Monthly Archives: March 2009

Man and Nature, Living Together

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Studies and explorations have shown, that lying just beneath the waters of the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Ibiza, more than ten un-studied archaeological rest, dating back to the Bronze Age. Combine that with the fortress systems of the island, and this is a well-spring of knowledge which will stand to create a better understanding of the cultural and societal development, not only of the island of Ibiza itself, but surrounding Balearic Island chain, as well as mainland Spain and all of the Mediterranean. Evidence of trade and commerce serves insight and evidence to scholars and academics, and leads to a better understanding all around, of who we are and where we came from.

Concentrated living is not just a part of human life, as in small, dense cities such as Manhattan or San Francisco or Chicago, but is a fact of marine life just off the coast in the sea. Noted as the area most densely inhabited, the salt works of off Ibiza’s coast offer up a life far more exciting and intense than anything occurring weekend after weekend on the bars and clubs and 5 star hotels Ibiza is known for. The tallest corral reefs and the widest plains of sea grass exist, provided home and shelter to more than two hundreds species of marine life. And that is just what is below the surface. Species of endemic plants number more than ten, including one of the few natural pine forests in all of Europe. Migratory birds total upwards of 150. The endangered monk seal makes the Mediterranean her home. Add to that the reptiles and invertebrates and the island is teeming with things about life now and life of the past, worth and enticing of study. Exploitation does not necessarily mean degradation, one idea the Salinas Nature Reserve explores, that and the co-existence of the terrestrial and marine life with that of the tourists and party goers. Environmental scientists and specialists work around the clock at the Reserve, studying the past and coming up with ideas for the future. With the goal of creating life-long links and respect between that which is cultural and that which is natural. And such a beautiful region for the study and such a worthy location to protect.

Well Armed Takes Top Prize in Dubai

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Spectators witnessed a record-breaking victory in yesterday’s Dubai World Cup race. Well Armed finished with a 14-length lead to take home the $6 million prize (the richest purse in the world).

Jockey Aaron Gryder guided the 6-year old gelding to the record win. The lead was nearly double last year’s record-setting finish. Curlin’s record was seven and three-quarter lengths.

Well Armed is owned by WinStar Farm of Kentucky and trained by Eoin Harty. This is the horse’s seventh win in 23 races. Second plac went to Gloria de Campeao and third to is Perfect.

The Dubai World Cup includes seven individual races including three of the richest prizes in horse racing. Breeders, owners, and race fans spent the day at the Nad al Sheba racecourse, which will be replaced by a $1.25 billion racing complex before next year’s World Cup. Spectators were able to find accommodations at local hotels and luxury beach resorts.

Regal Ransom, owned by Sheik Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai, won the $2 million UAE Derby prize. The thoroughbred is looking better and better for the upcoming Kentucky Derby.

Big City Man took home the $2 million prize in the Dubai Golden Shaheen.

Chen Wen Hsi: One of Singapore’s Premier Painters

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Chen Wen Hsi was born in China and began his art training in 1928 at the Shanghai College of Art. Family members objected to this study but Chen was not affected and continued to become one of the most influential painters of Singapore. Unhappy with College of Art he switched schools, an act that forever changed his life as well as the world of art. While studying at the Xinhuea Fine Art College he met three men with whom he would not only know the rest of his life, but who together they would all eventually be known as the founding fathers of the school of thought and painting known as Nanyang. Once he graduated and got married he moved back to his home town where painted and taught for about a year there. He left for Singapore in 1948. He had only planned to stay for a few months, to experience the five star Singapore cafes and streets and for inspiration for his work. He ended up living there for the rest of his life. He traveled throughout Southeast Asia frequently but always returned to Singapore.

Chen painted with oil and Chinese ink. He was known to experiment with style, sometimes with Cubism influences or abstract ideas. He was however a figure painter, a landscape painter, a nature painter. His eye saw patterns, and not complexities. Painting from life is difficult when the complexity of form overwhelms the eyes and the mind. He saw subjects much differently however. He did not take the Western approach to cubism to the extreme as Dali did, but would take from it the variety of the style necessary to satisfy what he was wanting to say. He was known for his delicate touch and his sensitivity to his subject matters. Many paintings of animals, gibbons to be specific, are some his most well known and loved pieces of work. He received many honors during his life time included the first local artist of Singapore to receive and honorary doctorate from the National University of Singapore. Chen passed away in 1992. He was posthumously given the Meritorious Service Medal for his contributions to the art world and to his dedication and devotion to the students he taught over the years.

