Don’t be fooled by Hong Kong’s towering skyscrapers and highly commercialized cosmopolitan outlook. One of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic business locations, Hong Kong offers much more for the visitor to experience. In fact, the vast concrete jungles carefully protect the more serene and spiritual venues of Hong Kong which includes nearly 600 temples, monasteries and shrines.

One of the more popular places of veneration in Hong Kong is the Chi Lin Buddhist Nunnery a large temple covering more than 33,000 square metres. The temple is situated on Diamond Hill in Kowloon, and is one of the more popular urban areas towards the south of Hong Kong. The nunnery which was built in 1934 features traditional architectural methods that date back to the Tang Dynasty and what’s really remarkable is the fact that the building has not used a single nail in holding up its structure! The 228,000 pieces of cedar wood are held together with wooden dowels and bracket work.

The beautiful and tranquil surroundings of the Chi Lin Nunnery are enough to calm even the most troubled souls. The temple complex includes temple halls, beautifully landscaped Chinese gardens, a nunnery and hostels for visitors while a vegetarian restaurant will see to it that no visitor here will starve while they enjoy the surroundings. The magnificent temple hall features gold, clay and wooden statues of the Sakyamuni Buddha, the goddess of mercy Guanyin and other spiritual deities of Buddhism. Bronze plaques carefully describe each of the statues to visitors. The beautiful garden features lotus ponds, shrines and beautiful walkways which will uplift your spirits.

Presenting guests with the perfect combination of traditional Japanese hospitality blended with contemporary luxurious living standards, the Hotel Jen is a much sought after boutique hotel in Hong Kong. The 280 rooms at the hotel offer an array of star-class amenities and services designed to cater to even the most discerning of travelers. The property offers a commanding view of the magnificent Victoria Harbour while it is in close proximity to the entertainment districts of Soho and Lan Kwai Fong making it one of the most popular hotels in Hong Kong.

You have your dream home along with a wonderful garden that enhances it’s beauty. But… you want to make your garden even more beautiful! How about the idea of enhancing it with a small Koi pond?

Koi fish are an ornamental variety of domesticated Common Carp or Cyprinus Carpio. Also known as Japanese Carp, these pretty fish are known as symbols of love and friendship. You can find Koi in a multitude of colors, including white, black, red, yellow, blue, cream and silver.

It is an old Japanese tradition to tame these fish in small ponds. Their homes have always been beautiful and wonderfully embellished. In the present the Japanese people widely use a small Koi pond in their home garden to decorate it and maintain a positive energy. Koi are traditionally known in Japan as a ‘good luck charm.’ In addition to increasing the serenity in your garden, these small ponds add to your reasons for spending time relaxing in and enjoying your garden.

Another bonus of a small Koi pond is that building one is not an overly tough task. You can build it in hours without spending huge amounts of money. To make your job even easier follow these simple guidelines… First, decide on location, where to place the pond in your garden? Selection of a shady is always a wise decision as shade will help moderate water temperatures and provide some cover for your Koi.

You must also select a place where you can easily keep your pond clean and free from garden wastes. You don’t want chemicals or fertilizers to run into the pond since this would be likely to kill your fish. You should also make sure that the place you have chosen for your pond has easy access to electricity. Electricity will be required for running your filter and water pump.

Size is another important factor, particularly if you are the one who is going to dig the hole. The size of a pond also varies in accordance with the number of fish, and depending on where you live you will also need to make sure your pond is of adequate depth. If winters get below freezing you will need to make sure that a good portion of your pond is a minimum of three feet deep. To build the small Koi pond in your garden you will need a liner or preformed tub.

After digging the hole, you can put the tub in and fill the dirt around it. This is the easiest way to prepare a Koi pond. But, if you are using a liner you must be cautious. Some rubber liners can be dangerous for fish. The last, but most important component of your pond is your fish!

You can have just Koi fish, or even a mix of gold fish and Koi. It is very enjoyable deciding on which colors and types to select and in just a short time they will become beloved pets! Now your striking Koi pond is ready. If you would like to make it even more beautiful you could place a small wooden bridge over it.

