Travel in Burma to Meet the Northern Hill Tribes

Burma's northernmost province, Kachin State, is also one of the least-frequented by western visitors who travel in Burma. Those adventurous souls who do venture into the northern mountains will be rewarded with incredible views of peaks and valleys, spread with lush jungle - some of the most abundant and biodiverse landscapes in the region, with rich seams of rare jade underneath.

They will also have the honour of being able to meet some of Kachin State's diverse peoples. The province is home to many ethnic groups, some of whom have very little contact with the rest of the country. The people of the state are sometimes referred to collectively as the Kachin, but they are in fact made up of very distinct groups. The largest, in terms of population, are the Lisu and Rawang so you are most likely to meet these groups as you travel in Burma. As you will be guests in their lands, you may want to learn something of their cultures before embarking - so read on for a short introduction on the wonderful Lisu and Rawang people of the country.

The Lisu

The Lisu people are an ethnic group with populations in several modern nations, including China and Burma; they trace their thousands-of-years-old ancestry to Tibet. They are one of the peoples you are most likely to meet as you travel in Burma, passing through their villages and lands where they work in rice fields. Some villages are Christian, others Animist - look out for spirit shrines in the latter. Like many other Lisu tribes, those in Burma keep their historical records in song form, and these songs can take all night to sing.

The Rawang

The Rawang nation is made up of over 70 tribes, inhabiting Kachin State as well as Arunachal Pradesh in India and nearby parts of China. They have traditionally been a hunter-gatherer society, but may have settled in this fertile region of Burma in order to cultivate rice; they also mine the jade and gold that the region is known for. They have their own language, Rawang, and distinct clothing with red and blue/black patterns on white.

Manau Festivals

As you travel in Burma, you will see that there are many differences between the peoples of Kachin State, but traditionally they share the Manau Festival on National Day in January. This is marked with music and dancing in honour of the creator spirit, Lamu Madai.

Rome's Ancient Circus Maximus

History students interested in ancient Rome often find a visit to the Circus Maximus to be particularly rewarding on their study tours. Initially a stadium for chariot races, it was the first and largest stadium of its kind in the Roman Empire, and provided the template for many other imitations and stadium constructions. With a capacity of over 150,000 spectators it was the city's largest venue for 'ludi' - days or half-days of sporting events connected to the Roman religious dates, sponsored by leading political figures or the state itself for the benefit of the population. Today, the site of the Circus Maximus is a public park, open for students and history buffs to enjoy delving into the history of the ancient Roman Empire.

The Ludi

Despite the reputation of the Circus Maximus as an arena for chariot races, history and classics students on their study tours are often surprised to find that there was a bewildering array of entertainments on offer - athletic competitions, plays, poetry recitals, beast-hunts and even the type of gladiator contests that you might have expected to find at the Colosseum! Most of the entertainments began with a flamboyant parade, specially crafted to present a sense of wealth and abundance to the people; the complexity of staging the ludi became a way to demonstrate the generosity and fitness for office of the organisers. One notable event was recorded to have included 63 leopards and 43 bears and elephants - surely a sign of incredible competency to arrange!

The Phenomenon Expanding

As the Roman Empire grew in stature and political power, the Circus Maximum didn't lose any of its splendour or relevance - far from it! Ludi were held at the Circus Maximus on 57 days of the year, and the venue would have been a hubbub of activity even on days when no official event was scheduled, as charioteers practised on the track. Students on study tours will be amazed at the versatility of the entertainments on offer; even at the height of its popularity for chariot-races, the wide space of the Circus Maximus was also one of the most suitable in Rome for religious processions on a massive scale. The other shows it hosted were no less spectacular; in one, it is reported, the emperor Probus organised a spectacular event in which beasts were hunted through a forest of artificial trees, on a specially built stage. Now that's an interesting spectacle for imaginative students on their study tours to contemplate!

Hiking in Rio De Janeiro - 3 Easy Hikes to Do on Your Own

One of the things that make Rio special is its proximity to nature. There are numerous national parks, hills and mountains within easy reach which are well suited for hiking. This article will introduce you to 3 short hikes that you easily can do on your own and that will only take between 20 and 30 minutes one way.

