Bouka is best known among the inhabitants of Lefkimmi who prefer it because it is quiet and ideal for families with small children. Alexandra Apartments is located in front of the beach of Agios Petros while Asprokavos (the beginning of Kavos Beach) is a quiet beach with beautiful water! Then we find Kavos, a very long sandy beach, shallow and warm waters, the beach bars that give the rhythm of day and night! About 15 minutes drive away is the beautiful beach of Arkoudila, where you can enjoy the beautiful sunset!
Lefkimmi is located in the south of Corfu and is resulat the merger of villages Rigglades Anaplades, Agii Theodori, Potami and Melikia. All along the river channel where locals boat dock, you can enjoy the ride and traditional flavors in taverns. In Lefkimi admire the two-storey houses, the curved arches and cobblestone streets of small traditional stone made by the ancient craftsmen.
For those looking for music and dancing until dawn Kavos will not disappoint them. For those who prefer quieter situations Lefkimmi offers cafes, bars and taverns where you can taste the local specialties.
Water skiing, Canoeing, Fly board, Wake board, Stand up Paddle, parasailing, jet skiing, banana, water rings, windsurfing! All this is located on the beach of Asprokavos! Extreme sports' fans will go again and again !
From Lefkimmi harbor you can take a boat and make a mini cruise! You will discover the Blue Grotto of Paxos, Antipaxos and Sivota and Parga wonderful! Another great trip is the route by boat Kavos in Corfu Town to see the palace of Mon Repos, the famous Pontikonissi and many other attractions.


Construction company gives back
Missouri firm donates nearly $28,000 to youth residential treatment facility.
With Williston being home for three years, a Missouri-based construction company wanted to give back to the community.
Burns & McDonnell, who are in town building the new Pioneer Generation station for Basin Electric, tries to help in every community they are working in, explained Elvis McCain, site manager for Burns & McDonnell. (The firm have been in Williston since March when construction started.)


We left the Big Smoke yesterday for the wedding of Zara and Oliver in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside. South Farm in Royston was a dream venue - secluded, intimate, and very romantic. The lush greenery provided us with the ideal backdrop that perfectly complemented the bride in her stunning gold bridal outfit.
To find out more about the wedding photography packages we offer, please do get in touch - we'd love to hear from you! Merci, Pascal.


Madeira Island – ‘the pearl of the Atlantic’ is O’Porto’s July region of the month. It is noted for it’s Madeira wine, beautiful flowers, landscapes… and last but not least, its most seducing cuisine!
Did you know that Madeira’s annual New Years firework display is the largest in the world? The display is even recognized by the Guiness World Records! Another interesting fact is that the people of Madeira were given a special right to sell wine to Britain and all her colonies by Charles II – the wine is that good.
If time travel were possible, and we could deposit ourselves at the dinner table of one of the Founding Fathers, we’d surely be drinking Madeira. Madeira was the King of Wines, enjoyed not only before and after dinner, but throughout the meal.
Due to the long established fishing tradition on the island, fish is plays an important role on the daily menu of the locals. Tuna, ‘espada’ (black scabbard fish), ‘bacalhau’ (codfish), ‘gaiado’ (a regional fish treated like codfish) and ‘potas’ (similar to a huge squid) are featuring in many main courses. Traditionally, fresh tuna is first marinated in olive oil, garlic, salt and oregano before it is fried, and it is usually served with cooked cornmeal. This kind of cornmeal preparation is very often also preferred as side dish to ‘espada’ fried with onion. A ‘must eat’ is the ‘espada’ with banana, which is a very successful combination of a soft white fish with a strong tropical flavor. But do also look out for other tasty ‘espada’ preparations as there are many more!
Want to try a traditional dish from Madeira? We are featuring Haddock Â Moda da Madeira on this month’s price fix menu – Grilled Haddock served with Pan Fried Banana à Meunière on a bed of Eggplant and Sautéed Spinach with Roasted Potatoes – cooked in traditional Portuguese style.


Easy Access from Anywhere in the Kinki Region
- From Fujiidera Station, the nearest station from IBU, you have direct access to Tennoji and Osaka-Abenobashi Stations. This means you can easily commute from anywhere in the Kinki region, such as Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, and Wakayama.
- Kintetsu Buses are available between IBU, Fujiidera Station, and Furuichi Station on the Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line.
IBU operates a school bus from Nakamozu Station (on the Nankai Koya Line, Semboku Railway, and subway Midosuji Line) and Shinkanaoka Station (subway Midosuji Line). Advance registration is required to use the bus. Fee required.
Access and Time from Major Train Stations
Note: All times are approximate and are the shortest time required including transfer times between stations.
Access by Car
- Take National Route 170 (Osaka Outer Circular Route) and go west 10 min. from Karusato-kita intersection.
- Or take Prefectural Route 31 (Sakai-Habikino Route) from Mihara Rotary on Prefectural Route 2 (Osaka Central Circular Route) and go south 10 min. from Yachuji intersection.
Kintetsu Bus Terminal
Kintetsu Bus Terminal at Fujiidera Station
Kintetsu Bus Terminal at Furuichi Station


Joshua Tree is a National Park is a large protected area located approximately 150 miles east of LA. Named for the region’s twisted, bristled Joshua trees, the park straddles the cactus-dotted Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert. It encompasses a unique piece of desert that attracts people from all over the world, and has become a major attraction for Californians as well. The park is characterized by rugged rock formations that climbers have long flocked to, and stark desert landscapes marked by large boulders, making for photo ops that photographers go gaga over.
Many people don't know that Joshua Tree Desert is a very biodiverse area, especially in the early spring when wildflowers and various cacti variety are blooming. This Ocotillo plant below is one example of the wild and beautiful flora to be found in the area. The claw-shaped flowers at the tip of each of these spidery limbs are bright lipstick-red!
Highly recommended if you haven't been there yet. But do avoid it during high tourist times and holidays - it has become quite the destination for, like, ALL of LA ;)


The Land of Himachal
Popularly known as the Devbhumi – "Land of the Gods", Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful hill state in northern India nestled in western Himalayas. The state is landlocked with the Tibetan plateau to the east, Jammu and Kashmir to the north, and the Punjab to the west.
My Goa Vacation
Goa as a holiday destination needs no introduction. From families, friends, couples to individuals and groups, Goa has something for everyone. With its 'let your hair loose' lifestyle it is a favorite 'Romantic Getaway' for honeymooners, couples and the bohemian.
Apna Car Service
Aspiring to be among the best in the industry, Paramount Vacation Planners Pvt Ltd. (a unit of Paramount Holidays) has chosen to operate its own fleet of private vehicles under the name of 'Apna Car Service', at Mumbai.
My Kerala Trip
Welcome to Kerala, GOD Own Country, The Land of Hills, Backwater & Beaches
District of Andaman is Northern Part of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and comprises of 550 Islands, Islets and rocks out of which only 26 are inhabited. Some of these islands are large such as Middle Andaman, North Andaman, South Andaman, Baratang and Little Andaman islands. The northern most island is Landfall and southern most Little Andaman.


In the Catalan Palestine, Les Garrigues, people are proud to tell you that their extra virgin olive oil, extracted from the supreme arbequina olive, furnishes the Nobel Prize reception. Some historians say that Phoenician merchants introduced the liquid gold to Catalonia; others assert that the Ancient Greeks first carried the golden elixir in their beautiful amphoras to our Mediterranean coast. Regardless, the Lord of Arbeca brought the arbequina olive tree, which produces one of the very best olive oils in the world, back to Catalonia from Palestine in the 18th century.
The fruity quality of arbequina extra virgin olive oil
The 2.500 inhabitants of the small town of Arbeca are totally devoted to the olive orchards that shape the peaceful landscape. Traditionally, they have planted almond trees in the olive orchards, which gives their heirloom arbequina oil a unique slight almond-like aroma. It is perfect for cooking fish, but for cooking any food actually, and delicious when you eat it raw in salads or on a slice of bread as we do. Les Garrigues and Siurana are the two Catalan designations of origin producing a superior extra virgin olive oil mainly from the arbequina olive.
The Siurana designation of origin produces the sweetest arbequina oil, particularly along the coastland. This fruity oil is optimal for seasoning salads, picadas and sauces, cooking meats, the emblematic bread, tomato and oil, soups, or vegetable dishes. The third protected oil is the Terra Alta, further south, to the Ebre (Ebro) River. It grows mainly the empeltre olive, which makes delicately transparent sweet oils that evoke the fragrance of nuts. It is the less known of the three.
Wherever you live, you can taste the best olive oil too
The delicacy and purity of those designations of origin are slowly entering the gourmet international scene: the United States, Australia, and even Japan, for sushi seasoning. Italy’s is no longer the only extra virgin olive oil on offer in American gourmet and specialty shops.
Olive tree for olive oil
Eating bread and oil used to be synomym of poverty, particularly if you didn’t top it with ham or cheese ham. Now it means that you know what’s good for you. In the smallest Balearic island of Formentera at least one baker never interrupted the ingrained tradition of selling a delicious fresh roll literally bathed in olive oil. When visit the island love to go through the morning’s ritual.Now, in exclusive restaurants of the Mediterranean basin and the United States oil lists compete side by side with wine lists for guest attention. You can find extra virgin olive oils of the Siurana and Les Garrigues designations of origin in stylish gourmet shops like Lorenzo’s, Balducci, Sutton Place Gourmet.