This will offer an arresting look to your garden. You will surely be enchanted by the beauty and tranquility of your small Koi pond!

Hydroponics is a great method of gardening indoors that requires no soil whatsoever, yet produces fabulous yields of fruits, vegetables and flowers. There are many types of hydroponics systems that you can try, including static solution, continuous flow solution, aeroponics and deep water culture. Among the most popular methods of hydroponics is the ebb and flow system.

With an ebb and flow style of hydroponics, plants are grown in a flat containing some type of growing medium. It could be peat moss, rockwool, vermiculite, perelite or many other types of media available to gardeners today. Beneath the flat is a container of hydroponic nutrients, which are dissolved in water. At regular intervals, a pump causes the hydroponic nutrients to flow up into the flat, soaking the roots, after which the solution drains, or ebbs, back into the container. The action of the solution rising and then falling in the medium helps to bring both oxygen and food to the plant roots.

There is some maintenance that needs to occur with the hydroponic nutrients in order to ensure that the plants are not harmed. The solution of hydroponic nutrients needs to be kept warm enough so as not to inhibit activity in the roots of the plant, yet not warm enough for germs to grow in the solution. Ebb and flow takes the temperature issue into consideration; by not allowing the hydroponic nutrients in solution to remain around the plant roots, the temperature of the solution is rendered essentially a moot point.

Some equipment is required to make the ebb and flow system work. A pump attached to a tube allows the solution to be pumped up into the flat, and also brings the solution back down into the container. How many times the growing medium needs to be flooded depends on which is used. To keep things simple with an ebb and flow system, most gardeners put the pump on a timer, so all goes according to schedule without constant attention on your part.

There are several benefits to the ebb and flow style of hydroponic gardening. One is that because of the movement of the solution around the plant roots via the action of the pump, you will not need an air pump but will still achieve appropriate oxygenation of the plant roots. The ebb and flow gardening method also uses less power than other hydroponic styles, and it is a quiet system, making it perfect for use in a home or office.

Some more great tips for you first time home owners from Dibben and Dibben. Now that the summer is fast approaching all of you first time home owners will be spending more and more time in your garden and as the nights get warmer you will be staying out in your garden later and later. So how can you effective light and illuminate your garden for the night time. It is true to say that if you get it right, garden lighting can create a truly wondrous atmosphere at night. And it means that outdoor living and entertaining can be extended long after the sun goes down.. One very simple way is by using candles or the naked flame. The flickering light given off by candles is both charming and tranquil some might even say romantic. Clusters of night lights in small holders look spectacular when lining either a pathway to set of small steps or even on a low lying wall top. For the more exotic why not try the paper concertina-style Japanese lanterns in an array of stunning colours, or even the traditional retro style style lanterns with its heavy brass and glass. Not only are these items very decorative and attractive but they are also practical because their flames are protected from wind and breezes. The other option and one that is becoming more popular is that of garden flares and oil-burning torches. These look spectacular when grouped together either large clay pots or simple steel buckets filled with sand, (remember to space them a safe distance apart from each other). They too are also designed to withstand a certain amount of wind and breeze. Garden flares will burn for several hours and many can be impregnated with citronella or eucalyptus oil, which will help keep mosquitoes and gnats at bay which is always a bonus. So that is candle light and flame and whilst these are very pretty they are not permanent and are at the mercy of the elements. As an alternative you might want to consider a more permanent solution to lighting your garden. An extremely cheap option for this, is that you could go for solar-powered lights, which don’t require any wiring or complex installation. Solar powered lighting can be found on sale at most garages and some even given them away when you buy fuel for your car. Solar-powered lights need no wiring as they store the energy of sunlight in a battery. They are not a very powerful light source, so if you want to light an area of any size, you’ll need quite a few of them. As their power runs out, then so does their light, bringing a somewhat natural end to an evening in your garden. However should you opt to put in a wired solution for lighting your garden you must at all times consider the safety aspect of doing this and remember if you do not feel you have the electric skills to do this call in an expert. As a general rule of thumb try to opt for a low-voltage system as these are fairly easy to install and are much safer. Low-voltage systems take their power via a transformer which steps down the electrical supply to a very low voltage. This means that even if you cut through a low-voltage cable accidentally, there’s no risk of electrocution. Nonetheless, it is not a bad idea to run them in some protective conduit and bury them to avoid tripping or accidental damage. It should go without saying that all outdoor electrical fittings must be fully weatherproof and suitable for the location that you are installing them in.. Low voltage lights (because they are so easy to install) have become very popular and now come in many different shapes, sizes and colours Low-voltage recessed lights are very elegant along walls, down steps, or even set into decking, emitting a glow that is bright enough to illuminate the general surrounding area without creating blinding upward shafts of light. If your outdoor space has a large tree or a pergola you could try and create a night-time canopy of twinkling stars with low-voltage weatherproof net lights. Now that is what I call romantic!

