The Filipino community has the unique edge that its people should enhance, enrich, and preserve. The country is a captivating tourism destination and tourism is one of its major economic resources. I believe that though the Philippines is presently having fiscal problems, it should not lose the faith and the hope; instead, we should take the problems as challenges to become a stronger nation. The assets of the country are not limited to the tourist spots and products only, but also the Filipino themselves are on of its lustrous diamonds. Filipinos are naturally hospitable and able to speak English language fluently which are two of the reasons why tourists keep on coming back to the different regions of the archipelago. As a conclusion, the people should not focus on the negative side of the country's status but rather ponder more on the positive side. Filipinos have the potentials to make the country a new tigress of Southeast Asia, why not flaunt them?

Party Holidays

If you are young enough to handle seven nights of drinking the chances are you won't be able to afford extravagant holidays. Here are some places you can go for the ultimate fashionable (and yet cheap) party in the sun ideal for students and younger people celebrating finishing A levels.

1. Greece Ios

   This small rock placed in the ocean off mainland Greece is carpeted with bars, clubs and bikinis. The island has no airport so must be accessed by a return ferry from the mainland approx £40.

2. Croatia

   After emerging from former Yugoslavia Croatia is now being recognised as one of the best places to party if you love beaches. There are loads of small islands, and that means loads of beaches and in turn this means loads of parties. You will start off your evening in a chilled café bar and move on at 1am to dance clubs. Brac Island is a good place to start, although because accommodation and transport is so cheap we recommend you island hop as the mood takes you.

3. Florida

   If you can't wait till the summer why not join spring break in Florida during march, here due to great exchange rates you can double your money, if that's not a reason to party I don't know what is. With an average of one wet t-shirt contest a minute this is prime location for you to mingle with US students at their best.

Adventures

As you are reading on I assume you want more to show your folks back home than photos of large piles of empty beer glasses.

1. The Via Ferrata

   This translates literally as "iron roads". These are a collection of ladders and cables draped over cliff faces in the alps to allow snipers in WWII to get into position. No-one took them down and they now provide easy access to some of the most dramatic settings in the alps. The best are to be found in the Dolomite mountains in Italy. www.colletts.co.uk is a good place to start.

2. Over-landing

   Simple great adventure. Find a group of friends, rent a 4x4 vehicle, drive through exotic location camping each night. For instance Delhi to Mumbaim, over the Tha desert, the white city of Udaipur. Roughly £400 for truck rental and accommodation for 14 nights. Best to rent once your out their.

Final Options

If partying wasn't for you and adventures sounded somewhat expensive then consider these, our ultimate budget holiday choices:

1. Volunteer Farm Work

   Spend your days picking fruit, and your nights around a camp fire telling stories, with accommodation and food included farm work can be a great way to literally see the land and meet some new people. 

2. Cruise Ship

   Never a cheap option unless you opt for a job on the aforementioned vessel. When searching for jobs online be careful of scam websites.

3. International Courier

   Fly the world for less by carrying someone else's mail with you. Drop off documents at appointed place to receive huge flight discounts.

I hope this has given you some ideas

Festivals aside, Edinburgh is a diverse, exciting place to visit. The museums and art galleries here can take up a day's visiting alone. The national gallery of Scotland Complex is free to enter and shows works by Monet, Van Gogh, Gauguin and many others. The Queens' Gallery on the Royal Mile has changing exhibitions, including a wide range of art and treasures held in trust by The Queen. Then there's the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. This is also free to enter and includes works by Dali, Warhol and Hirst.

If you're looking for more of an experience The Real Mary King's Close is a guided tour of Edinburgh's famous underground streets, showing what life was like in the city in the 17th century. Later in the evening the Edinburgh literary pub tour begins at the Beehive Inn.

Shopping can also be a bit of an experience in Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Old Town Weaving company shows tartan being woven on the premises. Upstairs there's an information point where you can find the tartan for any clan, as well as other information on Scottish names and history. In the Scotch Whisky Experience by the castle not only can you buy your favourite single malt, but there's a tour which lasts about an hour revealing the mysteries of whisky and offering free tastings.

