mardi 24 janvier 2012

Qui dit nouvelle année....

... dit nouveaux voyages !
Eh oui, revenir au travail après les fêtes est toujours pour moi une sacrée épreuve. On entame une nouvelle année, avec de nouveaux objectifs, professionnels et personnels. De bonnes résolutions dans tous les sens. Janvier est aussi le mois ou je prends un an de plus (et je vais bientôt arrêter de compter, ça commence a bien faire), ou je paie mes impôts (sympa, juste après Noël), et ou le temps est maussade.
Finalement, l'année commence à peine et je suis déjà fatiguée. Le remède le plus efficace? penser aux vacances de l'année à venir!

Si dessous, le top 10 des villes à visiter en 2012 selon le Lonely Planet. Alors, vous me direz, certaines de ces destinations ne font pas forcement rêver, (ils essaient peut-être de (re)lancer le tourisme dans certains de ces endroits).
En attendant, je peux déjà rayer Hong-Kong de la liste. Elle arrive en 8eme position !!

http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/lonely-planet-best-cities-travel-2012-716747

1. Londres (Angleterre)
2. Muscat (Oman)
3. Bengalore (Inde) (je ne savais pas qu'il y avait autre chose à faire là-bas que des délocalisations, comme quoi...)
4. Cadix, (Espagne)
5. Stockholm (Suede) ( l'effet Millenium ? )
6. Guimaraes (Portugal)
7.Santiago (Chili)
8. Hong-Kong
9. Orlando (Etats-Unis)
10. Darwin (Australie)

Ci-dessous en détail, l'article publié sur le site Cnngo

Par ailleurs, j'ai reçu en cadeau d'anniversaire 2 livres dont je saurai tirer tout le parti possible :


sans compter mes livres de chevet (je pourrais dire, mes bibles)



Et puis, comme on ne se lasse pas des listes (enfin, pour ma part en tous les cas), je dévoile aussi le top 10 des pays a visiter en 2012 (toujours selon le Lonely). Mais ils ont bien prévu le coup, et ils ont fait des tas d'autres best-of, pour etre bien surs et certains qu'en 2012, on fera le tour du monde!

Top 10 countries
1. Ouganda
2. Birmanie (ils ecrivent Myanmar mais bouhou pas bien, il faut ecrire Birmanie / Burma)
3. Ukraine
4. Jordanie
5. Dannemark
6. Bhutan
7. Cuba
8. Nouvelle Caledonie
9. Taiwan
10. Suisse


1. London, England

London Olympics
The Olympics are coming -- finally, an excuse to change Paddington Bear's outfit.
“The Olympics are riding into town and a whole swath of the capital is being transformed in the process.” - Lonely Planet This culturally saturated, yet sometime dreary city revives itself with Olympic hype. The Games will give tourists more to look forward to than the standard tourist routine of Big Ben, Tate Modern and the London Eye.
The Royal Wedding in 2011 may have also given a little nudge to tourism in this England capital. Tour companies have been doing Will and Kate tours to add to the existing iconic Beatles, Harry Potter, and Jack the Ripper tours.
More on CNNGo: London taxis voted best in the world


2. Muscat, Oman


" I didn't know Satan's horns were that small."
"Oman is firing on all fronts to attract international visitors, expanding everything from its museums to its resorts. Muscat is the focus for the revamp, with cultural events, luxury accommodation and aquatic activities taking center stage." - Lonely Planet. This city historically hasn’t garnered much traveler attention but it has everything an active vacation calls for: markets, beaches, diving, turtle/dolphin watching, caving, kite surfing, trekking, desert safaris, rock climbing, all in one place.
It’s the perfect destination for families, couples, and thrill-seeking men facing a mid-life crisis.
Also, have you seen their completely post modern flag?
More on CNNGo: Oman's Jewel of Muscat: Re-creating a 8th century sea voyage


