"When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable" - Clifton Fadiman, American author
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The Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands, together with Guam to the south, compose tropical paradise The Mariana Islands. At the beginning of European contact there were 50,000 islanders and just 1,500 to 2,000 by the year 1720. After Spanish-American War in 1898, Spain sold all island except Guam to Germany and Japan captured it in 1914. During The Second World War Mariana Islands witness to some of the bloodiest battles between American and Japanese troops and in 1975 The Northern Marianas chose to become a part of America.
Fourteen islands create the Northern Marianas chain and the three main are Saipan, Tinian and Rota. The largest and the most populated of all is Saipan rich with spectacular natural landmarks. The Guinness Book of World Records cited Saipan as the island with the most equable temperature in the world. After staying in Hyatt Regency Saipan, visit Mount Tapochau, the highest point on Saipan, Islan Maigo Fahang (Bird Island) or Laderan Banadero (Suicide Cliff). It probably carries its name for a reason but we suggest to concentrate on the view from the point.
Gentlemen could visit Banadero Cave's with cannons, tanks and other relics from The Second World War while ladies may choose that time to take speed or glass bottom boat and go to a day trip to the pristine Managaha Island. When you finish your visit go on golf course and wave few times, try parasailing if you never did, and what else to say... After all those activities somehow I think that you will not see the end of a movie tonight.
Swaziland
First the note about what we found elsewhere on the internet: Don't mix Swaziland with Switzerland. Who on Earth would replace Swaziland for Switzerland, I asked? Then the very next moment I remember this year's event when some tourists wished to fly to Reykjavik, Island. They bought warm clothes and everything and by mistake finished in Rijeka, Croatia on 30 degrees Celsius. Surprise, surprise.
So, put your glasses as a prevention of misunderstanding because we lead you on the border of South Africa and Mozambique in Swaziland. Now, when we set the borders we can tell you that The Kingdom of Swaziland is one of the safeties tourist destinations in the Southern African region.
The country was under British protectorate until 1968 and today with Lesotho and Morocco it is one of three Africa's remaining monarchy. Swaziland offers a lot of activities, from water rafting on the great IV grade Usutu River, adventure caving in the Gobholo Caves that include midnight dip in a hot spring, hot pizza and ice-cold beers, mountain bike tours and many other. Small town of Big Bend, situated in the Lowveld Region, offers perfect accommodation at the Lebombo Villa's with magnificent view to Lubombo Mountain's and it is also perfect for corporate business workshop and relaxation.
And as people in Swaziland would say: Swaziland is not the country for chilling out. It isn't, indeed, especially if you buy the right ticket.
Salvador
Salvador is a city situated on the northeast coast of Brazil and the capital of the North-eastern Brazilian state of Bahia. If your wish is to meet Brazil and experience its spirit then visit Salvador, one of the oldest cities in the New World and the second most popular destination in Brazil. Climate in Salvador is typically tropic that means it's warm and damply. Be prepared for some walking through the city. Salvador is divided into the Upper City (Cidade Alta) and Lower City (Cidade Baixa).
The most important public buildings you will find downtown: Catedral Metropolitana, Palacion Nacional and beautiful church St Ignatius Loyola. For a bird view on Salvador visit Puerta del Diablo or go by cable car to San Jacinto Mountain. Most priceless clubs, restaurants and bars are situated in Zona Rosa district and there you will probably find most of what you need. For staying you can choose Pestana Bahia hotel situated about 20 kilometres from International Airoport. Before you go home visit Mercado Modelo, largest handicrafts market in the northeast with art work from Afro-Brazilian culture that is for sale at reasonable (low) prices.
Treat yourself with fine dinner in the elite restaurant Trapiche Adelaide situated on the site of an old dock warehouse with fantastic views of the bay. Before going home visit Fashion Club, probably the most extravagant club in the town. ■
