Beyond Xpereince Vol 8

xperiencewww.beyondxperience.com

Vol. 8 December 2011

Best of 2011

B e y o n d

BAR CODE

ContentsDiscover Abu DhabiFrom a di�erent perspective…

From the air...The only 360 degreerevolving bubbly brunch inAbu Dhabi every Friday

By the sea...Every Friday Shuja Yachthosts Abu Dhabi’s onlyfloating brunch cruisingdown the Corniche.

Contents

Xperiences (Best of 2011)Gravity defying hills � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 6Cycling in RAK � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 9the Great Blue hole � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 12

the tiger’s nest � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 15

ocean going hippos � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 16

International Discovery

Azerbaijan � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 20

Feature (Best of 2011)Best of Unique Festivals � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 26Best of Perilous Airports � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 30

Culinary (Best of 2011)Ali Barbour’s Cave � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 34 Most expensive ice cream � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 36

Photographer’s Xperience (Best of 2011)Ali Barbour’s Cave � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 34

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26 34 40

Discover Abu DhabiFrom a di�erent perspective…

From the air...The only 360 degreerevolving bubbly brunch inAbu Dhabi every Friday

By the sea...Every Friday Shuja Yachthosts Abu Dhabi’s onlyfloating brunch cruisingdown the Corniche.

Editor’s Note

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beyond xperience l Dec 2011

editoR’s note

Editor in Chief:Mukesh Bhawnani

Managing Editor:M. Khalid [email protected]

Photography/Illustrations/Design:Muhammad [email protected]

Editorial Contributors:Salim SayyidMichelle McgillKavya ChawlaKenneth Gabac

Contributing Photographer:Navin Vaswani

Publisher:Media 4 FZEFujairah TowerPO Box: 4422, Fujairah, UAE.

Marketed by:Winds Advertising & PublishingPO Box: 25271, Abu Dhabi – UAETel: +971 (2) 677 3330Fax: +971 (2) 679 3339Email: [email protected]

Marketing Associates:Mashood Ali (Middle East)Jennifer Tina (United Kingdom)

United Kingdom RepresentativeFast Track Travel6 Way Land, Hayes UB32QULondon, UK

Disclaimer:While every effort and care has been made to ensure accuracy of information contain in this publication, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for errors or omissions it may contain.

Our latest issue is all about what our readers experienced during 2011, we have decided to give our readers the

best of 2011, December Issue (Best of the best) will for sure take our readers back in time to xperience the astounding stories published during the year.

Moreover, the tremendous response to Beyond Xperience during 2011 has ‘stimulated’ us to tickle your senses in time to come - to lead you into newer worlds of intrigue and mystery – where thrills galore, tranquility prevails, solitude reigns - all in the midst of some amazing marvels of nature which will unfold during 2012.

We were humbled and delighted by your responses toward us and we are sure December 2011 issue will give you what you are looking for. Our team wishes all our readers a very exciting and happening new year.

Mukesh Bhawnani

to read detailed stories aboutthe Xperiences published in this edition please visit:

www�beyondxperience�com

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LetteRs

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

My wife and I have always been fascinated of the oceans and seas of the world. Early 2009, we had our first romantic experience in MSC Cruise whilst celebrating our first wedding anniversary. Since your October issue tackled on this topic regarding cruise experiences and must try holiday getaways, we couldn’t help but be nostalgic. Indeed, your magazine is worth having in our household. It’s a must-have for us! More power to your team.

Editor:

My friends and I have always been frequenting Paris for over the past years. Paris is rich in history and culture more than being the romantic city in the world. Thanks to your informative mag I told my pals to even grab their own copies and write our wonderful experiences there. It’s the best we have had so far!

Dear Editor,

I am an Asian gal living in the Middle East and sure it’s a pride you always cover our region. But what caught my attention is your topic about festivals to watch out for. It’s exotic and thrilling! I sure want to catch these events by 2012; I love Beyond Xperience!

Letter of the Month

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ReGionAL XPeRienCe

I just turned off / neutral my car and released the brakes. Then it started to happen I experienced the most amazing thing my car gradually started to move uphill on its own. I turned back to the road

a few more times to experience my car defying gravity!

