5 Things to Do You Must Do in Phuket, Thailand

1. Go to the beach! If anything that should be the first thing you do when you get to Phuket. Phuket is renowned for having one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Thailand and some of the top beaches in the world are found just off the coast of Phuket and even on the island. If you like the face paced kind of life, then you would love Patong Beach. Said to be infamous for its nightlife and abundance of activities, Patong is great for those who want to play by day and party by night.

If you are the kind who prefers solitude more, then Nai Thon beach is just for you. This picturesque beach has yet to be discovered by the masses so head there while its still unspoiled and at its natural best.

2. Visit Wat Chalong - Wat Chalong (Chalong Temple) is filled with history and culture of Phuket. Legend even states that miracles were performed here on Wat Chaitararam (known by royal decree), and that the Wat had healing capabilities. See famous Buddhist statues such as the Poh Than Jao Nonsi and even some of the ex-abbots of the temple like Luang Poh Chuang and Luang Poh Gleum. The Grand Pagoda that dominates the temple contains a splinter of Lord Buddha's bone ( Pharmahathatchedi-Jomthaibarameepragat) Take a stroll through the place and relive the life of Buddha as depicted on the paintings hanging all over the walls.

3. Go to a Muay Thai match - This one may not be for all but (especially if you don't like violence) but it's certainly something to give a try especially since you're in the land where Muay Thai originated. One of the most popular spectator sports around, head for the boxing stadium in Phuket town on a Friday night to catch the spectacular sport of boxing with its pre-fight rituals and even music accompaniment.

4. Go for a walk through Khao Phra Thaeo National Park - One of Phuket's last untouched rainforest has been turned into a national park with simply breath-taking beauty all around. If you like trekking, go for an 8km trek throughout the park and end off at the majestic Tonsai waterfall

5. Visit Old Phuket - Streets are filled with 100 year old shop houses that have been remade into small hotels, restaurants and shops. Spend a little time here and feel the character of this island come to life as you explore the older yet attractive side of town.

Five Places You Should Not Miss While Visiting London

You will find all kind of people from the cultural ages to modern people whose lifestyle has changed the face of London. London is known as the biggest cultural site and offers good opportunities and tourist attraction.

While traveling to London, you should not miss the following places:

1) The British Museum: This museum was founded in 1753, and has the collection of 71,000 unique items which are being contributed by 'Sir Hans Sloane'. The museums charter had declared that it should be free of charges for all the people who would like to visit this museum.

2) The London Eye: This sightseeing attraction draws around 4 million people yearly and is most popular place in the world to watch. This huge wheel stands almost 135 meters over entire London city and is considered as the tallest wheel of the world. Visiting this place can be an enchanting experience.

3) The London Zoo: This zoo is situated in the Regents Park and is the most popular zoo and houses more than 12,000 different types of species. This zoo is considered to be the must see, visitors come around the world to see.

4) The Tower of London: This tower was built in white stone that was imported from France. It is also called as the Bloody Tower. It is known to imprison, protect Wonder Goers in the past.

5) The Madam Tussuads Experience: This is the house of many Waxes made of great people. It has many Wax statues of some great people along with big celebrity from around the world. Visiting this place can really a great experience with so many things to see. If you are planning a holiday in abroad then you must visit London.

Thailand A Land of Spirits, Demons and The Ghost of Mae Nak

Thailand is arguably the most spiritual country in the world. Every house, shop, hotel, garden or even tree will have its own sacred mini "Spirit House", respectfully erected where it doesn't fall in shadow, where the spirits live. If this spiritual thoughtfulness is not enough, every morning the spirits that live in the spirit house are brought breakfast (or at least some other symbolic offering). It's often puzzled me that in a land that is so dripping with spirituality...where every house and garden is blessed by Buddhist monks...why it should be crawling with Christian missionaries. I can only assume that it is the "wrong" kind of spirituality.

The longer I live here the more I see how everyday life is intrinsically interwoven with spiritual life. The spirit world is every bit as real and important as Premiership Football, Pizza Hut or winning the lottery. Important decisions regarding everyday life, such as whether to get married, have children, go to university or which lottery ticket to buy is guided by a large extent by the spirit world. There are endless daily consultations with the spirits in the spirit house or other notable shrines.

If you are lucky enough to be able to spend a few days in Bangkok, as well as seeing the Grand Palace and the usual tourist round, it is well worth setting an afternoon aside to take a trip to the end of the Sukhumvit Sky Train Line at Onnut, and pop down to see the incredible shrine to Mae Nak or Mother Nak as you or I might have known her. If you get off at Onnut station and walk down Soi 77, which is also known as Onnut Road, or Soi Onnut, a little way down on your left you will come to a small sign, (which is very easy to miss as I found out after marching for miles through the Bangkok hinterland) which points down Soi 7 to Wat Mahabut. The shrine to Mae Nak is at the bottom of this little lane next to the temple.

The shrine is visited around the clock, mostly by young mothers, or couples trying to have children. Although the legend, and ghost story of Mother Nak is at least 200 years old, her blessing and counsel is still eagerly sought. She sits in her own lounge attended by a full time platoon of ladies who arrange the offerings of clothes in front of her and switch the channels on her TV. The last time I was there I counted over 50 people arrive in just under an hour, and this was on a rainy Tuesday afternoon.

While you are there, apart from finding out more about the spine tingling ghost story of Mae Nak, which was recently made into a hugely successful major Thai horror film, there are plenty of other surreal distractions (as if offering clothes and toys and talking to a TV watching life size model of Mae Nak is not enough for you). There are lots of stalls selling all different types of water animals, from catfish to water beetles, in order for you to make a wish as you let them go into the adjacent canal. There are also birds in cages that for a small fee you can free, thus gaining the favours of Mae Nak herself. And if all this isn't enough...you can see if you can spot the footprints on the ceiling that Mae Nak left 200 years ago where she appeared, upside down, to the congregation of terrified monks.

If Thailand is not the spirit and ghost capital of the world, I can't think where is.

Ko Samui - Crown Jewel of Thailand Tourist Spots

A lot of us tend to underestimate the grandeur, splendour and majesty of the many beautiful islands of the country of Thailand. While we are on this topic it is unfitting not to remember the magical contribution that Ko Samui makes to the tourist attractions of Thailand. It plays its part perfectly providing every vacationer with a valid reason to return again and again.

This island, Thailand's third largest, is located approximately 35 kms. from the town of Surat Thani and offers commuters an international airport, which is humble in its design and yet boasts of a uniqueness that is yet to be matched. This is the perfect place to land giving you a subtle hint of a vacation spot out of a fairytale world. Transportation within the island is not a problem. Samui is known for its Pickup taxis that will take you around the island, and are easy to come by during the day and at night. You can also rent yourself a jeep or motorbike at an extremely reasonable price, if you want to explore the island for yourself; highly recommended by any tourist.

The main areas to visit in Ko Samui are Chaweng and Lamai. They are famous among all tourists alike for their bustling streets during the day offering exquisite Thai cuisine, an exhaustive range of shops for the compulsive shopper and their generally inviting atmosphere. Night life in Cheweng and Lamai is no less exciting. They have their own selection of bars and discotheques and pubs to welcome their visitors to arguably the best nightlife around. The Green Mango, Reggae Pub, Santa Fe and Bauhaus are the most famous night spots on the island.

We can't forget one of the major reasons anyone would want to visit Thailand. Of course, it's the sprawling Thailand beaches, giving all tourists the opportunity to soak up the sun. Ko Samui offers no less to its tourists. Some of the better known Thailand beaches in Ko Samui are Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach and Mae Nam Beach, each providing the tourist with different experiences and activities, but all providing the same warm Thai hospitality.

The tourist attractions in Thailand are also its various Thailand festivals. In Ko Samui, just like any other part of Thailand, they celebrate, in addition to New Year's Day and the Chinese New Year, the Thai New Year. It is known is Songkran, a word derived from Sanskrit, and is celebrated every year from 13th April to 15th April. Loy Krathong is another unique Thailand festival held in Ko Samui.

So if you want a truly Thai branded experience, Ko Samui is no less a haven than any other mysterious island of this magnificent country. A journey to this fascinating place will leave you always coming back for more.

Fidel Castro Is Not Augusto Pinochet

INTRODUCTION:
Since 1960 Fidel and Raul Castro have send a sinister example to Third World nations. The number of countries which democratically governed and respect human rights is decreasing since 2004.Today there are many dictatorships: Thailand, Venezuela, Zimbabwe...

OPPOSITION BY ANTI-PINOCHET GROUPS
Miss Chile,Jenny Purtho Arap, was eliminated in the first round at the Miss Universe Pageant on July 26, 1982, in Lima, Peru´s capital city. Certainly, she, a girl with charming personality and beautiful eyes, was the big favourite by the international journalism. I think that Chile should have been crowned Miss Universe in my country.I believe that she was robbed of title for political reasons.

One of the major problems which Chilean dictatorship had to face was the international boycott campaign.From 1973 to 1989 Chile suffered international sanctions. Different from Cuba, many countries did not have diplomatic relations with Augusto Ramon Pinochet Ugarte, who ruled from 1973 to 1990. Many Chileans did not get VISA, an example was Claudio Arrau, one of the best pianists in the history. The same history of Israel, Taiwan, Rhodesia (currently Zimbabwe) and South Africa (Apartheid).

Ironically, The People`s Republic of China and Romania recognized the Chilean dictatorship. Under the leadership of Mao Tse-tung and Jiang Qing, First Lady of the Chinese Revolution, China and Chile had maintained good diplomatic relations.However, Pinochet Ugarte was harshly attacked by the USSR, Cuba, East Germany, Mexico, Sweden, Italy and Norway.

In 1980 Ferdinand Marcos, dictator of Philippines, invited Augusto Pinochet to come to his country.On March, 1980, he left Santiago de Chile for Philippines and made transit stops in Fidji,an ex British colony, and Tahiti.When Augusto Pinochet arrived Suva, the capital city of Fiji, a small country in the South Pacific, some human rights activists were waiting for him.There were protests against Chilean dictator´s visit.His tour had already begun when the tour was cancelled abruptly at the last moment by the dictatorship Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos.

1976: In the Davis Cup final match , the Chileans lost to Italy, but the team from Chile had a particularly difficult tournament. In Rome, a group of people blocked the entrance to stadium before the match between Chile and Italy, chanting: "Pinochet is a dictator"..."He is a genocide"...Pinochet is Hitler"...and "Pinochet is the worst dictator in the history".Certainly, Chile´s participation again became an issue.

Many famous people went to Festival Internacional de la Canción Viña del Mar, but they were criticized by human rights activists and journalists. Camilo Sesto, Spanish singer, was called "Camilochet". In July 1978, the Mexican government objected to the presence of Miss Chile , Marianne Muller, in the Miss Universe Pageant beauty in Acapulco, Mexico.Another example:Jorge Luis Borges was considered one of the best writers in the 20th Centur.He was nominated several times for the Nobel Prize for Literature, but Borges was never awarded the Noble Prize by Swedish Academy.Why? In 1976 Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges visited Chile. Cuba would have wanted to have a writer like him...

