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    <title type="text">Trip Inspiration</title>
    <subtitle type="text">Alternative Travel Experiences</subtitle>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/" />
    <link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/rss_atom/" /> 
    <updated>2008-07-29T17:00:08Z</updated>
    <rights>Copyright (c) 2008, Jill Bowen</rights>
    <generator uri="http://www.pmachine.com/" version="1.6.1">ExpressionEngine</generator>
    <id>tag:tripinspiration.com,2008:08:27</id>


    <entry>
      <title type="html">Naturist go karting Walsall (Midlands, UK)</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/naturist-go-karting-walsall-midlands-uk/2008-08-27/" /> 
     
      <id>tag:tripinspiration.com,2008:/19.4349</id>
      <published>2008-08-27T13:51:00Z</published>
      <updated>2008-07-29T17:00:08Z</updated>
      <author>
            <name>Jill Bowen</name>
                  </author>

      <category term="Europe"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/Europe/"
        label="Europe" />
      <category term="Naturism"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/Naturism/"
        label="Naturism" />
      <category term="September"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/September/"
        label="September" />
      <content type="html"><![CDATA[

<p>The majority of naturist sporting events are usually based around swimming pools, volley ball or mini ten courts.&nbsp; Usually played very ‘gentlemanly’, with no agro, in fact quite genteel!
</p>
<p>
But if you are looking for more of an adrenaline rush……look no further!
<br />
<img src="http://www.tripinspiration.com/uploads/images/Ace_Karting.png" border="0" alt="image" class="center" width="250" height="188" />
<br />
Walsall Ace Karting is opening the track for another naturist night of speed and fun on 20th September 2008.
<br />

</p>


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</entry>

    <entry>
      <title type="html">Naturism in North of England’s Eden</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/naturism-in-north-of-englands-eden/2008-08-25/" /> 
     
      <id>tag:tripinspiration.com,2008:/19.4348</id>
      <published>2008-08-25T01:37:00Z</published>
      <updated>2008-07-29T16:50:44Z</updated>
      <author>
            <name>Jill Bowen</name>
                  </author>

      <category term="Europe"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/Europe/"
        label="Europe" />
      <category term="Naturism"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/Naturism/"
        label="Naturism" />
      <category term="September"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/September/"
        label="September" />
      <content type="html"><![CDATA[

<p>Yes another Eden; another paradise opening up it’s portals for Naturists.&nbsp; Link to <a href="http://http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/naturists-garden-of-eden-cornwall-uk/2007-06-13/" title="Eden Project Article">Eden Project Article</a> for detail on naturism at the Eden Project in Cornwall.
</p>
<p>
This new venue for Naturism is being held at The Tropical World complex in Roundhay Park, Leeds, and will open  for one day on <b>Saturday 20th September 2008</b> from 7pm – 10.00pm for those who want to combine nature with naturism.&nbsp; Though of course, you don’t have to be a naturist to visit at any other time!
<br />
<img src="http://www.tripinspiration.com/uploads/images/Tropical_World.jpg" border="0" alt="image" class="center" width="300" height="225" />
<br />
Tropical World was actually created 10 years prior to its more famous ‘southern’ cousin, and boasts the UK’s largest collection of tropical plants outside Kew.
<br />

</p>


<p><a href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/naturism-in-north-of-englands-eden/2008-08-25/#comments">Add a comment</a> | <a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/naturism-in-north-of-englands-eden/2008-08-25/&amp;title=Naturism in North of England’s Eden">Bookmark in del.icio.us</a></p>  ]]></content>

</entry>

    <entry>
      <title type="html">Stargazing Holiday, ElquiDomos Hotel, Chile</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/stargazing-holiday-elquidomos-hotel-chile/2008-08-24/" /> 
     
      <id>tag:tripinspiration.com,2008:/19.4364</id>
      <published>2008-08-24T01:02:00Z</published>
      <updated>2008-08-05T22:26:57Z</updated>
      <author>
            <name>Jackie Hewett</name>
                  </author>

      <category term="Unusual Hotels"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/unusual-hotels/"
        label="Unusual Hotels" />
      <content type="html"><![CDATA[

