Romantic Valentines Day

The Award-Winning St. Regis Washington D.C. Also Offers the Citys Best Dessert

With one of a countrys top dining destinations (Adour by Alain Ducasse), stunning interiors, as well as a killer address just two blocks from a White House, The St. Regis, Washington D.C. already has a lot to brag about. But now a prestigious road house has a couple of some-more reasons to boast: two winning accolades to start 2011 off right. The St. Regis Washington, D.C. is ringing in a brand new year with some big awards. Travel + Leisure magazine has included The St. Regis Washington, D.C. in a annual T+L 500, a list of a 500 many appropriate hotels in a world. And Washingtonian Magazine, Washingtons many devoted guide to living, working, as well as playing in a area for some-more than 4 decades, has named Adour at The St. Regis Washington, D.C. one of a top 5 dining destinations in a city in a 2011 Restaurant Guide. Whats more- a resto has been awarded a many appropriate dessert in D.C. Our Baba, accompanied by Armagnac as well as light whipped cream.

50 Rooms for 50/night: Londons Jumeirah Carlton Celebrates 50th Birthday with a Flash Sale

Londons Jumeirah Carlton Tower is fabulous during 50! To celebrate a big 5-0, a Knightsbridge hotel is holding a Jan Flash sale upon Wednesday, Jan twelve during twelve pm: 50 bedrooms for 50 per night, upon sale for just 50 minutes. Or for a truly over-the-top a single night treat, book a uber-luxurious Royal Suite for just 2011 (a assets of 5000 off a published rates).

Last Minute Savings: 40% Off in Bermuda at The Reefs

Back to the grub as well as youre already forgetful about the subsequent getaway. Why not take value of the final minute sale during The Reefs, the tip Bermuda road house in the 2011 Cond Nast Traveler Gold List, as well as trade the snow as well as snow for the islands famous pink sandy beaches? Situated upon tip of the cliff overlooking the secluded beach, The Reefs delivers the calm Bermuda vacay with its disdainful La Serena spa. Available for transport now by February 11, 2011, this limited accessibility offer facilities the special every day rate of $199 (regularly $345 as well as up) for best available sea view rooms, including Poolside, Superior, Deluxe as well as Premier, as well as $299 (regularly $545 as well as up) for Junior Suites. Rates have been formed upon stand in occupancy as well as include breakfast daily. Bermuda is just over two hours from the east seashore so what have been we waiting for?

10 Essential Tips for Learning Japanese

Photo: Jessica Aves

According to a Foreign Service Institute (FSI), Japanese is a single of a five hardest languages for English speakers to learn, along with Arabic as good as a multiple dialects of Chinese.

Japanese uses an SOV (Subject Object Verb) judgment structure whereas English is an SVO (Subject Object Verb) language. Essentially, trying to translate Japanese literally in to English would make we receptive to advice rather similar to Yoda.

Unlike English or a Romance languages, in Japanese there have been 3 lexical systems to juggle: hiragana, katakana, as good as kanji. On tip of that, there have been opposite tenses for levels of humbleness as good as informality. Japanese is additionally rarely contextual, built upon pointed hints rather than some-more approach communication.

Sound similar to fun? Get started studying Japanese with these denunciation guidance tips.

1. Dont investigate a written basis though a little supervision.

Although its pretty easy to sense yourself a finite syllabaries of hiragana as good as katakana, a necessary cadence order is mostly accidentally discarded by denunciation guidance newbies. In English, writing your letters oddly is only a impression quirk; in Japan it will be insincere which we couldnt be bothered to sense it correctly. This arrogance of laziness can additionally be attributed to we if we dont sense to hold your chopsticks properly.

There is a disproportion between finishing a pen cadence with a sudden stop or with a swoosh. Stroke order is an necessary of guidance a basis of kanji, so dont skip it!

2. Dont skip whats hard.

Its easy to only think, Ill go behind to which section we skipped, though in being we substantially wont. The first lessons have been about family titles, revelation time as good as particles. Basic conversations in textbooks mostly make use of tim! e as goo d as family as topics, as good as mastering particles takes far longer to than it initially seems similar to it should. Learn how to conjugate adjectives, as good as dont continue to a subsequent lesson until we can do it in your sleep.

Photo: Kanko

3. Invest in a little peculiarity guidance material.

If youre receiving Japanese in school, your text is chosen for you, though a bad text can mar your guidance experience. we once had a Japanese teacher pause as good as state which a integrate of conditions in our Nakama text were outdated. What great does having an old-fashioned book do for a commencement student?

Luckily, we have choices when it comes to books, Genki as good as Japanese for Busy People have been great places to start. In reality, we found textbooks to be some-more similar to guidelines, though it varies depending upon your guidance style.

Invest in a plain compendium which has kanji, a hiragana for each kanji as good as an English definition. Also, pick up Barrons Japanese Grammar book immediately. Wait upon purchasing a kanji compendium or cards until after in your studies. There have been additionally books upon slang Japanese, enlightenment dictionaries, as good as pop enlightenment encyclopedias which might be useful.

