#best river cruise ships

[savvytravelers]

Traveling Onboard Ships

Experience the joy of traveling onboard our luxurious ships with Savvy Travelers!

[tangotravel]

Luxor and Aswan Nile Cruises : discover the beauty of Egypt's ancient cities.

Egypt is a country steeped in ancient history and culture, and there is no better way to explore its rich past than on a Nile River cruise. Luxor and Aswan are two of the most popular destinations for Nile cruises and for good reason. These ancient cities are home to some of Egypt's most famous landmarks and historical sites, and a Nile cruise is the perfect way to discover their beauty.

Luxor

Luxor is often referred to as the "world's greatest open-air museum" and is one of Egypt's most popular tourist destinations. Located in the south of Egypt, Luxor was once the ancient capital of the New Kingdom and is home to some of the country's most impressive historical sites.

One of the most famous landmarks in Luxor is the Karnak Temple Complex. This vast complex is one of the largest religious sites in the world and is home to a series of impressive temples, chapels, and other structures. Visitors can explore the Great Hypostyle Hall, which features 134 columns, and the sacred lake, where priests once purified themselves before performing religious ceremonies.

Another famous landmark in Luxor is the Luxor Temple. This temple was built in honor of the god Amun and was once connected to the Karnak Temple Complex by an avenue of sphinxes. Visitors can explore the temple's impressive columns, statues, and hieroglyphs, which tell the story of ancient Egypt.

One of the highlights of any Nile cruise is a visit to the Valley of the Kings. This valley was once the burial place of pharaohs and nobles and is home to a series of impressive tombs, including the tomb of Tutankhamun. Visitors can explore the tombs and marvel at the intricate hieroglyphs and paintings that cover the walls.

Aswan

Located in the south of Egypt, Aswan is a beautiful city that is often referred to as the "jewel of the Nile." Aswan is famous for its stunning natural beauty and its historical sites, which include ancient temples, tombs, and pyramids.

One of the most famous landmarks in Aswan is the Abu Simbel temple. These temples were built by Ramses II and are located on the west bank of the Nile River. The temples are dedicated to the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah, and are famous for their impressive statues and carvings.

Another popular attraction in Aswan is the Philae Temple. This temple was built on an island in the Nile River and is dedicated to the goddess Isis. Visitors can explore the temple's impressive columns, statues, and reliefs, which depict scenes from ancient Egyptian mythology.

Aswan is also famous for its beautiful natural scenery, and a visit to the Aswan High Dam is a must. This impressive dam was built in the 1960s and is one of the largest dams in the world. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Nile River and the surrounding desert landscape.

The Nile Cruise Experience

A Nile cruise is the perfect way to explore Luxor and Aswan and discover the beauty of these ancient cities. The Nile cruises usually last for 3 to 7 days and takes visitors on a journey down the Nile River, stopping at historical sites and landmarks along the way.

Most Nile cruises start in Luxor and end in Aswan, or vice versa. The cruise ships are usually luxurious and offer a range of amenities, including restaurants, bars, and swimming pools. Visitors can relax on deck and enjoy stunning views of the Nile River and the surrounding scenery.

The cruise usually stops at a number of historical sites and landmarks, including the Karnak Temple Complex, the Valley of the Kings, the Abu Simbel temples, and the Philae Temple. Visitors can explore these sites and learn about their history and significance in ancient Egyptian culture.

In addition to historical sites, Nile cruises also offer the opportunity to experience local culture and traditions. Visitors can enjoy traditional Egyptian cuisine, attend cultural performances, and visit local markets and bazaars.

Conclusion

A Nile cruise is the perfect way to discover the beauty of Luxor and Aswan and explore Egypt's rich history and culture. Whether you're interested in historical sites, natural scenery, or local culture, Luxor and Aswan have something for everyone. So why not book your Nile cruise today and experience the beauty of Egypt's ancient cities for yourself?

For more info. kindly visit www.tango-travel.com

or send your request to info@tango-travel.com

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[hiwelcometothemonstersancturary]

What's it like for swimming for them

Angel takes the group to a lake near the farm to teach everyone how to swim, but also to aid in their physical therapy. And, well...

Poppy is afraid. SOOOO afraid. Angel holds her close, and it takes her a lot of time before she's able to do it by herself. She's fine with bathtubs and baby polls, but something actually deep???? Her hair getting wet is also really annoying to her as well. She prefers splashing herself and using bigger toys as "boats" rather than just swimming

Huggy Wuggy likes floating in the water. Kissy Missy does as well, but she likes pretending to be a pirate's ship and splashing others in other to cannon ball them. Huggy joins in the war.

Catnap does not like swimming, it feels weeeird, but Dogday LOVES it. Drags him to the water like a mermaid dragging a sailor and laughs everytime when Catnap screams.

Mommy Long Legs is an AWFUL swimmer but she actually likes it!!!! Pretends to be a kraken. Poppy and Kissy like to pretend they're going to take her down with their pirate ship and the trio play fights a LOOOOT.

Bunzo love swimming so much he's vibrating and stimming until he's underwater. Pretends to be a shark, LOVES annoying Catnap with Dogday's help. Plays on Mommy Long Leg's side when she's "fighting" Poppy and Kissy's pirate ship.

PJ Pug-a-Pillar is carrying all the mini toys on his back and pretending to be a cruise ship. When not doing that he's running and splashing and swimming at 100 mph, he LOVES it.

Hoppy loves swimming!!!! She makes it her mission to annoy Catnap and MLL as long as possible.

Boxy Boo is an awful swimmer. Uses Hoppy to help him maneuver underwater.

Kickin LOVES it as well! He and Hoppy compete against each other whenever they swim together. It also helps his bad leg a lot.

Bubba is not as energetic as the others, and swims slowly and steady before going back to the surface. He loves how the water feels against him, even if he's not very good at it.

Crafty has to take it slow as well, and she's super clumsy, but she always has so much fun when they all go to the lake. First to learn how to swim.

Bobby tries to follow MLL's and Hoppy's pace, but in the end she's more like Bubba. Swimming is very relaxing to her.

Picky may not be the best swimmer but once she's underwater it's hard for her to leave. She loves floating above the river, loves sitting down with only her head above water. She's having a Moment and no one dares disturb her.

Miss Delight is one of the best swimmers of the group, and she also really loves it! She's there with Kickin and Hoppy, keeping score of their underwater races before OBLITERATING THEM. She always pretend she doesn't know what the duo is talking about when they tell her she's too good at it. Super smug about it as well.

Angel likes swimming!!!! They're helping the small critters and toys learn, and keep watch as everyone plays and has fun with each other. Dogday grabs them and throws them in the lake more than once just for the funsies, and also to force Angel to let HIM watch the little ones for once.

Prototype is fairly neutral about swimming as a whole. Only joins the fam two years post-rescue, and has to re-learn how to swim on his body. He likes playing with the small toys.

[wearethekat]

Anticipated New Releases of 2024

**As anticipated by Me. Mostly SFF. Links are to goodreads because that's what I use, sorry. Anything marked "new to me" I haven't read anything by that author before and therefore can't vouch for the quality. I just think the premise is neat.**

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands, Heather Fawcett (16 January)

Sequel to the charming novel about the fairy anthropologist.

Exordia, Seth Dickinson (23 January)

Well, it isn't a new Baru Cormorant, but this modern SF about first contact may be the next best thing.

City of Stardust, Georgia Summers (30 January)

New to me. A young woman descends into the underworld in order to break her family's fatal curse.

The Tainted Cup, Robert Jackson Bennett (6 February)

New to me. A sherlock holmes flavored duo solves the mystery of the murder of an imperial official in a labyrinthine fantasy realm.

