1/2 of Central America in a Month

Was it worth 10 hours of pain? I guess...
Anyhow, made the decision to get off at the stop at Isla Ometepe after only 5 hours. 11 more would've done em in.
It's pretty sweet. It is a volcanic island, made by two Volcanoes.

1/2 of Central America in a Month by Gringo

Pompey's Pillar

Thousands of years stand these sculptures.




Modern and old scenes exist in the same place, at the same time.






Magnificant is the feel.
No more words needed to describe.







It was here that she had her tragic affair with Marc Anthony.

"Wandering aimlessly" in Alexandria the Great

Taking in Some Culture - New Travel Blog

For those of you planning a European vacation, you might want to check out some of the experiences of this travel blogger who has done some interesting tours across Europe and Asia.

Where's Filar

Beers of the world.

Tiger. Newcastle Dark.
Suntory. Chimay. Budweisser.
Beerlao. Singha. Castle.
Asahi. Bass. Shaftbury.
Leffe Blonde. Snow.
James Squire.


Name and comment best beers ever exist in this world:
http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2836

East Africa Insider Tips from Local Expert

Born in Kenya, spent 20 years living in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, our real local expert Jawaid Rulal is available now to help those who have a dream in adventuring Africa.

Feel free to post questions to him at:
http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3200

So Africa Itinerary - Cape Town VS Mozambique

Two options always:

Fly or snorkel.
Adventure or destination.
Fantastic or spectacular.

Cape Town or Mozambique.

Come and discuss here:
http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2559

Best Hotels in China(Shanghai & Beijing)

Ritz-Carlton?
Grand Hyatt?
Four Seasons?




It's hard to decide especially when you are coming to China on a tour.
Shall you read what are other people's choices who had been there before, you will get a clearer view of them:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=644038

"Daddy, I Don't Wanna Eat This" or "Lady in Bath"? - Funny Food Names

They wouldn't take an order unless you used the exact name in both restaurants:
in Fitzwilly, a massive chocolate ice cream is called "Daddy, I don't want to eat this".
At a Thai place in Saudi a menu item is called Lady in Bath which was essentially a thin deep fried shrimp roll.

And more funny food names on menus :
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=649296

How to create a mobile travel video blog with a cellphone.

Now you can do a travel video blog without any help of a computer.
All you need is a smartphone.
Several models are already on sale.
Is it really exciting to share your journey with the world? Here is an experiment taken on the way to Thailand, together with the problems they met:
http://www.taodomichi.org/en/independent-traveller/22/how-to-create-a-mobile-video-blog-with-a-cellphone/

Collection of Internet Bookmarked Travel-Related Websites

There's a list of bookmarked sites & links from a pro. Together with brief descriptions for some of them. Divided into Auction-Style Booking-Related Sites and Comparison sites for travel products. Good for frequent travellers. Check out here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=518767

You Don't Get Something for Nothing

So, remember you always have to pay for what you get.
here is 8 tips from the U.S. Department of Consumer Affairs on how to travel smart and take care of your wallet.
Do a good trip, stay way from disappointments:
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0004591.html

Almost Heaven: Path to Everest - Up,Stop,Up,Stop..

The well-earned view after 36 hours of planes and bus and 15 days of mountain trails:
Top of Everest.

Flight like a flying version of crowd public bus ride to Jiri except no passengers on the roof, seatbelts were available but apparently optional.








What goes up must come down, faster.

Markenvoyage shows his amazing way with detailed description and plenty of photos here:
http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Namche/blog-151690.html

New Hawaiian Superferry to Launch in July 2007

Now you can drive across the Hawaiian islands. This new vessel carries 866 people and up to 282 cars. It visits Oahu, Maui, and Kuai starting in July and will add a route to the big island in 2009. Fares are around $50 dollars.

Refresh the Scene in your Dream Spot Every 3 minutes

A most beautiful scene of Santorini, Greece. Even more beautiful than a post card.
Now there's a live web cam with view of the Santorini caldera, updated every 3 minutes:

http://www.santorini.info/webcam/

http://www.santorini.net/caldera.html

And a cam of Sfakia refreshed every minute:
http://www.sfakia-crete.com/sfakia-crete/webcam-sfakia-crete.html

The World's Top 5 Restaurants

The world's top 5 restaurants according to restaurant magazine:
http://www.theworlds50best.com/2007_list.html

1. El Bulli, Spain
http://www.elbulli.com/
2. The Fat Duck, UK
http://www.fatduck.co.uk
3. Pierre Gagnaire, France
http://www.pierre-gagnaire.com/index-fr.htm
4. The French Laundry, USA
http://www.frenchlaundry.com/tfl/frenchlaundry.htm
5. Tetsuya's, Australia
http://www.tetsuyas.com/

Air India -The new definition of luxury

Air-India, though an international carrier, provides extensive services from 13 cities in India. By entering into alliances with other leading airlines of the world, Air-India today offers passengers a wider network of routes they can fly. Not only can we help you get great fares but we can also assist you in finding the perfect Indian tour. Air-India has commenced a program to provide sleeperettes, 180-degrees, flat bed seats in First Class, on all its Boeing 747-400 aircraft. So sit back, relax and enjoy our fast "n" friendly service & their superior in-flight service.

