#Moscow peak tourist season | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

newstfionline · 1 year ago

Text

Thursday, July 20, 2023

US politics, polls, and the Palestinians (Washington Post) A Gallup poll this year found that Democrats are more sympathetic to Palestinians—millions of whom live under military occupation and without the same political rights as their neighbors—than Israelis by an 11-point margin. A new poll carried out by researchers at the University of Maryland along with Ipsos found that, in the absence of a two-state solution, three-quarters of Americans—including 80 percent of Democrats and 64 percent of Republicans—would choose a democratic Israel that’s no longer Jewish over a Jewish state that does not confer full citizenship and equality to many non-Jews under its authority. Polling also found that a majority of Jewish Americans supported conditioning aid to Israel in certain circumstances. But Republican lawmakers in Washington have seemingly yoked their agenda to the far-right Israeli settler movement and influential right-wing pro-Israel groups in the United States. Even as mass protests against Netanyahu’s plans to overhaul Israel’s judiciary once again rocked the streets of Tel Aviv on Tuesday night, no prominent Republican politician has expressed concrete support for Israeli civil society or even concern about Netanyahu’s attempts to use his razor-thin margin in power to erode a major element of Israeli democracy.

Tourists and residents warned to stay inside as deadly heat hits Europe during peak travel season (AP) Officials warned residents and tourists packing Mediterranean destinations on Tuesday to stay indoors during the hottest hours as the second heat wave in as many weeks hits the region and Greece, Spain and Switzerland battled wildfires. In Italy, civil protection workers monitored crowds for people in distress from the heat in central Rome, while Red Cross teams in Portugal took to social media to warn people not to leave pets or children in parked cars. In Greece, volunteers handed out drinking water, and in Spain they reminded people to protect themselves from breathing in smoke from fires. “Heat waves are really an invisible killer,” Panu Saaristo, the emergency health team leader for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said during a Geneva briefing.

Wildfires northwest of Athens rage into the night, burn homes (Reuters) Two wildfires swept uncontrolled through forestland and towns northwest of Athens for a second day on Tuesday, forcing more residents to flee their homes as authorities fought to stop the flames reaching an area with oil refineries. One of the fire fronts stretched over 8 km (5 miles), according to witnesses and officials, burning homes and cars around the area of Mandra, west of the capital, which was blanketed by dense smoke. Homes and a small shipyard in the town of Neos Pontos had been destroyed. "We put all our effort into making this, we built this, and now it's all gone," said Andreas Theodosiadis, a resident of Mandra, standing around debris and charred remains of cars.

In Central Asia, a hidden pipeline supplies Russia with tech for war effort (Washington Post) On the shipping label, the Chinese drones were billed as heavy-duty cropdusters, the kind used by orchards and big farms. But the identity of the buyer—a Russian company that purchased a truckload of the aircraft in early May at nearly $14,000 each—hinted at other possible uses. Whatever their intended use, the drones were on the final leg of a trek across Central Asia when they were intercepted by customs officers near the border between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. To U.S. officials recounting the events weeks later, the episode was unusual: More often than not, they said, such goods pass into Russia uninterrupted. The seizure of the drones was hailed as a rare victory in a whack-a-mole effort to halt the flow of banned hardware and electronics pouring into Russia in support of its war effort in Ukraine. Blocked from procuring military goods from Western countries, Moscow has increasingly looked for help from the former Soviet states of Central Asia, some of which are historically and financially bound to Russia but also trade extensively with Europe and China.

India’s Surat Diamond Bourse (CNN) Surat is a city in India about 150 miles north of Mumbai, known around the world predominantly for the reason that 90 percent of the world’s diamonds are cut there after being mined in Russia or Africa. This led to the construction of a colossal office complex, the newly opened Surat Diamond Bourse, which is home to 65,000 diamond cutters, polishers and traders in 4,700 office spaces in an interconnected 15-story complex across 35 acres. According to the architects it’s got 7.1 million square feet of floor space, which would mean it surpasses the Pentagon as the largest office building in the world.

Singapore surpasses Japan as “world’s best passport” (CNN) The world's most powerful passport for 2023 has just been named. According to the Henley Passport Index, which measures citizens' freedom to travel the world, Japan has been the world leader for the last five years. But it has now been knocked down to third place to make way for Singapore, whose citizens can visit 193 of the world's 227 destinations without a visa, while Germany, Italy and Spain are tied in 2nd place.

Myanmar’s education system in ‘crisis’ as rebellion rages on, says World Bank (Reuters) After violence erupted in Myanmar in the wake of the 2021 coup, most high school students in the remote township of Thantlang left their studies and took up arms to support a grassroots rebellion against the military, local school teacher Salai said. Across Myanmar, one of Southeast Asia’s poorest countries that has been ravaged by widening fighting since the coup, only about 22% of eligible students are enrolled at the high-school level, the World Bank said in a report published in July. Myanmar was plunged into chaos in February 2021 when the country’s military unseated an elected government and violently cracked down on subsequent protests, leading to a widespread uprising that has killed thousands of people.

Chinese real estate giant reveals staggering $81 billion loss amid slump (Washington Post) Chinese real estate developer Evergrande has disclosed losses of $81 billion over 2021 and 2022, underscoring how its massive debts remain a serious concern for the financial health of the Chinese property sector—and the world’s second-largest economy overall. China’s post-pandemic recovery is threatened by the sluggish real estate sector, which is still responsible for a quarter of the economy’s growth. As one of China’s largest builders of apartments, Evergrande slid rapidly into financial distress in late 2021, causing alarm around the world as some analysts feared a collapse that could be China’s “Lehman moment”—and the start of another financial crisis. Instead off letting the company implode under a $300 billion pile of debt, Chinese authorities opted for what analysts called a “controlled demolition”—essentially managing the corporation through a gradual collapse.

Henry Kissinger makes surprise visit to China, meets top diplomat (Washington Post) China’s top diplomat hinted Wednesday to former American secretary of state Henry Kissinger, the 100-year-old who was at the heart of the United States’ rapprochement with China half a century ago, that Beijing was nostalgic for the days he was running U.S. foreign policy. Kissinger is on an unannounced visit to Beijing that coincides with that by another former American secretary of state: John F. Kerry, now the Biden administration’s climate envoy, is in Beijing for talks aimed at kick-starting cooperation between the world’s two biggest polluters. It also comes on the heels of current Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to Beijing last month, when both sides projected positivity after six months of verbal confrontation and military near misses. But neither has the stature of Kissinger, who remains revered in China for his efforts to forge diplomatic relations between the two countries. Kissinger secretly visited Beijing in 1971 to lay the groundwork for President Richard M. Nixon’s historic trip the following year, which led to rapprochement with China. The two countries official recognized each other in 1979.

US soldier flees into North Korea in new crisis over the nuclear-armed state (1440) US service member Travis King is reportedly in North Korean custody after crossing the heavily fortified border from South Korea, according to a UN official yesterday. The incident occurred at the Joint Security Area within the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, known to be full of land mines and has stationed troops and guard posts on both sides. Officials revealed the US citizen had served time at a detention facility in South Korea and was being escorted back to the United States for disciplinary reasons. However, he managed to slip through airport security and join a border tour before willfully crossing into North Korea. Visiting North Korea has been banned since 2017 after the death of American student Otto Warmbier, who suffered severe injuries during detention there.

Visitors to Japan top 2 mln in June for the first time since COVID (Reuters) Tokyo sushi stalwart Kyubey is among Japanese retail businesses riding a tourism boom, fuelled by the weak yen and fostering an increase in consumer prices and hopes for a boost to the broader economy. Inbound visitors rose to 2.07 million in June, the Japan National Tourism Organisation said on Wednesday, clearing the 2 million mark for the first time since February 2020. Kyubey, in Tokyo’s upscale Ginza shopping district, is one of the beneficiaries of the better times after surviving a 70% plunge in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even with a record heat wave in Japan, travellers are pouring in, taking advantage of a slide in the currency that has made holidays the cheapest in decades.

Kenyans protest tax hikes as police respond with tear gas (Washington Post) Kenyans braced for more violence on Wednesday with the start of a three-day protest over tax hikes and rising prices, although unrest was initially confined to just a few areas. In the capital, police shut off roads leading to the presidency, businesses closed in the center, and commuter trains were suspended. Social media showed there were protests in several cities, including parts of Nairobi, the opposition stronghold of Kisumu, some Rift Valley towns and coastal cities such as Mombasa. Protesters lit bonfires and attempted to blockade traffic, setting up a confrontations with police, who responded with tear gas and sometimes with bullets. At least 27 people have been killed since protests began last month, all of them shot, including two by rubber bullets, according to the Independent Medico Legal Unit, a civil society group that tracks deaths during unrest. On July 12 alone, 12 were shot dead during protests, the group said, the same day that more than 50 schoolchildren were hospitalized after police tear-gassed their school.

Adrift for months, Australian and his dog lived on raw fish until Mexican fishermen rescued them (AP) Lost at sea for months on a disabled catamaran, with no way to cook and no source of fresh water but the rain, Australian Timothy Shaddock said he expected to die. But there was also a lot to like about the experience, he said. Like when he would plunge into the sea for a swim, or when his dog, Bella, would stir him to keep going. “I did enjoy being at sea, I enjoy being out there,” he said. He recalled the full moon in early May that illuminated his turn away from the Baja Peninsula, his last sight of land until he came ashore Tuesday. Shaddock, 54, smiling and good humored, was the living image of a castaway, with a long blonde beard and emaciated appearance, as he joked with a group of reporters Tuesday, standing in front of the fishing boat that rescued him at a port on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Shaddock and his dog left northwest Mexico in a catamaran in late April, he said, planning to sail to French Polynesia. A few weeks into his voyage, he was struck by a storm, which disabled his catamaran and left him with no electronics and no way to cook.

#headlines #news

2 notes · View notes

grouptoursworld · 2 years ago

Text

Amazing Group Tours Of Scandinavia Ideas For First-Time Visitors

Scandinavia is one of the best places to go on holiday. And if you’re on group tours of Scandinavia it's got everything you could want from a destination, including spectacular beaches and fjords, vibrant cities, fine food and drink and stunning nature.

And when it comes to exploring this part of Europe, there are so many ways to do it! Whether you want to take in some classic sights like Stockholm or Oslo, get off the beaten track in places like Riga or Tallinn or cruise along the Baltic coast - we have plenty of ideas for you here.

Tour the Scandinavian capitals

Scandinavian capitals are some of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and there's no better place to start your trip than with a visit to one of them.

When you’re on group tours of Scandinavia and looking for culture or fun, there's something for everyone among these Nordic hubs.

Stockholm is often cited as one of the most beautiful cities in the world thanks to its striking location on Lake Mälaren and its stunning architecture - including the Royal Palace and an abundance of art galleries.

Cruise around Scandinavia and the Baltics

This tour is for those who want to see the Scandinavian capitals, as well as some of the Baltic countries. You'll cruise through some of the Norwegian fjords, including Geirangerfjord and Hardangerfjord, where you can explore beautiful mountains and waterfalls.

After that, you'll travel to Oslo in Norway, where you'll visit one of its most famous museums—the Nasjonalgalleriet—and then head south down along its coastline towards Denmark before ending up in Copenhagen.

This itinerary includes stops at Stockholm (Sweden), Helsinki (Finland), St Petersburg (Russia) and Moscow (Russia).

You'll get off the beaten track and find hidden gems

You'll get off the beaten track and find hidden gems.

You'll see places that are not on the typical tourist trail, but with a bit of research, you can make them part of your own itinerary.

Chase the northern lights in Scandinavia

You can see the northern lights by travelling to Scandinavia. This is a great way to experience nature and learn about different cultures.

The best time to go is in winter when there are fewer clouds overhead. The best places for spotting them are Finland and Norway, but you can also find them as far south as Sweden and Denmark during this time of year as well.

If you're looking for a more active experience, Iceland has some incredible day hikes that lead directly up into areas where you'll find these amazing phenomena on display!

Bring plenty of warm clothes and camping gear (sleeping bags/tents) along with your camera so that you can capture all those beautiful moments!

Go on classic Hurtigruten fjords and coastal cruise

If you're looking for a classic Scandinavian cruise, Hurtigruten is your best bet. It's also an excellent way to see both the fjords and coastlines of northern Norway, which offer unique experiences that you won't find anywhere else in Europe or Asia!

If you're lucky enough to be visiting during peak season when there's an Aurora Borealis show occurring, then make sure to book yourself on board so that you can enjoy this magical phenomenon!

When you travel off the beaten track, you get to see things that are not on the typical tourist trail. You see places that are not on your itinerary, but with a bit of research, you can make them part of your own itinerary.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a place that's worth visiting, then Scandinavia is one of the best places to go. There are so many things to see and do here in Scandinavia that it can seem overwhelming. On the other hand, though, if you know what kind of things appeal most to you, then these tours will provide ample opportunity for exploration and discovery at every turn!

#group tours of scandinavia

0 notes

stunningvacationtips · 7 years ago

Text

Best Places and Attractions to Visit Mongolia

Mongolia established reality for its beautiful countryside. As it is the biggest land secured nation in the globe, there are numerous different type of special natural functions throughout Mongolia. A landlocked country in between East and also Central Asia, Mongolia is the 19th biggest and also most sparsely booming independent country on the planet. It exists north of the Gobi desert as well as its primary religious beliefs is Tibetan Buddhism. The majority of the people are Mongols, Kazaks as well as Tuvans.

Mongolia has a rather intriguing background as it was ruled by numerous individuals different realms as well as empires such as the Mongol Empire, the Yuan Dynasty, the Qing Empire and also a lot more. You can only picture its historic attractions. With chilly and mountainous areas to the north, as well as the highest possible point Khuten Peak in the west, Mongolia's weather condition problems are rather extreme, it's hot in the summer season and extremely cool in the wintertime. The basin of the lake Uvs Nuur, which Mongolia shares like an area with Tuva Republic in Russia, is an all-natural Globe Heritage Website. Mongolia's steppe landscape with winding rivers is an incredibly picturesque site.

Top Destinations of Mongolia

Mongolia is the arena of the excellent warrior Genghis Khan. Find out more concerning the individuals, their origins, and just what the land have to offer with the nation's major destinations.

Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's resources as well as the place to go with business, buying as well as nightlife. Vacationers can pick out bargains in style stores, search for Mongolian cashmere goods and have an array of bars and also restaurants. The center of the resources is Sukhbaatar Square, that is the home of Parliament Home, the stock market and the Social Royal residence. Quieter locations of the city host sights consisting of the Gandan Abbey and also beer gardens while close-by attractions include Terelj National forest, 50 miles from the city, and also the Bogd Khan Hill National Park, five miles to the south.

Waterfall Ulaan Tsutgalan (Orkhon)

It's a falls on the Ulaan River cascades from a remarkable elevation of 20 meters, and it extends for 100 meters from the Orkhon River. The Orkhon River flows through basalt rocks from the Gyatruu array to Karakorum soum. The waterfall is an outstanding place for bird viewing and fishing. You may additionally visit a local horsemen household. There there's an opportunity to experience their life-style, their culture as well as traditions.