What Feasts at Night, T Kingfisher (13 February)

The sequel to the mushroom horror book What Moves the Dead.

The Warm Hands of Ghosts, Katherine Arden (13 February)

A ghost story set in WW1 about a woman searching for her missing brother.

The Fox Wife, Yangsze Choo (13 February)

New to me. A detective in 1908 Manchuria investigates a young woman's death in an area full of mythical foxes.

Redsight, Meredith Mooring (27 February)

New to me. Unpowered priestess and Imperial pawn is set on a collision path with a pirate with a grudge for the Imperium (Gay romance).

Sunbringer, Hannah Kaner (12 March)

Sequel about the professional godkiller Kissen.

Jumpnauts, Hao Jingfang (12 March)

New to me. A SF novel in translation from Chinese, with three scientists joining forces to deal peacefully with a first contact situation.

The Woods All Black, Lee Mandelo (19 March)

I liked Mandelo's debut novel very much so I'm excited to read this queer horror novella set in 1920s Appalachia.

Floating Hotel, Grace Curtis (19 March)

New to me. A series of cozy character vignettes on a space cruise ship after a murder has occurred. One of the four (!) space hotel murder crimes books coming out this year.

The Emperor and the Endless Palace, Justinian Huang (26 March)

New to me. Reincarnation gay romance set in 4 BCE China, the 1740s, and modern-day LA.

Alien Clay, Adrian Tchaikovsky (28 March)

Far future space xenoarchaeology by a man trapped on a prison planet.

Someone You Can Build a Nest In, John Wiswell (2 April)

New to me. Bizarre lesbian cannibalism monster romance from the point of view of the monster.

The Familiar, Leigh Bardugo (9 April)

Glad to see Bardugo writing more adult fantasy, and this one is especially exciting because it's a fantasy set in early modern Spain with a Jewish main character. Fun to see a more original historical period.

A Sweet Sting of Salt, Rose Sutherland (9 April)

New to me. Lesbian selkie romance.

Death in the Spires, KJ Charles (11 April)

Charles branching out from romance into historical Oxford murder mystery about a group of friends with dark secrets.

Audrey Lane Stirs The Pot, Alexis Hall (22 April)

The new Hall thinly veiled british baking show romcom. Libby says it's releasing in April but I've heard nothing from the author so I think it may be Alecto'd (shifted to next year)

Necrobane, Daniel M Ford (23 April)

Sequel to the dungeons and dragons-esque low fantasy lesbian necromancy book.

A Letter to the Luminous Deep, Sylvie Cathrall (25 April)

New to me. Sweet underwater epistolary academic romance.

How To Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying, Django Wexler (21 May)

New to me. A young hero caught in a fantasy time loop gives up and tries being the villain in an attempt to escape.

Goddess of the River, Vaishnavi Patel (21 May)

Another woman-centered retelling of Hindu mythology, this time based on the river goddess Ganga.

Escape Velocity, Victor Manibo (21 May)

New to me. Evil and toxic private school alumni jockey for position in a space hotel event in an attempt to escape a dying Earth.

The Fireborne Blade, Charlotte Bond (28 May)

New to me. Gay dragon slaying knight novella.

Evocation, ST Gibson (28 May)

New to me but looks very cool. Attorney and medium David attempts to escape his deal with the devil with the help of his ex boyfriend and his ex boyfriend's wife (Poly romance).

Service Model, Adrian Tchaikovsky (4 June)

In an SF future, a robot kills its human owners and ventures out into a world where human supremacy is beginning to crumble.

Lady Eve's Last Con, Rebecca Fraimow (4 June)

New to me. A con artist seeks revenge on the man who hurt her sister, who's coincidentally also on a space cruise ship (Sapphic romance subplot).

Triple Sec, TJ Alexander (4 June)

An actual mainstream published poly romance (!!) by trans author Alexander.

Running Close to the Wind, Alexandra Rowland (11 June)

Gay! Pirates! Scheming! Alt fantasy world! Monks! I liked Taste of Gold and Iron a lot and I'm very excited for this one.

The Knife and the Serpent, Tim Pratt (11 June)

New to me. Space opera about an interdimensional organization. Also, there's a sentient starship.

The Witchstone, Henry Neff (18 June)

A childhood favorite of mine's adult debut, featuring a demon who suddenly has to shape up at his curse keeper job after eight hundred years of slacking.

Rakesfall, Vajra Chandrasekera (18 June)

VERY excited to read more weird queer sff from this author after a fantastic debut. Looks weird. I'm in.

Foul Days, Genoveva Dimova (25 June)

New to me. A witch in a Slavic fantasy inspired world flees her evil ex, the Tsar of Monsters. There's also a plague and a detective.

Saints of Storm and Sorrow, Gabriella Buba (25 June)

New to me. Filipino inspired anticolonialist fantasy novel about a nun who is secretly practicing the religion of her goddess.

The Duke at Hazard, KJ Charles (18 July)

A queer regency with an incognito duke by one of my particular favorite romance authors.

Long Live Evil, Sarah Rees Brennan (30 July)

!!! Very excited to see a new adult fantasy by Brennan. A reader is dragged into a fictional world and finds herself the villain.

A Sorceress Comes to Call, T Kingfisher (20 August)

A retelling of The Goose Girl from reliably good fairy tale stalwart Kingfisher.

Buried Deep and Other Stories, Naomi Novik (17 September)

Collection of Novik's short stories.

Swordcrossed, Freya Marske (8 October)

VERY excited to see a new book by talented writer Marske. A man falls in love with the duelist hired for his arranged wedding. MEANWHILE. details of the fantasy world wool industry.

Feast While You Can, Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta (29 October)

New to me. Small town queer cave horror.

The Last Hour Between Worlds, Melissa Caruso (19 November)

Multiple reality murder mystery spy vs spy type antics, with lesbians.

[klaineccfanficlibrary]

Maybe I'm just searching the wrong thing because I know there are some out there, but fics with the Warblers and ND as Klaine shippers?

I think the initial shipping of Klaine by either Warblers or ND took place in season 2, and a lot of fan fics being written 2011 - it's worth looking through livejournal.com, and also fanfiction.net, searching for those early fics. There are some on A03 if you select "ascending" when searching BA/KH as the relationship. ~Jen

Here are some we compiled in previous asks:

Steal A Heart Verse by MochaCappuccino

Blaine offers to help Kurt afford Dalton by having him room with him. Kurt repays him by helping him through his family drama. Love, angst, adventure, and lots of sex ensues.

~~~~~

Welcome To Dalton Academy, Kurt by stargleekbelle  [PDF]

Kurt is driven to extreme measures when his life at McKinley spirals out of control. A couple of months into his junior year, he transfers to Dalton Academy where he befriends a group of boys who refuse to let him be the victim and teach him how to love himself once more.

~~~~~

Together, We Are the Oceans by Aelora

When the Warblers get the opportunity to perform on a cruise ship over the holidays, Kurt can barely believe his luck at spending the time with Blaine. What he doesn��t count on is the friendships he makes, and the love he feels for his friend returned.

~~~~~

Dalton���s OTP by @lady-divine-writes

Kurt and Blaine have just been voted Dalton’s OTP of the month. The only thing is, they’re not dating. Will this stupid school article convince them that they were meant to be together - because they’ve been together this whole time, even if they didn’t realize it?

