#we learned how to kayak and paddle board just as we always wanted | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

crdaenvs3000w22 · 3 years ago

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My Relationship with Nature

My relationship with nature seems to continuously develop the more of it I witness and experience. I was born in a tropical country, Brazil, and moved here when I was 4 years old. During the years I spent there I often visited beaches, forests, islands and various conservation areas. I grew up there surrounded by a lot of nature. However, when I moved here a lot of that was stripped away from me as it was much more difficult to access nature in that way, living in Toronto. Yet, my love and passion for being in nature never faded. Shortly after we moved here, my family bought a trailer at a camping resort in an area called Kearney in Muskoka and we would visit there every spring, summer and even sometimes in the fall. This place quickly became a second home to me and I would eagerly count down the days until we could go back. I developed a new love for the kind of nature that this part of Canada had to offer and fell in love with the lakes and deciduous forests. You could often find me kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, swimming, hiking through trails or sitting around a camp fire whenever I was up there. Here, I was free to have fun and enjoy being a kid. Consequently, it became a type of escape for me growing up. It was the one place where I constantly felt extremely happy and always where I had the most fun. My stresses and worries would always be forgotten or let go of whenever I spent my days here. Thus, I realized overtime that a lot of my love for nature stemmed from spending time here, and the joy and peace that spending my time in nature here would always bring me. Now, whenever I think of nature, I associate it with that feeling of happiness, peace and freedom. To this day, I continue to visit this place every summer, almost every weekend and enjoy it even more than I have in the past.

Just past sunset on the Sand Lake’s beach.

Kearney, Ontario (Muskoka). 2019.

Hiking with my dogs on the trails through the forest.

Kearney, Ontario (Muskoka). 2021.

Due to my love for being in and exploring nature growing up, I always knew I wanted to pursue a career path working with nature in some way or another. During my grade 10 summer of high school, I was presented with the opportunity to gain a grade 11 university credit for an environmental management course that would take place in Costa Rica. I jumped at the opportunity and before I knew it, I was on a plane to Costa Rica. Our group spent 16 days there touring all through Costa Rica and experiencing some of the most amazing things that I will always remember, all while learning so much about environmental management in a completely different environment than back home. Our tour guide, Andy, spent so much time at every destination we went, ensuring we learned about the rich biodiversity, vast rainforests, various volcanoes, white beaches, waste management and the careful conservation of the environment from the locals. Andy was someone who really acted as an interpreter of Costa Rica for me as he guided and taught us so much about the landscapes and heritage behind them. He offered me ‘a sense of place’ as he taught me so much about the big picture of protecting our environment and showed me a lot more of the beauty of nature than I had ever been able to see before. This trip and the studying I did there, only grew my love for nature tenfold. It was a big eye opener for me to realize how beautiful our planet is and how diverse nature can be. It helped me to further associate nature with beauty, happiness and peace. I learned to view our natural world as endless opportunities to adventure and enjoy, further enhancing my feeling of need to explore so much more of it and work to preserve it even more.

One of the volcanoes our group hiked up.

Costa Rica, 2019.

One of the rainforests our group hiked through.

Costa Rica, 2019.

One of the insects our tour guide allowed me to hold while on a hike.

Costa Rica, 2019.

#nature interpretation

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derireo · 4 years ago

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A3! And What Sports They’d Play ↦ All Troupes

So.. I was talking to a friend about the sports we used to play in the past. I loved sports as a kid and thinking of Haikyu also pushed me to do this. All troupes are included, and individual characters gets their own sport and my take on how well I think they’d do in it!

Kind of went off on Autumn and Winter Troupe;; sorry.

Uh, E-Sports, of course. He gets absolutely winded from walking, so sitting down and competitively playing a game he loves is his dream. On particularly intense matches, he breaks a heavy sweat and needs a lot of water and snacks to keep himself focused and in the game.

He's a popular player and a great one as well! Sometimes he gets asked to host little bits of the tournaments he attends because he has such a big fanbase and he's awesome at entertainment despite his normally deadpan tone with jokes.

