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Business | National / World Business Tourism beyond beaches in NH, Maine, Vt. By HOLLY RAMERTHE Associated Press | May 27,2013 Jeb Wallace-Brodeur / STAFF PHOTO Hikers enjoy the sunset reflected in Stratton Pond while hiking The Long Trail. While plenty of tourists will be heading to northern New England’s ocean and lake locations this summer, others will be exploring options beyond the beach.In New Hampshire, a new interconnected all-terrain vehicle trail system dubbed “Ride the Wilds” will officially open June 15, capping years of work by more than a dozen off-road vehicle clubs that worked with state agencies and local communities to link 1,000 miles of trails across Coos County.New businesses are springing up along the route, and existing restaurants, motels and shops are hoping for a much-needed economic boost from riders who plan multiday trips, said Harry Brown, president of the North Country OHRV Coalition.“They’re wicked exited,” he said.In Colebrook, Corrine Rober and her husband recently launched Bear Rock Adventures, offering ATV tours and vehicle rentals. She already has heard from potential customers interested in renting ATVs for up to a week at a time and said she is looking forward to exposing them to the wildlife, agriculture and scenic beauty surrounding the trails.“It’s about getting people to see that ATV-ing is far more than just going out and messing around in the dirt. It’s a family activity, and it can expose people to areas they otherwise would never experience,” she said.The new trail system comes several years after the opening of Jericho Mountain State Park in Berlin, the state’s newest and the only one in New England developed for ATVs and snowmobiles. Building on that success, the state Legislature this year passed a pair of bills aimed at attracting more off-road vehicle enthusiasts to the state: One would allow the construction of a separate obstacle course for modified trucks and jeeps at the park, and the other would allow larger, two-passenger motorized vehicles on state-owned trails.In Maine, there’s also been a push in recent years to promote nature-based tourism, in part to drive visitors to far-flung areas where tourism isn’t as big as it is along much of the seacoast.Tourists are being lured to outer areas through attractions such as the Downeast Fisheries Trail in eastern Maine, which showcases the state’s maritime heritage; the Maine Huts and Trails network of trails and huts in western Maine; and a statewide bird-watching trail. Whitewater rafting, lakeside cottages and thousands of miles of trails for ATV riders and snowmobilers also have given rural regions economic boosts.“The shift toward nature-based tourism is getting out into Washington County or Aroostook County,” in far eastern and northern Maine, said Charlie Colgan, an economist at the University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School of Public Service.“It’s another geographic evolution from the 1880s, when Portland was selling itself as the gateway to what you escaped to out of Boston and New York,” he said. “It was far away, but you could still get there.”Building a nature-based tourism industry requires having reasonable amenities in accessible locations, he said. While some people want an Appalachian Trail-like experience where they can hike with a backpack and sleep in a tent, others want to go for hikes but also sleep in a bed and eat in a restaurant, he said.“The good thing is there’s a huge diversity of markets that serve nature-based tourism that Maine’s well-positioned to deal with,” he said.In Vermont, this summer will bring a new addition to the nation’s oldest long-distance hiking trail, the 270-mile Long Trail that runs the spine of the Green Mountains and includes numerous huts and backcountry campsites along the route. After decades of planning and fundraising, crews will break ground on a 200-foot suspension footbridge over the Winooski River.The Green Mountain Club, which maintains the trail, has sought to establish a safe, appropriate and permanent route over the river since 1912, when it established the first stretch of the trail, said Dave Hardy, director of trail programs.“It’s a big deal,” he said. “We’ve been looking to relocate the trail and build this bridge since the beginning.”With more than 200,000 people using the trail each year, hiking has become a major economic driver for the state, club officials said. The group also plans to repair the last stretch of the Long Trail and Appalachian Trail that were closed because of damage from the remnants from Hurricane Irene in 2011.And for those who don’t want to pick just one state, all three states plus New York and parts of Canada are connected by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, which links 740 miles of remote waterways.

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haut du parc Guell Barcelone CABOS Patrick Depuis le haut du parc Guell une vue plongeante sur toute la ville de Barcelone Copyright: Cabos Patrick Tags: tourisme; parc; guell; barcelone More About Barcelona The World : Europe : Spain : Barcelona History and OverviewBarcelona began more than 2,500 years when Phoenicians and Carthagians settled here and began a commercial port. Its name refers to the Carthagian ruler Amilcar Barca. The original name of the city was Barcino, which was adopted by the Romans in the 1st century BC and later became Barcelona. It's now the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia.There are several surviving monuments from the earliest Roman outposts, such as the Placa Sant Juame. Roman walls built to repel Frankish and German invasions later were used as foundations for buildings in the Gothic Quarter and in some cases can still be seen.Barcelona sits on the Mediterranean Sea along a route that brought them lots of visitors in the ancient times -- for better or worse. Circa 415AD Visigoth invaders arrived after the disintegration of the Roman Empire and called it "Barcinona". Three centuries later the Moors swept through on their way from Northern Africa to southern France. Another century later Louis the Pious came with the Franks and set up the front lines of the Christian battle against the Arabs. By the year 988AD, the County of Barcelona was independent of the Carolingian kings and free to become the dominant political and military force in the Catalonian region.Barcelona's Golden Age gleamed across the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The city became as influential as Venice or Genoa through marine trade using gold as the standard of exchange. Buildings such as the Romanesque St. Paul del Camp and the Chapel of Santa Lucia remain as testament to this prosperous period.The Cathedral of Barcelona was begun in the thirteenth century and its construction continued even while the Plague decimated the population. A building boom ensued while Barcelona was expanding its reach and conquering foreign ports, a boom which saw the construction and embellishment of various churches, chapels, shipyards and civil buildings.By the end of the fourteenth century however, social tensions mounted and erupted into war with Genoa and a local massacre of the Jewish community in Barcelona. The next four hundred years were a roller coaster of politics and intrigue. Barcelona revolted against Spain and eventually lost after nine years of war, losing its Catalonian status as an independent city. The Napoleonic Wars, yellow fever epidemic, and the Spanish Revolution all challenged the economy and stability of Barcelona.The early twentieth century was marked by strikes and riots along with strong cultural movements such as Modernism. The Spanish Civil War totally repressed Catalan national identity and it was not until 1977 that Catalonia was restored to a self-governing nation recognized within Spain.Meanwhile, massive migrations after WWII brought major strain on the city. Lack of urban planning during general construction ended up with crowded and poorly serviced neighborhoods surrounding the city. However, Barcelona's infinite ability to regenerate itself shows in the artistic, cultural and economic growth which has taken place in the past decades.Getting ThereThe Barcelona Airport is located 13km from the city and connects to it by taxi, shuttle bus and trains. The metro does NOT go to the airport regardless of what you may have heard. The trip should cost about 20 Euro by taxi, 5 Euro on the shuttle bus.TransportationGood news for your shoes, 74% of people in Barcelona regard themselves as pedestrians rather than drivers. The city even has this crazy website where you can calculate the time it will take to walk a certain distance in the city!Barcelona has a good metro system including metro, buses, trams and even cable cars. The Metro system has nine lines which connect also to commuter rail stations for out of town service.People and CultureThe two main languages are Spanish and Catalan; English is not very wide spread.Euros are the currency and siesta is the word of the day, specifically, the part of daytime between two and four PM. Don't expect to get much done at the post office at that time. Public offices and most shops will be closed.Barcelona is a smoking city. Restaurants, cafes and shops all have ashtrays and zero non-smoking sections. Go to the public transportation system if you want a cigarette-free area, or maybe one of the largest supermarkets.People in Barcelona are friendly and warm and they love to eat and drink. The kitchen is the central room of the house, dinner can take until midnight, and they still go out after that. Every night of the week you will be able to find something interesting going on, from house music to avant-garde theater.Cuisine in Barcelona is more about fish than red meat, with an arsonist's hand on the olive oil. Bruscetta is very common as is alioli, a garlic mayonnaise type of thing. If you leave Barcelona without tasting escudella, the traditional fish stew, you have missed something very very important.Things to do, RecommendationsHere's your liftoff point, the Tower of Telecommunications at Collserola, where you can get a good look around the city. As always, a bird's eye view best puts life into perspective.Heavy hitters: Pablo Picasso heralds from Catalan and the Picasso Museum is located in the heart of Barcelona. Make it a point to visit.Follow it with a trip to the Museum of Modern Art of Barcelona, hosting a collection of Catalan Modernists. It's near Ciutadella Park, Metro station Arc do Triomf Barceloneta.The beaches are fantastic and they may be all you need on your visit here. You can check out the Castle of Montjuic Fortress along the coast if you're interested in history.As we've said, people in Barcelona eat late, drink late and go out very late. We leave it our dear readers to figure out when they get up in the morning...The house music scene in Barcelona is LIVE!! Check out clubs like Moog, Elephant and Pacha for just a taste. People flock here in the summers for it. You may have heard of a little island called "Ibiza..."As they say, "we don't call it house. We call it home."Text by Steve Smith.

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Niagara Falls competition springs up for 1st time NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario (AP) — For more than 150 years, the Maid of the Mist tour boats have been all alone below Niagara Falls as they've ferried tourists close enough to be drenched by the spray.But this tourist season, a second set of boats is navigating the Niagara Gorge.The Maid of the Mist Steamboat Co. continues to launch from the American shore but lost its Canadian contract to rival Hornblower Niagara Cruises, which set sail from across the river last week.The Maid of the Mist, with its two 600-passenger steamship-style vessels, and Hornblower's pair of 700-passenger catamarans offer virtually the same daytime experience: sailing poncho-clad passengers up to the 16-story walls of whitewater for views unrivaled on land.Hornblower's $25 million entry into the market includes plans for evening cocktail and fireworks cruises, as well as a redesigned plaza, self-serve ticket kiosks, double-deck loading docks and a pavilion that sells souvenirs by day and becomes party space at night."I'm big on tradition," Hornblower Chairman and Chief Executive Terry MacRae said from a conference room overlooking the gorge Thursday as passengers pulled on red hooded ponchos and lined up to be part of first-day excursions. "But putting modern amenities in place is good business practice."About 200 feet across the Niagara River, groups of passengers in blue lined up for rides on the Maid of the Mist.The captains agreed to alternate departure times for the 15- to 20-minute rides, one loading and unloading passengers while the other makes his figure eight through the gorge."The Maid of the Mist experience itself remains what it's always been, an incredible voyage to the base of Niagara Falls," said Kevin Keenan, a spokesman for the company that has carried celebrities and heads of state among its 85 million passengers since 1846.For its part, the Maid of the Mist has added free Wi-Fi on board this season, renovated the ships' restrooms and redesigned its website.Both companies offer online ticketing. Hornblower charges adults about $18 (U.S.) for daytime cruises and the Maid of the Mist charges $17."We do appreciate the path that was paved by our competitor, the Maid of the Mist, in years past. It's great we can build on that and expand it and provide some new amenities," said MacRae, whose company operates cruises to the Statue of Liberty in New York City and Alcatraz Island in California.San Francisco-based Hornblower was awarded a 30-year contract to operate the Niagara Falls tours in 2012 after the Niagara Parks Commission, for the first time, put the Ontario rights up for bid. The company was chosen over five other bidders, including Maid of the Mist.The Maid of the Mist operates its trips from New York under a separate 40-year contract, good through 2042, with the New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

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A cascading series of green terraces that terminate in front of a Victorian style performance stage and community center. Town Green is a cascading series of green terraces that terminate in the center of the park in front of a Victorian style performance stage and community center. Visible from any point within the Green is the Pavilion stage with outdoor seating space that can accommodate up to 10,000 people. An amphitheater directly in front of the stage is designed like a theater-in-the–round with a central patio positioned as a secondary stage for smaller, more intimate events. A dance floor, with an orchestra pit is in front of the Pavilion stage. What Makes Duluth Town Green a Great Place? Recognize the value of our people's rich heritage. It is important to understand who we were, who we are, and who we are yet to become. We are doing this by informing the public of the city's history, "then and Now", sponsoring programs and promoting pride in Duluth's history and traditions. What Makes Duluth Town Green a Great Place? Access and Linkages Comfort & Image As soon as you enter the park, the water spout is visible from all angles. The sound of the splash can be heard throughout the space. The amphitheater stage is visible from every spot inside the park. The amphitheater is designed to function as a theater but not feel like a theater when it is empty. People use the amphitheater for picnics, small parties and sunning lawns. All the walls in the park are 18” high for seating during large events, but are spaced so patrons can bring chairs, blankets, cushions, or lounges to lie out and enjoy the space. The City Hall looks down on the space and the Police Department is across the street. Duluth has added bicycle and horse mounted police just for the Town Green. The space feels very safe because it is not bordered by traffic or roads. It is enveloped by structure, and it slopes to the center. Mothers are so comfortable that they let their children run free. Usages & Activities The Town Green has been in place for over a year and has had dramatic impact on the identity of the City and the attitude of its citizens. Since its completion, various large and small events have taken place in the space that has created lasting impressions on the citizens. • The annual Fall Festival now has a highly functional space to accommodate the over 40,000 visitors that attend the three day event. The space helps accommodate over 100 tents and food service set-ups. The amphitheater provides continuous entertainment for thousands of patrons spread out in the amphitheater. • The City has begun to stage concerts and events continuously in the amphitheater including the highlight event of a “Three Dog Night” concert that drew over 10,000 people onto the Green. • Citizens have chosen the Green to hold weddings, family reunions, and birthday parties. • The interactive fountain has become a greater attraction to adolescent youth than the swimming pool. • Local families meet at the Green with a local photographer to make their Christmas card pictures. • The senior class of Duluth High School chose the park for their prom picture set-up. The school also organized their graduation to take place in the park. • A “dinner theater” on the Green is planned to open next year. • The local “Aurora Theater” performs an annual play for the community. • The High School has moved its Annual “Peach Farm Jazz Festival” from the football field to the Town Green. • High school and middle school children hang out at the green after school. • Orchestra students practice under the gazebo as they wait for lessons at Huffman’s Violin Shop. • An annual Christmas Tree Lighting, Easter Egg Hunt and July 4th fireworks event have been established on the Green. • The city set up an ice skating rink and Winter Wonderland

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Home / Browse / Huntsville (Madison County) Huntsville (Madison County) Latitude and Longitude: 36º05'10"N 093º44'28"W 3 square miles (2000 Census) 2,346 (2010 Census) Incorporated: Historical population as per the U.S. Census: Huntsville is the seat of Madison County, a rural county in the Arkansas Ozarks. Pre-European Exploration The area which is now Huntsville has been inhabited at least 10,000 years. Early inhabitants lived in the White River lowlands, farming there and building some mound centers; the upland shelters served as storage areas, burial sites, and temporary camps. Artifacts of the Mississippian culture have been found at the Huntsville Mounds, an archaeological site near the town. By the historic period, all of what is now Madison County was part of the Osage hunting grounds. Treaties in 1808 and 1825 ceded Osage interest in these lands to the United States. The signature of Hurachais, the War Eagle,appears on the 1825 treaty; he is commonly thought to have been the Osage leader in the Huntsville area, and a local creek and township are named after him. Louisiana Purchase through Early StatehoodExplorers from Alabama came to what is now Huntsville in 1827. It was named after their hometown, though most local settlers were from Tennessee. Madison County was established in 1836, and it was clear that Huntsville would be the county seat. The first courthouse was built there in 1837, in the central town square. The town was also surveyed in that year by county surveyor Thomas McCuistion (who also served as a schoolmaster at one of the county’s earliest schools just outside Huntsville). John Buchanan, the only postmaster in the region, moved his post office to the town at that time, along with his home. He attempted to change the name of the town to Sevierville, in recognition of Ambrose Sevier, but was not successful. The post office was officially named Huntsville on January 17, 1840. The Trail of Tears passed through Huntsville, with Native Americans heading from Alabama to Oklahoma in the course of what was then known as Indian Removal. By the early 1840s, Huntsville had two stores, a blacksmith, and a hotel, and growth continued until the outbreak of the Civil War, at which time there were numerous stores, saloons, blacksmiths, saddlers, mills, stables, lawyers, and a newspaper. Isaac Murphy, later to be the eighth governor of Arkansas, settled in Huntsville in 1854. A girls’ school was opened just south of Huntsville in 1857. Methodist and Presbyterian churches found homes in Huntsville. The town was a center for business and entertainment for the agricultural communities surrounding it, and a convenient stopping point for travelers. Civil War through ReconstructionNo battles took place in Huntsville, but the Civil War had a profound effect on the town. Several battalions were mustered in Huntsville, and soldiers from both armies were garrisoned there as they passed through. Since the sympathies of the people of Madison County were divided and the area was not under control of either army, guerillas were very active in the region. Many lives were lost, and the town’s economy was essentially destroyed. One incident, known as “the Huntsville Massacre,” took place in the town on January 10, 1863. The Union army under General Francis J. Herron executed nine prisoners of war. A letter from Colonel C. W. Marsh referred to this as “murder” and “a great outrage.” Most of these men were buried in Huntsville. The first courthouse, and much of the rest of the town, burned down during the Civil War. Most businesses were closed, the newspaper shut down, and normal life was suspended. Following the war, the remaining residents began to rebuild their lives and businesses. Former slaves remained in the area, with the African-American population growing until the twentieth century. The first public school district in Madison County was the Huntsville district, established in 1868. A number of newspapers began publication during this period, though none lasted long. In many ways, life in Huntsville after the Civil War was a matter of rebuilding to the point at which they had been before the war. The timber industry became central to the local economy, but otherwise, subsistence farming of the pioneer variety was the rule. Huntsville continued to be the major town and the business center of the area. Early Twentieth CenturyAt the beginning of the twentieth century, the railroad took a route through St. Paul, in the southern part of Madison County, rather than through Huntsville. St. Paul was a boom town and, at one point, outgrew Huntsville and petitioned to become the county seat. Huntsville was able to maintain its position by virtue of its history and more central geographic location. The 1920s were a time of prosperity for Huntsville. A high school (the State Vocational School) was built, electricity became available, and automobiles began to be seen around town. Timber was still a profitable industry, and tomatoes and fruit were important cash crops. Bootlegging was also profitable, and Huntsville developed a reputation for wild living. The town was legally incorporated on July 16, 1925. The Great Depression hit all of Madison County hard, though. The practices common in the timber industry had led to erosion, and the hilly soil was not suited to row crops such as corn or wheat. Even the small cash crops and subsistence crops that farmers had relied upon failed or became unprofitable. Madison County had cases of rabies, diphtheria, and malaria, as well as malnutrition. The population of the county declined, the railroads were dismantled, and the timber industry collapsed. Without the support of surrounding agriculture, Huntsville had no customers for its businesses. New Deal work projects built roads and electric lines. The current four-story courthouse was dedicated on November 30, 1939. In 1993, the Art Deco structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places. But there was essentially no industry to support the population. World War II through the Faubus EraWorld War II took able-bodied men from Huntsville and extended the hard times of the Depression. However, as demand for chickens to supplement military rations increased the need for poultry, this variety of farming began to offer hope for local agriculture. Northwest Arkansas entrepreneurs such as the Tyson and George families developed efficient methods and made forays into marketing, increasing consumer demand for poultry. Poultry and then cattle farming became the mainstays of the area’s economy. The thirty-seventh governor of Arkansas, Orval E. Faubus, lived in Huntsville, where his famous 12,000-square-foot house was built in the late 1960s by renowned architect E. Fay Jones. It is east of town on Governor’s Hill. Faubus holds the distinction of continuously serving longer than any other Arkansas governor. He is buried in Madison County in the Combs Cemetery. Modern EraHuntsville continues to be largely agricultural. The main industry in town is the Butterball Turkey Plant. Labarge Electronics is another important employer. Construction is a significant source of employment, as a natural result of the high level of growth in the county. Otherwise, Huntsville continues to provide goods and services for the surrounding agricultural communities. School consolidations established Huntsville as the center of education in Madison County. New roads have made Huntsville more accessible. Immigrants from Mexico have brought the beginnings of new ethnic diversity to Huntsville, yet Huntsville remains a classic Ozark town. For additional information: Hatfield, Kevin. A Chronological History of Huntsville, Arkansas: In Celebration of the 175th Anniversary of the Founding of the City. Huntsville, AR: Madison County Genealogical and Historical Society, 2013. History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford, Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889. Sisk, Gloria J. Madison County: Remembrances of the Past. N.p.: 1986. Whittemore, Carol. Fading Memories: A History of the Lives and Times of Madison County People. 3 vols. Huntsville, AR: Madison County Record, 1989, 1992, 2000. Rebecca HadenFayetteville, Arkansas Joy RussellWitter, Arkansas Madison County Map Madison County Courthouse Visionaries by Michael Warrick Broken Promises by Greer Ferris Ronnie Hawkins “Forty Days,” Performed by Ronnie Hawkins Rodger's Crossing, Skirmish at

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Haunted House Forum - Learn How to Build The Best Haunted Houses in America at www.Hauntworld.com > Haunted House Industry > Fright Forum Professional Haunted Houses > So......... does anyone have a couple hundred million just lying around? View Full Version : So......... does anyone have a couple hundred million just lying around? undertaker07-04-2007, 05:04 PMhttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20070702/ap_tr_ge/travel_brief_dracula_s_castle BUCHAREST, Romania - A Habsburg heir is hoping someone will take a bite of his offer Monday to sell "Dracula's Castle" in Transylvania. The medieval Bran Castle, perched on a cliff near Brasov in mountainous central Romania, is a top tourist attraction because of its ties to Prince Vlad the Impaler, the warlord whose cruelty inspired Bram Stoker's 1897 novel, "Dracula." Legend has it that the ruthless Vlad � who earned his nickname because of the way he tortured his enemies � spent one night in the 1400s at the castle. The Habsburgs formally put the Bran Castle on the market Monday, a U.S.-based investment company said. No selling price was announced. Bran Castle was built in the 14th century to serve as a fortress to protect against the invading Ottoman Turks. The royal family moved into the castle in the 1920s, living there until the communist regime confiscated it from Princess Ileana in 1948. After being restored in the late 1980s and following the end of communist rule in Romania, it gained popularity as a tourist attraction known as "Dracula's Castle." In May 2006, the castle was returned to Princess Ileana's son, New York architect Archduke Dominic Habsburg. He pledged to keep it open as a museum until 2009. Habsburg, 69, offered to sell the castle last year to local authorities for $80 million, but the offer was rejected. On Monday, he put the castle up for sale "to the right purchaser under the right circumstances," said Michael Gardner, chief executive of Baytree Capital, the company representing Habsburg. "The Habsburgs are not in the business of managing a museum." He predicted the castle would sell for more than $135 million but added that Habsburg will only sell it to a buyer "who will treat the property and its history with appropriate respect." Habsburg said in a statement: "Aside from the castle's connection to one of the most famous novels ever written, Bran Castle is steeped in critical events of European history dating from the 14th century to the present." According to a contract signed when the castle was returned, the government pays rent to Habsburg to run the castle as a museum for three years, charging admission. After 2009, Habsburg will have full control of the castle, Gardner said. The government has priority as a buyer if it can match the best offer for the castle, he said. Opposition lawmakers have claimed the government's decision to return the castle to Habsburg was illegal because of procedural errors. In recent years, the castle � complete with occasional glimpses of bats flying around its ramparts at twilight � has attracted filmmakers looking for a dramatic backdrop for films about Dracula and other horror movies. Some 450,000 people visit the castle every year, Gardner said.

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%%form%% Book online and save up to 40% SeaFrance operations to resume Beleaguered ferry operator SeaFrance has been told that it will be allowed to continue operating until the end of January next year, even though it is bankrupt. The European Commission has told the French government that its bail out offer of 200 million euros is not legal. The Tribunal de Commerce has also rejected a takeover bid by rival operators DFDS. The firm has offered £5 million. The CFDT union has also placed an offer for the company, but has been refused. The court said that it would be looking into any offers which are made before 12 December. If a solution is not found, then SeaFrance will cease to trade on 29 January 2012. Currently, there are four SeaFrance ferries operating between Dover and Calais. Around 1,650 people are employed by the company which transports some 3.5 million people between the continent and the UK every year. A spokeswoman said that SeaFrance was happy with the decision made by the Tribunal de Commerce, as it meant the company could continue transporting passengers until at least 28 January. She said that this would also give the firm some time to work out the best solution to its problem. On its website, the firm said that it was sorry for any inconvenience caused by the recent cancellation of services. Ferries will set sail again after necessary safety checks have been made. DFDS has said that it accepts the decision made by the courts and will consider how best to move forward. Tags: CFDT, DFDS, European Commission, ferries, SeaFrance Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off Flybe passengers watch aircraft wheel fall off A Flybe passenger plane had to return to Exeter Airport after taking off en route to Newcastle, after one of its wheels fell off, according to a report. The incident happened as the landing gear was retracting after take off, and was apparently witnessed by a number of passengers on board. According to the Air Accidents Investigation Board, the passengers did not immediately alert Flybe air crew. Following a radio message from Air Traffic Control, the pilot asked a stewardess to go to the back of the plane and check the situation. It was then that the passengers admitted what they had seen. The pilot then issued a mayday, and returned to Exeter. He held the Bombardier Q400 over the airport as passengers were re-seated to better distribute their weight prior to landing. The decision was made to employ a landing technique known as ‘left wing down’ which involves using the emergency brake and right rudder to ensure that the pressure is taken off the affected right side landing gear. Although there was some veering to the left on landing, the technique proved su

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Delegates to the Ad Hoc Working Group (AHWG) on Consumption and Production Patterns and Tourism met during morning and afternoon sessions to discuss and give specific comments on the Co-Chairs' summary of monday's discussion and text outlining elements for a draft CSD decision on consumption and production patterns. ELEMENTS FOR A CSD DRAFT DECISION Co-Chair Hanif (Pakistan) stated that the discussion on the text outlining proposed elements for a CSD draft decision should enrich and guide the document and bring it into harmony with the thinking of the delegates. Delegates' general comments included the EU's indication of agreement with the document's main thrust of integrating consumption and production patterns as overriding issues.He also commented on the different sections, including on the need to achieve sustainable consumption by all countries, the role of the affluent consumer and awareness raising. He emphasized the importance of the impact of urbanization and suggested that the CSD seek close cooperation with the Habitat Agenda on these issues. SAUDI ARABIA expressed reservations regarding text on targets, indicators and standards,which he said were cited incompletely or out of context from UNGASS documents. He indicated these omissions should be corrected. CANADA suggested shortening the text to provide a better basis for an action-oriented decision. She said some elements needed to be included, such as shared responsibilities within societies, public awareness and the role of information to enable consumers to make informed decisions. She also proposed expanding text on consideration of how consumption and production patterns in developed countries influence developing countries. The RUSSIAN FEDERATION welcomed inclusion of references to education, information sharing, awareness raising, youth and economies in transition. The US noted the desire of delegations to overcome time consuming negotiations to produce results that have little meaning beyond the United Nations. He said the Co- Chairs' paper did not appear to be consistent with the concise approach anticipated by delegations, with too many priorities identified for future work. He said the AHWG would have to shrink the document to reach the kind of outcome anticipated by CSD Chair Upton (New Zealand). He supported Canada's proposal to reformulate the paper. JAPAN, SWITZERLAND, NEW ZEALAND and AUSTRALIA also called for a short, concise and action-oriented text. Delegates then offered amendments section-by-section. INTRODUCTION: Guyana, on behalf of the G-77/CHINA, proposed changing the calls for cooperation in the spirit of UNCED and reiteration of the conclusions of UNGASS to note that changing consumption and production patterns should: be with respect to Agenda 21 and paragraph 28 of UNGASS; be in the context of sustained economic growth and sustainable development; and take into account the situation of developing countries adversely affected by the process. The PHILIPPINES said all G-77/CHINA countries may not agree with the proposal. BRAZIL and INDIA associated their positions with the G-77/CHINA and stressed the importance of this section in establishing the agreement's context. BRAZIL highlighted Agenda 21 and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities in this context. CANADA proposed incorporating the notion of shared responsibility. NEW ZEALAND suggested combining the G-77/CHINA proposal with references to Agenda 21, other international agreements, and the Canadian proposal. The US agreed and added the UNGASS agreement and the goal of eradicating poverty. SWITZERLAND said the avoidance of "costs" of environmental damage and social inequity should be broadened to include tackling the environmental damage and social inequality. AUSTRALIA suggested that developing countries' priority to "increase consumption" should read "increase living standards." PRIORITIES FOR FUTURE WORK: The US suggested that the Commission address consumption and production patterns in the context of each sectoral issue considered at future CSD sessions. EFFECTIVE POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION: The G-77/CHINA proposed deleting references to involvement by "all levels" of government and suggested adding references to the transfer of "appropriate" technologies to "developing countries." The UKRAINE suggested including "economies in transition" as beneficiaries of technology transfer and the provision of financial resources. The G-77/CHINA, the EU and other delegations suggested deleting paragraphs on: the implementation of non-discriminatory environmental taxes on luxury and disposable goods that have negative environmental impacts; the internalization of environmental and social costs into market prices and the phasing out of subsidies with negative social or environmental effects. SWITZERLAND proposed including references to labels and labeling and ecological tax reform. The US suggested using agreed UNGASS text on transfer of technology and provision of financial resources. He also stressed the importance of public awareness, participation and education, and suggested including means for effective policy, such as economic instruments. CANADA proposed gathering references to technology transfer, information, public awareness, education, involvement of women and youth, informed decisions by consumers, economic instruments and improvement of environmental management in this section. MEXICO and NEW ZEALAND proposed amalgamating paragraphs on governmental involvement and cooperation with international organizations, businesses, NGOs, youth organizations and other stakeholders. The PHILIPPINES suggested including reference to avoiding potentially negative effects on developing countries' access to markets. NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND CLEANER PRODUCTION: The G- 77/CHINA sought deletion of references to "cleaner production," "eco-efficiency," "codes of conduct" and "target setting." The US and AUSTRALIA supported an emphasis on the key themes of eco- efficiency, best practices, lifecycle management, cleaner production and transfer of environmentally sound technologies (ESTs). The RUSSIAN FEDERATION and UKRAINE added references to economies in transition in the context of the transfer of ESTs and capacity building. CANADA sought an introductory sentence on the importance of greater efficiency in consumption and production for increasing the quality of life. NORWAY cautioned against deleting too much and suggested using bullet points to highlight key themes including cleaner production, lifecycle management, reporting, demand side management and eco- efficiency. NEW ZEALAND also called for a shorter text. In a paragraph on the dissemination of best practices in cleaner production and environmental management, the G-77/CHINA suggested deleting the qualifier "where appropriate" before a reference to the transfer of practices in developing countries and added "required technologies and know how." The EU sought specific references to the role of business and industry in facilitating transfers. AUSTRALIA suggested deleting a paragraph calling for studies of cleaner production, eco-efficiency and demand-side management because such work is already being undertaken by UN agencies. The G-77/CHINA proposed deleting eco-efficiency and codes of conduct. TURKEY suggested amending a reference to sharing experience to include evaluation of the impact of environmental management on the competitiveness of developing countries, in particular their SMEs. CHILE said a reference to the lifecycle of products should not go beyond references in the UN Guidelines on Consumer Protection. In a paragraph calling on governments to engage industry in the debate on sustainable consumption and production, the EU added the theme of "integrated product policies" and a reference to government responsibility for eco-labeling. GLOBALIZATION AND ITS IMPACTS ON CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION PATTERNS: The G-77/CHINA suggested that the proposed studies examine the ways and means to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns. The EU suggested that the scope be widened to include environmental issues. A further proposal that studies on the impact of globalization should include developed countries was supported by the RUSSIAN FEDERATION. AUSTRALIA proposed that assessments of transfer of consumption patterns refer to unsustainable consumption patterns. The US proposed that studies undertaken on impacts of globalization cover both the positive and negative aspects and suggested deletion of references to assessments on the transfer of consumption patterns from industrialized countries to developing countries. He proposed that the document refer to Governments alone and not to international organizations so as to increase efforts to make policies on trade and sustainable production and consumption mutually supportive. SWITZERLAND suggested calling for studies on the role of the financial sector and of investments on environment issues and improved coherence between multilateral trade standards and multilateral agreements. NEW ZEALAND suggested that references to trade and sustainable consumption include a reference to non- creation of artificial trade barriers. CHINA expressed strong reservation on references to universal environmental standards, stating that the issue is best addressed in trade fora. URBANIZATION AND ITS IMPACTS ON CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION PATTERNS: The G-77/CHINA said local authorities are subsumed in references to government, and proposed deleting all references to local authorities. To text calling for "developed country expertise and financial resources," she suggested deleting "developed country expertise." She also said "in-depth studies" should be conducted at the national level. The US proposed retaining "developing country expertise" and replacing "financial resources" with developed country "experience." The EU suggested adding references to the Habitat Agenda and the UN Centre on Human Settlements. The EU, supported by AUSTRALIA, proposed expanding the reference to waste collection systems and disposal facilities to reference the "prevention, minimization and recycling of wastes." The UKRAINE added "energy" to a list of environmental and social impacts of urbanization. The US said the text on "Earth Summit+10" should refer to the comprehensive review to be conducted by CSD-10. He also suggested adding text on consumer information and education. CO-CHAIRS' SUMMARY OF MONDAY'S DISCUSSION ON CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION The Co-Chairs' Summary contains six sections entitled: introduction, general considerations, natural resource management and cleaner production, the impact of globalization on consumption and production patterns, urbanization, and consumer information and education and social values. The EU said the text was factually correct and reflected the AHWG's discussion. The US proposed adding qualifying language to indicate that the text was not consensus language. BRAZIL also cautioned that the draft gave the impression that the text was based on a consensus. The G-77/CHINA proposed giving more attention to the national activities that delegates discussed and said the text failed to indicate that developed countries should take the lead on the issue. AUSTRALIA sought to clarify that a number of references to consumption standards should refer, instead and inter alia, to living standards, income and quality of life. JAPAN recalled its proposal for "social systems" approaches to bringing about sustainable consumption and production. IN THE CORRIDORS Budgetary implications (in both New York and Washington) will compete with a desire to put the "Earth Summits" back on the global media agenda in an emerging discussion on the possibility of holding CSD/Earth Summit+10 outside New York. India, one potential host country, is actively considering a suggestion that Earth Summit+10 go to New Delhi. Bangkok and Manila are also said to be possible venues. One observer suggested that a final decision is unlikely this side of a presidential election in the United States. THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY DISCUSSION OF DRAFT DOCUMENTS: The AHWG is expected to convene in Conference Room 4 at 3:00 pm to discuss the Co-Chairs' summary and elements for a draft CSD decision on tourism and sustainable development. SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION INTO THE 21ST CENTURY: This Down to Earth side-event will present perspectives on core issues for sustainable consumption and production and implementation by stakeholders. It will meet at 1:30 pm in Conference Room D. This issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin � (enb@iisd.org) is written and edited by Paola Bettelli (pbettelli@hotmail.com), Peter Doran (pfdoran@ecology.u-net.com), Rajyashri Waghray (rsw24@columbia.edu) and Lynn Wagner, Ph.D. (lynn@iisd.org). The Editor is Pamela Chasek, Ph.D. (pam@iisd.org) and the Managing Editor is Langston James "Kimo" Goree (kimo@iisd.org). The Sustaining Donors of the Bulletin are The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of Canada (through CIDA), the United States (through USAID) and the Swiss Agency for Environment, Forests and Landscape. General Support for the Bulletin during 1999 is provided by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), the German Federal Ministry of Environment (BMU) and the German Federal Ministry of Development Cooperation (BMZ), the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Community (DG-XI), the Ministries of Environment and Foreign Affairs of Austria, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Environment of Norway, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Environment of Finland, the Government of Sweden, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Ministry for the Environment in Iceland. The Bulletin can be contacted by e-mail at (enb@iisd.org) and at tel: +1-212-644-0204; fax: +1-212-644-0206. IISD can be contacted by e-mail at (info@iisd.ca) and at 161 Portage Avenue East, 6th Floor, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0Y4, Canada. The opinions expressed in the Earth Negotiations Bulletin are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IISD and other funders. Excerpts from the Earth Negotiations Bulletin may be used in non-commercial publications only and only with appropriate academic citation. For permission to use this material in commercial publications, contact the Managing Editor. Electronic versions of the Bulletin are sent to e-mail distribution lists and can be found on the Linkages WWW server at http://www.iisd.ca/. The satellite image was taken above New York City(c)1999 The Living Earth, Inc. http://livingearth.com. For information on the Earth Negotiations Bulletin, send e-mail to (enb@iisd.org). This page was uploaded on 01/18/0224/02/9918 Jan 2002 17:04:32 -0600

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Red Rock really does rock. Hike. Helicopter. Or high-performance vehicle. It doesn't matter how you get there, just get there. Red Rock Canyon is one of the Valley's most popular destinations. And despite its exotic good looks (as seen in movies and on numerous TV commercials), Red Rock is about 30 minutes from the Strip. more...Officially known as Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, this 520-acre spread is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and protected as a National Conservation Area. It's visited by more than a million travelers each yearSeemingly more a mountain range than a canyon, the area is dominated by spectacular layered walls of colorful hard rock and sandstone. Up to 3,000 feet high, it's a popular hiking and rock-climbing destination. But its jaw-dropping beauty and fiery red highlights surely make the range one of the most photographed attractions in the Southwest.A 13-mile loop road provides vehicle access to trailheads and viewing spots. And a visitor center is located at the start of the loop road. Most Red Rock tours take you around the scenic loop, with frequent stops for photographs. You'll see red and tan sandstone, colorful carbonate rock and, if you're a bit more adventurous, Indian pictographs, too. Nearby Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, once owned by legendary billionaire and Las Vegas resident Howard Hughes, has stunning views of the marvelous Wilson Cliffs. Green and cool, this working ranch is the perfect spot for a picnic lunch. Red Rock Las Vegas tours typically provide transportation right from your hotel, making it the perfect half-day getaway. Keyword

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Home / Articles / Santa Fe Guides / Winter Guide / The Christmas City The Christmas City We wish Disneyland were more like Madrid, NM It’s December, 1935. The pilot of a Trans World Airlines flight has arranged that the plane pass over the American Southwest only once the sun has completely set. The passengers look out the window and wait and, soon enough, it appears: a beacon of light. There is one town, nestled amongst the hills in northern New Mexico, whose Christmas light display dwarfs that of any location in the United States—perhaps the world. But just as soon as it appears, it’s gone from view; the thrill is short-lived, but worth it, as far as the crew is concerned. The town was Madrid, NM, and its Christmas light displays were known all over the world during the first few decades of the 20th century. Even Walt Disney is fabled to have been enamored of Madrid, thrilled by its devotion to luminescent displays around the holidays; he spent time in northern New Mexico while filming The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca in Cerrillos in the ’50s. Some say he even considered purchasing Madrid to create “Christmas Town”—think Disneyland, only with a seasonal bent. It also is widely believed Disney took great inspiration from Madrid’s displays when he envisioned Disneyland. Specifically, Madrid’s ballpark each year would be transformed into “Toy Land,” a field full of animated wooden cutouts and 3-D displays of everything from Jack and the Beanstalk to Humpty Dumpty. The story goes that Disney loved the idea of larger-than-life representations of fairy tale creatures, and used it ad nauseam to create Disneyland, which opened in 1955. Madrid, as a booming coal town, had its own electric power plant to run the mining equipment. It contained the first lighted ballpark West of the Mississippi (and its team, the Madrid Miners, was a feeder team for the Brooklyn Dodgers), and was one of the first towns in the country with lighted electric streetlights. This ample flow of electricity translated to ample opportunity to decorate once the holidays came around. So the tradition was started: Each year, Madrid went all-out for the holidays, and gained the attention of locals, tourists and celebrities alike. Records indicate that the annual decorations and power costs ran up to $3,000 (the expense was paid by the miners’ Employees Club dues, which were 75 cents per month). More than 100,000 electric bulbs were used to light Madrid’s public streets each year—and an identical number of tourists came through Madrid each year to witness the spectacle. In the ’30s, the Christmas decorations were fabricated and assembled by “volunteer” hours—mandatory volunteer labor from the miners. The celebrations were commandeered by Superintendent Oscar Huber—described in most historical accounts as a sort of benevolent dictator—who hoped the annual Christmas displays would help unify the town as a community. Madrid survived its decades as a ghost town and experienced a renaissance in the ’70s and ’80s. These days Madrid maintains a steady population (albeit closer to 200 than 3,000), and the town’s Christmas celebrations remain an important part of the year. But in the 21st century, Madrid’s Christmas celebration is considerably more relaxed. For 27 years running, the Madrid Merchants Association has organized the Christmas Open House. The season starts with the annual Christmas parade on the first Saturday in December. At 4 pm, the procession begins and, from the southernmost edge of town, a contingent of costumed adults, children, pets, livestock and vehicles starts its stately march north, toward the Old Boarding House Mercantile. The parade is followed by the first Christmas Open House of the year. Anyone aching for peace on earth and goodwill toward men would be well-advised to head to Madrid on a Saturday evening in December. Businesses and galleries stay open later and many have refreshments, welcoming bundled-up locals and tourists alike in from the (snowy?) streets. Saturdays usually feature carriage rides up and down Madrid’s main drag, and Santa always makes an appearance or two. Most shops feature special Christmas merchandise to help line the stockings of last-minute holiday shoppers. Some businesses have traditions around Christmas Open House season, and others make it up as they go along. Josh Novak, chef and owner at The Hollar restaurant, which celebrated its one-year anniversary on Nov. 4, is already busy dreaming up ideas for special holiday dishes and features at his elegant Southern restaurant (he supposes he’ll build a fire on the patio on Saturday nights, and the suggestion of mulled wine draws “mmmms” from his entire staff). Lisa Conley, who has owned Conley Studio Pottery for nearly a decade, has always participated in the annual Christmas light competition (and has at least one feather in her cap from a previous year’s win); this year, though there may not be an official competition. But old habits die hard, and many galleries will still go all-out. The possible absence of the Christmas light competition this year was a decision the Madrid merchants made together, according to Diana Johnson of the Johnsons of Madrid Galleries. It had started to become like Huber’s “mandatory volunteer” decorating plan, and the thought this year is that merchants and residents alike may go even wilder on their decorations if they don’t feel the pressure. But there’s no telling exactly what will happen this holiday season; one of the best aspects of Madrid is just how unpredictable the revelry can be—maybe at the last minute the Madrid Merchants Association will decide to award prizes after all. The only way to know for sure is to be there. Christmas Parade 4 pm Saturday, Dec. 5 Starting at Chumani Gallery (2839 Hwy. 14) and ending at the Old Boarding House Mercantile (2885 Hwy. 14) The Hollar 2849 Hwy. 14, Madrid Conley Studio Pottery Johnsons of Madrid Galleries

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“Hunting” For Lions In The Botswana BushSunday, March 8, 2009 Share On safari in the Botswana bush in search of the elusive lion. By Danielle Max Modern hunters may shoot with cameras and not guns, but the adrenalin rush when the “prey” comes into view remains, as I discovered when I went in search of the elusive lion in Botswana. While elephants thrive in great numbers, I learned that spotting the big cats takes perseverance, endurance and, more than anything else, a whole lot of luck. After nearly an hour of driving along rutted paths and seeing little more than a few birds and some wandering antelope — all of which I had nevertheless diligently ticked off in my safari guide: “Northern Botswana, Eastern Caprivi and Zambezi River” — Michael, my guide, finally saw what we’d been looking for. “Look, fresh lion tracks,” he said, leaning out of the side of our truck and pointing to the sandy road below. “Looks like they passed by here very recently.” This was the final drive of my trip and it was exactly what I had come to Botswana to see. I rushed to the opposite side of the vehicle to study the footprints in the sand. While I, a mere novice, could barely make out the faded prints, an expert like Michael could read them as clearly as if following signs on a highway. After much patient gesticulating and pointing, we began to drive slowly forward and I followed the tracks as they made their way down the road. Abruptly, Michael brought the vehicle to a sharp stop, the wheels sending up plumes of sand particles. “Can you see?” he asked excitedly, pointing to what appeared to me as a patch of earth indistinguishable from the other miles of earth surrounding it. “This is where the lion lay down.” To the untrained eye, there was a slight smudging in the tracks, but listening to Michael’s explanation made it easy to imagine where the lion, tired from its hunting, had spied a slight groove in the road and lay down, giving its weary feet some rest. I looked around, naively hoping the lion would be visible from the truck. Michael turned to me, shook his head and said with evident disappointment that the lion had skulked off into the bush and away from prying eyes — and in Africa, there is a lot of bush to choose from for a lion. Located in the northeastern corner of the southern African country of Botswana, Chobe National Game Park is the second largest game park or reserve in the country. The most common way to cover the 600 miles from the capital Gaborone — known as Gabs City to the locals — is by air, in and out of Kasane Airport, located directly next to the reserve. Botswana has been experiencing an upsurge in visitors in recent years, some of which as a result of the success of Alexander McCall Smith’s best-selling series of books set in Gaborone about the Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency (soon to be a series on HBO and BBC). While the lion may be the king of the jungle everywhere else, in Chobe the elephants call the shots. In contrast to lions, whose numbers are lamentably low — partly because of their culling by farmers eager to protect their livestock — elephants abound in great herds. With an estimated 120,000 of these gigantic quadrupeds stamping around the park, they’re hard to miss. When they are not feeding — which, as I learned, they do for up to 16 hours a day — elephants love to bathe. During the day, they run down to the Chobe River in droves to drink the water and to cool off when the African sun begins to throb in earnest. Once they’ve splashed around and drunk their fill, the elephants take a mud bath, which acts as both a sunblock as well as an insect repellent. Other species also roam in great numbers, one of which is the comical yet beautifully colored guinea fowl that spend almost all of their lives on the ground, awkwardly taking flight only when in imminent danger. Impala also wander in vast packs. These antelope display no fear of oncoming vehicles and they tend to run across the roads with abandon, which probably explains why so many game lodges list impala on their menus. Still looking for big cats, Michael and I continued to traverse the park as I crossed off giraffes and zebras in my field guide. Just when I began to give up hope of seeing any large cats, an excited call came over the radio. Much to my consternation, it was not a lion spotting but a sighting of the reserve’s only pack of wild dogs. Although wild dogs may not have the prestige of the big five, I learned that they are incredibly rare; Michael had not seen this particular pack of dogs for more than four months. Just as farmers have reduced the numbers of lions, they have also thinned out the wild dog population. They know all too well that unchecked, the canines will make their way beyond the borders of the national park in the hopes of an easy, and tasty, meal of their valuable cattle. When we first saw the dogs, they were little more than specks on the horizon. Whereas before we’d been alone — creating the illusion we had the bush to ourselves — our truck was now joined by half a dozen other packed vehicles that had gathered to watch this rare sight. The dogs came near enough for us to be able to count them, then they headed down to the distant river — though, curiously, not to get a drink. The pack was intently looking out over the water. Michael scoped the landscape and soon caught site of what was holding the dogs’ attention: a dead buffalo lay on the other side, its pungent scent drifting over the water, exciting the dogs. Once they realized the meat was inaccessible, the dominant male led the group up from the bluffs. The dogs, which looked very similar to German Shepherds, bounded up close to idling cars. Paying little attention to their audience, they crossed the road and went off in search of nearer and fresher prey than the long-dead buffalo. As the dogs moved off into the distance, Michael revved up the engine and we moved on again, still in search of lions. We headed down to the riverbed where we saw hundreds of zebra, but they were a ways off, practically on the far side of the river. Their distance from the road spoke to Michael’s tracking expertise and he immediately began reading the ground. Once again, he pointed to some lion tracks and explained that the predator was still somewhere in the vicinity. This, he said, explained why the zebra were so far away and why the impala, which were closer to us than the zebra, were standing stock-still while straining to assess the likely danger. Only a lone warthog carried on nonchalantly; eating away, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he could be dinner for a hungry cat. Following the fresh footprints, my increasingly excited game driver flagged down a car coming from the other direction and asked its occupants if they had seen anything interesting. “Only a herd of buffalo,” said the driver, leading to yet another wave of disappointment. Undeterred, Michael pursued the trail a few hundred feet up the road. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted something. He immediately threw the car into reverse and there it was: a large male lion sitting under a bush right by the side of the road. I held my breath, afraid of doing anything to cause him to run away. I instinctively reached for my camera. After a long morning of searching in vain, our mission was accomplished just as we were getting close to turning around. The lion poked his head up and took a long, hard look at us. Just as Michael began to creep the truck forward and into a better position, the lion decided it was not a day for pictures and he gracefully leapt to his feet, shook the dirt from his coat, and retreated into the dense scrub and out of our sight, all before I could get a single shot off. Our morning-long hunt was over in little more than a few moments. After searching for the lion for so many hours, getting so close yet barely seeing him for more than a few seconds seemed a little frustrating at the time. Still, I reasoned with myself, as Michael shifted the truck back into gear, at least I had been lucky enough to get a brief, privileged view of the king of cats on his natural throne. More than that, I had managed to cross off a certain, elusive box in my faithful field guide that morning, as well as to capture a few images in my mind that I’m certain to never forget for the rest of my life. Pingback: “Hunting” For Lions In The Botswana Bush | Expeditioner Safaris() Rivetting! Sign up for our newsletter

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Home » Your Visit » Stations » Bishops Lydeard Bishops Lydeard Postcode for Sat Nav: TA4 3RU Bishops Lydeard Station is the southern terminus of the West Somerset Railway. It is four miles from the County town of Taunton and the M5 Motorway (Junction 25). Please be aware that there is a maximum height barrier so access to the car park is for vehicles under 2.1 metres. Bishops Lydeard Station has a booking office and sells the full range of West Somerset Railway tickets. Please see the Fares Pages to find out more about fares from this station. The station has toilets, with facilities for disabled passengers and baby changing rooms. There is a large free car park and coach parking is available. The Gauge Museum on Platform 1 has many items of local rail interest and shows how the railway affected the people who worked on and used the line. The Museum also contains a working model railway open normally at weekends and Galas. Platform 1 is also home to the Taunton Model Railway Group whose layout, Bath Green Park, is intricately detailed and can be viewed when it is open on Gala days. On Platform 2 you will find the station shop and the Whistle-Stop Cafe, adjacent to the Signalbox, selling a comprehensive range of model railway equipment old and new, books and other souvenirs. The Whistle-Stop Cafe sells hot and cold snack items as well as a soft drinks and sweets. The village of Bishops Lydeard is situated at the foot of the Quantock Hills and is about five minutes walking from the station. The old village is a mixture of red sandstone and brick buildings which are all very charming to look at. Further up the road into the village is Mill Lane which, if followed, takes you to the village watermill which has been spendidly restored. Bishops Lydeard Mill welcomes visitors on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays from 30th May to 30th September (plus Bank Holiday Mondays) and Saturdays in August between 11.30am - 4pm. The mill is home to a working water wheel, the wheelwright�s shop and the blacksmith�s shop. Once back on the main road further into the village is the Bird in the Hand Pub offering food and drink, garden and a children�s play area. Alongside the pub is a small craft shop. The Village Church is the very impressive St. Mary the Virgin and the earliest part dates from the 14th Century. There are some beautiful wood carvings in the church and the village charter from 1291 can be viewed. As you make your way from the station towards the village you will find the Lethbridge Arms, an old established inn, which offers food and drink including real ales in a number of rooms. The large wall in the car park is of historical interest as having been built for the playing of Fives, a Somerset game which was once very popular but which has now died out. A Fives Wall in West Somerset is unusual as the most popular area for the game was the south of the county. Near the church is a fascinating relic of the tram system in Taunton, a post that supported the electric wires, now in use as a lamp standard. The trams were closed in the 1920�s and no one is really sure how it got there. Other local attractions include Cedar Falls Health Farm and the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. History of Bishops Lydeard Station The station, opened with the original Taunton to Watchet Line in 1862 and originally had only the main building, Goods shed and the Station Masters House (opposite the Shop on Platform 2 - it is now let out as a holiday home) until the Great Western Railway added the other platform and Signalbox in 1906. The station is home to the West Somerset Railway Association, the supporting charitable body of the Railway. Please visit the West Somerset Railway Association Web Site for further information.

