Through Foreign Eyes

Lakaw is a journey is a step is a move. I love to travel around the world and this is my travel and travel gadget site. Welcome and Enjoy!

Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel

0 comments | Friday, March 13, 2009

It is almost spring! That means it is time for the next adventure. Whether you enjoy the thrill of the big catch, taking in the scenery or a great game, Branson, Missouri is the place to go this spring season! I have been to Branson, Missouri twice and I love it to the max.

If you are a sports fanatic, you will especially enjoy exciting events like the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament happening on March 11-19, 2009. It is an exhilarating 32-team, single-elimination tournament featuring the champions of the Division II conferences and regional tournaments. You will also enjoy the Walmart FLW Bass Tournament March 12-15, 2009.

The moment you are in Branson, Missouri, do not fail to book a room at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. Both hotels are situated within the electrifying entertainment capital of the Midwest in Branson, Missouri. The Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel offer guests access to shops, boutiques, restaurants, a river walk and other attractions.

Both hotels are within easy driving distance of Branson’s championship golf courses, lakes, museums, theme parks and 49 live entertainment theaters. Additional ongoing events include the exciting international folk music and cuisines of World-Fest at Silver Dollar City, the first ever Branson Air Show at the new Branson Airport, the Great American Pie Show, live entertainment and theaters.

Here are few of the things you can do while in Branson:
- Ride The Ducks: Amphibious Tours
- See the Branson Scenic Railway: World War II-era Train
- Take the Sammy Lane Boat Line's Pirate Cruise
- Visit Fantastic Caverns: Dip Down to the Earth's Core
- See the Shepherd of the Hills: Famous Outdoor Drama

Book your trip now!

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Labels: Tourist Attraction

posted by talk

at 3/13/2009 10:59:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Top 10 World's Quietest Places

2 comments | Thursday, September 18, 2008

Who doesn't want to spend quiet moments somewhere, away from the noisy city and crowded places!

To see the horizon, to hear the sounds of the crickets, to feel the gentle breeze and to be alone with nature -- we all want it, do we?

Forbes Traveler published the World's Quietest Places. If you want to see places that whisper like the last words of a bedtime story, then book a trip and visit these locations:

1. The Hoh Valley, Washington - Deep in the rainforests of Olympic National Park

2. The Grand Canyon, Arizona

3. Anza-Borrego State Park, California

4. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, the Big Island, Hawaii - with zero sound level

5. The Muir Woods, California

6. Cape Cod, Massachusetts

7. Loch Lomond, Scotland

8. The Gobi Desert, Mongolia

9. The Kalahari Desert, Southwest Africa

10. Victoria Falls, Zambia

Ready to travel?

[via]

Labels: Tourist Attraction, Where on Earth

posted by talk

at 9/18/2008 04:23:00 PM Permalink

| 2 comments

Old Faithful Geyser, Wyoming - live video

0 comments | Tuesday, July 15, 2008

I have written about the trip to the Old Faithful Geyser in Wyoming, here. I forgot to post the video, though. My friend uploaded the geyser video for your viewing pleasure.

There is a 24-hr live webcam that sends a new real-time photo of Old Faithful Geyser approximately every 30 seconds. You should see that one too if you cannot visit the Old Faithful.

Labels: Tourist Attraction

posted by talk

at 7/15/2008 07:16:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Old Faithful Geyser and Other Geysers in Wyoming

0 comments | Thursday, June 19, 2008

Try a little search online for Old Faithful Geyser at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, and you'll see millions of search results. That is because the Old Faithful Geyser was the first geyser in the park to receive a name in 1870.

It was a great experience to finally watch Old Faithful erupt like a little volcano, however with gallons of boiling water instead of molten rock or lava.

When we arrived at the scene, Old Faithful was already spewing its last steam and we had to wait for almost 90 minutes for the next eruption to occur.

