MANILA, PHILIPPINES

MANILA, PHILIPPINES

The City of Manila (Filipino: Lungsod ng Maynila) is the capital of the Philippines and one of the 17 cities and a municipality that makes up the Manila metropolitan area, the National Capital Region of the Philippines. It is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay, on the western side of the island of Luzon. With a population of 1,660,714 Manila is the second most populous city in the Philippines behind only neighboring Quezon City. The city's inhabitants, however, inhabit an area of only 38.55 square kilometers, making Manila not only the most densely populated city in the Philippines but also the most densely populated city in the world.
The city is divided into six legislative districts and consists of sixteen geographical districts: Binondo, Ermita, Intramuros, Malate, Paco, Pandacan, Port Area, Quiapo, Sampaloc, San Andres, San Miguel, San Nicolas, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz, Santa Mesa and Tondo. Within their precincts can be found areas of bustling commerce and some of the most historically and culturally significant iconic landmarks in the country as well as the seat of the executive branch of the government.
Manila is bordered by several cities of the Manila metropolitan area: Navotas and Caloocan cities to the north, Quezon city to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong cities to the east, Makati city to the southeast, and Pasay city to the south. The Pasig River bisects the city in the middle. Almost all of the city sits on top of centuries of prehistoric alluvial deposits built by the waters of the Pasig River and on some land reclaimed from Manila Bay.
Manila can be a very discombobulated place, for it is really just a collection of towns with no definable centre. The walled Intramuros area was the traditional centre of Manila, but was mostly wiped out in WWII and has never recovered. Binondo, Quiapo, Ermita and Malate have never been more than a supporting cast for a star that doesn't exist. Still, you may well find lots of fun in Ermita and Malate, while Binondo and Quiapo have a certain raw energy and unique markets. And Intramuros is a good place to explore, just to find the bones of its past.

Other parts of town are more lively. At the centre of modern Manila is Makati, the commercial centre for the country. Here, in almost orderly surroundings, you can shop, eat and drink to your heart's content. It transcends the generic-mall syndrome by having its own unique vibe that comes from the hordes of locals who come here to work, relax and play. Rather than seeing Manila as an amorphous mass, focus instead on enjoying its individual areas, and you will start to get a feel for the greater Manila, which really is a sum of its parts.

THE PENINSULA, MANILA

The Peninsula Manila was built to coincide with the hosting of the International Monetary Fund conference in Manila. It was built on the corners of Ayala and Makati Avenues, after which they are named. After undergoing several renovations, The Peninsula asserted itself as the "Jewel in the Capital's Crown". Upon the opening, the Peninsula Manila did not need to introduce itself to the public, for its main counterpart, The Peninsula Hong Kong already had established a name for The Peninsula Hotels decades ago, thus making it the favorite hotel for the high-ranking of the society. The Pen consists of two wings, which host all 468 rooms and suites.
The hotel's roof was the scene of Filipino singer Regine Velasquez's performance for 2000 Today telecast.

PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE (PSE)

The PSE include two trading floors, one at Central Business District in Makati City

and another one at its headquarters in Pasig City.The PSE utilizes a single-order-book system known as MakTrade System. In 2001, it started bond trading.The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc.is a private organization which offers and assures an impartial, effective, translucent and systematic market for the dealing of securities.

JEEPNEYS
Jeepneys are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines.[1] They were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II[2] and are well known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating. They have also become a symbol of Philippine culture.

NINOY AQUINO'S MONUMENT
Benigno Servillano Aquino, Jr.[1][2] (November 27, 1932 – August 21, 1983), popularly known as Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. and by his nickname Ninoy, was a former Philippine senator, governor, vice governor and mayor and a leader of the opposition to the rule of Ferdinand Marcos. He was assassinated at the Manila International Airport (later renamed in his honor) upon returning home from exile in the United States. His death catapulted his widow, Corazon Aquino, to the limelight and subsequently to the presidency, replacing the 20-year Marcos regime.