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Reserva de la Biosfera El Pinacate - Crater El Elegante The Crater Elegante. From its summit can be seen clearly its 1600 m in diameter and more than 250 m depth: this is a huge gap, the largest of all the craters located in the area. To reach him, you have to travel 25 km of track rustic, from here on Cerro Tecolote is just 7 km, and Cerro Colorado, less than 10 km. Tags: nature; crater; elegante; pinacate; reserva; biosfera; puerto; peñasco; mexico; sonora; altar; desierto More About North America The World : North America North America includes Mexico, the United States, Canada, and Gotham City.The region temporarily existed as a Protectorate of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Norton I, with its capital being the city of San Francisco. Sadly, this term of benevolent ebullience lasted a brief two decades and ended c. 1880.The United States is now the dominant country of North America. It arose as a nation only 225 years ago after a successful rebellion against the British government under King George III. From a distance, it appears that the eastern coastlines of North and South America fit exactly into the west coast of Africa. In fact, about 250 million years ago these continents really were all connected in one land mass that we have named Pangaea.With such a foundation in tectonic unity, there is no doubt that someday soon the people on every continent of earth will realize their fundamental similarities. Expect massive leaps in creative output in your area!Text by Steve Smith.

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Known Sphinx Passages There are several holes and passages in the Great Sphinx at Giza. Some are of known origin but others are not. There is a hole on the back of the Sphinx, about 4 feet behind the head. It was made by Howard Vyse in the 1840s and has been dubbed Perring's Hole after his engineer. Seeking chambers, Vyse bored a hole 27 feet deep but the drill rod became stuck. He tried using gunpowder to remove the rod, but gave up so as not to do further damage to the Sphinx. The cavity Vyse created was cleared in 1978 by Zahi Hawass, and inside it he found a part of the Sphinx's headdress. Later, in the 1850s, August Mariette cleared out a shaft on the Sphinx's back, which he realized was nothing more than a widening in a natural fissure. (He also found the peculiar masonry "boxes" against the body of the monument). In 1923, Department of Antiquities director Lacau and engineer Emile Baraize began an 11 year excavation of the Sphinx area. In December 1925 a photograph was made by the team showing the area of the large masonry box on the south side of the Sphinx. Loose stones can be seen, stones cut for repairs, but in the side of the Sphinx body a large gaping entrance, or perhaps grotto is visible. It was covered up in the restoration. Further conservation included lining the largest fissure on the Sphinx's back (some 6 feet wide) with limestone blocks and covering the resulting shaft with an iron trap door. Baraize also paved with cement a deep hole on the top of the Sphinx's head. The hole measures approximately 5 feet square and nearly 6 feet deep. An iron trap door was fitted to the mouth of the hole. It has been theorized that the hole, began as a means for affixing a headdress to the sphinx in the manner of the New Kingdom (see photo below), was later deepened in search of hidden chambers. Tutankhamun's calcite sphinx, Luxor Museum. © Photo copyright Larry Orcutt In 1980, Zahi Hawass uncovered a passage beneath the casing stones leading under the Sphinx (see photo below). He was informed of the passage by two elderly workers who had worked with Baraize (the tunnel had not been documented and had nearly been forgotten). The passage is on the north side near the tail and has two parts at right angles to each other. One descends for 13 feet, terminating in a dead end. The upper part runs for about the same length and ends at a small niche (about 3 feet wide and 6 feet high). Items found among the limestone chips and sand included bits of charcoal, small ceramic particles and other pottery shards, an alabaster chip, a granite chip, part of a modern water jug, a piece of tin foil, another fragment of red granite, and two old but modern leather shoes. It is possible that the passage was made by Vyse, who had mentioned in his journal that he had bored "near the shoulder, and near the tail," without providing further details. Passage at rear of Sphinx (bottom left of center). There is an iron trap door fitted to the ground within the Sphinx's paws, between the Thutmose IV Stela and the chest of the Sphinx. This is not a passage but rather a somewhat rectangular pit that was covered with a cement roof and iron beam then sealed with a trap door by Baraize as a part of his restoration efforts in the 1920s. There is another shaft in the Sphinx enclosure but not connected with the Sphinx itself. The so-called Keystone Shaft is in the floor of the enclosure under the north ledge of the wall, just opposite the north hind paw. The passage measures about 4.5 feet by 3.5 feet and is just over 6 feet deep. A large piece of basalt, with one side finished smooth, was found inside the shaft. It is likely that the passage was meant to be a tomb but was never completed. Catchpenny Mysteries © copyright 2000 by Larry Orcutt.

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+90 444 4 336 Dedeman Home Dedeman Hotels Dedeman Bostancı Dedeman Cappadocia Park Dedeman Denizli Dedeman Erbil Dedeman Gaziantep Park Dedeman Gaziantep Park Dedeman Levent Dedeman Diyarbakır Dedeman Oskemen Tavros Dedeman Palandöken Dedeman Palandöken Ski Lodge Dedeman Istanbul Dedeman Konya Dedeman Rize Park Dedeman Izmailovo Moskow Dedeman Şanlıurfa Dedeman Zonguldak Hotel Hotel + Flight Email Address Reservation Number Dedeman İstanbul Dedeman Bostancı Hotel & Convention Center Park Dedeman Bostancı (soon) Dedeman Gaziantep Hotel &Convention Center Dedeman Konya Hotel & Convention Center ULUSLARARASI Park Dedeman İzmailovo Moscow Kazakhstan From Where Rooms / People 1 Room / 2 Adults / 0 Children Room 1 delete Adults Confirm Child Policy > Cancellation > Special Code IATA ID Group / Block Code Confirm Login Child 1 The Dedeman Ankara’s location on Akay Caddesi, one of the city’s major boulevards, places our guests at the center of the capital's political, commercial, academic and cultural life. The Ankara airport is just 31 kilometers (19 miles) away from the hotel, while the city's bus terminal is only 8 kilometers (5 miles) away. In addition to being a transportation, political and commercial hub, Ankara is a city rich in history and all major cultural and historic sites are only a few minutes' cab ride from the hotel. Ankara’s rich history dates back to the Bronze Age, when the first Hatti settlements were established here. In its more than 3,000-year history, Ankara, also known for a time as Angora, has been home to some of the world’s most important civilizations, including the Hittites, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. Interestingly, it was also a Celtic capital, home to one of the Galatian Celt’s most important tribes. Today’s modern-day Turkish capital is the product of the matchless vision of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, whose monumental tomb, the Anitkabir, is one of Ankara’s chief landmarks. His city is now the bustling capital of one of the world’s most exciting emerging markets, and the Dedeman Ankara's prime location makes it the perfect place not only to explore the city but also to do business and build ties in this rapidly growing economy. When it comes to entertainment, the Dedeman Ankara is itself a destination for locals who enjoy good food and music, while the hotel's immediate area is full of exciting dining and entertainment options. Simply put, whether you want to host a meeting, organize an international conference, do business at an international corporate headquarter or government ministry, or visit Roman baths and Ataturk's Mausoleum, there is no better place to stay than the Dedeman Ankara. Anitkabir (Ataturk’s Mausoleum) Anitkabir is the mausoleum of the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. An international competition was held by the Turkish government for the design. From among 48 entries from multiple countries, architects Professor Emin Onat and Assistant Professor Ahmet Orhan Arda’s proposal for a truly monumental structure was selected. The Anitkabir Ataturk Museum opened on June 2,1960, with Ataturk's personal effects, his wardrobe, and some of the gifts presented to him by heads of state on display. Ankara Citadel & Copper Bazaar The foundations of this citadel were likely laid by the Galatians, a Celtic tribe who ruled Ankara for several centuries during the pre-Classical era. Set on a prominent lava outcrop, the structure that exists today was built by the Romans. The citadel is the oldest structure in Ankara and contains many fine examples of antique architecture. Comprised of two sections, the outer castle has twenty towers and surrounds old Ankara. The inner castle boasts one interior and one exterior gate, and the height of the impressive interior walls varies from between 14 and 16 mt (45-52 feet). Museum of Anatolian Civilizations Located on the south side of the citadel is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which exhibits gold, silver, glass, marble, and bronze works that date back as far as the second half of the first millennium B.C.E. Its collection, particularly of Hittite and Assyrian artefacts, ranks among the finest in the world. Old Parliament Building The building where the First Assembly of the Parliament of the newly independent Turkish Republic was held, is today the location for the Grand National Assembly Museum. Featuring the original furnishings from the 1920s, as well as documents and photographs concerning the First Assembly, the museum was opened to the public at a ceremony held on April 23, 1961. Roman Baths Dating back to the third century C.E., Ankara’s Roman Baths have been well preserved and rank among the city’s most important archaeological sites. The heating system for the baths, as well as the dressing room (apoditerium), the hot room (caldarium), the warm room (tepidarium), and the cold room (frigidarium) are clearly visible. Beneath the baths are 7th century B.C.E. Phrygian remains. Temple of Augustus and Rome The temple, also known as the Monumentum Ancyranum, was first built between 25 B.C.E.– 20 B.C.E. by the Galatians. After the death of Augustus in 14 C.E., a copy of the text of Res Gestae Divi Augusti (The Deeds of the Divine Augustus) was inscribed on the interior of the pronaos in Latin, while a Greek translation is also presented on an exterior wall of the cellar. The temple, on the ancient Acropolis of Ancyra, one of the many ancient names of Ankara, was enlarged by the Romans in the 2nd and 5th centuries, it was later converted into a church by the Byzantines. Kocatepe Mosque One of the largest mosques in the world, the Kocatepe Mosque can accommodate up to 24,000 worshippers. Completed in 1987, this modern mosque is considered to be at the forefront of modern Islamic architecture, seamlessly combining traditional and contemporary design. Dedeman Hotels & Resorts Nearby <!-Weather in Istanbul, Turkey on your site - HTML code - weatherforecastmap.com --> <!-end of code--> Follow Us About Dedeman Loyal Club Partners Contact Us Securite site seal © 2014 Dedeman Hotels gricreative

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Home > Africa > Egypt > Sharm El Sheikh Holidays in Sharm El Sheikh Hotels in Sharm El Sheikh Flights to Sharm El Sheikh Sharm El Sheikh Links EET Sunrise: 05:38 Sunset: 17:21 Friday 09:00 Sharm El Sheikh: Forecasts Sharm El Sheikh: Live Weather Reports Live weather in Sharm El Sheikh The latest and today's weather in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt updated regularly | 07:06 EET +2h Local Time: 06:03 EET Length of Day: 10h 24m Dew Point: 16°C (61°F) 27°C (81°F) Sharm El Sheikh News Beat the winter blues � book up a January getaway now! The bizarre lengths us Brits go to for a cheaper holiday Once-in-a-lifetime holidays a thing of the past as holidaymakers return to dream destinations Jul 14, 2014 Latest Sharm El Sheikh Holiday Reviews I went January 2015, perfect weather 25 degrees no rain, you can sunbathe from 8 am to around 4.30pm. Warm in the evenin... Anonymous on 4th February 2015 Jaz Mirabell Beach Weather was around the mid 20s, very windy on one particular day, last day reached 30 degrees, lovely to get a tan in Ja... Ian Thomas on 4th July 2014 Perfect! I went to Sharm El-Sheikh in August and needless to say, I got a serious tan in just under 3 hours. Plenty of sun, sand ... Anonymous on 12th May 2014 always good weather I have visited Sharm in every month except December and January. The weather is always excellent - can get extremely ho... Christine Stewart on 27th October 2013 My holiday in Sharm El Sheik 11 out of 10 From middle May to middle June temperatures rose to 100 degrees (F) very dry but not oppressive like humid conditions.... Anonymous on 7th October 2013 Do not put your money in hotel reception safe weather was glorious.... Sandra Birrell on 3rd October 2013 More Sharm El Sheikh Reviews Weather Overview for Sharm El Sheikh Sharm El Sheikh sits on the southern tip of the Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba. It enjoys a hot and dry desert climate with just two seasons throughout the year – winter which typically lasts from November to February and summer which falls between March and October. During summer, average temperatures range between a mild 21°C and a scorching 33°C, whilst winter sees slightly cooler average temperatures ranging between a low of 18°C and a high of 23°C. However, the difference in temperature really is the only main difference in terms of weather between summer and winter in Sharm el Sheik – the average sea temperature, average daily sunshine hours and average rainfall stay very constant throughout the month. Sharm el Sheikh’s coastal location on the Red Sea means it’s milder than interior regions of Egypt, such as Cairo and Luxor. The moderating effects of the cool sea breeze and the northwest prevailing winds which come over from the Mediterranean help protect the resort from the real temperature extremes seen in the desert. The absence of rain in Sharm el Sheik can be attributed to the huge rain shadow caused by North Africa’s Atlas Mountains and the area’s flat topography which provides no obstacle to winds. While on land Sharm El Sheikh’s hot, arid climate has resulted in a never ending sandy desert, underwater the landscape is full of exotic life and colour. The Red Sea coral thrives in these constantly hot and nutrient rich waters and provides a home to many rare species of marine life, such as the masked butterflyfish, the Picasso triggerfish, the red sea flasher wrasse and the red sea anemonefish. Relaxing bohemian-style lounges by the Red Sea in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. Over the course of the summer season in Sharm el Sheikh, average temperatures start off at a mild 21°C in March and rapidly climb until they peak at 33°C in July and August. After these months, average temperatures begin to fall until they reach 27°C by October. This makes March the coolest summer month – with average highs of 25°C during the daytime and average lows of 16°C at night – and August the hottest summer month – with average highs of 37°C during the daytime and average lows of 28°C at night. The big difference between daytime and night time temperatures can be attributed to the high level of insolation – the opposite of insulation – which is caused by incredibly low humidity levels. The low humidity helps to make the intense Sharm el Sheikh heat slightly more bearable. So while it can be ridiculously hot, it’s not as uncomfortable as it is in the humid tropics. The cool sea breeze also provides some relief from the heat, but really it is too hot to be outside for long between 11am and 4pm during summer – the hottest time of the day. A good way to cool down at this time of year in Sharm el Sheikh is to take a dip in the sea. Average sea temperatures are at their coolest in March when they’re just 22°C, whilst they’re at their hottest in August, when they peak at 29°C. Sunbathing at the beach combined with quick dips in the sea, boat trips, scuba diving and snorkelling with an inch of sun tan lotion protecting your skin can all be enjoyed in comfort during the morning, late afternoon and early evening. Air-conditioning is an absolute must-have in your accommodation and when you’re outside, you should always carry plenty of water and sun tan lotion with you, as the risk of sunburn, sun stroke and dehydration is extremely high in summer in Sharm el Sheikh. In June, July and August – the sunniest months of the year – the sun shines for a staggering 13 hours each day. During March when the sun shines the least, there are still 11 hours of the stuff every day. Strangely, July is the cloudiest month of the year, when median cloud coverage ranges between 83% (mostly cloudy) at the start of the month and 28% (mostly clear) by the end of the month. Despite the high cloud coverage, the clouds you see in Sharm el Sheikh in summer are certainly not rain clouds. Between March and May, the resort is subject to a mere average of 1mm of rainfall each month which drops down to an average of 0mm of rainfall between July and September. October is the wettest summer month, however only 2mm of rainfall occurs at this time of year, which is so little that it’s barely noticeable. Between the end of the winter season and the beginning of the summer season, sandstorms are quite likely to occur in Sharm el Sheikh. When the sirocco – also called the khamsin – wind blows, temperatures soar and the sky becomes hazy, considerably reducing visibility. If the wind gathers enough speed it can whip up violent clouds of swirling sand that reduce visibility even further and bring everyday life to a standstill. In order for a khamsin to occur, winds need to blow over Sharm el Sheikh in an easterly direction from the north of Africa. When these winds cross over the Sahara Desert, they bring with them the high temperatures and air-borne sand which causes the loss of visibility. The sun setting over the beach Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. Winter in Sharm el Sheik is significantly cooler than summer, with average temperatures beginning at a warm 23°C in November, dropping down to a low of 18°C in January and creeping up to 19°C by February. This makes January is the coldest month of winter for Sharm el Sheikh – with average highs of 22°C during the daytime and average lows of 13°C at night – and November the warmest winter month – with average highs of 27°C during the daytime and average lows of 18°C during the night. Between mid-December and mid-February, nights can get very chilly in Sharm el Sheikh. However, these cold temperatures are nothing compared to the bitingly cold after-dark temperatures experienced further inland, when temperatures regularly reach freezing point. The sea temperature stays fairly constantly throughout the year in Sharm el Sheikh, which means that the winter season is a great time to do for a dip without worrying about overheating in the heat, like you would risk in summer. During winter, the sea is at its coolest in February, when temperatures drop down to 22°C. At the other end of the scale, the sea is at its warmest in October, when temperatures reach 26°C. Average sunshine hours drop slightly in the winter season – the sunniest month is November with ten daily hours of sunshine, whilst January and December are the least sunny months, with nine hours of sun each day. Contrary to what you might have thought, winter months in Sharm el Sheikh are generally less cloudy than the summer months. Winter median cloud coverage peaks at 52% (partly cloudy) in October and drops down to a low of 43% (mostly clear) by February. In spite of the relatively high cloud coverage, these clouds aren’t rain clouds. Even in the winter season, rainfall is extremely low. The wettest month of the year is December, when a mere 4mm falls over the course of one day. November sees an average of 3mm of rainfall, January 1mm and February 2mm. In terms of temperature, the best time to visit Sharm el Sheikh is in the transitional period between summer and winter – April, October and November. During these months, daytime temperatures are warm enough without being scorching, whilst night time temperature are cool enough to provide some respite from the heat without being too cold. These months are also best for travellers interested in scuba diving, when sea visibility is clearest. Tropical fish and exotic coral at Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

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INDEX Not a member? Sign up now! Email Password TRAVEL New airline partnership opens up the Japan market Saturday 17 December 2011, 12:35AM By Tourism New Zealand Tourism New Zealand today welcomed the news of Air New Zealand's new partnership in Japan with ANA (All Nippon Airways). The partnership makes New Zealand the first Australasian and South Pacific destination on the ANA network. It will provide travellers on both airlines with improved access to destinations in Japan and New Zealand. Tourism New Zealand's General Manager Asia Markets, Mark Frood says the announcement is an exciting development for New Zealand tourism that provides fresh, long term energy for the Japan market. "ANA is part of the Star Alliance and has an extensive domestic network in Japan. This partnership will introduce key Star Alliance connections that to date, have been missing and will enable convenient one-stop access to New Zealand from up to 48 cities across Japan," he says. The partnership will also open up Japan as a corridor for European and other Asian markets travelling to New Zealander as well as those Kiwis travelling north. As a result of the partnership, Air New Zealand will move its Narita airport base to Terminal 1 South, placing it alongside other Star Alliance carriers. The move gives customers the convenience of smooth transit to connecting flights operated by ANA and other Star Alliance partners. Air New Zealand has also secured its NZ code on up to five domestic Japan routes, a first for a New Zealand airline. Mark says; "ANA is now looking at how it can promote New Zealand as a leisure destination within the Japanese market. "As one of Asia's largest airlines, this is really positive news for New Zealand but also for travellers. The Star Alliance network enables greater reach and effectiveness of marketing campaigns and more convenient, seamless booking and travel to New Zealand for travellers out of Japan. The pending code share arrangement is subject to government approval but is due to commence in March 2012, in time for the northern summer season. For more information about the Japan market see the Market and Stats pages.

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Opinion Editorials Letters Columnists An Irishman's Diary Opinion & Analysis Martyn Turner By using this website, you consent to our use of cookies. For more information on cookies see our Cookie Policy. Tourism will suffer without real support for heritage MICHAEL STARRETT Fri, Jan 4, 2013, 00:00 First published: Fri, Jan 4, 2013, 00:00 OPINION:With the Gathering already underway, funding cuts mean an end to heritage grants to local communities For the first time since 1997 the Heritage Council will not be in a position to provide specific grant support to local communities to look after their heritage across Ireland in 2013. This is happening at a time when there is a national focus on tourism, and the Gathering is imminent. And yet the very core of the tourism “product”, our natural and cultural heritage, is being starved of vital support funds both nationally and locally. Without steady investment that “product” is degrading before our eyes. Last year, despite severe cutbacks of 60 per cent of budget, the council managed to invest €1.4 million in more than 270 projects across the State. Local communities, individuals and small enterprises all benefited. Sadly, the council’s recently allocated budget for the year ahead – of just under €4.5 million, down from €6.4 million last year – means that this will not be possible in 2013. Through Heritage Week and Ireland Reaching Out, the council will, of course, be doing its utmost to ensure the success of the Gathering, but there is no denying the threat posed to any lasting legacy by the massive cut in grant aid to local community projects all over the country. While the amount of money provided to each project is relatively small, this funding is vital. Often it is basic maintenance grants supporting the quality of our landscapes, museums, or our towns and villages; elements of our heritage that make the tourist experience unique and, at the same time, improve the quality of life for all of us. In addition to 70 per cent cuts in the Heritage Council’s budget since 2008, there have been severe cuts to the budgets of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the National Monuments Service, the Office of Public Works and the wider Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht allocation for heritage. Ironically, this has happened over a period in which there has been a real and positive shift in people’s attitudes and concern about safeguarding and protecting our heritage, much of this shift fuelled by a realisation of the damage done by the madness of the Celtic Tiger and its legacy of ghost estates, construction on flood plains and so on. For a sector that touches just about everyone, it has to be asked why the heritage sector has taken disproportionate budgetary cuts and why so little has been said about it to date. Poster child There appear to be a number of reasons. Although the most visible aspects of our heritage act as the poster child of our tourism industry, there is fragmentation of action between Government departments that deal with our heritage. So while, relatively speaking, vast sums are provided to promote and market our heritage and culture from a tourism point of view, there is little recognition of the need at the same time for specific and complementary investment in the care and conservation of heritage locally. The specific heritage support programmes run until this year have shown that it is the smaller annual grants that are often the most critical for the protection of heritage, for engaging communities, and driving positive attitudinal change for the longer term. This is where the Heritage Council has played a critical role over the past decade, by engaging with and enabling communities to take on much of the responsibility for the oversight of work, and allocating funding to research, education and conservation works – often over a number of years – to see a project come to fruition. Slow, but sure and sustainable. This approach also highlights an unseen but important aspect of the sector; namely, that so much of the work is undertaken in a voluntary capacity, albeit often with professional support. The heritage sector that the council has sought to foster is bigger than the individual professions that contribute to it and depends on the mostly voluntary labour of the guardians of local heritage who know and love the places where they live and work, and often want to give something back to their communities. As a voluntary sector can it compete with the professional lobbying and media savvy of other sectors in society? Evidently not – but it needs to build that capacity. Much of the work undertaken can be technical, slow and tedious. But it is essential work if our monuments and our cultural richness, like our biodiversity, are to survive for future generations and to remain attractive to our visitors. After people, our landscapes are our biggest seller internationally, and much of this landscape, by its nature, is rural. It does not reside in places where the big decisions on funding allocations are made and its constituency too is fragmented. Our landscape is not a wilderness but the result of 6,000 years of farming that has left its mark everywhere, from the prehistoric monuments to the more recent wrought-iron gates and stone walls. It has to adapt and change, but to manage it well requires good planning, respect and, ultimately, some degree of funding. We have all seen the fall-out from a decade of poor planning and are paying the price for insensitive, speculative investment. With the more recent economic crisis came hope that we could, and would, confront our mistakes and shift to a more sustainable economic model. Years of work on landscape enhancement, and proposals for a community-led Landscape Ireland Act to better plan for future changes by the Heritage Council, are ready and waiting for action. Instead, the small community grants programme, and critical heritage-support infrastructure, including the National Biodiversity Data Centre, the Irish Landmark Trust, the Irish Walled Towns Network, our Museums Standards Programme, and much more besides, are facing a real threat from the severity of the cuts of the past five years. We have reached a tipping point, and the fact that there will be no specific heritage grants programme in Ireland in 2013 illustrates just how near the brink we are. Let us hope we can all pull together to get some readjustments in funding for 2014. By 2015 . . . it may well be too late. Michael Starrett is chief executive of the Heritage Council Fri, Jan 4, 2013, 00:00 Noel Whelan: A November poll in Fine Gael’s interest and voters will know it Opinion Extracting Arctic oil makes climate disaster inevitable John McManus: Rural crime is about jobs not Garda stations or the bail laws Varadkar signals welcome move on medical consultant contracts Current system is not in the best interests of the health service, patients or the tax-payer Conservatives look to future Conference becomes a beauty contest for the putative successors to PM David Cameron Our Columnists Noel Whelan Noel Whelan: A November poll in Fine Gael’s interest and voters will know it Kathy Sheridan Kathy Sheridan: The hidden costs of cancer Fintan O'Toole Fintan O’Toole: Five reasons why nobody believes the Government’s capital plan Una Mullally Una Mullally: Irish restaurants have lost the plot Rugby and concussion Creationism in schools? €3 supermarket chickens Mary McAleese’s criticism of church Electricity microgeneration Universal benefits A wall and Dublin Bay Digital strategy for schools A memorable win Election fever 2:34 Question Time: What can be done to address the shortage of Catholic priests? 1:48 Question Time: Will Leo Varadkar’s latest plans resolve the hospital waiting list crisis? 1:31 Question Time: Will the Coalition voting pact help to boost Labour’s fortunes?

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LP Blogs LP Podcast Disney Headlines Games Disney LP Lotion AdvertisementThe LaughingPlace StoreDisney Park 12-Month 16x16 Attraction Poster CalendarTheme Parkology Presents: Attraction Series - Storybook Land (DVD)Epcot World Showcase Red Wine Glass2016 16-Month Official Walt Disney World CalendarMajor League Baseball (MLB) Team Happy Face Antenna Topper - Pittsburgh Pirates Disney / Pixar's Cars 2: The Video Game is Now Available for Nintendo 3DS Players Experience Familiar Adventures Inspired by the Disney•Pixar Animated Film “Cars 2” with New Eye-Popping Gameplay This Holiday (November 1, 2011) Disney Interactive Studios today announced that Disney•Pixar’s Cars 2: The Video Game is now available for the Nintendo 3DS™ handheld system. Following the multi-platform release of the critically acclaimed console versions earlier this year, the game joins the latest line of offerings in the beloved franchise. From a spy-driven plotline to international locales and intense racing adventures, the game allows fans to play as their favorite characters including Lightning McQueen, Mater the tow truck, Finn McMissile and others, as they navigate through adventures within C.H.R.O.M.E. (Command Headquarters for Recon Operations and Motorized Espionage). “This latest video game in the Cars franchise will be a real treat for fans and gamers,” said Javier Ferreira, Senior Vice President of Publishing, Disney Interactive Media Group. “Bringing the world of Cars to the Nintendo 3DS for the first time will deliver a heightened feeling of space and depth just in time for the holidays.” Cars 2: The Video Game for Nintendo 3DS will offer the very best in eye-popping gameplay through the system’s stereoscopic 3D display. The game will take advantage of StreetPass™ communication, allowing players to unlock and share new skins. Multiplayer action with up to four players will also be available. Development for Cars 2: The Video Game was led by Avalanche Software in collaboration with the filmmakers at Pixar Animation Studios. The game features full 3D support for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and is also currently available on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™, Nintendo DS™, Nintendo 3DS and Windows PC/MAC. The console versions are all rated E 10+, while the Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS versions are rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). The Wii, PlayStation®3 system and Xbox 360 versions are available for a suggested retail price of $49.99, while the Windows-based PC/Mac, Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS versions are available for $29.99. -- Posted November 3, 2011

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Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue Posted on June 1, 2011 by rameumptom While on a vacation/road trip this week, I had the chance to hear lots of country music, etc. For Memorial Day, the various radio stations focused on just a few “patriotic” songs written after 9/11. These songs include Charlie Daniels’ “This ain’t no rag, it’s a flag”, Bo Diddley’s “We ain’t scared of you (my Eagle is pissed)”, Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue”, Martina McBride’s “Independence Day”, and a few others. I started thinking on the difference between these songs and the older songs that speak of “O Beautiful for Patriot’s dream”, “My country tis of Thee, sweet land of liberty”, “let freedom ring”, “land of the free and the home of the brave.” In these songs, war is not glorified. We do not sing about the “statue of liberty shaking its fist”, “a day of reckoning”, or how we’re going to destroy and kill and do it with a piqued pleasure. Doesn’t it sometimes seem like what used to be of great worth to this nation has been replaced with a cheap nationalism? Perhaps it is time for us to return to the real principles of America? Share this:PocketEmailMorePrintLike this:Like Loading... This entry was posted in General by rameumptom. Bookmark the permalink. 18 thoughts on “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” Jeff T. on June 1, 2011 at 10:07 am said: I completely agree. I’ve wondered myself if we are becoming a warlike people, and if we value America’s “strength” (as measured in our active warfare) more than her virtue (which is rapidly disappearing, if it hasn’t vanished already). chris on June 1, 2011 at 10:39 am said: Ram, I agree. I’d also say that perhaps we’re too close culturally and historically speaking to make such a judgement, but you’re probably right anyway. My point was, that the “classics” we remember are because they are more works of art that popular historical music of the day. I would assume, people being as they are, they had just as irreverent and rowdy bar songs “back then” too, but they’ve been consigned to the dust bin of history. I don’t think Toby Keith’s ode to the ass-kicking nature of the flag will stand the test of time. In short, we as a nation don’t “get it” when it comes to aligning our practice with our principles. But I’m not sure if we can point to many instances where the common citizen “got it”. Rather, it seems we always were blessed with great people to point us to the dream of America. Unfortunately, it seems as society is declining, we’re producing less great ones… or at least we’re paying less attention to them. Geoff B on June 1, 2011 at 11:32 am said: Rame, agreed completely. Don’t like Toby Keith precisely for this reason. Our freedom is not about being defiant and militaristic. Our freedom is about trying to live in peace with the world and defending ourselves only when attacked. John Mansfield on June 1, 2011 at 11:36 am said: Tell ’em that the Yanks are coming. Over there. Onward Christian Soldiers is not exactly noninterventionist, altho there are portions you could interpret as a spiritual rather than temporal battle. jjohnsen on June 1, 2011 at 12:04 pm said: I suppose one upside to being stuck in the 80s with my music is I’ve never heard of any of those songs, and only one of those artists. Man do I love “My Country Tis of The” though, I was just singing it to myself in the car this morning (much to the annoyance of my ten-year-old). chris on June 1, 2011 at 12:06 pm said: Good one John, How about this? “Still onward we pressed till our banners Swept out from Atlanta’s grim walls. And the blood of the patriot dampened The soil where the Traitor flag falls. We paused not to weep for the fallen That slept by each river and tree. But we twined them a wreath of the laurel, When Sherman marched down to the sea” Or this one… How the darkeys shouted when they heard the joyful sound! How the turkeys gobbled which our commissary found! “Sherman’s dashing Yankee boys will never reach the coast!” So the saucy Rebels said, and ’twas a handsome boast; Treason fled before us, for resistance was in vain, While we were marching through Georgia. But all we remember from the Civil War is the Battle Hymn of the Republic and Dixie Land. Or this one! You have called us and we’re coming, By Richmond’s bloody tide, To lay us down for Freedom’s sake, Our brothers’ bones beside; Or from foul treason’s savage group, To wrench the murderous blade; But the point still stands man is a warlike creature and we should avoid such delightful boasts of our ability make war. Jacob M on June 1, 2011 at 2:27 pm said: I think some consideration must be made to the events which the OP’s songs are referring to. Sure, it’s militaristic, but at the same time, it’s a response to an enemy attacking us on our homefront. I think a few songs representing the desire to kick enemy behind is largely harmless. It’s not like I’m going to enlist up in the army because I listened to Toby Keith, or support a mis-guided war because of it. rameumptom on June 1, 2011 at 4:08 pm said: I don’t disagree. However, when a special day, such as Memorial Day comes along, what songs do you think we should be playing/hearing regarding the nation? I didn’t hear a truly patriotic song, or one that mourned the loss of our military dead. Instead, I heard Toby Keith talking about killing. So, while I understand why he wrote the song, I wonder why his was the song the radio station chose to play to “honor” our military dead? Because he’s frickin’ Toby Keith! All joking aside, I do think it would be nicer to hear songs giving tribute to our fallen soldiers instead of telling our current ones to go kick @$$. The reason they play the ones you mentioned are mostly because the artists who wrote them are so popular outside of these songs, and the radio does not consider artistry, only what sells. Bruce Nielson on June 1, 2011 at 5:38 pm said: I’m glad I haven’t heard any of these new songs either. 😛 Way to go jjohnsen my 80s commrade! 😉 SilverRain on June 1, 2011 at 6:25 pm said: Uh, Martina McBride’s “Independence Day” really has nothing to do with patriotism. It’s about domestic violence. And the rest are just right-wing extremism. I agree with you about those. Ugh. Geoff B on June 2, 2011 at 4:28 am said: Lyrics to “Independence Day:” “Well she seemed all right by dawn’s early light though she looked a little Worried and weak she tried to pretend he wasn’t drinkin’ aagain but daddy left The proof on her cheek and I was only eight years old that summer and I always Seemed to be in the way so I took myself down to the fair in town on Well word gets a round in a small, small town they said he was a dangerous man But mama was proud and she stood her ground she knew she was on the losin’ end Some folks whispered some folks talked but everybody looked the other way and When time ran out there was no one about on indpendence day Chours: let freedom ring, let the white dove sing let the whole world know that Today is a day of reckoning let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong roll The stone away, let the guilty pay, it’s independence day Well she lit up the sky that fourth of july by the time the firemen come they Just put out the flames and took down some names and send me to the county home Now I ain’t sayin’ it’s right or it’s wrong but maybe it’s the only way talk About your revolution it’s indepenednce day Repeat chorous Roll the stone away it’s independence day.” Silver Rain is of course correct. But it is worth pointing out that Sean Hannity has adopted this as his signature song and turned it into a “patriotic post-9/11” song. SilverRain on June 2, 2011 at 5:52 am said: “But it is worth pointing out that Sean Hannity has adopted this as his signature song and turned it into a “patriotic post-9/11″ song.” Oh, sure. Let’s take a song that uses the celebration of American freedom to contrast the fear of violence and effective slavery in which one quarter of the nation’s women live and turn it into a “let’s make violence” song. As much as I don’t want to be the “domestic violence girl” this sort of thing makes me growl and gets me all tribe of Benjamin-ish. VeritasLiberat on June 2, 2011 at 7:06 am said: “started thinking on the difference between these songs and the older songs that speak of “O Beautiful for Patriot’s dream”, “My country tis of Thee, sweet land of liberty”, “let freedom ring”, “land of the free and the home of the brave.”” Well, actually, the same song that contains “land of the free and the home of the brave” also features this third verse: “And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” We don’t sing this verse anymore because we rather like the British now. Ardis E. Parshall on June 2, 2011 at 7:07 am said: As a couple of commenters have pointed out, there have been less-than-lofty nationalistic songs in the past — we don’t usually remember them long, though, because they don’t usually last. They don’t speak to the timeless themes of the songs that we do remember, and they don’t address the needs of the next generations, so they tend to be forgotten except as color commentary on the past. I hope the same thing happens with the post-9/11 ditties. Most of them aren’t worth remembering, and I hope they’ll be all but forgotten when, finally, the belligerence of the audience they addressed settles into a “never forget” stance in place of the ugly “we’re gonna hurt you worse’n you hurt us!” taunting. Even more, I hope that some enduring patriotic song does come out of the 9/11 era. A new song worthy of adding to the near-canon of patriotic songs would be evidence that honest (not jingoistic) patriotism is a part of the 21st century as well as of past centuries. Rameumptom on June 2, 2011 at 7:43 am said: As usual, well said, Ardis.

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Bangkok And Surrounds Sights and activities Bangkok by skytrain: Sala Daeng (S2) Add this to your scrapbook What we say: Sala Daeng station is number S2 on the Silom line, two stops away from Siam, the main interchange station. It hovers above Silom Road in Bangrak, close to the intersection of Rama IV and parallel to Surawong Road. Simply put, this is one of the liveliest, busiest, most interesting and eclectic areas in the whole city. While it's happening during the day, Silom especially comes to life after dark -- expect a mix of locals, expats and travellers vying for space with makeshift clothing stalls, potent scents wafting from a healthy array of street food carts and music blaring from both pirated CD stalls and upcountry musicians trying to earn a few baht. Sala Daeng is perhaps best known as the gateway to the infamous Pat Pong red light district. The seediness once seeped onto Silom Road itself, but today it has been largely pushed into the side streets and alleys between Silom and Surawong Roads by government officials keen on cleaning up Bangkok's image. If you're put off by the idea of go-go bars and "massage" parlours, don't let that stop you from exploring this area. Especially if you stick to the southern side of Silom, which we find to be the more interesting side, you'll have no idea what goes on nearby. Bangkok's best public park, the family-friendly Lumpini is also a stone's throw away from Sala Daeng station. This station is also one of three in the BTS system that connect to the MRT (subway). The MRT station here is called Silom -- to get there from inside Sala Daeng BTS station, walk east towards exits 4 and 5, but keep going straight along the sky walk over Silom Road, then take a right at the end of the walkway and head down the stairs to the MRT station. Lumpini Park is directly across the major intersection where Silom meets Rama IV and Ratchadamri Roads. There are no elevated walkways to the park, so the best way to reach it from Silom Road is to go into Silom MRT station and use the free walkway (to your right upon entering the station) to walk beneath Rama IV. Take the escalator on the other side and you'll emerge slap bang at the front gates to the park. Such is the volume of people in the Silom area that you'll find quite a bit to spend your money on before you even leave the BTS station itself. Coffee and bubble tea shops, bakeries, travel offices, news stands, phone shops and ATMs are all found immediately after exiting the ticket gates. Directly south of the station and accessible from either exit 4 or exit 2 is Central Silom shopping centre, a medium size modern mall with a high-end department store on the top floor, pricey name brand fashion boutiques and an iStudio Apple shop on the middle floors, and a host of trendy restaurants in the basement, including a Wine Connection that's extremely popular. Also in the basement, behind a

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Hop on One of the World's Best Train rides - Official Travel Guide to Norway - visitnorway.com | The Bergen Railway takes you through some of Norway's most varied scenery Photo: Jernbaneverket Travel to Norway Ferries and boats in Norway Trains in Norway Buses in Norway Travel Providers Trains in Norway Take the train in Norway Norway for Rail Enthusiasts Hop on One of the World's Best Train rides When travelling between Oslo and Bergen, go by train: the Bergen Railway is one of the most scenic train lines in the world. We are not the only ones to think so. Different international ratings consider the train ride between Oslo and Bergen with the Bergen Railway as the most exciting and beautiful train ride in the world. Last up was Lonely Planet's Tom Hall, who raved about the Bergen Railway in November 2010, concluding "The Bergen Line is a journey that will live long in my memory. If you haven't done it you can't say for sure that it's not the world's most beautiful train ride". Riding high No other train ride between two cities in Europe is at a higher altitude than the one between Oslo and Bergen. Linking Norway's two main cities, this line takes in some dazzling scenery, with the most spectacular stretch being the one over the Hardangervidda, Europe's highest mountainous plateau. Finse, at 4,009 feet above sea level, is the highest point on the line. The Bergen Railway is popular with tourists and commuters alike, and serves a number of ski resorts along the way, so it is just as busy in winter as it is in summer. The total travel time between Oslo and Bergen is approximately seven hours. Building work, which started in 1875, took 34 years to complete, an involved a workforce of some 15,000 men. The 182 tunnels were carved by hand. The Bergensbanen celebrated its centenary in 2009. The Flåm Railway If you have extra time take the side trip on the Flåm Railway when you arrive in Myrdal. This will take you down to the village of Flåm, in the innermost corner of the Aurlandfjord. The Aurlandsfjord is an arm of the mighty Sognefjord, Norway's longest fjord. A must for any rail enthusiast, the Flåm Railway, one of the world's steepest railways on normal gauge, is one of Norway's most popular attractions, and a masterpiece of Norwegian engineering. In their March 2014 issue, Lonely Planet Traveller included the Flåm Railway in a list of "The World's most incredible train journeys 2014" and named it "The world's best train ride". The line, on which some 500,000 passengers travel every year, goes through spectacular scenery as it advances along steep mountain sides and deep ravines, passing countless waterfalls on its way down to the fjord. Remember that it is dangerous to lean out of the window, and watch out for the many tunnels – there are 20 of them along the 12-mile-long line. The trip between the two stations takes about one hour. A trip on the Bergen Railway is just as stunning in winter as in summer. Indeed you should try both if you get the chance, as the landscape changes so dramatically with each season it makes for a radically different experience. If you are traveling in winter remember that days are short this time of year, so try to travel during daylight hours (typically between 9 am and 4 pm). Earlier or later than that and part of your journey will be in the dark, which means you may miss out on the magnificent scenery along the way. The ideal time to travel in winter is late February/March. For schedules and prices, consult The Norwegian State Railways. Ferries & Boats (190) Air travel (96) Car rental (62) Taxi (56) Tour operators (53) Cruise (16) Find eco-certified providers Beautiful nature awaits along the Bergen Railway in Norway The Bergen Railway in Norway runs daily year round Hop on One of the World's Best Train ridesWhen travelling between Oslo and Bergen, go by train: the Bergen Railway is one of the most scenic train lines in the world. Hop on One of the World's Best Train ridesSource: Visitnorway The Norwegian State Railways (NSB) has a well-developed network of tracks stretching from Kristiansand in the south to Bodø above the Arctic Circle. Love trains? Here you will find information on Norway’s most scenic train rides, railway museums, steam trains, and more. Ski ticket to Geilo Visit Geilo and enjoy skiing at one of Norway’s oldest and most comprehensive ski resorts, then relax on the train back. The Rørosbanen railway line Named after the mining town where past and present go hand in hand, the Rørosbanen railway line is an amazing journey through Norwegian wilderness. Norway in a nutshell® Experience the essence of Norwegian fjords, mountains and valleys, all summed up in the most popular round trip in the country. Norway in a nutshell® SPONSOR Night on the Nordlandsbanen railway Named one of the world's most beautiful train journeys by Lonely Planet, the Nordlandsbanen railway offers unique views and vistas for the traveller. Enjoy Norway's nature and scenery in comfort from a train carriage, whether you are going west along the coast or north through the mountains. The Bergen and Flåm railways with Authentic Scandinavia AS Travel between Oslo and Bergen on the spectacular Bergen Railway, and take a side trip with the Flåm Railway to the Norwegian fjords. Play Video: The Flåm Railway Take a ride on the Flåm Railway, one of the world's steepest lines on normal gauge - a memorable trip down the scenic Flåm Valley. Sail the Norwegian coast with Hurtigruten in summer Play Video: Sail the Norwegian coast with Hurtigruten in summer 3:21 Sail the Norwegian coast with Hurtigruten in summer With its long daylight hours, summer is the perfect time to discover the iconic Norwegian coastline with Hurtigruten. Twelve short films about collecting new stories. Play Video: Twelve short films about collecting new stories. The story collector David Spinx travels around Norway in search for new stories. Release date 9/9 2010. Related Train Raumabanen railway, through mountains and over rivers Named Europe's most beautiful railway journey by Lonely Planet, Raumabanen railway takes you though some of the most dramatic of Norway's landscape.

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Natchez Trace State Park About Take a 360° virtual tour of Natchez Trace State Park. Natchez Trace State Park is located on an alternate route of the old Natchez Trace. This route of the old trace is on the opposite side of the Tennessee River from the Natchez Trace Parkway. The name originally applied to a series of trails and paths that originated with animal migration routes and American Indian trade and travel routes. These were later used by returning boatmen that had floated goods to markets in Natchez and New Orleans from the Nashville area. Under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal Program approximately 48,000 acres of land were purchased in the area of the park. This purchase provided jobs for many people. Programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration established many of the buildings still being used today and laid the foundation for what is now Natchez Trace State Park at the core of the large tract of public lands. The park has 13.5 miles of hiking trails, ranging from a one-half mile up to 4.5 miles. The trails wind through the forest and fields and along the lakeshores and streams of Natchez Park. Visitors also enjoy the museum that features local and park history, picnic facilities, camping, cabins and lodges, boating and the park’s restaurant. The park offers activities for visitors of all ages. Fishing is a favorite activity at Natchez Trace and anglers have four lakes from which to choose. Fifty-eight acre Cub Lake and 690 acre Pin Oak Lake are operated by Tennessee State Parks, while 90 acre Maple Creek Lake and 167 acre Brown’s Creek Lake are operated by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Natchez Trace State Park is one of the few parks that have an onsite wrangler camp. Located 2.2 miles south of I-40 on Hwy. 114 the Bucksnort Wrangler Camp features 65 campsites with full hook-ups, two bathhouses and a dump station. There are 250 miles of riding trails on the south end of the park in the Natchez Trace State Forest operated by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. For more information, please contact Natchez Trace State Park directly at 731-968-3742.

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Activities >> World Heritages >>Wat Phou Complex WAT PHOU COMPLEX The Wat Phou Complex and the surrounding Champasack Heritage Landscape is located 500 km south of Vientiane on the east bank of the Mekong River in Champasack province. Wat Phou is an excellent example of early classical Khmer architecture, dating from the 7th to 12th centuries AD. At the foot of Wat Phou is the ancient city of Shestupura, which was settled in the 5th century AD, and is believed to be the oldest urban settlement in Southeast Asia. Besides the main Wat Phou Temple Complex, there are several archeological and nature sites nearby that can take some time to explore. Considered by many to be the most beautiful of all Khmer temples, Wat Phou Champasack is distinguished as much by its dramatic and symbolic environmental setting as it is for its masterful architecture and iconographic arts. The temple nestles at the foot of the 1,408- metre Phou Khao Mountain, known in Sanskrit as LingaparWata or ‘Linga Mountain because it is said to resemble the Linga of the Hindu god Shiva. Reputed by legend to be Shiva’s birthplace, this has been a sacred site since in least the 5th century CE, when near by Setapura is believed to have been a capital of the proto-Khmer kingdom of upper (Land) Chenla. Construction of the Wat Phou temple as begun as early as the 7th century - under Jayavarman I, though most of the surviving building date from the reigns of Jayavarman VI (1080-1107). Converted from Hinduism to Buddhism in the 14th century and still plays an important role in local religious life today. The temple complex measures 1,400 metres in line running east to west up the lower part of the Phou Khao Mountain. It is built on six different levels or terraces, connected by steps and central walkway. Most are man-made, but the uppermost level is a natural terrace where a spring flows out of the mountain. The water from this spring was channeled so that is flowed through the main sanctuary and over the central Shiva linga (the place of which is now occupied by a statue of the Buddha). From there the sacred stream flowed down the artificially terraced mountain slope in to two sacred reservoirs or barays and finally in to the Mekong River, whose life-giving waters were believed to sustain the whole of the ancient Khmer Empire. Standing structures within the temple complex include quadrangles, a Nandin Hall, small pavilions, brick towers, stairways and the main shrine, which was dedicated to Shiva. The site along with other outlining temple was inscribed on UNESCO’s world heritage List as Wat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasack Cultural landscape on 14 December 2001. Am Exhibition Hall funded by the Japanese government was opened at the main entrance area to the site in 2003; this houses important artifacts recovered both within and nearby the complex. A major festival is held at the site in February each year. Ancient Khmer Road Traces of the Khmer road were clearly identified though examination of a series of aerial photographs covering the area from Wat Phou to Angkor. Some extensive sections of the road are still clearly visible at ground level. The road was built after the Khmer Empire was unified, when travelling through provinces was no longer too dangerous. The connection from the Wat Phou temple complex to Angkor again points to the enduring sacred significance of the temple and the LingaparWata or Linga Mountain. The road was built of compacted earth and looks like a causeway. It can be easily recognized in some sections, but other are in poorer condition. Chapels or resting place were built at regular distances along the road; an inscription at Preah Khan (a 12th century temple at Angkor) mentions 121 rest houses (dharmasala) along the route, and ruins of several of them have been found. Today there are a number of villages as well as other ancient monuments along the road, and bushes and trees have grown on it. It is often possible to make out its base, but the track is not always easy to follow without the assistance of an archaeologist. The road starts from the Nandin Hall at Wat Phou Champasack, leading some scholars to suggest that this building was originally a sacred chapel or resting house where pilgrims arriving via the road would stay for their first devotions. A walk of one hour south along the road through open country and woodland leads first to Nang Sida and further to Ban That (18 kilometres from Wat Phou). How to get there: To reach Wat Phou Champasack visitors should turn off National Highway 13 some 32 kilometres south of Pakse and continue 4 kilometres to the Mekong River ferry; Wat Phou Champasack lies 14 kilometres south of the ferry terminal on the other site.

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Vegan Pop-Up Restaurant Wildflower Goes Bicoastal By Chef Ayinde Howell brings his successful pop-up to the West Coast. After debuting Wildflower, a New York City-based pop-up restaurant that lasted for three days in June 2011, chef Ayinde Howell will bring his renowned fare west in May. The New York event, which was crowd-funded through Kickstarter, generated big time publicity for Howell, including mentions in The New York Times, The Village Voice, and New York Magazine’s Grub Street. Set for Cinco de Mayo, the second incarnation of Wildflower will be held in San Francisco, and Howell plans to expand to other cities in the future. Bay Area diners will nosh on dishes including Mexican Hot Cocoa Waffles, Beer-Battered Tempeh Tacos, and Crazy Jamaican sliders.

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Disney Takes Four Themed Entertainment Awards Print Release Filed in: Beyond the Theme Parks, Current & Upcoming Events Disney Takes Four Themed Entertainment Awards TEA Honors Go to Disney Attractions, Cruise Ship and Veteran Imagineer LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Force was with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts recently when Star Tours – The Adventures Continue earned one of four top Disney honors among the 18th annual Thea Awards announced by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, which opened at Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort this past summer, took a Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – Attraction Refresh. Other top Thea Awards went to The Magic, The Memories, and You! at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort for Outstanding Achievement – Show Spectacular and to Animation Magic at Animator’s Palate aboard the soon-to-launch Disney Fantasy cruise ship for Ingenious use of Technology. TEA, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, gave the Buzz Price Thea Award Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements to Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde, who led the team that created and built Disney’s Animal Kingdom and who recently oversaw the creative development of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai’i. The awards, to be presented at a March gala at the Disneyland Hotel, pay tribute to excellence in the creation of extraordinary experiences, attractions, exhibits and places around the world. TEA International Board President Rick Rothschild says the themed entertainment industry is “producing wonderful examples of achievement in a broader and broader market.” And while technology, interactivity and sophistication of themed environments are key factors in presenting the awards, storytelling is at the heart of the best themed attractions. “It all starts with story, and that’s certainly a thing well understood by Disney and by our industry,” says Rothschild, adding that the themed-entertainment creative bar gets higher each year. “The proficiency and capabilities availed by technological advances do certainly play into the bar, but it’s not technology alone. It’s the creative ingenuity of the individuals at all levels of our industry that challenge themselves to discover new ways of storytelling.” The Thea Awards committee praised Star Tours – The Adventures Continue for staying true to the “Star Wars” stories and for the attraction’s “breakthrough experience” featuring new story elements, advanced special effects, guest interaction and 54 potential show scenarios. The Magic, The Memories, and You! projection show at Cinderella Castle inside Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort won the top “Spectacular” category for its technology, visual creativity, adept directorial pacing and stirring musical score that deliver a “unique, emotionally fulfilling experience for the audience.” Animation Magic in the Animator’s Palate restaurant aboard the forthcoming Disney Fantasy cruise ship won a Thea for its one-of-a-kind experience for diners at which they will see their own hand-drawn characters come to life and interact with animated Disney characters on a screen. The fourth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, Disney Fantasy will set sail on its inaugural cruise in March 2012. Joe Rohde, senior vice president and creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, will receive the Buzz Price Thea Award recognizing a lifetime of distinguished achievements. Rothschild says Rohde represents “the continuing creative energy within our industry” and that “he’s a legend in his own time, of course.” A 30-year Disney veteran, Rohde says he is grateful to TEA “for their gracious consideration of my name and efforts. “It’s a great honor to be counted among the names that are already graced with this recognition,” Rohde says. “I hope that I’ll have the opportunity for a few more lifetime achievements to flesh out my portfolio a bit, and better deserve the honor.” TEA is an international non-profit alliance founded in 1991 and based in Burbank, Calif., that represents some 7,000 creative specialists including architects, designers, technical specialists and scenic fabricators who work in more than 650 firms in 40 countries.

