Holiday Camping New Zealand

Ref: P10012 - Self-catering house in Taupo New Zealand

2006-11-07T15:07:00.000-08:00

Ref: P10012 - Self-catering house in Taupo New Zealand

Two storey, five bedroom, two bathrooms, all linen provided, spa pool, bbq, double lock down garage, fully equipped kitchen, all water and heating on gas, across the road from the lake with uninterupted views into town, close to restaurants, five minutes drive to town center. Non Smoking.It has 5 bedrooms - 4 double bedrooms, one with one extra single beds and a large room with 4 singles

Ref: P10025 - Apartment in Heart Of Northland New Zealand

2006-11-07T15:05:00.000-08:00

Ref: P10025 - Apartment in Heart Of Northland New Zealand: "Two high quality, self-catering apartments for holidays and weekend stays. Overlooking Tairua Harbour on the East coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. Designed for couples or small adult groups who want to be independent but also have the comforts of home, each apartment is fully and individually furnished. All equipment and linen is supplied and each has its own separate access, indoor/outdoor living areas and parking. Cool in summer, cosy in winter. The views are stunning - the garden setting lovely. Close to beaches, shops, cafes, jetty etc. FOR FULL DETAILS VISIT OUR WEB SITE"

Ref: P10022 - Apartment in Heart Of Northland New Zealand

2006-11-07T15:03:00.000-08:00

Ref: P10022 - Apartment in Heart Of Northland New Zealand
Waterfront cottages in the heart of the 30,000 islands!We offer the perfect get-away for fishing trips, family vacations and corporate adventure packages. All cottages are waterfront and you have the option to self-cater or have a meal plan. We offer day trips & Guided Tours, canoeing, paddle boats, boat & motor rentals, nature walks, swimming and Fishing. We are directly across from the Massassauga Provincial Park for canoe or kayak trips and located right on Georgian Bay for excellent Pike, Bass, Lake Trout, Salmon, Muskie & Pickerel fishing. Cottages:Our bright spacious 2 & 3 bedroom cottagesare self-contained with full size fridge and stove, microwave, coffee machine, toaster, crockery, pots, cutlery, glassware, 3-4 piece bath,hydro and hot water. All cottages have a screened porch, privatewaterfront sitting areas, gas BBQ, picnic table and lounge chair. Four cottages have a private fire pit and two cottages share one fire pit.Bedding is provided, but please bring towels and dish cloths.With 2000 feet of waterfront and 700 feet of shallow sandy beach (safe for children) there is excellent swimming. We have a licensed on-site restaurant/lodge with stone fireplace, pool table, dart board, video game, satellite t.v., video and board games. The small general store offers some basics, ice, munchies, ice-cream cones, and bait.Fishing:Excellent fishing for Northern Pike, Bass, Muskie, Walley, Lake Trout and Salmon. We are in trophy class waters for Muskie (54' min.) and classified as a world class Lake Trout Fishery. Just 15 minutes by boat from Parry Sound and another 10 minutes past our point to the open water, we offer over eight miles of sheltered bays, channels and islands for great fishing. Everything from rocky shoals, shallow weedy bays, deep under water points, and depths up to and over 100 ft. for downrigging.Location:Located two hours north of Toronto, minutes by boat from Parry Sound on McLaren Island, Seven Mile Narrows.'Quality Service at Affordable Prices'

It was the event

2006-11-05T16:41:00.000-08:00

Reopening of an iconic London Park Lane Hotel: a new flagship for InterContinental
Nov 06, 06 1:57 am
Opening today after a £60 million investment, the newly renamed InterContinental London Park Lane will provide guests with a truly authentic and luxurious London experience. Through a designed opening, the first phase will unveil elegant guest rooms, complemented by a vibrant lobby, dedicated events and meetings floor and exciting new destination restaurant, Theo Randall at The InterContinental.