SAMSUNG TREASURY CONFERENCE

1. General Information
Attendance: 36 Participants from 15 Subsidiaries
Date: 25 March 2010 to 26 March 2010
Location: Manila, Philippines

2. Topics Discussed
2.1 HQ
Emphasis on accurate cashflow reporting
Reiterate SEC Treasury Management Policy
2.2 Best Practice – AR Collection Process
Sharing of project implementation experiences by SME and SEIN (INDONESIA)
Roundtable discussion for future implementation by SAVINA, SEAU, SIEL & SEPCO
2.3 New Project and Process Overview and Education – Multi-Currency Notional Pooling
Multi-Currency Notional Pooling education
Implementation guideline for 1st May 2010 kick-off
2.4 New 30 Days Rolling Cashflow Reporting
Education of the cashflow report
Implementation guideline for rolling out in May 2010
2.5 FX Policy Re-Alignment to G-ERP System
New policies
Education of common mistakes made by subsidiaries
2.6 Roundtable Discussion of G-ERP Errors and Issues by Subsidiary and G-ERP Consultant
Errors and issues discussed by each subsidiary
Solution suggested
2.7 Common Errors or Problems in TR System and Processes
Education of errors and problems made by subsidiary
Education of the correct procedure
2.8 New Treasury Policy
No petty cash
No internet banking
How to use G-ERP in a more efficient manner
Sharing of investment reclassification experience by SEIN

-End-

Singapore, Singapore

Singapore is an island nation located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It lies 137 kilometres (85 mi) north of the equator, south of the Malaysian state of Johor and north of Indonesia's Riau Islands. At 707.1 km² (272 sq mi), it is one of the few remaining city-states in the world and the smallest country in Southeast Asia. The population of Singapore is approximately 4.59 million.[ The Chinese form the majority of the population. English is the administrative language of the country.

The British East India Company established a trading post on the island in 1819. The main settlement at that point was a Malay fishing village at the mouth of the Singapore River. Several hundred indigenous Orang Laut people also lived around the coast, rivers and smaller islands. The British used Singapore as a strategic trading post along the spice route. It became one of the most important commercial and military centres of the British Empire. When it was occupied by the Japanese during World War II, Winston Churchill called it "Britain's greatest defeat". Singapore reverted to British rule in 1945. In 1963, it merged with Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak to form Malaysia. Less than two years later it split from the federation and became an independent republic on 9 August 1965. Singapore joined the United Nations on September 21 that same year.

Economy - Since independence, Singapore's standard of living has increased. Foreign direct investment and a state-led industrialization drive based on plans drawn up by the Dutch economist Albert Winsemius have created a modern economy based on electronics manufacturing, petrochemicals, tourism and financial services alongside the traditional entrepôt trade. Singapore is the 6th wealthiest country in the world in terms of GDP per capita.The small nation has foreign exchange reserves of US$171.7353 billion. Singapore has a highly developed market-based economy, which historically revolves around extended entrepot trade. Along with Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan, Singapore is one of the Four Asian Tigers. The economy depends heavily on exports refining imported goods, especially in manufacturing. Manufacturing constituted 26 percent of Singapore's GDP in 2005. The manufacturing industry is well-diversified into electronics, petroleum refining, chemicals, mechanical engineering and biomedical sciences manufacturing. In 2006, Singapore produced about 10 percent of the world's foundry wafer output.Singapore is the busiest port in the world in terms of tonnage shipped.Singapore is the world's fourth largest foreign exchange trading centre after London, New York City and Tokyo. Singapore has been rated as the most business-friendly economy in the world,with thousands of foreign expatriates working in multi-national corporations. The city-state also employs tens of thousands of foreign blue-collared workers around the world.

Orchard Road - supposedly got its name from the orchards and plantations that existed in the area until the turn of the 20th century. In the 1900s, a mysterious disease swept through the nutmeg plantations, wiping them out within a year. Because of its location in a valley, floods were also common. They were only controlled in 1965 when Stamford Canal - part of which runs below the pedestrian mall fronting Wisma Atria Shopping Centre today - was deepened and widened. In the 1970s, pioneering landmarks like C. K. Tangs, Plaza Singapura and the Mandarin Hotel came up and led the way for entertainment complexes. Brick by brick, and block by block, towers of glass and steel lined what used to be mud-tracks to make Orchard Road the premier shopping belt today.

Orchard Road, Singapura merupakan pusat perbelanjaan yang banyak dikunjungi turis mancanegara termasuk dari Indonesia. Lingkungannya yang nyaman dan aman, tertib, serta pilihan produk yang banyak menjadi daya tarik tersendiri bagi para turis. Di kawasan tersebut terdapat banyak hotel berbintang lima dan pusat perbelanjaan mewah yang menawarkan produk fashion merek internasional. Memang tempat tersebut sudah tidak asing lagi bagi orang Indonesia yang mempunyai banyak uang, karena mereka sering melancong ke negeri pulau tersebut. Turis merasa nyaman dan santai berjalan kaki menelusuri pertokoan mewah itu. Rasa sejuk tidak hanya terasa di dalam ruang, juga di luar ruangan yang terdapat pohon yang rindang. Pengunjung dari Indonesia lebih banyak berdatangan ke tempat tersebut pada saat liburan.