Gandan Monastery

Gandan is the largest and also most significant abbey of Mongolia, with over 400 monks. Inside is a statue of Magjid Janraisig (the lord who looks in every direction). It's about 25 meters high as well as is included by a substantial variety of gemstones.

Bogd Khan Palace Museum

Most of the temples and also monasteries, with their items, were ruined throughout the Stalinist purges of the late 1930s, the Wintertime Palace of Bogd Khan (or Bogd Khan Palace Gallery currently) was saved in excellent form. Construct in between 1893 as well as 1903, the Winter months Royal residence of Bogdo Khan was the residence of Mongolia's last king Javzan Damba Hutagt VIII for 25 years.

Orkhon Khurkhree

Orkhon Khurkhree is a spectacular waterfall that may be considered as one of its kind. It diminishes the high cliff and right into the swimming pool, eventually flowing to Orkhon River. The water of Orkhon is rather chilly, yet it is most definitely matched to bathing. The water is so clear you are able to go as well as head for a nice swim. Just bear in mind that the bulk Mongols do not delight in swimming. Don't anticipate citizens enjoying the water much.

Erdene Zuu

Buddhism is a practiced religious beliefs in Mongolia. Because of this, there are several Buddhist abbey established throughout the land. Erdene Zuu is the first Buddhist abbey. It is so huge it housed a great deal more than 1,000 monks at a time.

Then there is the Choijin Lama monastery that's a representations of lovely architecture. This holy place is incredibly old no doubt concerning it and it's a destination website because that kind of design is not made use of in this current generation as well as prior generations too.

Yolin Am

Yolim Am is called the marauder canyon. If you take pleasure in trekking while on getaway, this is the place for you. The canyon is narrow as well as jagged. It's actually an excellent obstacle to expert mountaineers. For various other individuals, they can merely take in the attractive view.If this rainfalls, mini falls leave the canyon's walls.Yol valley is one of the locations that vacationers can sight see. Vacationers that have actually been there have respected the lovely valley that's constantly filled with surprises.

Gandantegchilen Kloster

Gandan is the biggest abbey in Mongolia. As well as it's still being used up to today. The monastery is made in 1810 and was ruined during socialism. The holy place was rebuilded in 1990.

Khyatruuni Rashaan

Khyatruunii Rashaan is a mineral springtime. You cannot reach it having an auto. To obtain there, you have to trek. Yet don't stress, the discomforts of going there's all worth it. The area is tranquil with flowering meadows.

Naadam

Naadam is among Mongolia's nationwide vacations as well as it is celebrated like the Olympics. The only distinction is they fairground and wanderer's games are played instead of today's popular ballgame. Expect horsemen, wrestlers, and also archers taking part in the events. Naadam festival debuts in the mongolia nationwide sporting activities stadium every summer.

Zaisan Hill

Zaisan Hill is yet one more tourist destination that is not a disappointment whatsoever. The advantage about Zaisan Hill is that it is positioned in the city of Ulaanbaatar and also thus very easy to place. This destination site holds extremely nostalgic memories for Mongolians that is transmittable to the visitors as well. It's almost the memorial ground for globe war two militants.

Bayan Zag

Bayan Zag is called the flaming cliffs. It got that name due to the fact that the rough rock formed from reddish-brown debris. This traveler area is much better seen early in the morning or before the sun drops. During such times, the cliffs look absolutely red like gigantic burning coals.

How to Get There

The Mongolian International Airline company's is Mongolia's official provider. There countless entrances to Mongolia coming from these cities: Peking, Berlin, Frankfurt, Moscow, Khokh Khot, Osaka, Irkutsk, and also Seoul. Need to you originate from these areas or are near them, obtaining to Mongolia must not be a problem for you personally. Or else, you can always take the next trip to Peking as well as move from there.

#airplane ticket #destination #getaway #trip

2 notes · View notes

psychi-artist · 7 years ago

Text

City

Rebecca Hossack Gallery, Charlotte Street 3rd May - 26th May, 2018

Currently on at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery is ‘City’, a mixed show exhibiting pieces from various artists, including Emma Haworth, Phil Shaw, Laurence Jones, Tyrone Layne, Roy Wright, Alasdair Wallace and Barbara MacFarlane, whose works explore the diversities of the modern city; its architecture, social spaces, and energy. The works on display are depictions of vast cityscapes that have been reimagined by the artists allowing viewers to view the cities through the eyes of the artists.

Emma Haworth’s magnificent ‘Snowy Wood’ hangs proudly, it’s enormousness engulfing viewers. Haworth’s paintings are usually set in parks or green areas within cities. These areas are like havens for people and wildlife, sanctuaries and refuge from the bustling cities that surround them. Haworth paints all of her parks ad secret gardens with ever changing backdrops of changing seasons, weather, and passages of time. ‘Snowy Wood’ shows a park during winter, the ground dusted with snow, the whiteness of it contrasting beautifully with the deep blue sky. The park is filled wth trees that offer refuge to a number of birds, including what appear to be many luscious green parakeets. Viewers may also note that there are only two magpies in the entire painting; this could be pure coincidence, however, if you think of the old magpie rhyme, “One for sorrow, two for joy…” this could be intentional, as spotting two magpies together is considered to bring the person joy. At the ‘front’ of the paining stands a fox, whose vibrant orange fur hands out against the whiteness of the snow. The wise little fox appears to be paying no attention to the rest of the scene in the painting, but rather he appears to be staring straight out off of the canvas and at the viewer, causing the beautiful and inviting scene to wrap itself around viewers just that little bit more snuggly.

Phil Shaw’s works take a brilliant and unusual approach to exploring a city with his ‘Londonensi Subterraneis’ series. Each print displays a shelf lined with books, the covers all in one colour relating to the colours of the London Underground lines. The titles of each book all contain the name of each station on their designated lines. ‘Londonensi Subterraneis: Districtus Linea’ shows the district line, the shelf of books all with green covers, displaying the stations from Upminster to Richmond, stopping at West Ham, St James Park and South Kensington along the way. ‘Circulus Linea’ shows the Circle line and is entirely in yellow. Books featured include, ‘Paddington Meets the Queen’ by Michael Bond featuring the well known little bear with a love for marmalade sandwiches, and ‘The Baker Street Dozen’ by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Most recognisable to viewers is ‘Centralis Linea’ which represents the famous red central line which runs through the beating heart of London. Running from the wild countryside of Epping through to the bustling city life of West Ruislip, passing through ‘The Beggar of Bethnal Green’ and ‘The Winds of Marble Arch’. Also on display by Phil Shaw is “London New York Paris Moscow”, with blue representing London, green for New York, yellow for Paris, and dashing red for Moscow.

Roy Wright’s charcoal sketches of London are incredibly different from Shaw’s bookshelves that represent places in London, in the fact that they show the city as it is. There’s no hidden meanings or little clues relating to places, Wright’s work show London as he sees it; beautiful and ginormous, spreading as far as the eye can see. “The Shard and Thames from the Sky garden” shows two halves of the magnificent city, cut through the middle by the river Thames. Boats glide along the river in their own watery world, oblivious to the towering grey buildings and bustle of people around them. In the distance The Shard is immediately obvious to viewers as it watches over the city, its broken glass like peak almost touching the clouds that inevitably loom over London.

London streets are crawling with life, and Tyrone Layne shows the inhabitants of the great city, minus the city. The inhabitants of London are incredibly diverse, each with their own background, lives, jobs, and ethnicities. Layne’s paintings show the people of London going about their daily lives and routines on plain backgrounds of one single bock colour. “Marble Arch” shows the horse head statue that dwarfs the people around it, including policeman at work, families having picnics, businessmen and women on their lunch, and tourists with their Union Jack clothing on. Taking the city away from these works gives viewers the opportunity to really see the people instead of the giant maze that contains them.

“City” is an incredible display of works that captures cities in each the artists unique ways, offering viewers divergent viewpoints of the vast, rich world of urban life.

#City #london #art #rebecca hossack #rebecca hossack gallery #love #pastart

1 note · View note

shanroeform · 4 years ago

Text

Leave Her to Brew: an Early Analysis of the 2021 Champion Chase

Around this time a few years ago I was on Koh Phangan, a Thai island famous for its Full Moon Parties. During one of the hazy nights I spent on the island, I was approached by a promoter advertising a Muay Thai tournament that he promised would be a spectacular display of combat between world-class performers, all accompanied by free drinks. As any western tourist with no experience of these kind of things, a love of sport and the smell of several Sangsoms on their breath would, I accepted without a second thought.

What followed can only be described as the most compelling lawsuit for false advertisement the courts of Thailand will ever see. In truth, I should have been suspicious when I looked around the venue and saw no locals, no TV cameras, not even a big screen. Somehow, this world-class event had evaded the attention of the Muay Thai hardcore and instead attracted a crowd consisting solely of Brits, Irish and Australians, all of whom had just stumbled back from an all-day boat party and somehow managed to remember the sporting spectacle that was due to be held in their honour.

The faces in the audience were, unbelievably, nothing in comparison to those in the ring. Despite my promoter friend’s earnest promises of the most deadly Muay Thai operators in this part of the world, the only local taking part had a severe limp and had clearly fallen out of love with the game (imagine an 18-year-old Cue Card being forced to carry top weight in a Southwell handicap).

The rest of the competition was made up of other Brits, Irish and Australians who were in an even worse state than their watching friends; they looked as though they had been on yesterday’s boat party and had not gone to bed since. One of these intrepid fighters ended up winning by default, with the local hero forced to withdraw injured (although he was still more than capable of winning with his hands tied behind his back) and the other tourists practically knocking themselves out.

Watching the Champion Chase earlier this year, I was forcibly reminded of this ignominious evening. We had been promised the greatest Queen Mother in years - Altior, the two-time champion and four-time Festival winner, would defend his crown against the unbeaten* great Irish hope Chacun Pour Soi and a Defi Du Seuil who had swept all before him so far that season. As I saw first Altior and then Chacun Pour Soi drop out of the race, before Defi Du Seuil slipped further and further back in running, the smell of cheap vodka and vomit rose unbidden in my nose and dragged me back to the disappointment of that Koh Phangan night.

It’s not that I didn’t enjoy seeing Politologue win - like the “Muay Thai” I ended up watching, it was a thoroughly entertaining spectacle once you accepted it for what it was and I’m very glad I saw it. However, the race was simply not what I had built myself up for and it is hard to accept compensation in place of a once in a lifetime experience (just ask any of the dopes who paid over $1000 to see Blink-182 at Fyre Festival).

I came into this National Hunt season hoping that the 2021 Champion Chase would make up for last year’s non-event. Our opening act began this weekend with the 2020 Arkle winner Put The Kettle On taking on Defi Du Seuil in the Shloer Chase, to be followed by Altior’s return in next month’s Tingle Creek and Chacun Pour Soi’s reappearance on the other side of the Irish Sea (he is entered in the John Durkan at the start of December, but the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase over two miles on 27 December seems more likely). Unfortunately, whilst we were treated to a thrilling performance by Put The Kettle On, our starter was marred by the sight of Defi Du Seuil being pulled up before the last.

This disappointing showing from the Phillip Hobbs horse prompts an early re-think of the 2021 Champion Chase (the bright side of this being that at least, instead of being crushed all in one go by disappointment of the eve of the race, we can accept its slow suffocation throughout the season and make arrangements accordingly). Thankfully, Defi Du Seuil is reportedly OK after his failure to complete - however, after the second worrying run in succession for the former Triumph Hurdle winner, there may now be concerns as to whether he will even run in the two mile showpiece next year, let alone threaten to win it.

That the gelding is showing signs of potential wear and tear may not be too surprising given that, for a seven-year-old, he is fairly heavily raced. Having started his career aged just three in France, the son of Voix Du Nord has now had 22 runs in under five years. To put this into context, Altior, at ten, has raced just twice more than Defi Du Seuil, and Chacun Pour Soi has seen a racecourse only eight times despite being a year older than his compatriot. Like the kid at your school who was given his first beer before he started his GCSEs, Defi Du Seuil peaked early and may now forever be chasing his glory days.

It is not just the volume of racing which has left its mark on the French bred, but also the intensity of his efforts. Since Defi’s juvenile season, he has not finished further than 3.5 lengths ahead of second place in any of his 6 victories and has also been beaten by less than 4.5 lengths on two occasions. We all remember the McManus horse’s titanic clashes with Un De Sceaux last season, both run on ground as fit for a war reenactment as for a horse race, as well as his trilogy with Lostintranslation in his novice campaign. As fans we love these sort of races, but they scar horses - Kell Brook may have claimed he was better than ever going into his fight with Terence Crawford on Saturday night, but, after having both eye sockets shattered on previous occasions, it transpired that such comments didn’t defend him against being knocked out.

Defi Du Seuil’s time at the top of the two mile division may therefore be dwindling to an end. This is not an unfamiliar pattern amongst top class French-bred two mile chasers: Master Minded ran his last race aged eight and Douvan has raced just five times since turning seven in 2017. Whether he still has enough left to make the 2021 Champion Chase a spectacle is questionable, even aside from valid questions about whether he was ever good enough to threaten Altior - is beating a 12-year-old Un De Sceaux by under three lengths a strong enough piece of form to justify the challenge?

Fans of JP McManus’ gelding could take comfort in Defi Du Seuil’s poor re-appearance record. He has lost first time out in two of the previous three seasons, including finishing dead last in a November Grade Two over two miles in his novice chase season before going on to win the then-JLT. Phillip Hobbs is also in poor form, having had just two winners from 35 runners in the 14 days preceding Defi’s return on Saturday. If you want to find it, there is evidence to convince yourself that he retains the ability to win the Champion Chase come March. Just remember, if you do, that some people manage to persuade themselves that the world is flat, the American election was rigged and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a good football manager.

There is not much more to write about Chacun Pour Soi since my preview of last season’s Champion Chase which, strangely, weakens any early case against him winning the 2021 edition further. Willie Mullins’ hope did not show up to Cheltenham in March and appears to be somewhat fragile - whilst he only suffered a stone bruise and would likely have raced at Punchestown, the fact remains that Chacun Pour Soi has now run just four times since arriving at Closutton in December 2016. Indeed, at the moment, I would rather bet that the eight-year-old won’t run in the Champion Chase than I would on him winning the thing. Douvan is my favourite horse of all time and I have simply been hurt too much to be sucked in by his successor. Chacun will have to make a bigger romantic gesture than Justin Timberlake’s flash mob in Friends With Benefits to get me on side.

Chacun’s absence in March also leaves the question of how he will handle the Festival to fester for another year. He has never run at Prestbury Park and we’re left to ponder whether he will deal with the stiff track and the extreme undulations, let alone the unique atmosphere, after only four runs under the care of Mullins. This could be picking at hairs in light of his win at the Dublin Racing (on a stiff enough track at Leopardstown) and Punchestown (which does undulate) Festivals. However, for a horse whose record doesn’t inspire confidence that he will turn up at all, a best price of 9/2 is short enough for an unproven Cheltenham racer who could plausibly disagree with the Festival on the day.

