American Tracker

Framed by a beautiful backdrop of sea and mountain, Beppu City in Oita Prefecture, Japan is hot in a good way. Known as the onsen capital of Japan, there are eight hot springs in the city, each distinct and different from each other. Aside from the hot springs, there are places and sites in the city which makes it a unique and interesting place to visit.

The Jikogu Meguri or “Eight Hells” tour takes you around eight geothermal hot spots clustered around the city. Start your tour with a visit to the “Umi Jigoku”, a deep blue color pool with hot steam billowing around its edges. There is a lotus pond, a greenhouse, and a shrine framed by a red Torii gate near the hot spring. There is a mountain hell, the “Yama Jigoku,” where you can actually see hot steam coming out of the hillside. This hot spring has a small zoo with monkeys, hippopotamus, elephants, and several species of birds. There is the “Oniyama Jigoku,” which has an alligator and crocodile farm and a Jikogu known as white pond hell whose main attraction is its small fish aquariums. Another spot has a geyser which erupts every 40 minutes. There are seats near the geyser so visitors can wait until the geyser erupts. Some hells have their own pools where you can actually soak your feet or watch as food items are cooked from the natural heat emitted by the spring. You can customize your tour to include just several or all eight hot spots.

Beppu City has something unique to offer for first time and even seasoned travelers. If you are done with the Eight Hells tour, visit Mt. Takasaki National Park and see wild Japanese macaque in their natural habitat. There is a local shrine where you can hang out, watch, and interact with the animals. Cap your tour with a visit to the Traditional Bamboo Craft Center and look at the various displays of traditional and contemporary handicraft and furniture made out of bamboo. Or you can unwind at the Suginoi Palace and admire views of Beppu Bay and the city from its huge, five-terraced baths.  http://www.allpro.com

The new feature-length documentary from Relentless Energy Drink, ‘Lives of the Artists: Follow Me Down’ explores a theme that anyone driven by some immeasurable passion will recognise — that there are no easy rides in life.
Enter the twisted and unpredictable realm of intense personal obsession and heroic artistic pursuit as we journey to the ends of the earth for the second chapter in our award-winning cinematic adventure, Lives of the Artists.
Featuring James Lavelle and UNKLE and legendary freeriders Jeremy Jones and Xavier De Le Rue, ‘Follow Me Down’ explores a theme that anyone driven by some immeasurable passion will recognise — that there are no easy rides in life.
We travel to Antarctica, spurning the usual ‘heli-drop and ride’, big-mountain approach in search of the more visceral rewards that come with scaling each near-vertical face on foot. And we join UNKLE on tour in Tokyo, St. Petersburg and London, immersing ourselves in the uncompromising sounds and beliefs of a pioneering musical outfit that has strived to push the boundaries of artistic expression while retaining total integrity for close to 20 years.
The film vividly merges two disparate stories from entirely different worlds into one beautiful and compelling tribute to human perseverance.
The soundtrack to the film, scored exclusively by Unkle. Inspired by dreamy experimental electronica, sixties soundtracks and the ambient masterwerks of Brian Eno, the score act as an extraordinary tribute to the inward-looking nature of the film, as well as the vast and imposing locations where it was shot. A dark menace lurks beneath the surface of both soundtrack and film.

Once known as Pery Nokor, a fishing village in the early days, Saigon, now named Ho Chi Minh City, is a destination of beauty. It is here you will discover rich art, stylish boulevards and culture. Built during the French revolution are various historic buildings which are today the city’s most popular tourist attractions. During this time period there were also hotels that were built that are now historical also: the Rex Hotel, Caravelle Hotel and the Hotel Majestic.
The Reunification Palace, State Bank Office, and the Municipal Theatre are other famous structures that people travel here to see. This city gains much revenue from its active entertainment because many film companies are based here. Hundreds of theatres and cinemas call this city home as they are active non stop.
If you are looking for a form of relaxation that is top of the list, try the Dam Sen Tourist and National Park or the Can Gio Eco Beach Resort. Today this city holds about nine million in population and it is one of the country’s most populated areas. December weather is best for a visit but it is humid year round.