Singapore Changi Airport - Changi Airport is a major aviation hub in Asia, particularly in the Southeast Asian region, and is the main airport in Singapore. Located in Changi on a site of 13 square kilometres (5.0 sq mi), it is about 17.2 kilometres (10.7 mi) north-east from the commercial centre. Changi Airport beberapa kali memenangkan perhargaan sebagai “the best airport in the world”. Changi adalah lambang keberhasilan pemerintah Singapura dalam menerapkan good governance. Singapore sangat serius mengelola airportnya demi kenyamanan para penumpang dari lima benua. Hampir semua perusahaan penerbangan terkemuka di dunia yang terbang melalui Asia Tenggara dipastikan transit di Changi.

Skytrax yang setiap tahun melakukan survey terhadap kepuasan penumpang membuat 10 kategori penilaian terhadap airport di dunia. Penilaian mereka terdiri dari : free duty shops, dining, security processing, bagage delivery, kebersihan, toilet, transit, leisure amenities, layanan imigrasi, dan keramahan staf. Changi di tahun 2007 menyabet dua kategori sebagai the best duty free shopping dan leisure amenities airport di dunia selain layanan imigrasi, best transit airport, best airport dining yang berada diurutan kedua. Saingan Changi di Asia adalah Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) dan yang untuk tahun 2007 ini dinobatkan oleh Skytrac sebagai yang terbaik di dunia setelah tahun sebelumnya dipegang oleh Changi yang menduduki tempat kedua bersama dengan Seoul Incheon di Korea Selatan.

Genting Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia

Genting Highlands Resort, popularly known as Genting - City of Entertainment offers world-class leisure and entertainment attractions and is a key tourist attraction in Malaysia. The resort has won numerous awards of excellence such as "Best Deluxe Family Resort/Theme Park" and "Outstanding Achievements in Hotel/Resort Development", 2003-2004 (World Asia Publishing) and "Asia Pacific’s Leading Casino Resort 2001" (World Travel Awards). The resort's attractions include over 50 fun rides, 150 outlets (comprising 80 dining and 70 shopping outlets) and six uniquely themed leisure walk boulevards at First World Plaza - the highest shopping centre in Malaysia at about 2,000 metres above sea level, Casino de Genting - a world-class gaming entertainment area and three mega multi-purpose venues (the 6,000-pax Genting International Convention Centre, 6,000-pax Arena of Stars and 1,800-pax Genting International Showroom) that provides a constant flow of world class shows and events.

There are six hotels in Genting Highlands Resort, i.e. Genting Hotel, Resort Hotel, Highlands Hotel, Theme Park Hotel and First World Hotel at the hilltop and Awana Genting Highlands Golf & Country Resort at the mid-hill - offering 10,000 hotel rooms. First World Plaza offers a unique blend of indoor theme park, themed entertainment areas, enjoyable shopping and dining experiences, world-class entertainment shows and performances, impressive business conventions and affordable rooms for everyone, all under one roof. First World Hotel & Plaza was awarded the prestigious "FIABCI Award of Distinction" 2002 for the best hotel development in Malaysia, the "Best Man-made Tourist Attraction in Malaysia" by Tourism Malaysia and the "Best New Hotel" at the Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards 2003-2004 by World Asia Publishing. Genting Highlands Resort has the distinction of having Genting Skyway - “the longest cable car in Southeast Asia” spanning 3.38km from the midhill at Gohtong Jaya to Highlands Hotel at the hilltop. Genting Skyway, at maximum speed of 21.6km per hour is also the fastest mono cable car system in the world.

Perjalanan menuju ke Genting Island, suasananya begitu teduh dengan banyak pepohonan. Untuk bisa sampai kesana, perjalanan dilanjutkan dengan naik Genting Skyway atau Awana Skyway. ''Sudah lebih 50 juta penumpang merasakan kehebatan kereta kabel Skyway, dengan kelajuan terpantas di dunia dan jarak yang terpanjang di Asia Tenggara, selain Skyway, turis asing bisa menggunakan Arwana Skyway. '"Arwana Skyway ini merupakan kereta kabel pertama di Genting Highlands Resort. Dengan menggunakan kereta kabel ini, bisa melihat pemandangan hutan, dan untuk menuju ke Genting Island dengan kereta kabel membutuhkan waktu 15 menit. Saat menaiki Arwana Skyway berwarna orange ini, turis bisa menikmati pemandangan dari atas ketinggian ribuan meter.