In March 2007, the hotel will unveil the remaining guest rooms and 60 spectacular suites, including 4 individually-designed signature suites, boasting stunning views over London. The hotel experience will be enhanced by the UK’s largest Club lounge; and Spa InterContinental, a new urban spa run in partnership with Elemis.‘In the know’ serviceThe team at InterContinental will stand out from the competition by delivering authentic and enriching experiences that bring London to life. Every associate in the hotel will help guests to feel ‘in the know’ by sharing their local knowledge, genuine insights and connections. This will be personified through the expert Concierge team, headed by Corrado Bogni (previously head concierge at One Aldwych, London). Leading the industry with new initiatives, the concierge team will connect guests to a dedicated website before arrival. The website gives insider information about London; where locals eat, where can you pick up local products and suggested activities if you only have a few hours to spare. As Corrado illustrates; “Through a dedicated website, you can send personal emails to me and the team so we can help tailor your itinerary ahead of your visit. Then when you arrive, we have recorded an interactive video for your room that takes you on a tour of my favourite London haunts to show you what hidden gems are on offer.” This is supported by a personalised map dovetailing this information for you to take with you. Theo Randall at The InterContinentalTheo Randall, until recently partner and head chef at London’s critically acclaimed River Café, will open his first independent restaurant in November 2006 at the InterContinental. It was under Theo’s direction at The River Café during his 10-year tenure, that it won its first Michelin star. Critical acclaim from all the major critics described it ‘a place of pilgrimage’1 which has ‘changed Britain’s restaurant culture for good.’2 As head chef, Theo was responsible not simply for the day to day running of the restaurant but also for the development of many of its signature dishes. Theo’s new independent restaurant at InterContinental London Park Lane will bring “a ray of River Café-style sunshine to the plusher, more corporate surroundings of Mayfair.”3Theo Randall at The InterContinental will be a typically welcoming affair – the restaurant, which will seat 124 diners, has been designed to promote flexible dining and includes a bar for up to 20 people. According to Theo, the restaurant will be “a place where people can drop in for a drink with friends and end up staying to eat in the bar, or come for a more formal business lunch or four course dinner. I love the fact that both The River Café and Chez Panisse serve exquisite food but in a very relaxed, inviting environment, and I’m looking forward to offering this approach at The InterContinental.” Now, with Theo Randall at The InterContinental, diners will finally be able to put a name to the talent in the kitchen.Spa InterContinentalIn March 2007 the refurbishment will be completed by the new Spa InterContinental, an urban spa run in partnership with Elemis.General Manager, Roland Fasel explains; “When InterContinental fully opens in March it will be as the new flagship for the brand. To produce a world class hotel and spa, we have selected strategic partners with specific expertise in each area. Elemis are internationally famous for driving innovation, and together at InterContinental we will reveal a unique time to spa concept, the UK’s first spa suites and one of the few rasuls in the UK. Combine this with InterContinental’s in the know service and I believe we will have one of the best spas in the UK.”Exuding a stylish urban chic, Spa InterContinental will take care of the individual needs of hotel guests, business travellers and day-spa visitors offering a bespoke grooming and spa menu. Introducing a unique time to spa concept, guests will be able to select the treatments of their choice to fit with their busy schedule and lifestyle. Whether in need of 10 minutes or 10 hours, at 10am or 10pm, a personalised spa menu will be created to exceed expectation, from recharging or refuelling to relaxing and indulging. Embracing an extensive range of therapies, Spa InterContinental will combine Elemis’ holistic lifestyle treatments and La Thérapie’s next generation of cosmeceutical skincare, delivering genuine results with passion and dedication.

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Yeah thats right, It happened....

