Monthly Archives: May 2009

May29

Camel Clone

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Camel Clone

When looking for a perfect five-star hotel in Dubai, there is a splendid array of choices here. Seasoned in old world hospitality and comfort, the hotels are built to please. With a keen sense of design and technologically-forward insight, there are amenities to make all the guests feel right at home, and absolutely connected to the world. The cultural life of Dubai is fascinating. There are connections to the international cultural scene here that offer plenty of evidence that this city is on the cutting edge of style and sophistication. There are also cultural traditions which steep it in old-world charm and grace.

One icon that brings old and new together is the figure of the camel. Subject of legends and myths, and visible everywhere as a living monument to culture, the camel is fascinating on so many levels. And as anyone who has ever witnessed camel racing can testify, it certainly is a very exciting sport. It is a long tradition in the region, and goes back for generations. It also is a tradition that has its feet in the past and its eyes in the future. The Camel Reproduction Centre is testimony to this.

Lulu Skidmore, who is in charge of the breeding program for the crown prince of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, is a scientist on the cutting edge of technological and cultural history. She is involved in a pioneer program to look at the breeding habits of the camel, and to develop technologies to breed camels whose stock has favorable genetic predispositions toward racing. The gestation period for a camel is 13 months, and since the female has typically been more skilled at racing than her male counterpart, it is time-consuming to take the winning camels out of the racing loop to breed. So scientists here have found a solution, and have been successful at cloning the first camel. Born in April, 2009, the first cloned camel is named Injaz, or Achievement. The gestation was without incident, setting a promising precedent for camel breeding, whose future continues to look auspicious.

May28

Ahmed bin Majid

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Ahmed bin Majid

In Dubai, UAE, hotel accommodations are fantastically luxurious, and are designed and maintained to compliment the gorgeous surroundings. There are beaches on one side and shopping on the other, and there’s certainly something for everyone. The city is a continuous puzzle, constantly unfolding and revealing new and sudden pockets of interesting happenings, and there’s never an end to it. It is a city that is undergoing fascinating changes, and worth discoveirng the culture for rejuvenation of the spirit, along with the rejuvenation your solitudes here will provide.

Along with all of the very interesting and popular distractions, like festivals, live entertainment, galleries, etc., take the time to investigate the local and specific histories, along with the historical points of interest in the region. You may find traces of the ghost of Ahmed bin Majid, a very famous explorer from the 15th century. He was likely born in 1421, in Ras Al Khaima in the United Arab Emirates, and lived just to the beginning of the 16th century. His great contribution to the history of exploration is the Book of Useful Information on the Principles and Rules of Navigation, an encyclopedic volume that set to print some elemental points that were useful to any navigator at the time. He also set forth on new voyages, of course, and the stories about his travels are immensely fascinating. There are the usual tales that one might expect, stories about the mundane life at sea, but there are also fantastic tales that speak of local monsters, and are simply exquisite and teach very valuable moral lessons.

Very recently, in Al Ghob, there have been excavations to find the history of this explorer. It is believed that Al Ghob is his hometown, and archeologists are working hard to find the secrets of the explorer and the place. There are some interesting findings from here, which reveal some of the characteristics of the houses. It is hoped that much will be revealed about this famous explorer, whose full name was Ahmed bin Majid bin Mohammed bin Omar bin Fadl bin Dowaik bin Yousif bin Hassan bin Hussein bin Abi Ma’alak bin Abi Al Rakayeb Al Najdi.

May28

Myriad of Options in Cape Town

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Myriad of Options in Cape Town

Next door to the famous Vaughn Johnson’s Wine store, on the Market Square in Cape Town, there is a visitor and tourist center which will offer information about the city, everything from facilities with baby changing stations, to musical venues, to hotel accommodations and car hire in South Africa. Maps are also available here for the Western Cape, the city of Cape Town and the fabulous Waterfront Marketplace. This Marketplace was once just an operating port and harbor, but became a well known tourist hot spot in the late 1980′s. The Waterfront Market, built by Prince Alfred in the late 1800′s has created many financial opportunities for the people and the businesses of Cape Town, and is a wonderful way to experience the history and the culture of this incredible South African city. There are many options with various price ranges, everything from the finest of dining experiences, to fast food restaurants and food carts. There are many coffee shops, and food markets with fresh produce. There is a way to experience luxury and a way to experience convenience at the harbor Marketplace.

