Meet Bongo!

I just met a really sweet traveler, and thought you might enjoy meeting him too. He's very polite, never shouts, never irritates other travelers.

http://www.altbongo.com/

A mini-vacation with all 5 senses

Here's my recipe for a mini-vacation with all 5 senses:
- get something that smells tropical (perfume, essential oil, suntan lotion, fresh-cut lemon...)
- put on something that sounds tropical (hula, gamelan music, Balinese bamboo & flute music...)
- turn on an oscillating fan (so you feel a tropical breeze)
- fix yourself some fresh fruit juice, or a pina colada or Singapore Sling so that you taste something tropical
- browse through my "Bali Relaxation" BLOG http://www.balirelax.blogspot.com/ to see photos of beautiful Bali or dream about your perfect trip to Bhanuswari Resort & Spa: http://www.BhanuswariUbud.com/

Singapore's MRT Subway

From the trip I took in September 2006...

Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit Subway is amazing! Very clean, very sleek and modern, and very easy to use.

Escalators for easy access.

Platform information.

Boarding information, and a warning about which doors are easiest to use for boarding during Rush Hours - the yellow sign.

Inside the carriages there are more maps - and stops are announced in English.

Diversity - information reflecting Singapore's 3 main languages - based on ethnic groups and a STRONG emphasis on international commerce.

Location maps to help you find your way when you exit - in addition to clearly marked exits with names of streets and major attractions.

Most entrances / exits are at Parks (Singapore is one of the greenest modern cities in the world) or shopping centers.

Singapore's Little India

I took a trip to Singapore September 2006, staying at the Golden Landmark Hotel in the Little India area.


A nearby mosque.


An art-deco style modern building.


Traffic coming into the neighborhood after work.

Sustainable Tourism

What is "Sustainable Tourism"? A step beyond eco-tourism? Perhaps. It is adopting practices to minimize the impact of tourism (on the local environment and indigenous culture) while improving the local economy, providing jobs, and actively improving the environment.

In Bali, Bhanuswari Resort & Spa is engaged in Sustainable Tourism. Only local staff are employed, at all levels. They offer guided treks through surrounding rice fields - rice fields that are being farmed in traditional manner, with oxen or small tractors and without heavy chemical fertilizers.

The Resort's owner is an active member of the local community. Balinese Hindu ceremonies take place on-site. The site around ancient holy springs has been cleaned and improved, continuing to provide easy local access for villagers.

If you are interested in experiential travel, meeting the local people, learning about the culture, and assisting in sustaining this beautiful environment - while still having a luxury experience complete with excellent mattresses, individual air-conditioning, beautiful landscaping, and on-site massage services at the Spa, please check out BHANUSWARI RESORT & SPA at http://www.bhanuswariubud.com/ .

Award-Winning Article on Menopause

"How to Cope with Hot Flashes"

This article won Honorable Mention in the 74th Annual Writer's Digest Feature Article category, placing it in the top 5% of all 18,000 entries.