VACATION DESTINATIONS - 2009 - BURJ AL ARAB HOTEL

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Over the next few weeks, My Hometown is going to bring you some of the best places to vacation, or at least some of the craziest places or things to do while on vacation, for 2009. Our intent is to introduce you to some of the cool things this Earthly world may have to offer.

Today, it is tennis at the Hotel Burj Al Arab.

Burj Al Arab is one of the newest and most sophisticated hotels in the world. Located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and standing alone on a man made island, this is one of the most photographed hotels in the world. and until April of 2008 was the tallest structure used solely as a hotel. Burj Al Arab is Arabic for "Tower of the Arabs".

In it's relatively short tenure on the Dubai coastline this legendary and symbolic hotel has attracted international attention and awe, ensuring its place as one of the most photographed structures in the world. Designed to resemble a billowing sail, Burj Al Arab soars to a height of 1,090 feet, dominating the Dubai skyline. Illuminated at night by choreographed lighting representing water and fire – Burj Al Arab is simply individual, inspired, impressive.

This all-suite hotel reflects the very finest that the world has to offer. With your chauffeur driven Rolls Royce, discreet in-suite check-in, private reception desk on every floor and a brigade of highly trained butlers, you can be assured of the ultimate in personal service throughout your stay.

But that is NOT what we are here to talk about. No instead, we are here to talk about tennis and the impact that Hotel Burl Al Arab had on a rather peculiar tennis match. You see Hotel Burj Al Arab has, protruding from the side at almost the very top of the hotel, a helicopter landing pad. This pad is designed to allow upper end guest, like you, to enter the hotel discretely.

But for one day, it was used as a tennis court. Just the pure thought of playing tennis on the helicopter pad pushed sheer fright into my mind, but seeing the pictures made me know that these two guys were crazy.

But it is true, in February of 2005 Roger Federer and Andre Agassi were in Dubai for the Dubai Duty Free Men's Open, a $1 million International Series Gold Event. While there, they took part in a publicity stunt and played tennis on the grass helipad on top of the Burj Al Arab. I have no idea who won, but in my mind, they both did because they made it off alive.

The great news is that through the International clout awarded to My Hometown, we have been able to arrange for you to have the opportunity to play tennis as Roger and Andre did, on the Burj Al Arab's helipad and only for a mere AED 1,000,000, or about $4,000,000 US Dollars.

By the way, if you want to stay at Burj Al Arab, the cheapest rate I could find for a one night stay was AED 4,400, which equates to about $16,000 US Dollars.

Just another place that someone out there calls My Hometown.

CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO SEE A LARGER VERSION

See the hotel in all its glory by clicking the Burj Al Arab link.

See you around the neighborhood,

Chip

PINNACLE MOUNTAIN

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Covering 2,000 acres and rising 1,011 feet above sea level, Pinnacle Mountain is one of Central Arkansas most popular parks. Park facilities include picnic sites, two standard pavilions with restrooms, launch ramps, and hiking trails. The park visitor center overlooking the Arkansas River includes exhibits, A/V programs, a meeting room, and gift shop. Within the park's environs is the Arkansas Arboretum, a 71-acre site exhibiting native flora representing Arkansas's six, major natural divisions. Below Pinnacle Mountain along the Little Maumelle River, the arboretum includes a 0.6-mile barrier-free, interpretive trail. Pinnacle offers eight trails, from a paved trail at just about 1/2 of a mile to two trails that take you to the peak of the mountain itself. The Arkansas Trail is even paved offering a great opportunity for strollers or wheelchairs giving the entire family a chance to see some beautiful Arkansas Nature.

PINNACLE MOUNTAIN
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To reach Pinnacle Mountain State Park, take Exit #9 off I-430 at Little Rock and travel seven miles West on Arkansas 10, then go two miles north on Arkansas 300.

We took the West Trail. It was relatively easy until you get towards the top where it turns into basically a rock stair step to the top. We saw a lot of families taking this hike with little children. I don't recommend it, but it is doable, especially if you are willing to spend part of the time carrying when the going gets tough.

This was a GREAT afternoon and I highly recommend it. Not only do you get some great exercise, but the view is spectacular.

Pinnacle Mountain. Just another great and unique place in the place we call "My Hometown".

See you around the neighborhood,
Chip

VENICE AND TINA

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Not too often do you just run into an intriguing story that makes you yearn to know but this time I absolutely did. Maybe one day we can get the co-author of this story to give us some expanded information about Venice, the place that she once called My Hometown.

Meet Davide M, personal friend of Tina Adcock-Thomas. The photo to the left is a picture of Davide on one of the many canals in Venice. his family allowed Tina the privilege of staying in their home for an extended period after she graduated at Texas A&M. That is there "family home" but they also had homes in the Como/Lecco region where they have their manufacturing business.

