Zermatt: A Must-See in the Swiss Alps
Winding, cobbled alleys lead visitors through the small, scenic village of Zermatt. Old, sturdy, wooden chalets line streets and lend a cozy feel to the car-free medieval village filled with pedestrians breathing in the fresh, alpine air. As pretty as this traditional Swiss village is, the visitors eye is drawn upward to the majestic peak of the famed Matterhorn, which soars up to 4,478 meters (14,692 feet).
The Matterhorn is not the only peak in town, though. There are 29 mountains surrounding Zermatt that rise over 4,000 meters (13,200 feet). The Matterhorn Ski Paradise covers three ski areas: the Sunnegga-Rothorn, the Gornergrat, and the Klein Matterhorn. There are 250 kilometers (155 miles) of trails with 22 percent designated for beginners, 50 percent for intermediates, and 28 percent for advanced skiers. The intermediates have the advantage in Zermatt with miles of scenic runs but there is excellent off-trail skiing, as well as special heli-skiing trips for advanced skiers.
Zermatt welcomes snowboarders as well. Boarders are allowed on most of the resorts slopes and there are two snow parks with two half-pipes. There are also good schools for snowboarders including the Swiss Ski & Snowboarding School and the Stoked Snowboard School.
The terrain for cross-country skiers is somewhat limited and is located near the bottom of the mountains and requires natural snowfall. However, skiers enjoy several loops and trails sheltered by trees. There are 30 kilometers (18 miles) of hiking trails. Snowshoers can follow these trails, as well. The trails provide magnificent views of the surrounding mountains including the Matterhorn and there are cozy huts along the way to warm up in. For hikers that prefer more of a challenge there are local guides available to lead the way. There are also other winter activities to enjoy in the area, including tobogganing, ice skating, and ice climbing.
Zermatt runs a highly efficient lift system that includes 74 transport facilities with high-speed cableways, mountain railways, and ski lifts moving 17,188 people per hour. This system also provides access to Cervinia, Italy, where visitors can ski down the slopes and enjoy a tasty Italian meal.
Great restaurants are easy to find in Zermatt. The village is home to over 100 restaurants. Many are located along the Bahnhofstrasse, Zermatts main street. Food served ranges from traditional regional dishes of Raclette and fondue to Chinese, Italian, and Japanese dishes, among others. The restaurant Le Mazot offers high-class dining while Tonys Grotto is a great place to enjoy a pizza. There are 38 mountain restaurants, as well. Many diners move on to a bar or nightclub with entertainment ranging from jazz to disco.
Skiing is not the only way to spend a day in Zermatt. Fun excursions include the Glacier Grotto, the worlds highest ice museum with its blue, frozen sculptures. A cable car lifts visitors to the top of the Klein Matternhorn to explore the unique glacial caves. Air Zermatt offers helicopter rides with stunning views of the Matterhorn and other nearby peaks. The Alpine Museum in Zermatt is also fun for winter sports lovers and details the history of mountaineering and skiing in the area. Shoppers are happy in Zermatt, as well. More than 300 shops sell products ranging from Swiss army knives to cuckoo clocks. Some shops sell touristy souvenirs while others offer designer fashions, ski wear, and expensive jewelry. For those who arent shoppers, theres a very popular casino in Zermatt.
Zermatt provides everything needed for the ultimate alpine vacation. From a thrilling ski run to a cozy dinner in an old chalet, a Zermatt winter vacation is what dreams are made of.
Your Honeymoon In Kauai
Hawaii represents pure beauty and one of the most popular wedding destinations. Finding a Kauai honeymoon destination is an exercise in picking your favorite slice of paradise.
Your Honeymoon In Kauai
A honeymoon in Hawaii. Can anything be more romantic? Whether you enjoy soaking up the sun while sitting on the beach or hiking up flower covered mountains, Hawaii has activities for all to enjoy. Kauai, one of Hawaiis less inhabited islands, offers honeymooners a special secluded feel and romantic vibe. Finding the right place to stay can make your honeymoon the most memorable trip youll ever take.
Kauai is by no means the largest in the chain of islands that makes up Hawaii. At just 550 square feet, this island has the most deserted shoreline 45 percent of its beaches are untouched. Snorkeling and private beach time is abundant here, and three of Hawaiis top golf courses are on Kauai. This island is also home to many different rare species of birds and plants, making it a wilderness lovers paradise, and the coral reefs beckon those who want to explore underwater.
