TRAVEL
Home & Away with Robert Walshe IRELAND’S unpredictable weather does not put off overseas visitors according to research. In a survey, 1,000 consumers in more than 30 countries worldwide were asked to rate how much they agreed with this statement: “I would not want to visit Ireland because of the weather there.” On a scale where 1 meant “strongly disagree” and 7 indicated “strongly agree” - the average score was 2.76 showing that most people were not discouraged from visiting Ireland by the weather. Another survey shows that most foreign tourists come to the Ireland to take part in activities that are not affected by the weather such as shopping, pubs and the infamous craic.
Weekend Hotspot
Every year a large number of tourists from different parts of the world visit Rajasthan, India especially to explore Jaipur and its fascinating attractions like forts, palaces, temples, havelis, temples, gardens. The city is also famous for its shopping malls, multiplexes, clubs, discos and night life.Jaipur represents the culture of Rajasthan in terms of the tradition, festivals and heritage and local handicrafts are world famous for their art, technique and utility. Some of these include miniature paintings, marble paintings, jewellery, textiles, metal works and stone works; I suggest you browse the Bapu Bazaar where you will find Jaipur’s famous block-print fabrics, tie-dyed mirrored bags and slippers. but remember to bargain hard. Hassle is everywhere and there are beggars and swindlers galore, so be firm but friendly. One of the main attractions is to ride a painted elephant up to the Amber Fort, 11km north of Jaipur, where the palace complex of mirrored, painted and enamelled courtyards and quadrangles gives a taste of 17th-century Mughal living. The fort looks stunning, all-built in white marble and red sandstone. To add to its charm, Maotha Lake makes its foreground. The interior of the Fort provides a soothing and warm ambience, which is least expected from its outer ap-
Living
pearance. The intricate carvings on the walls and ceilings simply astonish the visitors. The minute mirror work adds to the grand appearance and royalty of the halls. Find out how the Maharajahs dressed through the centuries at in Jaipur’s City Palace ■ Amber Palac complex. Some rulers e Jaipur were 7ft tall and some ur. Jaip l, Poo ing Swimm ace Pal Raj ■ were dwarfs but all were magnificently attired. This is a beautiful palace complex which includes beautif u l descended owner of the palaces and structures like Chan- palace converted it into an dra Mahal (Moon Palace), Mu- exquisite luxury hotel in barak Mahal (Welcome Palace), 1996. Museum suites have Mukut Mahal (Crown Palace), Ma- been created giving the Raj harani Palace (Queen’s Palace), Palace the honor of being Govind Dev Ji Temple, Pitam Niwas the first palace hotel with Chowk, Diwan-I-Khas, Diwan-I- such accommodations in Aam, and the City Palace Museum. India. Its breathtaking DurThe City Palace Complex is one of bar Mahal Suite, acknowlthe best and most visited attrac- edged as “Asia’s Leading ■ Raj Palace Exterior, Main. tions of Jaipur tourism. The Hawa Suite” in the 2008 World Mahal, also known as the Palace of Travel Awards, was used Winds, is also one of the remarka- by the Maharaja himself. ble and most famous attractions in As a 5-star heritage hotel, Maharaja’s. The Raj Palace is an the city. This magnificent palace is The Raj Palace provides noted for its amazing architecture accommodation in 38 tastefully extremely convenient place to which is strange and spectacular furnished rooms which are fur- stay during your visit to Jaipur. than of other forts and palaces in ther categorised into: Standard Being in the middle of four main Rajasthan. A highlight of any visit Rooms, Heritage Rooms, Histori- palace complexes of Jaipur to India, and a unique way of expe- cal Suites, Prestige Suites, Palace (Amer, Jaigarh Fort, Nahar Garh riencing the country’s fascinating Suites & Presidential suite. When Fort and the City Palace comheritage, is a stay in one of India’s it comes to dining, the hotel of- plex), it is located at a short dismagnificent palace hotels. These fers impeccable choices includ- tance from all sightseeing and hotels were actually once home to ing the Swapna Mahal which shopping places. www.rajpalace. India’s royalty, and in some cases is based on a 18th century me- com www.incredibleindia.org still are, but have been converted dieval European setting offerWeekly Best Buy into accommodations in recent ing breakfast, lunch and dinner Experience The Croke Park years as a way of sustaining their through multiple cuisines The existence. The necessity for this, Swapna Mahal means the palace Hotel this August and Septemand the rise and fall of India’s pal- of Dreams. The double height ber from just €99 per room, per aces, can be traced back through ceiling has breathtaking majestic night. Sitting just a few steps India’s ever evolving history.In fact crystal chandeliers and is built from the Croke Park Stadium the grandeur and mystique of one with several beautiful arches, and close to the city centre and of the Royal families of Rajasthan silver Jharokas and coloured Dublin airport, this is one of can be seen and experienced at glasses. The setting of dining hall the city’s most popular hotels. The Raj Palace located on the main conjures up images of its fantas- The Croke Park Hotel provides Amber Road. The Raj Palace built tic past and every meal is tribute complimentary internet access, in 1727 to be Jaipur’s first palace is to royalty. Every chair and table complimentary car parking and an unrivalled specimen of the Pink of the restaurant is so elegantly complimentary transfers to the City’s character, charm & gran- designed which will give you the IFSC for guests. www.doylecoldeur. Princess Jayendra Kumari feeling of the princely state and lection.ie
Pet’s Corner...
