Waldorf-Astoria starts ‘amnesty’ program for
‘stolen’ items
Waldorf Astoria wants You? Not really.
But the iconic New York City luxury hotel is
trying to expand its collection of archived
items by getting guests to return items that
they may have swiped (OK, the hotel refers
to them as being “secretly checked out”)
by visiting guests, no questions asked.
The Waldorf’s so-called "amnesty program"
applies to silverware, ashtrays and sheets
that were, uh, borrowed, before 1960 and
will run through Sept. 15.
The Waldorf-Astoria opened at its current
location in 1931 but the hotel's history
dates back to the late 1800s.
Guests of the hotel are being asked to
include a brief description of the item and
the approximate date it was taken.
No word on what happens to the poor souls
who return their items after Sept. 15.
Byzantine Temple Found at Tempi
Archaeological excavations at Tempi,
conducted by the 7th Ephorate of Byzantine
Antiquities,
and
headed by Ephorate director Stavroula
Sdrolia, recently brought to light
medievel chapel
at the Ottoman-era 'Hani tis Kokonas' (Kokona
Inn) site near
the historic
township of
Ambelakia.
On the western and northern environs the
site
is surrounded by an extensive cemetery,
which is one of the few finds that dates to
the Mid-Byzantine period.
Sdrolia explained that the excavations at
Tempi began in 2008,
in the context of the construction of a new
section of the national highway from
Maliakos to Kleidi at Tempi.
Freebies in Wash. DC Through September
Did you know?
ALL national galleries, monuments, and
memorials in our nation’s capital are free
to explore. Plus, local hotels are offering
perks for stays through September 30, 2012.
Learn more about a trip to D.C. on Expedia.
Saudis religious police ready for tourism
Religious police in Saudi Arabia will be
taught about tourist attractions in the
kingdom and trained on how to facilitate
tourists.
The Saudi Committee for the Promotion of
Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (CPVPV),
also known as the Religious Police, is to
start working in tourist attractions in the
kingdom after its staff received the
necessary training.
In coordination with the Saudi Commission
for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), 450
members of the religious police received
intensive training to be able to maintain
law and order in tourist areas and to deal
with different echelons of the society, said
Sheikh Abdul Latif Al al-Sheikh, CPVPV
director general.
“We signed an agreement with SCTA,” he told
the Saudi newspaper al-Watan. “We provide
them with the staff that we believe is
suitable for the job and they pay for the
training they also conduct.”
The training, he explained, included
familiarizing members of the religious
police with tourist attractions in the
kingdom and the type of tourists expected to
visit each place including foreign ones.
“They were taught how to deal with each type
in a way that does not violate Islamic
laws.”
Sheikh noted that the training consisted of
12 courses in 12 different areas in the
kingdom and lasted for a total of five
months.
“Each course included 35 trainees with the
exception of the one held in Riyadh which
included 50.”
He stressed the importance of cooperation
between CPVPV and SCTA in the field of
tourism.
“Both institutions have to work together in
order to boost tourism and serve tourists
within the framework of Islamic teachings,”
he concluded.
Ancient Marble-Paved Road Discovered in
Greece
“We have found roads on top of each other,
revealing the city’s history over the
centuries,” the archeologist said. “The
ancient road, and side roads perpendicular
to it appear to closely follow modern roads
in the city today.”
The subway project, which started in 2006,
has allowed archaeologists to explore under
the densely populated city, but those
explorations have contributed to years of
delays for the project.
In 2008, workers found more than 1,000
graves, some filled with treasure, including
jewelry, coins or other pieces of art.
Escape to Cozumel
The island of Cozumel is what dreams nare
made of-turquoise waters and empty hammocks
swinging lazily in the breeze above
sugar-like sand. But Cozumel is more than
just beaches. This idyllic island in the
State of Quintana Roo, embodies Mexico’s
history and culture, while providing ample
opportunities for adventure. Travelers of
all kinds are sure to find their little
piece of heaven here.
Cozumel became a celebrated diving
destination after Jacques Cousteau deemed
its coral reefs one of the world’s best
places for underwater exploration.
Tour drivers in Kenya accused of Maasai
disturbing
TOUR drivers have denied allegations that
they have been exploiting the Maasai
community whenever tourists visit Manyattas
in Maasai Mara.
Led by Kenya Tourists Drivers and Guides
Association chairman Joseph ole Parpai,
vice-chairman Andrew Mungatana and Coast
Tours Drivers Association chairman Nzomo
Benjamin they said tour drivers are honest.
They were reacting to media reports by
British tourist Cherly Muvula who alleged
that they have been exploiting the Maasai
villagers by taking their money. "We are
wondering where the tourist got the report
yet our drivers and guides have been
executing their duties effectively,"
Mungatana said. They threatened to file a
defamation case against the tourist for
terming them as "robbers."
Mungatana said they want the Briton to prove
her allegations in court after she posted
the remarks on internet and appeared in a
section of the media.
"We cannot allow a tourist who, instead of
touring the country to see beautiful
sceneries, is calling us thieves," Mungatana
said.
Parpai demanded to know what they have
forcefully taken from the Maasai community.
"If there is any complain, the tourist
should have followed the right channel
rather than going to social media. This has
tarnished the sensitive tourism sector,"
Parpai said.
He said Maasai elders have never complained
of such exploitation and wants to know the
source of the information. "She has been
colluding with a former tour guide in Maasai
Mara to tarnish our tourism industry," Nzomo
said.
He urged the government to investigate her
conduct claiming that she is out to kill the
tourism industry which is one of the
country's leading sources of income. "The
tourist tried to introduce the receipting
system in the manyattas but she was shocked
when her bid flopped. The Maasai community
wants to handle the cash directly," he said
History & Culture in Curaça
Curaçao, the hidden gem of the Caribbean,
has been voted as a
Top 10 Destination.
The island boasts a mix of both history &
culture. It's coastal city, Willemstad, with
its colonial architecture, is a registered
UNESCO World Heritage site
The Kahala Luxury Experience