2006-08-27T19:18:00.000-07:00

Jinjiang International Hotels Profit Rises 13% on More Tourism
Aug 28, 06 1:57 am
(Bloomberg) -- Shanghai Jinjiang International Hotels Development Co., China's largest hotel operator, said first-half profit rose 13 percent because of increasing tourism to the country's largest commercial city.
Net income rose to 97.7 million yuan ($12 million) in the six months to June 30, or 0.162 yuan a share, from last year's 86.1 million yuan, or 0.1427 yuan a share, the company said in a statement to the Shanghai Stock Exchange today, citing domestic accounting standards. Sales rose to 466.2 million yuan from 424.5 million yuan.
Hotel operators including Accor SA and Jinjiang, which operates Shanghai's 100-year-old Peace Hotel, are tapping rising demand for rooms in the world's most populous nation. China's travel industry may grow 23 percent to $301 billion this year to become the world's third-largest after the U.S. and Japan, the World Travel & Tourism Council said in April.
"The company gained from higher room rates for its hotels which rose about 3 percent in the first half,'' said Zhao Xueqin, analyst of Citic Securities Co. in Shanghai before the earnings announcement. Jinjiang's 2006 profit may rise to 202 million yuan, or 0.335 yuan a share, according to Zhao's estimate.
Jinjiang's local-currency shares rose 1.4 percent to close at 8.58 yuan on Aug. 25. They have gained 28 percent this year, while the Shanghai Composite Index has risen 29 percent.
Room Rate
Average room rates for four- and five-star hotels in Shanghai, where Jinjiang International is based, rose 1.4 percent to 1,164 yuan per night in the first six months of 2006, compared with last year, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels said.
"The strong national and local economies will drive corporate demand for the upper-tier hotels in China's big cities like Shanghai and Beijing,'' said Andreas Flaig, executive vice president of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.
"Shanghai has the added advantage of being one of the most important cities in Asia, together with the likes of Hong Kong and Tokyo, where rates of luxury hotels are significantly higher,'' Flaig said on Aug. 24.
Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels estimated that 8,527 rooms will be added to Shanghai's hotel sector from 2006 to 2008 ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.
"This increase in room inventory will place some pressure on occupancy levels as the industry consolidates but we expect hotels to stay profitable with continued room rate growth supported by the strong local economy,'' Flaig said.

My Favourite Camping trip

2006-08-27T19:17:00.000-07:00

Singapore can be Paris of Far East, former leader says
Aug 28, 06 1:57 am
By Y. Sulaiman - eTN Asia
A former leader of Singapore has said Singapore can compete with other destinations by transforming itself as the “Paris of Southeast Asia,” offering more “fun and buzz” into its nightlife.
"We must have more of like what we have at Clarke Quay," said Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew. Lee, who was prime minister of the island nation from 1950 to 1990, retains his influence over the nation’s policies long after he has stepped down.
Lee told Singaporeans, the island nation needs to move ahead and compete to keep jobs from “migrating” out of Singapore. "The Singapore we have now which is very orderly, safe, wholesome and very clean is not good enough,” Lee said.
"The entertainment industry, which will include the Sands Integrated Resort coming up in Marina Bay and another on Sentosa Island, will create more jobs for Singaporeans, including for the older, less-educated jobseekers."
Lee who had opposed the island state going into the gambling industry during his administration said tourists today want entertainment. "People wine and dine till five in the morning. The sector will create more jobs for school levers and the country can create job opportunities in the tourism sector."
"We can't offer beaches, forests, lakes and the seaside like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines," he added. "But we can be the Paris of Southeast Asia."
The former prime minister also said, the Singapore brand name has also successfully exported its expertise in the travel and tourism industry by being appointed as consultant for upgrading and administration works at the Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow and development of the 250sqkm Changxing Island in China's Liaonong province.

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Holiday Homes Camping

2006-05-22T02:23:00.000-07:00

A tall, green fir tree is usually the focal point of a home's Christmas decorations.Sparkly ornaments and brights lights help to make the Christmas tree's beauty complete, but it takes a perfect tree to begin the display with. There are many artificial trees on the market today that make you look twice because they look so real. They are fine to use, but if you are a traditionalist and would still rather take the family out to pick and choose a good old fashioned Christmas tree, then read on and find out how!
There is no substitute for a real-live Christmas tree standing proudly in your living room. Their fragrance cannot be matched by any bottled or canned concoction on the market. However, in order to get the best tree available, especially a fragrant tree in good shape, you must be careful where you purchase it.
Make sure the tree you choose has not been sitting at its sale location for an extended period of time. You want a fresh-cut or even a relatively fresh-cut tree that has been handled properly. Freshness can be determined by the general appearance of the fir tree. The tree should be green and not have a great number of brown needles on it. Run yourhand over the branches and watch for needles falling off of the fir tree. Keep in mind that a fresh tree will not release many needles.
To ensure the quality of a fir tree, you might choose to visit a nursery or a Christmas tree farm. At these locations, you can walk through a usually huge selection of fir trees which are grown right there on the property. You and your family can then choose the tree you want to purchase and cut it down yourself and take it home. You will know the tree is freshly-cut.