When it comes to eating out in Edinburgh there's a wide choice, ranging from lunch time cafes, Indian restaurants, Thai, Italian and many bistros. The Rhubarb restaurant on Prestonfield Road recently won Best Hotel Restaurant 2007 and is the latest restaurant from James Thomson whose other Restaurant, The Witchery By The Castle is already Scotland's most famous place to dine out.

Walk the streets of Edinburgh and you'll notice many pubs and bars. The Golf tavern overlooks Bruntsfield Links and is a unique place to enjoy a drink. The Bollinger Bar at Palm Court is Scotland's only Bollinger Champagne bar. The Prestoungrange Gothenburg on the High Street brew their own real ales on the premises. And The Jam House on Queen Street is Edinburgh's newest Live music venue, also offering fine dining in this old Georgian town house.

If you want something a little more lively The Stand Comedy Club has the best in Scottish and international stand-up comedy. There are many theatres and playhouses such as the Edinburgh Festival Theater on Nicolson Street and the Ross Open Air Theatre in Princes Street Gardens. But if you want something more authentic The Thistle on Leith Street boasts the best traditional Scottish entertainment the city has to offer.

This is one hotel that really will take your breath away, Situated on Ft Lauderdale's beach boulevard on of the most popular areas in FT Lauderdale. Taste the international flavour of Florida's Venice. Eat under the stars and enjoy one of the most wonderful nightlife areas you could want to try.

Enjoy stunning white sandy beaches, and breath taking sunsets. The Avalon gives you quality and comfort in abundance.

The hotel has four unique buildings with seventy rooms. The rooms vary from the standard that have microwaves, tea making facilities to the 2 bedroom guest suites will the fully fitted kitchen. You have the choice from 70 rooms and with various features.

We have a conference room that can accommodate 12 guests, and poolside receptions for 125 guests.

Amenities consist of, free wireless Internet in the front porch, in the lobby and in the pool area. Parking, a daily maid service, an outdoor grill and picnic area. A free continental breakfast, cable TV, and a choice of two swimming pools. With a lovely exercise room.

Optional Extras are, car hire, dry cleaning and baby cribs to hire. A taxi and limo hire service and fax facilities. There are many things to do in Ft Lauderdale I have listed the main attractions.

Things to do

• Beach Place (0.1 mi/0.1 km)
• Bonnet House Museum and Gardens (1.0 mi/1.6 km)
• Galleria Mall (1.0 mi/1.6 km)
• Las Olas Boulevard (Shopping and Entertainment) (3.0 mi/4.8 km)
• Museum of Art (3.0 mi/4.8 km)
• Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau (4.0 mi/6.4 km)
• Stranahan House (4.0 mi/6.4 km
• Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum (4.0 mi/6.4 km)
• Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale Arts & Entertainment (4.0 mi/6.4 km)
• Artserve (5.0 mi/8.1 km)
• Broward Center for the Performing Arts (5.0 mi/8.1 km)
• DCOTA - Design Center Of The Americas (5.0 mi/8.1 km)
• Museum of Discovery and Science (5.0 mi/8.1 km)
• Old Fort Lauderdale Museum of History (5.0 mi/8.1 km)
• Port Everglades (6.0 mi/9.6 km)
• Dania Jai Alai (8.0 mi/12.9 km)
• Seminole Indian Casino (14.0 mi/22.5 km)
• Sawgrass Mills Outlet Mall (18.0 mi/29.0 km)
• Bank Atlantic Center (18.0 mi/29.0 km)
• Port of Miami (30.6 mi/49.2 km)
• South Beach (33.3 mi/53.6 km

This beautiful area is situated at the side of the Atlantic and the mouth of the new river. There are six miles of beaches, access to every water sport you can think of and a myriad of museums, great restaurants and entertainment venues.

Fish is one of the most delicious things in Florida and grouper is probably the number one choice available any way you want it, but the favourite has to be fresh grouper sandwich and French fries.

To get to the Grand Canyon, travel to Phoenix, Arizona first. It is about a 4 hour drive from Central Phoenix to the South rim. The entrance fee to the Grand Canyon is $25 per vehicle to cover maintenance costs. However if you possess a National Parks Golden Eagle pass the cost is reduced.

Importance of the site

The fact that the Grand Canyon is listed as a World Heritage site means a lot to groups and governments involved. Conservationist groups major argument was that the parks wilderness aspect was being exterminated by visitors trampling carelessly and coming too often. The excessive visitors were causing lack of biodiversity. The Grand Canyon met all four requirements of UNESCO World heritage customs thus becoming a World Heritage Site.

