Posted by Jackie Hewett on Tue 30th September 2008 at 03:11 AM, Filed in November
Here are trip inspiration’s recommendations for places to go and things to do in November before Christmas Madness really starts…!
For Nature &Wildlife:
Tysford Fjord, Norway – to see killer whales (orca’s) gathering in their hundreds before winter sets in.
Chitiwan National Park, Nepal - single horned Asian Rhino (numbering around 400) and Tiger (numbering 150) spotting. The weather is perfect at this time of year, although Feb to May is also good because the grass is shorter. The best way to travel through the park is by elephant
For a Family Holiday:
London – see the Lord Mayor of London Parade which is a great fun day out. - OK this is not necessarily a reason to plan a visit UK just to see this if you live elsewhere, but if you happen to be there at the right time…. especially if you get grandstand seats!
This is a pretty good time to visit Orlando, USA for the theme parks as they are not too crowded (although you may want to avoid Thanksgiving!). Arguably the best time to visit Orlando is October when American kids aren’t on holiday and the weather is ideal.
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This has to be one of the best boutique hotels around, partly because the design director was none other than the renowned milliner Philip Treacy (my all time favorite milliner). His aim was to make it feel like a film set – looking at the photo’s I’d say he’s achieved it. In 2006 the spa received an award for ‘The Best Spa, Health and Leisure Interiors’.
The hotel’s web site claims that their pink salon is destined to become their signature room. It is certainly distinctive with its black and white vortex carpet, but a little busy for me. For me I prefer the Grand Salon – a calm oasis in oyster and silver with stunning mirrors and a light installation by Tom Dixon. The blue lounge is a more masculine public room adorned with gilded mirrors and sumptuous furniture. Shells, glass tables and ammonites seem to be a pervading theme and all add to the tranquil atmosphere.
The Grand Salon
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Thu 25th September 2008 at 03:13 AM, Filed in Far East, November
Most of us know about the River Kwai from the famous (semi-fictional) film that depicted the conditions in which the Japanese prisoners of war were made to work in constructing the bridge. Although the film is a good one, it makes the treatment of the prisoners look a picnic in relation to the reality of what happened. 65 years ago allied prisoners of war built a 415km railway and an estimated 16,000 died in the process. It is understandable why it became known as the Death Railway.
These people are remembered every year in late November through to early December (in 2008 this will be from 24th Nov to 5th Dec). Although the original bridge was bombed several times it was rebuilt after the war (the curved sections are original) and this is the centre piece of the festival.
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This unusual ‘dinner party’ has been held annually for about 20 years now so you would have thought that the guests-of-honor would know how to behave. Well unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately for the sake of a spectacle) – no-one has yet taught the wild long-tailed macaques monkeys table manners.
The location (the Khmer ruins) is some 70 miles north of Bangkok, and the host of this particular event is a grateful local hotelier. He is grateful for the business that the monkeys bring, and it is held that villagers believe the monkeys protect the village and even bring them good luck. The 600 or so guests are served a sumptuous feast of fruit, vegetables, rice, noodles, coca cola (apparently a favorite treat). Even menus, table-cloths and napkins are provided – I guess more for the photos. I wonder how they know its time to tuck in….or even which day to turn up?
The event now includes a procession, children dress up in monkey costumes (of course) and live music. Well – the festival works because it now draws in some 10,000 visitors – so I guess that’s the best tip the hotelier (and indeed whole village) can receive! Who said you make your own luck……? If you want to go the fun takes place on the last Sunday in November, but I wouldn’t recommend trying to eat the banquet yourself as the monkeys don’t always take too kindly to it.
Posted by Jackie Hewett on Tue 23rd September 2008 at 03:09 AM, Filed in Far East, November
This show has been going since 1960 in the Ban Ta Klang Elephant Village in the Surin province (about 450 km from Bangkik), and is organised by the Thai tourist authority. In 2008 it falls on 22nd and 23rd November.
Throughout history elephants have been well respected in Thailand and held as a symbol of power and grace. Today most Thai elephant owners and mahouts are descendents of the Kui tribe who originated from Cambodia and settled in north east Thailand. They are famed for their expertise in capturing, domesticating and training wild elephants and treat these large mammals as part of heir family.
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