Pacet-Cangar-Batu
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Until recently, the only way to get to Batu from the resorts of Tretes and Pacet, aside from walking over the mountains, was via Malang, a distance of some 70 km or more. Now there is a new route, giving direct access to Batu from Pacet. The village of Pacet is not far from Trawas and the site of Reco Lanang. The road winds up steeply through primeval forest in the foothills of Mt Welirang, eventually emerging at Cangar, an isolated hamlet renowned for its hot mineral pools and streams. 
The cool climate and fertile soil are ideal for growing fruits like apples, for which Batu is well known all over the island. The town is just 20 km from Malang and offers a good selection of hotels, shops and recreation facilities.There are a number of interesting places to visit in the immediate vicinity, among them the hot mineral pools and ancient Hindu temple at Songgoriti, Coban Rondo waterfall on the road to Pujon, as well as the attractive lake at Selorejo. Interesting day trips from Batu can include Coban Rondo, Selorejo and, further down the hill towards Pare, the 14th century temple ruins of Surawana and Tigowangi.
Beach, Manado, North Sulawesi,Photo TourismIndonesia
Kalasey Beach, Manado, Indonesia
Kalasey Beach, Manado, Indonesia
Kalasey Beach, Manado, Indonesia
Bunaken Island, Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Bunaken Island, Manado, North Sulawesi, IndonesiaBunaken is one of Tourism Indonesia's most famous dive areas, and it draws scuba divers from all over the world. In addition to Bunaken itself, a rather featureless banana-shaped island, the national park includes the neighboring islands of Manado Tua, a distinctive cone-shaped extinct volcano, Siladen,Montehagen, Nain and Nain Kecil.
Tourism Bunaken Island, Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
The reversal of the natural order of things?
Saturday, May 30, 2009U.S. man 85 who gave secrets to Israel spared prison
Friday, May 29, 2009Court documents showed that Ben-Ami Kadish, who was fined $50,000 but spared prison time, reported to the same handler as Jonathan Pollard, an American who spied for Israel in the 1980s and triggered a scandal that rocked U.S.-Israeli relations.
"Why it took the government 23 years to charge Mr. Kadish is shrouded in mystery," U.S. District Judge William Pauley said during the sentencing hearing in Manhattan federal court. "It is clear the (U.S.) government could have charged Mr. Kadish with far more serious crimes."
Kadish pleaded guilty in December to acting as an unregistered agent of Israel. He was arrested in April 2008 on four counts of conspiracy and espionage. The spying charge, dropped under a plea deal, had carried a possible death sentence.
"I am sorry I made a mistake," a frail-looking Kadish said during the sentencing hearing. "I thought I was helping the state of Israel without harming the United States."
The judge said he gave a lenient sentence due to Kadish's age and infirmity, but said Kadish had committed "a grave offense" and had "abused the trust" of the United States. For much of the hearing, Kadish sat slumped in his chair with heavy eyelids. At one stage, he had to be shaken awake by his lawyer.
MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEMS
Prosecutors had recommended no prison time as part of the plea deal. They said between 1980 and 1985 Kadish provided classified documents, including some relating to U.S. missile defense systems, to an Israeli agent, Yosef Yagur, who photographed the documents at Kadish's residence.
Yagur also was Pollard's main Israeli contact. Pollard, a former U.S. Navy intelligence analyst, is serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to spying for Israel in 1986. Israel gave Pollard citizenship in 1996 and acknowledged he was one of its spies in 1998.
During the hearing, the judge questioned a prosecutor as to why it took so long to charge Kadish when the telephone records on which the case was based were available in the mid-1980s.
"There is no mystery behind it, it's just what happened," said prosecutor Iris Lan, who explained she understood it took the FBI that amount of time to assemble the evidence.
The judge also questioned Kadish's lawyer about how Kadish was able to earn $104,000 in 2007 when he does not work. His lawyer said it was from investments.
Kadish was born in the United States but grew up on a farm in Palestine before the founding of the modern state of Israel. He served in the British and U.S. armies in World War II.