Animal Hygiene
Home and Away Extra ETIHAD Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced it will commence operations to the South Korean capital, Seoul, on December 12, Seoul will become the 65th destination on Etihad’s network. Etihad will operate a daily return service to Seoul’s Incheon Airport from its home base in Abu Dhabi, operating Airbus A330-200 aircraft on the route. www.ethiad.com According to reports, the Irish Government are planning on renaming Dublin Airport after former Fianna Fail Taoiseach Sean Lemass.Paddy Power are quoting odds of just 1/5 that Dublin will be renamed after the former statesman and Aer Lingus founder. There has even been a handful of bets placed on Cork man Roy Keane, Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary and U2 frontman Bono at odds as big as 500/1! Robert Walshe is a freelance contributor / broadcaster and is guest travel writer for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland
with Kathleen Murray
with Kathleen Murray: Animal Behavioural Therapist
“HYGIENE” and “Animals” are two words that many people will not put together. That’s sad because animals are hygienic in their own way. When it comes to dogs and cats there are many people that will not let them inside the house because they think that animals are dirty. These animals are made up of flesh and blood and hair, just like us. They eat, sleep and play in different areas just like us… so then why are they considered so dirty? People that raise animals and children in the house together often think that the
kids are dirtier than the animals. When children go out to play they often come in mucky and smelly. They are cleaned up or dried off and then life goes on. Nobody dies of a disease. If an animal gets mucky or dirty when playing outside, or during a walk, then owners take them in and clean them or dry them off. Children (and some grown ups) pick their nose, eat their “noots” and poke their behind, then they open a loaf and make a sandwich for themselves. People are not as clean as they make out and they don’t tell you about it, but
we seldom get diseases from being in other people’s houses or from contact with unhygienic people. A lot of the “dirt” that we encounter is normal and important dirt. It is part of who we are and it helps to boost our immune system. There is a reasonable level though, as with all things. When children go outside to play with a dog the mother often makes them wash their hands when they come in. This is a good and healthy practice especially before eating. Unfortunately for the very hygienic mum the kids don’t always do this and often come back in and
touch everything around the house in the course of their normal day. Mum is also touching these things but she is not getting a disease. Dog hair is often shouted about. We lose hair ourselves. You only have to look at hairbrushes to see this. They have to be cleaned otherwise they’d be clogged up. This hair goes on everything from cushions and pillows to carpets and our clothes. Nobody shouts about that. Dog hair is not dirty. It’s just hair like ours. If it’s brushed it will stay clean and although it may need a wash occasionally it is not hard to maintain. The
people that have problems here are people with carpets or mats that don’t go in the washing machine. A quick hoover over a hard floor gets rid of any hair. It’s not a big deal. A dog should be brushed out well a few times a week to keep the hair in good shape. We have to do ours every day… much more hassle. If a dog is maintained properly there should be no hygiene problems to worry about. Animals are good for our health so don’t be afraid of them. If they were so bad then farmers, vets, animals trainers, groomers etc would all be dead long ago.
■ My gang...Pet’s corner correspondent Kathleen Murray at home with her dogs.