For places to stay, you have the choice of many top resorts and hotels. One such resort is the Poipu Kai Resort, located between Poipu Beach and Shipwreck Beach. This property offers rentals ranging from economy cottages to full size house rentals for extended or nightly stays. This type of resort is perfect for the honeymooner as you neednt come into contact with anyone you dont want to! Hole up in your cottage, stroll down beautiful Poipu Beach or enjoy the other amenities this resort has to offer. Poipu Kai Resort has been awarded four stars by major hotel ratings systems.
If you prefer the feel of a bed and breakfast, the Poipu Plantation Resort in Koloa can offer you a great honeymoon suite. Called the Alii Suite, this room offers a four poster bed, ocean view and two person whirlpool bath tub among other romantic touches. A fireplace, wet bar and private lanai will make you feel as if you are in Hawaiis version of heaven. Breakfast is served to you each morning in the common room. Styled after rooms from the Victorian Hawaiian period, this suite is perfect for romance.
Finding the perfect place to stay in Kauai will make all the difference in your Hawaiian stay. Vacation cottages make the perfect choice for those who would like some seclusion and privacy, while the quaint feel of a bed and breakfast can also enhance the feeling of romance. Enjoy your first vacation together as man and wife, and explore all that the exquisite island of Kauai has to offer.
Why Nuweiba is the place for bubbling springs, Sun Sand
Why Nuweiba is the place for bubbling springs, Sun Sand and Music
Nuweiba in Arabic means, Bubbling Springs. It is located in Sinai, Egypt along the northwest bank of the Gulf of Aqaba. It is said to have been developed from barren land with no infrastructure!
Most Middle East and Egyptian countries are famous for their belly dancers and Arabic music. Nuweiba being a beach town has a heady mix of history sun sand and music.
Nuweiba is roughly divided into three parts- the beach, the city and the Bedouin fishing villages of Tarabin and Muzeina. The city has the bazaar where you can find souvenirs to take back home.
The construction of the port connected Egypt to the rest of the Arab world. In the past pilgrims on their way to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage (HAJ) halted at this port town.
Now it is coastal tourist destination with a stretch of magnificent stunning white beaches and diving and snorkeling sites. And why not stay at the Hilton Nuweiba coral resort located in the Nuweiba city.
What to do there?
What does one do at a beach resort laze around the beach during the day and party all night! There is much more you can do in Nuweiba like go scuba diving, go on a camel safari and visit the tribal Bedouin fishing villages of Tarabin and Muzeina.
Go scuba diving and snorkeling:
There are a number of reliable diving and snorkeling operators in the area. The Aqaba gulf has a diverse marine life, and its turquoise clear waters make it even more enchanting for diving.
Some famous dive centers are Scuba Divers La Sirene, Sinai Dolphin Divers, Emperor Divers and Dive Center Nuweiba. Some virgin untouched diving sites are the Ras Mamla and Ras Abu Gallum; to go there you have to take permission from the Tourist Police and Protect the Reefs Office because these sites are under the Ras Muhammad National Park.
Colored canyon excursion:
This is in the middle of the desert. It is a gorge formed by water passing through the mountain for hundreds of years revealing the different colored layers of rock. The sheer size of the canyon leaves awed.
There are no facilities at all here. You have to take all that you need with you and as for natures call you will have to make do with going behind the rocks! Tour operators arrange tours in four-wheel drives to the canyon.
Go back into the past:
You can visit the fortress at Tarabin built by the Mameluke sultan Ashraf Qansouh el-Ghouri in the 15th century to protect it from the Turkish invasion. The well in this fortress has been a source of water for the Bedouin tribe.
You can also visit the famous St. Catherine monastery between Nuweiba and Taba. The route via Nuweiba is a picturesque one along the flat plains. St. Catherine’s monastery was built around the 4th century, which is believed to be the site of the burning bush. The fortress that surrounds it was built around the 6th century and is still an operating monastery.
Have a Bedouin dinner:
If you are a foodie and love to try different cuisine you can go for a special Bedouin dinner at one of the Bedouin villages.
The Night Life:
Being a beach resort Nuweiba has an active nightlife. Most hotels have a pub, disco, and arrange beach parties. As for drinks, you can opt for the local brand-Stella, which is cheaper, or an imported one such as Heineken obviously more expensive.
