Bodh Gaya: Place of Buddha’s Enlightenment

Bodh Gaya, India was the location of Siddhartha Gautama’s enlightenment. The Buddha attained enlightenment sitting under a Bodhi tree. The ancestor of that tree is housed at the majestic Mahabodhi Temple. This World Heritage Site is a must for travelers who are interested in the faith. The grounds are filled with meditating monks, carefully maintained plant life, and eager to learn tourists.

Follow this photographic journey into the home of The Buddha’s enlightenment.

Buddhist Temple, Bodh Gaya © Gennaro Salamone

Bodh Gaya is filled with Buddhist temples that were built by governments throughout Asia. Every nation with a significant Buddhist population has built their own temple to pay respect to the place of Buddha’s enlightenment

Relaxing Monks © Gennaro Salamone

Buddhist monks from a variety of nations make the pilgrimage to the Mahabodhi Temple to meditate under the Bodhi tree. It’s a peaceful respite from the chaos of India’s urban areas.

Bhikkhuni (Buddhist Nuns) © Gennaro Salamone

All Buddhist traditions have Bhikkhuni (Buddhist Nuns). While nuns take the same important vows, their position and stature within the Buddhist community is largely determined by their country.

The Bodhi Tree, Mahabodhi Temple © Gennaro Salamone

The Bodhi tree at Mahabodhi Temple is an ancestor of the original tree that Siddhartha Guatama attained enlightenment under around 530 BCE. Visitors and monks alike wait for falling Bodhi leaves which symbolize good fortune.

Prayer Flags, Mahabodhi Temple © Gennaro Salamone

Buddhist Emperor Asoka is considered the founder of the Mahabodhi Temple. It’s a brilliant architectural structure. The central tower rises to over 180 feet (55 meters). Lucky prayer flags are seen throughout the complex.

Buddha Statue © Gennaro Salamone

Bodh Gaya, India is home to thousands of Buddha statues of various sizes. Each statue has a unique meaning in connection with the Buddha’s positioning and facial expression.

Buddhist Monk Chanting © Gennaro Salamone

Buddhist chanting takes place regularly under the Bodhi tree. Pilgrims and tourists alike take in the beautiful rhythms of the chants. Many visitors and monks begin to pray at this moment.

Read about three perfect places to meet Buddhist monks then follow another photographic journey to Angkor Wat, Cambodia.

 
___________________________________________________________________________________
Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.

 

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Take a Hike! Into the Wilderness

“It is easier to find an excuse than to find a reason” ~Doug Brown

Life is filled with studies, work, and household responsibilities. That being said, it’s essential that we refresh our minds occasionally by stepping away from our routine. Take this opportunity to plan a day trip or long weekend into the wilderness. The best way to accomplish this is to avoid excuses and set a specific date for your sojourn. No excuses. You deserve it.
Hudson Valley Vineyard © Gennaro Salamone

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks”
~ John Muir

Every community has locations for a fun weekend. Despite that, it’s often satisfying to leave town for a day or two to keep your focus away from life’s distractions. A smart approach to selecting a destination is to connect it with a specific activity for the weekend. One leisure pursuit that can be found near every neighborhood is hiking. Hiking combines exercise with an ability to commune with nature.

Try Local Hikes (limited to U.S. locations) to find the best spots in your area. Local Hikes has a search feature that allows visitors to set preferences including location, scenery, time available, and difficulty. Using that method, we found an enchanting town called Cold Spring, New York containing several hikes with views of the Hudson River Valley. The town and its neighboring communities screamed of Americana. Each was filled with colonial houses, small shops, and a volunteer fire department. It was also the perfect spot for an Autumn hike as the foliage was reaching its colorful peak. Even better it was only a little over an hour outside of New York City. Planning to visit next time you’re in the area? Try neighboring Beacon, Newburgh, and West Point too.
Cold Spring, NY © Gennaro Salamone