It a unique experience in Oman - Salalah where one can drive car without driving it owing to some extraordinary phenomena. The place is on the left side of the highway from Taqaf to Mirbat

Gravity Defying Hills

For our readers here are some of the most unique and astounding xperiences published in Beyond Xperience in 2011

Most unique xperiences 2011

Best of november

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ReGionAL XPeRienCe

Believe it or not Middle East has its own Crater, yes it does. Xperience this prehistoric wonder in Saudi Arabia. The Wahba Crater is an enormous pre-historic hole in the ground! A fancier attempt at describing the 2km

wide and 260m deep crater would be a waste of superlatives – you have to see it and have your breath taken away – first, by the sheer size of it and secondly by the climb down and back up again. The crater is on the road to Riyadh. Approximately 5 hours from Jeddah. Although hot in the summer it is an incredible xperience. Go in winter, camp in night on the rim of the crater and feel the reality it.

Wahba CraterBest of May

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ReGionAL XPeRienCe

The Tree of Life in Bahrain is one of the mysteries of the world which is bound to be in your sightseeing list while in this Middle Eastern country.

The Tree of Life in Bahrain is a four century old mesquite tree which survives in the midst of the desert. The mystery of the survival of the tree has made it a legend. People from all over the Middle East and the world make it a point to visit this place to see this magic of nature. The name ‘tree of life’ is absolutely appropriate for the tree as it truly represents the magic of life. A legend is also attached to the site where the tree is located. The local inhabitants believe with heart and soul that this was the actual location of the Garden of Eden.

The Tree of Life of Bahrain is located 1.2 miles or 2 kilometers away from Jebel Dukhan. The tree stands all alone in the heart of desert and from far away it looks like a green spot in the white desert. While going to this place extra caution should be taken to avoid your car from getting stuck in the sand. There are very less habitation near this place as this is in the middle of no where.

tree of life

Best of July

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ReGionAL XPeRienCe

Cycling in RAK

Ras Al Khaimah, has serious and unique terrains for cycling. This is a serious adventure sport and is definitely not for the faint hearted or unfit. The route is the only hiking route

included in a climber’s guide written by a professional; a pioneer of UAE rock climbing. Be warned this is a serious mountain route and cycling across these terrains are tough, sturdy and harsh but once you reach your mark, the views will blow your mind away.

If one wanted to xperience the hike it can be done in one day but it is not advisable by the professionals. Most of the single day attempts have led to parties spending uncomfortable unplanned nights on site.

Xperience this unique Adrenaline rush In Ras Al Khaimah.

Best of september

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Please visit the nearest Volkswagen showroom of Ali & Sons today.

The new Tiguan. With 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

IT FEELS GOODTO KNOW YOU

COULD.

Abu Dhabi Showroom, Corniche Road Tel: 02-6817770Mussafah After-Sales Centre Tel: 02-5026555/5026581Al Ain Showroom & Service Centre Tel: 03-7210066Showroom timings: 8:30 am to 8:30 pm, Saturday - Thursday

www.volkswagen-abu-dhabi.com

• 3 years Roadside Assistance• 5 years Extended Warranty

Inclusive of the

‘Volkswagen Service Excellence’*

• 3 years/45,000 km Free Service

*Terms and conditions apply

Service ExcellenceVolkswagen

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to take nearly every road without compromise? With the 4MOTION all-wheel drive,

off-road drive programme, and hill-descent control on your side, the new Tiguan makes driving on any terrain feel

easy. Thanks to the highest level of interior comfort achieved by a 3-spoke multi-function leather steering wheel,

sports front seats and the ‘RNS 510’ navigation system, the new Tiguan handles urban and rural roads comfortably.

The Ice Igloo is part of the Rainforest trail experience at Banyan Tree Spa at Al Wadi and is meant to Awaken the senses with a cold rub-down with ice crystals or a rain shower

Banyan Tree Spa presents The Rainforest, an invigorating hydrothermal experi-ence infused with time-honoured Asian wellness philosophy.

Journey through the cascading Rain Walk and calm your spirit in the Aroma Steam Chamber. Next, luxuriate and detox in the Hammam or with warm therapeutic mud in the sensory Rasul. Immerse yourself in different Experience Showers such as the Bucket Drench Shower before relaxing in the warm Sauna followed by a cooling rub-down from the Ice Fountain. The Ice Igloo is part of the Rainforest trail experience at Banyan Tree Spa at Al Wadi and is meant to Awaken the senses with a cold rub-down with ice crystals or a rain shower.

ReGionAL XPeRienCe

ICE IglooBest of April

10

Please visit the nearest Volkswagen showroom of Ali & Sons today.

The new Tiguan. With 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

IT FEELS GOODTO KNOW YOU

COULD.

