201 Street

With Spring Break in full swing and others planning their late Spring and early Summer holidays, it would probably be good to take into account recent changes in what’s allowed on Dubai beaches. Reports indicate that authorities there are clamping down on “inappropriate behaviors” that many in the West would find passe.

This all goes back to the British couple who were arrested last July for sex on Jumeirah beach. The couple insists they weren’t having actual sex, just “snogging.” In a country that frowns upon any public display of affection, even kissing can be a crime.

Some of the new guidelines restrict drinking to designated bars and permit dancing only in enclosed places. Only married spouses would be allowed to hold hands (and nothing racier than that is allowed in public) while swimsuits could only be worn on a beach.

It’s believed that anyone at a private Dubai beach resort can probably stretch the rules more than a little. The guidelines are more likely to be enforced on public beaches and other government-controlled areas.

Dubai has worked hard over the years to prove it is more liberal than the rest of the Middle East. Experts point out that the above restrictions are actually lax compared to other parts of the region. Travelers are advised to do their homework before departing for an exotic location, however liberal and Westernized it may appear to be in a brochure.

Tonight is the night around the world, to have flashlights and candles out. For in Singapore, as well as around the world it is the time to shut off the electric lights. This is an attempt to focus on the effects of global warming, and while one hour, for one night out of the year, may not change anything, hopes are that this will inspire everyone to consider the fact that just by simply turning of the light, everyone can conserve just a bit of energy. And bring to mind the fact, that one hour a night without using electricity is really, not that big of an inconvenience. The time for this hour of darkness is 8:30 to 9:30. In every city around the world. It is right now a symbolic effort, in that the millions and millions who have pledged this support of Earth Hour, will be joining each and every other person with their similar pledges. This idea came to fruition in Sydney, Australia two years ago and has gained in popularity as many are now, finally, concerned with being more ‘green’ aware”.

The executive director of the World Wildlife Foundation, the main organization behind Earth Hour, is Amy Ho from Singapore. She suggests that people in 5 star Singapore hotels and people in residential neighborhoods attempt small steps. As in making conscious efforts to simply turn off lights when leaving a room, or unplugging appliances when they are not in use. Then, next week or next month, add one more action, take a bus or train for one day to work. The main focus of this hour tonight, is to bring the conservation issues a bit closer to the hearts of everyone. Instead of going to a movie theater, take some candles to a park and have dinner. Or sit around a fire and tell stories. Just look up tonight, at the stars and planets. The TV can wait, anything missed by turning it off can be Googled tomorrow. And in Singapore, events around this hour have been planned, a concert in Esplanade Park, blackout parties…there are still many things to enjoy, even on the night the lights go out.

With everything from beaches to mountains, from nightclubs to Disneyland, the region known as Hong Kong has long appealed to the sophisticated as well as the everyday tourist as an exciting and exotic destination. A unique blend of Chinese tradition and British colonial influences, Hong Kong is both a global city and an adminstrative region that encompasses the Kowloon Penninsula, the New Territories, and over 250 islands including Hong Kong Island and Lantau Island.

Located on the South China Sea, the beaches around Hong Kong draw sun-loving tourists as well as those who want enjoy water recreation such as sailing and boating. The beautiful countryside of Hong Kong attracts numerous hikers from around the world and the stunning views from Victoria’s Peak are some of the most photographed in Asia.

The city itself offers a juxtaposition of traditional and modern life that intertwine in a way that is unique to Hong Kong. Traditional Chinese festivals and modern rock concerts co-exist in this exciting city. The city is full of contradictions, between open markets and shopping malls, between historic architecture and urban skyscrapers, between traditional festivals and trendy nightclubs. The best hotels Hong Kong manage to marry the old world charm of the region with the modern conveniences and comforts that global travellers expect.

Attractions in Hong Kong range from the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas to Hong Kong Disneyland, from the Fu Shin Street Traditional Bazaar to the Hollywood-inspired Avenue of the Stars, from Victoria Harbour to Victoria Peak. The city is full of museums, temples, music venues, and amusement parks.

Whether visitors seek a family-friendly vacation, a romantic getaway for couples, or a historic tour of one of the most colorful regions of Asia, Hong Kong delivers.

Many people travel to the Lake District for outdoor adventures. Walking and hiking tours and paths are quite popular as the region in the Northwestern part of England is famous for, lakes…as well as mountain hikes. The National Park is one of the most visited and is just one of many in the ranges throughout England. Poetry of Wordsworth and the others, known as the Lake Poets, also adds a bit of the romantic side of life as well. The lake district romantic notions span as far north as Scotland as myths and legends add mystery and adventure. And a bit off the soft side of history added to the ruggedness of the countryside. The lake district bed and breakfasts are settled into this landscape of what has been called the moody mountains of Scotland. Many of the most preferred hikes are along the Atlantic and the Isles of Skye.