4. Watch copiousness of cartoons, movies, dramas as good as listen/sing to copiousness of song though do not do only this!

Japanese has increased in popularity with immature adults abroad thanks to anime, manga (comics), as good as Japanese rock as good as pop music. Many fans want to review as good as assimilate though waiting for official translations, so they take upon a task of translating manga or lyrics word-by-word.

Although this is a unequivocally outstanding way to sense to slang as good as severe grammar patterns, it teaches we a wording which is radically useless in everyday speech. You mi! ght be a ble to rattle off a difference for heartbeat, overflowing, embrace, tears, eternity, unforgivable, as good as swallowtail butterfly, though we will be in a universe of difficulty when youre stranded in Tokyo though knowing bank, staircase, airport, sight line, turn, left, right as good as post-office.

5. Do use singing in Japanese as good as following along with lyrics.

Following lyrics will assistance we recognize kana as good as kanji, enlarge your reading speeds and, of course, sense we how Japanese should unequivocally sound. This is additionally important because in Japan, karaoke is fundamentally a unaccepted inhabitant sport. Japanese people love when foreigners can belt out their songs (the older it is, a louder theyll react) so get your use in early. Karaoke groups have been additionally a great way to make friends, which leads me to a subsequent thing

Photo: Mee C.

6. Get yourself a review partner from a beginning.

This doesnt regularly have to be costly a Japanese person will mostly want to barter for English review lessons. Listening to your partner as good as conference yourself will assistance make scold pronunciation; urge your partner to scold we if needed. The most rewarding aspect of this is which it will assistance to sense your brain to consider in Japanese.

Conversations in textbooks have been predictable, as good as to be honest, nobody unequivocally talks similar to that. Teaching yourself Japanese gives we zero opportunities to use conversation. There have been copiousness of meet-up groups through Meetup.com as good as ads upon Craigslist, as good as we can regularly check your internal propagandize as good as community centers for opportunities.

7. Be heedful of made at home soak programs.

Immersion in a native nation is a best way to sense any language, though which is a step some-more for advanced students w! ho need to bridge a opening to fluency. However, we can still get an early start.

Within a US, there have been made at home soak programs as good as summer camps for young kids as good as college tyro programs such as a Concordia Language Villages, though demeanour prior to we leap. Many programs will not allow information exchnage in English as good as trying to force we to verbalise Japanese no matter what your denunciation turn is. Sometime soak programs omit a judgment which adult commencement learners have been past a denunciation merger stage.

You might need to ask yourself, Should we take a university-level course thats conducted completely in Japanese if Im not yet fluent? Dont design to cram to in order to catch up to a much higher denunciation level.

Go to a subsequent page or click view all to review some-more tips AND see 8 giveaway online resources for studying Japanese.

Enjoying an All-Star Los Angeles Weekend

NBA players will stay during a W Hollywood over All-Star Weekend in February.

Each February a opposite city plays host to a annual NBA All-Star Game. This year, for a fifth time, a city of Los Angeles will have which honor. The 60th NBA All-Star Game will take place upon Sunday, February 20 during a Staples Center, as well as if you devise upon spending this weekend in a LA-area, a time to book your road house is now.For ideas upon where to stay, consider these hot Hollywood as well as LA-area hotels:W Hollywood Hotel & Residences - This is where a NBA stars will be staying.JW Marriott Hotel Los Angeles - Unrivaled access to a Staples Center, as well as more.Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles - Another tip LA hotel, only stairs away from a Staples Center.Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel - Fabled playground to Hollywoods tip stars, since 1927.Sunset Tower Hotel - A internal Art Deco turning point as well as mythological road house Sunset Strip hotel.Thompson Beverly Hills - SoHo lack of simplicity meets casual California elegance.Mondrian Los Angeles - Site of Skybar, boasting a little of a finest views over a city.Sofitel Los Angeles - French essence as well as LA character make this a desirable urban resort.SLS during Beverly Hills - Chic as well as stunning Philippe Starck-designed dcor.Andaz West Hollywood - Spectacular breathtaking views of a city as well as Sunset Boulevard.Find some-more good luxury hotels in Los Angeles upon Perfect Escapes.

Market Tour, Dim Sum Cooking Class, Chefs Table at Shangri-La Hotel Beijing

Foodies visiting Beijing will be meddlesome to learn about an exceptional gourmet journey offering by the Shangri-La Hotel Beijing. Start off by guidance insiders tips about the local market on the tour with one of the Shangri-Las chefs. Then extract in the Dim Sum cooking class as well as the Chinese tea ceremony, capped off with an exclusive five-course Chefs list showcasing the Chinese, Japanese, Western as well as International specialties from the hotels award-winning restaurants, paired with fine wines. All whilst bedding down in pristine oppulance in the Valley Wing Premier Room for dual nights. This Gourmet Journey also includes access to the exclusive Valley Wing Lounge, daily smorgasboard breakfast plus one customized chef-prepared breakfast, round-trip limousine transfer to/from the airport, the 15% bonus for treatments during CHI, The Spa, as well as the 10% bonus for the local sight-seeing tour organised by the Tour Desk. Priced from RMB 7,200 per night. Available by July 31, 2011, theme to availability. Minimum two-night stay required.

