The Landscape and Garden Blog
Nov
30
Taste is always in supply supply in South Africa, where a spectacular number of traditions and cultures meet in the streets every day, and its extremely cosmopolitan outlook makes it a wonderful place to enjoy all sorts of fantastic world cuisines. There are local traditions that are amazing in culinary offerings, and an international tourist base the comes through the city regularly, looking for tastes of what’s exceptional these days. It’s always changing, but always terrific, and the one thing that could be said to always stay the same is the very high quality. Its location certainly helps this, being close to the ocean and farmlands, as well as vineyards, so that all the necessities for a gourmet meal are always near, and always fresh.
It only makes sense then that in Johannesburg, fine dining is spectacular, and there are plenty of excellent choices wherever you go. It’s a noble thing indeed to build an itinerary around food, especially if you’re coming to a culinary feast like Jo’burg, and after you’ve enjoyed your meal and are looking for some local art, you’ll probably come across the name Veleko Nontsikelelo. She began her art career when she was less than 30 years old, and is still extremely young, but has already had a tremendous career. It will be extremely interesting to see where she goes in her work next, but for now, what she’s making is particularly exceptional work.
Lolo, as her friends call her, and I wish I were one of them, found her form when she was taking the Market Photography Workshop here. In a very short amount of time, she was catching the eye of the New York art market, who were captivated by her photographs of women and men posing like fashion models in the urban environment of Johannesburg. The clothes are often electric in color and nature, and there are western iconographies that run through the images like accessories. The mix of meanings often goes unnoticed in the streets when it happens, but when it’s caught by the web of a photographer’s sharp wit, it becomes something else. Her work takes on extremely large themes and issues, and brings them into view with a clarity that is fun and deceptive at the same time. She’s one to watch.
Nov
24
Ibiza Spain has built a party club scene up from the 60 and 70 hippy scene and it is like no other party in the world. Everyone has to come and let their hair out for the night and feel free from all the press of ordinary life. It is a sort of Party therapy one might say. There are many influential people that have contributed to the modern party scene of Ibiza. Club owners, promoters and DJ’s are the famous of this town. They are responsible for making sure that visitors are getting the latest in drinks, decor, technology and music while they leave their cares out side the door.
Pete Tong is one of the top DJ’s that spins in Ibiza. You can find him at the Pacha on friday nights. He is one of the few DJ’s that is still more important than the club his is mixing in at the time. He has the hugh salary to prove it. But the clubs in Ibiza is not the only place to hear what Pete Tong is dishing out. Enthusiasts can catch him on British radio. He has truly become a cultural icon.
Another popular DJ of this scene is Judge Jules. He also makes his round to the Ibiza party. He is a popular club DJ and he also has his own radio show. He is known for his great one liners between songs and his gaudy dressing style. Visitors can catch him wearing something loud.
The Clubs are now just as popular, if not more so, than many of the talented DJ’s. Some of the most notable range from Pacha the first big club to Space which is a newer club with the most visible owner. A good rival to these two clubs is another on the top dog list. Amnesia is known for drawing in some of the best DJ talent and Dance talent. The owner Martin Ferrer, has definitely put a lot of energy into become a real player on this island. So what every you do join the Ibiza opening parties and see what these amazing people and clubs are all about.
Nov
24
Have you ever heard of the soldiers of the independent nation, the Republic of West Florida? Chances are the answer is no. Of course, most people have a pretty fair understanding of the United States’ Civil War in the middle of the 19th Century, when the South wished to secede from the Union. But Florida was once a nation unto itself? That may be news for a lot of people. It’s one of those quirks of history, where for a few days in time, what you thought you knew was turned upside down. In this case, the nation was established well before the Civil War, in 1810, and the short-lived country lasted for precisely ninety days. If you ever find yourself traveling and pausing to stop at West Florida hotels, you may want to keep some of this remarkable story in mind:
West Florida was in dispute between Spain and the United States at the time. Both American and British settlers lived there, resenting Spanish control. A rebellion occurred in 1810, and thus the Republic of West Florida was officially born. It was on the 23rd of September, when rebels took Baton Rouge, a Spanish garrison at the time, and raised the new flag of one white flag against a blue background.
The new nations’ boundaries included land North of Lake Pontchartrain, West of the Perdido River, East of the Missippi, and South of the thirty-first parallel. Despite the fact that the new nation was called the Republic of West Florida, and despite the fact that it’s official name for the new country was the State of Florida, most of the place did not actually exist in what we now call Florida!