Whitsundays – Islands In The Sun.
The Whitsunday islands lie in the coral sea midway along the Queensland coast. A group of over seventy islands make up the archipelago of treed islands and soft sandy beaches.
The protected waters around the islands provide a haven for boaties. Be the captain of your own ship as you explore the endless passages with plenty of harbours and secluded sheltered bays to hide away in. Drop your anchor and spend a night in the crystal clear waters of your own personal paradise.
Airlie Beach is the closest mainland town to the Whitsundays and provides a great starting point for your vacation. Plenty of first class accommodation can be found there as well as shopping and restaurants. You can book all your tours from here which leave from Shute Harbour twenty minutes down the road.
Within easy reach of Airlie Beach is the Great Barrier Reef, a must do activity on your vacation. Explore the vast coral reefs with there stunning colors by diving, snorkelling or even sitting in a semi submersible for a once in a lifetime experience.
For a vacation you will talk about for years Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays will keep you entertained and enthralled for as long as you stay in the region.
Warsaw: The Ancient Is History, The Modern A Necessity
Like most other inland European cities, Warsaw is built around a large body of water, straddling the sparkling Vistula River. The small fishing town was first fortified as a Masovian stronghold in the early 14th century. Compared with the histories of its pre-Roman Polish neighbors, the city of Warsaw is practically a fledgling on the grand timeline of human settlement in the region. However, it did not take long for Warsaw to become the center of the Poland-Lithuanian Commonwealth and soon thereafter the capital of the (periodically) independent Poland nation until present.
Warsaw is far more inspiring for what has come and gone in the city limits and in the minds of the people than for the physicality of the city today. Warsaw has been destroyed and rebuilt more times than fathomable in its brief history. No other European city experienced quite as extensive horrors and bombardment during World War II from Nazi (and Russian) forces than Warsaw. Over 80 percent of the city was completely razed, including the Old Town and Royal Palace, and nearly 800,000 citizens perished. Though many important buildings were restored after the war, the city has lost much of its Baroque luster and instead has grasped on to the modern era of post-communist art and architecture. The invaluable history is well documented in the immaculately maintained museums and exhibits while, outside, the commitment to present and future life is clearly a driving force in Warsaws working gears.
Rebuild, Revive, Reinvent
Travel to Warsaw to marvel at its graceful execution of eclecticism. The visible stratification of decades in time is embodied by the rotating faades of building structures. Art-Deco and elaborate Modernist office buildings of the 1990s independence era rub shoulders with giant stone-slab housing complexes built during the chilling post-war Communist period, and somewhere in-between, old Baroque-style manors and museums accent the amalgamation. Many tours lead in and out of these fascinating buildings and locations.
Take the Memorial Route to the Struggle and Martyrdom of the Jews 1940-43 through the former Jewish District, which was transformed into a ghetto and then obliterated in WWII, and pass 16 commemorative granite blocks representing significant people, places or events. Just south of here visit the tallest skyscraper in Poland, the triumphant Palace of Culture and Science, a gift from the Soviet Union in the 1950s. Although it was destroyed per Hitlers orders, the restored Royal Palace in Old Town should also be visited. Much of the grand residence has been returned to its 18th century splendor, complete with a museum of the salvageable works of art. Much of Warsaws grid-like structure is rife with greenery. Warsaw University hosts a magnificent Botanical Garden and the south of the city is just the beginning of the enchanting Kabacki Forest.
Travel to Warsaw to experience all of the joys of the big city, but with a uniquely Polish twist. The city is not only the seat of the National Opera and Philharmonic, but also jamming with jazz clubs and music bars. Come seek out the nuanced history in Central Europes staggeringly modern metropolis.
For more information, visit http://www.cfares.com.
Visiting the Iti National Park
The Iti National Park in Greece is one of the main natural parks tourists could meet in this country. This park is situated towards the southern side of the valley of River Sperchios and counts with a wide variety of trees, plants and animals which provide it with a very unique and interesting environment.
Those tourists who enjoy green areas, trees and plants could be able to have a great time while visiting the Iti National Park. Within the park, visitors can meet some unique trees and plants such as, per example, oaks, cedars, oleanders, arbutus, and the Alpine lily lilium cholcedonium.
