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On this Spanish island of Ibiza, there is much more life than the ‘night-life’ the island has become so well known for. One hundred and seventy one migratory species have been identified, 5 various species of mammals, of which the monk seal is included and is currently on the top ten endangered species list, eleven species of reptiles and fifty-six endemic species of invertebrates. Most are living along the coasts, in the saltworks and lagoons. One of the few endemic pine tree forests left in Europe is on the island. Combine that life with sea grass and incredible reefs of corral, and a small form of marine life, of the 220 different species, the most concentrated area of life in all of the Mediterranean Sea, Ecteinascidea turbinata , discovered to have certain properties that combat and prevent various cancer forms, and it becomes quite clear that the government’s decision to declare this region protected, as just, valid and necessary.

The population of the two largest cities on the island, Sant Josep and Sant Francesc, combines to total just over 15,000 people. Not long ago, in 1995 the Nature Reserve, ‘Salinas de Ibiza y Formentera’ received the support and backing of the Spanish Government. It is now nominated to become a Heritage Site, Mixed Natural and Cultural. For just as the treasures found living today shed some light,archaeological findings have been discovered, more than ten underwater sites dating back to Stone Age, none have been thoroughly excavated or study as of yet. So just next to the patios and verandas of the luxury Ibiza hotels, lie the key to understanding the history of the island and her people. By study of these sites, more knowledge will be gained concerning the trade and interaction between the islands and the rest of the world. And by excavating the various underwater caves, must is to be learned about the evolution of the societies now living on the island. Preservation of the life now existing, and the preservation of the life that came before is the concern of the Reserve. With only ten permanent employees and various experts and scientists now traveling to the island, not only for the night life but the day life as well, the organization is hoping to discover the past and gain knowledge for the future co-habitation of the wildlife and the humans that are living together.

Last year the New York Times named Dubai as the best travel choice for partying. The last decade has seen this one-time trading post turn into one of the world’s premiere vacation and entertainment destinations.

Located on the beautiful waters of the Persian Gulf, Dubai is both a city and an emirate in the UAE. The city has blossomed with the development of new sports venues, expensive hotels, shopping complexes, and entertainment centers as well as recreational, business, and residential areas. The city is even building artificial islands offshore to increase the amount of beach property.

It’s easy to find a 5 star hotel in Dubai and beach resorts are plentiful. Restaurants offer a wide range of cuisines, with Arab, Chinese, and South Asian foods being the most popular. Many of the top chefs from Europe and the US have opened restaurants in Dubai to take advantage of the refined tastes of the city’s visitors.

Shopping is practically a national sport in Dubai. In addition to bustling souks (traditional markets), the area is full of designer boutiques and full-scale malls. The Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises bring in over 4 million shoppers each year who spend over US$1 billion during the two events.

In recent years the development of Dubai Sports City has attracted numerous international competitions to the city. Cricket, rugby, golf, and tennis are just a few of the sports holding major tournaments in Dubai. The Dubai World Cup, a thoroughbred horse race, is the richest race in the world.

For those who prefer other forms of entertainment, Dubai is full of options. From Bollywood films to the Dubai International Film Festival, from jazz to metal to pop music, there’s usually something for everyone. Some of the recent international stars to grace the stage of Dubai include Elton John, Aerosmith, Pink, Celine Dion, and Shakira. Kylie Minogue was paid a reported US$4.4 million for a fifteen minute performance at the opening of the Atlantis resort in November 2008.

Last, but not least, is the fabulous nightlife. Although Islamic law prohibits alcohol, Dubai restaurants and clubs are allowed to sell drinks to non-Muslim tourists. Most of the bars and dance clubs are located in hotels and resorts, to make it easier to comply with the local restrictions.

Many construction sites sit vacant in the city-state of Singapore. Including residential and business sites, such as Singapore luxury hotels. Government officials in various areas state that they do not want to have buildings sitting empty or half-finished and are offering rebates and reductions in loan rates. They acknowledge that the current market has created quite a challenge as far as sales for new homes or apartments, but with the prices at an all time low, deadlines are being extending and private development has come to a halt. Multi-million dollar projects in areas affluent such as Sentosa cove, are being stopped. A complex offering up shops, and condominiums and even a Universal Studios Theme Park, has had to stop mid-production, leaving construction cranes just waving in the breeze. Not only bad for the economy, but a taxing effect on the morale of this once booming and vibrant city. For three years, construction and immigration of big business was booming in Singapore. Prices on property, business and residential was on the rise. Big business, entertainment and tourism created a metropolis of the small island in the South Pacific. However now, the lawyers and the brokers from foreign countries are going home. Hopefully just to weather the storm. That is what the government of Singapore is hoping anyway.