He has a lot of energy, so I think running in track or doing marathons would be good for him. Afterall, he's one of the first to run after Tsuzuru in the prologue of the game. He isn't the best nor is he the fastest runner, but his stamina is impressive and lets him outlast many of his competitors.

I also see him doing kayaking? Not competitively, but he definitely loves the thrill of crashing down small waterfalls and regaining his balance right after. The flow of the currents is exhilarating and he has a good sense of balance, so he'd rarely overturn in a kayak (which is absolutely dangerous by the way).

He wouldn't do any competitive sports, but skate/longboarding is something I can definitely see him doing. If he needs time to himself or just simply wants to chill, he'll go out and enjoy the breeze as he boards down the bike lane in the park or on the road, hands in pockets.

He becomes a bit of an attraction at skate parks though. He's always seen there on his board, headphones donned and hands in pockets like I said; effortlessly performing tricks that a lot of other skaters would struggle doing. People are very attracted to the sight, and he lures them in whenever someone finds out he's at the park that day.

He's already suffering so much and is always tired— I wouldn't put it past him to play shuffleboard. It's not a laborious sport, and he can play with anyone like his siblings or any elders who need the company. It's a slow paced sport and is great for sleepy Tsuzuru who needs a break from scrip writing. I don't know if there were any canon stories of him actually being involved in a sport at some point, but I think he'd be pretty okay at tennis or table tennis.

Tennis is a very intense sport so he didn't play it for long because practice cut into his studying, his part-time jobs, and his babysitting. Table tennis is similar to tennis with it's concept, except you can just kind of stand in one spot and don't have to run around as much. It's a fun game to play with his siblings since they enjoy it so much, and they always run after the ball so he doesn't have to do much other than play along with them and clean up when they're done.

I honestly have no idea with Citron. I don't remember any canon details of Zahra (I think that's where he's from?) so I don't want to assume what kind of environment he was in that would influence his choice of athletics, but I think he would enjoy swimming! In the beach event, he ran into the water happily with Kazunari if I can remember, and I'd like to think he had a good body type for water.

There's also another part of me that thinks he'd love skydiving! The thrill of jumping out of the helicopter and letting the winds beat against him as he soared down towards the ground below would be awesome. He's practically shouting for joy as he glides down and loves the look of the city from above. Impressively enough, he can do flips in the air and loves twirling around, much to the dismay of other skydivers as they fear for him.

He's not one for actively moving, but ballet seemed interesting to him and he wanted to try it out. He had no idea how intense ballet was, from strict teachers, to getting blisters on his ankles and feet, Yuki actually almost quit. What prevented him from doing so was probably watching a performance where his seniors were giving the juniors an extravagant scene to watch and they inspired Yuki to keep going.

I would have said acrobatics/gymnastics as well, but Yuki's arms aren't very strong and he doesn't like doing flashy things like that anyways (no offense...? I don't know, I haven't watched videos of this sport in years). If he did pursue acrobatics/gymnastics, I'm not sure if he'd be amazing at it, but he would definitely be decent! He's got the flare;;

Running! Since he was in track for a while and was rumoured to be great at it, he would definitely be doing marathons and track alongside Sakuya. He had great speed and a stamina to match so he's a terribly good opponent to go against if you like to get pushed past your limits. If he kept pursuing track he would train during late nights and early morning with Tasuku, who has his routine jogs at those times.

Absolutely adores the sport too! His team of runners were basically second family to him, so if he chose to return, he would have the time of his life growing as a sportsman with them. He would grow into a fine and very popular runner! Hitting his growth spurt would only make him an even more fearsome competitor as his legs would get longer and his intense training with Omi and Tasuku would get his stamina maxed out.