Site Management

The US National Park Service managed the sight since 1919 as a National Park. This was before it became a World Heritage Site. There was a site management plan made in 1977 in accordance to the Environmental Policy act of 1969.

Characteristics of the site

This is a natural World Heritage site, not cultural as humans did not make it, the environment did. The sheer spectacular view would leave you speechless. The canyon is a world heritage sight as of 1979. It is revered for historical importance as it tells us history dating back millenniums. It helps in understanding of geological activity in the last 6 million years as nothing but the elements created it.

Location

Located in the state Arizona, in America the Grand Canyon shows millenniums of history. The abyss is nearly 1500m deep.

Climate

At the Grand Canyon the weather varies, and often the north rim and the south rim are different. The temperature can rise or drop dramatically, so be prepared for anything. Also, altitude sickness can occur due to being so high up. The South rim is 7000 feet above sea level, and the North rim is 8000 feet above sea level. At the south rim, June and July are the warmest however it is also the rainiest season. The coolest time is January, reaching down to -8c Celsius. The north rim is generally colder than the south, with the rainfall being higher and the temperature cooler.

So before you pack your bag and book your airline tickets, I have put together my top ten list of things to do on a 10 day trip!

1. Tour the Tulips of Table Cape

   

   This one is an absolute beauty, truly a photographer"s paradise. Table Cape is best viewed in the first week of October, and is located on the north coast, about 2 hours west of Devonport, on Bass Highway towards Stanley.
   Best of all you can look and take photos from the road side for free. The farms also have great display's, bulbs and souvenirs for sale to remember your experience.

2. Feed a Tassie Devil!

   

   Made famous by the Warner Bros cartoon character, these little guys have the world's strongest jaw! They devour absolutely everything when fed, flesh, skin, and bone - not a scrap left behind! Don't worry about them while your camping, they are only scavengers! Please only feed them under supervision at the many wildlife parks scattered around tassie! While they are friendly, one bite could break every bone in your hand! Get in and see them soon, as unfortunately there is a bad face tumor disease that is really wiping them out.

3. Walk with the Penguins in Stanley

   

   Many places around Australia make you pay to see the Fairy Penguins come up from the beach. In Stanley you can see them for free! You can find them just down on the beach in front of the graveyard. They come out of the surf about 15 to 45 minutes after sunset. I even had one walk between my feet when I was there!
   Stanley is about 4 hours west of Devonport on the Bass Highway. Please don't touch, disturb or shine your bright torch lights on these birds, as they just want to come home and go to bed!

4. Drive the Western Explorer!

   

   This little known, but spectacular drive, traverses the windswept plains and valleys from Murrawah in the North, to Corinna in the South. Enjoy the spectacular views across the north west wilderness area and the appropriately named, savage river national park. It is a great days drive from Stanley, and there is accommodation and camping available in Corinna. Suitable for 2 wheel drives in good weather.

5. Discover the Southern Caves

   

   Well worth a day trip out from Hobart, are the Hastings Caves There are over 50 spectacular limestone caves in the area, all of them still very much alive and growing.
   The caves are managed by Parks Tasmania, and there is a small charge to go on a tour. You can get to them via Hastings Caves Road, off the A6, Huon Valley Highway.
   Enjoy your journey through the Huon, and take time to stop at all the craft, local fruit and vege and wood working shops on the way. The lush spectacular local scenery is not to be missed. Just out of Geeverston, you may like to visit their latest tourist attraction, the Tahune Air walk. This attraction boasts a 600m walk up to 50 meters above the forest and river below. This is a great way to enjoy the splendor of the majestic Huon Pine forests.

6. Tramp around the Majestic Dove Lake

   

   Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park, deserves the title of Tasmania's most popular tourist attraction. The ancient cold climate Huon rain forests have you looking for elves and fairies around every tree trunk. You may not see those elusive creatures, but you will find the park bursting with life! Wallaby's, echidna and wombats galore are everywhere. A 3 hour walk around the mysterious Dove Lake is not to be missed.

