Apr 26, 2011

YANGSHOU MOUNTAIN RETREAT




In a land of fairy tales, poets & dreamers emerges a perfect escape retreat to awaken all your senses &  pleasures.
Webwww.yangshuomountainretreat.com
Location: Yangshuo in southeastern province of Guanxi, China; on Yulong River.









Photos:
www.yangshuoholiday.com
http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/slideshow-photo/
http://yangshuoguesthouse.com

Apr 23, 2011

MEDELLIN PARKS

Santa Domingo Library Park
Web: www.reddebibliotecas.org.co (Spanish)
Location: Carreta 33B, #107A-100, Meddellin, Colombia; On a hilltop of Santa Domingo Barrio
Getting there:
* Metro: Acevedo Station, Líne A Metro Cable (Acevedo Station). $ 1.600
* Bus routes: 060 – Santo Domingo,  055 – Barrio el Pinar,  056 – Barrio la Esperanza.  $1.500





Orchideorama of the Botantical Garden of Medellin
Web: www.botanicomedellin.org (Spanish)
Info in English: www.discovercolombia.com/medellin-botanical-garden
Address: Carrera 52, Sevilla, Medllin, Antioquia, Columbia
Getting there:
* Metro: Universidad Station











Photos:
www.reddebibliotecas.org.co
www.e-architect.co.uk
www.absolut-colombia.com
http://studenttravel.about.com
http://www.landezine.com
http://todmangreen.blogspot.com

Apr 21, 2011

APARTAMENTOS TURISTICOS ALHAMBRA

Web: www.apartamentosalhambra.es
Location: Granada, Spain; In UNESCO World Heritage Site of Albayzín District
Rates: Starting at 60€ / $87USD










Photos:
www.fivestarhotelsgranada.com

Apr 17, 2011

ANN ARBOR



The best of Ann Arbor ( The home of University of Michigan )
Location:  Ann Arbor, Michigan; 50 mins drive NW of Detroit and 25 mins away from Detroit Metro International Airport.
Webhttp://www.annarbor.com
Maps Info
Parking info: Downtown Development Authority
* Bar hours: Avoid paying for parking in downtown by parking at a city's open lot, which closes down around 11 or 12am. Parking ramps are typically operational 24 hours and charge accordingly.
* Free parking on Sundays at all city's lots and ramps. 
* University owns & manages their own parking facilities throughout the city.
* To avoid paying the heavy parking costs in downtown during the day and evenings, consider the option of parking outside and commuting.  Ann Arbor Transit Authority (AATA) provides the following options: http://www.theride.org/parkandride.asp

Getting there:
Getting around:
  • In downtown, best to walk or bike around
  • Taxi cabs
  • AATA's City Bus   
  • The U of M Bus - University manages their own bus system designated for their students & faculty.




Eats:
1. Aut Bar & Restaurant: A great place to enjoy brunch on Sundays out in the courtyard.
2. Broken Egg: Breakfast joint.
3. Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger: Fresh meat and unique toppings.
4. Grange Restaurant: Specializes in locally grown food.
5. Zingerman Deli: The best gourmet sandwiches and cheese in town but pricey. 
6. Afternoon Delight: Brunches, salad bar, and sandwiches.
7. Northside Grill:  Serves great breakfast.
8. Maize n Blue Deli: Best Reuben Sandwiches!!!
9. Angelo's on the side: A great breakfast and lunch
10. Whole Foods Grocery: Best salad bar in town but it's located outside of downtown.
11. New York Pizza: Best greasy pizza and also sold by slices. It's open til 4am.
12. Cafe Zola:  Open all day but serves great brunch with Turkish influences.
13. Frita Batidos: Modern Cuban inspired and American affairs & brunch on the weekends
14. Kosmo Deli: American spin on Korean food.
15.azzy Veggie: Creative vegan food.
16. The Earle: French bistro and also serves country style Italian.
17 Jolly Pumpkin Cafe & Brewery: American classics done right!
18. Satchel's BBQ: Southern style BBQ
19. Mani Osteria: Wood oven fired gourmet pizzeria

Ethnic Food:
1. Arirang:  Affordable home cooked Korean meals but it's located outside of downtown.
2. University Cafe: Cheap home cooked Korean meals.
3. Cafe Japon: Japanese comfort food, the best French pastries, & variety of tea
4. Totoro Japanese: Affordable sushi and a limited Korean menu. The best Bibimbop in town.
5. Earthen Jar: Indian vegetarian buffet. $5.99 per pound
6. Shan-e Punjab: Small Indian restaurant with a few tables or take-out
7. Jerusalem Garden: Affordable Mediterranean affair.
8. Yamato: Great sushi & sashimi but pricey.
9.  Zeidan's: Middle Eastern food & bakery.
10. BTB Cantina: Mexican.  One of the few joints that's open after the bar hours.
11. Blue Nile: Ethiopian.  Vegetarian option available