The worlds most dangerous luxury hotel

Is this the worlds many dangerous oppulance road house right now? Meet the Golf Hotel in Abidjan which is now home to Alassane Ouattara, the new President of the Ivory Coast (unless youre speaking to supporters of the obligatory President Laurent Gbagbo, which is). The resorts website claims the road house has 306 nicely decorated bedrooms but newspaper reports paint the opposite design the design which sounds more same to the warzone. According to the New York Times, the run is dirty with armed men of various origins private security guards, rebel soldiers from the north of the country as well as international infantry as well as the road house is surrounded by United Nations tents. By the sounds of it, this isnt the single to supplement to your wishlist just yet.

Is this the worlds many dangerous oppulance hotel? Or have been there stronger contenders? Please post the criticism to let us know.

The worlds many dangerous oppulance road house is the post from A Luxury Travel Blog

The Informed Traveler Magazine on Kindle for $0.99 Per Month

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Januarys issue is chock full of Informed Traveler goodies. Learn about this seasons prohibited brand new Sicily hotel, or a best places to stop upon a Germany river cruise. Looking for a idealisation regretful tryst? Questex Media has rounded up a host of idyllic islands that fit a bill. Get your Informed Traveler to-go by clicking this link.

Special Offers at Italys Il Salviatino, One of the Hottest Hotels of the Year

Heres your chance to score discounted rates at Hotel Il Salviatino, named Hideaway of a Year in a 2011 Andrew Harper Grand Award Winners. Perched upon a Tuscan slope in Fiesole with beautiful views of Florence, a elegant villa was additionally named to Travel + Leisures It List 2010. Reserve a Early Booking Offer until Apr 22, 2011 and get nominal Dine Around half house (normally 82 euros per person) or a 20% bonus upon 2011 rates. Available for transport from May 1- December 31, 2011. Another hot offer: Score a 50% bonus upon a Best Available Rate for all suites, thorough of a full American breakfast, with a One Price for All package, accessible through Apr 22, 2011.

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2011: Year of the Tablet Computer - Again

Tablet computing took off in 2010. Courtesy Hugger Industries under CC.Though a inscription computing market is nascent, a destiny is bright. A hit with hoteliers as well as travelers alike, a hottest gadget in 2010 was undoubtedly a iPad. With a unrivaled success, a no surprise that a International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) - underway in Las Vegas through January 9 - is being dominated by a undoubted sea of challengers to a iPad. Some 80 to 100 inscription computers in total have been now upon display during CES this week from makers similar to Motorola, HP, Microsoft, Toshiba, Vizio, Intel, as well as Lenovo.The infancy of a brand new tablets will run upon Googles open source Android operating system. Soon to be replaced in a entrance months with an updated version of Android, known as Honeycomb - tailored specifically for tablets. And a possibilities for a inclination - particularly handy for travelers - appear endless. Take for example Comcasts new proclamation that a Xfinity business will shortly be able to tide 3,000 hours of on-demand calm to their iPad as well as Android-powered tablets. That means we can watch Xfinity TV in airports, doctors offices, upon a sight anywhere we can find a wireless connection, says J.T. Ramsay, Comcasts arch blogger.Find good oppulance hotels similar to a St. Regis New York, which offers an E-Butler program to guest via an iPhone or iPad app, upon Perfect Escapes. And happy inscription computing in 2011, as well as beyond.

Winter Ski Promotion: Powder-Packed Deals in Colorado, Utah, Whistler

Skiers and snowboarders, take heed. Youll find great deals in snow white towering destinations across North America with a Ski Vacations Sale, using until January 31, 2011. Available for travel by February 28, 2011, a ski graduation is available during budding properties in Colorado, Utah, Whistler, and beyond. Here are a sale details:

Save up to 25% during a Grand Summit Hotel during a Canyons Resort in Park City
Get your 3rd night giveaway during Kimptons Sky Hotel in Aspen
Save up to 33% during a Hotel Jerome in Aspen and The Lodge during Vail
Save up to 30% during a Hotel Telluride
Save up to 25% during a Fairmont Chateau Whistler
3rd night giveaway during a Four Seasons Resort Whistler
4th night giveaway during a Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Lodge

Teddy Bears and Talismans: Warding Off the Evil Eye in Albania

Photo: Vik Walker

Matador Nights co-editor Kristin Conard worked during a lodging place in Saranda, Albania, right upon a coast with a perspective of Corfu. But it isnt a turquoise sea or a cows wandering amidst a houses which she cant stop thinking about.