<p>This has to be one of the most unusual hotels I have heard of.&nbsp; Set high up in the Andes, because of the excellent clear skies and lack of light pollution, lies the ElquiDomos Hotel.&nbsp; It was designed by a famous Chilean architect Nicolas Fones and opened in February 2005.&nbsp; 
<br />
<img src="http://www.claretyconsulting.com/uploads/images/Elquidomos.jpg" border="0" alt"image" class"center" width="350" height="172" />
<br />
It is the only astronomic hotel in the southern hemisphere (apparently there are 7 astronomic themed hotels worldwide) and has 7 rooms built as two storey domes with living rooms downstairs and the bedrooms on the upper floor with detachable roofs to enhance the star gazing experience.&nbsp; Each dome is equipped with its own telescope (of course), and large wooden terrace and astronomic literature.
<br />

</p>


<p><a href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/stargazing-holiday-elquidomos-hotel-chile/2008-08-24/#comments">Add a comment</a> | <a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/stargazing-holiday-elquidomos-hotel-chile/2008-08-24/&amp;title=Stargazing Holiday, ElquiDomos Hotel, Chile">Bookmark in del.icio.us</a></p>  ]]></content>

</entry>

    <entry>
      <title type="html">Galway Oyster Festival, Ireland</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/galway-oyster-festival-ireland/2008-08-22/" /> 
     
      <id>tag:tripinspiration.com,2008:/19.4376</id>
      <published>2008-08-22T01:39:00Z</published>
      <updated>2008-08-05T21:40:39Z</updated>
      <author>
            <name>Jackie Hewett</name>
                  </author>

      <category term="Europe"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/Europe/"
        label="Europe" />
      <category term="September"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/September/"
        label="September" />
      <content type="html"><![CDATA[

<p>It is said that the Galway Oyster Festival is Irelands longest running festival and as it celebrates its 54th occurrence in 2008 this may be right.&nbsp; The festival lasts 4 days (in 2008 from Thurs 25th to Sun 28th Sept).
<br />
<img src="http://www.claretyconsulting.com/uploads/images/Galway_Oyster_Festival.jpg" border="0" alt"image" class"center" width="179" height="260" />
<br />
There’s a lot more to do besides scoffing Galway’s finest oysters and quaffing the ‘black stuff’ (as Guinness is the official sponsor).&nbsp; There are a number of parties and black tie balls with ticket prices ranging between £20 and £175, you can go and watch the world oyster opening championship or Oyster Pearl beauty pageant (to become the face that represents the festival the following year) on the Saturday or even enter and win a heap of prizes including a £3,000 Raymond Weil watch.&nbsp; In addition there are many free events and music around town.
</p>
<p>
The festival is held in September because it is when Galway’s wild oysters come into season, which was also traditionally a slow time for tourism.&nbsp; In 1954 the owner of the Southern Hotel started it all with the first Oyster Festival Banquet (34 guests attended) in order to fill up his hotel at this quiet time of the year.&nbsp; It obviously worked and now it’s difficult to get a hotel reservation anywhere in town as thousands go.&nbsp; It has been listed by the Sunday Times as one of the 12 greatest shows on earth
<br />

</p>


<p><a href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/galway-oyster-festival-ireland/2008-08-22/#comments">Add a comment</a> | <a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/galway-oyster-festival-ireland/2008-08-22/&amp;title=Galway Oyster Festival, Ireland">Bookmark in del.icio.us</a></p>  ]]></content>

</entry>

    <entry>
      <title type="html">Utter (or Otter) Inn, Sweden</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/utter-or-otter-inn-sweden/2008-08-16/" /> 
     
      <id>tag:tripinspiration.com,2008:/19.4368</id>
      <published>2008-08-16T01:21:00Z</published>
      <updated>2008-08-05T11:25:51Z</updated>
      <author>
            <name>Jackie Hewett</name>
                  </author>

      <category term="Europe"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/Europe/"
        label="Europe" />
      <category term="Unusual Hotels"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/unusual-hotels/"
        label="Unusual Hotels" />
      <content type="html"><![CDATA[