If you believe Nicky Henderson, he has “never seen [Altior] move better” (RacingTV Stable Tour). We have heard similar rhetoric from the six-time champion trainer throughout Altior’s career, but there comes a point where this simply stops being true. Patricia Pugh’s horse will be 11 by the time the Champion Chase is run and you have to question whether he retains his full powers.

The last 11-year-old winner of the race was Moscow Flyer in 2005 and, to find the only other horse old enough to start secondary school to have won the Champion Chase, you have to go back to 1976 and Skymas. Now listen, I love mocking the #trendslads as much as anyone and if I’ve ever seen a horse to laugh at this stat it is Altior - he has embarrassed me in front of my family too many times not to hesitate here and he did sprint away from Sceau Royal in rather familiar style last time out at Newbury.

However, at this stage of his career, it is valid to question whether Altior is capable of repeating his Festival heroics for a fifth time. Pugh’s horse showed the first cracks of fragility last season, losing his unbeaten record to Cyrname in a race which Henderson described as “unavoidable” and which I call “utterly stupid from both Nicky and Paul to go life and death in the trenches in November”. He was then absent until February, missing an (allegedly) intended appointment over three miles on Boxing Day, before pulling a sickie on the eve of the Festival. This was the first time in five seasons that Altior had missed Cheltenham and, in his advancing age, it would not be too difficult to foresee this once again.

Aside from the above, Altior’s winning margin in the 2019 Champion Chase was just 1.75 lengths - rumour has it that the Star Sports betting stand is still stained from the excited mess which Ben made as they came over the last, his dream of getting Henderson’s horse beaten finally within touching distance. In comparison, Altior’s previous Festival wins were by seven, six and seven lengths and Politologue had never gotten within breathing distance of the High Chaparral gelding. If you consider these potentially waning powers alongside Altior’s age and apparent increasing susceptibility to injury, not to mention Cyrname’s revelation that he can in fact be beaten, a case can be made for vulnerability at best and a non-appearance at worst.

In my preview of last season’s Champion Chase, I compared the race to the Expendables film franchise - with trailers full of superstars and an end product that Adam Sandler may as well have acted in. Well, we’re now back for the third edition, which unfortunately received the worst reviews yet: as Rolling Stone said in its one-star write-up, “The Expendables 3, trading on our affection for action stars of the past, has officially worn out its already shaky welcome”. In short, a Champion Chase which at first glance looks so full of dependable quality could, in similar fashion, very well fall apart once more - whether this is in the months building up to it or on the day itself.

Could this leave the race open for good old Politologue once more? I would be the last person to put you off a 16-1 poke on a proven Grade One horse, especially in a race like this. However, Paul Nicholls’ horse has consistently fallen short against the best of the best and, having written a rather pessimistic article so far, I have to retain enough optimism to hope that a proper superstar can emerge to outshadow the defending champion. Christmas is on the way, after all.

Greaneteen has been touted as a potential threat to the established order by better judges than myself - Tony Calvin previously advised an early Tingle Creek and potential Champion Chase bet, and he is due to put it up to Altior in the Sandown showpiece having won the Haldon Gold Cup following Calvin’s article. Greaneteen is now a best price 20/1 for the Festival (having been as big as 40s before his Exeter victory) but in two runs round Cheltenham he has finished only 13th and fourth. His fourth place was in March’s Grand Annual carrying 11-7 which, with respect, the owner of a championship quality horse would expect to be low enough to carry to victory (see Frodon shouldering 11-12 to win over three miles at the Open Meeting last month). His win in the Haldon Gold Cup saw him win by a neck whilst carrying just 11-3 (albeit more comfortably than this sounds) - Moonlighter, in second, was rated 142 (now 147) and has won just three of 16 races. Not one for me, unfortunately.

The 2018-19 season saw Le Richebourg emerge as a potential two mile superstar, winning three out of three races over the distance (including two Grade Ones) and finishing a very close second to the gallant Delta Work over two and a half. He would surely have won the Arkle had he stayed well, but Joseph O’Brien’s horse has now been absent with injury since February 2019. Whilst there’s a gap in the market, Le Richebourg may no longer fit through it after so long on the sidelines.

Other potential hopefuls include Duc Des Genievres, who won the aforementioned Arkle in 2019 and performed strongly on his reappearance this weekend, and Douvan (just let me dream). There is far too much against either of these horses for me to suggest that they could be a potential Champion Chase winner in 2021, however (at least in public - I will keep myself warm with my duvet of Douvan dockets dating back to 2017).

We are left, then, to turn to the usual point of respite when confronted with such a predicament - the Kettle.

Put The Kettle On was thrilling at Cheltenham this weekend when battling past a rejuvenated Duc Des Genievres in the Shloer Chase and she clearly loves racing at Prestbury Park. She had to show tremendous bravery to force past Paul Nicholls’ horse, who had led from the off and at one point established a rather wide gap between himself and the mare. However, like a local at their favourite pub shooing an out of towner out of their usual seat, Henry De Bromhead’s charge made her presence known to secure her third win in as many outings under the gaze of Cleeve Hill.

This performance was even more impressive given the list of factors which went against her going into the race. De Bromhead’s horses are in terrible form, having won just twice in 42 outings in the two weeks before the race, and Put The Kettle On was having her first run since the March. This was indeed only her second run in a year, and, having been active throughout last summer, it would have been fair to expect the mare to have needed the run. On top of this, whilst all of Stowaway’s daughter’s wins here have come on soft ground, jockey Aidan Coleman suggested that she did not enjoy the boggy conditions: “She hated the ground and was never happy the whole way. It's a testament to her ability and attitude because it was a hard race.”

With all things considered, it was difficult not to be taken by the performance. There are of course lingering doubts - the close proximity of Duc Des Genievres, who has not won since his Arkle victory, could lead to suspicion, and some will argue that Put The Kettle On is yet to face a genuine on-form Grade One animal given Defi Du Seuil’s non-performance. However, Saturday’s conditions were a near replication of the Duc’s greatest race, in which he achieved a rating of 163, and he looked near his best following the switch to Paul Nicholls’ yard. The winning distance of 1.25 lengths also does not do the mare justice, as she was handily on top at the finishing post.

With this performance in mind, along with the fragility of the “big three” in the market, I think Put The Kettle On offers terrific value at a best-price of 10/1 for the Champion Chase. There is a good chance that she arrives at the race with at least one of the triumvirate absent, and, even if all are present, it is not difficult to envisage any of them encountering problems in running. 10/1 for a proven Cheltenham performer, who has transferred her novice ability into open company, goes on any ground, is open to improvement aged just six and who may find herself facing little competition is too big for me and, in a worst case scenario where she finds nothing else and all three of the big guns return to their peak, is a fantastic each way play.

Having won at Cheltenham in November 2019 before being put away until her Arkle win, it may be that Put The Kettle On is left to brew until the 2021 Champion Chase. Whilst in this scenario her price would not fall of her own making, the 10/1 could rapidly disappear if further problems emerge with Altior and Chacun Pour Soi (Defi Du Seuil is already as big as 20/1) and none of the other potential candidates step up.

However, it would be a shame not to see her until March - she is a fantastic, brave horse who could quickly become a people’s favourite if she continues in the same vein as her last three runs. I hope she causes her price to collapse all on her own.

---

*In Britain and Ireland - he was beaten as a 3 & 4 year-old in France.

0 notes

easyfoodnetwork · 4 years ago

Text

If You Really Want to Visit a National Park, Skip the Big Ones

Paddleboarding in Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park | Getty Images

America’s larger parks are attracting major crowds. Here’s where to avoid them

As summer creeps into full swing and cities across America do the dance of easing, and then reinstating, COVID-19 restrictions, people are clamoring to be someplace — anyplace — besides their own homes. While there is no form of travel that’s perfectly safe right now, there are certainly more responsible options than others for scratching the itch.

National parks, in all their wide-open space, are more befitting a socially distant vacation than, say, resort towns or theme parks. But even vast wilderness expanses have potential for riskier areas — visitor centers, for one, and popular trailheads near main parking areas. And then there are the mosh pit-like crowds at Yellowstone’s Old Faithful or the scenic drive at Zion National Park, which has been so popular since reopening that the park had to cap access at 6:30 a.m.

Now more than ever, then, this is the time to visit some of America’s lesser-known national parks. Steering clear of the millions of tourists at Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and the Great Smoky Mountains, exploring new territory provides a sense of discovery, with the added benefit of having the trails mostly to yourself. The adventure doesn’t stop at park boundaries, either, as these less-famous parks are often surrounded by bucolic communities and smaller cities rich with their own charms, including destination-worthy restaurants, unexpected speakeasies, and a chicken-fried Texas saloon.

As enticing as all this sounds, it’s important that travelers tread carefully in and around all national parks, since these smaller gateway communities are not equipped to handle a potential outbreak brought in from visitors. It’s a double-edged sword for small businesses that rely on tourism dollars to survive, which is why it’s important to maintain the same caution on your road trip as you’ve maintained at home; just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you can put your face masks in storage. Wherever you are, social distancing and rigorous adherence to health mandates are of the utmost importance, in order to support these communities while keeping them safe.

So, with safety top of mind, here are some alternative parks to consider for your 2020 summer escape, and, of course, the best places to eat — to go, dine-in, or dine-out — nearby.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

The boardwalk at Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Judging by the fact that Congaree sees about 3 percent of the annual visitors of parks like Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain, it seems many people don’t even know this South Carolina park exists. Located in the middle of the state, the swamp-like terrain feels part Everglades and part Redwood, with the tallest trees east of the Mississippi and labyrinthine waterways ripe for paddling. The park’s most popular attractions, like the Boardwalk Trail, remain closed, but visitors are able to canoe or kayak on Cedar Creek, a narrow waterway that weaves through hardwood forest so tall and dense that it blocks out the sun, which is perhaps why hooting owls can be heard at all hours of the day. For easy hiking, out-of-the-way trails like the River Trail and Oakridge Trail are currently accessible. The park is within 20 miles of the state capital of Columbia, a small city with quality food and drink to be had.

Where to Eat: Before paddling through Congaree, it’s important to fuel up with a hearty breakfast, like tequila-spiked pancakes. Novelty breakfast is the bread and butter of the Black-owned 27 Pancakes food truck, which is operating on weekends only for the summer due to the pandemic. Chef-owner Joy Eggleston is a veritable Willy Wonka with pancake batter, offering classics (e.g., buttermilk, blueberry) alongside more whimsical and savory offerings, like a shrimp-and-grits pancake made with a grits batter, plump baby shrimp, and jalapenos, or the aforementioned tequila pancake, an almond-flour flapjack glazed with a blend of honey, maple syrup, and tequila reduction. Follow 27 Pancakes on social media to check its schedule.

Universal Images Group via Getty

The Starlight Theatre saloon in Terlingua, outside Big Bend

Big Bend National Park, Texas

About four and a half hours southeast of the closest major airport, in El Paso, this sprawling west Texas park has plenty of room (nearly 1 million acres, in fact) to spread out and explore, from Chisos Mountains hikes and soothing hot springs to the Santa Elena Canyon, a vast chasm offering shaded respite along the meandering Rio Grande. Due to its sheer size, geographic diversity, and faraway locale, this is the perfect park to immerse yourself in for a week, with plenty of sights and activities to keep you busy and enthralled. The surrounding communities are rich with character but low on crowds, like the dusty ghost town of Terlingua, which is emerging as a tranquil artist’s enclave, and the peaceful riverside town of Lajitas, where a goat serves as mayor.

Where to Eat and Drink: The star attraction in Terlingua is the Starlight Theatre, a lively contrast to a town filled with graves and derelict homes, both belonging to miners who succumbed to mercury poisoning or mining accidents in the early 1900s. The spacious saloon, known for its thoughtful riffs on gamey West Texas flavors, like chicken-fried wild boar strips with beer gravy and tequila-marinated quail in blueberry-balsamic sauce, is operating with dine-in and bar service at 50 percent capacity, and has added takeout as well as periodic live music performances.

Getty Images/EyeEm

The famous cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde national park

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

In lush southwest Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is once again beckoning visitors itching to hike, drive along the Mesa Top Loop Road, and marvel at the park’s famed cliff dwellings, elaborate structures and communities built centuries ago by Puebloan peoples. At just over 50,000 acres, the park is the perfect weekend getaway, renowned for its mesa-skimming scenic drives and hiking trails that make you feel like you’re traipsing through the clouds, surrounded by panoramic views of the Colorado valley. The arty gateway town of Mancos is small, but surprisingly abundant with galleries, cafes, and restaurants, which have navigated new methods of operation.

Where to Eat: Absolute Bakery & Cafe is a beloved community hub for locals and tourists alike, who pregame before Mesa Verde with avocado omelets, chicken Florentine, Cubano sandwiches, and house-baked pastries like cherry strudel, pumpkin brownies, and coconut-walnut blondies. Since COVID-19, the cafe has extended its service to seven days a week (up from six) in order to serve breakfast and lunch to go, along with take-and-bake meals like pot pie, quiche, and lasagna perfect for cooking up in the RV. It’s also started nightly pizza dinners for takeout, made with sourdough crusts and rotating toppings like asparagus pesto, Hawaiian, and pepperoni. The cafe strongly encourages guests to wear masks, and it’s stocked with hand sanitizer stations.

Matt Kirouac

Kerouac’s restaurant in Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Located along U.S. Route 50, a highway so desolate that its nickname is “The Loneliest Road in America,” and next to the tiny town of Baker, Great Basin National Park is the ultimate park for social distancing. Aside from the people you travel with, it’s unlikely you’ll encounter other humans here at all. This Great Basin region of eastern Nevada, sandwiched between the Sierra Nevadas and Wasatch Mountains, is a place of extremes — from the skyscraping tip of Wheeler Peak, the highest point in the park (and second highest in Nevada) at 13,065 feet, to the craggy passageways within Lehman Caves and the gnarly looking bristlecone pines, the oldest trees on Earth, some nearing 5,000 years of age. Best of all? With under 200,000 annual visitors and 77,000 acres worth of diverse terrain, you’ll find plenty of solitude among the epic environs.

Where to Eat: An homage to the ultimate road-tripper, Kerouac’s Restaurant is a seasonal restaurant open May through October at the Stargazer Inn in Baker. Due to COVID-19, the restaurant is only offering counter service this year, with food and drink available to go or for dining on the homespun front patio. The menu reads like a hit list of American comfort classics, sure to satisfy after a long drive or a long hike. Think pesto-mushroom pizzas, spicy chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers, oatmeal cranberry cookies, and even strawberry-rhubarb Moscow mules.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Grassy rolling hills in Wild Cave National Park

Hotel Alex Johnson / Facebook

The rooftop deck at Vertex Sky Bar in Rapid City

Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

Western South Dakota is well known for iconic parks and monuments, like Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore, but for those looking to eschew crowds, Wind Cave is a good choice for a day trip. Though the cave itself — a dense maze of jagged calcite formations, like needle-looking frostwork, and boxwork, a rare grid-shaped feature found in almost no other cave on Earth — is currently closed down, the park has many miles (and some 30,000 acres) of peaceful prairie hikes, rolling hills, and meadows strewn with wildflowers so vibrant they look like fields of confetti. Keep your eyes peeled for a chance to spot bison, prairie dogs, elk, and the rare black-footed ferret.