From 1980 to 1985, Yagur asked Kadish to obtain classified documents, which Kadish retrieved from the U.S. Army's Picatinny Arsenal in Dover, New Jersey, according to a sworn statement by Kadish. Kadish said he kept up a friendship with Yagur after 1985.
"While Kadish knew he was aiding Israel, an ally to the United States, he also knew his crime compromised the national security," the judge said.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE54S65H20090529
The Gardening Group put some finishing touches to one area last Sunday ...
A DEEP VIEW ON NIAGARA
The Niagara Falls is huge waterfalls on the Niagara River, spanning the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York. The falls are 17 miles (i.e. 27 km) north-northwest of Buffalo, New York and 75 miles (i.e. 120 km) south-southeast of Toronto, Ontario, connecting the twin cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, New York.
Niagara Falls is composed of two major sections divided by Goat Island: Horseshoe Falls, the majority of which lies on the Canadian side of the border, and American Falls on the American side. The smaller Bridal Veil Falls are also located on the American side, separated from the main falls by Luna Island.
More than six million cubic feet (168,000 m³) of waterfalls over the crest line every minute in high flow and almost 4 million cubic feet (110,000 m³) on average. It is the most dominant waterfall in North America. The Niagara Falls is renowned both for it beauty and as a valuable source of hydroelectric power. Managing the stability between recreational, commercial, and industrial uses has been a challenge for the stewards of the falls since the 1800s.
Riots Ruin Revelry
I know that there is a hidden culture among football fans, well not so much hidden anymore thanks to documentary's on the subject but football has become a religion and a violent one. Of course, every celebration starts out peacefully and then turns into a Marilyn Manson concert.
Shortly after midnight, dozens of young over-excited fans started clashing with riot police, throwing bottles and burning public bins. Police formed a barrier around Las Ramblas, one of the city’s main streets. They set up barricades to protect shops and fired shots in the air as youths started to charge at them.
I ask with tears in my eyes, is this a civilized society? You're team won, have a couple of celebratory beers, shout and scream WHOOHOO, hug a few friends till your blue in the face and then go home, quietly and peacefully. There really is no need for this kind of behaviour. Personally, this outbreak of unnecessary violence has soured the win for me.
Anyone hear about the Kenyan man that hung himself after his team, Arsenal, lost a game in the Champions League against Manchester United? I see a problem here and a very big one. Football has been taken to a whole new level and to be honest, I don’t like this. So the next time you watch your team win or lose, be a gentleman or gentlewoman and accept defeat graciously or celebrate by sharing the great feeling of joy inside you, positivity spreads like wild fire.
To quote a used and tired cliche, "Violence is never the answer!", still rings true doesnt it?
MCC electricity invoice received, finally, but it contains errors
Thursday, May 28, 2009The Sweet Taste Of Victory!
If you havent heard by now, then you really need to get out more, Barcelona beat Manchester United 2-0 in the Champions League final last night. I can almost feel the sense of pride radiating from the loyal fans who have supported a team worthy of so much praise right now!
A rare headed goal by Lionel Messi helped Barcelona beat Manchester United , giving the Spanish side its third European Cup title and third trophy in a magical season.
Samuel Eto'o put the Spanish champions ahead in the 10th minute and Messi's 70th-minute goal -- his ninth in the Champions League this season -- sealed the victory over the defending champions at the Stadio Olimpico.
The triumph completed a sweep of titles for 38-year-old Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola in his first season, after wins in the Spanish league and cup. The former Barcelona star, who started as a ball boy at Camp Nou, now joins five others who have won the title both as a player and a coach.United had been chasing its fourth European Cup title, and fourth trophy this season after winning the Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup and League Cup. But United was thoroughly outplayed by the Spanish side as Messi scored his 38th goal of an amazing year for Barcelona, which has 153 league and cup goals this season.
The victory also marked the first Champions League title for Barcelona striker Thierry Henry, who was on the losing side when Arsenal lost to Barcelona in 2006. "Finally, I've been waiting for so long to get this title and now finally today," said Henry, who had been doubtful for the final because of a knee injury. "The last five minutes were the longest of my life."