“Food is our common ground, a universal experience” ~ James Beard

Hiking expends a lot of energy. It’s important to eat well and drink plenty of liquids. Eating will also provide a pleasant way to break up segments of your trek. Consider preparing and packing a few recipes that are different from your usual meals. A great resource for selecting unique foods is The Minimalist: 101 20-Minute Dishes for Inspired Picnics. Try the grapes and cheese recipe, which mixes feta cubes with green grapes. Add olive oil, black pepper, and salt to taste. Another delicious option is the tomatoes and peaches recipe, which tosses together sliced tomatoes and peaches, along with thinly sliced red onion. Add olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Travelers headed to the Hudson River towns will also have the option of dining at one of their numerous quality restaurants before or after their trek.
Church, Hudson Valley, NY © Gennaro Salamone

“He who would travel happily must travel light” ~Antoine de St. Exupery

Unless your hike involves a lengthy or intensive journey considering packing light. Bring the essentials, but little else. Turn off the cell phone too. Focus on the individuals and the wilderness around you. It’s not often that we have a chance to turn off all the noise and enjoy the nature around us.

What’s your favorite hiking spot?

 
___________________________________________________________________________________
Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.

 

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New Tsunami Museum in Indonesia

Close to a quarter of a million individuals were killed by the tsunami that hit Indonesia on December 26, 2004. On Monday, a museum that pays tribute to the victims of that natural disaster was opened in the province of Aceh. The museum details the horrors of the event itself along with the vast international effort to help the region. Read more in the Herald Sun.
Tsunami, Indonesia © Nederland Wereldomroep

The tsunami that hit Asia in 2004 led to a united effort among nations and individuals. The billions of dollars that were donated are still being funneled into the region in order to repair the damage of the tragic events. Despite a bit of controversy over the millions spent on the museum, it’s an important tribute to the victims of the tsunami and a celebration of human generosity. With many still waiting for help, years later, it will be an ongoing debate.

Do you agree or disagree with spending over $5 million dollars on the museum? Did the tsunami have a direct or indirect impact on your life?

Feeling generous? The Australian Red Cross is still collecting funds for the victims of the Victorian Bushfire.

Adventure tourism: Is it too early to visit Iraq?

 
___________________________________________________________________________________
Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.

 

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8 Great Movies for Paris Travelers

Paris, France offers its visitors one of the extraordinary urban playgrounds. Travelers seeking culture, romance, and flavorful cuisine flock to the “City of Lights” to engross themselves in all things French. A perfect way to get a taste of Paris before running off to enjoy it is through film. Enduring Wanderlust has assembled eight great movies for travelers or lovers of Paris.

1. Before Sunset (2004)

Director: Richard Linklater
Protagonists: Ethan Hawke (Jesse) and Julie Delpy (Celine)

Jesse: “What do you think were the chances of us ever meeting again?”

Celine: “After that December, I’d say almost zero. But we’re not real anyway, right? We’re just, uh, characters in that old lady’s dream.”

Ever meet the person of your dreams while traveling? Before Sunset sequel to Before Sunrise, is about the second meeting of Jesse and Celine. The two characters, initially, had a brief love affair after meeting on a train to Vienna, Austria. Nine years later, the two met again at Jesse’s book reading about the romance, at Shakespeare & Co in Paris. With just a few hours before Jesse’s plane leaves for the United States, Celine takes him on a stroll through Paris and a walk through memory lane. In addition to showing the beauty of Parisian life, Before Sunset delves into the ways in which the protagonists recall events along with the difference between the idealism of our 20′s and the realism of the next stage of life.

Each person we meet in life, traveling or otherwise, provides a piece of our life’s puzzle. As Celine says, “you can never replace anyone because everyone is made up of such beautiful specific details.”
Shakespeare & Co, Paris © KTyler Conk

2. Amélie (2001)

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Protagonist: Audrey Tautou (Amelie)

Amélie: “I like to look for things no one else catches. I hate the way drivers never look at the road in old movies.”

