DETROIT

Former Central Train Station

An abandoned Packard Motors Factory

In the debris of despair, deterioration and poverty emerges a renewal of hope, resilience, and revitalization.
HOME OF MOTOWN & THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY. ABANDONED. REINVENTING.
Web: www.visitdetroit.com
Getting there:
1. Detroit Wayne County International Airport
2. Coleman Young City Airport
3. Greyhound Bus: www.greyhound.com
4. Train: www.amtrack.com
Getting around:
1. Rent a vehicle
2. Taxis: Not readily available. Need to contact the taxi company for their service.
3. City Bus: A limited routes


Attractions & Places to visit:
The Heidelberg Project
Location: 3600 Heidelberg St. Detroit, MI 48207
Web: www.heidelberg.org

Tim Burke's Detroit Industrial Gallery

Detroit Electronic Music Festival (DEMF) aka Movement
Location: The Hart Plaza; next to the river and tunnel crossing into Canada.
When: The Memorial Weekend; The last weekend of May for 3 days.
Web: www.demf2011.info
Further info: www.paxahau.com
Tips:
* Detroit is the home of "Techno" music.
* The festivities during the days are jammed pack with great music, but the best music can be heard at the "after-hours" parties held at various venues/sites throughout the downtown area like at The Works Bar, St. Andrews Concert Hall, Oslo's basement bar, abandoned warehouses, party cruise boat on the river, etc. For after-hours' info: www.detroitluv.com , www.detroittechnomilitia.com

Eastern Market (farmers market)
Location: Map
Web: www.detroiteasternmarket.com
Restaurants & Shops:
1. Russell Street Deli: Best breakfast grubs in town!! www.russellstreetdeli.com
2. Butcher's Inn Restaurant
3. Milano Bakery: www.milanobakery.com
4. Detroit Cheese Co & Randy's Sausage Shop: www.randys-sausage.com/Detroit_Cheese_Co.html
5. Joe's Wine & Liquor Shop
6. Cost Plus Wine
7. Roma Café: Oldest Italian eatery in town. 3401 Riopelle St., Detroit. 313-831-5940
8. Supino Pizzeria: http://supinopizzeria.com

Urban Farming: Vacant empty spaces utilized as urban farming land.
* www.detroitagriculture.org
* www.cskdetroit.org

Emerging artists and their communities
1. The Powerhouse Project: Future community gathering place
2. Soup: A monthly community dinner for artists to gather and share ideas. $5.00 charge. 4-5 pitches for grassroots creative projects are discussed and then voted on to determine the winner for the prize money to be used towards his or her idea.
3. Hocking: Detroit native artist who builds installations with whatever leftovers he finds. In Fisher Building, he built a pyramid ragged tires bathed in an spectral green glow of the sun strained through its windows; in his most recent work, Garden of the Gods, Hocking placed shattered TV sets atop the still-standing concrete columns of the Packard Plant's top level.
4. Cope and Reichert’s neighborhood: Salvaging abandoned homes as public art projects.
They will be conducting tours of their neighbourhood the first Saturday of every month beginning Feb. 5 at 11 am, starting at 12644 Moran Street.

A video made by Vice Magazine about Detroit's scene hosted by Johnny Knoxville:
http://www.vbs.tv/watch/uneven-terrain/palladium-detroit-full-new-credits--3


Belle Isle: The largest urban park in the United States which sits on Detroit River.
Web: www.fobi.org

Botanical Conservatory

Detroit Institute of Arts Museum (DIA)
Web: www.dia.org
* Detroit Film Theatre: Shows art and independent films.
* Hosts "Music Friday" - Showcases independent artists, world music, classical, etc.