And while hiking is a great way to take in the breathtaking beauty, what has become popular in recent years is the hot air balloon ride. In this way, nothing is disturbed…the wildlife has no idea that one is floating above and observing. Add to it all, that one is literally floating through the clouds and viewing the earth. And how it is reflected in the many lakes and reservoirs. It is a different and multi-faceted perspective. In all of the United Kingdom, the land above 3,000 feet is in this region alone. The highest is Scafell Pike, again a beautiful hike, and even perhaps a bit more so from the air. Many of the resorts and private companies offer balloon rides at very reasonable rates and for anyone traveling to this region for the first time this is a must have adventure.

One of Johannesburg’s traditional markets is the Mai Mai Market located in the downtown city center, on the corner of Berea and Anderson. This market is a wonderful place to encounter traditional African healers as well as the usual local crafts and arts.

Mai Mai is also known as “Ezinyangeni” or “the place of healers.” Adventurous tourists will want to visit the market for a unique perspective on “muti” – traditional African medicine. It’s estimated that 70 percent of South Africans utilize muti, sometimes in conjunction with western medicine. The Department of Health is working to organize and regulate the tens of thousands of traditional healers in the country.

The Mai Mai market is inhabited by a large number of inyangas (herbalists) and sangomas (diviners). Their services are sought by the sick, infirm and even the unlucky looking to improve their health. While there are a number of witch doctors and quacks that give muti a bad reputation, most of the healers at Mai Mai practice ancient healing practices taught only to chosen initiates.

Tourists venturing from the many fine hotels Johannesburg should be aware that the market is full of exotic and even disturbing items. Strong herbs, animal skins and hides, and even skulls and other bones are everywhere. The healers are often mistrustful of outsiders, doing what they can to scare off visitors or simply ignoring them. However, there are healers who are friendly and inviting.

In addition to the healers and diviners, Mai Mai is known for fabulous beadwork and handmade sandals constructed from rubber tires. Shoppers can purchase traditional Zulu items such as shields, skirts, hats, and spears as well as local arts and crafts. Wooden chests featuring kitsch religious icons are also a popular item, and they are made on site.

In some countries, locusts swarm. In others, the Africanized Killer Bees…in the Mediterranean Sea and along the waters on the coast of Spain, it is jelly fish. Gelatinous umbrellas pulsating through the waters wreaking havoc on the ecosystem and the humans that swim in the waters and walk along the beach. For even a dead jellyfish lying in the sun is deadly should a runner or a Frisbee player step into the muck. The reason, though studied thorough by scientists and volunteers working for Oceana, a very active environmental group in Spain, remains a mystery. Could be the almost extinction of the schools of tuna and sea turtles that are the natural predators of the jelly fish, or it could be the gradual warming of all the seas bordering continents and the oceans far out. The population has exploded and has been affecting various industries throughout the last decade. A few years ago, the major Salmon company out of Ireland was just about ready to shut their doors due to an attack on more than 100,000 fish in the cages. There has been no explanation for this attack and it affected salmon production and distribution throughout the world.

In addition, the tourism industry in Spain and the islands off of the mainland such as Ibiza, the five star hotels Ibiza promotes, the beach life and the culture has been thoroughly affected. Beach resorts have taken to putting out pamphlets to the tourists that illustrate and warn of the danger of stings by such venomous species. The number of life guards is increasing as well as the addition of first aid workers should someone be attacked. After the scientific research and study of over 2,000 tons of more 200 different species, answers are still illusive. As with all of the environmental concerns, the trouble seems to be that the answers are being searched for after the problems have already begun. With time, and government funding perhaps the popular tourist destinations such as Ibiza, Spain will be able to survive and perhaps not many of the public will fall victim to the poisonous ‘Jell-o” of the sea.

While the global economic crisis has hit many in the fashion world, plans are going forward for Dubai Fashion Week, to be held April 5-9 at the Godolphin Ballroom of the Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

Plans for the show were in question after the recent gloomy New York Fashion Week. After several shows in Milan were also canceled, the future of global fashion events seemed uncertain. New York saw fewer events as well as cutbacks on number of designs shown and how many models and support staff were on hand.

