Month: July 2009

Embrace the Beauty of Aruba

Posted by admin – July 22, 2009

While the Caribbean is acknowledged as a multicolored and traditionally rich region, few travelers are knowledgeable of the outstanding cultural diversity represented in Aruba. Aruba is originally populated by native Arawak Indians and was later on handled by the Europeans. After living under Spanish regime for a couple of years, the island came to be part of the Dutch Kingdom near the end of the colonial period. Though the island maintains its bonds to The Netherlands, more than 40 different races are represented amongst Aruba’s population. This surprising mixture of races can be experienced by visitors in everything from art and architecture to cuisine and entertainment. Yet, one of the best ways to embrace the unique culture of Aruba is to join the locals during holiday celebrations – such as the truly Aruban custom of St. John’s Day, the classically-influenced Carnival event known as Bacchanal and the Caribbean-inspired traditions of New Year’s Day.

Most people who visit Aruba never think about seeing some of the unusual things in the area. The rock formations are spectacular to see. One particular formation is the Casibari Boulders. You can talk walking tours through the boulders and experience the feel of what it was like to live in one of these formations. The ancient site of the Ayo Rock formations is another incredible formation to see. It is fascinating to see and explore. It makes one wonder how these huge and heavy boulders survived all these years. It is a unique display of nature to see.

Hotels welcome your business, and it shows, from the bend-over-backward service to the never-ending array of services they offer. Aruba hotels have stores to take care of your needs and shopping enjoyment; water sports for the on the go vacationer, a variety of international cuisine to please your taste all in an exotic atmosphere, and not to forget local and international entertainment to liven up the night. Hotels are bountiful for all travelers in this small nation, and Planet Holiday has a range of hotels in Aruba at discount rates for you. Hotels change rates at different times during the year and spontaneously to reflect supply and demand, so a “costly” hotel could be more affordable than a “modest” resort during a seasonal window of opportunity.

Well, before you pack all your belongings and book a trip to the island, consider a proper planning first. Planning is very essential to every travel as the more prepared you are, the more successful your Aruba vacations will be. So start planning. How? Start by making a list of everything you need to do prior to your trip. Also consider the time when the things need to be done, and only sign off when everything or something is completed.

There are a lot of booking services out there in the physical and virtual world that can help you book your Aruba vacations. However, when booking your stay, choose only a company that you think is worth trusting. Ask some questions about your service and make sure that everything is properly handled for your ultimate Aruba vacations.

The Tower of London

Posted by admin – July 18, 2009

The Tower of London may be one of the oldest edifices in the city, but it continues to pack in crowds because of the grisly history of the major historical figures that found themselves imprisoned and later killed there. The Tower of London is considered the most thoroughly haunted building in all of Britain. People have seen every manner of ghost in the Tower – headless bodies, decapitated heads, mysterious anachronistic soldiers, intense unearthly cold spots, clattering chains, and moaning matrons. The visage of the Tower, despite its current state, still gives visitors a morbid sense of discomfort and fear, as if there were a vague memory of its imprint in our collective intuition of history. The Tower of London is a fascinating place to visit, even if it does tend to lean to the grotesque side of English history.

The Tower is not merely one structure – it is actually a complex network of structures that resemble a small town within a city. The oldest is the White Tower which was begun by William the Conqueror, after which rulers added other towers, gates, and walls. Originally, the Tower was considered part of the Royal abodes, before it later became something of a prison for well-to-do captives.

The Tower is full of macabre remnants of the various famous and not-so-famous individuals who languished in its cells. Sir Walter Raleigh spent 13 years in the Bloody Tower before he was executed. You can still read the last messages scratched by terrified inmates on the walls of the Beauchamp Tower. Probably the most famous and notorious feature is a plaque located in the spot at Tower Green where many of the Tower’s Royal victims were executed – Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, Sir Thomas Moore, and the 4-day queen, Lady Jane Grey.

Many people also visit the Tower to take a peek at the famous Crown Jewels – definitely the most popular attraction at the site. The Crown Jewels are located in the Jewel House, where some of the globe’s most precious stones are on display – in cases, set into robes, swords, scepters, and crowns. The most famous crown on earth is also on display – the Imperial State Crown which was made for Queen Victoria in 1837. The Crown is still worn today by Queen Elizabeth II when she opens Parliament. What makes the Imperial State Crown the most famous in the world? Its opulence is beyond compare – it’s studded with over 3,000 jewels, most of which are diamonds. Individual stones on it are famous on their own as well – it includes the Black Prince’s Ruby, worn by Henry V at Agincourt. Another famous article is the Royal Sceptre with Cross, which features the 530-carat Star of Africa, one of the largest diamonds ever discovered.

The Tower is much more than an antique royal palace; it has also served as a fortress, a prison, an armory, a treasury, a menagerie, and briefly even as an astronomical observatory. The White Tower holds the Armouries and a ghoulish display of torture instruments and execution accoutrements that illustrate the grisly history of antiquated justice.