It’s the details of Paris that make it such an alluring destination. Jeunet’s film provides a visual masterpiece with a focus on the musing of eccentric Amélie and her Montmartre neighborhood. A single waitress, Amélie spend her time attempting to help Parisians fix their lives. In the process, she realizes that it’s her own life that needs to be altered. Travelers will see a lot of their own quirkiness in Amélie’s character. They’ll also appreciate her father’s longing to travel along with her attempts to motivate him to follow through on the dream using a garden gnome.

3. The Dreamers (2003)

Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
Protagonists: Michael Pitt (Matthew), Eva Green (Isabelle), and Louis Garrel (Theo)

Isabelle & Theo: “We accept you, one of us! One of us!”

The ultimate experience in traveling or living abroad is being accepted as part of the local community. In The Dreamers, Matthew manages to become part of an unusual Parsian family. He originally went to the City of Lights, as an American exchange student, with an obsessive love for the cinema. Set in the turbulent May 1968 Paris, Matthew befriends Isabelle and Theo. We learn that the two siblings are a little too close for comfort. Along the way, Bertolucci infuses the film with his love of Paris. In the meantime, his audience slowly falls in the with the city and cinema itself as the character interminably refer to and act out great film scenes.

As Matthew states, “I saw a movie at the cinématèque française [and] I thought, “only the French…only the French would house a cinema inside a palace.”

4. Breathless or À bout de soufflé (1960)
Breathless © Indie Wech

Director: Jean-Luc Godard
Protagonists: Jean-Paul Belmondo (Michel Poiccard) and Jean Seberg (Patricia Franchini)

Patricia: “I entered this world on the Champs-Elysees, 1959. La trottoir du Champs Elysees. And do you know what my very first words were? New York Herald Tribune! New York Herald Tribune!”

As with Matthew of The Dreamers, Patricia Franchini is an American studying in Paris in Breathless. A student of journalism at the Sorbonne, Patricia meets Michel. Michel is a young troublemaker who has an affinity for American cinema and petty theft. Along the way, Michel’s troubles escalate leading to the shooting of a police officer. He turns to the alluring Patricia to provide him with shelter during the storm.

Godard, on of the leading directors of the French New Wave of cinema, provides travelers with one of the great films set in Paris. Filled with drama, it gives viewers a taste of Paris in its hectic and revolutionary days.

5. 2 Days in Paris (2007)

Director: Julie Delpy
Protagonists: Adam Goldberg (Jack) and Julie Delpy (Marion)

Jack: “Can I use this thermometer?” [thermometer in mouth]
Marion: “I usually don’t use this one in the mouth. I mean…”
Jack: “Oh, come on! What is wrong with you?”
Marion: “What? It’s a French thermometer.”

Julie Delpy (Marion) returns to direct and star in a tale of a New York-based French woman in love with an American (see Before Sunset). Two Days in Paris chronicles the couples’ trip to Europe including their soujourn to France. Marion and Jack follow the trail of many travelers who take off, across the globe, in hopes of rekindling their relationships. Unfortunately for this couple, Paris is a tougher cultural experience than Jack can handle. Filled with humor and intellectual banter, 2 Days in Paris is a worth a watch.

6. Paris Je T’aime or Paris, I Love You (2007)

Directors: Twenty Different Individuals

Carol: “Sitting there, alone in a foreign country, far from my job and everyone I know, a feeling came over me. It was like remembering something I’d never known before or had always been waiting for, but I didn’t know what.”

Paris, Je T’Aime is a tribute to the City of Lights. Twenty directors filmed segements of the movie detailing every aspect of Parisian life. This Ode to Paris delves into the human experience with a connection to their urban jungle. Though there are melancholy segments in the film, viewers walk away with a true feeling that Paris penetrates the core of its inhabitants and visitors. The film may be best for those returning from a trip to Paris. It stirs up all the small joys a traveler experiences in the city.
Arc de Triomphe © Gennaro Salamone

7. Last Tango in Paris (1973)

Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
Protagonists: Marlon Brando (Paul) and Maria Schneider (Jeanne)

Paul: “I’m awfully sorry to intrude, but I was so struck with your beauty that I thought perhaps I could offer you a glass of champagne.” “Is this seat taken?”