From all here at Tourism Radio, we say WELL DONE BOYS! You made us proud!
Mike Tyon's Tradgedy
Wednesday, May 27, 2009Exodus Tyson had been hospitalized on life support since Monday, when she was found with her neck wrapped in a cable of the exercise machine by her seven-year-old brother.The boy summoned his 34-year-old mother from another room, and the woman freed the girl, called an ambulance and tried to revive her.
Tyson, who doesn't live in the modest Phoenix house where the accident occurred, arrived Monday afternoon from Las Vegas and was filmed by television news cameras entering the hospital where Exodus was being treated.
When she passed away this is what the family had to say: "There are no words to describe the tragic loss of our beloved Exodus. We ask you now to please respect our need at this very difficult time for privacy to grieve and try to help each other heal."Singapore Arts Festival 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009  |  |
| |||||||||||||||
Description
Get ready to be enthralled, engaged and enriched by dazzling feets, heart warming stories and stunning performances. With 26 outstanding core productions and more than 400 outreach performances, experience a spectular range of extraordinary performances by leading artists from around the world.
Ticketing
Various
Website
http://www.singaporeartsfest.com
Singapore Arts Festival 2009
For bookings, click here
Contact Person/Event Organiser
Ms Alicia Teng, Manager/Marketing and Partnership Development
National Arts Council
Tel: 6746 4622
THE KANGXI EMPEROR: TREASURES FROM THE FORBIDDEN CITY
 | |
| |||||||||||||||
Description
Hailed as one of China's greatest emperors, the Kangxi Emperor, XuanYe, succeeded his father, Emperor Shunzhi, at the tender age of eight. During his reign (1662 to 1722), the Manchus consolidated rule over China and the Chinese empire expanded.
The Kangxi Emperor's many achievements can be attributed to his passion and competence in his various roles. He was an astute ruler, skilled warrior, keen scholar and patron of the arts. His intellect, political acumen, diverse talents and civic virtues won him the admiration and support of his subjects.
This exhibition showcases treasures from the Palace Museum, Beijing and offers visitors a rare glimpse into the Forbidden City - right here in Singapore.
Ticketing
To be advised
Getting There
Asian Civilisations Museum
1 Empress Place
Singapore 179555
Raffles Place MRT Station (EW14/NS26)
Website
http://www.acm.org.sg
Contact Person/Event Organiser
ASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSEUM
1 Empress Place
Singapore 179555
Tel 6332 7991
Fax 6883 0732
Singapore River Festival 2009
Description Ticketing Getting There Website
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
F1 Race
 TM Night Race" title="2009 Singapore F1TM Night Race" align="left" border="1" vspace="0" width="230" height="160" hspace="0"> | |
| ||||||||||||
Description
The inaugural FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix took place on 28 September 2008 on a street circuit of public roads around the Marina Bay area. The race was the first Formula One™ to be held at night, and the first Formula One™ street race in Asia. Over 100,000 spectators, a sell-out, capacity crowd, and more than 110 million television viewers worldwide watched the Singapore Grand Prix. The 2009 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix will take place from 25-27 September 2009 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in the heart of downtown Singapore.
For more information, click here.
Please Fill In The Blank......
Monday, May 25, 2009Kids in the fourth year of a high school in Requena (Valencia) were asked to compile a questionnaire about sexual habits for a class project.
The survey had 77 questions on it and some were of an extremely scandalous nature, for example "what nationality of men last longer in bed?" or how about "Why do women's moods change when they are on their period?" excuse me? what is this all about?Now I am definitely not a prude in any way and I'm actually pro sex education because I think we have a serious problem with children making decisions based on ignorance. But this is just ridiculous. There are certain things that an 11 or 12 year old should not be thinking about!
What I want to know is who allowed this to happen? Surely someone in an authoritive position saw this "educational sex survey" and that person should be reprimanded. The world is a sick enough place and now children must be exposed to this in the environment they are supposed to safe and cared for in?