The North West Province of South Africa is situated in the western Magaliesberg and provides plenty to see and do in the popular holiday destinations such as Rustenburg.
Rustenburg, which translated literally means “town of rest”, is the third oldest town of the former Transvaal Province. The city has been chosen as one of the host cities for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2010 and will be staging games at the 40,000 Royal Bafekong Stadium previously used for the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Just half an hour’s drive from here will find you at the glamorous Sun City complex and its enormous range of leisure options. The complex providing an excellent combination of golf, game and gambling, as well as world class hotels, is the perfect choice for any holiday in South Africa. Close by the Pilanesberg Game Reserve provides travellers an excellent chance of spotting the “Big Five”.
To appreciate the history of this area then you should visit Mafikeng and in particular its museum, which has exhibits relating to the Siege of Mafeking, the Barolong people and San (Bushmen) which are interesting. In addition, the pretty towns of Lichtenburg, Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom are of particular interest.
At the Pilanesberg National Park, you will discover the crater of a long extinct volcano with an amazing alkaline complex created from activity over 1290 million years ago. This is one of the largest volcanic complexes in the world and its rare rock structure and type make it a unique geological feature. This area has survived ages of erosion and can be seen high above the surrounding bushveld plains. It is possible to see the early existence of man in the numerous Stone and Iron Age sites throughout the park.
On the parks undulating hills and stretching open plains, you can get a glimpse of the ‘Big Five’, an abundance of animals and over 360 bird species. As well as the ‘Big Five’ you may also spot the nocturnal brown hyena, cheetah, hippo, crocodile and even sable.
This boost to All Resistances might look small compared to those provided by other items, but it is still very, very decent and definitely one of the many plus points of Crown of Ages.
+30% Faster Hit Recovery
When your character gets him, there are a few frames of animation. If your opponent hits you for 1/12 of your hit points or more, you also run the risk of being stunned. Faster Hit Recovery helps your character recover from being hit by their enemies; the more you have, the faster you can recover from blows and dish out your own damage.
The addition of 1 or 2 sockets in Crown of Ages is wonderful for many players, because it allows for customization of the helm according to the players. If, for example, they decide that they need a bigger boost to All Resistances, they can sock an UM in the helm for a 15% boost to All Resistances. Or if it’s Physical Resistance that you’re after and want more, you can always add a Ber Rune in the helm for an extra 8% of Physical Resistance on top of the Helm’s 10-15%.
With this mod on Crown of Ages, that means you’ll never need to bring it to the blacksmith to have it repaired, because it never reduces in Durability and thus never break down.
The Crown of Ages is a very popular helm among Diablo 2 Players due to all its mods being great and useful and despite its very high Strength requirement. It is also highly customizable due to the 1-2 sockets on it, a mod valued by experienced players as they can equip the helm with a variety of Runes, Jewels or Gems to suit their own favorite playing style or Diablo 2 build. A 2 socket Crown of Ages stuffed with 2 BER Runes for an additional +16% Physical Resistance bonus (on top of the helm’s 10-15% Physical Resistance) is a wonderful option for those who are trying to go for a build that focuses on high levels of Physical Resistance.


It was always a shabby, funny town, when I was small:
It’s only claim to fame, I suppose, was the River,
which ebbed and flowed in muddy brown and grey regularity,
providing an ever changing picture of dreams for the eyes of the young and old,
or the idle, to dwell upon.
It was always a strange, little, sprawling town,
with nothing at all of importance to merit a place in the shape of things to come.
Here it nestled, like a favourite, comfortable, patchwork shawl, the fringes of which tapered towards the creeks of Slades Green and Crayford;
dwelling a moment at Bexley and Welling;
crossing to Bedonwell and Bostal.
Beneath the folds haphazardly tumbled Northumberland Heath, with upper and lower Belvedere here, and Barnehurst there;
in between glowing a patch or two of changing green, as the woods and parks filtered through the embroidery of stitches
that held it together with fields and ditches;
eventually sweeping around and down
past abbey wood marshes
and back to the river.
It was always a friendly, squat, little town,
with industry forming a warming collar
around it’s neck; the ribbon of water wandering by firmly held in it’s place,
loosely tieing a flexible knot of strength
against the fogs and mists
of all that threatened the pattern of sleeping security.
Quickly, quickly, write it down
before those that remember have long been forgotten,
with nothing to show
and no-one to know how reshaping
and raping could possibly happen,
and why such a garment lies in tatters,
threadbare and worn, and all that matters
is sadly forlorn and desolate now,
and those that permitted such devastation
have gone, long gone …
Just for a moment indulge in nostalgia,
name a few names for memory to conjure
the magic that hustled and bustled under
the harlequin cloak, before the plunder
of planning and banning and closing
tore the patches asunder.
The Causeway of old, with convenient railings
on which you could lean to gossip, and yarn,
and gaze on a scene of rocks, and mud,
and pools of water in which you could paddle,
when the tide was out, with wagers to swim
to the other side of the river –
there was even sand
for children to dabble.
Piers and jetties, chains and things,
wet warm timbers, ropes and rings
which held the dinghies and yachts and boats
buoys and floats bobbing
when the tide was in.
The fat black barges gliding by
with ochre brown sails riding high in the water
like graceful swans;
the diligent tugs, tooting and fussy,
pushing and shoving, eternally busy.
Tramps and Cruisers and Men-O-War;
Coasters and Colliers and Steamers galore;
port and starboard, for and aft,
every conceivable waterway craft,
casting off and heaving to –
the Pilot’s Hut with the tide times on view.
Regattas and pennants and flags a –blowing,
never-endingly coming and going watermen,
merchantmen, rowing and rowing-
straining backs and muscles aquiver,
Doggett Men too-
the pride of the River.
The coal, the grain, and the flown mill;
Fraser’s Pond and Bunker’s Hill-
the Cinder Path, the Rec’. the Terries,
the Seamen’s Home; picking blackberries.
The Ritz, the Rialto, the Oxford, the Rex;
the Locomotive- Sunday School texts.
The Cobbler, the Smithie; the disinfect can;
the Sea Scouts, the Saw Mills; the School Board Man.
Frank’s Park fireworks, Callender’s Band
tightly packed in the small bandstand.
The betting slips; the Registrar;
the Library Museum; the four-ale-bar;
little boys fishing with tiddlers
The ‘Rose and Crown’ and the ‘Wheatley Arms’ ;
gipsy weddings, the crossing of palms.
St. Fidelis; ‘Bob-the-Devil’ ;
running round tombstones in the
Old Church yard to ward off evil;
the wicket gates at the level crossings.
Swiftly, swiftly, paper and pen,
put down the words and
remember them ……..
Gone are the Cobbles, the alleys,
the paths, the trams, the prams,
the open air baths.
Bye-Brothers; Linwood’s the Salvation Army
on Burton’s corner every Sunday.
The gutters, the shutters, the Home-and-Colonial;
the World Stores, the Maypole, the neatly professional
patting of butter with spatulas wooden;
kippers for tea, faggots, pease pudding.
the Fibro; Selfe’s; Penton-and-Deans;
shrimps and cockles and coffee beans.
Starkey’s, and Randal’s printing presses;
the local paper done on the spot;
gammon from Davis; the wet-fish shop.
The hub of it all was Mitchell’s Store,
the very core of the town, with personal
assistants, yards of material measured
with care, the buttons, the cottons,
the crimping of hair; second hand furniture
round the corner; three brass balls if you
wanted to pawn a thing on two;
the Knackers’ Yard; the Late Night Final;
the Laundry; the Dairy; the Men’s Urinal.
checks of tin from the Co-op Stores;
Mence Smith’s; Dales; and pails
of manure yours for the taking;
barber’s poles; Groom’s and the smell
It was always an honourable, vulnerable town ….
that could be the reason for knocking it down!
Tear out its character, flatten its face-
we’ll soon think of something to put in its place.
Never mind what, and never mind where …..
move it around a bit- up in the air!
Let’s have some changes- let’s have some ‘go’-
What were we putting here? Someone must know!
And so it went on, and on, and on …….
until all that we knew of Old Erith had gone
It took them some time to take it apart;
dying by stages, a work of ‘art’ you might say,
in a way –
All that was good was whittled away, and all
that was bad was left to decay
of its own accord.
I could write more but I’ve gone on too long,
progress, we know, has got to go on- but
why did it happen and where did it start?
We’re left with a town without a heart,
not better but worse than we had before!
There’s very few left who remember it now,
the new generation could not really care
about something they never would know or share.
Sadly, sadly, read it through,
the ones who recall it all-
you, and you …….
the ones who grew up with me
when I was small – born here,
and taught here, and worked here-
you know what I’m writing of-
you understand and,
if you’ve a moment or two in hand,
go down by the River …….
yes, it’s still there- and stand
and share with me dog-eared regrets
for the ‘used to be’-
of the rough little, gruff little
Erith we knew, and read to yourself
Written by Pat Watson


Extension of IFS-HPC certification
Adwin Korea succeeded in extending IFS-HPC certification. IFS-HPC is the “European Cosmetics
Quality Certification”, which is one of the most essential certifications for export to Europe.
Adwin Korea acquired this certification for the first time in 2019 and passed the certification
audit that renews once a year. The European market is known for the most demanding cosmetic
quality standards and export requirements. Adwin Korea currently supplies cosmetics to 20
European countries. It is expected that this extension will increase buyers' trust in Adwin's quality


