Dakar Rally 2010

This year's 31st running of the Dakar Rally is being held in South America for the second year, instead of the traditional African route. The reason is - growing issecurity and possible terrorist attack concerns. This year's race began and will end in Buenos Aires, covering a looping 9,000 kilometers between Argentina and Chile over 14 stages. 362 Teams began the race with 176 motorcycles and quad bikes, 134 cars, and 52 trucks. The race is just over halfway completed now, the winners expected to cross the finish line on January 16th.
Below - several photographs from the first half of the rally.

Spain's Gerard Farres Guell kicks up sand with his Aprilia during the 4th stage of the Dakar 2010 between Fiambala, Argentina, and Copiapo, Chile on January 5, 2010. Spain's Marc Coma won the stage, France's David Casteu took the second place and France's Cyril Despres the third. (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images) 

The Volkswagen Touareg of South African driver Giniel De Villers and co-driver Dirk Von Zitzewitz of Germany attends the symbolic start of the Dakar 2010 in Buenos Aires on January 1, 2010. (ALEJANDRO PAGNI/AFP/Getty Images)

Poland's Krzysztof Holowczyc in his Nissan passes race fans on a hillside during the Dakar 2010 between Colon and Cordoba, Argentina, on January 2, 2010. (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

Chile's Francisco Lopez Contardo guides his Aprilia through water during Stage 1 of the Dakar 2010 between Colon and Cordoba, Argentina, on January 2, 2010. (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

People watch Nissan's Jean-Pierre Strugo and co-driver Yves Ferri, of France, splash their car through a river crossing during stage one of the Argentina-Chile Dakar Rally 2010 in Rio Cuarto, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

France's Jean Claude Mazet falls from his KTM during the 2nd stage of the Dakar 2010 between Cordoba and La Rioja, Argentina, on January 3, 2010. (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

 

Manuel Jamett of Chile climbs a rocky road on his Yamaha motorcycle during the sixth stage of the Dakar Rally 2010 from Antofagasta to Iquique January 7, 2010. (REUTERS/Jacky Naegelen)

 BMW's driver France's Stephane Peterhansel and co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret cross a valley during the seventh stage of the Argentina-Chile Dakar Rally 2010 between Iquique and Antofagasta, Chile, Friday, Jan. 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Russia's Leonid Novitskiy crosses dunes in his BMW during the 7th stage of the Dakar 2010, between Iquique and Antofagasta, Chile, on January 8, 2010. (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

Volkswagen's Carlos Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz, of Spain, compete during stage six of the Argentina-Chile Dakar Rally 2010 between Antofagasta and Iquique, Chile, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Helder Rodriguez of Portugal rides his Yamaha motorcycle during the eighth stage of the Dakar Rally from Antofasgasta to Copiapo, January 10, 2010. (REUTERS/Stringer/Pool)

  An aerial view shows the site where a Robinson 44 helicopter crashed in Fiambala, Catamarca province, January 4, 2010. The pilot, co-pilot and two reporters who were following the Dakar Rally sustained injuries when their helicopter crashed, local media reported. (REUTERS/Gendarmeria/Handout)

China's Wenmin Su rides his Jincheng past cheering onlookers during the 4th stage of the Dakar 2010 between Fiambala, Argentina, and Copiapo, Chile on January 5, 2010. (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

The Dakar encampment is seen during stage five of the Argentina-Chile Dakar Rally 2010 in Antofagasta, Chile, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010. (AP Photo/Frederic Le Floc'h)

Foggy clouds cover part of the area where the 5th stage of the Dakar 2010 between Copiapo and Antofagasta, Chile, is taking place on January 6, 2010. (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

Yamaha's rider Argentina's Alejandro Patronelli climbs a dune on his quad bike during the seventh stage of the Argentina-Chile Dakar Rally 2010 between Iquique and Antofagasta, Chile, Friday, Jan. 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

South African Giniel De Villiers drives his Volkswagen during the 8th stage of the Dakar 2010, between Antofagasta and Copiapo, Chile, on January 10, 2010. (NATACHA PISARENKO/AFP/Getty Images)

Italy's Silvia Giannetti falls from her KTM during the 5th stage of the Dakar 2010 between Copiapo and Antofagasta, Chile, on January 6, 2010. (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

 

France's Cyril Despres crosses a wide plain his KTM during the 8th stage of the Dakar 2010, between Antofagasta and Copiapo, Chile, on January 10, 2010. (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

SOURCE:
The Dakar Rally Official Website
Dakar 2010 at Wikipedia

http://www.boston.com/

January in New York City

January in New York City  

by  Rosalie Scott

From cheaper flights and hotels to discount shopping and dining, travelling to New York after the holidays is a perfect way to see the city for a fraction of the regular price. It may be windy and cold in January, but the culture and excitement of New York City is always hot!

Ice Skating in New York City

When you think about lacing up your skates and gliding around a New York City skating rink, the iconic image comes to mind of skaters circling the rink at Rockefeller Center. But if you are curious to try something different and explore other New York City skating rinks, check out the Pond at Bryant Park. As the only free outdoor skating rink in New York, the Pond is a popular winter destination nestled in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Skate rentals and lockers are available.

Other outdoor venues for ice skating in New York City are located in picturesque Central Park at the Wollman Rink (east side between 62nd and 63rd Streets) and the Lasker Rink (between 106th and 108th Streets.)

NYC Restaurant Week

Curious about Cafe Boulud, Mesa Grill or Gramercy Tavern? NYC Restaurant Week is the best way to eat at some of the most renowned restaurants in New York City without breaking the bank. This week of delicious dining on a dime takes place twice a year and visitors travelling to New York City in January should plan to take advantage of this wildly popular event.

