Anyway, if next time he’s going to the US and I have the opportunity to accompany him, I already made plans on things to do in New York City. I will for sure insist on taking the hop-on, hop-off bus tour with top-deck-only seating so that I will get the best possible views of New York City’s attractions, neighborhoods and places of interest.

Getting on such ride will enable me to snap pictures (for those who know me, I hate walking and tiring myself out while traveling..heh!) I will also go on their night tour from as low as $44 (with online booking). As stated in their website, I will get to enjoy the nighttime views and ambiance of Times Square, Chinatown, Empire State Building , Greenwich Village, SoHo, Little Italy, Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge and Lower East Side.

Now, I wonder while I am in New York will I be able to see Mac Taylor and his CSI team in action?..haha!

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I think I haven’t been on a bus for ages, what more a bus excursion anywhere. The last was maybe when I was 10 or 11, on a school trip to the capital city..heh!

One of these days, I think I will make it a point to go somewhere and use the hop-on, hop-off bus tour that the city might have. (I had that chance in Singapore but missed it)

One major benefit of taking such bus trip would be the ability to capture as much pictures from the top-deck seating without worrying that I will get lost and get stranded in an unknown street. (I do hate driving in unfamiliar territory anyway..huhu!)

If you are handling a large group tour to New York for instance, try bus charter services like New York Bus Charters.

They have video and audio capabilities, PA systems, reclining seats and lavatory in their vehicles. To ensure comfort, all their vehicles are clean and well maintained. The buses are all equipped with the most modern communication equipment in order to keep in contact with their 24-hour dispatch operation, thus providing reliability and on time services.

The company could provide transportation for your group to amusement parks, conventions, trade shows, day trips, Atlantic City, tailored custom tours and hotels or transfers between airports. Go on, hop on the bus and make your trip a memorable one!

My new year resolution would be to go on tour outside of my home country. Maybe if I couldn’t afford much, after reading the guide at Hotel Reservations, a trip to the neighboring country, Singapore will do.

What I would like to gather before I embark on the journey is to check about accommodation options, where to go, how to get there, how much will it cost and other interesting things that could be done while in the new place. You can get all the basic info at HotelReservations.com.

Whether you are planning to go on cruise, road trip, renting a beach house or simply looking for rental car, they have all the good offers waiting for you to discover. Have a look at their website and tell me which travel destination will be next in your holiday list.

I have a new resolution for the new year 2008. No, I’m not going to lose weight or anything like that, but I’m going to save money so that I can go for overseas holiday. Looking at the website of DialAFlight makes me drool over the offers they have all around the world destinations. For example the fare for flights to Wellington from Heathrow will be £670 inclusive tax. So if I am frugal enough for 6 months I might be able to actually be in the capital of New Zealand sooner, heh!

Well, for the geeks out there, here is one interesting fact I found about Wellington. It is said in the website that Wellington is the most “fully wired” city in the most “fully wired” country in the world. It has one of the fastest and biggest fibre optic loops in the world providing the CBD with high-speed data transfer and Internet access.

Now for someone who can’t live without Internet connection, he has no excuse not to join my trip to Wellington..hehe! Of course being a big fan of the trilogy Lord of The Rings I think I will take the tour trip to experience Middle Earth. Oh, I do hope I can visit the most scenic LOTR film sites, including Hobbiton Woods, Helms Deep, the River Anduin, and the Gardens of Isengard.

I first heard about Goa when my history teacher in high school mentioned about it many years ago. Whenever I heard about Goa my mind will relate it to Vasco da Gama..heh! Not that I am so interested to history lesson back then. But if you need a new destination to explore and spend the last few days of your year end leave, this is your chance to get your hands on cheap flights to Goa.

Whether you are a backpacker or a particular traveler, Goa, the former Portuguese colony separated from British ruled India by a mountain range could give you the unique and fascinating holiday experience you crave for. If you are a beach person, you will enjoy the water sports, miles of fine sandy beach and immerse in the serenity of swaying palm trees lining by the ocean.

Or if you want to taste the local flavor, head to the bustling markets for authentic cuisine of Goa both for meat lovers and vegetarian. Don’t miss the Anjuna flea market either as you might find the best souvenirs to bring home. Or if you are on a tight budget, just enjoy the atmosphere of traders haggling and bartering their trade at the market.

