Facts about St Mary's Church Marylebone, London

AdministratorLeave a comment

The Church of Saint Mary on Wyndham Place and Bryanston Square in the heart of London is a Church of England in the parish of Marylebone, which is devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was constructed between 1823 and 1824 out of brick, and it has a rounded stone portico, a round tower, and a tiny dome that is crowned with a cross.

St. Mary’s Church Marylebone is a great place to visit whether you’re new to London, curious in Christianity, looking for a new spiritual home, are returning to church, or are just curious about what it’s like to worship with Londoners. On Sundays, the congregation has two services: one at 11:00 a.m., during which age-specific groups for kids and teenagers meet, and another at 6:30 p.m., which is open to people of all ages but skews significantly towards the young working population. Midweek, the church hosts a variety of workshops and seminars in which people from all walks of life are welcome.

Bombs dropped during World War II destroyed most of the church, however the tower and front façade were mostly spared from the destruction. Later on, the church underwent extensive remodelling to become a 5,000-cubic-meter venue for the revival of evangelical worship. This transformation was based on a concept that was developed by John Seely and Paul Paget.

The church features tall, crystal-clear windows that let in an abundance of natural light. Murals by Brian Thomas adorn the eastern and western walls. In spite of bombing, the church’s lectern, baptismal font, and Royal coat of arms are still intact

By John Salmon, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12334886

Advertisement

The Difference in the UK between Pint of Beer and Pint of Ale

AdministratorLeave a comment

The best thing about the world of beer and ale is that it is limitless with numerous drinks from different bars or taverns. Most drinkers, especially those fond of pubs near shepherd’s bush London, will testify that there is a slight difference between a pint of beer and a pint of ale. Therefore, when it comes to narrowing down between the two different flavours, it becomes easier.

What Makes a Pint of Beer and Pint of Ale Different?

What makes the two different is the type of fermentation process they undergo. To get the tastiest ale, we must create it using the full fermentation process. This means that we will ferment the yeast in warmer conditions and let it settle at the top of the beer.

However, the process is quite different for a pint of beer. When making beer, we tend to let the yeast settle at the bottom, elongate the fermentation process, and allow it to cool under cool temperatures. Another distinct difference is that ale tends to have a high alcohol tolerance than the yeast we use in beers.

Whether you settle down for a pint of ale or a pint of beer, it will depend on your preference. You can enjoy either of them with your friends or even alone if you prefer that. Your drink will start as a beer or ale and progress to different flavours and styles.

Exploring Bangkok: Phra Sumen Fort, a short history and what you can see when visiting

AdministratorLeave a comment

Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, is a top touristic city with lively streets. Its residents are diverse with cultures and faiths that easily blend to make it one of the most culturally diverse cities. A phenomenon that has made tourism, one of the activities that make the city so popular, to the rest of the world. Some of the city’s richest sites are the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Phra Sumen fort and museums like Art in Paradise. This article aims to explore Phra Sumen fort in Bangkok, provide a brief history and mention some of the things seen when visiting.

Phra Sumen- the old guard of Rattanakosin

Phra Sumen, peacefully set in Santi Chai Prakan, is one of the still-standing monuments that has survived multiple changes and growth in Thai culture. Phra Sumen is a white tower named after mount Meru in Hindu and is the only one of the historical 14 towers standing today.

History of Phra Sumen

The fort Phra Sumen was built in 1767 during the reign of King Rama. It was at a time when the Burmese had destroyed the old capital, and the king wanted Bangkok to be the new one. The intent was protecting the new capital from external attacks. The king also dug canals and strategically located the forts near river Chao Phraya where they were secured.

What you see when visiting at Phra Sumen

Phra Sumen is a white structure, octagonal and is made up of three floors. The rooms were made high to store weapons that were used for defense. An observation tower was also included at the top to create a better view of the river and the city. The fort also has a museum that displays all the items that were found in the structure during the renovation.

Phra Sumen is among the most popular sites in Bangkok that attract tourists in Asia. It is a beautiful structure that commands attention and reminds the people of their civilization. As much as it was built to provide safety during the war, today it serves as a popular tourist site and earns the government revenue.

By Supanut Arunoprayote – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49053780

Tips for Organizing an Eco-Friendly Holiday

AdministratorLeave a comment

Holidays come with a great opportunity of having a more eco-friendly celebration. Use these tips to make holidays joyful in spirit as well as gentle on the environment.

Carbon Offsets for Your Holiday Travel

People often hope on buses, trains and planes to be with family and friends for the holidays. However, greenhouse emissions from transportation are known to be a big contributor to climate change and global warming and are one of the country’s largest sources of emissions. To have an eco-friendly holiday, offset the emissions through carbon offsets. A carbon offset project is any action that intends to compensate for carbon dioxide emission into the atmosphere due to human activity, particularly when quantified and sold as part of a commercial scheme.

Stay at the Right Place

Holidaymakers should choose environmentally friendly accommodation. Go for hotels that have effective waste treatment systems, are energy efficient, recycle and use environmentally friendly energy sources like hydroelectric power or solar energy.

Save Water

Holidaymakers should use water responsibly when enjoying their holiday. Turn off the water when brushing teeth and shorten showering time to 2 to 5 minutes. If the visitor wants to take a bath, they should plug the tub before they start running the water, and then adjust the temperature accordingly. Also, changing towels only when it is necessary saves resources.

