Hip Young Things

The historical city of Hyderabad offers a number of extraordinary attractions to its tourists. Located at the city center, the AP State Museum in Hyderabad, one of the most interesting museums in the state of Andhra Pradesh, is an easy taxi ride from the five star hotels in Hyderabad.

The actual museum which houses the substantial collection is a fine example of Indo Gothic architecture, a blend of Indo Islamic and British Gothic architecture. It was built by the former ruler of the state, Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan in the year 1928. Prior to this, in his effort to preserve the cultural legacy of the state of Andhra Pradesh, the Nizam created the Department of Archeology in the year 1915. This department was instrumental in arranging many excavations of historical sites and collecting numerous objects of art. The preservation of historical artifacts has made it possible for all who visit the museum to become educated and develop an appreciation of various events in history. Ultimately the collected works grew to be so massive that a museum was constructed in the year 1930 within the premises of the public gardens in Hyderabad. At that time it was known as the Hyderabad Museum. It was many years later that it was renamed the AP State Museum in Hyderabad

The objects of art exhibited in the AP State Museum in Hyderabad give us with a vision of the land’s rich legacy in art and crafts. There are a variety of galleries within the museum. For example; the Buddhist gallery, Brahmanical gallery, Jain gallery, Bronze gallery, Arms & Armor gallery, Numismatics gallery, Ajanta gallery. Various artifacts, like coins of the Satavahana period , important Buddhist and Jain relics, sculptures of different periods, textiles, weapons, ceramics and even written documents have been preserved beautifully. A visit to the AP State Museum in Hyderabad will surely be a thoroughly educational and enriching experience.

Dubai is Muslim, diverse as well. This carries over in ever aspect of the culture. It is a traditional city. It is a modern city. One of the most easily experienced examples of this is in the food, the cuisine of this city. The food ranges from traditional to contemporary and always supplies a delightful and delicious experience. This is a big pot, of Arab recipes, being the 2nd largest of the cities in the United Arab Emirates, it’s a grand pot. It’s a pot, that melts the different traditions of Lebanon, India, Egypt and Iran together. And this city really stirs it up, in the luxury hotel Dubai offers on the corner to the grand fine dining establishment in the most expensive resort. And not only is this flavor offered, it is offered up at an affordable price. For those of every class and every income bracket. In the U.S. city of Chicago, those with limited resources experience the flavors at Taco Bell, while those with money experience the flavors of Charlie Trotter’s. Not so in Dubai, the flavor and the nutrition is not something that can be bought and paid for, it is something that is inherent. It’s a given.

Tourism has increased the number of restaurants, as it does. For those a bit nervous about trying food from a region different from their own, there are many fusion restaurants. European and American style restaurants and cafes, combing the recipes from those regions, with just a bit of local flavor and spice. If one is new to the city, any hotel concierge or employee can offer suggestions. People from all over the world can find what they are looking for in a meal, which may just be something they may not have expected. As always, the city of Dubai has an incredible night life and any number of options when considering dinner and a night out on the town. There is culture, there are activities for those with children, there are trendy nightclubs to dance the entire night away, and there are gardens available for a moon lit walk. There is much to this city to be explored and to be experienced.

When visiting a foreign country it sometimes appears as if any souvenir you‘d consider buying , is probably available at home. Globalization has certainly made the world a smaller place. However there’s an exception when it comes to textiles. Every country has its own unique treatment of fabrics. Whether it is the method of weaving, or simply the unusual coloration. Sometimes it can be that the decoration, like appliqués or embroidery, are most valuable. Other countries with indigenous cultures have made block printing or batik a fine art. Batik is originally an Indonesian creation and is a wax resistant dye process. Because of the deep saturated colors of dye being used, the fabric must be of really good quality. Silk, cotton and rayon with high thread counts work well. Batik is made all over the world and patterns can be distinct to each country. There a re two basic designs; geometric or free form (lots of curves). Certain batik designs are reserved for brides and bridegrooms .In the past, a person’s rank could be determined by the pattern of the batik he/she wore.

Big department stores like Marks & Spencers or Tangs usually carry ready to wear garments. It’s also possible to buy batik clothing at the stores in the Singapore luxury hotels. Arab Street and Serangoon Road is the place to find batik fabric, sold by the meter or by sarong lengths. If you’re thinking of having a garment made for you in Singapore there are many quick, efficient and high quality tailors found in most shopping centers. Every now and then, it’s possible to find older batik fabrics in the antiques stores and at flea markets. Shop around at the Upper Paya Lebar Road, just north of McPherson Road. You’ll find many antique furniture stores and an eclectic mix of other decorative objects.

The Fort Canning Park in Singapore offers many attractions for local residents and visitors to the city. It is located for the most part, on a hill near the city’s central business district, which can be seen from the park’s highest point. The park’s small size makes it easy to navigate by foot in an afternoon, though visitors might want to stick around for an evening’s film showing in the outdoor Starlight Cinema. Prior to 1819 the hill was known as Bukit Larangan, which means “forbidden hill.”

Fort Canning might be geographically small but it is extremely large in the amount of interesting sites and events it hosts. Part of its appeal is the beauty of the park itself, another aspect is its historic structures and yet a third is its entertainment possibilities. One of the sites a traveler from out of town will want to view won’t be difficult to find as it greets them as they enter the park, this is the Gothic Gates. These gates were built in 1846 and are awesome and somewhat imposing in their appearance. They stand at what is believed to be the site of a Christian burial plot. Another popular attraction is The Fort Canning Center. It was originally a military barrack used by the British Army. In the 1920s the British used it as their defense headquarters to protect their interests in Southeast Asia. Today the Center houses the Singapore Dance Theatre.