<p>Whilst there are many underwater concept hotels that may or may not come to fruition here is one (albeit one room only) that actually exists.
<br />
<img src="http://www.claretyconsulting.com/uploads/images/Utter_Inn.jpg" border="0" alt"image" class"center" width="300" height="279" />
<br />
It is a concept by the artist Mikael Genberg and consists of a floating red wooden room, beneath which is suspended a ‘human aquarium’ (where the bed is situated).&nbsp; The bedroom floats three meters below the surface of Lake Malaren in Sweden.&nbsp; Guests are taken by inflatable boat 1km into the middle of the lake where the room is situated, and left alone, unless they have ordered the ‘delux’ stay whereby they will get a later visit bringing their supper.
<br />
<img src="http://www.claretyconsulting.com/uploads/images/Utter_Inn_2.jpg" border="0" alt"image" class"center" width="112" height="170" />
<br />
Whilst the room does have a heater and is closed during the winter months I am sure it could prove a little chilly sometimes so take plenty of layers…..oh &amp; book well ahead!
<br />

</p>


<p><a href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/utter-or-otter-inn-sweden/2008-08-16/#comments">Add a comment</a> | <a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/utter-or-otter-inn-sweden/2008-08-16/&amp;title=Utter (or Otter) Inn, Sweden">Bookmark in del.icio.us</a></p>  ]]></content>

</entry>

    <entry>
      <title type="html">Edinburgh International Festival, Scotland</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/edinburgh-international-festival-scotland/2008-08-13/" /> 
     
      <id>tag:tripinspiration.com,2008:/19.4377</id>
      <published>2008-08-13T13:27:01Z</published>
      <updated>2008-08-05T22:30:51Z</updated>
      <author>
            <name>Jackie Hewett</name>
                  </author>

      <category term="Europe"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/Europe/"
        label="Europe" />
      <category term="August"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/August/"
        label="August" />
      <content type="html"><![CDATA[

<p>Everyone should visit the Edinburgh Festival at least once in their lifetime!&nbsp; I went in my 20’s with a friend, we were pretty broke but still found heaps to do.
<br />
<img src="http://www.claretyconsulting.com/uploads/images/Edinburgh_Festival.jpg" border="0" alt"image" class"center" width="300" height="196" />
<br />
In 2008 the festival is going on from 8th to 31st August and there will be events to suit all tastes and pockets including:
</p>
<p>
•	Classical Music
<br />
•	Opera
<br />
•	Ballet
<br />
•	Music - Jazz,
<br />
•	Theatre
<br />
•	Fringe
<br />
•	Street entertainment / buskers
</p>



<p><a href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/edinburgh-international-festival-scotland/2008-08-13/#comments">Add a comment</a> | <a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/edinburgh-international-festival-scotland/2008-08-13/&amp;title=Edinburgh International Festival, Scotland">Bookmark in del.icio.us</a></p>  ]]></content>

</entry>

    <entry>
      <title type="html">Arctic Cruise : The Bear Necessities.</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/arctic-cruise-the-bear-necessities/2008-08-11/" /> 
     
      <id>tag:tripinspiration.com,2008:/19.4357</id>
      <published>2008-08-11T01:21:00Z</published>
      <updated>2008-07-31T09:36:21Z</updated>
      <author>
            <name>Guest Author</name>
                  </author>

      <category term="Eco&#45;Friendly"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/Eco-Friendly/"
        label="Eco Friendly" />
      <content type="html"><![CDATA[

<p>When you think of cruises, you probably imagine huge luxury liners, with onboard entertainment, fine dining and evening receptions. A cruise doesn’t always need to be that way though. In the  <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises" title="Telegraph’s Cruise Channel">Telegraph’s Cruise Channel</a> Pamela Petro tells of her travels on an Arctic cruise in Canada’s Nunavut territory. She finds that bear spotting on a zodiac raft is certainly not your average cruise holiday.
</p>
<p>
Arctic cruises help introduce travellers to the Arctic environment, as well as allowing tourists a sobering look at the effects of global warming. You can expect a variety of interesting day trips, often including polar bear spotting, walrus watching and shore excursions among barren rock and ice-tipped mountains.
</p>
<p>
<img src="http://www.tripinspiration.com/uploads/images/Polar_Bear_Trip.JPG" border="0" alt="image" class="center" width="252" height="300" />
</p>