Best Eats:
1. Slow's Barbecue Restaurant: http://slowsbarbq.com
2. Detroit Seafood Market Restaurant: www.thedetroitseafoodmarket.com
3. Avalon Breads: Bakery at 422 W. Willis
4. La Dolce Vita: A gay friendly Italian Restaurant. Great outdoor patio. www.ldvrestaurant.net
5. The Blue Nile: Ethiopian Cuisine. Located just outside of Detroit in Ferndale. www.bluenilemi.com
6. Oslo: Sushi & Thai food and Bar. In downtown. Great sweatbox basement bar known for throwing electronic music events lasting til dawn. Electronic music legends such as Richie Hawtin, Ellen Alien, Matthew Dear, Carl Craig have played here. www.oslodetroit.com
7. Cadieux Cafe: Belgium food & beer. Bucket full of mussels and Belgium feather bowling are their specialties. www.cadieuxcafe.com
8. Polonia Polish Restaurant: 2934 Yemans St., Hamtramck, MI 48212. Hamtramck is in the city of Detroit.
9. Los Altos: Authentic Mexican in Mexican town. www.yelp.com/biz/los-altos-restaurant-detroit. 7056 W Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209
10. The Fly Trap Diner: 22950 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-399-5150
11.Mexicantown Bakery: 4300 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-0001
12. 24 Grill: Upscale. www.spa1924grille.com/24grille/index.html
13. Mudgies Deli: www.mudgiesdeli.com
14. Señor López Taqueria:
Authentic Mexican & breakfast served all day. 7146 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-551-0685
15. Vicente's Cuban Cuisine: 1250 Library St., Detroit; 313-962-8800
16. Detroit 1 Coney Island Inc: http://www.yelp.com/biz/detroit-1-coney-island-inc-detroit#query:Atlas%20Global%20Bistro
17. El Comal: Guatemalan. 3456 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-841-7753. Fried plantains & Empanadas.
18. El Barzón: Best moles. 3710 Junction St., Detroit; 313-894-2070
19. Atlas Global Bistro: 3111 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-831-2241
20. Detroit Breakfast House & Grill: 1241 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-1115
21. Maria's Front Room: Wine Bar & Restaurant. 215 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-542-7379
22 Colors: www.colors-detroit.com
23 Neighborhood Noodle: A pop up restaurant.  http://neighborhoodnoodle.com
24 Le Petit Zinc Cafe: http://lepetitzincdetroit.com
25. Buddy's Pizza: It's been around the last 50 years. Numerous locations throughout metro detroit area. http://www.buddyspizza.com/

Suburbs
1. Bi Bim Bop in Novi: some of the best Korean and Japanese food you'll find in the midwest.

Coffee/Cafes
Rowland Cafe: Simply breathtaking. www.therowlandcafe.com
Astro Coffee:  in Cork Town: www.astrodetroit.com

Nightlife:
1. Baker's Keyboard Lounge: Jazz Bar. 20510 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-345-6300
2. Buddha Lounge Bar: 21633 W. Eight Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-535-4664
3. Attic Bar: Authentic Detroit blues live music.11667 Joseph Campau St., Hamtramck; 313.365.4194
4. Ghost Bar: www.whitneyghostbar.com/venue.php
5. Cafe D'Mongo's Speak Easy: Only open on Friday nights from 6:00 pm - 2:00 am.
6. PV Lounge: Professional clientel. www.thedetroitseafoodmarket.com/pvlounge.php
7 The Sugar House: a lounge cocktail bar www.sugarhousedetroit.com
8 Clff Bells: Blues Jazz bar and restaurant: www.cliffbells.com
9 The Park Bar:https://www.facebook.com/parkbardetroit
10. Seven Brothers Bar: lay back eclectic dive bar in Hamtramck
http://www.yelp.com/biz/seven-brothers-bar-hamtramck

La Dolce Vita Restaurant

Retail:
1. Made In Detroit: Hoodies, T-shirts, Bags, etc with "Made In Detroit" logo. http://www.madeindetroit.com/



Photos:
www.moonbattery.com
www.uncrate.com
www.planetizen.com
http://scrapetv.com
www.brayhamcontemporaryart.blogspot.com
www.tranceaddict.com
www.washingtontimes.com
http://semesterdblog.com/?p=631

KANOPI HOUSE

Tree houses in the midst of six acre vine-drenched jungle retreat overlooking a blue lagoon shoreline.
ECO-FRIENDLY. LOCAL ARTISANS' CRAFTS INCORPORATED INTO RETREAT DESIGNS & DECOR. UNTOUCHED TERRAIN.
Location: Blue Lagoon, Jamaica; Northeast coast just outside of Port Antonio
Web: www.kanopihouse.com