The Chilean dictator Augusto Jose Ramon Pinochet never was accepted by the Latin America Community and Third World countries.Pinochet became notorious for human rights abuses and corruption. From 1973 to 1989, more than 3,000 Chileans were killed by Pinochet`s Secret Police Force. His autocratic and anti-communism style of rule earned him many enemies.

THE STUDENT SURPASS THE TEACHER

In comparison to Augusto Pinochet and Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina, Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz , whose father was a Spanish immigrant, is not famous like dictator... He is called "Third World spokesman" Why? Unfortunately people that don´t know Cuba very much think that Castro is a "good man". Honestly, he never has been compared to Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, former dictator of Haiti, and Charles Taylord. "The student always surpass the teacher" is my favourite slogan. In my opinion, I think that Castro´s Communist dictatorship is worse than the former Chilean. Dictatorship.

Cuba is one of the few nations in the world in which a family controls the government. From 1960 to 2006 Fidel Castro was President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba...Currently, Raul Castro Ruz, Fidel´s brother, is the Head of State.They claim that Cuba has the most highest human development rate in the Third world and that Cubans live better in the Island than in South Korea, Singapoore, Taiwan and India.During Cold War, Cuba received more money per capita than the Socialist Republic of Ethiopia, one of the most poorest nations on Earth.

The country`s resources are used to build Olympic projects devised by dictator`s megalomania. Cuba has one of the most highest suicide rates in the world and the Island has the highest number of abortions in Latin America in relation to its population.Ironically, the standard of human development is going down. Ultimately the prostitution is increasing alarmingly in the Island. The dictatorship restricts such liberties as freedom speech and freedom of the press. Under the socialism, the government has imposed sharp restrictions on artists who criticize the dictatorial system. Reports Without Borders considers Cuba one of the "15 enemies of the Internet". More than 300 artists and writers have defected since 1960: Jose Manuel Carbonell (poet), Lydia Cabrera( writer), Ernesto Caparros (photographer), Ernesto Lecuona(pianist), Guillermo Cabrera Infante (writer), Enrique Labrador (writer), Jesus Diaz (film maker) Nestor Almendros (film maker) and Jorge Esquivel (dancer).

KILLINGS FIELDS AND GAYS

Cuba`s dictatorship was one of the firsts states in the world that prohibited homosexuality. The general gays rights situation under Cuban Revolution was catastrophic during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.Many gays were jailed, tortured and exiled by Castro´s "Olympic Paradise"...Reynaldo Arenas, a gay writer, was imprisoned several times because of his longtime opposition to Cuban rule.After release, Arenas wrote his autobiography, with the title "Antes que caiga la noche" (Before night falls).

The Cuban Secret Police is extensively used by Fidel and Raul Castro to suppress and disrupt pro-democratics movements. However, a number of protests against human rights violation are organized by Las Damas de Blanco. Las Damas de Blanco have been compared to Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo (Argentina), who fought against the dictator Jorge Rafael Videla.
Unfortunately, some Third World democracies support the Cuban government for economical reasons. Cuba has sent more than 6,000 doctors, coaches, technicians and teachers around the world. Furthermore there are 15,000 foreign students in the Island.

I would like to finish my essay "Fidel Castro is not Augusto Pinochet" with my favourite personal motto: "Only oppression should fear the full exercise of freedom" by Jose Marti.
REFERENCES:
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-Encyclopaedia Británica Book of The Year 1977, 1981, 1984, Encyclopaedia Britannica. Chicago
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-Grondona, Mariano. "La otra Cuba", Visión, Miami, diciembre de 1993
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-Guía del Mundo 1993-94, Instituto del Tercer Mundo, Montevideo, 1992
-Guzmán, Patricio. Documental: La Batalla de Chile (II)/Chile/ 1977
-Huntington, Samuel. The Third Wave. Democratization in the Latre Twentieth Century, University Oklahoma Press, Norman, 1991
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-Rodriguez Elizondo, José. Crisis y Renovación de las Izquierdas, Editorial Andres Bello, Santiago, 1995
-Suchlicke, Jaime. The Cuban Military Under Castro, University of Miami, Miami, 1989
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-The World Almanac and Book of Facts 1975-2006, The World Almanac Books, New York, New Jersey
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Discover the Top 5 Best Places and Attractions to Visit in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is Thailand's largest city in the country's northern region. It is considered the most culturally place in Thailand. In the past years, Chiang was developed into a more modern city. It has a vast number of attraction sites which bring thousands of tourists in the city every year. the city is important for it holds most of the country's history.

Here are the top five most visited places in Chiang Mai Thailand:

o    Chiang Dao Elephant Camp - located at about 73 miles north of Chiang Mai, situated on the banks of Ping River. The camp is known for a place to enjoy elephant rides and performing amazing feats of strength and skill, of the elephant. Almost all tourists visiting Thailand spare time to have a visit here. Chiang Dao camp's elephants are what Thailand is well-known for.

o    Doi Suithep - an impressive mountain located at the west part of the city. Visitors can reach the place via songtaew taxi or hire a bike which takes a 15km ride to the summit. The highly sanctified temple at the top of the mountain is a popular pilgrim spot for Thais. It has a humbling view of the green landscape scene. There is also the Phuping Palace gardens and Hmong villages found on the top of the mountain. Visitors can also visit Doi Pui forest, which hides behind it. This is one of the most popular attraction sites in Thailand.

o    Mae Sa Valley - located about 30 minutes about 30 minutes drivefrom Chiang Mai. This place is where one can find the magnificent multi-tiered Mae Sa waterfall, and also the orchid farm, monkey and snake farms and other botanical gardens. This is a wonderful place where one can enjoy the exuberating beauty of the real Chiang Mai, considering the gifts of nature as the city's pride.

o    Ping River Valley - located at the eastern par of Chiang Mai, with will take around 30 minutes ride.  The valley reveals a wonderful mountain view, and several attractions sites. Visitors can also witness the beauty of San Khampaeng hot springs, the excellent Mae On cave and the charming mountain hamlet of Mae Kampong. The place was considered the main choice of destination for visitors who loves to do mountain climbing and nature strolls.

o    San Khampaeng hot springs - visitors can enjoy hot baths, though not advisable for the hot springs tend to increase its temperature consequently. An attractive place visited by many tourists.  The place is rather used for sight seeing, and for picnic trips.

These are the top five places in Chiang Mai Thailand. Though there are other more interesting places to visit here, these are the five most recommended places for guests to have a perfect picture of Chiang Mai's beauty.

Ten Essential Things to Do When You Visit Thailand

It's not hard to understand why Thailand has become such a hot name when tourism is the topic of discussion. After all, Thailand is very rich in terms of its culture as manifested by its various museums and temples. At the same time, Thailand has a lot to brag about with its natural resources. These are two large factors which bring tourists from all over the world into Thailand.

1.) Bangkok's Canals

Bangkok, Thailand is known for its open canals. This is used for various open water activities, and you can find floating houses here, which will certainly make you wonder how do these houses remain floating? At the same time, you can also shop in Thailand's open canals, indeed a very bright and original way to do your shopping.

2.) Tarutao Marine National Park

Thailand makes an effort to preserve its wildlife resources and its animal and plant species. While being ardent in protecting them, you can enjoy and relish their company through the Tarutao Marine National Park. You must not forget to visit here while you're in Thailand.

3.) Temple of Wat Arun in Bangkok, Thailand

There are 400 Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand, but Wat Arun is one of those temples which are most notable. This is because of its modern architectural design, and at the same time, its unique distinction from others. A portion of the temple contains images of Buddha's life.

4.) Statue of Buddha in Ko Samui, Thailand

In the Island of Ko Samui, Thailand lays a world-famous statue of Buddha. This statue stands 12 m or 29 feet tall and is most notable for the bright colors with which it is portrayed. You must visit this religious place situated in an island not far from Thailand's capital.

5.) Grand Palace, Bangkok

A world famous site is the Grand Palace, Bangkok. The Grand Palace is a complex of royal buildings where royalty in Thailand lives; however, only one complex, the Wat Phra Kaeo, is open to tourists. The Grand Palace is a place you must visit in Thailand.

6.) Thai Boxing

As the people in Thai call the sport, "Muay Thai," it is something you definitely should not miss - whether by actual experience or by watching. Thai boxing is actually a very historic sport throughout the history of Thailand, even having royal and religious roots. Thai boxing in Thailand can never be the same as in other places.

7.) Thailand's Theater and Arts

There are a variety of unique theater experiences you can have in Thailand. Two such examples are Khon and Nang Yai. Khon is a dramatization of Thailand's myths and ancient tales, while Nang Yai, on the other hand, is portrayed through puppets of shadows.

8.) Suan Pakkad Palace

The palace is the perfect place for you to go if you want to have a look at traditional houses in Thailand. Also, in Suan Pakkad Palace, there are art collections which you might want to go to. This is a tourist destination that will suit an art lover's taste.

9.) Vimameck Mansion

This mansion-turned-museum is graced for being the largest teakwood mansion in the world. What Thailand did was to turn Vimameck Mansion into a museum as well. Because of this, you not only get to see the mansion but you also get to see artifacts exhibited in the museum.

10.) National Museum in Bangkok

A visit to Bangkok shall not be complete without going to the National Museum. Chronicled in the National Museum is practically the history of Bangkok presented through artifacts from before up to the modern pieces of contemporary art. You will surely get to have the feel of Thailand through the National Museum.

The Forbidden City - Home of the Imperial Emperors in Ancient China

If there is one place in China you have to see, it is the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City is an imperial palace that was the home to 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties from 1420 to 1912. Mere words alone simply cannot describe how impressive the Forbidden City is and how it was and still is an integral part of Chinese culture and history. A visit to the Forbidden City should be ranked high on every travellers bucket list.

One mere blog post cannot do justice to the awesomeness of the Forbidden City so I will humbly cover the basics, throw in a few pics of my last visit and give you the basics to help you with your visit which you must make.

Background and History

Name - People were only allowed to enter and leave with the emperor's permission so it was called "forbidden". "City" comes from the translation of the a part older Chinese name cheng which means walled city. Now common Chinese name for the Forbidden City is gu gong which directly translates into old palace.

History - After moving house a few times, the Ming Dynasty emperor Zhi Di decided to head back to Beijing and needed a suitable residence so work on the Forbidden City began in 1406 and finished in 1420. The Forbidden City was the home for the royal family until 1912 when Puyi abdicated the throne to Sun Yat Sen and the newly formed Republic of China.

Facts - The world's largest palace complex (eat your heart out Buckingham Palace) covering 74 hectares, over 8500 rooms (number vary depending on who you talk to). The encircling wall is over 8 meters wide at the base and over 6 meters wide at the top and has a circumference of over 3,400 meters.

Description - Is divided into two parts, the outer court and the inner court. The outer court was used for ceremonial purposes (impress guests) and the inner court housed the emperor and his extended family and served as the emperors offices.