1. Parque da Catacumba
Next to the lagoon (Lagoa Rodrigo De Freitas) there is a park called Parque da Catacumba. Until the 1970's this area was a favela but it was removed by the government. InsiDe the park there is a trail leading to two lookout points with great views of the lagoon. One faces the Leblon direction and the other faces Corcovado. The trail is at times a bit steep but the short distance still makes it relatively easy and you will probably make it in about 20 minutes. InsiDe the park just follow a sign that says "Mirante" which means lookout point. The entrance to the park is at Avenida Epitácio Pessoa, 3000 opposite a Petrobras gas station and the park is open from Tuesday to Sunday.

2. Morro da Urca
Morro da Urca is the first hump leading to Sugarloaf and where the cable car makes its first stop. The name means Hill of Urca, Urca being the name of the neighborhood in which Sugarloaf is located. If you don't want to take the cable car you can hike to the top of Morro da Urca for free. And if you wish to continue to the top of Sugarloaf you can pay for the second part of the cable car at a reduced price.

This trail is easy both in difficulty and in length, it is common to see children doing this hike. The trail starts between Sugarloaf and the little beach Praia Vermelha. You follow a paved path along the coast for about 1 km until there is an opening on your left. This is where the hike starts. Once you have found the entrance the trail is quite straight forward. You only need to choose direction once, which is when you reach a kind of plateau where you need to go to the left (after going to the right a few minutes you will notice that you are wrong). On this hike you will be likely to see Marmosets (small monkeys), birds and colorful butterflies.

3. Morro do Leme
Morro do Leme is the hill at the end of Leme which is the end piece of Copacabana. It is a military area housing the Forte Duque De Caxias on top of the hill. (Not to be confused with the Forte De Copacabana, if you ask people about the Forte they may send you to the wrong siDe of Copacabana). There is a relatively easy trail following a cobble stone road to the top which gives you a great view of Copacabana. The trail starts at the bottom of the hill insiDe the military area, soldiers in the area will point you in the right direction. The trail is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 to 16:30. On Tuesdays entrance is free and on other days it is cheap (at time of writing 4 Reais).

Incredible Sights on Your China Tour

China is a fascinating country to visit, brimming with historical sights dating back thousands of years. It's also one of the fastest developing countries in the world, with its city skyline dominated by skyscrapers. Here is just a selection of the fantastic sights you can see while on your China tour.

West Lake

The west lake is set in the centre Hangzhou, an influential city in Eastern China. This mammoth water body covers over 2.2 miles, it offers a place for tranquillity and the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the inner city. It is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site this year and has been an inspiration for many Chinese garden designers. West lake is brimming with small islands connected by bridges and passageways, among the highlights is the abundance of lotus flowers within the Crooked Courtyard

Yangtze River

At nearly 4,000 metres long, the Yangtze is the longest waterway in the country, and the third longest river in the world. The Yangtze rampages from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau, penetrating through the middle of steep rocky valleys all the way to the East China Sea in Shanghai. It offers some breathtaking landscapes with steep gorges, rainforests and mountain ranges all offered on the way. It is often a hugely popular destination for river cruises, there couldn't be a better way to view the river than via a vessel.

Terra cotta warriors

First buried in 210BC, this incredible work of ancient art wasn't discovered until 1974 when local farmers recognised a life size terracotta figure. Little did they know that there would be around 8,000 more warriors buried under ground, along with 130 chariots and 520 horses This collection depicts the armies of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. The collection was buried along with him as a method to protect him in the afterlife. The collection still stands as one of the greatest archaeological discoveries ever made.

The Great Wall of China

No guide on China could be complete without its most famous landmark. The Great Wall of China is a collection of fortification walls which, some dating back to the 5th century BC. It has been estimated to be over 5,500 miles long and stretches from the Far East to the West. It has become intrinsic with the country, becoming a national symbol and easily the most visited attraction of all.

