While Bangkok is known as the cosmopolitan capital of Thailand and a major destination for business and tourism in Asia, the city is also home to a number of natural resources, including several zoos and animal preserves. Bangkok may be a leader in fashion, arts and entertainment and the political and economic center of southeast Asia, but it’s also a place to appreciate birds, mammals, reptiles, marine life, and even insects.
The oldest zoo in the city is the Dusit Zoo. Next to the Royal Plaza, Dusit is home to popular Asian and African birds and mammals and a beautiful ornamental garden. The Zoo also features ponds, picnic areas, and playgrounds for kids to enjoy. Safari World is an open zoo on three hundred acres. It is divided into Safari Park featuring Asian and African mammals, a Bird Park, and Marine Park. It is also home to a Games Corner.
The largest aquarium in southeast Asia is Siam Ocean World. Home to over 30,000 marine animals, the aquarium offers visitors the chance to view a number of exotic and rare species. Ocean World also features a 4D theater and a “Dive with the Sharks” program that allows visitors to scuba dive in a tank with rays and sharks.
Reptile lovers will be drawn to the Crocodile Farm and Zoo. The world’s largest crocodile farm features acrobat elephant shows as well as croc wrestling. It also houses a dinosaur museum and a wildlife preservation, research, and education center. The Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute milks the venom from their poisonous snake collection. The venom is transformed into anti-snakebite serum. It is also home to a Snake Farm, where visitors can view the snakes and watch shows with python handlers or see the venom extractions.
Another attraction is the Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium. This enclosed structure consists of rocks, wild flowers, a waterfall, and greenery. It provides a natural habitat for a wide range of insect species and is home to around 500 butterflies.
If animals aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other things to do and see in this amazing city. In addition to a number of historical landmarks and cultural attractions, Bangkok is like any other major city: you’ll find incredible food, many five star Bangkok hotels, and lots of opportunities for shopping.
Every summer visitors flock to Ibiza for its legendary nightlife and incredible beaches. The largest of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterrarean, Ibiza is home to more than sixty beaches. While the Spanish government has worked in recent years to overcome the hedonistic, party image of the island by offering more family-friendly attractions, the beaches continue to draw sun lovers and water sports enthusiasts.
Visitors to the Ibiza can likely to find a beach that perfectly suits their individual tastes. The island is home to beaches that cater to watersports, to families, to nudists, and to the famed all-night parties. Some of the 5 star hotels on Ibiza are beach resorts and there are plenty of other hotels, cottages, and lodgings available in close proximity to the water.
Playa d’en Bossa is the longest Ibiza beach. Stretching 2.5 kilometers, it is one of the most popular beaches for both the party-seeking tourists and increasingly numerous familes. In addition to restaurants, shops, and bars, Playa d’en Bossa offers some of the best watersports on the island.
One of the most intriguing beaches on Ibiza is Atlantis. The exact location of the beach is the island’s biggest secret. If you can manage to coax the location out the locals, you’ll find a secluded cove patronized by hippies and locals. Other noteworthy beaches include Benirras Beach, which is popular with the modern hippies, Salines, which houses many trendy bars, and beaches such as Playa Cavallet, Cala Bassa, Cala Llonga, El Cana, and Ses Figueretes.
New York is a microcosm of the United States, a vibrant, multicultural city of immigrants, arts, music, business, politics, shopping, historical landmarks, and, perhaps most importantly, food. As the top US tourist destination, the city draws millions of visitors every year. No matter the reason for the visit, business, entertainment, history, culture, etc., every visitor leaves with an appreciation for the great diversity reflected in the city’s food. New York restaurants offer cuisines from practically every corner of the world as well as a number of dishes that are synonymous with the city itself.
Street vendors everywhere offer the famous New York Hot Dog. Some locals refer to them affectionately as “dirty water dogs.” Pushcarts can be found in the parks and the sidewalks throughout the city. Perhaps the most famous hot dog in the world can be found at Natan’s on Coney Island.
The bagel and the deli sandwich are also New York staples. Both originated with Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. Bagles are also available anywhere in the city, but the best bagels are hidden away from the normal tourist spots. A number of famous delis offer pastrami and corned beef sandwiches as well as other deli offerings that have come to epitomize New York.
New York pizza is known for its thin crust and thick cheese. While the crust may be either chewy or crisp, the variety of toppings available can be mindboggling. Most pizzerias and vendors sell it by the slice, with pepperoni being the most popular topping for New Yorkers on the go.
From the ancient, winding streets and teeming bazaars of Old Delhi to the tree-line boulevards and modern cafes and malls of New Delhi, India’s capital city offers an exciting multicultural experience to those who are willing to brave the bustle and noise that comes with being the world’s eighth largest metropolitan area. Those who visit the city come to love its food, culture, history, and people.
Visitors to the city can choose from a range of hostels, guest houses, budget hotels and the variety represented by Delhi’s five star hotels. Likewise, there are a wide range of restaurants, cafes, and street vendors offering delicacies from traditional Indian cuisine as well as food from all over the world.
One of the most popular attractions in the city is the Red Fort. Built by Mughal Emperor Sha Jahan, this red sandstone fort was his ruling palace and was completed in 1648. The fort is home to lush gardens and a variety of famous buildings including the Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience), the Khas Mahal (Private Palace), and the Rang Mahal (Colour Palace). It also houses the Chatta Chowk or “Covered Bazaar” located between the fort and the Lahore Gate.
Another popular destination is Humayun’s Tomb located near Hazrat Nizamudding station. This site is one of three UN World Heritage Sites in Delhi. The extensive gardens were renovated in 2003 and are thought to be the most beautiful in the city. In addition to the tomb of Humayun, built in 1562, the site is also home to the octagonal tomb of Iza Khan, the Barber’s Tomb, and the South Gate. Some consider Humayun’s Tomb to be the prototype of the Taj Mahal, though there are obvious differences.
Other attractions include the Qutub Complex, the Rajghat Memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, Tibet House and Lodhi Garden. Delhi is home to several museum, including the National Museum, the National Railway Museum, and the Naitonal Science Centre. There are also a number of stunning temples to view such as the Lotus Temple, Chhattarpur Mandir and Gurudwara Sis Ganj.
Enjoying the wonder and amazement of the arts is a great way to support your community and recognize its cultural achievements. Arthur Trueger of Berkley Capital Corporation, who has led his company in funding over $2 million in cutting edge telecommunications and medical business all over the Silicon Valley, is an avid fan of the San Francisco ballet. Influential people like Arthur are what drive the health of the arts in major cities.
Arthur Trueger has helped support the world renown ballet company, which was the first established in America in the 1930’s. The San Francisco Ballet Theater was the leader in performing classics such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake in the U.S.
The venture capitalist is also a patron of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Japan Society of Northern California and the Asian Art Museum. A student of the University of California, Arthur Trueger is dedicated to fostering arts and culture in California and the northwest. His success as a businessman is due in part to the backing of the Bay area community; he shows his appreciation to the city that raised him by supporting the awe-inspiring artistic foundations that make the bay beautiful and culturally relevant.