The more than an hour of waiting wasn't useless at all, there were other smaller geysers to see within the Old Faithful area that were erupting every now and then (more than 300 geysers at Yellowstone National Park ). A network of wooden ramps zigzagging the geysers were built to cater curious tourists who'd like to see the small craters at a close range.

While walking around, I saw a number of hot springs that have never erupted since. They simply give off steam while water boiled and bubbled at the surface. It was a beauty to watch them. There were a few that spit off mud and few others that looked splendid with the blue sky reflecting the little bubbles on their craters.

Few minutes before the Old Faithful showcased its grandeur, I had already fixed myself at the perfect viewing location, rubbing elbows with the rest of other tourists, eager to take pictures and a video of the world's most famous geyser!

The first sign of eruption, those little shoots of steam, made me so excited (heard so many side comments from others: "it's coming", "here you go", "it's almost there", like someone is having sex). For the first few seconds, I didn't touch my camera. I simply gazed at the sight of Old Faithful, as it forced thousands of gallons of water out of its vent. It wasn't a long eruption, about 3 to 4 minutes only. But it was enough to take pictures and a video to remember the moment by.

Here are few facts I gathered about Old Faithful:
- 3,700 to 8,400 gallons of water are expelled per eruption, depending on the length of eruption.

- Old Faithful's height ranges from 106 feet to more than 180 feet, averaging 130 feet.

- Its eruption length and height, and time between eruptions varies from day to day and year to year.

If you are planning to go to Old Faithful at the Yellowstone National Park, visit the nature's wonder on summer around June and July.

By the way, did I mention that there is a 24-hr live webcam that sends a new real-time photo of Old Faithful Geyser approximately every 30 seconds? I told my brother in the Philippines that I'd gonna face the camera and wave for him. I did. But he didn't see me.

I will be writing more about my trip to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming in the coming days.

Labels: Tourist Attraction, USA Blogging

posted by talk

at 6/19/2008 05:35:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Devils Tower: America's First National Monument

1 comments | Monday, June 16, 2008

Devils Tower: America's First National Monument. If you are a first-time tourist, there are so many things to visit and see in Wyoming. Wyoming offers natural sceneries and attractions that you cannot even stop taking pictures at any angle possible. Devils Tower, which was proclaimed by President Theodore Roosevelt as America's first national monument in 1906, will surely keep your head tilting above and eyes staring at a very tall wonder.

Devils Tower rises 1267 feet above the Belle Fourche River. Once hidden, erosion has revealed Devils Tower. This 1347 acre park is covered with pine forests, woodlands, and grasslands. Deer, prairie dogs, and other wildlife are seen. Known also as Bears Lodge, it is a sacred site for many American Indians.

While others are busy climbing up the rocks, I stayed down below and enjoyed the surrounding areas.

For climbing information at the Devils Tower in Wyoming, climbing management plan and updates, please visit http://www.nps.gov/deto/plan yourvisit/climbing.htm.

For hotels, motels, lodging near Devils Tower National Monument, Devils Tower, Wyoming, proceed here.

Labels: Tourist Attraction, USA Blogging

posted by talk

at 6/16/2008 08:40:00 PM Permalink

| 1 comments

Ellsworth Air Force Base - South Dakota Air and Space Museum

1 comments | Sunday, June 15, 2008

Last Friday, I visited the Ellsworth Air Force Base, which also houses the South Dakota Air and Space Museum. Outside the museum on the large airpark are aircraft static displays and exhibits. The displays are breathtaking. Most types of aircrafts are there, from FB-111 Aardvark to L-5 Sentinel to F-84 Thunderstreak.

