Laxing andorra

Andorra, The Principality of Andorra is a very small, landlocked principality in south-western Europe. It is located in the Pyrenees mountains, bordered by France and Spain, and is a very interesting country to travel to. Once an isolated country, Andorra, has currently become a very prosperous country because of tourism and for it's benefits that it offers to international corporations for taxes.

The name of the country, Andorra most likely originated from the Navarrese word andurrial, which translates to shrub-covered land. Tourism is the staple of Andorra's small, well to do economy. This accounts for roughly 80% of the Gross Domestic Product. It is estimated that nine million tourists visit Andorra annually. These tourists are attracted by Andorra's duty-free shopping and also by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's advantage has recently shrunk as the neighboring economies of France and Spain have slackened up, providing more availability to goods and lower tariffs on them. With its tax haven status, The banking sector, also contributes in a lareg way to the economy of the Andorra. Agricultural production is so limited because only 2% of the land is arable. This means that most food has to be imported. Lifestock that does exist, is mainly sheep. Local Manufacturing consists of cigars, cigarettes, and furniture.

Andorra, although not a 'full member' of the EU (European Union), still enjoys a special relationship with it. An example of this is that Andorra is treated as an EU member for among EU members. This means that there is no tariffs. Andorra really does lack a currency of its own, because it is uses the currencies of its two surrounding nations.

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Discover thailand s priceless beauty

The Benjarong is Thailand’s priceless contribution to Asian pottery. Once the prized possession of royal palaces and upper-class Thais, it is today, the pride and perfection of ancient Thai craftsmanship.

But what exactly is the Benjarong and why does it possess such magical qualities with sheer beauty and serenity? Read on to unravel the history and making of this ancient masterpiece.

History of the Benjarong

During the early Ayutthaya period (1350 – 1767), Thai craftsmen made a somewhat crude multi-colored earthenware known today as the Benjarong – a term based on the Sanskrit words panch, meaning five, and rang, meaning colors, thus literally referring to the ‘five-colored.’ The style of painting multi-colored enamels on a white porcelain base was influenced by the Chinese Ming dynasty, and by the 17th century, the Benjarong became an exclusive household possession of rulers and high nobility – marking a period where high quality Benjarongs with unique Thai designs were produced. Colored enamels added over the glaze were fused to the surface in a descending scale of temperatures. The Benjarongs were also decorated with swirling flame-like motifs and Thai-style thepanoms, or celestial beings. These were made exclusively for the royal household as utilitarian items, such as rice bowls, stem plates and covered water jars. Shortly after, artisans applied 12 or 18 carat gold onto Benjarongs to enhance their appearance.

The Making of a Benjarong

The making of the Benjarong is a long and arduous process requiring great patience and complete dedication. A prolonged heat treatment is required after the object is made, and once again after the hand painting is done. The drying process of the hand painting cannot be accelerated by using a fan or blower, as this prevents the colors from fusing into the ceramics.

The process:

1.The ceramic ware is hand made into the specific size and shape desired.

2.The ceramic ware is heated at over 500 degrees for over 6-7 hours.

3.A few hours is spent on polishing the baked ceramic ware to smoothen the surface.

4.A thin layer of glaze is applied onto the smoothened ceramic ware.

5.The ceramic ware is heated once again to give it a glazed and polished surface.

6.A craftsman then hand paints some designs onto the polished ceramic ware.

7.Every color needs to be completely dried in order to apply a new color, taking from hours to days to complete.

8.The finished hand painting on the ceramic ware is left to dry for another 6 hours.

9.The painted ceramic ware is heated once again at over 500 degrees for 5-6 hours, as this ensures that the colors are fused into the Benjarong.

The Benjarong today is one of the most popular types of ceramics in Thailand. Known to be the most exquisite for its hand painted designs, it is of little wonder that these masterpieces are exclusively produced by only the most talented and highly skilled of Thai artisans.

Africa lion tours safari kenya top africa lion tours parks kenya-african lion tour series

Africa lion tours safari in Kenya is offered in several of the country’s wildlife parks. Most famous is the Maasai Mara game reserve where sightings of the African lion are guaranteed-the same way the sun will rise in the morning and set in the evening. Other Africa lion tours safari parks in Kenya famous for their African lion populations include the Tsavo, Amboseli, Nairobi, Nakuru and Meru safari Parks. With a little effort and your diver guide’s acumen, you will be able to spot a pride in each of these Africa lion tours safari land parks.

