#ocean expo park

[philiprappaport]

Ocean Expo Park, Motobu, Okinawa

East China Sea and Minna Island seen from the grounds of Royal View Hotel Churaumi

Sunset from Ocean Expo Park

[vintagelasvegas]

Sands Hotel & Casino '52-'96

Sands, December 1952

Kit Carson Club ('46-'50) Kit Carson Motel ('46-'64) La Lue nightclub ('50-'51)

'46: Kit Carson Club opened by H. Bynum, D. Anderson, G. Frisbee on US Hwy 91 outside of Las Vegas, adjacent to Kit Carson Motel. The club will later become LaRue nightclub, then the Garden Room of the Sands Hotel.

'50: Kit Carson Club reopened as LaRue nightclub by Billy Wilkerson, Nola Hahn, 12/23/50.

'51: LaRue closed by summer. Mack Kufferman buys LaRue and hires architect Wayne McAllister to build around the existing club. Kuffman and partners apply for gaming license. The project is called Sands by 12/51.

Sands ('52-'96)

'52: Kufferman gaming license denied in Apr., sells to Jake Freedman (RG 4/9/52, RG 6/13/52). Partners running the Sands are B. Barron, E. Levinson (casino manager), S. Wyman, J. Entratter (showroom & restaurants). Hidden partners are believed to include J. Stacher, M. Lansky. Sands road sign designed by McAllister, built by YESCO.

'52: Dec. 12, Sands opens with 200 rooms in five buildings arranged in Y-shaped layout. The guest wings are named after race tracks: Arlington Park, Belmont Park, Haileah, Rockingham Park, Santa Anita. Three other wings of equal size were added circa ’53-54 (two were named Churchill Downs, Hollywood Park), another by ’58, and larger wing by ’60. The total room count in ’60 was 465.

'53: Frank Sinatra plays his first engagement at the Sands and becomes 2% owner in Oct; Carl Cohen joins the Sands as shareholder and casino manager in Oct.

'54: Sign modification: Second reader board added below the main board, Feb or earlier. Antonio Morelli joins the Sands as musical director for the Copa in Jul.

'55: Sands partners assume control of the Dunes in Sep. They sell the Dunes in four months later.

'58: Jake Freedman dies 1/19/58; Jack Entratter becomes Sands president.

'59: Sign modification: Attraction board attached to the sign, Feb or earlier. Baccarat begins at the Sands. Sands acquires the former Orinda Motel, property to the south, used for expansion of the Sands parking lot.

'60: Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop (the "Rat Pack") are first billed together in the Copa in Jan-Feb. during the filming of Ocean's 11. Senator John F. Kennedy visits during the Democratic primary campaign.

'63: Opening of Aqueduct hotel wing (83 rm) in Apr. Julius Gabrielle, architect (RJ 4/28/63). Sinatra surrenders ownership 10/7/63.

'64: Sands acquires the former Kit Carson Motel; Belmont and Arlington buildings (base of the Y) moved southward to accommodate construction of a hotel tower. Sign modification: The frame around the main marquee painted tan.

'65: Second sign in Aug; tower completed late in the year and officially opened Jan. ’66. Martin Stern Jr, architect.

'67: Howard Hughes buys the Sands, 7/23/67. Sinatra leaves his Sands residency after confrontation with Cohen, 9/11/67.

'69: Dean Martin leaves Sands to join Riviera.

'71: Entratter dies, 3/8/71.

'73: Cohen leaves the Sands, Jan. '73.

'80: Inns of America buys the Sands from Hughes heirs Summa Corp in Oct.

'81: Oct., Sands third sign and new porte-cochere.

'82: Jan. 15, Completion of remodeling effort including new Copa room.

'83: Summa Corp re-assumes control of the Sands, 4/5/83.

'88: Kirk Kerkorian buys the Sands in Jan. Kerkorian sells to Interface Group led by Sheldon Addison in Apr.

'90: Sands Expo and Convention Center opens.

'94: Remodeling of the casino.

'96: Sands closes 6/30/96. Tower demolished 11/26/96.

Photos of the Sands

Sources include David G. Schwartz. At the Sands: The Casino That Shaped Classic Las Vegas, Brought the Rat Pack Together, and Went Out With a Bang. December 1952 photo courtesy of Slidetreasurehunt.

Construction of the sign, 1952. The pylon sign pedestal was 56’ high, 21’ wide, with the S at 34’ tall. Design by Wayne McAllister, fabricated and installed by Young Electric Sign Co. Photo: YESCO Corporate Records (MS-00403), UNLV Special Collections & Archives.

Opens Dec 15. Danny Thomas, Connie Rusell, Lou Wills Jr, Ray Sinatra Orchestra. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, 0007-0345.

Aerial view of Kit Carson Motel and the Sands, '62

[marvelstoriesepic]

“Anything with avenger bucky or 40s bucky!” @revsarahc

Thank you for your comment!! ♡

I’ve decided I’ll give you a sneak peek into 40s!Bucky :)

Basically, the scene will take place at the Stark expo, a day before Bucky’s departure. He gets there with Steve and reader since they’ve been friends for years now. Bucky, the ladies man he is, however has a date waiting for him and Steve, and reader isn’t happy, since she thought this would be the night she got to spend together with only her best friends. It’s Bucky’s last night here after all. And Bucky seemingly never thinks to organize a date for her as well, so she’s not able to shove down that jealousy she’s been feeling for so long now and Bucky doesn’t understand what’s going on. But he’s not stopping at anything when his best girl is upset.

Here is a little snippet. It’s a little flashback of their first meeting at Cony Island. Steve just puked into the bin beside the bench reader is sitting on and Bucky comes looking for him:

“Steve, there you are,” the voice exclaimed, relief evident in the breath he let out. You were prompted to turn your head and come face to face with the newcomer. He was tall, much taller than Steve; with disheveled, chestnut brown hair and flushed cheeks, likely from searching the park for his friend.

Though what took you in were his eyes. That vibrant shade of blue that seemed to hold the essence of the oceans depths. They were eyes, that drew you in, captivating and mesmerizing, leaving an indelible impression long after the initial gaze had passed.

Well that was what you guessed, because he hadn’t diverted his gaze from you since he noticed you.

Not even when asking Steve if he was okay.

“All good, Buck. Y/n here helped out.” Steve replied, gesturing towards you.

“So, Y/n it is.”

It will still go through some changes in further process but I enjoyed this bit so much! 🌸

WIP Game

[drstonetrivia]

Chapter 232 Trivia (Part 1)

This is it… The final chapter.

The Perseus and American planes get one final appearance, in color!

They must have landed a ways away from shore since Senku caught a fish, but the new Perseus isn't an aircraft carrier so how far did the plane fly?

I wonder if Charlotte is piloting it…

The choice of a land vs water return has historically depended on the geography of the country sending the rocket up: Russia has a lot of land, so the Soyuz capsules are made for land, and the US is surrounded by water so they've traditionally used that instead.

Since Treasure Island is an island, they opted for a water landing. Both types of landing have advantages and disadvantages, it just depends on which risks you'd rather take.

The Soyuz capsules Byakuya's team came down on are designed for both water and land, but because they don't have the same flotation devices that the Apollo ones have, they can't right themselves after landing. The capsules naturally float anyways.

In Senku's case, the top flotation devices weren't needed, but it's odd that the buoyancy ring was already inflated upon touchdown— wouldn't the impact make them burst, or flip the capsule upside down? It's also unusual that they'd exit before the recovery vehicle reached them.

Maybe they were worried about Ryusui-the-stowaway using up all the air inside so they decided to open it early?

We can't be sure of where they touched down since there's not enough landmass shown to identify anything, but given the celebration was held in Japan and the Perseus came to pick them up, it's a fair assumption that they landed in a similar area to the original Soyuz Six.

