Archive for the ‘Exotic Locations’ Category
Have you ever thought of hopping a plane for spring break in Argentina? Maybe you want to study Spanish in Buenos Aires or learn the Tango in Mendoza? Too difficult, you say? No way, but there are a few things you need to know when traveling abroad. Take advantage of the following top five travel tips for your next trip to Argentina and make it an experience to remember.
1. PASSPORTS – Argentina visitors that are citizens of the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will require a passport for entry. US Passport applications can be obtained at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html, with routine services taking up to 10-12 weeks from the date you applied. A Visa is not required for a tourist stay up to 90 days, for longer stays contact your local embassy for information. In the U.S. — Contact the Consular Section of the Argentine Embassy, 1718 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel. 202/238-6460). For more information, try http://www.uic.edu/orgs/argentina. In Canada — Contact the Embassy of the Argentine Republic, Suite 910, Royal Bank Center, 90 Sparks St., Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5B4 (tel. 613/236-2351; fax 613/235-2659). In the U.K. — Contact the Embassy of the Argentine Republic, 65 Brooke St., London W1Y 4AH (tel. 020/7318-1300; fax 020/7318-1301; seruni@mrecic.gov.ar).
2. CURRENCY – The current exchange rate is 3 to 1 for the US dollar to the Argentina Peso. The Peso is made up of 100 centavos. Money is denominated in notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos; and coins of 1, 2, and 5 pesos, and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos. US dollars are widely accepted in Buenos Aires, but in the rural areas of the country pesos are the currency of choice and exchange locations are less abundant. American Express traveler’s checks can be exchanged at offices located in Buenos Aires at Arenales 707 (tel. 11/4130-3135), Bariloche, Salta, San Martan, and Ushuaia. Outside of these locations there are very few American Express exchange offices, so when traveling to remote locations be sure to plan ahead. Many of the hotels do not accept credit cards, so check in advance before you assume you can pay your bill that way.
3. CAR RENTALS – Argentines drive very fast in comparison to U.S. drivers and do not always obey traffic lights or lanes. The seat belt law is in effect, though few locals actually wear them. U.S. driver’s licenses are valid in greater Buenos Aires, but you need an Argentine or international license to drive in most other parts of the country. When driving outside the city, remember that autopista means motorway or highway, and paso means mountain pass. I Read the rest of this entry »
For an entire month, starting December 2009, a major arts event has been held throughout the city of Yogyakarta, combining the spirit of popular art with the spirit of gotong royong, mutual self-help, for which the people of this city of culture are renowned. The Tenth Jogja Biennial (Biennale Jogja X) aims to be the starting point for true biennales in Indonesia.
Participants range from well-known musicians such as Djaduk Ferianto to women porters from Pasar Beringharjo traditional market. Read the rest of this entry »
Garuda Wisnu Kencana, or affectionately known as GWK, is a cultural park carved out of limestone in Bukit Peninsula, south of Bali.
It is devoted to the Hindu god Vishnu, the source of wisdom, who rides on the back of Garuda, the mythical bird, heading towards Amerta, the symbol of perennial virtue.
Made from more than 4000 tons of giant slabs of copper and brass, the statue of Vishnu is 23 meters high although the original plan was for a 146-meter gold plated Vishnu riding Garuda on top of an 11-storey entertainment complex.
But further construction now proceeds at a snail’s pace due to the economic crisis of 1998 and later the bombings in Bali, which must have discouraged investors.
The statue and its pedestal are surrounded by more than 240 hectares of cultural park which was once an abandoned and unproductive limestone quarry. Read the rest of this entry »
New Zealand is a country blessed with an environment that is the envy of many countries, with meadows and mountain ranges spreading as far as the eye can see, New Zealand is undoubtedly a picture postcard country.
And one such picturesque place is the Waitakere Range, located 25km west of Auckland; the Waitakere Range is spread across 16 hectares and several mountain ranges. With many waterfalls, streams, the west coast and rough mountainous terrain being situated here, this is a paradise for that true outdoor loving backpacker visitor. Read the rest of this entry »
No visit to Thailand is complete without a trip to the beautiful resort beaches of Hua Hin. Located 200 miles south of Bangkok, Hua Hin is one of the oldest and most popular sandy destinations in the country.
While many of the other beach resorts in Thailand – including Phuket and Samui – have been over developed and overrun with tourist hotels and restaurants, Hua Hin has retained its traditional charm as both a resort and a working fishing village.
The beach is over five miles long and surrounded by some of the best, yet least expensive, golf courses in the entire world. The city itself was discovered more than 80 years ago by King Rama VII. He chose the place as his home away from home when he wanted to escape the heat and humidity of the capital city. Read the rest of this entry »