Besides its plants and trees, this park counts with a very special fauna that consists on a great amount and variety of animals of different species. The Iti National Park has wild goats, wild boars, deer, rodents, tortoises, reptiles, as well as an amazing variety of birds among which there are vultures, eagles, partridges, hoopoes, hawks, and owls.
There are many interesting things to do and spots to meet while being in the Iti National Park and its surroundings. Among these interesting spots there is the Monastery of Agathanos, the Museum of Natural History, the Archeological Museum of Lamia, the Byzantine Museum, the River Sperchios, and the River Gorgopotamos with its antique bridge among several others.
The Iti National Park is situated within Mount Iti, a spot which is famous by its birds and abundant forestation. This way, those who enjoy meeting interesting and unique birds, as well as those who like being out doors and breath fresh air, would be able to have a great time while visiting this park and its surroundings.
Mount Iti is characterized by having four main and deep gorges mixed with an amazing forestation and its fauna, and part of it is considered a wild life refuge protected by some organizations who are involved with the care for natural environments. This mount also offers some spots ideal to agriculture due to the richness of its lands, and as it can be noticed, it is a paradisiacal spot to all those who love nature.
The Woodlands Town Center Entertainment
The Woodlands Town Center is a place to experience entertainment. With hundreds of events each month, The Woodlands Town Center has positioned itself as the place to be for people young and old in and around the Houston area.
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is an outdoor amphitheater located about 30 miles north of Houston, Tx. The pavilion was opened in April of 1990 and currently presents over 75 major events annually. The concerts range from rock to classical, jazz to country, and modern opera to contemporary American ballet. You can view their current events by going to http://pavilion.woodlandscenter.org/events.asp
A great place for kids to explore their imagination and learn new things is The Woodlands Childrens Museum. Located in The Woodlands Mall, TWCM has numerous exhibits for children and young at heart adults alike. You can view the web site for TWCM at www.woodlandschildrensmuseum.org
Town Green Park is a great place to bring your entire family, walk your dog or just take in the local scenery. Town Green Park is located along the of The Woodlands Waterway and is between The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and the South Montgomery County Library. For more information about Town Green park, goto http://www.town-center.com/shopsandmore/detail3.asp?iPro=496&iType=16
To find out more about The Woodlands Town Center, you can go to : http://www.town-center.com
The Spanish region of Catalonia
Catalonia shares it’s northern border with the countries of Andorra and France in the mountainous Pyrenees. The Mediterranean Sea forms it eastern border with the coast running south west down as far as the region of Valencia. The eastern border is shared with the region of Aragon. Throughout history Catalonia has struggled for greater autonomy in it’s relationship with Spain. In attempts to gain full independent it has on more than occasion revolted. Few Catalonians today aspire to have any real expectations of independence but the struggle for greater autonomy within Spain continues.
History – Greeks and Romans established trade along this part of the Mediterranean coast. In the middle ages Catalan art and literature flourished and the now established coastal trade saw merchants become very powerful rivalling those of Venice and Genoa. In 1461 Catalonia rose up in protest at it’s alliance with Aragon but the rebellion was crushed. The subsequent union of Aragon with Castile side lined Catalonia. Trade routes were moved, commercial income fell, famines and plagues all contributed to it’s decline. But the Catalonian desire for independence continued. It rose against Philip IV during the thirty year war of 1618-48 and followed that by taking the side of Archduke Charles in the War of the Spanish Succession against Philip V. It was a centre for socialist influence at the turn of the 19th Century. 1931 saw the Catalans establish a separate government which went on to win autonomy from the Spanish Cortes in 1932. Two years later a revolution for complete independence failed, but in another 2 years autonomy was restored. In the Spanish civil war of 1936-39, Catalonia once again picked the wrong side and following Franco’s victory over the republicans the region suffered badly and the cherished Catalan language was banned in public life. In 1978 it was restored and is now an official language of the region along with Castilian or Spanish. It elected its first parliament as an autonomous region in 1980. By the mid-1990s Catalan nationalists had become a force in both the region’s and the nation’s politics.
Catalonia comprises four provinces, Girona, Barcelona, Tarragona and Lleida, all are named after their capitals.