Photos:
www.kanopihouse.com

AIX EN PROVENCE

Cours Mirabeau Avenue, center of the town

Fashionably soak up the sun in this Mediterranean town & indulge in art of eating and drinking
SHADED BOULEVARDS. MOSS-COVERED FOUNTAINS. OUTDOOR CAFE TERRACES. 300 DAYS OF SUNSHINE.
Location: Southern France, 25 km North from Marseilles.
Getting there:
* Eurostar (08432 186186; www.eurostar.com): TGV Train
* Train: Aix’s tiny city center train station (5am-9.15pm Mon-Fri, 6am-9.15pm Sat & Sun, information office 9am-7pm) is at the southern end of av Victor Hugo. There are frequent services to Briançon (€31.20, 3½ hours), Gap (€23.80, two hours) and Marseille (€6.20, 35 minutes, at least 18 daily.
* Bus: Aix’s bus station (information office 08 91 02 40 25; av de l’Europe) is a 10-minute walk southwest from La Rotonde. Numerous companies’ services include buses to Marseille (€4.40, 35 minutes, every 10 minutes, every 20 minutes on Sunday), Arles (€10, 1¾ hours, five daily), Avignon (€13.90, one hour, six daily) and Toulon (€10, one hour, six daily Monday to Saturday).
* Airport Marseille-Provence (04 42 14 14 14; www.mrsairport.com): is 25km from Aix-en-Provence and is served by regular shuttle buses. Bus to Aix En Provence takes 30 minutes and costs about €7.80/£6.46 one way
Web: http://www.aixenprovencetourism.com

Lodging:
1. Hotel Atrium: In the heart of the city. Near Cours Mirabeau and Place des Precheurs. Starts at $75
2. Campanile Aix La Beauvalle: West of city center. Starts at $81
3. Kyriad Mas des Oliviers: West of city center. Business-friendly hotel. Starts at $94
4. Escale Oceania Aix-en-Provence: SE of city center. Starts at $97.
5. Citadines Apart'Aix Jas De Bouffan: Just west of city center. Starts at $106
6. Campanile Aix-en-Provence Sud - La Beauvalle: Just South of city center. $107
7. Residence Les Floridianes: City center. $103
8. Hôtel du Globe: Centrally located. $109
9. Hôtel Rotonde: Centrally located. $123
10. Citéa La Bastide Du Roy René: South of city center: $125
11. Hotel Paul:
12. Hotel Des Arts Aix: In downtown
13. Appart Valley les Jardins de Galice: Starts at $104
15. Hotel Cardinal:
16. Hotel Le Manoir: Centrally located. $93
17. Hôtel des Augustins
18. Negre Coste Hotel: Centrally located. $124.25
More affordable options

Eats:
1. Café et Brasserie le Grillon £ $
Down-to-earth brasserie dishes such as steak frites and blanquette de veau on the busy terrace or in the glittering Belle Epoch salon (49 Cours Mirabeau; 422 275881).
2. Bistro Latin:
It has extensive menu choices spanning cod, scampi risotto and a variety of meat dishes cooked with saffron, spinach and cream. Book ahead.
3. La Boulangerie du Coin
4. Chez Grand Mere:
Classic French affairs: bouillabaisse, frogs' legs. Minimum of two diners; order two days before.
5. Café et Brasserie des Deux Garçons ££ $$
Historic café and restaurant, its interior gilded elegance preserved since 1792. Here Cézanne sipped aperitifs, famously once with Renoir and Monet.(53 Cours Mirabeau; 422 260051).
6. Le Clos de la Violette £££ $$$
Location is a little out of the center but this is Aix’s Michelin-starred dining experience. Reservations essential (10 av Violette; 422 233071).
7. Le Formal
Chef Jean-Luc Le Formal operates a first-class establishment with impeccably mannered service both at its whitewashed-stone outdoor lounge/reception area and in its vaulted-cellar dining rooms.
8. Charlotte
Locals hangout. simple home cooking, including incredible crème brûlée (a cream or custard dessert covered with caramelised sugar). In summers, feasting takes place outdoors in the garden, and there's a comfy lounge room to unwind.
9. Bastide du Cours: In the heart of Aix and on Cours Mirabeau has a beautiful interior garden where you can get a culinary dishes such as slow-roasted lamb shank with wild thyme and locally grown tomatoes. Rates jump about 30% in July.
10. Jacquèmes: Sells gourmet goodies. A fantastic épicerie (grocery) that sells cheese, cold meats, sausages and 500 types of whisky.
11. L'Aixquis: Elaborately presented plates such as truffle-infused St-Jacques scallops at this small peach-coloured restaurant. The carte (no menus) changes seasonally, but the chocolate noir (a tray of petite desserts) is a year-round fixture.
More options

