Lavish Riad in the Fes Medina (Morocco): La Maison Bleue

La Maison Bleue

The main house of La Maison Bleue, considered one of the most luxurious places to stay in Fes, offers peace and beauty amidst the hustle and bustle of one of the oldest walled-in cities in the world.

Features
The heart of La Maison Bleue is a courtyard surrounded by three Moroccan salons. It also has a roof top terrace, and a library with historical books, letters written in calligraphy, and beautiful oil paintings.

Rooms
La Maison Bleue has five deluxe rooms and one single room. Each room is equipped with a bathroom, telephone, television, internet, air-conditioning, mini-bar and safe.

Dining
Enjoy delicious Moroccan breakfasts in the courtyard, and mouth-watering Moroccan cuisine in a candlelit salon for dinner. Each dish will be served by waiters in traditional Moroccan attire with all the traditional Moroccan trimmings such as Moroccan salad, pastries and mint tea.


Riad Maison Bleue

This 19th century house, located in one of the most historic neighborhoods the old medina, is a celebration of Arabo-Andalusion architecture. Historically the home of an important judge and professor of theology, Moulay Bel Arbi El Alaoui, it was also the birthplace of the famous Moroccan philosopher, Aziz Lahbabi.

Features
The Riad Maison Bleue consists of three interconnecting courtyards. The main courtyard, which has a swimming pool and a garden, is surrounded by three deluxe rooms and a Moorish salon. The riad also has three terraces, each with stunning views.

Rooms
Accommodation includes 11 deluxe rooms and 2 standard rooms. Each room is equipped with its own bathroom, air-conditioning, telephone, television, internet, mini bar, and safe.

Dining
Enjoy traditional home-cooked meals served on the lovely terraces when it is warm, or in the covered courtyard during the colder months.

Private Accommodation
The Riad Maison Bleue offers private accommodation, Pavillion de l’Astrolabe, which consists of 4 deluxe rooms and 1 standard room. These rooms, along with 2 Moorish salons, are centered around a private courtyard with a fountain.



Spa
The spa of La Maison Bleue offers traditional body treatments, hammam, massages, and aromatherapy. You can enjoy a range of massages and treatments for different health and relaxation benefits. Massages and treatments offered include toning massages, oriental foot massages, traditional soap scrub, body masks, clay and henna wraps, and much more.

The spa of La Maison Bleue includes a treatment room, a fitness room, and a relaxation room (with wonderful views over Fes).

How and Where To Enjoy Gorilla Safari While On African Holiday

Gorillas are threatened primate species in the world with the remaining living in Africa and in countries Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Known to be the largest living primates on Earth, Gorillas are of three kinds; 1) Eastern Lowland Gorillas, which reside in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; 2) Western Lowland Gorillas which live only in West Africa and: 3) Mountain Gorillas, which are only found in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Listed as one of the top 10 threatened / endangered species, there are only 655 species remaining. There are approximately 355 gorillas in the Volcano and Virunga Mountains of Rwanda and Congo and another separate group of 300 in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. There are no Mountain Gorillas living outside of their native mountain forest home. Gorillas are protected by international law. Capturing or killing gorillas and other endangered species is illegal.

Unlike chimps, Gorillas live in groups / families without territorial boundaries but with family’s range from 2 to 15 square miles. The females decide who they are going to allow into their family. If a gorilla wants to join another group and the females do not want her in, they will scratch her in the face and keep her out. If a female wants to leave a group to find a male she likes better, but the other females like her very much, they will grab her by the legs and not allow her to leave.

Female gorillas weigh approximately 350 pounds and adult male gorillas can weigh approximately 700 pounds. Adult gorillas can be seven feet tall with an arm span of 8 feet.

Gorillas feed on 58 different types of plant species, including stems, roots, leaves, flowers, thistles, ferns, tree wood and bamboo shoots. Gallium vines, fruits and celery are their favorite foods. Gorillas have much larger teeth in the back of their mouth than humans do so that they can grind foliage, bark and bamboo.