I am indebted to several associates for the information on the earliest origins of the name, primarily Audrey Bartron (AB), and Peter William Risdon (PWR) of London, for a compendium of sources. The earliest origins of the family name Risdon are thought to be in Gloucestershire, in one or more of three villages in the Windrush valley about 25km to the east of Cheltenham; they are now known collectively as The Rissingtons, and they lie in a roughly north-south orientation, starting 4km south of Stow-on-the-Wold with Wyck, then Little, then Great Rissington.
At the time of the Domesday survey of England (1086), 20 years after the original conquest of the country by William the Bastard, the manor of Risendune (Little Rissington1) in Salmonsbury2 Hundred3, previously held by Siward4 was held by Robert de Oilgi5 (d’Oilly6/Doyley7). Risendune is probably a simple descriptive name for the location: Ransford (note 7) says that “[Rissington] is probably derived from the Anglo-Saxon words Hrisen and dune meaning brushwood on a hill”; local variants of the name were Risendone (Great Rissington) and Risedune (Wyck/Wick Rissington), as shown in the Domesday survey (note 1).
The two most significant questions one has to ask in any research of this nature is: who was the first to use the name, and when would that have been? The use of family names probably became the custom in England after the Norman conquest (this was only the latest of several prior conquests!); most likely for mundane, administrative reasons, where organisation (aka control) of a populace was considered necessary, and the common herd would have emulated the property-owners, either willingly (possibly to curry favour) or grudgingly, and consequently, the use of the French attributive ‘de’ is very common.
The earliest use of the modern form of the name appears to have been given by the Antiquary, Tristram Risdon (of whom more elsewhere); under Parkham8, in his Survey of the County of Devon:
Bablegh [sic; page 243] is the lands of the Risdons (that descended from Ralph Risdon [my emphasis], lord of the manor of Risdon, in Gloucestershire, in king Richard the first’s reign) which Robert de Oilgi held in William the conqueror’s reign, and hath been the dwelling of that name ever since Robert Risdon lived there in the third year of king Edward the first.
but this is debatable, because he appears to be the only authority so to do. Richard I reigned from 1189-1199, so a minimum of 123 years after the Norman conquest, or possibly 5 generations. AB cites a charter witnessed by, among others, Master Walter de Risendone, in 1220 at Osney Abbey, Oxford9; Brother Philip de Risendune was proctor of Osney Abbey, and a canon there, in 1251; and Richard de Risendune was a parishioner of St. Michael’s outside the walls of Oxford, in 1258, so it would appear that the attributive style of family name persisted for nearly 200 years after the conquest. The third year of Edward I would be 1274, so it is not at all implausible that Tristram Risdon is correct in his latter assertion, which could answer the second significant question above, to some degree of accuracy; there is still significant room for doubt, however: this is explored on the Bableigh|Parkham page.
There is, then, some confusion over the date of the first Risdon to live in Devon, as well as the location (note 8), but there is no reason why the property, of which the first Risdon was the tenant (and, in the process, ‘lord of the manor’), should not have been one of several, possessed by the same landowning Norman family. PWR says10 “Several sources show that Gloucestershire aristocracy held extensive lands in Devon … Perhaps a vacancy arose at Parkham because the manor holder died in the crusade.”11, but 1274 is nearly 80 years after the end of that crusade, which means that Robert Risdon was very possibly the first documented scion of this family to live in Devon, but probably not the first actual person bearing that family name. The other location mentioned in most of the sources, Okehampton, is not strictly accurate and, just to complicate matters, there are now 2 places named Risdon in the area; one is where AB says “Robert Risdon was residing … in 1350 [so possibly not the same Robert Risdon referred to by Tristram Risdon], a small place which is slightly north of Okehampton. The Farm is called Risdon Mill.” — it is 5km north of Okehampton, and just to confuse matters even further, there is a Risdon Farm12 just off the modern A3072, but it is not Risdon Mill (see below); about a kilometer down the road is another one, but it is now derelict13, so there was certainly an earlier farm bearing this name, but it is very unlikely to have been the original one, going by the mixture of materials used (and the photograph only shows a very small area, so gauging the size of the site is impossible): families can experience many changes of circumstances over a period of six hundred years, with associated expansions or contractions of property holdings; in between these two are the sprawling modern industrial premises now called Risdon Mill14; the other Risdon Farm is the location for a dog breeding business15, and it is 9km to the west.
The final question for this document is: did the adoption of the family name Risdon mean that the connection with the ancestral territory was broken, leaving no previous generations who might have used the earlier name convention behind? Unfortunately, none of the sources quoted is clear on this, but they all use the terms “Family moved from”, or “settled at”, so it would appear that this might be the case. The shortening of the name could have been purposive, as the acknowledgment of ‘a new beginning’; or, it could have been the result of the gradual degradation of the longer, attributive name by at least one branch of the family, which might have required a few generations to take effect. It seems very possible that from the time of the first relocation from Gloucestershire to Devon, there were either two separate Risdon families living at the two separate locations (or maybe even three), or up to three separate members of the same family, who produced offspring of their own, who moved to other locations in their areas and produced their own offspring. As mentioned above, the first documented Risdon in Devon is Robert Risdon of Parkham, but for want of any supporting details and for the purposes of the definition of ‘dynasty’, it is the Thomas Risdon who was living at Parkham in 1393, the first-named in the male line of the family trees produced from the Heralds’ Visitations (the lineage charts produced by J. L. Vivian, 1830-1896, are available online here), who must be considered the progenitor of the family. Again, it is only a lack of evidence to the contrary that brings me to this conclusion, but five generations of Risdons: Thomas, Geoffrey, Richard, John and Giles; lived at Parkham, but they could have started spreading out right from the very beginning with Thomas — the Heralds’ family trees only show the first son & male heir down to Giles, so there is always the possibility that a dispersal could have begun as early as the end of the 14th century. Nothing is known about all but the last named of these, Giles, who was the person to whom the Arms were awarded in 1564; perhaps, according to PWR, at the instigation of his son & heir Thomas, who will be the first of the Risdons worthy of note to be described in the Notable Risdons document.


Triennale de Setouchi : une exposition au service de la culture locale
A journey in Hyogo prefecture: where Japanese charms meet
Hyogo is the biggest prefecture of the Kinki region. In the North, it is close to the Japanese sea and to the Seto inland sea in the South. Its main city is Kobe, surrendered by Kyoto and Osaka prefectures, and you can also reach Kyushu through Awaji island. Kobe is full of gorgeous mountains and thermal springs; especially Arima-onsen which is one of the three oldest of the country. Many castles decorate the landscape, including one registered as a World Heritage: Himeji castle. Let's not forget Tamba-Sasayama with its traditional constructions and the famous Takarazuka theater: a japanese troup composed only by female comedians, that is more than 100 years old.
Places to visit
‐ The city of Kobe：In the past, many foreigners visited and lived in Kobe's port. Therefore, there are some good restaurants offering a variety of cooking from the entire world as well as magnificent architectural buildings; influenced by the Japanese and the Western culture, called Ijinkan. Made up by up and down streets, Kobe is a beautiful city: we highly recommend it, especially to those who haven't visited the Hyogo prefecture yet. You will find plenty of stylish shops in Motomachi and Sannomiya too.
- Himeji castle：This castle is one of the National Treasure as well as a registered cultural heritage, also registered at UNESCO World Heritage. It fairly owned its title of one of Japan's 100 most beautiful castles. It is also called « Hakuro-jô » or « Shirasagi-jō » meaning the castle of the white heron or of the white egret, because of its prominent color. It was spared from wars and kept its beauty unspoiled.
- Awaji island: located on the South part of Hyogo prefecture, it is the biggest among the Seto inland sea islands. Mythical birthplace of Japan, many places are dedicated to spirituality such as temples and sanctuaries. The weather is gentle, and many places are waiting for you to come and visit, such as Sumoto-onsen thermal hotsprings and the Naruto whirplool.
Port of Kobe
‐ Akashi-yaki：Local special dish from the city of Akashi in Hyogo prefecture. Also called tamagoyaki (omelette). It consists on egg dumplings with squid and served with japanese broth dashi.
- Kobe beef：This is a very famous variety of beef meat, from the tajima bovine race (belonging to the wagyu race, bred according to strict traditions).
- Tamba black beans：Speciality from Sasayama city in Hyogo prefecture. Beans are round, big and naturally sugary, melting in mouth. Black beans are essential to the New Year dishes (Osechi-ryori).
- "Gofuru" (wafer) from Fugetsu-do：A typical Kobe cake, baked by the Kobe Fugetsudo sweet manufacturing; founded more than 120 years ago in Motomachi. The cream, either chocolate, strawberry or vanilla taste, is placed betwenn two crunchy biscuits. The biscuit box is truly cute, so it can be a good souvenir to bring back from your trip.
- Tansan senbei：A simple yet slightly sugary "pancake", made of flour, sugar, starch and sparkle water from the the Arima thermal spring.
- Onion instant soup：with onions from Awaji island.
Arima thermal hotsprings
- Takarazuka theater：A musical troup only composed by female comedians, located in Takarazuka city. The five groups (Flower, Moon, Snow, Star and Cosmos) mainly perform at the big theater in Takarazuka (Hyogo) and at the theater Takarazuka in Tokyo. Review shows, Broadway musicals or original creations are brought to the public.
- Nankin machi：The China Town of Kobe. The perfect place to try chinese foods and run some errands.
- Kokoen park：A traditional japanese garden, located in Himeji park. There are nine subdivisions within the park and ponds.
- Fireworks at Kobe port：800 fireworks are shot every first saturday of August. It is easy to find a good spot to enjoy the show as it spreads all along the road next to Kobe's port.
- Nishinomiya matsuri feast：From September 21st to 23rd at Nishinomiya shinto sanctuary in the city of Nishinomiya. 300 ujiko (people venerating an ujikami, local god of the region) wearing traditional clothes parade during festivities. They also hold a portable Ebisu sanctuary across the Kaijyo Togyo sea.
- Autumn festival at Matsubara Hachiman sanctuary：also called Nada no kenka matsuri; it takes place in Himeji between October 14th and 15th. Men holding the portable shrines sometimes bump into each other quite violently. Do not miss the bright colors of big vices and the spectacular hammers.
Fireworks at Kobe port
Nishinomiya matsuri feast
Autumn festival at Yahata temple
- Museum of the Hakutsuru brewery：The former building of Hakutsuru brewery has been transformed into the Sake Hakutsuru museum, in Higashi Nada district in Kobe. You can also taste sake.
- Rokko pasture：On the Rokko Mountain in Higashi Nada district, you can enjoy the local animals, ride, eat some ice-cream or have lunch.
- Kinosaki thermal stations：1300 years of history. The writers Shimazaki Toson and Shiga Naoya enjoyed taking a bath at Kinosaki thermal hotspring (city of Toyooka), a charming town decorated with weeping willows and wooden houses. You can visit seven different hotsprings with the "Yumepa" pass. The legend says that each bath brings luck!
Onsen (thermal springs)
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Triennale de Setouchi : une exposition au service de la culture locale
Les îles soeurs du Japon, l’île de Megijima et d'Ogijima
Voyage au Japon dans la mer de Seto : l'île de Shodoshima
5 villages pittoresques parmi "Les plus beaux villages du Japon"
3 activités à faire dans la ville de Takamatsu
Petit guide de la préfecture de Toyama : nature au coeur des Alpes japonaises
Sakurajima : vivre au pied du volcan le plus actif du Japon (Kyushu)
Séjour dans les environs de Tokyo : le charme de Chichibu②
Plongée dans l'univers de Makoto Shinkai et de son nouveau film
Un sanctuaire symbolique du Japon : Fushimi Inari Taisha
Un voyage sur la Shimanami Kaido④Les villes de Imabari・Matsuyama
Un voyage sur la Shimanami Kaido③Les îles de Omishima・Hakatajima・Oshima
Un voyage sur la Shimanami Kaido②Les îles de Mukaishima・Innoshima・Ikuchijima
Un voyage sur la Shimanami Kaido①Onomichi
La préfecture de Aomori : paradis des randonneurs et des amoureux de nature
Voyage au Japon : le tapis rouge de la floraison des lycoris
Petit guide de la préfecture d’Iwate : entre Histoire et Nature
L’étang bleu de Biei : le saphir de Hokkaido
Les 5 onsens à ne pas manquer au japon
Ya-ne-sen, le vieux Tokyo méconnu des touristes
Voyage dans la préfecture de Hyogo: où diverses charmes du Japon se rencontrent
Voyage dans la préfecture d'Ibaraki : Découvrez la beauté de ses bords de mer et de ses montagnes tout près de Tokyo
Guide de voyage dans la préfecture de Gifu : découverte du patrimoine mondial, de la culture et des traditions japonaises.
Découvrez 5 instruments de musique traditionnelle japonais
Les trois grands festivals de Tohoku