He has no time to do sports since he's always acting, so I honestly can't say what he'd do. He isn't the best runner either and extreme sports is out of the question since he's a bit of a scaredy cat. I guess he would enjoy a casual game of table tennis though? But despite liking the sport, I'm going to say that he kind of sucks at it. He understands the rules and everything, but his rhythm is off and he never manages to hit the ball back.

He's good at receiving a strike back though! He's always lucky at standing in the right spot with his paddle in the correct position to receive a smash hit, and that's basically the only time he wins a point because he catches his opponent off guard. It doesn't happen often though, so he still gets absolutely destroyed during a game of table tennis.

I believe Misumi would be amazing at track & field. He runs extremely fast for one, and he does parkour like no other; he would definitely place first in sports like long jump, high jump, pole vault, and sprints. He doesn't have a particular favourite event to do though, but always does his best when someone gives him an incentive to do his best.

Izumi and Omi offer him triangle onigiri? He's going to run as fast as he can! Jump as high as he can and as far as he can! No one will be able to stop Misumi. But then again, competitive parkour is a thing, I'm pretty sure, so he can just do that sport for fun and still place in the top 3 at least. He would be terrible awesome at Ultimate Frisbee, but the disc isn't a triangle, so. :p

Him? Sports? No.

I'm kidding. Do not know at all what sport he would enjoy playing, but billiards is something that suits him in my opinion. It doesn't have to be competitive, but he's greatly skilled at handling a cue stick, and his aim is impeccable. He's real lucky with trick-shots too, so don't go and start betting money with him; you'll definitely splurge all of your cash on him within seconds.

Sigh. It's super annoying that he's good at everything, and sports are no exception. He plays futsal with Omi and Tasuku the most, and is very light on his feet. He's so good that during competitive games he'll do a trickshot and score, or will play around with his check and do something like dribble the ball between their legs when they're at their most vulnerable.

I'm sure he would fall in love with ice hockey, though. Ice hockey is fast paced and is a contact sport so Banri would feel free on the ice rink. Good thing is that he's pretty good looking, so he's a fan favourite player. The cold air biting into his skin as he pushes himself across the rink to get to the puck is exciting and he loves body checking opponents into the walls (this also makes him a controversial player since he plays rough and dirty).

He'd be a monster at competitive martial arts. Taekwondo especially, considering his kicks come in hot and fast. His spinning kicks are ones to avoid if you go against him, but he's so quick on his feet and can kick higher than his head so you might get a quick KO if you can't read his body language fast enough. Judo is also high on the list despite it being more of a grappling and throwing sport, but Juza's quick reflexes make him a difficult opponent to beat. Normally wins a match using jiu-jitsu grappling techniques on the floor.

He would also be great at ice hockey. His large figure and quick feet would make him a great player, and his posture is always low to the ground so it wouldn't be easy to knock him over on the rink. Not exactly the best at dribbling the puck though, but give him a one-timer when he's open and he'll send that thing flying through the net. No one tries to pick fights with him on the rink though lol, he's notorious for one hit ko's.

Taichi gives off the chaotic vibes of Nishinoya from Haikyu, but he would suck at volleyball so I'm giving him badminton cause height doesn't matter too much I think as long as he's quick on his feet and is able to read the body language of his opponents well. His form would be perfect though and he's super agile so getting to that shuttlecock is no problem for him. He's got a bit of muscle too so he can send those babies flying!

Doesn't really use strategy most of the time, so he'll just keep hitting and receiving the shuttlecock however he wants until his opponent tires or until someone messed up a smash. No one else in Mankai plays badminton so finding him a coach is a bit difficult. He eventually learns other ways to hit the shuttlecock, so when he learns how to slice or do drop shots, he's a little monster on the court!