DUSK

4:00AM

THE STREETS

NOT JUST ANOTHER STREET

Imagine the time Tina had in Venice. Living in a manufacturing Mogul's personal home. Riding up and down the beautiful canals. The shops and restaurants. Venice in the Spring and Summer. It had to be absolutely breath taking. Thanks for sharing Tina. Hope you get to talk to Davide often, and next time you do, throw in a word for me would you?

Check out the Venice placement marker on the My Hometown Map. Click here to see it.

See you around the neighborhood,
Chip

STOBY'S - A CONWAY CLASSIC

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Popular hangout since forever. Stoby's is one of Conway's most popular restaurants. They have two locations, Conway and Russellville. The one in Conway seats maybe 80 or so and is a popular College hangout. Waiting in the cramped dining room for a table is a must, in most cases, so bring your patience. They have a full menu starting with breakfast at 6:00am, in between they offer everything from sandwiches to burgers, salads, and even quesadillas all the way until 11:00pm. Best known for there traditional Cheese Dip, I like them best for there Breakfast or the BBQ Quesadillas. Yummy...

See the web site, to include there entire menu for both locations by clicking here.


Conway Location:

Hours are 6:00am to 11:00pm. Breakfast stops at 11:00am Monday through Friday and 12:00pm on Saturday.

Stoby's in Conway is located at 805 Donaghey. They are on the corner of Donaghey and Robinson street and anyone in Conway can tell you where to find them. Get directions by clicking here.

They can be contacted by calling 501.327.5447.

Voted Best Breakfast in the State - 2005
The Arkansas Times Reader's Choice Awards

Voted Best Breakfast - 2008
Log Cabin Democrat Best of Faulkner County Award

2008 "Best Waitress"
Womens Inc

One of the unique places in the place I call My hometown.

See you around the neighborhood,
Chip

ROUNDABOUT IN NO MOTION

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Some pics of Spring at the Roundabout...

One of these five pics has something hidden within the picture. Can you find it?






See you around the neighborhood,
Chip

ROUNDABOUT THE ROUNDABOUT

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One of the unique THINGS about the place I call My Hometown, are these things called Roundabouts. Now this isn't a new idea. In fact I am sure they have been around for years, but not in Conway. About eighteen months ago, Conway made the decision to try and enhance the traffic flow by building roundabouts at certain intersections around the city.

If you're not familiar with a roundabout, then here's my best possible explanation. First picture a traditional intersection where two streets come together in a plus shape. Now, replace the plus with a circle. the same two streets intersect, but instead of stop signs or a stop light, now you just have yield signs where an oncoming car would yield to traffic that has already entered the circle. You enter from one of four entrances (where the two streets intersect) and exit on any one of the four entrances. All of the traffic goes counterclockwise. So, if you wanted to make what would be a traditional left turn, you have to drive around three quarters of the circle to get to the street you would like to exit onto. Simply put, that's why they are called, at least here, Roundabouts.

The fun thing about a roundabout is that you can stay in the roundabout and just never exit, making endless circles around and around and around and around if you so choose, theoretically tying up traffic even worse.

I must admit that in the beginning I truly believed placing Roundabouts at key intersections around town was one of the craziest ideas I had ever heard. How, I thought, was this going to enhance the traffic flow. I dreamed of being stuck at a yield sign for an hour waiting on traffic to clear enough from within the Roundabout to allow me to enter, only to quickly exit again.

Boy was I wrong. I can honestly admit that I believe the roundabouts have actually enhanced the traffic flow, speeding up drive time from point A to point B, making the drive much more pleasurable.

I have provided, for the sheer joy of it, a video demonstrating the traffic flow at a roundabout located next to Hendrix College at the intersection of Washington Ave, Tyler St and Winfield St.

This is a little over twenty minutes of video compacted into just a little over one minute. Man, how time flies. Enjoy.

To see a follow up video to this one, check out the MY HOMETOWN Group page on facebook. The follow up video is exclusive to the group page and won't be posted anywhere else. While there, join the group and become one of the neighbors in the place we call My Hometown.

To see the My Hometown Group page, just click RIGHT HERE.

Thanks for stopping by,
Chip

THE GOLDEN GATE

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The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge which spans the Golden Gate, the opening to San Francisco Bay onto the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the ever popular State Route 1 and connects the city of San Fransisco to Marin County. It was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it was built in 1937 and has become an internationally recognized symbol of San Fransisco and California.

Check it out on the "MY HOMETOWN" map.

PHOTO BY MumbleyJoe's

PHOTO BY MumbleyJoe's

Until next time,
Chip