I'm sure most people have noticed how Kohaku has fallen asleep on the stage and Stanley is going through a nicotine withdrawal/acting as if it was a proper military medal ceremony, but I doubt most people noticed that Ryusui is actually meant to be 7 cm taller than Stanley…

Everyone's asking who this girl is, but I genuinely think she's just a random extra person, unless Boichi decided to recolor Kohaku with brown hair just to throw us off one last time. Another guess is that she's the girl with glasses from the 1st light novel, but without glasses.

It appears the villager criteria has expanded even further past simply allowing outsiders— outer space is now fair game! Their new friend is officially a member of Ishigami Village!

The bar in the middle of the E is also missing in E=mc², which I guess is a pretty E-Z mistake to make haha!

(Since it's now c=mc² does that mean we can simplify to m=1/c? 🤔 )

The area reminds me of the DARPA expo in the national park rather than Corn City, so it may be a new town based around where the Americans had originally revived. It has a defensive wall which is unusual, so it may be a military research base or to protect against wolf attacks.

I'm also a little disappointed they opted for cars and roads rather than trains, especially leaving the town, since America is very well suited for a rail network.

This plane is unlikely to be the piston-type propeller plane that we saw earlier, but rather a turboprop: a propeller in front of a jet engine, Xeno's specialty. These types of engines are better for short flights (<480 km) because they're more efficient over short distances.

Because of the slower travel, they can handle shorter runways better, but I'm not sure that's much of a problem when landing on the ocean.

Traditional jets are better for long distances like, say, the 8,500 km journey Gen took to get from America to Japan.

Did Francois and Gen leave Suika at the airport!?

Gen could be talking about the old outfit design, or, because the leather didn't fully deteriorate in the 7.5 year time skip (we can see this from some of the other outfits), it could literally be the same outfit from the Stone Wars, but patched up a little.

I assume this was because Francois is a more important character, but they could have gotten Carlos, the driver by trade, to bring Gen to the wedding.

Though he probably didn't want to leave miss Luna alone…

Hair grows ~6in/15cm per year, and the average women's head size is 8.6in/21cm, so assuming Yuzuriha didn't cut too much off, her hair grew around 10.9 in/27.7cm, therefore 2 years have passed.

This isn't perfect because Mirai's hair didn't grow as long, but it's an estimate!

These people are Yuzuriha's parents (despite the father's striking resemblance to Taiju), since Taiju's parents are long dead.

Another shooting stance comparison! Stanley is obviously cool and using only one hand, but Yo is using two hands. The number of hands doesn't affect accuracy, but cops are generally trained to use two hands since it's more stable when firing consecutive bullets.

(Next part)

[lisagiaandrews]

Shanghai Bucket List: 20 Epic Things to Do in Shanghai, China

Take a night walk along the west bank of the Huangpu River or take a night cruise to admire the stunning city lights of The Bund.

Climb up iconic skyscrapers such as the Shanghai Tower or the Oriental Pearl TV Tower for a panoramic view of the city.

Visit the Shanghai Museum in Huangpu to learn about ancient Chinese art and history. The museum has a large collection of exquisite bronzes, ceramics, paintings and other cultural relics.

Explore the French Concession area to experience local life and uncover hidden historical treasures.

Explore the world of science at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, which is especially suitable for learning and entertainment with children.

Visit City God Temple, in addition to Yu Garden, the surrounding City God Temple is also a popular place for tourists, where there are many traditional arts and crafts shops and food stalls.

Experience the nightlife of Xintiandi and enjoy a night out in Shanghai at the bars and clubs in the area.

Experience the alley culture of old Shanghai in Tianzifang. This is an old alley converted into an art and shopping area, full of literary atmosphere.

Visit Disneyland for a family-friendly trip and a day of theme park fun.

Go to the shopping paradise - Nanjing Road, where you can choose from a variety of products.

Taste the authentic Shanghai food, such as Xiaolongbao, Sheng Jian bao, crab bean curd, etc., to feel the food culture of Shanghai.

Walk along the Suzhou River, where the renovation shows the renewal and development of Shanghai. There are art installations and leisure Spaces along the river.

Watch a Peking Opera or Yue Opera performance and feel the charm of Chinese opera in a traditional theater.

Ride the maglev train, the world's fastest commercially operated train, from Pudong Airport to the city in just a few minutes.

Visit the Shanghai Grand Theatre in People's Square, a modern building that is one of Shanghai's iconic cultural facilities and regularly hosts world-class shows and concerts.

Visit Xujiahui, one of Shanghai's commercial centers, which is home not only to modern shopping malls, but also to historic Catholic churches and museums.

Visit the Expo site. Although the Expo has ended, many national pavilions have been converted into museums and exhibition halls and are still worth seeing.

Visit the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium: Located in Lujiazui, it displays Marine life from all over the world and is especially suitable for families.

Take a day trip to Zhujiajiao, a water town near Shanghai, to admire its canals, ancient Bridges and classical architecture.

Ride or walk around Chongming Island to enjoy the natural scenery and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

[tonguetyd]

Okay we don't really have mascots and such like you guys do, but we have this little guy. Meet Gil 🩵

He's a water drop 🥹💧

(Was the mascot for our internal expo in '98 - ocean themed - and up until somewhat recently, the mascot for our oceanarium. He's been replaced for a real-boy mascot character thingy, but his big-ass statues are still spread on this park. I used to say hi to him every morning while taking my driver's license 🥹💧)

I would fuckin die for Gil

HES JUST A LIL WATER DROP. A WET LIL GUY (we really are not beating the sad wet cat man lover allegations)

Thank you thank you thank you thank you for introducing us, I’m going to cry over his lil wave hair flip

[jinghuablog]

去年年底的一个上午，我们登上一架从悉尼飞往东京的ANA航班，开启了我们第二次的日本之行。飞机经过10个小时不间断飞行，于晚上8点半，平安抵达东京羽田机场。到达东京机场后，这才发觉我的一身夏装是多么的不合时易——舷窗外是寒风凛冽，一片萧瑟的冬夜，于是赶紧披上一件外套匆匆下了飞机，出关，取行李都十分的方便和快捷，让人有一种宾至如归的亲切感。出了机场，我们便坐上机场的免费接驳巴士，去了一家维拉芳泉羽田机场大酒店（Hotel Villa Fontain Grand Haneda Airport)，在那里睡了一个晚上。第二天早上8点，还是搭乘ANA班机，飞往冲绳首府城市那霸市。

到了那霸，明显感受到这里与东京非常的不同，除了市容市貌有很大的差异之外，这里的气温更加和暖，接近于澳洲的春秋季节，虽然这里同样也是冬天。出了机场，我们要做的事情就是先去提车。因为这家租车公司并不在机场内，所以我们先要搭乘租车公司在机场的接驳巴士，然后前往租车公司，不过租车公司离机场并不太远，只需5分钟车程。到了那里才知道租车的游客可真多，挤满了营业大厅。公司职员热情友好，不多时我们便拿到了车，是一辆白色Nissan SUV。

澳洲人在日本开车要比在自己家门口都来的方便。在日本驾车者普遍都很友善，而且道路路况优良，交通规则几乎跟澳洲一模一样，车辆都是靠着左边行驶。所以，当我把车开出机场之后，马上找到了驾轻就熟的感觉。不过也有稍微的不习惯地方，其一，日本公路的车速一般都限制在50公里内，这对于我们习惯开快车的人来说，就有点不习惯。其二，当车离开了主路，开到一些支路或小路上的时候，就明显觉得道路非常的狭窄，此时就能体会出车速慢所带来的好处。总之在日本开车是一件非常惬意自在的事情。