A great new year might start with a new eye to see the other side of the world, try Indian Ocean destinations like Goa for a change.

A friend of mine is telling me her plan for vacation next year. Currently she is saving enough money to go to Australia specifically to Gold Coast. Although I’m not really into theme parks and beaches, I’m sure for those who love to be on the thrilling rides and unique animal attractions, you will enjoy the visit to Dreamworld, the Australia’s favourite theme park.

And to be save make sure you have reserved your place for Gold Coast accommodation as December is summer and Christmas season as well as the start of school holiday in the sunny Queensland. You might want to go there in early December to avoid frustration and long queue at the theme parks..heh! Of course when you are in the Gold Coast there are Crystal Castle, Sea World and Warner Bros, Movie World for you to visit as well.

Next, from Gold Coast we head to Brisbane as it is only a one hour drive. What I wouldn’t miss to visit in Brisbane after finding a place to stay, (any hotels in Brisbane will do as long as it fits my budget) will be to see koala at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. I’m not sure whether I am brave enough to hold a koala or feed a kangaroo, but seeing the real animals would do..hehe!

Then if I get Brisbane accommodation in the area of its CBD, I will spend some time to go to the City Botanic Gardens, which is an easy walk from the busy CBD and to The Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha. From what I read in the Internet, the City Botanic Gardens are Brisbane’s oldest park, originally planted by convicts in 1825 with food crops to feed the prison colony.

In the meantime since my friend will be going there first, I am looking forward to hear about her Queensland’s experience before I get to savour mine.

I was doing some work downstairs last night when the Globe Trekker went to German. I have read about German – The Oktoberfest, Brandenburg Gates, the castles, the museums and the history but seeing the real things on TV was much better.

Finding hotels in Germany shouldn’t be a problem as long as you are not fussy and have enough budget..heh! From the website the cheapest I can find is EUR13 for A&O Hostel Mitte Berlin, of course there are many more choices of hotels in Berlin you can check later.

But like any other travelers, staying the whole day in the hotel wouldn’t fit the purpose of your journey. So while in Berlin, check out places of interest such as Schloss Charlottenburg (Charlottenburg Palace), the one-time summer residence of the Prussian kings or Brandenburg Gate, Berlin’s only remaining city gate.

Then after you are done with Berlin, head to Munich, the capital of the state of Bavaria which lies near the foot of the German Alps. It’s the high-tech capital of Germany where company like BMW has their headquarter office. Munich is also where the famous Oktoberfest is held year after year. The Oktoberfest began with the marriage of the Crown Prince of Bavaria in 1810 and has been held every year since then.

While you are enjoying your party time, make sure you have done reservation for any hotels in Munich. It is said that about 6 million people attend the event every year.

But for me, a not much party goer, perhaps a visit to the Deutsches Museum or Neuschwanstein Castle will complete my journey to Munich.

Do you know that the famous J. R. R. Tolkien, best known as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings grew up in three of his childhood homes in Birmingham? If you are somehow on a trip to Birmingham, check out places like Moseley Bog, Sarehole Mill and Perrott’s Folly which are supposedly being the inspiration for the various scenes in The Lord of the Rings storyline.

Formerly the industrial hub of the country, Birmingham is the UK’s second largest city situated between Manchester and London. It is home to nearly 1 million people in the area. It is a 1 to 1.5 hour’s drive north of London and is approximately another 2 hours away from Manchester. To get accommodation there would not be a problem as there are many Birmingham hotels to choose from.

Or if you are planning to celebrate a White Christmas early this year, make sure you check out the best rate for Cardiff hotels, since there will be Cardiff Winter Wonderland held there at the beautiful Civic Centre from November 15th 2007 to January 6th 2008.

This should be a nice winter experience not to be missed by an experienced skater or a complete beginner. Or if you are not into skating, there are many more attractions like the ice cafe bar, heated terrace overlooking the ice, traditional children’s carousel and rides, Big Wheel and free festive entertainment.

Survey around for the best deal for hotels in Cardiff, as you might want to spend more time there, visiting all the attractions such as Cardiff Castle, Castell Coch or a modern one like Doctor Who Exhibition.

