Streets of Macau

The last time I went to Macau was ages ago. At the time it was considered the backwaters to Hong Kong - famous for the Lisbao Hotel and Casino and not much else. Most people would make a side trip there if they are in Hong Kong, spend a few hours and then rush back to the big city and bright lights. But actually Macau has lots more to offer. As a Portuguese colony, Macau has its share of colourful history and heritage.

Recently we spent a few days in Macau on a family holiday. Being a compact city, Macau is quite family-friendly. Most of the historical attractions are on the main island, and it is quite easy to walk everywhere. They also have an excellent bus service which circles the island, making this the best option to get around. Taxis are also convenient and cheap compared to Hong Kong. Just get a good map and you are all set to explore the city.

Although Macau has seen lot of new developments in hotels and casino, the main parts still feel and look the same. It always remind me of Kowloon with its endless highrise tenaments and small shops. Most of the buildings are very old and shabby, but you can feel the life and pulse of the city coursing through the streets, and that is what am most interested in.

Life goes on in the streets of Macau.


Parts of the city haven't changed much.


These tenaments are where most Macanese live.


The best way to see Macau is to walk around. There are still many unknown little corners waiting to be explored.

The Most Popular Toronto Travel Attractions

Toronto is one of the most exciting cities of the world, and millions of tourists visit this amazing city every year. The city is beautifully managed with many modern as well as historical travel destinations. Toronto travel destinations have something for everybody - from cultural marvels to modern commercial wonders. The best part is that all tourist attractions can be easily accessed through public transport systems. You can use Toronto mapquest to find more about Toronto news and local attractions and activities.

Popular Toronto Tourist Attractions

* CN Tower Toronto - CN Tower, located in downtown Toronto, is one of the tallest buildings in the world, with a height of 1,815 feet. It has a restaurant on the top floor. To get a bird's eye view of the magnificent city, you can travel into the glass elevator up to the special observation deck. * Eaton Centre - This is a bright shopping mall in downtown Toronto, with over 250 stores. Nobody comes out empty-handed from this mall, as there are various types of shops to suit all kinds of budgets. This is one of the most popular Toronto travel attractions along with CN tower. Apart from shopping bonanza for people, this architectural marvel has a glass dome and features a gigantic Canadian goose mobile, a Flight Stop designed by Michael Snow.

* ROM or Royal Ontario Museum - This museum is a fun place to be in, with more than 40 galleries of art, natural science, and archeology. It has one of the best collections of China's artifacts.

*Casa Loma - This is for history buffs or architecture lovers. This is one man's dream of creating an architectural wonder. Casa Loma is a great Toronto travel attraction that was built by a businessman Sir Henry Pellatt in the beginning of the 1900s. It gives panoramic views of the city. Though built quite early, this 'House on the Hill' has many modern utilities, including an elevator and central vacuum systems.

* Centre Island - This is one of a group of small islands that consists of the largest urban car-free population in North America - only several service vehicles are allowed here. Centre Island is also known as Toronto Island, and it is a fun place among the Toronto travel attractions for an entire family. It has an amusement park, beaches, great restaurants, and all kinds of relaxation as well as recreational features.

* Hockey Hall Of Fame - A great place to visit for a hockey lover. This place has all interactive exhibits that let the visitor feel like he is a part of the NHL action. It also features a replica of NHL dressing room and a trophy room.

Enjoy The Beautiful Destination of Toronto Tours With a Guide by Your Side

Canada is home to a much sought after beautiful tourist destination- Toronto. The land is truly a dream come true for any traveler. A time for merry-making and enjoyment is what your holiday at Toronto means. It has an array of theme parks where you can spend the whole day and still not have enough of it. Some of the popular tourist attractions at Toronto include the famous CN tower, the picturesque Harbour front, the Zoo, The Royal Ontario Museum and the beautiful skydome. There are a number of festivals and events that are held throughout the year. All these add to the flavor and excitement of your Toronto tours. A holiday at Toronto is truly one big party where you are sure to have a wonderful time.

A highly developed city that continues to grow at a fast pace, Toronto is just what you were looking for on your holiday. The city plays the perfect host to over a million visitors all through the year. The famous CN Tower which is the most important landmark in the city is the tallest known free standing structure in the world. The CN Tower truly stands tall at 1815 feet. The elevator ride to the top is a must try on your Toronto tour. The view from the elevators is truly breathtaking. There is an observation area from where you can get a full view of the city. You are sure to fall in love with Toronto at the very first glance from here. You can also take a walk on the glass floor area and enjoy the view of Toronto right under your feet at a distance of 1100 feet. The revolving restaurant on top of the CN Tower is an experience truly beyond words.

With huge theme parks that mean hopping from one ride to the other, restaurants that have mouthwatering creations for your taste buds, theaters, bistros and great shopping; the fun doesnt end. Toronto has a lot more in store for you. The Skydome plays host to major rock concerts and events. You can take a tour of the huge stadium. The Eaton center is the place to be for all you shoppers. The 80 feet high glass ceiling and the unending array of shops make it a shop till you drop trip.