Where to Eat: As the urban hub of western South Dakota, Rapid City’s got an impressive food scene despite its small size and population. An hour’s drive from Wind Cave, head to the bi-level Vertex Sky Bar atop the historic Hotel Alex Johnson to drink in the Black Hills views while drinking in the rosé, or dine at Kōl, which reopened for reservations-only dine-in service with tables spread six feet apart, for wood-fired pizzas, steaks, and roast chicken. In the morning, downtown’s Harriet & Oak cafe reduced seating and limited the amount of time customers can linger to two hours, which is still enough to enjoy a trendy latte and some oh-so-Instagrammable avocado toast. Curbside pickup and online ordering is also available.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Lost Lake campsite at Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

On the northern border of Minnesota lies Voyageurs National Park, a tranquil landscape of lakes and islands, where loons replace the din of city sirens. Up here, in the heart of the Land of 10,000 Lakes, it’s easy to maintain social distance for a few days, considering a third of the 250,000-acre park is, well, water, and most activities involve kayaks, canoes, and fishing.

Where to Eat: It doesn’t get more quintessential Minnesota Northwoods than the Rocky Ledge, a cabin-like restaurant on the tree-lined shores of Kabetogama Lake, with a penchant for Minnesota specialties like wild rice casserole. And in case you weren’t able to reel in your own catch on the lake, fear not: the restaurant offers fry-bread fish tacos and breaded walleye sandwiches to make up for it.

Matt Kirouac

The tap lineup at Superior Bathhouse

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

For travelers who prefer a more relaxed experience over, say, a backcountry trek, Arkansas’s historic Hot Springs is a tiny city park that’s ideal for an afternoon stopover. Anchored by ornate bathhouses utilizing the region’s famed thermal waters, the town is nicknamed “The American Spa,” and it’s been enticing visitors for more than a century. Bathhouse Row is the heart of the park, lined with steaming water fountains and palace-sized buildings with intricate Gilded Age architecture. While you may not be able to take a traditional bath quite yet, visitors can hike up the gentle slopes of Hot Springs Mountain, whose summit affords vista views of the bright-green Ouachita Mountain range, and then imbibe that spring water at the rare brewery located within a national park.

Where to Eat: Superior Bathhouse, located in one of the former bathhouses along Main Street’s Bathhouse Row, has reopened for limited counter service. Visitors are required to wear masks, unless they’re eating (beer cheese dip and sweet potato-beet sandwiches are excellent choices), or drinking one of the beers brewed on-site — e.g., hazy blood-orange I.P.A., honey-basil kolsch, oatmeal stout — made with Hot Springs’ thermal waters. To connect with the Southern soul of Hot Springs, head to Emma Lee’s, a warm and welcoming dining room wafting with aromas of buttery peach cobbler, beef roast, and fresh cornbread. The family-run restaurant is the dream of owner Courtney Sanders, who pays homage to his grandmother Emma Lee with her most beloved recipes. The restaurant is still offering curbside pickup along with limited dine-in service on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. No matter what’s on deck for the day, be it thick slabs of smoky brisket and candied yams or mac and cheese served bubbling-hot under a golden-brown crust, this is the kind of restaurant that’s sure to warm hearts during a time when it’s needed most. Masks are required for entry, but customers can remove them while seated.

Getty Images

The rugged badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

Badlands, petrified wood, roving bison, and wild horses make it clear what endeared President Theodore Roosevelt to this tranquil part of the country, where you’re more likely to encounter chirping prairie dogs on your hike than people. Split into two main north and south districts, each worth visiting for a day or two, the 70,000-acre park feels like the quintessential Wild West, with the Little Missouri River zig-zagging through fields of verdant grassland and eroded sandstone formations that look like super-sized sandcastles. Medora is the tiny home of the park’s popular south unit, but nearby Dickinson is a small city with an array of independent options.

Where to Eat: There’s really no better way to kickstart your day than with a blackberry pancake latte and a sticky caramel roll, and the Brew, a former church-turned-coffee shop, delivers on both fronts. Later, unwind with a sweet and spicy jalapeno honey beer and a Badlands pizza, made with pepperoni, Italian sausage, and ricotta, at Phat Fish Brewing. The brewpub is open for dine-in seating, with spaced-out indoor tables and a sprawling patio with a grassy lawn. It’s also offering take-and-bake pizza kits and bottled beers to go.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

An overlook at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

With its blissfully warm temperatures, lush forests, and wildly diverse terrain, Colorado is popular for outdoorsy recreation, but rather than queueing up at crowded Rocky Mountain National Park, try the lesser-known Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The state’s least visited national park, Black Canyon is open for hiking along both the north and south rims, with trails that’ll get you unnervingly close to the breathtaking canyon and the raging river far below. Both sides of the canyon are worth visiting, so be sure to carve out at least two or three days to thoroughly explore. Since the only way to the north rim is driving all the way around the southern end of the canyon, it requires some added travel time. For fearless hikers, the park also has a few steep trails down to the canyon floor, which is a nice way to get out of the sun, since the canyon is so tall and narrow that it’s almost constantly shrouded in its own shadow. Nearby, the town of Montrose is the entry point to the park’s southern rim, which has the most trails and scenic viewpoints.

Where to Eat: It’s not often a speakeasy offering craft cocktails and charcuterie platters can be found on the outskirts of a national park, which is what makes Phelanies a special find. Accessed down an alley off one of Montrose’s main streets, the spacious lounge has gone alfresco for the first time, adding a patio and expanding its menus to include more food (like Korean barbecue pulled pork and duck wontons) and seasonal cocktails, like honeydew margaritas and the timely COVID Reviver No. 19, a Corpse Reviver riff with gin, orange liqueur, Lillet Blanc, lemon, and a CBD tincture. Guests are asked to wear masks any time they’re not seated, and limit movement around the bar except for necessities like bathroom runs.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

The Brandywine Falls Trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Sandwiched between the nearby cities of Cleveland and Akron, hugging the crooked Cuyahoga River for some 30,000 acres, Cuyahoga Valley provides a literal breath of fresh air for Ohio city-dwellers seeking to escape the traffic for the day and replace it with dense green forests, babbling creeks, and 70-plus waterfalls. While popular sites like the Brandywine Falls boardwalk remain closed, there are still opportunities for hiking along miles of woodland trails, horseback riding, fishing, and kayaking.

Where to Eat: The park is a convenient day trip from larger cities in Ohio, making it ideal for safe travel, since visitors are able to minimize their footprint without having to stay overnight. If you’re traveling from Cleveland, start your day with a fried ring of purple-hued blueberry cake, bursting with juicy, tangy flavor, from the Vegan Doughnut Company. Located in suburban Lakewood, the Black-owned bakery from sisters Kharisma and Kyra Mayo exhibits a penchant for vibrant, whimsical pastries, like a birthday-cake doughnut strewn with multicolored sprinkles and crushed Golden Oreos, or a vanilla-glazed variety decorated with chocolate chips and dollops of cookie dough. For now, the shop is open weekends only for to-go doughnuts. Later, after you’ve chased a few waterfalls in the park, wood-fired pepperoni and banana-pepper pizza is an apt pick-me-up, and you can get your fix at Sarah’s Vineyard and Winery. Housed in a timber-clad barn that doubles as an art gallery, the lofty restaurant and tasting room has reopened for dine-in, spread out its ample patio seating, added hand sanitizer stations by the entrance, and shifted its menu to heartier crowd-pleasers like pulled pork sandwiches, nachos, and pizza. Sit outside for sweeping vineyard views and pair your spicy pie with a carafe of sweet Ohio-grown Vidal.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Rattlesnake Canyon at Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

The world-famous caverns — brimming with stalagmites, stalactites, and a colony of Brazilian free-tailed bats so populous that they look like clouds of swirling black smoke on their nightly flights — are still closed to visitors, but the underrated hiking trails on the surface are well worth the excursion, especially for a morning or late-afternoon hike (the sun gets pretty scorching midday). With nearly 50 miles of trails through the peaceful Chihuahuan Desert, from Rattlesnake Canyon to Guadalupe Ridge, there’s plenty to explore, and plenty of opportunity to break away from crowds and convene with cacti and roadrunners.

Where to Eat: In the nearby town of Carlsbad, Guadalupe Mountain Brewing Company reopened for dine-in service, with restricted hours and a patio. House-brewed beers run the gamut from a puckering grapefruit gose to creamy coconut porters, while the thin and crispy brick-oven pizzas are so popular they sell out regularly. They also offer gluten-free crusts, cauliflower-crust pizzas, and periodic specials like berry-studded dessert pizzas and New Mexican green chile pies.

A full-time RV traveler and freelance travel writer, Matt Kirouac is the co-founder and co-host of Hello Ranger, a national parks community blog, podcast, and forthcoming app.

from Eater - All https://ift.tt/38HIo58 https://ift.tt/2Zbjk3i

Paddleboarding in Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park | Getty Images

America’s larger parks are attracting major crowds. Here’s where to avoid them

So, with safety top of mind, here are some alternative parks to consider for your 2020 summer escape, and, of course, the best places to eat — to go, dine-in, or dine-out — nearby.

Getty Images/iStockphoto

The boardwalk at Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Universal Images Group via Getty

The Starlight Theatre saloon in Terlingua, outside Big Bend

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Getty Images/EyeEm

The famous cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde national park

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Matt Kirouac

Kerouac’s restaurant in Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Grassy rolling hills in Wild Cave National Park

Hotel Alex Johnson / Facebook

The rooftop deck at Vertex Sky Bar in Rapid City

Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Lost Lake campsite at Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Matt Kirouac

The tap lineup at Superior Bathhouse

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

Getty Images

The rugged badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

Getty Images/iStockphoto

An overlook at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

Getty Images/iStockphoto

The Brandywine Falls Trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Rattlesnake Canyon at Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

A full-time RV traveler and freelance travel writer, Matt Kirouac is the co-founder and co-host of Hello Ranger, a national parks community blog, podcast, and forthcoming app.

from Eater - All https://ift.tt/38HIo58 via Blogger https://ift.tt/2DnLPCm

#Blogger #cooking #Eater #food #recipes

0 notes

miss-harper-reid · 5 years ago

Text

Your Spiritual Journey: 8 Destinations Around the World

This wonderful world is filled with countless places to see and things to do. Amongst this, it is home to many different cultures. Open your world to different traditions, cultures and customs in search of your spiritual significance. Now is the best time to undertake your spiritual journey. You’ll quickly reap the benefits of finding inner peace, a deeper knowledge of yourself and the world around you. The following eight places are amongst the most spiritual destinations in the world.

BOROBUDUR, INDONESIA

This is the world’s largest Buddhist temple, located in Central Java. Borobudur features over 2000 relief panels and 500 Buddha statues. You can go on a pilgrimage journey, and symbolically enact the act of worship, by hiring a guide. This is also a great way to learn about the spiritual history of the temple. Symbolically, ascend your way to the top of three tiers. Start at Kāmadhātu, known as the world of desire- represented by the pyramidal base. Move into Rupadhatu, the world of forms, symbolised by the circular platforms above the base of the shrine. Reach the peak of your spiritual journey at Arupadhatu, which is the world of formlessness. Visit during the full moon in May or June to observe Vesak, to celebrate when Gautama Buddha became the Buddha Shakyamuni.

BODH GAYA, INDIA

Bodh Gaya is located in Bihar, east India. This religious site is a pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. The significance of Mahabodhi Temple is the Bodhi tree. This is where Gautama Buddha obtained enlightenment. Visit at 5:30 am for meditation then make your way to the Archaeological Museum. If you have time, there are also philosophy, meditation and Buddhism courses available at some monasteries, further enlightening your spiritual journey.

KYOTO, JAPAN

Kyoto in the Kansai region of Japan is one of the most spiritual locations in the world. It is home to over 1600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines. With so many temples and shrines. It can be hard to choose just one.

Most popular is the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji), appropriately named as the temple is completely covered in gold leaf. With peaceful Japanese gardens and a beautiful view over Kyoto, the Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji) is equally a must-see on your spiritual travels. Ryōan-ji, known for its famous rock garden, is a wondrous zen temple from the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism. The Kiyomizu-dera pure water temple provides a different, yet still peaceful, experience. A UNESCO world heritage site, the temple places focus on relationships and love. You can’t miss drinking from the Otowa waterfall. With three different streams, each is said to represent either love, success and longevity. However, you can only drink from one. So choose wisely!

MACCHU PICCHU, PERU

Macchu Picchu is an incredibly popular tourist destination in the Cusco region. The Incan Citadel is very well preserved and sits over 2000m above sea level. It is believed to be built for the Inca emperor Pachacuti. The Inca Trail is not for the faint-hearted. At 82 km to Macchu Picchu, this will take four days minimum to complete. Essential to your spiritual pilgrimage is the ritualistic stone, Intihuatana, located at the peak of Macchu Picchu. Along your way up the Inca Trail, you can’t miss the Temple of the Sun, best viewed during the summer solstice at sunrise.

ASSISI, ITALY

Assisi is a great destination for a Catholic pilgrimage. This town in the Umbria region of central Italy is the birthplace of seven Catholic Saints. You don’t want to miss the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi, the Basilica of Santa Chiara and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli.

ANGKOR WAT, CAMBODIA

Located in Siem Reap, Angkor Wat was originally built as a Hindu Temple to celebrate the God Vishnu. It is now regarded as a Buddhist temple and a sister to Borobudur. The temple was built by Khmer King Suryavarman II as his temple and mausoleum. The complex is surrounded by a moat and outer wall. Start by admiring three rectangular galleries then make your way to the series of five towers in the centre of the temple.

ADAM’S PEAK, SRI LANKA

Central Sri Lanka is home to Adam’s Peak. This is a holy site for Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians alike. You’ll find the Sacred Footprint rock formation at the base of the mountain. It will take 2-4 hours to reach the summit. Scale the mountain from December to May, when heavy rain will not hinder the climb. Bear in mind April is the pilgrimage season, so it will be very busy.

SANDUNOVKSI BATHS, MOSCOW

The Sandunovski Baths are breath-taking. The bathhouses are lined with white columns, gold crown moulding and historic flair. Find them in the heart of Moscow. As well as the eight bathhouses, you’ll find steam rooms, a Jacuzzi, beauty salons and a spa centre. This is the perfect place to relax and find your inner peace. You can book a tour to learn about the baths’ history and traditions.

#spiritual travel #travel #solo travel #meditation #travel destinations #tourism

0 notes

adventurewildlifemagazine-blog · 6 years ago

Text

Must Visit Adventure Destinations In Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe is quite mystical and beautiful region for adventure lovers because it offers all kinds of activities ranging from hiking, mountaineering, countryside and fairy tale villages for the delight. There is rich history and heritage associated with Eastern Europe which is quite adorable to look at.

Witness the birthplace of Dracula, or visit the home of vampires for an all-time adventurous trip. Here are some of the mesmerizing adventurous destinations in Eastern Europe which you cannot afford to miss:

1. Transylvania, Romania – The Home of Ghosts and Vampires: Hollywood has been quite crazy about this land of vampires along with Saxon churches which have rich history. Pay a visit to Romania’s capital Bucharest and head to Bran Castle which is 100 miles away from the capital. Also visit Vlad Tepes the real-life Dracula in the historic house Sighisoara. The 14th century clock tower and other medieval monuments is also a must visit place.

