victoria - Blogs - Tripatini2024-03-28T15:05:17Zhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/victoriaKisumu a beautyhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/kisumu-a-beauty2020-06-18T14:19:29.000Z2020-06-18T14:19:29.000ZAdventure Expeditionshttps://tripatini.com/members/AdventureExpeditions<div><p>If you must – and you – must travel to Kisumu from Nairobi, try something different. The Kericho route is beautiful, what with the rolling hills covered in green tea plantations that look like a rich man’s lawn. But that is what everyone uses. Perhaps try branching off instead at Londiani. Pause for a minute to rest your feet from the pedals and let the market women and men swam your car with cobs of maize and a variety of fruits and vegetables and then proceed to Muhoroni.</p><p style="font-weight:400;"><span>Allow the sunset to catch you at Koru. A thin road will tear before you through sugarcane plantations, hills rising to kiss the orange sky, and glowing ball of red fire dropped down from the sky on your left. And that is what will be a glimpse of what will be awaiting you in Kisumu – the unexpected. But only if you bother enough to find it, because Kisumu is the kind of city whose treasures are hidden. She does not show herself to strangers. You have to woo her to love her.</span></p><p style="font-weight:400;"><span><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009469874,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009469874,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009469874?profile=original" /></a></span></p><p style="font-weight:400;"><span>In the Kisumu of old, the Imperial Hotel was the only hotel worth mentioning but other hotels have come up, be it Wigot’s Hotel or Acacia Premier Hotel. But right across that is the TLC, a tavern that will offer you the same food and drinks as Acacia at half the price!</span></p><p style="font-weight:400;"><span><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009470280,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009470280,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009470280?profile=original" /></a></span></p><p style="font-weight:400;"><span>When darkness falls and your body aches for music, there are two places that are highly recommended. Not only because they are the only places that exist, no. Only because they represent yhe two kinds of crowds that you will find out in Kisumu. The Roan Rooftop n Oginga Odinga street draws a more urbane crowd ho like t photograph their food and drinks. And then there is Vimba 68, next to Mamba Hotel, where Congolese musicians wearing colorful skinny jeans ripped at the knees send the crowd to a frenzy with high pitched voices.</span></p><p style="font-weight:400;"><span><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009470293,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009470293,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009470293?profile=original" /></a></span></p><p style="font-weight:400;"><span>The real beauty of Kisumu is not in the fancy hotels or rolling hills. It is in the and always has been the people. The loud proud breed of human beings with dark skins and voices who have never been taught what is to whisper. They know each other by name and village. And if you get to know them, you won’t have a dull moment in Kisumu.</span></p><p style="font-weight:400;"><span><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009470666,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009470666,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009470666?profile=original" /></a></span></p></div>An Intro to Handsome Victoria, British Columbiahttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/victoria-british-columbia2019-01-05T05:07:40.000Z2019-01-05T05:07:40.000ZPriya Ghatolhttps://tripatini.com/members/PriyaGhatol<div><p><a href="https://i.imgur.com/slLdf0y.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://i.imgur.com/slLdf0y.jpg" alt="slLdf0y.jpg" /></a><br /> <br /> The beautiful city of Victoria - actually the capital of this province - liesat the southern tip of Vancouver Island, just an hour's drive (and 90-minute ferry ride) from the city f Vancouver. Some of the highlights of this excursion include the ferry ride through the Gulf Islands, a stopover at the Fisherman’s Wharf to feed the seals, a tour to the downtown of Victoria, and a host of other attractions and activities to indulge in like the Royal BC Museum, Butchart Gardens, walking tours, and marine life viewing. Victoria carries a charm and elegance typically expected of British Columbia province. One of the best getaways from the Vancouver city, Victoria blossoms in the spring and summer season and experiences a mild winter, which makes it an all-around year destination. With easy access from Vancouver, this is probably one of the fantastic Vancouver day trips you can indulge in.