Girona or Gerona in the north sits on the Onyar River. Dating from pre-Roman times, the old town has preserved its medieval aspect. Girona was ruled by the Moors from 714 to 797. During the Peninsular War of 1808-09 the town resisted the Napoleon’s French forces. Industries today include chemical production, machinery, paper making and textiles. Outside the city and on the coat the beaches and coves around Begur and Palafrugell and particularly attractive. Or take in a sunrise at the Cap de Crues, Spain’s most easterly point. Just to the south is the enchanting whitewashed village of Cadaques built around a rocky bay. The artist Salvador Dali spent the holidays of his youth there and later lived in the nearby village of Port Lligat. The barren shorelines, odd formations of rocks and desolate moonscapes so typical of his paintings can be seen in abundance throughout the locality. The Teatre-Musea Dali is located in the town of Figueres and contains a great deal of the artist’s works. The Pyrenees, in the north of the province, offer many opportunities for walking and hiking, the Parc Nacional d’Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici being one of the most attractive areas. There are several ski stations operating throughout the winter months.
There is evidence of some settlement in the area going back to the 15th century BC but Barcelona is reputed to take it’s name from the powerful Carthaginian family of Barca who founded the basis for the city as we know it today. Under the Romans and Visigoths the city flourished. In the 8th century it fell to the Moors and in 801 it was taken by Charlemagne, who included it in the Spanish March. The March became independent under the leadership of the powerful counts of Barcelona in the 9th and 10th centuries, They won lands from the Moors to the south and acquired all of Catalonia. In 1137, following the marriage of Count Raymond Berengar IV to the heiress of Aragon the two regions became united. The city of Barcelona became the capital as it was for future kings of Spain. A well ruled Barcelona expanded trade in the Mediterranean. Its cloth industry flourished and it became a powerful centre of banking and commerce. Around 1400 saw the peak in it’s fortunes, decline followed along with the rest of Catalonia. The French occupied the city on three occasions in 1640-52, 1715 and 1808-14. Catalan separatism centred on Barcelona and the city was the scene of many insurrections. It revolted against Philip IV of Spain from 1640-52. It also became the Spanish centre of socialism and other radical political doctrines around 1900. Barcelona was the capital of the region’s autonomous government from 1932-39. During the civil war the Spanish Loyalist government sat in Barcelona until it fell to Franco’s forces in early 1939. The region saw demonstrations against Franco’s dictatorship throughout the 1950’s. Today Barcelona is Spain’s second largest city and the claims to be cultural centre of the country. It is the capital of the Catalonian region and more than one third of region’s population reside there. Barcelona is also Spain’s largest port and its chief commercial centre with international banking and finance houses. It is a major industrial centre and production includes aviation, chemicals, electrical equipment, foundries, locomotives, machinery, textiles and vehicles. The city itself is modern, with wide avenues, bustling traffic and striking new architecture. By contrast the well preserved old city, Roman walls can still be seen, is filled with narrow, winding streets and ancient structures, including a cathedral, many churches, the city hall and the Lonja or exchange. Barcelona is the site of a reputed opera house, the Contemporary Art Museum, the Fine Arts Museum of Catalonia and the Picasso Museum. In 1992 it hosted the summer Olympics. The remainder of the province of Barcelona is in the main hilly or mountainous. But it also home to some highly fertile plains where cereals grapes and olives are grown. The province also produces one third of Spain’s wine. Much of the area’s power is generated by hydroelectric plants built on the Ebro, Cinca and Segre rivers. The coastline, stretching nearly 400 kilometres has many good harbours and marinas, excellent fisheries and an buoyant tourist trade. West of Barcelona you will find the vineyards of the Penedes area. Also the mountain of Montserrat, on a clear day the peak at 1236m above sea level offers views of the Pyrenees to the north and to Mallorca in the Balearic Islands to the south east.
Tarragona sits on the mouth of the river Francola on the Mediterranean. It was formally known as Tarraco and in 218BC was captured by Roman forces. They built up is fortifications against attack by the Carthaginians. The ruins of Roman walls and an aquaduct remain still. It fell to both the Visigoths and the Moors in the 5th and 8th centuries respectively. The Christians recaptured it in the 12th century but when it’s trade was captured by either regions Barcelona or Valencia it fell into decline. In 1903 Carthusian monks settled in the city having been expelled from La Grande Chartreuse in France. Their famous liqueur is produced here to this day. Today it is important as both a commercial centre and port. Industries include flour mills, an oil refinery and wine production and export. Some of the countries finest wines are made nearby in the Priorat region.