And for those wishing for bargains or souvenirs to bring home, this is the place to go. The Waterfront Craft Market is one of the largest in the country. Artists set up their stalls with everything from furniture, clothes, leather crafts, and pottery. There are even shops with educational gifts for the children. And for those with a bit larger purses, there are almost two hundred specialty boutique shops to find those items that are a bit more spendy. There is much to chose from in the way of entertainment on the Waterfront as well, most of them fun for the entire family. There are street performers and buskers on just about every corner. Various festivals occur on the Front throughout the year, and this is a hot venue for live musical performances. There is also an Imax movie house located amongst the numerous historical sites and buildings. And the amazing Two Oceans Aquarium with illustrates in detail the dramatic life that has been culminating in the convergence of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. This gives visitors to witness what had previously been seen by divers eyes only. The Waterfront Marketplace is the center of the city and the heart beat of the country.

May28

The Waterfront Center of Cape Town

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The Waterfront Center of Cape Town

The Cape of Good Hope has offered a beacon for sailors and seafarers throughout History. Those who made their livelihoods on the oceans began looking for Table Mountain as far out as two hundred kilometers, and this is still one of the most famous landmarks in South Africa. Capetown is a melting pot of cultures, steeped in history. There is a rich mix of lifestyles, cultures and customs, landscapes and the natural wildlife and plant life that is just as diverse as the people that make up the population of this coastal city. There are many things to do and see in Capetown, with a variety so as to offer anything for anyone regardless of their financial situations. From the five star Cape Town hotels, to the small beach huts along the coasts. There are hikes through the lush landscapes and along Table Mountain, the location wherein the two oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian, converge, where surfers of the world tend to meet and catch the waves, and grand shopping markets, as stated there is something for everyone, the serene outdoors and the hustling, bustling big city life.

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is a center that offers a lot to the traveler, and to the locals as well, as this is still an operating harbor. This is a site rich with history and a gathering place for the city. There are high end shopping markets, artist and farmer’s markets, theaters, and stages that provide outdoor shows and musical events. This Waterfront was constructed by Prince Albert, beginning in 1860 when the first ground was broken, in response to the ever increasing number of ships coming to port in Cape Town. In 1988, the Waterfront expanded to the combination of commerce and tourism, while continuing its operation as a harbor and port. This center is easily accessible by land or by water, as shuttles, buses and cable trains run from the city to the center daily, and ships are constantly docking at the many bays located up and down the coast. This is an exciting and pulsating center for Cape Town and for all those visiting the city at any time during the year.

May28

Older Sister

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Older Sister

Clearing out the spare room for her older sister Susan to stay in while she recuperated from a terrible auto accident, upset Lanea. Not that taking care of her older sister bothered her, that part she knew how to do well, Lanea being a Hospice nurse, it was that Lanea hardly knew her older sister. Susan was 14 years older than Lanea and basically, because she was so much older, didn’t participate at all in her life. By the time Lanea was 7, Susan moved out of the house and travelled around the world with her young husbands parents. About, the only time Lanea heard from her estranged older sister was when she received a postcard with a picture from some Mumbai Hotels lobby. All the postcard said was, ‘Love you Sissy’.

So, here she is making room for someone that she desperately wanted to know and love as she grew up, but someone who didn’t give a damn about her much younger sister; didn’t even acknowledge that she had a younger sister. Lanea received a phone call from a social worker at a hospital saying that Susan was involved in an auto accident that paralyzed her from the neck down. The hospital staff said the only information on her was a folded piece of paper that had Lanea’s name, phone number and address written on it; they didn’t even know how she was until Lanea went down to the emergency room.

After months of rehabilitation, Lanea found out that her sister was destitute and homeless. The auto accident was not her sister driving, but her sister getting hit when she was crossing the road drunk. So, as Lanea continued to make room for older sister Susan and preparing her home to handle the needs of a quadriplegic, Lanae smiled and thought to herself, she now gets an opportunity to love her older sister the way she always wanted to do.

