Last month, we celebrated our 40th Anniversary Gala. We’ve learned a lot along the way and we’re proud of the family Sky Bird has become. We’re looking forward to another 40 years. We invite you to see how we’ve grown over four decades.
Here’s an inside look at our incredible journey:
There was no more appropriate place to celebrate a travel company’s anniversary than the Henry Ford Museum. Retired planes suspended from the ceiling served as the perfect backdrop for the 40th Anniversary celebration of Sky Bird Travel & Tours, a leading airfare consolidator.
On the evening of Thursday October 20th, dozens of guests from airlines and elsewhere in the travel industry gathered at the Henry Ford. The color of the evening was red – symbolizing the new Sky Bird logo, unveiled earlier this year, as well as the Ruby Anniversary of the company.
For forty years, Sky Bird has been a trusted airfare consolidator. The company was founded in metro Detroit in 1976 by husband and wife team, Arvin and Jaya Shah. From these humble beginnings, Sky Bird grew to the award-winning company it is today, with offices across the country and two international branches in Toronto, Mumbai, and Manila.
Sky Bird Travel & Tours would like to extend our sincerest thanks to all who helped make our 40th anniversary a success!
This garden has been well-loved by South Africans for nearly 200 years. It began as a private residence in the 1840s. Ralph Henry Arderne was a timber merchant living in the area and his unique position allowed him to acquire dozens of exotic seeds. On his land he built a house known as “The Hill.”
Gardens on the estate became a favorite spot for local residents to stroll and enjoy nature. When Arderne died in 1917, the property was divided and The Hill was demolished. Eventually the city government purchased the land and continued to make this place a relaxing spot to enjoy nature.
Today, the park is known for its trees, of which there are over 300; a koi pond, and the sprawling green lawns. Six of the trees have been designated as Champion Trees, meaning they are the largest tree of a species based on trunk circumference, height, and average crown spread. The Moreton Bay Fig is one of the largest trees in the country. The Arderne Gardens are popular for weddings, leisure seekers, and botany enthusiasts.
By car from Cape Town, it’s only 12.4 km south. To fly to Cape Town, we’re partnered with over 90 airlines, so no matter their city of departure, we can get your clients there. As a top airfare consolidator, Sky Bird Travel has the lowest net fares to South Africa. Call or email us today to get started!
Are your clients looking for something off the beaten path? Are they not interested in tourist traps? Stay tuned for our Around the World series. Several times a week, we share interesting things to do in exotic places. Give your clients a new experience in old places!
For over a thousand years, sultans and kings have maintained a palace in Rabat, the nation’s capital. The current palace was built in 1864. The sultan chose the French architects Louis-Paul Pertuzio and Félix-Joseph Pertuzio to design the palace.
In addition to housing the royal family, there are other buildings situation on the complex as well including: a small mosque, a mechouar for public ceremonies, living space for the royal family and Moroccan Royal Guard, a college, a cooking school, and a library.
Tour the palace for an up-close look at Moroccan history. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the Morocco of centuries past and the Morocco that’s adapting to the 21st century. Don’t miss the Arabic motifs and local horticulture when exploring the extensive gardens.
Dar al-Makhzen is located in the city proper of Rabat. To fly to Morocco, we’re partnered with over 90 airlines, so no matter their city of departure, we can get your clients there. As a top airfare consolidator, Sky Bird Travel has the lowest net fares to Morocco. Call or email us today to get started!
Are your clients looking for something off the beaten path? Are they not interested in tourist traps? Stay tuned for our Around the World series. Several times a week, we share interesting things to do in exotic places. Give your clients a new experience in old places!
This impressive structure was constructed quickly – only a five-month period from 1701-1702. It is dedicated to the goddess of prosperity, Siddha Laxmi, and located in Bhaktapur – about 40 minutes outside of Kathmandu. The name means “City of Devotees” and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site which includes buildings of cultural and natural value.
The Nyatapola Temple is considered one of the tallest pagodas in the country – standing at over 30 meters high. The temple is so structurally sound that it managed to survive a 8.3 magnitude earthquake in 1934.
While the temple is primarily dedicated to Siddha Laxmi, there are other religious figures in the temple architecture as well, mostly those that pertain to the legend surrounding it.
The legend goes that an angry god, Bhairab, was causing destruction. To counteract this, Parvati the goddess took the form of Siddha Laxmi and carried Bhairab away. The king ordered a temple with guardians be built on the site. Guardians included two elephants, two lions, two griffons, and a tiger and lion goddesses. According to tradition, Laxmi’s image is kept hidden within the temple and only priests are allowed to see it.
Climbing the steps of the temple affords visitors an up-close look at traditional Nepalese architecture and sculpture. It’s not as well-known as other temples located within the city of Kathmandu, which makes it the perfect place to see the religious history of Nepal without all the tourists.
Nyatapola Temple is only about 40 minutes east of Kathmandu. To fly to Nepal, we’re partnered with over 90 airlines, so no matter their city of departure, we can get your clients there. As a top airfare consolidator, Sky Bird Travel has the lowest net fares to Nepal. Call or email us today to get started!