When you travel with the Maharajah you can expect a treatmentthat is reserved for royalty. Get pampered with panache! Every Air India flight has aservice that is out of the world and in a class of its own. Air India's many awards speak for themselves in this. Air-India flies you to some of the world’s finest destinations Asia, Africa, Europe, Gulf, Middle East, India & USA.

First Class - The new definition of luxury

Highly comfortable, 180-degree recline, sleeperette, we will ensure that you disembark at your destination just as fresh. The two-abreast seating ensures you are always in an aisle seat or a window seat.

Executive Class - A haven for Business & Leisure

Spacious cabins & plush seats
Aisle or window seats for every passenger on 747 aircraft
Delectable entrees accompanied by wine
Exclusive check-in facility
Lounge facility
Amenity kit in an elegant pouch

Economy Class - For our budget minded travelers we offer:

Choice of Continental or Indian cuisine -Non-veg/veg.
Complimentary liquor/ wine.
Well positioned movie screens for cinematic viewing pleasure.
Improved illumination & temperature control systems.
Facility to book seat at the time of reservation when traveling on India Europe/US sector flights.

Meals

Air-India takes pride in offering a large varietyof meals on board to meet religious or medical requirements or for providing the food you prefer.

Menu Samples
AVML ( Asiatic vegetarian / Indian vegetarian meal )
VGML (VEGETARIAN MEAL – NON-DAIRY)
HNML (HINDU MEAL)
JNML (JAIN MEAL)
ORML (ORIENTAL MEAL)
RVML (RAW VEGETARIAN MEAL)
CHML (CHILD MEAL)
BBML (BABY MEAL/INFANT FOOD)

From Russia with Love

http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?album=8372&thumbnails=noinfo&page_limit=120&photos_in_album=1959&album_name=From+Russia+with+Love&album_creator=Chukcha&disp_order=asc

Great photos from Russian photographers

Astronaut Aldrin plans space travel lottery

http://news.com.com/Astronaut+Aldrin+plans+space+travel+lottery/2100-11397_3-6177102.html

Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, announced plans Tuesday for a lottery that would send its winner into space in a bid to spread the dream of extraterrestrial travel beyond the super-wealthy.

Aldrin, who followed U.S. astronaut Neil Armstrong onto the moon in July 1969, said the lottery would be run through his ShareSpace Foundation, which he set up to promote interest in science and space travel in schools.

Details of the competition are still sketchy, Aldrin said at a space investment conference on Wall Street on Tuesday, with the legal status of selling lottery tickets still to be resolved.

He said the idea was to offer the top prize of a flight into earth's orbit, but it was not yet decided on what spacecraft.

Aldrin added that the winner would have to be over 18 years old and in good physical condition. The prize would not be transferable or salable on eBay.

Currently aboard the International Space Station is Charles Simonyi, the fifth so-called space tourist. Simonyi made his fortune by helping create the Word and Excel software applications for Microsoft.

Airbus Cabin Showroom - Excellent Flash Intro

You can check out the new A-380 in this demo. It shows off the features of the new plane.
Link to Airbus

Kayak Makes Summer Travel Planning a Snap With Enhanced Fare Buzz for Easier Searching and Tracking

http://www.sys-con.com/read/362264.htm

In anticipation of the upcoming summer travel season, Kayak, the world's largest travel search engine, makes it even easier for users to find the right trip at the best price by introducing a new Buzz homepage which integrates Kayak Buzz, Airfare History, email alerts and Trip Ideas.

Nice brunch choice in Shanghai - Ginger Cafe & Deli

Ginger Cafe & Deli
Address:	199 Fuxing Road West (near Huashan Road) Shanghai
Phone:	(021) 6433 94 37
Email:	info@gingercafe.cn
Information:	Lovely little cafe under foreign managment, tucked away in a splendid French Concession setting. Light and healthy fusion fare, home made cakes and spirits. Open daily 09:00 a.m. until late.

La Palma Mexicatessen - great Mexican food in SF

If you are looking for some Mexican food feels like someone's grandmother made it, here it is!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/bNvaWa9wSLHjlFlrD7i9Ow

Best eating place in China

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/bluelist/index.cfm?fa=main.rateList

Not that much info, but interesting for me because it actually mentioned E Mei mountain and E Mei town in Si Chuan.