The regional government’s ministry of education says it is taking the matter very seriously and intends to investigate. I hope so.
LATEST DIGITAL PAINTING TECHNIQUE
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Digital painting thrives mostly in invention art. This painting is widely used in theoretical design for film, television and video games. Digital painting software like Corel Painter, Adobe Photoshop, Art Rage, GIMP, and open Canvas give artists a similar atmosphere to a physical painter.
There are different types of digital painting, including impressionism, practicality and watercolor. There are both positive and negative points on digital painting.
In general the digital painting user can create their own brush style using a combination of texture and shape. So as the digital painting allows the artist to work in an organized, mess-free environment.
Still some argues that there should be more control for an artist to hold a physical brush. Some artists believe that something is missing in digital painting compared to other paintings.
The Gardening Group expands the area it is working on
Saturday, May 23, 2009Making A Delicious Paella Valenciana
Friday, May 22, 2009
Today's blog is about Paella Valenciana. How to make it and just enjoy it! Paella is a traditional rice dish of Spain, it's usually difficult to make but if you follow this recipe to the letter, you should have no problem at all.
Ingredients:
4 cups rice
8 cups stock
8 - 10 each of prawns and mussels
200 gm shrimps
2 tomatoes chopped
3 -4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
Few strands of saffron
Olive oil
Preparation:
Sauté garlic in a pan with little oil. Add tomatoes, shrimps and saffron and cook till soft. Add rice and stock and salt and cook for about 20 minutes. Add prawns and mussels and cook for a few minutes more with a lid.
The rice you use in your paella depends on your preference - whole grain rice or wild rice or the short grained Spanish rice which is used for traditional Spanish rice dishes.
Now sit back and enjoy!
Magical and Majestic South India Tour
Thursday, May 21, 2009Kerala
There is a big reason why Kerala is known as 'God's own country'. It is a destination offering heavenly attractions such as enchanting forests, romantic beaches, enticing boat rides and rejuvenating Ayurvedic massages, which makes it a dream-like destination. Each place in this state has its own specialty to offer. The backwater cruises in Alleppey is a big hit with tourists from all over the world.
Karnataka
This state is a perfect blend of deep rooted traditions and modernity. Its cities like Belur, Mysore, Hampi, Halebid and Badami offer a variety of amazing attractions, starting from ruins of the ancient temples to the world famous silk saris. The options in this state are simply boundless.
Tamil Nadu
The fascinating land of Tamil Nadu occupies a special place on the tourist map of South India. The most overwhelming part of the rich cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu is its temples, which are around 30,000 in number. Strewn with interesting legends, some of the temples in Tamil Nadu leave the onlookers in awe with their sheer architectural beauty. As it is not possible to see all the beautiful temples of Tamil Nadu in a single visit, tourists at least must not miss the following ones: Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, Kapileshwar Temple in Chennai, Shore Temple and Rathas Temple in Mahabalipuram, Kanyakumari Amman Temple in Kanyakumari.
Pondicherry
To experience the French taste in India, visit Pondicherry. Its peaceful ambiance and sheer natural beauty will leave you spell bound. Explore its unique culture, the architectural wonders, historic sites and appealing beaches to make your holidays memorable.
Snake Standoff!
I'll give you two guesses as to what happened........ and you're right! The man got bitten by the rattlesnake. Go figure. So he's rushed to hospital and officers are called in to take care of the snakes. There is no amount of money on the earth that would motivate me to do that. These poor guys are now stuck and have said that they refuse to go in until an antidote is brought in from Mexico. Who can blame them?
So the stand off continues until they can get in there and pray that they make it out alive. Now I've been pretty jokey in my blog today but this is serious, this man has caused so many problems for so many people and I hope he gets prosecuted for illegally possessing these animals. Lock that man up for sheer stupidity!
Peaceful Siesta's Priority
Wednesday, May 20, 2009Between 3 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon anyone making "unnecessary noise" can be fined up to 3,000 euros. Among the prohibited activities are shouting, singing, dancing or slamming a door.