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Home » Stations » Dunster » Dunster Dunster Postcode for Sat Nav: TA24 6PJ Dunster Station has a booking office and sells the full range of West Somerset Railway fares and indeed the tickets for the railway are printed here on a press formerly used by British Railways. The station has toilets, but no disabled facilities. Dunster village is approximately a twenty minute walk from the station, the latter part being gently uphill. It is worth the exercise. The main feature is Dunster Castle whose oldest parts date from Norman times and which is now in the care of the National Trust. It stands on an outcrop of rock with spacious grounds below (part were once polo grounds and the ponies� horseboxes were unloaded at Dunster Station). Holders of West Somerset Railway tickets can obtain a 20% discount on Admission to the Castle. Why not travel on a Wednesday and make use of our �Dunster Castle Express�? The village itself has a medieval Yarn Market which is flanked on either side by shops and tea rooms, which together with several pubs means there is no lack of refreshment available to the traveller. The village is home to the Dunster Museum and Doll Collections in the High Street. Worth seeking out are the Mill and the Priory Church and at the top of the village the old packhorse bridge which still spans the River Avill. For the energetic a walk up through the woods to Bats Castle (a prehistoric site) is worth it to take in the view of the village and castle below and the more distant views of Minehead and across the Bristol Channel to South Wales. Dunster�s busiest nights of the year fall at the start of December when the annual �Dunster by Candlelight� event takes place.On the evenings of the 1st Friday and Saturday of December the village extinguishes most of its electric lights in favour of candles and oil, entertainment takes to the streets and of course the shops and other outlets are open. The West Somerset Railway runs through trains and more information can be found on the Special Events pages. History of Dunster Station Dunster Station stands in the area known as Dunster Marsh (which sounds more salubrious than the original name of Rotten Row by which it was known before the Railway came). It is a five minute walk to Dunster Beach and along the way walkers may be able to make out the sunken area of land which marks the site of the Medieval Port of Dunster. The station building may well look familiar to those with a model railway as Hornby produced a 4mm scale model for many years. Opposite it is the goods shed and yard which are now home to the West Somerset Railway�s Permanent Way department and houses supplies of track and equipment for maintaining the bridges, stations and buildings on the railway as well as equipment for dealing with over 40 miles of vegetation which needs attention. The goods shed itself is reputed to be haunted. There is no regular bus service between the Station and the Village but free services run on Bank Holiday Sundays and Mondays and also for the Dunster Country Fair and Dunster Show in July and August. Extra Services also operate in connection with some Galas. Dunster has a thriving promotional organisation and a list of village events throughout the year can be found be at Visit Dunster.

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Apple Valley (Minnesota) Minnesota : Twin Cities : Apple Valley Revision as of 03:24, 28 October 2011 by Texugo (Talk | contribs) Understand Orientation Get it in By plane Get around Touring See Parks and monuments Do Events and festivals Parks and aqua centers Buy Equipment rental Drink Bars and pubs Stay safe Emergency numbers Contact Telephones Cope Publications Apple Valley, a city in Minnesota, is the home of picturesque rolling hills and pristine lake fronts. Located in northwest Dakota County, this community outside the Twin Cities personifies the idea of suburbia, yet the metropolitan luxuries of theater, shopping, and fine dining have barely put a dent in real Midwestern friendliness. It's a city with a swagger, but without the surliness or even the fake smiles found in other cities of its size. As the hub of the south metro, Apple Valley is easy to find — its scenic landscape leads to a first impression that soon reveals world-class museums of art and science, miles of sandy beaches, huge parks and priceless public art. Apple Valley has grown rapidly, and some central parts are creaking under the strain of coping with the number of visitors. With a wealth of iconic sights and neighborhoods to explore, there's enough to fill a visit of minutes, hours, or even a whole day without ever seeing the end. Achieving euphoria is easy in this virtual Xanadu. Be sure to dress warm in the winter, and prepare to cover a lot of ground: the meaning of Apple Valley is only found in movement, from sight to sight, in the pride of tired feet and eyes raised to the sky. Districts Many visitors never make it past the Minnesota Zoo or other attractions downtown, but you haven't truly seen Apple Valley until you’ve ventured out into the neighborhoods. Apple Valleyians understand their city by splitting it into large districts or neighborhoods named after geological and cultural features within them. Apple Valleyians also tend to identify strongly with their neighborhood, reflecting real differences in culture and place throughout the city. Rivalries between the West and East Sides run particularly deep, while people from the southern neighborhoods are free agents in critical issues like athletic loyalty and Idol voting. Neighborhoods of Apple Valley. Downtown The center of Apple Valley for work and play, but mostly play, with shopping, towering office buildings, immaculate theaters and the city's most famous travel sights, along with a ton of bars and clubs. Some absolutely titillating activities here. Old Town Historic neighborhoods with plenty of local shops and diners, and the stunning views of Lac Lavon. Redwood The old working class enclaves of the city’s northwest that are now home to a growing artist community. Further west lay the estates of Apple Valley’s wealthy socialites. Alimagnet Ethnic communes, dive bars, and hipsters abound on the fashionably rough side of town. Home to many northern European immigrants. Police presence is noticeably lacking here, so stay alert. Galaxie Commons Ultra-hip and laid-back, with streets of row houses and upscale apartments, and some of the most vibrant immigrant communities in the state. Johnny Cake The city’s athletic complex is here, along with the Dutch Village, historic walk-ups and some undiscovered gems in the smaller neighborhoods to the east. Scott Highlands Former home to the massive applesauce district of Midwest Produce, huge Asian and Mexican neighborhoods. Cedar Knolls So far off the beaten tourist track you might not find your way back, but that's okay given all the great food, a couple of top polka clubs, and enormous parks and lakefronts. The Minnesota Zoo / Lebanon Hills The world-renowned Minnesota Zoo, Valleywood Tournament Golf Course and Lebanon Hills Regional Park provide limitless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and step away from the noise and commotion of downtown. Industrial District The giant, industrial underbelly of Apple Valley. This region is home to one large tourist attraction, the historic Great Pit of Carkoon. Tours are available to see Boba Fett's grave, but beware the Sarlacc. It's victims are doomed to find a new definition of pain and suffering as they are slowly digested over a thousand years. A state map of Minnesota and the location of Apple Valley (red dot). Apple Valley is one of the regional centers of finance, politics, communications, film, music, fashion, and culture, and is among the state’s most important and influential cities. It is home to many museums, art galleries, and theaters. This city's influence on the Midwest—and all its inhabitants—is hard to exaggerate, as decisions made within its boundaries often have impacts and ramifications literally across the state. Immigrants (and their descendants) from well over six countries live here, making it one of the most sophisticated cities in the region. Travelers are attracted to Apple Valley for its culture, energy and cosmopolitanism. Local residents enjoy mowing their lawn, edging their lawn, fertilizing their lawn and looking at their lawn. At the center of Apple Valley sits the intersection of Cedar Avenue (County Road 77) and County Road 42, a bustling, vibrant junction nestled in friendliness. Local eateries surround the area, including newly developed White Castle and Raising Cane’s. To the west is a major shopping district including Wal-Mart and Darque Tan. To the east sits every handy man’s dream: a Home Depot and Menards within walking distance of each other. The term “the city” may refer either to Apple Valley as a whole, or to the downtown district alone, depending on the context. Lebanon Hills, Crystal Lake and Valleywood (not to be confused with Hollywood, CA) are sometimes referred to as “the outer boroughs.” Apple Valley Convention and Visitors' Bureau, 14800 Galaxie Ave W, #301, ☎ +1 952 432-8422 or +1 800 301-9435 (toll free) (fax: +1 952 432-7964), [1]. 9AM-5PM daily. Apple Valley Visitor Information, [2]. Climate Daily highs (°F) Nightly lows (°F) 3 11 23 36 48 57 61 58 50 39 24 10 0.9 0.7 2.0 2.7 3.6 4.5 4.1 4.5 3.1 2.2 2.0 1.04 The draconian weather is definitely not one of the attractions in Apple Valley. There's a boat load of fun to be had in any season, but it is a place where the climate has to be taken into consideration. Obscured by Minnesota’s ferocious winters are the heat waves of summer. Many days in July and August are disgustingly hot and humid. Summer nights are more comfortable, though, and you'll get a few degrees' respite along one of the many lakefronts — in the local parlance, that's "cooler by the lake," [3]. But then there are those winters. The months from November to March will see very cold temperatures, with even more bitter wind chill factors. Blizzards and ice storms are a regular occurrence. It's a city that's well-accustomed to these winters, though, so city services and public transportation are highly unlikely to shut down. Apple Valley does have a few nice months of weather. May and September are pleasant and mild; April and June are mostly fine, although thunderstorms with heavy winds can also occur suddenly. Even though there may be a chill in the air in October, it rarely calls for more than a light coat. The varied population runs the gamut, from some of the wealthiest socialites and Ponzi schemers, to hobos, love children, skips, scags and scallywags. Apple Valley’s population has been diverse since the city's founding by the Dutch. Successive waves of immigration from a couple nations around the world make Apple Valley a social experiment in cross-cultural harmony. The population is relatively highly edumacated and fairly young with a median age of 35. Apple Valley is called the City of Fruits and Labor but was formerly known as the Cider Capital of the World, and before that, as the original home of Johnny Appleseed, and before that, as a regional grain milling outpost. It’s difficult to put a finger on exactly what made the city grow, but residents and travelers alike are happy with the results. Apple Valley’s history (or herstory, as many local feminist groups have come to call it) is shrouded in ambiguity. Some claim the first developers came from the small fishing community of Apple Valley, CA and named their new plot of land thusly. This is a misconception, as it is considered common knowledge that no one would move to Minnesota from California. The more widely held belief is that the infant community was named for local housing developments in which an apple tree was planted on every lot. Some of these apple trees can still be seen in the Old Town neighborhood. Apple Valley has 48 parks with 60 miles of trails. The community is carefully planned to enhance the quality of life of residents and travelers alike. Minnesota, known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" and whose motto encourages all to "Explore Minnesota," is the official state of Apple Valley. The city created a concentrated area of office space within its "Ring Route", which surrounds downtown. Mixed office, retail and residential assets can be found in Harmony Commons in downtown. The business parks; Valley Business Park, Knob Ridge Business Park and the Apple Valley Business Park feature many corporations. This is part of Apple Valley's comprehensive plan for growth and development and its aspirations to be an Alpha World City ++. Jim Bunyan, Paul’s brother, is a favorite city folk hero. He is an accountant. Smoking is prohibited by state law at all restaurants, bars, nightclubs, workplaces, and public buildings. It's also banned within fifteen feet of any entrance, window, or exit to a public place, and at MVTA bus stations. The fine for violating the ban can range from $100 to public shaming. There are several hookah bars and basements where smoking (tobacco) is legal and acceptable. These are great places to stage a picture of you and your friends blowing smoke rings. It is advisable for travelers to avoid "throwing up a sign" in these poses. Doing so may harm your self-respect. Get it in Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, (IATA: MSP, ICAO: KMSP), [4]. Apple Valley is just minutes south of MSP. The airport is divided into two terminals: Terminal 1 - Lindbergh and Terminal 2 - Humphrey, with most flights arriving at the former. Savvy travelers should check to make sure they know which terminal they are arriving at/departing from. MSP is the former home of the now defunct Northwest Airlines. Since the recent merge of Delta [5] and Northwest, it has become a major hub for connections in Atlanta, Tokyo and Fargo. Sun Country Airlines [6] also uses MSP as its hub for North America - getting here by plane, from essentially anywhere, is a cinch. Think twice about making purchases at the duty free shop (see By taxi section). Surdyk’s Flights, MSP (inside Main Concourse Mall), ☎ +1 612 727-2323, [7]. 10AM-9PM daily. Located past security, so you can bring it on the plane with you. Eat (and booze) like a king 40,000 miles up – choose from a selection of cheese plates, fresh salads, paninis, delectable desserts and fine wines. Sister shop of the famous Twin Cities liquor café. $10-20. By bus Apple Valley is serviced by the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority [8]. The newly constructed Apple Valley Transit Station serves as a launching point for not only adventures, but also dreams. Routes 420, 440, 441, 442, 465, 477 and 477 will all get you out of Dodge. Bus stops and stations are conveniently located in major parts of the city for easy access and have several coin-operated luggage lockers for personal storage. There is also a nearby Megabus [9] station in Minneapolis. This is the twenty-first century, there are no trains in Apple Valley. By car There are two main highways through the city. Interstate 35E runs parallel to city lines. Beware of heavy southbound traffic coming out of the Twin Cities during afternoon hours. County Road 77 terminates in the city. Feel free to drive your gas guzzling SUV through the pristine hills of Apple Valley. It is illegal to drive and text in Minnesota. If you need to contact a friend or acquaintance from the previous night, while on the road, use a hands-free cellular phone and try to stay in your own lane, though this is rarely practiced. By all means, if there is an accident or someone is pulled over on the shoulder, slow down immediately: this is something that only happens every other day. Contact your closest family members to alert them of what you have just witnessed. In the past few years travelers carrying alcohol on their persons or in their luggage have been inconvenienced by local taxi drivers. It is recommended by out-of-state travelers that have been troubled to avoid bringing any alcoholic or illegal substances if you will be using taxis to get around the city. Airport Taxi, ☎ +1 952 928-0000, [10]. 24 hours a day. Besides offering unmatched transportation service to the MSP International Airport, Airport Taxi can also drive you to wherever your heart desires. Drivers are not from the area but still do an excellent job of helping you find what you are looking for. Due to increasing occurrences of theft, drivers no longer equip their cabs with GPS navigation units. Rather, they dial a family member or good friend and have them Google the address of your destination. Craving sushi but don't know the names of any restaurants? Mohammed the driver can tell Mohammed on the phone to search for "sushi" and within milliseconds (speeds may vary, dependent upon Google.com traffic) Mohammed can reel off a list of sushi restaurants in Apple Valley and provide reviews as well. Suburban Taxi, ☎ +1 952 884-8888, [11]. 24 hours a day. Serving the majority of Apple Valley, these unmista

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A River-Level Panorama of Burgundy By Lothar, Corinna The Washington Times (Washington, DC), September 2, 2000 | A River-Level Panorama of BurgundyLothar, Corinna, The Washington Times (Washington, DC) ST. JEAN DE LOSNE, France - dark barge chugged gently up and down the Seine with cargo for (or from) Paris, passing through narrow locks, pulling up to stone quays in towns along the way. The locals gawked. The barge was the Atalante, in a scene from Jean Vigo's masterful, surrealistic film "L'Atalante" (1934). The four people who shared the narrow quarters below deck ate simple meals there, accompanied by a bottle of pinard (what the Brits call "plonk," what we call "house wine"). Ah, what romance. What intrigue. And what a hard life. The MV Chardonnay, the newest in Continental Waterways' fleet of hotel barges plying the rivers and canals of France, is no Atalante. Yet, on a cruise down the Saone River in Burgundy on the elegantly appointed barge, I thought often of the voyage of the Atalante. We, too, made it through the locks (some just barely); we docked on waterfronts with stone steps. We also attracted a gathering of curious onlookers. And we, too, shared meals and drank wine with every meal (except breakfast). But the resemblance goes no further. Ours was a voyage with a little romance (one hopes), perhaps a little intrigue, but definitely no hard life aboard. On her almost maiden voyage, the Chardonnay glided down the river, her only cargo 35 Yale alumni and five invited travel writers, overseen by a crew of 14. In five leisurely days, we went from St. Jean de Losne down to Lyon. Our quarters were comfortably spacious for a boat, the food was anything but simple, and the wine was no pinard. The Chardonnay, named for Burgundy's white grape, is a large hotel barge, a reconditioned oil tanker, except you would never know that. She can accommodate about 50 passengers, in four small single cabins and the rest in minisuites consisting of a divided bedroom and sitting room. The upper-deck cabins have large, sliding-glass window-doors ; the lower-deck cabins have a porthole in each of the divided areas. Although the portholes don't open, the air conditioning works well. All the cabins are attractively furnished, and the bathrooms have terrific showers. Meals are taken on the upper deck in a large, pleasant dining area next to the bar and a small lounge. The crew, mostly delightful young Englishwomen, does everything from cleaning cabins to waiting on tables. They are charming and helpful. The Chardonnay sails downriver from St. Jean de Losne to Lyon one week and up the next. Passengers board on Saturday afternoons in time for a welcome drink, followed by dinner. St. Jean de Losne is a tiny village where 150 men, women and children held out for nine days against 60,000 Austrian troops in the Thirty Years' War and were rewarded with an exemption from all taxes. St. Jean is so small that the town has no room for a cemetery; therefore, the townspeople jest, none of the inhabitants ever dies. The Saone runs through the fields and vineyards of Burgundy from the Vosges Mountains to Lyon, where it joins the powerful Rhone to flow down to the Mediterranean Sea. The Romans used the Saone to occupy France; during the crusades, it provided access to the Mediterranean and the Holy Land. The river also served as the border between the Holy Roman Empire and the kingdom of France. Until the introduction of steamboats in 1835, barges were pulled upriver by men or horses. Dijon, famous for its mustard and once a Roman fortress, is our first stop, although it is not on the Saone. The city also is known for its black-current liqueur (creme de cassis) and pain d'epices, similar to gingerbread. Dijon has a charming old quarter of stone mansions, half-timbered 15th- and 16th-century houses and the imposing palace of the dukes of Burgundy. The palace, now a fine-arts museum, houses an interesting collection of Renaissance paintings, sculpture and objects from the Middle Ages. The Chardonnay travels a few hours each day, never at night. … The rest of this article is only available to active members of Questia Publication information: Article title: A River-Level Panorama of Burgundy. Contributors: Lothar, Corinna - Author. A River-Level Panorama of Burgundy

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Carole's CanvasWhere it all hangs outMy Family History Connor/Connel Pascoe Whippy You are here: Home / Archives for WhippyDavid Whippy 1 March 2013 by Carole Life among the warring tribes of the Fiji Islands during the early days of European settlement was precarious. White settlers in the first few decades tended to do so involuntarily, and most of these ‘beachcombers’ did not survive. A few, however, made themselves useful to the Fijian chiefs and prospered. David Whippy is the most well-known and influential of these early settlers. He was a younger son of a whaling family of Nantucket, Massachusetts.[1] He arrived in Fiji in January 1825 aboard the brig Calder with Captain Peter Dillon, who took what little sandalwood he could find and left Whippy on the island of Bau to organise a shipment of turtle shell and beche-de-mer. Dillon did not return for thirteen years.[2] Whippy could have es

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New Theme for the year 2010? What is your idea? Grumpy38 We are all growing old with " The Year of A Million Dreams " slogan and park theme that have lasted more than a year. Just as the 50th anniversary lasted more than a year. Do not get me wrong I enjoyed those at times. The year 2010 has a lot of new things in store for the parks your mission choose a new slogan for the parks. That is catchy but does not get too old. sigpic- Grumpy Re: New Theme for the year 2010? What is your idea? I like " Where Magic Never Ends" This way you can still give things away, but you can really pump up all the new stuff going on. That your never ending your pursuit of a better park as well. Last edited by Grumpy38; 04-24-2008, 10:57 AM. Reason: add detail mycroft16 I'm not really here I think it should be "The Happiest Place on Earth" Yes, I know it used to be that before Disney Parks... but I think it is true and timeless and should always be the slogan of Disneyland no matter what promotion, event special thing is going on. Our revels now are ended. These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits and Are melted into air, into thin air: And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself, Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep. mycroft16 on Twitter No theme is my preferred theme. How about "Disneyland" or "The Happiest Place on Earth"? Disneyland didn't need a theme all those years and did just fine. That said, with 2010 being the 55th Anniversary year, I expect the theme will be "55th Anniversary". Don't know about '09, though. fo'c's'le swab Blind to His Own Faults "The Year We Make Contact" (apologies to Arthur C. Clarke fans...) Go back to the way it was with " The Happiest Place On Earth ". I like it too go back to the original and make things the way they were. Datameister Disneyland doesn't need anything beyond "The Happiest Place on Earth." An occasional promotion is fine, provided it doesn't cost the company too much money...and that it doesn't degrade the appearance of the park...and that the public gets it. But not every year requires a catchy new slogan. A fun park will attract a lot more people than an okay one that's well-advertised. (Not at all trying to say Disneyland is merely okay!) AlwaysImagineer RCMC BlackSmith I like "The Happiest Place on Earth" but I also like "Where dreams come true" Maybe it should be "Dreams come True at the Happiest Place on Earth!" Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things... and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." -Walt Disneysigpic Think about this logically odds are they going to keep running with slogans as they have been. Espically with the amount of additions that are taking place. Even if your against a new slogan or theme try and come up with something. Honestly, I don't think there is anything better. For your vacation, where do you want to go? To "The Happiest Place on Earth." Bring your family to "The Happiest Place on Earth." Just got your refund money? Come to "The Happiest Place on Earth." It has infinite marketability, never gets old, and applies no matter what is going on. Midway Mania, coming this summer to "The Happiest Place on Earth" I really think they should play up that Disneyland is really the place where more joy, magic and happiness are created than anywhere else. seenoevil I'm sick of the word "Dream" and I agree with those who think it doesn't need a "theme". What I'd like to see them promote, though, is ALL the characters. You know, those lesser known...Claribell, Pete, Daisy, etc. I want my cake back! The characters is an interesting one. merlinjones "Disneyland: Fully Restored" Disneyphenom I prefer they just use the classic, The Happiest Place on Earth. They could make a nice promo using that as the punchline of a campaign. Show the characters and stars of the attractions (small world kids, pirates, ghosts from mansion, etc) trying to come up with a new idea. Somewhat making fun of all the other promos they've tossed around Big announcer voice: "Disneyland, The --" "smallest?" "merriest?" "goofiest?" "scurviest?" "creepiest?" "dreamiest?" etc, etc, "-- HAPPIEST," the announcer takes over, "Place on Earth." Originally posted by Disneyphenom You officially have my vote as the next manager of Marketing for the park. That is a brilliant add and would be funny, cute and get the message across so well.

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Photos Advertise Flagstaff Arizona State Guide Howard Johnson Inn - Flagstaff Howard Johnson Inn - FlagstaffDog-Friendly Hotels3300 East Route 66Flagstaff,Arizona One block off historic Route 66, with an outdoor pool and a restored 1960s diner, the pet-friendly Howard Johnson Inn - Flagstaff combines modern amenities with budget-friendly rates. The amenities that come standard in all 70 rooms, some non-smoking, include coffeemakers and cable TV. Rooms are accessed from exterior corridors. Grab a swivel seat at the long bar in the adjacent restaurant, a classic Route 66 diner that's been restored and serves American favorites for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Other amenities include a seasonal outdoor pool, hot tub and coin laundry. Pets are welcome for a fee. The hotel is off Route 66, near I-40, three miles from downtown Flagstaff and four miles from Northern Arizona University. The Arizona Snowball ski resort is 17 miles away. Year-round tours and telescope viewings are available at the Lowell Observatory, five miles from the hotel. Day-trippers are 30 miles from the red rocks of Sedona and 70 miles from the Grand Canyon. Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is nine miles away. our guests say "the price is right" at this "convenient" Howard Johnson with a "friendly staff."

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Search New road toll bites into business in Whittier Number of tourists drops with introduction of road fees Posted: Tuesday, June 26, 2001 By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Brenda Tolman, owner of Log Cabin Gifts in Whittier, knows business has been down since the state started charging a toll to drive through the tunnel to Whittier. Her coin-operated reindeer food dispenser tells her so. This summer her two reindeer, Elizabeth and baby Jolie, which she keeps in a pen along the side of her gift shop, haven't been getting fed as often. That means fewer families with young children are coming to town, she said last weekend. After the 2.5-mile Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel opened Whittier to road traffic last June, the former military base turned tourist destination on Prince William Sound saw a jump in summer visitors. The tunnel was free that first season, a sort of introductory offer. But in April the state began charging a toll: $15 for cars, $40 for motor homes and trailers, and $125 for buses and big rigs. Some don't mind the toll, some vociferously oppose it, and some don't think the tunnel should have been opened to cars in the first place. Residents agree, though, that traffic and business have dropped off this summer and that the toll is to blame. "It's hurting the hell out of this town," said Brad Phillips, owner of Phillips' Cruises and Tours. Last year he was getting 30 to 40 walk-up customers a day, he said. It was the first time that had happened in the 17 years he has operated out of Whittier. Now, he said, "Eighty percent of the motor homes turn around when they see it costs $40 to come through the tunnel," and walk-up business for his $119 glacier-view cruise has dropped off. In its first year, 118,125 vehicles traveled the tunnel to Whittier, said state Department of Transportation spokesman Murph O'Brien. At an average of two to three people per car, that's an estimated 250,000 to 350,000 visitors. It is two or three times as many as used to come through the tunnel when it only was used by the Alaska Railroad, but is far less than the 430,000 to 1.2 million annual visitors the state predicted in justifying the $86 million cost of the tunnel project. Anticipating crowds, Whittier built about 500 new parking spaces along the railroad tracks bisecting the town, and installed half a dozen new portable toilets. Last summer "seems to have gone better than we anticipated," said Mayor Ben Butler. Crowding was not a problem, he said, and Whittier had one of its best summer business seasons ever, with sales tax revenues up 70 percent to 80 percent from the summer before. This summer is shaping up to be much slower, Butler said. Though hard figures won't be available until the end of the summer, he guessed that sales tax revenues for this June will be half of what they were last year. Whittier has taken its unhappiness over the toll to the Legislature. Three bills introduced for next year's session would turn the tunnel operations over to the town, exempt townsfolk from the toll, or do away with the toll entirely. "We're still part of the state highway system," Butler said. "We shouldn't be taxed further by a toll." DOT is holding firm on the tolls, O'Brien said. Tolls are part of the original plan to help pay part of the roughly $3 million per year it costs to operate and maintain the tunnel. "The tunnel facility provided more dependable, frequent year-round access to Whittier," he said. "The tolls were part of that equation." USD MAYOR JOLIE SPOKESMAN BRENDA TOLMAN WILLIAM SOUND BEN BUTLER MURPH O'BRIEN BUTLER BRAD PHILLIPS REINDEER FOOD DISPENSER ANTON ANDERSON MEMORIAL TUNNEL PRINCE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Trending this week:

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PRWeb March 25, 2011 at 06:02 AM EDT Bluegreen Named Finalist for 16 Categories in the 2011 ARDA Awards PRWebBluegreen Corporation (NYSE: BXG), a leading provider of Colorful Places to Live and Play(R), today announced that it has been selected as a finalist in sixteen categories for the 2011 American Resort Development Association (ARDA) Awards. This annual competition honors organizations and businesses in the timeshare and resort industry that have achieved the highest level of excellence in a variety of different categories. The ARDA Awards Program recognizes nominees based on outstanding sales and staff accomplishments, product design and advertising. Bluegreen has been selected as a finalist in sixteen categories each of which fall under a larger category including Resort Design, Management and Administration, and Advertising, Promotion and Communications. A panel of independent volunteer judges selected finalists. Each category entered by Bluegreen included competition from other organizations and business in the timeshare and resort industry. "To have been selected as finalists in sixteen categories is a significant honor for Bluegreen Corporation and its associates who work hard every day to stay on the forefront of the timeshare and resort industry," says Ellen Devine, Executive Assistant to Bluegreen's President and CEO, John Maloney. Bluegreen's 2011 ARDA Awards finalist nominations represent many departments within the company. Specific categories included Interior Design, Resort Amenities, Resort Architecture, Green Sustainable Programs, Video Production, Special Events, Company Magazine and Website, Food & Beverage Programs, Administrative Staff Members and more. Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/3/prweb8234512.htmPRWeb.com

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Florovskiy convent in winter Alexander Saranchuk Copyright: Alexander Saranchuk Tags: florovsky Mer om Kiev The World : Europe : Ukraine : Kiev Overview and HistoryKiev is situated on the river Dnieper, which was one of the most important navigation arteries in Europe and part of the ancient trade route "from Varangiants to the Greeks."The legend of Kiev starts with three brothers -- Kiy, Scheck and Khoriv. Their sister was named Lybid. Kiy came to live on the mountain which has now become the Borichev slope; Scheck settled on the Shechekavitska mountain, and Khoriv lived on the mountain now called Khorevitska. They built a town and named it after the oldest brother. There was a forest full of animals in all directions. They were wise and clever in the way they built Kiev into a city, and the people there were called Polians.This forms the base of what city calls itself "the Mother of all Slavic cities," the place which claims to be the spiritual center of the Russian Empire. Kievan Rus was the center of Slavic civilization in the early medieval times, changing from an outpost of the Khazar empire into one of the worlds largest cities for its time. During this period Kiev was ruled by the Vanangian nobility; however, it was attacked and beseiged in the 10th century with the beginning of a series of invasions.Kiev has been invaded more times than most places in Europe. Several Russian princes captured and burned Kiev and Mongolian raiders completely destroyed the city in the 13th century. Powerful neighbors like the Grand Ducky of Lithuania, Poland and then Russia held sway over Kiev's prosperity until the industrial revolution.Ukraine gradually lost its autonomy during the nineteenth century while Russian migration and administration changed the face of Kiev. Folk art and traditions continued under the surface but Russian landmarks such as railroads, architecture and educational facilities stole the spotlight.Following the Russian Revolution in 1917 Kiev became an important city of the Ukranian Soviet Socialist Republic and was named its capital in 1934. The city was significantly damaged during WWII but recovered quickly, becoming the third largest city in the Soviet Union.The Ukraine gained its independence in 1991 and Kiev remains its capital.Getting ThereThere are two main airports in Kiev, Borispol International Airport and Zhuliany. Zhuliany handles domestic flights around Ukraine. Borispol International is about 38km from the city and you can reach it by bus or metro. "Boryspilska" is the name of the airport metro station.TransportationTaxis are plentiful in Kiev but not cheap, and tourists get hassled at the airport. Rumor is that everyone with a car in Kiev is a potential taxi driver, and they will charge pedestrians less than the taxi will.Other options for getting around are the minibus, trolley, tram and metro. Remember to stamp your ticket in the machine on the trolleys and trams!The first tram system in Kiev was built in 1892, making it one of the first ones in the whole world. Nowadays the metro is the main mode of transportation for most people.People and CultureThe dominant religion here is Orthodox Christianity. Holidays are divided into two groups, religious and public ones. New Year is the the most popular holiday of the year, moreso even than Christmas. Popular public holidays are Independence Day, International Women's Day. The orthodox religious holidays have their own unique character apart from the Catholic ones.If someone invites you to their home, it's always a good idea to bring something small like a bottle of wine, or chocolates. If you decide to bring flowers, make sure you count them! Do NOT bring an even number of flowers and don't shake hands in the doorway, come all the way inside first. Be ready to take your shoes off when you go inside, also. A little local customs management goes a loooong way.Things to do, RecommendationsSt. Andrew's Descent is the heart of Kiev's artistic commununity and it makes a big attraction for tourists seeking traditional Ukrainian arts and crafts. Originally it connected the Upper City's administrative section with the Podil, Lower City of merchants and artisans. It has long been host to festivals, concerts and galleries. Around St. Andrew's Cathedral. Have you heard of Gogol Bordello, the band? Its namesake Nikolay Gogol used to like walking around here.There are many UNESCO world heritage sites here, like The Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves) and Saint Sophia Cathedral. St. Sophia's is still actively performing the Mass in addition to being a major tourist attraction.Classical music venues are many: the Conservatoire, Philharmonic Society, House of Organ Music, Refectory in Lavra, International Centre of Culture and Arts, Ukrainian House.The National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet is the oldest opera house in Ukraine, dating back to 1867. It saw performances of works by Tchaikovsky, Glinka, and Dargomyzhsky.If you like being outside, you should visit the botanical gardens and the military museum with MIG-29 aircraft. Also there's the Pyrohiv village with its outdoor historical exhibit. This is officially called the Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine. It has an area of 1.5 square kilometres which houses several "mini-villages" representing traditional Ukranian rural life.Other places you should not miss are Independence Square, or Maidan Nezalezhnosti. It's thecentral square in Kiev, the main and the most beautiful one.Kreschatik is the most famous and busiest street in Kiev. It is a wide boulevard with plenty of chestnut trees. It is hard to believe that some time ago on the site of Kreschatik used to be a valley and a river surrounded by forest. Nowadays it stretches from Europeiskaya Square to Bessarabskaya Square and contains trade buildings, bank departments and luxurious hotels.For night life, try these recommendations: AVALON lounge bar, restaurant, disco, and casino halls. Avalon restaurant boasts an extensive list of oysters, fish and seafood and is designed like an underwater kingdom, complete with jellyfish chandeliers and mermaids. Avalon casino is one of the oldest and most prestigious gaming venues in Ukraine).Text by Steve Smith.

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Golf Mexico Mexicali Puerto Nuevo San Felipe Cabo-san-Lucas Nuevo Leon Map of Baja South Baja Surf Map Map of Baja North Baja Wineries Map San Felipe Street Map San Felipe Map Sonora Map Tijuana Street Map Tecate Street Map Rosarito Street Map SinaloaLocated on the northwest coast of Mexico on the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean, the state of Sinaloa is home to famed Mexican destinations such as Mazatlan and its nearby islands. Sinaloa borders the states of Durango, Sonora, Chihuahua, and Nayarit. Its capital of Culiacan Rosales is also its largest city. Famous for its banda music and several thousand year-old game known as ulama, the state is filled with both cultural and historical attractions. Its position on the sea makes it popular among vacationers. Important Facts Admitted as a state in 1830, Sinaloa is home to a population of 2,788,423 people. It boasts an area of 22,153 square miles, making it the eighteenth largest state in the country. The state is home to eighteen municipalities and also has jurisdiction over various islands like Palmito de la Virgen, Santa Maria, and San Ignacio. Geography and Landscape With its nearly four hundred miles of coastline, Sinaloa lies on both the Sea of Cortez (also known as the Gulf of California) and the Pacific Ocean. The state’s coastal lands are mainly plains and prairies interspersed with hills. The gentle slope of the coastal region is ideal for agriculture and pastures. Heading inland, Sinaloa is crossed by the Western Sierra Madre that feature various deep canyons and peaks. Various shallow rivers like the Culiacan, Presidio, Tamazula, Fuerte, and Sinaloa also cross the state. The mountainous regions boast a hot climate and are home to animals like wild cats, deer, and wild boar. The coast is home to extensive fishing; coastal waters are home to sea bass, grouper, snapper, and shrimp to name a few types of marine life. The capital, located in the western region of the state, is surrounded by agricultural lands where vegetables, fruit, and even cotton are grown. Lush Canyon Sinaloa Essentially six major indigenous tribes made their home in the state before the arrival of the Spanish. These tribes included the Cahita, Pacaxee, Totorame, Tahue, Xixime, and Acaxee and were primarily hunter gatherer peoples. Though most of these tribes were peaceful and lived in scattered settlements throughout the region, the Cahita were known as notorious cannibals and fierce warriors. Little is known, however, of the earliest groups who entered the region and study and excavation of the states ancient peoples and sites still continues. The Spanish, under the mantle of hated Conquistador Nuno Beltran de Guzman fought its way to the Pacific Ocean through Sinaloa in 1529. Guzman’s army was able to defeat many Cahita warriors; however, the army was greatly dwindled by an epidemic that plagued them during their time in Sinaloa. Nevertheless, Guzman managed to found the city of San Miguel de Culiacan. In spite of continued uprisings and fighting between the indigenous people and the Spanish, the Spanish still managed to found other import cities like El Fuerte. Altata after sunset Sinaloa After the Mexican War for Independence, Sinaloa eventually achieved statehood in its own right and began to prosper from its poppy production, selling opium to the U.S. as it was still legal at that time. Today, Sinaloa is renowned as Mexico’s bread basket since more than seventy percent of the land is used for agriculture. Its beautiful coast and cultural attractions attract many visitors today. Cathedral in Culiacan Sinaloa Mexico Like many states of Mexico, Sinaloa has many dishes that are particular to the state. With its acres and acres of fresh produce and waters teeming with fish and shrimp, it isn’t surprising that Mexicans revere Sinaloa for its delectable cuisine. Chilorio is a famous dish made from fried pulled pork and many spices. The state is also well known for its milk candies and other desserts. Cities like the capital and Mazatlan are also known for many types of international cuisines like Japanese, Italian, and Thai. Many tourists visit the state to enjoy its beaches or other state attractions. Its most popularly visited city is Mazatlan, a coastal resort town known for its beaches of lustrous white sand and spectacular surfing. Santa Maria Island and its surrounding islands are also noted tourist destinations. Sport fishing for mahi-mahi, sailfish, and swordfish. There are also cultural and historical attractions throughout the state. Fishing Boat Sinaloa Culiacan Rosales Founded at the confluence of the Humaya and Tamazula Rivers where they flow into the Culiacan River, the capital was founded by Guzman when it initially went by the name of San Miguel de Culiacan. Centrally located in the state, Culiacan is an important food processing and distribution hub for the northern section of the country. The capital is known for its cathedral, but most especially for its thermal baths that draw tourists from far and wide to experience the city’s spas and resorts based on these therapeutic waters. Culiacan City Hall This beach-lovers’ city is filled with fabulous tourist venues. Sport fishing, scuba, surfing, or enjoying life in the city’s spas and resorts is popular with many visitors. The restaurants are filled with fresh seafood as well as both traditional and fusion cuisines. The coast around Mazatlan and island cliffs are popular for cliff diving. Surrounding villages offer glimpses of traditional life and also where native handcrafts can be purchased. The rural communities of Mazatlan are also famous for their games of ulama; tourists can glimpse a game that has been continuously played in the region for more than three thousand years. Other Things to See and Do Isla de Piedra: Situated to the south of Mazatlan, this island is noted for its paradise-like atmosphere. Pristine beaches and a landscape brimming with toucans, parrots, and other majestic birds beckon many eco-friendly tourists who appreciate the timeless beauty of the island. Los Mochis: Famed as a great city for sports, Los Mochis is noted in Mexico as a premier wrestling city. It’s also noted for baseball and soccer; many tourists and sports fans visit the city to catch a performance by their favorite sports teams. Topolopambo Bay: This remarkable bay is located less than twenty miles from Los Mochis. It’s a favorite Sea of Cortez destination for fishing. The port is famous for its fresh seafood dishes as well! Sinaloa Art Museum: Located in the capital, the state art museum is a popular attraction set in a nineteenth century building. Its impressive collection includes works by artists like Diego Rivera and Francisco Toledo. Mexico's History Ancient Teen Discovered in Yucatan Cave Mexican War of Independence The Olmec Civilization of Mexico Indigenous Peoples of Mexico: The Guachichil Tribe Aztecs Revolutionary Hero: Miguel Hidalgo Mayan Civilization Copyright © 2015 Go GringoView Full Site

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Siege and storm strike at Caerlaverock 17th century military might takes centre stage at castle's two-day family event. The dramatic backdrop of Caerlaverock Castle near Dumfries provides the setting on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th May for an exciting family event which brings to life the turbulent times and combat clashes of 17th-century Scotland. The year is 1640 and the imposing medieval stronghold is being besieged and stormed as part of the struggle for religious freedom in the country. Step back in time to visit an authentic military camp, watch the assault on the castle walls and witness the skill and strength required to wield and use the mighty weaponry of the day – pikes, muskets, swords and cannons. Caerlaverock’s colourful two-day Siege and Storm event, which runs from 12 noon to 4pm on both days, features a costumed cast and an action-packed programme of performances, displays and demonstrations. And all of the entertainment is included in the castle’s normal admission price, with tickets costing £5.50 for an adult, £4.40 for a concession and £3.30 for a child. Entry is free to Historic Scotland members. Gillian Urquhart of Historic Scotland Events Team said: “Visitors are in for a real treat courtesy of the members of the highly talented Fraser’s Dragoones re-enactment group. They always put on a superb show and Caerlaverock is a particularly good venue for historic performances – it’s stunning and so atmospheric so everyone coming along can look forward to a really great day out.” Caerlaverock Castle is 8 miles south-east of Dumfries on the B725. Postcode DG1 4RU. Tel: 01387 770244. With its moat, twin-towered gatehouse, and imposing battlements, Caerlaverock is the epitome of a medieval stronghold. The castle’s turbulent history owes much to its proximity to England, which brought it into numerous border conflicts over the years. The castle was built by the Maxwell family, who enjoyed peaceful prosperity there until the invasion of Scotland by Edward I. Caerlaverock became a target for Edward’s wrath against Scots resistance and, in 1300, Lord Maxwell was forced to surrender to the might of the besieging army. The castle remained caught up in border disputes for many years afterward and peace did not come until James VI’s accession to the English throne in 1603. The truce collapsed with the 1640 Civil War and the final siege at Caerlaverock came when the Royalists surrendered to the Covenanters. Caerlaverock Castle is just one of 345 outstanding heritage properties and sites in the care of Historic Scotland. Ranging from prehistoric dwellings to medieval castles, and from cathedrals to industrial buildings, these include some of the leading tourism attractions in the country. Among the most popular are Edinburgh, Stirling and Urquhart Castles, Skara Brae, and the Border Abbeys. For further details of all of Historic Scotland’s sites visit: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/places. Historic Scotland’s Mission is: to safeguard Scotland’s historic environment and to promote its understanding and enjoyment. Historic Scotland around the web: www.twitter.com/welovehistory, www.facebook.com/visithistoricscotland, www.youtube.com/historicscotlandtv and www.flickr.com/groups/makeyourownhistory The journey planning form requires javascript, which is unsupported by your browser.For your journey planning needs use the main journey planner. For further information, interviews and images Ellen Drummond Ferroni 07801 820757 or 0131 668 8731 OTHER WEBSITES & RESOURCES

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Jewish Heritage Travel Heritage, travel and history in Europe's Jewish Heartland Jewish Heritage Europe Check out the rich resources on www.jewish-heritage-europe.eu -- an online clearing house for news and information on Jewish heritage that I coordinate as a project of the Rothschild Foundation Europe List of Jewish Culture, etc, Festivals in Europe 2015 List of Jewish Culture, etc, Festivals 2012 List of Jewish Culture Festivals 2009 Heads up -- European Day of Jewish Culture is next weekend By Ruth Ellen Gruber If you are in Europe -- in virtually any country in Europe -- next weekend, you will be able to experience the European Day of Jewish Culture, an annual continent-wide festival of Jewish heritage and history that is celebrating its 16th edition this year. Each year events revolve around a common theme -- this year it is “Bridges” — and many events stress aspects of dialogue and inter-religious and other cooperation, while others highlight "spiritual" bridges and other meanings of the concept: anything that "joins or connects." Events are scheduled in more than 30 countries, and while there are only a couple of events in some countries, in other countries the “day” has become “days” or even a full week of events. Italy, whose Jewish history goes back more than 2000 years, is one of the main countries taking part in the EDJC — this year events are scheduled in some 72 locales up and down the peninsula, with Florence the focus of central observances. (There are Jewish communities in only about 20 towns and cities in Italy, with total membership in Jewish communities under 25,000 people.) Highlights include everything from the opening of a Jewish bookstore in Rome, to conferences to book launches to concerts to round-table discussions, to guided tours of historic Jewish quarters; the ancient synagogue in Ostia Antica; Jewish catacombs; the medieval mikvah in Siracusa, Sicily; synagogues and Jewish cemeteries. See full Italian program here (in Italian) Spain also has a very rich program, coordinated by the 24-member Network of Jewish Quarters. See the full Spain program And Britain, too, has a very full schedule of events, stretching over several days -- see the full UK program here. All told, all over Europe there are hundreds of individual events to choose from – lectures, concerts, food-tastings, book fairs, and more — plus many guided tours and informal visits to Jewish heritage sites that are generally closed to the public or limited in access. Events are geared primarily for local people — Jews, but also, in some cases overwhelmingly, non-Jews: the Day is aimed at education as well as tourism. You can access some programs in participating countries at the website of the AEPJ -- European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage. (Unfortunately the program search does not always function correctly.) European Day of Jewish Culture, Reactions: Tuesday, July 28, 2015 Lodz Ghetto photos -- my article Downtown Lodz today The Jewish Quarterly publishes my review of the book Memory Unearthed: The Lodz Ghetto Photographs of Henryk Ross, a fascinating collection of posed photographs and unexpected snapshots taken in the WW2 Lodz Ghetto and hidden underground until after the war. By Ruth Ellen Gruber June 22, 2015 The extraordinary images reprinted in Memory Unearthed: The Lodz Ghetto Photographs of Henryk Ross are survivors, both physical and symbolic. Ross, born in Warsaw in 1910, was one of the more than 200,000 Jews imprisoned in the World War II Lodz ghetto. Thanks to his background as a photo-journalist, he was appointed to a privileged position—an official photographer for the Statistics Office of the Ghetto’s Jewish Council (Judenrat). He worked in that capacity from 1940 to 1945, taking thousands of photographs that documented the widest possible range of ghetto life—and death. On the one hand, his official work produced everything from ID portraits and group photos of ghetto police, to Potemkin village-like shots of ghetto inmates, smiling at their benches as they laboured in Council-run workshops, or “resorts”, including those that employed young children. But he turned his lens, too, on other scenes far outside the purview of propaganda—scenes of violence and mass deportations, scenes of murder and malnutrition, scenes of death. Often taken on the sly, from a camera hidden under his coat, these images are chilling but almost familiar in the Holocaust horror they depict. Ross, though, also immortalized intensely personal moments that put the death, destruction and degradation in a much more intimate, even unlikely, context: kids at play, a smiling bride at her ghetto wedding, friends clowning, a couple stealing a kiss. Ross, who survived the Holocaust and emigrated to Israel after the war, knew just what he was doing and just what he wanted to do. “Having an official camera, I was secretly able to photograph the life of the Jews in the ghetto,” he wrote in 1987, four years before his death. “Just before the closure of the ghetto in 1944, I buried my negatives in the ground in order that there should be some record of our tragedy, namely the total elimination of the Jews from Lodz by the Nazi executioners. I was anticipating the total destruction of Polish Jewry. I wanted to leave a historical record of our martyrdom.” In January 1945, after the Red Army liberated the ghetto, he went back and dug up what he had hidden. Fewer than 3,000 of the 6,000 negatives he had buried survived intact; others were severely damaged from seven months under ground. But by bringing them back to light, he brought them, and what they represented, back to life. Ross unearthed not only shadowy strips of celluloid; he unearthed direct testimony to the cruelty of life inside the ghetto, and direct testimony, too, to life itself – the lives lived by ghetto inmates, intimate glimpses of humanity side by side with the horror. lodz, Lodz ghetto, Visiting Jewish Heritage in Padova, Italy In the 16th century Jewish cemetery on via Wiel, Padova. Photo: Gadi Luzzatto Voghera On a stiflingly hot day a couple weeks ago, I spent an afternoon in Padova (Padua), Italy, visiting some of the centuries-old Jewish heritage sites in the city -- they are being developed now as both a resource for local people and as an attractive itinerary for tourists and other visitors. The sites I visited included the new Museo della Padova Ebraica (Museum of Jewish Padova) which opened in June. As I wrote on the Jewish Heritage Europe web site ahead of the opening, it is housed in the former “German,” synagogue, Sinagoga Tedesca, used by the Ashkenazic community, which was inaugurated in 1525 in the heart of the Jewish quarter, or ghetto, in the city’s historic center. (Note -- part of this post is a repost of my article on Jewish Heritage Europe.) The synagogue, on via delle Piazze, was severely damaged during World War II when it was torched by local Fascists, and it stood derelict until it was completely rebuilt in 1998 (the ark was transferred to Tel Aviv in 1956). The museum exhibition includes before and after photos. The exhibit includes items from the Jewish community’s extensive collection of Judaica objects from past centuries to the present. Among them are a very rare Mameluk parochet from Egypt dating back to the 15th or 16th century. There is also an 18th century Megillah of Esther, a 16th century Torah scroll, exceptional silver torah ornaments, and several ketubot. A backlit photographic reproduction of the Ark occupies the space where the Ark once stood — the ark now being in Tel Aviv. films are included in the exhibition. One is a general introduction to the history of the community. The other — projected on the walls of the sanctuary where the exhibit is located — tells the story of Padova Jews through the life stories of several prominent members of the community over the past five centuries or so, portrayed by actors. I was somewhat dismayed that this film does not include reference to any women in Padova Jewish history....perhaps there were no famous women, but it was the women who kept the community alive, and I believe that their role must also be highlighted, even if it simply means through exhibits dealing with food and marriage

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State House Nairobi stands on a 300 ha. piece of land. It is a 10-minute drive from the city centre. Other than the Nairobi one, there are other State Houses and Lodges scattered around the country to provide accommodation to the Head of State whenever he is touring various parts of the country. State House Nairobi State House was originally known as Government House. It was built in 1907 to serve as the official residence of the governor when Kenya was a British Colony. The governor would conduct his official functions at the old Provincial Commissioner’s office (now a national monument) next to Nyayo House and then retire to Government House for the day. After independence, Government House was renamed State House. Although it remained the official residence of the Head of State, in practice it became an administrative/operational office occasionally providing accommodation to visiting State guests and receptions on National Days. This scenario has prevailed to-date with the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and President Moi preferring private residence as opposed to living in State House. The African Union East African Community Location: Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya

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The engineering wonder that is Hoover Dam. Hoover Dam tours have always been the classic Las Vegas daytrip. Whether you drive yourself, take a Hoover Dam bus tour or fly over in a helicopter, the reaction is always the same: "Wow." more...Hoover Dam is, by any account, spectacular. From an architectural standpoint, the curvilinear arch construction is beautiful. But it's the early 20th century art deco design that elevates this engineering marvel to the level of art. Hoover Dam is a hyper-functional piece of sculpture. And the scale is grand.To think that engineers carved out space in Mars-like Black Canyon, backed off the mighty Colorado river, then built the biggest concrete structure known to man ... well, that would be a huge project in any era. But knowing this was built during the Depression leaves you simply astonished.And, oh yeah ... it's all about an hour from the Strip. No wonder this Wonder of the World is such a popular tourist destination.Once known as Boulder Dam, Hoover Dam was built between 1931 and 1936 on the border between Arizona and Nevada. It was dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, but somewhat controversially named after former president Herbert Hoover.The dam created Lake Mead - the largest reservoir in the United States by volume. The dam's generators provide power for public and private utilities in Nevada, Arizona and California. About a million people tour the dam each year. Heavily traveled U.S. 93 ran along the dam's crest until October 2010, when the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge was completed. Construction on the nearly 2,000-foot-long bridge began in late January 2005. This signature bridge spans the Black Canyon, connecting Arizona and Nevada nearly 900 feet above the Colorado River. Yet another reason to marvel. And yet another reason to say, "Wow." Keyword Hoover Dam & Lake Mead Cruise Tour Type: Boat or Jet Ski,Bus Location: Hoover Dam,Lake Mead Hoover Dam Classic Location: Colorado River,Hoover Dam,Lake Mead Hoover Dam Deluxe Tour Location: Hoover Dam Hoover Dam Express Tour Hoover Dam Top to Bottom Tour Location: Colorado River,Hoover Dam Hoover Dam Tour Hoover Dam VIP Tour