2. Trans- Siberian Railway, Russia: This amazing train journey is every traveler’s dream and the peak season May- September witnesses the tourists from Moscow reach here. The utterly romantic carriages is another delight to travel in. The breathtaking Russian landscape is a biggest highlight of the trip.Witness the mountain ranges of Russian and East European border which cannot be experienced in any other parts of the world

3. Cycling in Mljet Island, Croatia: Visit the Mljet Island off the coast of Croatia’s capital Dubrovnik –the home of Odysseus and witness the lush green shores. MIjet Island is called as the pearl of Mediterranean with loads of sandy coves, hiking trails. During October, visit the annual Mijet Half Ironman Triathlon which combines cycling, swimming, running and Island’s beautiful landscape. For all the adventure lovers out there, Mijet Island is a dream come true destination.

4. Lake Bled, Slovenia: This is the most scintillating location for travel because of the breathtaking water body it offers. The mirror-like reflection of the water shows the beauty of the Alps and the roofs of 17th century church as well. Visit the dolphin and sea turtle populations near the coast of Slovenia which is a wildlife and adventure photographer’s delight.

5. Vineyards of Lake Balaton, Hungary: The majestic location is the home of modern and semi-ruined bars and neo-gothic buildings for the architecture lover’s delight. Visit the fertile lands around the lake where a circuit of wineries and taste the white wine. Also taste freshly made goat cheese and indulge in a cool beverage spree by witnessing the icy lake Balaton!

6. Ambient Albania: Sandwiched between Greece, Macedonia, Kosego and Adriatic sea on the other, this place has a rich history and breathtaking landscapes. The valiant history of Albania and its people is worth witnessing and experiencing as well. The breathtaking beauty of the Alps mountain range is another must visit at this place. All the hiking enthusiasts will have a gala time at Albania for the friendly climate and also amazing terrain.

0 notes

besttimetogo2 · 7 days ago

Text

When is the Best Time to Go to Moscow? A Seasonal Guide

Moscow, the capital of Russia, is a city that seamlessly blends rich history with modern sophistication. Whether you are drawn to its stunning architecture, vibrant arts scene, or cultural landmarks, timing your visit can greatly impact your experience. Moscow’s climate is as diverse as its offerings, with each season providing a distinct atmosphere. If you're wondering when the best time to go to Moscow is, here’s a guide to help you plan your trip according to your preferences.

Moscow in the Summer: June to August

If you are wondering when is the best time to go to Moscow, here’s the answer. Summer in Moscow is considered the best time to visit for most travelers. From June to August, the city enjoys pleasant temperatures, with daytime highs ranging from 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). This is ideal for sightseeing, outdoor activities, and exploring Moscow’s beautiful parks, gardens, and riverside areas. The long daylight hours—sometimes up to 18 hours—allow you to make the most of your days, and the city's outdoor cafes and terraces come to life with locals and tourists alike.

Summer is also the time for festivals, open-air concerts, and cultural events, making it an exciting period for visitors. The Moscow International Film Festival and various art exhibitions add a special touch to the summer experience. However, it’s important to note that summer is also peak tourist season, so the city's popular attractions can be crowded. If you prefer to avoid long lines, booking tours and tickets in advance is recommended.

Autumn in Moscow: September to November

If you are questioning yourself when is the best time to go to Moscow, here’s the answer to your question. Autumn is another wonderful time to visit Moscow, especially for those who enjoy cooler weather and fewer crowds. From September to November, the city experiences crisp air and colorful foliage, making it an excellent time for sightseeing and enjoying Moscow’s parks and gardens. Temperatures during this period are comfortable, with highs ranging from 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F), though it can get chilly later in the season.

The fall also offers a more tranquil atmosphere compared to the busy summer months, as many tourists have returned home. For those who appreciate art and history, autumn in Moscow is perfect, as the cultural venues are less crowded and events such as the Moscow Art Fair and the Golden Mask Theatre Festival take place.

Conclusion

If you are asking yourself when is the best time to go to Moscow, consider your preferences and what you hope to experience. Summer offers pleasant weather and vibrant events, while autumn provides a quieter, scenic atmosphere. Winter, with its snow-covered streets and festive spirit, attracts those who embrace the cold, while spring offers a refreshing, peaceful time to visit as the city begins to bloom. No matter when you choose to visit, Moscow’s rich culture, history, and beauty promise an unforgettable experience.

#when is the best time to go moscow #moscow travel guide #moscow travel tips #best time for moscow sightseeing #moscow temperature guide #best month for moscow trips #moscow vacation planning #moscow seasonal attractions #travel to moscow during holidays #dream vacation planning #guided travel services #travel planning services #best time to visit #best time to go on vacation #find best time to go anywhere #plan your vacation with expert advice #besttimetogo

0 notes

newstfionline · 4 years ago

Text

Sunday, June 13, 2021

Rash of mass shootings stirs US fears heading into summer (AP) Two people were killed and at least 30 others wounded in mass shootings overnight in three states, authorities said Saturday, stoking concerns that a spike in U.S. gun violence could continue into summer as coronavirus restrictions ease and more people are free to socialize. The attacks took place late Friday or early Saturday in the Texas capital of Austin, Chicago and Savannah, Georgia. In Austin, authorities said they arrested one of two male suspects and were searching for the other after a shooting early Saturday on a crowded pedestrian-only street packed with bars and restaurants. Fourteen people were wounded, including two critically, in the gunfire, which the city’s interim police chief said is believed to have started as a dispute between two parties. In Chicago, a woman was killed and nine other people were wounded when two men opened fire on a group standing on a sidewalk in the Chatham neighborhood on the city’s South Side. In the south Georgia city of Savannah, police said one man was killed and seven other people were wounded in a mass shooting Friday evening.

Summer camps return but with fewer campers and counselors (AP) Overnight summer camps will be allowed in all 50 states this season, but COVID-19 rules and a pandemic labor crunch mean that many fewer young campers will attend, and those who do will have to observe coronavirus precautions for the second consecutive year. “Camp might look a little different, but camp is going to look a lot better in 2021 than it did in 2020, when it didn’t happen,” said Matt Norman of Atlanta, who is getting ready to send his 12-year-old daughter to camp. Even though most camps will be open, reduced capacity necessitated by COVID-19 restrictions and the labor shortage will keep numbers well below a normal threshold of about 26 million summer campers, said Tom Rosenberg of the American Camp Association.

Mexico says COVID-19 has affected a fourth of its population (Reuters) About a quarter of Mexico’s 126 million people are estimated to have been infected with the coronavirus, the health ministry said on Friday, far more than the country’s confirmed infections. The 2020 National Health and Nutrition Survey (Ensanut) showed that about 31.1 million people have had the virus, the ministry said in a statement, citing Tonatiuh Barrientos, an official at the National Institute of Public Health. According to Barrientos, not all of the people in the survey’s estimate necessarily showed symptoms. The survey was based on interviews with people at 13,910 households between Aug. 17 and Nov. 14 last year, and confirmed preliminary results released in December.

Peru on edge as electoral board reviews result of disputed presidential election (Guardian) Peru was on a knife-edge on Friday as its electoral board reviewed ballots cast in the presidential election, after a challenge to the tally by the losing candidate Keiko Fujimori. The final tally gave the leftist teacher Pedro Castillo a razor-thin 50.17% to 49.83% advantage over his rightwing rival Fujimori, which amounts to about 60,000 votes. However, the country’s electoral authority has yet to confirm the win, and Fujimori, the scion of a controversial political dynasty, has refused to concede. She alleges fraud, even though national and international observers said the vote was clean, and has called for up to 500,000 votes to be nullified or reexamined, forcing the electoral board to conduct a review of ballots.

For Cornwall, G7 summit brings disruption (AP) Towering steel fences, masses of police, protests on the beach: The Cornish seaside’s turquoise waters and white sandy beaches are looking decidedly less idyllic this week as leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy democracies descend for a summit. U.S. President Joe Biden and leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan are arriving for three days of talks starting Friday at the tiny village of Carbis Bay, near St. Ives in Cornwall. The region is a popular holiday destination in the southwestern tip of England. Locals may be used to crowds and traffic jams during the peak summer tourist season, but the disruptions caused by the summit are on another level. A naval frigate dominates the coastline, armed soldiers guard the main sites and some 5,000 extra police officers have been deployed to the area. Authorities have even hired a cruise ship with a capacity of 3,000, moored offshore, to accommodate some of the extra officers. A main road is closed for the whole week, and local train lines and bus services have been shut down. A 3-meter (10-foot) tall metal fence nicknamed the “ring of steel” has been erected around Treganna Castle in Carbis Bay, where world leaders will stay. Security is also tight in the nearby town of Falmouth, the main base for international media covering the summit.

World leaders are in England, but beautiful British beaches have stolen the show (Washington Post) When President Biden shared a photo to Twitter on Thursday of him standing alongside British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and gazing out onto an unspoiled, sandy white beach from the Group of Seven summit in Cornwall, England, the post was supposed to be a tribute to the “special relationship” between the United Kingdom and the United States. But to many, it was the image of the picturesque coast that stood out. It looked somewhat suspicious. Too good to be true. Others questioned the authenticity of the scene, wondering whether it was photoshopped. Although it is true that some of Britain’s beaches have a reputation for pebbles, angry seagulls that steal food from unsuspecting tourists and diapers that float in murky waters, the county of Cornwall boasts some of the country’s best seaside destinations—complete with calm, clear waters that are perfect for swimming in and long stretches of soft sand that attract families from around the world. Carbis Bay is one of several beaches that make up St. Ives Bay, which, according to the Cornwall tourist board, is considered by the “Most Beautiful Bays in the World” organization to be one of the world’s best. The bay is described as being “surrounded by sub-tropical plants and lapped by turquoise waters.”

Ransomware’s suspected Russian roots point to a long detente between the Kremlin and hackers (Washington Post) The ransomware hackers suspected of targeting Colonial Pipeline and other businesses around the world have a strict set of rules. First and foremost: Don’t target Russia or friendly states. It’s even hard-wired into the malware, including coding to prevent hacks on Moscow’s ally Syria, according to cybersecurity experts who have analyzed the malware’s digital fingerprints. They say the reasons appear clear. “In the West you say, ‘Don’t . . . where you eat,’ ” said Dmitry Smilyanets, a former Russia-based hacker who is now an intelligence analyst at Recorded Future, a cybersecurity company with offices in Washington and other cities around the world. “It’s a red line.” Targeting Russia could mean a knock on the door from state security agents, he said. But attacking Western enterprises is unlikely to trigger a crackdown. The relationship between the Russian government and ransomware criminals allegedly operating from within the country is expected to be a point of tension between President Biden and Russia’s Vladimir Putin at their planned summit in Geneva on Wednesday. The United States has accused Russia of acting as a haven for hackers by tolerating their activities—as long as they are directed outside the country.

Pandemic relapse spells trouble for India’s middle class (AP) India’s economy was on the cusp of recovery from the first pandemic shock when a new wave of infections swept the country, infecting millions, killing hundreds of thousands and forcing many people to stay home. Cases are now tapering off, but prospects for many Indians are drastically worse as salaried jobs vanish, incomes shrink and inequality is rising. Decades of progress in alleviating poverty are imperiled, experts say, and getting growth back on track hinges on the fate of the country’s sprawling middle class. It’s a powerful and diverse group ranging from salaried employees to small business owners: many millions of people struggling to hold onto their hard-earned gains. The outbreak of the pandemic triggered the worst downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s and as it gradually ebbs, many economies are bouncing back. India’s economy contracted 7.3% in the fiscal year that ended in March, worsening from a slump that slashed growth to 4% from 8% in the two years before the pandemic hit. Economists fear there will be no rebound similar to the ones seen in the U.S. and other major economies.

‘Xi Jinping is my spiritual leader’: China’s education drive in Tibet (Reuters) Under clear blue skies, rugged peaks and the spectacular Potala Palace, one image is ubiquitous in Tibet’s capital city Lhasa: portraits of Chinese President Xi Jinping and fellow leaders. China is broadening a political education campaign as it celebrates the 70th anniversary of its control over Tibet. Civilians and religious figures who the government arranged to be interviewed on the five-day trip pledged loyalty to the Communist Party and Xi. Asked who his spiritual leader was, a monk at Lhasa’s historic Jokhang temple named Xi. “I’m not drunk ... I speak freely to you,” said the monk named Lhakpa, speaking from a courtyard overlooked by security cameras and government observers. “The posters [of Xi] coincide with a massive political education programme which is called ‘feeling gratitude to the party’ education,” said Robert Barnett, a Tibetan studies veteran scholar at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.

Long overlooked, Israel’s Arab citizens are increasingly asserting their Palestinian identity (Washington Post) Growing up in an Arab village in northern Israel in the 1990s, Mahmoud Abo Arisheh was sure of at least two things: He was Israeli, and he was not allowed to talk politics. “Be careful, or the Shin Bet will get you,” his parents told him, referring to Israel’s domestic security service. Decades later, much has changed: Abo Arisheh is a lawyer, a poet and a theater director in Jaffa. He attends protests and talks politics freely—in Arabic, Hebrew and English. And while his citizenship may remain Israeli, the identity most dear to him is that of a Palestinian. “I didn’t know anything about being Palestinian,” said the 32-year-old, “but then I opened my eyes.” And now, it seems, so are many others. In just the past month, Palestinian citizens of Israel—also known as Israeli Arabs—have risen up in mass, nationwide demonstrations to protest Israeli evictions and police raids. They have been arrested by the hundreds following some of the worst communal violence between Arabs and Jews in Israel’s post-independence history. For a community that is often overlooked despite numbering nearly 2 million people—or about 20 percent of the Israeli population—these are momentous days indeed.

Nigerian police fire tear gas to break up protests over rising insecurity (Reuters) Police fired tear gas and detained several demonstrators in the Nigerian cities of Lagos and Abuja on Saturday during protests over the country’s worsening security situation, Reuters witnesses said. Anger over mass kidnappings-for-ransom, a decade-long Islamist insurgency and a crackdown on protesters in Lagos last October has fueled demands for the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to do more to tackle violence and insecurity. Reuters witnesses in Lagos and Abuja saw police shooting their guns into the air and firing tear gas into the crowds to disperse the demonstrators, who held placards and chanted “Buhari must go”. Officers were also seen smashing mobile phones confiscated from protesters, who also denounced the country’s 33.3% unemployment rate.

#headlines #news

2 notes · View notes

datinglove07-blog-blog-blog · 6 years ago

Text

The Cheapest Cities to Book for Your Next Vacation, According to Airbnb

New Post has been published on https://onlinedatingloves.com/awesome/the-cheapest-cities-to-book-for-your-next-vacation-according-to-airbnb/

The Cheapest Cities to Book for Your Next Vacation, According to Airbnb

People say that one of their biggest traveling regretsis being held back by finances. While it certainly cost money to jet-set all over the world, savvy travelers know that some of the cheapest cities to visit can make for picturesque and unforgettable getaways.

