Most of us have heard of, seen or even own underwater cameras, but this gadget takes it to a whole new level.
A company called ‘Liquid Image’ have now built a digital camera into some (it has to be said fairly chunky) goggles. But having your hands free must compensate for slightly heavier eyewear.
Waterproof to 5 meters (15 feet) there are 2 options - 3.1 and 5 mega pixels, both run on simple AA batteries. The camera does have some inbuilt RAM and you can use a memory card too. The camera also takes movies and reviews say the microphone picks up rather a lot of noise. Cross hairs in the lenses enable you to focus on your subject and of course it comes with software for downloading the results.
Retailing in the UK from around £60 they look like a lot of fun – but will swimming pools ever be safe again?
Are you an adventurous type who looks for holidays out of the norm?
Not for you the all-inclusive resorts that are springing up all over the world where you never step foot outside your cosseted cocoon!
You like the wind in your hair, places to see, have the spirit of explorer in your soul – but you still like a little bit of luxury regarding accommodation.
I have the very place and holiday for you!
Three Camels Lodge is in Mongolia, a premier luxury expedition camp. With superb service, sophistication and adventure.
Where is it situated? In the Gobi Desert, in stunning landscape in the Gurvansaikhan National park, sheltered by the 47-million year old volcanic landscape.
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Fri 17th October 2008 at 01:27 AM, Filed in Europe, December
A million or so people descent on Konya for this 700+ year old tradition taking place at the museum of Mevlana in Konya, which gives the festival its name. The festival takes place over a fortnight starting at the beginning of December with the highlight being the final night – 17th December.
Mevlana Jalal al-din Rumi was a 13th Century Sufic saint who was a poet and founder of the Mevlevi Sufi Brotherhood. It is said he was a great teacher who imparted lessons in tolerance optimism and holiness, believing that all religions are more or less good. The brotherhood created the whirling dervishes and Sufis believe that dance brings them closer to God and the teachings of Mevlana.
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Wed 15th October 2008 at 02:24 AM, Filed in Far East, December
On the 4th and 5th December 2008 Penang plays host to some 50 or more artists at the Bayview Beach Resort. This will be the 5th annual festival with several performers on each evening across a number of different stages. In addition to concerts there are gala dinners, workshops, talks and demonstrations. Usually musicians from a few other genres slip in too.
Generally the concerts are not held on the beach but in the hotel grounds and you can either take your own chairs or sit on the grass as most people do.
Since 2002 the 3 day Riviera Maya Jazz Festival has been taking place in Playa Del Carmen (just south of Cancun), Mexico.
The action takes place on Mamitas beach from 8pm and entrance is free. The dates for 2008 are November 27th, 28th and 29th, on some years the festival tips over into December. This isn’t a huge jazz festival and each evening starts with a local band you probably haven’t heard of and much of the music is (as you’d probably expect) Latin-tinged jazz, but there are often some famous faces, notably in 2007 George Benson was on the bill.
Incidentally, to my mind Playa del Carmen is far far nicer than the heavily commercialised Cancun. Yes, it is touristy, but on a smaller scale with a more laid back feel. There is a reasonable pedestrianised mall and great year-round nightlife. It is a great place for walking around, unlike Cancun where you really need a car because it is so spread out and still in reasonable striking distance of many of the following historical sites if that is your thing:
• Tulum
• Chichen Itza
• Uxmal