Peserta tour yang membawa anak-anak bisa bermain di Theme Park, yang terbagi menjadi dua yaitu taman tema dalam Plaza First Genting dan Taman Tema Luar Genting. ''Untuk Taman Tema Luar Genting ditutup pada pukul 08.00 malam, sedangkan di Taman Tema dalam tutupnya jam 12 malam. Permainan yang bisa dinikmati di Taman Tema Dalam, antara lain Ferris Wheel, Reindeer Cruiser, Carousel, Genting Sky Venture, Snow World dan sebagainya. Sedangkan Taman Tema Luar, permainan yang ada yaitu flying jumbo, pirate ship, Bumper Boat dan banyak lagi. Bagi yang ingin menikmati peruntungan bisa bermain di Casino yang buka 1x24 jam.Permainan Casino yang ada disana, antara lain Roulette, Baccarat, Blackjack, Carribean Stud Poker, Jackpot Machines dan sebagainya. Casino yang berada ditengah-tengah hotel ini banyak dikunjungi turis Asia dan Manca Negera.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the largest city of Malaysia. The city proper, making up an area of 244 km2, has an estimated population of 1.6 million in 2006 Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million. It is the fastest growing metropolitan region in the country, in terms of population as well as economy. Kuala Lumpur is the seat of the Parliament of Malaysia, making it the country's legislative capital. The city was once home to the executive and judicial branches of the federal government, but they have since moved to Putrajaya starting in 1999. Some sections of the judiciary remain in the capital. The official residence of the Malaysian King, the Istana Negara, is also situated in Kuala Lumpur. The city is also the cultural and economic center of Malaysia due to its position as the capital as well as being a primate city. Kuala Lumpur is rated as a gamma world city, and is the only global city in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is defined within the borders of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and is one of three Malaysian Federal Territories. It is an enclave within the state of Selangor, on the central west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Residents of the city are known as KLites. Beginning in the 1990s, the city has played host to many international sporting, political and cultural events including the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the Formula One World Championship. In addition, Kuala Lumpur is home to the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers. (From wikipedia)

Bukit Bintang (or Star Hill) is the name of a shopping and entertainment district in Kuala Lumpur, and the road that runs through it, Jalan Bukit Bintang. The area is home to many landmark shopping centres, cafés, clubs, shops, malls and specialty shops.Bukit Bintang is located within three main roads: Jalan Bukit Bintang starts from Jalan Pudu and intersects with Jalan Sultan Ismail. There are a number of hotels and restaurants located in the area, as well as hawker-styled eateries, the place of which provide cheap dishes in a laidback usually open atmosphere. Bukit Bintang is one of the city's shopping districts offering a variety of merchandise to suit every taste and budget. The city's major shopping outlets are located in this area, including Berjaya Times Square, Bukit Bintang Plaza, Imbi Plaza, Kuala Lumpur Plaza, Low Yat Plaza , Starhill Gallery,Sungei Wang Plaza,Lot 10 and the newly opened Pavilion KL.

Petronas Twin Towers (also known as the Petronas Towers or Twin Towers), in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were the world's tallest buildings, before being surpassed by the Taipei 101. However, the towers are still the tallest twin buildings in the world. Tower 2 was built by the South Korean multinational Samsung Engineering & Construction and Tower 1 by Hazama Corporation of Japan.

They were the world's tallest buildings from 1998 to 2004 if measured from the level of the main entrance to the structural top, the original height reference used by the US-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat from 1969 (three additional height categories were introduced as the tower neared completion in 1996).

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building is located in front of the Dataran Merdeka - literally the Independence Square - and the Royal Selangor Club, by Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The structure takes its name from Sultan Abdul Samad, the reigning sultan of Selangor at the time when construction began.

The Federal Territory Mosque or Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan is a major mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is located near MATRADE complex and the Federal Governmental Complex off Jalan Duta. The mosque is designed in a Middle Eastern and Malay architecture, heavily influenced by the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. It has 22 domes and they are made from composite material which comprises glass fibre fabric that is mixed with epoxy resin harderner to make it durable and light.

Hard Rock Café, Kuala Lumpur

located in Ground Floor, Wisma Concorde Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Probably the smallest Hard Rock Café in the world.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is the capital and the largest city of The Netherlands. Its name is derived from Amstel dam, pointing to the city's origin: a dam on the river Amstel. The city is known for its historic port, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, its red-light district, its liberal coffee shop policy, and its many canals which have led to Amsterdam being called the "Venice of the North". Founded as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age, because of its innovative developments in trade. During this time, the city was the leading centre for finance and diamonds. The city proper comprises 751,251 inhabitants, of at least 175 nationalities. Amsterdam and its surrounding metropolitan area has a population of 1 to 1.5 million people.( From Wikipedia )

