Residents of the Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex probably rolled their eyes at the news that Southwest is pushing for more freedom at Houston’s close-in Hobby airport. They’ve seen it all before with Southwest’s fight against American at Love Field, right? Not quite. This is a very different situation, but don’t worry, there is still legacy airline [...]

Source: http://feeds.crankyflier.com/~r/CrankyFlier/~3/ns_fVxcLBts/

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It’s almost official. British Airways will close on its purchase of bmi in short order. Will it be good or bad for travel in the UK?

Source: http://feeds.crankyflier.com/~r/CrankyFlier/~3/aa15D-h1kw8/

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By Nadia Saleem

DUBAI, March 1 |
Thu Mar 1, 2012 6:26am EST

DUBAI, March 1 (Reuters) ? Abu Dhabi?s First Gulf Bank
led gains on the emirate?s bourse as investors cheered
the lender?s cash dividend and bonus shares announcement, but
failed to help Dubai?s index extend a rally.

Shares in FGB rose 4.7 percent to close at a 41-month high.
It approved plans on Thursday to double its paid-up capital
through a bonus share issue and distribute a cash dividend of 1
dirham ($0.27) per share.

Other banks also rallied, with National Bank of Abu Dhabi
rising 2.2 percent.

Abu Dhabi?s benchmark climbed 0.5 percent to 2,624
points, a seven-month high.

In Dubai, the index slipped from Wednesday?s 15-month
closing high as investors cashed in ahead of the weekend.

Bellwether Emaar Properties led the decline,
falling 2.9 percent. Emirates NBD shed 2.4 percent and
contractor Arabtec dipped 3.6 percent.

?We?re watching out for more profit-taking over the next few
sessions and for an attractive re-entry point that?ll trigger
the next leg-up,? said Sleiman Aboulhosn, assistant fund manager
at Al Masah Capital.

Other Gulf markets ended mixed ahead of the weekend.

Qatar?s index eased 0.06 percent, giving back the
session?s gains and taking year-to-date losses to 0.4 percent.

Doha Bank dropped 6 percent as investors cashed
out after its ex-dividend date. The lender will pay 4.5 rials
($1.24) per share.

?Qatar is holding its ground with near average volumes ?
interest has shifted to riskier markets like UAE, Saudi and
Egypt over the past few weeks, but solid fundamentals are intact
in Doha,? Aboulhosn added.

Elsewhere, both the Oman index and the Kuwait bourse
edged up to record eight-month highs.

Muscat?s Transgulf Holding extended gains in heavy
trade, rising 1.4 percent to a 13-month closing high.

Dhofar Investment Development climbed 2.5 percent
and Bank Dhofar rose 0.4 percent, while heavyweight
Bank Muscat weighed with a 0.5 percent decline.

The index edged up 0.07 percent to, its highest finish since
July 2011.

?The month of March would typically see the corporate
dividend adjustments in the local market, which may limit the
upside rally,? Gulf Baader Capital Markets said in a note. ?We
continue to see the market trading above its medium-term support
level of 5,730 points.?

Kuwait?s index added 0.1.

Gulf Finance House slipped 6.9 percent. The firm
swung to a full-year profit in 2011 as the troubled
sharia-compliant investment firm said its restructuring plan,
which included significant cost-cutting, helped reverse its
fortunes.

Its Bahrain-listed shares ended flat.

THURSDAY?S HIGHLIGHTS

ABU DHABI

* The index gained 0.5 percent to 2,624 points.

DUBAI

* The index fell 1.6 percent to 1,702 points.

QATAR

* The benchmark eased 0.06 percent to 8,742 points.

OMAN

* The index ticked up 0.07 percent to 5,842 points.

KUWAIT

* The measure gained 0.1 percent to 6,134 points.

BAHRAIN

* The measure eased 0.06 percent to 1,148 points.

(Editing by Reed Stevenson)

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Source: http://www.exoticabudhabi.com/united-arab-emirates/5797_mideast-stocks-abu-dhabis-fgb-gains-gulf-mixed-on-profit-taking.html

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Bonding time between girlfriends is an honored tradition and choosing the destinations for these holidays is not an easy task. We hope the list below makes life easier for you and your girls. These are girlfriend destinations in the United States and each travel destination guarantees good food, good time, good chit chats, and a good reason to have another such getaway the next time.