Ninety days after the Republic of West Florida was created, parts of that small nation were taken by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Skipwith opposed the U.S. move at first, wanting to figure out terms to join the Union, rather than be annexed.  The legitimacy of the new government, though, wasn’t recognized, and while Skipwith said he was prepared to die to defend his flag, he and his legislature finally agreed to accept Madison’s proclaimation.
And just like that, the nation of West Florida was gone, subsumed by four states: Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and, finally, Florida.
Nov
23
The region between Pakistan and India known as Punjab is a marvelous place to visit, offering spectacular attractions in a very appealing setting. It is historically very interesting, having seen the likes of Alexander the Great pass through its geography, and it is also where the famous battle sites in the Mahabharata were fought centuries ago. Today, it is still some of the most fertile land in the region, being a major source for food in both Pakistan and India. Architecturally, it is a wonderful place for touring, and the history of the place can be seen in the sumptuous temples, the majestic forts, and the modern day college. Guests will find a lot to admire in Punjab. Hotels are plentiful, and offer a spectacular array of choices for accommodations.
It’s always a pleasure to stay in luxury, and such a setting is a splendid way to take in the history and culture of contemporary Punjab. Some are even connected to Jiva Spas, which offer a fabulous array of methods to connect the body and the spirit, and to get in touch with the essential things in life. It’s a great place to get away from the daily concerns and responsibilities, and totally immerse yourself in a new cultural experience. The Punjab that exists outside the hotel is a fascinating geography where the physical world and various cultural imaginaries meet, and there’s much more to see here than the surface, although the surface is endlessly interesting as well.
It’s something that has caught the attention of many different artists working in the region, and the notion of a space between Pakistan and India has many more philosophical implications that suddenly implode when they hit the floor and start to resemble real life. Like in the famous work, When Two Bombs Kiss, by the Lahore-based artist David Chalmers Alesworth, multiplicities of meanings are possible at every turn. The material facts however are still entirely knowable, like the materials that he uses in his work, and these are sometimes just as much a comment as the meanings gained by any ironic distance. On some mornings, of course, distance is a nice thing to have.
Nov
16
If you’ve been to Melbourne, you know many of the things to do: Taking a tour down the Great Ocean Road, viewing the Twelve Apostles, stopping in to say hello to the penguins on Phillip Island, or petting a Koala bear at the Koala Conservation Centre. But how about inside the city itself? What attractions can you find after you’ve checked into your the luxury hotels melbourne australia has to offer? Here are a few of the possibilities:
Walking along the Yarra River From the banks of the Yarra, you can stroll and sightsee, taking a look at the contrast in Melbourne’s architecture, from the new modern structures to the very old. There are buildings spanning from 1840 to the present, and examples from the Georgian/Colonial period (1840-1869), Victorian (1870-1889), Edwardian (1890-1915) and Interwar Architecture (1916-1939), and then every decade after that.
Restaurants. There’s a fine selection of restaurants in Melbourne, from vendors on the street to multi-starred establishments, and more than a number of restaurants catering to Malaysian tastes, something more difficult to find in the United States.
Take in a few art galleries. Many galleries are tucked away down lanes and hidden up staircases. If you investigate, you may find more than a few, such as West Space on Anthony Street, a gallery that pulls in new and emerging artists; Someday Store & Gallery on Swanston Street, providing contemporary artists; or the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art on Southbank. There’s also Laneway Commissions, where international and local artists use the many maze-like laneways as a kind of canvas to present their art. Check out as well the Nicholas Building’s boutiques and the artists of the Victorian Writer’s Centre over on Swanston Street.
The nightlife may also be of interest, but if none of these fail to satisfy, perhaps it’s time to return to nature and pet a koala!
Nov
16
In the Mediterranean Sea, in the archipelago of the Balearic Islands, the skies are often clear and black, perfect for viewing the stars, from outside on the grounds to the suites of all the five star hotels Mallorca has to offer. Several of my friends have a keen interest in astronomy and so I’m always looking for a place where I can see the billions of stars the Milky Way Galaxy has to offer. For that reason, I was really pleased to see that Mallorca, in addition to its fine hotels and restaurants, also is the home of an astronomical observatory.