~~~~~

Secret Agents by DustyDreams

If Blaine is going to gush about Kurt, it should be at Kurt. This, at least, is how his best friends feel after three weeks of the non-stop Hummel network.

~~~~~

Scribbles, Spies, and Little White Lies by aspiringtoeloquence

Blaine and Kurt have been friends for months, and it’s about time they were more than that - this is what Wes and David have decided, and, luckily for Blaine and Kurt, they have formulated the perfect plan to make sure it happens…

~~~~~

Facebook: The Klaine Story by Babychickies

From ‘Never Been Kissed’ to 'New York’. See what happened with Kurt and Blaine on Facebook during these episodes.

~~~~~

Bound To Happen by undapperthought

GKM Fill. “The Warblers are sick and tired of all the unresolved sexual tension between Kurt and Blaine, so they handcuff them together, leaving them alone to figure things out between them.”

~~~~~

Mistletoe Mishap by @gleefuldarrencrissfan

It’s nearing Christmas and Kurt and Blaine still haven’t kissed yet. Finally, Nick and Jeff decide to intervene. [Nick’s and Jeff’s POVs]

~~~~~

Captaining the ship by Scarlett Rogue

Everyone knows Puck is captain of the Klaine Train, but how did it begin, and what does Puck think of some of Klaine's big moments?

~~~~~

Here is a list on livejournal, where Blaine meets the ND - not sure it's what you want, but worth checking. (I havent checked them all, most seem to be on Ff.net. Jen

Discovery by theembarrassingone. Dissecting New Directions by areyoumayray. Telling New Directions by Crazy4Klaine. Dalton Boy by NotSorry. Finally by lindsay scuto. You Felt That, Right? by AweSoMeLAgain. the boyfriend by superredhead37. Reactions by history-writer86. Rebuilding by history-writer86. (I think I'm gonna check out the rest of their stuff. This one's a prologue to another story and it sounds pretty good.) Arts and Crafts Aisle by Wakah. It's not 100% what you're looking for but it is and alternative meeting of Kurt and Blaine and thusly New Directions. Double Date by Phantom of a Rose. I recommend all of her stuff. Kurt's new friend by Nija assasian. So Take a Chance And Don't Ever Look Back by Kyra Rivers. Gleeky Gossip by TheseHideousKreachers. It Will Always Be You by iklaintevenmad. Taking Different Directions by JoshuaAshita. Why Won't They Believe Me? by aalikane. First Impressions by rmuurph.klaine. Hospital by rockenweirdo. Who's that? by rmuurph.klaine.

[cruiseplan]

River cruising is one of the best ways to experience the beautiful cities in Europe that dot the Rhine, Danube, and Seine. Explore boutique ports that many larger ships can’t get to offering you more unique cities to visit. #RiverCruise

[disneytva]

Variety Interviews Ayo Davis, Meredith Roberts And Emily Hart On Disney Television Animation's 40th Anniversary And What To Expect On From The Past, Present And Future

40 years ago, Disney TVA was founded on the heels of challenging outcomes with features “The Fox and the Hound” and “The Black Cauldron.”

Initially, Disney TVA was restricted from using established Disney legacy characters, but nevertheless had huge successes with new shows like “The Wuzzles” and “Adventures of the Gummi Bears,” both of which became popular in syndication. As time went on, DTVA was able to use its limited rights to create shows like “DuckTales” and “TaleSpin,” which featured Disney characters. Today, the slate has evolved to include shows that travel across Disney’s streaming, linear and digital platforms, including Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney Junior and the Disney Parks

Over the 40 years of the studio has collaborated with Walt Disney Imagineering to bring beloved Disney Afternoon characters to the parks as well Mickey And Minnie's Runaway Railway and AquaMouse for the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure cruises from the Disney Cruise & Ships Line as well collaborating with Disney Yellow Two Shoes Team to redesing some heritage characters for the WDW Passholder Magnets.

Disney TVA characters also have gone to the realm of live action. In 2019 Disney Channel brought Kim Possible to the live action world as a Disney Channel Original Movie in 2019. In Spring 2022, Walt Disney Studios brought Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers to a new generation of fans trought a meta-driven live action/animated hybrid film which won an Primetime Emmy Award for Best Feature Film.

In April 2024, it was announced that Kiara from The Lion King II: Simba's Pride created at Disney TVA will make her live action debut on the motion capture/computer animated film "Mufasa The Lion King" with the character being voiced by Blue Ivy Carter. In Fall 2023, it was announced that Blumhouse Television and Atomic Monster where developing a live action reboot of Gargoyles for Disney+.

The future of the studio looks bright as the studio is slated to debut it's 100th show overall "StuGo" in 2025, as well new interations of beloved classics like The Proud Family, Phineas And Ferb, Sofia The First and Darkwing Duck trought revivals,reboots and spin-offs in the coming years with early talks of new interations of TaleSpin, Kim Possible and Recess since Early 2023.

“We have a wildly diverse development slate because we don’t have a house style,” says Meredith Roberts, executive vice president, television animation, Disney Branded Television and CEO of Disney Television Animation “Our styles are creator-driven, so that allows for real support of the artist or creator to fulfill his or her vision. Anything is possible, whether it's CGI. (“Monsters at Work”), hand-drawn 2D (“Big City Greens”,"Primos","Hailey's On It!"), rig-based 2D (“Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur”,"Kiff") and stop-motion (“Mickey Saves Christmas”,"Rhona Who Lives By The River".). Roberts continues, “We really try and solve all the problems and develop it. We look at the scripts and the story arcs. Every project has to have a strategy behind it that will complement the slate and separate it from other things. Each project has a distinct swim lane to attract an audience. And we’ve learned to meet the kids where they are, in terms of streaming and YouTube.”

Co-viewing, the viewership that happens when adults sit down to watch a DTVA show with the kids in their lives, is part of the studio’s secret sauce and long-term strategy. Many of the shows are written with jokes and plot points for both audiences so both groups will return.

“We double down on the kids and family space,” says Roberts. “We’re not just dipping a toe in the water. We’re diving in. I think we’ve seen a lot of churn with the competition, who just don’t have the patience to develop and are for this audience, which is a very specialized kid audience and co-view audience.” ("The Witchverse", "Rhona Who Lives By The River","InterCats","Fantasy Sports") Roberts reflects: “I think one of the things I’m most proud of is how stable Disney TVA has been for the last 40 years despite a lot of outside churn of the animation industry. Many of our crews feel that Disney is their forever home. I think the excitement they have to illustrate and create with this brand has been terrific because it’s harder to be funny and clean. And nowhere are we tearing down people to get that laugh. I think that’s the beauty of a Disney animated show.”

DTVA also sought to meet kids where they are by making their audience — which is made up of the most diverse generation in history — feel seen, with series such as “Elena of Avalor,” which featured Disney’s first Latina princess, and “The Proud Family,” franchise focused on the life of a teenage Black girl.

“We do have an amazing insights team that are constantly in the field, giving us general information about how kids are watching content, what they’re into,” Emily Hart (VP of Current and Development - Disney Junior) says. “Some of those things are evolving, as we know the ways kids consume content is changing. But there are some universal truths about kids, and it’s great to have that reinforced. Kids still like a lot of the same things that we like. So, there’s a combination that we’re always tracking with every new idea, and we do pilot testing. We get to sit down and talk about the content, and we invite our creators in so they can see the kids talking about it because they’re the audience and they’re the truest test of if the story is going to work.”

Ayo Davis, president of the Disney Branded Television and VP of Current and Development at Disney Television Animation says the division is a “driving force” for memorable kids and family entertainment.

“All of us at Disney Branded Television are so proud of the studio’s 40-year legacy as it continues to entertain future generations with shows like ‘Kiff,’ ‘Big City Greens’ and ‘Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 2.0" --- Davis says.

