Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Vintage Caravanning - Trailer Trails from mid-20th Century


The original trailer movie, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in The Long, Long Trailer. 1951.

Creative caravanning in Massachusetts, 1936

These trailers possibly residences,  not for travel. Nicely groomed park in Florida 1937.
Rent at this park was $5 per week, and included electricity and water.
Students coming home to a trailer park after school. Sarasota, Florida. 1941.
This one looks like a travelling clinic.

Monday, May 11, 2015

UNESCO World Heritage Gunung Mulu National Park caves in Sarawak



MALAYSIA’S SPECTACULAR GUNUNG MULU NATIONAL PARK CAVES

To some people, the simultaneous exodus of millions of bats from a cave might send chills down the spine - especially one big enough to accommodate forty Boeing 747 airplanes.

But for nature lovers and caving enthusiasts, it’s quite a different story. Each year almost half a million people journey to the caves in Malaysia’s UNESCO World Heritage listed Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak to witness what is surely ones of nature’s more spectacular sights.

One of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in East Malaysia, Gunung Mulu is the largest national park in Sarawak, covering almost 544 square kilometres. Featuring the world’s largest cave chamber (Sarawak Chamber), the world’s largest cave passage (Deer Cave) and Asia’s longest cave (Clearwater Cave), it is also home to a massive 2,000 varieties of plants and animals, including 8 species of hornbill, 170 species of orchids and 10 species of pitcher plants. The Park also houses the world’s longest tree-based walkway – a 480-metre rainforest canopy skywalk, providing spectacular views of the razor-sharp limestone Pinnacle.



Not for the faint hearted, the Sarawak Chamber is the world’s largest underground cave chamber, measuring an astonishing 240,000 sqm and soaring to an 80m high ceiling.
 To reach it hikers must follow a river upstream from the cave entrance to reach the chamber, a passage almost as dramatic as the cave itself!



As well as being the world’s largest cave passage the Deer Cave is also home to some 3 million bats, who spiral out of the cave and into the rainforest each evening. The best spot to catch this natural phenomenon is the bat observatory deck where visitors to the park can witness up to twelve species of bat, including a colony of rare wrinkled-lipped bats, head out for take-away, Gunung Mulu style.



World's Longest Tree-based Canopy Skywalk at Mulu - Sarawak's only UNESCO World Heritage Site (Kirkland Photos)
A stone’s throw away from the Deer Cave is the exquisite and tiny Lang’s Cave, adorned with stalagmites and stalactites. Here, visitors can experience an intimate encounter with rare white cave prawns hiding in pools – and of course, more of the aforementioned bats, or enjoy a picnic in the Clearwater Cave, named on account of its crystal clear subterranean pool, while gazing in awe at the exquisite profiles of the cave, which make it the perfect spot for photo opportunities.

The Racer Cave offers up a challenging experience for more adventurous and intrepid travellers. Named after the local racer snake, the cave tests the endurance of visitors, who must navigate their way through the caves using ropes, sliding, crouching, twisting and turning to access some of its more remote treasures. The opportunity to gaze upon some of the amazing limestone walls makes the effort well worth it. At the other end of the spectrum, the Lagangs Cave is easy to explore and is considered ideal for beginners and families, featuring lots of stalactites, stalagmites and ancient riverbed sediments.

Visitors are not permitted to enter the caves without a licensed tour guide. The best and most experienced guides can be booked through Gunung Mulu, with overnight stays staring from as little as RM 285 per person.

For more information about Mulu National Park tour packages, visit http://www.mulunationalpark.com/tour-packages.php

Saturday, May 2, 2015

A century of the Singapore Sling celebrated at Raffles Hotel

#sgsling100



In the same year that Singapore celebrates its 50th anniversary, Raffles is paying tribute to one of the world’s most iconic cocktails as the Singapore Sling marks its Centennial Anniversary. The Singapore Sling, widely regarded as the national drink of the country, was first created in 1915 at the Long Bar in Raffles Singapore by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. It later went on to gain international fame and a century later, is still enjoyed around the globe.

“The Singapore Sling is a world renowned cocktail and its enormous success has become synonymous with Raffles Singapore,” said Simon Hirst, General Manager, Raffles Singapore. “In recognition of its 100th birthday, we want to highlight its sweet success with special events to encourage everyone to discover, rediscover and enjoy the Singapore Sling.”

To celebrate this milestone anniversary, a myriad of activities has been planned throughout 2015. From commemorative merchandise to desserts inspired by the Singapore Sling, there are many opportunities to participate in the celebrations. Sign up for the Singapore Sling Masterclass, where bartenders from the Long Bar will divulge the secret to making the perfect cocktail or spend the night at the Raffles Singapore with the Singapore Sling 100th Anniversary Suite Package.



