I Apologize

This blog will be in hiatus effective October 1, 2008. Thank you to all to EC members who have advertised here. You can still check my other blogs, The Shutterbug and On A Lighter Note. Thank you to all my friends who never failed to visit this blog, I really appreciate it. I'm going to school and my son is preparing for MCAS and I need to prioritize these things. Antonio's school work is getting serious everyday unlike before and it's impossible for me now to update four blogs. Thank you all for your understanding.

Whale Watching In Baja

Do you want to stroke and touch a whale? In the warm, shallow waters of the Baja Peninsula Pacific gray whales are very friendly. They will approach fishing boats with whale-watchers. If you're lucky you'll also see humpbacks, finbacks, Brydes whales, and blue whales.

If you're interested Baja Expeditions in San Diego offers whale-watching trips. Visit them at http://www.bajaex.com/.

Camp Denali

We're planning to visit Alaska next year in June. I can't wait to see Denali National Park and of course the beautiful Mount McKinley. I have already made some research on places to stay and my favorite is Camp Denali which is located right in the heart of Denali National Park. Camp Denali has seventeen log cabins. Staying at the park will afford visitors the chance to experience a guided hike or wildlife sighting. I checked out their website and of course the first thing I looked for was their rates which I think are very reasonable. We'll definitely stay at Camp Denali if we decide not to take an Alaska cruise. (Photo from campdenali.com).

Lilianfels Hotel

Lilianfels is a 19th-century hotel that is just beautiful and amazing. It's one of Australia's best getaway destinations with a fantastic setting and magnificent panoramas. Located in the Blue Mountains, it's a haven of relaxation that all nature lovers would love. The hotel has 85 boutique rooms in lavish pink, green, or lilac color. Some rooms have their own spa. Lilianfels has received so many awards with the most recent from the Australian Hotels Association National Awards as Best Boutique Hotel of the Year in October 2007. Lilianfels is only 1 hour and 30 minutes away by car from the Sydney Centre. It is also accessible by train from the Sydney Central Rail Station for 2 hours. When you reach the Katoomba Rail Station, Lilianfels is only 5 minutes away and transportation to the hotel is available by arrangement.

Here are the rooms with the rates for 2008:

AUD 705.00

AUD 820.00

AUD 820.00

The Forbidden City

Occupying more than 183 acres, The Forbidden City in Beijing is the largest, most complete, and best-preserved cluster of ancient buildings in China. It's called The Forbidden City because it was off-limits to commoners for 500 years.

The Forbidden City (called Gu Gong in Chinese) is located at the center of Beijing next to the Tiananmen Square. Now known as the Palace Museum, it is surrounded by a six meter deep moat and a ten meter high wall which boasts of 9,999 buildings.

The best times to visit The Forbidden City is from May to mid-June and late August to early November. It's recommended that you spend at least 3 hours to tour The Forbidden City. Admission fee is charged and English-speaking tour guides are available.