Other displays are listed below:
* A-7D Corsair II
* B-25 Mitchell
* B-26 Invader
* B-29 Superfortress
* B-52D Stratofortress
* EB-57B Canberra
* BT-13 Valiant
* C-45 Expeditor
* C-47 Gooney Bird
* C-54 Skymaster
* C-131 Samaritan
* EC-135 Stratotanker
* F-86 Saber
* F-101 Voodoo
* F-102 Delta Dagger
* F-105 Thud
* H-13 Helicopter
* O-2A Forward Air Control Aircraft
* T-33 Shooting Star
* T-38 Talon
* U-3 Blue Canoe
* U-8 Seminole
* UH-1 Iroquois
* F100A Thunder Chief
* Nike Ajax Missile
* Minuteman II Missile

Ellsworth Air Force Base is home to the 28th Bomb Wing, which flies B-1B Lancers and serves as the host unit, providing all essential base operating support services for Ellsworth and combat support services for an Air Expeditionary Wing.

The South Dakota Air and Space Museum has an excellent section about the early Stratobowl high-altitude balloon flights of the 1930s. The section gives a detailed history of these flights as well as some of the actual items used in the flights.

The highlight of the visit was the missile silo. It is the place where missiles were previously kept and launched. I was able to go underground, about 30m deep to see (and touch) a missile and the equipment used to launch them to targets.

MUSEUM INFO
South Dakota Air and Space Museum
Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota

Mailing Address
28 BW/MU, 2890 Davis Drive
Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD 57706

Street Address
2890 Davis Drive
Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD 57706

Directions
Ellsworth Air Force Base, off I-90 Exit 66

Season
All year

Museum Hours
Museum is open 7 days a week winter hours : 8:30 am to 4:30 pm summer hours : 8:30 am to 6:00 pm

Admissions
free

Collections
Aircraft Missiles , Photographs, Uniforms, Military Instruments

Services
Gift Shop

Bus Tour
* Available mid-May to mid-September
* 50 minute guided bus tour of Ellsworth Air Force Base
* Air Conditioned buses
* Cameras and Video equipment permitted
* Cost $7.00 adults, Children (12 and under) $4.00
Groups of 10 or more $5.00
School groups $1.00 per person

Staff
Ron Alley, Museum Director
Phone: 605-385-5188
Fax: 605-385-6295
Email: ron.alley@ellsworth.af.mil

Museum Type
Specialized

Governance
Governing Authority: Federal, U.S. Air Force
****
More photos here.

Labels: Tourist Attraction, USA Blogging

posted by talk

at 6/15/2008 01:26:00 AM Permalink

| 1 comments

Four Faces of American Presidents - That's Mt. Rushmore!

3 comments | Monday, February 11, 2008

Last Saturday, it was snowing in Black Hills, South Dakota. The day before that, my friends and I thought the temperature will be above zero degrees Fahrenheit. We were wrong. Just an hour before we will reach our destination, the snow began to fall so heavily.

We were all worried. From Brookings, we drove 5 hours to the Black Hills region just to see Mount Rushmore, the monumental granite sculptures of the heads of former United States presidents: George Washington (1732-1799), Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), and Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865). Why only them? Americans considered the four to be amongst the greatest of Presidents they ever had.

As I've mentioned, we were all worried about the weather condition bothering our view of the mountain. With the snow falling like crazy, expect the view to be hazy or worse, the mountain to temporarily vanish from sight. We sacrificed our work for that day just to see the 4 faces we only read about in books when we were still in the Philippines.

Thank God, when we reached the top, the snowfall started to subside.

My first impression upon seeing the Mt. Rushmore is this: it isn't as huge as I expected. Maybe because we were far away from the mountaintop. We only stayed at the area where tourists are allowed. Nevertheless, whoever carved the faces did a very good job. Imagine carving the faces 5,725 feet or 1,745 m above sea level!

I had a very good time. Finally, I've seen the memorial that attracts approximately two million people annually in South Dakota.

Thanks to my Filipino friends - Cel, Ping, Janet and Minae - who made every second of our trip memorable.

See all Mt. Rushmore photos here.

