Asia Travel

Asia Travel Pictures | Asia Travel Photos Asia Get travel inspiration and travel suggestions for visiting Asia. Fly your way! Book your flight to Asia online - saving 40% or more! Countries: Azerbaijan Bahrain Brunei Cambodia China Georgia Hong Kong India Indonesia Iran Israel Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Laos Lebanon Macau Malaysia North Korea Oman Pakistan Philippines Saudi Arabia Singapore South Korea Sri Lanka Syria Thailand United Arab Emirates Vietnam Yemen For me, Asia is a continent of extremes. Extremely vast, extremely crowded, extremely empty in parts, and with an incredible variation of cultures, religions, history, languages.... It is colourful, proud, fascinating, fast and slow... In Asia, one often feels very small, confronted with all these sensations. One feels small because of the huge distances one has to travel. One feels small when admiring a huge statue. One feels small when trying to walk in huge masses of people. Asia is a continent of mysteries. Languages are often written in characters strange to foreigners. Cultures are so different from European ones, that it is a defiance to unravel them. But really understanding them for a European like me, is an illusion. People are sometimes nice, sometimes incredibly impertinent. To be honest, I must say that Asia is not my favourite continent. Mostly for the exact observations given before. It is almost impossible to really connect with the people. They always seem to be hidden behind a mask, a mask of their culture, language, religion. And the foreigner is always excluded. Nevertheless, there is a strong interaction between these sensations. And this interaction is precisely the attraction of the vast collection of countries that make up Asia. Feel welcome to share my experiences in The Mysterious Continent! Go directly to: Africa Europe North America Oceania South America Join our mailinglist: If you want to be updated about developments at Around the World in 80 Clicks, subscribe! Your E-mail address: Travel Forum Join others in discussions on Asia Also on this site: read and sign the guestbook send us your suggestions ! send this site to a friend read about the background of this site publications on this site meet new friends for travel, dating or just fun! Around the World in 80 Clicks All rights reserved - www.traveladventures.org - 1999-2005 Share your comments