Dominick's


Bars:
1. Dominick's:  Sangria and awesome outdoor seating on the porch and back patio, but on the down side, they are only open from spring and summer into early fall.
2. Aut Bar: A gay bar but attracts a mix crowd.
3. Blind Pig's: One of the oldest alternative music scene bars in Ann Arbor. A variety of live acts perform here - Mc's, Dj's, bands, etc.
4. Palio: Average Italian food that's overpriced, but they have a great rooftop patio.
5. Rendez-vous Bar and Restaurant: A hookah bar with a great rooftop patio and good affordable food.
6. Ashley's Pub: A great little bar with Cheers' vibe to enjoy a pint of Guinness with friends.
7. Old Town Tavern: A hole in the wall friendly bar and restaurant.
8. The Cavern Club: A night club and also houses other bars/clubs in the building.
9. Necto:  One of the few night clubs in downtown and specializes in electronic music.
10. Casey's Tavern: A locals' hangout and eclectic bar food menu.
11. Heidelberg: German beer hall and great food.
12. Jolly Pumpkin Brewery: The restaurant closes at 11 or 12 but the rooftop patio closes at 2am. Facebook


Comet Coffee in Nickel's Arcade


Coffee/Tea/Desserts/Bakeries:
1. Tea Haus: Tea shop and next door cafe serves tea and desserts.
2. Momo Tea: Bubble tea.
3. Cafe Japon: Fantastic selection of tea and French pastries
4. Comet Coffee: Facebook page
5. Moon Winks Cafe
6. Pastry Peddler: Coffee and pastries. Facebook page
7. RoosRoast Coffee Works: Coffee and tea
8. By the Pound: Small store that sells great coffee in bulk
9. Coffee House Creamery: Coffee and ice cream.
10. Eastern Accents: Asian bakery.  
11. Big City Small World: Bakery
12. Cupcake Station: Cupcakes and other desserts

Shops:
1.  Bella Rosie Boutique:  Hip second hand clothing shop.
2.  Found: A small vintage shop & art gallery
3.  Mudpuddles: Fun, educational children's toy & book shop
4. Ecore Records: A great selection of hard to find used vinyls and cds. The friendly staff is very knowledgeable and often, they are musicians themeselves.  
5. Underground Sound: A small independent shop that sells new and used selective vinyls. Facebook page
6. Sparrow Market: Organic meat & produce. Fun place to look around.
7. Dawn Treader Book Shop:  Specializes in unusual and rare books.
8. West Side Book Store:  Rare, collectible, unusual books found here.
9. Downtown Home and Garden: I can spend endless hours in here. That much fun!!
10. Pot & Box: Gardening & Floral shop. Be inspired and fall in love with this gem!
11.Wizzy Wig Collectibles:  Japanese anime collectibles, toys & movies.
12. Beer Depot: Must-stop for beer lovers & sells wine as well.
13. Middle Earth: Fun knick knacks.  Posters, jewelry, post cards, etc
14. Get Your Game On: Video games & rental, tournaments, etc.
15. Produce Station: Flowers, plants, grocery, bakery, wine, etc.
16. Kerrytown: houses restaurants, shops, grocery shop, cafe, etc


Things to do:
1. Michigan Theaterer:  Independent & art films.
2. State Theater:  Independent & art films.
3. Farmer's market: Open all year round.
4. Gullup Park: Canoe rental.
5. Matthaei Botantical Garden
6. Upcoming summer events: Hosts various events


Alley graffiti art


Uniquely Ann Arbor:
1. Hash Fest.
2. Naked Mile Run.
3. Festifools: Street parade of foolishness.
4. Home of independent record label:  Ghostly International  http://ghostly.com/.
5. Sunday Artisan Market.
6. Alley graffiti art: The entrance is next to Michigan Theater on Liberty St; behind the theater.



Photos:
http://www.fritabatidos.com ( Winnie Jeng )
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aquatic
http://www.aadl.org/gallery/pictureAnnArbor

Apr 14, 2011

LA.NDSCAPE

Rosslyn Hotel rooftop
Location: 112 W 5th Street. Los Angeles in downtown
* Former speak-easy establishment still in tact in the basement.





Watts Towers
Web: http://www.wattstowers.us
Location: 1761 East 107th Street. Los Angeles
* Designed and constructed by Simon Roda




Wright Property (Frank Llyod Wright):
Web: http://www.elwright.net/default.htm
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=78813690940&v=wall
Location: 24680 Piuma Road. Malibu
* Unfinished home. Often hosts various events.





Brewery Arts Complex
Web: http://www.labrewery.com
Location: 1984 North Main Street. Los Angeles
* A home of 700 artists and hosts art-walk events





Barclay Hotel basement (Formerly known as Van Nuys Hotel):
Location: 103 W 4th Street. Los Angeles in downtown






Grand Central Market
Location: 315 South Broadway. Los Angeles in downtown






Inner City Arts
Web: www.inner-cityarts.org
Location: 720 Kohler Street. Los Angeles





Bradbury Building
Location: 304 South Broadway.  Los Angeles in downtown
* Featured in the film, Blade Runner








Photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimwinstead
http://illicit-cultural-property.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79761301@N00
http://www.flickr.com/photos/honda_crg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/plog
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=78813690940&v=wall
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lexpelle
http://stixandjones.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jordanhalsey/page4/
http://yohttp://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Bradbury_Building.htmlu-are-here.com/downtown/lyon.html
http://hubpages.com/hub/goodnutritionreasons
http://www.experiencingla.com
http://designeastoflabrea.blogspot.com(Photos©Iwan Baan.)
http://www.characterblog.com
http://www.cityprofile.com
http://fooyoh.com

Apr 13, 2011

OPERN FESTSPIELE. ST. MARGARETHEN



A modern outdoor music  festival venue built in a Roman quarry.

Web: http://www.ofs.at
Web: In English
Location:  St. Margarethen, Austria











Photos:
http://www.facebook.com/Opernfestspiele