The direct surroundings of the apartment complex offers you all the holiday leisure you can think of. The gradually sloping sandy beach is safe and has the blue flag. It is clean and close. You can rent beds, lie under a parasol and enjoy a cool drink on one of the many terraces. Shopping is no hassle in the nearby 24 hour supermarket. It sells everything from fresh fish to fruit and vegetables. Outside the centre there is a large Carrefour supermarket well known in all of Europe. But it is a holiday, so you would want to go out to eat. Estepona offers lots of cosy restaurants at the small and picturesque harbour. It is in walking distance from your apartment, but thanks to the way it is situated, there is no hassle from sound or party people.
Do you love playing golf? Estepona is the place for you. Only two kilometers away you find the beautiful 18 holes golf track the town is rich. The surroundings are known as the Golf Mile and offer many great tracks. (Rio Real, Santa Clara, Marballa Golf and Cabopino Golf)
If you love culture there is enough to discover. Only 500 meters from your home you’ll find the old town of Estepona. You can find banks and ATM’s, lovely little shops and restaurants. For a daytrip the close town of Puerto Banus or the famous and mundane Marbella are just a short drive away. The shopaholics will find everything their heart desires in the luxury shopping mall La Canada. A little more eastward you’ll find the exotic Bikini Beach club.
Costa del Sol (Spanish for Solar Coast) is 300 kilometres of Spanish coast at the Mediterranean sea, the south coast of Andalusia between Gibraltar and Almeira. The Costa spreads through the provinces of Malaga, Cádiz and Granada.
Málaga is the most important city on the coast. It forms the division between the touristic and popular part with Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbella, Mijas,Manilva and Estepona. On the other side you’ll find Torre del Mar, Nerja, Almuñecar, Salobreña and Motril
Málaga is de belangrijkste stad aan de kust en vormt ook de scheiding tussen het toeristisch populaire westelijk deel met de badplaatsen Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbella, Mijas, Manilva en Estepona en het oostelijk deel met de plaatsen Torre del Mar, Nerja, Almuñecar, Salobreña en Motril
Estepona enjoys a privileged setting right by the Sea, in the heart of the Costa del Sol. It is a town popular with holiday makers not only because of its location but also because of the numerous attractions and points of interest that can be found there. Due to its weather and mild climate, travellers are able to visit this magnificent holiday destination throughout the year. Estepona is situated between Marbella and La Línea.
This truly cultural and historical town is full of beauty and managed to keep its charming, village like atmosphere that is long lost in many of the other holiday destinations along the coast. New developments that are constructed here are carefully planned to maintain Estepona’s unique character. Despite its quiet and less hectic ambience, the town is still offering travellers everything they need from hotels to restaurants, bars and many leisure facilities.
When strolling along Estepona’s narrow and cobbled streets you will find numerous little cafés which invite you to sit down and try some of the delicious tapas that are served there. The traditional Spanish way of live will surround you on your trips through the town. Friendly bodegas and small shops can be found nearly everywhere and are waiting to be discovered.
The town of Estepona once was and actually still is an old fishing village full of history. Those who do not mind getting up early in the morning should therefore definitely visit the fish market that is held at about 6am in the port. Getting up early is essential as at 7am nearly everything is already over. As the town has one of the most important fish markets west of Malaga, visiting the early spectacle will well be worth it. Travellers who are more interested in the history of the town can go for a walk and discover the several old buildings that can be found in the centre. But there is much more that makes Estepona to an unforgettable experience!
Probably the best way of getting to know the town is on foot. Therefore, should you have come with a car; you can park it in the garage by the “Paseo Marítimo” – the promenade – to start your tour from the Calle Real. Shortly after you have started strolling along the pedestrian road you will reach the Calle Terraza where a charming café can be found. This is one of the most popular places in the town not only because of its location but also because of the pieces of history that can be found inside the café. Old pictures as well as new ones decorate the walls and allow guests to picture how the town looked like decades ago.
Estepona is full of sights and highlights. The Plaza de las Fores, the town hall, the market, the Casa de la Cultura, the Clock Tower and the Castle of San Luis are only some of them. Travellers who are not as much interested in the town itself but rather its location can enjoy several wonderful beaches as well as unspoilt nature and wonderful landscapes.


Flora has a great asset that sets approximately 3 miles to the west of the middle of the city. It is called Charley Brown Memorial Park. Not only is the park an absolutely beautiful piece of land but it also supports many activities and events through out the year. It is 100 acres of rolling hills, swimming pool, camp sites for both campers and tents, picnic sites, boating, fishing, walking, and the Little Toot Railroad miniature train ride for young and old alike. Click on the Information link to find out more of the possibilities of Charley Brown Park.|
The park has a long and interesting history. Use the link at the top to access the History of Charley Brown Memorial Park.
The present day park offers several events through out the year. A few of the events are: Blue grass jamborees, Demolition derbies, Horse shows, motocross racing, Fourth of July carnival, County Fair, Relay for Life event, Car & tractor shows, and Christmas lights in the winter. The list goes on and on. Click on the Pictures link to access pictures of the park and various events.
To become better aquainted with the park, click on the Interactive Park Map link to access an interactive map of the park.
A list of helpful contact numbers can be found on the Contacts page.
Several local links have been provided on the Links page to help make your time at Charley Brown Park more enjoyable.
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FOMAA signed a landmark partnership and education alliance agreement with Grand Canyon University (GCU) based in Phoenix, AZ. AS per the agreement GCU will provide 15% scholarship to FOMAA members and families for all the programs offered by GCU. The agreement was signed between FOMAA and GCU in Jun 2013 and is effective from Jul 1, 2013.
Application process for the discount:
You may complete the application and sign and certify the completed application by FOMAA General Secretary or GCU Coordinator to obtain the 15% discount/scholarship from GCU.


Houston played host to the 2013 NBA All-Star game this weekend, and did an amazing job. If you don’t want to take my word for it, check out the comments from journalists, players, and others who experienced the weekend for themselves.
Kevin Hart @KevinHart4real : “I can’t forget to shout out the city of Houston for being a great host city…..this was definitely one of the better All star weekends.”
Lebron James @KingJames : “Houston should be very, very proud of their city for the way they set this whole All-Star weekend up.”
Ne-Yo @NeYoCompound : “Now leaving Houston headed for Orlando. Had a great time!! Much love to the flyness of H-Town and all it’s people. I’ll Holla!! S/O NBA!”
Wolf Blitzer @wolfblitzer : “Thanks Houston. You did great job hosting
#NBAAllStar weekend. I really liked almost every event within walking distance of hotels.”
These were just a few names that had a blast here in Houston! Now I don’t think I am the only one that was surprised Houston hosted the All-Star game this year. It was just a few years ago (2006) when Houston hosted the exact same event.
In a recent Forbes article by Alicia Jessop, the NBA’s executive vice president of events, Ski Austin described why Houston is such a great host city.
“This year, Houston’s [bid] was the best. One of the things that is really advantageous in Houston, is its geography. You have the arena next to three major hotels and one of them connects to the convention center. Not that this alone was a deciding factor, but it was a great thing that the city could put together and create the community for All-Star and have everything happening in one place.”
Houston also had a few commemorative reasons when they sent a bid to host.
“Some of the reasons why teams bid on All-Star is that they have new buildings, an anniversary in the city or they want to commemorate some other event,” Austin explained. For Houston, there were several events for the Houston Rockets to commemorate this season. First, this year marks the 10th season that the Rockets have played in the Toyota Center. Additionally, the Toyota Center recently unveiled a 25′ x 58′ Panasonic scoreboard that features the largest combined viewing area of any indoor center-hung scoreboard in the United States. Austin notes that while not the most important asset to Houston’s winning bid, that the Panasonic scoreboard nonetheless factored into the NBA’s decision. “You can be anywhere in the arena, watch live action and see a replay in the best HD I’ve seen anywhere. It was a great asset to have,” Austin said.
The NBA All-Star game revolves around the history of the NBA. The George R. Brown Convention Center was transformed into basketball heaven. They called this popular spot “Jam Session” in which former and current NBA players stopped by to sign autographs and interact with fans. Jam Session was a great event for families, and people visiting Houston for the All-Star game.
Along with honoring the NBA, the city which hosts the All-Star game financially benefits in a huge way. The city of Houston expected roughly 50,000 unique visitors, and according to the The Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau All-Star weekend would have an economic impact of $60 million, and an overall economic impact of slightly below $100 million.
For local Houstonians, this event was a preview of what downtown Houston could be in a few years. As of now the fourth largest city in the country has a relatively sleepy downtown atmosphere. With The Galleria so close shopping tends to drift towards the 610 area. Downtown Houston is starting to grow its shopping district, and food options, giving this large and spread out city a chance to revitalize life into the nucleus.
According to Nielsen, the 2013 NBA All-Star game drew 8 million total viewers to TNT on Sunday night, an increase of 13% over last year’s game. The Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area had the highest mark of any market with a 12.6 HH rating. That was followed by San Antonio (9.9); Memphis (9.7); Los Angeles (9.4) and Oklahoma City (8.9). Houston, the host city, was right behind with a 8.3 rating.
According to Bluefin, TNT’s coverage of the NBA All-Star Game generated 3.4 million comments across social platforms to become the most-discussed telecast of the week. (Source)
It was great seeing Houston in the spotlight. The Toyota Center looked fantastic; James Harden, Jeremy Lin, and Chandler Parsons all did well representing the hometown Houston Rockets. Harden who has had a tremendous past few months, that included winning a gold medal, to being the new face of a franchise in Houston tweeted this:
@JHarden13 “I had an amazing time playing in my first
#NBAAllStar Game in front of my hometown fans. #Blessed #StateFarmSaturday”