Hawaiian Road Trip

Go with the girls and fly to the Big Island in Hawaii. You can get a car rental and have a joy ride and enjoy the most beautiful views while on the road. The varying landscapes provide an endless backdrop to a great bonding time with your friends at the plantation of the Holualoa Kona Coffee or exploring towns for the best foods.

Drive around lava fields and enjoying the offerings of the national parks might make you hungry, so grab a snack from the Punalu?u Bake Shop where the best of breads are served and have some fruits and relaxation at Shipman House Bed and Breakfast. Make sure you include in your list the barbecued pork and coconut prawns from the Bamboo Restaurant and a cup from the Hilo Coffee Mill.

Enjoy great flavors in Charleston, South Carolina

Book a room at Charleston Place and you can go out for walk or maybe glam up for dinner. Whatever you plan to do, do not go to the spa so soon since it might just be too hard to leave. For a memorable dinner, get a table at High Cotton or enjoy some drinks at The Gin Joint. If you want some sweets, head to the Bakehouse for their cupcakes and cookies or sample the cheeses made by Goat-Sheep-Cow. If you want your dose of brunch while chatting with the girls, go to Palmetto Cafe where a hearty, classic Southern dishes are served.

Sonoma Valley Wine Tasting

One classic girlfriend destination is Sonoma in California and one good reason to visit is to taste some of the best wines in the region. We choose Sonoma over Napa since we want the girl bonding time to be free of headaches as Napa has a ton of wine trails which also means a thick crowd of travelers. You can rent a ride in San Francisco and head to Sonoma. The group can go for a yummy lunch at Fish along the Harbor Drive in Sausalito and then head to the family vineyards of TR Elliott.

The big dinner with the girls should be at Cyrus Restaurant in Healdsburg at the heart of the valley and you can either reserve a room at the Auberge du Soleil or the Farmhouse.

Spa Trip in Sedona, Arizona

Another worthwhile getaway with your girlfriends is in Sedona for a spa holiday. You can choose from the best spa destinations like Sedona Rouge, L?Auberge de Sedona, or the Mii Amo which can guarantee that you will be rested and refreshed after receiving their treatments. Aside from the pampering you can also enjoy the healthy cuisines that they serve.

Party in Miami

If you are not looking for some R&R, then head to Miami and have the best time of your life with your circle of friends. Check in a The Townhouse or at The Raleigh then stop at Michael?s Genuine Food and Drink for dinner. Get some cocktails at The Delano?s Rose Bar or sample mezcal at the Mercadito Midtown. Ceviche 105 is the place to visit if you are looking to satisfy your craving for Peruvian food and have some grilled seafood at Garcia?s Seafood Grille. Enjoy the pool by the day or head to the organic weekend market at Coconut Grove.

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(TRAVELWIRES) : Etihad Airways is offering its stopover passengers one night?s free accommodation in Abu Dhabi on a minimum stay of two nights before December 1, 2012.

: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will offer one night?s free accommodation to passengers stopping over in Abu Dhabi for a minimum of two nights before December 1, 2012.

The Essential Stopovers offer, part of the Essential Abu Dhabi program, can be redeemed at 25 hotels, ranging from three to five star.

Further nights in five and four star accommodation can be purchased at rates as low as US$59 per person, based on twin occupancy, and US$43 for three star accommodation.

Etihad Airways passengers taking advantage of the stopover offer can also enjoy two-for-one deals at Ferrari World, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Yas Links and Monte Carlo Beach Club.

Two-for-one safaris or tours can also be claimed from operators Desert Safari and Abu Dhabi City Tour.

The stopover program offer is available to all Etihad Airways guests, as well to passengers travelling on Etihad Airways marketed flights. All passengers must have an onward booking beyond Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Airways Chief Commercial Officer Peter Baumgartner said: ?We are delighted to invite people from all over the world to experience Abu Dhabi for themselves. The capital city of the United Arab Emirates has so much to offer both business and leisure travellers.