Labels: Tourist Attraction

posted by talk

at 2/11/2008 07:28:00 PM Permalink

| 3 comments

Way of Lights, Belleville Illinois

0 comments | Wednesday, January 02, 2008

The Christmas story is brought to everyone through the display of lights in innovative presentations and activities. That is what the “Way of Lights” is all about.

It started in 1970 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate who operates the Shrine of Our Lady of Snows. The “Way of Lights” is a unique exhibit that everyone must see.

In its 38th year, aside from the beautiful outdoor display of lights, the Way of Lights presents these:

Laser light show – Experience the story of the birth of Jesus through this amazing spectacle of light and sound. This will thrill visitors of all ages.

Interactive Children Village – Through activities, crafts and interactive puppet show, children will learn about the most special gift, Jesus, as well as God’s gift of making each of them special and unique.

Heavenly Photos – Children of all ages can dress in angel attire and have a photograph taken amidst a shimmery background.

Christmas Tree Display – Wander in this heartwarming display where florists and decorators from the St. Louis Metro East Area have created one-of-a-kind trees with a theme of “Christmas Through the Eyes of the Child.”

You can also find a Shrine restaurant and a Gift shop/bookstore. Each evening, area choirs perform the sounds of the season.

Make the “Way of Lights” part of your holiday tradition. The display is open on evenings till January 6, 2008 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Snows, Belleville Illinois.

Labels: Tourist Attraction, World Travels

posted by talk

at 1/02/2008 07:08:00 PM Permalink

| 0 comments

Body Worlds Exhibition

1 comments | Friday, December 28, 2007

Today, I had experienced one best moment inside the Saint Louis Science Center in Missouri, where the world renowned Body Worlds Exhibit was held.

Body Worlds is an eye-opening journey through the inner workings of the human body. It is an achievement in anatomical science, a gaze at humanity in all its glory and vulnerability.

The exhibit uses real human beings as specimens to understand the human body more. But when you see the specimens displayed, you’d wonder how it was possible to do such preservation process of tissues and tendons and muscles and eyes and genitals – like it has just been done a day ago.

According to Dr. Gunther von Hagens who started Body Worlds, the technique to halting decomposition and preserving the human tissue is Plastination. The key to Plastination is Forced Plastic Impregnation. Here, the force of the vacuum squeezes the acetone out of the specimen in bubbles and to the top of the impregnation tank. When acetone is removed a volume deficit is created within the specimen. This void is filled with reactive plastics that permeate the specimen.

Body Worlds is created for people to better understand their bodies. People who have been to the exhibit resolved to stop smoking or drinking and improve their diet. Body Worlds educates people about health and persuade them to change their opinions, as well as to motivate them to think about life and how short life is.

This exhibit is your once-in-a-lifetime chance to understand your own physiology and gain new appreciation of life and respect for what it means to be human. If you get the chance to be in Missouri before it closes around February 2008, drop by and see this really amazing work – featuring 200 authentic human specimens!

EXPLORE the locomotive, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, cardiovascular, digestive and reproductive systems.

SEE the muscles, bones and tendons that help humans move.

STUDY the organs and mechanisms that allow humans to fuel their bodies.

VIEW the complex pathways of our vascular system.

GAIN a greater understanding of how human life is made possible and what it takes to protect it.

Labels: Tourist Attraction, World Travels

posted by talk

at 12/28/2007 11:22:00 PM Permalink

| 1 comments

Pow-wow 2007 Flandreau South Dakota

0 comments | Saturday, July 28, 2007

This is a short video taken in Flandreau, South Dakota just to give you all a taste of what Pow-wow is. Read previous post for a more descriptive story.

I will be attending another event this weekend. Next post will be about it.

Labels: Tourist Attraction, USA Blogging

posted by talk

at 7/28/2007 12:30:00 AM Permalink

| 0 comments

Pow-wow 2007

0 comments | Friday, July 27, 2007

When I heard about the name Pow-wow, I thought it was just a joke. You know, the kind of name one creates out of nowhere. But Pow-wow does exist! Someone told me that the term Pow-wow was derived from the shout or chant American Indians do -- like that long shrilling powowowowow...