Trivia - All except for two roofs in the Forbidden City are made with glazed yellow tiles because yellow is the color of the emperor. The north south central axis running from the "Gate of Dine Might" at the north to the "Meridian Gate" at the south is the actual central axis of Beijing. Starbucks opened a store there in 2000 and did not close until 2007 when sanity finally prevailed. Chairman would never have let that happen.

Going there - You want at least half a day to see the Forbidden City properly. I took over 6 hours and had to be dragged out by companions with less refined taste. Start of early in the morning at Beijing Train Station which is major tourist destination in its own right. Then walk north along Beijing Station street until you hit Jiang Guo Men street and then head west and keep going till you see the entrance to he Forbidden City. You can't miss it. You'll have Tian An Men square to your left and an enormous portrait of Chair Man Mao to your right. The walk itself is a delight and a great way to see the center of Beijing.

Where to stay - Anywhere in central Beijing within walking distance of Tian An Men is OK. My favourite is the Beijing City Central International Youth Hotel which is across the road from the Beijing train station. Prices are reasonable, staff friendly and location ideal.

Opening hours are from 8:30am to 4:30pm during the low season from November to March and 8:30am to 5:00 during the high season from April to October. Tickets are not sold during the last hour and entry is not allowed during the last 50 minutes. According to my most reliable source (disclaimer here) entry fee during peak season is 60 RMB and 40 RMB for low season.

My Take - You MUST go to the center of the Hall of Supreme Harmony and stand there. Why? Because that spot is the center of the Forbidden City which makes it the center of Beijing which is the center of China which is from a Chinese persons point of view, the center of the universe. So stand there, take a photo (like mine below) and savour the experience of being at the center of the universe. The Australian equivalent (from a Melbournians point of view) is standing on the steps of Flinder Street train station.

Then spend hours wandering through the buildings, lane ways and court yards where the rulers of China lived, ruled, played, plotted and died. Countless Chinese TV series are based on the Forbidden City and life there during the Qing and Ming dynasties.

Interesting Facts About the Philippines - From History to Sports

Cardinal Jaime L. Sin

Did You Know - Cardinal Jaime L. Sin, who was one of the world's most popular religious leaders, had been nominated for the Nobel Prize several times in the past century. It was not a surprise to the people who had followed his professional life in the Philippines. Like Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Mahatma Gandhi, Sin was an advocate of human development and democracy. He once said, "As a citizen of a country, whether you are a catholic or not, you are duty-bound to participate and to share your views for the welfare of the people". Otherwise, in 1976, Sin won the Rajah Soliman Award for Distinguished Citizenry. This religious leader was author of many publications: "The Revolution of Love" (1972), "Unity in Diversity" (1974), and "The Future of Catholicism in Asia" (1978), among others essays. Otherwise, his favorite idols were Ludwig van Bethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Richard Strauss.

History

Did You Know - The Philippines -- smaller than New Mexico-- was ruled first by Spain, then by the States, and finally by Japan. The Islands gained full independence just after World War II. It has been an independent for over 60 years.

Baguio City

Did You Know - In July 1978, the Anatoly Karpov-Viktor Korchnoi World Chess Championship Match was held in Baguio City. The Prize was of $553,900 (the highest ever awarded in chess).

Ramón Magsaysay

Did You Know - The Ramón Magsaysay Award is the most important prize on the Asian mainland. The prize was established in 1957 by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in honour of the former Head of State of the Philippines. Among the winners were: Dalai Lama (1959), Mother Teresa (1962), Akira Kurosawa (1965), Muhammad Yunus (1984), and Corazon Aquino (1998). According to "Time" magazine of November 26, 1951, Magsaysay was a highly energetic man and a leader who has won an unchallenged reputation for honestly"

FIBA World Cup

Did You Know - Surprisingly, the FIBA World Championships were held in the Philippines, whose First Lady, Imelda Marcos, led a campaign for it, in late 1978.

World-Famous Persons

Did You Know - Efren "Bata" Reyes became the toast of the Philippines. Over the last decades, the country's billiards star Reyes has won numerous global titles:
1996: FBT World 8-Ball Championship
1998: World 8-Ball Championship
1999: World 9-Ball Championship
2002: World Pool League Champion
2004 : World 8-Ball Championship

National Heroes

Did You Know - Apart from the likes of Efren Reyes, Ramón Magsaysay, Corazón Aquino, and Jaime L. Sin, the Asian republic has other well-known individuals on Earth: Philip Vera Cruz (social reformer), Gabriela Silang (nationalist), Raúl Manglapus (diplomat), Benigno Aquino (journalist), Jose P. Rizal (nationalist), and Josefa LLanes (women's rights leader).

Economics

Did You Know - In spite of its abundant natural resources and unique landscapes, from one of the world's largest marine reserves to amazing lakes and tropical gardens, the national per capita income is $ 3,500 (compared to $6,100 in Thailand).

Beauty Pageants

Did You Know - In 1973, Margarita Moran, Miss Philippines and Miss Universe, received congratulatory messages from American President Richard Nixon. The Arizona-size land -- like soccer in Brazil or surfing in Hawaii - is a pageant-obsessed country in the world. The Asian country boasts six international pageant titles. In addition, Miriam Quiambao ,under the guidance of Osmel Sousa (Miss Venezuela's national director), was first runner-up in Miss Universe 1999.

Leandro Locsin

Did You Know - Leandro Locsin ,who was a world-renowned architect, designed a number of buildings in the Islands, including the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Philippine International Convention Center, and the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Women & Power

Did You Know - On January 20, 2001,Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who was Joseph Estrada's vice President, was the second woman to become formal Head of State in the country. Arroyo, a U.S.-educated economist, was born on April 5, 1947 in San Juan, Manila. She, who is a good friend of former President Bill Clinton, was the fourth democratic leader of the Philippines since 1986. The Asian republic is one of the few nations that has two female presidents. Corazón Aquino was the first woman to have won that office in 1986.

Politics

Did you know... On May 11, 1998, Joseph "Erap" Estrada was one of the first former movie actors to win a presidential election on Earth.

United Nations

Did You Know - In 1949, Carlos Romulo was elected President of the United Nations Assembly in New York.

Sports

Did You Know - The golden age of Filipino sports occurred from 1930 to 1958. At the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, the country's athlete Simeon Toribio finished third in high jump and earned a bronze medal. Four years on, Miguel White, a specialist in the 400m hurdles event, also won a bronze in the Olympic Games in Germany. At the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo (Japan), the national squad finished second in the medal count (49 medals), behind the host country.

America and the Philippines

Did You Know - General Douglas MacArthur admired the Philippines. Under his leadership, the islands became an independent country on July 4, 1946.

Famous visitors

Did You Know - The Supreme Pontiff John Paul visited the nation in February 1981 and January 1995.

Russian Girls: Ultimate in Beauty and Elegance

Just a look at the number of Miss World and Miss Universe title winners will tell you about the amazing beauty of Russian girls. They are naturally beautiful just as their country is. What sets them apart is their charm and elegance that is reflected in a very feminine style, not found in women from the western countries. Girls from Russia are just the type you would want to take home to introduce to your folks as a prospective bride. They remind you of your mother with all their feminine charm, and also because they are very homely.

There is no doubt that Russian girls are mesmerizing with their out of this world beauty but it is not just their beauty that is attracting thousands of men from western countries like the US, UK, Canada and Australia to them. If you have a friend with a beautiful Russian wife, you know what I mean. You are jealous with his family life as he seems to be so happy and content unlike others who have local girls as their spouses. This is not to belittle western girls. It is just that Girls from Russia are so homely and caring. They are totally family oriented and believe strongly in family values. They are prepared to sacrifice their own aspirations and even an outstanding career for the sake of their family and kids which is rare in girls from western countries.

The dress sense of girls from Russia is magical. Whether they are rich or poor, they dress in the most feminine way and never step out of their homes in a casual manner. You will find them always nattily dressed with a beautiful hairstyle that makes them look most attractive and elegant. Western girls wear jeans and tops like men and venture out in casual attire which is all too good as long as you are dating them when you are a teen or a young adult. But when it comes to marriage you are always looking for a homely girl to look after your family and kids. This is precisely the reason why more and more men from The US and the UK are heading to Russia to find a suitable match for them. Russian girls are in great demand among these men, and surprisingly, finding and marrying a girl from Russia is not too difficult in this age of fast communication.

With the availability of so many Russian dating sites with lots of girls having their profiles on them, it is really very easy to find a girl of your choice. You can choose some of the girls from the site of which you have taken membership of, and introduce yourself politely. You get a chance to chat with the girls, which gives you a lot of information about them. If you think that one of these Russian girls is perfect to have a long term relationship, you can propose to her after some time. This is perhaps the easiest way of getting to know and eventually marry one of these beautiful Russian girls.

Fun Facts About Malaysia - Education Transformed the Country!

Welcome to Malaysia- From Tourism to Economy!

Economics

Did you know- From an economical perspective, Malaysia is one of the most industrialized countries on the continent of Asia. By the 1970s and 1980s, the economy was highly developed and Malaysia boasted one of the highest economic growth rates on the planet. By that time, it expanded its educational system very fast. Unlike Latin America, from Cuba, Peru and Venezuela to Bolivia and Argentina, the education, industry and minerals have transformed Malaysia into a middle-income country. Malaysia is one of Asia's richest places in minerals: tin, oil, gas, and iron, as well as copper, and bauxite. Tourism is growing rapidly since the mid-1990s. In fact, Malaysia is a perfect place for different types of tourism in Asia:ideal climate, isolated beaches, amazing islands,marine biodiversity, rich history, scenic landscapes, beautiful architecture, tropical biodiversity, and a modern capital city with luxury accommodations. Finally, Malaysia has three World Heritage Sites:

-Gunung Mulu National Park

-Kinabalu Park

-Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca

Independence

Did you know- Malaysia gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1957. At the same time, it became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Geography

Did you know-Malaysia is located in southeast Asia, between the Kingdom of Thailand and Indonesia. It has an area of 127300 square miles ( 330442 square kilometers). The nation is about the size of Austria (32,378 sq. mi.), Bulgaria (42,800 sq. mi.), Lithuania (25,200 sq. mi.), Slovakia (18,859 sq. mi.), and the Netherlands (16,033 sq. mi.) combined. There are mountains - covers about half of the country's entire territory-valleys, islands, and tropical rainforests. These jungles are filled with wild animals such as tigers, primates, orangutans and exotic birds. The major rivers include: the Sungai Pahang, the Rajang and the Kinabatangan. This land has about 23 million people. Kuala Lumpur is home to the country's capital. The English is the official language, but it has a large non-English speaking population.

Sports

Did you know- The most popular sports are: soccer, badminton, basketball, golf, field hockey, and swimming. On the other hand, the 1998 Commonwealth Games were held in Malaysia, an Asian country renowned for its sports facilities. Over 3,600 athletes from 70 countries and dependencies participated in the Commonwealth Games, including Wales, Isle of Man, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The national team won 63 medals ( 10 gold, 14 silver, and 12 bronze) and finished fourth in the medal count. The best athletes were: Wong Choong Hann (badminton), Sapok Biki (boxing), Thye Chee Kiot (gymnastics), Bibiana Ng Pei Chin (shooting), Lee Wan (badminton), Rosli Effandy (road bicycle racing), Matin Guntali (weightlifting) and Zainal Abidin Md Zain (shooting).