Abu Dhabi Showroom, Corniche Road Tel: 02-6817770Mussafah After-Sales Centre Tel: 02-5026555/5026581Al Ain Showroom & Service Centre Tel: 03-7210066Showroom timings: 8:30 am to 8:30 pm, Saturday - Thursday

www.volkswagen-abu-dhabi.com

• 3 years Roadside Assistance• 5 years Extended Warranty

Inclusive of the

‘Volkswagen Service Excellence’*

• 3 years/45,000 km Free Service

*Terms and conditions apply

Service ExcellenceVolkswagen

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to take nearly every road without compromise? With the 4MOTION all-wheel drive,

off-road drive programme, and hill-descent control on your side, the new Tiguan makes driving on any terrain feel

easy. Thanks to the highest level of interior comfort achieved by a 3-spoke multi-function leather steering wheel,

sports front seats and the ‘RNS 510’ navigation system, the new Tiguan handles urban and rural roads comfortably.

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inteRnAtionAL XPeRienCe

Divers come to Belize and dive to xperience the Great Blue Hole. This astounding diving site right in the centre of the Lighthouse Reef system is about 60 miles off the mainland of Belize City. The

depth of the water gives it the blue color and hence the name “Blue Hole”

The Blue Hole is a perfectly circular limestone sinkhole more than 300 feet across and 412 feet deep. The deeper one dives, the greater the exhilaration amidst the bizarre limestone moulds. Near The Blue Hole is one of Belize’s largest protected areas, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, encompassing 10,000 acres of the atoll and 15 square miles of surrounding waters.

Xperience the thrill of a life time – Dive deeper in the Great Blue Hole

The Great Blue Hole

Best of April

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The Great Blue Hole

NazCa LiNesWhat are Nazca Lines? Why are they so mystifying? The high

deserts of Peru hold the most mysterious monuments of the world – the massive scale geoglyphs known as Nazca Lines.

These geometric patterns to drawings of different animal and stylized human like forms can only be discerned from high in the air. Genera-tions are mystified and baffled that long before the invention of human flight how could these amazing ‘patterns’ be completed? Are these the works of an Alien existence or have these been etched by giants? Who built them and for what purpose? Modern archeology may just have the answers sooner of later. But until then when in Peru xperience the patterns.

Xperience the Nazca Lines.

Best of May

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Pamukkale is a natural wonder which is also known as the “Cotton Castle”. This exotic site is located in the Denizli Province which is in the south western region of Turkey. This site is famous all around

the world for its terraces of carbonate minerals which are formed due to the flowing water. At this place you can also find travertines and hot springs. This world famous site appears like a Cotton Castle that is why various people from all around the world come to visit this place.

The ancient city of Hierapolis was located here many centuries ago and it is now completely in ruins. The water that comes through an under-ground source in this area is said to be a cure for various diseases. Many thermal hotels are also located very near to Pamukkale

Cotton Castle

Best of May

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THe TiGer’s NesT

The last remaining kingdom of Asia is the Kingdom of Bhutan and within this kingdom nestles a spectacular treat, the Taktsang Monastery. It is also referred to the ‘Tiger’s Nest’.

The interesting legend that surrounds the landmark narrates back in the 7th century when Guru Rimpche fled from Tibet, China. Flying over the Grand Himalaya on the back of a tigress in the pursuit of recluse he finally arrived in Paro Valley. He meditated for three months in a cave, which was soon to be built into today’s Taksang Monastery.

The monastery hangs on a cliff high above Paro Valley. It hosts a spectacular construction and design, leaving viewers mesmerised. In order to get full viewing pleasure you need to ascend from Paro Valley and this cannot be achieved by car (or even tigress)! You must climb by either foot or pony for a three-hour journey before reaching the Tiger’s Nest. After your tired body reaches the point you will be generously rewarded with fantastic views and a perhaps a nice cup of Asian tea.

Best of July

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Have you ever seen a hippo surf? No, is the answer I would expect. After all these creatures are more known as freshwater waders rather than saltwater. However head to Gabon on the West Coast

of Africa and you will find yourself in a region famous for surfing hippos. The wandering mammals drift further afield finding themselves in a salty ecosystem where they can rid themselves of parasites and enjoy the surf of the African Coast.

And it’s not just surfing hippos that commend Gabon as an enthralling spot; the region is also covered by thick, hidden forest so it is home to chimpanzees, mandrills and the largest number of western lowland gorillas anywhere in the world. Whilst the hippos bob in the sea, the elephants and buffalos enjoy strolls along the sandy shores; it surely is an amazing sight to Xperience. Sharing a beach with wildlife rather than hoards of tourists is a treat to be enjoyed. Lap up the surf with the hippos in Gabon.


sun, sand, surf and �� Hippos?

