Argentina is on the way back from the economic crisis of the last few years. If you are looking for a travel destination, Argentina is amazing and cheap.
Economic Woes
While Argentina has unlimited beauty, it also has unlimited corruption. The massive corruption finally lead to an economic crisis at the turn of the century. With the currency devalued and jobs hard to find, Argentina was a decidedly dangerous place for travelers. At one point, the country was going through Presidents faster than I go through coffee. At one point, the country went through five of them in a month! Wait, that might not be such a bad idea. Regardless, things appear to have stabilized and the country is back on the travel map. So, what’s to see?
Buenos Aires
Prior to landing in Buenos Aires, you are strongly encouraged to glue your jaw shut. Buenos Aires is a city of jaw-dropping beauty. In many ways, you will feel as though you have magically been transported to Vienna. The European impression is overwhelming. The city is elegance itself. If you’re a meat eater, make sure you experience one of the steak houses. You won’t be disappointed.
Mar del Plata
You’ve been doing sit ups, right? The Mar de Plata is the hot beach area. Literally. Damn hot, sometimes. If you wish to pursue a little melanoma research, this is the place. If you prefer to pass on the cancer research, you can hit the Mar de Plata Aquarium, play golf on five different courses. The area is also rife with discos. Try the ones on the “Noisy Avenue”, but don’t mention my name. There were…problems last time I was there.
Iguazu Falls
If you like waterfalls, this is the place for you. The Iquaza Falls are twice as wide and taller than Niagara Falls. The Falls actually consist of over 250 cascades that came into existence due to a volcanic eruption. If you can, try to visit the falls in the spring or fall as it is ungodly hot and humid in the summer.
Tierra del Fuego
Welcome to the end of the world. At least, that’s the hook for Tierra del Fuego. Ushuaia, the capital of Tierra del Fuego, is the southernmost city in the world. From the city, you can take the “end of the world” train to see incredible snow covered mountain ranges in the Tierra del Fuego National Park. Words fail me, but the area is definitely worth visiting. Come on, you rode the elephants in Thailand, didn’t you?
Patagonia
No, we are not talking about the clothing line. Patagonia is located in a vast area below Buenos Aires and is famous for uncompromised beauty. Greater Patagonia is actually split between Chile and Argentina. The section in Argentina is filled with glaciers, national parks and so on. I can’t possibly describe it, so I’m not even going to try. Just know that you will not be disappointed.
Argentina
From glaciers to beaches, from elegant cities to friendly little towns, Argentina is a top travel destination. With the economy stabilizing, now is the time to go.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Australia Day Comes Alive
I write about Australia. Very much it has liked me :)
When Australia Day comes each January 26th, it brings with it a celebration of all things Australian. This celebration has greatly evolved over time, changing both its name and its content to reflect modern Australians and their pride in their country.
Australia Day began as a celebration of the foundation of the Australian colony. On January 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip (pictured right) took formal possession of the then-British colony and became its first governor. While people throughout the colony informally celebrated this date for the next several years, it wasn’t until 1818 that the celebration was officially celebrated as part of the 30th anniversary of the colony’s settlement by Europeans.
By 1838, the 50th anniversary, it became Australia’s first public holiday. This commemoration was different in that it encompassed everyone, not just those smaller, private events of the past. This early celebration was known as “Foundation Day” and usually included many sporting events. Horse racing was particularly popular, as was sailing. In fact, the Anniversary Regatta (now known as the Australia Day Regatta) in Sydney is the world’s oldest continuous regatta and stems from this early athletic bent to Foundation Day.
When Australia’s centennial celebration came around in 1888, Australia was a very different country than it had been 100 years prior. Gold had been discovered, and Australia was home to nearly three million people. In 1888, all the colonial capitals, except Adelaide, proclaimed “Anniversary Day” a public holiday and each colony celebrated Australia’s 100th birthday.
The 150th anniversary of European settlement in 1938 brought an issue regarding Anniversary Day into the limelight. The highlight of the celebrations in New South Wales was a reenactment of Captain Phillip's landing, complete with the deposition of an Aboriginal tribe. However, aboriginal people in the city refused to participate in the reenactment and instead, several hours prior, Aboriginal activists convened a 'Day of Mourning' conference aimed at securing citizenship and equal status for Aborigines. This was the first time Aboriginal complaints were so prominent on Anniversary Day, but it wouldn’t be the last.
In 1946, the Commonwealth Government, States and Territories agreed to observe “Australia Day” under one name and on the same day. The celebrations continued to have a distinct slant towards the European settlers, and consisted largely of reenactments of the First Fleet’s landing and the events that immediately followed.
Looking to promote a wider celebration of Australia Day, the National Australia Day Council was formed in 1979, with state and territory councils and committees soon after. These groups have worked towards more local and individual involvement in Australia Day, rather than it just being “another holiday.”