Jeanne: “No.”

A controversial film starring Marlon Brando (Paul) playing an American expatriate in Paris. Paul is struggling to cope with the suicide of his wife. That episode fills the protagonist with grief and aggression. The outlet for his extreme emotions is French woman named Jeanne. Paul proceed to be involved in an intimate relationship with Jeanne. The arrangement calls for no names to be exchanged. Paul continuosly demeans the young French woman over the course of their meetings.

When Jeanne is finally ready to end the affair for a traditional marriage, Paul reveals his love for her. He learns of her name in a dramatic sequence: “you ran through Africa and Asia and Indonesia, and now I found you. And I love you. I want to know your name!.” Jeanne responds with a simple, “Jeanne.”

Last Tango in Paris isn’t ideal for all travelers, but it’s a masterpiece in filmmaking and character studies.

8. Ratatouille (2007)

Co-Directors: Brad Bird and Jan Pinkava

Remy: “What are you eating?”
Emile: “I don’t really know. I think it was some sort of wrapper once.”
Remy: “What? No! You’re in Paris now, baby! My town! No brother of mine eats rejecta-menta in my town!”

Ratatouille is perfect for families traveling with young children. It’s also wonderful for adults who are passionate about French cuisine. It’s an animated tale that stars a rat named Remy. Remy has dreams of leaving the sewers of Paris to become a well-respected chef in Paris. Putting his life on the line, Remy manages to win the hearts of the kitchen staff along with the members of the audience.

The film engenders a love for the underdog along with a feeling of passion for French delicacies. It also succeeds in reminding us of the magic of eating at the family table growing up. Don’t let the animation fool you. This story is human at its core.

Editor’s note: This post contains affiliate links.

Read about 5 Great Arts Festivals That You Can’t Miss.

 
___________________________________________________________________________________
Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing an article or photograph for publication.

 

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20 Travel Tips From Our Commenters

Joanna Young of Confident Writing recently compiled an excellent resource for fighting writer’s block by using suggestions from her readers. That inspired Enduring Wanderlust to select 20 helpful travel thoughts from our commenters. The personal experiences and incites of our readers are an invaluable resource. Read through the list and feel free to add your favorite and unique travel tips in the comment section.

Visiting Great Cities

1. I like strolling in the Lower East Side and visiting the Essex Street Market or going to Chelsea Market. NYC’s Green Markets are a great place to see what’s local and seasonal and where lots of great chefs get their produce.

Katie Parla | Katie Parla.com

2. I would also add the free outdoor movies shown during the summer months in Bryant Park (NYC) and at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO.

Wendy | Escape From New York

3. We went to Paris a few years ago for Valentine’s Day. That’s definitely the most romantic city. Especially at night. You can view the city from atop so many different monuments (Arch, Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur).

Seth

4. I have been to Vegas at least a dozen times and the Bellagio fountains never get old. The Conservatory at the Bellagio also never gets old, as they change it for the season/holiday. [Test] drive a Ferrari’s from the Wynn [Hotel]!

Ryan | Lifegawker
Brooklyn Bridge © Gennaro Salamone

Eating On The Road

5. Picking foods that are native to the area is a great way to have a picnic. Then all you need to do is find that “special” spot.

Barbara Swafford | Blogging Without A Blog

6. I have to agree on Di Fara [Pizza] and Grimaldi’s as the top stops [in NYC]. Both deliver a great pie. I would add Patsy’s to that list. It’s right up there with Lombardi’s and Totonno’s.