May28

Dog Park or Bite Park

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Dog Park or Bite Park

My first time at taking my dog to a dog park and in a foreign country was pretty scary for me. My dog is disciplined, but most times, if another dogs comes into site my dog can go crazy. So, I didn’t know if other dog would go as crazy as my dog. But, I went anyway and hoped for the best. When I arrived, I let my dog off his leash and he took off running happy as a dog off a leash can be. The Mumbai Bombay Hotel where I’m staying told me where to find this dog park. I take me dog everywhere I go; it’s a hassle because he’s a large and he’s an Akita, but I can’t be without him.

I’ve already lost site of him, so I go looking for him and I see him romping round with another dog that is the size of a breadbox. As I approach, I see the owner of the small dog look totally petrified, but not taking any action to separate the two. They appeared to be getting along very well. I walk over to the owner of the small dog and ask if they would like me to stop my dog from playing with there dog. She told me that it’s okay, but her face said how dare I bring a behemoth to the dog park. Akita’s aren’t that big, but compared to her dog, a Lhasa-Apso, then yes my dog is huge. Surely, she must run into other big dogs here. I look around and see only lap-dogs.

Then I heard the all too familiar yipe of a dog being bit. At first, I’m sure if was my dog doing the biting, but it was the Lhasa-apso biting my dog and trying to rip my dogs floppy lips right off of him. I take action to separate the two, but the Lhasa-apso wouldn’t let go. I looked over at it’s owner and she just stood there with a look of satisfaction on her face. I yelled at her to command her dog to stop and she finally did. I took my dog as far away from her and her dog and began to check the damage done to my dog. There was no blood and i found two puncture wounds. My dog was whining in pain, but he was okay. I put his leash on and proceeded to head back to the hotel. I think I’ll stick with regular parks stay away from Bite Parks.

May28

Dalai Lama Flip Flops

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Dalai Lama Flip Flops

I was on vacation and staying in a Mauritius Luxury Hotel and having breakfast at a local cafe’ when a little boy came running in through and around the round cafe’ tables all excited about something. He stopped at a table clear in the back and yelled, ‘The Dalai Lama’s’ in town!’, he shouts. ‘Mom, The Dalai Lama’s in town!’, he repeats. His mother shushed him and made him sit down next to her. Wow, I thought, The Dalai Lama’s here. I don’t know much about him, except that he did win the Noble Peace Prize back in the 80′s and that he’s the head guy of the Buddhism. But, the information this little boy spewed has caused a good amount of excitement throughout this little cafe’. Everyone was a buzz and calling for their check so they can go find out where the Dalai Lama could possibly be. One patron approached the table where the little boy was sitting and asked if he had more information as to the location of the Dalai Lama.

The whole cafe’ went silent. And the little boy’s mother gave her son a look that said not to speak and she apologized to the man for her little boy’s disruption. The little boy ignored his mother’s wishes and said he’s walking down the street right now and that a whole bunch of people were gathering all around him and that all he could see of the Dalai Lama was his feet and that all the Dalai Lama wore on his feet were flip-flops. I could tell the little boy found this funny. The mother shushed her son to silence. The man thanked them and urgently proceed out the cafe’. Then, in droves, the cafe’ patrons hastily left. I was the only one still there. I could tell the wait staff also wanted to leave, but the owner wouldn’t have it, looking over at me and them back to them. Not even finished with my meal, I asked for the check, paid my bill and was almost run over as I exited the cafe’ by the wait staff running out go see this holly man with the flip-flop for shoes.

May28

Second Life

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Second Life

I was very happy with my Myspace page and my Facebook page when my bookbinder friend Beverly introduced me to the virtual world of Second Life. At first, I was fascinated with creating my own Avatar and getting to fly around from one region to another and actually talking to other Avatars that are from all over the world. I was only spending an hour a night watching my Avatar play around with her looks, by buying her new clothes or changing her ‘skin’ and shape. Finding the perfect hair and eyes. As the weeks continued, I found that I was now spending 4 to 5 hours a night on Second Life. Taking my Avatar, Fluffy, that’s her first name, taking her from one dance club to another. Attending real life lectures on art or spiritual teachings. Then go out on a virtual date with a male Avatar she just meet at one of those dance clubs. Or running into my ‘real-life’ friends Avatars and catching up, at a virtual coffee house, with each other about what we’ve been doing on Second Life.