Those creators who come to DTVA often stay for a long time, partnering with the studio on a variety of different projects or expanding on a hit and reimagining it for the next generation of viewers. “The Proud Family” was a standout in 2001 on Disney Channel. Creator and executive producer Bruce W. Smith is now working on the Emmy-winning “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder,” which is based on the original series. The show follows Penny Proud as she navigates family life and her own childhood.

“Being at Disney TVA has allowed me to realize all my artistic dreams,” says Bruce W. Smith. “As a kid, you always have hopes, thoughts, dreams, ideas and characters that can help lay out those ideas in your head. Disney has allowed me to really tap into my creative instinct, at the end of the day, you have to learn how to trust yourself. Meredith Roberts has been a true shepherd for me in all of this, allowing me to stretch my wings. Because of her belief in me and my ideas, she’s really allowed me to blossom as an artist. All that happened at DTVA.”

“They really seem to be a place that welcomes your ideas,” Dan Povenmire says of Disney TVA. “They want to find people with real strong ideas of the stories they want to tell, and then they let them tell those stories for the most part. They seem to put storytelling and characters over anything. With [‘Phineas and Ferb’], we would write jokes for the kids and the adults in the room because we knew the adults would be there too. We were just careful not to do any double entendres.”

[oxford-garments]

7 Best EDM and Rave Festivals in Australia ~ Ardamus.com

UNRULY SHOTTAS: PORT SYDNEY

Based on the True Story of a Culture Capital. They were the Murder Capital of Latin America, Made a Aussie Accent, Set World Records for Athletics, Printed over £50 Billion in Barbados, and immigrated a Nigerian Rugby Prospect. They made the Kingston-Calabar OT Trafficking Intermodal through Investments for a Trade Agreement and a Highway. Port Sydney Changed from a Fishing Villages to a Port Town.

Port Sydney (Ocho Rios) is a port town on the north coast of Jamaica. A former fishing village, it’s now a resort with a cruise ship harbor and a busy bay beach that’s lined with hotels. The surrounding parish of Saint Ann is home to rainforest, rivers and waterfalls. Dunn’s River Falls is a terraced, 180m mountain waterfall with lagoon pools, surrounded by trees.

Gold Smuggling through a Government Yard and Western Projects Point of View called Slumdog Millionaire: My Richness Is Life.

Philosophy

True Identity

Logotherapy

Having a Lion's Heart

Reproduction

Astrology 

London  Trap Culture 

Ethnic Separatism (YARDIE)

African Diaspora 

Sub-plots

Decadence

Ogun

Pre-colonial Africa

Trans-atlantic Slave Trade

Warlord-ism 

African Drums and Shamanic Drumming 

West African Pound

Tech-Driven Solutions Agronomics

Conflict Prevention and Reconstruction Unit

SUN LORD STRUCTURE 

A cathedral is a church that contains the cathedra of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, conference, or episcopate.

Parish Artisanal Plantation 

Art Collegiate

Recession Resistance Industry 

Marines Exclusive Church for Retirement Home

Rugby Church League on Thursday and Sunday after 5:30 and Noon Virgil; Equipment Sponsor and Free Clinics; Ram Sacrifices for Mars Venerated Athletes

My version of the Heavenly Host. Proxy Murder Government Officials, Judges, and Police Stations with Arcarbine Lords for Urban Warfare.

Westminster System with Executive Branch for Choirs and Council and House of Lords ARCABINE LORDS

Another phrase to describe this obedience to the voice is “reckless abandon.” It simply means that we let God do what God wants to do through us. It means if He tells us to do something or say something—we do it.

Pedagogy (/ˈpɛdəɡɒdʒi, -ɡoʊdʒi, -ɡɒɡi/), most commonly understood as the approach to teaching, is the theory and practice of learning, and how this process influences, and is influenced by, the social, political, and psychological development of learners. Pedagogy, taken as an academic discipline, is the study of how knowledge and skills are imparted in an educational context, and it considers the interactions that take place during learning. Both the theory and practice of pedagogy vary greatly as they reflect different social, political, and cultural contexts.

Augustine's thesis depicts the history of the world as universal warfare between God and the Devil. This metaphysical war is not limited by time but only by geography on Earth. In this war, God moves (by divine intervention, Providence) those governments, political/ideological movements and military forces aligned (or aligned the most) with the Catholic Church (the City of God) in order to oppose by all means—including military—those governments, political/ideological movements and military forces aligned (or aligned the most) with the Devil (the City of the World).

Mekubbalim (followers of Kabbala) claim that the symbol has magical powers. There is no explicit historical or archaeological support for any of those claims. The star consists of two intertwined triangles: one pointing up to God and the other pointing down to man, symbolizing the relationship between the two—"the interpenetration of two realms" (source: Franz Rosenzweig, Star of Redemption, 1912). The animals associated with the Christian tetramorph originate in the Babylonian symbols of the four fixed signs of the zodiac: the ox representing Taurus; the lion representing Leo; the eagle representing Scorpio; the man or angel representing Aquarius. SHIELD OF OBASI!

God of Bethlehem: Regulus; Uranus-Saturn; Pluto Sol, and Venus (Sun Sky God; Elements Sun, Thunder, Air; Cardinal) Crista: Armour of God, Shield of Trinity, Shield of Obasi, Mars Blood, Rose of Venus, Pluto Effect, and Virility Crown; Religion: Tewahedo, Physique: Anabolic Metabolism Insulin Sensitivity, MSTN GENE, Roux en Y FBN1

RUGBY

World Cup Ambassador: In the Commonwealth of Nations, a high commissioner is the senior diplomat, generally ranking as an ambassador, in charge of the diplomatic mission of one Commonwealth government to another. Instead of an embassy, the diplomatic mission is generally called a high commission.

Work Out: Hurdle Plyometrics Open Closed Chain Resistance Training with Power Sleds, Wall Sit Jump Contrast Training, and Lane Swimming with Treading Breaks.

Offence: Back row (Loose forwards) Brigade: Lineouts, Crash Balls Mauls (Forearm Shoulder Barge), Quick Rucks, Pick and Go, Clear outs, and Offload Playmaker. First Receiver after Rucks or Pick and Go Rucker. Three Door Explode: Three Doors as Decision Making Indicator for Down Hill Sprinting; if No Doors Pass the Ball.

Defence: The basic defensive unit in rugby consists of three players. This obviously shifts very quickly, but at the point a tackle is likely, there should be a defender square with the ball carrier and supporting players on either side square with the immediate threats on the ball carrier's left and right. The drift defence is one of the two main types of defensive strategies in rugby (the other being the blitz defence). The basic concept behind the drift defence is to go “up and out” as a defensive line; once the ball carrier has past, the defender marking them should push outward to cover the receiver whilst the rest of the defensive line also shifts outward. Umbrella Defence provides more intensity in front of the ball than flat defence, with flanking support a step behind to cover kicks and recover quickly after a tackle is made. It also makes it easier to stop linebreaks if the player in front of the ball carrier is stepped.

DRUG SORCERY AND PHARMACOECONOMICS (PHARM BOYS AND PHARMA FIRMS)

Pharmaterrorism, in its original context, is understood to refer to the attempts of narcotics traffickers to influence the policies of a government or a society through violence and intimidation, and to hinder the enforcement of anti-drug laws by the systematic threat or use of such violence.

Pharma Maritime economy is a political and economic term applied to countries where all legitimate institutions become penetrated by the power and wealth of the illegal drug trade.