Human Development

Did you know- Malaysia has a good quality of life. In the mid-1990s, the Asian country was ranked 57th out of 174 nations and territories in the UN' s Human Development Index. Two years on, Malaysia had finished 60. Once upon a time, it was one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia.

Malaysia & Miss Universe

Did you know- On July 14, 1962 Malaysia made its Miss Universe debut when Sarah Alhabshee Abdullah participated in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. From 1962 to 2009, the Asian nation has sent up to 44 delegates to Miss Universe. By 1970, the nation's contestant Josephine Lena Wang Jaw Leng was one of the 15 semi-finalists. In addition, Josephine was named among the 10 best in swimsuit, along with Kristina Hanazalova (Czechoslovakia), Debbie Shelton (USA), Jun Shimada (Japan) and other delegates. In the next decades, Michelle McLean, MU 1992, and Chelsy Smith, Miss USA and MU 1995, visited Kuala Lumpur, one of the most exciting metropolises in Asia.

Olympics and the Chinese Real Estate Market

Fortunes come to hosts of the Olympic Games. That is the reason why China has particularly been active to pursue its goal of hosting the games. Beijing knew that if it could secure the rights to stage the game in 2008, it will underpin and seize more opportunities. In this time when the Chinese economy is quickly gaining pace, the 2008 Olympics is formally highlighting the strength of the mainland.

The Chinese real estate market is mostly benefiting from the Olympics. 2008 has been a remarkable year as far as the Chinese property market is concerned. Analysts and experts assert that the games is a significant catalyst to the property boom in the country. It is estimated that in the first half of the year, about 70% of property construction globally is in the Chinese soil. This is not surprising given the fact that construction for the Olympics arena alone has taken significant toll on the figure. China has really spent billions of dollars for the games and for further development of its property features.

The Chinese government's National Development and Reform Commission has reported that home prices in Beijing and in other major cities across the mainland had grown by about 9.2% in the April to June quarter compared to year-ago growth. Notably, 80% of sold Chinese houses are purchased entirely with cash, an indication that per capita income is high as buyers have more cash to allot and spend for such investments. As for the rate of savings per household, the figure is healthy at 25%, becoming more promising and opportunistic for the local property market.

Indeed, there is a reason why China's real estate and housing industry is set apart from that in the US, where prices are falling. While in other developed countries, home prices and declining, it is a different story in China, especially these days as the Olympics caught the world's attention and focused it to the country.

It is expected that after the Olympic Games, the real estate market in the country will bloom more. That is because after the event, people from all over the world will surely be impressed with the vacation spots and destinations in the mainland. Events like the Olympics and Miss Universe are considered Midas of the real estate sector. Every where such important global events are held, tourism and real estate are heavily promoted. Thus, it is not surprising why it is always a lifetime goal of every country and city to host the Olympics.

China is surely using the games as another stepping stone so that it could further achieve its goals and targets. After the Olympics, China will surely emerge triumphant. From then on, it is forecast that property industry will all the more blossom and bloom. The scent of Chinese victory is just irresistible. The 2008 Olympic Games will be staged in August 2008 and will be beamed all over the world, exposing the beauty and promising appeal of Chinese real estate further.

Overseas Plastic Surgery - How To Choose The Best Plastic Surgeon Overseas

Getting plastic surgery overseas can be risky and dangerous option if you don't do your research properly. There are many horror stories about people going overseas to have plastic surgery and then having to go back to their home country to 'fix' their surgery - costing them more money then if they had the surgery at home.

National Qualified Plastic Surgeon

Check if the surgeon is qualified as a board certified plastic surgeon in the country you are going to have surgery in. Usually you can go to the country national board website and cross-check their names.

Ask if the surgeon has a before or after picture

In some countries such as Thailand, it is illegal to post any before or after pictures. If they don't have any pictures try talking to their former clients and search around the Internet for recommended places.

Compare the cost of plastic surgery

You can reduce the cost of surgery by 30% or more. For example, to get a facelift in Thailand, it will cost you on average $4,000, compared to America you pay on average $8,000. An amazing 50% saving! However, it is important to include travel, accommodation and insurance costs into the bill.

Which country gives you the best and most affordable plastic surgery?

Each country has it's own negatives and positives. Thailand is renowned for it's sex-change surgery, while India have a lot of skilled surgeons that are trained in western countries such as the U.K and America. Venezuela and Puerto Rico have some of the best surgeons in the world. They are responsible for helping it win more Miss Universe titles, other than America.

Miss Universe Facts!

California'55
 
Like Brazil and the States, Sweden was one of the world's beauty pageant superpowers in the 50s and 60s. In 1955, this Nordic nation won the global title.
 
Long Beach '58
 
Surprisingly, Dutch Guiana - present-day Suriname (South America) -- was one of the 15 semi-finalists, but did not make the list of the five finalists.
 
Miami '61
 
Miss Universe 1961 Marlene Schmidt was born in the former East Germany, but she moved to West Germany in search of political tranquility and new opportunities. She was the first and only German to win the international award.
 
America '65
 
After winning the event, Aspara Hangsakula (Thailand) embarked on a world tour, making stops in the United States, Asia and Latin America. The dark-eyed girl is Thailand's most famous beauty queen.
 
Florida '66
 
Inspired by Hangsakula's victory, Thailand's representative Jeeranum Savettanum was second runner-up.

Miami '71

Lebanon's Miss Universe Georgina Rizk, a native of Beirut, was the one of the first Miss Universes to appear on a national postage stamp. She, who participated in Miss World, is about five feet seven inches tall (she is taller than Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco ), weights 121 pounds and measures 35-25-35. In addition to this, Miss Lebanon Universe speaks four foreign languages.

El Salvador '75
 
One of the most famous archaeological treasures in Central America, the Tazumal pyramid, was selected by the Miss Universe Organization as the symbol of the 23rd Miss Universe 1975 in San Salvador (El Salvador).

Acapulco '78
 
Dewi Sukarno, former first Lady of Indonesia, was one of the international judges, along with Mario Moreno Cantinflas (Mexico's actor), Ursula Andress (Sweden's actress) and other famous celebrities. Dewi was the wife of former dictator Achmed Sukarno, one of the most brutal rulers in the 20th century.

Perth '79

In the face of international sanctions, Bophuthatswana, it was not recognized by the United Nations and Washington, sent a representative to Australia, site of the beauty contest. Unfortunately, Bophuthatswana's delegate, Alina Moeketse,a black girl, did not make the list of the 12 semi-finalists. Like Transkei, Venda, and Ciskei, Bophuthatswana was founded by the former South African apartheid regime.

Perth'79 & Paradise Island'09
 
Venezuela is often seen as a model for Miss Universe Pageant on Earth. In 1979, Venezuela's representative Maritza Sayalero was elected MU in Oceania. In August 2009, this rich-oil country was the first country to win back-to-back Miss Universe finals. Between 1979 to 2009, the Latin nation has won six global crowns: Australia'79, New York' 81, Panama '86, Las Vegas '96, Vietnam'08 & Paradise Island '09.

New York City '81
 
Venezuela's Irene Saez Conde, 18-year-old, did not learn English until that she won the Miss Universe award in the United States in July 1981.During her reign, under the watchful eye of her professor, Joseph Nassif, she learned to speak English very well.

Panama City '86
 
Miss Denmark, Helena Christensen, who had received little mention in the Panamanian press,  did not even make the semi-finals of Miss Universe Panama '86, but seven years later she, who is half Peruvian, became one of the world's top super-models in the 90s, alongside names like Cindy Crawford, Tyra Banks, and Naomi Campbell.
 
Taipei'88

Four beauty queens from Asia -Thailand (Porntip Nakhirunkanok), South Korea (Yunjung Chang), Japan (Mizuho Sakaguchi), & Hong Kong (Pauline Yeung) -- were among the top five finalists. In this edition, Miss Thailand was crowned Miss Universe 1988. Apart from winning the universal trophy, she also won the "Best national Costume". In Taiwan, Nakhirunkanok ended Latin America's three year domination of international pageant. The three past events had been won by Deborah Carthy-Deu (Puerto Rico/1985), Barbara Palacios (Venezuela/1986) and Cecilia Bolocco (Chile/1987). Mexico's Amanda Olivares was the only one to challenge the Asian supremacy: She finished third in the global contest.

Cancun'89

After falling from the Miss World Pageant in Spain/ UK, Angela Visser, Miss Holland, became Miss Universe in Cancun. According to experts on Miss Universe, the blue-eyed woman, an ex fashion model from Rotterdam, was one of the most beautiful beauty queens of the Twentieth century.

Las Vegas '91
 
Ireland's representative Siobhan McClaferty, 20-year-old hostess, did not make the list of the 10 semi-finalists, but won the Miss Photogenic award. Miss Ireland Universe, a blue-eyed girl, finished 19th (swimsuit: 8.08 points/ interview: 8.88/ evening gown: 8.44) in the international contest in Nevada. Curiously, she came close to winning the 1990 Miss World -- MU's rival - in the United Kingdom.

Bangkok '92
 
Suriname - the only Dutch-speaking republic in the Americas - finished in the last place: 78th.

From Thailand'92 to Manila'94
 
By 1994, Miss Colombia placed second for the third consecutive year. Unfortunately, the South American country has not won a MU trophy in 51 years!

Las Vegas '96

In the preliminaries, Miss India had the highest score in the interviews: 9.48 points, ahead of Venezuela (9.43), USA (9.37), Peru (9.36), Chile (9.28), El Salvador (9.26), Trinidad & Tobago (9.23) and Norway (9.19). India's contestant Sandhya Chib made the top ten , but was not one of the finalists.

Trinidad Tobago'99

The African republic of Bostwana - an obscure country that had never won a beauty contest- earned the global competition in the Caribbean. It was the first time since Namibia (1992) that an obscure nation had won the prize.

Los Angeles '06

This year Puerto Rico won its fourth Miss Universe award after finishing second in the 2005 Miss Universe in Bangkok, Thailand. There were a number of celebrations in the island, after Zuleyka Rivera won the universal title in North America.

Paradise Island '09

According to MU experts, Miss France, Chloe Mortaud, was the pre-pageant favorite to win the MU title in The Bahamas, ahead of Rachael Anne Finch (Australia), Ada Aimèe de la Cruz (Dominican Republic), Iveta Lutokska (Czech Republic) and China (Wang Jungyao). Surprisingly, she, a dual French-American citizen, did not make the top 5, and finished sixth. France's Mortaud was the first black  to be named favorite since Vanessa Mendoza, Miss Colombia, in 2002.

2010 Miss Universe's Spectacle of National Costumes

Miss Universe, she's the most beautiful woman in the world. Just a week ago at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, on August 23rd, the Miss Universe Pageant crowned another lovely lady into this elite group of pageant royalty. While Jimena Naverrete, Miss Mexico, won the 2010 title and walked her victory walk down the stage and no doubt took home a ton of cash and fabulous prizes, some of the most memorable moments were from the parade of national costumes. The national costumes portion of the Miss Universe Pageant is not a judged event, but an much anticipated display of feathers, sequins and such that exemplifies each girl's ability to capture the spirit of her home country.