Photo by plate of the day



Participating restaurants offer a set menu for lunch and dinner at a fixed priced, typically offering customers two or three choices for each course. This event allows foodies a chance to try out some of the most talked about eateries in the city, including many helmed by celebrity chefs, at far less expensive prices.


Reserving a Table During NYC Restaurant Week
For information on participating NYC Restaurant Week eateries, their special Restaurant Week menus and dates of the event, visit www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek. Call your dining destination of choice well in advance to reserve as tables book up very quickly. Reservations can also be made for several of the restaurants at Open Table, which is a free site where diners can book their reservations online. With each reservation made, points are accrued towards gift certificates at participating eateries.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day in New York City

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a U.S. holiday commemorating the great civil rights leader who was assassinated in 1968. Each year the holiday falls on the third Monday of January, close to his birth date of January 15th. There are numerous celebrations, events and tributes organized throughout the five boroughs of New York City on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Every January, thousands of community service projects take place across the U.S. in honour of Dr. King’s teachings on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. The slogan of this national day of community service is “Make it a day ON, not a day OFF” and the goal is to empower individuals to work together to strengthen their communities.

Photo by kugelfish

There is plenty to see and do in New York City in January, so bundle up and enjoy!


About the Author: http://NewYorkJourney.com will give you a comprehensive look at several hotels, attractions, shops and more in the Big Apple. Get the information you need to know before you travel and make sure you get to see and stay at the best of the best in New York City.
Article Source: ActiveAuthors.com
Photo Source: flickr.com , wikipedia.org

Aruba's Hotel Absurd Ads: Get Pregnant, Get $300 Voucher!

First, let's take a closer look at Westin Aruba Resort. 
That's what you can read in Frommer's Review:

 Built in 1975, the hotel was renovated in 2006 when it went from being a Wyndham to a Westin. Olive, beige, and mustard fabrics accent the cherry wood furniture. Subtle carpeting, flatscreen TVs, and modern rectangular lamps add more Miami style. The trademark Westin "heavenly" beds are indeed a white fluffy retreat from the world.

>> Read more: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/aruba/H61163.html#ixzz0Rv43HCGo

Fluffy retreat, indeed. The newest controversial Press Release by Westin Hotel PR specialists claims that if a couple can prove thay they have conceived a child during their stay at this Aruba Resort, they will get a $300 voucher for their next vacation. Oh, and the child has to be conceived during, uh... "coral spawning season".

A joke, you say? Not at all. Don't believe me? - Let's read their original Press Release:

Romance Is in the Water in Aruba: Celebrate Coral Spawning Season with Escape at The Westin Resort

$300 ‘Conception Credit’ for Couples Who Conceive During Getaway; All-Inclusive Fall Rates Starting at $199 Per Person

Romance fills Aruba’s waters each fall during coral spawning season, when millions of coral reproduce, forming pink and white clouds that delight underwater enthusiasts. With love in the water, romance-inducing coral spawning season is a fitting time for lovers to escape to the island of Aruba, with its ideal location outside the hurricane belt and year-round sunshine.  The Westin Resort, Aruba invites couples to prolong the relaxing beach days of summer with the all-inclusive experience, with rates starting at $399 per room, based on double occupancy (that’s less than $200 per person, per day, including meals & alcohol), for travel through December 18, 2009.*  As an added bonus, couples who book prior to September 30, 2009 will receive a $100 resort credit, which can be used towards activities such as an in-room massage or other spa services.

Couples who were inspired by Aruba’s coral mating ritual during their fall getaway (September 1 – December 19, 2009), and can prove they conceived during their stay, will receive a $300 ‘Conception Credit’ towards a return visit to the resort in 2010. With all the stress of preparing for a new arrival, the expecting parents will surely be in need of a pre-baby Caribbean retreat.

The Westin Resort, Aruba’s all-inclusive package takes the stress out of planning daily meals and activities and allows couples to focus on the most important thing: each other.  A new twist on the all-inclusive vacation, without sticker shock – or the wristbands and endless buffet lines typically associated – the package includes accommodations, three meals daily, unlimited drinks (yes, beer, wine and cocktails, too), a $25 dining credit for the resort’s fine dining establishments, non-motorized water sports, tax and service fees and more.

For resort reservations or further information, call (877) 782-0149 or visit www.westinaruba.com/allinclusive.  When booking, please ask for rate plan CLASSIC.

Maybe we should ask some questions to the hotels' Manager:

1. Are those colorful clouds of coral sperm a real aphrodisiac? Wouldn't you rather go and take a shower after swimming in those "pink and white clouds" floating around in the seawater?

2. How many of kitchen staff members would laugh every time the Chef says: "put the buns in the oven"? How soon these and similar jokes will become obsolete?


3. Will the hotel supply the visitors with free pregnancy tests? How about a fertility pill or viagra instead of regular "goodnight mints" on the pillow?


4. What kind of papers, forms and test results would the hotel staff require to have proven the fact of conception? How about some forensics, photos, or maybe even videos from that special day? 


5. What about the future of the resort? Will the hotel in 2010 transform from "fluffy retreat from the world" to "crying-and-wet return to reality"? Maybe the managerial staff should start making decisions about transforming that modern-style hotel into a "Family Village"? You wouldn't like to loose your customers and their new families, would you? 

6. I suppose there may be already some trying-to-get-pregnant couples who would accidentaly choose this hotel with its offer over some other destination. In that case, maybe you should think about putting the money into the college fund of their child instead?


7. And finally - do you really think that a mere $300 voucher would make anyone think of conceiving a baby? Is that how low you estimate the miracle of birth? Is starting a new life worth only $300 to you? Come on...




Source: frommers.com , http://www.starwoodhotels.com, westinaruba.com