Gazebos are delightful, octagon shaped, pavilion structures that can most often be seen in parks, royal gardens and other public places, although more and more folks are buying gazebos not only to enhance the look and comfort of their personal gardens but to also fully enjoy nature and the beauty of the open. Gazebos are typically self-supporting but some can be attached to walls or even out buildings as most are open on all sides with no windows or doors, so provide a first-rate little place to sit and relax in the summer months.  Gazebos are a splendid substitute to bandstands as well and for practically any other outdoor entertainment purpose as they are very versatile and are a fantastic way of keeping in the shade.The history of the Gazebo goes back thousands of years and they have often been mentioned in very old Chinese and Persian literature as well as several other classical civilisations, the best examples of ancient gazebos are the garden houses at Mont acute house.  All through history these garden pavilions have been built using almost any type of building materials, although these days the most usual materials used are timber, not only because its cheaper and more suitable but also because it looks enormously effective.  In hotter climates wooden gazebos are frequently built with screen sides as mosquitoes can be a huge problem in these parts of the world and so the sides give a wonderful area to sit down and relax at the same time as being protected from any unwanted irritation from insects and the like.The most common dimensions of a wooden garden gazebo is of 6 to 22 feet in diameter with either fully open or fully enclosed sides, depending of course on the tastes of the buyer or even the purpose by which the gazebo is to be used.  Gazebos can also make terrific guest houses! You can choose between either a very straightforward style wooden gazebo or a robust style with trellis walls, Victorian mouldings or suchlike other architectural style you wish to add creating your very own style.The place you wish to construct your gazebo is one more very crucial decision to make, things such as construction, permits, regulations and additional configuration particulars need to be taken into consideration and it may possibly be a good idea to call your municipal authority just to run through the rules and regulations related to its construction with them. To make the most out of your gazebo, how about situating your wooden gazebo near the garden perimeter overlooking a scenic view? Or neighbouring a garden pond; you may perhaps even put in some of your favourite plants, trees and benches alongside or you can consider building your own garden pond nearby if you don’t already possess one. Getting some sound advice from an architect would be highly recommended also simply to avoid any possible disappointments later on.People find that gazebos offer a very peaceful place for them to relax and appreciate their surroundings, whether you like to meditate, or use it for household gatherings.  A wooden garden gazebo is just right for relaxation, where noise along with air pollution can be at a minimum. If you select a calm, peaceful position for your gazebo, you can truly rest and benefit from the beauty of your garden and all the various colours of the seasons.