Canal Cruises,Amsterdam - Sight seeing canal cruise No trip to Amsterdam is complete without a canal cruise. Day cruises, romantic evening cruises and even pizza cruises, dengan perahu kaca kita diajak Canal Cruise menyusuri sungai sepanjang kota Amsterdam. The Amsterdam canal system is the result of conscious city planning. In the early 17th century—when immigration was at a height—a comprehensive plan was developed that was based on four concentric half-circles of canals with their ends resting on the IJ bay. Known as the Grachtengordel, three of the canals are mostly for residential development: Those are the Herengracht (Gentleman's Canal), Keizersgracht (Emperor's Canal), and Prinsengracht (Prince's Canal’). The fourth and most outer canal, the Singelgracht (not to be confused with the Single), served purposes of defense and water management. Construction started in 1613,Over the years, several canals have been filled up becoming streets or squares, such as the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal and the Spui.

Volendam - Volendam is a popular tourist attraction in the Netherlands, well-known for its old fishing boats and the traditional clothing still worn by some residents. The women's costume of Volendam, with its high, pointed bonnet, is one of the most recognizable of the Dutch traditional costumes, and is often featured on tourist postcards and posters (although there are believed to be fewer than 50 women now wearing the costume as part of their daily lives, most of them elderly). There is a regular ferry connection to Marken, a peninsula close by. Volendam also features a small museum about its history and clothing style. Volendam merupakan kota nelayan yang indah dengan penduduk mayoritas beragama Kristen yang taat. Di sekitar pantai terdapat banyak took-toko, dii antara toko-toko ini ada Studio Foto yang menawarkan turis mengabadikan kunjungan mereka ke Volendam dengan memakai baju tradisional Volendam. Sebenarnya Belanda mempunyai beberapa baju tradisional, tetapi mungkin yang paling terkenal dan menjadi ciri khas Belanda adalah baju daerah Volendam yang oleh pemerintah Belanda setelah baju ini menang pada lomba baju tradisional kemudian dijadikan trade mark belanda. Di depan /di etalase kaca semua studio memajang foto-foto orang terkenal yang pernah berpose di studio mereka, antara lain foto aktor atau olahragawan belanda dan Eropa, dan bahkan foto aktris / negarawan dari Indonesia mungkin untuk menarik perhatian, karena banyak turis asing dari Indonesia yang selalu mengunjungi daerah pinggiran pantai ini,

Dan klompe, pabrik pembuatan keju - Di gemeente (kotapraja), zaanstad, di pinggir kota amsterdam, terdapat berbagai obyek turisme, yang terkenak diantaranya adalah zaanse schans, disana terdapat museum, dua rumah/bangunan tua yang sudah direnovasi, yang masing-masing. digunakan sebahgai pabrik berukuran kecil, tempat pembuatan keju dan klompen (sepatu dari kayu /bakyak). Dua rumah yang dijadiakan pabrik tersebut, sekaligus sebagai dua buah toko yang masing-masing yang masing-mading menjual keju dan klompen serta berbagi souvenir khas belanda. di zaanse schans juga terdapat, beberapa kincir angin yg dijadikan museum. Lebih dari itu, diwilayah zaanse schans ini, dipelihara dgn baik rumah2 tua yang memberikan gambaran mengenai bagaimana bentuk rumah-rumah kampung disekitar sungai zaan sekitar seratus tahun yang lalu.

Museum Madame Tussaud, Amsterdam pastilah tak asing bagi anda. Madame Tussaud berasal dari nama perintisnya Marie Tussaud lahir di Perancis 1761-1850. Awalnya dia seorang housekeeper seorang ahli patung lilin Phillipe Curtius yang banyak bikin patung keluarga kerajaan. Tussaud merintis karyanya dengan membuat patung JJ.Rousseau dan Benjamin Franklin.Saat ini Museum Madame Tussaud terdapat di beberapa negara, yaitu London, New York, Las Vegas, Amsterdam, Hongkong dan Shanghai.

Letak lokasi Madame Tussaud di Amsterdam persis di Dam Square, jalan kaki 5 menit persis depan Central Statiun Amsterdam. Di dalam museum ini,ada banyak patung dari berbagai artis dan tokoh2 negara. Seperti : Johny Deep ,Julia Robert, tokoh2 negara seperti George W. Bush, Queen Beatrix (ratu belanda), Mahatma Gandhi, Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Lady Diana, Anne Frank, Bill Clinton, Pelukis terkenal Salvadore Dali, Picasso dan Rembrandt dan masih banyak lagi patung-patung yang memang mirip dengan aslinya yang dapat kita lihat di dalam museum ini.Jika anda ingin cari tempat menginap di dekat sini, gak perlu bingung. Ada Mistertur.com yang bisa membantu anda untuk melakukan reservasi langsung hotel di Amsterdam, Belanda secara online. Anda juga bisa mendapatkan paket diskon dengan harga murah untuk hotel tujuan anda.