Gorillas like human are curious, they can be bored, bold, annoyed, have pleasure, excited, afraid, can worry, show affection, be thoughtful and they can be hostile. Gorillas like to study people to see if they are friendly.

Gorillas communicate by stomach rumbling which means they are contented, a pig grunt of harsh staccato grunts used when disciplining or complaining. A roar or scream is given when a gorilla is threatened. A loud hoot or roar is given when silverbacks are interacting. This is done by chest beating and thrashing of trees. When gorillas are afraid they send out a powerful odor from their glands.

Having endured decades of civil war in Central and East Africa, gorillas are confronted by the devastating consequences of increased habitat loss, poaching for the bush meat trade and the spread of dangerous diseases like Ebola. “These animals are Threatened” therefore make a tour to these countries to have a look at the few remaining primate giants before they are lost. Spend some time with them, they are awe-inspiring.

Gorilla tracking the Activity.

On this day, in the morning you wake up to a breakfast and then transfer to the park headquarters for the briefing before you set off at 9:00 am through the tracks to search for the humble giants. You have to go with packed lunch as the time taken to before meeting the great apes is un predictable. However the time ranges between 2-9 hours depending on the movement of the giant primates (Gorillas). The activity is tiresome, it involves walking along steep hilly tracks however encountering these great relatives of man erases all the poor memories/ hardships you went through in trying to find them. They are awesome!

Safaris to see the gorillas of Africa can be arranged by Sydah Naigaga of Access Africa Safaris

Bradford City guide, including Bradford Hotels

In the county of West Yorkshire is where tourists will find the bustling city of Bradford. Situated in Northern England, Bradford has more than 470,000 inhabitants and it ranks eleventh in terms of the size of various cities in England. Bradford has a rich history and was one of the central focuses of thriving businesses during the time of the Industrial Revolution. Former home of the Bronte Sisters, as well as many other famous individuals, Bradford continues to thrive in terms of business and also continues to draw thousands of tourists each and every year. Finally, Bradford is surrounded by many popular cities. Cities surrounding Bradford include Bath, Belfast, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Nottingham, Oxford and York.

Places of interest:

Looking to plan your itinerary while in England? Make sure that Bradford is on your list of places to see. Chockfull of historical adventures and incredible recreational pursuits, a trip to England would be incomplete if one doesn’t partake in all that Bradford has to offer.

ART GALLERIES: When visiting Bradford, tourists are frequently drawn to the cultural attractions that Bradford offers. Bradford is home to several art galleries including the City Art Gallery at the Headrow which houses incredible sculptures and paintings.
WALKING TOURS: Tourist will thoroughly enjoy the walking tours through the moorlands and woodlands of Bradford. Further, tourist can choose to take self guide walks or tour guide walks, whichever they prefer. Such tours allow tourists to enjoy all of the wildlife in Bradford.
FAMILY ADVENTURES: Numerous natural parks and amusement parks are in Bradford, promising entertainment for the whole family. From boating to bowling, there is no end to the fun for families in Bradford.
SPORTS: there are plenty of sports to engage in while visiting Bradford and fishing, sailing, wind surfing, swimming, cycling, horseback riding ,and walking are just a few of the sports that tourists will find enjoyable.
SHOPPING: A number of mill shops and Asian stores are readily accessible in Bradford.

Things to do:

There is no shortage of fun and fascinating things to do while in Bradford. Whether tourists travel alone or with the entire family, they can easily find enjoyable recreational activities for everyone to enjoy.