Oasis of the Seas, the most recent line launched by Royal Caribbean Cruises. It is 20-stories tall and 1,180 feet long it is now the largest passenger liner afloat. It is five times the size of the Titanic and has lodging available for 6,300 passengers. The crew total is 2,100 and too many buffet tables to count. At a cost of $1.3 billion to build, this ship was six years in the making. This cruise liner is the definition of luxury travel. It was build in Turku, Finland and from there made its maiden voyage with its amphitheatre that seats 750 people outdoors.  It also offers a mini-golf course, basketball and volleyball courts, an ice rink and an indoor theatre for 1,300 and enough swimming pools to satisfy everyone.

Although this ship has been compared to the Titanic, designers feel it is an undue comparison. This ship’s interaction with an iceberg would be an unlikely concern says Assistant professor of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the University of Michigan Matthew Collette, “All ships are designed to make the chance of large-scale structural collapse very remote.”  He went on to say, “If it was struck by one I would expect there to be some local damage at the point of impact – broken portholes, bent railings, but little else.”

Planning a trip to London? Wondering what to do, but don’t know where to start? Then look no further than this top five guide.

1) ‘Visit a Museum’.

With London playing host to over 300 world class museum and many of them free, the only difficult part is which to choose. Whether or not you’re a budding Einstein, you can’t go wrong with a visit to London’s Science Museum. Set over five floors and covering topics from space exploration, medicine and technology, you can guarantee the museum offers something for everyone.  Hands on activities, simulator rides, or a trip to see an IMAX promise to delight visitor’s young and old.

2) ‘Sightsee’

Spend a few hours wandering London’s breathtaking streets and you’re guaranteed to take in many a famous landmark. A trip to Buckingham Palace to take in the regal residence is an absolute must see. The changing of the guards takes place daily, and is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Who knows, stick around long enough and you might just see the Queen. Either way, taking in the stunning architecture you’re sure to feel like Royalty.

3) ‘Hit the shops’

Credit cards at the ready for a trip down London’s bustling Oxford Street. The heart of the capital’s shopping district, whether it’s a major high street store, local boutiques or some window shopping you’re after, if you don’t find it on Oxford Street, you won’t find it anywhere.

4) ‘Get away from it all’

Escape the hustle and bustle with a trip to one of London’s beautiful gardens. Basque in the sunshine beside the soothing sounds of the Diana Princess of Wales memorial fountain, situated in the southwest corner of Hyde Park. The perfect way to relax after a hard morning’s sight seeing.

5) ‘Watch a West End show’

A West End show captures the very soul of what a trip to London is all about. From modern musicals to contemporary classics, there’s a show out there made for you. Make the most of your trip by booking a London theatre break package, including tickets to a show of your choice and a trip in a nearby hotel.  The perfect end to a perfect trip.

Thinking of trying something different? Travel would be the first on the list of anyone who wants to experience something new, and here is a list of exotic places to travel to:

1) Mazatlan, Mexico. Fan of sports fishing? This is the perfect place for you. Fresh seafood is always on the menu, and the resorts on warm beaches offer you a place to relax and “get away from it all.” This is a place that gives a taste of Old and New Mexico, and many people have chosen to retire here.

2) St. Martin, Caribbean. A sense of exotic French and European flavours, this island in the Caribbean offers a mix of relaxation and culture. Island hopping is also possible, as it is easy to go to nearby islands such as Anguilla and Saba.

3) Bali, Indonesia. Do culture, cuisine, and beautiful beaches excite you? Bali is also known for water sports, such as scuba diving and surfing. The Indonesian dance culture is also very vibrant in this region.

4) Goa, India. Best known for its beaches, festivals, and ancient temples, Goa was once a Portuguese colony, making it a mixture of East and West. There are popular beach towns, but for those who have a quiet, reflective nature, Ponda, the sacred site of temples, will be worth visiting.

5) Morocco. A haven for artists and poets, Morocco’s magical streets and markets in Marrakech, as well as its beaches in Essaouira are some of the best expressions of North Africa, making it an alluring and exotic location which never fails to enchant every visitor.

Travel to these places and discover new things not only about the sites, but about yourself as well, as you interact with a new culture.