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Long Beach Airport takes off By MARY ANN MILBOURN Long Beach Airport Director Mario Rodriguez likes to tell the story about the couple that flew out of the airport in early December and returned mid-month after the new passenger concourse opened. "I think we're in the wrong place," the woman told her husband, gaping at the new surroundings. Gone were the 45 trailers that for years served as the passenger waiting and security areas. In their place, a sleek new concourse with a palm-lined outdoor courtyard, sushi counter and an iPad bar greeted travelers. Click here to watch a video tour of Long Beach Airport's new look. The 35,000-square-foot concourse is the capstone of a $139 million expansion and rehabilitation project at Long Beach Airport, which handled 3.2 million passengers last year. "This is so gorgeous," said Gail Krause, 54, who was flying to Las Vegas with her husband this week. "The last time we flew out of here it was so, uh, temporary." Ten years in the making, the new, improved Long Beach Airport, has arrived. Rodriguez, a 25-year airport veteran, said he had one goal in mind for the $45 million concourse project – to give travelers the best possible experience within the confines of a municipal airport. "I didn't want to build a Taj Mahal," said Rodriguez, who has worked at major airports from Miami to Kuwait to Hong Kong. "I wanted to change how you travel." That meant less emphasis than bigger airports on volume – moving as many people through as possible – and more concentration on the human level by making it as easy and convenient as possible to get from curb to air carrier, while providing a few amenities along the way. Passengers can now check in, clear security and go directly to their planes without ever entering the historic terminal. A video projection called Ava (for Audio Visual Assistant) – the first outside New York and Boston – welcomes passengers in English and Spanish, instructing them about the security process. Coveted plug-ins for ele

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Food Posted April 16, 2014 Bar Guide: Savvy brothers make The North Point a hot Portland destination From drink specials to late-night kitchen hours, Dan and Noah Talmatch know how to attract a crowd. By Claire Jeffers Share Before The North Point moved to town, Silver Street was a lesser-known thoroughfare between Fore and Middle Streets in Portland’s Old Port. While the Regency Hotel crops up on the left as you walk from the water and the Crooked Mile, a popular breakfast and lunch cafe, stands at one corner, The North Point seems to have attracted new life to this otherwise deserted road by implementing a few tricks of the trade. The first of these devices is the music that plays from outdoor speakers nearly all day long. It’s not the annoying kind of music neighbors would complain about (we don’t think), but rather the variety of tunes that might have you wondering, “Where’s that music coming from? Let’s go check it out.” THE NORTH POINT WHERE: 35 Silver St., Portland WEBSITE: northpointportland.com HOURS: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday to Friday; noon to 1 a.m. Saturday; noon to 11 p.m. Sunday; kitchen stays open until 10 p.m. Sunday to Tuesday and until midnight Wednesday to Saturday. SPECIALS: Happy hour 4 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, $4 wines by the glass and $3 draft beers; Monday night all wine bottles are half off from 6 p.m. until midnight; Tuesday features $5 mojitos from 6 p.m. until midnight. AMENITIES: High-back stools at the bar, but no cushions for the stools. Comfortable seating elsewhere; it might be elbow-to-elbow on weekend nights. Great service, pillows if you need them, amazing art on the walls and an overall funky, yet inviting decor. PARKING: On street BOTTOM LINE: Brothers Dan and Noah Talmatch have created a cavernous wine and cocktail bar in the Old Port with excellent food and exceptional service. Their nightly drink specials are some of the best you will find. Dan Talmatch outside of The North Point in Portland. Talmatch and his brother Noah co-own the Old Port establishment, which is open until 1 a.m. daily except Sunday (11 p.m.). Courtesy of the North Point The North Point boasts some of the best happy hour specials in town: $4 glasses of wine and $3 drafts from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. On Monday nights all wine bottles are half-price from 6 p.m. to midnight. Claire Jeffers photo Search photos available for purchase: The subliminal messaging continues as you proceed closer. For example, a kitschy umbrella table with four orange chairs signals to passers-by: We’re open! Seats are available. And just when you think you’ve been convinced, a scrappy chalkboard sets the final tone with a daily quip. Most recently, charming sayings by Dr. Seuss have been spotted, and even North Point originals, such as, “We are seriously considering changing our name to ‘The Gym’ so that our customers can say they are going to the gym after work.” Owners and brothers, Dan and Noah Talmatch aren’t new to the restaurant game. Born and raised in New York City and with over 30 years of industry experience, it’s safe to say these ideas for attracting people to their bar on a relatively quiet side street came from a deep understanding of bar-going clientele. They knew it would take more than just a sandwich board or Facebook posts (although North Point’s Facebook page has an impressive following and daily updates) to draw attention. And their smart tactics don’t stop at the door. Dan and Noah have created a cavernous, yet cozy atmosphere that’s open for business seven days a week by 11 a.m. or noon and stays open until 1 a.m., except for Sunday when they close at 11 p.m. Another perk is that the kitchen stays open late – 12 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 10 p.m. the rest of the week – and the food is quite good. They’ve become known for their signature “stuffed flatbreads” (paninis), but also offer an array of cheeses and meats, soups, salads and other light fare. Happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday offers $4 glasses of wine and $3 draft beers (10 available). Monday night at North Point might also be one of the best deals in town: all bottles of wine (a list of 23) are half off from 6 p.m. until midnight. And Tuesday is $5 mojito night. Last year, just a few months after the bar opened, Down East Magazine selected North Point as the Editors’ Pick for best cocktail bar. The cocktail list is classic, while robust, and there are a number of signatures thrown in. If what you want isn’t on the list, they’ll make it for you. Weekends are busy at North Point and given the nightly drink specials, weeknights can also be quite full. They don’t take reservations, but Dan, who often plays the role of gracious host and manager, always seems to find a way to fit you in. The two brothers aren’t even close to quitting, either. They’re in the process of renovating the space next to the Corner Room on Exchange Street and plan to open a steakhouse called Timber within the next month or two. Unlike the North Point, whose capacity is just under 50 people, Timber will seat closer to 70 and will play up the brothers’ knack for quality food. Before Timber opens, head to North Point to get a taste for what these brothers have created. Claire Jeffers is a Portland freelance writer. Maine Restaurant & Bar Guide Search for dining options across Maine by price, location and type of cuisine. Then, enjoy some great eats. Read on Group sues FDA for failure to limit salt in food supply Paul Prudhomme, Louisiana chef who popularized Cajun food, dies at 75 Aerosmith’s Joey Kramer to open restaurant with Les Otten near Sunday River JetBlue plants seed for farm-to-table concept at JFK

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Charles Towne Landing – Charleston, South Carolina South Carolina | SC Picture Project | Charleston County Photos | Charles Towne Landing This wooden statue of a Native American chief by Hungarian-born artist Peter Wolf Toth is a familiar sight for long-time visitors to Charles Towne Landing State Park in the West Ashley area of Charleston. Nestled on the Ashley River, Charles Towne Landing honors the site of the first European settlement in the Carolinas, dating back to 1670. The settlement lasted only a brief time before being moved to Oyster Point in 1680, now known as White Point Garden. E. Karl Braun, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent This location was initially chosen as the settlement for European explorers after the Cassique of Kiawah, leader of the Native American tribe which inhabited this area, met with English explorers Captain Robert Sanford and Dr. Henry Woodward. The Cassique persuaded the men to make this land their new home with the promise of cooperation and trade. The statue below, created by Charleston sculptor Willard Hirsch, was unveiled in 1971 and commemorates the Kiawah chief. Susan Buckley of Charleston, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent Peter Wolf Toth’s iconic wooden statue seen below and at the top of the page stands at 24 feet and is part of the Trail of Whispering Giants series, a collection of 74 wooden statues by Toth honoring Native Americans throughout the United States as well as in Canada. One such statue even stands in Hungary. The carving was placed here in 1977 and is made from a 500-year-old Darlington oak (Quercus hemisphaerica). Janelle Dawsey, 2007 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent Charles Towne Landing offers visitors many opportunities to learn about the cultural and natural history of the Charleston area. A replica of a seventeenth-century ship called Adventure invites people aboard to see how the settlers first arrived to Charles Towne. The Animal Forest is home to many of the same species that greeted settlers upon their arrival, including bears, puma, otters, and bison. Other interpretive walking trails allow for spectacular bird watching, and bicycles are available for rent at the Visitor Center. Susan Buckley of Charleston, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent The park underwent a full renovation and reopened to the public in August 2006. One of its new highlights is beautiful Founders Hall – the only LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) venue in Charleston. Charles Towne Landing is committed to protecting its natural beauty and resources for people to enjoy now and generations from now. Inside the Visitor Center is a museum with artifacts discovered in local archaeological digs, and within the grounds are an historical garden, an African-American cemetery, and a Native American ceremonial site. Dogs on leashes are permitted in the park with the exception of the Animal Forest. Reflections on Charles Towne Landing Janelle Dawsey, who took an above photo, sends this description: “I visited the newly renovated Charles Towne Landing State Park and snapped this picture of an Indian Chief statue located near the entrance to the animal forest. As a kid, this statue was one of my favorite things at the park. I couldn’t help but notice how time had weathered its appearance – it has aged just as I have. I thought I could get a dramatic effect by snapping the picture from the ground at an upward angle. The sky was also beautiful that day and made the perfect backdrop for the photo.” Susan Buckley shares of one of her photos: “It was a beautiful 73 degrees, and I had never been to Charles Towne Landing. I took almost 400 pictures. I saw this reflection in the ‘Alligator’ pond, and it was a great example of the views within the site.”

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Slow Fish 2011: The Protagonists and Their Stories Italy - 27 Apr 11 Serving the Sea Fusion Without Confusion: The Art of Mehmet Gürs The top floor of Istanbul’s Marmara Pera hotel, with views out from Beyoğlu over the Golden Horn and Topkapi, is the marvelous setting for Mikla, Mehmet Gürs’s restaurant. Born in Finland to a Finnish-Swedish mother and a Turkish father, Mehmet grew up in Stockholm and perfected his culinary skills in the United States (“Wherever I go I’m a foreigner”) before arriving in Istanbul in 1996, back when gastronomic choices were limited to old school Turkish cuisine. Mehmet’s gamble proved successful, and he has come to symbolize the new Anatolian cuisine, grafting his Scandinavian roots onto Turkish tradition to come up with fascinatingly modern dishes. All this is combined with an almost maniacal passion for ancient flavors and foods at risk of extinction, which he hunts out like valuable antiques. He currently has over 250 small-scale producers supplying his restaurant. As if that wasn’t enough, Mehmet is also one of the biggest supporters of the provocatively named Greenpeace campaign “How Big Is Yours,” which is lobbying the Turkish government to establish minimum sizes for caught fish, and he is working tirelessly to promote responsible fish buying among consumers and his fellow chefs. (www.miklarestaurant.com – www.kacsantim.org) Theater of Taste – How Big Is Yours? – Saturday May 28, 4 pm “The Sea Is Not a Free Market” A former diver and the chef at a Michelin-starred seafood restaurant, Breton native Gaël Orieux is also a driving force behind the campaign “Mr Goodfish.” The campaign, whose slogan is “good for the sea, good for you,” was launched in March 2010 by Nausicaa, the Centre National de la Mer (national center of the sea) in Boulogne-sur-Mer. Convinced that chefs can help educate consumers and a passionate supporter of biodiversity, Gaël has transformed his Parisian restaurant Auguste into a model for the initiative. “In 15 years of cooking at Michelin-starred restaurants, I must have used six or seven species of fish,” he says. “As a restaurant owner I have the possibility and the responsibility to point diners towards alternative species. The sea is not a free market.” Gaël’s menus focus on lesser-known species, which are not just delicious but also more abundant than their famous cousins. His style, a perfect marriage of Celtic heritage and modernism, respect for nature and the meeting of land and sea, has been influenced by masters such as Paul Bocuse and Yannick Alléno. The daily changing menu at Auguste gives Gaël a chance to bring forgotten or unfamiliar foods back into the spotlight. (www.restaurantauguste.fr – www.mrgoodfish.com) Theater of Taste – Dive Into Brittany with Mr Goodfish – Sunday May 29, 1 pm Manjit Gill’s India Deeply rooted in the ancient Vedic sciences, India’s culinary culture is currently enjoying a creative renewal, thanks in part to the enthusiasm and passion of Manjit Gill, executive chef of the ITC Sheraton group’s Indian restaurants. With three decades of experience and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Ministry of Tourism (2007), Manjit is considered a guardian of traditional Indian cuisine. President of the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations, he recently participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos and is the organizer of “Chef & Child,” a charitable event that has spread across the country thanks to his commitment. As well as a successful chef, Manjit is also an active member and representative of Navdanya, a non-governmental organization led by Vandana Shiva which promotes biodiversity and organic agriculture and defends the rights of farmers and fishers. (www.itcwelcomgroup.in) Theater of Taste – Manjit Gill and India’s Fabulous Fish – Sunday May 29, 7 pm Representing Liguria The Chef-Gardener After training under Gualtiero Marchesi, Georges Blanc and Bernard Loiseau, at the age of 24 Paolo Masieri took over his father’s restaurant in San Remo, now called Paolo & Barbara. A year later he became the youngest Italian chef to receive a Michelin star. Then, as now, he spends every day meeting with fishermen, preparing the kitchen and delegating tasks to his assistants. He grows his own vegetables, and gathers wild herbs from the Nervia Valley countryside. “The fish comes only from local fishermen, which means I can serve it raw, in my own personal version. My cooking gets its life from the local products, and my dishes are either rigorously traditional or what I like to call ‘contemporary Ligurian cuisine.’ The quality of the raw ingredients, their genuinity and fragrance have been at the base of my philosophy since I took over the restaurant from my father in 1988, starting this adventure with my wife Barbara. Now I am continuing it with my son Stefano.” (www.paolobarbara.it) Taste Workshop – Raw Fish and Ligurian Olive Oil – Monday May 30, 12 pm The Elegance of Taste Cooking runs in Andrea Sarri’s family, and he began his career in the kitchen at the tender age of 15. Today he runs Agrodolce in Imperia, where he has created a refined and elegant cuisine. Andrea doesn’t complicate things with unnecessary frills, but cooks his fish perfectly, using flavor pairings that are original but never forced. His artful dishes take traditional recipes as a starting point, but are presented with great attention to beauty and detail. The menu follows what’s growing in the kitchen garden, and the basic ingredients are always the same: “Extra-virgin olive oil, seasonal vegetables and consistency. All the fish we select is exclusively from the open sea.” A promise that reveals his whole philosophy: only the highest quality ingredients chosen personally to best promote his local area. (www.ristoranteagrodolce.it) A Homemade Chef Luca Collami (Ristorante Baldin, Genoa-Sestri) likes to call himself a “homemade chef.” Almost entirely self-taught, he describes his cooking as capricious. “The same dish is almost never identical because I follow my instinct, and maybe during the preparation I’ll change a previous detail.” His dishes reveal great creativity, respect for tradition and an interest in innovations from far away. “Mine is not a traditional cuisine, but it is definitely linked to tradition through the scents of the land, or even better the flavors of Liguria and the Mediterranean. When I was going to the Piazza Cavour market 20 years ago, I was ordering directly, moving from one seller to another, and the ‘poor’ fish I chose was really cheap. I don’t feel the libido of sea bream; I love mackerel, horse mackerel, scabbardfish, barracuda and Atlantic bonito, fish that were once thrown back into the sea by fishermen. Then I use the flavors of the region, like thyme, marjoram and oregano, and seasonal vegetables.” (www.ristorantebaldin.com) Not Just Chefs Carmelo Chiaramonte’s Nomadic Cuisine “This is how it works, someone calls and I see if I can meet their requests, their edible dreams.” For Carmelo, “cuisine has its own paradisiacal meaning in the moment it manages to lighten the souls of those who are smelling and eating with their hearts as well as their minds and their eyes.” The self-professed “chef-errant” achieves this by travelling many miles across Sicily to seek out the artisans of food, farmers and fishermen, “slowly approaching the roots of a culture that is disappearing.” He has an incredible knowledge of unusual fish: “Fish are a kaleidoscope of flavors, textures and moods. It intrigues me to get to know marine species and all this mystery that there always is around the foods of the sea.” He has dedicated himself to researching the gastronomic customs and products of Sicily and its surrounding islands. His interest is linked not only to the hedonistic pleasure of food, but also the anthropology behind his region’s traditional material culture. This passion is also directed into activities outside the kitchen, like working as a “gastronomic scenographer” for theatrical projects. “Constructing a gastronomic set means that the base of a statue is made of bread, and at a certain point the actor has to devour it.” (www.carmelochiaramonte.it) Theater of Taste – Carmelo Chiaramonte: A Different Kettle of Fish – Saturday May 28, 1 pm Fabio Fauraz was born in 1977, and after attending the Marco Polo hotel school he worked at a series of restaurants in Genoa before opening a pizzeria with his brother in 1997. He quickly realized he was on the wrong path, and soon opened Il Violino Rosso with his wife. This little restaurant with an informal atmosphere has received excellent ratings in the leading Italian guides and won him a best emerging chef award from Gualtiero Marchesi’s prestigious ALMA culinary school. Now he has opened his own cooking school, where he teaches “how to play with ingredients” with courses ranging from the basics (cooking techniques, food safety, utensils) to specializations in fish, meat, finger foods and sushi. (www.fabiofauraz.com) Taste Workshop – Let’s Eat Them All! – Monday May 30, 3 pm Farming the Sea The Fonda family’s sea bass farm, in the beautiful Gulf of Piran (just an hour from Trieste), is the most innovative in Slovenia. Irena, part manager and part biologist, like her father and brother, is the driving force behind the business, confronting the challenge of globalization and focusing on the naturalness of her farm and the sustainability of its practices. In this case there’s no greenwashing, just strict rules that have been followed scrupulously since the beginning. “Ours is not an innovative technology, we mostly use tricks that help our sea bass stand out from the rest: attention to the selection of fry and feed, slow growth without artificial accelerations. So to reach an average weight of around 500 grams takes a good four to five years.” And if technology helps the Fonda family to sell their fish­—their bass is known outside Slovenia, and is particularly popular in Austria’s Carinthia and Italy’s Friuli—the production processes are kept manual, “to better follow our fish, to understand them better.” The Fonda family has Slovenia’s only natural marine fish farm. “We don’t use chemical agents of any kind, we want to have maximum respect for nature and our product.” (it.fonda.si) Taste Workshop – Quality Aquaculture – Friday May 27, 6 pm “I believe that the art of smoking has been lost over time, since flavorings and dyes began to be used to accelerate the process. All that has nothing to do with quality. The traditional method, with an initial salting followed by smoking/drying to guarantee good anti-bacterial conditions, is very slow. Our method takes a long time; all the steps are done by hand and many different skills are necessary, particularly during the fileting and salting of the fish. And it’s not easy to guess the exact moment when the fish is perfectly smoked.” Sally Barnes has always lived in Castletownshend, a pretty village on Ireland’s southern coast, in County Cork. She began smoking fish out of necessity, because she had no freezer and her fisherman husband would bring home kilos of fish in need of preservation. And so in 1981 she opened the Woodcock Smokery. Sally doesn’t use farmed fish, is in no rush to get her product on the market and takes great care to get the timing, temperature and wood all just right. “I’ve never had a problem about what fish to use for my products. Choosing local species whose fishing does not damage the marine ecosystem has always seemed the only way to me.” (www.woodcocksmokery.com) Taste Workshop – Irish Smoked Fish with Whiskey and Beer – Saturday May 28, 7 pm Puglia on a Plate All the elements are there: attention to detail, rigorous selection of ingredients, love for the land and local knowledge. “I’m a passionate supporter of the Slow Food Presidia, I go meet the producers personally to understand how they make something that passes on history and tradition.” Michele Rotondo began working as a kitchen boy at age 14 in the exclusive Riva dei Tessali Hotel and Golf Resort in Castellaneta, near Taranto, where he met his first teacher and mentor, Mino Maggi. After a long apprenticeship working in kitchens around Italy, he returned home to Puglia, where he now runs the Masseria Petrino, not far from Palagianello, in the province of Taranto. He divides his time between the kitchen, the garden that supplies the restaurant with produce and a passion for fishing. The result is a modern cuisine, just innovative enough to allow a masterly reinterpretation of the classics. (www.masseriapetrino.it) Theater of Taste – Puglia’s Bounty – Friday May 27, 4 pm Technique and Dedication Between Tradition and Innovation “When technique, love and ideas come together, you get a beautiful dish. I don’t feel obsessed with the quest for emotions. I like transparency, cleanliness, purity.” Despite his young age (he was born in 1979 in Pescia), Enrico Bartolini already has considerable experience. He began working in Tuscany at 14, earning a wine tasting diploma at 16, when he began cooking at his uncle’s trattoria. Three years later he decided to move to London, where he worked at the Royal Commonwealth Club. Then Paris, at Paolo Petrini, before returning to his homeland (via Berlin), first around Padua at Le Calandre in Sarmeola di Rubano and La Montecchia in Selvazzano Dentro (the stronghold of the Alajmos), then at Le Robinie in Montescano near Pavia, where he was awarded his first Michelin star. He recently took on a new challenge at the Devero Hotel in Cavenago, outside Milan, where he learned of his second star on the day of his 31st birthday. (www.deverohotel.it) Taste Workshop – Enrico Bartolini’s New Zealand – Sunday May 29, 1 pm The Anti-Global Chef Luigi Taglienti likes surrounding himself with local examples of excellence and fusing together ancient culinary traditions with the avant-garde, a passion that has earned him the nickname of the “anti-global” chef. In reality, Luigi simply does not want to lose “the contact with the land, because the guiding thread between past, present and future is the passing down of tradition. My cuisine is based on seeking out the small-scale food producers, of whom there are so many in Italy, who escape globalization as much as possible, and on the reinterpretation of ancient recipes in a contemporary key, recipes that are by now found only in classic old cookbooks.” A native of Savona, at the age of 30 he has already won many plaudits (including being named Best Young Chef in Italy by L’Espresso in 2009) and excellent ratings in Italy’s leading restaurant guides. His winning card? Rethinking the classics without betraying their essence. Taste Workshop – Luigi Taglienti, Fish and Beers from the Sea – Friday May 27, 3 pm Keeping It Local Eating the Sea La Pineta is the essence of what gastronomy should be, from the feeling of conviviality as soon as you cross the threshold of the restaurant to the learned and multidisciplinary science practiced by Luciano Zazzeri, who uses food as a starting point to follow a multiplicity of cultural paths. Luciano is not just a chef, but also a fisherman, writer and attentive farmer and above all a profound connoisseur of the sea. La Pineta, in Marina di Bibbona, near Livorno, is a must-visit destination not only for gourmets, but for all those who want to discover the local area, the communities who live there and the food producers and fishermen who make a living from land and sea. Theatre of Taste – Luciano Zazzeri: A Chef with the Sea in his Heart – Sunday May 29, 4 pm Flavors of the Po Delta It’s almost as though time has stopped at La Capanna di Eraclio in Codigoro, near Ferrara. The decor hasn’t changed for 50 years; the old-style trattoria has slightly slanting floors and ceilings and a couple of peacocks strutting around on the roof. Maria Grazia Soncini has skillfully continued the legacy of her mother, Wanda, transforming the family-run osteria (opened in 1922, it became a restaurant in the 1960s) into one of the best fish restaurants in Italy. “Our cooking is timeless, marked by a focus on the local area and the promotion of our products. It’s a cooking of tradition, respectful of the flavors, but always up-to-date. When I see an innovation or read something that inspires me, I try to pair it with that dish and that flavor linked to the local area and to the tradition of this land. Our intention is to recreate at the table the flavors and the atmosphere of the Po delta.” (www.lacapannadieraclio.com) Taste Workshop – The Slowness of the Eel – Friday May 27, 7 pm Others Slow Themes 10,000 Gardens in Africa Alliance Between Chefs and Small-Scale Producers Slow Food believes that animals used for food should be given a life free of pain and fear in... AsiO Gusto Eurogusto Family farming

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Millview Bed and Breakfast opens for guests Husband and wife proprietors, Larry and Rita Dennison, have opened Millview Bed and Breakfast at 139 Elk Creek Road, less than a mile from downtown Taylorsville The bed and breakfast features a single 1,000-square-feet, 5-room suite, with a queen-size bed. Amenities include a fully-stocked service center and a choice of full or continental breakfast. The Dennisons live on-site at the fully restored 1897 Queen Anne Victorian home, which boasts 10-feet ceilings and original hardwood floors. ELECTION 2010: Check out our election coverage in today's newspaper! Make sure to pick up a copy of this week's Spencer Magnet to check out part 1 of the 2010 Voter Guide. This week candidates running for Spencer County magistrate, clerk, jailer, constable and Taylorsville City Commission responded to questionnaires prepared by The Spencer Magnet. Pick up your copy today so you can be informed about the upcoming election! Community mourns a friend in Tichenor When close friends shared their memories of Steve Tichenor, they all agreed that he loved Spencer County and wanted to make it a better place. Tichenor, a well-known local businessman, farmer, public servant and developer, died at the age of 61 Friday after battling cancer. LETTER: A vote for Smith I would like to submit this letter on behalf of Darby Smith for District Court Judge, Division II, for the 53rd Judicial District. SPORTS BRIEF: Parks and Rec taking basketball signups Spencer County Parks and Recreation is now taking fall basketball signups. Signups will be held Oct. 21 and 28 from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Ray Jewell Park and Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Waterford Park. The leagues will be divided into boys and girls and will include a kindergarten-first grade league, a second-third grade league, a fourth-fifth grade league, and a sixth-eighth grade league. The leagues will be coed if there are not enough children signed up for a particular age group. LETTER: A vote for Eaton I am a registered Spencer County republican and I wanted to write to you about the importance of the election this November. Our country and state governments have become more political and more polarized than I can remember. Both parties are so consumed with power and politics, that they have forgotten they are there to work on behalf of all citizens. It is time we as citizens say, “enough.” The only way to do that, is to vote for the person, not the party. LETTER: Voters need to pray about their decision Nov. 2 we go to the polls to elect our leaders for the next four years. This is the time to lay friendship aside and elect public servants for a change. Now let’s take a look at what we have. We have a sheriff with seven deputies and a tax collector on the payroll. We have a clerk with six deputies on the payroll. I know they claim they pay this out of their fees, but who pays their fees? It’s the taxpayer and all excess fees go to the county treasury. We have an administration who gave us the biggest tax raise in the history of Spencer County. GUEST COLUMN: There's a more important vote to cast this November The political season is in full swing. From the left and the right, from Republicans and Democrats, from conservatives and liberals, everyone is clamoring for your vote. The signs are up along the roadway, the radio is full of interviews and debates, and on TV last night I saw the attack ads in all their ugly glory! Have you noticed that every politician promises to make your life better? LETTER: Pay is 'leading the way' Over the past four years the direction of our city has been changed forever. Problems that have been ignored for decades are now being tackled by Mayor Pay and the current City Commission. Mayor Pay is leading the way in rebuilding our city street by street. I believe these streetscape and infrastructure projects will play a big part in our future economic development and tourism opportunities in addition to increasing our quality of life and property values. My hope is Taylorsville continues to be rebuilt and improved and Mayor Pay is committed to doing just that. LETTER: 'Wonderful fire department' I just want the community of Taylorsville to know what wonderful fire departments we have. My family experienced a fire in our barn and older house last week. I’m not sure what departments were here besides Elk Creek but they worked tirelessly and were on the scene within minutes. You really don’t know how much to appreciate them until its your home or property.

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www.staradvertiser.com > Travel > Travel News > Print Email Comment | View 0 Comments Most Popular Save Post Retweet Resort set for old New Frontier site POSTED: 1:30 a.m. HST, Aug 10, 2014 LAS VEGAS » A new resort could soon spring up on the vacant Las Vegas Strip site of the former New Frontier casino, thanks to a partnership between Australian billionaire James Packer and former Wynn Las Vegas President Andrew Pascal. The two announced Monday that they're forming a new company and acquired a controlling interest in the 35-acre parcel, which has remained undeveloped since the storied New Frontier was imploded Nov. 13, 2007. Groundbreaking is planned for 2015, and the resort could open as soon as 2018. "You can't be in the gaming industry and not have a special reverence for Las Vegas — that's where it all began," said Packer, whose company, Crown Resorts Ltd., has successful casinos in Australia, Macau and London. "While we fell short in past attempts to enter that market, we now have the ideal opportunity." The New Frontier opened in 1942 and was known as the site of Elvis Pres­ley's first Las Vegas performance in 1956. The implosion was meant to make way for a $5 billion hotel-casino based on the Plaza Hotel in New York City, but the project died when the recession hit, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The deal to redevelop the land has financial support from Oaktree Capital Management. "We believed it was the best piece of undeveloped land on the Las Vegas Strip," Oaktree President Bruce Karsh said in a statement. Vegas resort planned at former New Frontier site Plans emerge for new casino-hotel on site of New Frontier Print Email Comment | View 0 Comments Most Popular Save Post Retweet

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Hidden gem: If you can get past frightening Red Mountain Pass, Ironton Park Cross Country Ski Area i If you can get past frightening Red Mountain Pass, Ironton Park Cross Country Ski Area is drop-dead gorgeous Drive time and distance: 2 hours, 103.9 miles Length: 4 miles of groomed trails; many more miles of backcountry trails Elevation: 9,700 ft. Ski time: 1-2 hours on the groomed stuff Difficulty: Easy on groomed trails; backcountry is a different deal! On a good day, with crystal clear skies and dry roads, the Ironton Park Cross Country Ski Area is 13 minutes from downtown Ouray, only two hours from Grand Junction. On a bad day, you can’t get there from here. The Ouray County Nordic Council maintains four miles of groomed trail with set Nordic track in this fairly level valley south of Ouray on Hwy 550. That’s Red Mountain Pass, you know, and even on a bluebird day with dry, clear roads, Red Mountain Pass can be frightening. Once you hit the trail, however, you’ll be in heaven. The trail glides around a snow-covered sludge pond created to catch the dregs from the old Idarado Mine’s massive tailings piles, and past the historic ghost town of Ironton. With the jagged, snow-covered peaks of the San Juans towering over the valley, it’s drop-dead gorgeous and you’d never know you were skiing anywhere near an old sludge pond. The main part of the Idarado Mine operation is a few miles further up valley, and was one of the last operating mines in the San Juan Mountains. It ceased operations in the 1990s, but environmental cleanup is ongoing. The old historic town of Ironton was abandoned years before that. Ironton was one of the largest towns in this rich Red Mountain mining district. Founded in 1883, the town boasted of 300 residents, a post office, fire station, municipal water station, electric plant and railroad station. In fact, it was an important supply center as the northern terminus of the Silverton Railroad, but as mining waned by the early 1900s, the town’s population rapidly dwindled. By the 1960’s, it was totally abandoned. Although most of the town’s buildings are gone, many still stand in varying degrees of decay. Skiers and snowshoers can view the exteriors, but don’t enter, as they may collapse. Then, you’d be in deep yogurt. The Ouray Nordic Council has done a great job of creating and maintaining these trails, with lots of help from private landowners and public agencies. It’s an easy glide, and very safe. No avalanche danger here. However, if you want a little more excitement, there are miles and miles of more challenging ungroomed trails, which are clearly marked, leading to historic mine sites and scenic overlooks. Most of those trails follow old jeep trails and mining roads. Trail maps are available at the trail head. Donations are welcome and encouraged to help fund trail grooming. The Nordic Council advises that although some south-facing slopes and trails may melt off early, snow conditions for skiing and snowshoeing are generally reliable from early December well into April. Be aware,” warns the Council, “that the snow in the San Juans is extremely powdery, which makes for heavenly turns downhill but hellish trail breaking and post-holing on the way up. Clear, deep blue sky days prevail, but beware that the weather can change rapidly. Dress appropriately in layers of synthetic material (cotton holds moisture and can cause serious hypothermia problems) and don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen.” Sound advice. To reach this area drive south from Grand Junction on U.S. Highway 50. It turns into U.S. Highway 550 just south of Main Street in Montrose. Stay on that all the way through the town of Ouray and up Red Mountain Pass. The Ironton Park Cross-Country Ski Area is found 7.5 miles south of town on the left hand (east) side of the road. At this point, you’ll be driving across a relatively flat open park, but to get there, Red Mountain Pass is steep, windy and its unguarded drop-offs are, as the Nordic Council suggests, “arresting.” Nonetheless, this is a great place to ski. This flat expanse of park seems out of place beneath the towering peaks of the San Juans, but was actually formed millions of years ago – at the end of the last Ice Age – “when sediment-laden streams filled the bed of a shallow lake,” according to Jeff La Frenierre in his excellent book, “San Juan Adventure Guide – a guide to hiking, biking and skiing in southwestern Colorado.” The Council is actually a division of the Ouray Trail Group, a local community-based, non-profit organization composed of skiing and hiking enthusiasts. The organization is dedicated to encouraging safe, enjoyable hiking and other low-impact outdoor recreational activities in the San Juan Mountains and helping to protect the beauty and other resource values of this area. This group provides excellent maps of all the hiking and skiing trails around this area. Go to http://www.ouraytrails.org for more information. On a clear day, these maps lead to some awe-inspiring places. On a bad day, though, forget about it. Red Mountain Pass is tough enough when the pass is dry. On a bad day, it’s bone ugly!

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Search this site: Find a Travel Guide Travel Guide Sections Florida — History and Culture Browse the Florida Photo GalleryThere’s much more to Florida than its stereotype of retirees, ‘snow birds’, celebrities, and people in need of a winter tan. The state was settled by Spaniards looking for gold in the 16th century, but had already had a long Native American heritage stretching back millennia before this point. Today, well over 10 percent of Florida’s population is Hispanic, giving the state a great mix of cultural identity. More than 100 Native American tribes, such as the Seminoles and Apalachee, lived around Florida when the first Spaniards arrived on its shores in 1513. Famous explorer Juan Ponce de Leon was first on the scene, chasing tales of legendary El Dorado gold and eternal youth. Several competing conquistadors set up forts and towns, some of which remain largely intact today, such as St Augustine. The British were next to seek control over Florida’s lush lands in the 1700’s. They kicked the Spanish out in 1763 and divided the territory into two parts. Florida sided with the British during the American Revolution, but the Spanish returned in 1781 and took back West and East Florida. US President Andrew Jackson invaded Spanish Florida but this only sparked the First Seminole War in 1817, which would pit settler against Indian for the next 50 years. In 1819, Spain ceded all land to America to settle their debt. During the Civil War, Florida was quick to secede to the Confederacy, but saw little fighting. After being readmitted to the Union, Florida switched its focus to tourism. Entrepreneurs built railroad lines in a bid to lure holidaymakers and in 1888, President Grover even visited. The railroads opened the floodgates to visitors from across the US. Florida’s first theme parks arrived in the 1930’s with Cyprus Gardens, but it wasn’t until 1971, when Walt Disney chose central Florida for his dream, that this state was truly revitalized. Around the same time, the 1960’s Space Race centered itself at Cape Canaveral, adding a different economic boost and prestige. Since then, Florida has been primarily about fantastical theme parks, space launches, beach holidays, and fun in the sun. Beneath the strip malls, old folks’ homes, and tourist-heavy beach towns, there is a rich spectrum of culture at work in Florida. The allure of Disney, Universal, and the other theme parks in Orlando can’t be dismissed because they contribute a true mark of fantasy to Florida’s culture. The beach towns off the tourist radar are another major facet in Florida’s character. They epitomize the hyper-relaxed atmosphere that pervades over most of the state, with the exception of Miami. But in Miami, another essential cultural element is at work. The strong Latino and Cuban populations are on full display. Even outside of Little Havana, it’s hard not to notice the ethnic diversity in South Florida. The Hispanic element provides much of the excitement in Florida, in sharp contrast to the state’s geriatric constituency. Simply spend a week in Miami and practice your Spanish because it’s just as prevalent as English. From dizzying nights out in South Beach and Little Havana, to the art and fashion on parade in the Design District, Miami is the pulse of Florida. Other United States Travel Guides AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingShow more » Proud Partners with: ©1999 - 2015 Adventure Travel with iExplore

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Review and Disclosure Scene of the Crime Scene of the Blog Fire burns. Birds fly. Dogs bark. I read. (Mostly mysteries.) Visiting Little Moreton Hall in Cheshire There is a lot about the month Denis and I spent in the UK that I won't be sharing with you-- unless it's the stray photo here and there-- because we spent days throughout that time with family. There are still two more posts to come about places I want to share with you, but they're both posts about the wild places of Scotland that wrapped their icy, breathtaking fingers around my heart and squeezed tight. Little Moreton Hall is all about me falling head over heels in love with a house from the very first second I laid eyes upon it-- a house over 500 years old that seems to have been built with me in mind. I've said before that one of the things I wanted to do during this trip was to scout out half-timbered houses. I found a jewel of a half-timbered great hall at Rufford Old Hall, but the diamond I found was Little Moreton Hall outside Congleton in Cheshire. I'd made a list of places I wanted to visit well in advance of ever getting on the plane to the UK, and when Denis and I sat down to plan our itinerary, I paid attention to any days the places were closed, and their opening and closing times, but very little to the tiny photos in the National Trust handbook. When Denis and I drove to Little Moreton Hall, I was walking into the place with an open mind... or a blank slate (although I hesitate to call my mind that for obvious reasons). The first thing I spied... There was a fairly substantial car park when we turned off the highway. We walked into the new gift shop, showed our Royal Oak membership cards (that get us into any National Trust property for free), and I paid scant attention to all the merchandise on the shelves. Once back outside under the gloomy skies and ever-present icy blasts of wind, I looked over a selection of plants for sale until I mentally slapped myself. What was I doing? It's not as though I could take any of them back with me to Phoenix! As Denis and I began to follow the path leading to the house, the first thing I spied was the blasted remains of a tree. As it seemed to be off by itself, it's little wonder that lightning seems to have paid considerable attention to it. And since I've shown you my first photo, I'd better remind you that you can click on any of the photos in this post to see them in larger sizes. No right clicking needed-- they'll open right up in a new window. My first view of Little Moreton Hall We walked past a hedgerow... I looked to the left... and there it was. Little Moreton Hall. I was in love. Little Moreton Hall stayed in the Moreton family for almost 450 years, until ownership was transferred to the National Trust in 1938. The house you see today was first built by William Moreton from 1504 to 1508. The rest was constructed in stages by successive generations until about 1610. Looks a bit top-heavy, doesn't it? That's due to the Long Gallery at the very top that runs the length of the house. (See that dark band of windows?) The closer I got, the more I wanted to get inside. Little Moreton Hall is a Grade One listed building, and the ground it stands on is protected as a Scheduled Monument. In other words, this place isn't going anywhere for as long as it wants to remain upright. (Which will be a good few centuries more if the National Trust has anything to do with it.) It was about now that I realized that we would be walking on a sandstone bridge over a moat. A moat? Be still, my heart! I've heard about you! I heard some quacking and turned my camera in time to take a photo of the "jet trail" left by a speeding duck as it disappeared around the corner and on down the moat. Hmmm... my reputation must have preceded me! In the courtyard looking toward the door to the Great Hall Past the gatehouse and into a small, cobbled courtyard. That door ahead was drawing me like a powerful magnet, but I ignored it. The part of the house in front of me was the oldest, and contained the Great Hall. To the left of the door was a wing added on which used to contain the kitchen, buttery, etc. Now that wing houses a small tea room and café. Denis asked me if I wanted to eat lunch there, but I have to admit that I waved him off. This house wasn't just speaking to me, it was singing, and I wasn't the slightest bit interested in food at the moment! Looking around the courtyard As I continued to look around the courtyard, the occasional glint would make a window pane sparkle in the weak light, and I began to look closer at the windows. The panes were in all sorts of different designs, and-- I would learn later-- there were over 33,000 individual panes of window glass at Little Moreton Hall. Higgledy piggledy One of the things I love best about this sort of house is the fact that some highly trained, highly paid architect had no part in its construction. There is so much whimsy to be found, various parts of the building leaning on each other as if in need of support, all the different sorts of ornamentation-- and those windows. Little Moreton Hall was built to impress, and I was. So much pride was put into building it. Even though the place did fall on hard times, with a succession of tenant farmers living in it, once renovations on it began, I would think it didn't take all that much before the pride reasserted itself. Little Moreton Hall was built to be a happy place, and even through the Arctic chill of the day, I felt the house's warm glow spread within me. Speaking of that wind, I still wasn't ready to go inside even though I was trying not to shiver! "In the year of our Lord 1559...." "Richard Dale Carpenter made these windows by the Grace of God" If I had anything to do with the building of this place, I would want people down through the centuries to know it, too! Time to go inside! Inside the Great Hall There's a large bow window to the left in the photo above, and the refectory table you see is one of three pieces of furniture that are original to the house. The small table with the lamps on it and above it to the right hold menus to the tea room whose entrance is to the right of the table. The door remained closed to keep the heat in. There was a fire lit in the Great Hall, and I came back to it more than once for its warmth and to talk to the National Trust employees there. And-- I admit-- to sit quietly and soak up the ambiance. The large bow window in the Great Hall... and those window panes! There were National Trust employees on hand throughout the building to help. Some of them were in period costume, like the lady to the right. One of the times I was in the Great Hall, a woman came in with some sort of suitcase. She opened it and began to take out tools. In talking with her, I learned that she worked for the National Trust, and she was there to begin the cleaning process on the windows in the Great Hall. I won't bore you with the steps in the process, but the work is very labor intensive and very painstaking to keep these ancient windows in good repair and looking their best. I can't remember the woman's name... Diane? Deborah? I should've made note of it because she was extremely friendly, helpful and informative. We found out that--even though we live thousands of miles apart-- we have a lot in common. The round table in the Parlor is another original furnishing. Painted decoration These painted panels were discovered when the Georgian wooden paneling was removed in 1976. This type of decoration was quite fashionable from 1570 to 1610. Detail of painted paneling Not all of the rooms in Little Moreton are open to the public. Some National Trust employees live on site, some rooms are being worked on, and some are store rooms. But there are treasures to be found upstairs! Staircase-- bottom That is, if you don't mind climbing a flight of very narrow, very steep stairs! Looking up isn't bad, but I have to admit that looking down from the top reminds me that I have vertigo! Staircase-- from the top The Long Gallery At the top of the house is the 68-foot-long Long Gallery, where residents could exercise in bad weather. In fact, four early seventeenth-century tennis balls were found behind the wood paneling here! The Long Gallery was roofed with heavy gritstone slabs which caused the supporting floors below to bow and buckle. The floor has waves in it much like the sea. Everything is well supported now and isn't about to fly apart, but the bows, buckles, and waves that remain only add to the charm of Little Moreton Hall. Let's walk more of it. Plaster detail at one end of the Long Gallery Here's where clicking on a photo to see the detail comes in handy. But if you don't feel like doing it, the plasterwork says (in modern English), "The spear of destiny whose ruler is knowledge." Opposite end of the Long Gallery For those of you who aren't in the mood for a close-up, the translation in modern English is, "The wheel of fortune whose rule is ignorance." Ripley might not believe this... Believe me, I know how this photo looks, and you may not believe me, but the only straight thing in this upstairs room is the fireplace! I have a friend who isn't enamored of these wonky old houses. She immediately thinks of safety issues and the like. Me? I love them! These "character flaws" charm me like no amount of straight lines and right angles can. (I will admit that I'm not in favor of ceilings so low that I self-concuss.) In a book that listed the author's choice of England's Thousand Best Houses, Little Moreton Hall did not make the top ranking. Why? Because-- for the most part-- it's not furnished. Granted, that is a negative, but I honestly did not feel the lack of furniture at all. All the Tudor history books, all the Tudor historical fiction that I've read over the years helped my mind furnish these rooms in what would have been the style of the day. If you do like to visit stately homes for their furnishings, you may want to give Little Moreton a miss-- but I hope you don't. Especially if your imagination likes to come out and play. State of the art! William Moreton's son (also named William) was the owner who added a state-of-the-art garderobe. That's loo...er... bathroom to you. No plumbing required! Now if you're wondering about the plumbing in that day and age, don't. There wasn't any. If you were to sit down in that garderobe on a cold winter's day, you'd definitely feel an icy breeze on your nether regions. You see, the moat at Little Moreton Hall isn't just a status symbol (it was never meant for defense). The garderobes all empty directly over-- and into-- the moat. Hmm... summer days were probably a mite fragrant at times! We did have lunch in the tiny tea room, partly because while I was waiting for Denis, I watched an almost endless parade of locals going in to eat. I knew that if the locals liked it, then our taste buds would rejoice. They did. While we ate and chatted, I contemplated the raid I would shortly be making on the gift shop. I hadn't paid much attention to it on the way in, but I knew if I liked Little Moreton Hall, I would be spending money on the way out. I spent more money at Little Moreton Hall's gift shop than I did anywhere else during our month in the UK! But it was time to think of leaving the house that had taken such a firm grip on my heart and my imagination. I didn't want to, but I made myself walk out the Great Hall door and out into the courtyard to face the gatehouse. Standing at the Great Hall door looking across the courtyard Standing at the door to the Great Hall, I looked across the courtyard. To the large entrance way. To all those panes of glass in the windows. To the patterns in the blackened timbers. And on up to the Long Gallery. And then I reluctantly walked across the courtyard. Ornamentation over the entrance way I spent more time looking at all the carving over the entrance way past the gatehouse. These builders, these carvers... every one of them took pride in their work and wanted it to last forever. We all need passions like that. View across the courtyard from the Long Gallery Remember that open window in the Long Gallery that could be seen in the photo taken from the Great Hall door? Well, this is how the courtyard and Little Moreton Hall looks from that open window. I love all the varying rooflines. I love the fact that there are no straight lines. I can imagine how those 33,000 window panes can glint and glimmer when the sun shines. I can certainly appreciate how comforting and warm a fire in the Great Hall fireplace is on a bitterly cold day. I can picture myself feeding the ducks that swim in the moat-- and looking for ducklings in the spring. There is so much I can imagine at Little Moreton Hall. Thank God it's still here for us all to enjoy. Little Moreton Hall,

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The Jewish community in Marrakech The Jewish community has a long history in Marrakech and Morocco at large, indeed the history of the community stretches back to antiquity under the Roman empire following the dissolution of the Jewish state in 70 AD with Jewish people arriving after the destruction of the Jewish state. The Jewish people received relatively kind treatment under the sultans due to their usage of the jiyza system whereby they were left alone as long as they paid their taxes. The community played a prominent role in Moroccan life until the formation of the state of Israel when large numbers left to emigrate to Israel. A very noticeable legacy has however been left by the community both physically and culturally, indeed although the Jewish quarter no longer contains any Jewish people it is still named as such, as an indicator of the areas legacy. There is also a historic Jewish cemetery to be found in Marrakech, locally known as the Miara, which is an indicator of Jewish cultural heritage in the area. All of these things contribute to historical and cultural aspects of Marrakech that make it one of the most vibrant and interesting cities to visit in the world. A stay in one of our Riads puts you right in the heart of this in Marrakech’s historical Medina allowing you access to all the great culture and heritage Marrakech has to offer. » Explore the Jemaa el Fnaa Map Leave a Comment Pamper Break£249 per person

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Travel Florida marks its 500th anniversary Updated February 8, 2013 3:38 PM By JAY CLARKE. Special to Newsday Reprints Ca d'Zan, in Sarasota, Fla., is an elaborate Venetian-style villa modeled in part after the Doge's Palace in Venice and built by circus magnate John Ringling and his wife Mable. The 56-room house and art museum are open for touring. Photo Credit: Handout, 2007 advertisement | advertise on newsday Five hundred years ago, on April 2, 1513, Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon sighted land he thought was another island in the New World. Both because of its lush foliage and because it was Easter season, which the Spaniards called Pascua Florida (Festival of Flowers), Ponce de Leon named it La Florida and laid claim to it in the name of Spain. Today, of course, Ponce de Leon's "island" is the state of Florida, which plans to mark its 500th anniversary with dozens of events this year. State and St. Augustine officials are hopeful the king and queen of Spain will come to Florida for the anniversary, but that visit has not yet been confirmed. However, a number of celebratory events are planned in and around St. Augustine, the oldest permanent settlement in what is now the United States and which has long claimed that Ponce de Leon made landfall just north of the city. And just in time for the anniversary, a major new attraction is opening in the historic sector of St. Augustine. Colonial Quarter, a 2-acre living history museum created by the University of Florida and former Philadelphia 76ers owner Pat Croce, will have its grand opening March 16. THREE CENTURIES OF SETTLEMENT Within the complex, visitors will experience life in St. Augustine as it was in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Features will include blacksmith and gunsmith demonstrations, a Spanish garrison town and taverna, a British colony and Publick House, a 55-foot caravel (a sailing ship) and a climbable, 35-foot replica watchtower. Everything in the Quarter, Croce says, had to be approved by archaeological departments of the city, state of University of Florida. Admission will be $10.99 for adults, $5.99 for children 5-12, and Croce expects to open the attraction March 1. St. Augustine, already one of the state's most visited cities, expects to draw even more tourists this year with a number of anniversary events. On April 2, a 15-foot statue of Ponce de Leon will be installed midway between St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach on a site that historians believe was indicated by a navigational notation in the ship's log. The next day, costumed re-enactors in downtown St. Augustine will replicate the landing of Ponce de Leon. Also that day, a celebratory Mass will be conducted by Puerto Rico's bishop and cardinal at the city's Cathedral Basilica. New JetBlue 'farm' to help feed JFK customers 3 fall hikes every LIer should take Airport layovers are for sightseeing Disney World hikes annual, season pass prices As the oldest continuously inhabited city in America, St. Augustine has many other historical attractions. The only intact 17th century fortress in the United States, the Castillo de San Marcos is one of the city's most visited sites. Hotels that Florida developer Henry Flagler built in the late 1800s started the state on its way to becoming a major tourist destination. His Spanish Renaissance Revival-style Ponce de Leon Hotel, which today is Flagler College, is a National Landmark. Other historical attractions include the Oldest House, Oldest School, Oldest Store and Oldest Jail. And although the city has a Fountain of Youth, there is no evidence that Ponce de Leon ever was seeking its supposedly magical waters. For further information on St. Augustine, click on floridashistoriccoast.com. Many other Florida cities have planned events celebrating the 500th anniversary, most of them annual events that have been placed under the 500th umbrella. Visit fla500.com. MORE FLORIDA HISTORY Florida is rich with many other historical sites, some centuries old, some of recent vintage. Here is a sampling: HISTORIC FORTS Fort Jefferson The largest all-masonry fort in the United States, Fort Jefferson lies on an island 70 miles west of Key West. The bastion was used as a federal prison in and after the Civil War and its most famous prisoner was Dr. Samuel Mudd, sentenced to life imprisonment there as the physician who set the broken leg of Abraham Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth. After Mudd helped prison doctors treat yellow-fever victims, his sentence was commuted in 1869. The fort is part of Dry Tortugas National Park. Day tours are offered by boat ferry or seaplane from Key West. INFO 305-242-7700, nps.gov/drto Fort Clinch This large bastion is one of best-preserved 19th century forts in the country. It fronts on the St. Mary's River on Amelia Island, north of Jacksonville. It was occupied by Union troops during the Civil War, and today costumed re-enactors play roles as Civil War soldiers. The fort is a state park and also has a campground, beaches and nature trails, and is known for excellent fishing. INFO 904-277-7274, floridastateparks.org/fortclinch TravelHistoric Florida Edison/Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers Inventor Thomas A. Edison and automobile pioneer Henry Ford were great friends, so after Edison built a home on the Caloosahatchee River, Ford bought the house next door. Both houses are relatively ordinary, but then neither Edison nor Ford was ostentatious. Guests can peer into Edison's laboratory, where he conducted many experiments, notably seeking to make rubber from plants. On the grounds is also a museum with many of Edison's inventions. Historian-led tours are offered. INFO 239-334-7419, edisonfordwinterestates.org Ernest Hemingway Home, Key West Hemingway bought this Spanish Colonial-style home in 1931 and lived there for several years while writing "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and other books. He worked in a study above the carriage house, reached then by a rope-and-wood catwalk from the main two-story house. Half-hour guided tours offered. INFO 305-294-1136, hemingwayhome.com Whitehall, Palm Beach Open to the public as the Flagler Museum, this is the elegant Gilded Age home of oil baron and Florida developer Henry Flagler, who brought a railroad down Florida's east coast and built hotels in St. Augustine, Palm Beach, Miami and Key West. His 55-room mansion, built in 1902, was once called "the Taj Mahal of North America." Its entrance hall alone is so large that a suburban home could fit inside. INFO 561-655-2833, flaglermuseum.org Ca D'Zan, Sarasota In this elaborate residence, patterned in part after the Doge's Palace in Venice, circus magnate John Ringling entertained screen idol Rudolph Valentino, humorist Will Rogers and showman Flo Ziegfeld. The 56-room home has Venetian glass windows, a 4,000-pipe organ, a playroom, period furnishings and art objects. In the same 20-acre complex are the Ringling Museum of Art; the Asolo, a restored Italian theater; and the Circus Museums, whose exhibits include the world's largest miniature circus. INFO 941-359-5700, ringling.org TravelTravel photographs from around the world More coverage Florida travel guide