While some buildings sit empty, and construction is halted on many projects, a few will not give in nor give up. Million dollar projects are being pursued by companies in the hopes that this time will pass and what will come forth is greater. Many wealthy foreigners live in Singapore now, a result of the immigration in the early years of the 2000’s. Boston Consulting Firm concluded from a recent study that more than ten percent of the residents in Singapore have invested assets that total one million dollars, or more. A concentration of millionaires that doubles that of the United States. Tax breaks are being offered to medical and technological companies seeking residence in Singapore, and there is still a feeling of flurry, flurry in the construction sector as well as the business and technology sectors. Deferred payment programs and rebates are being offered by the government as well, and the island is determined to wait out the crisis.

After contentious negotiations, it was announced this week that South Africa will be the host nation for the 2009 IPL. The season will feature 59 matches between eight franchises played on a 34 day schedule.

Cape Town will be the site of the opening ceremonies on Saturday, April 18th. This will be followed by the opening match between the 2008 champion Rajasthan Royals and the Royal Challengers. A second match will feature the Mumbai Indians playing the Chennai Super Kings. The events will be held at the Newlands. The crowds expected for the opening day will likely make it difficult to find rooms in any Cape Town luxury hotel.

While South Africa was the favorite to host this second season of the IPL, England was also in the running. Concerns over the weather in England as well as the costs of travel to England as well as conflicts over television rights made South Africa the top choice.

Security will be a priority in organizing the five-week event. Difficulty ensuring player safety was what forced officials to move the tournament from India. Other logistical concerns will be at the forefront, given there is less than a month to pull together this event which will involved 400 players and officials as well as thousands of spectators.

In addition to Cape Town, matches will be held in Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, and Pretoria. The second semi-final and final match will be held in Johannesburg on May 23-24 as well at the official closing ceremony.

The first time the red hawk, now known as Pale Male, was spotted in Central, was in 1991. Since then he has become part of the city and part of springtime as it has become quite an event for bird lovers, and the general public, to sit in wait of the hatching eggs of his offspring. The nests watched every so closely via binoculars, are atop a fifth avenue apartment. Originally driven from the trees almost 20 years ago by the crows, the nesting spot is now protected by the housing cooperative, a very upscale location. Pale Male found a mate one year after settling in, and in 1992 the pair became the focus of birdwatchers all over the country. Three of their chicks did hatch, and so far was known at the time, two did end up venturing out and continuing to live in Central Park. A few years later, his mate died, and Pale Male settled in with Blue.

Blue lived for about 8 years, and it is assumed she died as she disappeared in 2001. However, from the windows of the 4 star hotels of New York, many witnessed as eleven chicks were hatched and grew to adulthood in the Central Park. Quite a controversy began in 2004, when the spikes meant to deter pigeons from nesting were removed from the buildings ledges. These spikes anchored the nest. The National Audubon Society proposed plans to re-install the spikes providing the structure necessary to hold the nests securely to the side of the building. And while the hawks continue to nest in their refurbished home, no new eggs have hatched since the disturbance of their original nest. The couple still draw an audience however, sitting in wait in Central Park of the glimpse of perhaps some hope and new life.

Even though it’s the smallest state in India, Goa has much to offer as a vacation destination. So much, in fact, that is it one of the most popular places to go on holiday in not just India, but all of Southeast Asia.

The biodiversity of Goa is world reknowned. With mountains, jungles, forests and beaches, there’s pretty much something for everyone. And it is the beaches of Goa which attract hordes of visiters each year.

Located on India’s west coast, Goa offers stunning sunset views of the Arabian Sea. By day, the beaches are filled with sun-loving tourists and the waters are great places for snorkeling, scuba diving, and parasailing as well as other recreational activities. By night, the sands are filled with the sounds of beachside nightclubs and the popular raves that are held under the stars.

Goa was colonized by Portugal rather than Great Britian. After 450 years of occupation, the Portuguese influence on everything from architecture to food has merged with Indian styles and traditions. Even today visitors can see that influence in the structures, celebrations, food, and even language of the area. There are some parts of Goa where Portuguese remains the dominant language and gorgeous Catholic churches share the landscape with Hindu temples.

Although Goa is considered to be a land of villages, there are a growing number of modern cities in the state. Villages range from quiet mountain enclaves to traditional coastal fishing communities. The cities are a great place to find 5 star hotels Goa, great restaurants, and modern shopping centers as well as some of the more popular nightclubs.

With its extensive coastline, visitors can expect to find incredible seafood at many Goa restaurants. Traditional Indian food here is influenced by Portuguese ingredients and recipes to create wonderful flavors. Ayurvedic cooking. is also popular here.

The capital of the island of Formentera is San Francesc. Formentera is the smallest and the most laid back of the Balearic islands. Many come here seeking solitude from the outside world and here they will find it. The town is less commercial then the other tourist distinations, which makes for quaint and peaceful surroundings. The hotels Formentera are small and seek to please in a very laid back style. And for those seeking them, there are bigger resorts and spas, offering up some of the more commercial and popular activities notable to the islands such as skiing, windsurfing, and speed boats. However, the goal for those choosing this island is generally more in tune with getting away from all that and enjoying the unspoiled nature of the landscapes and the beaches. One may hike or bike on any number of the many designated trails and paths that lead through the rural countryside.

