India Calling
79 years ago, in the year 1930, the 1st commonwealth games were held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where 11 nations sent 400 athletes to take part in the event. At the moment the clock strikes 10 am, the date is June 6, 2008! Exactly 849 days, 5 hrs 51min and 13 sec from now, India will finally make history by hosting the 20th commonwealth games in 2010 from 3rd to 14th October. The event will shoot India into the limelight for being the second Asian nation after Malaysia, to host the games.
Delhi, the capital of the biggest democracy in the world, is the city which has been honored with this opportunity to host the world’s 3rd largest sporting event. India took over the commonwealth flag from Melbourne on the closing ceremony of 2006 commonwealth games, since then it has been gearing up to meet the international standards for holding such a grand event. Hosting such an event is a matter of great pride for India as well as Delhi. Delhi won this golden chance of hosting the games by defeating 22 other contesting nations by 46 votes. Such an event would not only bring fame and glory to the city, but it will also boost the tourism, and Delhi is bracing itself for it.
Infrastructure development
The prime concern of Delhi government has been to develop infrastructure of the city to host the 2010 commonwealth games Delhi has been working on it for five years now, by the end of 2009, Delhi aims at becoming a world class city with excellent infrastructure along with transport and gaming facilities. Master plans have been made to improve Delhi’s face which includes 10 new flyover projects, there are plans to increase the green stretches along the road sides and flyovers. A number of stadiums are being built and renovated for the game venues. Delhi’s public transport facilities are also being developed by the introduction of low lying buses, and BRT (Bus rapid transit) corridors are being constructed to improve the city’s messy transport condition. The commonwealth games 2010, costing a sum of Rs.5, 165 crore, will be bringing tens of thousands of visitors. The only time when Delhi saw so many foreigners in the city was in 1982, during the Asiad games.
The venues
The venues for the sporting events will be spread all across the city. The events will be Rugby, Weightlifting, Squash, Table Tennis, Aquatics, Athletics, Gymnastics, Hockey, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing and Triathlon. The events will be taking place in the already existing outdoor and indoor stadiums like Indira Gandhi Indoor Complex, Talkatora Indoor stadium, Siri Fort Sports Complex along with a number of newly constructed stadiums in Delhi University and other places. An entire Games Village is coming up in Noida which will be the main venue for most of the gaming events.
Games village
A new state-of-the-art Games Village is being built by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) with a focus on maximizing athlete comfort. The site is off the National Highway 24 adjacent to the Akshardham temple at the Noida intersection. To be created at a cost of USD 230.7 million (including Residential Zone), the Games Village will be spread over an area of 63.5 hectare (158.4 acre). The games village is a cornerstone of the Delhi government’s plans to transform the capital into a “global city”. Like most of the frantic real estate development happening in and around Delhi as part of these plans, the Games Village too is being built by private builders; the MGF group in partnership with the Dubai based Emaar Properties. The site will be ready by the end of next year. Within its immediate vicinity exist internationally known monuments and landmarks like the Bahai Temple, Humayun’s Tomb, Akshardham Temple etc. Surrounded with a dense green natural cover, the Village will provide a relaxing and soothing environment for the athletes and officials. This integrated township will have stadiums that will hold sports events. It will also have residential complexes to provide accommodations to participants, staff and volunteers.
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Driving from Ontario to PEI, questions about driving for 18 hours with a cat?
Posted by admin in December 16th 2009
I’m worried she’ll crawl under my feet, near the pedals, while I’m driving.
Also, what do I do about litter?
I’m moving, and I’m taking the cat with me.
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I Love Italian Travel – Wine Touring in Lombardy
Posted by admin in November 28th 2009
So you have decided to go to Lombardy, a region of northern Italy bordering on Switzerland, the Gulf of Taranto, and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The regional capital and largest city is Milan, the center of Italian finance, fashion, and media. Lombardy is home to La Scala, the greatest opera house in Europe, or perhaps the whole world. And the Cathedral of Milan, ooh, la, la. There are museums galore and the massive, impressive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, a Nineteenth Century upscale shopping mall.
Small towns in Lombardy well worth the visit include Pavia which houses an important university, Cremona the historic center of violin making, and Mantua, where Romeo fled after killing Juliet’s cousin. Its Palazzo Ducale contains 500 rooms one of which took a master seven years to paint. Save some time and money to visit the lakes. Lombardy doesn’t border any sea but it’s home to Lake Maggiore, Lake Iseo, Lake Orta, Lake Como, and Lake Garda which spills over into the neighboring regions of Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto. Each lake has its own special attractions, as do the lakeside towns such as Bellagio, considered one of the loveliest towns in Europe, and honored by a hotel of that name in Las Vegas.