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A to J K to N O to Z Washington D.C.* Visit Las Vegas USA on a Harley-Davidson Getting Married in Las Vegas Nevada and Utah Itineraries Cruise Discount Alabama Arizona Washington D.C. Art and History Hearst Castle, San Simeon, CA Museums in New York, NY Alcatraz, San Francisco Bay, CA Boot Hill Museum, KS Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Sailing the Florida Keys, Florida Biking the USA Trails Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, Florida Hotels by City Featured Hotels in California Featured Hotels in Florida Featured Hotels in Nevada Featured Hotels in New York Featured Hotels in Washington DC Share your Travel Information - Write Articles Voyage Etats-Unis Tourism by State All States Visit Las Vegas Bryce Canyon N. P. Yellowstone N. P. New York Museums USA on a Harley-Davidson Biking the USA's Trails From Miami to Key West From Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon N. P. Find Airfares at Unbeatable Prices on your Hotel's Bill Service apartments Brussels Washington D.C. - Travel Guide Visit Washington D.C. Capital of the United States and a center of international influence, the city has numerous museums, administrative buildings and prestigious historic monuments. It was a French engineer Pierre l'Enfant, who designed the city in 1791, getting his inspiration from European cities like Versailles. Today, no skyscrapers alter the scenery of the capital, embellished with thousand of trees planted at the beginning of the 20th century. Its' points of interests are situated in the Mall, the oldest federal park of the country. Washington D.C. from A to Z ** Arthur M. Sackler Gallery - Asian art collection with an important exhibition of jade. *** Capitol Hill - Headquarters of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Sightseeing: *Library of Congress, the biggest library in the world with 90 million books and home to the Supreme Court. ** Corcoran Gallery of Art - Beautiful exhibition of European and American art. ** Ford's Theatre - Theater that opened in 1863 and the place where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated opened in 1865. Performances are still given there. The box occupied by Lincoln is kept in the same state as in was when he was assassinated. ** Freer Gallery - Magnificent collection of Asian art. ** Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden - Cylindrical building. European and American modern art collection. Sculptures signed by Rodin are exhibited in the garden. ** Lincoln Memorial - Designed like the Parthenon in Athens. Inside the building there is an impressive statue of a sitting Abraham Lincoln. On the walls are engraved his most famous speeches. *** National Air and Space Museum - One of the most popular museums that presents the history of civil and military aviation dating from the period of the pioneers to the exploration of space. The Albert Einstein planetarium projects on a giant 5 stories high screen the marvels of the universe. *** National Gallery of Art - Presents one of the most beautiful collections of paintings, sculptures and graphic arts in the world, from the Middle Ages to modern times. It is made up of among other things, masterpieces by Leonard de Vinci, Titian, van Eyck, Vermeer, El Greco, Matisse, Picasso and Miro. *** National Holocaust Memorial Museum - Opened in1993 and funded mainly by private funds, it is dedicated to the history of the extermination of the European Jews, during the second world war, by the Nazi regime. The visit starts by entering a train wagon in which milions of Jews were transported to the extermination camps of Auschwitz and Treblinka. ** National Museum of African Art - Dedicated to southern Sahara African art. ** National Museum of American History - Dedicated to the history of the USA. ** National Museum of Natural History - Museum of natural history. ** National Museum of Women in the Arts - Museum exclusively dedicated to works of art by women, from the 16th century to present times. ** National Portrait Gallery - Beautiful collection of American celebrities. ** Phillips Collection - A very beautiful collection of masterpieces by renown artists like Renoir, van Gogh, Picasso, Klee, El Greco, C�zanne, Bonnard, Mondrian and other artists. * Smithsonian Institution Building "The Castle" - The institution regroups16 museums surrounded by the Mall and the Washington Zoo. The castle, built in 1855 is home to the offices of the institution and the touristic information center. ** Vietnam Veterans Memorial - This simple yet majestic memorial is dedicated to the veterans of the Vietnam War. It was designed by a young student in architecture aged 21, Maya Ying Li. On one of the 150 meters long marble walls are engraved the names of the 58,156 Americans that died or disappeared during this war. An exposition that travels throughout the country since 17 years shows a replica of the wall on a scale of 1/2; "The Moving Wall". *** Washington Monument - Marble obelisk dedicated to George Washington, the father of the American nation. An elevator takes the visitors to an observation platform. *** White House - The official residence of the President of the United States. Washington D.C. Surroundings from A to Z ** Alexandria - Bridge founded by the Scottish merchants of the 18th century and several old buildings. *** Arlington - This is the national cemetery of the United States. Are buried here Americans and most particularly military men that served their country in an outstanding manner. The information center presents an exposition on the history of the cemetery. * Graves of president John F. Kennedy, his wife Jacqueline and his brother Robert. * Magnificent sceneries of the city of Washington can be viewed at the Robert E. Lee Memorial. * Change of the guard in front of the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. ** Georgetown - Very nice town founded in 1751, to visit during the day or evening. ** Mont Vermont - Very beautiful holiday residence of George Washington a 19 room house built in a Gregorian architectural style. The library and the office assemble objects that belonged to the first president of the United States. ** Newseum - Museum dedicated to the media. The visitors are welcomed to play reporters, look at news telecasted from around the world and consult the first pages of 70 national and foreign newspapers. * Pentagon - Famous five sided building home to the department of defense center and the Armed Forces. Washington DC - Hotels Washington DC - Popular hotels We analyzed many travel sources and selected the best rated hotels by the customers and travel guides All featured hotels

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Winter Festivals and Events in Norway - Official Travel Guide to Norway - visitnorway.com | Listen to cool music at the Ice Music Festival in Geilo in Norway Photo: Emile Holba Concerts & Festivals Theatres & Shows Christmas events in Norway Church and Choir Opera and Ballet Folk and Country Typically Norwegian: Music festivals Music Festivals in Norway Summer Festivals and Events in Norway Spring Festivals and Events in Norway Winter Festivals and Events in Norway Fall Festivals and Events in Norway Winter in Norway can be a busy time for visitors, with all the festivals and events taking place in December, January and February every year. Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony Oslo, 10 December. The Norwegian Royal family and the cream of Norwegian society gather every year in Oslo Town Hall for the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony, a tradition dating back to 1905. The event itself is by invitation only, although proceedings are shown live on TV. The high profile concert taking place at the Oslo Spektrum the following day, on the other hand, is open to all, and attracts its fair share of celebrities, both on and off the stage. Read more about the Nobel Peace Prize. Folk Museum, Oslo, December. Christmas markets are a popular feature in Norwegian towns and cities from the end of November up to the day before Christmas Eve. One of the most famous is the open air market held at the Folk Museum on Bygdøy, Oslo, the first two weekends in December. The market boasts some 120 stalls selling all manners of arts and crafts, Christmas decorations, and seasonal food. Christmas carols and a Santa's workshop add to the fun. Next: Dates yet to be announced. Gingerbread Town (Pepperkakebyen) Bergen, December. The world's largest gingerbread town is on display at Sentralbadet in the centre of Bergen. Every year since 1991, the inhabitants of Bergen (kindergartens, schools, companies and private persons) have been bringing their home-made contributions to help build a brand new gingerbread town. This is one to appeal to both kids and grown-ups - a feast for the eyes, if not the tastebuds. Next: Dates yet to be announced. Drekkedagsnatta Kongsberg, 22 December. A local tradition dating back to the 17th century, when many locals worked in the town's mines. The miners lived difficult lives, working deep in the mines for weeks on end. But on the 22 December, the beginning of their Christmas holiday, they would all come out from the mines, torch in hand, and walk to the town - a snake of fire sliding down the mountainside. Once on the main square, they would get "gløgg" (mulled wine), and their wages. Then the party could begin. Today locals gather to commemorate their forefathers, following the same path down the mountain - and partying with the same enthusiasm. Tromsø International Film Festival Tromsø, January. Norway's largest film festival, established in 1991, screens a selection of films from around the world, most of which have not previously been shown in Norway. More than 300 screenings take place during the festival, some of them on a big outdoor screen set up on Tromsø's main square. Documentaries and short films from the region are shown together with feature-length movies by big international names, as well as up-and-coming talent. Talks, quiz, silent film concerts and other events also take place during the week-long festival. Next: 18-24 January 2016. Read more about Tromsø International Film Festival. Ice Climbing Festival Rjukan, February. There are many waterfalls in Telemark, and come winter these turn into huge ice walls clinging to the mountain side, much to the delight of local climbers. As it happens Rjukan boasts the world's tightest concentration of frozen waterfalls (more than 170 within a radius of 12 miles), making it the perfect place for such a festival. Guided climbs, lectures, clinics and more. All welcome, from beginners to professional climbers. Dates yet to be announced. Read more about Ice Climbing Festival. Ice Music Festival Geilo, January/February. An alternative music festival where both the stage and the instruments are carved out of local ice and snow. Much is left up to nature, from the date (the festival takes place at the first full moon of the year) to the music itself (the quality of the ice depends on the weather conditions, so the sound varies with the temperature), making this a rather unpredictable, but no less fascinating, event. Next: 21-24 January 2016. Read more about the Ice Music Festival. Northern Lights Festival Tromsø, January-February. Established in 1988, this festival is a big musical extravaganza that has attracted high profile artists such as Jan Garbarek, Mari Boine and Dee Dee Bridgewater, among many others. Some of the best symphonic orchestras in Scandinavia have also performed here. Over the past two decades the festival has had an interesting mixture of top quality performances, including many by artists from the North. Next: 29 January to 7 February 2016. Read more about Northern Lights Festival. Polar Jazz Longyearbyen, Svalbard, February. The world's northernmost music festival. Wrap up warm for this one, as temperatures in Svalbard in February are no joke (Polar Jazz has adopted the phrase "Cool place, hot music" as its slogan). Over the years many of Norway's best jazz musicians have played at the festival, and increasingly other music genres, such as blues and bluegrass, are also represented. Next: 4-7 February 2016. Rørosmartnan (Røros Fair) Røros, February. Røros makes an ideal backdrop for this annual fair, which has been held in the UNESCO world heritage town since 1854. Attracting some 75,000 visitors every year, the fair is one of the region's largest events, and a real trip down memory lane. The "backyards", where people used to gather to trade, play music, dance and tell stories, is where the action takes place. Try some local food, see how traditional crafts were performed, take part in an auction or even go on a sleigh ride. Next: 16-20 February 2016. More info about Rørosmartnan (only in Norwegian). Concerts & Festivals (783) Sports & Activities (396) Theatre & Shows (266) Congress & Conventions (29) The hosts for the 2009 Peace Prize Concert, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith In early December you can experience the Christmas Market at the Folk Museum in Oslo Reach for the sky when iceclimbing in Rjukan in Norway Experience Rørosmartnan in Røros in February Winter Festivals and Events in NorwayWinter in Norway can be a busy time for visitors, with all the festivals and events taking place in December, January and February every year. Winter Festivals and Events in NorwaySource: Visitnorway WC Kick Sledge 2015 in Geilo Bring your friends and colleagues to compete. This is a unique arrangement with one of the oldest means of transportation in Norway. Summer in Norway can be a spectacle to behold, with a great many exciting festivals and events taking place in June, July and August every year. Spring in Norway can be the tail end of winter or the beginning of summer, and all sorts of events and festivals take place in March, April and May. From Kristiansand in the south to Svalbard in the North, here are some of the top music festivals, large and small, taking place in Norway this year. Featured videos Play Sail the Norwegian coast with Hurtigruten in summer Play Video: Sail the Norwegian coast with Hurtigruten in summer 3:21 Sail the Norwegian coast with Hurtigruten in summer With its long daylight hours, summer is the perfect time to discover the iconic Norwegian coastline with Hurtigruten. Twelve short films about collecting new stories. Play Video: Twelve short films about collecting new stories. The story collector David Spinx travels around Norway in search for new stories. Release date 9/9 2010. Norway. Powered by Nature (5 minutes) Play Video: Norway. Powered by Nature (5 minutes) Discover Norway. See attractions such as the Opera in Oslo, the Fish Market in Bergen, the UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord and the North Cape. Related Festivals Music festivals in Southern Norway Sørlandet Southern Norway is famous for many music festivals in the summer season. Everything from rock, metal, chamber music and beach parties. What to do in the Hamar region Hamar region The Hamar region has a wide variety of activities on offer, and is ideal for anyone looking for an active holiday. What to do in Bergen Take part in Bergen's vibrant cultural scene. The nearness to nature makes Bergen a good starting point for outdoor activities. Visit Norway in the autumn and you'll find lots of festivals and events taking place in the country in September, October and November each year. Tobogganing in Geilo Many believe tobogganing is mostly for children, while in reality it is at least as fun for adults. Geilo offers long and tough toboggan runs. Winter in Kristiansand In the Kristiansand Region, winter is basically synonymous with "green". But you head inland, a few kilometres away from the coast, you will find snow Winter activities in Southern Norway Winter in Southern Norway is downhill or cross-country skiing in the mountains of Hovden or Sirdal. Alpine skiing and snowboarding is popular too.

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What is the difference between “Lisbon is a city on the water” and “of the water”? There was the line, “It’s one of those places that’s not on the water but of the water,” in the article of May 25 New York Times titled “How I fell for Lisbon,” an enticing reading for anyone who has ever been there. It goes as follows: A major port in a country with a rich and proud seafaring history, Lisbon has a connection to the ocean – the Tagus meets the Atlantic only a dozen or so miles away – that is essential, intimate and palpable. It’s one of those places that’s not just on the water but of water. I’m not able to get a clear idea about the difference between ‘place on the water’ and ‘place of the water.’ How can I interpret the difference of 'on' and 'of' (the water)? phrases share|improve this question edited Jun 4 '12 at 12:15 Callithumpian Yoichi Oishi♦ You’re asking what the difference is between two different prepositions, on and of. Seems a bit basic to me. – tchrist @tchrist. I can understand the literal meanings of ‘on,’ and the image of the city built ‘on’ (or by) the water like Venice and Amsterdam. Both cities are actually built on water while Lisbon is built ‘by’ water. The image of city (made) ‘of’ water, the liquid doesn’t come straight to me because of the lack of imagination, though I can understand a house (made) of wood and paper, the city (made) of iron, concrete - the solid substance. – Yoichi Oishi♦ The answer lies in the two cases of the two prepositions. On the water; this would be the dative case (case of the indirect object), its usage here is best understood as a locative dative, i.e. The city located on the water. Of the water; this is the genitive case (case of possession), its usage here is best understood as an attributive genitive, i.e. The city which is a part of the water, or who shares an innate quality with the water. The intention of the phrase is to highlight that the city does not only happen to be next to the water, but has a strong affinity with the water-y lifestyle; the people and city represent the quintessential sea-people and sea-town. Ghostpsalm “It’s one of those places that’s not on the water but of the water.” means, as the article states a little later, that the city's very close connection to or inseparable relationship with the Tagus and the Atlantic defines the character of the city. Lisbon without that river and the ocean would not be Lisbon. Everything about that city is identified with the water. In this case, for the phrase of the water, the writer is using this definition of "of": constituted by, containing, or characterized by. On the water just means that the city is geographically located next to a body of water. It's an interesting topic to raise: "A city not just on the water but of water." If I were the mayor of a city and I suddenly decided to make a kind of tourism gimmick by moving houses, shops, restaurants etc. by and partly on the sea - perhaps even going so far as to build them on stilts - would you pay to come to my new city? Or would you prefer to go to Lisbon, Seattle, and Italy? Places that have a long, deep and genuine connection and culture with the sea and seamen? I suppose most people would choose the latter because my imaginary city is in fact physically and artificially ON the sea but it is not OF the sea. ;-) Cool Elf Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged phrases or ask your own question. asked What is the difference between an expression and a phrase? What’s the difference between “Take yes for an answer” and “Say yes for an answer”? “City air,” or “city feel?” difference between “get along” “get by” and “get on” What is the difference between “in conclusion” and “by way of conclusion”? Is there any difference between “told to” and “told to do so” What is the difference between “Whatever/What ever happened to Sandra?” and “What happened to Sandra?” Difference between “This makes no sense” and “This doesn't make sense” What is the difference between those two phrases Difference between “In Conclusion…” and “By way of conclusion…”

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Tourism Commission Renews Opposition To Slots In Md. Posted on 08/09/2007 by DispatchAdmin OCEAN CITY – It is no secret that Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and Governor Martin O’Malley have been proponents of slots in Maryland, and it is also no secret that slots have been both lauded and vehemently opposed by people all over the state as well as in Ocean City. With this in mind, it was decided at last week’s Tourism Commission meeting to take the latter stance and be vehemently opposed to slots in Maryland. Over the past several years, legalizing slot machines in Maryland has become a heated and much debated issue. Proponents of slots claim that it would result in millions of dollars in annual economic impact as well as generate revenues for areas such as education and transportation. Proponents also argue that it will create jobs as well as bring money back to Maryland that has been lost to neighboring Delaware, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, all of which have slots. Opponents of slot legislation view the word “slot” with the same negative connotation of any other four-letter word that they teach their children not to use. Opponents feel that the revenue brought in would have to be used to control the increase in crime that results from gambling as well as other costs that would arise with the installation of slots. While Miller has maintained strong support for slots, O’Malley has taken a lesser stance, suggesting that slots be limited to established horse racing tracks where gambling is already occurring. The idea is that it would help to control the issue while bringing revenue and saving horse racing in Maryland. While the compromise does call for a restriction on slots, opponents can only wonder how long it would be before slots overflow into all areas of the community. It’s the well-documented proliferation effort, opponents argue. Slots or no slots, Maryland is facing a $1.5 billion structural deficit that must be rectified. Slots, as well as increases in state income and sales taxes and a reform of the state’s tax code seem to be the current options for dealing with the deficit. The deficit issue and the possibility of slots has trickled down to the local level, forcing tourism leaders and elected officials to draw a line in the sand and chose what side of the slot debate they will rally from. At the Tourism Commission meeting, Dr. Leonard Berger, owner of the Clarion Hotel in Ocean City, spoke on behalf of the Governor’s Economic Development Committee (EDC). Berger made it clear that he, as well as the EDC, is and will remain opponents of slots in Maryland. “We feel that slots would be very detrimental to our way of life and to our tourism,” Berger said. Berger explained that although he understood the state deficit and the need for revenue, he did not feel that slots were the answer to the state’s problem. “We just don’t feel that it’s the right direction for Maryland to take,” he said. The opposition to slots leaves tax increases as a possibility, which Berger said he would favor over slots. Berger emphasized the importance of making a unified stand against slots, a stand that he hopes will get the message across to the proponents of slots in Annapolis. “It’s very important that we send the message to Annapolis that the community is unified,” he said. Berger added that all of the partners, the OCHMRA, the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, the EDC, and even local hotel and business owners, must come together and make a stand. Without a unified show of opposition, Berger feels that the message won’t be relayed with conviction. Susan Jones, executive director of the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association, also voiced opposition to slots in Maryland. “The pie is continuing to shrink,” she said as she explained the ever-increasing struggle to attract tourists and increase business. Jones also pointed out that gaming, as a whole, is not what it used to be. She referred to gaming destinations, such as Atlantic City and Las Vegas, which are now seeking non-gaming attractions to counter-balance the decline in gaming. For example, Las Vegas is seeing an increase in resort spas, promoting luxury resorts over gaming and casinos. Atlantic City was also discussed at the meeting with several members noting what happened to the city after casinos moved in. The consensus was that although the casinos brought booming hotels and business, it left the surrounding non-gaming areas in squalor. The “bait and switch” is of concern to the members as well, with everyone agreeing that the promise of funds for schools and education could be pushed aside by the increased need for law enforcement and rehabilitation programs that could fill the state as a result of slots. The tourism commission voted unanimously to take the stand of opposition against slots, agreeing that the next step would be partnering with other sectors of the community including the Ocean City Mayor and Council.

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A walking tour of Oakland’s historic churches By Ryan PhillipsPosted June 23, 2011 10:00 am View Oakland's Historic Churches and Temples in a larger map More stories about Oakland history Tiki Tom's and Oakland's tiki culture Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library The City of Oakland has eight free, guided walking tours from spring until fall that offer different looks at the city. Jackie Tasch, a volunteer guide for seven years, said the “Oakland Chinatown” tour usually draws the largest crowd, and “Jack London Waterfront” is also popular. The most consistent, though, is the “Churches and Temples” tour. Someone – at least one person – can always be counted on to show up. “It’s really remarkable that it’s been so appealing,” said Tasch, speaking to a group of six women seated in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church in downtown Oakland as the “Churches and Temples” tour began on a hot, midday Wednesday. The tour included four of the oldest places to worship in Oakland – First Presbyterian Church, Temple Sinai, First Christian Church and First Congregational Church. They were built in the same era – between 1914 and 1925, and all in the same area – none are farther than five blocks from one another. First Presbyterian was the first Christian congregation in Oakland, Tasch said, forming in 1853 in a tent on Oakland’s waterfront. The congregation eventually settled at its current location, at the corner of Broadway and 27th Street, when the church was completed in 1914. Outside, the copper-clad spire is 138 feet tall. Inside in the sanctuary, long, white walls are lined with green, plaid stained glass up high, and scenes from church’s near-100 year history are captured in stained glass line the walls near the ground. Organ pipes that are about 30 feet tall fit inside a white, 65-foot arch at the altar at the front of the church. Temple Sinai was also completed in 1914. Pairs of white Corinthian columns line the front, connected under the inscription, “My House Shall be a House of Prayer for All Peoples.” A cement pineapple ornament sits on top of the building, “a symbol of hospitality,” Tasch said. While Oakland’s original Jewish congregation worshiped at Temple Sinai, it is not at the site of Oakland’s first temple. In 1877, the city’s first temple opened at 14th and Webster and moved three more times before settling at the current location on Summit Street. According to Tasch, writer Gertrude Stein was a member of Temple Sinai. First Christian Church was designed in the Mission Revival style and was modeled after a Mexican cathedral. The exterior is a mostly plain, drab white building that is offset by bright red, elegant and detailed window trim that looks as if it was carved from stone from the Grand Canyon. Its tower, also white, is done with the same carved, intricate red-rock colored detail. “I can’t imagine why anyone would have done that on purpose,” Tasch said of the color choices. When First Congregational was completed in 1925, there was a clear view of Lake Merritt from the church’s front steps. Now the view is blocked by a 7-11, a billboard and a five-story yellow building. Like other early Oakland congregations, the people of First Congregational moved in the early years. The original church was located at 12th and Clay before the church bought the land at 27th and Harrison in 1923. The City of Oakland offers eight tours, two each week, from May through October. For more information, visit the city’s Events Calendar page. Filed under: Community, Culture, Downtown, Front, Neighborhoods, Religion Tagged: downtown oakland, first christian church, First Congregational church, first presbyterian church, Oakland, Temple Sinai Comments are closed.

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Question, comment or story idea? Florida's Freshwater Springs Attract Vacationers By Greg Allen Originally published on April 15, 2014 5:20 am Transcript DAVID GREENE, HOST: All right. If I say Florida and Spring Break, you might be conjuring images of beaches, cocktails, theme parks. Well, some of our reporters have been sending suggestions for more off-the-beaten-path destinations and NPR's Greg Allen takes us to Florida and the state's fresh waters springs. GREG ALLEN, BYLINE: There are several hundred springs in Florida. They're places where water from the aquifer bubbles up through the porous limestone found throughout the state, but in central Florida there may be no springs more prized than those at Ichetucknee Springs State Park. The springs feed the crystal clear Ichetucknee River. It's less than an hour by car from Gainesville. The best way to see it, says Jonathan Carr(ph), is on an inflatable tube. JONATHAN CARR: And being able to go down for like an hour and a half or a two hour float and just relax and kick back and enjoy nature a little bit. It's a good way to spend an afternoon. ALLEN: Carr is there with his family, his sister Erin, her boyfriend Matt Muller, and four visiting French cousins. They're at the dock ready to go in, but the thing is, this is water that just emerged from underground. It's cold, uniformly 72 degrees whether winter or summer. This time of year, though, even in central Florida, the air temperature is in the 80s. Carr and Muller say perfect weather for a plunge into the springs. CARR: This is as good as it gets. If you can't out when it's 80 degrees, I don't know when you can go out. It's such a refreshing sensation to jump in this like crystal clear cool water, it's almost like a rebirthing experience. ALLEN: As soon as they jump in, the river grabs them, the current is strong, the water is crystal clear. The swimmers immediately see manatees, Florida's large aquatic sea mammals that swim in from their ocean habitat to the springs. LARS ANDERSON: Florida springs are considered the most diverse fresh water habitats in the world. ALLEN: Lars Anderson is an author and river guide who often takes groups in canoes and kayaks along the Ichetucknee. ANDERSON: We have a warm climate, clear water that allows the light that penetrates to the bottom of the spring run and therefore the plants can take root and grow, and then a lot of animals that take advantage of that. ALLEN: Floating on a tube or paddling a canoe, it's not unusual to see river otters, large wading birds, even beaver on occasion. It's part of a natural Florida experience far removed from the bars and beach mob scenes that draw most spring-breakers to the Sunshine State. But after Memorial Day, Ichetucknee and the other springs draw their own party crowd. On hot summer days, so many locals and visitors come for the tubing that the park routinely shuts down access to some stretches of the river before noon. Anderson says he's heard kids say it's almost like Disney. For him, that's okay. Florida springs, he says, need all the friends they can get. ANDERSON: As far as I'm concerned, the more people that discover these springs and fall in love with them, the more people will be concerned about what's going on with them also. ALLEN: Anderson says in the last several years, he's seen a marked decline at Ichetucknee and other Florida springs. The water level here is a third lower than what it was. And there's another problem - runoff and nutrients from fertilizer has promoted the growth of algae, turning clear springs increasingly murky. Spring swimmer Erin Carr says she saw a big change after being away from the area for just six years. ERIN CARR: And when we came back, the number of algae blooms in some of the springs and rivers we used to visit were, you know, pretty shocking and that was just within a few year period. ALLEN: Florida's legislature is considering steps to better protect the endangered springs, but at this point prospects are uncertain. In the meantime, for Carr and her friends it's carpe diem. No matter how hot it is, you can always count on Florida springs to be a refreshing 72 degrees. Greg Allen, NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.Related Program: Morning EditionView the discussion thread. UPR Partners

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Perth/City Perth (region) : Perth : City Bus Ferry See Festivals and events Drink Coffee Perth City is the central business district in Perth, but there are plenty of other things to see than just tall buildings and busy men in suits. Perth City as seen from Kings Park The centre of the Perth metropolitan area is the City, located on the Swan River around 10 km inland. The City is the main business and shopping centre, and together with the adjacent Northbridge, the entertainment centre as well. The CBD is about 1 km North-South but 2 km East-West and is centred on the pedestrianised Forrest Place. In or adjacent to Forrest Place you will find the General Post Office (GPO - open Monday - Friday 9-5 and Saturday 9-12), the Tourist Information Centre, Perth Train Station and the Forrest Chase shopping centre including Myer Department store. The main East-West streets are Wellington Street (northern boundary), Murray and Hay Streets (which become pedestrianised shopping malls in the centre), St Georges Terrace/Adelaide Terrace and Riverside Drive (which runs along the Swan River and forms the southern boundary of the CBD). The main northbound street is Barrack Street which runs along the eastern end of the central shopping district and the main southbound street is William Street to the west. Transperth info-centres provide timetables and journey advice for all its services at the central train station, Wellington Street bus station, the Esplanade Busport (south of St.Georges Tce, near the bell tower) and Plaza Arcade in the city centre (the Plaza Arcade can be found between the Hay and Murray St malls - if walking from St. Georges Tce, walk up London Court and across the Hay St mall, the Plaza Arcade is located directly opposite the exit to London Court). Bus[edit] All buses operating within 'Free Transit Zone' (city centre), including the CAT (Central Area Transit) buses, are free of charge. The Free Transit Zone extends to Newcastle Street when going north, and to the end of Kings Park when going west. CAT bus services stop 5-6PM. CAT buses run circle routes every 5 to 15 minutes, but depending on the traffic and the volume of boardings, you might find walking to be less time consuming. City CAT services are geared towards both tourists and locals. The red CAT service runs East-West and stops at Royal Perth hospital, the WACA (Perth's home ground for cricket), the historic Perth Mint, Wellington Square, the Murray St Mall/Perth Underground train station, His Majesty's Theatre, Parliament House, King St (after its return to the city via West Perth) and the Wellington St bus station/central train station. The yellow CAT runs a similar route to that of the red CAT. The blue CAT runs North-South and stops at; the Bell Tower, London Court, James St (Northbridge), Central TAFE and William St. The vast majority of stops along each route have a map and an ETA (which can either be read or dictated by pressing a large button below the route map). Ferry[edit] A single ferry service makes the short hop across the Swan River, departing from Barrack St Jetty on the CBD side and heading to Mends St Jetty in South Perth. The ferry is the most direct way across the Swan River for those headed to South Perth, the Old Mill or the Zoo. However it may be best for Zoo bound tourists who do not like walking to catch a bus as (some claim) it is a sizable walk, mostly uphill, from Mends St. Ferrys leave every 15mins weekdays and 30mins on weekends. You will need a 2 section ticket for $2.00 to go one way across. See[edit][add listing] Kings Park. Overlooking the city this large and lush park is the perfect place to escape the city and get a full view of the Swan river and surrounds. A myriad of paths wind through various gardens showcasing flora from different regions of WA including a boab tree brought down on the back of a truck from the Kimberly. The striking War Memorial and Flame of Remembrance are also here. Take either free bus #37 (weekdays) or #39 (weekends) from St Georges Terrace. Free. edit Perth Cultural Centre. Adjacent to the Perth Train Station on the Northbridge side, this is the hub of cultural activity in Perth. Including the Art gallery, Museum, State Library and the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) (See listings below). A 2 min walk from the Perth Train Station. Blue CAT Stops 7 and 15 both service the Cultural Centre, as well as Yellow 24 and Red 31. edit Western Australian Museum, Perth Cultural Centre, ☎ +61 8 9212 3700 (reception@museum.wa.gov.au), [1]. 9:30AM-5PM daily except W. The museum has an interesting collection of social and natural history from WA and beyond. The main building has an extensive display of marine creatures, minerals, butterflies and birds, as well as the shrivelled taxidermed bodies of mammals familiar to generations of Perth residents plus the revitalised Katta Djinoong Aboriginal history display. The Old Gaol building at the rear houses colonial artefacts, displays of life from the different periods and a couple of meteorites. Make sure to look into th

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APLF HK entrance Sholes Copyright: Sholes More About Hong Kong The World : Asia : China : Hong Kong Overview and HistoryHong Kong sits on the south coast of China, on the Pearl River Delta. It's got a population of more than seven million people and is one of the most densely populated places on earth. It also appears to be putting into place the template for population management, which cities around the world will be implementing as soon as they can afford it. More on that later.Archaeological evidence dates human activity beneath present-day Hong Kong back to the stone age. The area was first settled by people from the mainland during the Han dynasty, around the beginning of the common era (the P.C. term for when B.C. changed to A.D. Whoa!)For hundreds of years, Hong Kong was a small fishing community and haven for travelers, with a few pirates here and there. Then whitey showed up.Western influence reached China at the beginning of the 15th century, when all those great explorers in boats were cruising for loot in strange and mysterious places. Tea and silk were the commodities connecting eastern Europe to China, and Hong Kong was known as a safe harbor through which to pass. When you're carrying the Queen's tea, it's especially important to avoid ARRRRRRguments with pirates. Hyuk hyuk hyuk.Seriously folks -- in the eighteenth century Britain was doing a booming business with China, offering Indian opium to balance their extensive purchases of fine porcelains and everything else. The opium was ordained to be for medicinal purposes only, of course.Well, as you may imagine, the Chinese got sick of opium fiends junking up the place, so they attempted to stop the British suppliers, to no avail. The Opium Wars resulted and ended with China ceding Hong Kong to the British, in fear of their massive naval power. This took place in the year 1841.Colonization soon followed, Hong Kong shot up in value as an international port, and its population increased dramatically. In 1898 Britain acquired additional territories on a 99 year lease -- expiring in 1997. Does that year sound familiar? Read on.In the 20th century Hong Kong changed hands several times. The British surrendered it to Japan during World War Two, then took it back after Japan's defeat, then gave it to China later. Immediately following the war, Hong Kong served as a safe haven for hundreds of thousands of Chinese refugees, while the Chinese National Government was losing its civil war against communist leadership.The population of Hong Kong exploded as corporations seeking to escape Chinese isolationism arrived and set up shop. Cheap labor in the textile and manufacturing industries steadily built up the economy and ensured foreign investment. By the end of the 20th century Hong Kong had become a financial mammoth offering banking services to the world.In 1997 Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule with a few stipulations in place to guarantee its economic autonomy, as much as possible. The phrase "one country, two systems" was coined by the Chinese to describe the relationship between the mainland and Hong Kong.Getting ThereWell, where do you want to get to from the Hong Kong International Airport? There are ferries servicing six mainland ports in the Pearl River Delta Region. Airport Express Railway connects directly to downtown Hong Kong, and it has been rated the best airport in the world multiple times.The Airport Express Railway will get you into Hong Kong in about an hour, for $100. Public buses cost $10 and take a little longer. For direct service to your hotel you can take one of the hotel's private buses ($120+) or a taxi ($300+). As you can see, waiting time is optional for those who can afford it.Here's a little blurb on travel times, with further information for access to nearby cities (cross-boundary transport).TransportationGrab an Octopus card when you arrive. Octopus is the world's first electronic ticket-fare card system and the Hong Kong public transportation system is the world leader in people-moving. 90% of Hong Kongers get around on public transportation.Octopus covers the Airport Rail line, buses, ferries, the rapid-transit MTR network, supermarkets, fast food outlets, phone booths... It's how to get around the cashless economy.Nevermind the microchip built into it, you'll get used to having one of those on you at all times -- and soon they'll be internal! What do I mean? Many schools in Hong Kong even use the Octopus card to check attendance, because you read the card's data with an external scanner from a distance. This will the global norm soon. What if that chip is installed in your body? It's in the works baby!The hilly Hong Kong terrain also demands some special modes of transportation. If you've been to Pittsburgh, you may have some idea of how cool it is to ride a cable car up the side of a mountain, overlooking a majestic harbor and city. Multiply that by about ten thousand and you've got Hong Kong: vertical-travel trams, moving sidewalks, and the world's longest outdoor escalator system.People and CultureThe local currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD) which is pegged to the U.S. dollar. Official languages are Chinese and English. You're on your own, baby! Dive into the swarming, throbbing, pulsing, crawling and teeming mix!Things to do & RecommendationsThe Peak Tower and its shopping Galleria are the biggest tourist attraction in Hong Kong so don't miss it.Cool off in the Kowloon Park public indoor swimming pool!After that, go see what's happening at the Hong Kong Fringe Club, a non-profit organisation which puts together exhibitions for international artists and performers.Organize sports fans flock to the Hong Kong Stadium, but there's good news for disorganized sportistas too -- Mountain biking is now legal in the parks! Have at it, baby!All this excitement is going to make you hungry. Springtime is traditionally the time to celebrate seafood, summer is for fruits, and winter steams with hot pot soups to keep you warm.The best thing to do is go and find some dim sum. Dozens of plates of tasty small items, sort of like sushi but it's cooked, and the varieties are endless.Since you won't be able to walk down the street without complete and total sensory overload, I'll just whap in the Hong Kong tourist board's guide to dining and leave you to your intuition.Good luck, take it slow and above all -- DON'T SPIT OUT YOUR CHEWING GUM ON THE SIDEWALK. Gum is legal but there's a $500 fine for intentional littering. Enjoy!Text by Steve Smith.

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Prelude to the Fair Witch Head at Enchanted ForestOriginally uploaded by Rozanne. On our way down to the Oregon State Fair, we made a slight detour to visit the Enchanted Forest, an emphatically noncorporate theme park and the location of this terrifying walk-in witch’s head. You enter via her mouth—her tongue serves as the welcome mat—and then climb a spiral staircase inside her cranium that leads to her eyeballs, where you can peer out at people if that's the kind of thing you enjoy doing. You might possibly be able to spy on people from her ample nostrils, but I can't personally vouch for that. To exit, you have the option of sliding out her ear. And that’s about the most exciting thing the Enchanted Forest has to offer.The cheese/cornball factor at the Enchanted Forest is simply off the charts. The conceit is that the moment after you pay your $8.50 at the entry gate, you enter an enchanted forest populated with just about every nursery rhyme and fairy tale character you can think of. For example, here’s a villanous-looking Humpty Dumpty.And here’s a scene from Alice in Wonderland and one of the Three Bears .As you can tell from the photos, the talents of the artists who rendered these works of art were modest. The bear is just a garden-variety plush toy, a bit worse for the wear. She’s also permanently yoked to her wooden spoon by a cobweb.There’s plenty of stuff at the Enchanted Forest for a pair of cynical, childless adults like B and I to mock and ridicule. The puns in the fakey Wild West town were painful: Dr. U.R. Hurtin was the town dentist, for example. And what was Abe Lincoln doing dressing up children in Confederate Army uniforms and handing them rifles? Not historically accurate. And not a lot of other things, too.But as you can see, the kids were digging it. Big time. Granted, I didn’t see a single kid over the age of 10, but these little kids were having a great time—even though there was not a computerized special effect to be found. The most sophisticated thing was a Pinocchio doll (located inexplicably in the Olde England part of the park) that twisted jerkily to the right and left (was he supposed to be squirming?) as Geppetto sermonized.By the time we left, though, I had developed a mushy soft spot for the Enchanted Forest. No theme park like it would ever be built today. It is actually in a forest (of sorts) with trees of respectable girth and sword ferns and other native plants. What modern theme park isn’t completely flat, paved over, and vegetation free? It's hilly, too. Some of the adults were really wheezing as they made their way from Rip Van Winkle to the bumper cars.There were only about three exceedingly tame rides. No self-respecting theme park today would be so heavy on the static exhibits. The statues are amateurishly hand painted (and chipped) and the costumes are hand-sewn. Everything in the little cottages and castles is coated with a thick veneer of dust and/or cobwebs. It’s more museum than theme park really. They don’t even put much effort into the food. I didn’t make a full survey (we were on our way to the fair, after all), but as far as I could tell, there were gas-station nachos (I saw Abe Lincoln buying some), candy bars, sno-cones, and popcorn. That's it! No ice cream, even.I don’t know how this place stays in business, honestly, but I found its lack of sophistication and techno-dazzle encouraging and refreshing. Little kids, at least, still were able to have a great time without all that. They probably even got a bit of exercise, what with the dearth of sit-on-your-ass rides and with having to run up and down hills to get from the Wild West to Olde England.OK. This post is long enough. Tomorrow, I promise, we will get to the fair. posted by Rozanne at 10:07 PM | Monday, August 29, 2005 My Weakness for State Fairs When I was in 4th grade, my mom insisted that I join 4-H. We lived in a ranch style house in a suburb of Chicago; we kept no sheep, goats, poultry, swine, or cattle, but, still, she insisted--for reasons I have never fathomed. Our 4-H club was called the Junior Wonder Maids, named--I later found out--for a defunct brand of “training bras.” Very odd.*The meetings were a crashing bore. We sat in folding chairs in a church basement and listened to someone drone on about something. Then someone else would get up and drone on about something else. Since there was no agricultural component to our 4-H group, it seemed that we were supposed to be learning to sew and cook, but I don’t recall any instruction of that sort ever occurring. We never did anything--just sat on our bums and yawned (at least that's what I did).Until one day. We were informed that we were going to start working on a skit/musical number. We were to sing “Climb Every Mountain” from The Sound of Music while pushing two halves of a rainbow together. Each girl was to wear a sash with the name of a country on it. (I was to be Sudan.) The message of our skit was...WORLD HARMONY! So subtle.Incredibly, at the county fair we kicked the butts of all the other local 4-H clubs as we warbled our way through our saccharine little skit. We swept the top honors, which meant we were ready for the big time: The Illinois State Fair!I cannot express how thrilling it was as a fourth grader to be able to travel sans parents to Springfield, Illinois in school buses and check in to a Howard Johnson motel. I shared the room with three other girls my age. I remember one of them, who was far more sophisticated than I saying, “I wonder if we’ll see any celebrities?” “What’s a celebrity?” I asked. “You know, movie stars!” she replied. In Springfield, Illinois. Haw! That still makes me laugh.Anyway, it was totally great. We stayed up until 4:00 AM watching old movies like The Blob and made midnight runs in our nightgowns to the vending machines and had hot fudge sundaes (instead of dinner) in the HoJo restaurant. It really is rather astonishing, but there was almost no adult supervision. I seem to remember someone’s mom popping her head into the room at, like, 9:30 PM to say good night, apparently laboring under the misapprehension that we were all good little girls and would be going right to bed. Didn’t she realize there was a TV in the room and we were going to watch the hell out of it, hopped up as we were on hot fudge and vending machine contraband?But even better than the TV and all the sweets was the “free day” on the Midway. Again, there was no real adult supervision. Our little quartet (we were the youngest girls in the club) became the albatross around the neck of an unlucky high school member of our club. She was supposed to chaperone us around the Midway, making sure we didn’t get sold into white slavery (or some similar fate). Naturally, she shed us as soon as she possibly could, simply telling us to meet her back at a certain funnel cake stall five hours hence.So we had five hours in which to gorge ourselves with cotton candy, popcorn, corndogs, sno-cones, ice cream, and, of course, funnel cakes. And! Our participation in the skit had earned us all a free pass to all the carnival rides! In short, it was total paradise for a fourth grader--especially a fourth grader like me who was rarely allowed to eat sugary and/or deep- fried foods and who went through agonizing deliberations at the once-yearly carnival since she only had money for three rides and if she made the wrong choice, well, too bad, because there was no way she was going to wring any more carnival-ride money out of her mom. Gosh, my childhood was Dickensian, wasn’t it?So I wandered the Midway blissfully, a cotton candy in one hand and a corndog in the other (if memory serves). There was something along the Midway I hadn’t expected at all. Sideshow “Freaks." People billed as the Rubber Man, the Snake Lady, the Living Skeleton, and the Man with Two Faces. These “attractions” were all advertised with the most luridly painted trailers (in which the "freaks" lived?), which I’m sure promised way more than they delivered. Actual old-timey carnie hucksters tried to reel people in. I remember really, really wanting to check the freaks out, but they wouldn’t let kids in. Nowadays, when I think back on it, I find it hard to believe that “freak shows” were still mainstream then (the 1970s). At some point, they were deemed exploitative and that was that. Interestingly, though, this article, argues that the banning of sideshows didn’t benefit the performers, since it deprived them of their livelihoods. Something to ponder. Apparently some of the performers fled to Canada or Mexico, where the PC police must be slacking off at a Tim Hortons or a churro stand, respectively.Anyway, I had intended to write a post about the freakiness I observed over the weekend at the Oregon State Fair, but I got bogged down with my prologue to the state-fair-going experience (totally necessary, of course). I will recount my latest fair experiences in the next post, with lots of freaky (but nonexploitative) photos!*Especially when you consider that 4-H is supposed to be co-ed. Our club was all girls. Evidently, the leaders were trying to keep it that way. What boy would join a club named after a bra? So very bizarre. posted by Rozanne at 12:49 AM | Friday, August 26, 2005 Star Wars, Nothin' But Star Wars I finally got around to seeing the latest Star Wars. Revenge of the Sith, is it? Something like that anyway. Let me first say that the last Star Wars I saw was The Empire Strikes Back, from which you might conclude that I am not a big fan of the Star Wars movies. And that conclusion would be correct.Except.I absolutely loved the first Star Wars. Granted I was a wee and unsophisticated lassie when it came out and had very little movie-going experience under my belt, but as soon as I heard the opening bars of John Williams' splendid score and saw that prologue scrolling horizontally through Deep Space, I knew it was going to be like no other movie I’d ever seen. It had my full attention. I just marveled at how innovative it all seemed: the planet with two suns; the way the stars blurred when the Millennium Falcon went into warp speed (the term warp speed!), the primeval scariness of Darth Vader, the comedy duo of R2D2 and C3P0. It was all just so well imagined; I really felt I had entered another world.Naturally, I was super excited when The Empire Strikes Back finally came out. Eh. I found it boring and remember very little of it, except that Harrison Ford gets turned into pencil lead. I wasn’t motivated to see any more effete Star Wars sequels after that. But when the original Star Wars was re-released in 1997, I did go see it again, just to see if it was as groundbreaking and awesome as I remembered it.As an adult I could tell that the acting was, for the most part, cringingly bad. The plot and character development was rudimentary, but I suppose the characters are meant to be archetypes. Also, Luke Skywalker’s haircut! All winged out on one side. Did Mark Hamel just cut his own hair or what? I’d forgotten that guys’ hairstyles were so unpremeditated back in the 1970s.Still. Despite the fact that as an adult I could see flaws, it’s still a great movie. And it truly was innovative for its time.So. The new one. Revenge of the Sith or whatever. My interest in the movie was so tepid, that I hadn’t even bothered to find out who was in it and spent most of the movie wondering why they had such an incompetent actor playing Anakin Skywalker. An actor who made Natalie Portman, whom I normally cannot stomach at all, look good. I was shocked to realize at the end of the movie that it was Hayden Christianson, who did such an excellent job portraying the fabricating journalist and top-notch dork Stephen Glass in Shattered Glass, who played Anakin Skywalker. I guess that just goes to show how awful the script and story were. I also had no idea that Obi Wan Kenobi was being played by Ewen MacGregor. The beard totally neutralized his usual lustworthiness. Note to Ewen: Accept no more parts that require you to grow a beard!I guess the movie was supposed to be all about wowza special effects, something I have little patience for--especially with the absence of story and character development/motivation. Of course, it was CGI all over the place. It made the movie look phony and cluttered. There were too many light-sabre fights; too many spaceship battles; and too many things that blowed up. Plus, are we really supposed to believe that one Jedi knight, armed with one light sabre, is going to be able to defend himself against a droid with six arms (and six light sabres) and a cadre of droid henchmen? What? The droids never thought to sneak up behind the Jedi and slice his head off? Hmmm. Let’s just say that I wasn’t the only person in the audience guffawing in disbelief.There were a few things I liked. R2D2. Who knew he was such a talented computer hacker and assassin? I wonder why he didn’t use those skills in the original Star Wars, where all he did was beep endearingly. The cityscapes. I’m a sucker for any movie that is set in a sinister futuristic city with a lot of weird-ass skyscrapers (Batman, Dark City). I could have done without the constant visual noise of traffic—all those air vehicles buzzing about in the background. Very distracting to the eye. The transformation of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader. This is something I’ve been waiting for ever since I saw that one scene in one of the earlier movies, where you get a brief glimpse of the helmet being fitted over Vader’s horribly deformed head. I was suitably impressed with the Skywalker-to-Vader operation until, transformation complete, he asks about the status of his wife (FYI: dead) and lets out a girly squeal of anguish. Most un-Darthly. | Wednesday, August 24, 2005 Fear and Loathing To explicate: Fear of leatheriness and loathing of sunscreen. With all this high-country hiking I’ve been doing recently, I’ve been more than usually aware of the Sun’s potential to transform pallid northern European skin (such as I possess) into tough brown leather. Sure, I grease myself up like buttered corn-on-the-cob before I head out on a hike. But do I “apply the sunscreen 15–30 minutes before sun exposure”? Do I “reapply after swimming, towel drying, or extended sun exposure”? No and no.Spritzing myself with Neutrogena Healthy Defense Oil-Free Sunblock Spray SPF 30 is the last thing I do before I head up the trail, simply because I don't want to feel all disgusting while en route to the trail. And the reason I use the spray-on stuff is so that I don’t have to touch it to apply it. And even if I’m