Sunny Winter Holidays at a Jamaica Villa

If, like many people, you begin counting down the months to summer when the winter's just begun, perhaps you need to start planning a warm weather holiday away from the cold in a Jamaica Villa. Heading to this charming island (where the average temperature tends to be around 30 degrees Celsius) will chase your winter blues away, and you will be spoilt for choice with all the fun things you can enjoy under the warmth of the Caribbean sun. Here are a couple of the key activities to consider taking part in once you leave the chilly winter behind and arrive on the joyous 'Jamrock'.

Watersports at Aquasol Theme Park

A definite antidote for the winter blues equals going to the Aquasol Water Theme Park! Conveniently located at the Walter Fletcher Beach, in the heart of Montego Bay, Aquasol is probably no more than a stone's throw from your gorgeous Jamaica Villa. So slip on those flip flops and head down to the beach. At Aquasol you can sunbathe (of course) on the white sands, go snorkelling in the clear, warm waters, or opt for one of many other water activities available. Try the water trampolines, go jet skiing, wave running, kayaking or take either a banana boat or a glass-bottom boat ride. If you don't fancy any of these (for some strange reason) you can always go for tennis or beach volley ball. If you're on holiday with the kids, don't worry! There's a well-equipped children's playground to keep them happy.

J-J-Jerk Chicken

Now, it may seem like a given, but, just in case you didn't know, jerk chicken is so popular in Jamaica, it's almost like a staple (really). In all seriousness, no holiday staying in a Jamaica Villa would be complete without trying this fabulous local delicacy. If you aren't a fan of chicken, they 'jerk' just about everything else too - pork, goat, shrimp, beef, sausage, tofu (yes tofu) you name it! The key ingredient is the hot, spice laden rub in which the meat is marinated. The meat is then smoked using different techniques to produce a number of distinctive tastes. Now popularised across the globe, thanks to the Jamaican Diaspora, jerk chicken is believed to have come about in Jamaica when the Maroons introduced African meat cooking techniques, which later evolved in conjunction with unique local ingredients and spices.

Even if your eating habits aren't that adventurous, believe us when we tell you that sampling some Jamaican jerk chicken will add some extra heat to your holiday! Wash it down with some coconut water straight from the nut and you'll start to understand why a holiday in a Jamaica Villa is top of everyone's list when it comes to an idyllic getaway.

Why A Leisure Resort Is Perfect For Your Family

Fortunately, this is why choosing to stay at a leisure resort may be the solution to planning a perfect getaway.

Leisure resorts are designed with the purpose of promoting leisure and relaxation. The people that manage these resorts have spent much time and effort into making sure that all bases are covered. That leaves the only thing left for the guests to do is enjoy.

Many leisure resorts cater to the special needs of families. Families are composed of all different ages of people so the opportunity for fun and relaxation has to be available to meet the different needs. Many people will find that these resorts have thought this out so well, that there is not even a need to leave and go elsewhere for entertainment.

Guests at this type of establishment will find that there are many options for fun for an entire family to enjoy. Many have different activities throughout the day based on different age groups. Activities can be found for the youngest in your group and all the way up to the oldest. Some are activities that require a parent to participate while others encourage independent play. These activities are also designed with safety in mind so there is not the need to stress about your child getting lost or hurt.

Many of these resorts also have options for childcare which allows the grownups to enjoy a quiet dinner or time to participate in some of the activities slated for adults. The childcare centers are generally well staffed with competent caregivers that love children. This also provides your little one with a chance to mingle and socialize with others in their age group.

Since there is usually eating areas on the premises of the resorts, there is no need to travel outside of the place looking for places to eat. There may be a variety of different restaurants or eating areas specializing in different atmospheres. Some can be more catered to children, while others may be more formal. Live entertainment is also an added benefit that is commonly available to guests. Entertainment has also been planned out with options that are suitable for everyone.

One of the nicest benefits is that the vacation can be purchased as a package deal. These packages can include such things as meals being included, special events and entertainment options. That leaves you free to just kick back and enjoy without constantly taking your wallet out to pay.