The award for "Best National Costume" went to Miss Thailand, Fonthip Watcharatrakul who dazzled the audience with a Thai costume featuring leg bracelets and a huge golden staff shaped like a leaf. Of the remaining national country costumes on display there were the simply outrageous and then the shockingly outrageous. Miss Venezuela wore a space-age silver mosaic jumpsuit with a dramatic one-armed cape and Lady Gaga-esque headpiece. Miss USA wore a skimpy gold leotard backed with huge eagle wings and stars; quite a national treasure.

There were other silly and sensational show-stopping looks. The France costume, at first glance, appeared to be a lovely, white evening gown until the beauty pulled out the train behind her festoon with the French flag. Oh, and you couldn't miss her hat - a typical French beret topped by a silver Eiffel tower! Miss Zambia showed off her country's best assets with a national costume that featured gourds, a popular native plant, perched strategically over her chest.

A few of the national costumes were a bit lackluster, like a last-minute shopping trip down to the formal department of J.C. Pennys. And, of course, many were over-the-top showgirl costumes that any drag queen would die for. You don't have to be entering a beauty pageant to dress up in a women's costume that depicts your love for the motherland - try one on for size and you may realize you've found the perfect outfit for a Halloween costume, patriotic festival costume, or downtown parade.

Whitewater Rapid Rafting in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic has always been known as wonderful windsurfing spot. But windsurfing is not the only popular activity in the area. Whitewater rafting is another favorite activity not only of locals but also of tourists. To get to the best whitewater rafting areas, you need to fly into Santo Domingo or Puerto Plata.

Jarabacoa is the one of the best places to go for Dominican rafting and kayak adventures. Here, you will find the most famous whitewater in the country, which is called the Rio Yaque. This is also the Caribbean's longest river. Many people enjoy doing this activity in the Rio Yaque not only because of the exciting rapids but also because of the friendly and efficient instructors and guides that would help you make the most out of your adventure. If the rush you get from the white water rafting activity is not enough for you, climb up the cliff and jump 30 feet into the river.

Jarabacoa is not only limited to rafting and kayaking. You can also enjoy other kinds of outdoor sports and activities such as hiking, horseback riding, waterfall climbing, mountain climbing, and so many more. Mountain climbing is always a thrilling experience especially if you're going to climb Pico Duarte, which happens to be the Caribbean's second highest peak.

Whitewater rafting outfitters provide raft and kayak rentals. Equipment, devices, and gear are also available for rent. Whether you're a novice paddler or a seasoned one, you will find the various challenges you will encounter in this country worthy of your time.

The Best Honeymoon Beaches In The World

A honeymoon is neither a vacation, nor a ritual - it is something that makes a couple experience days of magic. It is something that prompts a couple to make up an imaginary universe of their own and escape into it for a few days. And that is why honeymoons must be planned at pristine spots that add to the romance and the cheer every newly wed feels. Beaches, because of their sands, sea and the tranquil and romantic atmosphere, are the preferred destination of many honeymooners.

Here is our pick of the top 5 honeymoon beaches in the world.

Matira Beach
Raititi Point, Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Regarded as one of the best honeymoon beaches in the world, the Matira Beach begins from the world famous resort, Hotel Bora Bora, and goes round the island. The scenic island lies in the middle of a lagoon with a coral reef protecting it. The sea is fabulous - very gentle and warm, the sands are white, the scenery is lush and the sunsets will make you swoon. Matira beach is just too perfect for a magical honeymoon.

Pink Beach
Harbour Island, Bahamas
The Pink Beach is so beautiful that it will leave you dazed after just one look! It is a small beach filled with pink, fine-grained sand and it is lined by swaying palms. The tropical grounds are scattered with a few cottages (just 25), which ensures that a honeymooning couple gets all the privacy they seek. For all honeymooners, Pink Beach offers a chic and relaxed experience.

Wailea Beach
Muai Island, Hawaii
Wailea beach provides honeymooners both with privacy as well as fun and frolic. Golden sand glitters on the beach, which, with its warm and gentle waters is perfect for swimming. The nearby waterfalls and the national park add the activity element that every honeymooner yearns for after a couple of days of honeymooning in solitude. The island is characterized by an upscale lifestyle and there are just so many things to see and do that it could make a perfect "metropolitan" honeymoon for any couple who want their solitude and yet do not want to miss out on urban life.

Anse Source d'Argent
Seychelles
Seychelles is a breathtaking, stunningly beautiful archipelago made up of 115 islands and Anse Source d'Argent is one of the exquisite beaches out there. Anse Source d'Argent is secluded and seems to be set in an untouched ecosystem. Pink sands and towering granite boulders dot the beach, which is sheltered by a reef and the calm and shallow waters in a gorgeous setting will make a couple feel they are in the Garden of Eden. The island of La Digue, where you have to stay, is classy and does not have any nightclubs, resorts or signs of any frantic activity. This beach is perfect for the couple who wants to get away from it all.

Promenade des Anglais Beach
Nice, France
If you're looking for an extremely fashionable and stylish honeymoon, Promenade des Anglais is the place to be in. A promenade dotted with cafes is just a stone's throw away from the tranquil waters of the Promenade des Anglais Beach, and a honeymooner can really go into raptures in this stylish, sleek, happy and very happening honeymoon beach.

Fascinating Facts About Ecuador

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Christina María Aguilera, who is a famous American singer, has Ecuadorian origin.His father was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador.Only 26 years, she has already made a place for herself in the world of American music. Over the last eight years, Christina Aguilera has produced six albums, including "Christina Aguilera" (1999), "Mi Reflejo" (2000), "My Kind of Christmas" (2000), "Just Be Free" (2001), and "Back to Basics" (2006).

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Ecuador has many famous people:Oswaldo Guayasamín (painter), Jorge Icaza Coronel (writer), Jefferson Leonardo Perez Quesada ( olympic sportsperson), Betty Pino (journalist), José Ayala Lasso (ambassador), Diego Cordovez (ambassador), and Galo Plaza Lasso (former secretary of the Organization of American States (O.A.S.).

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Surprisingly,the small country of Ecuador has produced two of the best tennis players in the past century.Pancho Segura was one of the best tennis player in the 1940s and 1950s.Francisco Olegario Segura, best known as "Pancho Sgura", was born on June 20, 1921, in Guayaquil, Ecuador.Like Guillermo Vilas or José Luis Clerc (Argentina), Raúl Ramírez (Mexico) and Alejandro Olmedo (Peru),Andrés Gómez was also one of the best tennis players in Latin America. Losing only set in four rounds of play, Andrés Gómez eased into the 1990 French Open final against Andre Agassi (United States).He was one of the Third World´s most famous athletes in the 1980s and early 1990s.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Different from Cuba (communist dictatorship) and Venezuela (military dictatorship), Ecuador is a democratic state based on a representative government and the three branches of national power...

DID YOU KNOW THAT...In 1972, Jorge Delgado Panchana, who was born in Guayaquil (Ecuador), became the first Ecuadorian to classify in the finals at the Olympic Games, where he ended fourth in the world in the 200-meter butterfly style competition in Munich, West Germany (currently Germany). Jorge Delgado was one of the best athletes of Latin America in the 20th century.At the 1975 Pan American Games in Mexico City, Mexico, he won the gold medal in the 200-meter freestyle swimming competition. In the 1970s, Jorge Delgado Panchana was coached by Jack Nelson, who was born in the United States.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...The South American country is a popular travel destination.It possesses an exceptionally rich and diverse plant life...Ecuador lends itself to mysticism.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Ecuador has had many famous sportsmen and women in the 20th century: Andres Gómez (tennis), Francisco Segura (tennis), Rolando Vera (track and field), Jorge Delgado Panchana (swimming), José Cedeño (taekwondo), Duvan Langa (taekwondo), Jacinta Sandinford (track and field),Nancy Vallecilla (track and field), Nicolas Lapentti Gómez(tennis), Boris Burov (weightlifting),Galo Legarda (billiards), Mariuxi Febres (swimming) and Alberto Spencer Herrera (soccer).

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Like Volcans National Park (Rwanda), Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Indonesia), Ha Long Bay (Vietnam)and Iguazu Waterfalls (Argentina and Brazil), Galapagos National Park is one of the nature wonders of the world.It is the most important natural monument of Ecuador.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Ecuador is famous in Latin America as the birthplace of Oswaldo Guayasamín, one of the best painters in the 20th century.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...The biodiversity of Ecuador is one of its greatest riches.Bird life is prolific... Ecuador ranks fifth in the world for the number of species it hosts.In Ecuador we can find more than 1.445 species of birds (compared to only 600 in the United States).

DID YOU KNOW THAT...The 5th Taekwondo World Championship was held in Guayaquil, Ecuador,in February 1982.National teams from 36 countries came to Guayaquil for the competition.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Ecuador was a founding member of the United Nations in 1945...

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Ecuador is rich in resources such as shrimps, bananas, flowers,coffee and petroleum.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Rosalía Arteaga Serrano de Fernández de Cordova was elected president of Ecuador for 3 days (February 9,1997-February 11, 1997).She was Ecuador´s first female president.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Without a doubt, the most famous sportsperson in Ecuadorian history is Jefferson Leonardo Pérez Quesada.Surprisingly, he won the gold medal in 20-kilometer walk at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...With a total area of nearly 109,500 sq.km, Ecuador is bigger than the United Kingdom, Israel, Luxembourg, Singapur, Bahrein and Hong Kong combined.More than 13 million people live there.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...American first lady Eleanor Rosalynn Smith Carter visited Ecuador in 1978.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Jorge Icaza (1906-1978) is Ecuador´s most famous contemporary writer.He wrote the widely acclaimed "Huasipungo" (1934).

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Ecuador is one of the oldest republics in the Third World.Ecuador became independent country in 1822,

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Betty Pino, a distinguished journalist, was born in Ecuador.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Ecuadorian culture reflects an admixture of Spanish, African and native Indian influences, similar in many respects to the traditions of Peru and Colombia.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...At least thirty percent of the country´s natural land resources were dedicated to conservation with laws prohibiting hunting,exploitation and trapping in park areas.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...María Soledad Diab Aguilar is one of the most beautiful Ecuadorian woman of all time.She was named Miss Ecuador-Universe in 1992. Miss Ecuador won Miss Photogenic during the Miss Universe 1992 Beauty Pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Between July 13 and July 29,2007,Ecuadorian delegation participated in the Pan American Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, winning 5 gold, 4 silver, and 10 bronze medals. Overall the Ecuadorian team ranked eleventh...