</p><p><br /> Dubbed "the Garden City," Victoria is home to British colonial architecture, and a lovely place to shop, browse, sightseeing, and admire these heritage buildings, stroll amid amazing lush green gardens, and relax over an afternoon tea. Active types can rent a bicycle and explore the various paths and trails of the city or even go for whale watching tours. Here I've listed some top points of interest:</p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009159653,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009159653,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="750" alt="9009159653?profile=original" /></a></p><p><b>Butchart Gardens</b><br /> <br /> <br /> You will be in awe seeing this stunning 55 acres of mesmerizing floral display and theme gardens. One of the national historic sites of Canada, the Butchart Gardens hosts spectacular fireworks display every Saturday evening all through the summer season. Situated 30 minutes from Victoria city, the tour to the Butchart Gardens includes the shuttle cost to and fro from downtown and the admission to the beautiful garden. A must!</p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009159875,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009159875,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="750" alt="9009159875?profile=original" /></a></p><p><b>Craigdarroch Castle</b><br /> <br /> Built in the 18th century for Robert Dunsmuir, a Scottish immigrant who created a great name and fortune from Vancouver Island coal. The opulence and fortune are reflected in the four floors of this fabulous 39-room castle. With exquisite stained glass windows, stunning Victorian-era furnishings, and intricate woodwork, you simply can’t ask for more from a tourist destination. Enjoy the delightful ambiance as you climb 87 stairs to the tower to experience stunning views of all Victoria, the Olympic Mountains, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.</p><p></p><p></p><p><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009159690,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009159690,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="750" alt="9009159690?profile=original" /></a></b></p><p><b>Royal British Columbia Museum</b><br /> <br /> <br /> Showcasing the human and natural history of British Columbia along with and temporary exhibits from around the world and others cultures, it includes a number of authentic artifacts and specimens.</p><p></p><p><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009161067,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009161067,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009161067?profile=original" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> BC Ferries</b></p><p></p><p>Enjoy spectacular scenery on the 90-minute ride from the Tsawwassen terminal south of downtonw Vancouver will land you at Victoria's Swartz Bay terminal, running every two hours and during peak hours/season also hourly. You can even transport your vehicle.</p><p></p><p><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009161283,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009161283,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="750" alt="9009161283?profile=original" /></a></b></p><p><b>British Columbia Parliament Buildings</b><br /> <br /> This impressive neo-Baroque complex with sprawling lawns houses the province's Legislative Assembly, and is open daily to the public, either by guided or self-guided tour.</p><p></p><p><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009161088,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009161088,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="750" alt="9009161088?profile=original" /></a></b></p><p><b>Victoria Chinatown</b><br /> <br /> Canada's oldest Chinatown (1858) is fun to explore with its mazelike back streets and courtyard, and includes popular attractions/landmarks such as Tam Kung Buddhist Temple and the Gate of Harmonious Interest, guarded by gigantic lion statues.</p><p></p><p></p><p><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009162062,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009162062,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="750" alt="9009162062?profile=original" /></a></b></p><p><b>Beacon Hill Park</b><br /> <br /> This lush, bucolic 200-acre spread is home to various hiking trails, two playgrounds, a botanical garden, a water park, a petting zoo, and a host of other attractions popular with locals and visitors alike. <br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Mile_0_Victoria_B.C..jpg/800px-Mile_0_Victoria_B.C..jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Mile_0_Victoria_B.C..jpg/800px-Mile_0_Victoria_B.C..jpg?width=800" class="align-center" width="800" alt="800px-Mile_0_Victoria_B.C..jpg?width=800" /></a></p><p></p><p><b>Mile Zero</b></p><p>Placed in the southwestern Beacon Hill Park at Douglas Street in Victoria State of British