Phoebettmh Travel

(Vietnam) –Travel to Hanoi

Hanoi (Vietnamese: Hà Nội), the capital of Vietnam, and also its second largest city, is a fascinating blend of East and West, with Chinese influence from centuries of dominance, and French design from its colonial past. It is largely unspoiled by modern architecture of the 1970s and 80s, and is now going through a modernization that is making it a rising star in Southeast Asia.

(Vietnam) - Travel to Hanoi

The grand old dame of Asia, Hanoi lay in a deep slumber after Vietnam’s partition in 1954 until the effects of economic reforms kicked in four decades later. The city survived American bombs and Russian planners to emerge relatively unscathed in the early 1990s as an example of a French-conceived colonial city. Huge mansions line grand boulevards, and lakes and parks dot the city, providing a romantic backdrop to the nonstop soundtrack. There are still moments of Paris, as the smell of baguettes and café au lait permeates street corners.

(Vietnam) - Travel to Hanoi

A mass of motorbikes swarms through the tangled web of streets that is the Old Quarter, a cauldron of commerce for almost 1000 years and still the best place to check the pulse of this resurgent city. Hawkers in conical hats ply their wares, locals sip coffee and bia hoi (beer) watching life (and plenty of tourists) pass them by. Witness synchronised t’ai chi at dawn on the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake while goateed grandfathers tug at their wisps over the next chess move. See the bold and beautiful dine at designer restaurants and cut the latest moves on the dance floor. Hanoi has it all: the ancient history, a colonial legacy and a modern outlook. There is no better place to untangle the paradox that is modern Vietnam.

What to see in Hanoi

Museums

Vietnamese Women's Museum - Bảo Tàng Phụ nữ Việt Nam, 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem District (Located in central Hanoi, 1 km South of Hoan Kiem Lake), ☎ +84 04 38259938 (info@baotangphunu@org.vn, fax: 84 04 38259129), . Tu-Su 8.00AM-4.30PM. This often overlooked museum has recently benefited from an extensive renovation of its permanent exhibitions. The modernised interior is well laid out with information in Vietnamese, English and French, and contains a huge amount of information on the fiercesome female heroines of Vietnamese history. There are also exhibitions on the rituals and traditions surrounding women in family, as well as a beautifully presented collection of intricate hand-made ethnic costumes. A particular highlight are the regularly updated special exhibitions on a diverse range of subjects, from contemporary issues such as single mothers and street vendors to traditional medicine and Mother Goddess worship. English language tours are available on request.

(Vietnam) - Travel to Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. 8.00 to 11.00 from Tuesday to Thursday, and over the weekends 8.00 - 11.00. The city down south may have his name, but only Hanoi has the man himself, entombed in distinctly Lenin-esque fashion - against his wishes, but that's how it goes. No talking, revealing clothing (shorts should be knee length and no exposed shoulders), or other signs of disrespect allowed while viewing; photos are allowed only from outside, in the grand Ba Dinh Square. Purses are allowed into the tomb, but expect them to be searched by several bored soldiers along the way. Left luggage is handled in a complicated scheme: there is an office near the street for large bags, with separate windows for Vietnamese and foreigners, and a further office for cameras, which will be transported to a third office right outside the exit of the mausoleum. Items checked in at the first office, however, will stay there. Note that the mausoleum is closed for a couple months around the end of the year, when the body is taken abroad for maintenance.

Ho Chi Minh Museum, 19 Ngoc Ha St, Ba Dinh, ☎ +84 4 846-3572 (bthochiminh@hn.vnn.vn). 8AM-11:30AM, 2PM-4PM, closed M and F afternoons. This gleaming white museum and its gloriously ham-handed iconography are the perfect chaser to the solemnity of the mausoleum. The building, completed in 1990, is intended to evoke a white lotus. Some photos and old letters are on display on the second floor, but the main exhibition space is on the third floor. It includes cars crashing through walls to represent the chaos of post-war American capitalism, soldiers charging around with electric plugs, a cave hideout re-imagined as the inside of Ho Chi Minh's brain, and several other postmodern confections integrated with the main story of the man's life and his country's struggle. One of the more informative museums in Vietnam, and perhaps one of the oddest in the world. Guides are available in English, French, Chinese and Russian, but don't bother; the displays are labeled in English and French, and it's hard to imagine the guides doing much other than belaboring the point.