The rules are part of a swathe of new regulations brought in by Granada's city council in a bid to improve life in the historic Andalucian city, which boasts Spain's most visited monument, the Alhambra.
I enjoy a good nap as much as the rest of the population but isnt this taking it a bit far? Noise is apart of life, in my opinion, and if they start restricting this, what else can they restrict? On the positive side, people can sleep peacefully with no disturbances and for those of you that dont sleep, all I can say is "SHHHHHH!"
Another Elephant Story
Tuesday, May 19, 2009Susi, who was born free on the African savannah 36 years ago, has reportedly been suffering from depression since Alicia, her female companion of six years died early last year.
The Foundation for the Adoption, Sponsorship and Defence of Animals are petitioning for Susi to be moved from the concrete enclosure measuring 1,200 square yards where she is currently housed to a safari park environment with other elephants.
The Portuguese Nobel prize-winning novelist Jose Saramago has also visited Susi and taken up her cause. "She is dying of sorrow," says the writer whose latest novel The Elephant's Journey, about an elephant who travels across medieval Europe, is on the bestsellers' list.
Let's hope this story has a happy ending for Susi, I will keep you posted on any updates on this story, Tourism Radio wishes you all the best Susi!!
It's time to say goodbye ... (at least for a few months)
Monday, May 18, 2009Say what?
Under the current law, abortions are readily available under a clause that allows women to assert mental distress as a reason for ending a pregnancy, but this must be certified by a doctor. The procedure is also permitted in cases of rape or fetal malformation.
Of course, people are coming out of the woodwork and screaming "immoral!". Personally I think that abortion is a personal choice and people should stop judging and start understanding. What makes me angry is the fact that every one has an opinion on everything but is it necessary to force that opinion down everyones throat?
A personal choice is a personal choice, let's respect that. Have your say, for or against, but make your opinion clear respectfully.
Good Morning.....You're a Millionaire!
Friday, May 15, 2009A Mallorcan woman won the lottery last Friday. What's that? How much, you ask? A whopping 126 million euros, it hurts even saying it. I wish I could give you a name but she chose to remain anonymous, clever girl, you dont want every long lost family member hitting you up for some cash.
According to the article I read, over and over, she didnt even know she had won the lottery till the following Monday morning when she switched on her computer at work and got an email. Can someone please send me an email like that?!
What's even funnier about this story is that over that weekend she had been suffering from flu and the only reason she had come into work that Monday was the fear of losing her job because of the recession. Ah one of life's little ironies....
Now I would usually spend my day wallowing in self pity, asking the obvious question of "why not me?!" but then I read a little further and found out that her grandmother is suffering from an unusual disease and this 25 year old millionaire intends to donate a lot of money to investigate it and hopefully save dear old grammie and others in future.
Divine intervention? I suppose I will always see the glass as half full, I didnt win but perhaps there was a higher reason for this mystery woman to have won, saving lives and all that. Doesnt it amaze you how we will always believe what we want to feel better? (wink)
Facebook is For Everyone.....
Thursday, May 14, 2009
If you dont know by now then you havent been reading my blog, but I'm a sucker for a heart warming story and I have another doozy....
An elephant form a Benidorm Theme Park now has her own facebook page! Can you handle that? Just goes to show that Facebook really is for everyone. Now this might seem silly to some but for all the animal lovers out there, it's quite a quirky and interesting way to get them interested in this particular ellie.
The elephant in question is a very popular Asian elephant known as Petita and she is absolutely adorable! How would I know? Truth be told I looked her up on facebook and invited her as a friend. Might some desperate to some and cute to others but I was quite excited.
On her Facebook profile, Petita has given interesting facts about herself and others of her species, such as elephants’ preference for fruit and tree-branches as food.Petita became famous after she was rejected by the males in her herd for being too small and thin.
Experts from the park reveal that elephants who do not live up to standardised expectations of good looks suffer rejection in the same manner as humans.But Petita was eventually wooed by Luka, a five-tonne Asian elephant.
She is also inseparable from her best female friend, Kaiso, who helped her finally integrate into the herd.
How can you not invite her to be your friend on Facebook??