Thanks to deal-scanning sites and budget airlines, it’s easy to score affordable airfare. That, in addition to Airbnb( because actually, who needs hotels ?), anyone can book a trip on a budget. Needless to say, it’s no surprise that touring all corners of the globe has become the norm, because getting there is more accessible than ever before. And with the search for” budget travelling” being on the rise( up 64 percent from last year, according to Pinterest ), Airbnb released a list of 10 worldwide destinations with astonishingly affordable listings.

Ahead, check out the accommodation site’s top picks, along with money-saving hacksfrom travel experts, advisors, and bloggers who’ve been there, themselves. From drinking wine in Bologna, to eating street food in Taipei, to seeing gardens in Moscow, you don’t have to let money( or absence thereof) dampen your wanderlust. If the places below are on your travel bucket list, get ready to check off your most dreamed-about destinations.

Bologna, Italy

Source: @yulia_vasilyeva

Believe it or not, your stay in Italy can be super budget-friendly. Head to Bologna, and you’ll find plenty of Airbnb listings for under $75 a night, with many in the $50 and under range.

Katy Thomas, who created the travel blog Katy in Umbria, gives her tips on touring the city on the cheap.” A plate of pasta alla bolognese, a glass of light, somewhat fizzy red wine called Lambrusco, water, and a cafe should come to EUR1 5, while the walk-to is free. For a quick and easy lunch, stop at a bar and try un panino con Mortadella, a sandwich with the famed cold cut for under EUR5 .”

She adds a hack that’ll save money for sightseeing history buffs.” If you’re interested in checking out some museums and art galleries, then the city cardmight be a good investment for EUR2 5.”

Lyon, France

Source: @france. vacations

With Airbnb listings averaging $79 per night, head to Lyon on a dime, and you can say you’ve been to France.

” Lyon’s old one-quarter, Vieux Lyon, is worth savoring, with streets every bit as atmospheric as in Paris ,” says Rachel Heller, founder of the travel blog Rachel’s Ruminations.” For a bit of history, start at the Romanesque/ Gothic cathedral of St. Jean Baptiste( free ), dating to the Middle Ages; its stained glass windows are mostly original and absolutely magnificent in the darkness of the cathedral. From there, stray the constrict streets, moving slowly uphill as you explore, or else take the Fourviere funicular( EUR1. 90) up the hill. In either example, at the top, admire the opulent interior of the 19 th-century Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourviere( free ). Stroll its garden and admire the views of the city. Jumping back farther in history, visit the wreckings of a Roman theater( free) nearby

” To feed cheaply in Lyon, don’t buy pre-made sandwiches ,” Heller recommends.” Instead, buy a cheap baguette at any boulangerie( baker) for under EUR2 and some cheese and fruit at a grocery or supermarket for a couple of euros more. You’ll have enough for two meals: simple, delicious, and very cheap .”

Busan, South Korea

Source: The Culture Trip

The average Airbnb in Busan is a miniscule $47 per night. So while airliner tickets to Asia can be quite pricey( although, you can still find some pretty sweet deals ), you don’t have to spend much once you get there.

” In Busan, most of the major tourist attractions are free ,” explains Bino Chua, the travel blogger behind I Wandered.” This includes the picturesque temples — Beomeosa, Seokbulsa, and Haedong Yonggungsa — as well as the modern architecture of the Busan Cinema Center. The lifestyle here is outdoorsy, with beaches right at one’s doorstep; you’ll also get to spot some of Korea’s famed cherry buds in spring.

” A trip-up to Busan is not complete without visiting the village of Gamcheon, a former slum that has find urban resurgence, thanks to its brightly colored houses and charming alleyways. There are so many free things to do in Busan that you probably won’t need to spend on attractions while there .”

Porto, Portugal

Source: @leboudoirdetimea

If Portugal is on your pail listing, don’t let finances get in the way. Make a trip-up to Porto, where you can book an Airbnb for under $50 a night.

Tammy O’Hara, proprietor of Million Miles Travel Agency, says touring around township can be super affordable.” The city is very walkable going downhill, and public transportation is plentiful and inexpensive. A must-do, in my opinion, be able to find a tile-making factory( I went to Gazete Azulejos ). The tour is about three hours and includes a walking tour, coffee, and nata( custard tart ), and the opportunity to attain your own tile. It is about EUR4 0 per person .”

O’Hara mentions that the food in Porto is especially cheap — and delicious.” Do a port wine tasting, try the bacalhu( salted codfish ), the francesinha( go to Bufete Fase, one sandwich is definitely enough for two people, about EUR7 per person ), and natas,[ which are] available for EUR1- 2. A lot of the bakeries also have a coffee or port special for EUR2- 3,[ which is] excellent for a quick breakfast or after-dinner dessert and wine. Go to Nata Lisboa, Majestic Cafe, or Fabrica de Nata .”

Ottawa, Canada

Source: @heynadine

With Airbnbs in Ottawa averaging $66 per night, tourists in the northern US can leave the country for cheap, and without stepping foot on a plane.

” Two of Ottawa’s top attractions are completely free to visit ,” points out travelling blogger Kris Morton, inventor of Nomad by Trade.” Visitors can enjoy the Rideau Canal for free in any season, skating when it’s frozen in wintertime or walking or running along the pathways in warmer climate. Guided tours of Parliament, including the Senate or House of Commons are also free, though it’s recommended that you reserve tickets in advance online.

” Don’t miss the Rideau Canal — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that runs through the heart of town. If you’re visiting in winter, you’ll want to check out the Winterludefestival, held there annually for skating and other cold-weather fun .”

Prague, Czech Republic

Source: @aroundprague

Full of history and culture, Prague is the home of stunning architecture, and, it is about to change, plenty of $10 – $20 Airbnbs.

” Prague is as easy on the bank as it is to navigate with its top-notch transportation system ,” says Sara Graham, a brand and communications consultant and writer of How To Make Big Moves: Relocate Without Losing Your Mind.” For the budget traveler, it’s a no-brainer … beer is almost the same price as water .”

Graham’s first recommendation for a sunny springtime day?” Grab snacks and rent a peddle barge for a self-guided cruise on the Vltava ,” she says.” This is a lovely low-cost way to see the bridges, which can often get crowded.( Approximately $13 for a four-person boat .) Craving pizza? Pizza Nuova does it best this side of Naples. Classic pizza Margherita ($ 7) and vino, with a downtown position. Invariably, there’s always something going on in Old Town Square, even if it’s just the usual throngs collecting to watch the medieval Astronomical Clock ring in the hour .”

Bali, Indonesia

Source: @thebaliexpert

Want some time in a tropical paradise without draining your bank account? Head to Bali, where luxurious Airbnb accommodations can run around $ 130 per night( or as little as $30 for smaller spaces ).

” Bali is one of the most magical places on the planet ,” says Erin L. McCoy, editor-in-chief of Let’s Travel Spain.” One of the best things to do in Bali is to visit local temples, and these are usually either free or available to visit for a small donation. The Ubud Water Palace is gorgeous, flanked by ponds blooming with lotuses, and decorated with the most intricately carved figures. The colossal Besakih Temple is Bali’s mother temple, and looks down on broad fields from the peak of a mound. The Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, a short distance from Ubud, appears to float over a serene lagoon. These are just a few must-sees, and you can rent a taxi for a whole day for only a relatively small cost .”

When it comes to food, McCoy says,” For low-priced local fare, check out Puspa or Warung Biah Biah, both on a cobblestoned, pedestrian-friendly side street at the heart of Ubud. For coffee, stop in at KAFE, a hangout for expats and digital nomads .”

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Source: @riodejaneirobrasil

Even budget-conscious travelers can check out this seaside city, where a variety of Airbnbs will cost you under $100 per night.

” During Spring breaking, Rio receives its autumn, which is a perfect time to visit; not too hot , not too cold( if we can say that Brazil gets’ too cold ‘), and not too mobbed ,” says Reylla Santos, a clinical and addictions counselor who’s from Brazil. “[ There are] plenty of places to visit, beautiful beaches, bars around the beach( you can drink caipirinha while enjoy the breeze ), museums, breathtaking landscape. In Rio you also receive a lot of tourists; hence, detecting someone who speaks English won’t be a problem. There are multiple alternatives of things to do, places to go, and where to eat .”

Further, she says,” Watch the sunset at the Arpoador, it’s awesome! Eat a picanha[ a cut of beef] at Garota da Urca, it melts in your mouth. The Santa Teresa neighborhood is cozy and artistic, so if you like these types of things, make sure you go there. The pond Joao Fernandes is also a cool place to go and have a peaceful afternoon or get active by taking a helicopter trip or doing some water athletics .”

Moscow, Russia

Source: @moscow

Yes, you can stay in Russia’s capital city without going transgres by booking an Airbnb between $40 -7 0 a night.” One of my favorite things to do in Moscow during the spring is to visit the central botanical garden ,” shares Igor Bratnikov, co-founder and COO of Wanderu, a bus and train travel booking site.” There are numerous collectings of flora from all over the world … you have to pay an extra fee to get into special exhibitions, but those are usually around$ 5-$ 7, and are definitely worth it .”

Bratnikov adds that, when it is necessary to museums, you can expect to pay an admission fee, but again, it’s nothing that will break the bank.” On average, expect to pay about$ 8 at every museum you’d like to visit ,” he explains.” My two main recommendations include The Armoury Chamber, where you can see authentic royal jewelry dating back to the 12 th century, and the State History Museum, because Russia is a country with such a colorful history that you simply must learn more about it to understand many of the cultural peculiarities you will run into as a guest .”

As far as nosh goes,” you can easily have a delicious three-course meal for about $20 at a popular local eatery( not a fast food place or an international chain ). My personal favourite is Khachapuri, a restaurant that offers authentic Georgian cuisine in a cozy laid-back atmosphere .”

Taipei, Tawain

Source: @taipei. scout

If this up-and-coming tourist destination is on your wishlist, consider booking a trip while it’s still cheap — and local Airbnbs average $54 a night.” Taipei is worth visiting for its friendly folk, plethora of hot spring in the northern part of town, and its fascinating night market culture ,” says Chua.” If you are into Chinese culture, the National Museum here is worth a visit. Many of the artifacts were brought here by the nationalist government when they fled mainland China during the communist takeover .”

He adds that the city’s vibrant street food scene means that you should come hungry.” You definitely have to try street food such as stinky tofu( which entails some fortitude in order to try ), oyster cake, and mee sua( thin noodles with soup ),” Chua explains.” A typical way of enjoying street snacks is to go to the night market of your choice and to try different things from various stallings. You won’t have to spend more than$ 5 to get your tummy filled. A personal favorite night market for me whenever in Taipei is Ningxia Night Market .”

This article originally appeared on The Zoe Report on March 30, 2019

The post The Cheapest Cities to Book for Your Next Vacation, According to Airbnb seemed first on The Everygirl.

Read more: theeverygirl.com

#travel

0 notes

theglobediary · 7 years ago

Text

Cape Town is still one of my favourite cities in the world and I am so grateful to have been able to spend six years of my life living there — including my varsity life. So it’s no wonder that this city will always have a special place in my heart. When I do get the chance to visit, I usually jam pack the days doing all my favourite things, but it is also the perfect city to relax in. It just depends on your vibe! This time, I tried to do a whole lot of new things I had never done before. With beautiful, summery days, we were outdoors enjoying the sunshine and views as much as possible. Here some ideas on what to do on your next summer visit.

Read: Things You Must Do in Cape Town, South Africa.

[bctt tweet=”Cape Town is one of my favourite cities in the world! Check out how to spend 5 of your days there!” username=”theglobediary”]

Where We Stayed:

We stayed at my aunt’s place in Vredehoek — one of my favourite residential areas in Cape Town. It lies at the foot of Table Mountain boasting incredible views of the hugely popular tourist attraction (when the mountain isn’t not covered by the infamous cloud ‘tablecloth’. That said, if I was looking for a hotel, any one of the 8 on my list of Best Hotels in Cape Town would make the cut.

Read: Top 8 Best Hotels in Cape Town, South Africa.

One of those hotels, the Silo Hotel, is currently on my bucket-list of hotels to stay at. But if I ever get Craig to agree to it, we will be forking out between R12 000 to R27 500 (1000 USD – 2200 USD) a night. And you can forget the R 75 grander Penthouse Suite, which goes all the way up to R140 000 during peak season! This time, I settled for drinks at the Willaston Bar.

One thing we had to be aware on our latest visit was the recent drastic water crisis they are experiencing in Cape Town at the moment. If you do happen to visit during this, or any future water crisis, be aware of conserving water and not wasting. Try some of the tips in the this article. Even as tourists, we have to be responsible and aware of the context in which we find ourselves in. #SaveLikeALocal

Read: Saving Water Like A Local When Visiting Cape Town

Drinks at The Silo Hotel

Seeing as our Cape Town visit was rushed and unplanned, we pitched up at the hotel without any prior reservations and thus could only get into the Willaston Bar as opposed to the Rooftop bar and the Granary Cafe (both of which requires prior reservations). We ordered the Moscow Mule which comes in a carafe to share and sipped away while enjoying the incredible view.

Although we didn’t go, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Africa Art is also located at the hotel silo and is a fun activity. Tickets range from R180 per adult, free for under 18 or African citizens on Wednesdays, & half-price admission between 4 pm – 9 pm every first Friday of the month.

Colourful Houses in Bokaap

In my six years that I had lived there, I had never actually driven through the Bokaap area. This time, as somewhat of a tourist, I thought I would finally snap a pic of the famous colourful houses. Instagram worthy, am I right?!

Coffee at Yours Truly on Kloof Street

MY FAVOURITE COFFEE SPOT EVER. No really. This place is a vibe. The ever trendy, Yours Truly Cafe & Bar is not just a spot to grab a good cuppa plus a yummy sandwich, it’s also a popular nightlife spot with live DJ sets. Check out their aesthetically pleasing Instagram to see what you’re in for.

Mojo Market in Seapoint

MOJO Market is a new 7-day-a-week-food-based market that has opened along Main Street in Seapoint, and is attached to the new MOJO Hotel. We ended up grabbing some sushi for lunch one day and loved it. Check out their Instagram to see some other delicious food options you can get here. Want to know more? Check out Lifestyle Hunter’s Blog Post here.

Day in Franschhoek

Franschhoek is one of my absolute favourite places in the world. And it’s no wonder — it’s beautiful, charming and . We did the most typical thing that day in the winelands: we went to several wine-tastings; enjoyed a gourmet lunch; and ended it with a coffee and an ice cream on a particularly hot day. I highly recommend it 😉

We enjoyed an 8-course late lunch on 38+ degree day, under a shady oak tree with a coolish breeze at Maison Estate. I’ll be blogging all about it soon, so look out for that post. Sign up to our newsletter or follow us on Twitter to keep updated!

Read On The Luce’s Blog Post on her visit to Franschhoek here.

Dinner at The Test Kitchen

It just so happens that friends of mine from Edmonton were visiting Cape Town the same time as me and invited me along to a treat of a lifetime! The Test Kitchen, located at the Old Biscuit Mill, has been voted the best restaurant in Africa — and I’m not surprised why! That said, the 21-course menu and drinks pairing does come with a hefty price-tag that could make a South African poor for the rest of the month (R2000 – R3000 / $150 – $250 US).