Oh, the sports he would play.. Obviously, he plays futsal with Tasuku unless you haven't seen his card where he's playing as goalkeeper! With that information, he would absolutely destroy volleyball teams as a middle. Now I don't know if calling middles 'middle blocker' and outside hitters 'wing spikers' is like.. a cultural thing, and I know that's what they call the players in Haikyu, but it definitely catches me off guard and really confused lol. So, yeah! Omi would be amazing as a middle in the front since he's so tall and can shuffle fast on his feet to block a front row opponent. He's like Tendou in a way where he's great at reading people, the only thing is that he's better than Tendou (no offense, I'm serious) because he doesn't need to guess. He already knows. UGH, I want to go off on volleyball (both indoor & outdoor), but this part is getting long. Lmk if you want to hear me talk more about A3! & volleyball.

American football/rugby. Don't tell me I'm wrong please, I'll cry. Both of these are a full contact sport, and looking at Omi's past and his physical structure, you can't tell me he would not obliterate everyone on the field. He is either the offensive guard or the tackle. He will not start offensive plays, but he will end defensive plays. He stops any player from tackling their centre and tackles those who try to hit a blindside. I don't know much about rugby other than it is just as rough as American Football, just with less protective gear. I'm stopping here because I'm thirsting too much for Omi rn.

HOO, baby! When I looked at Sakyo, I just knew he would be able to do something with swords, so I chose kendo/fencing. Keno is a traditional martial art stemming from Japan and is practised with wooden swords. I won't say I know much about the sport, but it is definitely tense and is very noisy. Noisy because kendokas/kenshis shout whenever they strike, this is to show their spirit. Sakyo kind of hates shouting during the sport, but it definitely lets off some steam and gives him more momentum when he strikes.

I also think fencing because there are swords involved here too, it's just that it seems to be more of a European sport and has some sort of specific footwork involved. The piste may seem a bit narrow as well compared to kendo where they have a whole floor to themselves, so Sakyo doesn't practice fencing as often. (The clothing he's required to wear for this sport is also quite stifling as well.)

I'm ngl, but I didn't know what sport to give Tsumugi, omg, so I ended up giving him cup stacking. You know, you remember; I feel like you should do some research if you don't though because cup stacking was a huge thing in the early 2000's (?) and kids were setting world records here and there non-stop. Tsumugi uses his hands a lot for things like gardening, tutoring, bouquet arranging, etc, so he's deft and talented with them.

As long as he puts his mind to it, cup stacking is a piece of cake for him. He doesn't play anymore, but every now and then he'll look at his old kit in the corner of his room and will set it up with Tasuku in the lounge room for everyone to have a go at it. He loves the thrill and the way his adrenaline runs through his veins as he focuses on trying not to mess up the stack down.

HOOOO! Okay, so we already know Tasuku plays futsal so I'm not going to bother, but man.. He would be the same as Omi in volleyball; an absolute monster of a middle player. He's well rounded in the sport, so his coaches/team actually refuse to switch him out with a libero/defence specialist. His digs are almost on point with the setter, and he's always at the right spot when receiving, making sure no one gets an empty spot on the court.

When he's in the front blocking or hitting, he's almost always successful, and since he trains a lot with different drills and regimes, he perfects a lot of things like tipping, tooling, slicing, and even setting. His height added along with his vertical makes it almost impossible for opponents to block him, and when he's feeling good in a game, he'll start doing things like float serves and jump serves. If he's feeling any better, he'll play around and start doing slide hits at the front or will hit from position A on the back court (left corner facing the net). He'd also do swimming!!!!!!!!! BUT THIS IS GETTING TOO LONG

Definitely would do archery/darts. He's got impeccable aim if you take evidence from his outside work chats with Banri and has no problem pulling the string on a bow. Archery is difficult and I am not lying. Pulling the string until it's taut takes a large amount of strength and it digs deep into your fingertips, leaving calluses after one or two pulls.

Figuring out the trajectory and weighing in the factors of weather (if you're outside) takes a lot of skill and practice, and Hisoka always manages to hit the centre of the target with no hesitancy with his release of the string. His hands are all rough from the string digging into his fingers all the time, showing you how long he's been practising the sport.