Choose a Vegan or Vegetarian Meal

Visitors can reduce their carbon print by avoiding the temptation of over-indulgence and going for a vegan or vegetarian meal. Avoid food that came from animals, such as eggs, meat and dairy product, including yoghurt, cheese and milk. Look for in-season vegetables and goods bearing sustainable certification seals like tea, chocolate and coffee.

Choose the Right Souvenir

Visitors who want to get something as a souvenir should get something useful and check the condition under which it was produced. For instance, visitors can buy olive oil, wine or spice; these are local products that they can use at home. Avoid purchasing products made from endangered species, such as animal body parts and hides, coral, ivory or tortoise-shell. These products can also be illegal. Here is a site showing eco-friendly shops in London

Choose Simple, Plant-based Soaps to Make Hands Soft for Handshakes

Chemical-laden soaps strip hands of the natural moisture. Instead, use plant-based soaps free from dyes and chemicals.

London is a great place to visit any time of year, but to have a wonderful eco friendly holiday, book accommodation early at Royal Lancaster London. This 5-star London hotel is environmentally friendly and offers top-notch service.

5 things to do off the Beaten Track in Bangkok

AdministratorLeave a comment

Bangkok is a city that is full of wonderful cultural experiences, good food and architectural wonders. However, when the name comes into the minds of would be visitors, only a few places such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and MBK come to their minds. There are other amazing things to do in Bangkok Thailand if travellers choose to go off the beaten path. Here are some of these activities.

Take a Boat Ride along KhlongSaenSaep

A boat ride along Khlong Saen Saep feels like sailing on canals in Venice. Visitors enjoy the beauty of its greenery and friendly faces of the locals a few kilometres from their Lancaster Bangkok hotel room. This canal runs for 72 kilometres through 21 districts and numerous market stops along the river. Travellers can take a part of the distance at 8 to 20- baht, depending on the length of the ride.

Buy a Souvenir from Papaya Vintage Market

For blockbuster movie and cartoon lovers or historians, the Papaya Vintage Shop provides all the strange things one would find in movies from Vespas, life-sized figurines such as Batman, Spiderman and Wolverine and antique wooden pieces. The shop is filled with everything strange that one can imagine. It is the place to get a unique gift to take back home.

Visit the Shrine of Goddess Tubtim

Goddess Tubtim is a female goddess of fertility. On the shrine, one finds everything about fertility from hundreds of wooden penises, jasmine, lotus, wooden carvings and ribbon decorations. Women who are trying to conceive visit the shrine and make an offering to increase the success rates of conceiving. This shrine looks strange and amazing and is located in a serene green location.

Visit Huai Khwang Night Market

Locals are the main customers at the HuaiKhwang night market. It is a place one would find authentic Thai merchandise and food. One can buy traditional attire and hats and enjoy food and snack in roadside restaurants. Items here are a lot cheaper than in many of the markets known to visitors. The area is relatively safe to visit during the night and not far from the Lancaster Bangkok hotel.

Get Spooked at Bangkok Forensic Museum

The Bangkok Forensic Museum does not show historical artifacts but cadavers for medical and forensic purposes. The bodies displayed are those of accident victims, convicted murderers and serial killers. One can also find stored parasites such as tapeworms and roundworms. The museum is creepy and informative in equal measure.

5 Things to Make any Evening Romantic and Special

AdministratorLeave a comment

Romance is always in the air at K West Hotel & Spa and they’ve always got cocktails to sip, relaxed dining and therapeutic spa treatments in chic surroundings on offer!

While you might have agreed to stay together when you put a ring on your loved one’s finger, time and lack of creativity can bring couples apart. A partner who just wants to plonk down in front of the telly and fade as the day does will soon see the relationship fading too.

The problem may just be a lack of creativity and the best 4-star hotels in London know what it takes to recharge relationship batteries.

There’s nothing like getting out and about as it gets you energised, and the K West Hotel & Spa is the perfect place for having a great time. The hotel is situated in Shepherds Bush, a district of London’s west end.

They offer superb services that will put the sparkle back in your romance.

♥ Cosy Dining

Nobody can deny that not having to whip up a meal yourself makes for a romantic, special time. The hotel’s restaurant is a cosy, romantic, relaxed place that promises music while you dine. Failing that, you can aways call room service and enjoy a cosy meal for two in your own room.

♥ Luxurious Nights

Staying over at the K West Hotel is guaranteed to be romantic and special because the rooms are spacious and the linen crisp and welcoming. The luxury bathrooms come complete with fragrant designer toiletries.

♥ Spa Treatments

If you book an overnight stay in a deluxe room, you get to choose a complimentary treatment from the selection which is guaranteed to be a treat. The award-winning K Spa offers lots of other luxurious treatments in the herbal steam room, the hydrotherapy pool or take your pick from a choice of fragrant foot baths.

♥ You’re Connected

Some people, no matter how romantic the evening, can’t pull themselves away from their mobile devices, and the stylish rooms at K West are geared to ensure that if you have to be connected, there’s smart TVs, free wifi access, in-room tablets and smartphones.

♥ Music Dates

There is so much to delight at the K West Hotel, and you might relish an evening spent at the Studio Bar. You’ll be served light snacks and cocktails, and over the weekends you’ll find a live DJ.

Looking for a great getaway for a night or two or maybe even longer? The K West Hotel is well situated to get around, and it has all you need for a great stay. It is peaceful, trendy and accommodating, and is recommended for anyone wanting to rekindle their romance.