我们第一站先去宜野湾海滨公园。我们的车沿着58国道向北行驶，路上的交通状况不错，放眼所见路上尽是些小型车，甚至是超小型车，大货车难得一见。从这点可以看出日本民族的生存空间非常狭小，就是在这一狭小环境里，他们渐渐养成了谦和礼让的美德。沿途有很多老旧低矮的建筑，居民住宅大多是一些方方正正，钢筋水泥的低矮的二层楼房，外墙灰暗，墙粉脱落，门窗狭窄，采光不足，一幢幢房屋像是在海边蹲着的一个个怪物，跟我想象中的海滨别墅、华屋大宅完全不同。不过宜野湾海滨公园倒是蛮不错的。免费的停车场、休憇场所、运动场馆。更让人开心的是天气特别睛朗，碧海蓝天，白云悠悠，水波荡漾，清澈碧绿，一条金色的沙滩横卧在海边。放眼远眺，远处的海浪像拖着姗姗而来的步子，一波波由远及近，最后变成拍岸的惊涛，无数的碎玉琼珠。可能是冬天旅游淡季的缘故，这里无论是海滩还是公园，游人稀少，实在有负于这片美丽的海滨风情，这个风轻云淡好时光。

接下来我们想找一家冲绳面馆。到了冲绳，冲绳拉面一定不能错过。为了找一家网红拉面馆，我们的车七弯八拐的来到了一家面馆。这家店难找倒是其次，更要命的是门前的路非常狭窄，停车场更是小的可怜，没想到在这里泊车成了一种技术活。其实所谓的面馆是由一幢老旧House扩建改造而成的，屋外建有一个大凉棚，横七竖八放着几张长桌，几条长凳。面馆里里外外都坐满了客人，看上去都是些当地人，大家彼此熟识，谈笑风生。

走进院子，我一下子觉得像是走进乡下的亲戚家里，亲切自然。我们在凉棚下找了一张桌子坐下。只见一位和霭可亲的老板娘递上二份菜单，菜单当中居然还有英文，大喜过望之下再一看价钱，更是乐开了花，一份套餐1400日元，如果光点一碗冲绳拉面只需900日元。套餐包括配菜、刺身、冲绳油炸圈饼、冲绳饭和冲绳拉面，拉面里可以放五花肉，肋软骨或排骨，客人根据自己的喜好三选一，面里还放了些魚糕片、葱花。汤料是炖的肉汤，味道浓而不腻，美味爽口。我们点了一份套餐和一碗冲绳拉面，拉面里的五花肉瘦肉和脂肪分布均匀，入口即化，饱足感十足，味道鲜美。

当晚我们入住星野集团BEB5冲绳濑良垣度假村（Hoshino Resorts BEB5 Okinawa Seragaki)，这是我们日本之行住的最便宜的酒店，双人房3晚3万日元，而且房间大，床大，设施好，服务优，真是价廉物美。在这三天里，我们几乎跑遍了冲绳中部有名的景点，其中印象最深的要数海洋博公园（Ocean Expo Park)。

海洋博公园位于冲绳县市区的公园，园内面积有77公顷，包括海族馆、户外海豚表���区、海龟馆、海牛馆、海洋文化馆、植物园、热带中心、夕阳广场、儿童乐园、翡翠海滩等等。这里有很多的地方都值得花时间去玩，不过我们还是有选择的逛一逛，重点放在水族馆、海龟馆、海牛馆和馆外的海豚表演上。海洋博公园提供免费停车服务，入园门票2180日元/成人：

这里的海族馆是世界上最大的水族馆之一，里面设有水量高达7500公吨的巨大水槽，其中包括世界第二大水槽＂黑潮之海＂的大洋池和其余77个水槽。而＂黑潮之海＂内饲养着世界上最大的鲸鲨鱼，＂珊瑚之海＂水槽里展示着800群体的各式各样的珊瑚，＂深层之海＂水槽中重现冲绳深海的海底之迷。我们从小在大城市里长大，本来就对地上跑的动物了解不多，对天上飞的鸟，海里游的生物更是知之甚少，所以一走进海族馆犹如刘姥姥走进大观园一样，看到这多么形态各异，色彩缤纷的海洋生物，既新奇又有趣。这里的海洋生物之丰富多样让人叹为观止，当中绝大多数都是我第一次看到的，当然它们的名字更是闻所未闻。不过这些都无关紧要，来这里图个新鲜，看个热闹还是非常值得的。

海洋博公园每天安排5场海豚表演。每当临近表演的时候，水池边的观众席上早己人头攒动，坐无虚席。我们看的是上午11点钟的那场表演，坐在表演池的左手靠后的位置，大家都在安安静静地等待表演的开始。蔚蓝的天，碧绿的海，白云飘荡，海风习习，就是坐着无所事事，也是一件赏心悦目的事情。

表演时间一到，我们的耳边立刻响起了音乐和海豚训练师的哨声。只见几条体形优美的海豚整齐划一地欢腾跳跃了起来，水池里顿时水花四溅，一片欢腾的景象。随着嘹亮的音乐节奏，海豚表演了水面跳跃，空中转体，单尾直立等高难度绝技。它们时而单，时而双，时而更是联袂出镜，齐刷刷地展现跃高超的协同能力，海豚在训练师的引导下卖力地表演。整个过程持续有二十分钟，博得了观众热烈的喝彩和训练师的食物奖励。演出结束后，观众们排成一溜长队，纷纷购买喂食海豚的食料，500日元一桶（几条小鱼），以犒劳它们的精彩表现。当我在把小鱼丢进海豚嘴里的时候，不仅对它们心生一丝怜悯，其实它们不正是我们的一个缩影，也在为自己的一日三餐而竭尽全力。

冲绳的美国村是另一个非常值得去的地方。美国村位于冲绳中部地区北谷町的美滨，临近美军嘉手纳空军基地。冲绳1972年归还日本，数十年后，这里依然设有大型的美军基地。对于美国军事人员而言，美国村是他们家乡以外的另外一个家，不过这里同样也吸引无数当地人和海外游客来这里购物，休闲游玩。美国村充满对二战后的美国的怀旧情怀，不仅有许多欧美风情的小店，还有餐馆、电影院、大型超市、游乐场，是集购物，餐饮，娱乐，浪漫海滨于一身的休闲胜地，而且是一处极具美国风情的地方。这里有五光十色的商品，五彩缤纷的灯光，五颜六色的人群。街上、店铺、餐馆到外人头攒动，坐无虚席。每当日落黄昏，还有很多人聚集在海边，静静的守候夕阳西下，云翳的瑰丽多彩，海浪的低吟浅唱，海鸟的幽怨婉转，情侣的喁喁细语，一幅多么温馨美丽，诗与画的海滨风情。每个星期六的晚上，这里更有烟花表演。我们去的那天恰逢星期六，正巧碰上了海上烟花秀。当璀璨绚烂的烟花在夜空绽放时，那一瞬间的光彩，那一瞬间的美丽，却成了长长久久的记忆，将镌刻在灵魂深处，永不磨灭。

烟花表演结束，差不多到了我们预定的晚餐时间。我们沿着海滨步道向北走了5分钟，来到一家名叫＂牛排馆琉球之牛＂（Blue Ocean Steak)的餐厅。这家店生意火爆，我们前一天打电话去订座，勉强预定上了8点钟的＂未班车＂。这家餐厅在二楼，非常的雅致舒适，淡淡的灯光，舒适的环境，还有低声细语的时髦男女。空气中更是迷漫着牛排、海鲜、葡萄酒带着的混合味道。餐厅的落地窗外是漆黑一片的大海，屋内奇幻的灯光反射在落地窗上，形成了一整排光幕，光幕上面尽显屋内灯光摇曳，人影绰绰，忽明忽暗，若隐若现的奇妙画面，犹如置身在一个奇幻的世界里。我们点了二份特别套餐，主菜分别是一份300g牛排和一份大西洋龙虾，另外还有沙拉、泡菜、炙考寿司、冲绳产的Agu猪里涮锅、面包。丰富美味的晚餐为我们的美国村之行划上完美句号。