Chris

7. The best pizza, naturally, comes from Italy. The best pizza I have ever had was made by a Roman who had a pizza bar in a neighborhood nearby [Australia]. Where most pizzas are made in electric ovens this guy used a wood oven. [Often the best foods come from neighborhood restaurants without famous names]

Sire | Wassup Blog

8. Una Pizza Napoletana [NYC] gets points for their crust with manages to mimic the texture, consistency and thickness of a Neapolitan crust. It fails in several ways: the center of the pizza is too thick. I want the almost translucent dough of Starita [Napoli] and Di Matteo [Napoli]. Also, their pizzas cost $21. A Napoli, 4 euros. Its dough. And marginally palatable mozzarella. Get real. And $10 for a glass of second rate wine. If the name “una pizza napoletana” wasn’t crafted to evoke the ideas authenticity and simplicity, then I would have no qualms. But since it was, then I expect both.

Katie Parla | Katie Parla.com

On Giving Back

9. I’m planning on participating in Kiva.org. As a person who runs a business, I needed a loan at one point…I’d like to help other succeed. Especially, since it won’t require much in a lot of those countries. I was in Peru a few months ago. I’ll try someone from there.

Tim
Rock Garden, Chandigarh © Gennaro Salamone

On Green Travel

10. Chandigarh was so much fun when we visited it. It was truly a pleasant surprise and a change from most of India’s chaotic cities. The weather during monsoon season is a not as hot as in most parts of India because of its geographic location. The [rock] garden was an amazing experience. Be sure to visit manmade Lake Sukhna after the garden and take a boat ride.

Sima

11. Here in Philadelphia, Isaiah Zagar has created a “garden” and mosaic house out of basically junk. [It's called] Zagar’s Magic Gardens.

Kim Woodbridge | (Anti) Social Development

12. Coyotes are spotted often in Oakland County Michigan, Detroit’s northern suburbs. It’s very common to watch wild pheasants walk across streets of rural Detroit. Wildlife is running out of wild so they are forced to adapt to nearby cities. The mix isn’t always workable. Man always wins, even when we shouldn’t.

Brian D. Hawkins | Extreme Ezine Marketers

Bringing In A Lucky Chinese New Year

13. Another thing that Chinese consider good luck is the pulling of Raw Fish strips (during Reunion Dinner which is end of CNY) – the higher it’s pulled (vertically) from the table, the better.

Kelly | MyQute.com

14. I really like the idea of cleansing the house and body at the beginning of the year. It’s like setting the tone for the rest of the year. It’s human nature to judge something based on how it begins and ends. If you start off a year properly, then you are setting off on the right foot.

Trey | Swollen Thumb Entertainment

15. That’s [luck for the New Year] what my mom’s been stressing to us yesterday and today — oranges and a clean house. Phew I’ve been cleaning some parts of the house since yesterday. And we’re not even Chinese!

Brian Karl | Brian Karl.com

16. I think one of the most important aspects to have a good year is having an environment that promotes balance and feng shui.

Elijah | The At Home Couple

17. In my family, a bowl of black-eyed peas on New Year is essential for good luck.

T Edwards | Poverty101.net
Conservative Clothing, Pushkar, India © Gennaro Salamone

On Staying Safe Abroad

18. In terms of sexual assaults, a big mistake that women travelers make in India – as they do in the Middle East – is to think that because it’s hot they can wear next to nothing. Female travelers forget that India is a conservative society – Hindus and Muslims both so – and that wearing minimal clothing is provocative.
I don’t think it’s a matter of right or wrong, it’s more a matter of appreciating that the culture (whichever culture it is) is different and as travelers we’re guests (male or female) and we need to appreciate that culture regardless of what we think of its values.

Lara Dunston | Cool Travel Guide

19. “Safety” is such a broad word. Terrorist attacks [in India] are not my number 1 concern. Better measures are necessary for dealing with more everyday crime. Because when I am attacked when leaving a shopping mall in Kolkatta, I don’t want to hear from the police that “it was probably my fault, because I must have provoked the thugs somehow” – as happened to me last January.