Why have been there teddy bears nailed to all of a houses? I ask Jolanda, a lady during a traveller office in Saranda.

They have been upon a deserted houses or a unprepared ones for good luck, she says matter-of-factly, as yet this should be usual knowledge. we suspect to anyone who lives there it is, yet we am still confused.

But why?

She justification a quite certain perspective of fitness to, for protection. She is again satisfied which she has entirely explained a situation. From what? we persist. With good patience, she goes on. From immorality spirits. You see, she seems to have caught upon to my complete ignorance, adding It protects from misfortune, from immorality spirits, from a immorality eye. We went from fitness to immorality in only under a minute.

While waiting for a bus in circuitously Butrint a couple of days earlier, my crony as well as we were approached by a young child selling bracelets which his mother had made. Many featured a classic immorality eye appeal a blue eye set in a blue background. we asked him, What is it? What is a immorality eye?

Teddy bear during construction site, Photo: Chris Price

The eye, he said, indicating to his own, People give a eye, as well as this will stop it.

Stop what?

The evil.

But what evil?

The immorality from a eye.

The explanation seemed maddeningly circular. we hoped which Jolanda, with her wonderful English (as we know no Albanian) would be able to insist it better.

***

Its cal led syri i keq in Albanian, as well as someone can see we as well as your good things as well as instruct bad upon you. Say we have a crony who sees my good shirt, she pulls during a string of her white button down blouse. They see how good it is as well as they have been indignant or jealous, as well as so they instruct bad upon me. They abuse me as well as give me a immorality eye. So in a couple of days or weeks, my shirt starts to get holes as well as turn in to rags. And so we am ruined.

But how do they give it? we have visions of witch doctors as well as shamans, chanting incantations.

She shrugs. It is a abuse which we can give with your eyes.

So how do a bears help?

They confuse a immorality intoxicating beverage who cannot come in to a house if there is someone there. The intoxicating beverage will be chased divided by what they think is a human, as well as a house will be protected.

Its a same with a garlic which adorns a doors of scarcely all of a restaurants which we visited in Saranda. we thought it was for decoration, as we initial went to an Italian restaurant, yet no, a garlic was everywhere. Id known which garlic could sentinel off vampires, yet in Albania a enchanting powers additionally embody negating a powers of a entire immorality eye. Apparently we can lift a clove of garlic with we upon your chairman for protection, yet a smell isnt a single which youd identical to to lift around with you, so instead there is a immorality eye appeal or whitchcraft to be kept with we during all times. There have been hundreds of immorality eye charms as well as talismans for sale during a shops in Saranda.

Photo: Marc Tarlock

Its a use which has recently come behind in to fashion in Albania. While a convention itself is thought to have roots in centuries-old folklore, a reemergence connects to a post-Communism enlightenment where there is a vast g! ap betwe en those who have as well as those who have not as well as which there is now much more, materialistically, to envy.*

Should we get one? we ask Jolanda, Does everyone need one?

Those who hold will have one. we dont believe, yet we have one.

This seems counterintuitive, yet we let it go. What happens if we remove it?

She ponders this for a second. Well, we dont remove it. But if it breaks, it means which it has absorbed all a immorality appetite which it can. Ive had two of mine which have broken, right down a middle. So we theory Ive had a immorality eye come my way! She laughs as she says this, clearly unmotivated by this pointer of a curse. She reaches in to her bag. Here, we dont believe. Do we wish mine?

I shake up we my head; we couldnt take this womans whitchcraft from her. Belief or not, it was hers, as well as we didnt wish her to part with it, especially since shed already had two break upon her.

Having blue eyes myself, we schooled we should have exceptional skill during giving a immorality eye. we indispensable to be careful of giving compliments as they might be construed as curses; we could be job upon a immorality eye to strike down whomever we was complimenting.

Giving a immorality eye is not though a consequences though. Its believed which whoever gives a immorality eye to someone else will get a immorality behind upon them 1000 fold. That doesnt quite appear value it to me, yet annoy as well as possessiveness have been powerful emotions. The convention has been around for thousands of years. Would people still hook teddy bears to their houses as well as lift a blue charms if they werent useful? Or is a use in a belief itself whats useful?

Im quite sure if we do or dont hold in a power of a immorality eye, yet which doesnt stop me from picking up a appeal of my own to lift in my pocket as we transport by a Balkans. It cant hurt

*According to! John M. Roberts theory as detailed in Kristin Peterson-Bidoshis essay The Dordolec: Albanian House Dolls as well as a Evil Eye published in a Journal of American Folklore, 2006.

Community Connection

Have we run in to a immorality eye or a identical convention in your travels? How do beliefs about a power of a immorality eye perceptible in opposite cultures?