与地上繁华热闹，目不暇接的风光相比，那些深埋在地底的世界才更加的叫人惊艳，拍案称奇，冲绳的玉泉洞就是能让人流连忘返的地下仙境。玉泉洞位于冲绳南城市，离那霸市不远，只需30分钟车程，这是当地一个非常有特色旅游项目，叫做冲绳世界，它有玉泉洞和文化王国组成。

玉泉洞成型大约有30万年，全长有5公里，我们进去的开放洞窟只有890米，有一百多万钟乳石组成。我们沿着金属制的扶梯拾级而下，台阶相当潮湿，像是刚被水冲洗过一样，一股股潮湿闷热的气息扑面而来，像是在告诉我们脚下是一个多么完全不同的世界。果不其然，到了洞里面才知道外面的世界根本就不值一提。

进入洞，我们就一直走下坡路，不过一路上都有灯光照明，除了照明灯光，还有经特殊设计的灯光，它们明暗不一，照射在洞壁、洞顶和脚底下，以加强洞内钟乳石表现效果。突然我被眼前一幕幕的景致所震撼，洞顶到处悬挂着＂石锥＂形的钟乳石，洞底长出像竹笋一样的＂石笋＂，更大一点是＂石柱＂，更奇特一点的钟乳石都有自己的名字，岩窟王、夫妻岩、枪天井、青之泉等。钟乳石每年只生长1毫米，与之相比，我们的百年人生实在不值得一提。所以只有当我们看到那一幕幕鬼斧神工之作之后，才能真正认识到人类社会的短暂和渺小。玉泉洞窟内还有犹如地下水流动的＂波纹结晶＂，还有如同沙粒一般的＂洞窟珍珠＂等各式各样的钟乳石，在灯光的映射下发出奇光异彩，让人觉得像是进入一个巨大的水晶宫。

除了各式各样的钟乳石，洞窟里还棲息着适应黑暗环境的罕见亚热带岛屿的生物，其中有蝙蝠、蜥蜴、淡水虾、大鳗鱼等。我们走完整个洞窟用了近一个小时，真是一趟奇妙之旅。出了洞之后还有很多可以继续参观的地方，整个园内有冲绳热带水果园、琉球玻璃传统工艺、冲绳传统艺能和体验琉球王国的生活等，这些展示都像是在娓娓述说着冲绳那悠久的文化和历史传承。

从陆地上的光怪陆离，奢侈华丽，到海底世界的五彩斑斓，神秘莫测，再到地���世界的天然奇观，鬼斧神工，都在时时刻���提醒我们在这个地球上，既有我们生活的真实世界，也有一个我们根本无法触及到的神秘世界。在这二个世界当中，人的世界是多么的脆弱不堪，虽然外表上看起来强大无比，固若金汤，但强大的本质是建立在虚弱之上的，所以它随时都可以转瞬即逝，灰飞烟灭，成为一处处供后人凭吊的历史遗迹。反而那些不露锋芒，深藏若虚的才能长长久久的存在。当我们站立在有着800年历史的琉球王国城堡的废墟上，面对着眼前一片断垣残壁，华屋丘墟，感触尤其的深刻。

冲绳十万人当中就有68位百岁以上老人，比例之高全球位于前茅，有些科学家得出这样的结论，这是因为冲绳人饮食中碳水化合物和蛋白质的比例特别高（冲绳比例）的缘故。我从冲绳归来之后，还是觉得房龙的＂生存之迷太大，答案不止一个＂更加的靠谱一些。

[brookston]

Holidays 1.15

Holidays

Alpha Kappa Alpha Day

Armed Forces Remembrance Day (Nigeria)

Army Day (India)

Aswan High Dam Day

Basketball Rules Day

British Museum Day (UK)

Commemoration Day of the Genocide Against Albanians (Kosovo)

Composer Day (Mexico)

Democratic Donkey Day

Esquipulas (Guatemala)

First Super Bowl Anniversary Day

4-H Day

George Price Day (Belize)

Guster Day (Boston, Massachusetts)

Halfway Point of Meteorological Winter

Happy Days Day

I Love Public Schools Day (Nebraska)

International Free Agent Signing Day (Baseball)

International Vote from Abroad Day

John Chilembwe Day (Malawi)

Korean Alphabet Day (a.k.a. Chosen-gul)

Massage Parlor Day

Miracle on the Hudson Day

Moliere Day (France)

Museum Day (UK)

National Charango Day

National Go and Do Good Day

National Hat Day

National Humanitarian Day

National Kayla Day

National Parks Free Entrance Day

National Pothole Day (UK)

National Twitter Day

National Zombies Day

Ocean Duty Day (Indonesia)

Procrastinator’s New Year

Sagichō at Tsurugaoka Hachimangū (Kamakura, Japan)

Seijin-No-Hi (Adult’s Day; Japan)

South Wind’s Prayer (Elder Scrolls)

Space Mountain Day

Super Bowl Anniversary Day

Teacher’s Day (Venezuela)

Telephone Directory Day (UK)

Thank Your Mentor Day

Thiruvalluvar Day (India)

Tin Day (French Republic)

Wikipedia Day

Willie Hoppe Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Big Dudes Big Foods Day

Craft-Brew Day (Berkeley, California)

Francis Tavern Day (New York)

National Bagel Day (a.k.a. Bagels and Lox Day)

National Booch Day

National Fresh Squeezed Juice Day

Strawberry Ice Cream Day

Wassailing the Apple Trees

Nature Celebrations

Arbor Day (Egypt, Florida, Jordan, Lousiana)

Ivy Day (Hedera helix

National Eskimo Dog Day

Tree Planting Day (Egypt)

Tulpanens Dag (a.k.a. Tulip Day; Sweden)

Independence, Flag & Related Days

Commonwealth of Abrus (Declared; 2016) [unrecognized]

International Recognition Day (Croatia)

Vermont (Declared their Independence under the name New Connecticut; 1777)

3rd Wednesday in January

Hump Day [Every Wednesday]

Museum Selfie Day [3rd Wednesday]

Wacky Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Wandering Wednesday [3rd Wednesday of Each Month]

Website Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Weedless Wednesday [3rd Wednesday]

Wiener Wednesday [3rd Wednesday of Each Month]

Weekly Holidays beginning January 15 (2nd Full Week of January)

None Known

Festivals Beginning January 15, 2025

Montana Agricultural & Industrial Expo (Great Falls, Montana) [thru 1.17]

Northwest Agricultural Show (Salem, Oregon) [thru 1.17]

Northwest Hay Expo (Kennewick, Washington) [thru 1.16]

Feast Days

Abeluzius (Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church)

Arnold Janssen (Christian; Saint)

Ask the Minotaur Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Black Christ of Esquipulas Day (Guatemala)

Bonitus (Christian; Saint)

Calybite (Christian; Saint)

Carmentalia (Old Roman Festival to Porrima and Postverta)

Ceolwulf (Christian; Saint)

Feast of the Abbot of Unreason

Feast of the Vestal Virgins (Ancient Rome; Everyday Wicca)

Fo-Hi (Positivist; Saint)

The Fragglettes (Muppetism)

Francis Ferdinand de Capillas (A Martyred Saint of China)

Isidore of Alexandria (Christian; Saint)

Ita (Christian; Saint)

John Calybites (Christian; Saint)

Macarius the Elder of Egypt (Western Christianity)

Maurus and Placidus (Order of Saint Benedict)

Muspellheim Day: Surt’s Blot (Pagan)

Niccolo Machiavelli Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival (a.k.a. Tondo Matsuri, Sai No Kami, Sagicho, Dondo Yaki, and Dōsojin Matsuri; Japan)

Our Lady of the Poor (Christian; Saint)

Paul the Hermit (a.k.a. Paul of Thebes; Christian; Saint)