Best of July

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ZugspitzeNature lovers, sun worshippers or hikers the Zugspitze will take

your breath away. Only 90 kilometers away from Munich and at an altitude of almost 3,000 meters, Germany's highest mountain

presents a world of fascinating adventure.

The Alpspitze Viewing Platform nearby will astonish you. At its foot two steel arms in the form of an "X" jut out thirteen meters over the abyss below, with one of them sloping downwards towards the Höllental valley and the other reaching skywards to the Zugspitze. You will be haunted by the unique experience of feeling suspended in thin air as you recount the sensational views of the nearby rock faces, the breathtaking mountain panorama and the 1,000 meter drop to the valley below. Xperience Zugspitze - it will take your breath away!

Best of september

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The spectacular Tengger Caldera – the collapsed remnants of an ancient volcano in beautiful natural Indonesia forms a mountain complex incorporating the dormant Mount Betok, the active volcano

of Mount Bromo and Mount Semeru – Java’s highest mountain and most active volcano. Xperience this amazing mountain complex as a day trip and see the sunrise over the Caldera at the lookout point on Mount Pen-ankajan at 4:30 am. Don’t forget to look up and see a glorious sky filled with stars as you wait for the sun to make an appearance. And as it is quite chilly, it would be sensible to rent parkas from the locals. Just as the sun appears, one hears the happy yelling of the assembled crowd – signal to make your way to the crater floor through a steep road coming out opposite to Mount Betok with Mount Bromo behind. The crater floor has volcanic sand often called Sand Sea and you reach there by jeep. In the base of Mount Betok, there is a Hindu temple and cowboys who are eager to sell you the services of their horses.

Beyond the Hindu temple are the lower slopes of Mount Bromo Cone and one could reach the slick volcanic sands by walking or by a pony. On the base of Mount Bromo Cone one needs to climb a steep stairway to reach the rim of the crater and from here one can see the volcanic vent not more than a big crack spewing steam and yellow deposits of sulfur on the walls of the vent. And you could also view across the sand volcanic seas Mount Penankajan.

Mount BromoBest of october

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beyond xperience l dec 2011

inteRnAtionAL disCoveRy

azerBaiJaNAn insatiable Xperience

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20 inteRnAtionAL disCoveRy

Hello, Baku! Even from the airplane window I could see the incredible beauty and urban scale, covering the Caspian bay like a horseshoe...

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Baku greeted me with fine weather and very friendly people� everything here was

new for me, even the newly opened “Hilton” hotel where i stayed, imbued with freshness, european comfort and unusual design� Leaving my baggage in the room, i decided to take a walk along the embankment of Baku to breathe the fresh air of the Caspian sea� instantly, Baku gives the impression of a european city: many tourists, foreign companies, luxurious restaurants, fashionable salons, boutiques, etc� the hustle

and bustle of the crowds streaming through the city’s streets was quite surprising� People of all ages, espe-cially younger generations and children� All were dressed very fash-ionably in chic and renowned brands� Unique cars and London styled taxis whizzed by� Although Baku is a very ancient town, i experienced a lively and dynamic city� Ancient historical monuments harmoniously intertwine with modern skyscrapers, built with the latest technology, with a bizarre and unique design� As the largest city in the Caucasus and biggest

port of the Caspian sea, Baku is one of the most beautiful cities in the world� i became so carried away during my long walk, engrossed in my imagination and the surrounding entertainment, that i failed to notice it had turned dark and my belly was bellowing� With such a variety of restaurants and cafes around me it took some time to finally choose� Passing them, i could hear kind wishes: “noosh alsoon!” as an invi-tation to a generously laid table or the richest feast of tastes� the most important principle here - “everything

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is available for the guest� And if not, we’ll get it!”the air was filled with an aroma of delicate gourmet spices from the local cuisine� Having read the menu in a nargiz restaurant, i was surprised by the variety of national dishes� Many of them are similar to Arabian foods� Happily, i ordered a kebab and the Azerbaijani national dish, Chighirtma (pilaw)� When i tried it, i was fascinat-ed by the rich flavour, created by mil-lennial traditions� therefore, to enrich my gourmet tastes, i have decided to try a new meal every day�

on my return to the hotel i was met with a warm welcome by the hotel’s staff� everybody was interested to know my first impressions and started to give me advice such as where to go tomorrow and what to see� i realized that 5 days is not enough time to fully explore Baku� so quickly in the room i drew up a plan of my acquaintance with Baku�

Woken up to birds singing, i made my way down to breakfast at the hotel and then went for an excursion to an iconic place in the centre of Baku - the ancient icheri sheki fortress city, also known as “Baku Acropolis”� At the entrance to the old City, i noticed a well-organized service, information desk, where i received all relevant information and booklet with a map� they also proposed an english-speaking guide for me and even an Arabic-speaking guide, if i pre-ordered in advance, which was pleasantly surprising�

it was charming to stroll through the cobbled streets of old City - a unique open-air museum with more than 50 historical and architectural monuments from various eras� Most of them are under protection of UnesCo – shirvanshah’s Palace, the Maiden’s tower of the 11th century and the synyg Gala minaret, cara-vansarays� the Maiden’s tower, rising above the central part of the city, is one of the most majestic and mysteri-ous monuments of Baku with a great deal of legends surrounding it�

the view of the old City is fascinating �� you can harness space and time in the labyrinths of it - there are no seasons of the year in “icheri sheher” and eternity reigns here� you should study the fortress monuments, for they have no analogues in the world� All these aspects make present Baku completely different from its past looks and emphasize its unique, oriental peculiarity� Rightly so Baku is called the pearl of the Caucasus� next, i pre-arranged a trip to Gobustan, an archaeological open air museum�

i was hungry, and the guide recom-mended the restaurant “Mugham Club,” located in the old town area in the 17th century caravanserai� i’ve never been so impressed by the unique antique interior, delicious cuisine and high quality service� Here i was enchanted by the beautiful ethnic music and amazed by the original Azerbaijani dancers in tradi-tional costumes�

i soon discovered Baku is one of the cities included in the top ten cities in the world in terms of development scope night time Leisure - clubs, discos and bars� Fed and rested, i wanted to check this vibrant nightlife out, so the guide advised me on a few nightclubs� i was certainly impressed, night life in Baku is outstanding� the clubs provide a superior service; with vocalists, dance shows, entertain-ing mini-plays and disco, viP zones, free Wi-Fi, live music, and shisha, my adrenaline was pumping and i enjoyed every second�

the next morning i had breakfast in a cafe on the Boulevard� everything seemed habitual to me - the local women in hijabs, drifting sounds of the adhan and familiar food� i found it very comfortable here and i felt a real sense of belonging in Baku�

At the hotel the guide was waiting for me� He drove me to Gobustan, which is also located near Baku� during the drive i admired the local landscapes which reminded me of the number of dubai roads and construction projects� Baku is also a rapidly growing and evolving city�

excursion to Gobustan presented me with an unforgettable impres-sion� Where else could i see the rock paintings (petroglyphs) of our ancestors, made about 4 thousand years ago, a wall with a Latin inscrip-tion, made by centurion of the Roman legion in the 1st century Ad, caves, sites of ancient people and artifacts,

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which can trace the history of the civilians, their interests and outlook? the reserve is also on UnesCo pro-tection�

on my return to Baku, i visited the overview on the mountain part of the city� i was gazing for some time and enjoying the scale of the city, covering the Baku bay like a horseshoe� From the top, the city has the shape of an amphitheater, which descends to the sea� Gradually it became dark, and the panorama of the city acquired a different form, more bright� i wanted to capture part of this wonderful city and amazing culture in my memory forever� Later, i took a taxi and went shopping, to buy gifts for my family and friends� this was not any usual shopping trip� there is nowhere to hide, eventually some photographer will find you and offer to take pictures, you will also be bombarded with tradesmen demanding to know your weight, or offer you horseback rides�

so to do some relaxed shopping and have my dinner i ventured to a large mall “Park Avenue”� Here i found a great range of high-street fashion stores, including the likes of Mango, Coast, nine West and Bennetton, plus a debehams department store� i was pleasantly surprised by the prices, variety of products, the wide range of discounts and special offers� i was fully attracted by the beautiful handmade carpets, ceramics, bronze items and jewellery�

My fourth day in Baku was also full of excitement� i enjoyed my boat trip from Boulevard to Baku Bay� i discov-ered interesting facts and legends of the largest lake in the World, better known as Caspian sea�

the next unique place i visited was the Azerbaijan state Museum of Carpet and Applied Art� As i learned from the guide, this is the first museum in

the world of carpets, which contains a collection of over 10 thousand valuable works of art: ceramics (Bronze Age), artistic metal (Xiv), carpets (Xviii-XX)� in general Azeri carpets are known for their symmetry, bold, geometric designs and bright colors� in 2010 the traditional Art of weaving Azerbaijani Carpets also made it on to UnesCo’s representa-tive list of intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity�

Walking along the boulevard at last, i realized that the city has become a native to me� i will definitely come back to Baku with my family in the summer, to visit the huge sea water park�

My time in Baku was too limited to be manage to see all of the interesting places in Azerbaijan� so much to see, but unfortunately not enough time in the wonderful land that is Baku�

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26FestivALs

south Korea hosts a number of festivals but one which draws in the crowds, especially international numbers is the Boryeong Mud Festival� Become immersed in both the mud and the festival’s electric atmosphere with various activities, all involving plenty of muddy fun� the festival is held annually every summer� enjoy a wrestle in the mud ring, be locked

up in mud jail, slide down a mega mudslide, compete in a mud skiing competition or go for a swim in the mud mega tub� And if you become bored of all the shades of browns you can brighten yourself up with the coloured mud, which is produced for body painting� or if you become too dried up with the mud, the festival is ideally located on daecheon beach so you can go wash it off and do it all again later� A large stage is erected on the beach, which is used for live music, competitions and various other visual attractions�

But being covered in so much dirt can hardly be good for you� Can it? indeed it can as all the mud at Boryeong Mud Festival has been trucked to the daecheon beach area from the Boryeong mud flats� this is not regular mud and is considered rich in minerals and used to manufacture cosmetics� so those who are looking for a good time and to gain a glowing complexion this is the ideal festival to xperience�

MUD FESTIVAL KOREA

Best of May

For our readers here are some of the most bizarre festivals published in Beyond Xperience in 2011

Most bizarrefestivals 2011

2726 FestivAL


BURnIng MAn FESTIVALHeld annually in the Black Rock desert in northern nevada, UsA is an electrifying weeklong celebration

known as the Burning Man� it is a spectacle of radical self –reliance and self-expression, including numerous bizarre and highly entertaining performances� An entrance is expected on arrival and the

more dramatic and unique the better� some people chug down the road in a car transformed into a work of art, between glittering bonnets, neon headlights to cupcake cars to prehistoric fish cars; the more shocking the better� it seems the festival is all in the name of art and the more eccentric you are the more welcomed you are� it is a celebration that provides a great sense of belonging and requires participation in order to gain a full perspective of its dynamics� stock up on food and water before you go as the desert heat is intense� yet you will find yourself buzzing with energy as you become involved in the spectacle of a new, weird and wonderful world� As the name suggests a Man is lit on fire, but don’t gasp in horror, it isn’t a living man, just a large wooden man� the procession starts with the man igniting and the circle of people around experience something new and personal� What is truly great about the festival is how it is left as if nobody had even been� A great impor-tance is put upon the cleaning� the waste you make goes home with you� All objects built are dismantled at the end and brought back home for recycling or re-use� to understand you must become involved at the Burning Man Festival, nevada�

Best of october

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FestivALs

STREET PAInTIng FESTIVALUSA

vivid shades brighten the streets of Lake Worth every year when the Annual street Painting Festival comes to town� over 400 artists open their chalk pallets and get to work transform-ing the area to an unbelievably inventive avenue� the festival displays a range of artistic

styles from Renaissance classicism to Pop Art� People stroll and ponder over paintings whilst music vibrates through the town and street performers fringe the edges of the path entertaining onlookers� Lake Worth boasts the largest of all street-painting festivals with more than 200 street paintings sponsored by businesses, organisations, families and individuals� street painting trac-es all the way back to the italian 16th century when roaming artists would use the pavement as their canvas� it has still retained its charm and the festival celebrates its fine work and vibrancy; that is of course until the rain flows down and turns the street into a colourful stream�

Best of september

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FeAtURe - FestivALs

MOnKEy BUFFET FESTIVALif you like your festivals strange then this one is for you� the Monkey Buffet festival in thailand certainly ticks

the strange box� the festival is held in Lopburi as legend has it that the hero of the ancient sanskrit epic, Ramayana, rewarded his ally Hanuman the Monkey King with the control of what is now Lopburi and this is

reasoning for the town being roamed freely with long-tailed macaques� Locals believe that the mischievous creatures bring good fortune, and hence an annual feast is held in their honour� the celebration takes place at the Pra Prang sam yot temple where the unbelievably wide spread of fruit is set to entice the monkeys in� it isn’t long before the word has spread throughout the monkey kingdom and hoards of critters are scampering in between people and happily grabbing as much as they can� Monkeys are great fun to watch so it’s not hard to imagine the joy in the midst of scampering monkeys everywhere� so if you care for some monkey madness then what better way to do it than to xperience Lopburi’s Monkey Fest�

Best of July

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PeRiLoUs AiRPoRts

ICE RUNWAy

this pick may not be an actual airport per-se, but it is worth mentioning� As the name suggests it is a runway, a runway made entirely of ice� Landing on ice surely is a chilling notion but the freezing conditions in Antarctic areas with no net annual snow accumulation call for this risky runway� in

this way the ice surface is capable of supporting aircraft landings with wheels instead of skis� the ice Runway is one of three major airstrips used to haul supplies and researchers to Antarctica’s McMurdo station� it certainly doesn’t lack space, so the likes of super-size aircrafts, C-130 Hercules, and C-17 Globemaster iii can land with some form of ease� yet, the real stomach churner is the possibility of the weight of the aircraft being to heavy and shattering the ice or even the plane becoming stuck in the snow� the long stretches of ice and snow must be methodically prepared in order to deliver less shivering souls onto land�

Best of october

Here are some of the most perilous airports of 2011

Most perilousairports 2011

image C

redited: http://greenframeproductions�com

/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/antarcticaarrival�jpg

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PeRiLoUs AiRPoRts

GIBRALTARAIRPORT

it’s not unusual to be stuck in traffic in a busy city� you sit waiting patiently for the lights to turn green and the cars to stop whizzing by� it’s pretty normal to have to stop and watch a train crossing and in rural areas it’s also common to have to stop for cattle crossing� However, everyone will agree it is not

common to stop at traffic lights waiting to watch a plane glide by� surprisingly, there is an exception, which draws the question – where? At Gibraltar Airport people can expect to be held up on the peninsula’s busiest road by planes landing and departing� the runway is bisected by the hectic street and has been ranked the fifth most dangerous airport in the world and europe’s most dangerous� All that halts the vehicle traffic is a flimsy barrier and as soon as the plane has ascended or descended, the barriers are lifted and traffic can resume across the runway� it takes ten minutes for a plane to take off and land, thus you might want to have a book handy in the car� in a single day traffic is stopped totally for around two hours� Another unique point about Gibraltar airport is its construction dates back to World War ii� For some plane spotting in traffic Gibraltar Airport is the place to be jammed�

Best of october

image Credited: http://f4aviation�co�uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Gibraltar-Airport-Road-Crossing�jpg

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PeRiLoUs AiRPoRts

PRInCESS JULIAnA

imagine lying on a beach, you are enjoying the sun and sand when you hear an almighty sound; you feel a shadow grow above you� Quickly you put the novel down and gasp above at the jumbo jet, which booms only some meters above� Princess Juliana international airport is the second busiest

airport in the eastern Caribbean and also boasts the best location for avid plane-spotters� the airport serves saint Maarten, the dutch part of the island of saint Martin and is famous for its short landing strip – only 2,180 metres, which proves a difficult task for heavy jets� so this is the reason behind the booming planes descending extremely low over Maho Beach� the planes must approach the island flying exceptionally low so they have enough time to stop on the landing strip� the sight of a plane literally metres above your head is breathtaking, thus there have been numerous photos taken of large jets flying a mere 10-20 metres over relaxing holidaymakers� the photos look so impressive they have been dismissed as fakes� they certainly aren’t a hoax and if you want to get up close and personal to a plane in descent Maho Beach is the place to go� Just mind your head!

RADO CENTRIX JUBILÉ / WWW.RADO.COM

sAd_Rado_Singlepage_JS_SNPSHT4863.indd 1 12.05.2011 15:17:33

Best of september

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FeAtURe - AMAZinG JoURneys

RADO CENTRIX JUBILÉ / WWW.RADO.COM

sAd_Rado_Singlepage_JS_SNPSHT4863.indd 1 12.05.2011 15:17:33

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CULinARy XPeRienCe

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Xperience style and romance in an unrivalled atmosphere. enjoy mouth watering ala Carte menu and quality wine list once in a lifetime

dining experience. This world renowned Cave restaurant is thought to be 120,000 and 180,000 years old comprising of a series of interlinking chambers at depths up to 10m below ground level opened to the sky.

The sky is the limit in ali Barbour’s Cave restaurant – romance and style unlimited – Xperience it.

Best of April

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CULinARy XPeRienCe

Lobster Soup for the Soul

Fresh blue lobster, abalone and turbot & pure gold leaf Tom Yum seafood soup - Tom Yum Talay. selling price would be UsD$ 600 per portion i.e.

per bowl ( no minimum quantity required) 48 hours notice is required to fly in the fresh ingredients.

All profits from this dish will go directly to Dusit Smiles Charity for children with facial deformities. each bowl should be able to sponsor between 2 to 4 operations for Dusit smiles in ethiopia or Kenya, depending if doctors are local or flown in.