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</entry>

    <entry>
      <title type="html">Malmo Festival, Sweden</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/malmo-festival-sweden/2008-08-09/" /> 
     
      <id>tag:tripinspiration.com,2008:/19.4352</id>
      <published>2008-08-09T01:34:00Z</published>
      <updated>2008-07-29T23:38:31Z</updated>
      <author>
            <name>Jackie Hewett</name>
                  </author>

      <category term="Europe"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/Europe/"
        label="Europe" />
      <category term="August"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/August/"
        label="August" />
      <content type="html"><![CDATA[

<p>This event (‘Malmofestivalen’ in Swedish) takes place in the second half of August and is the biggest annual event in Malmo’s calendar, if not southern Sweden.&nbsp; Admission is free and there are many concerts (pop / rock / heavy metal / jazz and more) and musical performances to choose from in addition to an amusement park, art displays, crafts, sporting events and of course plenty of opportunities to sample traditional Swedish and worldwide food.&nbsp; In fact the festival kicks off with an infamous crayfish party at Stortorget.&nbsp; Not only will you be able to eat plenty of the tasty crustaceans, but you will be able to buy crayfish decorated bibs, plates, hats, tablecloths and many other items you didn’t know you needed (or probably didn’t)!!
<br />
<img src="http://www.claretyconsulting.com/uploads/images/Malmo_Crayfish.jpg" border="0" alt"image" class"center" width="154" height="190" />
<br />
In 2008 the festival is running from 15th to 22nd August and usually some 1.5 million people attend.&nbsp; There will be many outdoor stages and music marquees and hundreds of food stalls right in the middle of the historic town centre.&nbsp; Malmo has a huge main square where much of the festival is centred.&nbsp; The festival ends with a great firework display too.
<br />

</p>


<p><a href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/malmo-festival-sweden/2008-08-09/#comments">Add a comment</a> | <a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/malmo-festival-sweden/2008-08-09/&amp;title=Malmo Festival, Sweden">Bookmark in del.icio.us</a></p>  ]]></content>

</entry>

    <entry>
      <title type="html">Abbey House Gardens Wiltshire – Naturist days</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/abbey-house-gardens-wiltshire-naturist-days/2008-08-06/" /> 
     
      <id>tag:tripinspiration.com,2008:/19.4341</id>
      <published>2008-08-06T02:54:00Z</published>
      <updated>2008-07-29T23:38:02Z</updated>
      <author>
            <name>Jill Bowen</name>
                  </author>

      <category term="Naturism"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/Naturism/"
        label="Naturism" />
      <category term="August"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/August/"
        label="August" />
      <category term="September"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/September/"
        label="September" />
      <content type="html"><![CDATA[

<p>Do you love wandering around beautiful gardens? One visitor described Abbey House as ‘a garden that gives you a hug when you enter…and you leave with a smile on your face….’
</p>
<p>
With over 10,000 different plants, a river garden, a tearoom with spectacular views where you can enjoy a range of teas, coffee – from instant to mocha or expresso, fresh fruit juice, delicious locally made biscuits and cakes. It’s a joy to visit any time…but with the added bonus of a few days a year it’s open to Naturists.
<br />
<img src="http://www.tripinspiration.com/uploads/images/Abbey_House_2.jpg" border="0" alt="image" class="center" width="320" height="212" />
</p>


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</entry>

    <entry>
      <title type="html">Festival of the Tooth, Kandy, Sri Lanka</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/festival-of-the-tooth-kandy-sri-lanka/2008-08-03/" /> 
     
      <id>tag:tripinspiration.com,2008:/19.4340</id>
      <published>2008-08-03T01:43:00Z</published>
      <updated>2008-07-29T13:05:51Z</updated>
      <author>
            <name>Jackie Hewett</name>
                  </author>