Chicago Vacation Rentals Show

Illinois Vacation Rentals - VRBO® is Vacation Rentals by Owner Illinois - Illinois Hotels, Illinois Lodging, Illinois Travel and Tourism Property Owners Join Us VRBO ® is Vacation Rentals by Owner ® Ctrl-D to Bookmark | VRBO Home | JOIN us | Testimonials | Want Ads | Advantages | Links | Member Area | Disclaimer Illinois Vacation Rentals Home USA Illinois Illinois Chicago Galena Gurnee Available Dates Credit Cards OK Guest Comments Pet Friendly VRBO Bear stayed here (#) Photos Sort this page by: Default Bedrooms: Bathrooms: Sleeps: Chicago Vacation Rentals Show only: Chicago Vacation Rentals Top Other areas nearby to Chicago: Lake Michigan Area Chicago Lincoln Park - Corporate Apartments with Personal Comforts [#21277] 12 2BR+/1BA (Sleeps 4-8) $145-$235/nt US Dollars Chicago Downtown Chicago 53rd Floor Luxury Condo with Awsome Views [#46269] 12 2BR+/2BA (Sleeps 6) From $300/nt US Dollars Chicago Downtown 55th Floor- Incomparable Views! Luxury Condominium! 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[#67660] 9 1BR/1BA (Sleeps 1-3) From $175/nt - $1150/wk US Dollars Sort this page by: Default Bedrooms: Bathrooms: Sleeps: Top Chicago December Discount!- $175/nt Downtown Chicago Luxury Highrise [#73121] 9 1BR+/1BA (Sleeps 3) From $175/nt US Dollars Chicago Unmatched Luxury & Convenience to Chicago's Culture & Beauty [#64817] 8 2BR+/2BA (Sleeps 6-7) From $250/nt US Dollars Chicago Chicago Gold Coast Penthouse Spectacular Views Spacious Layout [#71247] 6 2BR/2BA (Sleeps 6) $270-$300/nt US Dollars Chicago Gorgeous Downtown Chicago Printers Row Loft [#55316] 5 1BR+/1BA (Sleeps 2-4) $150-$200/nt - $900/wk - $2500/mo US Dollars Chicago Lincoln Park... 4 Bedroom Apartment Suite [#21849] 4 4BR/2BA (Sleeps 8) $225-$365/nt - From $3200/mo US Dollars Chicago Greenview Flat - 3 Bedroom Apartment [#49463] 3 3BR/2BA (Sleeps 8) $205-$305/nt - $2400/mo US Dollars Chicago Beautiful Furnished Apartments in Chicago's Gold Coast Area! [#51481] 3 1BR/1BA (Sleeps 2-4) From $125/nt US Dollars Chicago Unique Historic Castle for Photo Shoots, Movies, Events [#53158] 3 Studio/3.5BA (Sleeps 0) $1500-$2000/nt US Dollars Chicago Victorian Corporate Housing / Vacation Rental [#68305] 3 3BR+/1BA (Sleeps 6-8) $150-$195/nt - $785/wk - $2200/mo US Dollars/Euros Chicago Charming Apartment in Historic Ukrainian Village/Wicker Park [#73592] 3 2BR+/1BA (Sleeps 4-6) $100-$120/nt US Dollars Chicago Spend the Holidays in Downtown Chicago $225/nt [#77178] 3 2BR/2BA (Sleeps 4) From $225/nt US Dollars Chicago December Special! Luxury Gold Coast 1BR - Center of Mag Mile [#71819] 2 1BR/1BA (Sleeps 2-4) $175-$195/nt US Dollars Sort this page by: Default Bedrooms: Bathrooms: Sleeps: Top Chicago Great State Street Condo -2 Blocks from Millennium Park! [#73240] 1BR+/1BA (Sleeps 4-6) From $125/nt - $750/wk - $2750/mo US Dollars Chicago Evanston Condo-Short Walk to Downtown, N.U., and El/Metra!! 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[#76569] 2BR+/2BA (Sleeps 4-5) $175/nt - $3000/mo US Dollars Chicago Minutes from Michigan Avenue, Water Tower Place, Bloomingdales [#78206] 2BR/1BA (Sleeps 5-7) From $195/nt US Dollars Other areas nearby to Chicago: Lake Michigan Area Galena Vacation Rentals Show only: Galena Vacation Rentals Top Galena Secluded Family Getaway or Retreat with Golf & Spa [#51192] 7 4BR+/4.5BA (Sleeps 8-12) $350 - $450/nt US Dollars Galena Beautiful Private Hideaway in the Galena Territory [#74267] 3 3BR+/3BA (Sleeps 6-10) From $185/nt US Dollars Gurnee Vacation Rentals Show only: Gurnee Vacation Rentals Top Gurnee Bear Haven, Private 2BR/1BA on Lake County Il Estate [#55237] 8 2BR+/1BA (Sleeps 4-7) $400/wknd - $950/wk - $3500/mo US Dollars This page updated hourly - next update at 18:56:20 Eastern Time Ctrl-D to Bookmark | VRBO Home | JOIN us | Testimonials | Want Ads | Advantages | Links | Member Area | Disclaimer VRBO ® is Vacation Rentals by Owner ® - The largest and most popular vacation rental site. To report any problems with this site contact webmaster@vrbo.com URL: http://www.vrbo.com/Index/Index.aspx ©1995-2005 by VRBO International LLC - all rights reserved