1. Africa lion tours safari of Maasai Mara

Maasai Mara game reserve is said to host over 10 prides of lions if not more. The African lion in Maasai Mara is famous for its black mane. The mane will usually be golden in the African lion’s youth turning to black as it advances in age. The lions of the Mara will be heard roaring next to your camp where they have marked territories and location.

The prides usually occupy one territory (which might be next to your lodge) and it’s guaranteed that they will always be in those environs every day. The Maasai Mara Africa lion tours safari land park is rife with succession battles between male lions. The dominant male is constantly fending off other challenging males. The male will in most cases be heavily scarred on the face as a result of battles fought and won before.

The Africa lion tours safari in the Mara will find you in the middle of a pride that wants to use your car for shade. They will sprawl underneath and besides your vehicle for hours ignoring your presence. By and large, the Maasai Mara African lion is to an extent used to humans, but that’s not to mean they are any less dangerous. So take no chances.

2. The Africa lion tours safari of Tsavo safari park

The lions of Tsavo East especially, are the most dreaded, and were upon which the movie “the ghost and the darkness” was based. The lions of Tsavo killed hundreds of railway workers and at one point halted the construction of the East African railway line in 1890’s. They came to be known as the “man eaters of Tsavo”

The lions here are the most feared and un-habituated due to their limited contact with humans. They are equally harder to locate but more due to the expansive nature of the park. Your tour driver guide in most cases will most certainly know how to locate a pride since they are familiar with their territories.

3. Africa lion tours safari in Nairobi National Park

Nairobi National park is the only wildlife park in the world within capital city boundaries. It is therefore easily accessible and a show case of what other country based lion safari parks have to offer. The African lion prides of Nairobi national park are fewer due to the relative size of the park. They can however be heard at early mornings and late evenings roaring away. It is always an exciting experience in your Africa lion tours safari to see the elusive lions in this park before proceeding to the major national parks in Kenya.

4. Lions of Meru National Park

The Meru National park easily holds the number one position of the most remote wilderness areas in the country. The wildlife here, unlike other parks is very aggressive and un-habituated. The African lions of Meru National park compare to those of Tsavo and are as such the most feared. Meru national park however is a darling for tourists in search of virgin natural places in their Africa lion tours safari photo hunt.

5. Lions of L. Nakuru National park

Lake Nakuru national park is the most visited park in Kenya. The park is also located 2Ѕ from Nairobi and within the Nakuru town and is host to Lake Nakuru, an important Ramsar site. (An Important water-body equivalent to a UNESCO’s heritage site). The park is famous for the millions of the pink coloured flamingo that ring the sides of the lake like one large pink bracelet.

The African lion park prides are easily found and are located in a particular area called the lion hill. L. Nakuru is a very famous park since it also hosts the Black and White African Rhino. The white Rhino populations in the park have improved tremendously and are touted as a resounding success of the rhino breeding programme by the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Let your operator advice you on your itinerary to maximize your Africa lion tours safari experience in Kenya. For sure you will see enough African lions and more of the big five game here. That’s not a fact it’s a promise. Enjoy!

Budapest hungary an incredible city

Located in Eastern Europe, Hungary is diverse and beautiful country. The undisputed treasure of the country is Budapest.

Budapest – A Tale of Three Cities

Over 2,000 years old, Budapest is a large city containing traces of the various forces that have ruled it over time. Romans, Turks, Goths and many others have conquered the city. Somehow, the various influences work in such a way as to make the city sparkle.

In a bit of trivia, Budapest was historically considered three cities. The three cities were Pest, Obuda and Buda. Although grouped together, the cities were naturally divided by the Danube River which forks in the middle of the city. In 1873, the three cities were combined into one and given the Budapest name.

Although Budapest has more attractions than could possible be covered in one article, here are a few must see locations.

Buda Castle

Sitting on top of a hill and towering over the Danube, the Buda Castle is stunning. Construction started under the guidance of King Bela IV in the 14th century and was expanded upon by later rulers. Medieval times, however, saw the castle burned, looted, demolished, bombed with cannon balls and ransacked. Each time, new rulers rebuilt.

Visiting Buda Castle is like stepping back into the heights of the renaissance. The Castle is adorned with red marble stairways, gothic facades, bastions and epic statutes overlooking the Danube. The fountains around the Castle simply can’t be described with words.

Spas

Budapest sits over a tectonic plate fault line, which usually is a bad thing. In this case, however, the location of the city corresponds with a plethora of hot mineral springs. Enterprising Hungarians have build spas on the springs and are open for business. The spas are “over the top” with an opera house feel. Floating around peacefully, one feels like European royalty.

If you are traveling to Europe, plan on devoting a week to Budapest. For those in love with Prague, one visit to Budapest may change your mind.