Monday, October 24, 2011

Famous Places in Haiti For Your Holiday

http://travel-to-haiti.blogspot.com/2011/10/fun-facts-planning-for-travel-to-hait.html
Famous Places in Haiti For Your Holiday
Travel tips for your trip to Haiti Hotel Maps Famous Places in Haiti helps you to make your trip to Haiti in the holiday a Splendid One




Haiti (officially named as the Republic of Haiti) is located at the Caribbean. It occupies the island of Hispaniola, that is a primary island in the Caribbean. It shares the said land with the Dominican Republic.

A French speaking state that it really is, just one must know the basic principles from the said language to be able to connect towards the folks effectively. Except for French, the other language becoming utilized is Haitian creole, which is getting widely spoken in the nations inside the Caribbean.

This country's lifestyle is a rich combination on the French, African, and Taino culture, with the African lifestyle dominating it all.

It cannot be denied that the 2010 earthquake left this country and its people in devastation. Thousands of lives were lost and its capital, Port-au-Prince, had been literally flattened. It may well be a factor for the lowering of the influx of tourist whilst developments are being made, but if you really want to plunge yourself into their lifestyle, then there is absolutely no reason not to visit.

At the northern coast of Haiti lies Labadee. The Royal Caribbean International, he celebrated cruise line has helped fund this part of the country to home the holidaymakers on a cruise. Labadee is separated from the remainder of the land by mountains.

Its striking beauty mountainous and uninhabited will make you forget that the state you are visiting was just hit by a disaster months ago. Pursuits are nonetheless possible consequently, even right after the earthquake.

Buy your mates some unique and inexpensive gifts at the Labadee flea market. Enjoy the beauty of the beach and get oneself some nice tan. Grab this chance to do some water sports along the coasts of the island. You can also take a kayak tour if you want to. Expose your adventurous side by daring to try the zipline.

You will find however quite a few things that Haiti has to offer, even soon after the tragedy that hit it. Now, it really is on its method to a new road, with brighter and bigger plans for tourists who would still desire to go through the rich Haitian lifestyle.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

TRavel Info Facts About Haiti

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TRavel Info Facts About Haiti
Travel tips for your trip to Haiti Hotel Maps Famous Places in Haiti helps you to make your trip to Haiti in the holiday a Splendid One


Did you know... Haiti's shooters -- Ludovic Valborge, L. H. Clertmont, Astrel Rolland, Destin Destine, C. Dupre, Eloi Metullus & Ludovic Augustin -- won a bronze medal at the 1924 Paris Olympic Games -- making it the first black nation in the globe to win a Summer Olympic medal. This medal made Haiti the poorest country ever to win an Olympic medal. Surprisingly they do it in an island where there are few sports facilities. Certainly the Caribbean team was a "dark horse" in France.

Katherine Dunham & Haiti

Did you know... The island nation of Haiti was once home to Katherine Dunham, one of the most successful dancers of the 20th century. Undoubtedly she loved Haiti. America's Katherine Dunham had long been fascinated by the Haitian culture and traditions. Her book "Island Possessed" ( 1969 ) is a tribute to this Caribbean nation. In 2002 she, who was born in Glenn Ellyn ( Illinois, USA ), forced the world to pay attention to the Haitian-boat people. Today Katherine is a national heroine in Haiti.

National Symbols

Did you know... Since 1804 Haiti has had four national flags.

World-famous Haitians

Did you know... Wyclef Neluset Jean -- Haiti's image abroad -- is a world-renowned Haitian musician. Currently he is a Haiti's advocate in the world.

Haiti & the United States

Did you know... Washington has close ties to Haiti. Since the 1930s, many American leaders have visited Haiti. In this context, president Franklin Delano Roosevelt ( 1933-1945 ) traveled to Haiti in 1934. Sixty-one years later, Bill Clinton became the second American president to come to Haiti. President Clinton arrived in Port-au-Prince to confer with Jean-Bertrand Aristide ( country's president ). On the other hand, Colin Powell, Secretary of State, went to the country in 2004. In 2008, Laura Bush, America's First Lady, was the guest of honour of the Haitian government. Subsequently, Hillary Clinton, current Secretary of State, accepted an invitation to visit Haiti. In Port-au-Prince, she , who visited the country in 1998, met with high-ranking Haitian officials.