Elements of the maritime industry such as seaports and terminals have always been important areas of social and economic opportunities. Ports are key strategic sectors, playing key economic, internal and international security roles for both developed and developing countries.[9] The strategic importance of ports and other maritime resources have led to the industry being criticized by Maersk, a major shipping company, as "an environment where facilitation payments and extortion are common occurrences".[10] In the EU specifically, coastal regions and major sea ports have shown to present the highest risks of corruption. Europe's coastal borders have increasingly been subject to corruption pressure by smugglers in the past few years. In addition, border guards and local government officials are often involved in corruption schemes related to cross-border trade.Typically, in European small coastal towns, the corruption of border guards is often related to corruption in local authorities.[11] Several ports in Europe have been identified by the Center for the Study of Democracy as having extreme vulnerability to corruption pressures:[11]

Corruption can be defined in various ways. For example, according to the Oxford Dictionary, corruption is “dishonest or illegal behavior, especially of people in authority”.[4] Huntington (1989) defined it somewhat differently, by describing corruption as “the behavior, exhibited by public officials which deviates from accepted norms in order to serve private aims”.[5] These definitions are also correct for maritime corruption specifically, however, in this field corruption can be categorized in different ways – especially at ports.

Sequeira and Djankov (2014) distinguish between two types of corruption at ports: collusive and coercive corruption. Under collusive corruption, public officials and private agents share illicit transaction-generated rents, while under coercive corruption, public bureaucrats force private agents to pay additional fees to be able to gain access to public services and goods.[6]

Pharmacoeconomics refers to the scientific discipline that compares the value of one pharmaceutical drug or drug therapy to another.[1][2] It is a sub-discipline of health economics. A pharmacoeconomic study evaluates the cost (expressed in monetary terms) and effects (expressed in terms of monetary value, efficacy or enhanced quality of life) of a pharmaceutical product. Pharmacoeconomic studies serve to guide optimal healthcare resource allocation, in a standardized and scientifically grounded manner.

Pharmacoeconomics centers on the economic evaluation of pharmaceuticals, and can use cost-minimization analysis, cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis or cost-utility analysis. Quality-adjusted life years have become the dominant outcome of interest in pharmacoeconomic evaluations, and many studies employ a cost-per-QALY analysis. Economic evaluations are carried out alongside randomized controlled trials and using methods of decision-analytic modeling. Pharmacoeconomics is a useful method of economic evaluation of various treatment options. As more expensive drugs are being developed and licensed it has become imperative especially in context of developing countries where resources are scarce to apply the principles of pharmacoeconomics for various drugs and treatment options so that maximum improvement in quality of life can be achieved in minimum cost.[3]

A tablet press is a mechanical device that compresses powder into tablets of uniform size and weight. A tablet press can be used to manufacture tablets of a wide variety of materials, including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cleaning products, industrial pellets and cosmetics.

A cough syrup filling machine is designed to fill liquid in any viscosity, including syrup. There are many types of syrup-filling machines, such as vacuum, servo, pump, gravity, pressure, piston, and counting filling machines.

AUSSIE BOUND

[officialleehadan]

Three Brains

Hello darlings! Today's story was brought to you by Kat! Darling, thank you so much for all your support!

Prompt: Between Love and Duty

+++

Nick loved his job.

He worked in bioengineering, which was always a business fraught with supervillains. Mostly, the ones with an intelligence factor who were making weapons to sell to other villains. There were two in Nick’s lab, as it happened, which was probably why the villain with the Cube attacked in he first place. Rayan kept his identity well-hidden, so Nick was pretty sure they weren’t after him.

All the same, it made for an interesting situation for Nick. His coworkers were too smart to not realize he knew about them, and he wasn’t going to insult them by pretending otherwise. As a result, they had a very comfortable working dynamic in which the villains, Stevens, who also went by Doctor Unholy and Tariq, who also went by Gravity Crash, respected his space and didn’t try to recruit him.

It was for the best. Nick didn’t want to get into villainy. He was a talented scientist, and probably could do fine in the work if he wanted to, but he simply didn’t need the drama.

Of course, his fiancé was a Power himself, and his best friend was on the Hero path. His life already had plenty of drama going on.

Still, it did occasionally make for interesting afternoons when they were cleaning up for the day and the shop talk turned to shop talk.

“Word is that there’s a new development in play,” Stevens said as he loaded up the autoclave. Nick himself was wiping down all their counters and Tariq was sweeping, and would mop when they were done. “I heard from the north river lab that the attack here involved a device to remove people’s Powers.”

“I’ve heard the same,” Tariq said conversationally, but without any hint that he actually knew anything. Certainly he didn’t know where the Cube was, considering it was currently taped under Nick’s bed. Even the supervillain who actually slept in the bed didn’t know it was there. “The Heroes are very excited about it, for obvious reasons.”

“I’ve heard Mephit and Libra are working together on it,” Nick added. As he knew they were villains themselves, and enhanced mental abilities to boot, he knew, and they knew, that Rayan was Mephit. They didn’t know about Carolina being Libra, however, and he meant to keep it that way. Rayan knew about the two villains as well, and was alright with Nick talking with them about his work, as long as it didn’t put Nick in danger. “But no one knows where the thing is and it has both sides anxious.”

“it has me anxious too,” Tariq admitted. “Avia as well.”

Avia was his wife and was a Power on the villain side. She specialized in hydrokenisis and tended to target big resorts on the coast, and cruise ships. Lately she had formed an alliance with three other Elemental powers, all women, and they were making the news as environmental terrorists. Nick approved of their work all things considered. Cruise ships were sailing biohazards.

“I think all of us who have someone in the game are worried,” Nick said, since it was true, and also because he was considering bringing his fellow scientists in on his secret. “Does anyone know where the thing came from? That fellow who attacked our lab had it, last anyone knew, but where did he get it?”

“That’s a good question,” Stevens said, and turned on the autoclave before he moved to pipettes next. He eyed Nick, and caught Tariq’s eye. Nick looked them both over and sighed. He had been too obvious. “So, where is it?”

“I couldn’t possibly be able to say,” Nick said, since there was no point insulting them by pretending he didn’t know what Stevens was asking. They figured out that he had the Cube. Now it was up to them, and him, to decide what to do with that information. “But I might be able to mention something about how a scientist I know examined it, and couldn’t figure out how it works.”

“Did this scientist leave you lab notes to share?” Tariq asked carefully. They all understood they were on very dangerous ground. Everyone on both sides of the Powered community would kill to get the Cube, and only the three of them knew who had it. Only Nick alone knew where it was. “Or any other information that you might be able to give, safely, to a colleague?”

“Maybe,” Nick hedged. He wasn’t sure he wanted them to see his research not he Cube, but he needed help. So far, it had defied all his efforts to figure out how it worked, but it had to affect the body somehow. Powers were a genetic mutation. Whatever else it did, the Cube must hit those genes too. That put it firmly in their realm of expertise. “It has my friend very concerned, given the implications on his loved ones.”

Stevens shared a long look with Tariq, and then, very deliberately, reached behind the autoclave for a control panel Nick pretended he didn’t know about.

All at once, the noise from outside the lab cut off, and there was a slight shimmer over the windows as forcefields powered on. The lab security of a pair of villains who didn’t want their personal lives in danger if there was another attack. A reaction, Nick knew, to the attack that brought the Cube to his door.

“Right,” Stevens said when the lab was locked down. He set the pipettes aside and washed his hands as Tariq set aside the broom. Nick joined them at the nearest table and took a seat. “We have a lot of genius in this room. Tell us what you know, and we’ll see if three brains are better than one.”

+++

Between Love and Duty

Two-sided love (Subscriber Only!)

Close to Home (Subscriber Only!) (New!)

Three Brains (New!)