Stay

The Singapore Sling 100th Anniversary Suite Package from AUD1,322++ (S$1,380++)* immerses guests in the complete Sling experience. In addition to nightly accommodation in a luxurious Courtyard Suite with breakfast for two, guests will enjoy a 30-minute private session at the Long Bar with elite bartenders who will demonstrate how to whip up the cocktail. If guests work up an appetite from all of the behind-the-bar activity, they can satiate the stomach with delicious satay (a local dish of succulent pieces of grilled meat served on a wooden skewer). At the end of the workshop, stroll over to the Gift Shop to pick up the complimentary Singapore Sling gift basket worth AUD287 (S$300)*. Inside, an assortment of Sling memorabilia promises to evoke fond memories of the Raffles experience.

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Eat

For cocktail lovers with a sweet tooth, the SlingaPore is the perfect way to indulge. Inspired by the Singapore Sling, the cake is an irresistible pastel pink and is both zesty and honeyed at the same time – thanks to the lime sponge paired with pineapple mousse, Singapore Sling marmalade and cherry jelly. Sold as individual servings or a whole cake in Ah Teng’s Bakery, it can also be enjoyed at Raffles Grill restaurant in the dessert course of the classic 1950s’ Elizabethan Grill Tribute Tasting Menu (AUD240++)(S$250++*). The menu is specially created to celebrate the Republic of Singapore’s 50th birthday this year and features dishes such as Dover Sole Fillet and Welsh Lamb Saddle.

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Play

Ever wondered how the Singapore Sling is made by the pros? Participate in the Singapore Sling Masterclass (AUD84++ (S$88++*) per person with a minimum of 10 persons) where the bartenders at the hotel’s Long Bar will disclose the tricks to make the perfect cocktail. In between blending the gin, Dom Benedictine and Cointreau, visitors can snack on juicy skewers of satay served with a delectable peanut sauce and crunchy cucumber slices. After all that mixing and shaking, a special commemorative Singapore Sling glass is presented as a memento – and perhaps it might even inspire your own a Sling session at home.

Singapore Sling
Shop

No visit to the iconic Raffles Singapore is complete without a side trip to its Gift Shop. This year, the Gift Shop is stocked with a range of Singapore Sling merchandise that will make the perfect gift. In addition to the perennially available Sling-flavoured chocolates and marmalade, the collection has expanded to include key chains, T-shirts and tea. The Singapore Sling Glass, just like the ones served at the Long Bar, is also for sale, updated this year with the commemorative 100th anniversary logo.

Whether guests choose to stay, eat or shop with Raffles Singapore, a visit to the Lion City is complete without stopping by the Long Bar to enjoy a Singapore Sling. Open at 11am every day, the bar fills up quickly with both guests and visitors to the city, eager to try the world-renowned drink right where it was founded.

Raffles Singapore opened in 1887, Raffles Singapore is one of the few remaining great 19th century hotels in the world. Till today, its architecture is perfectly preserved both inside and out, giving it an intoxicating blend of luxury, history and classic colonial design. Within its walls are 103 expansive suites, framed by polished teak verandas and white marble colonnades, clustered around lush tropical gardens. Each is serviced by the legendary Raffles butlers and offers every modern convenience necessary.

Some fourteen restaurants and bars dot the Raffles, recalling the atmosphere of an elegant age. Among the most well-loved include the elegant Raffles Grill; Long Bar, where the famous Singapore Sling was created; and Writers Bar, a tribute to the novelists and travel writers, the likes of Somerset Maugham, Rudyard Kipling and James Michener just to name a few, who have become part of the hotel’s legend.

Adjoining the hotel is the Raffles Hotel Arcade, which offers a broad range of facilities for visitors to enjoy. These include 40 specialty boutiques, indoor and outdoor private event spaces – The Ballroom and The Lawn – and 388-seat theatre venue Jubilee Hall.

Raffles Hotel Singapore


Raffles Singapore opened in 1887, Raffles Singapore is one of the few remaining great 19th century hotels in the world. Till today, its architecture is perfectly preserved both inside and out, giving it an intoxicating blend of luxury, history and classic colonial design. Within its walls are 103 expansive suites, framed by polished teak verandas and white marble colonnades, clustered around lush tropical gardens. Each is serviced by the legendary Raffles butlers and offers every modern convenience necessary.

Some fourteen restaurants and bars dot the Raffles, recalling the atmosphere of an elegant age. Among the most well-loved include the elegant Raffles Grill; Long Bar, where the famous Singapore Sling was created; and Writers Bar, a tribute to the novelists and travel writers, the likes of Somerset Maugham, Rudyard Kipling and James Michener just to name a few, who have become part of the hotel’s legend.

Adjoining the hotel is the Raffles Hotel Arcade, which offers a broad range of facilities for visitors to enjoy. These include 40 specialty boutiques, indoor and outdoor private event spaces – The Ballroom and The Lawn – and 388-seat theatre venue Jubilee Hall.


* based on exchange rate at time of print, subject to change

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