In the mid-1990s, Jimmy Carter, 2002 Nobel Peace Prize and former U.S. president, played a key role in bringing an end to military rule in Haiti.

Population

Did you know... Five decades ago Haitians could expect to live 39 years. Today they can look forward to 60.

Women & Power

Did you know... In Haiti females were allowed to vote from 1950 -- Women make up a majority of the population. Over the past decades, this Caribbean nation has had two female leaders. In 1991 Ertha Pascal-Trouillot -- one of the world's shortest-serving women presidents -- became the first black woman president in the Western Hemisphere. Four years on, Claudette Werleigh was named Head of Government by Haiti's Head of State Jean-Bertrand Aristide. On the other hand, Michaelle Jean, Canada's Governor-General, was born on the island of Haiti. She has lived in Canada since 1968. In 2006 Michaelle went to Port-au-Prince.

Geography

Did you know... Haiti is about the size of Maryland. This country has been described as the "Pearl of the Caribbean".

Africa & Haiti

Did you know... In 1967 Ethiopia's Haile Selassie, the last emperor of Africa, arrived in Haiti for an official visit. During his visit to the first black nation in the world, Selassie met with Francois Duvalier, President for life of Haiti.

History

Did you know... In the early 1800s Haiti became the first black republic on the planet. Before Haiti became a state, it had been a French colony.

Haiti & the FIFA World Cup

Did you know... In 1974 Haiti lived up to their reputation as one of the best teams in the Caribbean by winning the Concacaf Cup. Haiti became the first Caribbean soccer team to take the Concacaf title breaking a 30-year strong hold by Mexico. During that regional tournament, Haiti also qualified for the global championships in Munich, West Germany. The country had never qualified for a major soccer tournament before. This international title gave Haiti a moment of joy and glory. In Europe, Haiti and Zaire -- today the Democratic Republic of the Congo ( Africa ) -- were the first black republics to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in the 20th century.

Haiti & Miss Universe Pageant

Did you know... Haiti's contestant, Gerthie David, who speaks French & English, came close to winning the Miss Universe pageant in San Salvador ( El Salvador, Central America ) in the mid-1970s. Surprisingly Gerthie -- who was the country's third representative -- became the second black woman to qualify for the finals in MU. Apparently Haiti's Gerthie David was supported by two international judges -- Sarah Vaughan ( an American-born Grammy-winning singer ) and Jean-Claude Killy (a former Olympic champ and current Olympic leader ). According to a newspaper of San Salvador, Miss Haiti was one of the 11 favorites to win the global title. She had surprised and delighted many at this international beauty pageant. On the other hand, in 1977, for the first time, Haiti sent a non-black woman to compete in the MU in the Dominican Republic.

Culture

Did you know... Haiti participated at the 1967 Montreal World Exposition in Canada, along with 70 nations. Likewise, it sent a national delegation to the African Festival in Dakar ( Senegal ) in the 1960s.

Alejandro Guevara Onofre: He is a freelance writer. Alejandro is of Italian, African and Peruvian ancestry. He has published more than seventy-five research paper in English, and more than twenty in Spanish, concerning the world issues, olympic sports, countries, and tourism. His next essay is called "The Dictator and Alicia Alonso". He is an expert on foreign affairs. Alejandro is the first author who has published a world-book encyclopedia in Latin America.

He admires Frida Kahlo (Mexican painter), José Gamarra (former president of the Bolivian Olympic Committee ,1970- 1982), Hillary Clinton (ex-First Lady of the USA), and Jimmy Carter (former President of the USA). Alejandro said: "The person who I admire the most is José Gamarra . He devoted his professional and personal life to sport. José played an important role in the promotion of Olympism in Bolivia -it is one of the Third World`s poorest countries- and Latin America. His biography is interesting". The sportspeople he most admire is Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman. "This African-American sportswoman is my idol... "

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Money Exchange for Haiti -Services - Money

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Money Exchange for Haiti -Services - Money
Travel tips for your trip to Haiti Hotel Maps Famous Places in Haiti helps you to make your trip to Haiti in the holiday a Splendid One




Currency information:

Gourde (HTG) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of HTG500, 250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of HTG5 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 centimes. Most establishments price items in the unofficial currency, the Haitian Dollar (1 Haitian Dollar = HTG5). US currency also circulates.
Credit cards:

Credit cards are widely accepted. At least one local bank chain has ATMs in Port au Prince, but they are frequently out of order and there have been reports of over charging accounts.
ATM:

At least one local bank chain has ATMs in Port au Prince, but they are frequently out of order and there have been reports of over charging accounts.
Travellers cheques:

Apart from at banks, these are often difficult to exchange. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.
Banking hours:

Mon-Fri 0900-1300 and 1500-1700. Some banks open Sat 0900-1300.
Currency restriction:

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding US$10,000 or equivalent must be declared.
Currency exchange:

US Dollars are accepted and exchanged everywhere. Other foreign currencies are accepted for exchange only by some banks.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Health and Medical Information for Haiti

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Health and Medical Information for Haiti
Travel tips for your trip to Haiti Hotel Maps Famous Places in Haiti helps you to make your trip to Haiti in the holiday a Splendid One


Health insurance providing cover for repatriation in the event of serious illness is strongly recommended. Medical facilities are fairly good. The local herb tea is said to be good for stomach upsets.

Due to the continuing cholera outbreak from 21 October 2010, The Foreign Office advises caution over water and food sources. Tourists are advised to drink only boiled or bottled water, to avoid ice in drinks, to eat only well-cooked food and to avoid salads. If you suffer from diarrhoea consult a doctor immediately.
Food and drink:

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other risks:

Hepatitis B occurs. Seasonal meningococcal meningitis has been reported. Outbreaks of dengue fever occur in the area. HIV/AIDS is also a serious problem. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Short History Of Haiti and Culture

http://travel-to-haiti.blogspot.com/2011/10/short-history-of-haiti-and-culture.html
Short History Of Haiti and Culture
Travel tips for your trip to Haiti Hotel Maps Famous Places in Haiti helps you to make your trip to Haiti in the holiday a Splendid One


One of the first places at which Columbus landed during his epic voyages of the 1490s was the island of Hispaniola. The island was then known as Santo Domingo, and is now divided between the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Columbus became the first governor of Santo Domingo. The Arawak Indian inhabitants were rapidly and brutally supplanted by the Spanish who used the island as a base to launch their conquests of the Caribbean and Central America (Columbus became Santo Domingo's first governor). At the end of the 16th century, Spain's European rivals started to challenge it for control of the island and, in 1697, the Spanish ceded the western half of the island to France. The French turned their new territory into a major centre for the slave trade, and this eventually led to the birth of Haiti as an independent nation. In what was to be the only successful slave rebellion, the French were defeated in a 12-year campaign, led by Toussaint L'Ouverture and others, which ended in 1804.

During the rest of the 19th century, Haiti was under the control of a succession of dictators, none of whom had the wherewithal to resolve the conflict between the country's two main ethnic groups: the mulattos, who held political power, and the blacks. Early in the 20th century, the US took control of Haiti, sending troops in at one stage to support the regime. After 30 years as a US protectorate, Haiti was returned to local rule after World War II.

Elections in 1957 brought to power Dr Francis Duvalier, a country physician, who subsequently presided over a uniquely vicious authoritarian regime. With the help of a private militia known as the Tontons Macoutes (the Creole phrase for 'bogeymen'), political dissent was systematically eradicated and opponents jailed or murdered. The traditional Voodoo religion was widely abused in order to intimidate critics. Duvalier (commonly known as 'Papa Doc') died in 1971, handing the leadership over to his son Jean Claude ('Baby Doc') who ruled the country for the next 15 years in the same manner as his father. Half-hearted efforts – such as the elections in which all opposition candidates were arrested on polling day – were made to present a more acceptable face to the outside world, primarily in order to secure foreign aid. Despite the constant attentions of the Tontons, political opposition continued to grow, crucially within the army; in the spring of 1986 these elements finally turned against the regime and forced Duvalier's flight from the country.