Lombardy is home to three DOCG wines. Franciacorta is produced near Lake Iseo between Bergamo and Brescia. It is Italy’s answer to Champagne and priced accordingly. The rose tends to cost more than the white. Sforzato di Valtellina and Valtellina Superiore are vinified from the red Nebbiolo grape that the locals call Chiavennasca. Perhaps it’s no surprise that these wines comes from western Lombardy not far from Piedmont. After all, Nebbiolo is Piedmont’s signature grape. Just for the record Sforzato di Valtellina is made from dried grapes and often costs more than Valtellina Superiore. The best Valtellina Superiore wines tend to come from the rocky Sassella subdistrict.
The major white grape varieties include the local Garganega (the major component of Soave in next-door Veneto), Trebbiano di Lugana, Riesling Renano, and its cousin, Riesling Italico. International whites include Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco, the major components of Franciacorta. Regional reds include Barbera, Bonarda, Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo), and Lambrusco. Pinot Noir is found in Franciacorta and some other wines such as the high-volume Oltrepo Pavese DOC made in a wide variety of styles.
Companies selling regional wine tours include Prime Italy, Le Baccanti, Romantic Travel Destinations Getaway, and Wine Tour Italia. Regional wineries that accept visits include Berlucchi in Cortefranca, Cavalleri in Erbusco, and Sertoli Salis in Tirano. A few words of warning are in order. Make sure that you check ahead of time for opening hours and whether English is spoken. Some places may charge admission; others may expect you to buy some of their products.
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A Canadian "Time Out" for the Traveling Business Executive
Posted by admin in November 23rd 2009
Business travelers stopping in the Toronto area can now experience the Canadian wilderness just one hour from the Toronto Airport. They can choose a customized time window with a one on one guided outdoor experience. They can bike or hike through the Carolinian Forest or travel by raft, canoe and kayak down the beautiful Grand River near Paris, Ontario.
Many businessmen, executives and corporate visitors wish to catch a taste of the Canadian wilderness, but time is limited, skills are “green” and where to go is unknown. The Grand River Rafting Company offers learning adventures tailored to the executive time frame, skill level and desired expectations in the Grand River Valley.
Transportation to the valley can be arranged through car, shuttle service links, train or plane. Each outdoor adventure is designed to the requested time frame of the customer. The trips can vary from 2 hours to half day, full day, evening, moonlight or two days. People wishing overnight accommodations can choose hotels, wilderness camp sites or local hospitality at recommended Bed & Breakfasts. Dining arrangements or camp/meal outfitting services are available along with evening countryside tours by foot, bike or vehicle.
Visiting executives unsure of skills can relax under the instruction of certified guides. For canoe and kayak trips on the Grand River the guide teaches the paddling skills as the customer does the river trip. This unique concept of on-river-instruction is the best way to experience everything. The Grand River averages one meter in depth. This is an excellent river for beginners to experience the Canadian wilderness in total safety. The trips are designed to be relaxing with a one on one skilled instructor/guide traveling along side. As a result… techniques are learned, water reading skills are taught and confidence is coached.
For those preferring not to canoe or kayak the Grand River, leisure rafting is another excellent option. Age, size, skill and agility do not matter when it comes to rafting. These boats are stable and can accommodate deck chair platforms for executives not wishing to paddle. The guides narrate a story telling journey of the valley as the customer breathes in a panoramic wilderness. There are also evening rafting drifts that offer solitude and excellent wildlife viewing. Moonlight paddles through a world of night silhouettes and sound can be experienced on full moons.
Experiencing everything around is what a successful trip is all about. People can drink from fresh flowing springs, body surf a swift and hike to sky-bound cliffs. There is an abundance of wildlife, fish and birds to discover. The valley is rich in native history, settlement sites and times of steamship travel. This is the area of the American 1812 burning spree, the land of the Attawandaron, Huron and Mohawk. There are plants to taste, ancient medicinal arts and the towering Carolinian Forest. The fishing is excellent there is an abundance of smallmouth bass and seasonal steelhead trout. The entire valley offers a unique flavour of Canadian wilderness.
A Grand River wilderness learning adventure is a definite Canadian “Time Out”, for any executive traveling through Southern Ontario.
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Seven Reasons Why Canadians Love-Hate Their Health Care Program
Posted by admin in November 22nd 2009
A couple of years ago the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation held a television series attempting to nominate the most influential Canadian ever. The winner would earn the title The Greatest Canadian Ever. Many names were put forth over the weeks leading up to the final, and in the long run the winner was Tommy Douglas.