Unicorn Hunting Day (Pastafarian)

Secular Saints Days

Captain Beefheart (Music)

Chuck Berry (Music)

Lee Bontecou (Art)

Eugène Brands (Art)

Ernest J. Gaines (Literature)

Queen Ida Guillory (Music)

Frances Benjamin Johnston (Art)

Martin Luther King Jr. (Philosophy)

Gene Krupa (Music)

Jean-Baptiste Moliere (Literature)

Giovanni Segantini (Art)

Robert Silverberg (Literature)

Edward Teller (Science)

Ronnie Van Zandt (Music)

Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller (Art)

Stanisław Wyspiański (Art)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Fortunate Day (Pagan) [3 of 53]

Perilous Day (13th Century England) [7 of 32]

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Very Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [6 of 60]

Premieres

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Trade Organization; 1927)

Alice the Toreador (Ub Iwerks Disney Cartoon; 1925)

Alice’s Balloon Race (Disney Cartoon; 1926)

Alice’s Orphan (Disney Cartoon; 1926)

Be Mice to Cats (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1960)

The Benny Hill Show (BBC TV Series; 1955)

The Book of Eli (Film; 2010)

Bullwinkle Bites Back or Nothing But the Tooth (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 90; 1961)

Bullwinkle Makes His Bid or Going! Going! Gun! (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 195; 1963)

Call the Midwife (BBC TV Series; 2012)

The Candy House (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1934)

Catch the Saint, by Christopher Short (Short Stories; 1975) [Saint #45]

The Dig (Film; 2021)

Donald’s Weekend (Disney Cartoon TV Special; 1958)

Education for Death (Disney Cartoon; 1943)

Equal Rites, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 1987) [Discworld #3]

The Eye of the World, by Robert Jordan (Novel; 1990) [Wheel of Time #1]

The Fastest Guitar Alive (Film; 1967)

Feather Dusted (WB MM Cartoon; 1955)

Ford F-Series Truck (Truck; 1958)

Get It On, recorded by Chase (Song; 1971)

Goggle Fishing Bear, featuring Barney Bear (MGM Cartoon; 1949)

Happy Days (TV Series; 1974)

Hill Street Blues (TV Series; 1981)

I Can’t Explain, by The Who (Song; 1965)

It’s the Talk of the Town, by The Glen Gray Orchestra (Song; 1942)

The Last of Us (TV Series; 2023)

Low, by David Bowie (Album; 1977)

Man Bites Dog (Film; 1993)

The Man in the High Castle (TV Series; 2015)

Metal-Munching Mice, Part 1 (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 89; 1961)

Moonstruck (Film; 1987)

Moonwalkers (Film; 2016)

My Sweet Lord, by George Harrison (Song; 1971)

My World Is Empty Without You, by The Supremes (Song; 1966)

Norm of the North (Animated Film; 2016)

Pentagon (Gov’t Building; 1943)

The Philosophy Of The Revolution, by Gamal Abdel Nasser (Political Theory; 1956)

The Pied Piper of Basin Street (Swing Symphony Cartoon; 1945)

The Pigman, by Paul Zindel (Novel; 1968)

Porky’s Poppa (WB LT Cartoon; 1938)

Quartet for the End of Time, by Olivier Messiaen (Chamber Music; 1941)

Reign of the Supermen (WB Animated Film; 2019)

Rock the Boat, by Aaliyah (Song; 2002)

Savoy Shout, recorded by Luis Russell & His Burning Eight (Song; 1929)

The Sea Beast (Film; 1926)

A Separate Reality, by Carlos Castaneda (Philosophy Book; 1971)

Sleeping Beauty, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Ballet; 1890)

Space Mountain (Disneyland Attraction; 1975)

Sunbeam Motor Company (Automobile Company; 1905)

University of Notre Dame (School; 1844)

Utopia (UK TV Series; 2013)

The Vanishing American or No Moose is Good Moose (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 196; 1963)

Varsity Blues (Film; 1999)

WandaVision (TV Series; 2021)

Weathering With You (Anime Film; 2020)

Yayati: A Classic Tale of Lust, by Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar (Novel; 1963)

Today’s Name Days

Dietwald, Marcel, Tilman (Austria)

Marcel, Mislav, Oton (Croatia)

Ctirad (Czech Republic)

Marcellus (Denmark)

Illimar, Ilmar, Ilmo (Estonia)

Solja(Finland)

Rachel, Rémi (France)

Arno, Arnold, Mauro, Romedius (Germany)

Loránd, Lóránt (Hungary)

Ida, Mauro (Italy)

Felicita, Fēlikss (Latvia)

Meda, Paulius, Skirgaila, Snieguolė (Lithuania)

Laura, Laurits (Norway)

Aleksander, Dąbrówka, Dobrawa, Domasław, Domosław, Izydor, Makary, Maur, Paweł (Poland)

Pavel (Romania)

Dobroslav (Slovakia)

Mauro (Spain)

Laura, Lorentz (Sweden)

Deidre, Deirdre, Deja, Marten, Martin, Marty (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 15 of 2025; 350 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of Week 3 of 2025

Celtic Tree Calendar: Ruis (Elder) [Day 25 of 28]

Chinese: Month 12 (Ding-Chou), Day 16 (Jia-Shen)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Coptic: 7 Tubah 1741

Hebrew: 15 Teveth 5785

Islamic: 15 Rajab 1446

J Cal: 15 White; Oneday [15 of 30]

Julian: 2 January 2025

Moon: 96%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 15 Moses (1st Month) [Fo-Hi]

Runic Half Month:Peorth (Womb, Dice Cup) [Day 9 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 26 of 90)

Week: 2nd Full Week of January

Zodiac: Capricorn (Day 25 of 30)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 1.15

Holidays

Alpha Kappa Alpha Day

Armed Forces Remembrance Day (Nigeria)

Army Day (India)

Aswan High Dam Day

Basketball Rules Day

British Museum Day (UK)

Commemoration Day of the Genocide Against Albanians (Kosovo)

Composer Day (Mexico)

Democratic Donkey Day

Esquipulas (Guatemala)

First Super Bowl Anniversary Day

4-H Day

George Price Day (Belize)

Guster Day (Boston, Massachusetts)

Halfway Point of Meteorological Winter

Happy Days Day

I Love Public Schools Day (Nebraska)

International Free Agent Signing Day (Baseball)

International Vote from Abroad Day

John Chilembwe Day (Malawi)

Korean Alphabet Day (a.k.a. Chosen-gul)

Massage Parlor Day

Miracle on the Hudson Day

Moliere Day (France)

Museum Day (UK)

National Charango Day

National Go and Do Good Day

National Hat Day

National Humanitarian Day

National Kayla Day

National Parks Free Entrance Day

National Pothole Day (UK)

National Twitter Day

National Zombies Day

Ocean Duty Day (Indonesia)

Procrastinator’s New Year

Sagichō at Tsurugaoka Hachimangū (Kamakura, Japan)

Seijin-No-Hi (Adult’s Day; Japan)

South Wind’s Prayer (Elder Scrolls)

Space Mountain Day

Super Bowl Anniversary Day

Teacher’s Day (Venezuela)

Telephone Directory Day (UK)

Thank Your Mentor Day

Thiruvalluvar Day (India)

Tin Day (French Republic)

Wikipedia Day

Willie Hoppe Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Big Dudes Big Foods Day

Craft-Brew Day (Berkeley, California)

Francis Tavern Day (New York)

National Bagel Day (a.k.a. Bagels and Lox Day)

National Booch Day

National Fresh Squeezed Juice Day

Strawberry Ice Cream Day

Wassailing the Apple Trees

Nature Celebrations

Arbor Day (Egypt, Florida, Jordan, Lousiana)

Ivy Day (Hedera helix)

National Eskimo Dog Day

Tree Planting Day (Egypt)