Highlights? Lowlights? Tips?

Highlights? Franschhoek was a definite highlight. In fact, I could have spent the entire 5 days there! That lunch at the Chefs Warehouse was amazing, but I cannot forget about our experience at the Test Kitchen — what a fun night with incredible food!

Lowlights? Nada. Not one. I mean, besides not having Craig with me on this trip.

After this visit I wrote an article in my Expat Series about how I felt returning to South Africa after moving away. This trip was full of mixed emotions, but our 5 days in Cape Town really made it worthwhile for me. If you’d like to read the article click below:

Read: An Open Letter to South Africa From An Expat After A Recent Visit

~ Leigh

Travel Diary: Five Summer Days in Cape Town Cape Town is still one of my favourite cities in the world and I am so grateful to have been able to spend six years of my life living there -- including my varsity life.

0 notes

swatsiie · 8 years ago

Text

Russia is a history buff’s dream come true- which was why I was absolutely delighted to visit there. The first destination in Russia was Moscow. Moscow is the country’s capital and their most populous city.

While it is common knowledge to those who know me that I prefer St. Petersburg more (all because of the Hermitage), I did really enjoy Moscow too. I was there for 3 whole days and we covered as much ground as we could of the city. Here are some items that have to be on every itinerary:

Bolshoi Theatre

Located on the Theatre Square, is a historic theatre. Popular for its Ballet performances, the Bolshoi Theatre and Opera are one of oldest, most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world. Unfortunately for me, the theatre was under renovation when I travelled, so I couldn’t catch a show- but you absolutely must!

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

In Red Square are Moscow’s must-visit places. I visted this colorful monument first at night and then in the morning- and it was spectacular. The design isn’t mirrored or isn’t alike any Russian architectural marvels, which perhaps makes it stands out more. It’s right next to Kremlin, so you can visit the Kremlin, Gum Mall and St. Basil’s Cathedral in one!

Kremlin- Diamond Fund and Armoury As you know, Kremlin, the Russian Fortress, is Russia’s White House. Within the fortress, there are many things to see- different Cathedrals, a little museum and more. But, the two things that you really cannot miss at the Kremlin are the Diamond Fund, the Armoury and the changing of the guards. The Diamond Fund-oh how I wish I could spend a few more hours there. It’s an exhibit of Russia’s gems and jewels- which dates back to Peter I. You cannot take pictures of the fund- which sucks, but they are generous enough to offer free postcards to all visitors. It opens 6 days week (Thursdays are off), from 10 am to 5 pm. It is closed off from 1 pm to 2 pm for lunch. I suggest getting there at 1.15-1.30pm to get in. It IS crowded during peak tourist season. The cost of the ticket: 500 Rubles per person (discounted for children). Armoury Museum is also within the Kremlin and must be visited. Don’t let the name confuse you, it’s not about only arms and armory- it has the clothes, the chariots, the cutlery, basically- IT IS STUNNING! The tickets are sold separately.

VDNKh (All-Russian Fair)

It’s general purpose was to be like a State fair and amusement park, my guide told me. Every little statue, artwork on all arches and buildings inside signify something deeply meaningful for the locals visiting. It’s about two hours inside- mostly because the fountain inside is spectacular. The souvenir shop there is super adorable!

Cosmos Museum

Russians are pioneers in aeronautical science and engineering, the Cosmos museum houses these exhibits. From little details to big, the museum is brilliant.

Boat Cruise

River Cruise along the Moscow River is a MUST if you’re visiting Moscow. The 2-hour boat cruise takes you around the city- with the best seat in town. I suggest using the Radisson one. I used it and I had a fantastic time. They serve food and drinks on board, as many might. The tiramisu and hot chocolate were delicious, especially in the chilly weather!

Circus

I’d been to the circus as a kid, I remembered jumping acrobats, some clowns and that’s about it. Russian Circus was something else- and I recommend EVERYONE has to visit it. Every single act was outstanding and astonishing- some were so bendy that all I could think was is it possible for a human body to twist like that?! Basically, DO visit. I’d suggest that you speak to your guide beforehand and book the tickets!

Sparrow Hills & Moscow State University It was a beautiful morning, and I found myself popped outside the Moscow State University in Sparrow Hills, Moscow. Within minutes, it started raining heavily. Just as the rain cleared and the sun set in hue behind clouds, it was a view out of paintings. The hills are one of the highest points of Moscow and give the best view of the city.

Metro Stations

The Moscow metro stations are like mini art galleries that people rush in and out of. Our tour guide, a lovely Russian fellow, suggested that we let the car go straight to the Circus from Sparrow Hills and travel the Moscow way- in their metros. He promised to show us two of the most popular stations- Komsomolskaya Station (the really, really grand one) and Novoslobodskaya station (which was complete with glass paintings and mosaics). It was fun to see how the locals travel- and it was really cool. The metros were much older than the ones I’m used to!

Arbat Street In every city, there’s a street that has a story to tell- and is very popular- among locals and tourists alike, well, that is exactly what Arbat Street is. With so many souvenir shops and tons of musicians and artists and more, make sure you make an evening out of it there! It’s right next to the Red Square- so you could leave it for the evening you do the Kremlin tour, but don’t miss it!

Moscow’s Places to See Russia is a history buff's dream come true- which was why I was absolutely delighted to visit there.

0 notes

newstfionline · 3 years ago

Text

Sunday, May 8, 2022

Large fires are raging in New Mexico, and the worst may be coming (Washington Post) Fanned by relentless winds and fueled by abnormally warm and dry weather, a historically large siege of fires is raging in New Mexico. Yet the state’s fire season still has to peak—and some of the most extreme fire conditions may be coming. The fires prompted President Biden to declare a major disaster for parts of the state Wednesday so that federal assistance can reach affected residents. The disaster zone includes Mora and San Miguel counties—about 60 miles east of Santa Fe—where the Calf Canyon fire erupted in April. The blaze has since grown to 165,276 acres, New Mexico’s second-largest fire on record. The Calf Canyon fire is also the largest fire so far this year in the United States. Only 20 percent contained, it has burned hundreds of structures and displaced thousands of people. The Calf Canyon fire is among six large, active blazes in New Mexico, and many weeks of fire season lie ahead.

Motherhood deferred: US median age for giving birth hits 30 (AP) For Allyson Jacobs, life in her 20s and 30s was about focusing on her career in health care and enjoying the social scene in New York City. It wasn’t until she turned 40 that she and her husband started trying to have children. They had a son when she was 42. Over the past three decades, that has become increasingly common in the U.S., as birthrates have declined for women in their 20s and jumped for women in their late 30s and early 40s, according to a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau. The trend has pushed the median age of U.S. women giving birth from 27 to 30, the highest on record. Decisions by college-educated women to invest in their education and careers so they could be better off financially when they had children, as well as the desire by working-class women to wait until they were more financially secure, have contributed to the shift toward older motherhood, said Philip Cohen, a University of Maryland sociologist.

Explosion at luxury Havana hotel kills 22, injures dozens (AP) A powerful explosion apparently caused by a natural gas leak killed at least 22 people, including a child, and injured dozens Friday when it blew away outer walls from a luxury hotel in the heart of Cuba’s capital. No tourists were staying at Havana’s 96-room Hotel Saratoga because it was undergoing renovations, Havana Gov. Reinaldo García Zapata told the Communist Party newspaper Granma. Dr. Julio Guerra Izquierdo, chief of hospital services at the Ministry of Health, told reporters that at least 74 people had been injured. Among them were 14 children.

How millions of Russians are tearing holes in the Digital Iron Curtain (Washington Post) When Russian authorities blocked hundreds of Internet sites in March, Konstantin decided to act. The 52-year-old company manager in Moscow tore a hole in the Digital Iron Curtain, which had been erected to control the narrative of the Ukraine war, with a tool that lets him surf blocked sites and eyeball taboo news. Konstantin turned to a virtual private network, an encrypted digital tunnel more commonly known as a VPN. Since the war began in February, VPNs have been downloaded in Russia by the hundreds of thousands a day—a massive surge in demand that represents a direct challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s attempt to seal Russians off from the wider world. By protecting the locations and identities of users, VPNs are now granting millions of Russians access to blocked material. Daily downloads in Russia of the 10 most popular VPNs jumped from below 15,000 just before the war to as many as 475,000 in March. As of this week, downloads were continuing at a rate of nearly 300,000 a day, according to data compiled for the Washington Post.

Turning Tables on Russia With West’s Arms, Ukraine Goes on Offense (NYT) Ukrainian troops, emboldened by sophisticated weapons and long-range artillery supplied by the West, went on the offensive Friday against Russian forces in the northeast, seeking to drive them back from two key cities as the war plunged more deeply into a grinding, town-for-town battle. After weeks of intense fighting along a 300-mile-long front, neither side has been able to achieve a major breakthrough, with one army taking a few villages one day, only to lose just as many in the following days. The pace of Russian missile strikes across Ukraine has been intensifying in recent days as Moscow tries to slow the flow of Western arms across the country. But as with so many aspects of the war, uncertainty about Mr. Putin’s intentions runs deep. There is rampant speculation that he might use the upcoming holiday to convert what he calls a “special military operation” into an all-out war, which would create a justification for a mass mobilization of Russian troops and set the stage for a more broad-ranging conflict. Kremlin officials have denied any such plans. But they also had denied plans to invade Ukraine.

In battered Kharkiv, cold, dark basements are the last safe refuge (Washington Post) Down in the cold, dark basement, the walls are decorated with Eastern Orthodox icons, a poster of Princess Diana and shelves filled with stuffed toys. Sheets with animal print serve as improvised doors for more privacy. Beds are thin pads on wooden crates. Pots, pans, a color-changing lamp and even an air fryer were eventually brought in as the stay grew from days to weeks to more than two months. The personal touches have made this place feel like home—even as the actual homes of the 50 people who spend their nights down here are just a few blocks away. In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, the Saltivka neighborhood has been heavily bombarded every day of this war with Russia. So life for those who chose to stay has moved underground, to the only safe place. Basements in Saltivka have become communities within the larger one, located on Kharkiv’s eastern edge, about 20 miles from the Russian border. The overwhelming majority of people here always considered Russia as a sort of friendly next-door neighbor. They speak Russian. They had friends and even family in Russia. They never hated Russia—until its military started battering their homes with artillery and airstrikes daily, sometimes hourly.

Ukraine evacuates civilians from steel plant under siege (AP) Russian forces fired cruise missiles at the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa on Saturday and bombarded a besieged steel mill in Mariupol, hoping to complete their conquest of the port in time for Victory Day celebrations. Officials announced that the last women, children and older adults had been evacuated from the mill, but Ukrainian fighters remained trapped. In a sign of the unexpectedly effective defense that has sustained the fighting into its 11th week, Ukraine’s military flattened Russian positions on a Black Sea island that was captured in the war’s first days and has become a symbol of resistance. Western military analysts also said a Ukrainian counteroffensive was advancing around the country’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, even as it remained a key target of Russian shelling. The largest European conflict since World War II has developed into a punishing war of attrition that has killed thousands of people, forced millions to flee their homes and destroyed large swaths of some cities.

Colombo calm after Sri Lanka declares state of emergency (Reuters) Streets in Sri Lanka’s commercial capital Colombo were calm on Saturday after the president declared a state of emergency following escalating anti-government protests. Details of the latest emergency regulations were not yet made public, but previous emergency laws have given greater powers to the president to deploy the military, detain people without charge and break up protests. The announcement—the second time President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has declared emergency law in little over a month—drew condemnation from Sri Lanka’s opposition and several western countries.

Taliban announce women must cover faces in public, say burqa is best (Reuters) The Taliban on Saturday ruled Afghan women must cover their faces, according to a decree from the group’s supreme leader, an escalation of growing restrictions on women in public that is drawing a backlash from the international community and many Afghans. A spokesman for the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice read the decree from the group’s supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada at a press conference in Kabul, saying that a woman’s father or closest male relative would be visited and eventually imprisoned or fired from government jobs if she did not cover her face outside the home. They added the ideal face covering was the all-encompassing blue burqa, which became a global symbol of the Taliban’s previous hardline regime from 1996 until 2001. Most women in Afghanistan wear a headscarf for religious reasons, but many in urban areas such as Kabul do not cover their faces.

Palestinians facing eviction by Israel vow to stay on land (AP) Everything here is makeshift, a result of decades of uncertainty. Homes are made from tin and plastic sheets, water is trucked in and power is obtained from batteries or a few solar panels. The lives of thousands of Palestinians in a cluster of Bedouin communities in the southern West Bank have been on hold for more than four decades, ever since the land they cultivated and lived on was declared a military firing and training zone by Israel. Since that decision in early 1981, residents of the Masafer Yatta region have weathered demolitions, property seizures, restrictions, disruptions of food and water supplies as well as the lingering threat of expulsion. That threat grew significantly this week after Israel’s Supreme Court upheld a long-standing expulsion order against eight of the 12 Palestinian hamlets forming Masafer Yatta—potentially leaving at least 1,000 people homeless.