Japan Travel International Travel

Metropolis - Tokyo Japan Travel: God speed JAPAN TODAY | METROPOLIS | CLASSIFIEDS | PERSONALS | JOBS Issue Index Original Features Features Mini Features Cultural Features Life in Japan Big in Japan Rant & Rave Cars & Bikes Health & Beauty Interiors Practical Jobfinder Money Talks Tokyo Tech Web Watch Food & Drink Food & Drink Restaurant Reviews Bar Reviews Word of Mouth Travel Travel Features Japan Travel International Travel Travelogue Style Art Artifacts Fashion Tokyo Talk In Store Buyline Music Japan Beat CD Reviews In Person Concerts Clubbing JAPAN TRAVEL Photos by Mary King The mother of all Shinto temples, Ise Grand Shrine is the spiritual home of the Japanese nation. Mary King takes a pilgrimage. D own the ages various rumors and tales have circulated about the sacred mirror of Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. It was once said that whoever laid eyes on the mirror would immediately be struck blind, a possible deterrent for would-be thieves. Others have claimed to have seen the mirror and reported that it is inscribed with ancient Hebrew lettering, reading “eheyeh asher eheyeh,” the name of the Judaic-Christian God written in Exodus 3:14 and meaning “I AM THAT I AM.” Heavenly abode Japan’s sacred mirror, one of three items of the Imperial Regalia, is kept in the Inner Shrine (Naiku) at Ise Grand Shrine, a sanctuary that many visitors to the Mie Prefecture city of Ise are astonished to discover they are not allowed to enter or even see. Ise Jingu, popularly known as “O-Ise-san,” or officially “Jingu,” holds the most honored position among the more than 100,000 Shinto shrines that are scattered throughout the breadth of Japan. The site of the nation’s most Holy of Holies, and boasting some of the world’s greatest architectural monuments, Jingu is also home to some of the simplest and most mysterious structures. Described as the “starting point for all journeys in Japan,” Ise is regarded as the spiritual home of the Japanese, a place to which most wish to make at least one pilgrimage to in their lives. In fact, more than six million pilgrims and worshipers come to Jingu each year, crossing the Uji Bridge spanning the sacred Isuzu River to symbolically leave behind the temporal world and enter a “pure world” of kami (gods and spirits) and the ancient mythology of the land. Odyssey Passing through the second huge torii at the end of Uji Bridge, a long gravel approach leads you through a natural cathedral of towering cryptomeria. Pilgrim and tourist alike are taken on a divine journey toward the Naiku and Geku, where Amaterasu and Toyouke (God of Abundant Food) are respectively worshipped. It is an unforgettable odyssey, one that spirits you back to the country’s earliest recorded “history” that tells of the “Age of Kami,” the creation of Japan and the origins of its people right through to the Imperial line and succeeding generations of emperors and empresses. The auxiliary shrines resemble ancient granaries The Geku (Outer Shrine) was dedicated to the grain deity Toyouke, possibly in a bid to bolster the new imperial cult that started, according to the myth, when Amaterasu sent her grandson, Ninigi no Mikoto, down to earth to rule. The Sun Goddess handed her grandson the mirror that had lured her out of her cave, along with Susano’s sword, and a curved jewel. The mirror (yata no kagami), along with the jewel and sword, remain the Three Imperial Regalia, symbols of divine authority, and to this day the emperor conducts rites to ensure a bountiful harvest as well as secret rituals in which he symbolically mates with the Sun Goddess. The high priestess of Ise, meanwhile, has traditionally been an Imperial princess, reflecting the nation’s early history of shamanesses, priestesses and ruling empresses. Having passed through large open grounds and crossed over a small bridge (hiyokebashi), you gradually move towards the more sacred area of the Naiku. To the right of the main pilgrimage path is located a font for the ablutions made by pilgrims prior to proceeding toward the main sanctuary grounds. Beyond the daiichi torii (first sacred gateway) are steps that lead to the Isuzu River, where since ancient times pilgrims have purified their body and mind by washing their hands in, and rinsing their mouths with, the waters of this sacred river. According to Shinto thought, one’s pure mind and body given by the kami must be ritually cleansed so as to return to a state of purity. Amaterasu Omikami is enshrined in the main sanctuary building, the Goshoden, of the inner sanctum of Naiku, in which the august mirror, her symbol or goshintai, is kept and worshipped. As they are considered most sacred, pilgrims or other visitors may see neither the mirror nor the main sanctuary. In fact, the only people allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, according to my guide, are members of the Imperial Family, although on one occasion, it is rumored, Queen Elizabeth was invited in. Restoration Except for the exalted mirror, all of Jingu’s other sacred shrines and objects must be reconstructed in synch with each 20-year Shikinen Sengyo cycle. The elaborate transference procession and ceremony involves the remaking of some 491 holy treasures, 1600 accessories and 125 kinds of sacred apparel that are then put in their proscribed places by the priests. Formerly used objects are kept in the nearby Jingu History Museum, which is open to the public. It is possible to find two absolutely identical Naiku and Geku standing side by side-one old, one new. In time the older one will be deconstructed and its wooden parts, now forever consecrated, recycled as repair pieces for other shrines around Japan. The newer one-once the transference of holy objects has been consummated-hence replaces the old as a locus of veneration. The shrines themselves are thought to resemble ancient granaries or storehouses and are built from Japanese cypress (hinoki) from the Kiso forestry preserves extending between the Gifu and Nagano Prefectures. Befitting the reverence accorded to these sanctified building blocks, death, loss of a limb, or imprisonment have, over the centuries, been the penalties for felling these jewels. A visit to the majestic Ise shrine allows one to understand why. Where to stay: Oaken, tel: 059-622-2589; Hinodekan, Tel: 059-628-2954; Saekikan, tel: 059-628-2017; Okubun, tel: 059-628-2231. Ise City Tourist Information, tel: 059-623-9655. TRAVELOGUE WORLD TRAVEL TRAVEL FEATURES JAPAN TRAVEL: SEPTEMBER 389: God speed The mother of all Shinto temples, Ise Grand Shrine AUGUST 385: Hattoji Highland hamlet JULY 380: Nagasaki Remembrance of things past 378: Kawagoe From modern Tokyo to "Little Edo" 376: Tottori Tottori's stunning landscapes JUNE 375: Kyushu Bed and bath under the volcano 373: Ryogoku Land of the giants 372: Osaka Universal Studios Japan MAY 371: Osaka Amerika-mura: Osaka's funky town 369: Mie Mikimoto Pearl Island 368: Takarazuka Hyogo-ken's all women theater group APRIL 365: Kawasaki Kawasaki's annual fertility festival 364: Aomori A day on Fear Mountain MARCH 362: Nagano Chill out snowboarding 361: Asuka One foot in the grave FEBRUARY 356: Yamanashi Hakushu's hidden treasures 355: Waseda Tram Trip A streetcar named... 352/3: Aomori Jesus in Japan 351: Kumamoto Under the volcano in Kyushu 350: Sado Island Explore the forgotten charms of Shukunegi ISSUES 348- ISSUES 298- TOP