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USA/CA:800-2682918 AU: 1800-764678 UK: 0800-0327753 All: 86-773-2831999 | Trains | Tours | Name Your Price! Home Hot Train Routes Great Wall Trips Search Train China Train How to Choose Train Types And Seat Class in China How to Choose Train Types And Seat Class in China Trains are classified by speed and service in China, represented by a train code. A train code is made up of a letter (G, D, C, Z, T, K, or no letter), which indicates a train’s type, and a number. Take trains from Beijing to Xi’an for example: G trains require 4.5 hours, Z trains 11 hours and 11 minutes, T trains 13 hours, and K trains 14 to 20 hours. G and D Trains G (Gaotie) and D (Dongche) series trains both use CRH (China Railway High-Speed) railways. G trains are the fastest trains in China, with a speed reaching 250 km/h to 400 km/h, and the prices are the highest. D trains are next fastest with a maximum speed of 250 km/h, and second most expensive. The facilities of G and D series trains are similar, all new and modern. The washrooms are very clean, and Western-style toilets are available. They are different from other trains in China, both in outer appearance and inner facilities. They provide frequent services between first-tier cities, many state capitals and major cities, such as trains from Beijing to Guangzhou, Beijing to Shanghai, Beijing to Xi’an, Beijing to Zhengzhou, Guangzhou to Shenzhen, Shanghai to Hangzhou, Shanghai to Nanjing, and so on. They only stop at a few major stops along the way, and some of them provide non-stop services. The coaches are modern and air-conditioned. In terms of prices, take high-speed G trains from Beijing to Xi’an for an example; the price of a second class seat is $86s, a first class seat $133, a superior seat $159, and a business seat $262. There are two seats on each side of the aisle in a first class seat car. In a second class seat car, three seats on one side and two seats on the other side. Business class seats are the most luxurious ones on high-speed trains. The field of vision allows great views. The Business Class seats are spacious with two meters (6.6 feet) or space between rows. There are three seats in a row — two on one side and one on the other side of the aisle. Business Class seats are only available in certain G trains, e.g. from Beijing to Xi’an they are only available on afternoon trains, and from Xi’an to Beijing they are only available on morning trains. For some long-distance overnight D trains (sleeping car service is not provided on G trains), such as D trains from Beijing to Shanghai, soft sleepers (four bunks in an enclosed compartment) are available, and some have deluxe soft sleepers cars (D313 and D314), an enclosed compartment with two bunks, which is perfect for traveling couples, though the price is twice that of a soft sleeper. There are restaurant cars and canteen bars on the train. The cars are fully air-conditioned, and the floor is coved with carpet. The seats are adjustable. There are Western-style toilets. Both hot and cold water is available in the bathrooms. Special toilets for the handicapped and people with kids are available. Soft sleepers G-Train Sightseeing Seats In G-train car models 380A, 380AL, and 380BL, the first two rows of seats in these business class cars are sightseeing seats. These seats are situated in a special compartment, which is called the sightseeing area, similar to the first-class cabin of a plane. Sightseeing seats are only available in business class cars. Passengers sit face to face in the sightseeing compartment, and the seats can all be turned around. The most special feature of the sightseeing area is the large windows, giving the best scenic views. The China railway online booking system has seat class selection, but doesn’t have seat position selection, at present. When passengers book tickets online, the system distributes a random seat in the selected class of coaches. Passengers cannot choose their seat position, or know where their seat is when booking online. Passengers only know where their seat is when the ticket is issued at the station and they get on board. If you book a business class seat, there is a chance it will be a sightseeing seat. Some people consider it lucky to have a sightseeing seat, because it is the rarest seat type on a G-train, and has the best view of the scenery. However some people don’t like sightseeing seats because one row of the seats faces backwards to the train direction, and the seat offers little space to put your legs after being turned around. Generally speaking, business class car has 26 seats, 6 of the seats are in the sightseeing area, and 3 seats are the rear-facing sightseeing seats. C Trains — Intercity Express Trains (Chengji) C trains are also high-speed trains; operating frequently between two cities in the same province or not too far away from each other. The journey is short and sleeping cars are not provided. For example Jingjin Intercity High-Speed Trains travel between Beijing and Tianjin, covering a distance of 120 km in 33 minutes. C trains are only so named between Beijing and Tianjin. Actually some G and D series trains provide an equivalent service, traveling between Guangzhou and Shenzhen, Shenyang and Dalian, Shanghai and Hangzhou, Shanghai and Nanjing, Chengdu and Chongqing, and Nanchang and Jiujiang. Z, T, and K Trains The appearance, inner facilities, and prices of a same class seat in Z, T, and K trains are almost the same. The situation on a train is entirely related to the newness of the train itself. Z trains — Direct Express (Zhida) They are usually overnight trains, so there are usually only sleepers (hard/soft) available, while some only have soft-sleepers. Many of them provide deluxe soft sleepers. The trains serve main cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Wuhan, Shenzhen, as well as Hangzhou and Ningbo. Z trains have a top speed of 160 km/h or 99.4 miles/h. Though its name implies "non-stop", some do have several stops along the way, but only at major stations. They can save time and money. Use the Beijing and Xi’an route as an example, a second class seat of a G train is $86, taking 5 hours and 44 minutes during daytime; and a soft sleeper of a Z train is $70, traveling from 20:43 to 07:58 next morning. Using the night to get from one place to the next can save you not only money, but gives you more time at your destinations. T trains — Express Trains (Tekuai) If all the trains above are not available, you can choose an overnight T train. For example, the journey is about one and a half hours longer on an overnight T train than that of a Z train on the Beijing–Xi’an route. T trains run at up to 140 km/h or 87 miles/h, and have a limited number of stops along the way, at major cities or some junctions. All the major cities with railways can be reached by taking T trains. They are air-conditioned, with both seats (hard/soft) and sleepers (hard/soft) available. K trains — Fast Trains (Kuaisu) K trains run at up to 120 km/h or 74.6 miles/h, and stop at more stations than the T trains. Besides stopping at cities, they will also stop at main counties along the way. Both seats (hard/soft) and sleepers (hard/soft) are available. The coaches are not so modern and clean as those mentioned above, and air-conditioning is not always on, but they are still tolerable. Hard Seat (Yingzuo) 硬座 (overcrowded, noisy and smelly) These are the cheapest coaches, and are usually overcrowded. It is not advised to buy a hard-seat ticket when there are other options available. The seats are actually thinly padded. They are non-air-conditioned and smoking is permitted in the cars. The coaches are not clean, and the toilets on a hard sleeper car are usually in poor condition. There are frequent thefts of baggage, with thieves casting their covetous eyes on passenger’s luggage. It is not advised to buy a hard-seat ticket when there are other options available. Soft Seat(Ruanzuo) 软座 (recommended only if your journey is shorter than 4 or 5 hours) Soft Seat cars are seldom provided on old-style trains in China at normal times. Soft sleepers or hard sleepers may be changed for soft seat cars during high seasons, such as around Chinese Spring Festival. Three or four people sit on a seat facing three or four on the seat opposite. It is not very comfortable in this situation, as there is no ergonomic-designed back for you to lean on. The car is clean and washrooms are much better than those on a hard seat cars. It is ok for several hours. Air-conditioning is available. Smoking is not allowed in the coaches, but is in the corridors between cars. It is almost the same price as a hard sleeper, but these are often available when the tickets for other seat classes are sold out. but will probably be sold out long in advance during the Spring Festival period. Hard Sleeper (Yingwo) 硬卧 (basically bearable for long journeys) A hard sleeper is basic for overnight or long-distance train travel. A hard sleeper compartment is un-enclosed, with three tiers of bunks (upper/middle/lower) on both sides. A pillow, sheet, and covered blanket are provided for each bunk. It is noisy during the day, but much better when the lights of the car are put out by train staff after 21:30 or 22:00. There is a small difference in price among bunks, with the upper bunk being the cheapest and the lower bunk the most expensive. An upper bunk is not where you want to stay, only about 60 cm (2 feet) of vertical space to accommodate you, and it may be difficult for you to get onto. A lower bunk is more comfortable, as you can sit up on it to read a book or play games on an ipad, or talk with friends. It is customary for upper and middle bunk passengers to sit on a lower bunk during daytime if the lower bunk passenger is not lying on the bunk. There are hinged single seats in the narrow aisle opposite the compartments. You can sit on one to admire the scenery outside. There is a small TV hanging in each compartment. Air conditioning is available, and the washroom is tolerably clean. Smoking is not permitted in the coach, but you can smoke at the corridor between cars. Soft Sleeper (Ruanwo) 软卧 (recommended) A soft sleeper is recommended for overnight and long-distance travel. Each soft sleeper compartment is enclosed, and contains four bunks, with two on each side. The bunks are wider and more comfortable with decent beddings. Soft sleeper compartments may vary between trains. You may have both over-head storage and under-bed storage, or just under-bed storage. A lower bunk is more expensive than an upper bunk, but it is worth the extra cost. On the lower bunk you can admire the scenery along the route through a large window. The upper bunk is windowless. It may have less importance when taking an overnight train. If you need to spend daytime on a train, a lower bunk is a better choice. There is an LCD TV for each bunk. Washrooms are clean and both Western-style and squat toilets are available. Some trains have immaculate toilets with soap and towels. It depends on the luck of the draw. Some are less than immaculate, and with no soap and towels. See what to pack for taking an overnight train The fare is almost twice as much as that of a hard sleeper. It can be interesting to meet various “roommates”. As a soft sleeper is more expensive, passengers who travel in this class tend to be businessmen, richer couples with a child, and richer students. Many of them can speak English. Deluxe Soft Sleeper (Gaobao) 高包 (recommended) This is the top level sleeper, and the fare is much more expensive than that of soft sleepers. It is perfect for traveling couples, as it has the most privacy and security. It is only available in some Z trains, T trains, and overnight D trains. Each enclosed compartment contains only two clean and comfortable bunks. The construction and facilities of a deluxe sleeper compartment may vary. Some are with two bunks on one side (top and lower), a sofa one the other side. Some have one bunk on each side. Western-style washrooms on the car are immaculate. On some trains even in-room sink and toilet facilities and a shower cubicle are available. It all depends on which train you take and your luck. The floor is carpeted, and other facilities include a LCD TV, a table, and a closet in which to hang things. Only Number Trains Unless you want to an uncomfortable time in one of China&apos;s oldest trains, never choose these. They run at the lowest speeds, stop at every station, and have the cheapest tickets. They also need to wait to give way to other trains during journeys. “Only number” trains, with green fronts (some with green carriage body as well), have numbers of only four digits. The trains can be divided into two categories: Trains numbered between 1001 and 5998: 40% of these trains have air conditioners, and the rest only have electric fans. The trains stop at railway stations in countryside towns, major towns and cities. Trains numbered between 6001 and 7598: These trains stop at every railway station along the way, including those in villages and small towns. The ticket prices are really cheap. (only electric fans are available). Buy Online with China Highlights for Hassle free China train tickets 7 Things to Know Before Riding a Train in China Collecting China Train Tickets After Booking Online How to Read Train Ticket? How to board a train in China? How to buy a tickets? How to Choose Train Types And Seat Class in China Taking an Overnight Train in China Transfer after You Disembarking From a China Train Taking a Bike on a Train in China

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As some of you may have already noticed, a couple of months ago we stepped a bit out of form. There is now a woman behind the bar at the Grand Hotel. Shouldn’t be such a revolutionary move in this day and age, and yet, up until now, we just have not had a female bartender. Nothing against the men who’ve passed in and out of that post over the years, but our bar was ready for a little girl power, and Stacie brings that in spades. The bar, now, is lively and bright in a way we probably didn’t know it could be before Stacie got here. She’s almost too young to even be in a bar, she’s full of the fresh energy of youth, and yet she comes to us with years of experience. The perfect paradox. She tells a story of drinking in a bar a couple of weeks after her 21st birthday, chatting with the bartender, and being offered a job on the spot, unsolicited, just because of how much that bartender enjoyed her. Two years later, she’s come here to us. She’s got all that same exuberance, and now she knows how to pour a drink too. Talking to her, which all of you will get plenty of chances to do, you learn that though she fell into bartending, she’s now choosing to do it because she loves it. She gets to have real, in depth conversations with people whose life experiences are different from her own, and different from one another’s as well. She talks about how valuable it’s been to her to learn about the different ways that people live and think. She knows about a wider range of problems, now, than what she expected, but also about an equally wide range of solutions. Her enthusiasm for the richness other people can bring to her life is palpable and infectious. The bar is aglow. Hurry over and see. < Back to Main Cupertino Inn Commercial! In The Heart of Silicon Valley RESERVE NOW! > The Cupertino Inn. 10889 North De Anza Boulevard Cupertino, CA 95014 800-222-4828 408-996-7700 Mobile Website

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Mini guide to shopping in New York By Lonely Planet Traveller Pin It! The lights of the Empire State Building illuminate the clouds over New York City at night. (Matt Munro) If you can’t buy it in New York, it probably hasn’t been invented yet. From Fifth Avenue department stores where credit cards come to die to flea markets piled high with vintage clothes, this city spends with the best of them. Related slideshow: Forty free attractions in New York CityDepartment storesBarney’s, the classic NYC department store, has attracted the city’s serious fashion freaks since 1923 and has a reputation for being bang on the money with up-and-coming labels, such as Miu Miu and Derek Lam. There is also a huge collection of bags, cosmetics and homewares. For less expensive deals, try Barney’s Co-Op stores all around the city. (660 Madison Ave).As well as providing NYC’s best Christmas window displays, Bergdorf Goodman is stuffed full of high-end fashion labels – John Varvatos, Marc Jacobs and Etro, to name three. There are bags, shoes, jewellery, cosmetics and homewares, plus a men’s store over the street. If the price tags bring on a cold sweat, the views looking north over Central Park should keep you calm (754 W 58th St).Set up like a museum on six floors, ABC Carpet and Home is the place where designers and decorators come to seek inspiration. It’s filled with furnishings small and large, including handcrafted knickknacks, designer jewellery, lighting, antiques and carpets. Come Christmas, it’s a joy to behold: the decorators go all out. Also check out the new ABC Kitchen, serving organic dishes (888 Broadway).Vintage and boutiqueStrand Bookstore is the city’s best-loved book store: it’s been open since 1927, selling new, used and rare titles. There are a staggering 18 miles’ worth of books here – more than 2.5 million of them, spread out across three labyrinthine floors. For real bargains try the basement, which is jam-packed with media review copies.The super-sleek Moma shop in the Museum of Modern Art does a fine line in handsome prints and coffee-table books, but you’ll also find a carefully curated selection of stylish-looking objects for the home and office: kitchen gadgets, surreal lamps, games, Modernist alarm clocks, fridge magnets, slick ceramics, offbeat children’s toys and more. MoMA is a great shout if you’re bereft of inspiration for those important holiday gifts (11 W 53rd St).Vintage clothing is only a small part of the appeal at Vintage Thrift – this is a place where you can find everything from a 1940s tea set to 1970s lounge furniture or the trappings of a 1930s dentist’s office. There are piles of old editions of Vogue, vintage typewriters and Victorian toys: it’s an absolute treasure trove of jumble. All proceeds go to the United Jewish Council, which supports elderly residents in the East Side (286 3rd Ave; closed Sat).MarketsBrooklyn Flea is arguably the best flea market in the city. Around 200 stalls set up on the grounds of a school in Fort Greene every Saturday, selling antiques, second-hand records, furniture, vintage clothes and crafts. In winter, the market goes indoors at One Hanson Place. On Sundays, the action moves to the East River Waterfront at Williamsburg (176 Lafayette Ave).For the hundreds of stallholders who set up at Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market every Saturday and Sunday, haggling is expected. Trestle tables piled high with every kind of bric-a-brac, clothes and furniture, old family photos and antique jewellery invite leisurely browsing, while the regular Gourmet Food Truck bazaars include the city’s top street food vendors (426 W 39th St).The Market NYC, a design market held in a loft-style space in Greenwich Village, is one of the best places to find the work of up-and-coming designers at bargain prices. Screenprinted T-shirts, jewellery, photography, home furnishings, handbags and art are all up for grabs – and don’t be afraid to haggle. Plus there are plenty of eclectic food stalls for a postshopping snack (159 Bleecker St; Wed–Sun).Where to stayEast Village Bed and Coffee is a family home turned offbeat, arty b&b with themed rooms and great amenities, such as free cycle hire and wi-fi. Each floor has shared common and kitchen space, with guests free to come and go as they please (from £90). Page 1 of 2 First | < Previous | 1 | 2 | Next > | Last http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20120810-mini-guide-to-shopping-in-new-york More on New York City New York’s most morbid museum Exhibits on macabre, medicine and more To Montreal, with Google as a guide Sometimes you need to sweat for splendid scenery The Manhattan’s biggest mistake New York’s classic cocktail is coming home New York City with Lonely Planet See all New York City photos and videos Travel Guides The USA Book (Hardback Pictori... Read more on New York City Read more on Shopping The land of Andean artistry Ecuador A bizarre bazaar in Brooklyn New York City BBC Travel's 2013 gift guides Latest articles and features

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Du bist hier: HomeEntdecken Sie FlorenzGastronomisches Chiesa S. Firenze This is one of the few samples of Baroque architecture in Florence. In 1645, Philippine fathers began construction of a new church in the area between Borgo dei Greci and via dell'Anguillara, where the ancient church of S. Lorenzo used to stand. In spite of Giuliano de Serragli’s heritance, the high cost prevented the construction of the ambitious initial project. In 1668 the construction of a smaller church, dedicated to S. Filippo Neri, began. Its stone façade was completed in 1715, on a project by Ferdinando Ruggieri. It was only between 1772 and 1775 the complex reached its actual size. Zanobi del Rosso built the new oratory on Borgo de’ Greci’s side, symmetrically reproducing the Ruggeri’s façade. The two buildings were then united by the monastery’s prospectus. The three sections that compose the prospectus, from which a grand staircase departs, are the original church, the monastery and the Philippine fathers’ oratory. The monastery and the oratory are now the seat of the Tribunal of Firenze, which hosts the famous staircase by Zanobi del Rosso. The ancient oratory is now used as a judgement hall and is only opened in occasion of an audience. Piazza S. Firenze (055 290832). Beliebte Ziele Expensive & Luxury Hotels Grand Hotel Adriatico Mid Range Hotels

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The Way Things Were By Anne Weaver Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - Updated: 1:31 PM ABOUT THE WEEK OF SEPT. 18, 1964, the forests would soon be approaching the season of maximum color when a great display of varied hues is evident on every mountain and hillside as one travels the Adirondack lakes or views the scene from an airplane while flying over the area. Many travelers bring their cameras along on Adirondack trips to capture the bright reds, brilliant yellows and deep greens that help make the color photograph or movies a thing of great beauty. As one looks upon these autumn scenes from the highway, an Adirondack lake or an airplane, he is bound to rephrase an expression from the ancient psalms in terms like these, "The mountains declare the glory of God, the forest showeth His handiwork day unto day ..." The autumn season varies from year to year, both in the time and the intensity of maximum color. Ordinarily the peak continues for about a week and occurs sometime between Sept. 20 and the first week of October. Already many of the maples were changing color, and no frost had been observed in the area. From a preview of these turning maples it appeared 1964 would be one of brilliant colors. Motel and hotel rates were reduced for the "off-season" vacationers. Several Fourth Lake and other hotels were offering special package deals for the fall. McCauley Mountain's chairlift was being operated so visitors could ride to the top of the mountain and view the countryside. Boat trips along the Fulton Chain of Lakes were still available for sightseers and camera fans and several seaplane services were standing by to let the visitor view the magnificent panorama from the air. The state Conservation Department wanted to know when anyone spotted a whitetail sporting a brightly colored plastic streamer. This was not a check of wayward delegates to a wildlife convention or a survey of the latest in animal fashions, but part of a study to determine how far deer travel during the warm months. Conservation Department biologists had trapped several deer the previous winter, attached plastic streamers to their ears and released them. Since then, the department had been trying to keep tabs on the tagged animals to plot distances deer travel when not hampered by snow and cold weather. Reports that had trickled in so far indicated a freely ranging deer would travel up to 40 miles from its home area. Information on the tagging operation had been received mostly from interested persons who spotted a deer with streamers while driving or hiking. At INLET, Mrs. Winifred VanArnum Cameron of Florida, formerly of Inlet, and Chester Putnam Jr., Amber, N.Y., married Aug. 29 in St. John's Episcopal Church, Marcellus. The couple was attended by his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Rex Amidon of Amber. Immediately following the ceremony, a dinner was held at The Maples in Pompey. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam would reside in Amber. Nearly 50 golfers had registered for the first annual New York State American Legion Golf Tournament at the Thendara Golf Course, sponsored by Covey-Pashley Post 893, American Legion, Old Forge. The tournament was open only to paid-up NYS Legionnaires, amateurs only. Prizes consisted of trophies and merchandise awarded for championship, winner, runner-up and third in Classes A, B and C. Other merchandise prizes would be awarded if funds permitted. Special events included a driving and hole-in-one contest. If there was sufficient interest, a women's tourney would be held in Inlet. The Gaiety Theatre, Inlet, would be the site of a benefit show, proceeds to be turned over to the Town of Webb Scholarship Fund. Mende Shulman, proprietor, said the show would be "Island of the Blue Dolphin." The National Screen Council members recently voted Universal's "Island of the Blue Dolphin" the August Box Office Blue Ribbon Award. George W. Loomis, chairman of the Inlet Board of Assessors, died Sept. 15, 1964. Dr. J.H. Foote, Hamilton County coroner, said death was due to natural causes. Mr. Loomis was born in Denver, Colo. He operated the Loomis Theatre in Frankfort for many years before opening the Loomis Restaurant in Inlet. He had been a painter since 1946. Mr. Loomis was a member of Northwoods Lodge Free & Accepted Masons. He married Marjorie Tisdale in Frankfort. Besides his wife, he left two sisters, Mrs. Violet Arnold and Mrs. Gertrude Service, both of Utica; and a brother, William, of Oriskany. The funeral and burial were in Frankfort. Gaiety Theatre announced the following movie: Alfred Hitchcock's "Marnie" with Tippi Hedron and Sean Connery. At LAKE PLEASANT, Hanson A. Slack, yeoman first class, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alvah Slack, Lake Pleasant, was a crewmember of the auxiliary submarine USS Albacore, undergoing overhaul in Portsmouth Naval Yard. She was being equipped to increase her combat readiness. The Albacore was equipped with a special fish-shaped hull which had proven so successful that it had been incorporated into use in the building of nuclear powered submarines. Comments made about this article - 0 Total

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You are here: Home » Places to visit » Find a place to visit results » About the Property Places to visitAbout our propertiesAccess for allStaffed properties mapSatellite navigationUnexpected site closuresChain Mail BlogHistoric Scotland AppEventsExplorer PassTravel TradeHire a Venue WeddingsFilmingExplore the object collections Remarkably complete 16th century fortified mansion Overview A house in the country | The Family of Wemyss of that Ilk | A fine country residence A house in the country Elcho Castle is one of Scotland’s best-preserved 16th-century tower houses. It was built around the time of the Protestant Reformation in 1560 by a member of the family of Wemyss of that Ilk. The family could trace their lineage back to the 12th century. A descendant of the builder of Elcho was created Lord Wemyss of Elcho in 1628 and Earl of Wemyss in 1633. There is little history attached to the castle. It simply served as a fine house in the country for the laird and his lady, their family and servants, who lived mainly at their chief seat, Wemyss Castle, on the coast of Fife. By the mid-18th century, Elcho was no longer being used as a noble residence at all, but repairs carried out by the 8th Earl in about 1830 secured its future, and in 1929 the 11th Earl entrusted it into state care. The Family of Wemyss of that Ilk Elcho Castle was built by the family of Wemyss of that Ilk (‘of that Place’). The family took its surname from the barony of Wemyss, on the Fife coast, characterised by its numerous caves; the name Wemyss derives from ‘weem’ (Gaelic uamh) meaning ‘cave’. There must have been a predecessor to the present Elcho Castle, for ‘Elchoch’ is mentioned several times as a place of strength in Blind Harry’s 15th-century epic Wallace, about the great 13th-century Scottish patriot. However, the first record of the lands of Elcho comes in 1429, when Sir David Wemyss of that Ilk and Hugh Fraser of Lovat agreed a compact at ‘Elthok’. In 1501 Sir John Wemyss refers to ‘my place of Elchok’. During this time, the adjoining lands of Wester Elcho contained the priory of Elcho, a convent of Cistercian nuns, founded in the early 13th century. By 1550, the prioress and eight nuns were in financial difficulties. Sir John Wemyss (died 1571) helped them out financially. In return, he was appointed heritable bailie. Over the following years, various parcels of priory land were leased to John Wemyss, and by the Reformation in 1560 almost all the lands of Elcho Priory were held by Sir John. The present Elcho Castle was started around this time – a statement that the family was firmly established in the lands of Easter and Wester Elcho. Back to top A fine country residence Elcho is of particular interest as showing the transition from castle to mansion building in Scotland. The castle manages to combine an imposing exterior with an interior that provided the noble occupants and their guests with considerable comfort and privacy. Apart from a new roof and new window glazing in the 1830s, the castle has changed little since it was built – a large tower house with smaller towers projecting from it, some round and others square. To its south was a courtyard enclosed by an outer wall. Gardens and grounds surrounded the complex. Events at Elcho Castle Properties nearby Huntingtower Castle Plan your journey by Public Transport

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Historic UK - The History and Heritage Accommodation Guide Castle Hotels Historic Hotels Wedding and Event Venues All Properties By Region By Unique Characteristics Quirky & Unusual Cottages Rent a Castle Cottages by the Sea Romantic Cottages for Two History UK Culture UK Destinations UK About Historic UK History of England History of Scotland History of Wales History of Britain Kings and Queens of Britain Re-enactors Directory Trader's Market From quirky Cornish lighthouses to romantic highland cottages for two...View All Cottages » Westminster Abbey By Ben Johnson | Comments This magnificent and world-famous building is England's most important church and has been the site of every coronation since that of William The Conqueror in 1066. It was here fifty years ago, on June 2nd 1953 that Queen Elizabeth II was crowned. Founded as a Benedictine monastery over a thousand years ago, the Church was rebuilt by Edward the Confessor in 1065 and again by Henry III between 1220 and 1272 and is renowned worldwide as an architectural Gothic masterpiece. Situated in the grounds of a former Benedictine monastery, it was re-founded as the Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Westminster by Queen Elizabeth I in 1560. Known as the 'House of Kings', until 1760 the Abbey was the final resting place of 17 monarchs, including Elizabeth I and Mary I. Many monarchs chose to be buried close to the shrine of Edward the Confessor, whose death in 1065 led to the invasion and conquest of England by William the Conqueror. The bones of Edward the Confessor still lie in his Shrine behind the High Altar. The Abbey is packed with tablets, statues and inscriptions commemorating kings, queens, knights, writers, actors, musicians, scientists and statesmen, not all of whom are buried in the Abbey. Some famous people buried here include the poets Chaucer, Tennyson and Browning, as well as the writers Charles Dickens and Rudyard Kipling. The Abbey is also home to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It is believed that there are around 3,300 people buried in the Church and Cloisters. One person commemorated in Westminster Abbey is Thomas Parr who lived for 152 years and 9 months through the reigns of ten monarchs. He was buried in the Abbey by order of King Charles I. One interesting plaque is that to the memory of Francis Ligonier who rose from his sick bed to confront the enemy at the Battle of Falkirk in 1785. He survived the battle only to succumb to the disease shortly afterwards. The Abbey has not only been the setting for Coronations, it has also witnessed numerous other royal occasions such as state weddings and funerals, including the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997. Services have been held at the site for more than a thousand years and Westminster Abbey still offers worship every day of the year. It stands just west of the Houses of Parliament in the Greater London borough of Westminster. For a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the Capital, stroll through Liddell's Arch into Little Deans Yard, (the square behind the Abbey by Westminster School) or pause for reflection in the cloisters. Westminster Abbey (right foreground) with Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament in the centre and the London Eye (back left). Getting hereWestminster Abbey is easily accessible by bus and rail, please try our London Transport Guide for further information. Cathedrals in BritainBrowse our interactive map showing the Christian Cathedrals of Britain. MuseumsView our interactive map of Museums in Britain for details of local galleries and museums. Share and Comment! Book Historic Accommodation in London Hotels Historic B&B's Cottages If you enjoyed this article, you might also like... Westminster Abbey website Historic UK's guide to Secret London Anglo-Saxon Sites Battlefield Sites Castles in England Castles in Scotland Castles in Wales Roman Sites Secret London We're on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ View our Facebook pageFollow us on twitter View our Google+ Sign up to our newsletter Sign up to our newsletter © Historic UK 2015.

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home how it works About connecting high-style with inspired creativity Home | My dashboard | lifestyle Room | Travel Room | Fashion Room | The Luxewire | Ask the Lounge? TravelVietnam and American War RelicsBy: Pham Ha | CEO | Luxury Travel LtdNovember 23, 2012 | 0 CommentsVietnam War RelicsThe Vietnam War (or “American War” as the Vietnamese call it) left many scars on this Southeast Asian country, its landscape and the American veterans who fought here. Now, Luxury Travel Vietnam (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) seeks to go beyond providing simply luxury travel tours, and looks to offer more packages specifically for American veterans of the war, as well as their families. We believe that our Vietnam veteran’s tours can offer vets a new perspective on this beautiful land that was so different during their time here during the years long conflict.The war between the communist North Vietnam and capitalist South Vietnam roughly began in 1964 and ended in 1975, and it was also fought in Cambodia and Laos. The South’s allies were the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea, who together had from 800,000 to 1,000,000 troops involved at the height of the war. Meanwhile, the North was supported by the Soviet Union, as well as South Vietnamese sympathizers.This was actually known as the second Indochina war, the first being fought in the 1950’s between the French government and the Ho Chi Minh communist army. The French ultimately gave up their colonial claim in 1954. The second Indochina war is referred to by the Vietnamese as the “American War” (translated as “Chiến Tranh Chống Mỹ Cứu Nước”, which literally means "War Against the Americans and to Save the Nation").The Americans initially were involved as advisors to the South in the 50’s and 60’s, but were ultimately forced to enter the actual battle in the mid-60’s. By the early 1970’s, both sides began to try to end the conflict, and in January of 1973, US and coalition troops were ordered to cease military action. Finally, the Paris Peace Accord was signed by 1975 and soon after no American, Australian, New Zealand or South Korean forces remained in the region.However, later in 1975, without the support of the U.S., the South was invaded by the North, resulting in the formation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (the country’s official name) on July 2nd 1976. The South Vietnamese capital Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Min City in honor of Ho Chi Minh and the communist party has governed to this day.Some of the most interesting and poignant locations during the war include the following, most of which can be included as part of a tailor made tour for Americans interested in learning more about the war or re-visiting these now peaceful sites:Highway One aka the "Street without joy" While American troops suffered heavily in this area, they were not the first. In the 50's, the French referred to the highway north of Hue as the "street without joy" due to the constant attacks by Viet Minh troops attacking from villages along the coast.Quang TriDuring the 1972 “Easter Offensive”, revolutionary forces overran the area of Quang Tri, liberating it from the South Vietnamese. They held the area for months, while it was the scene of some of the fiercest ground fighting of the American War, especially from 1966 to the end of the war in 1975. It was the most bombed place in the history of the world, and at the end of the war, the entire province was destroyed, with only 11 of the original 3,500 villages remaining. Sadly, little remains of Quang Tri Citadel, which was built by King Minh Mang in 1824. However, from the ashes, the town of Trieu Hai has taken its place.Dong Ha Dong Ha town (13 kilometers to the north of Quang Tri), and situated on the northern portion of the former South Vietnam, became of more importance as the capital after the destruction of Quang Tri town. However, it too was destroyed in 1972, yet it has prospered somewhat more due its location at Highway 9, on the way to Laos.Doc Mieu FirebaseDoc Mieu Firebase Was key to the South's defense, as it was, for a time, the command post for calling in airstrikes on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. As a front line, the Americans set up a group of firebases on a ridge of hills looking across the DMZ and the Ben Hai River. A “firebase” or “FB” was a temporary military camp used during the war to provide artillery support to infantry who were out of the normal range of protection from their own base camps.This FB has been scavenged by scrap-metal collectors, and American veteran groups searching for MIAs (missing in actions). However, the majority of the remains found recently have been Vietnamese.Con Thien FirebaseThe Con Thien Firebase was critical in the Vietnam War. It was often written about by reporters who recounted the horrors they had seen there, and many platoons who went there came home with only half of the group, often fewer. It was America's largest FB, first established by the famous “Green Berets” and then manned by the Marines in 1966. Just prior to the Tet Offensive, the base was shelled and assaulted by infantry for a long time as a diversion, and it was surrounded for a time. The Americans responded with everything, including long-range guns in the East Sea and B-52s. The Northern troops withdrew for a time, but overran Con Thien in the summer of 1972.Hien Luong BridgeThe Geneva Agreements, signed in 1954, divided the country into North and South Vietnam where the Ben Hai River ran through Quang Tri. This division was only planned to last two years, but really lasted 21 years, part of the long struggle for national reunification. The people of Quang Tri (and all over Vietnam) fought many political, diplomatic and military battles to secure their dream, the bridge being one of the greatest symbols of this. The original Bridge was destroyed by the Americans in 1967, while the newer iron-girder bridge was reconstructed in 1973, and re-opened in 1975. The newest incarnation of the bridge opened around 1999, and where Highway 1 crosses the Ben Hai River, there is a statue recording the dates of the temporary division in 1954, and the eventual reunification in 1975. One of the country’s most famous sayings came from Ho Chi Minh, who said: "Vietnam is one country; the Vietnamese are one people. Rivers may dry up, and mountains may erode away, but nothing can change this truth.”Vinh Moc tunnelsSixteen kilometers away from Highway 1, the Vinh Moc Tunnels sheltered thousands of Vietnamese during some of the worst American bombing of the war. The residents of Vinh Linh District began the tunnels as bombing escalated in 1966. Of course, they were used by northern soldiers, but most of the people using the tunnels were civilians simply seeking shelter.For two years, they dug over two kilometers of tunnels, housing over 600 villagers until 1969, when many were able to escape to Nghe An Province, which was slightly more secure.The tunnels had three levels, and had water wells, a generator and lights. There was also a school, clinics, and a medical station where as many as seventeen children are believed to have been born! Truly, this is one of the most interesting sites from the Vietnam War.Truong Son National CemeteryTruong Son National Cemetery is the largest soldier's cemetery in the DMZ area. It honors the more than 25,000 Vietnamese who died on the Truong Son Trail aka the “Ho Chi Minh Trail.”Over 10,000 graves cover the cemetery, arranged in 5 geographical regions. These regions are broken down according to native province, and all surround a memorial house listing every name and grave number in the section. Each headstone announces “liet si” (martyr), together with details which are known such as name, birth date and place, date of enrollment, military rank, and the date of death.Camp Carroll Camp Carroll was a US Marine base named after Captain JJ Carroll, who died retaking Hills 400 and 484. The camp is famous for the actions of South Vietnamese commander, Lieutenant Pham Van Dinh, who changed sides in 1972 and joined the North Vietnamese Army. There have long been rumors of where he had gone after the war, however, according to “Vietnam by rail”, he ended up working as a driver for Sinh Café. Today, Camp Carroll is a pepper farm, a far cry from its military past.The RockpileThe odd formation in Hue is known as the “Rockpile”, and it was used as a helicopter and artillery base by Marines and it was never overrun. It was also used as a listening post and a guide port for bombers during the war. Further, it held a number of big guns, and its interesting formation make it a favorite of military tourists.The Dakrong Bridge The bridge was built in 1975-76 with assistance from fellow communists, Cuba. It sits west of the main DMZ and was considered the start of the Ho Chi Minh Trail network, making it a much fought over spot during the war. Although it fell many times, it now stands as a grand suspension bridge, leading to the Laos border. Khe SanhThe battle of Khe Sanh was a key struggle in the Vietnam War, getting major attention from around the world and, along with the Tet Offensive, revealing America's extreme difficulty gaining an advantage in the war.In the early 60’s, US Special Forces began training the local Bru minority people in counterinsurgency. Years later, Marines arrived and Khe Sanh was turned into a firebase near Laos, in order to secure Highway 9 and battle troops on the Ho Chi Minh Trail.In 1967 fighting intensified and the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) massed more troops nearby late in the year. It is believed that maybe as many as 40,000 NVA faced a mere 600 Marines and a few hundred more South Vietnamese troops and Bru counterinsurgents. The Americans responded by massing tons of equipment and planes at Khe Sanh.The NVA attack began in January of 1968 and President Johnson and General Westmoreland worried about the possibility of another Dien Bien Phu, vowing to stop the NVA.In nine weeks, nearly 100,000 tons of bombs rained down, during one air strike every five minutes. Nevertheless, the NVA remained, despite unbelievable casualties (maybe as many as 10,000 compared to an estimated 248 Americans). While the NVA never took the base, their diversion was successful in distracting the Americans from southern cities just days before the beginning of the Tet Offensive. A few months later, the Americans also abandoned the camp, and the media attention made the American public realize that the war was not going well as they had been told. These days, the area around Khe Sanh still cannot support vegetation and the town is renamed Huang Hoa.The Ho Chi Minh TrailThe Ho Chi Minh Trail was not in fact a “trail” in the traditional sense. Instead, it was a web of jungle paths, enabling communist troops to travel from North Vietnam to quite near Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City). Along the paths, the northern troops built base camps, providing resting places and treatment for the injured. At first, it could take six months to travel from North Vietnam to Saigon, but as it became more widely used, the trip could be made by the best soldiers in around six weeks.Because the trail was so well covered in vegetation, it was impossible to spot from the air, rendering American air superiority nearly useless, although, there was much danger from disease, and in fact hundreds and thousands died from things like malaria while traveling the trail. As many as 20,000 northern soldiers a month came from Hanoi along the trail, and many ideas were conceived in order to stop this traffic, including barbed wire, mines and sensors. These plans produced little result and cost many lives while building these obstacles and so they were abandoned in an attempt to stop this traffic.The Ho Chi Minh Trail remains a powerful symbol of victory and sacrifice for the Vietnamese.Former battle sites and American bases:Chu Lai. Chu Lai is 100 km south of Danang and the U.S. 23rd Infantry Division was stationed here. This division was involved in the My Lai Massacre on March 16 1968. My Lai to Danang is 132 km.Phu Bai. Phu Bai is 25 km South of Hue and the 3rd Marine Division and the 101st Airborne Division were stationed here, as was Camp Eagle. Travelers will need to be accompanied by a policeman when visiting the battle sites here. Allow $15 for this fee.Quy Son. Quy Son is about 40 km west of Danang and the 7th Marine Division and the 5th Marine Regiment were stationed here. It is also possible to visit LZ Ross here.Khe San. Khe Sanh Hills 881 North and South are at Khe Sanh combat base, where one of the bloodiest battles of the war took place. The hills are about 64 km from Dong Ha, and along the way you can see Cam Lo, Dong Ha Airfield, Con Tien Firebase, Lang Vei, The Rockpile (Special Forces camp) Hamburger Hill and Camp Carrol.Vinh Moc. The Vinh Moc Tunnels are about 7 km north of the Ben Hai River and 13 km from Highway 1 (60 km from Dong Ha). Allow $15 for a local guide to visit the tunnels.An Hoa. An Hoa is 85 km Southwest of Danang and was the main combat theater between the 7th Marine Regiment and the NVA/VC from 1965 to 1970. Just 4 km North East of An Hoa is the Arizona Territory, site of a major battle between the US Marines and the 36th Regiment of the 308 Division on June 7, 1968. This was also the Marine 3rd Division Headquarters Northwest LZ Baldy. LZ Baldy is north of Hawk Hill and south of An Hoa. Dai Loc Hills 37 & 65. These are in Dai Loc district in Quang Nam province (formerly Thung Duc District) and 45 km southwest of Danang. Hills 37 & 65 were the bases of the U.S. Marine Corps. Dai Loc area was also a major battle site between Marines and NVA forces from 1965 until 1971.Quang Tri. This was the site of another one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War. It is situated 80 km North of Hue. Well known bases such as Lang Vei (a Green Beret base), Khe Sanh Combat Base, Con Thien Firebase, the McNamara Line, Doc Mieu Base, and Marine Leatherneck Square are all in the vicinity. You can visit the above places with Vietnamese police or a local guide for a fee of about $15 a day. Hue - Khe Sanh: 150kmHue - Dong Ha: 90kmHue - Quang Tri: 50kmDanang - Dong Ha: 200 kmDong Ha- Vinh Moc Tunnels: 60kmDong Ha - Darkrong: 55kmDong Ha - HCM Trail: 60kmDong Ha - Ben Hai River: 35 km Visit www.luxurytravelvietnam.com for more Vet tour information. Related JustLuxe Articles: Santa Fe, New Mexico: The City of Turquoise is A Burgeoning Haven For Art Lovers Travel Around the World & Gain a Healthier Lifestyle on This $230K Wellness Trip Read stories, check out member reviews, explore photo galleries and answer community questions. Don't Miss These Lifestyle Articles $50M Housing Development Confirmed for Hong Kong's Esteemed Mount Nicholson Adrien Brody's Septembers of Shiraz Makes for a Lackluster SDFF Opening Introduce Your Music-Loving Ears to Your Inner Fashionista With the Stylish PRYMA Headphones Celebrate Vegetarian Day By Exploring America's Top Veggie Restaurants! BEST OF LUXURY Best Fine Spirits Best Luxury Cars Best Luxury Hotel Suites Best Luxury Yachts

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Login | Palma de Mallorca Airport Departures (PMI) Arrivals | Departures | Flights | Car Hire Palma Mallorca Palma Mallorca Airport Guide Palma Mallorca AirportPalma Mallorca Airport ArrivalsPalma Mallorca Airport DeparturesPalma Mallorca FlightsPalma Mallorca Airport Car HireGetting to Palma Mallorca AirportPalma Mallorca Airport BusesPalma Mallorca Airport TaxisPalma Mallorca Airport TrainsPalma Mallorca Tourist AttractionsPalma Mallorca Airport Parking Palma Mallorca Airport Palma Mallorca Airport Departures Palma Mallorca Departures Palma de Mallorca Airport has the official airport code of PMI, and is the third largest airport in Spain. It is also one of the busiest airports in Europe during the summer months. The airport is also well known as Son Sant Joan Airport, due to its location, and is nearby a number of interesting towns and villages, such as Can Pastilla. Palma de Mallorca Airport is found just 8 km, or 5 miles east of Palma, the capital city of the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, Mallorca. Over 21 million passengers pass through this Spanish airport each year, and it is considered to be a very important gateway to Mallorca. The airport is also a base for certain popular airline companies. There are four terminal buildings at Palma de Mallorca Airport, with departure areas well equipped for the needs of all passengers. Departing passengers will find a variety of options for transport to the airport as well. This airport on the island of Mallorca is a hub for the Spanish airline carrier of Air Europa, and the German carrier of Air Berlin, as well as for Iberworld, AlbaStar and Spanair. The majority of passengers traveling from Palma de Mallorca Airport depart on international flights to various destinations, the most popular of which are to Germany, the mainland in Spain and the United Kingdom. Air Berlin holds the majority of destinations at the airport, including Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Madrid, Valencia, Seville and Murcia. Air Europa offers flights to Granada, Malaga, Paris-Orly and Rome-Fiumicino, and Iberworld flies to Aberdeen. Easyjet and Ryanair, two very popular low-cost airline companies offer a number of destinations from the airport as well. Other prominent airline carriers departing from Palma de Mallorca Airport include Lufthansa, Thomas Cook Airlines, Thomson Airways, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Bmibaby, Jet2 and Vueling. Passengers departing from Palma de Mallorca Airport can reach the terminal buildings by motorcar, bus or taxi. There is no train station at the airport. The main road that leads to the airport is the Palma-Santanyí motorway, and there are two public bus services that travel to the terminal from various local destinations. They are known as the Line 1 buses and the Route 21 buses. The Route 21 bus mainly travels from popular hotels in nearby towns and villages, while the Line 1 buses offer transport from locations in the city of Palma. Taxis are also a popular means of transport to the airport. Passengers arriving in their own vehicles will find a large car parking building just opposite the terminal, as well as a long-stay parking area a short distance from the airport, connected by free shuttle buses. Passengers should arrive in good time for their departure flight from Palma de Mallorca Airport. Each airline company has different check-in requirements, but in general, passengers should check-in at least 45 minutes prior to their flight, and be at their assigned boarding module at least half an hour before the flight. Some gates make use of a shuttle bus in order to transport passengers to the airplane. There are four modules at the airport, namely, Modules A, B, C and D, and all are clearly indicated with signage. After checking-in hold luggage, and receiving your boarding pass, you will proceed to the correct module. The check-in area is accessed from the fourth floor of the car park, or if arriving by bus or taxi, you will be dropped off in front of the check-in door. The check-in area is located on the second level of the terminal building. There are various other ways of checking-in as well. Passengers arriving at Palma on a Mediterranean cruise can check-in luggage and collect their boarding pass at the seaport, and automatic dispensing machines are available at the airport for check-in by passengers with only hand luggage on Spanair or Iberia flights. Certain airline companies also allow online check-in. A passenger’s baggage should fall within the size, weight and number specified by their airline company, as there is a charge for excess baggage, or overweight baggage. Passengers should also never carry luggage on board an airline on behalf of a person they don’t know. This is for the safety of all passengers and airline staff on board the airplane. Certain oversized luggage items can be carried, such as a bicycle or surfboard. These items should be taken to the main check-in desk of your airline, from where the staff member will accompany you to the oversized baggage desks, where you can leave your items. Ensure that all your baggage meets the security requirements of the airport, and that you are not carrying any item, which is prohibited. Liquids can be carried in unlimited quantities in hold luggage, but there are restrictions for liquids carried in hand luggage, unless they were purchased from one of the shops located after entering the secure boarding area. Airports also often offer a baggage wrapping service that will help to protect your luggage during transport. Palma de Mallorca Airport is well equipped for the needs of disabled persons, and passengers with reduced mobility. The pavements have ramps or lowered edges; there are lifts to the upper floors, reserved parking areas and special pedestrian walkways with no obstacles. In all areas of the airport there are adapted toilet facilities, and adapted telephone booths as well. Assistance is also offered for sight-impaired and hearing-impaired individuals. Passengers departing from the airport can request further assistance from their airline company. Other facilities include a number of VIP lounges, a first aid centre, a post office, banking and currency exchange facilities and a lost property office. Conferences and events can be held at the Babor Lounge. Being a large international airport, Palma de Mallorca also offers numerous quality retail outlets and restaurants. No flight departures were found at Palma Mallorca Airport © www.mallorcaairport.co.uk 2015

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HESTON BLUMENTHAL’S NEW RESTAURANT, THE PERFECTIONISTS’ CAFÉ, ARRIVES 4TH JUNE AT HEATHROW’S NEW TERMINAL 2 Heston Blumenthal’s new restaurant, The Perfectionists’ Café, is set to open its doors on the 4th June with the unveiling of the multi-million pound new Terminal 2, The Queen’s Terminal, at Heathrow. The Perfectionists’ Café takes inspiration from Heston’s In Search of Perfection television programmes and the In Search of Perfection book series in which he explored and reinvented Britain's favourite dishes through his unique, creative approach and his endless journey to question everything. "You cannot achieve perfection as it’s entirely subjective,” Heston explains. "As a perfectionist, you can continually try to improve things, even if that means just turning everything upside down and starting again. We have had some incredible fun trying to make the best ever versions of these dishes, including using kit from cement mixers to paint sprayers and even a few explosions along the way! But that organised chaos produced some incredible techniques – and subsequently some fantastic results. The point is, you will never be quite satisfied. It's an endless pursuit, but when you add to the mix a bit of our quintessentially British eccentricity, that’s when the fun really begins. For me, The Perfectionists’ Café is about the realisation of that journey in an actual café; it's about everything we questioned and about harnessing the very excitement of that journey for the diner." Surprisingly, the name Heston already has a historic connection to aeronautics in the Heathrow area. In 1929, Heston Aerodrome was built there as one of the first airports to service London, and five years later, Heston Aircraft Company – which would eventually help build the Spitfire – was founded. Now, in 2014, the journey comes full circle, but this time to offer a unique and exciting Heston airport dining experience. The Perfectionists’ Café will present a selection of not only the UK’s most popular dishes, but favourites of the busy traveller, dishes that by their very nature are best cooked at speed. From breakfast to cocktails and beyond, The Perfectionists’ Café aims to offer fantastic food…fast. Working with Heston to evolve the menu inspired by individual dishes from the TV programme into a busy restaurant environment have been Fat Duck Group Executive Head Chef, Ashley Palmer-Watts, and the restaurant’s Head Chef, Julian O’Neill. Along the way the team has discovered some exceptional British artisanal producers; honed cooking techniques; had products such as breads and pastries made from their own unique recipes and created bespoke kitchen equipment in a truly exceptional space. The result is the chefs’ best versions of the original 'perfection' dishes. For example, the venue will house Heathrow’s very first wood-burning oven where pizzas will be cooked at the optimal high temperatures, ensuring authentically sloppy yet delicate Neapolitan style pizzas. Regulations governing the true Neapolitan pizza are specific to oven temperature – high enough to allow the base to cook at speed whilst ensuring that the toppings don't get hotter than 60°C. This way, ingredients like fresh basil won’t discolour with overexposure to heat. The Fish & Chips will showcase the next generation of the crunchy beer batter Heston had created for the programme, originally inspired by a scientist at Leeds University whose research measured the science of crunch. The mixture has been specially siphoned to create the lightest, crunchiest possible batter. Analysing that uniquely British smell of the 'chippie', Heston identified the back note of malt vinegar and pickled onion juice, so to complete the dish a small atomiser is served which can be sprayed directly on the food or in the air to recreate that traditional British chip shop taste and feel. The burger has been inspired by the work of an oral physiologist who discovered the "three-finger rule" – the fact that our own first three fingers put together is the widest we can comfortably open our mouths to eat. When eating a burger, it is important to get all the layers in one bite so the burger must be able to be squashed to this thickness. This determines not only the height of the different ingredient layers, but also the texture, density and aeration of the bun. The three cuts of beef used are chosen to maximise flavour and consistency and are ground so the strands are in line, creating an incredibly delicate yet meaty texture. Brioche was the final choice for the bun as it is soft enough to absorb the juices and be pressed down to the three-finger rule, yet substantial enough to hold the burger together without falling apart. Renowned for pioneering the use of liquid nitrogen in restaurants in the late nineties, Heston Blumenthal's The Perfectionists’ Café will also celebrate the chef’s love of ice cream with a very modern ice cream parlour at the entrance to the restaurant. His futuristic style ice cream bar will have two steel cylinders that hold liquid nitrogen, pumping it to the ice cream maker. With a subzero temperature of -196°C, the nitrogen freezes the custard so quickly that the ice crystals that form are minuscule, producing not only the fastest, but the smoothest of ice creams. The perfectionist element running through the restaurant menu continues well into the bar. Cocktails are classics – fizzes, brambles and martinis to name just a few – but done Heston-style with premium spirits, hand-pressed juices and handcrafted infusions. The multi-sensory element continues, too, with the introduction of the Cloud Pour, which uses dry ice to suffuse drinks with essences from mandarin to thyme, vanilla to cinnamon even tobacco and merlot are used adding depth and complexity of flavour, as guests drink their cocktails through an aroma scented cloud. Working with Richard Seymour of Seymourpowell on the name and logo for the new restaurant, Heston drew on his memories of his favourite “Professor Branestawm” childhood books, written by the English author Norman Hunter. The books relay the adventures of their eponymous title character: a peculiar, absent-minded inventor who personifies British eccentricity. Seymour captured that same busy mind and amusing sense of whimsy – so evident in Blumenthal’s own work – and brilliantly created the Clockwork Knife, a metaphor for all the activity that occurs behind the scenes of The Perfectionists’ Café. Such was the resonance of the design, that it became not only the logo, but has been brought to life as a kinetic sculpture that serves as the restaurant’s signage. From inception, Heston and his team also worked alongside restaurant and hospitality design specialist, Afroditi Krassa. Krassa crafted the interior of The Perfectionists’ Café, creating a space that is rooted in nostalgia and harks back to the heyday and glamour of 1960’s passenger flights, using unexpected details such as a propeller-shaped benches and Formica-lined joinery. The result is an interior that not only challenges the boundaries of restaurant design, but also adroitly manages to mirror the multi-sensorial aspects of Blumenthal’s menus. By integrating the sounds and aromas of the kitchen into the restaurant’s environment and using clever lighting on the dishes to accentuate the creativity of the cooking, the design creates a space that will become in itself a destination. From the 4th June 2014, passengers travelling through Heathrow’s Terminal 2 will be able to experience the craft, science and techniques that have gone into creating this truly unique venue by simply enjoying the nostalgia, fun, whimsy and glamour of Heston Blumenthal's The Perfectionists’ Café. Contact LOTUS PR 307 Harbour Yard Chelsea Harbour London SW10 0XD T. +44 20 7751 5812 Twitter: lotuspr1

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Bubble milk tea promotes Taiwan at US theme park Staff Writer, with CNA, Los Angeles Visitors to Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles can now enjoy bubble milk tea, one of Taiwan’s specialties, inside the amusement park, Ten Ren Tea Co said on Friday.The company, one of Taiwan’s leading tea leaves and tea drinks suppliers, said it began working with Universal Studios last week to sell bubble milk tea and other tea drinks on a trial basis.Ten Ren’s outlet at Universal Studios is about 100m from the park’s entrance and sells four types of tea drinks — bubble milk tea, bubble milk green tea, bubble milk black tea and pearl bubble tea.Cooperating with Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau, each salesperson at the Ten Ren outlet wears a top with the word “Taiwan” printed on it, while a portrait of one of Taiwan’s most distinctive landmarks — the Taipei 101 skyscraper — is printed on the outlet’s take-out cups.Universal Studios Hollywood, which opened in 1964 as the first amusement park of Universal Studios in the world, attracts more than 10,000 visitors every day and has become one of the most famous tourist attractions in Los Angeles.Due to its advantageous location, the tea shop sells about 200 drinks every day, the tea supplier said.Ten Ren added that the company is so far happy with the sales achieved.The trial sales period will continue until the end of the month, and then both sides will evaluate the arrangement, according to Ten Ren.Lin Hsin-jen (林信任), a Tourism Bureau representative to Los Angeles, said he was delighted to see Taiwan’s bubble milk tea available at Universal Studios, as visitors will be able to taste some of Taiwan’s specialties.So far, several Taiwanese tea shop chains, such as Chatime and Comebuy, have made inroads into the US market, selling bubble milk tea to consumers.

