Travel Picks of the Week - 01/04/08

January 4, 2008

Photo: Flickr/Nikond200

A sculptor wields the chisel, and the stricken marble grows to beauty, said the American romantic poet W. C. Byrant. The same could be said of the fascinating sculptures of Harbin, Heilongjiang province in China, albeit these were carved in ice with modern tools. The International Snow Sculpture Expo and the annual Ice Festival held in January showcase some of the finest works of global snow and ice artistes, drawing thousands of locals and foreign visitors.

The New Year turned 426 years old this January. The modern world follows the Gregorian calendar adopted in 1452. Many cultures around the world celebrate New Year based on lunar calendars and religious edicts. The Chinese New Year celebrations are rich and elaborate. Jack Norell describes the festivities in London usually celebrated between late January and mid-February in Chinese New Year in London.

Mobile phone services in aircrafts are all set to soar in 2008. There has been considerable opposition to in-flight use of mobile phones as passengers view it as a threat to their peace and sanity. Telegraph has an online petition to oppose in-flight mobile phones.
What do you think of wireless conversations in the skies? Use our comments box below to share your thoughts!

Planning to travel for an extended period of time? Poring over dreary financial papers and drawing up expenditure plans might seem like dampeners, but are absolutely essential to prevent running into money troubles on the road and to get back on your feet after your reach home. World Awaits has some pointers for coming up with an expenditure plan in The Budget

Roughly 1 in 10 in leisure travel hit the road alone, and seeking of companionship along the way might not always be successful. Until recently, solo travelers did not have many options to find like-minded companions. A traveler who has been silently asking his or her travel mate “why you”, now has a wider set of options to pick a road mate or at least find someone to offset single supplement charges. Michelle Higgins lists resources in As solo travel grows, so do options for traveling solo.

Photo:Flickr/Serni

To start the new year, here is Robert Frost’s immortal poem, The Road Not Taken.