Virtual Countries

Asia - Editor - 17 June 2009

Lamma Island in Hong Kong

If you’re planning a trip to Hong Kong soon, you might well find yourself drawn to the beautiful Lamma Island during your stay in the country. Lamma Island is the third largest island in Hong Kong, yet it is nothing like the Hong Kong mainland or the nearby Kowloon. The tranquillity of this peaceful, natural island is a stark contrast to the bustle of activity found in other parts of the island nation.

Hong Kong’s Lamma Island is wonderfully rustic and undeveloped. There are two main villages on the island and no buildings higher than three stories are permitted. Virtually the only vehicles on the island are small ambulances, fire trucks and construction vehicles. The majority of the island’s residents and visitors make their way around by foot or bicycle. While the island is devoid of historical buildings and temples, it is the perfect location for a quiet day away from the cities. Lamma Island in Hong Kong is also relatively easy to reach, with regular ferry services running people from the island’s villages of Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwo Wan and the mainland several times a day.

The majority of visitors to Lamma Island prefer to take the day to explore the quiet tranquillity of the island. They may choose to explore the beautiful path that winds through the hills and valleys between Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwo Wan. The path takes approximately two hours to walk and provides the perfect way to explore the natural beauty of the island. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll find that both villages have great, inexpensive seafood restaurants where you can enjoy a lovely meal before heading back to mainland Hong Kong. The boat trips themselves take up to an hour and so visitors should plan to let their excursion to the island take up the better part of a day.

Lamma Island is a lovely place to visit but some would argue that it is an even better place to stay. The island is home to a large expatriate community and is a haven for artists, musicians and cartoonists. Young people also regularly make their way to the island for recreational purposes and so you may find that the little villages and the shores of the island always seem alive with some sort of activity. So why not discover Lamma Island for yourself? You won’t regret it!

The Magnificent Grand Canal of Venice - Editor - 22 May 2009

Many people readily associate Italy’s city of Venice with love and romance, picturing a gondola slowly making its way along the city’s canals while the couple being ferried gaze lovingly into each other’s eyes. There is little doubt that the canals of Venice are a major attraction of this picturesque city and you certainly don't have to be part of a couple to enjoy exploring the canals. The Grand Canal winds its way through the city in an “S” shape, with a network of smaller canals meeting up with it at various points. In the past the canals were the life-blood of the city and still serve as a means of getting around, with water buses and water taxis providing public transport. The majority of visitors to Venice prefer using the gondolas which allow them to see some of the many attractions of Venice in a leisurely fashion.

Holland Art Cities - Editor - 24 April 2009

Holland is a beautiful country and its people show a deep appreciation for their artistic and cultural heritage. This appreciation will be brought to the attention of the world during 2009 and 2010 as the top ten museums in the four largest cities in the country join forces to present a wide-ranging art and cultural event under the banner of 'Holland Art Cities'. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague will participate in this large-scale initiative, which will see the Hermitage and Stedelijk Museums in Amsterdam re-open their doors following extensive renovations.

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