Hotel Riu Funana --- Cape Verde

Cabocan Lote A2, A3 Santa Maria - Isla de Sal. Telephone: (+238) 242 90 60 Fax: (+238) 242 90 88 Email: clubhotel.funana@riu.com Situation Situated on the island of Sal in the Cape Verde Islands Main building and 2-storey annexes Situated on the beachfront together with the ClubHotel Riu Garopa Complimentary sun loungers and parasols on the beach 1.5 km to Santa María 15 km from the airport Credit cards accepted: Visa

Cape Coast Castle --- Ghana

 Cape Coast Castle is a fortification in Ghana built by Swedish traders for trade in timber and gold. Later the structure was used in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

The first timber construction on the site was erected in 1653 on the order of Hendrik Carloff for the Swedish Africa Company and named Carolusborg after King Charles X of Sweden. It was later rebuilt in stone.

In April 1663 the whole Swedish Gold Coast was seized by the Danes, and integrated in the Danish Gold Coast. In 1664 the Castle was conquered by the English and was extensively rebuilt in the late 18th century by the Committee of Merchants (whose Governors administered the entire British colony). In 1844, it became the seat of the colonial Government of the British Gold Coast.

The Castle, or Castle and Dungeon, to give it its official name, was first restored in the 1920s by the British Public Works Department.

In 1957, when Ghana became independent, the castle came under the care of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB). In the early 1990s, the building was restored by the Ghanaian Government, with funds from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with technical assistance from the Smithsonian Institution and other NGOs.

Other Ghanaian slave castles include the Portuguese foundation of Elmina Castle (later Dutch) and Fort Christiansborg.

The Cape Coast Castle, and other forts and castles in Ghana, are included on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List.

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Luxury Marina Apartments - Waterfront,Capetown

Marina Residential
View Gallery of the Luxury Marina Apartments in the Waterfront

Located inside the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, Marina Residential is just a short walk across the working harbour, into the hub of the Waterfront's shops, cinemas, galleries, pubs, restaurants, hotels and harbour – and offers a tranquil home base after a busy day of business or sightseeing.

From one to three bedroom self-catering apartments, all are uniquely furnished and individually star graded. Each of the air-conditioned homes has a fully equipped kitchen and comfortable lounge with DSTV and are on the water's edge – either overlooking the yacht marina or canal waterway.

Marina Residential is a secure complex and underground parking is included in the rental. There are several pools for guests to use, as well as a main pool and gymnasium (small temporary membership fee).

Choose from a 1 bed, 2 bed or 3 bed (2 bed come in standard or executive)
Our exclusive V&A Marina services are included in the rates:

    Apartment orientation.
    Linen and towel changes (including pool/beach towels).
    First morning's Continental breakfast *.
    Restaurant bookings, concierge service.
    24 hour security at complex
    Internet access (Wi-Fi) can be arranged (costs apply)
    Dietary constraints catered for.

    Daily housekeeping.
    Complimentary welcome presentation of tea, coffee, milk, sugar
    Complimentary pre-arrival shopping service.
    Designated underground parking.
    Access to 3 pools and gymnasium (R120 temporary membership to gym and main pool)
    Tours and sightseeing with tour guide can be arranged.

Future destinations you'd most like to visit

Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur [ Malaysia ]

Kuala Lumpur – KL to its friends – is more than just a capital city: it is a monument to Malaysian ingenuity and determination. From humble beginnings as a tin-mining shanty town, KL has evolved into a 21st-century metropolis, dominated by the tallest skyscrapers in Southeast Asia and flush with the proceeds of international trade and commerce. Over the years, KL has faced its share of challenges but nothing has succeeded in suppressing the determination of locals to make KL, and Malaysia, a leader among Asian tiger economies.

The marketing slogan for the Malaysian tourist board is ‘truly Asia’ and nowhere is this more true than in the capital. KL is every inch the Asian cyber-city: historic temples and mosques rub shoulders with space-age towers and shopping malls; traders’ stalls are piled high with pungent durians and counterfeit DVDs; and locals sip cappuccino in wi-fi–enabled coffee hops or feast at bustling streetside hawker stalls serving food from across the continent.

The most striking thing about KL from a visitor’s perspective is its remarkable cultural diversity. Ethnic Malays, Chinese prospectors, Indian migrants and British colonials all helped carve the city out of the virgin jungle, and each group has left its indelible mark on the capital. Eating, shopping and nightlife are undeniable highlights of any visit to KL, but don’t restrict yourself to the city – there are numerous parks and monuments dotted around KL that make easy day trips for a break from the hustle and bustle.

Batu Caves --- Kuala Lumpur

Batu Caves, is a limestone hill, which has a series of caves and cave temples, in the Gombak district, 13 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It takes its name from the Sungai Batu or Batu River, which flows past the hill.

My First Trip To Ghana from the UK... With Trepidation

Labadi Beach

Labadi Beach

Titanic Beach Tema

Cape Coast

Cape Coast Castle

Agavedzi,Volta Region (Beach)

Cape Coast Castle

Cape Coast Castle

Holiday Inn Accra Airport

Moevenpick Ambassador Hotel Pool Side

Moevenpick Ambassador Hotel

Moevenpick Ambassador Hotel Forecou

Moevenpick Ambassador Hotel

Labadi Beach

Holiday Inn Accra Airport(Lacana Kitchen)

Holiday Inn Accra Airport Poolside

OK before I get going about my first trip to Ghana, I have to tell you, don't believe everything you read on the internet, talk to people who have visited or live there.

I flew from Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic, a 6 hour flight which leaves at 10.3pm, so if you can sleep on the flight, it's fantastic as you arrive around 5.35am.
There are a number of international hotels Holiday Inn, Moevenpick Ambassador Hotel , Novotel and Ramada,Golden Tulip as well as a number of other quality hotels.
Most hotels will arrange an airport transfer for you.

We stayed at The Holiday Inn, the hotel was fantastic, staff were superb, rooms are large and clean.  The pool area is awesome a fantastic pool and La Cabana restaurant with seating situated around the pool.  Food is cooked freshly to order and is delicious.
The hotel is close to Accra Mall and to the airport.

Accra is busy, hot and noisy but not intimidating (which is what I thought it would be), the mall is modern and air-conditioned and has a host of shops, restaurants, bars and a cinema.

We visited RHAPSODY a trendy sports bar within the mall, they have a fantastic range of cocktails and an international menu, if you are longing for burger and chips, check out this place...delicious.  The staff are very pleasant and attentive, football matches are shown live on the screens and a good selection of music is played at weekends.

The people of Ghana are friendly, we visited a nightclub APHRODISIAC and whilst my partner was arranging drinks at the bar, the girls at the table next to me asked if I was ok and if I wanted to join them until he returned (can't ever remember this happening in the UK?)

Ghana has a range of modern, traditional, daylife and nightlife, the beaches are fun with loud music playing, soft sands and clear waters.

So to sum it up, Ghana is fun, hot, friendly, noisy, busy, traffic is awful, good local and international food......go check it out


TOP TRAVEL TIP:   Where ever you are going - Register your trip with HM Government LOCATE, http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/Locate/ they need to know where you are going, where you are staying and when you are going, plus details of an emergency contact, you get the piece of mind that if anything happens within the country you are visiting the British Foreign Office know where you are and will contact you should it be necessary