      <category term="Far&#45;East"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/Far-East/"
        label="Far East" />
      <category term="July"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/July/"
        label="July" />
      <category term="August"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/August/"
        label="August" />
      <content type="html"><![CDATA[

<p>This is arguably on of the largest Buddhist celebrations in the world, and over one million people attend annually (July / August) – so it will be crowded!&nbsp; Kandy’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth was built on the edge of Lake Kandy specifically to house the left canine of Buddha that was allegedly salvaged from his funeral pyre.&nbsp; It is said to be the most revered Buddhist object and in 1988 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
<br />
<img src="http://www.claretyconsulting.com/uploads/images/Kandy_Temple.jpg" border="0" alt"image" class"center" width="300" height="226" />Kandy Temple
</p>
<p>
The original wooden temple was built between 1687 and 1707 but it was destroyed during the colonial wars in the 18th century.&nbsp; It has since been replaced by a stone temple.&nbsp; The tooth now rests on a gold lotus flower within jeweled caskets (so it can’t be seen) and is ‘protected’ by two elephant tusks.&nbsp; During the festival the tooth use to be paraded around Kandy but today it remains within the temple and a replica is paraded.&nbsp; The procession today still has elaborately decorated elephants, fire dancers, torchbearers, jugglers, musicians, acrobats and more.
<br />
<img src="http://www.claretyconsulting.com/uploads/images/Festival_of_the_Tooth.jpg" border="0" alt"image" class"center" width="198" height="300" />The Parade
</p>
<p>
On the last night of the festival (10th day) millions enter the temple holding candles and circumnavigate the shrine to pay their respects making a very photogenic sight.
</p>


<p><a href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/festival-of-the-tooth-kandy-sri-lanka/2008-08-03/#comments">Add a comment</a> | <a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/festival-of-the-tooth-kandy-sri-lanka/2008-08-03/&amp;title=Festival of the Tooth, Kandy, Sri Lanka">Bookmark in del.icio.us</a></p>  ]]></content>

</entry>

    <entry>
      <title type="html">Western Legends Roundup – Kanab, Utah,USA</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/western-legends-roundup-kanab-utahusa/2008-07-31/" /> 
     
      <id>tag:tripinspiration.com,2008:/19.4338</id>
      <published>2008-07-31T01:20:00Z</published>
      <updated>2008-07-27T11:28:19Z</updated>
      <author>
            <name>Jill Bowen</name>
                  </author>

      <category term="USA&#45;Towns&#45;and&#45;Cities"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/USA-Towns-and-Cities/"
        label="USA Towns and Cities" />
      <category term="August"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/August/"
        label="August" />
      <content type="html"><![CDATA[

<p>Now here’s one for all you Western aficionados – or would be cowboys! Step back in time and experience what the old west was really like, with many folk dressed in period costume to give an authentic feel to the events.
</p>
<p>
Held on this year on 20th  - 23rd August 2008 at Kanab USA it’s jammed packed with everything fans of the wild west could only dream of seeing – and participate in.
<br />
<img src="http://www.tripinspiration.com/uploads/images/Western_Legends_Roundup.jpg" border="0" alt="image" class="center" width="300" height="185" />
<br />
Experience 3 days on a WAGON TRAIN….this starts at Alton Utah at 6.00pm on 20th August and gives a 3 days and 2 nights of a true western experience with dinners served around the campfire, ride in one of the wagons or ride a horse – for full details and prices check out the web site at <a href="http://www.westernlegendsroundup.com">http://www.westernlegendsroundup.com</a>
<br />

</p>


<p><a href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/western-legends-roundup-kanab-utahusa/2008-07-31/#comments">Add a comment</a> | <a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/western-legends-roundup-kanab-utahusa/2008-07-31/&amp;title=Western Legends Roundup – Kanab, Utah,USA">Bookmark in del.icio.us</a></p>  ]]></content>

</entry>

    <entry>
      <title type="html">Tak Tak (or Thak Thok) Festival, Little Tibet</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/tak-tak-or-thak-thok-festival-little-tibet/2008-07-29/" /> 
     