Large statues in a garden really enhance the ambiance of your property by adding a touch of magic and the exotic to your outdoor living space. Give your garden a tranquil image as a place of peace and repose with a Buddha statue.
You can choose a full size Buddha or a bust placed on a large pillar. The exquisite carving and the serene facial expression will become a calming focus for your garden. Cast stone is an excellent choice of material for this type of statue and when finished with a hand-applied patina, will have an antique appearance. These types of statues look the best with a resin wall fountain (http://www.garden-fountains.com/florentine-fountains/the-wall-fountains-of-florentine-sculptors-home.htm). This finish weathers naturally over time and is well suited for all types of climates.
Size up your garden and draw a plan before you buy any large statues. This will allow you to look at the whole garden to decide on the best place for the statue. If you have a large garden you can consider having several statues, but you should only consider having one statue in a small area. Too many statues in a small space will be too overpowering and will detract from the beauty of the garden itself.
You also have to make sure that growing plants and shrubs do not hide the statue. Even though they may be small and close to the ground right now, you should think ahead to what they will be in future years. At the same time, you don’t want the statues to shade the plants and cause damage to them by taking away the sunshine they need for growth.
Keep the weather of your area in mind when purchasing large statues. You will not be able to take these large objects in during the winter and so you need to make sure the material of the statues or any wall fountains (http://www.garden-fountains.com/Categories.bok?category=Wall+Fountains) you may include in your garden can withstand the changes in temperature and the overall climate conditions.
Frost-proof statues work well in colder climates because they will not crack when the weather turns cold. You do, however, need to cover them during the winter to give them as much protection as possible from snow and freezing rain.
Shop around for the best prices of large statues. You can get really nice statues at reasonable prices from online retailers. At the end of the summer season many local retailers that specialize in lawn ornaments will offer deep discounts in such statues in an attempt to reduce their inventory so that they do not have as many to store until spring. You may also find great prices on previously owned statues, some of which may never have been installed in a garden.
If you plan to have wall water fountains in association with large statues, you should purchase all the supplies you need from the same retailer. This is because a retailer will have the specific types of plumbing needed for a statue. You can engage the services of a professional plumber for the installation of these pumps and pipes, but by following the detailed instructions included you can accomplish this task on your own.
Some large statues for gardens follow a theme. You could make your theme one of angels or fairies or recreate a story with statues of boys and girls. If you like the classical statues of ancient Greece and Rome, you can have these as well to give your garden the appearance of a Roman villa where statues were quite common.

Russia has always held a quiet mystique for travelers and casual observers. A large country stretching across both Europe and Asia, tourists find this country not only expansive geographically, but expansive in the history, sights and lore that it holds. A vacation to the capital city of Moscow is on the top of travelers’ lists across the globe. Tourists in the city are presented with a living history of the city and the country.

Moscow is littered with famous monuments, including a monument to the city’s founder, Yury Dolgoruky. Perhaps the most famous landmark in Moscow is Red Square, which is home to several famous sights. The tomb of Vladimir Lenin sits in Red Square, as does St. Basil’s Cathedral. In front of St. Basil’s is a monument to Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky, who, along with a volunteer army, helped to expel the Poles from the Kremlin which ended the Time of Troubles, an uneasy period of Russian history. The Lobnoye Mesto sits in front of St. Basil’s as well and was used for public ceremonies. It is now a popular sight for tourists in the city.

Perhaps most famously, Red Square is home to the Kremlin, the home of the current Russian president, on one side. The Kremlin itself has a history all its own and is one of the most cherished and interesting pieces of Russian history and pride. The State Historical Museum is another popular destination for tourists in Moscow as is Kazan Cathedral.

Alexander Garden runs the length of the Western Kremlin wall and holds the distinction of being one of the first public parks in the city. Alexander Garden is home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a war memorial to the Russian soldiers that died on the Eastern Front of World War II from 1941 to 1945. An eternal flame burns on the tomb which was lit from the Eternal Flame at the Field of Mars in Saint Petersburg. It was created in 1967 and is a must see while in Moscow.

Kilometre Zero is the point in Russia from which distances are measured. It is marked by a bronze plaque sitting in front of the Iberian Chapel. It is near the State Historical Museum and Moscow City Hall in Red Square.

Moscow is full of famous museums that shed light on Russia’s history. Heading to the museums is a great way to spend a Moscow vacation, as it will give insight into Russia’s history, which is an education in and of itself for most tourists. Some of the museums in the city are the Kremlin Armoury, Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of the Great Patriotic War (WWII) and Tretyakov Gallery. Others also exist which hold important pieces of Moscow culture and history.

