All Abloom in Georgia

By Mercie Hallow

Cherry blossoms are widely situated in Asian countries such as China, India, Japan, Korea and Philippines. Cherry blossoms or its Japanese counterpart name Sakura is a pink flowering tree. It is very symbolical and an icon widely used in Japan and China. It is always mentioned in songs, films and lyrical plays where it symbolizes love, beauty and friendship. Cherry blossoms are also found in other countries such as Germany, United States, Canada and United Kingdom.

Sakura or Yoshino cherries in the United States are located at the Sakura Park in Manhattan. History tells that the cherry blossoms are actually a gift from Japan to US on 1912 as a symbol of the two countrys friendship. Well, that was before the Pearl Harbor bombing at least. Japan reportedly donated 3,020 pieces of Yoshino trees to United States where it was then planted at the Sakura Park in Manhattan. The park continues to draw in tourists up to the moment.

The Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Georgia is an event commemorative to the 300,000 pieces of Yoshino trees in Macon. This town is indeed the cherry blossom capital of America where it gathers locals and tourists from near and far to witness and commemorate this annual event. How the Cherry blossoms in Macon, Georgia got into existence is indeed a unique and warming history to tell.

Yoshino cherries in Macon has a history as rich as its trees. In 1949 a horticulturist named William Fickling Sr. upon discovering a Yoshino cherry tree in his backyard. He happened to chance upon the same tree again while visiting in Washington and thus began his quest to plant as many as possible with the help of his enthusiastic neighbors.

Carolyn Crayton, a female philanthropist learned about this mission and upon seeing how beautiful these trees were, invited Fickling to plant the same trees in her hometown. Soon the 300,000 cherry blossoms began in existence at the very heart of Georgia.

About the Author:

Mercie Hallow is a writer and a researcher on events in Travel and Leisure. Visiting events such as the Georgia craft fairs will open ones spirit on the beauty of the world beyond home's borders. If youre staying in Georgia, the author suggests checking out the Georgia craft shows for entertainments to make your stay worthwhile.

Elephant Polo: The Sport of Kings

By Christopher Linch

One thing I must do before I kick the proverbial "bucket" is to see an Elephant Polo game. Elephant Polo, as you might guess, is a variant of polo played aboard an elephant. The home of the game is Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge, Nepal, but can also be found in Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and England. New York has a team: the Blues. Treetops is the home of the World Elephant Polo Championships. The 2008 Champions were England's "Air Tuskers".

Basic polo equipment is used, although the mallet is modified to reach from the back of the elephant to the ground, some six to nine feet. The field or "pitch" is shorter than a standard polo field (the reasons for this will be discussed in a moment). Due to the difficulty in steering perhaps, each elephant has two riders. The first is the "mahout". Familiar to us from Rudyard Kipling novels, this is the guy who rides on the elephant's head and encourages both movement and direction. The second rider actually plays the game by whacking the ball and calling out directions to the mahout.

The game was apparently a favorite of the British Colonial period in India, and reemerged after a heavy evening of drinking by the owner of Tiger Tops and his cronies. Some celebrity adherents of the game include Ringo Starr, Bryan Ferry of Roxie Music, the actor Steven Seagal, and the late adventurer Sir Edmund Hillary.

The World Elephant Polo Association governs the play in Nepal and Thailand. The WEPA strictly enforces rules regarding elephant welfare and game play. Other tournaments are managed independently. Most games are played today for charity. Aside from winning the game, other prizes include Best Dressed Team. Any excuse for champagne will do.

The game is played under the auspices of the World Elephant Polo Association (and yes, you can get a polo shirt!) which governs the play in Nepal and Thailand. The rules regarding elephant welfare are strictly enforced. Tournaments are not lengthy, and generally are played for charity once a year. Other prizes eagerly anticipated include the coveted Best Dressed Team Award.

Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge is an award winning wildlife safari and eco lodge in the heart of Chitwan National park. The Lodge is noted for it's eco-tourism model, it's conservation activism, it's organic cuisine and it's tree house accommodations. The lodge offers elephant safaris to view Bengal Tigers, Bison and Rhinoceros,.

The championships are usually scheduled at the end of November and beginning of December.

About the Author:

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