Are your clients looking for something off the beaten path? Are they not interested in tourist traps? Stay tuned for our Around the World series. Several times a week, we share interesting things to do in exotic places. Give your clients a new experience in old places!
Around the World: Asokaramaya Buddhist Temple
This temple was first constructed in the 1870s to shelter disciples of Aluthgama Sangharatne who had gathered to hear his sermons. In the late 19th and early 20th century, the temple had buildings added on, including stupas. These stupas house relics of historical and religious significance. Buddhism is the main religion on the island and this place offers a look into its deeply rooted history without the large crowds.
Buddhism on Sri Lanka
Buddhism first came to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE. From the 5th – 11th centuries, the religion flourished. However, in the 11th century, warfare with neighboring kingdoms caused the rapid decline of followers and it nearly died out until Burmese monks arrived with texts to rekindle Buddhism and ordain more monks.
From the 16th century onward, Christian missionaries from Europe have tried to convert citizens to Christianity. However, in the 19th century a Buddhist revival became the unexpected outcome of their proselytizing. Some Europeans even converted to Buddhism at the result of the movement.
Today, Buddhism remains the dominant religion of the island nation with over 70% of citizens following Buddhism. There are currently over 6,000 monasteries and 15,000 monks currently. Interestingly, Sri Lanka is the site of a large number of ordinations for women wishing to become Buddhist nuns.
Aluthgama Sangharatne: Buddhist monk
In 1873, the monk Aluthgama Sangharatne came to a nearby hermitage, or religious settlement. Aluthgama sought alms, or offerings, from the villagers and in return he lectured and gave sermons on Buddhism. A wealthy resident of the nearby village was impressed with him and decided to become is benefactor.
Originally, a small hall was constructed so that sermons could be conducted indoors. However, the monk began to draw larger and larger crowds and so expansions were undertaken, including living space for more monks to reside within the temple.
How to Get There:
Asokaramaya Temple is only 13 minutes south of central Colombo by car. Walking the 5.3 km is also an option and takes about an hour. For flying to Sri Lanka, we’re partnered with over 90 airlines, so no matter their city of departure, we can get your clients there. As a top airfare consolidator, Sky Bird Travel has the lowest net fares to Sri Lanka. Call or email us today to get started!
Are your clients looking for something off the beaten path? Are they not interested in tourist traps? Stay tuned for our Around the World series. Several times a week, we share interesting things to do in exotic places. Give your clients a new experience in old places!
Around the World: Vedanthangal Lake Bird Sanctuary
Chennai, India
Get in touch with nature and do some bird watching at this sanctuary – the oldest water one for water birds in the country. Due to the small lakes, this region was naturally a very popular spot with avian creatures. The government recognized the need to protect this natural area and established the sanctuary in 1858.
Birds of Vedanthangal
Over 40,000 bird species, including 26 rare species, make their nests here. Many of these species come from other parts of the globe during the migratory season.
Birds commonly found within the sanctuary include cormorants, large egrets, little egrets, night herons, painted storks, pond herons, sandpipers, shovellers, and white ibises.
The migratory birds demonstrate the great distance that some species will go during their migratory cycles. These birds include teals from Canada, snake birds from Sri Lanka, grey pelicans from Australia, storks from Siberia, and ducks from Myanmar.
Activities
Obviously, the most popular activity in this park is bird watching and listening to the beautiful calls of the birds. However, hiking, walking, and picnics by the lake are also great activities during your visit to the sanctuary.
HOW TO GET THERE
Two different routes are accessible by car, but the Coastal Road from Chennai will afford travelers an exquisite view of the Indian Ocean along the way. To book a flight to Chennai, trust Sky Bird Travel & Tours. We’re partnered with over 90 airlines, so no matter their city of departure, we can get your clients there. As a top airfare consolidator, Sky Bird Travel has the lowest net fares to the India. Call or email us today to get started!
Are your clients looking for something off the beaten path? Are they not interested in tourist traps? Stay tuned for our Around the World series. Several times a week, we share interesting things to do in exotic places. Give your clients a new experience in old places!
Around the World: Nanxun Old Town
Shanghai, China
This is one of the most well-preserved cultural heritage sites. Get a glimpse of ancient village life, including travel by canals. Originally called Xunxi in the 9th century, it was renamed Nanxun in the 13th century. 15 old bridges still remain from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The layout of traditional streets has been preserved. One of the best known sites is the Little Lotus Garden, built by three generations of the Liu Yong family over 40 years. As the name suggests, this area of the garden features a lotus pool that covers 5,400 square feet.
A THRIVING ECONOMY
This town was important to the distribution of farm and other products by water. As time went on, it became one of the first entrepreneurial regions south of the Yangtze River. Production of silkworm and silk reels flourished as the silk trade developed. Shanghai may be known for its modern lights and skyscrapers, but this is the place to go to see traditional Chinese life.