?This offer is intended to encourage people to make time to get off the aircraft at Abu Dhabi and explore the emirate ? be that with a visit to the Arabian desert, a trip to one of the world?s largest mosques, a tour of the attractions on Yas Island or by sampling the emirate?s world class hotels and restaurants.

?Abu Dhabi is a magical place with something to offer everyone.?

About the deal

The Essential Stopovers deal can be redeemed at the following Abu Dhabi hotels :

Five star

Millenium Hotel Abu Dhabi

Park Rotana

Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana

Intercontinental Abu Dhabi

Beach Rotana Hotel and Towers

Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort

Rocce Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi

Grand Millenium Al Wahda

Etihad Towers Jumeirah

Hyatt Capital Gate

Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi

Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas

Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri

Four star

Yas Island Rotana

Cristal Abu Dhabi Hotel

Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island

Cristal Salam

Mafraq Hotel

Radisson Blu Yas Island

Traders Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri

Three star

Centro Al Manhal

Centro Yas Island

For more information and to make a booking, visit www.etihad.com/stopovers

About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, began operations in 2003, and in 2011 carried 8.3 million passengers. From its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad Airways serves 84 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, with a fleet of 66 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and 100 aircraft on order, including 10 Airbus A380s, the world?s largest passenger aircraft. Etihad Airways also owns nearly 30 per cent of airberlin, Europe?s sixth largest airline, and 40 per cent of Air Seychelles. For more information, please visit: www.etihadairways.com.

-END -

Media Contact

Contact Person: Jenitha Singh
Company Name: Fleishman-Hillard, South Africa
Email Address: jenitha.singh@fleishman.co.za
For more information visit: http://www.etihad.com/stopovers

• 
  

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‘); tid(‘spinner’).style.visibility = ‘visible’; var slideshow = new TINY.slideshow(“slideshow”); jQuery(document).ready(function() { // set a timeout before launching the slideshow window.setTimeout(function() { slideshow.auto = true; slideshow.speed = 10; slideshow.imgSpeed = 10; slideshow.navOpacity = 25; slideshow.navHover = 70; slideshow.letterbox = “#000000″; slideshow.linkclass = “linkhover”; slideshow.info = “information”; slideshow.infoSpeed = 10; slideshow.thumbs = “slider”; slideshow.thumbOpacity = 70; slideshow.left = “slideleft”; slideshow.right = “slideright”; slideshow.scrollSpeed = 5; slideshow.spacing = 5; slideshow.active = “#FFFFFF”; slideshow.imagesthickbox = “false”; jQuery(“#spinner”).remove(); slideshow.init(“slideshow”,”image”,”imgprev”,”imgnext”,”imglink”); tid(‘slideshow-wrapper’).style.visibility = ‘visible’; }, 1000); });

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?  For our 2004 book Rice Trails – A journey through the ricelands of Asia & Australia –photographer Richard I’Anson and I wanted an iconic photograph of Balinese rice farmers working on their fields with the island’s holy mountain, Gunung Agung, towering over them in the background. Of course you need all the elements to come together, the farmers, the view, the weather, but we eventually got what we were after.

? And the farmers invited me to join them and have a go at planting out the seedlings.

I’d always wanted to climb Agung and on a visit to Bali this week I finally got around to it. Lots of visitors climb Mt Batur, the 1717 metre crater-within-a-crater in the centre of the island. You can zip up from Ubud in the night, climb up for the sunrise in a couple of hours and head back to Ubud soon afterwards. Some Batur climbers stay at one of the lakeside guesthouses at the foot of the volcano before their climb.

Climbing Agung is a more serious effort, particularly if you want to get to the highest point on the crater rim at 3142metres. To accomplish that you need to start from Besakih, Bali’s most holy temple, at around midnight to be up at the top at 6am for dawn. You will have climbed 2000metres from your 1100metre high starting point.

I chose the easier option, starting from the Pura Pasar Agung temple north of Selat. I was picked up from my hotel in Ubud at midnight and at 130 am lined up in the car park below the temple at 1572metres. Despite the less than perfect weather (it was the wet season) there were a surprising number of climbers. My guide Ketut and I teamed up with four other climbers and their two guides, both of them young women, and we stuck together all the way to the top. A couple of other climbers were already there when we reached the crater rim at 530 am, after 4 hours climbing.