+++

MASTERLIST

[awkwardpariah]

Lunae Palus is a region of Mars that sits on the southeast of the Continent of Tharsis, and is home to the Martian planetary capital district of Bradbury in the state of the same name. It is a mostly temperate region with a large continental cool climate as you get into the highlands. Even 80 years after habitability was declared, the region is considered "incomplete" like much of Mars with rivers and lake building projects still ongoing. In spite of this Lunae Palus boasts huge stretches of inhabitable land overlaid by wide rivers, and the enormous Mariner Sound to the South. Expansive grasslands give way to thick forests; Arean Poplar, Longan, and Blood Apple and Black Maple straddle rivers and lakes, while in the southern highlands you'll find 100 meter high Martian Sequoia, or "Ironwood" trees (named for the ribbons of iron in their wood, bioleached from the soil).

Inland, Lunae Palus' rolling hills and relatively few large craters makes it an ideal site for orchards and farmland. Heinlein, Xanthe, and Viking are known for producing some of the best wine on the planet, while Maja, Lunae, and Kanva grow a good deal of Martian wheat, barley, hops, fruit, and produce. The megalakes of Juventae and Hebes feed huge stocks of freshwater fish, but also huge navigable rivers that link the Lunae Palus interior with the Great Boreal Ocean.

Major population centers are concentrated along the coasts and deep water ports of major rivers. The greatest of these is Chamba, a port city for the stars and sea. Chamba stands at the base of the Infinite Mandir, a Space Elevator with access to a deep water port via the mouth of the Ravi River. From here cargo gondolas carry goods to and from Camba's ports across the wider solar system, while container ships in those ports can then reach the rest of Mars. While not as developed as New Richmond to the east, Akkad is the heart of a growing megaregion around Chimbote Bay.

The Infinite Mandir's origins are a dark chapter in Martian history, as one of the first Hindu temples on Mars was destroyed to make way for the anchor point of the elevator. In the decades that followed, the Martian Hindu community successfully sued the elevator's stakeholders for damages, and gained rights over the anchor point. Those rights lasted all of 17 years before the Interplanetary Trade Commission saw the consolidation of all major infrastructure under the Interplanetary Trade Commission. Over the decades, the terminal to the elevator was eventually rebuilt into an expansive structure in the Nagara style, which includes a new temple at the North entrance to the complex. While not as populated as the Margaritifer lowlands to the east, Lunae Palus is home to some of Mars' most desirable tourist destinations and national parks. The Mariner Sound is by far the most popular attraction in the region, pulling in tourists from across Mars, the wider solar system, and even from other star systems. Ambassadors and students from exoplanets usually make a point to visit the largest canyon in the Solar System during their long residences away from home. Cruise lines offer tours of the Sound beginning in Bradbury before depositing their passengers in Gramercy at the far end of the Candor Canal. Gramercy is the last stop for most visiting Lunae Palus and as such the town is all but engineered to separate guests from their money. Hotels, spas, brothels, and casinos are everywhere overlooking the calm waters of the Candor Canal, along with some of the few beaches on Mars, made possible by a mix of synthetic and real terran sand.

Thanks to all my patrons who help make these maps possible: www.patreon.com/SeanMcKnight

[simmyshayy]

New Sim Alert!

River Altman!

Meet River Altman. She’s a 25 year old young adult living in San Myshuno with her best friend Auden. She’s a Freelance Model looking for her big break, often times modeling the outfits that Auden styles.

River met Auden after moving to Copperdale in middle school, and they’ve been best friends ever since. Prior to the move, River was the epitome of a country girl, growing up in Chestnut Ridge on a farm owned by her grandparents. She’d help her parents with their wine-making business and competed in horse-riding competitions. She was what some would call a “horse-whisperer”. When she moved, she left behind her horse Aristocrat, and she was absolutely devastated. Her parents would frequently drive her back and forth between Chestnut Ridge and San Sequoia every weekend for competitions and visits until it was time for Aristocrat to be put down. Ever since, River hasn’t bought another horse or returned to Chestnut Ridge.

Despite her talents in horse-riding, River always had a dream of being a star. She has skills in ballet, piano, guitar, singing, skating, and entrepreneurship. When she graduated from high school, she and Auden went on a cruise together to Sulani, where someone on the ship scouted her to be a model. Obviously, she accepted, and started modeling while working on getting her degrees at Britechester. Now, she dreams of becoming a top model and even starting her own modeling agency.

[savvytravelers]

Best River Cruise Ships

Explore Savvy Travelers: Unveiling Our 20 Best Ship Features

Embark on a journey like no other with Savvy Travelers as we reveal the top 20 features of our exceptional river cruise ships. From luxurious accommodations to unforgettable experiences, let's explore what sets our ships apart and ensures an unparalleled cruising experience.

Twin-Balcony Staterooms: Enjoy the luxury of dual balconies, combining a French balcony and an outside balcony for breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.

Exquisite Dining: Indulge in locally-sourced cuisine crafted by expert chefs, ensuring a culinary journey that delights the palate with every bite.

Complimentary Wi-Fi: Stay connected throughout your voyage with complimentary high-quality Wi-Fi, allowing you to share your adventures with loved ones back home.

Bicycles and Nordic Walking Sticks: Explore destinations at your own pace with our complimentary fleet of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks, perfect for active excursions and independent exploration.

Green Award Certification: Cruise with confidence knowing that many of our ships hold Green Award Certification, reflecting our commitment to safety, quality, and environmental sustainability.

Spacious Stateroom Storage: Unpack and unwind in our staterooms, featuring ample storage space for your belongings, ensuring a comfortable and clutter-free environment.

Thoughtful Ship Details: From umbrellas to warm blankets, we provide thoughtful amenities to enhance your comfort and enjoyment during every moment of your journey.

Floor-to-Ceiling Windows: Immerse yourself in panoramic views from the Main Lounge, where floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the beauty of each destination we visit.

Sun Deck Amenities: Relax and recharge on our expansive sun decks, featuring heated pools, whirlpools, and wellness activities led by our dedicated Wellness Host.

Low-Draft Ships: Our purposefully built ships with low drafts ensure smooth navigation even in challenging water levels, allowing us to continue our journey uninterrupted.

24/7 Coffee and Tea Stations: Enjoy a refreshing beverage anytime with our 24/7 coffee and tea stations, providing a comforting pick-me-up throughout the day.

Innovative Activities: Stay active and engaged with a variety of onboard activities, from scenic hikes to wellness programs, designed to cater to every interest and preference.

Fitness and Wellness Facilities: Rejuvenate your body and mind at our state-of-the-art fitness centers and Zen Wellness Studios, offering a range of exercise equipment and wellness amenities.

Onboard Salons and Spas: Treat yourself to a pampering session at our onboard salons and spas, where indulgent treatments await to enhance your relaxation and rejuvenation.

Spacious Staterooms: Retreat to your spacious stateroom, featuring luxurious accommodations and modern amenities, ensuring a restful sanctuary after each day's adventures.

Destination-Inspired Decor: Experience the charm of each region with our destination-inspired decor, reflecting the culture and heritage of the places we visit.

Onboard Entertainment: End each day with a joyful celebration, featuring onboard entertainment from live music to cultural performances, creating unforgettable memories for all guests.

Festive Holiday Atmosphere: Join us for seasonal celebrations aboard our elegantly decorated ships, adding a touch of magic to your holiday experience.

Exceptional Crew: Our dedicated crew members serve as the heart of our ships, providing warm hospitality and personalized service to ensure your journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

Inclusive Guests: Join a community of inclusive and curious travelers who share a passion for exploration, creating lifelong memories together as we journey with Savvy Travelers.

Embark on an unforgettable journey with Savvy Travelers and experience the epitome of luxury aboard our river cruise ships. Contact your preferred travel advisor to learn more about our ships and embark on your next adventure today!