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Frederick Ashton, a world-famous dancer and choreographer, was born on September 17, 1904, in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Galapagos tortoise is a national symbol of Ecuador.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...2004 was the second time the Miss Universe pageant was held in South America. The site was mystical Quito, the capital city of Ecuador.For the second time, Australia (Jennifer Hawkins) won the universal crown.There were a number of big favorites among Ecuadorian journalists, including Miss Ukraine (Okelsandra Nikolayenko), Miss USA (Shandi Ren Finnessey) and Miss Venezuela (Ana Karina Añez Delgado)....Maria Susana Rivadeniera Simball became the second Ecuadorian woman to reach the semi-finals in Miss Universe. Miss Ecuador 2004 impressed judges with her personality, beauty and intelligence. One of the judges was Jefferson Pérez (gold olympic medalist).

DID YOU KNOW THAT...In 1996 Quito, the capital of Ecuador, had a population of only 1,487,523.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...The national sport in Ecuador is soccer, called "fútbol"...Ecuador qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup...Edson Arantes do Nascimento,best known as "Pele", once said, "They play the most modern and surprising soccer in all Latin America".

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Pope John Paul II visited Ecuador in 1985.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Mike Judge, who is a famous American animator and producer, was born in Guayaquil,Ecuador.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...Naturalist Charles Darwin visited Ecuador (1835) and was delighted by the botanical and entomological diversity, collecting plants and animals from the Galapagos islands...

DID YOU KNOW THAT...The first largest city in Ecuador is Guayaquil.This city hosted the 4th Swimming World Championship in August 1982.

DID YOU KNOW THAT...first lady Martha Bucaram de Roldós (1979-1981) led the Ecuadorian delegation to the United Nations Denmark Conference on Women in 1980.She was a woman that always worked with love for Ecuador.

Save Gas This Summer - "Staycation" in Boston!

Gas has gotten more and more expensive over this past year. I'm sure that we can all remember, even 6 months ago, our horror at the possibility of a gallon of gas hitting $4.00. As prices stand today, the average is currently $4.00 here on the East Coast and there is no end in sight. For those of us who love taking summer vacations with our friends, family, and loved ones, this is a depressing thought. It's impacting not only the price of filling up our own personal gas tanks, but also the price of airfare, cruises, and all other forms of transportation to get us out of town on our vacations.

However, there is no need to worry! Here in Boston, we live in a world-class city, and in all of our travels around the country and world, we have really taken that fact for granted. Mayor Menino himself feels our pain and has created a campaign called "Visit the Pin" and he has chosen 10 attractions around the city at which to place giant, 12-foot, red "push pins". The pins have been created to grab our attention and alert us to all the wonderful attractions that Boston has to offer. However, while the places he has chosen are pretty great, they are also very touristy and if you have lived here for a while, you have probably already been to them - maybe even several times.

I have created a list of some of the great, under appreciated spots in Boston that you should visit for the first time, or visit again! I've organized them into 10 can't-miss "day" trips. This list is chock-full of ideas. You may find that each "day" trip contains more than you would be able to accomplish in one day, so you might have to choose the attraction(s) that appeal most to you. Be sure to visit the websites for each of the suggestions for more information. I have tried to choose cost-effective suggestions so that your week off won't break the bank. All you need is your T pass (and not an ounce of gasoline) for a wonderful "Staycation" week in Boston!

1. Day Trip #1: Fine Arts and Culture

If you live here, you have probably spent time at the Museum of Fine Arts and Symphony Hall at some point, but there are MANY other ways to explore arts and culture in Boston. Stop by two or three of these lesser known spots for a very enriching day! I would suggest an art museum or two in the morning and afternoon and a performance in the evening. You could even head over to the waterfront to have lunch at the Channel Cafe (food and drink/art gallery). Be sure to click below and visit the various websites ahead of time for hours, special show and exhibit info.

* Take in some art at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

* Visit the new Institute of Contemporary Art now on the waterfront

* Get tickets to a show at or take a tour of the newly restored Boston Opera House

* See a show at Emerson College's Cutler Majestic Theater...

* ... or at Harvard's American Repertory Theater

* ... or at Boston University's Huntington Theater

* ... or at the exciting Boston Center for the Arts

* Watch some Shakespeare on the Common presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

* Catch some amazing music at the Berkelee Berformance Center

* Support music of the 20th century through the Boston Modern Orchestra Project

2. Day Trip #2: Sports Appreciation

It seems that Boston is the center of the sports universe at the moment - the Red Sox moved into the All-Star break in first place after winning two World Championships in the past 4 years. The Patriots had an undefeated regular season this year after winning the Super Bowl in '01, '03, and '04. This year, the Celtics won the NBA Finals in dramatic fashion. Even the Bruins and the Revolution made great showings in the playoffs. When thinking about what to see in Boston, sports appreciation is at the top of the list! While watching a major sports game might be out of your price range, there are countless ways to appreciate sports in this city. Check out a few of these options:

* Take a tour of historic Fenway Park and check out the famous Citgo Sign

* Run the Boston Marathon (or at least up Heartbreak Hill!)

* Visit the Sports Museum (in the TD Banknorth Garden)

* Attend a game at BC, BU or Northeastern (some are easier to get tickets to than others!)

* Visit the site at Northeastern that was once Huntington Avenue Grounds (original Red Sox home)

* Stop by the historic Boston Braves Field (Now BU's Nickerson Field)

* Catch a horse race at Suffolk Downs

* Visit Harvard Stadium

* Watch a Boston Lobsters Tennis Match

* Visit the Science Museum's current Exhibit: "Baseball as America"

I would suggest lunch/dinner at the Sports Depot, Game On, The Fours, or Boston Beer Works for the full Boston sports experience!

3. Day Trip #3: City of Learning

Above all else, when people think about Boston, they think of the rich academic culture that our city embodies. Boston has more colleges per square mile than any other city in the world. Naturally, we are a city that is overflowing with learning opportunities. Why not spend some time appreciating those opportunities? Here are some wonderful ways you can spend the day learning in Boston. Break for lunch at Novel, the Boston Public Library restaurant!

* Visit the historic and beautiful Boston Public Library

* Stop by the Boston Anthenaeum

* Take a free walking tour of Harvard University or MIT

* Spend an afternoon in one of many used book stores in Boston or Cambridge

* Take a class at the Boston Center for Adult Education

* Learn about how beer is made! Take a tour of the Samuel Adams Brewery

* Visit the Mary Baker Eddy Library and it's famous Mappariam

After your intense day of learning, you'll need to kick back - stop by the Thirsty Scholar Pub for some dinner and a drink and give your brain a break!

4. Day Trip #4: History

It can easily be argued that there is really no city in the United States that is more historically significant than Boston. The city wears this identity well while still looking toward the future, mixing centuries-old beautiful buildings with modern towering skyscrapers. If you work downtown, unless you walk slowly and read the signs you pass each day (and who does that around here?) you may not realize the significance of the buildings around you. I'm sure that if you grew up around here, you have walked the Freedom Trail once or twice, but there may be more obscure historical landmarks that you have never even noticed! Take a day to walk around a little more slowly, visit some of these interesting landmarks, and look up once in a while! While you are at it, stop by Boston's oldest restaurant, the Union Oyster House, for dinner.

* Learn about the lives of a well-to-do family in historic Boston at the Gibson House Museum

* Visit the headquarters of Historic New England at the Otis House Museum

* Pay your respects to our forefathers and foremothers at Granary Burying Ground and King's Chapel Burying Ground

* Visit the Museum of African American History and take the Black Heritage Trail

* Talk a walk along the Boston Women's Heritage Trail

* Tour the historically and architecturally significant Trinity Church

5. Day Trip #5: Island Hopping

If you are anything like me, you have never taken full advantage of the fact that we have an amazing National Park right off the coast of Boston. The park is comprised of 34 small islands (11 of which are open to the public) just minutes away by boat. The islands vary as far as what you can do on each of them, so use this list as a guide to get you started. The National Park Service recommends picking no more than two islands to visit in one day, so take a look and choose one or two that look interesting to you. Concession stands are available at Georges and Spectacle Islands, but why not bring a picnic lunch for your visit to the islands! It's a perfect excuse for a picnic!

* Camp overnight on Grape, Bumpkin or Lovells Island - Permits are required

* Visit Lovells Island for the day for trails that pass by dunes and woods, picnic areas, an unsupervised swimming beach, and the remains of Fort Standish

* Visit and explore Deer Island and learn about its fascinating history

* Visit popular Georges Island, the transportation hub for the system of islands, its open fields, paved walkways and gravel beach - be sure to tour historic Fort Warren while you are there

* Check out Little Brewster, home of Boston Light, the country's oldest continuously running light house

* Experience a wide range of natural beauty and check out historic Fort Andrews at Peddocks Island

* Visit Spectacle Island, which features a marina, visitor center, cafe, a life-guarded swimming beach, and five miles of walking trails that lead to the crest of a 157 foot-high hill, offering panoramic views of the harbor and the city

* Take a tour and enjoy nature at Thompson Island, which is a particularly good choice if you have a large group (like a company or school)

* Picnic, fish and enjoy walking trails at Webb Memorial State Park

* Enjoy Hingham Bay, rocky beaches, ledges, cliffs, patches of salt marsh and an area of freshwater marsh at Worlds End Reservation

6. Day Trip #6: Beach Bum

If the only great vacation you can imagine is one in which you are lying on a beach for at least a day, there are many great options for you around here! You might assume that you have to drive down to the Cape or up to the North Shore for great beach experiences, and if so, you will be pleasantly surprised by the following recommendations. There are several great options easily reachable in or very near the city by subway or bus. A day at the beach requires beach food, in my opinion, and so I suggest a stop at Sullivan's at Castle Island or Kelly's Roast Beef in Revere. I've also suggested a few options that are outside the city, but easily accessible from the commuter rail, if you really want to get out of the city for the day.

* Take the Blue Line to America's First Public Beach, Revere Beach

* Throw on your swim suit and take advantage of The Boston Harborwalk

* Take the Red Line to JFK and visit Carson Beach, L & M Street Beaches, Pleasure Bay and Castle Island, which are all connected

* Take the Commuter Rail north to Ipswich Station, then board the Ipswich-Essex Explorer Shuttle to Crane Beach

* Take the Commuter Rail north to Manchester-by-the-Sea and walk a short way to Singing Beach

* Take the Amtrak Downeaster to Old Orchard Beach in Maine

7. Day Trip #7: Appreciation of Unusual Things

If you are someone who enjoys exploring the unique and unusual aspects of a vacation destination, you have plenty of options to appreciate the quirky - right here in Boston! As you are exploring a few of the following unusual spots in Boston, a couple of well loved, but certainly unique, Boston restaurants worth your time during this day would be Fire & Ice Improvisational Grill for a fun, interactive experience and the Beehive, for some great food, atmosphere and live jazz.

* Visit America's oldest car collection at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum

* Learn history from a unusual perspective on New England Ghost Tour!

* Experience Boston's most interactive entertainment at Tomb by 5Witz

* Appreciate some art that's too bad to be ignored! Visit the Museum of Bad Art

* Explore invention, ideas and innovation (including holograms!) at the MIT Museum

* Visit the Harvard Bridge and count how many Smoots long it is!

* Take a Duck Tour (come on... you know you want to!)