Leisure resorts can offer a family a much needed break and time to relax. Having everything all in one place makes things convenient and easy. Easy access to entertainment, food, accommodations and activities all in one location can take the stress out of planning. What is left after that is nothing but pure relaxation.

Bhutan Treks – The Brokpa People And Their Legends

Eastern Bhutan is arguably one of the world's most beautiful regions - and it is home to the culturally unique Brokpa people, who live in Merak and Sakten. For almost two decades, Bhutan treks in that part of the country were not permitted by the government for undisclosed reasons - rumours alleged the desire to protect the Yeti - but the regions of Merak and Sakten are now open again. Bhutan treks there offer the truly memorable opportunity to meet these wonderful people.

Ethnically Unique

The Brokpas speak Sharchop, a different language to that spoken elsewhere in Bhutan - more noticeable to visitors on Bhutan treks, they dress uniquely. Brokpa people are easily recognised by their woven red jackets, often detailed with stitched animals, and curious black yak hats. These hats have five spidery legs, designed to channel rainwater away from the wearer's head and body. As befitting the name Brokpa, which can be translated to mean 'nomad' or 'herder', the people remain semi-nomadic yak herders, relying on the animal for clothing, food and transport. For anyone with an interest in minority ethnic groups and the preservation of traditional ways of living in an increasingly modern, homogenous world, Bhutan treks in Merak and Sakten are a must.

Aum Jono and the King's Demand

Like many Himalayan peoples, the Brokpa have a story of their origin. They moved to Bhutan many hundreds of years ago - according to them, this is because they once lived in Tibet, until a conflict with a ruler. This king demanded that his people remove the top of a mountain because it blocked the sun, covering his palace in shadow. One woman, Aum Jono, who did not think this ridiculous order should be obeyed, told her people that it was far easier to remove a head than a mountain-top. The Brokpas agreed. After killing the king, Aum Jono led them to safety and prosperity in eastern Bhutan. She is now revered as a protecting deity, with a festival held in her honour.

Brokpas and the Yeti

Anyone planning to go on Bhutan treks will surely have heard of the Yeti. To the Brokpas this creature is called Megay, and yak herders to this day report encountering Megay in high, thickly forested altitudes, typically when they have pursued a straying yak. According to their remarkable tales, the Megay consumes bamboo shrubs, is white or light red in colour, and smells of garlic. The Megay is not a curiosity, as it is to Westerners, but a guardian deity of remote mountainous regions - and the Brokpas accordingly treat it with respect.

Koh Samui Beach Villas Rental On Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Koh Samui Island lies in the Gulf of Thailand off the eastern coast Thailand's southern provinces. Surrounded by clear seas and golden beaches, Samui is a breathtaking holiday destination. The island has always been a pinnacle in SE Asia for contemporary, modern beach villa architecture and the design quality of recently built villas continues to build upon that reputation.

Luxury beach villas are dotted around the 60km coastline of Samui and the majority of these villas are in quieter, tranquil locations, away from the touristic centers of the island's north east. However, a good choice of beach villas is still found in the busy north east of the island.

Due to the high cost of beach land, most private Koh Samui beach villas are large properties with at least four bedrooms. Two and three bedroom villas are still available though most of these smaller villas are part of exclusive beach villa developments and resorts. Again, there are exceptions to this rule and if you book early enough you should be able to find a suitable two or three bedroom property.

The design of most Koh Samui beach villas is quite similar with a large pavilion towards the rear of the property and several smaller pavilions build between the beach and the rear pavilion.

Beach quality can vary around the island, so make sure you ask questions about quality of sand, depth of water and height of seasonal tides before you book.

Beach villa rental costs in Koh Samui are relatively low when compared to beach villas in other tropical SE Asian destinations. A luxurious 2-bedroom might cost you around $500 - $800 USD per night whereas a 5-bedroom would set you back about $800 - $1500 USD per night. For those on an unlimited budget, a truly luxurious seven or eight bedroom villa could cost upwards of $7000 USD per night.