Cathedrale Saint-Sauveur

Cultural sights and Things to do:
1. The Granet Museum (place Saint Jean de Malte; 442 528832; www.museegranet-aixenprovence.fr), once Cézanne’s art school, owns only eight Cézanne oils but the Knights of Malta Priory is another of Aix’s architectural gems. €4/£3.40/$5.53US
2. If you want to climb the Montagne Sainte-Victoire, it’s a steep but easy two-hour walk from Vauvenargues. Picasso’s château is nearby. It’s rumoured his family will open it to visitors from June. Check with the tourist office. Cézanne’s hard-to-find grave is on the Montagne Sainte-Victoire side of Alley 6 at the southern end of Saint-Pierre cemetery.
3. The Thermes Sextius Baths (442 238183; www.thermes-sextius.com), an 18th-century thermal spa on the site of the 122BC Roman baths. From €99/£83/$137US per day.
4. To follow the Cézanne trail, pick up a free map from the main tourist office (2 place du Géneral de Gaulle; 0033 442 161161; www.aixenprovencetourism.com). There’s also a guided Cézanne walking tour every Tuesday 10am; €4/£3.40/$5.53US. The Aix City Pass €13/£11/$18US, valid for five days, includes a guided city tour and visits to his Lauves studio (www.atelier-cezanne.com) and the Jas de Bouffan. The Bibémus Quarries guided tour costs €5.50/£4.70/$7.60US. An inclusive ticket for all three sites costs €12/£10.20/$16.60US. Prebooking at the tourist office is essential.
5. Les Instants d'Été: Open-air performances in August (theatre, cinema, cabaret, circus, video projections etc) at Parc Jourdan, Théâtre de Verdure du Jas de Bouffan (av St-John Perse), and the Carrières d'Ocre in Rognes (21km N of Aix) during the month-long Les Instants d'Été.
6. Fondation Vasarely: Bauhaus-style edifice located 4km west of town. Built in 1976, its 16 hexagonal spaces house vast architecture-meets-art works by Hungarian-born Victor Vasarely, the 'father of Optical Art'. Take bus 4 from La Rotonde to the Vasarely stop.
7. Cathédrale St-Sauveur: Baroque organ acoustics make the Gregorian chants (usually sung at 16:30 on Sunday) an unforgettable experience.
8. Théâtre du Jeu de Paume
Built in 1756 on the site of a royal tennis court; the curtain rises in the ornate Italianate auditorium most evenings from June to September.
9. Le Cézanne (www.lecezanne.com): Art films, cult classics, Oscar calibers (often in English)
Address: 1 rue Marcel Guillaume City Center
Phone: 0 892 687 270; Price: adult/student €8.50/€6.70/$11.75US
10. Ballet Preljocaj (http://www.preljocaj.org)
A progressive and cutting edge dance company based at Centre Chorégraphique National Building.
Location: rue des Allumettes W of City Center
11. La Boulangerie du Coin: There are around 20 calisson makers in town, as well as plenty of patisseries. Fresh and warm, it's also one of the few boulangeries to bake on Sunday, along with the boulangerie (5 rue Tournefort) that never closes.
12. Farmers' Market: The greengrocers set up their booths under the sycamore trees in Place Richelme, and the flower market sets up in adjoining Place de l'Hotel de Ville, both located on the main axis between Place du Général de Gaulle, where the tourist information office is located and Cathédrale St.-Sauveur on the opposite side of the pedestrian quarter. Hours: 9am and noon. Floral Market: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday across from the Mayor's Office.
13. Festival d’Aix-en-Provence:
Held during June and July, the city bursts into opera as it hosts one of the most important festivals in Europe. Venues all over the town, such as Théâtre de l’Archévêché, Théâtre du Jeu de Paume and Grand Théâtre de Provence,but the real treats are the outside concerts at Théâtre du Grand Saint-Jean, just outside of the town. It’s an unforgettable event even for those not particularly into opera.