* Visit the spots where your favorite movies were filmed on one of the Boston Movie Tours

* Discover the secrets of Boston through an Urban Interactive sight-seeing adventure

* Find out what is so special about the Scarlett O'Hara House

8. Day Trip #8: Nature

If you are stuck in Boston, but prefer a more serene, natural vacation, there are many options for you, even within the city limits! There are many opportunities in the city that will allow you to spend time appreciating the nature around you. I recommend exploring some of the following recommendations. If you want a fully natural day, take a break and visit Grezzo Restaurant for lunch, Boston's 100% organic, raw food restaurant.

* Take a ride on the Swan Boats while visiting the Boston Public Garden

* Hang out with the animals at the Franklin Park Zoo in the heart of Franklin Park

* Visit Arnold Arboretum, the oldest public arboretum in North America and one of the world's leading centers for the study of plants

* Spend some time at the Harvard Museum of Natural History (especially great if your "nature" themed day turns out to be a rainy one!)

* Go for a peaceful and quiet run in the Fens nature trails

* Visit the Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary

* Find a Boston area State Park near you for everything from hiking to mountain biking

* See "Day Trip #5" (Above) for info about the Boston Harbor Islands - spend a while at one!

9. Day Trip #9: On the Water

We are so lucky to be living right on the water here in Boston. As I mentioned above, this opens up many possibilities as far as enjoying wonderful beach days, as well as visiting the Boston Harbor Islands right off the coast. However, a huge benefit to having so much water nearby is the opportunity to get out on it for the day. Whether you are an accomplished sailor or have never stepped food in a boat, there are options here for you. Read through this list and choose an adventure or two just for you! During the day or evening, if you are hungry, stop by Tia's On the Waterfront for a bite, a drink and a chance to enjoy the view of the water!

* Contact Community Boating, Inc. to find out how you can learn to sail - Use your vacation day to get started on the Charles River

* For a relatively inexpensive chance to spend time in a boat on the water, take an Inner Harbor Ferry or Commuter Boat or the Rowes Wharf Water Taxi

* Take a sunset or sightseeing cruise through the Charles Riverboat Company

* Take a Boston Light Tour and experience first-hand the oldest lighthouse site in the U.S.

* Join in on a sail aboard the 125' Schooner Liberty Clipper

* If you can't bear to actually get out on the water, you can enjoy WBZ's Free Friday Flicks at the Hatch Shell - enjoy the breeze of the Charles from safely ashore, and watch a movie under the stars!

10. Day Trip #10: Festivals

Summer in Boston always reminds me of all the neighborhood parties and celebrations in the city. Every weekend throughout the summer, there is at least one festival somewhere in the city that is an excuse to enjoy Boston and its cultural diversity. A day at any of these festivals would be worth building into your "staycation" week schedule. I don't need to recommend a restaurant for you, since the mark of a great festival is the amazing food it serves. Enjoy!

* Choose a weekend this summer and stop by the North End for the North End Festivals of Saints

* Stop by Government Center on August 2 from 4:00-8:00 for the Peace Hip Hop Festival

* Spend August 17 in Chinatown for the August Moon Festival

* Head to Dorchester on August 23rd for the Caribbean Carnival Parade & Festival

* Show off and add to your ink from September 12-14 at the Boston Tatoo Convention

* Settle in from September 12-18 for the Boston Film Festival

I hope that you enjoy all my suggestions and that they inspire you to rediscover our great city in these times of high gas prices! These are also great suggestions for you if you are visiting Boston from out of town. If you are stuck in another city, and these suggestions sound fun to you, look for similar ideas near your home. I bet you will be surprised by what you will find!

Please respond and let me know what you love to do when you are spending time in Boston - I am very interested to hear!

The La Rogativa in San Juan, Puerto Rico

In the city of San Juan, the capital city of Puerto Rico, you'll find a monument to an event that exemplifies the intertwining of Puerto Rico's history and its Christian faith. Puerto Rico's history is rich with religious references. This monument is called "La Rogativa" or "The Procession." It is found in a plaza in the port side of San Juan.

In 1797, when Puerto Rico was under the rule of Spain, the city of San Juan was under siege by the British army. The Spanish army was stationed along the beach, valiantly defending the shores of San Juan. The skirmish went on for weeks. Both sides were weakening and suffering from the fatigue of the battle.

On the night of April 30, 1797, according to a very popular Puerto Rican legend, the people of San Juan, fearing that the defenders of the island would lose and the British army might take over the town, formed a religious procession or a rogativa. They brought with them their religious items, and they went out and prayed. During the procession, they also brought with them torches to light their way.

The British leader saw the procession from afar. As it was dark, he only saw the light of the torches. Upon seeing the marching torches, he thought that they were actually Spanish soldiers that arrived to reinforce the Spanish army defending the beach. Because of this, the British leader, General Abercromby, decided to retreat, believing that taking the beach would be next to impossible seeing that Spanish reinforcements have arrived.

And that's proof that throughout Puerto Rico's history, the defense of the Puerto Rican flag has always been enriched by the people's faith.

Spiritual Insight - Extraordinary, Yet Very Ordinary

A direct experience of spiritual insight will change your life, a fact which is irrefutable and well documented. But spiritual searching, rather than spiritual insight - well, that's another story.

Most people who embark upon a spiritual quest aren't satisfied with answers that they are getting from their various sources, and therefore, feeling that they are not getting the real, deep information that will satisfy them, they search for that which will resonate with that unique inner thirst.

For example; someone may feel a certain way about spirituality and want to go deeper, yet their friends and relatives may feel differently, satisfied with the status quo and typically so caught up with a busy life that deeper thought seems superfluous. The person who wants to go deeper will then either believe his or her peer's conclusions, accept them as truth and get on with a typical life, or strike out on their own and see if they can find a person, philosophy, or religion that is more in tune with their innermost feelings. They want more; more than making money and having fun. Because they can already see that the fun doesn't last, and they wonder about that.

The fact is; the truth is all around us, very close actually, but we can't always see it. Therefore, the truth is very ordinary, because the truth is all about ourselves. But the actual seeing of this truth, seeing exactly what we are - this is extraordinary, because the mind must be very calm and still for the truth about ourselves to surface. You see, the self or ego taints what we see and experience all the time, and this kind of busy, clouded mind will remain in its deluded state regardless of what it sees. On the other hand, a clear, calm mind will penetrate everything to its core and see the absolute reality of life.

Even though we involve ourselves with different facets of spirituality, it is the actual seeing the truth of things that is at the root of spiritual searching. Lectures, study, practices all may help indirectly to lead one in the direction of direct seeing, but the danger here is when one thinks that talks, books and practices alone can do it. Talks, books, and practices are confined to surface consciousness - thought, memory, emotions, etc. - which is not direct seeing. Direct seeing occurs outside of consciousness; it's that infinitesimal split second when something hits the mind like it came out of left field, it's when the mind realizes something very deep for the first time,it's that moment of truth when the light bulb goes off and you say to yourself, "Oh my!"

We have to look no further than this five or six feet of body that we are in. It's more fun to read books and do practices, and these may help still your mind so that you can actually look at your body calmly and without prejudice, but it's the looking and investigation with a clear insightful mind that counts in the end. Unless you can penetrate into the delusion of the body and your perceived ownership of it, the world will continue to be the puppeteer, yanking on your strings, which are your attachments, and the number one attachment is your own body and mind.

The reason that we are so susceptible to lightning is because our bodies are basically a big bag of salt water, which conducts electricity very well! Our bodies are made of the elements of the earth, and when it dies, it will again melt into the earth. We actually are the earth, and not something special living upon it.

Then there is the mind, that which puts all its mental and physical inputs together; mental inputs such as when our eyes, ears, nose, tongue, brain contacts a sense object and records it, then mind will either be neutral to the object, reject the object by pushing it away which lead to emotions of anger, hatred, etc., or embrace the object by attaching to it and thinking of ways to own it, which lead to emotions of love, avarice, lust, jealousy, anger, hatred, etc.

And out of all these mental inputs, such as memory and discursive thought, arises our idea of a self. It seems more than just a body and mind, it becomes our personality that we have to defend, and a body that we have to protect. This is our constant burden of stress, and regardless of how attractive our religions depict the next world, without direct insight into what the body and mind is now, we will never have the authentic freedom to let go of them, and instead be caught up in an endless web of fear and uncertainty.

Without insight one will see their personal world as unchanging from what it is now, as if it will go on indefinitely, and consider any stress in their lives as temporary, just until they get things straightened out. They will also insist that this body and mind is theirs, that they a re behind it all as an individual spirit of some kind that is indestructible.

True insight will see it differently. There is no personal world, only a psycho-physical existence that changes moment to moment, and is under stress without let up. There is no owner of this psycho-physical phenomena; it was born, will grow to maturity, decline, and change from its present form into elements, no different from all other bodies in the entire physical, materiel universe.

Did I mention that true insight requires courage? To hear these things without the protection of the flash of insight that discards materiality and self-belief is like pulling the rug out from everything that one holds dear. And this is the point; everything that one holds dear, holds one imprisoned. It's a dichotomy to be sure, but true. Because unbounded freedom has nothing to do with the material world with which we are familiar. We are not that body or mind. These things are too fragile. What we are was never born, has always been, will never die - it is eternal.

What we truly are can be touched by direct insight, and when it is, your world will be changed irrevocably.

Timeline - Miss Universe - The Olympics of Beauty

A chronology of key events:

1952 The first Miss Universe is held in Long Beach, California, with 30 states and regions. Armi Kuusela (Finland) becomes Miss Universe.

1953 There are 26 countries competing in MU. Morocco's candidate, Colette Ribes, does not compete in the contest.

1954 The second Miss Universe pageant opens in Long Beach, with 33 states and dependencies, including Honduras, New Zealand and Singapore. Miriam Stevenson (South Carolina) becomes Miss Universe.

1955 Surprisingly Ceylon -Sri Lanka since 1972- is second runner-up for Miss Universe. On the other hand, Cuba sends an entry, Gilda Marin, to the global event in the States.

1956 Welcome to California! There are 30 entries. Finland, which had won the title four years ago, does not participate. Carol Morris (Iowa) is elected MU.

1957 At the invitation of the Miss Universe Organization, Joaquín Alberto Vargas y Chavez, Peru's painter, flies to California to be one of the international judges. For the first time, Martinique sends a contestant.

1958 There are 36 nations and territories competing. Corine Rottschafer, Holland's representative, wins Miss Photogenic.

1959 Akiko Kojima (Japan) succeeds Luz Marina Zuloaga (Colombia) as Miss Universe. On the other hand, Miss England becomes Miss Photogenic.

1960 MU Organization decides to move the event from California to Miami Beach (Florida).Burma -present-day Myanmar- wins Miss Congeniality.

1961 There are 46 states and territories competing-from Austria to the American Virgin Islands. Greece's candidate, Eleftheria Deloutsi, wins Miss Amity.

1962 There are more than 50 republics and dependencies in Miss Universe, including Luxembourg, Haiti and Tahiti. Hawaii's Macel Wilson, Miss United States, is one of the semi-finalists.

1963 Richard Henry Sellers, also known as Peter Sellers, is one of the judges. Miss Israel, Sherine Ibrahim, wins the Best National Costume in the pageant.