(Vietnam) - Hanoi - Hoa Lo Prison

Ho Chi Minh's Vestige: In the Presidential Palace Area, No.1 Bach Thao, Ba Dinh, ☎ +84 4 0804 4529. Summer 7:30AM-11AM, 2PM-4PM. Winter 8AM-11AM, 1:30PM-4PM, closed M F afternoons. The exit from the mausoleum takes you right into the grounds of the, uh, vestige, where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1954 until his death in 1969. The nicely landscaped complex includes two of Ho Chi Minh's houses, kept shiny and "as he left them" by the authorities, as well as a garage with two of Ho's "used cars" and a carp-filled pond. The Presidential Palace is also nearby, but it's not always open to visitors. Pamphlets are available in English, Chinese, French, and Korean. Guided tours are usually available if you wait.

One-Pillar Pagoda, (Tucked away between the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum). Travellers find the One-Pillar Pagoda either charming and lovely or utterly pointless, depending on how many tour groups are crammed into the small grounds at the time of their visit.

(Vietnam) - Hanoi - One-Pillar Pagoda

Fine Arts Museum - Bảo Tàng Mỹ Thuật, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St. Tuesday to Sun from 9:15am to 5pm. Only party-approved art is shown here and there is no information in English and only little in Vietnamese. But it is an interesting museum at any rate, with pieces such as the wonderful pictures of soldiers on boats depicted on prehistoric bronze drums, Buddhist art, and revolutionary art of the 20th century wars. Also some interesting silk paintings.

Army Museum - Bảo Tàng Quân Đội, Dien Bien Phu St. 8AM-11:30AM, 1:00PM-4:30PM, closed on Monday and Friday. Vietnam's military history extends back some two millennia, and this museum covers it on four buildings with interesting pieces. Item descriptions on museum exhibits are in Vietnamese, French and English. On display outside are the ubiquitous MiG-21 jet fighter, T-54 tank and many bombs and articles captured on Indochina and Vietnam wars.

Air Force Museum - Bảo Tàng Không Quân, Truong Chinh St (SW of the city centre). There's a decent outdoor collection of a UH-1 helicopter, Soviet-built MiG fighters, a huge Mi-6 helicopter, and other aircraft; unfortunately they've been exposed to the elements for some time and local kids climb over them.

National Museum of Vietnamese History -Bảo tàng Lịch sử Việt Nam, 1 Trang Tien St. 8AM-11:30AM, 1:30PM-4:30PM. This is a collection from Vietnamese history from about 1,000 years back until 1945.

Museum of the Vietnamese Revolution -Bảo tàng Cách mạng Việt Nam, 25 Tong Dan St (and 216 Tran Quang Khai St,. Tu-Su 8AM-11:45AM, 1:30PM-4:15PM. This museum gives a very informed and detailed account of the Vietnamese struggle against first the French (starting in 1858 -- on the first floor), then against the Americans (on the ground floor - ending on 30 April 1975). It is housed in a colonial French building which was completed in 1932. The building, designed by the architect Ernest Hébrard is considered as a successful blend between the colonial French architecture and traditional Vietnamese architecture, called Indochina architecture. He created double-walls and balconies for a natural ventilation system and protection from sunshine.