Say Hello to the New Four Seasons Baltimore

Word on a street is which Charm City will get a really own Four Seasons road house by a finish of 2011. Luxury Travel Advisor has a scoop: Maryland Governor Martin OMalley will sign off on a understanding to approach $45 million in federal aid toward building a whole of a $197 million road house in Baltimores Harbor East. Economic impact as well as job creation were dual of a reasons cited for a financing. Economic stimulus, indeed. The Baltimore Sun reports which a road house plan is expected to create 1,273 building a whole jobs as well as 577 full-time jobs. Overlooking Baltimores Inner Harbor, a 21-story road house has been underneath building a whole though stalled due to financing. Now developers are formulation luxury condos on top of a hotel. When a plan is completed, a building will be a tallest in Balty.

Image Via Baltimore Business Journal

Let it Snow: Get a Room Credit at W Hotel Montreal with 20 cm of Snow

Talk about Wow Now. When a continue outside is frightful, a W Hotel Montreal is treating guests to a room credit to keep friendly inside: put up with in some head-to-toe pampering at AWAY Spa, epicurean treats from Chef Yves Lowe at Otto, or cocktails at Wunderbars fallen VIP lounge, W Bartini or Le Plateau Bar. Of march you could always just order room service as well as lounge in your wealthy bed, lonesome in 350 thread-count linens as well as down comforters, checking out a views over Square Victoria Park. When it snows 20 centimeters or more during your stay (from now until February 28, 2011), youll get a $20 CAD room credit. Priced from $199 CAD per night, a Snow Storm Package includes chic accommodations in a Wonderful room and a room credit. Valid for arrivals all days of a week.

January Flickr Photo Challenge

Rockefeller Center celebrates a holidays. Courtesy Samuel Won upon Flickr underneath CC.As you dive in to 2011, winter wears on. While were bundled up in front of a glow or a furnace, sipping hot tea or cocoa, its easy to deposit off in to dreams of clear blue skies as well as warm, golden sunshine. Still, winter weather, like each season, has its charms. Many of that have been most appropriate captured with a camera!If you havent already, Perfect Escapes is mouth-watering you to take a plunge as well as join its print pool upon Flickr. Our Flickr print pool is a place to share your perfect escapes: Posh road house pictures, idyllic transport images, as well as tales detailing all of your oppulance road house experiences as well as adventures. Whether you visit a oppulance road house or just transport by one, post your five-star transport memories here. Each month you look for images matching a particular travel-related subject or thesis as well as have known it right here (and upon a Flickr print pool page, too). From a brand new submissions you receive, a single propitious photog will afterwards have his or her image featured upon subsequent months Suite Life Blog Flickr print pool post!For a January print challenge, were looking for idyllic winter wonderlands. Landscapes of sleet as well as ice, wet as well as gray have us shudder for both a breeze chill factor as well as a perfect beauty of a place. Wherever a winter months take you, you wish to see your most appropriate shots. Happy New Year!

Garza Blanca: a new luxury resort in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is one of tip beach destinations which Mexico has to offer. The comfortable Pacific waters, extraordinary sunsets, as well as the never ending supply of fresh seafood makes Puerto Vallarta the tip mark for oppulance travel.

Garza Blanca Resort & Spa is Puerto Vallartasnewest oppulance resort. With theSierre Madre plateau as the backdrop as well as the soothing silt beaches during your doorstep, this review as well as sauna is not one to pass up.

If we get tired of relaxing in paradise, be sure to try into locale as well as enjoy the cobble stone streets as well as unique vendors.

Through Jetsetter.com we can book the deluxe room for as little during $185 the night. Not great enough? How about the 3-bedroom suite with 4,343 block feet of space for usually $590/night.

Nicole Henderson is the travel writer for the National Examiner.

If we would like to be the guest blogger onA Luxury Travel Blog in order to lift your profile, pleasecontact us.

Garza Blanca: the brand new oppulance review in Puerto Vallarta is the post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Where to Stay in Dusseldorf: New Hyatt Regency Hotel Opens its Doors

Need digs in Dusseldorf? As of mid Dec 2010, theres a new five-star road house in town, situated in a smart Media Harbor area. Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf is located in a single of two newly built 19-story towers as well as is continuous to a conflicting side of a harbor by a walking bridge. Both commercial operation as well as camp travelers will appreciate a facilities: DOX Restaurant (with sushi bar), fitness center, meeting rooms, as well as ultra-modern guest bedrooms with flat-screen televisions, sleet showers, as well as MP3 advancing stations. As a Wall Street Journal points out: If we whim a bit more privacy as well as pampering we could opt for a room in a hotels Regency Club, where we have a dedicated concierge as well as access to a private loll upon a 18th floor. The Rive Spa will open in mid February.

For tips upon what to do as well as where to eat whilst upon commercial operation in Dusseldorf, check out Luxury Travel Advisors essay upon 36 Hours in Dusseldorf.