Tulpanens Dag (a.k.a. Tulip Day; Sweden)

Independence, Flag & Related Days

Commonwealth of Abrus (Declared; 2016) [unrecognized]

International Recognition Day (Croatia)

Vermont (Declared their Independence under the name New Connecticut; 1777)

3rd Wednesday in January

Hump Day [Every Wednesday]

Museum Selfie Day [3rd Wednesday]

Wacky Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Wandering Wednesday [3rd Wednesday of Each Month]

Website Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Weedless Wednesday [3rd Wednesday]

Wiener Wednesday [3rd Wednesday of Each Month]

Weekly Holidays beginning January 15 (2nd Full Week of January)

None Known

Festivals Beginning January 15, 2025

Montana Agricultural & Industrial Expo (Great Falls, Montana) [thru 1.17]

Northwest Agricultural Show (Salem, Oregon) [thru 1.17]

Northwest Hay Expo (Kennewick, Washington) [thru 1.16]

Feast Days

Abeluzius (Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church)

Arnold Janssen (Christian; Saint)

Ask the Minotaur Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Black Christ of Esquipulas Day (Guatemala)

Bonitus (Christian; Saint)

Calybite (Christian; Saint)

Carmentalia (Old Roman Festival to Porrima and Postverta)

Ceolwulf (Christian; Saint)

Feast of the Abbot of Unreason

Feast of the Vestal Virgins (Ancient Rome; Everyday Wicca)

Fo-Hi (Positivist; Saint)

The Fragglettes (Muppetism)

Francis Ferdinand de Capillas (A Martyred Saint of China)

Isidore of Alexandria (Christian; Saint)

Ita (Christian; Saint)

John Calybites (Christian; Saint)

Macarius the Elder of Egypt (Western Christianity)

Maurus and Placidus (Order of Saint Benedict)

Muspellheim Day: Surt’s Blot (Pagan)

Niccolo Machiavelli Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival (a.k.a. Tondo Matsuri, Sai No Kami, Sagicho, Dondo Yaki, and Dōsojin Matsuri; Japan)

Our Lady of the Poor (Christian; Saint)

Paul the Hermit (a.k.a. Paul of Thebes; Christian; Saint)

Unicorn Hunting Day (Pastafarian)

Secular Saints Days

Captain Beefheart (Music)

Chuck Berry (Music)

Lee Bontecou (Art)

Eugène Brands (Art)

Ernest J. Gaines (Literature)

Queen Ida Guillory (Music)

Frances Benjamin Johnston (Art)

Martin Luther King Jr. (Philosophy)

Gene Krupa (Music)

Jean-Baptiste Moliere (Literature)

Giovanni Segantini (Art)

Robert Silverberg (Literature)

Edward Teller (Science)

Ronnie Van Zandt (Music)

Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller (Art)

Stanisław Wyspiański (Art)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Fortunate Day (Pagan) [3 of 53]

Perilous Day (13th Century England) [7 of 32]

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Very Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [6 of 60]

Premieres

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Trade Organization; 1927)

Alice the Toreador (Ub Iwerks Disney Cartoon; 1925)

Alice’s Balloon Race (Disney Cartoon; 1926)

Alice’s Orphan (Disney Cartoon; 1926)

Be Mice to Cats (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1960)

The Benny Hill Show (BBC TV Series; 1955)

The Book of Eli (Film; 2010)

Bullwinkle Bites Back or Nothing But the Tooth (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 90; 1961)

Bullwinkle Makes His Bid or Going! Going! Gun! (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 195; 1963)

Call the Midwife (BBC TV Series; 2012)

The Candy House (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1934)

Catch the Saint, by Christopher Short (Short Stories; 1975) [Saint #45]

The Dig (Film; 2021)

Donald’s Weekend (Disney Cartoon TV Special; 1958)

Education for Death (Disney Cartoon; 1943)

Equal Rites, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 1987) [Discworld #3]

The Eye of the World, by Robert Jordan (Novel; 1990) [Wheel of Time #1]

The Fastest Guitar Alive (Film; 1967)

Feather Dusted (WB MM Cartoon; 1955)

Ford F-Series Truck (Truck; 1958)

Get It On, recorded by Chase (Song; 1971)

Goggle Fishing Bear, featuring Barney Bear (MGM Cartoon; 1949)

Happy Days (TV Series; 1974)

Hill Street Blues (TV Series; 1981)

I Can’t Explain, by The Who (Song; 1965)

It’s the Talk of the Town, by The Glen Gray Orchestra (Song; 1942)

The Last of Us (TV Series; 2023)

Low, by David Bowie (Album; 1977)

Man Bites Dog (Film; 1993)

The Man in the High Castle (TV Series; 2015)

Metal-Munching Mice, Part 1 (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 89; 1961)

Moonstruck (Film; 1987)

Moonwalkers (Film; 2016)

My Sweet Lord, by George Harrison (Song; 1971)

My World Is Empty Without You, by The Supremes (Song; 1966)

Norm of the North (Animated Film; 2016)

Pentagon (Gov’t Building; 1943)

The Philosophy Of The Revolution, by Gamal Abdel Nasser (Political Theory; 1956)

The Pied Piper of Basin Street (Swing Symphony Cartoon; 1945)

The Pigman, by Paul Zindel (Novel; 1968)

Porky’s Poppa (WB LT Cartoon; 1938)

Quartet for the End of Time, by Olivier Messiaen (Chamber Music; 1941)

Reign of the Supermen (WB Animated Film; 2019)

Rock the Boat, by Aaliyah (Song; 2002)

Savoy Shout, recorded by Luis Russell & His Burning Eight (Song; 1929)

The Sea Beast (Film; 1926)

A Separate Reality, by Carlos Castaneda (Philosophy Book; 1971)

Sleeping Beauty, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Ballet; 1890)

Space Mountain (Disneyland Attraction; 1975)

Sunbeam Motor Company (Automobile Company; 1905)

University of Notre Dame (School; 1844)

Utopia (UK TV Series; 2013)

The Vanishing American or No Moose is Good Moose (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 196; 1963)

Varsity Blues (Film; 1999)

WandaVision (TV Series; 2021)

Weathering With You (Anime Film; 2020)

Yayati: A Classic Tale of Lust, by Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar (Novel; 1963)

Today’s Name Days

Dietwald, Marcel, Tilman (Austria)

Marcel, Mislav, Oton (Croatia)

Ctirad (Czech Republic)

Marcellus (Denmark)

Illimar, Ilmar, Ilmo (Estonia)

Solja(Finland)

Rachel, Rémi (France)

Arno, Arnold, Mauro, Romedius (Germany)

Loránd, Lóránt (Hungary)

Ida, Mauro (Italy)

Felicita, Fēlikss (Latvia)

Meda, Paulius, Skirgaila, Snieguolė (Lithuania)

Laura, Laurits (Norway)

Aleksander, Dąbrówka, Dobrawa, Domasław, Domosław, Izydor, Makary, Maur, Paweł (Poland)

Pavel (Romania)

Dobroslav (Slovakia)

Mauro (Spain)

Laura, Lorentz (Sweden)

Deidre, Deirdre, Deja, Marten, Martin, Marty (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 15 of 2025; 350 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of Week 3 of 2025

Celtic Tree Calendar: Ruis (Elder) [Day 25 of 28]

Chinese: Month 12 (Ding-Chou), Day 16 (Jia-Shen)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Coptic: 7 Tubah 1741

Hebrew: 15 Teveth 5785

Islamic: 15 Rajab 1446

J Cal: 15 White; Oneday [15 of 30]

Julian: 2 January 2025

Moon: 96%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 15 Moses (1st Month) [Fo-Hi]

Runic Half Month:Peorth (Womb, Dice Cup) [Day 9 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 26 of 90)

Week: 2nd Full Week of January

Zodiac: Capricorn (Day 25 of 30)

[joancoyeantarctica]

Days 1-4: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Our trip to Antarctica officially kicks off in Buenos Aires - and having never been there, decided few extra days to explore was in order.