(Vietnam) - Hanoi - Temple of Literature

Museum of Ethnology - Bao Tang Dan Toc Hoc Vietnam, Nguyen Van Huyen St, Cau Giay district (Bus 14 from Hoan Kiem Lake - ask the conductor when to stop, and take a 500 m walk towards the museum (backtrack a little from the bus stop, and when you see a large street perpendicular to the street that you dropped off, take that street and walk down the street until you see the Museum of Ethnology to your left). Bus 38 goes from right outside the Temple of Literature to the street the museum is on.), Tu-Su 8:30AM-5:30PM. covers mainly the culture and ritual practices of the various ethnic groups in the whole of Vietnam - one of the key attractions of the museum is the open-air exhibition, which has houses of some ethnic groups, which even comes with inhabitants in costumes. The museum features actual explanations of the exhibits in Vietnamese, French and English. The Museum of Ethnology houses the excellent chocolate and baguette cafe, which has excellent fare at a reasonable price - an excellent pit-stop after the museum visit.

Hanoi Museum - Bảo tàng Hà Nội, Pham Hung St, Cau Giay district.

Temples

Temple of Literature - Văn Miếu, Quoc Tu Giam St (south of the Mausoleum). The Temple of Literature was founded in 1070 and established as the country's first university six years later. The courtyard features numerous stone tablets, each mounted on the back of a tortoise, with the names of graduates.

Ngoc Son Temple. Extends out into the lake, with small but attractive grounds, displays on Vietnamese history and, more memorably, displays on the giant turtles, including a mummified specimen. 10,000 dong.

Bach Ma Temple, 76 Hang Buom St, Hoan Kiem district. Time: the 12th to the 13th day of the second lunar month. Objects of worship: Bach Ma God (the symbol of God of sun), Long Do God (the god defends the east), confer a title of “Thang Long Capital of Nation royal tutelary god". Xuan Nguu presenting rite.

Parks

Hoan Kiem Lake. A pleasant park in the centre of town, within easy walking distance from anywhere in the Old Quarter. It's the locals' favorite leisure spot, and a great place to watch people practicing tai chi in the morning or to sit and read in the afternoon. Hoan Kiem means "returned sword", and the name comes from a legend in which King Le Loi was given a magical sword by the gods, which he used to drive out the invading Chinese. Later, while boating on the lake, he encountered a giant turtle, which grabbed the sword and carried it down to its depths, returning it to the gods from whom it had come. (You can see a version of the legend at the Water Puppet Theater - see below.) Rumor has it the giant turtles still inhabit the lake.

Ho Tay - West Lake, (northwest of the city). mostly a residential hub of the well-to-do. Sofitel Plaza Hotel is on this lakefront. The shores are occupied by numerous fishermen.

Lenin Statue & Park, (Dien Bien Phu St, across from the Army Museum). One can always feel the diversity and liveliness of Hanoi there. In the morning, there are low-energy aerobics class for the elders and aerobic class for younger in the morning. During the day, one can enjoy the tranquility in the park since everybody is either at work or in school. In the afternoon, it becomes a playground for children and students as well as for soccer teams and badminton players.

Ly Thai To Statue & Park. The park faces Hoan Kiem lake with a beautiful view of the busy Hang Bai street and the serenity of the willows on the bank of the lake. Many Hanoians view this mini-park as their favourite place because it is a symbol of the integration of modernity and tradition. One would surely encounter a group of youths who is practicing hip-hop and break dance while at the same time, meeting a three-generation family enjoying a walk in the park.

Wartime sites

Hoa Lo Prison (The Hanoi Hilton), 1 Hoa Lo, Hoan Kiem. 8:30AM-11:30AM, 1:30PM-4:30PM. This prison was built by the French at the turn of the 20th century, in classical French prison design. This is where the French imprisoned and executed many of the Vietnamese freedom fighters. Now a museum (2/3 of the prison was torn down to make way for the Hanoi Towers), the museum exhibits the brutal French colonial regime and the struggle of the Vietnamese people against imperialism in chilling detail. The prison was also known as the "Hanoi Hilton" during the Vietnam War as it held American POW's shot down. Little emphasis is given to this period however, and the exhibits shown can be frustratingly skewed in propaganda, choosing to show solely propaganda photos of prisoners being treated well and playing basketball, playing chess, and other staged events. They also claim to have John McCain's flight suit from when his plane was shot down.

