It is the courage of the the pilot of the US Airliner which made the whole difference.  150 passengers and flight crew had a miraculous escape when the  the Airbus A320 was hit by bird and its both engines failed.

The decisions which were made with in seconds made all the difference.
Passengers on the US Airways flight that crash-landed into the Hudson River Thursday afternoon praised the actions and courage of the pilot, a safety consultant with 40 years of experience in the aviation industry.

The US Airways Airbus A320 crashed just after taking off from LaGuardia Airport heading for Charlotte, North Carolina.
Officials believe the plane may have collided with a flock of geese.

Russell, my old school-friend landed in New York last Wednesday, and by Thursday evening found himself a seat in the BB King’s Blues Club – the first meaningful thing he did in the proverbial ‘city of lights’. What else to expect from true blooded blues fan, grown up on a steady diet of Lightning Hopkins and Guitar Slim.

New York NY has numerous night clubs. There are jazz clubs, dance clubs, strip clubs: you name it. Russell chose the BB King’s Blues Club of all New York nightclubs, over Marquee and Chelsea and even Broadway, and it turned out to be a dream-come-true in more ways than one.

 He was treated to a great Southern style buffet reminiscent of the segregation years - the menu reminiscent of the Saturday night fish fries in the small cotton plantation towns- and none other than Bobby Bland on the bandstand. What followed was an evening to remember. The Mississippi blues-meet-RNB Soul backing band struck the first chords before the legendary Bland embarked on a sugar sweet solo leading to the timeless classic ‘I Pity the Fool’.

 When Russell left the New York nightclub about two hours later, he felt initiated. He has experienced the blues - not through cassettes and tapes and YouTube videos, but by seeing real people doing the real thing; he got a feel of the sweat, the pain, the pleasure, the fever and the fret that go into the making of the music.

New York trains and buses are great and inexpensive ways to get around the Big Apple. You can also hop on a conducted tour on a hired limousine if you can afford one. The New York subways and streets make the transportation facility one of the best in the world. But remember, New York is just not another city. Its great history and heritage combined with its vibrant urbanity set it apart from all other cities in the US and the world: and the New York taxi is inseparably attached to its heritage. No New York tour is complete without a tour in a taxi.

Popular culture, Hollywood movies, and numerous fictions and urban legends have immortalized the association: you cannot possibly imagine New York City streets without the ubiquitous taxis. Apart from the myth and mystique, the taxi is also one of the best ways to get around the city on a limited budget and comparative comfort. Taking a taxi allows you to visit the major New York tourist attractions as well as get a general feel of the tremendous urban and multi-ethnic culture that the city is particularly noted for.

More than 12,000 licensed yellow medallion taxis ply in New York. However, be careful to hide you naiveté if you are new to the city. The taxi drivers may take a longer route and leave you poorer by many more dollars than you expected if they get inkling that you are new to the city and are not sure of your way about. Make sure to gather rudimentary route information from the locals or the hotel staff before you get into a taxi. Also remember, that there are additional night charges and tip the cab drivers about 15% to 20% of the total charge after the trip is complete. That’s the usual practice and they expect it.

If you are wondering which is the most industrially developed city in Japan, the answer is Sakai. This is also one of the richest cities that are present in this country. As far as it can be known, Sakai, which is located in the Osaka Prefecture, was considered as a natural port from the middle ages. You can go through a map of Japan and easily locate this place in the southern part of the country. Today, this city has also become one of the most populous cities in Japan.
Sakai is long known for the Samurai swords which were once upon a time prepared here. Today, this city is famous for the kitchen knife industry that has grown up over here. Mainly with the enter of the Europeans in this city, Sakai grew into an industrial city. Firearms were traded during the early times. Oda Nobunaga is a name which should be mentioned in this context. He was the man from this city and he tried to bring a unity throughout the country. During the Edo period, Sakai was greatly successful as a main city in the country.
During the World War II, Sakai was damaged to a huge extent but with the hard works of the Japanese people, the city soon stood on its own feet. Shimano is one of the main companies which was established here. Today this company is known worldwide for the bicycle parts which they manufacture.

A visit to France, the country that has become synonymous with style, haute couture, poetry, artistic innovation, architectural masterpieces, gastronomic delights and much more has long been on my travel itinerary. My wish was fulfilled when I got the chance of visiting the country on an official trip. Now then, there is much to explore and visit in France. I was stunned by the majestic beauty of the Alps and Pyrenees, the pristine beaches, the houseboats, canals, museums and art galleries, churches, towers, boulevards, farmlands, Gothic masterpieces and medieval towns.

A frolic in the exquisite farmlands of Normandy, a visit to the historical cities of Strasbourg and Lorraine, a trip to Brittany that exudes a Celtic ambiance and the lush vineyards of Champagne, a peek at the chateaus and churches of Auvergne and an exploration of the majestic palaces and gorges that adorn the Loire Valley, were some of the features of my French trip.

A special mention must be made of Paris, the jewel in the crown of France. Central Paris is renowned for its architectural marvels. Another unique feature of the city is the Paris metro. The Ile-de-la-Cite is a calm, quiet neighborhood in Paris that exudes an old world aura. Some of the tourist attractions are the Notre Dame which has been newly renovated, the Latin Quarter, the Eiffel Tower, the Cluny Museum, the Palais Royal, the Moulin Rouge, the Madeleine and the brilliant chateaus of Versailles. 

This was accompanied with a trip to Disneyland, which lies to the east of Paris. The Fontainebleau castle and forest, which was formerly a royal hunting park is a natural reserve, inhabited by various species of wildlife. Another hot venue is the Cannes Film Festival that is held each year.