7. Walk with the Wombats in Cradle Mountain

   

   Included with your Parks Tasmania entry fee, are nightly wombat walks in the Cradle Mountain. Starting on the board walk, just down from the cradle mountain car park, you'll see dozens of the creatures out foraging, digging new burrows or out guarding their territory. Contact Parks Tasmania for more information, and don't forget to rug up. Wombat's enjoy a funny sort of weather!

8. Climb to Wineglass Bay

   

   Arguably, the most scenic beach in the world, it is only accessible after a 1.5 hour climb over a hill from the closest car park. Trust me, it is worth every step! The fine yellow white sand, granite boulders rocks, sky blue waters and rugged mountain back drop makes this place very special. Only the dedicated walkers reach this spot, so you don't have to worry about the crowds spoiling your photo. The only people you do see a lot of are the photographers with large format cameras, out to soak up every lumen of this place's beauty.
   You can get to Wineglass bay, via Coles Bay Road, off the Tasman Highway (A3). It is about 4 hours north of Hobart. Beware during the summer months the park can get closed due to bush fires, so contact Parks Tasmania for more information.

9. Smell the Lavender Fields of Scottsdale.

   

   The sweet smell of lavender puts a spring in your step, and a smile on your face. The lavender fields of Scottsdale are an awesome sight in full bloom, and are at their peak around January. Unfortunately, this does not line up with the tulip peak, so if you want to see these fields in full bloom, you may need to make a second trip. Take your time traveling around the farms, they nearly all have shop fronts, where you can buy lavender products, souvenirs and have a coffee or lunch all year round.

10. Laugh at the Launceston town monkeys

    

    Free council run zoos are very much a rarity in modern Australia, so this is delightful find. You can find these amusing creatures, right in the heart of Launceston's “City Park”, only a short stroll from the main shopping precinct.
    There are about 20 Japanese monkeys that are kept in the enclosure, which is open from 9am to 5pm each day. It makes a great place to have lunch, or to bring the kids

Pack Your Bags and Visit!

So, I hope I have inspired you to pack your bags and board a ferry / plane to come and visit the most beautiful isle in the world. Whilst these are only my top ten, there are so many more highlights that you should experience, including:

• The snowy top of Mt Wellington, Hobart.
• The Cadbury chocolate factory, Hobart
• Lake St Clair
• The chairlift and "Nut" at Stanley
• The blowhole and penguins of Bicheno
• The super cheap cheese factory at Burnie
• The flowery beaches of Swansea (see the picture on the right)
• The beautiful farmland, craft stores and murals of Sheffield
• The rugged beauty of the south west wilderness

Enjoy!

There was no StarPlus with its sans's and bahus, no ESPN with guys continuously running between wickets in some country trying to beat some other country, no nothing. Only Doordarshan. So the younger ones saw cartoons, documentaries on Nehru , punctuated with " Amchi Mati Amchi Mansa" the program with the highest farmer TRP's. The kids would draw a card at home, attentively color it till the pencil pierced through the paper; never mind.... ; it was given and accepted with much grace and appreciation . If you had a garden, you plucked a flower, and clutching it as if it was gold, took it to school, to present it to your class teacher. Paanch rupaiyya, ek phool was blasphemy.

Once folks got a whiff of the impending globalization, we were suddenly subject to an onslaught of Mothers, Fathers and Valentines Day. Not to speak of Friendship Day. Shopkeepers , whose limit of ambition had reached up to selling Maggie Noodles, suddenly started stocking, satin ribbons to be sold by the metre, for Friendship day. Nine shining inches of a silky ribbon , when tied on the hands of someone , you probably met only when you wanted some class notes, signified eternal friendship !

Just in case your interest waned, or you appeared to be responding to your parents suggestion of not wasting money on such things, the TV channels ensured that you did the stuff , lest you be branded a kaku type...(unfortunate name, that).

I thought time had come to define certain indigenous days , more in keeping with our Desi ethos.

BNBC: Be Nice to the Bus Conductor Day

My eternal tribute to the BEST bus service of Mumbai. the buses may creak, rock, rattle, the driver may do the same, but the bus takes you from A to B, while the conductor exhibits an uncanny ability to slither through a packed bus from back to front, without outraging anyone (or anyones modesty). (Suggested activities : carry exact change, share a chocolate/chikki with the conductor, get up when he tells you to vacate a ladies' seat (without an argument or frown). Say Thank you to the driver and conductor when you get off. Ram-Ram is even better. See how he goes into first gear with new vigor on the Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Rd.