As a fan for Friends series for years, I have heard about Central Park, Times Square and many more places of attractions in New York. Even if you watch the movie Hitch, there is one scene whereby they went on excursion to Ellis Island to check the history of the immigrants to New York many decades ago.There are many more places of attractions in the vicinity of New York hotels. With the help of RealTravel.com, you don’t have to scratch your head to find the exact location once you step out from your hotel’s room.

Anyway, if you happen to be in New York, which New York hotels will you stay for the duration of your travel? You can opt for New York Marriott Marquis Times Square with the rate of $280 per night or Murray Hill East Suite Hotel at $149 per night. Don’t miss the chance to find and try the dining experience at the best restaurants available nearby New York hotels. A travel experience wouldn’t be complete without sampling the local dishes.

While you are there, say Hi to the Statue of Liberty for me. I will see her next year..(hopefully)..haha!

Have you ever wish that when you have to travel somewhere, all the travel arrangement such as accommodation, flight and food are all taken care of? If you are planning to go to Sydney for business trip and short vacation, check out the list of hotels available at HotelClub.net.

What I like about the website is that they list down all the hotels according to star rating, price and location. And when you click on the hotel list, it will describe the location, rooms, restaurant and general info that might help make decision whether it is a worth place to stay or not.

For hotels in Sydney, I have a few choices in mind. Based on the price and reviews done by people who have stayed there before, looking for cheap hotels are not that hard. If you want a place near the beach, check out Coogee Sands Hotel and Apartments. It is located 8 kilometres from Sydney’s International and Domestic Airport and the city’s Central Business District. Or if you really want a place in the middle of the city, Wyndham Vacation Resort is located at the cross roads of Sydney. This all-suite hotel is just a stone’s throw from Hyde Park, Oxford Street and the CBD.

Or if you are into business and retail therapy, check in at the Rydges World Square Hotel. With the World Square Monorail located on the hotel’s doorstep, you’ll have easy access to Sydney Entertainment Centre and Sydney’s shopping precincts.

Since it is stated that Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city, and the 21st most expensive in the world, I’m not sure how much retail experience I can get from my trip to Sydney..huhu!

With the help of such gadget like StreetPilot® c340 GPS Receiver, I’m sure driving in a new town will be a breeze, no longer a helpless experience.

This in-car StreetPilot c340 navigation device is very simple to use out of the box as most of the reviews stated. After selecting a destination from the touch screen interface, its text-to-speech feature will tell users the name of the street, when to turn, and in what direction. It’s like having a passenger next to the driver’s seat who knows it all..haha!

No more arguing about which direction to go to and why you are not taking the right turn nagging..heh! If you check the website of Shopping.com, you get to compare price and selection of the StreetPilot c340. Certain stores even give you free shipping and a worth bargain price.

The StreetPilot c340 comes preprogrammed with detailed City Navigator® NT street data of the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico and has almost six million points of interest. So no more excuses that I don’t know the route to your place stuffs..wink!

Do you know that New Zealand is considered as the youngest country on earth because fact has it that New Zealand was the last land mass on earth to be discovered.

For those who have watched all the 3 movies of The Lord of The Rings, you should know that the entire three films have been filmed in various locations around New Zealand. Even the director, Peter Jackson was born and live there. His hi-tech digital studios Weta Digital and his film company Three Foot Six are based in the capital city, Wellington.

So if you happen to have the chance to visit New Zealand on holiday, make sure you take the chance to go on tour to the Lord of the Rings film locations – the remote and beautiful Mt Sunday which has been transformed to Edoras, the capital city of the Rohan people, or to see the Misty Mountains and the area that formed the backdrop to Helms Deep.

New Zealand has a population of only 4 million – making it one of the world’s least crowded countries. The 3 main cities on the North and South Island are Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. It is a haven for those seeking peace, rejuvenation and relaxation as well as a playground for thrill seekers and adventurers. The summer time in New Zealand will be from December to March, a perfect venue for you to spend warm Christmas and finish your year end annual leave..hehe!

For those looking for hotels in Wellington, if you are on budget, you can stay at Nomads Capital Hostel Wellington. It offers the last minute accommodation rates from NZD 85.