New Mercedes S400 Hybrid at InterContinental Los Angeles Century City

Theres a lot to love during a InterContinental Los Angeles Century City. Lets start with a spa- a true urban oasis featuring zen-like villas where you can unwind with a Road Rage Massage. Hint: It comes with a Rush Hour Martini to help you relax. Talk about city pampering! Then of course theres a outdoor heated swimming pool with sundeck as well as whirlpool, not to discuss a fitness center. Guests soap-box about a rooms, duped out with gadgetry as well as equipped with a in isolation patio showcasing views across Los Angeles to a Pacific. A budding Westside address puts you inside of spitting stretch of Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive, 20th Century Fox Studios, as well as MGM Tower, as well as inside of driving stretch of a Getty Center, LA city center, as well as a beach. Weve raved about a hotels insider practice (shopping with LA wardrobe stylists, helicopter tours over a City of Angels). And heres another perk you like: a new luxury eco-friendly house car. The Mercedes S400 Hybrid is accessible for guests inside of a 1.5 mile radius of a hotel.

The Peninsula Hong Kong Celebrates 82nd Birthday with Launch of Our Hong Kong

In a 1920s a small architects drew up plans for a excellent hotel east of Suez as well as when The Peninsula Hong Kong opened its doors in 1928, a hotel remade Kowloon from a exhausted backwater to a focal point of a colourful amicable life. Home to on vacation tycoons as well as film stars, a shining hotel has been declare to a thespian history of Hong Kong, weathering war as well as troops occupation. The Pen as this Grande Dame is affectionately known has seen a lot, as well as has thousands of stories to tell. So its only wise that to celebrate its 82nd anniversary this past December, The Peninsula launched Our Hong Kong, a beautiful book filled with 50 personal stories from a hotels staff, divulgence their passion as well as knowledge for a city.

The book reveals Hong Kong through a eyes of insiders like Johnny Chung, Senior Bartender, who is a longest portion staff partial of with some-more than 53 years of service. Available in all rooms as well as suites, a beautifully with pictures book is chock full of anecdotes illustrating a obtuse known aspects of Hong Kong, such as 500-year-old villages, a small island where prawn paste is still made by hand, as well as singular festivities such as a annual Fire Dragon Dance.

Visitors to The Pen in 2011 can participate in a Our Hong Kong program, that will embody excursions to singular areas as well as activities introduced by staff as partial of The Peninsula Academy, a hotels award-w! inning C hinese Cultural Experience learning vacation program, as well as special menus in a hotels Chinese restaurant, Spring Moon, featuring home-grown meals that paint a culinary heritage of Hong Kong.

Get Married in Bali at the Cloud Nine Chapel, St. Regis Resort

Dreamed of restraining a tangle upon a sandy stretch of beach in paradise? Think Bali, where a St. Regis Resort offers a slew of bespoke wedding possibilities from law catering as well as personalized flowering plant arrangements to a services of a personal St. Regis Specialist as well as all a ingredients for a perfect, pampering honeymoon (like his as well as her treatments during a blow Remde Spa). The residence is unbeatable: float through cerulean lagoons as well as stroll barefoot in a silt surrounded by sensuous pleasant gardens. The resorts Cloud Nine Chapel has awesome breathtaking sea views from a postcard-perfect location upon a beach. Beyond a chapels pond, a wood-terraced reception area upon a beach is a preferred spot for pre-dinner canaps as well as cocktails.

5 New Years Resolutions for Language Learners: Creative Strategies to Increase Fluency

Photo: David Woo

Canadian expat Anne Merritt goes open with her goals for 2011 as well as shares 5 plain denunciation guidance strategies.

I can sequence food, sure. we can swear a small as well as sing a rough translation of Head, Shoulders, Knees as well as Toes.

Thats about a gist of it.

Im upon my second training stipulate in Korea, a republic whose enlightenment as well as people we adore. And yet, my Korean denunciation skills are, to be frank, pitiful.

Ive strike a expat plateau, which case in denunciation learning. we have only sufficient Korean to get around, as well as as well many shitty excuses for not studying more.

This year, we wish to work harder as well as be some-more receptive to a internal denunciation of a republic we similar to so much. What improved time than a New Year? This year, we will have 5 resolutions for my denunciation learning. Not vague read more, verbalise some-more common sense resolutions, yet genuine focused goals which are, we hope, attainable. Struggling to investigate a brand brand brand brand brand new denunciation too? Join me.

1. we Will Make My Efforts Known

Instead of only scribbling down my New Years resolutions in a diary, Im going to have em open this year. Announcinggoals to a world creates accountability; if we have strides with a language, people will know. If we slack, oh boy, theyll know too. Come March, if my textbooks have been propping up a table leg in my apartment, we cant brush it off with a Well, Im gentle with my basic Korean.

To tackle this resolution, Ive fessed up to my rudimentary Korean denunciation skills to a total Matador Network. Other denunciation learners can write about it too, as well as start a blog about a process. Writers similar to Benny a Irish Polyglot or Steve Kaufmann have been good models.