HRD: Hamara Rasta Day

Please note that HRD has no connection AT ALL with a ministry of the same name. On this one day, folks should desist from saying "Kya ye aap ke baap ka rasta hai ?". (Suggested activities : take a detour around the bhajiwalla, instead of leaping close to the tomatoes; shake your head instead of mouthing something bad; exchange high-fives with the vadawallah after you politely move aside to let a truck pass a foot away from the stall.)

HD: Hornless Day

There are a variety of ways one can observe this. Keep your vehicle at home and walk. Be creative in communication through your vehicle window, if you are forced to use the vehicle at all. Glaring at a taxi driver and saying "dikhta nahi kya ?" does NOT earn you any points.... Drive at a sedate pace, so others are forced to drive the same way. Enjoy the scenery, the trafficjams, the dug up roads, the wandering bovine population looking for a relic of the past - a blade of green grass....

L+ Security day

This will be ONE day on which the X, Y, and Z security types are left to themselves. The several jeeps, constables, inspectors, lights on vehicles and sirens can be put to much better use. And L+ will be a day dedicated to the Ladies Security . Remember Chivalry ? Well, Let the ladies get into the bus ahead of you. If you see someone pretending to be thinner than he is, and trying to squeeze through to the front of the bus through a congregation of ladies, make him remember his "nani", a super L+ lady. If you are traveling at night in the suburban train, travel after 7:30pm in the ladies dabba, not because its allowed, but beacuse the few ladies who travel late may feel they have someone to help them. If you see guys whizzing past on cycles and motorcycles dangerously close to ladies with glistening long mangalsutras, take a diving leap to stop the thieves, in a manner that Moammed Kaif would approve ....

BBD: BhajiwaliBai Day

Avoid the Bhajiwalla Bhaiyyas (BB) on this day. Buy your vegetables only from the bahji ladies on this day. Notice how you get more of bhaji, suddenly. Say Mavshibai, and ask her where her hometown is. Comment on how smart her son is (who is arranging the lemons artistically), and pretend NOT to notice as she adds ONE more sheaf of Kothmeer in your bag.

ID: Immobile Day

Leave your mobile at home, along with the hands free kit. All those who think you are mad when they see you talking and laughing with yourself on the road, will be reassured. Music in the cacophony of buses is sometimes OK; but have you heard a Sonata in 392 Major, where "Saare jahan se achcha", "just chill chill" and "kajra Re" continuously play while you are trying to shout the name of the bus stop to the conductor ? And sometimes everyone speaks so loudly on the phone, that you wonder why the require a phone at all; just holler. All Talk time is permanently free.

Class 7 day (C7D)

The immediate consequence of everyone getting hyper about classes 10 and 12 is that once the children go to class 8, parents get into PUSH Mode. Free time from 5 am to 8 am ? No Problem. Join a class. Last years highest was 99.9. Its always "WE mange More" (and I am not talking about the selection committee for cricket). Study, Study, beat your buddy, you must get 99.9999. On the occasion of C7D, take the children on an excursion somewhere. Honor the sports kids in your school. Applaud the artists and admire their art work and performances. Have some non-engineers, non-doctors, and some such , come and chat with the kids on what they do. Get your kids to visit an institute for differently-enabled special kids. Play cricket with them . Life consists of SO many things other than Engineers, doctors, computer scientists, and managers....

LTD: Local Train Day

They are the Lifeline. While we cling in doorways, squeeze into compartments, specialize in saying "zara sarkoon ghya " (just push that side a bit...), so one more can lay claim to 36 square inches of plywood , day after day, month after month, the motorman simply follows the Bhagwad Gita ; he continues to do his work, without expectation of any reward. Instead, whenever there is a train strike, and some senseless people take their anger out on trains, these guys get beaten up. NO one, and i repeat , no one, ever, waves , smiles, and says thank you to them, when they stand taking a breather at the terminus , in the doorway of their train cabin, waiting for the next signal to fall. So, on an LTD, meet your motorman, wish him well, introduce your children to him, and tell him you admire his difficult job. If he has an off period, have an impromptu chai with him along with the people in the railway dabba.