? It was already starting to get light and by dawn there were about 15 of us perched on the rim. My GPS said we were at 2873metres, so more than 250metres below the highest point, which we all agreed seemed distinctly unlikely! Perhaps Agung really is somewhat lower after the 1963-64 eruptions. It’s still classified  as an active volcano, but has not had a serious eruption since that series which killed nearly 2000 people. It’s not possible to make your way around the rim from our point to the highest point, but volcanoes aren’t like mountains, I reckon just getting up to the crater rim is good enough.

?  Offerings and statues perched on the rim of the crater.

An hour later, we seemed to unanimously agree it was time to head down, the visibility was less than perfect and it was cold and windy on the top.

As often happens with mountains it was harder getting down than going up, the descent only took 2-1/2 hours, mostly because we made no rest stops on the way down, but I doubt we moved any faster. Agung is not a technical climb in any way, but it’s often more a clamber than a walk and it can be very slippery.

? Descending Agung

It’s also utterly relentless, climb-climb-climb then descend-descend-descend, there’s never a moment’s level break. I’ve climbed higher and made equally long ascents and descents in one go, but I don’t think my legs have ever been so tired. I was beginning to stumble by the time we got back down to the car park, one ankle didn’t feel right for the next 24 hours and two days later my legs are still aching.

Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/tonywheeler/travel_blogs/climbing_mt_agung/

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To coincide with the launch of our new Street Food book, we asked you to send the most mouth-watering pictures of food you had encountered in your travels to our Facebook Travel Adventures Competition. The result was overwhelming, with nearly 900 submissions that made our stomach grumble hard with envy.

We have now gone through all of them and have whittled them down to the last 20. From this selection, an independent judge will pick 1 winner and 5 runner-ups. The lucky winner will be taking home a Nokia Lumia 800 smartphone, while the runner-ups will be awarded a Lonely Planet guide of their choice. Watch this space as we will be announcing them very soon!

1. Hibachi ? Flying food and fire ? Rhada P.

2. Smoked meat at ?Schwartz? in Montreal. DELICIOUS! ? Francisco H.

3. Let dreams come true! A gigantic mountain of Moroccan sweets! Believe me. No one can resist this! ? Thomas W.

4. Huge traditional Pork Knee in Prague. And yeah, I ate it all without being sick afterwards (but I have to honestly admit, it was the only thing I ate that night) ? Wouter v.

5. Smoking fish on the beach in Fuengirola, Spain ? Mick K.

6. Pastel de Nata (custard tarts) in Lisbon ? these are easily worked off once eaten with all the walking you?ll do in Lisbon! ? Suzanne R.

7. Pulled Pork Poutine, Quebec, Canada ? Jessica W.

8. A German tourist in the Philippines regrets accepting the challenge to eat balut: a fertilized duck egg ? Alman Q.

9. An Indian master chef making jalebis..they are orange colored fried flour crisps dipped in sugar syrup?the early bird catches the hottest/yummiest jalebis ? Archana S.

10. A Korean Won well-spent: waffles and walnut cakes served piping hot in Busan ? April d.

11. Pizz-A-mazing! ? Carmela M.

12. A fasting feast for Lent, consisting of homecooked vegan stews (wots) of lentils, potatoes, and greens on top of injera. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ? Jakhan N.

13.  Nothing says Thailand more than having your meal prepared fresh on a boat. Here a bowl of Thai dry noodles is being skilfully made ? so scrumptious you might even consider having seconds! ? Christopher R.

14. Havana, Cuba. A local man prepares a New Year?s Day feast. Hours later, the pig was still cooking, and residents of the street were having an unofficial block party! ? Jana I.

15. My Perfect Meal?! (A perfect meal consisting of Fish Curry, Prawn Curry, Vegetable Fry, Rice & Lentils from the eastern state of Odisha, India) ? Madhay P.