The Observatorio Asatronomico de Mallorca (OAM) was built nearly twenty years ago, in 1991, and was Spain and the Baleric Islands’ first astronomical center. It carries on important work there, using robotic telescopes to track more than two thousand asteroids, keeping a vigilant eye out for those hunks of space rock that might one day threaten the Earth. In fact, they’ve already found one such potentially hazardous asteroid (asteroid 2006 WH1). Although they carry out serious work, clearly astronomers have a sense of humor and pride in national sports: An asteroid discovered by OAM in 2003 (asteroid 128036) was later named after former world champion Spanish tennis player, Rafael Nadal. Mallorca and Spain certainly does its part in the protection of our planet and the exploration of the solar system and space.
Of course, Mallorca, has other attractions apart from the night sky. It’s rich in history; with people living on the island all the way back to the Paleolithic Period (roughly 6,000 to 4,000 BC). It’s rich in cuisine; as of a few years ago, the island boasted over 2,400 restaurants, known for its pork and vegetables (arros brut), saffron rice and chicken (sobrassada) and a sweet pastry (Ensaimades). But the local diet contains a lot of olives and almonds: The island boasts over four million olive and almond trees!
Nov
12
When I arrived back in Singapore in the late afternoon, I went out for drinks with my new found friends I met during my stay. I met them on the 71st floor of the tallest building here. What can I say about the view, except that it’s spectacular. I could see all of Singapore and the coast. We then decided to have dinner at a Thai restaurant, which was a tough decision, it was truly hard to leave this view of Singapore. But, at least at the restaurant, it only took a few more drinks to get over our decision. We had a great evening and I was regretting that my sister wasn’t with me.
The next day, I took the Cable car over to Sentosa Island. It started to rain, but that only lasted a half hour or so, but I decided that a bus tour around a section of the island would be preferable just in case it really started to rain. After the bus tour, and the sun was shining, I walked around through the rain forest area where I got to see, not close up, cobra snakes and pythons in their natural habitats. I also got to see a few tarantulas, enclosed. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I then walked along a nice stretch of sandy beach and actually waded up to another small island. Sentosa is beautiful. Before I left, I took one ride on the Luge, now that was thrilling! I wish I had time to do that all day.
My impressions of Singapore are that it’s a very clean modern city. The transit system is affordable, up-to-date and plenty of public transportation choices. I found it interesting that Singapore does not allow cars older than seven years out on the roads, it’s the law! Plus, car registration is extremely expensive, almost double the cost of the car itself. I’m guessing that since they put all their funding into public transportation, then they expect the residence to use it. The best hotels in Singapore are in every section of town, so any one can plan a vacation next to the main attraction they want to explore. The weather is warm, I think the lowest temperature was 19 degrees centigrade. Chewing gum is illegal! Fortunately, I don’t like gum, but I bet all the gum chewers in the world would be very upset at this law. I wish I had more time here, one week is not enough.
Nov
10
As one of the largest cities in Australia, with a lively cultural scene on the eastern coast, Brisbane is a wonderful place to get to know. There are hosts of attractions here, offering something for travelers of all ages, like zoos, museums, and fantastic city tours. Offering a splendorous sense of hospitality, served up with a rare and engaging charm, the local traditions here are rather delightful. In recent years it has begun to attain a fantastic reputation for travel destinations, and is well on its way to becoming one of the world’s hot spots. For now, it is a wonderful place for discerning travelers to enjoy themselves in a world-class city.
There are excellent restaurants here, demonstrating the amazing variety in the local culinary traditions, as well as places who serve the very best in international cooking. With a wealth of fresh seafood, splendid local farms with fresh beef and vegetables, along with the spectacular choices for Australian wines, it is an incredible experience. Likewise, for hotels, Brisbane uses all of its spectacular talents to offer the very best in lodging. Local twists to international standards of excellence are the norm here, and guests will find themselves to unusually sumptuous lodgings that speak to the wealth of the area.
If you’re looking for spectacular events, Brisbane has plenty to offer. In September-October there is the amazing Brisbane Festival. The whole city participates in this three-week long extravaganza in local and international art. Every kind of art is offered here, and this excellent event has something for everyone. Live theatre, fireworks, public talks, and live music are just some of the features here. And estimated quarter of a million people turn out for the event, and there is a concentrated effort at highlighting the work of local indigenous artists. The ‘where we from’ Banners project features contemporary visual art and design from the native communities here, and there are also magnificent performances of theatre and opera. It’s one of the great times to be in the city, although any time is rather remarkably nice.
Nov
3
What would a trip to New York City be if we didn’t treat ourselves to a Broadway Play? Even before we booked our hotel rooms or flights we were buying tickets to shows. I guess that is a little backward, but we were so excited we kind of lost our heads and just started getting tickets once we decided on the dates and were able to get the time off work.