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Maine (province) Map of Maine. Maine is one of the traditional provinces of France. It's capital was the city of Le Mans. The area is now divided into the departments of Sarthe and Mayenne. The Carolingians called Maine pagis cenomannicus after the Cenomani tribe that Julius Caesar had defeated.[1] Pepin the Short gave the duchy of Maine to his half-brother Grifo.[2] In the last half of the 9th century, Maine took on greater importance because of invasions from Normandy and Brittany. In 924 King Rudolph of France gave Maine to Rollo of Normandy.[3] Because it was next to Anjou on the south and Normandy on the north, these two duchies often fought over Maine. William, Duke of Normandy invaded Maine in 1063 and he controlled the county by the beginning of 1064. Norman control of Maine helped make the southern border of Normandy safe against Anjou. This was a factor which allowed Duke William to launch his successful invasion of England in 1066. In 1069 the citizens of Le Mans revolted against the Normans. Soon some of the Manceaux barons joined the revolt. The Normans were expelled in 1070, and young Hugh V was made the Count o

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Soufrière Hills "The complex, dominantly andesitic Soufrière Hills volcano occupies the southern half of the island of Montserrat. The summit area consists primarily of a series of lava domes emplaced along an ESE-trending zone. English's Crater, a 1-km-wide crater breached widely to the east, was formed during an eruption about 4000 years ago in which the summit collapsed, producing a large submarine debris avalanche. Block-and-ash flow and surge deposits associated with dome growth predominate in flank deposits at Soufrière Hills. Non-eruptive seismic swarms occurred at 30-year intervals in the 20th century, but with the exception of a 17th-century eruption that produced the Castle Peak lava dome, no historical eruptions were recorded on Montserrat until 1995. Long-term small-to-moderate ash eruptions beginning in that year were later accompanied by lava-dome growth and pyroclastic flows that forced evacuation of the southern half of the island and ultimately destroyed the capital city of Plymouth, causing major social and economic disruption." -Smithsonian Volcano Archive Page generated in 0.0000 seconds.

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Asia Europe Africa Middle East North America South America Central America Oceania Adventure Travel Budget Travel Travel Tech Luxury Travel Photography Airlines Hotels Cruises Food & Drink Arts & Culture Articles tagged “FoodTruckPods” San Francisco’s Mobile Eateries: SOMAny Food Trucks, So Little Time by Laurel Miller on Feb 20, 2013 In a city like San Francisco, there’s so much to love, it’s easy to veer into bad poetic cliche (the fog rolling in on the Golden Gate; how, on unseasonably warm days, the entire city appears to be picnicking on every available patch of green; the dreamy views of the bay from the top of Pacific Heights). There are other things about SF that rock, however, despite an obvious lack of romanticism. There’s the food truck scene, for example, which in less than five years has become a firmly entrenched part of the city’s culture. Like SF’s ethnic restaurants, the trucks roam the culinary map, from Eritrea and Malaysia to the Philippines, Hawaii, India, the Deep South, Latin America, and even, god help us, dessertlandia (cupcakes have nothing on the crème brûlée truck). I’ve written before about Off the Grid (OTG), the ginormous, weekly food truck fiesta held down at Fort Mason (there are other, smaller venues and food truck “pods” in SF, the East Bay, South Bay, and Marin County, as well). Featuring over 40 trucks, music, and stellar views of the Bay, it’s become a beloved celebration of all that’s great about life in San Francisco. My favorite vendors include The Chairman (as in Bao), and Gohan. I’ve been to OTG before, but until last week, I’d never visited its more urban equivalent, SOMA strEAT Food Park. Located just south of Market Street (SOMA), this formerly dumpy, sketchy block has been transformed into an oasis, complete with landscaping, attractive seating areas, music, a beer garden, and an indoor tent for inclement weather. SOMA has long been an up-and-coming ‘hood for hipsters thanks to its bars, cafes, and restaurants, but it’s also convenient to the Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), Metreon entertainment complex, Yerba Buena Gardens, Moscone Center and the Union Square shopping district. Unlike OTG, the Food Park is also open daily. A number of the same vendors work OTG and the Food Park (which has different vendors every day), but others are unique to each location. My favorite at the Food Park is Adam’s Grub Truck, which specializes in Pacific Rim-inflected sandwiches that are the bomb. There’s also Del Popolo, inarguably the most famous – and high-tech – food truck/pizzeria on wheels in the nation. It alone is worth a trip down to SOMA. Whether you head to OTG for the scene, selection and bayside location, or the strEAT Food Park for a convenient shopping or cultural break, you’ll come away stuffed, satiated and waxing a little poetic about SF, yourself. [Photo credit: Flickr user Gary Soup]

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5330 E. 31st St. Tulsa, OH 74135 www.thrifty.com Compare Car Rental Companies Customer ServiceProduct/Service QualityCompany PolicyBillingDealersPriceService Fee I Was Ripped Off By psegui19541 - 01/19/2015 CANCUN -- We rented a van on January 2nd at the airport in Cancun (reservation **). When returning the van they said that there was a damage at the wheel rim. When observing it very carefully you could see a very small indentation on the rim (about 1mm in diameter). A damage like this could only be caused by almost [destroying] the whole wheel, so it was obvious that the damage was already there because the wheel was otherwise perfect. They charged us 400 dollars for that damage which is clear that was already there when renting the car (invisible to the naked eye unless you knew it was there and you are an expert in rims). We took pictures of that alleged damage. I am enclosing one. Review Link: Thrifty Purposely Misrepresent and Tries to Sneak in Fees By Heather - 02/21/2014 HOUSTON, TEXAS -- I reserved a rental car from Thrifty through Southwest Airlines online booking. The car was to be picked up on Saturday, February 15th and returned on Tuesday, February 18th; the estimated charge was 178.00 which I paid on my credit card. When I went to pick up the car I asked if I could change the return date to Thursday, February 20th. The associate at the counter told me that was fine. I asked how much it would cost and he told me it would be the same rate, $44.00 per day. After he went through all the options (insurance, toll pass, etc.) he told me to sign on the small computer screen in front of me. The screen was small and difficult to read (it was grey with black lettering, about 3" by 3"). I tried to review what I was signing and realized the total was $650.00. The associate never verbally told me any costs associated with the rental agreement unless I asked. I asked him if that was the cost and he said yes. I asked him why it was so much and he said it was because I rented it for extra time. I told him that it was more than three times the estimate. He said that the estimate was only for the car, and didn't include taxes and insurance. I told him to take off any optional charges (insurance which I had through my regular coverage, toll pass which was 45.00 and prepaid fuel), and it still came to $416.62. I asked him why it was so much still, and he said taxes. When I was getting ready to return the car I looked at the receipt and realized there were 2 return change fee charges of 15.99 each. I returned the car at 8:30 am. The woman checked me in and printed me a receipt which also included an additional late charge of 15.99 for returning the car late (the receipt said 8:35 am). When I rented the car they did not tell me it had to be back by 8:30 am, it wasn't until I carefully read the receipt that I saw the early time it had to be back. Still, I got it back at 8:30 am and they refused to reverse even that fee. The total I paid for the car was 437.06. I talked to two customer service representatives, neither of whom cared that I had been mislead about the charges. I was also not told that adding an extr

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Central Europe : Czech Republic : North Moravia : Olomouc Do Events Olomouc [1] (Olomóc or Holomóc in the local dialect, Olmütz in German) has the second largest and second oldest historic preservation zone in the Czech Republic (after Prague). Olomouc lies astride the Morava River and is surrounded by the fertile Haná plain. It was the capital of Moravia until 1641 and is the six-largest city in the country, with approximately 99,500 inhabitants. Town Hall & Holy Trinity Column on the main square of Olomouc The first written mention of a settlement at Olomouc is almost 1000 years ago when the Kosmas Chronicle described a fortified castle watching over the important Morava river ford on the road between Krakow and Prague. Between 16th and 19th centuries, Olomouc served as a strategically important fortress. The city today is the seat of the regional government, the Moravian archbishopric and the oldest university in Moravia, Palacky University (Universita Palackého). Legend claims that the city was founded by Julius Caesar. It's unlikely that Caesar actually visited in person, but it is known that the city was originally a Roman military camp with the name Julii Mons (Julius' Hill). This name was gradually corrupted to its present form, Olomouc - which is pronounced 'Olo-mowts'. The Roman influence is a proud heritage of the city, and manifests itself in numerous areas. Olomouc is doubtless the undiscovered gem of the Czech Republic. It is home to countless beautiful buildings, great culture (home of the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra), and hundreds of unique restaurants, bars, and pubs. Olomouc is totally off the radar of most tourists, feeling quietly normal and relaxed even on a nice day in July. As the home to Palacky University, Olomouc is the country’s largest student city by percentage of population. Palacky University is one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the country and only Charles’ University in Prague has a longer history. During the academic year, the population of the city is increased by roughly 20,000 students, giving the city a vibrant feeling of life and energy. This is important to remember if you want to enjoy the thriving nightlife of the city - many bars and clubs depend on the student population and close for the summer vacations. Olomouc has been the seat of the Catholic Archbishop for almost 1,000 years, and thus has some of the most beautifully decorated churches in Central Europe - though they will not appear in many travel guides. By train[edit] SC Pendolino Prague: 2½h, hourly IC/EC trains; 2h, SC Pendolino (with compulsory reservation for CZK 200) every two hours Fast trains (category R) are useless at this route, they're slower and cost the same as IC/EC. Regular fare is CZK 324, second person in a group (of 2 or more) pays 195, extra people pay CZK 162, SporoTiket is CZK 190. Brno: 1½h, every two hours Beware that apart from these, there are trains Brno–Olomouc via Břeclav and the journey would be 2 hours longer. Ostrava: 1h, IC/EC trains every two hours Beware of some fast trains (category R) from Ostrava to Olomouc, they go longer way through Jeseníky mountains for more than 3 hours. Warszawa: 5½h, EC Praha Katowice: 3h, no change of train Kraków: The only direct train is a night train Silesia arriving in Olomouc at 4:45AM. Other connections require at least one change. Long distance trains stop at Olomouc hlavní nádraží (Olomouc Main station). By bus[edit] Student Agency [2] operate buses between Prague and Olomouc, but they are much slower than trains, because their route leads all the way down to Brno, before turning up towards Prague. The Olomouc city centre is best explored on foot. Its historic center is charming and it offers many opportunities for pleasant walks. Central tramway stop at Náměstí Hrdinů Public transportation [3] is cheap and easy to use. Ticket machines stand at every major bus and tram stop and tickets are also available from newspaper kiosks. A single trip ticket costs 14 Kč. See city line maps [4][5] and online timetable [6] Integrated Transport System of Olomouc Region (IDSOK) provides an extensive network of local trains (category Os and Sp) and buses in the whole region. Olomouc region is divided into zones [7], the ticket price depends on number of passed zones. Zone 71 (Olomouc city) has a special tariff, described above. Taxis gather in the carpark at the front of the train station, and the ride from there to the centre should be between 100-150 Kč. The free-call number is (+420) 800 223 030. Olomouc is an exploring sightseer's paradise. A good place to begin is the main square (Horní náměstí or 'Upper Square'), with its huge Town Hall and the Holy Trinity Column (the largest column in Europe), which was enscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. It is the second largest historical square in the Czech Republic. Don't miss the astronomical clock on the Town Hall. It is said to once have rivalled the beauty of Prague's, but was seriously damaged in the WWII and then rebuilt and repainted at the beginning of the Communist regime to reflect worker's values. UNESCO-listed Trinity Column The Upper Square (Horní náměstí) is the main square of Olomouc, a beautiful place full of history where you can find some of the most important monuments: The baroque Holy Trinity Column was built in the early 1700's and consecrated by the Empress Marie Theresa in 1754. With a height of 35 metres, it has dominated the Upper Square (Horní náměstí) ever since and was added to the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage in the year 2000. The column features sculptures of the Holy Trinity (predictably), the assumption of the Virgin Mary, all twelve apostles, three virtues and the most important saints of the Baroque period. The base of the column contains a small chapel with amazing acoustics and the raised pedestal is a very nice place to sit and eat lunch. It is one of the traditional rendezvous points in the city. The renaissance Olomouc Town Hall occupies the centre of the main square (Horní náměstí). Its halls and chapel are accessible on guided tours and it's possible to climb the tower each day at 11AM and 3PM. The ground floor of the town hall houses a gallery, restaurant and the tourist information office. Ask in the office if you are interested in the guided tour and climbing the tower. On the north face is one of only two astronomical clocks in the country. On the west side, there is the Hygieia fountain from 1945, one of the many fountains in the city. The Astronomical clock was constructed in the 15th Century, but takes its present appearance from the 1950's, during a refurbishment to repair damage inflicted in WWII. Czechoslovakia was under Communist rule by then and the clock reflects the values of the day, the saints and angels being replaced by scientists, sportspeople and labourers. At 12 noon the clock has a presentation that is unique to its structure and construction. There is one other astronomical clock in the Czech lands (in the other ancient capital, Prague), but as a surviving example of Socialist-Realism, the Olomouc Astronomical clock is unique world-wide. It is another popular rendezvous point in the city. The baroque Caesar's Fountain is the largest fountain in Olomouc. It depicts the legendary founder of the city, Gaius Julius Caesar, riding a horse. It is one of the six great baroque Roman-themed fountains you can find in the city. The baroque Hercules' Fountain depicts Hercules fighting Hydra. Another from the series of the six great bar

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Mysterious Lagoon Lagoa Misteriosa, which translates as “Mysterious Lagoon”, is a lake at the bottom of a sinkhole, a type of geological formation common in limestone regions. This lake of transparent waters impresses visitors for its incredible depth. It is considered one of the deepest submerged caves in Brazil, with more than 220 meters of water column (maximum depth reached by professional cave diver Gilberto Menezes de Oliveira, in 1998), which explains why is called mysterious.Lagoa Misteriosa is a phreatic cave, that is, was formed by the flow of underground water that dissolved the limestone in its passage. These types of caves usually are flooded and do not have fragile mineral deposits, such as speleothems.The first dive at Lagoa Misteriosa was done in September 1992 by Augusto Auler, member of a French-Brazilian Expedition that came to Bonito on the same year. In 2008, a team of specialized divers mapped the cave until the depth of 70 meters.The Mysterious Lagoon was the first cave in Brazil to have a "Speleology Management Plan", a document that comprehends the environmental diagnosis of the area and the guidelines for its conservation, approved by CECAV - the National Center for Research and Conservation of Caves in 2010.For those who have never dived before, Lagoa Misteriosa offers a first diving experience called “baptism”, reaching 8 meters. For certificate divers, the depth depends on the kind of certification, and can be up to 60 meters. Copyright: Marcio Cabral Tags: mysterious lagoon; lagoa misteriosa; underwater panorama; underwater; diving; snorkeling; pond blue lake; blue water; cristal; bonito; cavern; cave.

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View the background - Fermanagh Lakelands Places to go It’s water, water everywhere in Fermanagh. This is a county tailor-made for anglers, explorers or those who simply love messing about on boats Enniskillen Castle is home to Fermanagh County Museum Fermanagh is a county defined by water – one-third of it is covered by this pristine liquid. But this lakelands region has plenty to explore on dry land too, from stately houses to Cuilcagh Mountain and the echoing chambers of the Marble Arch Caves. The Marble Arch Caves, County Fermanagh Castle Coole, County Fermanagh Fermanagh is home to Europe’s longest network of waterways: 700km of rivers, canals and lakes that combine to make the perfect waterworld. You can fish (the lakes are world renowned for winter roach and pike). You can wake-board and water-ski. Or you can simply kick back and soak it all up. Lough Erne is the largest in this maze of lakes. It’s a vast swelling in the River Erne that holds 154 islands – including Devenish Island, home to one of Northern Ireland’s finest monastic sites – and is pinched in the middle by the bustling town of Enniskillen. Enniskillen splits the great lake in two, dividing it into Upper and Lower Lough Erne. It used to be the seat of Fermanagh’s powerful chieftains, the Maguires, who kept their own private navy of 1,500 boats to patrol the expansive waters. Their Enniskillen Castle was the perfect place from which to spot approaching troublemakers – though today it houses the Fermanagh County Museum and the regimental museum of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. More recent residents include literary greats, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett, who attended Enniskillen’s famous Portora Royal School. They weren’t true Enniskilliners, however – for that honour, locals say you must be born “between the bridges” on the town’s core island: the Inis Ceithleann from which it takes its name. And don’t miss the mile-long Main Street, a street that changes name six times as you walk! Mountains and caves Fermanagh is also home to Cuilcagh Mountain, a 665m peak which, on a clear day, offers views stretching from the Irish Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. Its distinctive shape – an abrupt plateau with flanks of steep cliffs – is the result of erosion in the limestone landscape, a geological wonderland and a Unesco-designated Geopark. As well as hiking the hills, moors and forests above ground (not to mention the Palladian piles of Florence Court and Castle Coole), visitors can explore this unique geology underground with a tour of the Marble Arch Caves. Beginning with a subterranean boat ride, and ending in vast caverns formed 650 million years back in time, the netherworld of chambers and passageways is the perfect way to get under Fermanagh’s skin. Via the water, naturally. Canoeing and kayaking in Ireland “Here in the heart of Ireland, nature is never very far away” Landscapes that inspire Landscapes in Ireland can get under your skin, but for some writers, poets and playwrights, though, they can do even... Northern Ireland’s lake country is a haven for watersports. But you’ll find Palladian mansions, pagan idols and Bill... Mad Max... in Fermanagh? With the impending release of Mad Max: Fury Road, we got to thinking: where in the world would the ultimate road warrior... Museums of Ireland Every historical itch can be scratched on a visit to Ireland’s museums, from the tiniest micro-museums to priceless... Explore Belfast, a foodie

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Dreams and SchemesCitrusTourismHealthHotelsPineapplesAttractionsTurpentineRoads, Rivers and RailsRailroadWaterRoadsCritters, Crackers and CottagesNatureSocial LifePeoplePlacesEducationCrittersVital RecordsCarey HandDirectoriesElectionsTimelineFlorida/Central Florida Timeline Florida Stories Page:12345678 Seminole Hotel, Winter Park FloridaIn the midst of central Florida's tourism and land boom, several hotels in Orange County were built to accommodate the mass exodus of people arriving to the area.Altamonte Hotel"The Altamonte" under the management of Colonel Wood, on the South Florida Railroad, is an elegant hotel. Gas and water works, a street car line and all modern conveniences are part of the hotel property (circa1885).The Altamonte was opened from December 25, 1886 to May 1, 1887 and had increased its popularity with visits from wealthy northerners. It was advertised with "Pure spring water, gas, electric bells, a bowling alley, billiard hall, steam launch, and row boats on Lake Orienta. Good livery and a thorough system of drainage. Mr. Frank Copan now proprietor." As the town grew, wonderful social affairs were held at the hotel.Sanford HouseThis hotel, located in Sanford on the shores of beautiful Lake Monroe, was built in 1875 and was added on to in 1882. It was 175 miles from the port of Jacksonville, and boasted of white shelled walkways, a park and sulphur springs bubbling outside. In 1883, President Arthur stayed at the hotel for a week. Christmas dinner in 1884 had management receiving six hundred dozen fresh eggs and four hundred pounds of dressed poultry.At the close of the 1886 season, 3,220 visitors had registered through its doors. �In 1888, President Cleveland was honored with a social. �The Sanford House remained the social place to visit and stay until 1915. �The new proprietor renames the hotel Carnes but in 1920 it was torn down.San JuanOne of Orlando's oldest hotels, the San Juan, was a fixture in the city for over 80 years. Built in 1885 by C.E. Pierce at a cost of $150,000, the San Juan Hotel was located on the corner of Orange and Central Avenues. In 1893, Harry Beeman of Beeman Chewing Gum bought the San Juan Hotel and added two stories to the existing three story building. As its size increased, so did the hotel�s popularity as Orlando's premier destination for visitors and residents alike. During the 1920s, the San Juan Hotel was modernized as restaurants, a barbershop, a laundry mat, eight additional stories and 250 additional rooms were added to the structure.Angebilt HotelIn June 1920, J.F. Ange announced plans for his million dollar hotel to be built at the northeast corner of Orange Avenue and Oak Street in downtown Orlando. Ange's vision of a 240-room structure became a reality on March 14, 1923 with most of Orlando attending to see the opening of the new skyscraper building. The Angebilt Hotel quickly became the social center of downtown Orlando with several organizations holding their functions and meetings in the hotel. By the mid-1920s the hotel boasted a restaurant, pharmacy, barbershop, and a bookstore. The Angebilt Hotel would set the standard by which other hotels would be created and as the decade drew to a close, several hotels emerged on the scene.Fort Gatlin HotelIn 1924, the Lamar Hotel was built in the center of Orlando�s business and tourist activity on West Central Avenue and the hotel was known for having elevator service, free lighted parking, steam heat, tile baths, room telephones, and cooled air. Soon after, the Fort Gatlin Hotel opened at 545 North Orange Avenue in 1926 and featured an Emerich Cafeteria where locals would get a bite to eat on their lunch hour.Empire HotelThe 4-story brick Empire Hotel opened about 1913 at 26-30 West Central Avenue. The establishment advertised an electric elevator, steam heat, hot and cold running water, and a telephone in each of its 100 rooms, which rented for $1 a day.Seminole HotelWhile Orlando was the county seat of Orange County, it certainly wasn't the only city with a handful of hotels to serve its tourists. By 1923, Winter Park had 8 hotels, the largest of them being The Alabama and The Seminole. About

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Litchfield County High Point Trip Report On Massachusetts state line 600 ft S of Mt Frissell (2,380+ ft) Date: July 2000 Author: Dan Case To reach the rude trailhead along Mt. Washington Road, I chose to come in via MA and NY, not Salisbury, as I've already driven that road once and that was enough, thank you. Take NY 22 to Copake Falls, then go east on NY 344 past Bashbish Falls State Park, then into Massachusetts (no sign letting you know this; the state line is marked by NY's welcome sign and the pavement becoming much more rugged as it is not a state road in MA. The first actual sign that you're in that state is MA DEM signs at the upper parking lot for the falls). Follow this along the brook to a three-way intersection with a dirt road going off to the north and an old sign giving miles to the state forest HQ, Mt. Riga and Salisbury. Bear right as the road makes some sharp switchbacks and climbs sharply through some hemlock groves. After a couple of miles, this meanders past a lot of weekend houses to another three-way intersection, again with (much better) signs to various nearby locations. Obviously you want the right turn, south towards Salisbury etc. A couple of miles down, it passes the Mt. Washington State Forest headquarters (one of two trail heads for Alander) and shortly afterwards the pavement ends. Keep going. A couple of miles of dirt and increasingly wilder surroundings ends with the granite state-line marker and associated parking areas. I chose the AMC one, in Connecticut, the largest (the unmarked gated road leading east to the AT in less than a mile or so). There are also spots where the trail begins in MA, on both sides of the road, but they were full. The Mt. Frissell trail begins on an old wood road that heads off into MA from the west side of the road. It isn't marked well at the beginning, but the red blazes are there if you have patience. About 0.2 miles in, it leaves the road for a trail veering off to the left. This goes back into CT through a dense stand of mountain laurel (if you look carefully off either side of the trail, you can see old tape flags along the trees that mark the state line), and then climbs gently to the west, finally reaching a pair of rocky pitches that ascend more sharply. At the top of the last you start to get to open rock areas with views NE to Mt. Everett and its fire tower, then you emerge onto the 2,296' summit of Round Mountain, whose scrub oak and mountain laurel cover rarely grows higher than waist level, giving it a bald-like feel similar to Brace and South Brace. Both of which you can see from here (the cairn on the former is pretty obvious) as well as everything else. I really liked this view -- in the immediate 360-degree area of the peak, there were few signs of civilization (although farmland could be seen in the valleys farther to the east and southeast). It's centrally located in the Taconics, and gets a nice sense of dynamics with summits both above and below the view plane. One of which, of course, is Frissell itself, which really seems to loom to the west. After chatting with a young woman on the summit trying to see if her dog would fit in her pack for the trip down (she eventually decided it wasn't a good idea with all the steep rocky areas), I ate a sandwich and continued on. When I told her I was headed for the highest point in CT, she said she wasn't aware it was further along the trail, up on Frissell, and that she would have to check it out later. The drop off Round is fairly gentle, which I appreciated as Frissell's face looked steep. In the col, after the trail has reentered MA, there is some chance that you will accidentally leave the trail as it intersects an old road (this is shown on the NYNJTC South Taconic trail map). An old red blaze is still visible on a tree to the north. However the real trail is the slightly overgrown path continuing west, and only after you round a bend is it confirmed with a sharper red blaze. To my great relief this switchbacks up a steep slope to some rock outcrops, where you expect the climbing to be work, and it is. There are about three of this Class 3 areas to pass before you reach one with an open view back to Round. After the second, the trail levels out and you are at the summit of Mt. Frissell, 2,453'. A register is in a metal case hanging from a tree on a short spur to the left. Many people seem to have believed this is the CT HP, but as we all know it's not. I didn't sign this (because I didn't know it was there at the time) until my return trip. Hungry for my objective, I continued along the trail, descending into CT. I thought I must have missed the bronze stake at the HP. Isn't it supposed to be somewhere along here? These spots look like the pictures I've seen on a few web sites, after all. After reaching a nice overlook to the south, however, the trail began to climb up again. Aha! It leveled off, though, and I was sure I had missed it and would have to backtrack from the tri-state marker when it suddenly appeared to the left of the trail, marked by a huge cairn that is impossible to miss. I've heard it once had a more formal marker in the past, but I actually like this. Just the now-green four- inch stake at the highest point of land. I sat down and savored the rest of my lunch, looking to the (apparently cut) view to the south and enjoying the feeling of being on top of Joe Lieberman's home state and everything in it. I decided to leave my pack and poles there for the other objective, the NY/CT/MA tri-state marker, taking along only my camera. I had thought this to be a few hundred feet further on from the New York Walk Book's description of the trail. But I kept following the state line as it descended over a couple of rock faces. At the bottom of one, I met a party of three I had seen climbing Frissell from Round, who had been in the parking lot as I had pulled in. I noticed the sneakers and sandals on their feet and commented on them. They asked if I, too, had had to come up some really steep cliff. Of course, I said. They had been under the impression that a) there was a trail which bypassed all that and b) the HP and tri-state marker were only several hundred yards from the parking lot. Fueled by those, they had come 1.7 miles to the tri-state marker, which they told me was not much further ahead. After we parted, the trail continued its westward course along the state line and in due course there it was, the granite monument smack in the middle of the trail. The "CONN" is only chalked along its southeast face because (according to the summit register) NY and CT were still disputing their boundary up here in 1898 when it was erected. I guess NY won. I went back to the HP marker (wondering where that herd path to the north of it goes -- after fifty feet I didn't feel like brushing aside more oak although the treadway remains clear. That's why the HP often looks like it's in the middle of the trail in pictures) and went back to the summit, found the register and signed in. Most of the entries are from people doing state highpoints (Ted Rybak, who maintains the log, carefully notes in his introduction that this is not it but some people seem not to read that part). The rest of the trip was uneventful, and my car was the only one left in the lot when I returned. I went back out the way I came in -- as I said, I do not feel like that drive to Salisbury in the dark. Neat detour on the way back if you go this way -- Bashbish Falls.

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Aberdeen was a traditional fishing village with a natural port and a typhoon shelter. Aberdeen Harbour still preserves the features of a fishing port nowadays. You can see fishing boats, together with traditional sampans , shuttling back and forth from time to time. Visitors can go for a ride on a sampan to cruise around the fishing port (remember to negotiate a price with the owner first). After that, you may as well pay a visit to Aberdeen centre, or roam in the shopping mall near the bus terminus to get a feel of life in this area. Aberdeen Reservoir/Aberdeen Country Park Built in 1931 and located on Aberdeen Reservoir Road, the Aberdeen Reservoir is one of the four major reservoirs supplying Hong Kong Island with fresh drinking water. The reservoir is split into an upper reservoir and a lower reservoir. Adjacent to Aberdeen Country Park, it is an ideal place of great scenic beauty for tourists. Since many of trees were destroyed or severely damaged during the occupation of Hong Kong by the Japanese Army, most of the existing trees were planted after the World War II. There is a tourist centre that provides information on the ecology, environment and history of the park. In addition, there are an exercise trail, a nature education trail and relics of the World War II. Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter Aberdeen was originally a traditional fishing village and the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter has long been a refuge for local fishing vessels in times of heavy seas. It is a place where the tourists can have some fun by taking a ride on a sampan to cruise around the fishing port. Boats of various sizes not only rest in the Typhoon Shelter to escape from storms, they also swarm here during Chinese New Year and traditional festivals, such as the birthday of Tin Hau, who gave her generous blessing to the fishermen. The annual dragon boat races can also be seen here during the Dragon Boat Festival in each May or June. Traditionally, the ferocious races are intended to outcast evil and bring good fortune. Bethanie Located in Pok Fu Lam, Bethanie was built by the Missions Etrangeres de Paris in 1875 and was used by them as a sanatorium for almost a century. In 2003, the Legislative Council approved capital works funds for the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts to restore Bethanie and two neighbouring dairy Farm cowsheds as its associated campus. After restoration, Bethanie is used by the Academy's School of Film and Television. In addition to educational facilities, Bethanie and the adjacent historic Dairy Farm cowsheds, now known as the Wellcome Theatre, house two performance venues, an exhibition hall, a chapel and a museum. Hung Shing Temple at Ap Lei Chau Located at Hung Shing Street in Ap Lei Chau, it is an ancient temple with the longest history in Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau. The temple was built by local residents in 1733 (the 38th year of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty). It is said that fishermen in Chencun, Shunde believed that their ability to sail far away to Hong Kong was the blessing of Hung Shing, the God of the Sea, so they engaged a Fung Shui specialist to find a good location in Ap Lei Chau to build the Hung Shing Temple to pray for safety. In addition to serving the God Hung Shing, the temple is also a place to worship Guanyin and Guandi. A number of precious historical relics, such as an iron bell cast in the 38th year of Emperor Qianlong, an altar built in the 14th year of Emperor Guangxu and many pottery figurines of the Qing Dynasty are kept in the temple. The temple was renovated in 1888 and 1973 and 1988, and more recently in 2005. On 13th of the second month in Lunar Calendar, i.e. the Birthday of Hung Shing, many costal residents crowd into the temple for worshipping. Jumbo Kingdom The two well-known floating restaurants anchored in Sham Wan form an attractive feature of the Southern District. Tourists can taste the freshness of the seafood while enjoying the picturesque scene at sunset when the sea reflects the glamorous decorative lights embellishing the vessels. Tourists can get there, free of charge, by shuttle boat from Aberdeen Promenade or from Shum Wan pier. Ocean Park, with an area of 87 hectares, is the largest entertainment centre in Southeast Asia. Stretching from Nam Long Shan to Wong Chuk Hang, it embraces an exciting array of thrill-rides. Tourists can travel up to the headland by cable car, Ocean Express, or via the second longest outdoor escalator in the world. The main attraction is perhaps the world-class Atoll Reef — Grand Aquarium which provides underwater views of a fabulous variety of marine life. You can also enjoy wonderful shows involving sea creatures in the Ocean Theatre. In addition, Bird Paradise, Butterfly House, and Amazing Asian Animals are also good places for learning about natural ecology. Visitors to Ocean Park can also see An An, Jia Jia, Ying Ying and Le Le. The four adorable pandas presented to the citizens of Hong Kong by the Central Government are endangered animals under protection. Many new facilities have now been opened in Ocean Park. The Park offers the latest and the most thrilling amusement rides and the opportunities for unforgettable encounters with rare and exotic animals. Old Stanley Police Station The Old Stanley Police Station, which stands at the far end of Stanley Main Street, is a declared statutory monument. Built in 1859, it was one of the six earliest police stations in Hong Kong. As the other five have been dismantled, it has become the oldest building of the Police Force as well as one of the oldest English style buildings in Hong Kong. Therefore, it has been declared a statutory monument in 1983. It is said that the area around Stanley Police Station was one of the toughest battlefields in 1941, when Hong Kong attempted to fend off the Japanese invasion. Afterwards, the Hong

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Atlantic City Travel Blog 10 Free Things to Do in Atlantic City Things to Do — By melodymoser on October 4, 2010 at 8:04 pm If you need to watch your budget while visiting Atlantic City, don’t worry, you’ll still find plenty of things to do. Whether you want to enjoy the beach or the outdoors, stroll among shops or delve into Atlantic City’s intriguing past, here are a ten free things you can do in Atlantic City without spending a dime. Visit the Atlantic City Historical Museum This small museum, located on Garden Pier at the Boardwalk and New Jersey Avenue, is home to the award-winning exhibit “Atlantic City: Playground of the Nation”. You’ll learn all about Atlantic City’s past here through memorabilia, artifacts, and vintage photographs. Especially interesting is the Miss America memorabilia, and the continuously playing video presentation, Boardwalk Ballyhoo. Pick up a copy of the video, or other books and items about Atlantic City at the gift shop by the register. The museum is open from 10 am to 4 pm and admission is free. Strolling on Atlantic City's Boardwalk Watch The Water Show The Water Show (known simply as “The Show”) at the eastern end of the Pier Shops at Caesars is a Bellagio-style sound and light extravaganza that runs every hour on the hour starting at noon. You can view the spectacle from the Boardwalk level or from either the second or third floor levels, and best of all, it’s free. Visit the Absecon Lighthouse museum While it’ll cost a small fee to actually climb the 150-year-old lighthouse’s 228 steps, it’s absolutely free to visit the Keeper’s House Museum, exhibits and grounds. If you’ve got some cash to spare, the climb to the top is worth it for the breathtaking views of the Atlantic City skyline you’ll have up top. You’ll also get to check out the original first-order Fresnel Lens, first lit in 1857. It’s New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse and one of the oldest in the country. You’ll find it at Pacific and Rhode Island Avenues within walking distance of Showboat Casino. Pay your respects at the Korean War Memorial Pay your respects at this memorial, located at Brighton Park where Park Place meets the Boardwalk. It’s meant to ensure that future generations remember the proud and dedicated service that our veterans gave to their country, the legacy they continued, and the freedom they fought for. It’s open daily, and it’s free. Biking on the Boardwalk Stroll the docks and Crafters’ Village at Gardner’s Basin For a change of pace, visit historic Gardner’s Basin, located at New Hampshire Avenue and the Bay, where Absecon Inlet meets Clam Creek. It is across from the Senator Frank S. Farley State Marina and Atlantic City’s Coast Guard station. Here you can stroll, for free, watching deep-sea and back bay fishing charters ply their trade, as well as a variety of cruises offered by Atlantic City Cruises, such as dolphin-watching cruises, sightseeing cruises and cocktail cruises. Other attractions at Historic Gardner’s Basin include the Flying Cloud Café, the Back Bay Ale House and Bayside Basin Antiques. Also of interest at Historic Gardner’s Basin is the “Diving Bell,” once an attraction at Atlantic City’s famed Steel Pier. Historic Gardner’s Basin even has its own artists’ colony. Stroll or bike the Boardwalk No one should miss a stroll along Atlantic City’s world-renowned Boardwalk. Not only is it family-friendly (for the most part), it’s been rated by ForbesTraveler.com as one of the “Top 10 American Boardwalks.” Built by Alexander Boardman (yep – the “Boardwalk” is named after Boardman) in 1870 as a collapsible footpath to keep people from getting sand in hotel lobbies, today the Boardwalk is lined with shops, restaurants, casinos and nightlife. This more than 4-mile long wooden walkway is the ideal place for a stroll or early morning bike ride (from 6 am to 10 am). Dating from 1870, ForbesTraveler.com rates the Boardwalk among the “Top 10 American Boardwalks.” Lined with dining, gambling, nightlife and a wealth of fun family attractions (and some not-so-family friendly), you’ll find some of the poshest hotel casinos in the world here, including Caesar’s and the Trump Taj Mahal, as well as some kitschy tourist draws such as the famed Boardwalk Rolling Chairs. Dancing in Atlantic City's nightclubs Dance at Club Worship Club Worship, an eclectic three-level nightclub at Showboat’s House of Blues, has free admission on Thursdays for “Reggae Nights” at 8 pm, and every Saturday for “Seductive Saturdays” at 10 pm. The club sports a spacious dance floor and exclusive VIP seating and bottle service. You’ll also find a cozy fireside lounge, sacred prayer rooms, great dining, and live entertainment. Located at 801 Boardwalk, it’s open all night, so it’s a pretty good bet that you’re going to be feeling it the next morning. On regular nights, themusic ranges from Top 40 to hip hop and trance. The club gets hopping around 11:30 pm with pulse-pounding music and crowds of people. Enjoy Atlantic City’s beaches This will be most appreciated during hot, sunny summers, but Atlantic City’s beaches are free, a rarity at the Jersey Shore. Surfing Atlantic City's Beaches Window shop at the Pier Shops at Caesars, The Walk, and The Quarter Grab your winnings and head over to the Pier Shops at Caesar, where you’ll find two levels of luxury retailers and a variety of excellent restaurants. Don’t feel intimidated by the big name shops, though, you’ll also find an Apple store, the Body Shop, and Banana Republic, to name a few. Even if you don’t spend a dime, it’s fun to stroll the pier, then take in a view of the majestic Atlantic Ocean from the pier’s Surf Deck at the far eastern end. Two other excellent shopping areas include the discount outlet shops at The Walk and The Quarter, a Cuban-themed shopping district at the Tropicana. Watch annual surfing competitions Well, why not? Keep tabs on the Facebook page of the Atlantic City Surfing Club to see what’s happening. You may catch a competition. And it’s free. For more details about free things to do in Atlantic City, check out the guide, The Best Free Things to Do in Altantic City. Images/ACCVA Tags: beach, Boardwalk, free, museums, outdoors, shopping Wheaton Arts &amp; Cultural Center presents the Fine Festival of Craft Downbeach Film Festival Presents Atlantic City Cinefest If You Love Candy, Head to ‘It’s Sugar’Upscale Shopping at the Pier Shops at CaesarsWheaton Arts & Cultural Center presents the Fine Festival of CraftScenic Sunday: Kayaking and Canoeing at the Jersey ShoreEcotourism at the Jersey Shore Select category

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お探しの旅 > 都市や村々 > その他の目的地 Villa de Teguise Crater of the Guanapa volcano. César Manrique Foundation Los Pocillos beach 所在地 自治州　: Canary Islands 県/島　: Lanzarote Teguise, former capital of the island of Lanzarote, sits in an incredible volcanic landscape formed by old craters and rivers of solidified lava. A good part of the island's history is reflected in the old town, a collection of whitewashed houses which gathers together beautiful examples of popular and noble architecture. Profoundly influenced by the mark left by the Lanzarote architect César Manrique, Teguise preserves two of his principal creations: the Cactus Garden and the foundation which bears his name, which was also the artist's former residence. All this is complemented by the beautiful beaches of Famara and Costa Teguise, this last one converted into one of the chief tourist centres on the island. Teguise has a past closely linked to the history of the Canary Islands, since it was one of the first urban centres to be developed in the archipelago. Its historic quarter, a well-cared for collection of whitewashed houses and cobbled streets, springs up amid an unusual landscape formed by extinct craters and vast plains of dark volcanic earth. Its former status as capital is reflected in the shape of a valuable legacy of noble architecture and whitewashed houses which feature elements of local tradition, such as the typical wooden balconies.In the very centre of town you can find some examples of the most important historic buildings on the island, such as the Palace of Spínola or the convents of Santo Domingo and San Francisco. And very close by, next to the extinct volcano of Guanapay, stands the Castle of Santa Bárbara, restored and converted into the Museum of the Emigrant. In the same way as other parts of the island, Teguise has been profoundly marked by the work of César Manrique. The legacy of César ManriqueIn the area known as Taro de Tahíche is the César Manrique Foundation, which was once the residence of the brilliant Lanzarote architect. It is an original museum in which, as well as an interesting collection of contemporary art, it is possible to admire the unusual integration of the building into the volcanic landscape which surrounds it. Also within the municipal district is the Cactus Garden which, opened in 1991, was the artist's last work. Dominated by an old grain mill, this singular space combines original rocky shapes with the function of a botanical gardens, since it contains around 1,400 different species of cactus.In the coastal area, Teguise has excellent infrastructure geared towards tourism. Costa Teguise, one of the chief urban centres on the island, has a wide variety of hotels establishments, housing developments, shops and restaurants. Some of its beaches, especially Las Cucharas, are famous for the optimum conditions they provide for windsurfing.This view contrasts with the wild beauty offered by Famara beach, in the west of Lanzarote, a true surfers' paradise. Surroundings and Gastronomy From the island's former capital you can embark on interesting tours of the surrounding area. In the north of the island is Haría, a small town nestling between mountains in a fertile valley. In the coastal area we can find Jameos del Agua, an original complex which makes use of a volcanic tunnel, as well as Cueva de los Verdes and the Mirador del Río viewpoint. Other nearby spots are Tinajo, in whose sanctuary of Mancha Blanca the Virgen de los Dolores, the island's patron, is venerated, and San Bartolomé, which possesses an architectural heritage from which Casa del Mayor Guerra and Casa Ajei stand out. In the southwest of the island is the Timanfaya National Park, a true showcase of the island's volcanic ecosystem. The visit includes a bus trip which covers the Route of the Volcanoes and which leaves from the visitors' centre. The park is in turn surrounded by the Volcanes Nature Reserve, where fields of volcanic ash and lava run down to the coast. Meanwhile, the gastronomy of Lanzarote allows you to taste specialities such as ranchos (a traditional pork stew) and the famous papas arrugadas (boiled potatoes with saltl), which are served with various types of mojos (sauces). The sea supplies Lanzarote's dining table with excellent fish, such as “vieja”, stewed or opened and roasted on the grill, jewfish grouper or sea bass, and fresh shellfish. When it comes to dessert, special consideration is given to the local cheeses, both fresh and cured. Outstanding on the island are the magnificent crops of the Malvasía variety of grape, which produce white wines, delicious sweet wines and vintage wines, all of them labelled under the Designation of Origin Lanzarote guarantee. 目的地の情報すべてを次のウェブでご覧ください。 http://www.turismoteguise.com/en/index.php?lang=2 必見スポット César Manrique Museum-Foundation マップ/所在地 Villa de Teguise最高19º最低13º天気予報をみる: Villa de Teguise>スペインの天気> 近くの目的地 >San Bartolomé >Arrecife >Haría 全部見る César Manrique or adaptation to nature. The Canary Islands - sure to please. Lanzarote, the spectacle of nature. 全部見る

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Sun & Safety Save on summer vacation Over the last several years, families have increasingly focused on stretching every dollar they have. Rising fuel costs and an economy that is still struggling have inspired many families to permanently adopt a thriftier lifestyle. While it's good to be financially prudent, families don't have to give up luxuries like summer vacations. Instead, parents can employ a few simple saving strategies that can reduce the cost but not the quality of a summer vacation with the family. * Find accommodations that provide a kitchen. A significant portion of a family's summer vacation budget goes toward food. Families will need to eat no matter where they go, but cost-conscious parents should find accommodations that include a private kitchen. You won't need to eat in every night, but cooking two or three times over the course of a week-long vacation can save a substantial amount of money. If you can't find a room with its own kitchen, try to find one with its own refrigerator and microwave. * Stay local. Staying close to home for summer vacation can save families a good deal of money. Rising fuel costs have made both driving and air travel more expensive. Finding affordable flights has become increasingly difficult, especially for families who don't have the luxury of planning their summer vacation several months in advance. Staying local for summer vacation reduces the need for costly hotel accommodations and saves money on fuel. * Visit a major city or tourist area. For families who simply must get away, keep in mind that the further you go off the beaten path the more costly it will be to get there. For example, a remote locale is likely nowhere near a major airport, and it can be expensive to get from the airport to the resort. In addition, it's harder to find affordable flights to remote locales, as there are typically less flights available to such destinations, than flights to major cities or more popular tourist destinations. So while vacationing in the middle of nowhere has its benefits, cost-conscious families might be better off choosing a destination that's much more accessible and affordable. Taking a summer vacation is a tradition for many families. This summer, families focused on saving money can do so in a number of affordable ways. Home

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You are here: Home > Countries > Namibia Namibia - IVD events The Government of Namibia (GRN) in cooperation with volunteer-sending and hosting organizations as well as volunteers themselves are celebrating International Volunteer Day (5 December) in style. On 5 December 2008 from 0900 hours until around 1200 hours, there will be a dialogue meeting on volunteering at the National Planning Commission (NPC). It will take place in the Commissioners’ Board Room Number 222 situated at the second floor. Maverick volunteering activist and expert Mr. Toivo ya Toivo, who is also the Chairperson of Namibia Red Cross Society (NRCS) will be the keynote speaker. Other speakers will include Mr. Ronny Dempers, the Chairperson of NANGOF Trust who will facilitate a discussion on the current status of volunteering in Namibia. Ms. Annerie Keulder, a legal practitioner from Pieter de Beer Legal Practitioners will present a paper on volunteering and legislation, and representatives of the National Youth Service will talk about youth and volunteering in Namibia. The dialogue is aimed at strengthening the use of volunteers in achieving the National Development Plans, especially in social sectors. The dialogue will be followed by a time of fun and networking by volunteers, the government and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). This will take place at UN Plaza. The GRN is of the conviction that the dialogue and the networking will help to bring out issues that should be addressed through a national policy on volunteerism, which the government is contemplating to formulate in 2009. The government recognises the distinctive contributions of volunteers to the development of Namibia and it is because of this that the day has been given special attention. Volunteers are making a difference to people's lives at all levels in the country, which the government appreciates. See also attached agenda below. View associated PDF document (340 kb) Print page

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Capnomancy Capnomancy (otherwise known as libanomancy[1]) signifies a method of divination using smoke. This is done by looking at the movements of the smoke after a fire has been made. A thin, straight plume of smoke is thought to indicate a good omen whereas the opposite is thought of large plumes of smoke.[2][3] If the smoke touches the ground, this is thought to be a sign that immediate action must be taken to avoid catastrophe.[4] 3 Modern usage Capnomancy comes from two Greek words: καπνός (kapnós), meaning smoke, and μαντεία (manteía), meaning divination or to see.[5] The first recorded use of capnomancy was in ancient Babylonia where the ceremony was performed at religious dates throughout the year using cedar branches or shavings.[4][6] In Ancient Greece priests would burn animal sacrifices and then perform Capnomancy over the smoke produced by the fire.[1][7] The Celts were thought to practice dendromancy, a form of capnomancy, using oak and mistletoe branches.[4] It was also used by the Semang of Malaysia, who would use the ritual to determine whether a camp was safe for the night.[1] There is reference made to the practice in both 17th and 19th century religious texts, although these do not describe how the practice was performed.[7] Modern usage[edit] Capnomancy has been reportedly used as late as 2003 in New England, where citizens would practice the ritual by using smoke plumes from chimneys.[6] Other modern variations of the ritual involve burning cedar sticks, incense or candles with ribbons tied ar

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Volunteer Crews On Colorado Trail Provide Important Service Filed Under: Colorado Getaways, Colorado Trail, Colorado Trail Foundation, Durango, Hiking, Kenosha Pass Volunteers on the Colorado Trail (credit: CBS) DENVER (CBS4) – Summer in Colorado means thousands of hikers are hitting the trails. Some trails in the state get more traffic than others, and the Colorado Trail is one of the most popular. The state’s signature hiking trail runs from Denver to Durango. Some hikers complete the trail segment by segment or hike it all at once, stopping in towns along the way to stock up on supplies. It takes a lot of effort to do the hike, but it takes a lot more elbow grease to maintain the trail. CBS4 recently caught up with a crew of volunteers who were pitching in to help. Tom Brooksher was leading the crew on a stretch of the trail near Kenosha Pass (Segment 4.2). “So if you just went right up this little valley and kept going another 18 miles, you’d run into Kenosha Pass. If you go that way, I don’t know, 40 miles or so, you’d hit Denver,” Brooksher said. The volunteers were on their last day of a week’s worth of work. “This area — the trail has gotten narrow just over time. A lot of bushes have just grown up,” Brooksher said. “We’re widening it and leveling it out and we’re setting it so that the water flows downhill. It will flow right over the trail and on down instead of collecting and eroding the trail,” another volunteer said. Brooksher told CBS4 a typical week-long volunteer crew usually is able to get about a mile of trail spruced up. “We have to pick our battles and determine where needs the work the most and go after it,” one volunteer said. Cindy Jeffery working on the Colorado Trail on June 28 (credit: Tom Brooksher)Last year volunteers Cindy and Mick Jeffery hiked the entire length of the trail in five weeks. “It’s probably one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done,” Cindy said. “It will stay with me for the rest of my life.” Now the couple is out helping to give the trail some tender loving care. “You come out here for the way they feed you, the camaraderie with the other workers,” Mick said. Volunteers Alexandra Racette and her friend Danielle Schlegel will begin college in the fall. “So we wanted to do something fun, and we’ve always liked volunteering. I actually really like it. I’ve never been camping before and we live on a campsite and so it was whole new experience to me,” Racette said. Laura Farmer, another volunteer, told CBS4 she has done this kind of work before. “This is my 25th consecutive summer of working on the Colorado Trail,” Farmer said. “I like the people. It’s fun. I like the camping. It’s fun eating outside and sitting around the campfire at night. It’s just a great way to spend a week or two.” Several members of the work crew were from far away. “This is my first time to be here and it’s awesome,” said Dee Sellers, a Florida resident. “There’s definitely something about getting away from, I guess, civilization as some people would say,” said Chris Stewart, from England. “I think when you’re actually working on the trail and you’re working the ground and the earth, you really get to understand the land that you wouldn’t learn otherwise.” The Colorado Trail is nearly 500 miles long and was completed in September 1987. It begins at the Waterton Canyon trailhead in the southwest Denver metro area and cuts a diagonal route across the state, sometimes following the Continental Divide. If you are interested in hiking the trail, contact the Colorado Trail Foundation for everything you need to make plans. You’ll also find information about how you can join a trail crew for a week, or a weekend. Call (303) 384-3729 or log on to coloradotrail.org.