The island itself is fascinating in many ways. For the most part Formentera has changed very little over the centuries, with historical buildings and sites still intact. Fortified churches and watch towers still remain from the times when the inhabitants were protecting themselves from the marauding pirates and various armies. Most of these historical sites are located in the capital. Around all the sites are shops and street vendors, ready to barter and just talk with stories of their ancestors, or of themselves if you really get them going. It is a slow kind of escape for most taking time out from the hectic and over commercialized ‘real world’. And if you are lucky, you may find the mythical hippy compound. Many are certain it is there, but no one seems to know exactly where. Try taking walks through the various hippy markets and questioning the vendors and artists and musicians. The craft-work and artistic trinkets are a beautiful way to take a bit of the charm and experience home.

Forty years ago, the Public Utilities Board in Singapore decided to do something different. Dr. Ong Swee Law, the chairman of the board at that time decided to use the land that had been set aside for parks, to build a garden, that was also a zoo. The land is situated around reservoirs and natural water sources, and the zoo was designed to keep as close to what natural surroundings would be like, for any given animal on exhibit at the park. While there would be enclosures there would be no fences. Construction of this concept began in 1971. Animals were donated and procured from dealers, and with the help of Lyn de Alwis, of the Sri Lankan Zoo, Colombo, the Singapore open air zoo opened for the first time in 1973. For many of the visitors it would be the first time they would be able to view and experience animals living in their natural environments, in their family and social units, instead of single animals sitting along in cages. And the enclosures were wide open,spacious territories. Most animals are kept from the public by moats, however the dangerous species are behind glass walls. The zoo began with over 70 different species from the animal kingdom, and now forty years later, that number has doubled. The day the zoo opened in 1973, June 23 to be exact, the animal count was 270, and now that count is well over 1,600.

In early 2006, the zoo opened it’s research center, which focuses on the the health-care of the animals and wildlife conservation. The zoo remains true to their commitment of 40 years, to the care and well being of the animals and to furthering public education. In more ways than one, this is an example of 5 star Singapore and their commitment to the natural environment. Perhaps the fact that city is one of only two set in a rain forest has something to do with that. In any case, along with the animals on exhibit, the zoo offers shows and special events throughout the year. Current daily shows include ‘Elephants at Work and Play” and “Splash Safari”. These shows are meant to entertain most certainly, but education plays a bit role, as they are also meant to further educate and to raise the awareness of the necessity for conservation of all the worlds’ wildlife.

The inaugural Dubai International Poetry Festival was opened with great fanfare by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday, March 4th. The festival seeks to celebrate poetry as “an integral element in the UAE’s cultural fabric and as the language of intercultural connectedness and dialogue between nations.”

The opening ceremonies were held at the Dubai World Trade Center and attended by various senior government officials, cultural representatives and over 100 poets from around the world. In all, forty-five countries are represented at the event as well as local and regional poets, writers, and fans. Keynote speeches were given by the head of the Festival’s organizing committee and by poet Breyten Breytenbach of South Africa.

The Festival, which runs through March 10th, will feature recitals and exhibitions at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center as well as cultural activities at additional venues throughout the city. Attendees are lodged at number of Dubai, UAE hotels in the area and are expected to improve business at restaurants, shops, and other businesses who are just beginning to feel the effects of the global economic slowdown.

There were several poetry soirees on the opening day and commemorative evenings will feature different subjects and poets each night. March 8th will be the International Women’s Day and feature an exclusive women’s event. There will also be celebrations of the works of revered poets Abu Al Qassim Al Shabi and of 11th century poet Omar Al Kayyam.

Readings from contemporary poets, international and local, will be held throughout the event both at the main site and at Dubai universities.

The lure of Phuket is legendary. Thailand’s largest island is known as a tropical paradise with gorgeous beaches, beautiful forests, and a nearly perfect year-round climate. It remains one of the most popular holiday destinations in Asia due to its stellar landscape and fun-loving atmosphere.

Fun in Phuket usually means the island’s world-famous party scene. Young people flock to the beach raves and trance music that throbs from the popular nightclubs. Celebrities, athletes, and musicians travel here to relax and unwind. There isn’t a five star hotel on Phuket that hasn’t been the temporary residence of some movie or rock star.

However, much of life on Phuket centers around its beaches. Shops, restaurants and clubs are located on the more popular beaches providing a nearly 24-hour bustle of energy and excitement. The more secluded beaches offer an escape into quiet relaxation. The waters around the island are filled with people swimming, sailing, surfing, fishing, and diving.

The views of Phuket can be breath-taking. In addition to the gorgeous vistas of the Andaman Sea, Phuket is home t some beautiful virgin forests and waterfalls. There are a number of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that protect the natural beauty of the island from runaway development.

Phuket is home to a number of beautiful temples, traditional villages, and hosts several wonderful festivals and celebrations throughout the year. All these things add up to a fascinating and unique vacation opportunity.