With the Niagara Falls just a 40 minute drive away and lovely golf courses, spas, bowling alleys, casinos, beaches and yes picturesque landscapes to add to it all, Toronto is truly amazing to say the least. The overwhelming list of tourist attractions and activities that you can indulge in can make the decision of where to start veil difficult especially for a first time visitor. To enjoy the city and its sights to the fullest what you need is an experienced guide. The Toronto tour can be a lot fun with a guide by your side. The city is truly beautiful from the water as well. There are luxurious cruises that add a magical touch to the entire Toronto tours experience. Guided Toronto tours would be the perfect solution to enjoying the marvels that the city is waiting to unfold.

Great Kids Holiday Spots - Fiji

One of the top spots for families to go to on holiday is Fiji. The weather is perfect nearly all year round and there are lots of things to do with the family. You can play on the beach all day long or take part in one of the exciting adventures that Fiji has to offer. There are many popular beach destinations all throughout Fiji that you and your family can visit such as Denarau, the Mamanuca Islands, Nadi and the Coral Coast. Read along to find out more about this kid friendly family spot.

Accommodation in Fiji

There are many five star, exquisite accommodation options that can be found in Fiji. You can find great offers on your hotel and resort accommodation with a little online research. You may even be able to stay a few extra days in this wonderful country by looking around. Some places have special activities just for the kids and some have babysitting services so that Mum and Dad can have a nice, quiet dinner alone. Amenities that these hotels and resorts often provide may include a swimming pool, arcade, basketball courts, pool tables, movie night, karaoke and gift shops.

Activities in Fiji for the Family

The best part of going to Fiji is that you can participate in a number of activities that are family friendly. On your days off from sightseeing, you can choose from numerous sporting activities like tennis, golf, swimming, horseback riding, fishing, volleyball, soccer, scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing and snorkelling.

The National Park and Hindu Temple in Nadi

If your children want to get out of the hotel, you may want to go on a tour. There are tours of the Koroyanitu National Park where you can find marvellous views of the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands. Also within this park, there is a humble alpine village called Abaca where your children will see and learn all about the Abaca culture. Your children can even take a dip in the National Park's river. Nadi is another interesting place to see art and culture in Fiji. This tour will start in village of Viseisei and then head on into Nadi where the largest Hindu Temple is located in the South Pacific with its brilliant pastel colours and market place.

Other remarkable places that your kids would no doubt love to go to while on holiday in Fiji include Suva, Namuamua, Nausori Highland, Navilawa and discovering the South Seas. Fiji is a place of discovery, relaxation, fun and adventure - all the attributes a family would look for in a holiday destination. Fiji will undoubtedly be a remarkable and memorable family holiday for all.

Fiji Islands - A Tropical Paradise

An island paradise that has a total of about 322 islands in its range and 116 of those are inhabited. The main population however lives on 2 major islands Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The diving and snorkeling are fantastic. The islands have fringes of coral in them. The real beauty of Fiji lies in its people and its natural beauty. One finds a diversity of culture in Fiji, The people there are from various races and backgrounds. They are influenced by Melanesian, Micronesian, Indian, Chinese and Polynesian cultures. The local people are in a minority. The people of Fiji are friendly and take kindly to foreigners, probably since most of them came from other places themselves.

Fiji has a temperate climate and can be enjoyed the whole year; however May to October is the dry season, and is the best time to go. The rains are infrequent during that time and the temperatures are something to escape to, from the strong winters of the Northern Hemisphere. The chances of getting a tropical cyclone in winter is low as are the rainfall and humidity. Most years Fiji has a stable climate thanks to the large expanse of water surrounding the islands. The windward sides of the mountains of Fiji invite the most rainfall. The tropical cyclones generally come in from November to May like unwelcome guests but do not do much damage.

Lapita settlers founded the islands around 1500 B.C. The Lapitas were a coastal fishing people who turned their emphasis onto agriculture. They also headed thousands of miles to Tonga Samoa. Cannibalism was a common thing among the people there. In 1643 the first European sighted the islands of Fiji. There was an influx of missionaries in the middle 1800's when they were trying to convert the local people.

The Bouma National Heritage Park is strewn with natural beauty and has a couple of huge waterfalls. They have natural swimming pools that one can visit. The trails are a bit hairy but they have guardrails and resting points built which help the weaker traveler. The birds at Colo-I-Suva are magical in their singing and the flowers will draw you in. You can visit the museum to see an array of interesting sights of the old jewelry, cannibal utensils and musical instruments. You will also find the Chiefs whale tooth necklaces and war apparatus. The parliament house in Fiji is marvelous. It was opened in 1992. The sand dunes of Sigatoka are a natural wonder that has to be seen to be appreciated. They have been forming for thousands of years and are of a grayish color as opposed to sand dunes in Africa.

Fiji islands are beautiful to see and visit. They draw you in and do not want you to go back. The natural beauty the birds and the beaches all beckon the traveler to where it is difficult to say no to it. Fiji Islands have to be on the list for places to see before you die.