Or if you are on the search for hotels in Auckland, you can try Aspen House, as it is the only bed and breakfast hotel situated in the heart of Auckland City.

For hotels in Christchurch, try Livingspace The Mill. It is located in a building once the site of a woollen mill, with the last minute accommodation in the City area at rates from NZD 79.

Now I wonder if I can find one cute elf there at the Middle Earth to bring back home..haha!

Anyway, I just read about the event – Tasting Australia 2007 on Adelaide website. It will be held in October so if you are one of the cooking related people – a gourmet chef, wine importer or any kind of gastronomic and hospitality master, check out the available room among Adelaide hotels for the event. If you are going under company’s expense, why don’t you check in at this Pacific International Suites, a 5-star accommodation near the city.

Then for those looking for adventurous Western Australian trip, check out for Perth hotels here. Perhaps you can try this Billabong Backpackers Resort situated in Northbridge. It provides last minute deal from AUD67 per night for a 4-star accommodation. After all, a backpacker needs a good night rest before you could embark on great journey ahead.

FYI, Perth is one of the country’s most beautiful cities and the capital of Western Australia. It is where you can enjoy the sunshine, natural parklands and beach lifestyle. One of the attractions would be The Perth Mint, where you can view Australia’s largest collection of natural gold nuggets and see molten gold being poured to form a gleaming six kilogram gold bar. And while you are there, do check out how much the value of your weight in gold..haha!

Oh, do you know that Adelaide in South Australia is the nearest city (with a population over 1 million) to Perth which makes Perth the most isolated city in the world.

Whereas Sydney is the most populous city in Australia with major tourist attraction like the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Therefore if you are planning to go there during summer or join the kite festival at Bondi Beach, make sure you have booked Sydney accommodation way ahead.

Now I need to find something for food. Those mouth watering meals those Aussie chefs prepared on the TV just whet my appetite..huhu!

Perhaps one day I would have the chance to check out UK in person, or maybe just being able to go to the main cities like London, Birmingham and Manchester would do for a start.

If I were in Birmingham, one place that I would not miss to visit will be the Cadbury World. I love chocolate, Cadbury especially. I imagine the trip will be like something from Willy Wonka movie but of course minus all those little funny creatures he has in his factory..haha! Wouldn’t it be so fun to see how they wrap my favorite chocolate bar and get to choose all kind of flavors in the world’s biggest Cadbury shop.

Since the trip will be tiring, I need to choose one place to stay among the hotels in Birmingham. My choice will be Norfolk Hotel since it offers last minute accommodation from GBP30. Plus its location in the city center area will make it easier for me to explore more places of interest in Birmingham.

Then I will go to Manchester. Since I will be visiting a friend in Manchester University, I might as well stay at one of the hotels in Manchester, Britannia Country House Hotel. It is also near to many other attractions of the Cheshire countryside such as Jodrell Bank Science Park.

Lastly since I’ll be flying home from London, it would be nice if I can stay in one of the hotels in London for a night (at least!) Check out this YHA Holland House Hostel. The exterior looks really like something from old English era. It is stated that one of the wings is a former Jacobean mansion, built in 1607. While in the 19th century, Lady Holland had a salon here, which was attended by famous people like Sheridan, Sir Walter Scott, Lord Byron, Wordsworth and Dickens.

Well, that’s all for today’s travel plan. See you in UK soon, chap!

Since she has been scouting for cheaper deal on hotels in Melbourne, I have been doing some research on my own. I found one hotel – Claremont Hotel South Yarra Melbourne with the last minute price starting from AUD50. Located about 10 minutes from Melbourne CBD, this 3 star hotel is a tastefully restored 1886 Victorian Guest House. I think it would be great for those budget conscious travelers who want to spend more on shopping and spending less time in the room and rather go on Melbourne sight seeing trips. However for me, instead of shopping I will definitely go to The Royal Botanic Gardens and spend hours taking pictures of the plants and species. After all it is recognized as one of the world’s finest botanic gardens with over 10,000 species and 50,000 individual plants in the 38 hectare gardens.