16. Authentic Punjabi Lunch?Photo taken at Brothers Dhaba Amritsar Punjab IN ? Ronnie K.

17. The most charming fresh produce seller in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba! That pineapple was incredibly sweet and juicy. And the pina coladas are amazing because they also add nutmeg in that region ? Ayesha M.

18. Getting ready to dig into guinea pig, near Cusco, Peru ? Anya B.

19. Grilled salted fish in Damnoen Saduak floating market, Thailand ? Rene B.

20. To anyone who has experienced the madness that is the local Laos bus service, they will recognise these wonderful fish and chicken ?lollipops? that the local ladies bring aboard along your journey? ? Angela P.

Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/blog/2012/04/05/world-food-photos-our-top-20-picks/

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If you are bored or wearied with your mundane life or hectic routine, you must take a Goa tour. This is because Goa (a state in south-western India) offers not just a vacation but a whole new world for you to experience. It?s impossible to escape the surreal wonders of this mystical place which is steeped in history and spookiness amidst its hoard of beaches.

A trip to Goa is a life-changing experience as it will show you some never-seen pleasures of life. You shall learn how wonderful it is to walk down the streets lined by churches and mammoth cathedrals standing there for centuries! You shall feel the goose-bumps when you walk by hundreds of dead watching you silently from under the tombs that are etched all over! You will realize the true beauty of vast sky and deep sea as you stand on the soft, sandy carpet of Goa?s exotic beaches!

Goa tour is largely about the fun-filled serene beaches and the tranquil, old villages. But how to explain those wonderful other facets of the place which often get overshadowed by the beguiling sea and nostalgic towns! Goa tour even offers green forests, cascading waterfalls, sparkling lakes, sacred temples and hundreds of sight-seeing spots. Bird-watchers and wildlife enthusiasts rush to this place especially during the autumn and winter seasons.

Spas, luxurious resorts, Ayurveda, casinos, discs, aqua sports, restaurants and exquisite cuisines are some of the other attractions of this place. And yet, you ask, why take a trip to Goa?

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Source: http://blogs.hungrybags.com/2011/10/31/why-should-you-take-a-trip-to-goa/

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There’s been a lot of talk about the Airline Quality Rating (AQR) lately since the 2012 rankings just came out. I’ve generally avoided talking about this and every other survey out there, except for one missive back in 2007. It seems like this might be a good time to revisit and explain why I don’t [...]

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ANKARA: Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Turkish President Abdullah Gul held discussions on Tuesday on ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the UAE and Turkey.

They reviewed the excellent friendly ties between the two countries and their peoples in the light of the diligence of both sides to bolster relations in various avenues.

A number of regional and international developments and topics of common concern also came up for discussion.

Gul welcomed Sheikh Mohammed and the accompanying delegation at the Presidential Palace in Ankara and stressed that the visit embodies the mutual keenness of the leadership of both countries to bolster and expand the bilateral ties between them to serve the interests of both the people.

Sheikh Mohammed conveyed to Gul, the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well as his good wishes for the welfare of the people of Turkey.

He also asserted that the recent visit by the Turkish President to the UAE paved the way towards added co-operation and gave a strong impetus to the growing ties between the two countries and their friendly relations.

Sheikh Mohammed stressed the importance of continuing consultation and bilateral coordination between the two countries for their mutual welfare. He also underlined the need for the exchange of visits between them as well as the boosting of bilateral trade and investment. This will strengthen the strategic partnership, especially as the UAE and Turkish economies are characterised by growth and development, the Crown Prince said.

Gul offered his greetings to be carried to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa and expressed wishes for the progress and prosperity of the UAE people.

The Turkish President also hosted a state banquet in honour of Sheikh Mohammed and the accompanying delegation and was attended by senior Turkish officials.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khalid Khalifa Al Mualla, UAE Ambassador to Turkey and other officials.

From the Turkish side, Foreign Minister Davutoglu, Finance Minister Mehmet Hamshk, National Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz, other senior state officials and Turkish Ambassador to  the UAE Sefik Vural Altay attended the meeting. Sheikh Mohammed also visited on Tuesday the mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey.

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Source: http://www.exoticabudhabi.com/united-arab-emirates/5787_abu-dhabi-cp-gul-stress-expansion-of-ties.html

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