Where: Dusit Thani Dubai

Best of July

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CULinARy XPeRienCe

Get ready to baffle yourself, A $25,000 chocolate sundae already in the Guinness Book of Records, is here for you. You’ll be shocked to discover this pricier calorie bomb was once sold on the New York food market.

The “Frozen Haute Chocolate” debuted at serendipity - 3 in New York, a restaurant owned by stephen Bruce. The frozen hot chocolate was created in partnership with euphoria New York, the luxury jeweller that supplies the serving goblets lined with edible gold as well as the 0.2 ounces of 23 - karat gold sprinkled over each dessert.

The Frozen Haute Chocolate itself is a blend of 28 of the world’s most expensive and exotic cocoas.

The sundae is topped with whipped cream covered with more gold and a side of La Madeline au Truffle from Knipschildt Chocolatier, which sells for $2,600 a pound.

it is eaten with a gold spoon decorated with white and chocolate-colored diamonds, which can also be taken home.

Chocolate sundae!!!$ 25,000

Best of november

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WeiRd HoteLs

CAPPADOCIA CAVE SUITES

Revert back to the stone Age with modern conveniences at the Cappadocia Cave suites in turkey� Cappadocia is renowned for being one of the most fascinating travel destinations in turkey� Up until two million years ago the region was literally a sea of lava over 150 metres

deep� When the volcanoes surrounding Cappadocia ceased erupting the sea of lava turned to soft rock, which is easily eroded and dug up� this hotel is located in a restored one thousand year old Byzantine monastic retreat allowing one to embrace a spiritual feel of an area, which was inhabited for more than five thousand years� some of the buildings in this historic region are set so deep into the rock that whole cities have developed underground, conveying an extraordi-nary landscape and making it a natural wonder of the world� the hotel contains 18 rooms or ‘fairy chimneys’ as they have been labelled due to their fantastical and romantic look� enjoy a taste of prehistoric life whilst lapping up 21st century luxury�

Best of July

Hotels around the world are renowned for their luxury and high end services but for beyond Xperience, properties boast uniqueness are the places to visit� Here are some of the most wonderful and weird hotel of 2011�

Most weird & Wonderful hotels 2011

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WeiRd HoteLs

DOg BARK PARK Inn

dog lovers can rejoice at an incredibly bizarre work of chainsaw art, the dog Bark Park inn� Find comfort inside the World’s Biggest Beagle, a bed and breakfast guesthouse created by two chainsaw artists, dennis and Frances�Guests enter the body of the beagle from a private

second story deck� Head inside and up another level to find a loft room located within the head of the dog and also a cosy alcove in the muzzle� the hotel is located in north idaho; it’s a two bedroomed B&B, which also features dog- themed contents� if you care to pick up a few souvenirs, you can do so at the hotel’s gift shop� Here you will find a wide selection of chainsaw art wooden carvings, predominately in dog form� it really is a dog’s life at dog Bark Park inn�

Best of May

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WeiRd HoteLs

SPACEBest of July

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WeiRd HoteLs

RESORTThis one is

without a doubt, out of this world. Take a deep breath whilst I paint you the BIG picture. Imagine

checking into a tropical resort; palm trees -

check, azure waters - check, sunny

skies – check, and sparkling white sands - check. Now imagine training to be an astronaut in this heavenly environment, continue on to picture what awaits you after your training. A trip to space? Surely not? Oh yes, indeed.At the Galactic Suite Space Resort, which is due to open next year, you can enjoy astronaut training in the Carribean before being launched

into space going from 0kmph to 28,000kmph in ten minutes to Xperience life on a space resort. The Xperiences onboard are mind boggling;

complete one revolution around the world in 80 minutes, float in zero gravity whilst gazing out at our beautiful blue planet, watch 15 sunsets in a day,

gain the most amazing view of stars and encounter sensations you have never known before. It is a journey we always expect to be

available only to the few people with the aptitude to get into NASA. Galactic Suite Space Resort is working to make

dreams come true. However, these dreams don’t come cheap and apparently you will need 4 million dollars

in order to book a three-day stay. Sorry to burst the bubble and bring the majority of us sky

diving back to reality, but it never hurts to wish upon a lucky star!

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PRiZe dRAW

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Location: IndonesiaPhotographer: Rana Farooq

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Khalidiya Showroom - Khalidiya Mall - Abu Dhabi Mall - Marina Mall - Emirates PalaceAl Ain Khalifa St - Al Ain Mall - Al Wahda Mall

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Beyond Xpereince Vol 8

Documents

Transcript of Beyond Xpereince Vol 8