Lleida lies on the river Segre. Formally known as Llerda, Julius Ceasar defeated the generals of Pompey here in 49 BC. The Moorish invasion from the south saw Lleida fall in 714. It was liberated by Christian forces in 1149. By tradition a strategic, fortified city, Lleida became a key defence point for Barcelona in the Spanish civil war. It eventually fell to Franco’s forces in the April of 1938 having withheld for nine long months. A castle, whose ramparts enclose a Romanesque cathedral, dominates the old section of the city. Lleida is the centre of a fertile farm area and agriculture predominates. There is little in the way of a manufacturing industry.
The Rocky Road To Success ( Opening a hotel in
The Rocky Road To Success ( Opening a hotel in Nicaragua )
Ever daydream of throwing off the nine-to-five rat race yolk, finding an exotic, sunny climate and opening a hotel, bar and restaurant where the palm trees sway and the snow never falls? Listen to the story of someone who did.
“The first six months were a nightmare. We had tiles falling off the roof on to cars in the street, we had to get permission to do everything-even to put trim around the doors. It took six months to get our cargo containers trough customs when it should have taken two,” said Ellen and Marco Snoek,
a Dutch couple from near Amsterdam.
What could have been done to prevent the nightmare?
“Nothing.”
Would they do it all over again?
“Absolutely.”
Both has successful careers -he the director of an aluminum awning company, she in sales for Heineken- but long hours in the office left little time for each other. The idea to start a business somewhere with lots of sun had been born on their honeymoon. “Why do what people expect you to do?” they said.
So they began spending their vacation searching for their dream spot. First in Sri Lanka, then Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. “We love Asia but the cultures were too different,” the said. They tried Mexico, Peru and Ecuador, but nothing seemed just right. On their next trip to Central America they had hopes for Costa Rica,” but after five days we said no way. It was like a zoo-too many animals, including the people.” And there was the incessant rain. Then a friend told them about Nicaragua. They visited Granada and fell in love with it. “It was like another life, back in time, and there was sunshine,” they said.
They drove around with a realtor for three days until one big old house, built in 1869″ grabbed our hearts. It was like an old abandoned castle. We had to kick the door open for all the bat and pigeon droppings on the floor.” They made the down payment that day by credit card, signed the purchase paper in Spanish, of which they didnt speak a word, went back to Holland and with no residency or place to live, shipped their possessions and the supplies needed to open their dream hotel.
A few days later the realtor called. The seller wanted to increase the asking price by 10 percent, even with the papers signed. “The dream is over I told Ellen.” But after consulting with a financial manager, they decided to go ahead. To this day, they dont know how someone can ask for more money after the papers are signed. ”
To begin construction, they simply opened the doors. “People just showed up offering to work.” Men pulled up with horse drawn wagon to haul off debris for 20 Cordobas a load. Masons, carpenters, electricians all knocked on the door offering their services. “We would hire them at a preliminary rate and then watch them. If they were competent we paid them more. If not, we would tell them to leave.”
The construction workers were “loyal and hardworking, but prankish; they like making fun of us. I didnt speak any Spanish, and now all I was learning were dirty words.” Marco would spray orange marker paint on the walls and floors where he wanted things to go, then point and gesture.
A lot went wrong “because of them and because of me, but I would tell them to tear it down and do it again. Labor here is so cheap.”
Inspectors from the city appeared daily. “We needed permission to do the smallest things. We were constantly getting 50-cordobas fines. One day the police came and tried to fine us, saying we were building to near a school, while pointing to a nearby bar.
So Marco went to fight city hall. “It was from one office to the next, back and fort. The architect couldnt agree on anything. I had a meeting with the mayor with a translator and was yelling at the mayor in English. I found out later he understood.”
Ellen, meanwhile, handle customs. “We were using the 306 law which made importing supplies for a new business tax-exempt, but we hadnt established a corporation yet so it was all in our name and they wouldnt let it through.”
The twenty-foot sea container had traveled the 9,000 kilometers from Rotterdam, Holland, to Limon in Costa Rica, then on a tractor trailer to Managua-all in a month.