      <id>tag:tripinspiration.com,2008:/19.4339</id>
      <published>2008-07-29T01:30:00Z</published>
      <updated>2008-07-27T11:35:04Z</updated>
      <author>
            <name>Jackie Hewett</name>
                  </author>

      <category term="Far&#45;East"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/Far-East/"
        label="Far East" />
      <category term="India"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/india/"
        label="India" />
      <category term="August"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/August/"
        label="August" />
      <content type="html"><![CDATA[

<p>Many of the Ladakh festivals take place in winter which is a relatively idle time for the majority of the locals, but the Thak Thok (pronounced Tak Tak) festival takes place in the on the 20-29 of the ninth Tibetan month (around the 11th / 12th August).
<br />
<img src="http://www.claretyconsulting.com/uploads/images/Tak_Tak_Festival.jpg" border="0" alt"image" class"center" width="300" height="197" />
<br />
Thak Thok means ‘top of the rocks’ and is 4-km up the valley from Chemrey on a lumpy outcrop of eroded rocks, and the small Gompa (fortified place or monastery of learning) here is the sole representative in Ladakh of the ancient Nyingmapa order.&nbsp;  The wonderful monasteries are fanstastic centres of Buddhist art, literature and culture and Thak Thok has many new temples adorned with gleaming new Buddha’s and garish modern murals and has a sacred meditation cave at the centre.&nbsp; Many of the festivals take the form of dance dramas (including the secret masked dance) and take place in the gompa courtyards that are meant to revitalise the spirit of the people.
<br />

</p>


<p><a href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/tak-tak-or-thak-thok-festival-little-tibet/2008-07-29/#comments">Add a comment</a> | <a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/tak-tak-or-thak-thok-festival-little-tibet/2008-07-29/&amp;title=Tak Tak (or Thak Thok) Festival, Little Tibet">Bookmark in del.icio.us</a></p>  ]]></content>

</entry>

    <entry>
      <title type="html">Naadam Festival, Mongolia</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/naadam-festival-tibet/2008-07-27/" /> 
     
      <id>tag:tripinspiration.com,2008:/19.4337</id>
      <published>2008-07-27T12:20:00Z</published>
      <updated>2008-07-29T10:49:50Z</updated>
      <author>
            <name>Jackie Hewett</name>
                  </author>

      <category term="Far&#45;East"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/Far-East/"
        label="Far East" />
      <category term="July"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/July/"
        label="July" />
      <content type="html"><![CDATA[

<p>On the 11th to 13th every July Mongolia holds its ‘national games’ (also known as ‘Eriin Gurvan’) showcasing Mongolia’s three games of men (horse racing, archery and wrestling).&nbsp;   Some say the festival stared in the 1920’s whilst others claim it is centuries old.&nbsp; Whilst celebrations are held throughout the country the main games are held in Ulan Bator and on the open steppes just outside the city.
</p>
<p>
<b>Details of the games:</b>
<br />
<ul><li>Opening Ceremony – where monks, soldiers and athletes parade in colourful Genghis Khan style costumes</li>
<li>Wrestling – Mongolian wrestling is similar to sumo wrestling and is the only actual all male event.&nbsp; The bouts are not timed and a competitior loses if they touch the ground</li><img src="http://www.claretyconsulting.com/uploads/images/Naadam_Wrestling.jpg" border="0" alt"image" class"center" width="180" height="104" />
<li>Archery – men shoot over a distance of 75meters and women over 60 meters.</li><img src="http://www.claretyconsulting.com/uploads/images/Naadam_Archer.jpg" border="0" alt"image" class"center" width="200" height="300" />
<li>Horse Riding – this event dominates day 2 and Mongolians are renowned horsemen (and children).&nbsp; The races are broken down into different ages of horse.&nbsp; The youngest horses (1 year olds) race 15km whilst the older horses race over 30km.&nbsp; There are around 400 participants in every race and the horses reach speed of up to 80 km per hour.&nbsp; Riders are all children, some as young as 5 and it said that Mongolian children learn to ride before they can walk!</li></ul><img src="http://www.claretyconsulting.com/uploads/images/Naadam_Child_Rider.jpg" border="0" alt"image" class"center" width="220" height="193" />
</p>