AnnaE | Budget Trouble

On Travel Gear

20. I used to have this [Canon Powershot SX10 IS] camera (or a previous version of it) and it is the best little camera. A great choice if you’re looking for something a little more advanced than a small point-and-shoot but aren’t quite ready to go into the DSLR arena.

Tabitha | From Single to Married

What was your favorite travel thought? Do you have a great tip to share?

Read about unique ways to select your next travel destination.

 
___________________________________________________________________________________
Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.

 

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Travel Sites May Raise Hotel Taxes

State and local governments, across the United States, are challenging online travel websites who book hotels at discount prices. Representatives, for the governments, are claiming that booking sites such as Orbitz, Expedia, and Priceline are able to offer lower rates by collecting taxes on the cost incurred by the travel site instead of the rate paid by the consumer. Read more at the NY Times.
Capsule Hotel, Japan © Robert Paul Young

Online booking sites provide a quick and relatively inexpensive method of securing hotels and airfare. The recent dispute will likely result in an increase in overall room cost for consumers. With travelers already taking a hit, because of the economic downturn, the timing of the news is hardly ideal. That being said, taxpayers will benefit from the additional funds allocated to their local governments.

Should travel sites be required to increase taxes that are collected on hotel rooms?

 

Looking to make up the cash lost on the hotel tax? Read about free hotel activities in Las Vegas. Prefer to rant about consumer rights? Check out Darren Cronian’s Travel Rants. Darren is always looking out for travel consumers. He helps to keep the tourist industry on its toes.

 
___________________________________________________________________________________
Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.

 

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Free Things to Do in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is filled with an array of spectacular entertainment choices. It’s easy and usually worthwhile to spend lots of cash on Vegas’ unique shows, remarkable watering holes, and tasty restaurants. That being said, Las Vegas offers lots of free entertainment too. Whether you’ve had tough luck at the slot machines or you’re merely looking to stay within budget, Enduring Wanderlust has compiled nine quality things to do in Las Vegas for free.

1. Sirens of TI at Treasure Island

Treasure Island Hotel of Las Vegas features a nightly show that exhibits a range of performances. The entertainment centers around two groups of singing pirates who battle it out for supremacy. Their scantly-dressed members perform a choreographed dance as a variety of pyrotechnics light up the evening sky for a densely-filled audience. There are four shows per night starting at 5:30pm. Arrive early for a better view. Do note that guests of The Mirage-MGM Properties receive preferred access.
Sirens, Treasure Island © Gennaro Salamone

2. Acrobats of Circus Circus

Circus Circus Hotel has fifteen-minute indoor performances that draw adults and kids alike. Their shows include acrobats, jugglers, and clowns. The acrobats swing high in the air leaping to grasps their partners’ hands for dear life. The apex of their extravaganza is a blind-folded triple flip by the lead acrobat. It draws thundering applause from the mixed crowd. The free shows run regularly from 11:00am to midnight. There are seating and standing areas.

3. Aquariums at The Mirage or Caesars

The Mirage and Caesars Palace are both equiped with massive aquariums that are open to the public. The former has a 20,000 gallon saltwater tank within easy walking distance of their casino. It has a variety of colorful sea creatures from reefs around the world. The latter is located in the Forum Shoppes of Caesars. It’s a 50,000 gallon saltwater aquarium behind finely crafted Roman-replica statues. Feedings at the Caesars aquarium take place at 1:15pm and 5:15pm. Mandalay Bay Hotel also has a highly recommended Shark Reef, but comes with a significant entrance fee. That being said, it’s the only facility that gives visitors an opportunity to touch stingrays.