Dubai is hoping for a successful show. Over thirty designers have already committed to the event, the same number as last year. Economic factors suggested that fewer designers would participate. The show also has retained most of its sponsors, and many have signed on for four seasons. This give Dubai the security of planning not only the April event, but events for the next two years.

Dubai isn’t yet a world fashion center. However, the economic climate is actually working in favor of the local and regional designers. Clients can no longer afford to jet to Paris or New York. Since production costs are also cheaper, more value is obtained by buying locally, making it the ideal time to be a designer in Dubai. Experts hope that by centering attention on local talent, fashion buyers will begin to recognize the younger, fresher ideas being expressed at Dubai Fashion Week which will help the designer develope their own reputation both regionally and globally.

In addition to being a boon for designers, Dubai Fashion Week should bring a bump to the local economy. The influx of designers, models, media, and clients from across the region will make it difficult to find a vacancy in a 5 star hotel in Dubai. Restaurants, transportation, entertainment venues, and other businesses hope to see an increase in revenue during the event as well.

Although the museum has been in a process of restoration over the last few years, architects have remained true to the original structure and details. Once known as an anthropological, archaeological and an historical records museum, the National Museum of Singapore has become more diverse. The museum opened in 1849, and was for a very long time more of a library than a museum. The museum remains dedicated to preserving and exhibiting those items of the past that were influential in the shaping of the heritage of culture specific to the region. Most of the earlier collections, pre-WWII focused on ethnography and zoology. The site was famous for research and study.

Years passed and the art collection, as well as the collection of artifacts, books, historical documents, and fossils grew. The museum split over the years, sending the archaeological and zoological items to the biology department of the National University. A separate history museum and library were created and now the museum is dedicated to the exhibition of famous East Asian artists as well as providing lectures and workshops, and theatrical and musical performances. Located close to the other museums and an area rich with restaurants of the Singapore luxury hotels, this makes for an easy way to spend an entire evening of fun, fine dining and eclectic performances. One series taking place through March of 2009 is a film festival. The festival will provide films along a time line, from the age of silent film through some of the pioneers of independent and avant garde film makers of our current time. The show-times are every second Tuesday of the month. A live performance that should not be missed is by a company out of New Zealand called Ladykillers. The three members perform a variety of scenes and many different characters, stories taken and elaborated upon by their own experiences. It is said to be a show that will make the audience laugh and cry, about music, food, life and passion. These are just a couple of the many activities and performances that take place at the museum today, along side the exhibitions of some of the most famous visual artists of our time.

The pop music scene began in Singapore in the early 60’s. Influenced by the British Invasion, meaning the coming of the Beatles, the live music scene in Singapore took on a life of its own. Through instrumental experimentation to full on rhythm and blues with the mix of tradition of course, the Malay tradition leading to the traditional songs of the past taking on new meaning for the future. The ‘rock explosion’ that happened in the late 80’s was driven by this new found freedom of expression. All genres of rock, be it punk or heavy metal, found ways into mainstream and then to popularity. Lead vocalists such as Ramli Sarip led the way. His band Sweet Charity influenced the early rock scene and all those that followed.

Alternative rock, a quizzical term, has become the most popular form of musical expression in Singapore. Whether on a backpack grunge tour or engaging in luxury travel Singapore offers something for everyone to enjoy. The alternative scene became a driving force on the music scene in the nineties. Music festivals feature the alternative as well as the post punk genre, and many Singapore bands have become nationally recognized. Winning awards on MTV and topping the charts in a world where competition is stiff. Plushfools is a well known alternative band on the island. The band originally formed in 2006, and after experiencing the rush of a live performance and the feel of the audience, decided to put all their efforts into making music a way of life. Known to be a bit idiosyncratic, the band takes pride in the fact that they sound like no other band, they are completely original and Malaysian, and accessible to the rest of the world. Trans-international, the language all musicians strive to speak, has become their sound. It has been said that seeing this band perform is second only to seeing the audience while they are performing. It is similar to what someone may witness being an audience member during a Flaming Lips or a Tom Waits show. Part of the fun is seeing how others react and are affected.

Another band based in Singapore is Side Chain. As with the British band Radiohead or the American group the Dave Matthews Band, Side Chain offers up their songs free of charge, encouraging music lovers to download and pass along their tunes. Their philosophy being the more that hear it, the better. They just want to be heard. The lead singer of Side Chain is from Canada and finished up the remastering of their first album for re-release and to begin production for their second release, Lasting Impressions. The new venue in Singapore, Theaters on the Bay is intent on furthering and fostering the growing love and appreciation of rock music and culture, scheduling festivals to add to the many offerings Singapore is giving to the world through the arts.