Moscow is home to Luzhniki Stadium, the largest sports stadium in the country and home to the 1980 Summer Olympic Games, an Olympics in which the United States and 60 other countries did not partake. Many theaters, including the Bolshoi Theater, offer entertainment around the city.

For more information on Moscow, Russia visit http://moscow.tv

Join us on a journey to one of the most beautiful places on earth, and take a vacation from your pains, stresses and worries. For eight days you will practice the gift of unconditional self-love; calm your world, become present and learn how to clear your energy and access your intuition with ‘Spacious Awareness’ in an ancient Mayan culture and in a safe, supportive, fun and healing environment. Calming Your World / The Joy Of Being An 8-day Transformational Retreat at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala from June 30 to July 7, 2007.

In the past three years, I’ve spent 10 days before every Labor day weekend at Villa Sumaya – at Lake Atitlan in Guatemalla with 9 -11 participants. Each one of them was magical in it’s own way. Lake Atitlan is one of the last innocent jewels of this world. The combination of this vast and pristine vast lake, surrounded by three volcanos makes it a perfect blend of yin and yang. The lake often changes its color, and its not unlikely to start the day with bright sun, have a little shower, and then for a storm to arrive, which makes looking at the lake, swimming in it or sailing through it – a meditative experience.

Boats are the only form of transportation around the lake. There are no cars or any land transportation and many of the local people walk. When we take our hikes around the lake we often run into children or older people who effortlessly walk barefoot and carry big loads on their heads. You gain perspective and appreciation for the old world aspect and the ancient Mayan culture of the e lake – which is surrounded by 2 towns with diverse languages and magnificent costumes.

Villa Sumaya, which is heaven on earth – in Arabic, is a flawless retreat center that makes it the perfect environment for our retreat. While nothing there reminds you of a five star hotel, the accommodations are elegant, clean, simple, comfortable and nurturing. Between the scrumptious vegetarian meals cooked by a local chef, the sauna, the Jacuzzi, and the luscious gardens, Villa Sumaya is truly a heavenly place.

The focus over our last three retreats has been Living in the present through meditation, yoga, qi-gong, sharing in community and celebration. This year the focus of the retreat will be how to clear our energy, access our intuition and implement it to daily life. We usually start the morning at 7:00 with mindful movement and meditation – at the meditation hall. After breakfast we have a morning session and then go on a hike around the lake, and come back for lunch. After lunch there are four hours of free time; you can read, nap, rest, swim or have a body work or energy session. We gather for the evening session , which includes meditation and dialoguing about the daily lesson. After dinner we usually gather for a movie, chat, communal sauna/Jacuzzi and sleep – which many report is filled with dreams and visits by energies from the lake…

We usually take a boat trip to the fascinating town of Santiago and the Santa Katarina hot-springs. The town of Panhachell, which is a 20 minute boat ride from the retreat center. There are always surprises and unforgettable celebrations. When I return to NYC i can feel the energy of the lake for a couple of months.

Rereating at lake Atitlan is a treat for the body, mind and soul – in keeping with the Hopi Message 2001:

There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly. Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water. See who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all, ourselves. And do not look outside yourself for the leader. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt. The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. -Oraibi, Arizona Hopi Nation

Yuyuan Garden is a beautiful traditional garden positioned in Anren Jie, Shanghai. It is believed that this spectacular garden was built some 400 years ago. The breathtaking layout, stunning scenery, unmatched garden architecture and tranquillity at Yuyuan Garden have made it one of the most popular tourist attractions in Shanghai.

Yuyuan which literally means Happy Garden was built during the Ming Dynasty. It was built by the famous government officer named Pan Yunduan. It is recorded that this peaceful garden was built for the parents of Pan Yunduan in order to make them feel relaxed and happy during their old age.

Situated in the heart of Shanghai Old City, Yuyuan Garden occupies a total land area of about 20,000 square meters. The entire garden boasts about 40 different attractions.