Tommy Douglas was the premier of Saskatchewan for 17 years but never Canada’s Prime minister. Among his many accomplishments was the establishment of Canada’s Universal Public Health Care. Among his claim to fame is the fact he is the grandfather of Kiefer Sutherland the actor.
Canadians have him to thank when they are suddenly taken ill or must visit their doctor for an ailment.
Here are the seven reasons why they love/hate it.
The plan is universal. Canadians are covered wherever they live in Canada.
Each province has it’s own care card. Once a resident moves from one province to another all they need to do is to register, have their photo taken and they are issued a new card.
It is very inexpensive. No it is not free. A tax of 7 or 8 percent is collected on nearly everything we purchase. Automobiles and homes are exempt as well as children’s clothing and some food products.
Show your health care card and you are into the hospital now. Arriving at a hospital or medical clinic Canadians are asked for their hospital care card. This will act as proof of coverage and the admittance procedure carries on.
Almost every medical test and procedure is covered. Not everything is covered. For instance if a person is hearing impaired and requires extensive testing by an audiologist before being fitted for a hearing aid, this in exempt. A portion of the aid may be covered. However, if the problem has resulted in the patient being profoundly deaf they may be a candidate for a cochlea implant. This procedure can cost as much as $50,000. And is provided free under the program.
Cosmetic procedures such as wart removal, breast implant, plastic surgery are not covered. Certain blood tests are not covered. If a specialist requires sophisticated testing procedures in an attempt to discover the reason for a pulmonary emboli they may ask for eight or more complicated blood tests to be carried out. Some of these are exempt.
Coverage works in strange ways. A friend had contracted glaucoma. Over the years she required many visits to the specialists. Eventually she required a cornea transplant. All of these procedures were covered. She then developed a cataract on her other eye. The plan covered the operation and the new lens. The lens coverage was based upon provision of an older type. The new and improved type cost was $300. And was not covered.
Because the health care plan is regulated by the government, bureaucracy shows it’s ugly head. Waiting lists are long and wait times for certain procedures are equally long. For instance, in New Brunswick, a person requiring heart a bypass procedure may wait for up to six months. A knee replacement in Ontario takes about the same. These waiting times are expected and those in need should prompt their doctors to be proactive in diagnosing the problems and gaining access to the waiting list at the earliest possible instance.
The Canadian Universal Health Care Plan may not be perfect but it is one every Canadian citizen can be forever thankful.
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Family Outdoor Vacations
Posted by admin in November 20th 2009
How long have you been sitting in front of that television, watching boring reruns? Are you overwrought, exhausted, and do you have at least one argument with your family in a day? Well then, its time to pack your bags, your tenting gear, and your family into your car and head to the great outdoors for a vacation. The great outdoors are beckoning and it’s about time you responded to nature’s call.
Planning an outdoor vacation with your family is one of the greatest favors you can do for them. But where does one go? Well, in this case, the world is definitely your oyster. Outdoor vacations come attached to activities galore and these include hiking, backpacking, bicycling, and of course camping. You can easily choose the kind of adventure vacation you want. Whether it is going up to the mountains, down to the sea, or flying to an international travel destination, outdoor vacations are the best way for you and your family to relax. Instead of a staid, boring holiday in a man-made amusement park, why not head for an adventure holiday? Outdoor vacations are often unpredictable and make sure that your family and you get a chance to rough it out and have loads of fun. It’s not every day that your children get to lie under the stars with a campfire blazing, listening to the occasional, distant howl of an animal.
Family outdoor vacations, far from the maddening crowd, not only help you relax but help your children get out of their patterned existence of school life. There are so many things that artificial amusement parks, resorts, and swimming pools can’t teach. The idea is to bathe in a real waterfall, soak it up under the sun, build sand castles instead of assembling plastic ones, or learn how to peg tents. In fact, traveling to a different country or to a remote location is a great way of introducing them to a new culture or your country’s heritage.
This is the time when you can interact and spend more time with your children and actually bond with them. No more soccer or left over office work can come between you and your family now. This is also a good time to catch up on all the reading you have wanted to do for a long time. So just switch off the TV, apply for leave, and plan your next family outdoor vacation as soon as possible.
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Where is a good place to study Police Foundations in Ontario?
Posted by admin in October 12th 2009
I know that there are probably a lot of great colleges for this, but does anyone have suggestions? Or suggestions of places NOT to go to? 
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