Nov0tel - Place where I stayed in Amsterdam, is located at Europa boulevard 10 1083 AD AMSTERDAM NETHERLANDS .The Novotel Amsterdam City is a 4 star hotel near the Amsterdam RAI events centre and the WTC. RAI station, within walking distance of the hotel, offers frequent connections to the city centre and Schiphol Airport.

Den Haag, Netherlands

The Hague ( Dutch: Den Haag) is the third-largest city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam and Rotterdam, with a population of 475,580 (as of January 1, 2006) (population of agglomeration: 600,000) and an area of approximately 100 km². It is located in the west of the country, in the province of South Holland, of which it is also the provincial capital. The Hague is, like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht, part of the conglomerate metropolitan area Randstad, with a population of 6,659,300 inhabitants.The Hague is the actual seat of government, but, somewhat anomalously, not the official capital of the Netherlands, a role set aside by the Dutch constitution for Amsterdam .

Madurodam is a miniature city located in Scheveningen, The Hague, in the Netherlands. It is a model of a Dutch town on a 1:25 scale, composed of typical Dutch buildings and landmarks, as are found at various locations in the country. This major Dutch tourist attraction was built in 1952 and has been visited by tens of millions of visitors since then.

Den Haag kota di Negeri Kincir Angin yang paling banyak dikunjungi wisatawan setelah Amsterdam. Den Haag merupakan kota wisata dengan berbagai obyek menarik, seperti istana, monumen, museum, resor pantai, dan pusat perbelanjaan. Juga sarat dengan berbagai peristiwa budaya.Di kota ini pula, penguasa "monarki oranye" bermukim dan roda pemerintahan digulirkan. Sejak berabad lalu ratu, raja, para pewaris kerajaan, dan para gubernur telah menetap di kota ini.Begitu juga para duta besar, atase militer, dan atase kebudayaan dari berbagai negara. Semua bermukim di kota yang cantik ini.

Tak perlu khawatir, ke mana pun akan pergi, ke seluruh penjuru kota, trem dan busbus modern siap melayani. Semua informasi jalan dan rute lengkap terpampang di dinding setiap halte. Menumpang bus dari stasiun pusat Den Haag menuju Scheveningen, wisatawan dapat melihat kecantikan pantai dan pelabuhannya.Beribu-ribu pengunjung dari mancanegara datang ke tempat ini di musim panas. Pelabuhan ini masih menyimpan suasana masa lalu dengan tampilan gedung-gedung tuanya yang sengaja dipadu dengan bangunan-bangunan yang modern. Salah satu gedung yang menarik perhatian adalah kantor informasi wisata Scheveningen, bergaya kuno namun tampak ceria dengan warna-warna cerah.Di tempat ini terdapat juga National Sea Life Scheveningen, tempat menyaksikan kehidupan laut melalui sebuah akuarium raksasa. Anda akan dibawa pada perjalanan dramatis dari garis pantai ke dalam laut. Memasuki terowongan yang dikelilingi 180 ribu liter air, mulai dari udang kecil, bintang laut, sampai ikan hiu dan berbagai mahluk laut lain dapat dijumpai di sini. Selain kesohor dengan pantainya, Scheveningen juge menjadi tempat nongkrong yang asyik. Di sini, perut wisatawan akan dimanjakan dengan berbagai hidangan khas laut, mulai dari ikan herring yang lezat sampai salad udang segar. melihat Lukisan Rembrandt sampai Teater Sirkus, dan Tempat lain yang juga layak dikunjungi adalah Istana Per damaian (Peace Palace). Di sini berkantor Lembaga Arbitrase, Lembaga Peradilan Internasional, dan Akademi Hukum Internasional. Perpustakaannya konon amat lengkap, berisi buku-buku hukum yang disumbangkan donatur dari seluruh dunia. Istana ini dibangun seorang dermawan Amerika, Andrew Carnegie.Den Haag juga kaya dengan museum. Satu yang terpopuler bernama Marutsthuis. Meski terbilang kecil dan amat privat, museum ini berisi koleksi kesenian abad emas negeri Belanda. Di tempat ini terdapat lukisan-lukisan tentang kabinet kerajaan, juga karya para pelukis masyhur, seperti Rembrandt, Vermeet, Frans Hals, Jan Steen, dan Jan van Goyen. Dari abad ke-15, ke-16, dan ke-17 terdapat nama perupa seperti Rubens, Van Dijk, dan Jordaens.