A succession of military governments followed before Haiti began the transition to civilian rule. Presidential elections were held in mid-December 1990 under the supervision of the United Nations and brought to the presidency the radical priest Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Nine months later, army chief Brigadier-General Raoul Cedras seized power in a military coup. Aristide was exiled. In June 1992, the army installed a civilian government under Marc Bazin, one of the conservative presidential candidates defeated by Aristide. 12 months later, as the country suffered under the weight of international opprobrium, a deal between the Cedras/Bazin regime and Aristide allowed the latter to come back to the country. Political violence, orchestrated by a right-wing militia known as the Front Revolutionnaire pour l'Avancement et le Progrès d'Haiti (FRAPH), composed largely of ex-Tontons and financed by American intelligence (which was opposed to Aristide's alleged radicalism) delayed Aristide's resumption of the presidency. Ironically, it took the intervention of several thousand American troops at the end of 1994 – followed by a UN force – to restore some semblance of order.

In December 1995 Aristide's truncated term of office came to an end. The presidential election that followed – from which Aristide was constitutionally barred – brought to power one of his close associates, René Préval. The Préval administration was dogged by violence and instability throughout its term and, in January 1999, Préval dissolved parliament pending parliamentary elections. These were repeatedly postponed until May 2000, when Aristide himself was able to stand once again under the banner of the 'Famni Lavalas' (literally, 'Waterfall Family'). The poll had to re-run in November but both polls produced a decisive victory for Aristide. The UN pulled out, but political violence re-emerged with an attempted coup in December 2001 and serious street protests the following summer. The main cause was the country's deteriorating economic situation. Aristide appointed a new premier, Yvon Neptune, in March 2002 after the removal of his predecessor, Jean-Marie Cherestal.
In 2003 a wave of protests against Aristide quickly spread throughout the country plunging Haiti into chaos. By 2004, armed rebels had seized control of many towns and violence spread across the island. In February 2004, Aristide fled the country and now lives in exile in South Africa. Drug trafficking and corruption are major problems hampering the restoration of the country.
The first presidential and legislative elections to be held since Aristide fled have been postponed three times. They are now due to be held in January 2006, with the second round in mid February.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Haiti Accommodation. Hotel Guide. Details

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Haiti Accommodation. Hotel Guide. Details
Travel tips for your trip to Haiti Hotel Maps Famous Places in Haiti helps you to make your trip to Haiti in the holiday a Splendid One




Hotels in Cap-Haitien



Travelers roaming in the beautiful city of Cap-Haitien, located on the north coast of Haiti, will find several Hotels in Cap-Haitien. Established during French colonial rule, it is the capital of the Nord department. Plenty of Hotels in Cap-Haitien offer comfortable accommodation and complete range of facilities and services to the guests.

The locations of most of the Accommodations in Cap-Haitien are easily accessible from the city center. After getting to the charming city, the travelers can visit the nearby attractions.

The Hotels in Cap-Haitien feature well-appointed and elegantly furnished guestrooms. All of them are equipped with a wide range of modern facilities and amenities like air conditioning system, satellite TV, IDD telephone, hairdryer, in- room safe, mini bar, tea and coffee maker, en suite bathroom.

The rooms are decorated in such a manner that the boarders can enjoy their happy and peaceful stay. The elegantly furnished guestrooms perfectly mingle basic functionality with tasteful decoration and all the amenities to make your stay a truly memorable one!


Guests can dine at the in-house restaurants or relax at the cozy on site bars. Apart from them, there are numerous food and beverage outlets scattered all over the city.

Some of the Cap-Haitien Accommodations also provide well-equipped conference and banquet facilities as well.

Guests will be offered a host of recreational facilities like sauna, swimming pool, fitness center etc. at some of them.

Budget Hotels in Cap-Haitien may not provide the comprehensive range of facilities and services like the Luxury Hotels in Cap-Haitien, but they are comfortable enough to live in. Some of the popular Cap-Haitien Hotels are:

Cormier Plage
Mont Joli
Auberge au Picolet
Roi Christophe

The Hotels in Cap-Haitien offer the ultimate comfort and peace. They provide the guests with facilities and services.

Most of the Hotels in Cap-Haitien are characterized by their perfect combination of graceful simplicity, luxury and conveniences. The Hotels in Cap-Haitien truly boast of excellence in every aspect, be it lodging, dining, or services.