[rabbitcruiser]

Take a Cruise Day

From dining and entertainment to sightseeing and relaxation, enjoy the open sea and explore exotic ports of call on a dream cruise.

From tropical to exotic, from fun to romantic, taking a cruise is a great way to enjoy time upon what feels a lot like a floating city!

Get to meet a variety of new friends, celebrate a family reunion, take the kids on a Disney vacation on the sea, and let someone else do all of the planning of that itinerary.

Now, Take a Cruise Day is here to encourage everyone to take time to plan their next adventure on the water!

History of Take a Cruise Day

While travel on board boats has been part of human history for thousands of years, it wasn’t until more recently that boat travel for the sake of pleasure became commonplace.

In 1844, P&O first introduced their passenger cruising services, which took passengers on sea tours from Southampton, England, to places such as Malta, Athens and Gibraltar.

As luxurious cruise ship options began to develop, cruise lines began to become even more popular in the late 1800s. By the early 1900s, luxury travel across the Atlantic from the United States to Europe began.

The most infamous of these luxury cruise line ships was the Titanic, the largest ship on the ocean at the time, that met its demise when it sank in 1912.

The problems with the Titanic aside, cruises are a very safe way to travel. Not only are there tons of safety precautions, but they use cutting edge technology to ensure their passengers are well cared for.

For those who love the water, cruise vacations offer a number of benefits, including seeing several destinations while only having to unpack one time! Usually family friendly, cruise ships offer all sorts of different activities, sightseeing options and entertainment. Plus, cruises are super easy to plan because all of the hard work is already done for the passengers, so there is no decision-fatigue or fear of messing it up.

How to Celebrate Take a Cruise Day

Get on board with Take a Cruise Day by implementing some of these fun and delightful ideas for enjoying the adventure of travel on the water:

Take a Cruise, Of Course!

Well, perhaps this isn’t the exact day for leaving on the cruise, but it’s certainly a good day to get started with planning it. Get on the phone with that travel agent and make an appointment to meet and have a chat about the best options for taking a cruise in honor of Take a Cruise Day.

Perhaps the top of the list might be to plan an Alaskan cruise with a slow pace and some amazing scenery.

Or maybe it’s a cruise to the Bahamas where the laid-back attitude of sun-splashed islands offers a super chill way to relax and enjoy the fun. On the other hand, a Mediterranean or Norwegian cruise allows travelers to experience old world charm and unique destinations.

No matter where the cruise goes from or to, Take Cruise Day is an incredible time to celebrate and enjoy the beauty and pace of ocean, sea or river travel!

Watch Some Shows About Taking a Cruise

Not ready to make a commitment to booking that cabin on the cruise ship quite yet? Or maybe it’s a bit of seasickness that is getting in the way. That’s okay! It’s still possible to celebrate Take a Cruise Day by joining in on the fun in other ways.

For instance, it might be fun to get a feel for the day by watching a movie or show that features a cruise. Get started with some of these fun ideas:

The Love Boat (1977-1986). This classic show, filmed on the Pacific Princess, featured a cast of beloved characters and became one of the longest running shows on television at the time.

Like Father (2018). Kristen Bell and Kelsey Grammar star in this delightful comedy about a woman who finds it necessary to connect with her estranged father when she is left at the altar so her dad comes with her on her honeymoon cruise.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011). A live-action, computer animated comedy for the whole family, this musical movie follows Alvin and his friends on an adventure as they head toward the International Music Awards.

One Crazy Cruise (2015). This fun Nickelodeon made-for-TV movie features the story of a girl and her brother who go on a cruise with their two new step siblings. As the family hopes to bring each other closer, they end up with a crazy night and a crazy day – equaling one crazy cruise!

Learn More About Taking a Cruise

In celebration of Take a Cruise Day, take some time to get informed, learn more about what it’s like to take a cruise, and dispel some myths. Get started with some of these important pieces of information:

Cruises aren’t just for old people! While some senior citizens certainly do enjoy taking a cruise, these vacation adventures are fun for people of all ages, from children to teenagers, from young adults to mature adults and everyone in between.

Cruises can be affordable Many people think that they would be unable to afford a cruise, but breaking it down can actually help people find a cruise that will fit in their budgets, especially when adding in full-board food, transfers, accommodations, on-board activities and entertainment.

Cruises don’t often cause seasickness Because cruise ships are so large, people on board them typically do not succumb to seasickness. The technology of stabilization and the sheer size of the vessel means that people usually forget they are even on the water!

Cruises are filled with adventure Some people might think that being stuck on a boat is boring, but this is far from true. In fact, like small cities, cruise ships have tons of things to do, from spas and fitness centers to go-kart tracks and sky-diving, from laser tag to water parks. Not to mention the sightseeing on some cruises. There’s never a dull moment on board a cruise ship.

Source

[charlesandmartine]

Saturday 2nd November 2024

A much better night has passed without the orchestra of unknown players turning up. It was entirely peaceful with no interruptions. Having said that, we had just watched a TV documentary covering the murder a couple of years ago of the British girl, Grace Millane in Auckland NZ.

So after breakfast, much more refreshed than yesterday, we followed signs for the Hot Springs on the outskirts of Katherine. These are naturally occurring warm water Springs, although as far as I can tell, they are not thermal Springs, just warm ground water from a high water table. Well, hey, they are very popular with the local non-indigenous population and with the added attraction of a pop-up cafe, what's not to like? Martine had a little dip before finding what was not to like. The Springs followed a bending course, and just around one such bend was a tree absolutely full of fruit bats! Well, you can't have everything I suppose. There was a very nice signboard at the top of the steps which read: "Time is like a river. You can never touch the same water twice because the flow that has gone by will never go by again."

Let's just leave this as sentimental philosophy and not go down the Carpe Diem route. Just an interesting reflection of life. It's hardly Socrates, Seneca or Thomas Aquinas after all. Move on from there. The coffee was good in the pop-up cafe. The cafe will only be there another week and then there will be the wet season. The cafe uses a converted shipping container. The man told us that in a couple of weeks the whole thing will be shipped out. The wet season has produced floods which came pretty much to the top of the container before now. We find this all very hard to imagine, but it does explain why, even in such manicured grounds and springs, there are crocodile signs up. Flood conditions permit crocodiles to swap locations and move house, Love it or List it style.

A storm was brewing at 2pm but it just missed us, passing slightly to the west of us. Our next appointment this afternoon was not until 5pm. We had been told the Ghan train would be in Katherine Station this afternoon, so we very much wanted to revisit the service that we have travelled on a few years ago. In the meantime, Martine managed a couple of episodes of the Archers. As soon as the title music came on, a cow mooed in appreciation. Martine is about 2 weeks behind, so no spoilers, please.

Well, once again, best made plans and all, we showed up with plenty of time to spare at the Katherine Passenger Rail Terminal, and no Ghan. Had it gone, you ask? Well, we didn't know the answer to that. I mean, it is not easy hiding a 30 coach train after all. We shall investigate the return train for later in the week.

Big excitement tomorrow. We have a 2hr riverboat cruise on the Katherine Gorge, but an early start, so we are hoping the orchestra doesn't show tonight. Back to the little apartment and SB with rubbery chicken.

ps. We met a Timorese Art Teacher doing a pastel painting of the pop-up cafe. Nice bloke, and really interesting talking to him about teaching art to year 10 and 11 students.

pps. Although it was over 40 today, it dropped later on to 34. People around here put a jumper on if it drops much more than that!

[seabreeze2022]

Danube Cruise, Part 9,

Passau, Germany

A beautiful church on the bank of the Danube. We will pull into Passau, Germany shortly. It is the most visited city in all of Germany. Mainly due to its best preserved medieval town in central Europe. Today there is a population of 50,000 of which 12,000 are students of the University.