Bersebelahan dengan Mauritshuis terdapat Gedung Parlemen atau dikenal juga dengan nama Binnenhof Ridderzaal (Knights' Hall). Ada juga Omniversum, teater yang menampilkan filmfilm mengenai manusia dan sejarah. Jangan lupa pula melongok Hotel Kurhaus, yang telah berusia seratus tahun. Jika waktu cukup, nikmati pula pertunjukan di Circusteater (teater sirkus).

Paris, France

Paris

Paris is the capital city of France. It is situated on the Seine river, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region (also known as the "Paris Region"; French: Région parisienne). The city of Paris within its administrative limits (largely unchanged since 1860) has an estimated population of 2,167,994 (January 2006). The Paris unité urbaine extends well beyond the administrative city limits and has an estimated population of 9.93 million (in 2005). The Paris aire urbaine (or metropolitan area) has a population of nearly 12 million and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in Europe.

An important settlement for more than two millennia, Paris is today one of the world's leading business and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities. The Paris Region (Île-de-France) is Europe's biggest city economy, and is fifth in the World's list of cities by GDP. With €500.8 billion (US$628.9 billion), it produced more than a quarter of the gross domestic product (GDP) of France in 2006. The Paris Region hosts 36 of the Fortune Global 500 companies in several business districts, notably La Défense, the largest purpose-built business district in Europe. Paris also hosts many international organizations such as UNESCO, the OECD, the ICC and the informal Paris Club. Paris is the most popular tourist destination in the world, with over 30 million foreign visitors per year. There are numerous iconic landmarks among its many attractions, along with world famous institutions and popular parks. (From Wikipedia)

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is an iron tower built on the Champ de Mars beside the Seine River in Paris. The tower has become a global icon of France and is one of the most recognizable structures in the world. Introduction: The Eiffel Tower, a major tourist attraction, is the tallest structure in Paris. Attractions : The Eiffel Tower is named after the man who designed it, Gustave Eiffel. Its construction began in 1887 and was completed in 1889. One of the most visited sites in the world, the Eiffel Tower is a magnificent piece of art. It was built to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution and has great historical significance.

The topmost platform offers a breathtaking view of Paris; however, the other platforms are also worth visiting for a spectacular sunset. Altitude 95 and Jules Verne, the two restaurants on the first and the second floor, respectively, are famous for serving excellent cuisines. At night, the Eiffel Tower is at the peak of its beauty, with gold lights highlighting its beautiful steel framework.

The Eiffel Tower was built for the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889 commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution. The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII of England, opened the tower. Of the 700 proposals submitted in a design competition, Gustave Eiffel's was unanimously chosen. However it was not accepted by all at first, and a petition of 300 names - including those of Maupassant, Emile Zola, Charles Garnier (architect of the Opéra Garnier), and Dumas the Younger - protested its construction. At 300 meters (320.75 m including antenna), and 7,000 tons, it was the world's tallest building until 1930. Other statistics include:
· 2.5 million rivets
· 300 steel workers, and 2 years (1887-1889) to construct it.
· Sway of at most 12 cm in high winds.
· Height varies up to 15 cm depending on temperature.
· 15,000 iron pieces (excluding rivets). 40 tons of paint. 1652 steps to the top.

In 1889, Gustave Eiffel began to fit the peak of the tower as an observation station to measure the speed of wind. He also encouraged several scientific experiments including Foucault's giant pendulum, a mercury barometer and the first experiment of radio transmission. In 1898, Eugene Ducretet at the Pantheon, received signals from the tower.

After Gustave Eiffel experiments in the field of meterology, he begun to look at the effects of wind and air resistance, the science that would later be termed aerodynamics, which has become a large part of both military and commercial aviation as well as rocket technology. Gustave Eiffel imagined an automatic device sliding along a cable that was stretched between the ground and the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. (reference)

The tower was almost torn down in 1909, but was saved because of its antenna used both for military and other purposes, and the city let it stand after the permit expired. When the tower played an important role in capturing the infamous spy Mata Hari during World War I, it gained such importance to the French people that there was no more thought of demolishing it.- used for telegraphy at that time. From 1910 and on the Eiffel Tower became part of the International Time Service. French radio (since 1918), and French television (since 1957) have also made use of its stature.