January 11

Arriving late at the lovely Alvear Icon Hotel in the restored waterfront neighborhood of Puerto Madero was a relief after the LONG travel day from Orlando, through Panama. Overlooking the Dique River and South Atlantic Ocean, our huge room exuded old world comfort.

A 78 degree sunny day - perfect for an overview of this new city on our Bike Tour. Three hours later we had seen the Opera House, Eva Perón building, their "Washington Monument", and learned much about the dramatic and salacious political history of Argentina. Most enjoyable was cruising through the lush nature preserve in the city center, Reserva Ecológica, with a stop to drink Matcha, taste an Alpha Whore (small chocolate cake) and learn about Tango,

Dinner at the rooftop restaurant of our hotel offered a panoramic view of Buenos Aires......as well as delicious Argentinian Malbec!

January 12

I love a good outdoor market and the Feria Plaza Francia did not disappoint. Primarily comprised of artisans displaying jewelry, paintings, small sculptures, leather goods, and hand crocheted items, the +100 stalls wound around a lovely park. As suitcase space is tight for this trip, I left with just two pair of hand crafted earrings.

Next stop for me was the Museo Moderno to view their large collection of modern and contemporary art. My favorite expo was an immersive project which included paintings, drawings and sculptures - both tiny and colossal in scale- in a series of rooms draped in painted and stitched textiles. The creator of this colorful and creative installation was a young Argentinian artist, Celine Eceiza. Totally unique, impressive and exuded happiness.

January 13

Spent a hot sunny day on a walking tour of the boho chic neighborhood of Palermo Soho, discovering the history and culture of graffiti. Learned the basic difference between two types of street art: graffiti is not usually legal/with permission and is to send a message; Murals are generally requested and more pictoral.

We enjoyed a Tango show in the evening with fabulous dancers and a 1920's flare.

January 14

Last day in Buenos Aires spent shopping on the famous Florida Street and re-packing for our departure to Usuaya and the ship tomorrow early.

[familyhybridcaravan]

Caravans for Sale in Bendigo: Your Comprehensive Guide

Bendigo, a bustling city in central Victoria, is not only known for its rich history and cultural charm but also as a gateway to some of Australia's best road trip adventures. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a family looking to embark on your first journey, finding the perfect caravan is a key step. This guide explores what you need to know about caravans for sale in Bendigo, ensuring you’re road-ready for your next adventure.

Why Choose a Caravan in Bendigo?

1. Ideal Location for Travelers

Bendigo is perfectly situated for exploring Victoria and beyond. With scenic drives to destinations like the Murray River, Grampians, and Great Ocean Road, it’s a prime spot for caravan enthusiasts to begin their journey.

2. Variety of Options

Bendigo offers a diverse range of caravans for sale, catering to all needs—from compact models for solo adventurers to luxurious family caravans.

3. Supportive Community and Services

The region has a strong caravanning community, offering resources such as repair shops, caravan parks, and local dealers to support your purchase and travels.

What to Consider When Buying a Caravan

1. New vs. Used Caravans

New Caravans: Perfect for buyers seeking the latest technology, warranties, and a fresh start.

Used Caravans: Often more affordable and pre-equipped with essentials, but ensure a thorough inspection before purchasing.

2. Size and Features

Think about how many people the caravan needs to accommodate.

Look for features such as kitchenettes, bathrooms, air conditioning, and solar panels.

3. Budget and Financing Options

Set a budget and explore financing options offered by dealerships in Bendigo.

4. Towing Capacity

Ensure your vehicle is capable of towing the caravan safely, considering its weight when fully loaded.

Where to Find Caravans for Sale in Bendigo

1. Local Dealerships

Bendigo is home to reputable caravan dealers offering both new and pre-owned models. Visiting dealerships allows you to see models in person, ask questions, and explore customization options.

2. Private Sellers

Private sales often provide budget-friendly options. Check local classifieds, online marketplaces, and community noticeboards for listings.

3. Caravan Shows

Keep an eye out for caravan expos or shows in Bendigo or nearby towns. These events are excellent for comparing multiple brands and models in one place.

Top Caravan Models to Consider

Pop-Tops: Lightweight and easy to tow, ideal for first-time buyers or short trips.

Full-Sized Caravans: Spacious and equipped with all the comforts of home, perfect for families.

Off-Road Caravans: Built for adventurers, these are rugged and capable of handling Australia’s toughest terrains.

Camper Trailers: A compact and budget-friendly option for those who enjoy minimalist travel.

Caravan Maintenance Tips

Regularly inspect tires, brakes, and lights for wear and tear.

Keep seals and joints watertight to avoid leaks.

Clean the interior and exterior after trips, especially if you’ve been on dusty or muddy roads.

Service your caravan annually to ensure it remains in top condition.

[worldsandemanations]

Ocean Expo Park, Okinawa.

[whitepolaris]

Aquatic Anamolies

The Tragedy of Tommy Turtle

In times of war, mistakes are sometimes made. Individuals, especially outsiders, can be misidentified. Inevitably, innocents can be killed. Alas, it's a sad truth that such a fate befell one large and luckless leatherback turtle during World War II.

Tommy Turtle, as he was named postmortem, was a prodigious specimen: more than six feet long, three feet wide, and weighing about one hundred pounds. He was more than likely lost as he swam through the Columbia River one late summer day in 1942. Leatherbacks, the only sea turtles lacking a shell, are concentrated mostly in the Atlantic Ocean off of Florida and equatorial America. They exist in the Pacific Ocean in lesser numbers, but usually nowhere near the western United States. A stranger in a strange land, Tommy was confused by a boatload of fishermen, who mistook him for a small Japanese submarine as he swam just below the surface.

The patriotic fishermen, intent on defending the Northwest from Emperor's Hirohito's navy, grabbed their guns and opened fire on unfortunate Tommy. Realizing their error as blood gushed from his dark ridged back, they did the only thing they could: hoisted him aboard, took him into port, and cut him into turtle steaks.

A newsletter from the Tongue Point Naval Air Station in Astoria aptly concluded: "This is the unromantic end of Tommy Turtle, whose first visit to the Pacific Northwest ended so disastrously for him."

Of Pacu and Piranha

The pacu is a South American freshwater fish, a herbivore cousin to the piranha. The two look similar-flat and oval-shaped, with prominent teeth-although pacu are considerably larger (they can grow up to about a yard long). Pacu teeth are not pointed, like those of piranha, but they can be just as sharp; they can break open seeds and nuts that fall into the water and chew hard vegetation. When confronted with an unfamiliar, potentially edible morsel, pacu harbor no aversion to an experimental nibble. In other words, while they're not as dangerous as piranha, they nay still bite flesh, should they be curious as to whether it suits their diet.

Given the pacu's South American origins, it's surprising and a bit alarming that at least two have been caught in Oregon waters.

In September 1998, Greg Asplund reeled one in while pond fishing at Jackson County's Expo Park. He'd noticed it in the pond beforehand and thought it to be a bass or a crappie. But there was something-if you'll pardon the pun-fishy about the way it chased smaller fish. It seemed overly aggressive.

Upon closer inspection after catch it. Asplund was sure he'd caught a piranha. It was only after taking it to the Oregon State Police, who then turned it over to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, that this piscine puzzler was properly pegged as a pacu.

A similar catch was made by fourteen-year-old Nicole Wells in August 2004 at Round Lake in Camas. She was taken aback by the mean-looking teeth on a foot-long fish she caught. Her mother strongly suspected it was a piranha, but a manager at a tropical fish store later identified it as a pacu.

In August 2003, another young fisherman, Jason McGinnis, caught a piranha in Milwaukee's Johnson Creek. He got the scar to prove it, as the pacu's carnivorous cousin bit him on the finger while he was removing the hook. Nevertheless, the fourteen-year-old kept the fish, hoping to sell it.