HOW TO GET THERE
Nanxun Old Town is located 119 km southwest of Shanghai. By car, that’s about 1 hr. 40 min. away and is pretty much a straight shot along two major highways. For flights to China, trust Sky Bird Travel & Tours. We’re partnered with over 90 airlines, so no matter their city of departure, we can get your clients there. As a top airfare consolidator, Sky Bird Travel has the lowest net fares to China. Call or email us today to get started!
Are your clients looking for something off the beaten path? Are they not interested in tourist traps? Stay tuned for our Around the World series. Several times a week, we share interesting things to do in exotic places. Give your clients a new experience in old places!
Photo Credit:
By The original uploader was TIY at Chinese Wikipedia – Transferred from zh.wikipedia to Commons., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3498363
This park offers a variety of activities. Ice climbing on the waterfalls is a popular activity in the winter. Experts claim this is the best spot in South America for this activity. If you’re really feeling adventurous, you can trek 9 hours to La Paloma Glacier. If the full hike is not feasible, there are many valleys along the way where you can camp for the night and head back. Or you can go horseback riding! Horse rentals are available for the day or multi-day walks and are relatively inexpensive.
Over 500 species of plants live here, as well as foxes, rabbits, hares, and birds. Rodents are the main inhabitants of the park, however, including the coruro and degu. In the highest reaches of the park, it is possible to observe eagles, condors, and other predatory birds.
There are over 100 archaeological sites scattered throughout the park. These sites include ancient workshops, stone walls, and tacit stones. Artifacts found indicate a human presence as far back as 6,000 years ago. However, due to the climate conditions, the people here likely did not establish permanent roots, but instead used this area as a temporary dwelling place.
One culture that lived here were the Chiquillanes. They inhabited the area after 1500 AD. This culture was nomadic hunter gatherers who survived on fruits, tubers, and animals.
The culture with the most impact on the area were undoubtedly the Incas. For them, this land was sacred. Human sacrifice victims have been found fully persevered, due to the cold climate. One of the most famous examples, and one that happened to be found in the park, was the Plomo Mummy. This mummy was that of a boy who was left in the cold as a sacrifice to the sun god, Inti. The practice of human sacrifice was called qhapaq hucha in the Incan language. This was done to stop natural disasters or during major festivals at ceremonial sites.
By car, the park is accessed by Route G-21, the road to Farellones, and then exit 15 where you’ll find the entrance to the reserve. It’s about two hours east of Santiago. For flights to Chile, trust Sky Bird Travel & Tours. We’re partnered with over 90 airlines, so no matter their city of departure, we can get your clients there. As a top airfare consolidator, Sky Bird Travel has the lowest net fares to Chile. Call or email us today to get started!
Are your clients looking for something off the beaten path? Are they not interested in tourist traps? Stay tuned for our Around the World series. Several times a week, we share interesting things to do in exotic places. Give your clients a new experience in old places!
The mission of this museum is to preserve ancestral weaving traditions and Andean textiles. Working with local villagers, the museum aims to keep the tradition alive.
For thousands of years, weaving has been an integral part of the Peruvian culture and the dominant art form. Weavers developed original styles and designs, some of which are unique to the Pre-Columbian cultures who first inhabited the Andes.
Ancient textiles are often discovered fully preserved due to the dry mountain climate and the manner of burial customs used by ancient Andeans.
Unfortunately, with the arrival of the Spanish, weaving was nearly lost completely. When the Inca state fell in 1533, the infrastructure – including textiles – also fell. The Spanish shut down the weaving centers because they did not want competition for weavers back home in Spain. During this period, the quality of Andean textiles decreased dramatically without the oversight of Inca weavers. Some indigenous people still produced traditional clothing and wore them out of loyalty to their Incan heritage. This small act of defiance to the Spanish government would help fan the flames of the later revolution that granted Peru its independence in 1826.
Classes on weaving, spinning, knitting, and braiding are available. The classes will instruct you on techniques that the Incan ancestors would have used. Visitors work side by side with indigenous weavers and learn not only about weaving but also about their culture and tradition. Classes are taught in Quechua and Spanish, but the instructors know some English and English instruction packets are provided. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in another culture, make new friends, and learn a new skill!
In addition, the museum documents important aspects of the art. The finest textiles from the Cusco region are on display there. It’s truly amazing to see how the tradition has thrived despite the major cultural upheaval 500 years ago. The shop sells handmade crafts for visitors to purchase including shoulder bags, ponchos, and hats. This is a true hands-on Peruvian experience!
The museum and shop are located in Cusco itself. Weaving demonstrations and classes are taught in Chinchero, about 45 minutes from Cusco. Whichever aspect of the center you choose to visit, it’s easy to reach by car. When it’s time to book a flight to Peru, trust Sky Bird Travel & Tours. We’re partnered with over 90 airlines, so no matter their city of departure, we can get your clients there. As a top airfare consolidator, Sky Bird Travel has the lowest net fares to Peru. Call or email us today to get started!
Are your clients looking for something off the beaten path? Are they not interested in tourist traps? Stay tuned for our Around the World series. Several times a week, we share interesting things to do in exotic places. Give your clients a new experience in old places!
