One for the Road: Moon Guatemala

by Kelly Amabile on

Has Grant’s alert about cheap fares to Guatemala got ya thinking about planning a spontaneous getaway? Or maybe you want to expand your travels beyond Guatemala City and the old capital of Antiqua and spend a week or more exploring the scenic wonders of this magical country?

Consider picking up a copy of Moon’s guide to Guatemala to throw in your pack. The second edition of this handy guide has just hit bookstores. The first two places covered in the book are the ones mentioned here already, but it then goes on to provide equal attention to El Oriente and Izabal, Las Verapaces, Peten, the Western Highlands and the Pacific Coast regions. Special sections include background about the Mayan culture and tips for those who love bird-watching or adventure hiking.

The 480-page book was written by Al Argueta, a Texas-based photographer of Guatemalan decent who lived there for two years and has explored much of the country. His passion for the joys of this nation can be sensed throughout the book. Be sure to check it out before making your own visit to discover Guatemala.

Total Lunar Eclipse Early Tomorrow Morning

by Justin Glow on

Early Tuesday morning will bring the second total lunar eclipse of 2007 (read our coverage and viewing guide on the previous one here). This time around, the best place to view the eclipse is on the West Coast of the United States, as well New Zealand and the East Coast of Australia. However, the eclipse will be visible in most parts of the world save for Europe and Africa — almost the exact opposite of the last total lunar eclipse.

As I mentioned in our previous coverage, if you’d like to try your hand at photographing the lunar eclipse, this guide from MrEclipse.com has everything you need. Don’t worry, Mr. Eclipse promises it is “fun and easy!” If you take some good photos, be sure and share them on the Gadling Flickr pool. Who knows, maybe it will be selected as a photo of the day.

One for the Road – China: Living Abroad in China

by Kelly Amabile on

As a sidebar to this month’s Chinese Buffet series, throughout August, One for the Road will highlight travel guides, reference books and other recommended reads related to life or travel in China.

If you and your family are considering a relocation to Shanghai or any other Chinese city, be sure to check out Moon’s guide to Living Abroad in China. The book is written by Stuart and Barbara Strother, who first visited China while studying abroad in the early 1990’s. They later returned with their twins in tow and spent several years living and working in Shanghai. Although now based in California, the Strothers still visit China and lead a summer study abroad program there for US business majors.

This handy guide is broken down into three main sections. The first portion focuses on daily life: moving with kids and/or pets, health, finance and employment issues. It is then followed by a section highlighting prime living locations, organized by province. And then there’s a helpful reference section at the rear, with all the nuts and bolts stuff that parents or single adults will want to know before making a move.

World’s First Space Hotel Plans to Open in 2012

by Martha Edwards on

Please pardon the forthcoming cheesiness, but here’s a story that’s quite literally out of this world: The world’s first space hotel is slated to open in 2012. What began as a hobby for Barcelona architect Xavier Claramunt is about to become a reality, thanks to careful planning and perseverance … not to mention $3 billion that he fronted for the project. Guests of the Galactic Suite can fly around the world in 80 minutes, see the sun rise 15 times a day and experience the weightlessness that has until now been limited mostly to astronauts.

Wearing Velcro suits, guests can navigate their way through the luxury hotel. There’s only one problem though — bathrooms. They’ve got the showering part figured out — guests will float through a ‘spa room’ filled with bubbles of water, but they seem to be trying to figure out a way for guests to do ‘other’ duties in a way that is luxurious enough to justify the exorbitant price tag.

Speaking of the price, it’s $4 million for a 3-night stay, including an eight-week training session. And while I think the experience would be amazing, I can’t see myself spending that much money on a hotel unless it has a really nice pool and room service. But then again, I’ve never had the liberty of spending money as a millionaire would, so who knows?

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One for the Road: Moon Metro NYC

by Kelly Amabile on

This week’s One for the Road suggestions start and end with mentions of Moon guides. Today it’s another NYC guide, since this is my home-base (and where I usually try out different guidebooks when friends come to visit.) This week my pal Eszter, from Hungary, is visiting NYC (and the US!) for the very first time. Upon her arrival earlier this week I gave her several guidebooks as reference, since I wasn’t going to be able to show her around that much.

Of all the NYC guides I’ve looked at recently, I recommended the Moon Metro NYC guide as my favorite choice for Eszter’s sightseeing needs. The flip-out map feature of this guidebook series is what really sets it apart from the rest. The first half of the book contains a series of ten glossy fold-out maps that cut Manhattan into size-able chunks. Descriptions of sights, along with some tips and basic historical background, make up the second half of the book.

Different guides serve different purposes, and Eszter agreed that this one would work best for her quick four-day jaunt through NYC. She already had a good idea of what she wanted to see and do, so she wasn’t really looking for ideas. But what she did need was a good navigator, and Moon’s “Unfold the City” guide helped her do just that.