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Californian Connoisseur Says There's Finally Good Chinese Food in New York City March 26th, 2014 by David Chan As many of you know, back in 2012 Asia Society ran my listing of the top 10 Chinese restaurants in the United States. Unlike most "best restaurant" listings seen in print or on the airwaves, mine made no attempt to balance the list for geographic locale, regional cuisines, or any other factor to make the article more palatable to a wider group of readers. Rather, after sampling more than 6,000 Chinese restaurants all over the United States, I gave my insights into what I believed were in fact the best in the country. As it turned out, my list consisted of restaurants all located in California, the majority of which represented Cantonese-style cuisine. The reaction from two quarters was swift. I was pilloried by New Yorkers, incensed that no New York restaurants were included, with innumerable Internet comments suggesting that I was obviously a "homer" who was biased towards California food. A lesser degree of complaint came from supporters of Sichuan-style food, who made similar allegations based on my Toishanese/Cantonese ancestry. As to the status of New York Chinese food, it appears that while this opinion had been previously unspoken, many people were thinking what I said. After the original wave of outrage from New Yorkers, it has been common to see New Yorkers on restaurant message boards conceding that New York Chinese food is behind the curve compared to California and Canada. And my more recent comments on the second-class state of New York Chinese food draw little negative reaction. All this is not to say that Chinese food in New York is bad. There are many excellent Chinese restaurants in New York, and I look forward to visiting Manhattan's Chinatown and other venues in New York City to sample Chinese restaurants. My only point is that, to use a boxing term, pound for pound, the Chinese food in New York is clearly inferior to that in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas. With regard to Cantonese vs. non-Cantonese food, the analysis is slightly different. No question, there are outstanding Sichuan, Shanghai, Beijing, Dongbei, Taiwanese, and other regional Chinese-style restaurants to be found in California, New York, and other locales. However, at the time that my original Top 10 listing was published, there just weren't enough signature restaurants in those categories to make a large dent in the Top 10, though some of the Sichuan-style restaurants in various parts of Manhattan outside of Chinatown definitely deserved honorable mention. However, supporters of New York Chinese food and Sichuan-style Chinese food can rejoice — they now have recently-opened restaurants that clearly are of Top 10 caliber. Just weeks before my Top 10 list was published, the London-based Hakkasan chain opened its first U.S. branch in midtown Manhattan. At the time, many people assumed it was just another expensive Chinese restaurant that served Americanized Chinese food a la Mr. Chow. However, it didn't take long for observers of Chinese food to realize that Hakkasan was the real thing, and that their mantra of offering modern authentic Chinese food was a valid description. While some of their dishes, such as Peking duck with Kaluga caviar, may not seem like authentically Chinese fare, they are certainly consistent with modern Chinese food trends in places like Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other Chinese food centers. Hakkasan has since opened branches in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Miami, and Beverly Hills, but Manhattan is still the flagship. Meanwhile, in the San Gabriel Valley, outside of Los Angeles, since its opening less than a year ago Chengdu Taste has taken the food world by storm, becoming the hottest ticket in town both in terms of taste and buzz, and even capturing the attention of famed New York food writer Ruth Reichl. The lines at this medium-sized restaurant — with its mouth-numbing Sichuan menu full of complex flavors — are ridiculous. Prime-time waiting time may be upwards of two hours, and if you can get in with a wait of under an hour at any time, consider yourself fortunate. To accommodate its crowds, Chengdu Taste extended its closing time by two hours and is hastily opening up a second location a few miles east on Valley Boulevard. As I have said many times before, Chinese food continues to evolve, and the next great restaurant is always waiting to raise the bar even higher. That's what makes Chinese dining so special and so interesting. The Best Chinese Restaurants in America: Are They All in California? Interview: Food Writer Diana Kuan Gets Creative with Chinese Cuisine Korean Chinese Food: The Must-Try Fusion Cuisine You've Never Heard of [Photos] Food and Recipes on AsiaSociety.org california chengdu taste chinese food david chan food good eats hakkasan los angeles new york Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. David Chan is a Los Angles-based accountant and attorney. He has also eaten at more than 6,000 Chinese restaurants across the United States. @chandavkl Contents

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You are here: Main Page Edinburgh City Search Results The George Edinburgh For your convenience, our prices are shown in UAH. However, please note that these hotels will charge Pound Sterling (£). 8.2/10 478 reviews The George Edinburgh 19 - 21 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PB, Scotland Award-winning luxury hotel and conference venue in the heart of historic Edinburgh. When it comes to hotels in Edinburgh, very few can compete with the style and sophistication of The George. None can compete according to the Scottish Hotel Awards 2011, which awarded The George the title of Best Hotel in Edinburgh. The George belongs to the luxurious of Edinburgh’s hotels, from its fabulous 249 rooms and ample facilities to its ideal location in the centre of the city which is designated as a ‘World Heritage site”. The hotel is within easy reach of rail and air links and it is close to the city’s business district, plus a plethora of local attractions including the famous Castle, Princess Street Gardens and Holyrood Palace. A little further a field is Edinburgh Zoo and Leith Port which is now home to the Royal Yacht Britannia. The George is also famous for food and drink and are very proud to be associated with the Tempus Bar & Restaurant, an award winner itself.

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Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront Area of Hong Kong Home China Guide Hong Kong Attractions Avenue of Stars Avenue of Stars Hong Kong Travel Guide Things to DoTop Reasons to VisitTop Things to DoAttractionsShopping NightlifeThings to Do With KidsFestivalsTravel ServiceVisaToursHotelsTravel InformationMapsWeatherTravel TipsTransportationMore about Hong KongHong Kong FactsHistoryFoodRestaurantsTips & Articles Hong Kong Top Attractions 1 Avenue of Stars 2 Victoria Peak 3 Repulse Bay 4 Aberdeen 5 Wong Tai Sin Temple Overview The Avenue of Stars is basically a sidewalk on the shore of Hong Kong's Victoria Bay that is modeled after the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The sidewalk and pedestrian area has the handprints and signatures of famous Hong Kong actors such as Jackie Chan and metal sculptures of Hong Kong actors or film industry figures such as Bruce Lee. It stretches for about 440 meters along the shoreline, and there are benches and decorative plants. To keep people from falling into the ocean below, there is a metal handrail along the sidewalk. Some local people go there to enjoy the sight of the bay and the passing ships, jog, and enjoy the harbor air, and tourists go to see the light show at night and to take photographs. This sidewalk attracts a lot of mainland Chinese. You can see most of the tall buildings on Hong Kong Island here, and at night as part of the light show, music and dialogue are played. The Avenue of the Stars is also a great place to see A Symphony of Lights, a spectacular light and laser show synchronized to music, staged every night at 8:00pm. This is the "world's largest permanent light and sound show" as recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. A Symphony of Lights is put on at 8 PM for about 15 minutes when the weather is fair. The Avenue of the Stars is a good place to watch it, but it is best watched from a boat. Lasers, skylights, searchlights, LED effects and some fireworks are used for visual effects. Amplifiers add music and narration. About fifty of the big buildings on both sides of the harbor participate. The technology was developed by an Australian firm, and the show cost about 5 or 6 million USD to develop. The Guinness Book of World Records says that the Symphony of Lights is the world's largest permanent light and sound show. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the narration is in English. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, it is in Mandarin. On Sunday, it is in Cantonese. Detailed Descriptions The Avenue of Stars' main theme is the history and accomplishment of Hong Kong's film industry. Tablets for about 70 movie celebrities are set in the sidewalk, and there are about 30 pairs of handprints. At the entrance to the avenue is a big metal statue of a woman and a small stage for performances and activities. The Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront area next to the Star Ferry Terminal and behind the Museum of Art, the Space Museum and the Hong Kong Cultural Center. The pedestrian area starts at Salisbury Garden that is a small public garden and ends at the Star Ferry docks. In order to promote tourism and the large Hong Kong film industry that is influential in Asia, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and some branches of the Hong Kong government built this pedestrian area. The opening ceremony was held on April 27, 2004. The project cost about 5,000,000 USD. Actors, singers, directors and other stars put their handprints in cement, and these cement blocks are inlaid in the sidewalk. Sculptures, handprints and signatures of famous people in the Hong Kong film and music industry. A big light, music, and fireworks show that starts at 8 pm every day when the weather is OK. A pedestrian area for exercise and strolling. There are some benches. A very good view of the harbor, the passing boats, and Hong Kong Island. The major Hong Kong attractions of the Museum of Art, the Space Museum, and the Hong Kong Cultural Center are next to it. Touring Activities Enjoying the fresher air and the sunshine on the bay. Photographic opportunities with friends and family. Watching the passing boats and admiring the skyline. Visiting the Space Museum and the Museum of Art. Admission to the museums is free on Wednesdays. Visiting the Kong Kong Cultural Center Going to the Space Museum and catching an OMNIMAX style movie in their IMAX Theater. The standard ticket price is 3 USD or 4 USD depending on the seat. Best Time to Visit: Hong Kong is still fairly warm and is drier in October and November. The light show starts at 8 PM, but the evening sunset views are great. If there is a storm warning of Level 3 or above after 3 PM in the afternoon, the Symphony of Lights is canceled. Hours: It is an open sidewalk, but generally people come between dawn and 10 PM. There is no admission fee. Nearby in the Tsim Sha Tsui area are four of Hong Kong's best museums and the Hong Kong Cultural Center. The sidewalk is behind the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Cultural Center, and the Space Museum. About a twenty-five minute walk away from the Avenue of the Stars are the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Science Museum. Top 5 Offbeat Things to Do in Hong Kong How to Plan a 1-Day Trip to Macau from Hong Kong Senior Travel in Hong Kong Hong Kong — The Gateway to China! Questions and Answers About Avenue of Stars Hi, I'm Gavin Van Hinsbergh I updated this article on March 23, 2014 See all my travel articles

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Crystal Symphony Cruise Review by Liat: A unique Canadian experience Crystal Symphony Cruise Review by Liat: A unique Canadian experience Crystal Symphony Show Crystal Symphony Prices Show Prices ExpediaCruise.comDirect Line CruisesAmerican Discount CruisesPriceline.comOrbitz.com Crystal Symphony Liat 12 Reviews Compare Prices on Crystal Symphony Canada & New England Cruises Show Prices A unique Canadian experience Sail Date: September 2013 Destination: Canada & New England Embarkation: Montreal Why this Cruise? We greatly enjoyed our two prior cruises on Crystal Serenity. My wife was fascinated by the prospect of visiting the three Gulf of St. Lawrence stops, especially St. Pierre and Miquelon which is actually part of France. I had enjoyed a solo trip to Montreal a year earlier, and thought the cruise presented a good opportunity to combine a short visit with this short cruise. We had spent four nights in Montreal at a hotel very near the port, so it was a five minute cab trip. It would take 30-45 minutes from the airport depending on traffic, and cost $40.00 Canadian. We arrived at noon and were led into a portside waiting room which then held about 100 other early arrivals. Within about 10 minutes we started the embarkation process. The Canadian Security phase was a little slow with only two screening stations, but not bad. We actually checked in on board and Crystal had provided so many check in stations that there was no waiting More there. As usual we were told that the cabins would not be ready until 3:00 P. M. We went to the library first, and it was manned, so we could check out some books. Food was being served in the main dining room, so we had a light lunch, and went to our cabin shortly after 2:00 to find it full prepared and with our luggage delivered. There we met Krystina, our stewardess, who was most pleasant. She has been with Crystal 10 years and has a four year old daughter at home in Hungary, who she gets to visit about every six months. All in all, it was a fast and easy embarkation, with Crystal, as usual, getting things right. Our Stateroom We had a standard verandah stateroom, somewhat aft, on Deck 8. They are not large, about 200 square feet, but pretty well laid out and attractive. The walls are textured white and the wood blond. There is a full length mirror, a small sofa and coffee table, and a desk with arm chair. The balcony was pretty large, with two armchairs and a table on a teak deck with a solid balcony railing. The lighting is very good, with two small "snake” lights protruding from the wall at each side of the bed, with a directed halogen light system for in-bed reading. The temperature control system seemed to work well. The only minor problem is that the closet is very close to the bed, necessitating some negotiation as to who is going to get to use the closet to obtain that day’s clothing. The bathroom was efficiently designed with two sinks, actually nice sink vessels; plenty of storage space, a tub/shower (although it was not really a full sized tub) and marble/porcelain walls, sinks and flooring. Crystal supplies three pillows per bed, of differing material, and this seemed to work out pretty well. As usual on board ship, there was ample drawer space for clothing. The Ship Layout It is not a huge ship approximately 51,000 gross tonnage, but since it carries fewer than 1000 passengers the space ratio is about 52 very spacious indeed, since most cruise lines have ratios from 29 to 35. As usual, the activities are forward and the food aft. Deck 4 has a few small window cabins as well as tender access. Deck 5 has the "lobby” with the concierge and shore excursion desks, the Crystal Cove, a small seating area with a piano, and access to the main dining room. Deck 6 has the main show lounge forward, the casino, which can be avoided entirely, the Luxe Lounge, a very small room off the casino and boutique, a limited boutique shopping area, The Bistro, the library, the Starlight club, which is a pretty large show/lounge area, the computer center, the small Avenue Saloon, the Bridge (game) Lounge and the two specialty restaurants, Prego and the Silk Road. Decks 7, 8, 9 and 10 are staterooms with a self- service complimentary laundry on each deck. Deck 11 has the Palm Court Lounge and forward observation area, the pool, a covered area with table and chairs and a snack bar and ice cream station, and the Lido Buffet aft. A small aft Deck 12 area has the golf nets, tennis and basketball areas outside. A walkway leads forward to the spa and exercise area forward. The decoration scheme is low key muted tones, with stainless steel and cream predominating. There is little public art, none in the corridors or elevator lobbies or stair wells. There are three elevator banks, and usually they were accessed easily, without delay. Everything was meticulously maintained. There were small open deck areas aft of each of the four passenger decks with lounge chairs. It was a little chilly, but these quiet spots got some use. The library was well stocked for a ship this size. Deck seven, beneath the lifeboats, has a teak deck which goes completely around the ship in the old style, and makes for nice walking. Crystal does not strive for razz-a-ma-tazz, but quiet elegance, and achieves that nicely. It is a very comfortable, easily navigated and uncrowded vessel. The Itinerary After the usual muster drill at 5:00 we set sail for Sept Îles down the river. We sailed past Quebec at night, and the next day was a "sea” day on the St. Lawrence river. On the way we deviated from a straight route, and went up the Saguenay River for a short view of this attractive area with its famous statue of Our Lady (Notre Dame) set high up on a hill overlooking the water. This is an intriguing place. The name Seven Islands comes from the seven small islands at the mouth of a bay. The bay is on what really is the St. Lawrence estuary, almost 70 miles across from the Gaspe Peninsula. The main town is on the north side of the bay, a small city of about 25,000 inhabitants. It serves as a port for iron ore shipments from a huge mine about 350 miles north in the interior of Eastern Quebec. Across the bay is an aluminum plant. We took a ship’s complimentary bus to the local Walmart, and visited a few stores. We then found a path through the woods along the north side of the city overlooking the water. It was a sunny and reasonably warm day, and a delightful walk. We ended up at a small Indian museum where, for a very reasonable entry fee, we were treated to a most interesting talk about the trading history of the area, with demonstrations of the types of items traded between the original French settlers and the local tribes. We then took the bus back to the ship. The northern section of the town is what Canadians call a "reserve” and we call a reservation. It was controlled by Inuit tribe members, with their own small local government, including a police force! We felt that we had done a lot better than we would have on a ship’s tour. There was another Indian museum, but it was not open to the public that day because of a public hearing on some issue which were important to the tribe. Magdalen Islands These are three islands connected by causeways. They are about 285 miles southeast of Sept Îles, and look from the air like a fish hook, running northeast to southwest, about 40 miles from the top to the base of the hook. They are in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, about 65 miles northwest of Cape Breton Island and 100 miles west of Newfoundland. We took a ship’s tour, and our guide, Robert was excellent. He noted that the "season” was over on the islands. Apparently they are a very popular summer vacation spot, particularly if one wants to eat great "Maine” lobsters. The population increases from 12,000 in the winter to 36,000 in the summer. Our trip took us to the shore where we walked along a lovely beach with red sandstone small cliffs. The island have low lying hills, very few trees, and the homes are small, brightly colored and very pretty. We then went to a glass factory to observe a glass blower make a delightful art piece. Apparently this was one of several class blowing sites. After this we visited a herring smokehouse followed by a visit to a cheese makers shop. All these sites were open only because of the ship’s visit, and they were no doubt pleased to make some sales to our fellow passengers. (Well, glass and cheese sales; - no smoked herring.) Robert was also part owner of a restaurant, and one or two couples went there to eat after we returned to the ship. Again, the weather was sunny and fairly warm, and we greatly enjoyed this stop. These island are part of France, and are a French Overseas Territory, with representatives in the French Parliament. The cars have the same license plates, complete with the European Union circle of stars on a blue field, that you would see on the streets of Paris. We understand that the French spoken here is much closer to the language spoken in France than French-Canadian French. The stores and café’s are typically French. Actually, only St. Pierre is visited much. It has about 6000 inhabitants, but Miquelon far less than a thousand. Our visit was highlighted by a zodiac tour into the surrounding waters. It was windy, but not really cold. We had good views of seals on small nearby islands, and an excellent view of a bald eagle on his own small island, as well as sightings of cormorants. Our guide was a young lady who handled the Zodiac with consummate ease, and spoke fairly good English. After another sea day, we visited Quebec. We had been there before and decided to do our own tour. The way off the ship involves a bit of a hike, and you are led to a port building. A guide there told us about a place to get a good view of the city. We first walked up, through the Vieux Port (Old Port) area to the plaza near the Chateau Frontenac. From there we went to a government building behind the very ornate, late 19th century Parliament. The government building has a viewing floor about 42 stories up. There you can walk around the whole floor and get a spectacular view of all sides of the city. There are many signs and interactive screens near the windows, and a set of 6 "egg” chairs with surround sound providing "talks” by representatives of inhabitants of the city area from the original natives to a 20th century poet. The weather was beautiful, and the colors of the trees changing to their fall glory made this a wonderful experience. We returned to the Old City and wandered through the shops, leaving me with enough time to enjoy some ice cream. Edith found a Jade Museum which had a wonderful and extraordinarily complete collection of jade. It is down the stairs next to the Geomania Gem store in Place Royale on Rue Notre Dame, directly opposite the church. Again, we had a delightful day on our own. The next day we were back in Montreal. Crystal provided an excellent bus transportation ride to the airport, including load and unloading our suitcases. Shipboard Dining Everyone wants to know about shipboard food. We believe that Crystal provides the overall best dining experience of any cruise line, although Oceania’s new ships, Marina and Riviera with their four no-charge specialty restaurants, are mighty close. We ate twice the Silk Road, also without additional charge; and enjoyed both occasions very much. The first was booked online prior to departure, and was on the first night. The second was a few days later, and although we were on a wait list at first, we were called during the day, and given an excellent time. Breakfast as usual, was excellent, with many choices. The pancake, waffle, French toast set up had warm plates, soft butter and real maple syrup. Now that is how it should be! The lunches in the buffet were also marked with a wide selection. We even had fresh oysters one day. Dinners were also fine, although Edith thought that some of the vegetarian portions were small, and left her still hungry. The appetizers, soups and desserts were all excellent. The dining set-up was a little confusing at first. We did not want to choose a set, early or late dinner time, since we understood that this meant we would be at the same table with the same people. So we would go to the dining room when it opened, or shortly thereafter, and request a table with other people from the maître d’. He would consult his list, wave a waiter over, and instruct him what table to take us to. It turned out that we often ate with the same people because that table was not regularly filled. In any event, it worked out pretty well. Of special mention is the Bistro Café on Deck 6. It has a small buffet set-up, with the food items changed frequently during the day. Coffee, latte, cappuccino etc. is available all the time. It is open from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 P.M. There is no charge for anything, and it became one of our favorite places. Edith attended some art classes, and enjoyed them. I participated in many, but not all, of the golf lessons. These were taught by a golf pro, with hands on evaluations. The classes were attended by around 20 people, and were very instructive. At the end, we were taped making swings, and then our tapes were evaluated in a final viewing session. Since this was all without charge, we were very pleased. We were less pleased with the Enrichment series, which did not live up to similar series on prior Crystal cruises. We think it was due to the fact that the lecturers were a tad past their sell by date, to put it kindly, and less than informative or enlightening. There were many other activities in which we did not participate, or which conflicted with things we wanted to do, but this is typical of any cruise. You simply cannot do all the things offered. Edith wanted to attend one event at one of the jewelry boutiques, but nobody showed up, leaving several prospective viewers annoyed. Since the stores are not staffed by Crystal personnel, we can’t blame the ship for this lapse. This was a cruise that featured presentations sponsored by a group called "Jazzdagen”. This group presented various jazz programs at different times of day, in different locations, with a varying group of performers. They were not part of the formal Crystal entertainment program, but when I managed to get to see and hear some of the performances, they were pretty good. The production group, with two lead vocalists and eight dancers was excellent. Crystal always seems to get very good performers for their production companies, and they far outshone the usual group of singers and dancers on other cruise line. This group did present a different special show called Imagine, using a technology called "iLumine”. In this the dancers wore lights on their arm and legs and essentially danced in the dark, so one only saw the lights, and not their bodies. A short sequence of this might well have been enjoyable, but it went on far too long and was unduly repetitious. An entertainer described as a "raconteur” Marthy Henne, did two other shows, and was very enjoyable, both as to his talk portion, and the selection of songs he played and sang. There also was a magician, and I am a sucker for magicians, so I enkoyed it greatly. Finally, there was a vocalist, Karen Grainger, whose forte was imitating famous singers. She was pretty good, but a little loud. This was perhaps the first cruise we have taken which did not have a classical trio or quartet; and we missed that. I believe this was due to the fact that the jazz groups were playing at many different times and different venues. There was one occasion when I went to the Avenue Saloon to hear one of the jazz singers, but the other patrons in the saloon kept up such loud conversations that there was no way we could enjoy the music. As always, the crew was great. The waiters were uniformly good, especially an assistant headwaiter, Willy Capule, who was everywhere, taking care of everyone with a cheerful smile all the time. The front desk was cheerful and helpful; not always true of some ships we have sailed on. Overall Experience We have always enjoyed Crystal Cruises. Their attention to detail, quality of service, entertainment food and general helpfulness are the gold standard of large ship cruising. This was an all-inclusive cruise, with all food and drinks included; as well as gratuities. The only things we paid for separately were laundry (especially after four days in Montreal to start), internet usage, and two excursions. The pre-paid shipboard credits from our travel agency reduced our final bill to less than $100.00. We enjoy the fact that the only P.A. announcements are a mid-day report from the Captain. As noted, embarkation and debarkation are as painless as possible. The very high space ratio is much appreciated, as are the many venues around the ship. Crystal is a super-professional company, with as close to an ideal operation as one can get, given a certain omnipresent level of human fallibility. We were extremely fortunate with the weather, which was sunny and almost warm every day. I wore my Aran Island wool sweater only once. We were told that the same cruise the in 2012 was marked by clouds and fog for the entire trip. We were very lucky, and enjoyed one of our finest cruises ever. Less Published 12/04/13 Read more Crystal Symphony cruise reviews >> Read Cruise Critic's Crystal Symphony Review >> This was a "standard" veradah cabin, not very large but with plenty of storage space, a well fitted out bathroom, and generally nice amenities. The only problem was that the closet was close to the bed, making getting dressed a bit of a chore for both of us to do it at the same time. Previous Review More Canada & New England Reviews The mnost splendid, luxurious ... Wonderful cruise adventure ful... Good Itinerary; 14 Day Reposit... More Crystal Symphony Reviews Review of Joie De Canada Crystal has gone downhill Cruise to Hell More Crystal Cruises Reviews Expectations exceeded; a compl... The Good and The Maybe Needs I... Prepare to Be Pampered Sponsored Links Crystal Symphony Cruise Reviews Canada & New England Cruise Reviews Crystal Cruise Deals See Crystal Symphony deals up to 82% off: 14 Nights Gems Of The Caribbean 25 Nights San Juan To Buenos Aires Explorer Combination 10 Nights Spotlight On Brazil Show January Deals See all Crystal Symphony Deals >> See Crystal Symphony Deals up to 82% off

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Nunavut Travel Guide Canada’s youngest, largest, and northernmost territory spans three time zones across a region as large as Western Europe. Nunavut’s caribou population ranks among the world’s largest at over 500,000, and greatly outnumbers the territory’s human population of less than 32,000. Nunavut’s capital and largest community, Iqaluit, has a population of just under 6,700 people.Nunavut’s isolated location, notoriously frigid winters, and sheer physical size may intimidate many people, but those who make the long and expensive trek to Canada’s newest territory will be greeted by some of the world’s friendliest people and most pristine landscapes. Few other places on Earth give visitors the opportunity to build and camp in igloos during a dog sledding excursion or watch whales, seals, and icebergs from the edge of a floating ice floe.The vast majority of Nunavut’s tourists arrive during the very short summer season, which lasts as little as a month in some regions. This still gives visitors plenty of time to fish in some of the planet’s most unpolluted waters or navigate them by kayak, which Nunavut‘s native Inuit invented over 4,000 years ago. Walrus, polar bears, caribou, and muskoxen can all be hunted, photographed, or admired from safe distances.Accommodations, like everything else in Nunavut, cost several times more than their southern Canadian counterparts, especially during the short summer season. Luxury hotels are unheard of and visitors may have to share facilities with other guests at some establishments. Iqaluit contains most of Nunavut’s full service hotels, but more adventurous visitors may prefer to stay at isolated hunting lodges with welcoming Inuit families, or even camp miles away in any of Nunavut’s huge and isolated national parks.Flying is literally the only way to enter Nunavut, which has no road links with the rest of Canada, and it is the only way to travel between the territory’s 26 incorporated communities. The first landmark all visitors will see is the bright yellow Iqaluit Airport, whose flights to Ottawa and Montréal are Nunavut’s only direct connection to southern Canada. Bus and rail lines are non-existent and the entire road network consists of streets around Iqaluit and a brief 13-mile stretch between two northern Baffin Island communities, Nanisivik and Arctic Bay.The Inuit people who form the majority of Nunavut’s population warmly welcome all respectful visitors to the territory whose name means simply ‘our land’ in Inuktitut, the first language of approximately 65 percent of residents. The same frigid temperatures and isolated location which long kept outsiders away from Nunavut helped its Inuit people successfully maintain a strong language, lifestyle, and culture. Warm up with tea brewed from melted iceberg water while watching wildlife from the comfort of a giant ice floe Build and sleep in a private igloo during a dog sledding trip 500 miles north of the tree line Learn about the Inuit’s rich culture and admire carvings and artwork by over 2,000 artists at Iqaluit’s Nunatta Sunaqutangit Museum or several smaller art galleries throughout the territory Examine Nunavut’s oldest fossils at Southampton Island’s Fossil Creek Trail Kayak along the same pristine waters the Inuit have navigated for centuries Sample local delicacies like caribou, musk ox, whale meat, and wild berries Gaze upon the literal top of the world - or the top of Canada - at Quttinirpaaq National Park, Canada’s northernmost national park in the country’s northernmost island

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M&M's World Red, Green and Yellow are just a few of the recognizable M&M characters you'll see when you visit M&M’s World at the Showcase Mall next to the MGM Grand Hotel. This unique 28,... More Madame Tussauds Las Vegas There's no better way to top off your vacation than with a picture of you and a celebrity. When you get home you can tell your friends you had the time of your life in Las ... More Marjorie Barrick Museum Marjorie Barrick Museum is open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat Noon-5pm. Closed Sundays and holidays. MGM Grand Spa & Fitness Center Discover the delicious luxury of a gentle massage, soothing facial, flawless manicure or pedicure by specialty trained practitioners. Here, at the MGM Grand Spa and Fitness Ce... More Mob Museum 300 Stewart Ave., Las Vegas, NV With the city's reputation as a world-class destination, it's hard to believe that less than 30 years ago hotels in Vegas were still run by the mob. The scenes depicted in ... More National Atomic Testing Museum The National Atomic Testing Museum, the first museum of its kind in the nation. An invaluable resource, the museum provides multiple viewpoints on the work conducted at the... More Neon Museum The Neon Museum was established as a non-profit organization in 1996 to collect and exhibit neon signs, the classic Las Vegas art form. Dedicated individuals from the priva... More Nevada State Museum 309 S Valley View Blvd, Las Vegas, NV On October 31, 1864, after thousands of years as a sacred home to indigenous people, Nevada became the 36th state to enter the union. At the time of its statehood, Nevada boom... More Nurture, The Spa at Luxor Welcome to Nurture, the Spa at Luxor! Relax and unwind in our beautiful facility designed to sooth tired bodies and calm weary minds. Imagine relaxing with one of our soothing... More Old Las Vegas Mormon State Historic Park 500 E Washington, Las Vegas, NV Old Vegas Mormon State Historic Park is located in downtown Las Vegas, at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Washington Avenue. The park and visitor center is open Tu... More Oleksandra Spa The intimate Oleksandra Spa & Salon has been created to ensure that every detail provides you with an unparalleled experience. They have combined exclusive services, the best ... More

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Travel Florida marks its 500th anniversary By JAY CLARKE. Special to Newsday Reprints Ca d'Zan, in Sarasota, Fla., is an elaborate Venetian-style villa modeled in part after the Doge's Palace in Venice and built by circus magnate John Ringling and his wife Mable. The 56-room house and art museum are open for touring. Photo Credit: Handout, 2007 advertisement | advertise on newsday Five hundred years ago, on April 2, 1513, Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon sighted land he thought was another island in the New World. Both because of its lush foliage and because it was Easter season, which the Spaniards called Pascua Florida (Festival of Flowers), Ponce de Leon named it La Florida and laid claim to it in the name of Spain. Today, of course, Ponce de Leon's "island" is the state of Florida, which plans to mark its 500th anniversary with dozens of events this year. State and St. Augustine officials are hopeful the king and queen of Spain will come to Florida for the anniversary, but that visit has not yet been confirmed. However, a number of celebratory events are planned in and around St. Augustine, the oldest permanent settlement in what is now the United States and which has long claimed that Ponce de Leon made landfall just north of the city. And just in time for the anniversary, a major new attraction is opening in the historic sector of St. Augustine. Colonial Quarter, a 2-acre living history museum created by the University of Florida and former Philadelphia 76ers owner Pat Croce, will have its grand opening March 16. THREE CENTURIES OF SETTLEMENT Within the complex, visitors will experience life in St. Augustine as it was in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Features will include blacksmith and gunsmith demonstrations, a Spanish garrison town and taverna, a British colony and Publick House, a 55-foot caravel (a sailing ship) and a climbable, 35-foot replica watchtower. Everything in the Quarter, Croce says, had to be approved by archaeological departments of the city, state of University of Florida. Admission will be $10.99 for adults, $5.99 for children 5-12, and Croce expects to open the attraction March 1. St. Augustine, already one of the state's most visited cities, expects to draw even more tourists this year with a number of anniversary events. On April 2, a 15-foot statue of Ponce de Leon will be installed midway between St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach on a site that historians believe was indicated by a navigational notation in the ship's log. The next day, costumed re-enactors in downtown St. Augustine will replicate the landing of Ponce de Leon. Also that day, a celebratory Mass will be conducted by Puerto Rico's bishop and cardinal at the city's Cathedral Basilica. As the oldest continuously inhabited city in America, St. Augustine has many other historical attractions. The only intact 17th century fortress in the United States, the Castillo de San Marcos is one of the city's most visited sites. Hotels that Florida developer Henry Flagler built in the late 1800s started the state on its way to becoming a major tourist destination. His Spanish Renaissance Revival-style Ponce de Leon Hotel, which today is Flagler College, is a National Landmark. Other historical attractions include the Oldest House, Oldest School, Oldest Store and Oldest Jail. And although the city has a Fountain of Youth, there is no evidence that Ponce de Leon ever was seeking its supposedly magical waters. For further information on St. Augustine, click on floridashistoriccoast.com. Many other Florida cities have planned events celebrating the 500th anniversary, most of them annual events that have been placed under the 500th umbrella. Visit fla500.com. MORE FLORIDA HISTORY Florida is rich with many other historical sites, some centuries old, some of recent vintage. Here is a sampling: HISTORIC FORTS Fort Jefferson The largest all-masonry fort in the United States, Fort Jefferson lies on an island 70 miles west of Key West. The bastion was used as a federal prison in and after the Civil War and its most famous prisoner was Dr. Samuel Mudd, sentenced to life imprisonment there as the physician who set the broken leg of Abraham Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth. After Mudd helped prison doctors treat yellow-fever victims, his sentence was commuted in 1869. The fort is part of Dry Tortugas National Park. Day tours are offered by boat ferry or seaplane from Key West. INFO 305-242-7700, nps.gov/drto Fort Clinch This large bastion is one of best-preserved 19th century forts in the country. It fronts on the St. Mary's River on Amelia Island, north of Jacksonville. It was occupied by Union troops during the Civil War, and today costumed re-enactors play roles as Civil War soldiers. The fort is a state park and also has a campground, beaches and nature trails, and is known for excellent fishing. INFO 904-277-7274, floridastateparks.org/fortclinch Edison/Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers Inventor Thomas A. Edison and automobile pioneer Henry Ford were great friends, so after Edison built a home on the Caloosahatchee River, Ford bought the house next door. Both houses are relatively ordinary, but then neither Edison nor Ford was ostentatious. Guests can peer into Edison's laboratory, where he conducted many experiments, notably seeking to make rubber from plants. On the grounds is also a museum with many of Edison's inventions. Historian-led tours are offered. INFO 239-334-7419, edisonfordwinterestates.org Ernest Hemingway Home, Key West Hemingway bought this Spanish Colonial-style home in 1931 and lived there for several years while writing "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and other books. He worked in a study above the carriage house, reached then by a rope-and-wood catwalk from the main two-story house. Half-hour guided tours offered. INFO 305-294-1136, hemingwayhome.com Whitehall, Palm Beach Open to the public as the Flagler Museum, this is the elegant Gilded Age home of oil baron and Florida developer Henry Flagler, who brought a railroad down Florida's east coast and built hotels in St. Augustine, Palm Beach, Miami and Key West. His 55-room mansion, built in 1902, was once called "the Taj Mahal of North America." Its entrance hall alone is so large that a suburban home could fit inside. INFO 561-655-2833, flaglermuseum.org Ca D'Zan, Sarasota In this elaborate residence, patterned in part after the Doge's Palace in Venice, circus magnate John Ringling entertained screen idol Rudolph Valentino, humorist Will Rogers and showman Flo Ziegfeld. The 56-room home has Venetian glass windows, a 4,000-pipe organ, a playroom, period furnishings and art objects. In the same 20-acre complex are the Ringling Museum of Art; the Asolo, a restored Italian theater; and the Circus Museums, whose exhibits include the world's largest miniature circus. INFO 941-359-5700, ringling.org More coverage Florida travel guide

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What other country can feel like the middle of nowhere and the top of the world, while simultaneously being the wealthiest and most peaceful nation in the world? Does such a place even exist? In Norway, ja! Natural elements run extreme in this small country – a land of the world’s largest fjords, waterfalls, and coral reefs and the most dazzling of skies in the winter or early spring months – but a cool quiet embraces the landscape. Perhaps it is the dramatic brilliance of the land that brings its silence – go for a late-night to early morning drive in Lofoten when you can see the sun saturate the mountains and waters as it sinks, slumbers for a few hours, and awakens to fill the sky with a light brighter than before. In its towns, however, Norway’s quiet gives way to an explosion of art, literature, music, history, and cuisine. Head to Hamaroy for Hamsun Days, a week-long literary festival celebrating Hamsun (rumored to have the most extensive Norwegian vocabularies of all time – talk about a man of words!); stroll through the Vigeland Park sculpture garden and Viking Ship museum in Oslo; check into Norway’s burgeoning jazz, rock, black metal or pop music scene. Those who prefer the small-town feel can ferry-hop from village to village, spend the night in a lighthouse (Hellisoy Fyr, Fedje) and catch themselves breakfast! For such a tiny country, Norway has something for everyone, whether you’re avid skier, indie rock aficionado, or inspired poet…go fish! Regions in Norway East Norway One of the premier wildernesses of Europe, this is a region to visit if you love the great outdoors. From its Olympic ski conditions on snow-capped mountains to the glaciers in its national parks, expect high-adrenaline... read more Middle Norway For a close encounter with nature, little changed over the centuries, come to this incredible land created by the last Ice Age. Other Scandinavian countries, especially Denmark, but also Sweden, just can't... read more Northern Norway. The name itself can give you a chill, conjuring up thoughts of polar bears, the summer midnight sun, and arctic winters of total darkness. It is an eerie and fascinating land of deep fjords,... read more Oslofjord The fjord towns within easy striking distance of Oslo are filled with history and rich in the lore of the area's Viking past. You can explore the east or west side of the Oslofjord. With time for only one,... read more The Norwegians themselves go to the south in summer for their vacations, as this part of the country gets more sunshine than any other. Norwegians refer to this vacation spot as Sørlandet, a land of valleys,... read more West Norway No place in all of Norway holds the enchantment of the fjord country, the single most intriguing region in all of the Scandinavia countries. National Geographic did us one better, citing the Norwegian fjords... read more

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You are here: Home » Features » Consider Hotel Space To Impress Your Small Business Clients Consider Hotel Space To Impress Your Small Business Clients [ 0 ] Jan. 7, 2013 | SBO Editor Email When New York’s Hyatt 48 Lex recently offered club memberships to nonguests who could use the hotel’s lounge, boardrooms and other public facilities for a monthly fee, management probably didn’t expect one of the hotel’s boardrooms to double as a fashion runway. But this is Manhattan. “One of our members is a bridal dress designer,” said Deirdre Yack, Hyatt 48 Lex’s director of sales and marketing. “She’ll call the day before and say, ‘I’m bringing two models over. Do you have a boardroom I can use so I can impress the client?'” A club that doubles as a hotel is nothing new. University, athletic and other clubs offer accommodations as well as hotel-like amenities and services. But a hotel that doubles as a club? It’s a rare creature, and Hyatt 48 Lex, an 11-month-old property in midtown Manhattan, is aiming to make it work. The 116-room hotel has introduced the Lex Club, which affords members use of the second floor of the hotel, including its Lexicon Lounge and four boardrooms. Members enjoy all the benefits of a hotel stay, with private concierge, access to the fitness center and the room service menu from the hotel’s restaurant. Other perks include complimentary coffee, tea and snacks throughout the day, free WiFi, a flat $450 meetings room rental fee per day and free use of the hotel’s four boardrooms for up to two people for an hour. The Hyatt 48 Lex, which also gives 10% discounts on rooms to members, charges $500 for the annual membership fee and says it will limit memberships to 50 during the first year of the program. “We pride ourselves on being a unique and fresh concept,” said Yack, who added that hotel owner Hersha Hospitality Trust pointed the property toward a residential-type pied-a-terre design with an exclusive, club-like feel. “Everything about the hotel’s design and positioning is different.” Hotel staff members were hired as much for their personalities as for their hotel experience, enabling a broader range of employees to be able to double as concierges. A few months after the hotel opened last October, Hersha approached management about expanding the property’s revenue-producing opportunities by marketing the club-membership concept to the consultants, advertising professionals and other businesses nearby. Yack, who added that the concept has also been advertised to frequent guests, said many of the local businesses are too small to have meetings rooms of their own. “Members bring their laptops and have access to all the technology,” said Yack, adding that each boardroom can accommodate as many as 16 people. “And the penthouse suites, which are available at very discounted rates to members, can also be used in a way similar to the boardrooms.” The Hyatt 48 Lex’s efforts reflect a slice of a $135 billion U.S. hotel industry that’s trying to make the most of its revenue opportunities amid the challenge of getting room rates back up to their pre-Great Recession levels. While the average U.S. room rate of $101.70 in 2011 marked a 3.7% increase from a year earlier, it was still about 5% less than the 2008 peak of $107.40, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). And nonroom hotel revenue has fallen even faster, according to research firm PKF Hospitality Research. While 2011 room revenue was about 8% below 2008 peaks, last year’s food and beverage revenue at hotels was 11% lower than in 2008, while revenue from facilities rental and other sources had plunged 20%. With that in mind, hotels are being more aggressive about finding ways to generate additional revenue amid the travel-spending rebound. For instance, this year, U.S. hoteliers will collect about $1.95 billion in surcharges, including general resort fees, in-room phone bills, bar charges and cancellation fees, New York University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies said in a study released last month. That figure is up about 5% from last year and more than triple the $550 million collected a decade ago. In the meantime, other hoteliers have joined the Hyatt Lex 48 in looking into club-concierge type services to boost sales. Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ upper-upscale Westin brand earlier this year introduced Westin Hive, which offers high-tech, flexible spaces designed for short-term use for small, impromptu meetings. For $50 to $100 an hour, clients get a room for up to four people. The rooms are wired and feature WiFi access, TVs, printers, sound systems and Xbox 360 consoles for games or DVDs. Floor-to-ceiling white boards, office supplies, soft drinks and snacks are also provided. “Traditional business centers were just not cutting it anymore,” said Dave Marr, Starwood’s senior vice president of brand management for North America. “Travelers needed something more functional and wired for technology.” Guests “may now be using the lobby, a guestroom or a Starbucks, but many said it would really improve their experience if we could enable them to reach their objectives when they’re on the road — and if we could offer them facilities when they really needed them,” Marr said. Westin Hive is available at the Westin Boston Waterfront and the Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel in Virginia. Westin is looking to offer the concept to as many as 50 hotels by year end, Marr said. And Westin is not alone. A company called LiquidSpace serves as a distribution system for Westin Hive and other spaces available on short notice. According to that company, 19 other hotels use LiquidSpace’s system to offer impromptu meetings space, ranging from lounges and conference rooms at luxury hotels to breakfast rooms at roadside inns. As for the Hyatt Lex 48, the hotel has not yet reached its first-year goal of 50 members, but so far members have been responsive to the idea of being able to call as little as a day in advance to book meetings spaces, Yack said. “This is not a big revenue producer, but more a way to be in touch with the neighborhood,” Yack said. Tags: features, hotel space for small business, Hyatt Hotel Club, impress your small business clients, SBO Newsletter, SBOMAG Newsletter, using hotel space to impress clients Category: Features

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bed breakfast worcestershire The Olive Branch bed breakfast worcestershire Home bed breakfast worcestershire, broadway cotswolds accommodation, bed breakfast, worcestershire, guest house, olive branch, guesthouse, bed breakfast worcestershire, vacation, short breaks uk, guesthouse, stratford, bed breakfast worcestershire You may find this information helpful when researching the area prior to your visit England England is looking forward into the new century while trying to forget many of the developments of the previous 100 years. That period witnessed the fall of the empire, the loss of the trading base and the nation's inability to adjust to a diminished role in the modern world - from colonial empire to member of the EC. But while the Family may have taken a right Royal battering, many of the other august institutions at the cornerstone of British life have muddled their way through with a stiff upper lip and a strong sense of protocol. The notion of England as a gentle, fabled land freeze-framed sometime in the 1930s, when community life revolved around the post office, the country pub and the local vicarage. The country is now better known for vibrant cities with great nightlife and attractions, contrasted with green and pleasant countryside and national parks. After five years of Tony Blair's Labour government, 'new' Britain is a country with a fresh and cuddly Royal family and an alternative aristocracy of media stars like Victoria and David Beckham to capture the ire and adoration of the masses. Still, a country that gives a wig-wearing ex-junkie balladeer a knighthood must be doing something right. Anyone who spends any extended period of time in England will sympathise with the locals' obsession with the weather, although in relative terms the climate is mild and the rainfall is not spectacular. The least hospitable months for visitors are November to February - it's cold and the days are short. March and October are marginal - there's more daylight but it can still be very cold. April to September are undoubtedly the best months, and this is, unsurprisingly, when most sights are open, and when most people visit. July and August are the busiest months, and best avoided if at all possible. The crowds on the coast, at the national parks, in London and popular towns like Oxford, Bath and York have to be seen to be believed. For the sporty, the traditional Oxford/Cambridge University Boat Race is held in London on the River Thames in late March; the famous but gruelling Grand National steeplechase takes place at Aintree, Liverpool, on the first Saturday in April; the FA Cup final takes place in May; Lawn Tennis Championships, complete with strawberries & cream and tantrums by major players, take place at Wimbledon in late June; the champagne-quaffing set head for the Henley Royal Regatta at Henley-on-Thames also in June; and the Cowes Week yachting extravaganza pushes off on the Isle of Wight in late July. Those uninterested in ball games and fast-moving animals should check out the Chelsea Flower Show at London's Royal Hospital in May; the Trooping of the Colour pageantry on the Queen's birthday in London in mid-June; the bacchanalian Glastonbury Festival music extravaganza which swamps Glastonbury's paddocks in June; and the riotous (in the best possible sense) Caribbean carnival in London's Notting Hill in late August. England can be extremely expensive and London in particular can be a big drain on your funds. While in London you will need to budget at least US$50 for bare survival (dorm accommodation, a one-day travel card and the most basic sustenance). Travellers' cheques are widely accepted in English banks and you might as well buy them in pounds to avoid changing currencies twice. Change bureaus in London frequently levy outrageous commissions and fees, so make sure you establish any deductions in advance. The bureaus at the international airports are exceptions to the rule, charging less than most banks and cashing sterling travellers' cheques for free. Cashpoints (ATMs) are very common in Britain: most are linked to major credit cards as well as the Cirrus, Maestro and Plus cash networks, but if a machine swallows your card it can be a nightmare. Most banks insist on chopping it in half and sending it back to your home branch - very helpful.

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Ritz-Carlton Montreal: The Grande Dame gets a new frock Makeover for landmark Montreal hotel puts a sparkle in a stay there Express / Getty Images Mar. 15, 1964: Actress Elizabeth Taylor marries her fifth husband Richard Burton (1925-1984) in Montreal. The legendary hotel was at the height of its glory. Sherri Haigh Special to the Star, Published on Thu Apr 17 2014 When Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton married at the Ritz-Carlton Montreal on March 15, 1964, the famous hotel was at the height of its glory. Fifty years on, the “Grande Dame of Sherbrooke” is looking better than ever. Located in the prestigious Golden Square Mile district, the hotel was originally built for $3 million and it was the first in the world to bear the name Ritz-Carlton. Since its opening in 1912, the hotel has attracted celebrities and politicians from around the world. Douglas Fairbanks was famous for waving to the cheering crowds from his balcony, and Winston Churchill, Charles De Gaulle and Queen Elizabeth II have all stayed there. The neighbourhood is still the place to be seen. It boasts high-end shops such as Ogilvy and Holt Renfrew, and museums and art shops. Like an aging movie star, the Grande Dame eventually needed a makeover. In 2008, the hotel closed its doors for four years for an extensive renovation. This updated the hotel’s look and feel and used advances in technology to create a new level of service. CEO, Andrew Torriani, says the hotel’s $200-million reno focused on adapting modern technology in a discreet, functional way to maintain its classic charm. “Each piece had to blend seamlessly so that you do not forget this is a 1912 hotel,” he says. A trip too the bathroom is an adventure. The bidets have been given a royal touch. When you take your place on this “throne,” get ready! We are talking the heated toilet seats that come with an instrument panel that offers more bidet-style choices than I feel comfortable explaining. And then there is the computerized floor mat laid out each night by your bed. When my feet hit the floor for that midnight trip to the loo, it kicked on a light. No bumps in the night here. While it’s difficult to leave behind the room’s many creature comforts, a trip downstairs to Maison Boulud is worth shedding the bathrobe and getting dolled up for. Bob and Carol David, who live in the nearby Westmount neighbourhood, are long-time patrons of the Ritz-Carlton and were among the first customers when Maison Boulud opened at the hotel in June, 2012. “We just love the warmth of the room and the food is amazing,” gushes Carol, who’s sitting at one of the restaurant’s prime tables next to the large glass-encased fireplace. While Carol David’s top pick on the menu is the monk fish, Torriani, the hotel’s CEO, favours the duo of beef. I choose the pasta, which is also fabulous. Of course, a visit would not be complete without experiencing the hotel’s afternoon tea, which is so popular it lured Karen Davey, owner of the award-winning Inn at St. Peters, all the way from P.E.I. She wanted to see how the Ritz does it before rolling out the service at her own property. The term “tea” is, perhaps, a misnomer. Most of those seated in the lovely Palm Court, opted for the full service which includes a glass of bubbly. I suppose it sounds more civilized to say, “I am off for tea,” than “I am heading out to quaff champagne” in the middle of the day. But the hotel does offer an extensive selection of teas that go wonderfully well with the delicious scones. Seeking hustle and bustle, I venture a few blocks to Crescent Street where cafés, bars and the streets are buzzing. On this afternoon, Hurley’s is jammed to capacity and everyone inside is Irish or wishes they were. Many have come directly from an Irishman-of-the-Year charity “breakfast,” which apparently served more beverages than anything else. Joie de vivre is on tap! If your culinary tastes demand more than pub fare, there are many good places to eats closer to the hotel. These range from the upscale Portuguese restaurant Ferreira Café to Orchidée de Chine for Chinese cuisine. For a more upbeat ambience there is the Dominion Square Tavern, which was booked solid on this Saturday night. A man feasting on bone marrow was replicating Meg Ryan’s diner scene in When Harry Met Sally. The dish did not look appealing but his extreme reaction was tempting me to use the line: “I’ll have what he’s having.” Instead, I saved my moment for a nightcap at the Ritz-Carlton bar where I indulged in a late night dessert: the chocolat coulant. Ecstasy! Accommodations and travel were provided by the Ritz-Carlton Montreal. Enjoy the creature comforts! A trip to the bathroom is an adventure in itself Latest Travel Videos

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> Chinese New Year 2016 in London Chinese New Year 2016 in London From February 2016 to February 2016(exact dates to be confirmed) Photo: James O Jenkins London's Chinese New Year celebrations are the largest outside Asia, with parades, performances and fireworks.Read More London's Chinese New Year celebrations are the largest outside Asia. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people descend on the West End to wish each other "Xin Nian Kuai Le" (Happy New Year in Mandarin) or "San Nin Faai Lok" (in Cantonese). Chinese New Year 2016, the Year of the Monkey, falls on 8 February. Chinese New Year festivities in Central London take place in Trafalgar Square, Chinatown and Shaftesbury Avenue. Check back nearer the time for full details of the event. There are plenty of activities and celebrations to get involved in. Why not pay a visit to London's Chinatown which is famous for its abundance of Chinese restaurants. Alternatively, secure a table at one of the Top 10 Chinese Restaurants in London. Book a hotel near Chinatown to stay near the heart of the action so you don't miss any of the festivities. About Chinese New Year Chinese New Year is a huge festival among Chinese communities in London and across the world. Based on the lunar and solar calendars, the actual date of Chinese New Year varies, but always falls between late January and mid-February. Each year in the Chinese calendar is represented by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. See our Top 10 Tips for Chinese New Year to make the most of your time at the event and find out more about Chinese New Year in London. Chinatown London > Special Event Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter Clarkson, Hammond & May Live Westfield London Ice Rink The Height of Winter at The View from The Shard Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships 2016 Eyeskate at The Coca-Cola London Eye

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Kyleakin, Isle of Skye, Scotland Kyleakin has its very own Website! Click this link to go to the Kyleakin website. This page uses frames, but your browser doesn't support them, sorry! However, I will do my best to make the information available to you. The village of Kyleakin is located across from Kyle of Lochalsh. The narrow strait between the two is the shortest distance from the island to the mainland of Scotland. There was a ferry service operating there, that was in existence as early as 1841. The new bridge to the Isle of Skye was opened in October 1985. The ferries were retired the same day the b

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