<p><a href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/naadam-festival-tibet/2008-07-27/#comments">Add a comment</a> | <a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/naadam-festival-tibet/2008-07-27/&amp;title=Naadam Festival, Mongolia">Bookmark in del.icio.us</a></p>  ]]></content>

</entry>

    <entry>
      <title type="html">Nowhere Festival, Spain</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/nowhere-festival-spain/2008-07-20/" /> 
     
      <id>tag:tripinspiration.com,2008:/19.4311</id>
      <published>2008-07-20T15:58:01Z</published>
      <updated>2008-07-20T14:58:33Z</updated>
      <author>
            <name>Jackie Hewett</name>
                  </author>

      <category term="Europe"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/Europe/"
        label="Europe" />
      <category term="July"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/July/"
        label="July" />
      <content type="html"><![CDATA[

<p>This festival could be called ‘son of the Burning Man’ as it adheres to the same principles (see <a href="http://http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/festival-with-a-difference-usa/2007-04-05/" title="Burning Man Article">Burning Man Article</a>) – nothing is for sale there (‘no commerce’ – although bartering is encouraged), you have to bring your own food, drink etc (radical self reliance) and leave no trace of your camp (you have responsibility for taking away your own rubbish).&nbsp; It is held in a Northern Spanish dessert / windy mountainside early in July so be prepared for a fairly hostile environment – temperatures of 30C plus are common and 48% humidity.&nbsp; 
<br />
<img src="http://www.claretyconsulting.com/uploads/images/nowhere_festival.jpg" border="0" alt"image" class"center" width="350" height="95" />Camp
<br />
Participants are encouraged, even expected to bring their own art installations and join in the ‘radical self expression’.&nbsp; Mere spectating is discouraged.&nbsp; However, participation comes in many forms, you could provide the gift of manicures or massage, even singing or other performances would count.&nbsp; If you don’t feel you have any such skills to contribute you could offer help in the set up and / or clearing away of camp.
<br />
<img src="http://www.claretyconsulting.com/uploads/images/nowhere_participant.jpg" border="0" alt"image" class"center" width="330" height="220" />Nowhere participant
</p>


<p><a href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/nowhere-festival-spain/2008-07-20/#comments">Add a comment</a> | <a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/nowhere-festival-spain/2008-07-20/&amp;title=Nowhere Festival, Spain">Bookmark in del.icio.us</a></p>  ]]></content>

</entry>

    <entry>
      <title type="html">Bastille Day Celebrations</title>
      <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/bastille-day-celebrations/2008-07-08/" /> 
     
      <id>tag:tripinspiration.com,2008:/19.4236</id>
      <published>2008-07-08T01:42:00Z</published>
      <updated>2008-07-06T13:51:33Z</updated>
      <author>
            <name>Jackie Hewett</name>
                  </author>

      <category term="Europe"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/Europe/"
        label="Europe" />
      <category term="July"
        scheme="http://www.tripinspiration.com/site/category/July/"
        label="July" />
      <content type="html"><![CDATA[

<p>14th July is the closest thing the French have to an independence day.&nbsp; It is designated as a French national holiday and commemorates the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille when France did away with their Monarchy and made the first moves towards becoming a republic.&nbsp; 
</p>
<p>
Whilst events take place all over France, Paris is the place to be.&nbsp; There is a huge military parade in the Champs Elysee led by army cadets and the fire service get the biggest cheers.&nbsp; The red arrows put on a display to accompany the parade between the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde.&nbsp; Large firework displays are staged.&nbsp; A chosen few will attend a garden party at the Palais de l’Elysee held by the elected president.
<br />
<img src="http://www.claretyconsulting.com/uploads/images/Bastille_Day_Parade.jpg" border="0" alt"image" class"center" width="330" height="241" />
</p>


<p><a href="http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/bastille-day-celebrations/2008-07-08/#comments">Add a comment</a> | <a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/bastille-day-celebrations/2008-07-08/&amp;title=Bastille Day Celebrations">Bookmark in del.icio.us</a></p>  ]]></content>

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