Next if you are in Sydney and looking for last minute deals for hotels in Sydney, check out this Glenferrie Lodge. It provides 3 star accommodation in North Sydney at last minute prices from AUD59. Its perfect position on spectacular Sydney Harbor will let you soak in the view of the harbor while enjoying your comfy stay in the once historic federation property. It is also a short distance to the Sydney Opera House by taxi-boat.

And if somehow you happen to be in Brisbane, check out these deals for hotels in Brisbane. This Sapphire Resort Brisbane provides accommodation at last minute prices from AUD78. Since it is only 1200 meters from the CBD, you can avoid the traffic and just walk to your business destination and later come back to enjoy a swim in their saltwater pool. Or if you want some other option, check out Astor Best Western Hotel with the last minute prices from AUD79.

Now it’s my time to renew my passport..hehe!

If you ever want to be a little bit adventurous in your next vacation, try a trip to Western Australia. For those who are not sure about the geographical aspect of the land Down Under, Western Australia is Australia’s largest state. And Perth is one of the country’s most beautiful cities and the capital of Western Australia.

There is so much that you can do in that side of the country, whether to swim with the dolphins, soak your heart and soul with their beach getaway or simply to shop till you drop to feed your retail therapy hunger in the city’s department and fashion chain stores.

I would definitely go on the dolphin trip in Rockingham because it’s not everywhere you will get the chance to see those intelligent, bottlenose creatures. But before you go ahead with your outdoor plan, if you are first timer in Perth, let’s check out cheap hotels there at RatesToGo.com.

Those looking for Perth hotels will be overjoyed with the choices they offer. Plus the price advertised on the website is way cheaper than the retail price advertised by the hotels. Those extra savings could be spent on your travel itinerary or on cute souvenirs to give to those waiting back home.

Personally I love the fact that most people who have stayed in the hotels are willing to share their reviews on the hotels. Eventhough I might not be staying the whole day in the hotel room, but I do want to have a comfortable sleep and good breakfast before I start on my adventurous journey in Perth.

Silly me for neglecting my Geography knowledge..haha! I was never a big fan when it comes to Geography back then in school. The only time I enjoy learning it was when I was 13 because the teacher has a weird jerky movement every time he talked. Pity him for having a student like me.

So if you are planning to travel anywhere worldwide, make sure you know what’s the climate and the season of the place during the time of your travel. At least you would know what to pack and what to expect once you arrive there. I found a website that tells in details about climate and season.

If you feel like refreshing your Geography lesson, have a look here at World Climate.

In the US, you could see their resident shows either in Las Vegas or Orlando.

And if you want to watch Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba, it is only available in Orlando – the world-renowned human spectacular located at DOWNTOWN DISNEY West Side.

Of course they also have tour all around the world. For now they are going to Australia to present Varekai-the show about a kaleidoscopic world populated by fantastical creatures.

Maybe if they are coming somewhere nearby to Singapore, I would be able to catch a seat or two to their show. Hopefully, wink!

They have everything you need for like last minute accommodation and last minute flights deals.

One of the best and exciting deals they offer is the Secret Hotels which give out discount up to 75% off on 4 and 5 star hotels. The hotel name will be a secret because the Secret Hotels deals are so low, that their hotel partners don’t even want to put their names to them. Only after the booking has been made, you will get the email that reveal the hotel details.

Oh, if you are from Down Under and would like to have a city vacation in KL, check out their deals on Dorsett Regency, Kuala Lumpur. I think it’s worth it since the price is inclusive of airfare from Australia and 5 nights stay in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle.

Check out all other deals, after all you really deserve to have that last minute holiday!

If I manage to go to Japan again, I would love to visit the Mikimoto Pearl Museum in Shima Peninsula.

I always hear and read about Mikimoto pearls but it would be great if I could see the real place where it was originally cultivated. For those who don’t know, Mikimoto Kokichi, born in Toba in 1858 was the first person to successfully cultivate pearls in the year 1893.

I would also like to see how the women divers or ama do their diving demonstration. They used to be an important part in pearl culturing process, to dove in and out of the sea water to ensure that the whole cultivation process would be successful.

It would be an informative trip to be able to learn how the cultivation of pearls happen and to understand more about pearls that Mikimoto Kokichi loved so much.