The little research I did, however, revealed a different beginning.

Pow-wow (sometimes powwow or pow wow or pau wau) actually means folk magic. The name was taken from Narragansett word powwaw, meaning "spiritual leader". For many years, it has become a gathering of North America's indigenous people - the Native Americans.

A pow-wow event in recent definition consists of people (Native American and non-Native American alike) meeting in one particular area to dance, sing, socialize, and generally have a good time.

Dancing, singing, socializing, and generally having a good time. Those were exactly what I saw and experienced when I attended the Pow-wow 2007 event at Flandreau, South Dakota last weekend.

A pow-wow session begins with the Grand Entry, during which all the dancers line up by dance style and age, then enter the arena while one of the host drums sings an opening song. This event is sacred in nature, and many Native individuals often do not allow filming or photography during this time.

Most of the various types of dances performed at a pow-wow are descended from the dances of the Plains tribes of Canada and the United States. Besides those for the opening and closing of a pow-wow session, the most common is the intertribal, where a drum will sing a song and anyone who wants to can come and dance. Similar dances are the trot dance, called a crow hop when performed by a northern drum or a horse stealing song by a southern drum, and the round dance. Each of these songs have a different step to be used during them, but are open for dancers of any style.

It was a 2-day event but I only saw the second day. I bet, the first one was equally amazing.

To see the native Americans in their native costumes and appreciating their culture though dances and songs was worth the experience. It was kinda similar to the Sinulog festival in Cebu, Philippines, if one has to think of the colorful dresses and the jubilation it creates. Yet the aura at Pow-wow was different.

I heard that there is also an annual Pow-wow here in Brookings, around mid February. I'll check it out next year and see how it fares with what I experienced in Flandreau.

Labels: Tourist Attraction, USA Blogging

posted by talk

at 7/27/2007 12:20:00 AM Permalink

| 0 comments

Brookings Fireworks Display sucks!

1 comments | Monday, July 16, 2007

There are only a couple of things you can do in Brookings, South Dakota. One is to stay at home. Another one is to go to work. That's it. Without the regular holidays and events like the US independence day last July 4th, Brookings will just be one very boring place to live in.

I went to watch the fireworks display with Val and Henok. To tell you frankly, it wasn't at par with what we have in the Philippines. It was too amateurish a display you'll get sleepy watching it. See it for yourself [video after the jump].

Tell me what you think.

Labels: Tourist Attraction, USA Blogging

posted by talk

at 7/16/2007 01:37:00 PM Permalink

| 1 comments

Video: Nebraska Trip 2007

0 comments

Read my previous post about my trip to Nebraska.

Here is a video of the countryside. The 6-hr long travel felt like 2-hr shorter by the wonderful things I saw around the counties we passed through. Enjoy the video.

Next post will be about the Independence celebration in Brookings.

Labels: Tourist Attraction, World Travels

posted by talk

at 7/16/2007 02:23:00 AM Permalink

| 0 comments

New York Aquarium and the Dolphin Show

2 comments | Wednesday, July 04, 2007

This is my last post about my New York trip. The last league of my trip was spent in the only aquarium in New York City, which is also part of the largest network of metropolitan wildlife parks in the US - the New York Aquarium.

The Aquarium is driven by a vision of a world where people understand the critical role the oceans play in human survival and the sensitivity of aquatic resources.

With exhibits featuring over 8,000 animals, the Aquarium offers diversity, superb viewing, and world-renowned scientific expertise that assures a rewarding experience and the knowledge that people can make a difference in the ocean world around them.

Whether you're getting wrapped up in the tentacles of our jellies in its brand new Alien Stingers exhibit, being awe-struck by our walruses in the rocky coastline of Sea Cliffs, or cheering on the California sea lions during the Aquatheater presentations, you're always close to some of the world's most amazing wildlife.