BRADFORD BULLS: in the Odsal Stadium, the Bradford Bulls is the favourite rugby team of many. The stadium holds huge audiences, well over 12,000 people visit the Bradford Bulls’ games and there is pre-game entertainment at every game.
BRADFORD ICE RINK: at 19 Little Horton Lane is an ice skating rink that the entire family can enjoy. Whether tourists are out on the ice with the kids or they are watching one of the many ice shows hosted at the Bradford Ice Rink, time spent at the ice rink will be nothing but memorable.
COLOUR MUSEUM: 1 Providence Street is a one of a kind experience for every resident and tourist in Bradford. Learn how animals perceive colour, how colour dyes are created and more. A great time for the entire family. The cost for admission is £1.75 for adults and £4 for the entire family.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY, FILM & TELEVISION: situated at Pictureville, is an exciting location with interactive exhibits and a place that reveals movie and television magic!
RED HOUSE: The former home of Mary Taylor, now known as the Red House is located on Oxford Road. Mary Taylor was the former friend of Charlotte Bronte and the house was erected in the 17th century.
SILVER JUBILEE MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION: on Green Lane is the place for every model train enthusiast. Model trains are sold as well as all of their accessories and you can have fun looking at all of the model train layouts.

Food & Drink:

Visitors to Bradford can find fantastic dining in and around the surrounding areas of Bradford with relative ease. No matter what a tourist’s dining preference is, they can satiate their appetite easily when visiting Bradford.

ADELPHI: located on 1-5 Hunslet Road, offers lagers, beers, and a variety of juices as well as fine dining. Desserts include both the Yorkshire pie and the Dolcelatte Pudding.
BREAK FOR THE BORDER: at 174-178 Lower Briggate in Leeds, just 9 miles from Bradford. It is a bar and lounge offering drinks and entertainment. The upstairs of the location is a restaurant that offers a variety of Tex-Mex foods.
GRILLADE: on Wellington Street in Leeds, is a mere walk from the train station. If it’s a French Bistro that a tourist’s seeks, then the Grillade is sure to please. The Grillade serves nothing but the finest French entrees and has a variety of plates to choose from.
FUJI HIRO: at 45 Wade Lane in Leeds offers an array of Japanese and Chinese cuisine. Ramen, Rice, and pan-fried noodle dishes will assuredly appease anyone’s appetite. The Fuji Hiro serves great meals like chicken katsu curry and chilli ebi ramen.
HEATHCLIFFS RESTAURANT: in Hollins Hall, Baildon, Bradford, requires that residents and tourists make reservations in advance and that they adhere to the dress code provided. Offering background piano music while visitors dine, Heathcliffs is the place in Bradford for the ultimate dining experience.

Hotels & Accommodation:

Accommodations are not at all hard to come by in Bradford. There are numerous hotels and self catering sites for tourist to choose from. No matter what a tourist decides, they will find they get the finest service during their stay in Bradford.

Midland Hotel
Courtyard By Marriott Leeds/Bradford
Park Grove Hotel
The Dubrovnik Hotel
Sporting Lodge Inns
Novotel Bradford
Best Western Guide Post Hotel
Express by Holiday Inn Bradford City Centre

Entertainment:

There is plenty of entertainment in Bradford that is suitable for all ages. Theatres, Cinemas, Aquariums and nightlife entertainment are abundant in this city. Bars, lounges, and dance clubs await the tourist looking to relax and socialise.

Bradford: a city you can afford to miss when visiting England. Excellent food, incredible sites, and lots of fun things to do, tourist will lose out if they don’t visit Bradford. Certainly, if one wants to ensure their trip is complete, Bradford should be on their list of things to do.

Booking a Holiday, Tour or Vacation in Myanmar

In my capacity as the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours Limited, one of my jobs is to ensure every client has the best tour possible, so here are my top suggestions for sites to take in during your holiday Myanmar formerly known as Burma.

1. Yangon is the capital city of Myanmar and is a typical Asian city with it’s beautiful green tropical trees and beautiful lakes. The wonderful thing about Yangon is that it has not been spoilt by modern development although it is progressing gently at it’s own pace. The city is the main entrance to the country and also houses the principle seaport.
Yangon is home to many stunning pagodas, one of the most stunning being The Shwedagon Pagoda which stands on Theingottara hill. This golden shrine is gilded from top to bottom which makes it glisten in the sun an absolutely awesome spectacle.