It isn't hard to figure out how these out-of-towners got into Oregon's waters. Both pacu and piranha are readily available in some pet shops. When their owners get bored with them, or pacu grow too big to keep in a fish tank, they're sometimes dumped into the wild. Cold water in the fall and winter will eventually kill either fish. In warm summer water, however, they'll gladly try out the local cuisine!

[konradnews]

Ocean Expo Park, Okinawa, launches approximately 10,000 fireworks at "Ocean Expo Park Summer Festival".

Ocean Expo Park (424 Ishikawa, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture) will hold the “Ocean Expo Park Summer Festival 2024 – 46th Ocean Expo Park Fireworks Festival” from July 13 to 15. The 46th Ocean Expo Park Fireworks Festival will be held on July 13 from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., launching approximately 10,000 fireworks. The event will feature the prefecture’s first illuminated ball and…

[progetto-geografia]

Okinawa

Iniziamo dicendo che la lingua ufficiale è il giapponese.

Si trova a 29 ore da noi ed è 7 ore in avanti nel fuso orario.

Cosa dire per rappresentarlo meglio?

Quando si parla di Okinawa molti pensano soltanto all'isola principale ma in realtà l'arcipelago di Okinawa (Okinawa Shoto in giapponese) è composto da più di 160 isole, quasi tutte molto piccole e solo 49 abitate.

Possiamo dividere l'arcipelago in tre grandi gruppi di isole:

L'isola principale di Okinawa dove c'è Naha, il maggiore centro abitato della Prefettura di Okinawa, e le isole intorno (Okinawa Honto). Tra queste ci sono le Isole Kerama(Zamami, Aka e Tokashiki) e Kume.

L'isola di Miyako (o Miyakojima) e le piccole isole circostanti (Miyako Retto).

Le Isole Yaeyama che includono Ishigaki, Iriomote e Taketomi (Yaeyama Retto).

Questa è l’immagine dell’intera Okinawa

Cosa vedere nella prefettura di Okinawa? Dei consigli?

1)castello Shuri

2) Acquario Churaumi

3) Memoriale della Seconda Guerra Mondiale

4) Giardino Shikinaen

5) Cascata Hiji

6) Ocean expo Park

7) Villaggio Ryukyu (Ryukyu Mura)

1 castello Shuri

Il Castello di Shuri, situato nella prefettura di Okinawa, è un importante tesoro storico e culturale del Giappone. Costruito nel XIV secolo, è stato il centro politico e amministrativo del regno di Ryukyu. Dopo essere stato distrutto durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale, è stato restaurato e ora è un sito UNESCO. Il castello è caratterizzato da magnifici giardini, ponti e strutture tradizionali, che offrono ai visitatori uno sguardo sulla ricca storia e cultura delle isole Ryukyu. È un luogo imperdibile per chi visita Okinawa, con la possibilità di ammirare la bellezza architettonica e apprendere la storia di questa affascinante regione.

IMPORTANTE: il castello è stato gravemente danneggiato da un incendio il 31 Ottobre 2019. Le autorità hanno intenzione di recuperarlo entro il 2026.

2 acquario Churaumi

L’Acquario di Churaumi, ubicato nella prefettura di Okinawa, è uno dei più grandi acquari pubblici del mondo. Tra le principali attrazioni dell’acquario c’è il tank Kuroshio, il secondo più grande al mondo, dove i visitatori possono ammirare lo spettacolo di grandi squali e mante nell’enorme vasca. L’acquario ospita anche la più grande collezione di coralli in esposizione al pubblico in Giappone e un’ampia varietà di creature marine locali ed esotiche. L’Acquario di Churaumi è una destinazione imperdibile per chi visita Okinawa e per gli appassionati della fauna marina di tutto il mondo.

3 Memoriale della seconda guerra mondiale

Il Memoriale della Seconda Guerra Mondiale a Okinawa è un luogo di profonda importanza storica e culturale. L’Okinawa Memorial Park ospita il Peace Prayer Park, dove si trova un imponente monumento in memoria dei caduti durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale. Il museo consente ai visitatori di scoprire gli orrori della guerra, con esposizioni di armi, equipaggiamenti militari e una dettagliata ricostruzione delle battaglie tra alleati e giapponesi. Il Memoriale della Seconda Guerra Mondiale a Okinawa è una tappa importante per chi visita l’isola, per onorare la memoria delle vittime della guerra e imparare dalle lezioni del passato.

4 Giardino Shikinaen

Il giardino Shikinaen a Okinawa è un’attrazione imperdibile per gli amanti della natura e dell’arte giapponese. Era originariamente destinato a essere la residenza estiva dei re del Regno di Ryukyu. Il giardino è noto per la sua fusione tra il paesaggio naturale e le sculture architettoniche giapponesi, in cui elementi tradizionali si combinano armoniosamente con influenze cinesi. Alcune delle caratteristiche principali del giardino includono il lago artificiale, le cascate, le sculture e le piante rare. Il giardino Shikinaen rappresenta una preziosa eredità architectonica di Okinawa.

5 Cascata Hiji

La cascata Hiji a Okinawa è un paradiso naturale che offre una fuga dalla vita urbana. Situata nella regione di Yambaru, questa cascata incantevole regala una vista spettacolare e un’atmosfera serena. Circondata da una lussureggiante foresta tropicale, la cascata Hiji offre anche la possibilità di fare escursioni e godersi la natura circostante. Le acque cristalline e la cascata che cade dall’alto creano un ambiente rilassante e suggestivo. Un’esperienza da non perdere per chi desidera ritrovare la calma e la bellezza della natura durante la visita a Okinawa.

6 Ocean Expo Park

L’Ocean Expo Park a Okinawa è un luogo che rispecchia la bellezza marina della regione del nord dell’isola. Esteso su un’area di 2,5 km², questo splendido parco offre numerose attrazioni come lo spettacolare acquario Churaumi, uno dei più grandi del mondo. Il parco ospita anche un museo dedicato alla vita marina, un’isola tropicale con vegetazione lussureggiante, un giardino di orchidee e una torre panoramica. L’Ocean Expo Park è un’esperienza emozionante e educativa che unisce la natura e la cultura di Okinawa, rendendolo un must per i visitatori.

7 Villaggio Ryukyu (Ryukyu Mura)

Il Villaggio Ryukyu, noto anche come Ryukyu Mura, è un’esperienza culturale immersiva situata nell’isola di Okinawa. Questo affascinante villaggio storico offre ai visitatori un’opportunità unica di immergersi nella tradizione e nella cultura di Okinawa. Qui è possibile scoprire artigianato locale, spettacoli di danze tradizionali, costumi antichi e anche partecipare a workshop per imparare le antiche arti e mestieri. Il villaggio è un punto di riferimento per preservare e promuovere l’eredità culturale dell’isola, offrendo ai turisti un’esperienza autentica e coinvolgente di Okinawa.

Cosa mangiare di tradizionale?

la particolarità di Okinawa e quanto allungo vivano i suoi cittadini grazie all’ambiente e il cibo del territorio.

Goya Chanpuru (cetriolo amaro con tofu, maiale e uova)

Rafute (pancetta di maiale in salsa di soia e zucchero di canna)

Nakami JIiru (zuppa di maiale e intestino tenue)

Okinawa soba (spaghetti di grano tenero)

Awamori (bevanda alcolica)

Riso Taco (carne macinata con riso, formaggio e salsa)

Umi-Budo (alghe)

Sukugarasu (tofu con pesci salati e sott’aceto)

Tofuyo (tofu fermentato)

Jimami Dofu (budino di arachidi)

Sata Andagi (dolci di pastella)

Zenzai (dessert ai fagioli rossi e gnocchi)