4. Fountains of Bellagio

The dancing waters of the Bellagio Fountains are one of the most popular attractions on the Vegas Strip. The beautiful movements of the water performance change regularly. The same is true for the relaxing music and soft lighting. It’s a peaceful oasis in the middle of Sin City. Watch for over 1,200 devices spraying water as high as 460 feet high. The Eiffel Tower of Paris, Las Vegas is a great place for a second view of the fountains for those paying to go up. The fountains run every 30 minutes until 8:00pm and every 15 minutes, from that point, until midnight.
Bellagio Fountains © Gennaro Salamone

5. Lions of MGM Grand

The MGM Grand Hotel features a rotating group of lions within a glass-enclosed area of their casino. Just a few steps away, from hundreds of slot machines, roams several character-filled lions. When they’re not roaring at the gawkers, the big cats are usually napping atop the glass-covered entrance. The lions normally live at an 8.5 acre-ranch located miles away from the MGM. Each day, from 11:00am-10:00pm, visitors may visit the lions. The exception is, between 3:30pm and 4:30pm, when new lions arrive from the ranch.

6. Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge or The Grape

Looking for a drink to calm your nerves from the lions? Need a sweet pick-me-up? Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge offers free self-guided tours of their chocolate facilities and Botanical Catus Gardens. Visitors are welcomed to roam from 8:30am to 6:00pm. Do try Ethel’s scrumptious chocolates before heading out.

The Grape wine bar offers free wine tasting every Thursday. The tastings are accompanied by live music for those arriving after 7:00pm. Las Vegas Magazine reports that Vegas’ Thurston Howlies is the most common performer with sounds of jazz and Brazilian harmonies played by the lounge band.

7. Volcano at The Mirage

The newly-redesigned volcano at The Mirage is a spectacular demostration of flames along with a thundering soundtrack. The bright oranges emitted from the volcano light up the The Strip, on a hourly basis, from dusk until dawn. The best views are reserved for visitors who arrive a few minutes early or for guests who watch the eruption from the upper floors of The Mirage.
Volcano, The Mirage © Gennaro Salamone

8. Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at Bellagio

The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens of the Bellagio Hotel feature a regulary changing display of brilliant horiculture. The designers of the garden ensure that every detail matches the sensibility of the season or holiday that is being portrayed at the time. The current display is an astounding tribute to the Chinese New Year. It includes local fauna, red lanterms, zen-like ponds, and a towering statue. The exhibition is open 24 hours a day for visitors who can’t bare to leave the slot machines or blackjack tables.

9. Chilean Flamingos of the Flamingo Las Vegas

The Flamingo Hotel of Las Vegas has a free 15-acre Wildlife Habitat filled with African penguins, Chilean flamingos, and a variety of other birds. Feeding take place at 8:30am and 3:00pm. While the area is open 24 hours a day, it’s best to arrive before dark. Many of the birds, including the star flamingos, are less visible or asleep in the evening.

Read about inexpensive things to do in London.

 
___________________________________________________________________________________
Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.

 

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Hotel To Guests: Pay as You Wish!

Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen has instituted a “pay what you want” policy for their current promotion. Ibis is positioned in the heart of Singapore, close to local transportation, shopping, and tourist attractions. It is a new hotel with a modern decor to go along with an Asian Tapas restaurant called TASTE. Rates usually begin from 162.43 SGD ($108.55 or 83.93 Euros) after taxes. They’ve set up a special website for the promotion. Read more on Stuff.
Singapore © Gennaro Salamone

Ibis SIngapore has developed a smart tact for gaining publicity in a struggling market. Hotels have taken a major hit over the course of the last few months. This gimmick will help Ibis to gain headlines, web traffic, and countless travelers to register to their site.

Singapore itself has a lot to offer the traveler. It’s one of the cleanest and most efficient cities in Southeast Asia. The tourists who are lucky enough to score an inexpensive room at the pricey hotel would be smart to visit the Botanical Gardens, wander around Little India, marvel at the Chinatown Heritage Centre, and dive with sharks at the Underwater World. It’s also important to savor the local cuisine including Chilli Crab, Black Pepper Crayfish, and Drunken Prawns. Little India has their blend of Indian and local tastes too.

 
___________________________________________________________________________________
Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.

 

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Planning a Perfect Romantic Getaway

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. It marks the perfect occasion for planning a romantic getaway with your significant other. Whether you’re trying to spark a new flame or celebrating a well-established love, we’ve delivered the five steps necessary for a superlative weekend escape.