1964 Colombia's Luz Marina Zuloaga, 1958 Miss Universe, is one of the judges in Miami Beach.Manuela Stramana, Italy's contestant, becomes Miss Photogenic.

1965 Welcome to Florida! Fifty-seven republics and dependencies send entries to Miss Universe in the U.S. The Kingdom of Thailand, a nation in South East Asia Region, wins Miss Universe!

1966 There are 58 states and regions,including four former British colonies competing as independent nations-Guyana, Trinidad Tobago, Singapore, and Jamaica. Miss Sweden (Margareta Arvidsson) defeats Miss Finland (Satu Charlotta Ostring) in the final.

1967 Venezuela's Mariela Perez Branguer, MU's favorite delegate, does not win the title. Bonaire, a Dutch territory in the Caribbean, competes at MU for the first time.

1968 Welcome to Miami! Entries from 65 republics and dependencies competing for the crown of Miss Universe. For the sixth time, Okinawa, an American possession between 1945 and 1972, sends a contestant.

1969 New Zealand wins Miss Photogenic.Argentina's Norma Nolan, who had been MU 1962, is one of the judges.

1970 There are 64 states and regions. Marisol Malaret (Puerto Rico) Contreras is the new Miss Universe. Miss United States, Debbie Shelton, places second at the global event.

1971 Lebanon's Georgina Rizk, a model from Beirut, wins the world title, and Miss Philippines, Vida Valentina Fernández, crowns Miss Photogenic. Georgina speaks French, Italian and Arab. On the other hand,Yugoslavia, a Communist nation in SE Europe, does not participate.

1972 MU is held outside of the Continental United States for the first time with Puerto Rico the host country. A panel of international judges elects Kerry Wells, Miss Australia, as MU 1970. The judges are: Mapita Cortes (actress/PR), Earl Wilson (journalist/America), Kiyoshi Hara (businessman/Japan), Jean-Louis Indican (businessman/Belgium), Lynn Redgrave (actress/Britain), Sylvia Hitchcock (MU/Alabama), Arnold Scaasi (designer/United States),Edilson Varela (journalist/Brazil), Line Renaud (singer/France), Kurt Jurgen (actor/Germany), Fred Williamson (actor/USA).

1973 Welcome to Greece, one of the world's oldest nations. Bob Barker opens the 21 st Miss Universe, with 61 delegates from around the world. Maria del Rocío Martín of Spain wins the Best National Costume.

1974 Manila, Philippines. The government announces the termination of Folk Arts Theater,venue of Miss Universe 1974.

1975 Miss Universe is held in El Salvador, regarded as perhaps the most successful of the modern era. Micronesia, an American territory in Oceania, makes its international debut.

1976 World-famous filmmaker Roman Polanski arrives in Hong Kong to be one of the international judges. Liberia -the second black republic in the modern history- competes at MU for the first time.

1977 Eighty nations and dependencies in MU in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, by far the most countries ever to participate. New countries/regions in Miss Universe: Saint Lucia (Caribbean), French Guiana (South America) and Saint Kitts (Caribbean).

1978 Miss Universe in Acapulco, Mexico. According to El Sol (Mexico's newspaper), there are 12 favorites: Dorik Jellinek (Israel), Guillermina Ruiz (Spain), Alva Margarita (Mexico), Olga Zumaran (Peru), Maribel Fernández (Costa Rica), Iris Yvette Mazorra (El Salvador), Elizabeth Ann Jones (Wales), Solange Castro (Curacao), Judy Andersen (Hawaii), Margaret Gardinier (South Africa) and Lesotho (Joan Libuseng Khoali).

1979 At the invitation of the MUO, Julio Iglesias flies to Perth (Australia) to be one of the international judges. Venezuela's Maritza Sayalero, who has Spanish origin, wins the title. Belize, a former UK dependency in Central America, qualifies for the semi-finals.

1980 The MUO holds its 28 th global event in Seoul, Korea. Semi-finalists in 1980 are Scotland, Sweden, PR, NZ (MU's favorite), Panama, SK, Canada, Tahiti, Colombia, USA (winner), Philippines, and Iceland.

1981 Lucia Isabel Vinueza -she looks a lot like "Madonna"- is Ecuador's first contestant to make the semi-finals in Miss Universe in New York City, USA. She is an American-educated woman.

1982 Cuzco, Peru. In the summer,Irene Saez, Miss Universe 1981, accompanied by Gladys Silva, Miss Peru 1981, travels to Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world.

1983 Switzerland's Lolita Morena, Miss World 1982 's favorite candidate, is third runner-up for MU 1983. Abbey Scattrel Janneth of Gambia becomes Miss Congeniality.

1984 Eighty-one republics and territories in Miami, Florida. However, four countries don´t compete- the Bahamas, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Transkei. For the second time, Guatemala, Julieta Urrutia, qualifies for the contest.

1985 Miss El Salvador, Julia Haydee Mora, is one of the favorites to win the MU title in Miami, Florida. However, ES, a war-torn country in Central America, does not qualify for the first round. Meanwhile, Miss USA & Miss Texas, Laura Herring-Martinez, is one of the 10 semi-finalists. Laura, who was born in Mexico, studied in Switzerland. Unlike America and ES, Dominica, an English-speaking island in the Caribbean, competes at MU for the first time.

1986 Welcome to Panama! Miss United States & Miss Texas, Christy Fichtner,is first runner-up for Miss Universe. Zaire (present-day the Democratic Republic of the Congo) qualifies for the semi-finals.

1987 Miss Universe is held at the Singapore World Trade Center.Semi-finalists in 1987 are Italy, PR, Philippines, Venezuela, Peru, America, Singapore, Sweden, Turks Caicos, and Chile (winner). Miss United States & Miss Texas, Michelle Royer, is second runner-up. Curiously Colombia -Miss Photogenic- and Uruguay -1 st runner-up to Miss South America'87- don`t qualify for the second round.

1988 Thailand's Portip Nakhirunkanok, who studied at Pasadena City College, wins Miss Universe. For the second time, Greenland, a Danish territory in the Arctic, sends a delegate. Miss USA & Miss Texas, Courtney Ann Gibbs, is one of the semi-finalists.

1989 Miss United States & Miss Texas, Gretchen Polhemus, is third runner-up for MU. Sharon Simons, Miss Turks & Caicos, becomes Miss Congeniality at the 37th Miss Universe in Cancun, Mexico.

1990 Miss Thailand, Passaroporn Chaimongkol, wins Miss Photogenic , but she does not qualify for the semi-finals at the MU in Los Angeles, California.

1991 Romania´s Nadia Comaneci, one of the world's greatest athletes of all time, is one of the judges in Las Vegas, Nevada. For the third time, Yugoslavia -Serbia in the 21 st century- qualifies for the contest.Bulgaria makes its international debut

1992 Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand. Semi-finalists in 1992 are Australia, Sweden, India, Netherlands, NZ, USA, Colombia, Namibia (winner), Venezuela, and Belgium.

1993 Brazil's representative, Leila Cristine Schuster, is compared to Jacqueline Onassis-Kennedy, who was First Lady of the United States (1961-1963). For the first time, the Kingdom of Swaziland sends a national delegate.

1994 India becomes dominant power in MU. Semi-finalists in 1994 are: India (winner), Venezuela, Greece, Switzerland, USA, Italy, Sweden, Slovak, Philippines, and Colombia. Zimbabwe -a name taken from the stone ruins in the southern part of the nation- makes its international debut. Namibia -ex South-West Africa- is the favorite to host the 1995 Miss Universe.

1995 Welcome to Windhoek, Namibia (Africa).The highest number of countries in MU history: 82 republics and territories, including 8 African nations-Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria (Miss Amity), Seychelles, South Africa (semi-finalist) and Zambia.

1996 Las Vegas, Nevada.Aruba is runner-up for Miss Universe.Miss Philippines, Aileen Leng Marfori Damiles, wins Miss Photogenic. Japan and Gibraltar, a British territory on the Iberian Peninsula, don`t compete.

1997 Semi-finalists in 1997 are: India, Venezuela, PR, TT, USA/Hawaii (winner), Italy, Sweden, Curacao, Panama & Estonia. Croatia -on June 25, 1991, it declared independence from Yugoslavia- makes its international debut.

1998 Eighty-one states and regions in Honolulu (Hawaii), including Angola, Guam, and the Northern Marianas.Miss Slovak Republic, Vladimira Hrenovcilova, becomes Miss Photogenic.

1999 America's boxer Evander Holyfield, 4-time heavyweight champion, arrives in Trinidad Tobago. He is elected as one of the judges...

2000 Cyprus, birthplace of Aphrodite, hosts the Millennium Miss Universe pageant. Delegate from host-country Cyprus, Christi Groutidou, does not qualify for the semi-finals. Chile's actor,Christian de la Fuente, is one of the judges. On the other hand, Hong Kong -the former British colony controlled by China since 1997-competes at MU.

2001 Welcome to Puerto Rico! For unknown reasons, 8 states and territories don't compete-Barbados, Britain, Cook, Denmark, Guam, Hong Kong, Mozambique, and the People`s Republic of China.

2002 Albania -a former Maoist state in SE Europe- makes its international debut! Venezuelan-born Natasha Vanessa Borger, Germany's representative, is one of the 10 semi-finalists. Miss Russia, Oxana Federova, defeats Miss Panama, Justine Pasek, in the finals. On September 24, 2002, Miss Panama succeeds Federova as MU. Justine is a Ukrainian-born Panamanian fashion model.

2003 Japan's representative, Miyako Miyazaki, who is from Kumamoto,is fourth runner-up for MU. Antigua & Barbuda, a small island-state on the Caribbean Sea, wins Miss Congeniality at the Miss Universe in Panama City, Panama.

2004 Semi-finalists in 2004 are: PR, Norway, Trinidad Tobago, Ecuador, India, Australia, Angola, Jamaica, Colombia, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Chile, America, Paraguay, and Mexico. Amelia Vega (MU 2003) crowns Jennifer Hawkins from Australia, Miss Universe 2004.

2005 Entries from 82 republics and dependencies compete in Thailand, including four former Soviet republics competing as independent states-Latvia (semi-finalist), Russia, Georgia, and Ukraine.

2006 Venezuelan-born Francys Mayela Barraza Sudnicka, Miss Poland, one of the favorites, does not qualify for the semi-finals.She speaks five foreign languages-Spanish, German, Polish, Russian, and English.For many years she had worked as a fashion model in Europe. In 2003, she participated in Miss Venezuela, where was semi-finalist.

2007 Semi-finalists in 2007 are: Venezuela, Thailand, Denmark, Nicaragua, Angola, Slovenia, America, Brazil, India, Mexico, Japan (winner), Ukraine, Tanzania, South Korea, and Czech Republic.For the first time, Tanzania, Flaviana Matata, qualifies for the contest in the United Mexican States.

2008 Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam. There are 80 countries and regions, including five former Yugoslav republics-Kosovo (semi-finalist), Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia. Dayana Mendoza Moncada becomes the fifth Venezuelan woman to be crowned Miss Universe.