In today’s interconnected world, where data flows at the speed of light, networks play a fundamental role in our daily lives. Whether you’re at home, in the office, or on the go, you’re likely to encounter two common types of networks: LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network). In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the differences, similarities, and applications of LAN vs. WAN to help you understand their unique roles in the digital landscape.
1.1. What Are LAN and WAN?
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s define LAN and WAN:
- LAN (Local Area Network): A LAN is a network that typically covers a small geographic area, such as a single building, office, or home. It connects devices like computers, printers, and servers, allowing them to share resources and communicate with each other.
- WAN (Wide Area Network): A WAN, in contrast, spans a larger geographic area and often connects multiple LANs or remote locations. It’s designed to facilitate data transfer over longer distances, potentially covering entire cities, regions, or even the world.
1.2. The Importance of LAN and WAN
Both LANs and WANs are essential components of our digital world:
- LANs empower local connectivity in homes, offices, and small-scale environments, enabling seamless collaboration and resource sharing.
- WANs are the backbone of global communication, allowing organizations to connect geographically dispersed locations, access the internet, and transmit data across vast distances.
Understanding the differences, similarities, and use cases of LAN and WAN is crucial in making informed decisions about network infrastructure and connectivity.
2. LAN (Local Area Network)
2.1. What Is a LAN?
A LAN is a network that covers a small, confined area, typically within a single building or a group of closely located buildings. Its primary purpose is to facilitate communication and data sharing between devices in a local environment. Common examples of LANs include home networks, office networks, and school networks.
2.2. Components of a LAN
A LAN comprises various components, including:
- Devices: These are the endpoints connected to the network, such as computers, laptops, smartphones, printers, and servers.
- Network Infrastructure: LANs require network hardware like switches, routers, and access points to enable device connectivity.
- Cabling: Ethernet cables or wireless connections provide the physical medium for data transmission.
2.3. LAN Topologies
LANs can be organized in different topologies, such as:
- Star Topology: Devices are connected to a central hub or switch.
- Bus Topology: Devices are connected along a single central cable.
- Ring Topology: Devices are connected in a circular chain.
2.4. Applications of LANs
LANs are versatile and find applications in various settings:
- Home Networks: LANs at home connect devices for internet access, file sharing, and entertainment systems.
- Office Networks: Office LANs support workplace productivity, file sharing, and collaboration among employees.
- Educational Institutions: LANs in schools and universities facilitate e-learning, research, and administrative tasks.
- Entertainment and Gaming: LANs are used for multiplayer gaming and streaming in home entertainment systems.
- Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs): LANs help SMBs manage operations, communicate with customers, and support e-commerce.
3. WAN (Wide Area Network)
3.1. What Is a WAN?
A WAN is a network that covers a larger geographic area and connects multiple LANs or remote locations. It’s designed to overcome the limitations of distance, enabling data transmission between widely dispersed locations. WANs often rely on external service providers for connectivity.
3.2. Components of a WAN
WANs consist of several key components:
- Routers: These devices play a crucial role in connecting LANs to the WAN and routing data between networks.
- Leased Lines: WANs can use dedicated leased lines, such as T1 or T3 lines, for high-speed, point-to-point connections.
- Wide Area Network Services: WANs often rely on service providers offering services like DSL, cable, or fiber-optic connections for internet access and data transfer.
3.3. WAN Connectivity
WANs use various technologies for connectivity:
- Internet: The public internet serves as a global WAN, connecting networks worldwide.
- MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching): MPLS is a technology that offers a high level of performance, security, and reliability for WAN connections.
- Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): VPNs provide secure, encrypted connections over the internet, allowing remote locations to access a central network securely.
3.4. Applications of WANs
WANs play a crucial role in numerous applications:
- Enterprise Networks: Large corporations and multinational companies use WANs to connect remote offices, branches, and data centers.
- Internet Access: WANs provide access to the global internet, enabling users to browse websites, send emails, and access cloud services.
- Telecommunications: WANs support voice and data communication services, including VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
- Education and Research: WANs connect universities, research institutions, and libraries, facilitating academic research and data sharing.
- Global Communication: WANs are vital for international communication, enabling the exchange of data, voice, and video on a global scale.
4. Differences Between LAN and WAN
4.1. Geographic Scope
- LAN: LANs cover a limited area, such as a single building or a group of closely located buildings.
- WAN: WANs span a larger geographic area, potentially covering entire cities, regions, or the globe.
4.2. Speed and Bandwidth
- LAN: LANs offer high-speed and high-bandwidth connections suitable for local data transfer.
- WAN: WANs may have slower connection speeds and lower bandwidth due to the longer distances involved.
4.3. Ownership and Control
- LAN: LANs are typically owned and controlled by a single organization, such as a homeowner, a business, or an educational institution.
- WAN: WANs often involve multiple service providers, making ownership and control more complex.
4.4. Hardware and Topology
- LAN: LANs use local network hardware, including switches, routers, and access points, and support various topologies.
- WAN: WANs may require specialized hardware for long-distance connectivity and often rely on point-to-point or multipoint connections.
4.5. Typical Use Cases
- LAN: LANs are ideal for local data sharing, device connectivity, and collaborative work within a specific location.
- WAN: WANs are essential for connecting remote offices, accessing the internet, and facilitating global communication.
5. Similarities Between LAN and WAN
5.1. Data Transmission
- LAN: LANs transmit data between devices within a local area.
- WAN: WANs also transmit data but over longer distances, connecting remote locations.
5.2. Network Protocols
- LAN: LANs use protocols like Ethernet for data transmission within the local network.
- WAN: WANs use a variety of protocols, including IP (Internet Protocol), for global data exchange.
5.3. Network Security
- LAN: LANs require security measures to protect against unauthorized access, malware, and data breaches.
- WAN: WANs demand robust security, including encryption and firewalls, to safeguard data transmitted over longer distances.
6. Choosing Between LAN and WAN
6.1. Factors to Consider
When choosing between LAN and WAN, consider the following factors:
- Scope: Determine whether your network needs to cover a local or wide geographic area.
- Speed and Bandwidth: Assess your data transfer requirements in terms of speed and bandwidth.
- Ownership and Control: Consider who will manage and control the network.
- Applications: Identify the specific use cases, such as local collaboration, remote connectivity, or internet access.
6.2. Scalability and Future-Proofing
Think about future growth and scalability. While LANs are ideal for local environments, WANs are crucial for businesses with remote offices and global connectivity needs. Consider how your network requirements may evolve over time.
What is a Local Area Network (LAN), and what is a Wide Area Network (WAN)?
A LAN (Local Area Network) is a network that typically covers a small geographic area, like a single building or a group of closely located buildings. It’s designed for local device connectivity, data sharing, and collaboration. In contrast, a WAN (Wide Area Network) spans a larger geographic area, often connecting multiple LANs or remote locations. It’s used for data transfer over longer distances and can cover entire cities, regions, or even the world.
What are some common examples of LANs and WANs?
Common examples of LANs include home networks, office networks, school networks, and small-scale environments where devices are closely located. WANs, on the other hand, are used by large organizations to connect remote offices, access the internet, facilitate global communication, and link geographically dispersed locations.
What components are found in a LAN, and how do they differ from those in a WAN?
LANs include devices like computers, printers, and servers, as well as network infrastructure (switches, routers, access points), and cabling (Ethernet or wireless). WANs involve routers, leased lines, or WAN services provided by external service providers for long-distance connectivity.
Can LANs and WANs have different topologies?
Yes, LANs can use various topologies like star, bus, or ring configurations based on their specific requirements. WANs may use point-to-point or multipoint connections and do not typically rely on local topologies.
How does the geographic scope differ between LANs and WANs?
LANs have a limited geographic scope, typically covering a single building or a few closely located buildings. WANs have a much larger scope and can cover vast distances, including cities, regions, or even global scales.
Are LANs faster than WANs?
LANs often offer higher speeds and greater bandwidth for local data transfer. WANs, due to longer distances and various network components, may have slower connection speeds and lower bandwidth in comparison.
Who typically owns and controls LANs and WANs?
LANs are typically owned and controlled by a single organization, such as a homeowner, business, or educational institution. WANs, especially in the case of large organizations, often involve multiple service providers, making ownership and control more complex.
How are LANs and WANs used in real-world scenarios?
LANs are used for local data sharing, device connectivity, and collaborative work within a specific location. WANs, on the other hand, are essential for connecting remote offices, accessing the internet, and facilitating global communication, among other applications.
Do LANs and WANs use the same network protocols and security measures?
LANs typically use local protocols like Ethernet, while WANs may use a variety of protocols, including IP (Internet Protocol). Both LANs and WANs require network security measures, but WANs often demand more robust security, including encryption and firewalls, to safeguard data transmitted over longer distances.
How do I decide whether to implement a LAN or a WAN in my organization?
The choice between LAN and WAN depends on factors like the geographic scope, speed and bandwidth requirements, ownership and control preferences, and specific applications. Consider your current needs and scalability for future growth when making this decision.
In the intricate web of modern networks, LANs and WANs serve distinct yet interconnected purposes. LANs foster local connectivity, while WANs bridge the gaps between distant locations. By understanding the differences, similarities, and applications of LAN vs. WAN, you can make informed decisions about network infrastructure and connectivity. Whether you’re at home, in the office, or exploring the global internet, both LANs and WANs play vital roles in keeping us connected in our digital age.