Finally, a word for backpackers. If you are wondering how you will manage it on your own or whether you will be able to make out your destination among the terrific jumble of roads and highways, then rest assured. Map directions to the various tourist sites as well as directions to the hotels, inns, pubs, highways and roads, small towns and villages and cities are available at the French stores.

want to have a wonderful holiday in somewhere in southern Europe? Visiting the historical city in Naples would be a good idea. The city is situated in the southern region of Italy. The city is well known for its history, art, culture and food. The city in its 2500 years’ history has always played a major role in the history of the nation. While in this city you will have a lot of places to see. You can also have a gastronomical journey trying different dishes at any of the eateries in the city.

Before visiting any part of the city you must book a car from the car rentals in Naples. You will find a number of car rentals in the city at affordable rates. However, you must do some research to get the best rate available.

After you book your car from any car rental in Naples head straight to the city center. The historical city center is recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO. You must also try out pizzas at the local restaurants. In the small eateries spread across the city you can have a great time tasting some local food and wine. You should also attend some music shows and exhibitions to know about the art and culture of the city. You will also get to know a great deal about the history of the city from its museums, palaces, churches and other historical structures. You can visit all these places by car so you do not have to worry about missing out any of the tourist attractions in the city. The experienced driver will take you to all the important places in the city.

Picturesque landscape, fascinating history, friendly people, Crete islands sure offer the perfect getaway for travelers. Part of the European continent, Crete is the largest island off the coast of Greece in the Aegean Sea.

Take a flight to Crete or opt for the boat ride from Athens, the island is well-connected to the mainland. Buses will take you to your desired destination. A drive through the diverse landscape is also another interesting option to explore Crete.

Be it an adventurous vacation or a relaxing holiday, Crete offers all sorts of opportunities. Go hiking on the rugged mountains or sunbathe on the exquisite beaches, the island caters to all kinds of tourists. The turquoise waters, the sun and sand, makes Crete one of the favored beach destinations on the continent.

Explore the archaeological ruins of the Minoan civilization on the island or visit the museums housing a wealth of artifacts, Crete sure has lots to offer. Crete hotels and resorts offer a luxurious stay for travelers.

A blend of the traditional and the modern, Crete includes sleepy towns and bustling cities. The exotic cuisine and the amazing nightlife of Crete is something not to be missed. Local handicrafts of Crete make for great souvenirs.

Crete, the exotic travel destination of Europe, is a must visit!

Do you remember the Bob Dylan song “The Girl from the North Country”? Dylan expresses his thoughts about his birthplace in Minnesota in this number. Minnesota is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful states which are located in the United States of America. This state is located next to another northern state with the name of Alaska. Weather remains cool throughout the whole year in this state.

Minnesota State Fair is one of the biggest events which takes place in this state. Globalization is truely reflected in this fair. Many of the biggest names in the global industry come to take part in the Minnesota state fair. Therefore this event has made a prominent place in the America map. We all know the rise of Chinese market in United States of America. Well, the Minnesota Trade Fair is a place which will not only show you how America has made her progress in the industrial field but also how the Chinese goods have made their places in the US market.

In a nutshell, this is a place where the West mingles with the East in  a perfect manner. This year the fair is going to begin from 22nd August onwards. The fair will come to an end on 2nd September which is also known as the Labor’s Day. You have to pay $8 to enter the fair. Once you get in, a completely globalized market will open up with all its opportunities before your eyes.

Beijing Capital International Airport, which serves as the main gateway to the host city of the 2008 Summer Games, will halt flights between 7:00 P.M. and midnight on August 8. As a security measure to ensure a safe completion of the opening ceremony of Beijing 2008 Summer Games, it has been decided by the China Civil Aviation Administration and the Chinese Government that no flight will take off or land at the Beijing Airport for the specified 5 hours.

Beijing Capital International Airport is located about 20 kilometers from the city center. Apart from this airport, Nanyuan Airport of Beijing, which is served by both military and civilian flights, will also halt flights during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summer Games. Flights for both the airports will be rescheduled to minimize the inconvenience of the passengers.

If you want to be at the grand opening ceremony of 2008 Summer Games, plan your trip well in advance. Though you will get full reimbursement for the delayed flight tickets, it is better to be in the happening city before 7:00 P.M on August 8. So, don’t wait anymore—pack your bags and run for the airport.

China is all decked up for the Beijing 2008 Summer Games. The Beijing City has been given a facelift before the Summer Games, which is due to start on August 8. But the local government is facing trouble in dealing with the air pollution, which has proven to be a threat to the city for years.

The sky of Beijing is still gray, and the thick cloudy haze obstructs views of the magnificent buildings of the locality. Air pollution has turned out to be one of the greatest concerns of the authority of the Beijing Summer Games. According to the Chinese President Hu Jintao, the event of Beijing 2008 is supposed to be “the largest international sports and cultural event in the world”.

A number of measures have been taken to cope up with the increasing pollution in the city. The Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau has done everything possible to ensure clear and good quality air. More than 3 million cars have been pulled off the roads; construction works have been put on hold; polluting factories in and around Beijing have been shut down for controlling the air pollution.

But, in spite of all the restrictions and pollution control measures, Beijing air is still suffocating and full of harmful chemicals, water vapor and particulates. We are still waiting for a clear Beijing sky! We are all waiting for the dazzling event of the Beijing 2008 Summer Games to bedazzle the world. Hope the shabby sky of Beijing will not overshadow the glory of the event!