One time, when I was on Second Life, I looked up and it was morning. I had spent the whole night and morning in this virtual world. As they say in Second Life, your imagination is your limit. Never a truer statement was said. What ever there is here in real life, one can find in Second Life and beyond. I’ve been to the Eiffel Tower in SL that someone built to exact specifications. I’ve been to Manhattan Business Hotels to attend a conference held by real life business but conducting them in the virtual world. I’ve attended a Shakespearean play, an Opera and a live concert done in the virtual world. I’ve also created a wonderful group of friends that live all around the world. Second Life offers what’s called a ‘hud attachment‘ that my Avatar can wear which will translate any language for me when I’m in the presence someone from a different country.

My family worries that I have become a Second Life addict, and they would be correct. They want me to spend less time in the virtual world and more time in the real world. But, when they voice their concerns, I turn to them and ask them how much time do they spend watching television or spend on line? And when was the last time they attended a lecture or gone to the Opera or been invited to an Art Gallery Opening? This, apparently, makes my point and they now leave me alone to play in my virtual never ending limitless world.

May27

Maui Vacation Packages

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Maui Vacation Packages

Planning a Maui vacation is easy, as there are many agencies that cater to helping you design the perfect trip. A Maui vacation is ideal for the family as there are plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy. With its many attractions, its great resorts, and its practically infinite amount of outdoor fun, you will be able to find exactly the package that suits your desires. Whether its an upscale hotel or a camping facility, there is so much to enjoy and explore on this magical island.

Many families choose resorts as there are usually important extras such as kids’ clubs, pools and water parks, and more. Because Maui is relatively small, it is easy to get around, with many excellent day trips that can be planned for families that include small children. With the incredibly lush natural beauty of this verdant isle, many travelers plan their Hawaii vacation around Maui as it provides a perfect classroom for the whole family. Learn about the micro-climate that creates both rain forests and deserts as well as the natural diversity that comes with the wide variety of terrain.

A good vacation package will help you program activities that will keep everyone involved and entertained. Whether its a day of exploring a volcano and then swimming and snorkeling in the beautiful waters or horseback riding next to the green mountain slopes and visiting the local museums and palaces, a plan is the best way to make the most of your time.

And time will be precious as you begin to explore and appreciate the beauty of Hawaii. Surely you will already be planning for a return trip to take in more sights and sounds as you make more memories for the future.

May27

Data Backup Company Carbonite Offers Free Trial, Great Rate on Data Protection

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Data Backup Company Carbonite Offers Free Trial, Great Rate on Data Protection

Carbonite, the data backup client offering data protection with a 15 Petabyte storage capacity , provides internet and computer users an indispensable service, at a winning rate of only pennies a day. They offer a 15-day free trial, to introduce you to their services.

Carbonite, a company offering secure data storage and backup, will, for mere pennies a day, store your important files, documents, photos, emails, etc. All of them. To the tune of 1.5 petabytes of total data storage capacity.

The Carbonite client is then always looking for new data on your PC. When you add or modify files, Carbonite starts backing them up immediately. It backs up about 2GB per day over broadband. Carbonite’s backup solution works by placing colored dots on your files and folders. Different colors represent different “file states”: 1) If the file has been backed up, 2) will be backed up or 3) will not be backed up.

Once Carbonite is setup, it requires little ongoing work on behalf of the user, and reads and stores your data as long as you’re on the internet. Users can also log on to the Carbonite site and access their files.

The question on their web site, How much stuff can I back up? is answered:

There are no limits on backup storage capacity. Carbonite will back up all the supported files on your internal hard drive whether you have 1GB, 10GB or more. However, users should be aware that the speed of today’s DSL and cable Internet services will make it very slow to back up more than, say, a few dozen GB of data.