Architect: James Henderson
Builder: Peter Rule
When word spread, in 1879, that the Canadian Pacific Railway would soon swing northwest from Brandon, Manitoba and pass near Fort Edmonton on its way through the Yellowhead Pass, a community began to evolve on the high ground above the Fort. Since land west of what is now 101st Street was part of the Hudson's Bay Company Reserve, the core of the incipient community lay to the east, along what was known as High Street. Although commercial development west of 101st Street began in 1891, the business core of the newly incorporated Town of Edmonton would remain at the east end of Jasper Avenue well into the 20th century.
Among the businesses to operate along what would eventually become known as the Jasper East Block was the photographic studio of Charles W. Mathers, a branch studio of the Calgary firm of Bourne & May. From a small studio two lots east of the Jasper House Hotel, Mathers developed some of the most significant documentary photographic images of what is now Alberta, and Edmonton in particular, around the turn of the 20th century. In 1903, Mathers hired a newly arrived immigrant from Newcastle, England named Ernest Brown to be his assistant. With a growing passion for photography, and an apparent belief that prospects for business in Edmonton would continue to expand, Brown was able to purchase the studio from Mathers, along with the impressive collection of glass plate negatives, and the property itself.
Though not as highly regarded as Mathers as a photographer, Brown was able to do even more business that his predecessor in the rapidly growing City and district. Portrait photography became a specialty, as many of the nouveau riche wanted photos of themselves and their families undertaken professionally. Brown also continued to add to the vast collection of documentary images begun by Mathers. By 1911, business was so good that Brown decided to construct a new building on the same lot as the old studio. Given its location on prime commercial land, it only made sense that Brown would construct a large building which could accommodate other businesses in addition to a photographic studio, office and storage area. Thus, with James Henderson as architect and the Peter Rule Construction Company as contractors, a three-storey, orange brick office building was erected during 1911-12 in two stages, first the eastern portion, then the western. It was intended to accommodate various offices and even apartments during these years of frantic commercial expansion.
Among the first tenants of the Brown Block were a clothier, a printer and a stationery store on the first floor and the office of Peter Rule on the second. The main tenant, of course, was the Ernest Brown Studio, and on the upper façade of the building were the words "Everything Photographic." The studio proper and supply store were on the ground floor, while Brown's enlargement department and picture framing shop were in the basement.
For the first few years, Brown did a roaring business as Edmonton's leading photographer. In March 1914, his assets were listed as $265,000. During this time, the images of many significant events and people were captured through his shutters, along with countless scenes of a routine nature, but invaluable to posterity. Communities, people and events happening in the district around Edmonton were also the subject of his attention. However, with the recession that accompanied World War I, business declined. Feeling the financial pinch personally, Brown decided to incorporate Ernest Brown Ltd. and transfer his photographic assets to the Company in 1923 for $55,000. The following year, Dominion Life Assurance acquired the building and land for $27,500. By that time, the photographic equipment, supplies, and, most importantly, the documentary negatives had been acquired by Brown's associate, Gladys Reeves.
Brown himself moved to Vegreville, opened a smaller photographic studio, and began to collect historical artifacts. Two years later, he was back in Edmonton, working for Gladys Reeves in her photographic studio and operating a Pioneers Days Museum on 97th Street. The value of his (and Mathers') turn of the century documentary images had now grown, and Brown was able to add to his income by selling the rights to use certain of the images to magazines and large businesses for display purposes. In 1947, the provincial government purchased the 50,000-glass plate collection, as well as Brown's photographic equipment and artifacts for $50,000. In later years, they would come to constitute the most valued photographic collection in the Provincial Archives.
Following Brown's departure from Edmonton in 1924, the Brown Block itself was taken over by
Credit Foncier, and under this stewardship, it became known as the Brighton Block. The building then went through several owners before being acquired by the Toma family in 1950. Various businesses operated from within it over the years, including the American Dairy Lunch and the Georgia Steam Baths. In later years, much of the building has sat vacant.
The historical significance of the Brighton Block lies in its provision of structural evidence of the commercial core of the east end of downtown Edmonton during the early part of the twentieth century. Though not dominated by large office blocks, the district remained a lively commercial center. One of the most familiar businesses there at the time was the photographic studio of Ernest Brown, who was then Edmonton's leading photographer. To a large extent, the building is significant in its direct connection to Brown, and as the first repository for the Ernest Brown photographic collection, many of the images of which had been taken earlier by Charles Mathers.


The UFA sets the foundation for the Final and Self Government Agreements.
The UFA states SGYFN are to receive 8.5% of the Yukon land mass or 41,595 square kilometers as SGYFN Settlement Lands
SGYFN Settlement Lands:
- Identified in Chapter 5 of each SGYFNs Final Agreement
- Is owned and managed by SGYFNs
- Divided into three main categories:
- Category A lands designation means the SGYFN owns both surface and sub-surface rights to the Settlement Lands. SGYFN have Aboriginal rights, titles and interests in these lands.
- Category B designation means SGYFN own the surface rights but not the sub-surface rights to Settlement Lands (sub-surface rights are administered by the Government of Yukon). SGYFN still maintain Aboriginal rights, title and interests in these lands.
- Fee simple ownership is complete ownership of the land’s surface or similar to what private property owners possess in the Yukon. SGYFN do not have Aboriginal rights, titles and interests on this type of lands.
Who can use Settlement Lands?
- SGYFNs use Settlement Lands for activities such as hunting rights and control of oil, gas and mineral developments;
- The public can access Settlement Lands provided they do not cause a significant impact (such as cutting or clearing) or access the lands for commercial use;
- The public can ride ATVs or drive cars on Settlement Land roads or pathways as long as the roads were in existence prior to the signing of Final Agreements
For more information please refer to individual SGYFN websites for lands legislation that defines how land is managed or contact SGYFNs who own the Settlement Lands in question.


Dismantling Persistent Poverty in the Southeastern United States
The University of Georgia conducted a study investigating persistent poverty in the South. The study concludes that there is indeed a Southeast Region with persistent poverty over three census periods–and it is the poorest of all regions of the country. On a variety of socio demographic fronts–education, health, employment, and housing–the 7.5 million residents of the 242 counties in this region bear a tremendous burden from the continuous cycle of poverty. Further conclusions indicate that the economic peril facing the Southeast Region results from, and in turn contributes to, the widespread and persistent nature of the region’s poverty. It not only affects those living in the region but also drains the economic health of our entire nation.
Leveraging Limited Dollars
This report distills findings from more than 400 pages of research amassed over three years as part of NCRP’s Grantmaking for Community Impact Project (GCIP). The project documented $26.6 billion in benefits for taxpayers and communities in 13 states, and found that every dollar grant makers and other donors invested in policy and civic engagement provided a return of $115 in community benefit.
Poverty: 2010 and 2011, American Community Survey Briefs
This report, created by the US Census Bureau, uses income and household relationship data from the 2010 and 2011 American Community Surveys (ACS), to compare poverty rates for the nation, states, and large metropolitan statistical areas. The report also summarizes the distribution of people by income-to-poverty ratios for states and the District of Columbia.
Hunger Initiative Maps Food Insecurity, Food Budget Shortfall
A new report from Feeding America, the nationwide network of 200 food banks, maps food insecurity by county and state based on factors including income level, race and ethnicity, and unemployment rates. The Map the Meal Gap study also estimates each county's annual "food budget shortfall," representing the amount of additional money food insecure individuals would need to cover food expenses for their households.
Hunger & Poverty Statistics
Feeding America has gathered together key statistics relevant to the fight against hunger. Specifically, this data shows that although related, food insecurity and poverty are not the same. Unemployment rather than poverty is a stronger predictor of food insecurity.
Foundation Strategies for Investing in Food Security
This paper maps the spectrum of activities that, taken together, endeavor to create well nourished, food secure communities. Until recently, many of these activities have taken place in relative isolation of one another; and funders have tended to line up their support more narrowly behind the activity that seemed to most directly address their missions. This is no longer. Within the broad field of food security, programmatic and policy goals of disparate nonprofit organizations and public subsidy programs are converging with increasing frequency. Organizations that have been associated with one activity are venturing into others with the hope of bringing about more comprehensive and lasting change.As this work becomes more integrated, funders are challenged to navigate beyond their traditional priorities and determine where else, along a continuum of effort,they may wish to extend their investments.
Reading, Writing, and Hungry:
The consequences of food insecurity on children, and on our nation’s economic success
Early childhood health experts from the Children’s Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program and the Food Research and Action Center find, in a paper for the Partnership for America’s Economic Success, that food insecurity among young children carries significant economic costs for individuals and families, and therefore economic problems for society as a whole. The report from the Food Research and Action Committee (FRAC) addresses the range of economic consequences associated with persistently high rates of household food insecurity in the United States. It focuses specifically on the growing body of research demonstrating the harmful effects of food insecurity for very young children. The report identifies short- and long-term economic costs of those effects, with emphasis on the costs arising from food insecurity‘s impacts on children.


Located in Mellen, WI, The Mellen Motel, LLC is the only motel within 17 miles of our area. A family-owned business, our motel was built all the way back in 1959, a time when we were a staple in the community. We’ve undergone some big changes recently, but we’re excited to be back and better than ever!
Originally owned by the Padjen family, The Mellen Motel was recently purchased by Molly McClaire Brunner. After a long journey with incredible renovations, we’re excited to be as of summer of 2020. The entire building has been redone inside and out to ensure the latest features and amenities will be available to our guests. With a new roof, heating and air conditioning units in each room, and beautifully decorated interiors, our motel will be safe and comfortable no matter how long your stay might be.
We’re located just 25 miles away from Lake Superior and only FIVE miles from Copper State Park. Our location makes us a convenient option when traveling through Mellen to head up to or back home from the lakes. We make a fantastic central location for any visits in the northland of Wisconsin. The beautiful state park nearby gives you and your family options for recreational trails and other activities to fully enjoy your stay.
Stay with us at The Mellen Motel and enjoy the best motel rooms in town. Don’t fall prey to expensive chain hotels when you could stay right here in a historic, local motel. Be sure to ask about possible discounts for veterans and active military members. Give us a call!


