www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday February 24, 2007 - 17 BEAVER TRAILS TO SERBIA: Iva, Luka, Snezana (holding The Oakville Beaver) and Goran Filipovic with relatives Irina, Sofija, Goca, Sonja and Boban in medieval times castle in Nis, Serbia. Take along a copy of The Oakville Beaver on your next vacation and send it in for publication to Beaver Trails, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4 or e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. LADERA, BEST OF THE BEST Once a part of the Rabot Estate, an historic plantation, Ladera is a resort that travellers dream about a small, lush, tropical gem that is world acclaimed yet still relatively unknown. Located in south western St. Lucia, Ladera is a paradise like no other. Two miles from the port town of Soufriere, on a lush hillside of mango trees, Ladera has only 6 villas and 21 suites and a dedicated, attentive staff who offer an intimate experience and the ability to cater to your every need. What sets Ladera apart is that each guest suite was intentionally built without a fourth wall, allowing astounding views of the island's two volcanic Piton peaks and azure coastline below. Yet the suites were cleverly designed to remain sheltered, safe, and completely private. The open wall in all suites and villas leads to a private plunge pool and lush tropical landscaping. Each villa and suite embraces the panoramic views and island ambiance through tropical design and the ultimate in open-air living. Recipient of numerous awards, in November 2005, Conté Nast Traveler r readers voted Ladera not only the "Best Hotel in the Caribbean", but gave it the highest score of any hotel in the world, ranking it the "Best of the Best" in the overall hotel category. The honour marked the first time in the 18 year history of the awards that a Caribbean hotel appeared on the "Best of the Best" list. The Dasheene Restaurant and the Tcholit bar (pronounced Choleet) at Ladera offer some of the best dining in the Caribbean and by far the best views. The open-air dining room features breathtaking vistas of the rainforest, the dramatic Piton peaks and the Caribbean Sea below. And the Ti Kai Posé Spa at Ladera provides guests with an array of relaxing wellness treatments in an intimate setting. Ladera is a special place for guests seeking a life changing travel experience. Ross and Trish McTavish visited, toured and dined at Ladera and they were enchanted! For more information, give us a call! Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.com FUN CHINA FACTS The Great Wall of China is NOT visible from outer space. Its too thin. Its just a myth that it can be seen. The only man-made structures visible from space are: The Pyramids of Giza and the Hoover Dam. 24% of the world speaks Chinese (there are over 200 different Chinese languages and regional dialects). The official state language is Pu-tong-hwa (Mandarin). The purpose of the Great Wall of China, the monumental fortification separating China from Mongolia, was not especially to keep out the Huns from the north. The Huns could easily find places along the stretch that they could scale with ladders. But they couldn't get their horses across. Without their horses, they weren't very effective warriors. Gina Cheng · China, the fourth largest country in the world, is big enough to have several time zones, but only has one. · If the population of China walked past you in single file, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction. · China is the world's largest consumer of Coca-Cola. · Ice cream was invented in China when a milk and rice mixture was combined with packed snow. · China has more English-speaking people than the USA. · In Sept 2005, Starbucks opened up a location in the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China. · There is actually a "Chinatown" in Shanghai. · The gold stars on the Chinese flag represent the 5 major ethnic groups living in China. Talk to Gina about our upcoming escorted tour to China 905.849.0333 gcheng@totaltravel-oakville.com Oakville Town Centre I 300 North Service Road, W. Oakville 905.849.0333 www.totaltravel-oakville.com BEAVER TRAILS TO CHICAGO: Taryn and Ryan Matteazzi outside of Wrigley Field in Chicago. Take along a copy of The Oakville Beaver on your next vacation and send it in for publication to Beaver Trails, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4 or e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. Ont Reg No 2766538