When 1988 brought Australia’s bicentennial, it marked two distinct celebrations. The classic reenactment
Sydney Opera House, Sydney Australia
of the First Fleet’s voyage was held. However, alongside the celebrations, 1988 was named a Year of Mourning for Australia's Aboriginal people, who also regarded the year as a celebration of survival. To many people, Australia Day is still best known as “Survival Day.”
Finally, in 1994, it was legislated that all the states and territories endorsed the celebration of Australia Day on the actual day instead of the closest Monday. Universal Australia Day celebrations have been held on January 26th ever since.
About the author:
Jane S. Roseen is the Owner and President of Harmony Sweets. She has taken a small, successful gourmet chocolate shop and made it a name recognized world-wide. Harmony Sweets’ original mission focused on individual consumers purchasing gourmet chocolates from around the world for their friends and relatives as birthday, anniversary, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Mother's Day gifts. Roseen expanded that mission to include corporate gift-giving.
When Australia Day comes each January 26th, it brings with it a celebration of all things Australian. This celebration has greatly evolved over time, changing both its name and its content to reflect modern Australians and their pride in their country.
Australia Day began as a celebration of the foundation of the Australian colony. On January 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip (pictured right) took formal possession of the then-British colony and became its first governor. While people throughout the colony informally celebrated this date for the next several years, it wasn’t until 1818 that the celebration was officially celebrated as part of the 30th anniversary of the colony’s settlement by Europeans.
By 1838, the 50th anniversary, it became Australia’s first public holiday. This commemoration was different in that it encompassed everyone, not just those smaller, private events of the past. This early celebration was known as “Foundation Day” and usually included many sporting events. Horse racing was particularly popular, as was sailing. In fact, the Anniversary Regatta (now known as the Australia Day Regatta) in Sydney is the world’s oldest continuous regatta and stems from this early athletic bent to Foundation Day.
When Australia’s centennial celebration came around in 1888, Australia was a very different country than it had been 100 years prior. Gold had been discovered, and Australia was home to nearly three million people. In 1888, all the colonial capitals, except Adelaide, proclaimed “Anniversary Day” a public holiday and each colony celebrated Australia’s 100th birthday.
The 150th anniversary of European settlement in 1938 brought an issue regarding Anniversary Day into the limelight. The highlight of the celebrations in New South Wales was a reenactment of Captain Phillip's landing, complete with the deposition of an Aboriginal tribe. However, aboriginal people in the city refused to participate in the reenactment and instead, several hours prior, Aboriginal activists convened a 'Day of Mourning' conference aimed at securing citizenship and equal status for Aborigines. This was the first time Aboriginal complaints were so prominent on Anniversary Day, but it wouldn’t be the last.
In 1946, the Commonwealth Government, States and Territories agreed to observe “Australia Day” under one name and on the same day. The celebrations continued to have a distinct slant towards the European settlers, and consisted largely of reenactments of the First Fleet’s landing and the events that immediately followed.
Looking to promote a wider celebration of Australia Day, the National Australia Day Council was formed in 1979, with state and territory councils and committees soon after. These groups have worked towards more local and individual involvement in Australia Day, rather than it just being “another holiday.”
When 1988 brought Australia’s bicentennial, it marked two distinct celebrations. The classic reenactment
Sydney Opera House, Sydney Australia
of the First Fleet’s voyage was held. However, alongside the celebrations, 1988 was named a Year of Mourning for Australia's Aboriginal people, who also regarded the year as a celebration of survival. To many people, Australia Day is still best known as “Survival Day.”
Finally, in 1994, it was legislated that all the states and territories endorsed the celebration of Australia Day on the actual day instead of the closest Monday. Universal Australia Day celebrations have been held on January 26th ever since.
About the author:
Jane S. Roseen is the Owner and President of Harmony Sweets. She has taken a small, successful gourmet chocolate shop and made it a name recognized world-wide. Harmony Sweets’ original mission focused on individual consumers purchasing gourmet chocolates from around the world for their friends and relatives as birthday, anniversary, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Mother's Day gifts. Roseen expanded that mission to include corporate gift-giving.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
South Wales
Yes. The world is huge. Somewhere there burn woods, which on thousand years. On account of Queen, the God (?) has decided to wash off sins of its citizens. Here awe.
Hardly further people пекуться for vividly. And in Siberia even summer also did not begin. And, what, you ask occurs to the world? And I shall tell - anything! Simply the world varies. It can be too fast for us, but not to us it solve. Though not a small role human nonsense here has played.
Here the person tells about South Wales . Rocks, fresh air, the girlfriend on a rope and you feel the god.
Interestingly from my readers there is somebody from Australia?
Hardly further people пекуться for vividly. And in Siberia even summer also did not begin. And, what, you ask occurs to the world? And I shall tell - anything! Simply the world varies. It can be too fast for us, but not to us it solve. Though not a small role human nonsense here has played.
Here the person tells about South Wales . Rocks, fresh air, the girlfriend on a rope and you feel the god.
Interestingly from my readers there is somebody from Australia?
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