Columbia. This marks the beginning of Canada's Number 1 highway, the Trans-Canada, stretching the entire length of the country. <br /></p><p><i><br /> <br /></i></p><p><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>We are one of the leading travel partners offering fabulous discounts and customized tour packages for Vancouver to Victoria Day trips. Some of the highlights of our package would be:</em></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>Pick up and drop back from your hotel or place of convenience if transfers are selected</em></span></li><li><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>Ferry rides through the stunning Gulf Islands</em></span></li><li><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>A scenic coastal drive through the spectacular communities of James Bay with stopover at Beacon Hill Park and Mile Zero</em></span></li><li><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>Stop over at Fisherman’s Wharf for seal feeding and watching</em></span></li><li><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>Choose among the attractions for the sightseeing tour of downtown Victoria including the Government Street, Chinatown, Empress Hotel, Legislative Buildings, Inner Harbor, Butchart Gardens, The Royal BC Museum, Marine Wildlife Watching, and Craigdarroch Castle.</em></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>Get in touch with our travel experts to know more about the fares, <a href="http://www.canadavisa.ae/canada-visa-requirements.html" target="_blank">visa requirements</a>, packages,schedule information, driving directions, and reservations.</em></span></p><p></p></div>Bedbugs Bite, Hotel Reputations Fallhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/bedbugs-bite-hotel-reputations2010-09-03T17:00:00.000Z2010-09-03T17:00:00.000ZKaleel Sakakeenyhttps://tripatini.com/members/KaleelSakakeeny<div><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0Yal0AoMit9pQHSuuls7lQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_AnBusKXSA8o/TIEmyazbzPI/AAAAAAAAB_c/9oxQyUrJOvU/s800/get_rid_of_bed_bugs_immediately.jpg" alt="get_rid_of_bed_bugs_immediately.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/travel.video/NMTImages?feat=embedwebsite">NMT Images</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The bedbugs keep biting, and the reputations and pocketbooks of hotels and inns are getting infected.<br /><br />A couple of months ago we did a “trending spotting” piece on <a href="http://technorati.com/lifestyle/travel/article/how-not-to-travel-with-bed/">bedbugs</a>, and the fact they were driving travelers and hotels management mad. <br /><br />Now bedbug mania is front page, main stream news, with the <a href="http://boston.com">Boston Globe</a> headlining a piece on the critters. <br /><br />The pests have an uncanny ability to hide in mattresses and crevices in bed coverings. They’re also amazingly adept travelers, hitching rides on luggage and striking fear into the hearts of hotel management from the most modest inn to the most luxurious hotel anywhere, USA. <br /><br />It seems disgruntled guests, ones bitten by bedbugs or those who just thought they were, are quick to post their bad experiences on Trip Advisor, causing Paul Sacco, CEO of the <a href="http://www.masslodging.com">Massachusetts Lodging Association</a> to lament that a single bedbug posting can “bring an establishment to its knees,” and he notes such complaints are often difficult to substantiate.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bedbug Hotel Rankings</span><br style="font-weight:bold;" /><br />Now comes, of all things, <a href="http://www.bedbugregistry.com/">The Bedbug Registry</a> which gathers info about bed bug sightings in apartments and hotels, and Terminix, according to <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67N5OI20100824">Reuters</a>, has just released its “Infestation List” showing, no surprise, that New York ranks number 1 in bedbug infestation of all US cities. Boston is 15th. <br /><br />One entomologist says the nationwide bedbug problem is the worst he’s seen because of the decline in DDT use, and the increase in international travel.<br /><br />So, what to do:<br /><br />• Don’t unpack anything in a hotel room, says a pest and wildlife manager. Don’t use hotel luggage racks either<br />• At home, unpack suitcases outside, in the garage. Seal clothes in a plastic bag and wash them in hot water<br />• Putting a pesticide strip in luggage helps<br /><br />Bedbugs are an equal misery spreader, and those who have been bitten are keeping good company. <br /><br />Reuters reports that former U.S. President Bill Clinton has battled an outbreak at his Harlem office, along with lingerie outlet Victoria's Secret, teen clothing store Hollister and countless hotels which have lost thousands of dollars in revenue fighting the bedbugs.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>