Bars : Left Bank of Aix is the prestigious student hub and should be able to find a plenty of night-life.
1. Bar Sextius: With live music and DJs playing house, reggae and raga.
Address: 13 cours Sextius W of City Centre
Phone: 04 42 26 07 21; Hours: 07:00-02:00 Mon-Sat
2. La Belle Époque: DJs spinning Latino, house and funk every evening.
Address: 29 cours Mirabeau City Center
Phone: 04 42 27 65 66; Hours: vary
3. Les Deux Garçons: Been around since 1792. Salon and outdoor terrace, or head upstairs to the jazz club/piano bar.
Address: 53 cours Mirabeau SW of City Centre / Phone: 04 42 26 00 51
4. Le Mistral: A nightclub on 3 rue Frédéric Mistral is great for those who like expensive cocktails and pumping dance music played until the early hours.
5. L'Orienthé: Soak up the Buddha atmosphere in this chilled shisha (Turkish water pipe)joint. 50 different flavours of tea offered.
Address: 5 rue de Félibre Gaut City Center / Hours: 13:00-01:00
More
6. Spartacus Night Club - Techno and other electronic music: located in town of Cabries, south of Provence.
 http://www.spartacus-club.com/index_2.html


Photos:
http://photos.igougo.com
http://members.virtualtourist.com
www.aixenprovencetourism.com
http://www.telegraph.co.uk

HIX ISLAND HOUSE

An environmentally sustaining and rustic Zen-like modern architectural lofts.
CONTEMPORARY. YOGA. OPEN-AIR PRIVATE TERRACES. TRANQUILITY. CARIBBEAN SEA.
Location: Vieques, Puerto Rico; six miles off the southeastern coast.
Web: www.hixislandhouse.com
Rates: $135 - $395
Getting there:
1. San Juan International Airport
2. From San Juan, a few small airlines serve Vieques. Vieques Air Link,
(888) 901-9247, flies three times a day for around $150 round trip. The flight takes about 20 minutes.
Activities:
* www.bikevieques.com
* www.biobay.com

Photos:
www.hixislandhouse.com

RAHJASTAN INTERNATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL

5 days celebration of folk music in the majestic walls of Fort Mehrangarh
EXOTIC EASTERN SOUNDS. ALL NIGHT DANCING ON FORT ROOFTOP. BRIGHTEST FULL MOON NIGHTS
Location: In and around Fort Mehrangarh; City of Jodhpur in the state of Rahjastan, India
When: October 12-16, 2011; The dates change annually.
Entry Requirements: Visa and passport for US citizens.
Getting there:
* Fly to New Delhi and connecting flight to Jodhpur.
* Train or bus from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and other major cities.
Web: www.jodhpurfolkfestival.org

* Local and international folk musicians perform annually.
* International DJ provides the sounds and beats all night long.

Lodging:
1. To be at the heart of the RIFF festivities, base yourself at the Royal Tented Camp at Mehrangarh Fort. Rate starting at $204.80 per person/ night, full-board.

*The following lodgings are in the city of Jodhpur:
2. Haveli Inn Pal: 15 mins walk to Fort Mehrangarh. Rate starts at $23.63
3. Durag Niwas Guest House. Rate starts at $5.60
4. Hotel Haveli: Rate starts at $20
5. Krishna Prakash Heritage Haveli: Rate starts at $30. Located right by Fort Mehrangarch.
6. Hotel Megh Niwas: Rate starts at $20. About 15-20 min walk to Fort Mehrangarch.
7. The Blue House Guest House: Rate starts at $6.15. Great location.
8. Yogi Guest House: Rate starts at $9. Great location.
9. Veggie Guesthouse: Located just outside of Fort Mehrangarh
10. Ranga Bhawan
11. Pal Haveli: Minutes away from Fort Mehrangarch
12. Shivam Paying Guesthouse: Minutes away from Fort Mehrangarch.
13. Jee Ri Havali: Walking distance from Fort Mehrangarch
14. Haveli Guesthouse: Minutes away from Fort Mehrangarch.
15. Hotel City Palace
16. Priya
17. Heaven Guesthouse
More options on affordable hotels and guesthouses

* Greaves Travel: Offering a 9-night tour from £2,599 ($4,210.80 USD) per person, staying one night each at Mihir Garh, the Royal Jodhpur Tented Camp and Ranvas during RIFF, plus two nights each at Bal Samand Lake Palace, The Taj Palace in Delhi and The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. The price includes return BA flights, internal flights, a three-day festival pass, tours, transfers and full board at Mihir Garh (other hotels b&b).

