Archive for March, 2010
UTSO israel
It’s an exciting time for us at Black Tomato because all this month we’ll be busy getting you Under The Skin Of Israel, and its about time. This country is fascinating and there is more to it than what we learn from the news. Historical cites, bustling markets, delicious food, vibrant nightlife, baron deserts, luscious vineyards, healing salty waters *and breathe.* I could on and on, but instead I’ll leave you with an awesome excerpt from one of our culture articles on Israel:
hip hop in the holy land
The musical force that is hip hop seems to have permeated just about every country on the planet now. A musical genre that has such a powerful voice and direct way to express what’s going on in your direct environment it’s not hard to see why the Israeli youth have embraced it so passionately.
Subliminal
One of the most pioneering and well respected figures is DJ Liron Teeni who played the crucial role in making Israeli hip hop what it is today by making kids showcasing their skills on his army radio station translate their raps and rhymes into the mother tongue of Hebrew. The hip happening city of Tel Aviv is now a wash with underground music labels and impromptu nights that showcase some of the most forward thinking and ground-breaking artists. Other influential artists in the world of Israeli hip hop definitely worth checking out include Shabak Samech, Hadag Nachash and Subliminal.
Read the rest of this article here
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Loading ...out of this world
I’ve often used the phrase ‘out of this world’ to describe some of the extraordinary places Black Tomato can take you to. Whilst you may think I use the term loosely, perhaps these amazing images will change you mind.
Check out these alien places first hand on our experiences to Taiwan, Chile and Iceland
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...extreme golfing
If anyone picked up the Daily Telegraph over the weekend and bothered to take a look at the Ultratravel magazine, you would have come across The Legend Golf and Safari Resort. And let me tell you, this is what I call a golf course. The Legend Golf Resort has a special addition to its golf course and I’m not talking about the wildlife. A 19th hole has been added to this course which is set high up on the impressive Hanglip Mountain.
the manicured green of the 19th hole 1,400ft below
Its the longest Par 3 in the world with a drop of 1,400ft - so don’t expect a golf buggy to take you to the tee-off point unless it has wings, because you’ll be needing a helicopter to get you up this mountain. It takes on average 24 seconds for your ball to hit the ground and if you’re the lucky player to score a hole-in-one, you’ll find yourself a million dollars richer. What you waiting for? Get yourself to the driving range before heading out to South Africa.
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5) Loading ...surfing the south pacific
If you were as cool as me this past weekend you would have been staying in on Saturday night, sprawled on the sofa doing a bit of channel surfing on the TV. And if you were blessed with the luck I have, you would have stumbled across a repeat of BBC’s nature documentary on the South Pacific. Whilst it was lacking the ever crucial narration by David Attenborough, the content of this documentary was simply amazing and the camera shots were just out of this world. Similar to Planet Earth, South Pacific focuses on everything and anything to do with, well, the South Pacific Ocean and the episode I caught took me to all those tiny islands I could never find on the map giving an insight to tribal life, animals and sea life. Absolutely brilliant.
Check out this amazing super slow motion clip of surfing the south pacific
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...sleeping in trees
I’ve just received news that a brand spanking new hotel will be opening up in the trees of Sweden this summer. Yep that’s right, I’m talking about a tree house hotel. And when I say ‘tree house’ I don’t mean the makeshift type you had a go building when you were five – although good effort if you did. These are state of the art, ground-breaking, jaw-dropping, gravity defying tree houses that would make any Ewok jealous. But ‘it’s been done before’ you cry. Yes it has, but never this good.
the cloud
Treehotel will be creating six unique tree houses deep within the forest of Harads with each tree house being completely different to one another in every way possible. My favourites definitely are the Nest House, which is exactly what you think it is, looking like a gigantic birds nest, this tree house is high up in the trees blending in well with its surroundings. The Cloud, which can be unfolded, partially or completely, exposing all four levels to the elements. And The Mirrored Cube, which reflects the woodland on all 6 sides camouflaging itself amongst the surroundings.
And if that wasn’t enough, there will be a separate tree house where you can eat all your meals in and another to be used solely as a sauna. Amazing or what? Will keep you posted when Treehotel opens.
(2 votes, average: 2.50 out of 5) Loading ...colonial cities and volcano surfing in nicaragua
There are few countries out there whose name, mentioned in casual conversation about travel, might set off sirens in your head as a no-go destination. Whilst some countries do require a certain level of heightened caution, our perception of certain countries have sometimes remained tinted by their turbulent past and have led us to forget what an amazing country they were and still are today.
Here are a few words from our resident South American specialist, Anton, giving us the low down on the hidden gem of South America, Nicaragua:
“When touring around the small, yet diverse and often unfairly overlooked land of Nicaragua, I met with the Nicaraguan Tourist board who told me that Nicaragua was officially the second safest country in the world. Whilst I am not 100% sure about the validity of this statistic, it did heighten the fact that this beautiful Central American country has turned itself around from a scary dictatorship to a wondrous tourist destination with a plethora of amazing experiences and sights.
the beautiful architecture of granada
The colonial cities of Nicaragua are simply stunning. Granada rivals Colombia in its colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and wonderful historical buildings. And with some uber stylish colonial hotels dotted around the city, you can easily nip back to avoid the midday sun and cool off in the pool.
Granada is situated on the shores of the awesome Lake Nicaragua (the largest in Central America) which has hundreds of islands called Las Isletas dotted all over. You can easily jump on a boat for a tour of these islands and enjoy the wildlife and towering volcanoes in the distance. A new luxury hotel, the Jicaro Island Ecolodge, has just opened on one of the islands which promises to extend your stay in this part of the world.
anton volcano surfing
The city Leon also has its charms with a slightly more ramshackle authentic vibe. Located close to the Cerro Negro Volcano, no stay in Leon would be complete without a spot of volcano surfing.
Nicaragua is often referred to as ‘the country of Lakes and Volcanoes’; it does after all have 25 volcanoes on its Pacific Coast. And what a coastline! There are some breathtaking beaches that line this coast, with the highlight being Morgan’s Rock Ecolodge. This haven of tranquillity boasts its own picture perfect beach that can only be accessed by those staying at this pioneering eco-lodge. Wonderful food, helpful service, great activities (zip-lining anymore?) and gorgeous, rustic wooden cabins make this a memorable stay and essential part of a Nicaragua.” – AL
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...I’d rather wake up to…
I’m not quite sure what irritates me more: being awoken by my high pitch alarm or by the constant noise of the jackhammer next door. Either way, I don’t like it. Looking back at our ‘top 10 sounds to wake up to‘, I have to say how much I’d love to swap the likes of my alarm to the sound of warm azure waters lapping against my villa or turn the builders next door into gigantic whales gushing water. By the way, I’m still not convinced about the rickshaws, so I’ll gladly leave them in Mumbai. What sounds would you rather wake to?
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