It would be five months longer to complete the final 45 kilometers to Granada. “I had my packing list and they made theirs. For example, we brought along boxes of pencils to donate to schools. I counted the number of boxes but they opened the boxes and counted the pencils.” Marco Said. The customs officials decided on a tariff of one Cordoba per pencil, which is more than they cost in Holland. Used electronic appliances were taxed at 45% of purchased value while “insurance companies at home would have said they were worthless.”
“They were polite and thorough, but had no respect for the property. Once, they laid paintings on the ground, then stood on them while they unloaded the rest.” The process was repeated three times before the final bill of entry was made.
“I cried three times: twice at customs, once at city hall” said Ellen.
But opening day finally came.
Ellen and Marcos idea was patterned after a European Grand Cafe concept.
More a coffeehouse with a small hotel, upscale decor and limited menu.
But the first night 250 people came to the bar. We were going to close at ten, but we have a 12 o’ clock license…
What can you do?
The Grand Cafe became a thriving bar and restaurant business. They host theme parties, have a complete menu and opened eleven stylish hotel rooms.
Our dream business, El Club, is a success story.
And not every startup here is.
“Were here 80 to 100 hours a week, but we make our own schedules and we see each other all the time.”
Our advice? Make sure your marriage is solid, or its done.
Nicaragua is like quick sand!
Dont fight, use your head and stay calm.
The foreigner tells his impressions about Lugansk
It was very solar days for sure 38 degrees Celcium. I met with my pen pals (for this I must thank Oksanalove agency) and I went all over Lugansk City, (the roads are not good) it was interesting to watch the taxi drivers avoid the holes in streets:). I went ice skating and then walked a few blocks to see the beautiful new Orthodox Cathedral with a gold dome. And I have also seen the horse back riding at the stables on way to airport. We walked several times along the main street where the large statue of Mary and Jesus is. Then across the street there is park.
You keep walking and you come to The Museum of History. Across the street there is WW1 memorial. There is another area if you keep going with more large bronze statues, but a foreigner must have a walking guide to show them military leaders former home and Lugansk famous peoples homes and old factories of military area.
The German hotel is the other beautiful building. There are little underground shopping malls beneath the main street of Lugansk. Also along the main street there are many nice restaurants serving many kinds of food.
There is the Russian drama theater and the Lugansk drama theater. There is also The Puppet Theater for ladies with children. The circus arena, the soccer stadium and a tennis-court there. A nice restaurant just in front of the stadium on the street. There’s so much beauty in Lugansk!
There is the University of teachers and the famous Rossiya dept store with it’s beautiful displays of merchandise. You can buy tickets to all entertainment events in the city on the second floor.(It is like ticket master in USA) only they hand you the tickets to any event. It is so convenient.
There are three good disco clubs and more if you ask the cab drivers. The one I went to is the 80’s music club which is the best one and has great lighting and music. Life starts after 10.00 pm and Thursday is a good day to go. The comedy club with the large stage is good and there is another on the north side with lots of mirrors. It is a large club with go-go dancers.
There is also the Art Museum where you can buy art, too. The Lugansk Region building, city hall, and regional sports building make good photo shoots as well as the many statues and older buildings in the factory neighborhoods. There is the open market street across from the Rossiya Dept store for several blocks. It is loaded with hundreds of shops and street vendors and thousands of people each day visit this area. It is fun just to walk up and down the street and visit the long malls which run parallel to the street.
I have mentioned quite a bit here. It kept me busy for 8 full days not including my arrival and departure days from Kiev and back again. Take a cab – cabs are inexpensive for westerners 15-25 Ukrainian dollars (hrivnas) to any club one way ($3-$5) pretty cheap. There are cabs everywhere you look.
OK, so I gave you many items of pleasure and don’t forget the ice cream – it is very tasty!!
Here are the main streets of Lugansk where I traveled. We went down the main side streets to connect. Geroev VOV , Sovetskaya street, Oboronnaya street, where Rossiya supermarket is. There is a casino next door, a bank machine, a workout gym across the street, restaurants, farmers market, street vendors, perfume store.
I love the underground malls – they are different. All the hundreds of street vendors and hundreds of small shops. I walked many, many kilometers for hours, it was quite an experience and I enjoyed it and food. My friends made me home made “Borsch” and the sour cream Summer soup, yummy!!!
And of course I can not keep silence: there are many beautiful women there! 
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