Join the Gokula House crew for our Adventure & Meditate outing!
Saturday 2nd December
9:30 am – 4:00 pm
NOTE – This event has been postponed due to predicted unfavourable weather.
Alternatively, we are conducting an Urban Yogi Retreat at Gokula House.
We’ll be heading to the beautiful and majestic Dandenong Ranges National Park for a day to chill out and tune in away from the hustle and bustle of our everyday life.
Tranquil forest well known for its spectacular Mountain Ash trees (the tallest flowering hardwoods in the world), panoramic views, lush fern gullies and abundant native birdlife (including crimson rosellas, kookaburras and the superb lyrebird) – Dandenong Ranges National Park will be the ideal setting for us to relax with a day of adventure, meditation and conscious community.
Our day will include:
– Meandering along stunning walking trails
– Vegan picnic lunch (provided by the Gokula House team)
– Guided meditation and deep relaxation
– Kirtan (a beautiful sacred music meditation)
– Practical tools to implement a daily meditation practice into your life
– Hatha yoga flow
– Meeting new like minded friends
– A soul satisfying experience out in nature!
Only $20! To cover the cost of lunch and refreshments.
Limited spots available. Secure your spot now.
Car-pooling available, or you can meet us there (specific address included in final email to those that have booked).
We will have a rough schedule, but it is subject to change and weather. We are rain, hail or shine sort of yogis so the event will go ahead in some way, shape or form regardless of weather (please consider this as bookings are generally non-refundable). We may utilise Gokula House at Collingwood for part of all of the day is weather does not allow a nice outdoor experience. A final plan and schedule will be realeased to those that have booked two days before the event.
We hope to see you for a fun day out!
The Gokula House Team


Situated just 15 miles from Venezuela, 2 1⁄2 hours from Miami, and 4 hours from New York, Aruba is an island oasis with a location that makes traveling a breeze. Upon arrival, our guests will discover this one-of-a-kind destination with ease as they make their way to the resort, just 8 minutes from the Queen Beatrix International Airport. The tropical delights of Aruba are easy to reach from most major U.S. cities and air service is available from both Latin America and Europe with several airline accommodations. Guests coming from the U.S. shouldn’t forget their passport, as it’s needed to travel in and out of the country. All visitors must have a return or ongoing ticket. Those visitors going stateside can conveniently clear U.S. Customs while in Aruba.
Ornamented in the jollity that defines our resort, happiness is a constant state of mind—shared by guests with varying ideas of the perfect vacation. Over 550 rooms and suites are divided between two perfectly tailored experiences, the first in the form of inviting, tranquil one-bedroom spaces at the Renaissance Ocean Suites, the second being the vivacious, adult-exclusive rooms of the Renaissance Marina Hotel. Both areas offer access to every exquisite amenity, including the complimentary Wi-Fi you’ll need to keep track of all the likes your posts are getting.
With 300 newly renovated rooms dedicated to accomplishing the perfect composition of blissful tranquility and vibrant Aruban spirit, The Renaissance Marina Hotel is the perfect place to unwind. Each individual room is specially designed to include a French balcony and an abundance of space allows for each happy couple to enjoy time live-streaming their view of spacious horizons, dazzling Oranjestad cityscapes, or the cocooning hotel atrium.
For those who seek even more luxury, the resort also offers Premium Suites for a few dollars more. Inside the Renaissance Ocean Suites, the Presidential Suite splits off into two rooms, each one sharing awe-inspiring ocean views that will put every individual, couple, and family in a happier mood. Just next door, the Renaissance Marina Hotel offers its own interpretation of opulent living with its Executive, Ambassador, and Royal Suites. Hotel couples will discover the Royal Suite, the ultimate adult-exclusive escape, complete with amenities to give guests a truly royal treatment.
A 40-acre tropical paradise, Renaissance Island is home to Aruba’s only private beaches. This retreat is available exclusively to guests of Renaissance Aruba Resort between 7 am and 7 pm, daily. Complimentary water taxis leave every 15 minutes from the Renaissance Marina Hotel lobby and behind the Renaissance Convention Center docking area. There are plenty of things to explore on our private island.
Enter a world where the healing elements of the tropics are used to calm the mind, body and soul. Here, you can relax and renew with a soothing assortment of treatments, including facials, manicures, pedicures, full-body wraps, and complete hair services at Brushes, Renaissance Aruba’s signature in-spa salon. Okeanos Spa also incorporates tantalizing aloe treatments featuring fresh aloe, cultivated from our Zen Garden, to help envelop your senses and melt away your worries. More information about our treatments can be found at renaissancearubaspa.com/
Private Spa Cove
Just a short water taxi ride away to Renaissance Island, guests can enjoy spa treatments at our private Spa Coves at adults-only Flamingo Beach or family-friendly Iguana Beach – the only private beaches in Aruba. The pinnacle of pampering awaits at these mangrove-hidden Spa Coves featuring secluded outdoor massages with magnificent vistas of the Caribbean Sea. After rejuvenating the body, guests are invited to unwind as they lounge shore-side and indulge in all the amenities of their own private island.
Located in the Renaissance Marina Hotel, the 24/7 state-of-the-art fitness center lets guests keep up their workout routine even miles from home. A small fitness facility is available on Renaissance Island as well. Both have a personal trainer available for guests who may need a little bit of guidance or just some extra motivation.
Scan the QR code and learn more about our fun filled calendar of daily activities.
Food & Beverage
L.G. Smith’s Steak & Chop House
As a timeless signature of Aruba’s most thriving downtown district, L. G. Smith’s masterfully adds its own upscale flare to the modern steakhouse. L.G. Smith’s offers every adventurous epicurean an imaginative fine-dining experience that you’ll need to taste to believe.
The Midnight Lounge
Breathe in the laid-back atmosphere of our restaurant and lounge. Pick a comfortable couch and socialize in style while you sample refreshing drinks and tasty bites from our grill. Enjoy live music from the talented musicians in Oranjestad, Aruba.
Located in the lobby of the Renaissance Marina Hotel, BLUE is the true social center of the island. Its sleek, modern look is perfect for cooling down with a perfectly poured cocktail midday and heating up the night, and we don’t stop the music! DJ’s are spinning all day, every day.
Solé located at the Renaissance Ocean Suites has a swim-up bar and features international cuisine with a laid-back vibe for lunch and dinner.
Papagayo Bar & Grill
Located on Renaissance Island, Papagayo Bar & Grill is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face by giving sunbathers a break from the sand and surf with a promise of tasty snacks and light fare. Nothing better than to start you day with breakfast at Renaissance Island.
Mangrove Beach Bar & Fish Shack
Kick back and relax with a few cocktails at Renaissance Aruba’s Mangrove Beach Bar & Fish Shack, located at Flamingo Beach and inspired by the beauty and vibrancy of Aruba’s art & culture.
Wind Creek Casinos
One casino would be just fine for most, but at the Wind Creek Crystal Casino, where they’ll laugh and play in an elegant but laid-back atmosphere, or roll the dice at the Wind Creek Seaport Casino—the only waterfront Casino on Aruba— which offers race and sports booking with live satellite links to most major events. Both casinos are open to guests ages 18 and over. The new way of play.
Guests will transform the streets of Aruba into a runway as they explore over 75 boutiques and stores featuring the latest, standout trends of Oranjestad. To give your style a true status update, Renaissance Mall, boasts luxury brands including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Kate Spade—making it Aruba’s home for upscale shopping. Just down the boulevard, Renaissance Marketplace is where shopaholics will find stunning souvenirs in the form of designer fashions, accessories, fragrances, and jewelry. This area is open from 10 am to midnight, seven days a week.
With its romantic and carefree vibe, Renaissance Aruba is the perfect destination for uniquely tropical weddings and honeymoons. Choose from a variety of distinctive venues, from the largest ballroom on Aruba to the secluded, private paradise of Renaissance Island’s coveted Coral Beach. Experience the start of true marital bliss and fill the hearts of your friends and family with love and envy as you have your ‘own private island’ wedding. Our professional wedding planners will take care of every last detail, leaving the bride and groom free to relax before the happiest day of their lives. Feel free to reach out to our wedding team at firstname.lastname@example.org.


Universal Studios Singapore features amusement that is definitely highly equivalent with its other global counterparts, supplying the most effective concept park rides and also a whole large amount of searching for tourists throughout the entire world. In truth, this can be the only spot during the country that offers you the feeling of stepping directly right into a film set, making it an encounter that will be superb for your person who only needs to understand what it is really like to be part of Hollywood universal studio singapur.
For quite a few site visitors, irrespective of which country they belong to, there will certainly be something which is value enduring. They provide a complete lots of leisure and movie-themed attractions that may surely amaze you. In case you are setting up to go to Common Studios in Singapore, underneath are only couple of of your several activities which are in retailer to suit your needs:
Considerably Distant Land – This can be 1 section during the overall park that actually boasts quite a few tall stone walls which surrounds a pavilion courtyard. You can find to view several rides and you’ll find also several exhibits that obtainable here. All of the points in this region are actually magical and unforgettable, like an interactive present with Donkey with the Shrek collection, the Magic Potion Spin, the Enchanted Airways rollercoaster as well as 4-D “A Shrek Experience.”
The Shed World Park – If you materialize to become a admirer of Steven Spielberg’s common blockbuster “Jurassic Park,” you might be bound to be in for pretty a handle. This area of your park features dinosaurs that will absolutely terrify you. You’ll also get to practical experience a single thrilling ride in the Rapids Experience, that’s fundamentally a h2o experience. Aside from that, additionally you reach get part during the Cover Flyer, and that is essentially a flyover experience that provides travelers and people the chance to take a look in the well-known Jurassic Park.
There are various a lot more points of interest that website visitors of Common Studios Singapore might be in a position to working experience, including the Ny Zone, letting you to definitely enjoy the grandiosity of 1 of America’s grandest cities. You’d surely expertise many of the basic highlights provided by the town of latest York. You are able to also explore historical instances in Egypt, while using the Golden Age of Egyptian Discovery Zone, where you get to see many pyramids and obelisks towering more than you. You would also delight in getting portion inside of a treasure hunt in deserted excavation website and escape warrior mummies. This really is as movie-like since it will get!