3. Bengaluru, India

Bangalore paint
Bangalore -- great for photo ops.
“Perpetually drunk on the good life, this South Indian metropolis packs in the best brews, the scrummiest cuisines, and the liveliest arts and music scene, not to mention the hippest population you could hang out with. This year, evenings in the ‘capital of cool’ are poised to get even more intoxicating.” - Lonely Planet.
Not your standard tourist destiination. This is for those who want to endure an entirely different culture. Despite its beautiful gardens, Bangalore's charms lay in the culture and people that emerge from the polluted chaos.
Thismodern city is a magnet for young urbanites who flock to the metropolis for work and play. Only downside? The bars and clubs close at 11:30 p.m.
More on CNNGo: Off season is on Season in these stunning cities


4. Cádiz, Spain

Carnival of Cádiz
Carnival of Cádiz makes Halloween look like child's play.
"Cádiz has found itself named Ibero-American Capital of Culture for 2012 – the first time a European city has held the honor.” - Lonely Planet The annual Carnival of Cádiz shakes up this historic city's sleepy routine. People in Cádiz put on fancy dress and go wild for two weeks. It's a great opporitunity to interact with the locals -- who are known for their sarcastic wit.
Even if you don’t know Spanish, tourists are welcome to join the fun especially if they dress up and participate in all the activities. There are theater groups, choirs, poets and dancers.
More on CNNGo: Indian tourists flock to Spain

5. Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm Stieg Larsson
Don't expect the scary Stockholm Stieg Larsson pictured.
“The film release of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo might have prompted a new wave of Stieg Larsson fans to look for the grimy side of Stockholm. Unfortunately they’ll have to look quite hard, because Stockholm looks as perfect as it’s ever been." - Lonely Planet
If you fell in love with the romance of Venice, you'll love Stockholm. This metropolis is made up of 14 islands and over 50 bridges.
Highlights include the canals, medieval towns, cozy coffee shops, art galleries, and an insane amount of museums -- about a hundred to choose from.
More on CNNGo: 10 great cities, 100 fantastic free attractions


6. Guimaraes, Portugal

Guimaraes
Despite Guimaraes' status in the Unesco World Heritage List, there aren't too many foreign visitors. Yet.
“This northern Portugal city is breathtakingly beautiful, as recognized by its place on the Unesco World Heritage List, yet mysteriously it doesn’t figure on the radars of many foreign visitors ... Now is the moment to visit, as the city has been anointed the European Capital of Culture in 2012.” - Lonely Planet So what does being anointed the European Capital of culture mean? It’s kind of like holding the mini burden of Olympics.
Over the course of next year, the historic city will be the official promoter of Europe’s cultural diversity, displaying all sorts of creations like music, cinema, photography, fine arts, architecture, literature, thought, theater, dance and street art.
More on CNNGo: 50 reasons Melbourne is the world's most livable city. 


7. Santiago, Chile

sexy cafes
Believe it or not, these sexy cafés are only open in the day and serve no alcohol.
“Culture and sports have come to the fore and new museums have opened to acclaim. Dining is now top-notch, nightlife exhilarating and this year also marks the inauguration of the tallest building on the continent, the 70-storey Torre Gran Costanera." - Lonely Planet If you want the South American adventure without the tourist crowds of Buenos Aires, pay a visit to Santiago.
The first thing you should do in Santiago? Experience the very unique coffee culture.
Find a Cafe con piernas (coffee with legs) -- cafés where women dressed as strippers serve morning coffee (they’re only open in the morning and serve no alcohol).
More on CNNGo: Another 15 unsual places to spend the night

8. Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong view
As Hong Kong protesters demand more democracy, enjoy the view from the harbor.
“Rallies are infused with theatrics and eruptions of song, dance and poetry, reflecting the city’s vibrant indie music and literary scenes. Enjoy views of skyscrapers marching up hills from the Star Ferry, before challenging your senses at a wet market or divining your future at a temple.” - Lonely Planet The recent protests and rallies in Hong Kong has garnered the smoggy city some international attention, but that’s not why we would recommend you visit this city.
The hiking, boating culture, nightlife, food and efficient transportation system are world-class. And If you don’t get on with the locals, there are plenty of fun-loving commonwealth expats looking for new friends.
More on CNNG: Hong Kong protests become a tourist attraction