Photos:
www.telegraph.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=140546077196

TIANZIFANG ART STREET. SHANGHAI

Quaint alleyways with Shikumen architectural townhouses converted into shops & restaurants.
SOHO OF SHANGHAI. ART GALLERIES. BOUTIQUES. LAID-BACK CAFE CULTURE & ARTISAN RESTAURANTS.
Location: Lane 210. Taikang Lu(Road) in Luwan District Map
Getting there:
* Subway Line 1: Get off at Shanxi Rd Station; line 4: get off at Luban Lu Station;
line 9: get off at Dapuqiao Station & take exit 1.
* Buses:
- From Jianguo West Road, take bus 24 or 96;
- From Shannxi South Road, take bus 17, 41, 146 or 786
- From Chongqing South Road, bus 36, tunnel line 8, or bus 899, 986, 932, 786, 933 or 36

* This fashionable neighborhood is constantly evolving and reinventing to the latest trends and fads. What is "in" one minute is "out" the next. Many of the restaurants and retail shops are also casualties of this and close down quickly.

Eats:
1. Kommune: Lane 210 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu
* In the back alley lanes of Taikang Lu, it is worth scoping out for not only its simple, yet tasty food and drinks, but also for its epicenter of Shanghai's creative quarter. Outdoor seating is usually overflowing with artsy locals and hipster expats. Don't forget to check out the indoor and back courtyard.

2. That's Amore: Tianzifang, Lane 200 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu
* Tratttoria style restaurant. It has a terrace on the roof overlooking the Taikang Lu lane shops. Traditional home cooked meals.

3. New York Style Steak and Burger: Lane 155 Jianguo Lu, near Ruijin Lu
* This tucked away grill offers USDA Prime beef mainly of half-pound burgers and slabs of steak.

4. Cafe Mojo: Lane 248 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu
* Small laneway cafe. It serves vietnamese coffee.

5. Origin: Lane 155 Jianguo Lu, near Ruijin Lu
* Cafe restaurant serving up healthy dishes from breakfast to dinner. Minimal decor.

6. Bohemia: Lane 248 Taikang Lu, near Ruijin Er Lu
* Cafe that serves light snacks like breakfast, sandwiches and salads. Wireless internet available

7. Cafe Dan:Taikang Lu, Lane 248, No. 41, backstreet
* Serves Japanese comfort food and tea, wine and desserts.

8. Miss Ginger: Lane 248 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu
* Visitors can relax and escape the crowds in the cozy interior, or feast their eyes upon the bustle from the outdoor seating. Ideal for lunch, afternoon tea or evenings of relaxation.

9. Mollica Di Pane: Tianzifang, Lane 200 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu
* Italian bakery

10. Bell Bar & Cafe: Tianzifang Lane 248 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu

11. Ginger Indochine: Lane 248 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu
* Serves South East Asian dishes such as Vietnamese Banh Xeo Hue Turmeric Crepe filled with Shrimps, Chicken & Herbs amongst other favorites.

12. En: House 20, Lane 248, Taikang Lu (Tian Zi Fang), near Sinan Lu
* A multi-story Japanese bar and grill, with teppanyaki, robata, yakitori, and a pocket-sized bar on the top floor. They also have a few unique Okinawan dishes, which fall somewhere between common Chinese and Japanese cooking, and they serve awamori, an Okinawan rice liquor similar to shochu.

13. Cotton House: 248 Taikang Lu
* Coffee bar. Popular with the locals.

14. Tai Wine: No 38/39, Lane 248, Taikang Lu. Phone: +86 (0) 21 6473 3001
* Cozy wine bar / restaurant with a great wine list. One of the few wine bars in Shanghai that retains the “old-Shanghai” feel.

************************************************* Cafe Dan****************************
Boutiques & Shops:
1. Nuzi: Shop 30, Lane 248 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu
* Sells New Zealand goods: 42 below vodka, wines and furniture and gift items.

2. Milkymomo Boutique: 274 Taikang Lu, near Ruijin Lu

3. Chou Chou Chic (Taikang Lu): Unit 47, 248 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu
* Kids fashion boutique by French designer in collaboration with Shanghai designer.

4. Casa Pagoda: 15-17 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu
* Offers an eclectic array of goods that don't fit neatly into one overall style of artificially distressed vintage-look couches, tables, and armoirs; Union Jack tote bags and wall hangings, etc.