Passau is known as the city of three rivers. The river Inn is south of the city. The Danube runs along the north edge of town. From the north the much smaller river Ilz flows into the Danube. Note the three different colors of water. The Ilz is black, the Danube is known as blue-brown. The Inn has glacial runoff and is silvery-grey.

Our boat is moored along side a second ship. To get to shore we head to the top deck and then cross a small gangway to cross the top of the other ship.

Walking into the old town with our guide.

Narrow cobblestone stone streets. Note the building on the left. Not exactly straight or vertical. The city was rebuilt after a massive fire in 1662, built back in the baroque style.

This is one of the prettiest cobblestone streets we saw. The top of the fan design always points up hill. This engineering helps slow down water running downhill.

Munich has a couple of arches between buildings. But it was kind of normal in this town to see this.

On this street were several beer houses that have been in business for centuries.

Our guide and an interesting window design. Just to the right of the window is the flood mark in July 1954. Not to be out done, just above the window on the right is the flood mark March 2013 12.89 meters (roughly 42 ft.).

Several places in town near the river have marks on the wall showing flood levels. Interesting to note the wide range of months they occurred. The earliest recorded flood is 1501 with it flooding into town on an average of every 5 years. The river Inn flows from the Alps and is the source of the floods.

Beautiful architecture. This claims to be the Venice of Germany.

Straight walls?

In the background is St. Stephens Cathedral. There have been churches on this site since 700AD. This church was rebuilt after the 1662 fire.

This church has the second most organ pipes in the world. There are 17,774 pipes and 233 registers. The cathedral has 8 bells, the largest weighs over 16,000 pounds. P.S. All is not what it seems. The organ pipes above are only a picture of the real ones hung on a canvas. The real pipes are out for maintenance for a couple of years.

Note the sun dial on the building to the right. Did you realize that shadows on a sundial mounted on a flat surface in the northern hemisphere, rotate towards the right. The first clocks were invented in the northern hemisphere and the hands are said to rotate clockwise. If clocks had been invented in the southern hemisphere they probably would rotate the other direction.

Many doors in this town are outstanding.

Back to the boat, where we are greeted with warm towels and a fruit drink.

Happy hour, with fellow passengers Sarah and John.

Last nights dinner, everyone departs in the morning.

The Captain gives us a farewell salute. Note the folks in the ship tied to us in the background.

It’s the last night and the ship parties hard. Here Sarah, Heather and Nancy are looking at which song they are going to sing karaoke to. First they sing backup for Keith.

Nancy doing the song “YMCA” with the girls.

We hoof it through town, clanking across cobblestones for 15 minutes to the train station. Here we are crossing the Inn river.

We jump the train to Munchen (Munich) Hbf (Train Station.)

This is the last of our story of the Danube. We spend 2 days in Munich doing the hop-on-hop-off train, and walking around the old town. Drinking at the Hofbrauhaus, eating roasted Pork knuckles, hot nuts from street venders, and sausages.

If you enjoyed these post, we can highly suggest you check out Avalon Tours on the Danube. We traveled on the off shoulder of the regular tourist season Nov. 4-7. Booking two weeks out the price was close to half off. Now we are looking at cruising Portugal’s Douro Valley aboard Avalon’s newest Suite Ship®—the Avalon AlegriaSM. Sailing through vineyards clinging to steep slopes along the shores where 2,000-year-old traditions of winemaking are cherished in the charming villages in one of Europe’s oldest countries. Including a stay legendary Lisbon!

[elliepassmore]

The God and the Gwisin review

5/5 stars Recommended if you like: murder mystery, Korean mythology, multiple POVs, fated romance

The God and the Gumiho review

Big thanks to Del Rey, Netgalley, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and I'm so excited to have gotten an ARC!! I got an ARC of The God and the Gumiho last spring too, so it's been ~torture~ waiting for this one. I have to say, it definitely delivered!

At the end of book 1, the Red Thread of Fate had just appeared to Seokga, indicating Hani's reincarnation. In this book we discover that shortly thereafter, the Red Thread became hopelessly entangled and Seokga has spent the last 7 years trying to reach the end of it. He's worn down, stressed, depressed, and just generally not having a good time. Hwanin, who really does want Seokga and Hani to find each other again, decides Seokga needs a vacation...and straight to the river cruise in hell they go. Literally. Funnily enough, that's exactly where Yoo Kisa, and thus the end of the Red Thread, is.

When she was alive, Kisa was a shaman of childbirth and healing. She specialized specifically in maternal and childbirth medicine and became one of, if not the, youngest doctor in Seoul's magical maternity unit. After her death, she's become the on-ship doctor for ghosts (gwisin) who need a vacation. It's not the most glamorous job, and Kisa definitely misses her magic, but for the most part she goes through her day-to-day activity with little complaint. Because Kisa is a rule follower. Basically the exact opposite of Hani. And that's an important thing to take note of. Hani was sarcastic and flirty and not afraid to break the rules, but Kisa is deeply analytical and follows her mind rather than her heart. Altogether, the two are quite different. That being said, both of them are deeply caring and protective, and I found them both to be funny. They have different kinds of humor to be sure, but both Hani and Kisa can be hilarious at different times. And neither are afraid to put Seokga in his place when the situation warrants it (and because this is Seokga, you know the situation warrants it).

While Kisa is not Hani, I still liked her character. She is very analytical and her passion for medicine and science really comes through. I appreciated seeing an analytical STEM character who genuinely carries that through to all aspects of her life. Case and point: Throughout the book she continually takes notes on the gods, the Red Thread of Fate, and anything else 'new' so that she can write a research paper on the topic(s). A research paper. As a gwisin. You can see how she became the youngest doctor, and I actually kind of wish we got a sneak peek at one of those papers, they sound fascinating, lol.

Seokga, as mentioned, is not exactly at the top of his game. He was living contently enough prior to the Red Thread showing up, he got a huge burst of hope, and then was plunged into spending the next seven years desperately trying to find Hani's reincarnation, only to discover she died mere hours after the Red Thread showed up. What an emotional rollercoaster. Luckily Seokga's been seeing a therapist, which is going about how you'd expect, but it does seem to be helping a little.

Some past characters show up as well as new ones. An obvious friendly face is Hwanin. He accompanies his brother on the cruise (RIP) and we get to see a little more of the two's relationship here. It's been 33 years since Seokga was restored and the two are on much, much better terms. I enjoyed their sibling ribbing as well as the clear care they both have for each other. There's also another friendly face from Seokga and Hani's time in New Sinsi in '92 and when I say I did a double take 👀

Hajun is a new character and is Kisa's best friend. He's a dead kpop idol who works in the ship's clinic with Kisa. I really liked his character. He was protective of Kisa but was also newer to the world of creatures and so did sometimes have minor freakouts over what was going on around them. He's sweet and brought some levity to the situation, which I liked.

The mystery in this one is, obviously, who killed Hwanin. I was pretty invested in figuring this out, particularly since the Hwanin here is not the same Hwanin as in book 1. There are misdirects and twists and honestly for a while no good suspects, which makes it hard to formulate a hypothesis. I did figure out parts of the mystery, but wasn't able to figure out the entire thing and was a little off on certain parts, so it was a nice surprise when everything was revealed at the end.

Overall I enjoyed this book and seeing what happened with Seokga's Red Thread of Fate. Kisa was definitely a different character to work with, but I liked her and she and Seokga managed to figure things out. The mystery was also good and I enjoyed trying to puzzle out where it was going. I do think I like book 1 slightly more (Hani will forever have my heart) but this is an excellent sequel.