9. Orlando, United States

Orlando trip
Orlando will have the highest concentration of slam dunks in February 2012.
“This should be a great year for Orlando as it’s hosting the 61st NBA All-Star Weekend (25 and 26 February, 2012). The hippest sporting event in the USA , it brings much of the basketball and music worlds together for slam-dunk contests, after-hours parties and concerts, as well as the all-star game itself.” - Lonely Planet
At first we thought the same thing. Orlando? Really? The world-famous theme parks are great but they won’t be the main attraction next year.
By hosting of one of the most hyped up sports competitions in America, Orlando locals will be in a party mood -- a great time to catch the nightlife action with parties, wineries, pubs and dance clubs.
More on CNNGo: The world's best city

10. Darwin, Australia

Darwin 2012
"Eh, now I know how those fish feel at Chinese restaurants."
“It was once easy to dismiss Darwin as a frontier town full of brawling fishermen, dreamy hippies and redneck truckers. "But with a pumping nocturnal scene, magical markets and restaurants, and world-class wilderness areas just down the road, today Darwin is the triumph of Australia’s Top End." - Lonely Planet
Forget the kangaroos of Sydney and Melbourne, Darwin is the “real” Australia. Sitting on the very tip of the country, it’s a gateway to the outback with its abundance of beaches and wild life, especially crocodiles.
Despite its deadly creatures this outback city is still a lively destination with plenty of wharf-front restaurants and markets best enjoyed during one of their killer sunsets.
More on CNNGo: World's 50 best surf beaches


Read more: Lonely Planet: Best cities to travel in 2012 | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/lonely-planet-best-cities-travel-2012-716747#ixzz1ePpf1n8b



http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/lonely-planet-best-cities-travel-2012-716747



Rendez-vous sur Hellocoton !

lundi 23 janvier 2012

Kung Hei Fat Choi

On dira que si je n'ai pas posté encore en 2012 c'est que j'attendais la nouvelle année chinoise! Cette année, nous entrons donc dans l’année du dragon! 


Le calendrier chinois comporte 12 "signes" qui sont des animaux. Chaque nouvelle année est dédiée à un animal différent. Voici la liste, dans l'ordre: le rat, le boeuf, le tigre, le lapin, le dragon, le serpent, le cheval, la chèvre, le singe, le coq, le chien et le cochon.
Nous quittons donc l'annee du lapin pour entrer dans l'année du dragon.
Chaque animal possède des caractéristiques propres de tempérament et de personnalité, qui se veulent partagées par les enfants nés dans leur année. 
J'ai entendu dire que ce signe est très populaire (le plus populaire?) car c'est un animal mystique, par opposition aux autres signes qui représentent des animaux terrestres. Il est symbole de pouvoir et de bonne fortune. Ainsi, beaucoup de personnes essayaient d'avoir leur enfant né dans l'année du dragon. Allez, s'il n'est pas encore en route, va falloir se presser à  présent!
Les personnes nées pendant l'année du dragon serait donc passionnées, courageuses, et pleines d'assurance et d'ambition. Ils sont aussi chanceux, car intelligents et dynamiques. Ils n'ont pas peur des obstacles ni de prendre des risques.

A cette occasion, le métro de Hong-Kong a sorti un ticket spécial "année du dragon" ainsi qu'il l'avait fait l’année passée pour l’année du lapin


C'est aussi l'occasion de la distribution des traditionnelles red packets. Comme chaque année, je me suis procurée des billets tous neufs à la banque, afin de pouvoir les distribuer aux gardiens de mon immeuble.



C'est à cette occasion que j'ai appris qu'HSBC a sorti de nouveaux billets de banque. Et qui viennent compléter la série (incomplète) présentée ici .

Rendez-vous sur Hellocoton !