B-52 Lake - Huu Tiep Lake, Ngoc Ha Precinct, Ba Dinh District. Until 19 December 1972, this was just a small brackish pond just off Hoang Hoa Tham Street, about 1 km west of the mausoleum. On that day, in a twisted retelling of the Hoan Kiem legend (see above), Vietnamese anti-aircraft guns (possibly with the help of flying turtles) retook the enemy's eight-engined, 100-ton sword and sent it too, to the shallow bottom of the lake, where it remains today.

Downed Aircraft Memorial. Along Thanh Nien Street on Truc Bach lake there is a stone plaque commemorating the shooting down of a U.S. Navy (not "USAF" as depicted) aircraft in 1967. Peruse the Vietnamese script and you can pick out the name of John McCain, one of the airmen.

Army Museum, (Dien Bien Phu street, across from the Lenin Statue mini-park and is in the area of embassies). Retells the stories of many battles throughout the country’s history. There are documents as well as models in the museum to make the retelling more interesting. They have the model of the B-52 plane, tanks and even canons.

(Wiki Travel)

(Kenya) –Malindi travel

Malindi, located on the East Coast of Kenya, is a popular tourist town with scenic beauty, clean white beaches and a lot of history.

(Kenya) - Malindi

The landscape in Malindi is predominantly plain, the climate is generally hot and humid throughout the year. The daily temperature is around 22º Celsius minimum and 30, 5º Celsius maximum. There are short rains from October to November and long rains from April to July. The vegetation extent from mangroves and swamps to tropical monsoon forest, lowland dry forests in Arabuko-Sokoke Forest to Savannah and bush land in the backwoods.

(Kenya) - Malindi

Kenya has abundance of protected coral reefs and beaches, the white sandy beach to the south of Malindi town is called Silversands. Sport fishing in another attraction, Malindi is where Ernest Hemingway came in the 1930s in search of marlin, sailfish and Wahoo. There are excellent and relatively inexpensive facilities for fishing. There are an international bill fish contest during January and an annual sea festival with fishing competitions between October and November.

(Kenya) - Malindi Map

The renowned Malindi Marine National Park is a protected coastal area south of Malindi. Malindi Marine National Park has fine white-sandy beaches, emerald water and colorful fish (All fishing within the Park is forbidden). You can see Technicolor fish of impossible shapes and various sizes such as flute mouths, halfbeaks, hawk fishes, lizardfishs, parrot-fish, porcupine fish, puffers, thorn heads, trigger fishes, zebra fishes and hundreds of others. There are also fascinating coral reefs that allow for diving and snorkeling opportunities.

(Kenya) - Malindi

On the northwest of Malindi, near Marafa Depression exists an eroded wasteland of sandstone cliffs and precipices, locally known as Nyari or Hell's Kitchen, exists also a small Arabian town called Mambrui, and beyond that a small village and harbor called Ngomeni. The entire coastline from Mambrui to Lamu has minimal development, in terms of tourism, although wonderful beaches, coves and seascapes exist in plenty.

(Kenya) - Malindi Marine National Park

The nearby Watamu ("sweet people" in Swahili) resort and the lost town of Gede (abandoned for no known reason in the 16th century), are located south of Malindi.

The Arabuko Sokoke National Park hide a world of wonders such as rare endemic birds and mammals, you'll see impressive herds of Elephant.

(Kenya) - Malindi Museum

The Malindi Museum is housed in the former home of an Indian trader, built in 1891. Exhibit includes early photographs of Mombasa, wooden grave posts of the Gohu people, information about Vasco Da Gama among other interesting information.

(Just Kenya)

(Germany) - Christmas Markets- Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt

A Christmas market, also known as Christkindlmarkt, Christkindlesmarkt, Christkindlmarket, and Weihnachtsmarkt, is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. These markets originated in Germany, Austria, South Tyrol and Alsace but are now being held in many other countries.

Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt

Erfurt is a 1,250-year-old city in Thuringia, or Thüringen, in the "green heart of Germany." Its medieval city center is packed with historic buildings, including the Augustian Monastery where Martin Luther became a monk and the cathedral where Luther was ordained as a priest.

Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt

The ErfurterWeihnachtsmarkt is centered on the Domplatz, a large square in front of the 70 steps that lead up to St. Mary's Cathedral, the St. Severus Church, and the Petersburg Hill with its walled Baroque fortress. The fair, which runs from late November until just before Christmas, attracts busloads of visitors from throughout central Germany.

Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt

More than 200 booths sell everything from Thuringian handicrafts to Stollen and other holiday foods. (Be sure to try the Riesenbratwurst-a huge veal saugage served in a mini-baguette--and the Gulaschsuppe, a meaty concoction that's more stew than soup.)

You can also ride a Ferris wheel, ride bumper cars, and put your young children or grandkids on a minitrain while you sip from a mug of Glühwein.

Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt

Smaller Christmas markets are scattered around town, most notably in the Anger square (in the heart of the department-store district) and by the Rathaus or city hall.

Other holiday activities include guided tours led by Christmas angels, Santa Clauses, or female Santas (some in miniskirts) as well as concerts and a FloraleszumWeihnachtszeit flower show in medieval cellars beneath the Cathedral hill. Many restaurants feature holiday menus. (I had a delectable meal of roast Christmas goose, red cabbage, and dumplings at ZumGüldene Rad, a historic and atmospheric brewery restaurant in the heart of the old city.)

Weihnachtsmarkt

Christmas-season hotel packages are available. These include guided city walks in German, but private guides who speak English can be hired through the tourist office.

(Wiki, Europefor Visitors)

(America) - Visiting New York During The Holidays

If you and your family are thinking about visiting New York City this year for the holiday season, there are certain stops along the way that are not to be missed.

1. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular

For over 75 years, this classic American holiday show has been entertaining audiences in the heart of New York City. The Christmas show includes the world-famous Radio City Rockettes and a cast and crew of hundreds. The show features a Living Nativity with live animals, asurprisingindoor snowfall, fireworks, and Santa Claus flying high above the audience. In addition, there is also a 3D movie which is one of the highlights of the Christmas Spectacular.

(New York) - Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Santa and the Rockettes take the audience on a thrilling ride visiting New York City landmarks before arriving at Radio City Music Hall to start the show. The show runs for ninety minutes and does not include an intermission. The show is so breathtaking that many people never get up from their seats for the entire performance. If you would like to order tickets for this year’s show which runs through December 30, call the Christmas Spectacular Hotline at 866-858-0007.

2. St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Located on Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets in New York City, it is the largest gothic-style Catholic Cathedral in the United States. As people enjoy the sights and sounds of theholidaythroughout the streets of New York,some decide to stop in to say a quick Christmas prayer, attend mass, or light a candle.

(New York) - St. Patrick’s Cathedral

For over 125 years, the Cathedral of Saint Patrick has provided a beautiful spiritual place for New Yorkers and tourists and visitors. In fact, over five and a half million visitors come to the St. Patrick’s to worship and pray each year. If you time and would like to learn more about the church’s origin and history, arrange to schedule a tour before your visit to New York City. Tours can be conducted by appointment for groups of ten or more, Monday through Friday around the Mass schedule. For more information about St. Patrick’s Cathedral, visit their website at www.saintpatrickscathedral.org.

3. FAO Schwarz

For almost 150 years, this company has been creating toys to delight children of all ages. The world-famous FAO Schwarz Fifth Avenue store is one of the most famous stores in the world. During the holiday season, many New Yorkers, and tourists from around the globe, line up to daily to see this children’swonderland.

(New York) - FAO Schwarz

Upon entering the store, guests will marvel at the Grand Hall which is which is adorned with more that 20,000 computer-controlled colored lights, a giant dance-on piano keyboard (which was featured in the film “Big” with Tom Hanks), and “FAO Schweetz” which is a classic New York candy shop that features hundreds of sweet treats. In addition, guests can view “The Muppet WhatNot Workshop” which is only available at FAO Schwarz. Kids will also love the “Styled by Me Barbie” section, the “Middleton Doll Newborn Nursery,” and the “Madame Alexander Doll Factory.” For more information about the store, call (212) 644-9400 or visit the store’s website at www.fao.com.