Not as ancient but of no less beauty is the 20 year young is Karaweik Hall stands in the Royal Lake (Kandawgyi Lake). A mythical creature known as the Karaweik bird is what this structure has been based on and as it too is gilded from top to bottom it is a beautiful sight to behold as it shimmers on the lake.

2. Located in Bagan and erected in the 1100’s is the Dhammayangyi Temple which is a Buddhist temple.The temple remains unfinished to this day. There are other temples in Bagan but the Dhammayangyi is the most popular because of its mass which makes it unique. It is shaped like a pyramid which features very fine brickwork. Some people believe that the temple was built by an evil king.

3. Mandalay is Burma's second biggest capital and is also the cultural and religious centre of Buddhism. This is displayed by more than 700 pagodas.
In Manadalay you will find over 700 stone slabs located at the foot of Mandalay Hill. Together they are inscribed with the entire Buddhist scriptures which are better known as the Pali Canon. This has earned the reputation as the biggest book in the world and is known as the official "Buddhist Bible.
Mandalay Palace is a place not to be missed on a visit to Mandalay. There is an 8 meter high brick wall surrrounding the palace and a wide moat which has plenty of goldfish. Considering that the palace was completely destroyed by fire in World War II and completely rebuilt it remains a popular attraction for many tourists every year.

4.In the Mon State you will find the Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda. What helps to make this pagoda very intriguing is the story that accompanies this amazing feat of nature. The pagoda is 7.3 and is perched atop a golden rock. The rock itself is right on top of the Kyaikhto mountain.

The story that accompanies the rocks precarious balance and how it can stay in this position is because of a Buddha hair which has been placed precisely inside the pagoda.
Apparently it is believed that a King who had received the Buddha's hair from a hermit was told to hunt for a rock that looked like the hermits head. The hermit instructed the King to search for a boulder whose shape resembled the hermit's head. Once the right rock was discovered the hair was placed into the pagoda on top of it. Legend has it that the King had supernatural powers as his mother was a dragon princess and his father was an alchemist.
This is considered to be a highly sacred place and people come from all over to visit this unusual pagoda.

Booking a Holiday, Tour or Vacation in Egypt

In my capacity as the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours Limited, over time, it came to my attention as to what a minefield in can be booking a holiday in a destination like Egypt through the myriad of "internet" based travel companies; especially local Egyptian companies

I therefore though it may be helpful to suggest a sort of "checklist" of things to look for and questions to ask "prospective" holiday suppliers.

1. Are they a travel agent or a Tour operator ?

Especially at a local level, service from a tour operator is often higher than that of an agent as tour booked through local agents "can" risk the fact that the agent is purely passing on your booking to a 3rd party. This is not always the case, but it's something to think about. Comeback if you have problems is also to be considered as an agent can blame the 3rd party and vice versa.

2. Do they require a deposit or are they offering payment in full on arrival ?

If the company you are potentially booking through accept payment in full on arrival, it means one thing - your are NOT booked. While will a company risk booking hotels, tour guides, drivers etc on the of chance you may actually turn up ?

3. Do they accept credit cards as payment ?

This is important whether or not you are planning on paying that way. Accepting credit cards (especially in travel fields) will generally mean the company has been pretty well vetted and certainly will offer you some added assurances (and of course protection)

4. Do they offer Testimonials... ?

The second half of this question maybe the most important part, "Do they offer Testimonials...and can you contact them" ? If their testimonials are genuine then surely there is no reason why they can not be contacted.

5. Do they have a recognised complaints procedure ?

Any forward thinking and honest company will know that there will always be the odd problem. Having a complaints procedure in place shows that the company will not just try and fob you off, but from the ground up, they will try to fairly take care of any problems you may have.