Pale Male’s Legacy

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In 2004, a decision was made that forever affected the red hawk population in Central Park. For just about twenty years, New Yorkers have been watching Pale Male, a red hawk that showed up in 1991 and after being chased out of the park by crows, made his nest on the ledge of a Fifth Avenue Apartment building. In 2004, the spikes along the ledge were removed. The spikes were intended to deter the roosting of pigeons, but they provided a cradle in which the hawk’s nest was anchored to for 15 years. The removal of them, removed the nest. Members of the Audubon Society, including one famous member and building resident, Mary Tyler Moore, protested. The spikes were eventually re-installed but since that time no new hatch lings have hatched.

Previous to the removal of the spikes, Pale Male’s history was documented through those viewing either from the windows of the five star hotels in New York, or those sitting in Central Park every day during spring. And it wasn’t just New Yorkers. For after a while it became an international curiosity as people from all over the world began to schedule vacations and holiday trips to the city for the purpose of bird watching. It never seemed to cease to amaze, that a creature so wild was living in one of the most populated and congested cities in the world. And he seemed to like it there just fine. From his nest that overlooks the Metropolitan Museum, Pale Male has sired over 25 offspring that now live and breed in Central Park and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Festivals, Hot Springs, and Public Art

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The city of Bath has become one of the top destinations for summer travels, with a tourism industry that has exploded over the years. And consequently, the bath hotel and resort companies are expanding and offer a variety of options when choosing lodging throughout the city. With the only hot springs in the United Kingdom being in the city, many travel here for the Roman bath houses and spas. During the summer months the hot springs natural temperatures are much higher than the body’s temperature. These spa trips alone account for much of the travel in and out of the city, however there is much more to this little city than the hot springs. Every year there are many different theater, music and arts festivals happening on the streets, and in the various venues. Most of the street performances are free of charge and the thus, the main organizers for one of the most famous of festivals, The Fringe, rely heavily on private and corporate sponsorship and donations. These projects were originally funded by grants from the government, however current economic times have resulted in many of those grants being discontinued.

One of the most famous of public art events was the positioning of pigs, ceramic pigs all around the city. This is much like the projects in Chicago, which had cows and then later on, to commemorate the “Sweet Home Chicago” theme, outrageously and very exaggerated and funky pieces of ceramic “furniture” pieces. Los Angeles had the same project, with the theme being the “City of Angels” All three cities follow the same idea as the raw unfinished pieces are given to local artists to paint in whichever way they are inspired, and then after a short run as public art throughout the cities, are auctioned off with the proceeds donated to charities. There are many restaurants, and local sporting events, shopping areas and city parks. The city has grown into one of the most popular European fun spots, not just for summer holiday but all year around.

Eating Out in Dubai

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As one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world, the city of Dubai has seen a virtual explosion of restaurants and cafes over the last decade. A city that was once known for its local and regional Arabic cuisine is now home to food from all the corners of the earth. The countless restaurants Dubai offer a mind-boggling array of flavors, ingredients, and traditions from a variety of cultures.

While global chains like Chilis and McDonalds are available, to really experience the city, visitors will want to explore the locally-owned restaurants and diners throughout Dubai. Arabic food is prevalent, with Persian or Iranian and Lebanese dishes being incredibly popular. However, the large number of immigrants in the area have translated into an influx of other cuisines.

One of the more popular foods in Dubai is Shawarma, usually served with fruit juice. Shawarma is usually made with lamb or chicken. The meat is cooked on a huge skewer and then sliced into thin strips and served in a pita with lots of vegetables and special dressing. Is is so popular that there are tons of shawarma diners that specialize in this dish.

Fruit juice is popular in Dubai due to Muslim laws forbidding alcohol. While non-Muslim visitors can drink alcohol in designated areas, most places offer fruit juices, especially in Arabic eateries. The variety of fruits and spices in the juice varies depending on the restaurant.

In addition to Arabic and Middle Eastern cuisines, Dubai has a large number of Pakastani, Chinese, and Indian restaurants. Other foods available in Dubai include Morrocan, Thai, Italian, French, and American.