If we can, pointer up for a category as well! as be k ept upon track with test scores as well as assignments (not to discuss a money we paid for a lessons regularly a fine incentive). You can have use of Facebook, which good mouthpiece of minutiae, to have your goals open or to get a Word of a Day upon your page in your aim language.

A whipsmart girlfriend of mine is guidance Swedish, as well as posts Facebook standing updates whenever she passes a level in a course. For a associate denunciation learner, her success is inspiring. Okay, envy-inducing. Lets contend both.

Photo: Marie

2. we Will Focus My Goals

The curious thing about being immersed, as we am here in Korea, is a sequence in which we take in language. The terms as well as rules we catch on-site have been opposite from a stuff of denunciation textbooks. Ive found myself picking up denunciation upon a need-to-know basis. we work as a teacher, as well as have schooled classroom wording as well as pieces of scolding. we have to eat, so menu terms come easy now. Working in a large school with a complicated staff hierarchy, Ive picked up how to contend we agree 4 opposite ways, in 4 opposite degrees of familiarity.

The complaint with this unstructured settlement of guidance is which once a each day stuff is familiar, its easy to slack. Then, a single overlooks those situations where some-more denunciation would be handy. we can buy groceries as well as even exchange during a travel marketplace already. Still, we could do with knowing comparative forms similar to fewer, cheaper, as well as riper. we can approach a taxi only fine, yet we should sense Im lost; a word which was indispensable last week in brand brand brand brand brand new part of town.

My fortitude is to figure out what denunciation gaps we need to fill. Im going to carry a cover for a week, jotting each circumstance in which we dont know what to say. Then, we can focus my studies upon fill! ing in t hose sparse bits.

3. we Will Tame a Zeal (and free my inbox)

When we first motionless to come to Korea, we went upon a binge of denunciation guidance materials. we paid for flashcards, made flashcards, scooped up textbooks, phrasebooks, dictionaries. Online, we sealed up for each denunciation guidance site which was free.

Now, we get a dozen emails a day with opposite newsletters as well as use sentences. Ill give myself some points for enthusiasm, yet all which each day information is as well much. Today, we got emails to review vowel characters in written Korean, wording for a doctors office, as well as two words of a day (light blue as well as district). All these each day pieces have been unfriendly to each other, which makes my guidance unfocused. As a result, not most is retained.

My fortitude is to take an afternoon to declutter, deletion as well as unsubscribing from a stuff thats as well easy or as well advanced, not beneficial or not transparent enough.The annuity of denunciation resources online equates to we have a oppulance of being choosy. Better to focus all my energy upon a single good lesson than burst around my inbox trying to take in seven.

Photo: Robin

4. we Will Use a New Medium

In denunciation teaching, we verbalise about realia: equipment of content or receptive to advice which demonstrate denunciation as we would encounter it in genuine life. This could embody menus, commercials, flyers, etc. This year, my fortitude is to find a niche of realia which interests me, as well as stir it in to a mix of Korean investigate tools.

Its easy to get scared off these accurate denunciation equipment when youre a low-level learner. After all, a texts as well as podcasts of your studies have been difficult enough, as well as theyre tailored to denunciation students. Realia is great, though, since it lets we explore a denunciation b! y your i nterests. Its tougher than a made easy text script, yet which personal seductiveness is fuel for a challenge.

I adore to prepare as well as we adore Korean food, so Ive started seeking up elementary Korean recipes online. Its a good plea since Im perpetually wondering what flavors Im tasting in brand brand brand brand brand new dishes. It gives me a brand brand brand brand brand new window in to Korean enlightenment as we sense about in progress methods as well as festive, seasonal dishes.

For associate foodies, recipes have been a good guidance tool. Other options might be strain lyrics, TV shows, jokes, catalogues, a book of aphorisms or normal childrens fables.

5. we Will Let Go of a English Safety Net Sometimes

Im propitious to be guidance a denunciation onsite in Korea, where each brand brand brand brand brand new face is a potential vocalization partner. we use Korean with my coworkers, who have been kind as well as studious with my baby steps. we investigate with associate expats, who learn me memorization tricks as well as brand brand brand brand brand new idioms they hear. The thing is, we can (and do) dip in to English to explain or explain a point. For someone similar to me, who can be bashful with denunciation errors, this English safety net is becoming a bit of a crutch.

My fortitude is to chat up folks who verbalise 0 English. we wish to pull myself to have use of Korean resourcefully, rsther than than switching to English to get my indicate across.

I live nearby a preference store thats run by a couple who verbalise no English. Theyre kind as well as hospitable toward me, regularly pressing brand brand brand brand brand new drinks in to my hand, regularly charity bizarre biscuits. My chats with them, with no fallback English, leave me stammering as well as self-conscious. Over time, though, Ive felt an improvement. If we have a accessible nearby resident or colleague who speaks no English, try distinguished up a friendship. Chats with taxi drivers c! an do a trick too.

Community Connection

Are we ready to join Anne in any of her denunciation guidance resolutions? What will we do this year to improve your denunciation skills?