European Vacation

Vacation Rentals, Vacation Homes, European Vacation Rentals Vacation Rentals - A1VacationProperties.com | Browse FREE for Vacation Rentals!! "Vacation Rentals, Beach Rentals, and Villa Rentals" Quick links ------------ LOCATIONS ------------ Canada USA (mainland) Hawaii Mexico Caribbean Central America Europe Australia New Zealand ------------ Join Us Members Area Contact Us Find Vacation Rentals | Property Owners - It's FREE to list! | FAQ's | About Us | Members Login to myVR Username: Password: Now Search through our Vacation Rentals even easier. Click on "Find Rentals" to get detailed information on your next vacation rental Not a Member?: Join more than 5000 property owners and get your property listed today. Test us out for free! Sign-up now. Welcome to A1 Vacation Properties! We have thousands of Vacation Rentals from around the world. Hilton Head Rentals, Mexico Rentals , Disney Rentals, are some of the areas we specialize in. Free to list your vacation rental and home and Free to browse as well . Mexico Vacation Rentals U.S. Vacation Rentals Cabo San Lucas , Mazatlan , Puerto Vallarta , Cancun , Playa Del Carmen , San Jose ... Arizona , California , Florida , Disney World , Hawaii , Hilton Head , Kauai, Las Vegas , Los Angeles , Miami , New York , North Carolina , Orlando , Phoenix , Lake Tahoe , San Diego , San Francisco , Seattle ... This Month's Feature Vacation Rental: Casa Del Mar , Cabo Real Cabo San Lucas, Mexico The Casa del Mar resort is located on the beach and is part of the Cabo Real development including the world class Cabo Real golf course. Amenities include 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms, full kitchen with all appliances and utensils, satellite TV, stereo, air conditioning, restaurant on the premises, 6 fresh water pools ... Click for More European Rentals Canadian Rentals Amsterdam , Barcelona , France , Germany , Greece , Ireland , Istanbul , Italy , Tuscany , London , Paris , Portugal , Rome , Spain , Sweden , Turkey , UK ... Montreal , Toronto , Vancouver , Calgary, Whistler, Kelowna... Caribbean Rentals Central America Rentals Barbados , Dominican Republic , Jamaica , Bahamas , St.Lucia , US Virgin Islands . . . Belize , Costa Rica , Honduras , Nicaragua , Panama ... Asia Rentals South America Rentals Bangkok , China , Hong Kong , India , Japan , Malaysia , Singapore , Thailand ... Argentina , Brazil , Chile , Ecuador , Peru , Rio de Janeiro ... Africa/Middle East Rentals Australia/Oceania Rentals Egypt , Israel , Kenya , South Africa ... Fiji , Sydney , New Zealand FAQ's | About Us | Sign-up | Login | Home | Contact Us | Bookmark This Page | Links More Vacation Rentals Cabo San Lucas All Rights Reserved 2001-- A1VacationProperties . com