5. Plastered: Lane 248 Taikang Lu, near Ruijin Lu

6. La vie: Lane 210 Taikang Lu, Near Sinan Lu
* Flagshop store of Boutique fashion designer Jenny Ji.

7. NuoMi: Lane 274 Taikang Lu, near Ruijin Lu
* Boutique store selling clothing ranging from bathing suits to tailor made sneakers on the pricey end. All clothing designed by local designers.

8. Harvest Studio: Suite 118, Bldg 3, Lane 210 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu
* Miao minority women hand embroider ethnic-flavoured cushions, clothing and bags.

9. Hi Panda: 240 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu
* Chain store selling clothes with the cartoon Hi Panda, hipster-ish clothing started and designed by local designers.

10. Giotto: Taikang Lu, Lane 210, No. 15
* Hand-made leather shoes

11. Finland Design: 242 Taikang Lu
* Sleek Finnish design products, such as home décor and lifestyle accessories.

12. Shanghai Code Vintage Glasses: No. 2 Back Door, Lane 274 Taikang Lu
* Vintage retro frames & glasses and vintage alarms, water flasks, watches and travel bags

13. Eco Goods: No. 11B, Lane 210 Taikang Lu
* House wares – such as kitchen utensils, office supplies, gardening tools and décor – made from eco-friendly materials

Galleries:
1. Nancy's Gallery: Room 110 & 112, Building 5, Lane 210 Taikang Lu
* Contemporary fine art by foreign and Chinese artists

2. Deke Erh Art Center: No.2, Lane 210, Taikang Road. Phone: +86 (0) 21 6415 0675
* Black & white photos capturing the soul of Shanghai.

3. Mandy's Art Gallery: No. 5, 210 Taikang Lu. Phone: +86 (0) 21 6445 3949
* Original artworks by Mandi and artworks by other local artists

Photos
www.tripadvisor.com
www.potatomato.com
www.whereiscat.com

LORD HOWE ISLAND

A tiny remote island off of the mainland of Australia with abundance of endemic plants & animals.
ACCENTRIC. RICH BIO-DIVERSITY OF BIRDS & PLANTS. CONSERVATION OF NATIVE SPECIES. TRANQUILITY.
Location: On Tasman Sea off the east coast of Australia; two hours by air from Sydney or Brisbane.
Weather: Sub-tropical. Summer temperatures average 25C; winter is only 6 degrees cooler.
Getting there:
* Qantas Airline offers various connections to Lord Howe, including a daily service by QantasLink.
* For further information, visit Tourism Australia .
Size: Island is just under 7 miles long and 1 and 3/4 across at its widest
* there are only six miles of road with a blanket speed limit of 15mph
Web: www.lordhoweisland.info

Tips & Info:
* There are only 400 licensed tourist beds on the island. Book as early as possible.
* There are no mobile phones, though there is internet, and no automatic cash machines or public transport; most visitors either walk or cycle.
* There is one petrol pump, one Give Way sign, four hospital beds, six rental cars, fewer than 200 private vehicles (restricted in size), one police cell and one policeman.

Attractions & Things to do:
1. The island's social center is the Bowls Club where noisy dances are held every Friday (they don't start until 10pm)
2. Chicken Run bowls tournament on Thursdays
3. Arrival of the supply ship every two or three weeks; everything on the island is imported.
4. Ned's Beach: wetsuits, surfboards and snorkelling gear kept in the kiosk; Public BBQ grills
5. Climbing on non-active volcanic Gower Mountain. It's a day's strenuous hike to the top, and you have to be accompanied by a licensed guide.
6. Blinky Beach: Public BBQ grills
7. Island Museum: It has more models, documents and photographs than actual artifacts
8. Fishing
9. Nature walks & cycling & bird watching
10. A nine-hole golf course
11. Snorkeling & scuba-diving
12. Pleasure of doing absolutely nothing but unwinding and basking in the sun with a good book.

Lodging:
1. Capella Lodge: Starts $496
2. Arajilla Retreat: Starts $1,217
3. Pinetrees
4. Leanda-Lei Apartments
5. Somerset Apartments
6. Ocean View Apartments
More options

Photos:
www.worldheritages.com
http://dxing.at-communication.com
www.bradspictures.com
http://photo.net
www.goaustralia.about.com