New Years Day in the Life of an Expat in Okinawa, Japan

Naritasan temple, Photo: Patrick Dep

Dont go to Futenma, Misako warns. The enchantress there is very jealous.You might have relationship problems this year.

Im an American living in Okinawa, as well as my friend Misako is giving advice. Its New Years Eve, as well as everyone during a celebration were during is talking about where theyre starting for hatsumode, a initial tabernacle revisit of a year. All over Japan, people group to shrines to respect Shinto deities as well as have wishes.

Naritasan is better, she says as well as offers me a bowl of toshikoshi soba.

Toshikoshi in Japanese equates to to see a old year out, so its customary to eat a prolonged thin soba noodles upon December 31st.

Unlike in a US where we typically let lax upon New Years Eve during a bar as well as afterwards snooze a whole subsequent day, this year Im celebrating Japanese style. That equates to we outlayed a whole week scheming emotionally, financially, as well as even gastronomically. According to custom, we furiously spotless my residence to eliminate a evil spirits. we paid bills as well as settled debts in sequence to have a clean money slate. we even stocked up upon mochi, rice cakes, as well as noodles.

Mochi, Photo: Rowena

Most importantly, we let go of my thought of January 1st as a day of recovery. Instead, New Years Day in Japan is a time for socializing with family, saying prayers, as well as being aware of a integrity we wish to bring in your life. Its certainly not a day to be outlayed curled up in a round upon a couch.

At midnight, Misako turns upon a TV. Many Japanese revisit a tabernacle upon New Years Eve to watch a rite ringing of a hulk bell 108 times, meant to free us of sins committed over a last year. Were all as well l! azy to l eave a party, so we watch it from her living room as well as afterwards hear firecrackers go off outside. We outlay a rest of a night personification Jenga as well as celebration awamori, a internal rice wine.

The subsequent morning, groggy yet determined, we find out Naritasan. Its a one-stop tabernacle portion a squeeze bag of spiritual needs. Whether its a higher-paying job or a baby we desire, Misako assures me deities there will be receptive.

Perched upon a side of a mountain, Naritasan Shrine faces a Pacific Ocean. Its a pleasing fresh day as well as we dont think about all about my hangover headache.

Entering a grounds, we feel similar to Im during a county fair. Colorful booths have been offered boiled noodles as well as yakitori, yet there have been corn dogs as well as funnel cakes too. The atmosphere is gratifying as well as people everywhere, including toddlers, have been embellished out in kimono as well as traditional dress. Whats more, unless my eyes deceive me, we even spy Mexican wrestling masks for sale.

As we travel up a steps to a categorical hall, a news organisation approaches as well as asks, Nihongo daijobu desu ka?

They wish to know if we speak Japanese so they can do an interview.

Ive been taking classes for several months, as well as we agree confidently. But when a camera shines upon me as well as a contributor sticks a microphone in my face, we freeze.

What is your goal for a new year? a contributor asks switching to English.

Like an awkward pageant contestant, we stammer, Um, we wish complacency as well as good health for all.

O-mamori charm, Photo: Timothy Takemoto

I wait in a prolonged line of people purifying themselves before facing a deities. They stand in front of a fountain as well as wash their hands methodically as well as wash out their mouths. we do a same as well as afterwards have my round! through a categorical hall.

Afterwards, we pull through a bustling crowd to a shop offered o-mamori, or good luck charms. They have been generally beneficial if we need to pass an critical examination or wish to find love. People can revisit a tabernacle any time of year to purchase one, yet Misako positive me that New Years Day is best as there is an generally well-stocked selection.

I decide to pass upon a appeal as well as settle upon an omikuji, or created happening instead. we dump a 100-yen silver into a wooden box as well as name an English one. When we open a paper, we find personalized advice in 12 categories including MISSING THING, GAME AND MATCH, CHILDBIRTH, as well as MARRIAGE PROPOSAL among others.

While we am pleased with a CHILDBIRTH as well as ILLNESS categories (patience advised for both) as well as REMOVAL (be in no hurry), we feel a little uneasy with a little of a others. Like for example, EXPECTED VISITOR, that vaguely warns me that something will be wrong with him or her. Then theres GAME AND MATCH, that tells me we will triumph yet will feel guilty about it. And finally, MARRIAGE PROPOSAL advises me to find out a secret arranged marriage.

Overall, though, we cant complain about my general augury for a year. Unlike others who might embrace a prophecy such as CURSED, POOR, or even only GOOD, Ive received a VERY GOOD.

Walking back towards a entrance, we pass fences as well as trees decorated with alternative peoples discarded fortunes. In Japan, if we dont similar to your fate, we can simply tie a trip of paper onto a bend as well as travel away.

Exiting a shrine, we stop during a food counter as well as buy a crater of comfortable sweet sake. Then we have my way down a steps as well as back home for a snooze upon a couch.

Community Connection

Read about Marys experience on vacation a internal happening teller in Japan.