Well it has all worked out we have our plane tickets and hotel room reserved now too so we have it all together now. With so many shows on Broadway we had a little difficulty making our decisions. After reviewing the options at Broadway tickets New York we were able to come to some decisions. We are limiting ourselves to four shows the week we will in New York and here is the list of shows we have our tickets for: first we will be seeing Wicked, the next evening the Lion King, then we will see the Wednesday matinee performance of Mamma Mia! and our final show will be Ragtime.
The plans are set for our nights and afternoon on Broadway we are now deliberating over what else we want to fit in while we are there. With all the great museums Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Natural History Museum, The Museum of American Folk art and so many more we are in the same situation we were in when deciding on Broadway Plays. There are so many choices, how do you choose. I’ll have to go on line and see if any of the museums are having any special shows that are of interest to either of us, take that information and go from there.
And I know we will have to get to lower Manhattan one day. There we will rummage through the trendy vintage and resale’s shops looking for vintage cloths and unusual house hold objects. That is never a disappointing adventure. It will be a full week of Broadway, museum going and shopping this time we are in New York.
Nov
2
Foreign travel, while exciting may be confusing, and is especially so when traveling through countries where the people do not speak the same language as one who is traveling. Everything from dinner menus to directions becomes a mystery that needs to be solved, lest you end up with a plate full of fried chicken feet instead of vegetarian dumplings, or end up in some questionable part of town when you were intending on getting to the beach.
In the country of Thailand there are many customs and ways of etiquette that are different from those traveling say, from the Western countries. It is best to study up a bit before heading to a country and a culture that is so different from one’s own.
In Thailand, there are taxis, known as tuk-tuks. Advice regarding the tuk-tuk is advice that could be given to anyone in any city who is taking a taxi ride. You must know in advance, before you take the seat in the back, exactly what the charges will be. Thai drivers will haggle, so it’s best to haggle diligently and be sure that both parties have agreed. Never pay in advance, only pay once you are taken where you asked to be taken, and are there safe and sound.
As far as dress is concerned, for one thing it is almost always hot and humid in most of the cities, however in many of the 5 star hotels, Thailand culture forbids the wearing of shorts, t-shirts and sandals. Feet must be covered with socks, and close toed shoes. In other areas this casual manner of dress is fine, it’s best to look around at what other people are wearing to get a better idea of what is appropriate.
There are many places to find incredible Thai cuisine. When looking for a place, try to notice where the locals are eating, that way you will be assured that the food is good as well as the quality of the ingredients. Some street vendors will over price their dishes and water down the food.
Again, go where the locals are. And as far as social interaction, Thai people do not enjoy confrontation. Their belief system states that to lose one’s temper is to lose face, so they will treat others with respect. These are just general tips and suggestions that will make travel through Thailand a much more comfortable and enjoyable trip.
Nov
2
Hong Kong is one of the most worldly places on the planet, having a long and complicated history of alliances and relationships with other nations and other cultures, and stands as a truly cosmopolitan place. It sets trends, with a population of artists and intellectuals, along with great financial leaders, looking into the future with a fantastic sense of what worked in the past. It is a spectacular place to visit to get to know what’s coming in fashion and art, and also a great place to go to take a break from the daily routines and get to know a new culture. There is certainly plenty to do here, day or night, and with all the splendid activities that are here in Hong Kong, car rental is a very good idea.
Especially when there are complex itineraries, or larger groups traveling together, the convenience of having your own transportation makes things much easier. There are many attractions that are open during the day, along with a magnificent array of street fairs and cultural festivals, and of course, there is a fantastic night life, and it’s always nice to be able to get from one side of the city to another, when there are so many things going on at once. You might want to try to arrange your itinerary to coincide with an exciting week looking at urban development and ways of conceiving the cityscape for today and for the future, and attend the Shenzhen & Hong Kong Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism Architecture.
This event is in its third incarnation, and brings together some of the best mind in city development to discuss the state of the industry in one of the most exciting urban setting on the planet. Looking at the latest trends in Architecture, and taking in cross-disciplinary practices in visual art, digital art, and photography, you see that we’re coming to live in a very exciting age where we can think about the city in new and fascinating ways. There are speakers and panels, some of which are devoted to insiders who speak a very particular language, and also others that are more accessible to a general public. This is an exciting place to consider an exciting topic, and you won’t be able to look at the streets in the same way.
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