Location, location, location and Pet friendly !! Welcome to The Ten. This trendy building is located at the core of yeg's downtown scene. If you want to live in the middle of all the action, but still want lots of living space and a unit with character, this loft condo might be the one. Welcome to unit 705: this TRENDY LOFT STYLE CONDO boasts 10 FOOT CEILINGS, exposed concrete throughout, 2 huge bedrooms, 2 full baths and nearly 1400 SQ.FT plus an UNDERGROUND PARKING stall and in-suite laundry. Also, this unit offers Northeast exposures which gets gorgeous views of the sunrise every single morning, to start off your day right. The Ten is located a 5 minute walk to Rogers Place, Jasper Ave & 104 Street restaurants & shopping, Alex Decoteau OFF-LEASH DOG PARK, LRT train station and every other imaginable amenity downtown. Welcome home, you deserve this.More details
ONE OF THE BEST LOTS IN THE PRESTIGIOUS COMMUNITY OF ROYAL OAKS!! Amazing opportunity to own an ESTATE WALKOUT LOT BACKING THE POND IN A CUL-DE-SAC. You will not find a premium lot backing the pond in Royal Oaks for this price. Don't miss out!More details
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I was about two months pregnant with my second child, my son Paris, when my Jamaican-Irish boyfriend, Desmond and I, left London in an old lefthand drive jeep to seek a different lifestyle and new life. My daughter Amber, was about seven months old at the time and I had decided I didn’t want to raise my children in the city, pushing her pram around the park in the rain with a plastic cover, or down the street with bus fumes chugging out into her face.
It all stemmed from an idealistic spirituality, wanting to live off grid, outside of society, in harmony with nature, an eco-lifestyle, free to express as artists, poets, hippies and fringe dwellers, no judgement. Somewhere utilising solar and wind power. Under the radar, a low-key lifestyle and most of all, in the sunshine.
We headed south, not sure where we would end up but eventually came to Spain where we started by renting a house in the Alpujarras. I liked Spain as it was warmer than France and I preferred the food. On New Years Eve in 1999 we went to celebrate the new millennium in Mojacar and that is where we decided to stay. No big motorways close by and mountains meeting the blue mediterranean sea. It was a beautiful area, sandy beaches and lovely people.
It took nine months to find the retreat which was pretty much a ruin. The finca was there but I’ve since had to rebuild it as it had no proper foundations. It was completely off-grid, with no solar power or electricity and not even a generator. At first we’d just go up there and work on the land in the day and spend time there. Eventually we moved in but still only had candles and an open fire going in the small domed room in the evenings. In the winter I’d climb into the fireplace wearing two pairs of jeans, a poncho and woolly hat. We had a line of buckets catching water every time it rained, doors that didn’t close, a two-metre-long snake lived in the pipe outside the back door, and we later found out that the floors upstairs were barely attached to the walls. The grounds were a dust bowl in the hot dry sun and a muddy bog in the rain with a small swimming pool and a few olive trees which I eventually moved to the garden below and created the wishing stone garden.
Our first generator arrived just before our New Years Eve party on the 31st December 2000. We had about 200 people and there was a German man called Jochen fire-eating in the big sitting room and I watched in horror as flames licked across the ceiling whilst my friend Anna was busy in front of him mopping up the petrol with a bucket of water. We had a loud sound system, graffiti drawn by me and the children on the walls, live music, dogs, people dancing everywhere…
It was wild and romantic – and a hard place to live.
There are so many exciting and wonderful stories to tell of life at the finca. There was the birth of my third child, Izaak, my separation from their father and how I continued raising three children aged 2, 4 and 5 alone, over-seeing the building work, implementing my designs and learning from my plentiful mistakes. Different builders came and went, some cowboys, some skilled. I was the “jefe” which is the Spanish word for boss, however it sounded as if they were calling me a heifer! I was a lone woman in a world of men.
I was constantly planting and designing, making sure that the buildings followed the natural form of the land. I would go and sit on the opposite hill and do little drawings to work from. All of the buildings were built in the old style with extra-thick walls which works best in the heat of the desert, keeping the interiors cooler in the heat of the days and warmer in the winters. I think that the retreat feels ageless as it was built in that old way. I was inspired by the Alhambra of course and spent lots of time in Granada, strolling through the Albacin, admiring the Moorish architecture.
Foundations were drawn using yeso (plaster) on the earth and then dug out, initially by hand. One day a Spanish builder had dug out my yeso marked foundation over the afternoon and when I went back it was at the wrong angle so I had to ask him to re-dig it. He was furious and I realised I had to be sure of what I was doing.
I was no longer at art college, making mistakes and rubbing them out.
The architecture around the pool and the main finca is inspired by Islamic architecture as the domes were already in place thanks to the artist Manolo Coranado who had once owned and loved the finca. I love the symmetry of Islamic architecture and also wanted to acknowledge the history of the area as the Moors conquered that part of Spain from North Africa in 711.
The staff cottage I built first for us to live in whilst working on the rest of the buildings and rooms. I slept in the upstairs bedroom and Love Birds would tap on my window for food in the mornings. The staff cottage was my typical Spanish cortijo, and I used only Spanish building materials and tiles.
I had help from a Moroccan friend, with the Taj Mahita at the end of the pool and the main doors and tiles. We took a family trip to Morocco to source the materials. The TIkki bar is inspired by the Jamaican beach bars and there is a Flame Tree at the bottom of the garden too which is a national tree of Jamaica with its’ bright red flames for flowers. I fell in love with those trees in Jamaica and wanted a little of Jamaica at the finca as a part of my children’s heritage as well as somewhere I love.
The dojo is based on a Japanese design with a reclaimed sprung wooden floor and actually the only one for miles around, but the raised roof inside gives it a Spanish touch. The Cave Rooms underneath the dojo were literally dug into the hill which was an incredible feat of structural engineering but I love the way they worked out, warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
But it was all about the gardens and trees for me. Both jobs of designing the gardens and buildings ran side by side. I had to plant and bring in the bigger trees to the heart and then slowly keep planting and landscaping working outwards until no cars could get close to the house because of the trees, plants and hardscaping. This took time as we had to get building trucks and machinery onto the land but it was a big job and has taken over 19 years to date. I’m still planting and designing now. It’s always a work in progress But it was really all about the trees.
“Move to the desert and you plant trees,
move to the forest and you cut them down.”
Since living at La Finca Paradiso I’ve planted a few thousand trees over 19 years. We have 33 acres and (including staff) sleep 33 people. Everything was built according to my knowledge of numerology, sacred geometry and ways of the land and spirits. The water garden and other gardens were shown to me in visions and dreams and I’ve always worked closely with my gardener and dear friend Marco from Ecuador. I feel that I’ve been guided by an invisible hand in creating the finca from the very beginning.
I bought the tower and land around and behind us about five years ago in 2013. It was land I’d previously fought to protect from farmers and failed. Now I have a chance to re-wild it. I’ve planted the land below the finca and around the tower according to an article I read in Resurgence & Ecologist. Mixed planting in a certain layout so the different species of trees help each other. I changed it a little and have put the tall Eucalyptus at either end. They are amazing trees with incredible energetic properties. They protect and purify.
The trees are the guardians of the retreat. I have also planted almost a thousand mixed fruit trees since acquiring the extra land. I didn’t realise I was planting such a huge fruit farm, and in the desert too. It was a huge worry at one point when I realised that I’d planted so many fruit trees and only had poor quality agricultural water to water them with. Then luckily my prayers were answered and some friends introduced me to a German man who came and installed a special water purification system using oxygen and different bacteria to clean the water, from black or grey to white water. Now all of our water is naturally cleansed to a very high level and our trees are thriving. We feed our guests and voluntary workers and staff and their families with the food we grow, as well as supply various restaurants and sell on markets.
As an eco retreat I have had to battle with people to keep us off grid and that has been another whole story in itself but we are finally getting there. We now have solar and wind power and occasionally use our back-up generator.
La Finca Paradiso was always a hub where people could meet, heal and create. There’s been a constant ebb and flow of international artists, musicians, poets, travellers and spiritual seekers over the years. Now it has evolved even more to a healing space where people can have a taste of and experience Heaven on Earth, a sanctuary. A temple for Gaia. A portal. An energy centre. A place of sound and vibration, art and healing. It is a healing and creative retreat. A place of love to send healing to the planet. I hope we can evolve more and support and link in with other like-minded communities worldwide as well as educate people about sustainable energy and the environment.
Sustainable energy is the key to an harmonious future.


I spent the last week in the prettiest hidden gem ever!! Destin, Florida is one of the most beautiful beach towns in America & unless you live right around there, it's not likely you know about it. Clear water, I mean you can LITERALLY see the bottom of the ocean floor clear water, WHITE sand, and dolphins all around! It was the best getaway & I'm here to tell you all the must-dos!
Find the sandals I'm wearing in the picture above here!
RENT A BEACH HOUSE
If you look just outside of the city of Destin you will find the most adorable beach houses for around the same price you can rent a hotel room for! We found the CUTEST yellow house just a hop, skip and a jump from the ocean front in Santa Rosa. The best part is that it's away from the busy crowds and you're only 10 minutes from all the activities! Plus, who wouldn't want to spend a week in a yellow beach-front house?!
Find my Beach Bum Tank here!
Spend AT LEAST one day just relaxing on the beach! The water is warm & clear & the sand is SO SOFT!! Destin is the perfect destination if you're looking to relax and do nothing for a week!
My three biggest fears: heights, water, and boat propellers (okay, snakes is up there, too). Annnnnd for some reason I love parasailing!!
Read more about my swimmer here!
Of course the fear was still present, lol.
Once you are up in the air it is SO COOL!! You can see right through the water (we spotted a school of sting rays) and it's unbelievably peaceful. We scheduled parasailing with Just Chute Me - I can't say enough good about them! They put safety first & always made sure we were having fun!
Unless you schedule your trip in the dead middle of summer, you are bound to have at least one rainy day. But, don't you worry! Destin has the funnest indoor mini golf course! Mini golf is huge in the south & their courses are not lacking. I highly recommend taking a swing at it if you find yourself rained in for a day or two! Deciding what to wear on a rainy day in Florida can be hard because it is still HOT outside. This top (coming soon) paired with these shorts was perfect! Ps- doing your hair is a lost cause when it's rainy + humid!
If you are looking for a getaway in the states, head to Destin! You won't regret it!


The match between Republic of Ireland and Wales is part of the World Cup 2018 qualifiers and it takes place on the 24th of March in Ireland.
The first F1 Grand Prix of the 2017-2018 season is taking place on the 26th of March in Melbourne, Australia.
The second Grand Prix of the F1 2017-2018 season takes place on the 9th of April in Shangai, China.
The first legs of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals are taking place on the 11th and 12th of April across Europe.
The second legs of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals are taking place on the 18th and 19th of April across Europe.