Fort Canning Green is the home of the Starlight Cinema, the only outdoor cinema in Singapore. Since it is not enclosed, the theater is subject to environmental noise, including traffic, as well as being subject to the weather. Audience members sit on their own blankets and pillows and are welcome to bring their own food. A few simple concessions are available at the Green, though patrons may want to bring their favorite foods from the best Singapore hotels and restaurants. For visitors to the park from out the country, the park may remind them of Hyde park in London or Central Park in New York City.

Last month, in March of 2009, the Burj Dubai officially became the tallest building in the world, with 160 floors. The race for the tallest building title began over 200 years ago, with the first ‘skyscraper’ built in 1885. This was a ten story insurance building in Chicago. Innovation and technology that has the Burj Dubai standing today began with the designers and architects of the 1,800′s. At that time buildings were constructed with mortar and bricks, and in order to provide the strength necessary for the cement to hold a building up, it was necessary to construct very thick walls. But even then, the cement and stone could only take so much pressure and weight. What is necessary is a metal skeleton, and armature with the strength to support multi-levels. The man that invented this is William le Baron Jenney. He was the architect who designed and built the structure in Chicago.

Years later, another man Walter Chrysler, was searching for a way to increase the sales of another relatively new, and not yet widely used, invention. The automobile. And Chrysler had an idea based on what he was seeing in the world of architecture, the New York, USA hotel and businesses were moving into these ‘hi-rises’ and Chrysler wanted one. He wanted the tallest one, to house his company and bring attention to the wealth of the country. This was part of his advertising campaign. He hired an architect to create his vision, and while the Chrysler building no longer holds the title of the tallest structure in the world, standing at a mere 77 stories, the work of William van Alen, remains to be one of the most elaborate buildings in any city skyline. No building in San Francisco, nor Paris, nor even Dubai, can be compared in terms of the design, for it is at once timeless and nostalgic in the gilded Art Deco style. The building, as will as the spire atop it, remains to this day, a favorite and most admired structure by most architects and designers and the people walking by on the city streets.

A few days ago, in the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, the new Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib, received kudos from various leaders of Singapore, including Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Confidence has been restored in Southeast Asia, most encouraged was the country of Singapore as further alliance is assured and will be enhanced in the future. Lee stated that he was incredible confident that prosperity in Malaysia will be a continued aspect under the leadership of Najib. The two are intent on further strengthening the warm relationship and shared cooperation of the two nations. To work together bilaterally will only provide gains in security, financially as well as logistically. Lee further praised Najib by praising his father, the former prime minister. Confident that Najib’s father would be proud of what he has accomplished and impressed upon him that fact that he is now in a position to further lead his country to heights greater that his father could have perhaps even imagined. The further cooperation between the nations of Southeast Asia and the organization, ASEAN, is of utmost concern for the leaders in this area and they are confident that, even given the current global economy, Najib with his experience and passion will serve to open new chapters in the development and financial security, not only of Malaysia, but the surrounding allies as well.

Malaysia and the United States have endured a relationship not only productive and cooperative but based on shared interests. Both countries regions have recently experienced political transitions which have led them to be optimistic and to be aware that a future with greater opportunity and national pride can lift the spirits of the people and the prosperity of the nations. The luxury business hotels of Singapore, Malaysia, and of the U.S. will only prosper as well as other businesses due to the increased support of each other and travel amongst the countries. This has been a long standing tradition of Singapore leaders, to create alliances with countries wherein the cooperation and help is received and offered during times that are prosperous and during times in need. Islamic leaders in Palestine respect and admire Najib , and with the countries working together to create greater opportunities for the people and for each other, as well as peaceful solutions during moments of disagreement, the countries of all the world will benefit.

A host of Bollywood celebrities turned out for the recent Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge. However, it was “Slumdog Millionaire” star Anil Kapoor who received the most attention.

Kapoor was mobbed by international fans at the event and later at an English pub. Other stars, such as Monica Bellucci, Chunky Pandey, and Jas Arora were surprised by the amount of attention the actor generated.

“I could have understood if Indians would have gathered around him but it was crazy to see so many foreigners literally pouncing on him.” Chunky Pandey explains. Pandey accompanied Kapoor to the pub and mentioned that the tourists at the event weren’t just ordinary fans, but autograph-seeking “gentry” types.

Anil Kapoor and other celebrities attended the Polo Challenge, which was graced by the presence of Dubai’s Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein. Dubai has become a mecca for Middle Eastern, Indian, and other celebrities who can be found at only the best five star hotel Dubai as well as the top restaurants and clubs in the city.

At last month’s Hong Kong International Film and Television exhibition, Jackie Chan was ranked with Stephen Chow amongst the best selling actors as well as as the best selling directors in Asia.

Around 330 attendees of the event were surveyed. The event, one of the premiere entertainment trade shows in Asia, is held in conjunction with the Hong Kong International Film Festival which runs through April 13th. Actors, directors, and other movie and television glitterati flock to the best hotels Hong Kong during the festivities.

Other actors considered to be best-selling were Tong Leung, Jet Li, Jay Chou, and Andy Lau. Topping the best-selling actress list were Maggie Cheung of “2046,” Zhang Ziyi of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” fame and Bond girl Michelle Yeoh. Others on the list were Gong Li and Shu Qi.

Chan and Chow were the only artists to make both the acting and directing lists. Other top selling directors in Asia were John Woo, Peter Chan, Tsui Hark, Andy Lau, Wong Kar Wai, and Johnnie To.