Taiwan Travel

Taiwan - Taiwan tourist & travel guide for Taiwan Taiwan Map City: Taipei Kaohsiung Tainan Taichung Kenting Hsinchu Keelung Hualien Taitung Taoyuan Scenic spot: Taiwan - Lungshan Temple Taiwan - Mount Hehuan Taiwan - Sun Moon Lake Taiwan - Tianhou Temple Taiwan - Alishan Taiwan - Chihkan Mansion Taiwan - Guanzi Hill Taiwan - Palace Museum Taiwan - Yangminshan Taiwan - Fuguang Mountain Accommodation: Taipei Hotel Directory Kaohsiung Hotel Directory Taichung Hotel Directory Tainan Hotel Directory Hsinchu Hotel Directory Keelung Hotel Directory Taoyuan Hotel Directory Hualien Hotel Directory Taitung Hotel Directory Kenting Hotel Directory Taiwan Tour Directory: Taiwan Tours Taiwan Taiwan, known for short as Tai, is situated at China's southeast sea waters. Taiwan Island faces the Pacific to the east, approximately 2,800 kilometers from Guam. It borders Bashi Channel to the south and is 300 kilometers away from the Philippine Islands; to its west is Taiwan Strait, facing Fujian Province on China's mainland. The width of the strait is less than 200 kilometers and the narrowest part is only 130 kilometer; it traverses the sea trough of Okinawa in the northeast and neighbours Ryukyu-gunto. It holds a strategic point of communication on the north-south sea of China and the communications hub of West Pacific shipping line, and constitutes the natural barrier of China's south-east sea waters and the communication pivot of contacts among countries in the Pacific region. Taiwan is a multi-island:- 1) The Taiwan island proper and its scattering islands, such as Hongtou Isle, Huoshao Isle, Guishan Isle altogether 14 isles attach to it. 2) The Penghus made up of 64 islands. In addition, The Diaoyu Islands (Archipelago) which are composed of 8 islands and some other isles. All in all Taiwan has more than 100 islands big and small. Taiwan's land area is 36 thousand square kilometers, among which the area of Taiwan proper is over 35 thousand square kilometers, occupying more than 97% of the Taiwan's total area. It is China's biggest island and ranks the 28th of the world islands. The length from north to south of the island proper is 394 kilometers long and its width from east to west is 20-150 kilometers wide. The general topography is high in the east and low in the west. The general landform is extremely complicated, of which the mountainous area occupies 2/3 and the lower plain zone, 1/3 of the area. The mountainous area is very precipitous; there are 7 mountain peaks of over 3800 meters each above sea level. Many rivers rise in the mid-mountainous area and flow into the sea in all directions. Because of the steep gradient, the discharge of the rivers is in abundance. There are also different kinds of sea coasts and the topography of mudstone appearing in all their glory and the corals protruding out in the air, unfolding a magnificent picture of their great beauty and majesty. Taiwan belongs to the tropical and subtropical zones, with the Tropic of Cancer running through its middle. However, being surrounded by seas in all sides, Taiwan is embraced by the Pacific Ocean. The majority of Taiwan region falls in the temperate and humid maritime climate zone. As is influenced by the maritime monsoon, Taiwan has neither severe winter nor has it intense heat of summer. The forests remain verdant luxuriantly green and the flowers blossom in all seasons. Taiwan is also characterized by abundant rainfall and violent typhoon. Taiwan is rich in more than 110 kinds of minerals with coal, petroleum, natural gas, gold, silver copper and sulphur as its main resources. It is also extremely rich in terrestrial heat, a great variety of plants and the forest vegetation occupies 52% of the land area of the whole island, capturing the first place in all China. It is rich in aquatic resources too and the output of Taiwan's coral occupies about 80% of the world total production, winning the fame of "The Kingdom of Coral". Taiwan is also one of the main regions which exports butterflies in the world. Taiwan is economically developed. Industries are flourishing mainly in the fields of computer products, textile, electronic appliances, foodstuff processing, chemicals, petrochemicals, metal smelting, the manufacture of the means (Kaohiung), Taichung, Tainan, Hsinchu and Chiayi are the major cities. In the field of agriculture, paddy rice, tea, sugarcane and fruits are produced in abundance. Camphor, quinine and lemongrass are local special products. There exists a dense railway and highway communication network on Taiwan. Communication on sea also constitutes an important position with Gaoxiong and Chilugn (Keelung) as the main seaports. Surrounded by sea, Taiwan's weather is agreeable and is as beautiful as a painting with bountiful tourist resources. There are such significant places of historic interest and scenic beauty as Jihueh Tan, Alishan and Yangmin Mountain Scenic Spot and others.