During its lifetime, the Eiffel Tower has also witnessed a few strange scenes, including being scaled by a mountaineer in 1954, and parachuted off of in 1984 by two Englishmen. In 1923 a journalist rode a bicycle down from the first level. Some accounts say he rode down the stairs, other accounts suggest the exterior of one of the tower's four legs which slope outward. (reference)

Of the 7.5 million kilowatt hours of electricity used annually, 580 thousand are used exclusively to illuminate the tower. The tower's annual operation also requires the use of 2 tons of paper for tickets, 4 tons of rag or paper wipes, 10,000 applications of detergents, 400 liters of metal cleansers and 25,000 garbage bags. (reference) On the four facades of the tower, the 72 surnames of leading turn-of-the-century French scientists and engineers are engraved in recognition of their contributions to science. This engraving was over painted at the beginning of the 20th century and restored in 1986-1987 by the Société Nouvelle d' Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, a company contracted to operate business related to the Tower.

Versailles
The most important landmark is of course, the Palace of Versailles. This estate was built during the 17th century as a hunting lodge for the royalties. You can also find hotels on a budget near the Church of the Notre Dame.
The Palace of Versailles--A half hour outside of Paris, the Palace of Versailles is one of the world's grandest historical museums.

Versailles Quick Facts :
· In 1624, Louis XIII, the king of France, began the building of a hunting lodge in the small village of Versailles
· There are 18,000 square meters of history in the Palace of Versailles
· Versailles is half an hour by rail from the Gare St Lazarre station in Paris

The Palace of Versailles began as a modest hunting lodge. Well, as modest a lodge as one could expect from a French King. Then Louis XIV enlarged and enrobed the old lodge, turning it into the great Chateau we know today. In 1837, Louis-Philippe converted the whole deal to a museum of French History in what may have been the historic starting point for the development of mass tourism. And world war I was ended here with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

Versailles is several KM southwest of Paris. Trains reach Versailles in 30-40 minutes. Three rail lines will get you to Versailles from Paris, or you can take the number 171 bus from Pont de Sèvres. As one of the premier tourist destination of France, Versailles is really easy locate and to visit. For one, Versailles is really close to Paris – Once you arrive in via Charles de Gaul International Airport, you’ll just be spending an hour traveling before you arrive in Versailles. If you’re in Paris, you can practically get a cab and get there. Although it will generally be outweighed by Paris in terms of number of visitors, there’s not mistaking the importance of this place in the history of France. Any experienced traveler can tell you that. The French has basically laid out their political power in this place so there was a time that all roads go to Versailles instead of Paris.

Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile

History - The Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile {ahrk duh tree-ohmf' duh lay-twahl'}, the world's largest triumphal arch, forms the backdrop for an impressive urban ensemble in Paris.

The monument surmounts the hill of Chaillot at the center of a star-shaped configuration of 12 radiating avenues.

It is the climax of a vista seen the length of the Champs Elysées from the smaller Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel in the Tuileries gardens, and from the Obélisque de Luxor in the place de la Concorde.
In 1806, Napoleon I conceived of a triumphal arch patterned after those of ancient Rome and dedicated to the glory of his imperial armies. The structure was designed by Jean François Thérèse Chalgrin (1739-1811) and completed in 1836 during the reign of Louis Philippe. Its deceptively simple design and immense size, 49.5 m (162 ft) in height, mark it unmistakably as a product of late 18th-century romantic neoclassicism. The arch also serves as a reminder that Chalgrin was a pupil of Etienne Louis Boullée, the father of visionary architecture. The most famous of its sculptural reliefs is La Marseillaise (1833-36) of François Rude. Specific historic associations notwithstanding, the arch has become an emblem of French patriotism.

Since 1920, the tomb of France's Unknown Soldier has been sheltered underneath the arch. Its eternal flame commemorates the dead of the two world wars, and is rekindled every evening at 6:30. Here, on every Armistice Day (November 11), the President of the Republic lays a ceremonial wreath. On July 14, the French National Day (also known as Bastille Day), a military parade starts at the arch and proceeds down the Champs Elysées. For important occasions of state, and on national holidays, a huge French tricolor is unfurled and hung from the vaulted ceiling inside of the Arch. The last leg of the Tour de France bicycle race also culminates here on the third or fourth Sunday in July.

Physical Description- At the bases of the Arc's pillars are four huge relief sculptures, commemorating The Triumph of 1810 (by Cortot); Resistance, and Peace (both by Etex); and The Departure of the Volunteers, more commonly known as La Marseillaise (by François Rude). On the day the Battle of Verdun started (1916), the sword carried by the figure representing the Republic broke off from La Marseillaise. The relief was immediately hidden to conceal the accident, so that it would not be interpreted as a bad omen. Engraved around the top of the Arch are the names of major victories won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. The names of less important victories, as well as those of 558 generals, can be found on the inside walls. (Generals whose names are underlined died in action.)