Whether it’s an overnight stop between travels, or a week’s rest, enjoy your break by comfortable staying in any of the comfortable accommodations of Cap-Haitien. Make your stay memorable at any of the Hotels in Cap-Haitien.

Hotels in Jacmel

There are many hotels in Jacmel which offer excellent lodging facilities to the travelers. Jacmel is a popular beach resort in Haiti offering plenty of attractions and popular places of sightseeing. The city is a popular tourist designation which is frequented by a large number of travelers every year. They want to stay at several comfortable hotels in Jacmel and spend a pampering vacation.

The city is mainly famous for the beaches. The popular beach resort is home to many hotels offering excellent lodging options for the international travelers. Jacmel hotels are some of the nice places to take rest at the end of you tours and excursions. The hotels welcome the guests with ultimate hospitality. There is a wide range of Jacmel accommodation which includes luxury hotels, discount hotels, guest houses, apartments and villas.

Luxury hotels are generally visited by the leisure travelers who do not mind to spend money on their accommodation in the city. The luxury hotels are equipped with all the necessary amenities and decorated lavishly. Luxury hotels are some of the good places to have comfortable accommodation for the leisure travelers. Some of the luxury hotels boast of business and conference facilities for which they have become the favorite venues for the business guests. Some of the popular business facilities in these hotels include business center, meeting facilities and audio-visual equipments. Luxury hotels also house various recreational facilities to refresh the guests at the end of a tiring day. Guests can engage in various leisure and fitness activities like gymnasium, swimming pool, spa and sauna.

There are good accommodation options available for the budgeted travelers. Among other Jacmel accommodation, budgeted travelers can stay at several discount hotels in the city. These budget hotels in Jacmel offer excellent accommodation for budgeted and discount travelers. Although these hotels offer standard services at reasonable prices, facilities are never compromised. Every need of the guests is taken care of by the hotels. The standard of facilities and amenities provided to the guests can be compared with the facilities of any star hotels in the city.

Hotels in Port-au-Prince



All the Hotels in Port-au-Prince are known for their world class facilities and amenities. The city of Port-au-Prince is the largest and the capital city in Haiti. The city is on the bay of the Gulf of La Gonave. Port-au-Prince is one of the main Tourist Destinations in Haiti. Both leisure and business travelers can avail of all the amenities of the Hotels in Port-au-Prince. There are various types of Accommodations in Port-au-Prince which you can select from. You will find many of the Hotels in Port-au-Prince located near the tourist attractions.

With excellent comfort and luxury the Hotels in Port-au-Prince will give you an enjoyable vacation. The rooms, villas, suites and apartments are well appointed with luxurious furniture and décor. All these accommodations are fitted with all modern facilities. Some of the popular Port-au-Prince Hotels are –

Le Plaza Hotel, Port-au-Prince
Park Hotel, Port-au-Prince
Hotel Oloffson, Port-au-Prince
Auberge du Quebec, Port-au-Prince
Coconut Villa Hotel, Port-au-Prince
Visa Lodge, Port-au-Prince
Le Palace Hotel, Port-au-Prince
Sendral's Guest House, Port-au-Prince
Ibo Lele Hotel, Port-au-Prince

Another name among the famous Hotels in Port-au-Prince is the Hotel Oloffson, Port-au-Prince. The hotel has been a favorite retreat of numerous world personalities. The rooms are available as Cottage, Standard Rooms and Suites. The rooms are equipped with excellent facilities. Some of the facilities provided here are air conditioning facility, telephone, fridge and television. The restaurant here is an excellent venue to taste local and international cuisine. For relaxation you can visit the bar which has live music every Thursday. There is wireless internet available for business guests. There is a lovely pool and a garden where you can relax at anytime.

Another of the popular Hotels in Port-au-Prince is Le Plaza Hotel, Port-au-Prince. It is situated at a central location close to major city attractions. There are 103 well appointed rooms to select from. The room facilities include television, fridge, cable and satellite television, oven, voicemail and air condition facility. The restaurant features excellent local and international fares. The rooms come with a kitchenette where you can prepare your meals. The Business Center is well equipped for all your business needs. There is also a large swimming pool for relaxation. Majority of the Hotels of Port-au-Prince also feature excellent accommodation, dining, business and recreational provisions.