1. Know Your Lover
“Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” ~Robert Heinlein

The best way to provide a memorable getaway for your lover is to plan according to their interests. This weekend is the time to reserve seats at her favorite restaurant, buy airline tickets to the city he’s always hinting about visiting, arrange for that perfect picnic, or finally get that babysitter for the kids. Don’t wait until next year. Your moment is now.
Romantic Fireplace © Arild Storaas

2. Gifts
“The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.” ~Pierre Corneille

Gifts are an expression of our feelings. Be sure to enhance the experience with attention to detail. We are often very generous with the present itself, but fall short on the delivery. Try to spend a significant amount of time, before the getaway weekend, on presentation. Does she love roses? Consider spreading rose petals across the bed sheets or running a warm bath with petals and candles. Does he love chocolate? Skip the yearly heart-shaped box of chocolates for a basket of hand-selected pieces from a local or online specialty shop. Jacque Torres, Godiva, and B.T. McElrath are a few of the top chocolatiers. Even better, sign yourselves up for chocolate-making classes.

3. Location
“Laughter is an instant vacation.” ~Milton Berle


If the means are available, leave town for the weekend. There are countless romantic places to venture off to either locally or globally. Venice Carnival will be in full swing, the evening lights of Paris will be shining bright, the charming locals of Hawaii will be waiting to greet you with a Lei, and New York City will be working to keep you partying all night.

If not, pick your partner’s favorite place, near home, for a day trip or weekend. Be sure to pre-arrange for any romantic details for your trip. On arrival, leave your daily life behind. This is an occasion for laughter and relaxation.
Romance © Brandon Warren

4. Conversation
“We do not remember days we remember moments.” ~Cesare Pavese

This getaway is a chance to indulge in reminiscence. We rarely return to the stories of our first days together. Take this point in time to talk about your awkward meeting, funniest moments, or the instants that defined your relationship. It’s also important to accentuate the experience with photographs. Bring your favorite images on an electronic-storage device or in a nicely decorated box. Be sure to flirt and hold hands.

5. Compliments
“I can live for two months on a good compliment.” ~Mark Twain

Compliment your significant other. Our lives are often busy and we forget to express gratitude for their love. Don’t assume that planning the weekend or buying presents is enough of an indication. It surely meets the requirements, but saying it aloud has a magical effect.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 
___________________________________________________________________________________
Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.

 

 

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Travelers Should Help Free Rice and Kiva

Free Rice and Kiva are two non-profit websites that are a perfect fit for travelers. Travelers usually return from their wandering with a yearning to give back. Each website takes a different approach to helping people escape poverty.

Free Rice aims to provide free education to all along with free rice for the hungry. Their method is gratis and educational for the donor. It consists of website visitors answering a series of multiple-choice questions in a variety of subjects. The topics that are most relevant to travelers include identifying countries on a map, naming world capitals, and learning foreign languages (Spanish, Italian, German, French, English). For each answer you get right, Free Rice donates 10 grains of rice through the United Nations World Food Program.

That’s it. You learn. They eat.
Free Rice Website

Kiva takes a different approach. They match individuals who are willing to give very small loans (micro-loans) to local entrepreneurs in developing countries. The lender can select the country and specific entrepreneur who they’d like to help. Supporters will also receive e-mail updates about their enterpriser’s progress along with an ability to track repayment of the loan. This is an ideal avenue for those who want to spark initiative and hard work.
Kiva Website

As travelers, we benefit from wandering the globe. We learn new customs, meet life-long friends, and take advantage of the buying power of Western currency. Free Rice is an opportunity to continue learning about the world around us, and Kiva is a chance to use that almighty currency to give back. Take a serious look at each website. Help make a difference.

 
___________________________________________________________________________________
Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Feel free to contact him with questions, comments, or inquiries with reference to contributing a travel article or photograph for publication.

 

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