#headlines #news

0 notes

easyfoodnetwork · 4 years ago

Quote

Paddleboarding in Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park | Getty Images America’s larger parks are attracting major crowds. Here’s where to avoid them As summer creeps into full swing and cities across America do the dance of easing, and then reinstating, COVID-19 restrictions, people are clamoring to be someplace — anyplace — besides their own homes. While there is no form of travel that’s perfectly safe right now, there are certainly more responsible options than others for scratching the itch. National parks, in all their wide-open space, are more befitting a socially distant vacation than, say, resort towns or theme parks. But even vast wilderness expanses have potential for riskier areas — visitor centers, for one, and popular trailheads near main parking areas. And then there are the mosh pit-like crowds at Yellowstone’s Old Faithful or the scenic drive at Zion National Park, which has been so popular since reopening that the park had to cap access at 6:30 a.m. Now more than ever, then, this is the time to visit some of America’s lesser-known national parks. Steering clear of the millions of tourists at Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and the Great Smoky Mountains, exploring new territory provides a sense of discovery, with the added benefit of having the trails mostly to yourself. The adventure doesn’t stop at park boundaries, either, as these less-famous parks are often surrounded by bucolic communities and smaller cities rich with their own charms, including destination-worthy restaurants, unexpected speakeasies, and a chicken-fried Texas saloon. As enticing as all this sounds, it’s important that travelers tread carefully in and around all national parks, since these smaller gateway communities are not equipped to handle a potential outbreak brought in from visitors. It’s a double-edged sword for small businesses that rely on tourism dollars to survive, which is why it’s important to maintain the same caution on your road trip as you’ve maintained at home; just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you can put your face masks in storage. Wherever you are, social distancing and rigorous adherence to health mandates are of the utmost importance, in order to support these communities while keeping them safe. So, with safety top of mind, here are some alternative parks to consider for your 2020 summer escape, and, of course, the best places to eat — to go, dine-in, or dine-out — nearby. Getty Images/iStockphoto The boardwalk at Congaree National Park Congaree National Park, South Carolina Judging by the fact that Congaree sees about 3 percent of the annual visitors of parks like Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain, it seems many people don’t even know this South Carolina park exists. Located in the middle of the state, the swamp-like terrain feels part Everglades and part Redwood, with the tallest trees east of the Mississippi and labyrinthine waterways ripe for paddling. The park’s most popular attractions, like the Boardwalk Trail, remain closed, but visitors are able to canoe or kayak on Cedar Creek, a narrow waterway that weaves through hardwood forest so tall and dense that it blocks out the sun, which is perhaps why hooting owls can be heard at all hours of the day. For easy hiking, out-of-the-way trails like the River Trail and Oakridge Trail are currently accessible. The park is within 20 miles of the state capital of Columbia, a small city with quality food and drink to be had. Where to Eat: Before paddling through Congaree, it’s important to fuel up with a hearty breakfast, like tequila-spiked pancakes. Novelty breakfast is the bread and butter of the Black-owned 27 Pancakes food truck, which is operating on weekends only for the summer due to the pandemic. Chef-owner Joy Eggleston is a veritable Willy Wonka with pancake batter, offering classics (e.g., buttermilk, blueberry) alongside more whimsical and savory offerings, like a shrimp-and-grits pancake made with a grits batter, plump baby shrimp, and jalapenos, or the aforementioned tequila pancake, an almond-flour flapjack glazed with a blend of honey, maple syrup, and tequila reduction. Follow 27 Pancakes on social media to check its schedule. Universal Images Group via Getty The Starlight Theatre saloon in Terlingua, outside Big Bend Big Bend National Park, Texas About four and a half hours southeast of the closest major airport, in El Paso, this sprawling west Texas park has plenty of room (nearly 1 million acres, in fact) to spread out and explore, from Chisos Mountains hikes and soothing hot springs to the Santa Elena Canyon, a vast chasm offering shaded respite along the meandering Rio Grande. Due to its sheer size, geographic diversity, and faraway locale, this is the perfect park to immerse yourself in for a week, with plenty of sights and activities to keep you busy and enthralled. The surrounding communities are rich with character but low on crowds, like the dusty ghost town of Terlingua, which is emerging as a tranquil artist’s enclave, and the peaceful riverside town of Lajitas, where a goat serves as mayor. Where to Eat and Drink: The star attraction in Terlingua is the Starlight Theatre, a lively contrast to a town filled with graves and derelict homes, both belonging to miners who succumbed to mercury poisoning or mining accidents in the early 1900s. The spacious saloon, known for its thoughtful riffs on gamey West Texas flavors, like chicken-fried wild boar strips with beer gravy and tequila-marinated quail in blueberry-balsamic sauce, is operating with dine-in and bar service at 50 percent capacity, and has added takeout as well as periodic live music performances. Getty Images/EyeEm The famous cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde national park Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado In lush southwest Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is once again beckoning visitors itching to hike, drive along the Mesa Top Loop Road, and marvel at the park’s famed cliff dwellings, elaborate structures and communities built centuries ago by Puebloan peoples. At just over 50,000 acres, the park is the perfect weekend getaway, renowned for its mesa-skimming scenic drives and hiking trails that make you feel like you’re traipsing through the clouds, surrounded by panoramic views of the Colorado valley. The arty gateway town of Mancos is small, but surprisingly abundant with galleries, cafes, and restaurants, which have navigated new methods of operation. Where to Eat: Absolute Bakery & Cafe is a beloved community hub for locals and tourists alike, who pregame before Mesa Verde with avocado omelets, chicken Florentine, Cubano sandwiches, and house-baked pastries like cherry strudel, pumpkin brownies, and coconut-walnut blondies. Since COVID-19, the cafe has extended its service to seven days a week (up from six) in order to serve breakfast and lunch to go, along with take-and-bake meals like pot pie, quiche, and lasagna perfect for cooking up in the RV. It’s also started nightly pizza dinners for takeout, made with sourdough crusts and rotating toppings like asparagus pesto, Hawaiian, and pepperoni. The cafe strongly encourages guests to wear masks, and it’s stocked with hand sanitizer stations. Matt Kirouac Kerouac’s restaurant in Great Basin National Park Great Basin National Park, Nevada Located along U.S. Route 50, a highway so desolate that its nickname is “The Loneliest Road in America,” and next to the tiny town of Baker, Great Basin National Park is the ultimate park for social distancing. Aside from the people you travel with, it’s unlikely you’ll encounter other humans here at all. This Great Basin region of eastern Nevada, sandwiched between the Sierra Nevadas and Wasatch Mountains, is a place of extremes — from the skyscraping tip of Wheeler Peak, the highest point in the park (and second highest in Nevada) at 13,065 feet, to the craggy passageways within Lehman Caves and the gnarly looking bristlecone pines, the oldest trees on Earth, some nearing 5,000 years of age. Best of all? With under 200,000 annual visitors and 77,000 acres worth of diverse terrain, you’ll find plenty of solitude among the epic environs. Where to Eat: An homage to the ultimate road-tripper, Kerouac’s Restaurant is a seasonal restaurant open May through October at the Stargazer Inn in Baker. Due to COVID-19, the restaurant is only offering counter service this year, with food and drink available to go or for dining on the homespun front patio. The menu reads like a hit list of American comfort classics, sure to satisfy after a long drive or a long hike. Think pesto-mushroom pizzas, spicy chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers, oatmeal cranberry cookies, and even strawberry-rhubarb Moscow mules. Getty Images/iStockphoto Grassy rolling hills in Wild Cave National Park Hotel Alex Johnson / Facebook The rooftop deck at Vertex Sky Bar in Rapid City Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota Western South Dakota is well known for iconic parks and monuments, like Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore, but for those looking to eschew crowds, Wind Cave is a good choice for a day trip. Though the cave itself — a dense maze of jagged calcite formations, like needle-looking frostwork, and boxwork, a rare grid-shaped feature found in almost no other cave on Earth — is currently closed down, the park has many miles (and some 30,000 acres) of peaceful prairie hikes, rolling hills, and meadows strewn with wildflowers so vibrant they look like fields of confetti. Keep your eyes peeled for a chance to spot bison, prairie dogs, elk, and the rare black-footed ferret. Where to Eat: As the urban hub of western South Dakota, Rapid City’s got an impressive food scene despite its small size and population. An hour’s drive from Wind Cave, head to the bi-level Vertex Sky Bar atop the historic Hotel Alex Johnson to drink in the Black Hills views while drinking in the rosé, or dine at Kōl, which reopened for reservations-only dine-in service with tables spread six feet apart, for wood-fired pizzas, steaks, and roast chicken. In the morning, downtown’s Harriet & Oak cafe reduced seating and limited the amount of time customers can linger to two hours, which is still enough to enjoy a trendy latte and some oh-so-Instagrammable avocado toast. Curbside pickup and online ordering is also available. Getty Images/iStockphoto Lost Lake campsite at Voyageurs National Park Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota On the northern border of Minnesota lies Voyageurs National Park, a tranquil landscape of lakes and islands, where loons replace the din of city sirens. Up here, in the heart of the Land of 10,000 Lakes, it’s easy to maintain social distance for a few days, considering a third of the 250,000-acre park is, well, water, and most activities involve kayaks, canoes, and fishing. Where to Eat: It doesn’t get more quintessential Minnesota Northwoods than the Rocky Ledge, a cabin-like restaurant on the tree-lined shores of Kabetogama Lake, with a penchant for Minnesota specialties like wild rice casserole. And in case you weren’t able to reel in your own catch on the lake, fear not: the restaurant offers fry-bread fish tacos and breaded walleye sandwiches to make up for it. Matt Kirouac The tap lineup at Superior Bathhouse Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas For travelers who prefer a more relaxed experience over, say, a backcountry trek, Arkansas’s historic Hot Springs is a tiny city park that’s ideal for an afternoon stopover. Anchored by ornate bathhouses utilizing the region’s famed thermal waters, the town is nicknamed “The American Spa,” and it’s been enticing visitors for more than a century. Bathhouse Row is the heart of the park, lined with steaming water fountains and palace-sized buildings with intricate Gilded Age architecture. While you may not be able to take a traditional bath quite yet, visitors can hike up the gentle slopes of Hot Springs Mountain, whose summit affords vista views of the bright-green Ouachita Mountain range, and then imbibe that spring water at the rare brewery located within a national park. Where to Eat: Superior Bathhouse, located in one of the former bathhouses along Main Street’s Bathhouse Row, has reopened for limited counter service. Visitors are required to wear masks, unless they’re eating (beer cheese dip and sweet potato-beet sandwiches are excellent choices), or drinking one of the beers brewed on-site — e.g., hazy blood-orange I.P.A., honey-basil kolsch, oatmeal stout — made with Hot Springs’ thermal waters. To connect with the Southern soul of Hot Springs, head to Emma Lee’s, a warm and welcoming dining room wafting with aromas of buttery peach cobbler, beef roast, and fresh cornbread. The family-run restaurant is the dream of owner Courtney Sanders, who pays homage to his grandmother Emma Lee with her most beloved recipes. The restaurant is still offering curbside pickup along with limited dine-in service on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. No matter what’s on deck for the day, be it thick slabs of smoky brisket and candied yams or mac and cheese served bubbling-hot under a golden-brown crust, this is the kind of restaurant that’s sure to warm hearts during a time when it’s needed most. Masks are required for entry, but customers can remove them while seated. Getty Images The rugged badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota Badlands, petrified wood, roving bison, and wild horses make it clear what endeared President Theodore Roosevelt to this tranquil part of the country, where you’re more likely to encounter chirping prairie dogs on your hike than people. Split into two main north and south districts, each worth visiting for a day or two, the 70,000-acre park feels like the quintessential Wild West, with the Little Missouri River zig-zagging through fields of verdant grassland and eroded sandstone formations that look like super-sized sandcastles. Medora is the tiny home of the park’s popular south unit, but nearby Dickinson is a small city with an array of independent options. Where to Eat: There’s really no better way to kickstart your day than with a blackberry pancake latte and a sticky caramel roll, and the Brew, a former church-turned-coffee shop, delivers on both fronts. Later, unwind with a sweet and spicy jalapeno honey beer and a Badlands pizza, made with pepperoni, Italian sausage, and ricotta, at Phat Fish Brewing. The brewpub is open for dine-in seating, with spaced-out indoor tables and a sprawling patio with a grassy lawn. It’s also offering take-and-bake pizza kits and bottled beers to go. Getty Images/iStockphoto An overlook at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado With its blissfully warm temperatures, lush forests, and wildly diverse terrain, Colorado is popular for outdoorsy recreation, but rather than queueing up at crowded Rocky Mountain National Park, try the lesser-known Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The state’s least visited national park, Black Canyon is open for hiking along both the north and south rims, with trails that’ll get you unnervingly close to the breathtaking canyon and the raging river far below. Both sides of the canyon are worth visiting, so be sure to carve out at least two or three days to thoroughly explore. Since the only way to the north rim is driving all the way around the southern end of the canyon, it requires some added travel time. For fearless hikers, the park also has a few steep trails down to the canyon floor, which is a nice way to get out of the sun, since the canyon is so tall and narrow that it’s almost constantly shrouded in its own shadow. Nearby, the town of Montrose is the entry point to the park’s southern rim, which has the most trails and scenic viewpoints. Where to Eat: It’s not often a speakeasy offering craft cocktails and charcuterie platters can be found on the outskirts of a national park, which is what makes Phelanies a special find. Accessed down an alley off one of Montrose’s main streets, the spacious lounge has gone alfresco for the first time, adding a patio and expanding its menus to include more food (like Korean barbecue pulled pork and duck wontons) and seasonal cocktails, like honeydew margaritas and the timely COVID Reviver No. 19, a Corpse Reviver riff with gin, orange liqueur, Lillet Blanc, lemon, and a CBD tincture. Guests are asked to wear masks any time they’re not seated, and limit movement around the bar except for necessities like bathroom runs. Getty Images/iStockphoto The Brandywine Falls Trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio Sandwiched between the nearby cities of Cleveland and Akron, hugging the crooked Cuyahoga River for some 30,000 acres, Cuyahoga Valley provides a literal breath of fresh air for Ohio city-dwellers seeking to escape the traffic for the day and replace it with dense green forests, babbling creeks, and 70-plus waterfalls. While popular sites like the Brandywine Falls boardwalk remain closed, there are still opportunities for hiking along miles of woodland trails, horseback riding, fishing, and kayaking. Where to Eat: The park is a convenient day trip from larger cities in Ohio, making it ideal for safe travel, since visitors are able to minimize their footprint without having to stay overnight. If you’re traveling from Cleveland, start your day with a fried ring of purple-hued blueberry cake, bursting with juicy, tangy flavor, from the Vegan Doughnut Company. Located in suburban Lakewood, the Black-owned bakery from sisters Kharisma and Kyra Mayo exhibits a penchant for vibrant, whimsical pastries, like a birthday-cake doughnut strewn with multicolored sprinkles and crushed Golden Oreos, or a vanilla-glazed variety decorated with chocolate chips and dollops of cookie dough. For now, the shop is open weekends only for to-go doughnuts. Later, after you’ve chased a few waterfalls in the park, wood-fired pepperoni and banana-pepper pizza is an apt pick-me-up, and you can get your fix at Sarah’s Vineyard and Winery. Housed in a timber-clad barn that doubles as an art gallery, the lofty restaurant and tasting room has reopened for dine-in, spread out its ample patio seating, added hand sanitizer stations by the entrance, and shifted its menu to heartier crowd-pleasers like pulled pork sandwiches, nachos, and pizza. Sit outside for sweeping vineyard views and pair your spicy pie with a carafe of sweet Ohio-grown Vidal. Getty Images/iStockphoto Rattlesnake Canyon at Carlsbad Caverns National Park Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico The world-famous caverns �� brimming with stalagmites, stalactites, and a colony of Brazilian free-tailed bats so populous that they look like clouds of swirling black smoke on their nightly flights — are still closed to visitors, but the underrated hiking trails on the surface are well worth the excursion, especially for a morning or late-afternoon hike (the sun gets pretty scorching midday). With nearly 50 miles of trails through the peaceful Chihuahuan Desert, from Rattlesnake Canyon to Guadalupe Ridge, there’s plenty to explore, and plenty of opportunity to break away from crowds and convene with cacti and roadrunners. Where to Eat: In the nearby town of Carlsbad, Guadalupe Mountain Brewing Company reopened for dine-in service, with restricted hours and a patio. House-brewed beers run the gamut from a puckering grapefruit gose to creamy coconut porters, while the thin and crispy brick-oven pizzas are so popular they sell out regularly. They also offer gluten-free crusts, cauliflower-crust pizzas, and periodic specials like berry-studded dessert pizzas and New Mexican green chile pies. A full-time RV traveler and freelance travel writer, Matt Kirouac is the co-founder and co-host of Hello Ranger, a national parks community blog, podcast, and forthcoming app. from Eater - All https://ift.tt/38HIo58

http://easyfoodnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/07/if-you-really-want-to-visit-national.html

#EasyFoodNetwork #ComfortFoodRecipes #EasyRecipes #GoodFood #BestComfortFoodRecipes #TastyFoodv

0 notes