Hopefully these 5 things may help you with regards to your future plans when considering a trip to a country such as Egypt

Stuart Cheese – UK Director of Operations for One World Tours / www.oneworldtours.co.uk

An Unforgettable Story About Bali Diving

In 1982 I worked as an English speaking tour guide, but during my free time I learned Italian language by my own method autodidact using English – Italian; Italian – English dictionary and grammar book.. I spent about 2 hours a day to learn it, sometime early in morning, in the afternoon and sometime late at night. I succeeded to keep in my mind 2 words a day but I found much difficulty in learning the grammar because it is very different with my mother language Balinese and Indonesian, but I insisted to meet with success. Day by day, week by week and month by month, and ….. finally I got it.

In October 1982 one of my friend who run a travel agent in Bali asked me to handle his clients, they were Italian and speak a little English. That was my first time to practice my Italian tongue. When I met them at Bali International Airport, the first question I must answer was “where is the best place to dive”. With honesty actually I didn’t know the answer, but I promised them for the good news the day after.

I visited my friend’s house and meet Bli Monyoh, a fisherman live in Sanur the village on the southeast coast of Bali. I knew he was a good fisherman and very smart in shooting fish, diving with his own talent using very simple dive equipment.

We talked about diving places and he told me that in order to discover most enjoyable dive, must visit 2 o 3 different places of the fascinating underwater world among the coral reefs. Mr. Bli Monyoh looked at his Balinese calendar to see a good day to go to the sea. My clients were crazy about dive.

The first day he brought us to Semawang at Sanur by his outrigger sail boat. Located in front of Sanur Tourist Beach. Dives at a few meters depth was rewarded by beautiful underwater panoramas, table and trophy shaped coral and sponges, a thousand of colorful fishes swim by in kaleidoscopic profusions. I am not a swimmer or a diver, I just sit on the boat and prepared the needs when they go up. Was a wonderful day.

The second day Bli Monyoh brought his companion a smart diver named Agung Toya, together with them some gun (exactly an arrow) unwound by a strong rubber band made of tire. Before living Sanur, Bli Monyoh laid an offering and perfumed incense in front of a temple and prayed to God. Along the road about one and a half our drive, he stopped several times for praying where there are temples for God’s blessing, safety and luck. Even before touching the water he did so.

When we arrived at Buitan was a very traditional fishing village, located at the district of Manggis Karangasem eastern Bali near Candidasa, I was amazed by the beauty of the nature, a spectacular panorama or the terraces ricefield, rural ambience and the Majestic Mount Agung at the far back, for Bali it is the place of the Supreme God “The Navel of the World”. The sea was magnificent, clear blue water, remained untouched by modern influences, seduce everyone especially beach and dive lovers. Now Buitan boast a luxury 5 stars hotel and some small accommodations in Balinese style bungalow.

When we were preparing everything for dive a cordial local man came close to us and gave his own wooden boat used for free in the hope of us catching a lot of fish. We sailed at 09.00 a.m in calm sea. About 50 m from the beach we arrived on the coral reef where the wave breaks itself. Under very good weather we could see a wonderful underwater world among the coral reefs.

My Italian clients brought their own dive equipments because they were the holder of PADI license. While the native divers used their own talent. Wow, wow, wow, what a great day, we fished a lot (only selected fish), one thing surprised me that Bli Monyoh got 4 king lobsters. At 11.00 a.m. we finished our adventure and the local man was waiting us on the beach ready with his woods fire, chili, onions, garlic, salt and coconut oil. We grilled our fish in relax atmosphere on the beach with nice breeze of the ocean, than enjoyed a delicious gala lunch in cowboy style. Wow amazing, we really celebrated and enjoyed a great day.

Now in Bali there are some exciting and fascinating, world renowned dive sites: Nusa Dua, Sanur, Padang Bay, Gili Tapekong, Tulamben, Amed, Nusa Penida and Lembongan and Menjangan Island.

So if you are a sea and dive lover why don’t you choose Bali for your next destination, this enchanting island is waiting for you with its fascinating underwater world. Plan your travel and book your preferred hotel or contact your travel agent. The quickest and the easiest way is, go online and choose Bali Dive. One of the most reliable dive center on the island now is Ena Dive Center (www.enadive.co.id).