4. Horse and Carriage Rides in Central Park

These rides can be found along Central Park South between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It is a terrific way to relax and see the beauty of Central Park, especially during the holiday season. A standard carriage ride through Central Park costs approximately $50, plus tip forthe first 20 minutes.

Horse and Carriage Rides in Central Park

If you decide to extend your trip, it will cost $20 more for each additional 10 minutes. Things seen on the tour include: The Wollman Rink, Pond, Zoo, Sheep Meadow, Mall (statues), Dairy (tourist information center), the Carousel, and the Dakota (where the former Beatle John Lennon lived). If you would like to see the sights and sounds throughout Central Park, while snuggling up next to your loved one, this is one activity not to be missed and is certainly a holiday treat. For more information, visit www.centralpark.com.

5.Wollman Rink

While in Central Park, lace up someskates and hit the ice at Wollman Rink. As you are twirling around and practicing a few figure eights, enjoy the beautiful New York City skyline which surrounds the skating rink. For more information about specific hours and rates, call (212) 439-6900 or visit their website at www.wollmanskatingrink.com.

Wollman Rink

6. Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, which is located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, is a world-wide symbol of the holidays in New York City. The tree is illuminated by 30,000environmentally friendly LED lights on five miles of wire. Sitting atop the Norway Spruce is a Swarovski crystal star. The tree has provided Christmas cheer for the people of New York for over 75 years.

Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center

The tree is lit daily from 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM. After your family has spent some time gazing at the beautiful Christmas tree, spend some time ice skating at The Ice Skating Rink at Rockefeller Center. It is truly a magical and memorable experience to skate around the rink while looking up at the majestic tree and the dazzling urban backdrop. The rink has room for only 150 skaters at a time which makes it an intimate experience. However, since this is such a popular winter attraction, be prepared to wait awhile before you hit the ice. If you are interested in ice skating, enter from Fifth Avenue (between 49th and 50th Streets). For more information, call (212) 332-7654. Before you leave Rockefeller Center, go underground for a quick bite to eat at The Concourse. This underground city experience offers shops, fine restaurants, and casual places to get light meals.

7. Chanukah on Ice at Wollman Rink

Come celebrate the Jewish: Festivalof Lights on Monday, December 6 from 6-9 PM. Skate to Jewish music, light a giant ice menorah and have Chanukah treats. For more information, call (212)-864-5010.

Chanukah on Ice at Wollman Rink

8. Kwanzaa Events

Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday that has been celebrated since the 1960s from December 26th – January 1st. On December 26, head to the American Museum of Natural History. This all-day celebration will honor the seven African-based principles of Kwanzaa with performances of song, dance, and spoken word presented beside an international marketplace. This year’s event features a traditional “Second Line” parade led by the McCollough Invaders Band; empowering dance performances by Kotchegna Dance Company, Allen Liturgical Dance Ministry, and Gestures Dance Ensemble; and homage to the traditions of African culture performed by the Restoration Dance Theatre Company. For more information, visit the museum’s website at www.amnh.org.

Kwanzaa Events

9. The New York Botanical Garden

Come check out the Holiday Train Show which is on display through January 9. Spend time gazing at all of the sights in the illuminated winter wonderland in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. This show offers visitors a chance to see New York City in a completely different way. There are 140 NYC landmarks along the tracks, including the original Yankee Stadium. Take some time to check out Gingerbread Adventures in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Everyone will have a chance to learn about the plants that give gingerbread its distinct flavor and smell. For information about tickets and hours, please visit their website at www.nybg.org.

The New York Botanical Garden

10. Holiday Windows

No trip to New York City during the holiday season would be complete without some time admiring the beautiful windows in some of the city’s most famous stories. Macy’s Holiday Window Displays always feature scenes from the classis Christmas movie Miracle on 34th Street, in addition to other holiday-themed windows.