During its long 400 years, the garden has experienced some severe changes. It was terribly run down during the latter part of the Ming Dynasty mainly with the decline of the Pan family. A team of wealthy merchants purchased the garden in 1760 and it is said that they spent nearly 20 years revamping the buildings. Yuyuan was heavily destroyed as a result of the 19th century Opium War. Following the war the garden underwent a 5 year renovation phase that commenced in 1956. It was open for public viewing in September, 1961.

Even though the garden is small in size its attractions are simply enchanting. The impressive pavilions, stunning man made ponds, dragon-lined walls and bridges all have its distinct features. The impressively shaped Jade Rock in the garden is a unique highlight. Legend says that this smooth 5 ton rock dates back to some 1000 years.

This magnificent classical garden can be intensely explored by staying at a nearby well equipped Shanghai hotel. For instance, Millennium Hongqiao Hotel Shanghai is a fine Shanghai accommodation that is known to be a home away from home for travellers arriving in this part of the world.

You may have often heard it said that your Spirit is “within you.” This is an absolute truth, but what does it mean exactly? By within you, does it mean that your Spirit is somewhere inside your body? Well, yes and no. If the mental image which comes to mind when you think of your Spirit being within you is like unto that of any of your internal bodily organs such as your kidneys or intestines or even your heart, then no. From a literal sense, your Spirit is not actually anywhere inside you materially; yet you have to go within yourself to find it. I know this sounds like a bad riddle, but unraveling this paradox is the key which unlocks the first of many doors you’ll have to open along your journey to discover your Spirit. The apparent contradiction of this paradox is reconciled by putting the word “within” in its proper context.

To go within yourself means to shut yourself off from the bombardment of external stimuli. Perceiving your Spirit through all the “noise” which continually beats upon your physical senses is just shy of impossible when you have only a vague idea as to what exactly it is you’re supposed to be looking for in the first place – an intangible something called your Spirit. The evidence of Spirit is verily all around you, but the only place it can be touch is within you. And as a matter of course, all outward evidence of the Spirit’s existence will go unnoticed by your consciousness until such contact is made. The more you connect with your Spirit, the more cognizant you will be of its illumination centered not only within you, but in everything around you.

Imagine a person who is blind, deaf and unable to smell, taste or tactilely feel anything. Such a person is locked within themselves wouldn’t you say? They are not locked within any particular place inside their body such as their kidneys or bones. However, lacking the capacity to interact with outside stimuli forces such a person’s focus to turn in on itself and explore those things which are generally unseen, unheard and not sensed through any physical organ. That which your physical organs can sense is considered external. So going within yourself, exploring what is internal, means exploring those things about you which are unseen, unheard and not sensible by means of any physical organ. This is not to suggest that you have to subject yourself to total sensory deprivation in order to go within yourself and discover your Spirit, such a course of action would not only be extreme, but wholly unnecessary. Simply withdrawing your attention from the information you are receiving through your physical senses is all that’s required to go within yourself. Why madden yourself with the impossible task of trying to block every source of external stimulation when you can quite simply cultivate the art of just ignoring such stimuli? Whether you realize it or not, you are actually quite adept at doing this. Every time you drift off to sleep, you are going within yourself.

Still, consciously withdrawing your attention from external stimuli while you’re in a “waking state” takes practice, but such effort will be rewarded countless times over. It is part of some practices of meditation. There have been multitudes of meditative techniques crafted over the centuries which are available for you in your efforts to make use of. The best meditation technique is the one that’s right for you. Whichever meditative technique best helps you withdraw your attention from those things happening outside yourself, is the meditative technique you should use. The natural result of withdrawing your attention from those things outside yourself is that your focus turns to those things within.

You can examine every corner of this Earth from now until eternity and you will never come across your Spirit. It is only when your focus turns in on itself that a whole new world opens up to you. And it is here, on this internal landscape, that your journey to discover your Spirit can now begin. “Eden” is within you. It was the ego which was cast out from this garden of paradise; your Spirit never left.