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Caring for a live fir tree is a pretty easy task. The tree should be placed in a secure stand located away from doorways, traffic areas of the rooms, furnace ducts, fireplaces, and other heat sources. Fill the water reservoir up and keep it filled as long as you have the tree in your house. Keeping the tree watered will prevent it from turning brown and dry.

If you are concerned about the environment or simply want to spruce-up your back yard, then a living tree might be the right choice for you. These trees are not cut, but rather are uprooted, and because of this, they need a little more care than a cut Christmas tree.

Once you get your living tree home, leave it in an outbuilding for a couple of days before you take it inside your house. Position it away from heat sources just like you would with a cut tree, and keep the roots watered at all times. With teh amount of roots it has, you will need to stand your living tree in a bucket or other suitable container instead of a regular tree stand.
Living Christmas trees can usually be kept indoors for about eight to ten days as long as they are well-watered. Place it back in an outbuilding for a couple days before you plant it.

Holiday Camping New Zealand

2006-05-22T02:21:00.000-07:00

A popular, old-world fall, winter, and Christmas tradition is to serve hot chestnuts to family and friends. Roasting chestnuts over an open fire is easy to do if you follow this simple procedure.
The most important item to have when roasting chestnuts is the proper pan. Although any type of frying pan with a lid will do, you will have to modify it for roasting purposes. Specifically, you will need to drill holes into the bottom of the pan. This allows the chestnuts to roast properly. For a 12-inch pan, there should be about 25-30 holes in the pan, each hole having a 3/6-inch diameter. The holes should also be spaced apart evenly. Once you have modified your pan, wash it and set it aside. You now need to prepare the chestnuts.

When purchasing chestnuts at a store, select chestnuts that are similar in size. For a more flavorful dish, you can purchase the larger "Maroni"-type chestnuts. Bear in mind, however, that due to their size these chestnuts will take longer to roast. Once you have purchased your chestnuts and have them at home, wash them in cold water and allow them to dry. When dry, sort the chestnuts again to further categorize them by size for cooking.

When you are ready to roast the chestnuts, take chestnuts of a like size and place them into the pan ensuring that the bottom of the pan is covered in a single layer with the chestnuts. Next, you will need to take each chestnut in the pan and place a cut into its skin using a sharp knife. This is done so that the chestnut releases steam while cooking and does not explode. To prepare a cut in the chestnut, hold the chestnut in your hand with its tip facing upward and its flat surface towards you. Take a small, sharp and pointed knife and slice into the chestnut's skin from left to right making sure that you do not cut into the chestnut's meat. The cut should be no larger than 3/8 to 1/2-inch in length. Once the chestnuts have been cut, prepare your campfire or barbecue grill. If you are using a campfire, make sure that you have something to support the pan -- do not place the pan directly into an open fire. Also, the campfire or grill must be very hot before placing the pan onto it and a flame must not be present. When the temperature is correct, place the pan with the chestnuts on the grill. Note that you do not need to add any oil or grease to the pan because as the chestnuts roast they will release steam and their own cooking oils. Cover the pan and roast the chestnuts for a few minutes. After awhile, remove the lid and stir the chestnuts so that they do not roast only on one side. This process of covering, roasting, removing the lid, stirring, and re-covering must be repeated frequently throughout the roasting process. For an average size chestnut, about the size of a U.S. half-dollar coin, the roasting time is approximately 20-25 minutes. You will know when the chestnuts are cooked when they appear darker in color and if, when you remove a chestnut from the pan, its skin breaks easily making a crackling sound.
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Once the chestnuts are roasted, take a large bowl and line it with paper towels. Place the roasted chestnuts into the bowl and cover them with a cloth. The chestnuts should sit in their own heat for approximately 2-4 minutes as this makes them easier to peel. After they have sat awhile, they are ready to be eaten. Chestnuts are best when served hot and when accompanied by apple cider or fruit juice.