Paul, which dates back to the early 17^th century. If you are interested in learning more about military history, there is also the Philippine Army Museum and Library which holds many stories of major battles and examples of old fashioned firearms.

With flights to Manila increasingly available  all of this shopping, dining, and history can be enjoyed within the commercial heart of the Philippines.

Developed as a shipping port by the Dutch Shipping Company, Cape Town is the second largest city in South Africa. Today Cape Town has a population of 3.5million and is one of the most multicultural cities in the world.

Situated between Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope, the area is spectacularly placed and so is very popular with tourists. Whatever your tastes you are sure to be able to find reasons to visit Cape Town.

One of the largest tourist attractions and certainly one of the best is the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, located beneath Table Mountain. The nature reserve is about 45 minutes drive from Cape Town itself and takes up around 44000 hectares and covers 40km of coastline, including the Cape of Good Hope.

The park, which is placed on the most southerly point of Africa, is home to many rare flora and fauna as well as numerous species of animal and birds. Offering beautiful views and an excellent day or days out, The Cape of Good Hope Nature reserve is a must do on a trip to Cape Town. Hiking, fishing and swimming are allowed when visiting.

While travelling to the nature reserve you’ll drive past another wonderful place for nature – Boulder Beach. This area of sheltered inlets is home to a colony of African Penguins who have settled here since 1982.

Amazingly, the number of penguins has grown to over 3,000 from just two sets of breeding penguins in 1982. The area beside Boulder Beach, which is surrounded by attractive Granite, is very popular with bathers; so prepare to take a dip.

Another appealing and excellent attraction for those with a persuasion for the outdoors is Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Acclaimed as one of the greatest botanical gardens in the world, Kirstenbosch includes over 7,000 species of plants and flowers.

The gardens cover 36hectares and are a UNESCO world heritage site, such is their importance. The area is extremely beautiful and is definitely worth a visit; and with South Africa’s wonderful weather there is no excuse.

For a more leisurely experience why not visit a vineyard and participate in a wine tour. New World wines from South Africa have become very popular, so why not take a visit to one of the local vineyards.

Book a tour and travel to up to five vineyards while tasting up to 25-30 wines. This is a wine buffs dream. The tours include typically include guides and advice from professional tasters, as well as mini bus hire to take you to the areas.

For something for all the family why not visit Cape Town’s Two Oceans Aquarium. Visit the aquarium and a huge selection of fish that includes sharks, octopuses and other rare exotic under water creatures.

Travel through the seven galleries and be amazed as you learn and witness some of the lesser known secrets of the deep. The Aquarium even offers the chance of or scuba divers can even swim with sharks if they hold a Padi Diving licence.

As can be seen Cape Town’s beauty and geographic position is utilised to offer an amazing fun and also educational experience to visitors to the city.

Recently we picked up from this cycling community feed which included the following article about pot holes and the law. Bearing in mind the recent extreme weather it seemed worth talking about as the local autorities are still trying hard to catch up with the back log of making repairs to these hazzards after last year’s terrible winter weather. The general state of Britain’s roads remains poor – According to the 2009 Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance Survey (ALARM)  there’s a thirteen year road repair backlog caused by under funding and neglect.

Potholes are particularly dangerous and regularly cause cyclists to lose control of their bikes. This can result in damage to the bike and, more seriously, injuries to the biker. In such cases cyclists may be able to bring a successful claim against the highway authority.

You help other cyclists avoid having accidents by reporting  potholes that are a danger to all road users – causing damage and injury.  For special cases share your potholes and submit details and images to http://www.potholesnews.co.uk/ o which we read:

a cyclist hit a pothole in the city that left him in a wheelchair for 6 months with a broken hip. He recieved a payout of £10,000 for his injuries out of public coffers which could have been used to fix approximately 142 potholes!

Not all solicitors are experts in personal injury claims, particularly those claims involving cycle accidents. Your local high street solicitor may not be best suited to represent you.

Access Legal is a website that offers help with personal injury claims run by Shoosmiths – a UK based firm of solicitors that specialise in personal injury claims

In an effort to help cyclist stay safe Shoosmiths Solicitors on their Legal Access website have produced various free guides including a pdf download Safer Cycling which offers some helpful reminders about general maintenance and day to day cycling for both adults and children as well as some suggestions how to stay safer when riding in groups.

Recently we picked up from this cycling community feed which included the following article about pot holes and the law. Bearing in mind the recent extreme weather it seemed worth talking about as the local autorities are still trying hard to catch up with the back log of making repairs to these hazzards after last year’s terrible winter weather. The general state of Britain’s roads remains poor – According to the 2009 Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance Survey (ALARM)  there’s a thirteen year road repair backlog caused by under funding and neglect.

Potholes are particularly dangerous and regularly cause cyclists to lose control of their bikes. This can result in damage to the bike and, more seriously, injuries to the biker. In such cases cyclists may be able to bring a successful claim against the highway authority.

You help other cyclists avoid having accidents by reporting  potholes that are a danger to all road users – causing damage and injury.  For special cases share your potholes and submit details and images to http://www.potholesnews.co.uk/ o which we read:

a cyclist hit a pothole in the city that left him in a wheelchair for 6 months with a broken hip. He recieved a payout of £10,000 for his injuries out of public coffers which could have been used to fix approximately 142 potholes!

Not all solicitors are experts in personal injury claims, particularly those claims involving cycle accidents. Your local high street solicitor may not be best suited to represent you.

Access Legal is a website that offers help with personal injury claims run by Shoosmiths – a UK based firm of solicitors that specialise in personal injury claims

In an effort to help cyclist stay safe Shoosmiths Solicitors on their Legal Access website have produced various free guides including a pdf download Safer Cycling which offers some helpful reminders about general maintenance and day to day cycling for both adults and children as well as some suggestions how to stay safer when riding in groups.

Actually it may be a little unfair of me to bring up that unpleasant business with the athletes’’ accommodation being full of water (&, allegedly worse), and that little incident with the bridge collapsing. After all, once the games started things all went pretty much to plan, at least so far as I could tell, and there weren’t any titanic disasters or devastating terror attacks, despite the tabloids’ most dire predictions; if I didn’t know better I’d almost think that the media might have been exaggerating the risks in a cynical attempt to sell more papers, but of course they’d never stoop that low, would they.

Anyway, everybody seemed to have a jolly good time, from the moment they got off of their flights to Delhi right through to the game’s closing ceremony, and overall, despite the initial pre-games surge of doubt & doom saying, things seemed to go pretty smoothly.
So it’s probably quite justified for India to give itself a bit of a pat on the back; it’s managed to demonstrate that, as a nation, it’s quite capable of successfully organising major events, which should hopefully go some way to dispelling any outdated stereotypes which still exist about the country.

After all, India is a serious economic force these days, and, apparently, a top tourist destination too as well now; no doubt the business people who regularly have to fly to India these days will find more and more tourists aboard their flights.
In fact Asia seems, all in all, to be leading the recovery from the Global recession of 2008, and many of its emerging economies have economic growth figures which many “developed” countries can currently only gaze at with envy.