Holiday Windows

The Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Window Displays are very popular with children because they are designed around a seasonal book and feature playful animations. After you have visited the tree at Rockefeller Center, just head across the street to see the sights at Saks Fifth Avenue. If you find yourself on Madison Avenue, be sure to check out the stylish windows at Barneys New York Holiday Window Displays. If you have kids in tow, make sure to stop by the windows at Bloomingdales which are always family-friendly and interactive.

11. Visiting Santa Claus

If you would like your children to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him all of their Christmas wishes, there’s no better place to see the guy in the red suit, than Macy’s Department Store. Of course, be prepared to wait a little bit on lines as this is one of the most popular places to see Santa in the city. In addition to having your child’s picture taken with Santa, your little one can visit Santaland. While your child is waiting on line to get a picture taken, he or she will love looking at all of the dancing bears, lights, and animated displays. After a stroll through Santaland, your child has a chance to talk to the big guy himself in his very own cottage. You can enter Macy’s on 34th Street at either Broadway or 7th Avenue. For more information, visit their website at www.macys.com.

Visiting Santa Claus

(Your Child Today)

The Festival of Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a 7 day festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history. It is a time of celebration, community gathering, and reflection. A time of endings and beginnings. Kwanzaa begins on December 26th, the day after Christmas, and continues until New Year Day, January 1st.

The Festival of Kwanzaa

Each evening a family member, usually the youngest child, lights candles in a special candleholder (kinara) and discusses one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. On the sixth day, which falls on New Year Eve, family and friends get together to enjoy a large feast and to celebrate their history, culture, and the upcoming new year.

The holiday of Kwanzaa was created by Dr. MaulanaKarenga in 1966, during the period of US history in which African Americans were involved in struggles for their civil rights. This was the period of Martin Luther King, the Civil Rights movement, and Black Power.

The Festival of Kwanzaa

History and etymology

MaulanaKarenga of the US Organization created Kwanzaa in 1966 as the first specifically African American holiday. Karenga said his goal was to "give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society."The name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matundaya kwanza, meaning first fruits of the harvest. The choice of Swahili, an East African language, reflects its status as a symbol of Pan-Africanism, especially in the 1960s.

The Festival of Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a celebration that has its roots in the black nationalist movement of the 1960s, and was established as a means to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage by uniting in meditation and study of African traditions and Nguzu Saba, the "seven principles of African Heritage" which Karenga said "is a communitarian African philosophy".

The Festival of Kwanzaa

During the early years of Kwanzaa, Karenga said that it was meant to be an alternative to Christmas, that Jesus was psychotic, and that Christianity was a white religion that black people should shun. However, as Kwanzaa gained mainstream adherents, Karenga altered his position so that practicing Christians would not be alienated, then stating in the 1997 Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture, "Kwanzaa was not created to give people an alternative to their own religion or religious holiday."

Many Christian African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa do so in addition to observing Christmas.

In 2009, Maya Angelou narrated the award-winning documentary The Black Candle, the first film about Kwanzaa.

Principles and symbols

Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba—the seven principles of African Heritage), which Karenga said "is a communitarian African philosophy," consisting of what Karenga called "the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world." These seven principles comprise Kawaida, a Swahili term for tradition and reason. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles, as follows:

Kwanzaa Candlestick

- Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

- Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves stand up.

- Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together.

- Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

- Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

- Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

- Imani (Faith): To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Kwanzaa symbols include a decorative mat on which other symbols are placed, corn and other crops, a candle holder with seven candles, called a kinara, a communal cup for pouring libations, gifts, a poster of the seven principles, and a black, red, and green flag. The symbols were designed to convey the seven principles.

(Wiki)

(Australia) – Welcome to The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is a site of remarkable variety and beauty on the north-east coast of Australia. It the world's most extensive stretch of coral reef and is probably the richest area in terms of faunal diversity in the world. Its great diversity reflects the maturity of an ecosystem which has evolved over millions of years on the north-east continental shelf of Australia.