I don't think Homare was very athletic growing up. I'm saying this only because his body type is quite lean and he's a poet after all who seems to stay inside more often than not if he isn't meeting with an editor/publisher. I think figure skating would suit him very well as it is an elegant and cold weathered sport. I also think he would fall in love with the suits if Yuki made them as they'd sparkle brilliantly and show off his flare as a skater.

He figure skates as a casual hobby rather than competitive, but he definitely makes a lot of famous friends in the community due to his whimsical personality and beautiful posture.

Kyudo (Japanese archery) was a sport that popped into my mind for Azuma, despite the strain it puts on the skin of his fingertips. His skin is very delicate with how much he takes care of it, so he wears a glove on his dominant hand to protect him. Kyudo seems to be more of a peaceful archery, and with the sight of Azuma in the kyudo uniform, the scene in front of you would be quite serene and calming.

I also think he would be great at figure skating since his body is lithe and he has lovely facial features that would complement the body suits that Yuki would create for him. His long hair flowing in the breeze he creates as he glides throughout the rink would be gorgeous along with the way his body looks as he does an axle in the air. His performances on the rink are always mesmerising, and he'll receive a few claps from fellow rink goers when he's in the centre just casually practising.

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jj-lynn21 · 4 years ago

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Cozy Cove: Learning and Loving

Saved by an Angel , A side of tits with your pancakes ,Fires Burn Hot , spending the nights , Learning and Loving , The end is not always the end, Axel Grease, Big Decisions, Sex and Jet Skis, Late night fun , Old Wounds , Storms pass , Dangerous Waters

warnings: smut, fluff, angst

Axel wakes before Susie. He scrubbed his eyes as he sat up. Part of him still couldn't believe she came over without expecting anything from him but someone to sleep next to for the night. To many women had always expected him to perform like a stallion no matter what. The more he thought about it, looking at her laying on her stomach, the more turned on he got.

Axel kissed her shoulder lightly before getting out of bed slowly not to wake her. Since his morning routine included coffee, he makes a cup for her and brings it back to the bedroom. He paid great attention how she liked it. He set it on the nightstand beside her as he slid back in bed beside her.

"Good morning Susie Q," He whispered by her ear. She stirred slightly with a whine. "Coffee is right beside you."

One blue eye opened to see his smile. She turned away before opening both eyes to reach for her coffee. Axel watched her sip without barely lifting her head. He held in a chuckle as he sat up against the headboard.

Susie eases herself up beside him. She leans her head on his shoulder. "Good morning. Thank you for the coffee."

Axel puts his arm around her and leans down to kiss her forehead. "You're welcome. You want to go surfing with me this morning?"

"I never tried before but I like to kayak." She slides a hand down his thigh.

He looked at her with wide eyes, "I..." His voice hesitated as her warm hand found its way down his boxers grabs around his girth. "I'll teach you." He gritted his teeth.

"Sounds fun," Susie grinned. "Were you thinking about touching me while I was sleeping? You seem to be."

"Yes," he let out a groan.

She stroked his length. His growing excitement turned her on. Susie bite her lower lip watch as he throws his head back breathing heavier with every stroke. "What do you want right now, Axel?"

"More, than your hand." He reached to pull her hand away. "You want a ride this morning, you have to grab the protection from my nightstand drawer before I pop."

She nodded excitedly. Kissed him strong and deep as she reached in the drawer finding what she was after quickly. She freed Axel of his boxers. As soon as she got his shorts off and the condom on him she straddled him.

Axel placed his hand on her hips helping her get comfortable, "You got it, Susie. There you go." He purred

She seethed as she took his manhood completely inside her. She started rolling her hips putting her hands over his. He pumped up to meet all her needs as she started to moan softly. Axel watches her beautiful body move with his so perfectly.

Susie's hand release from their position as she whined for her release to come. As she leans back, Axel leaned up to her grabbing her ass. She held him as they work together.

Axel looks in her eyes"I lo..."

"Don't say it, Axel," She kisses him moaning into his mouth as they break. "Not like this...Oh damn. just feel it..."

He nodded and held her close. They went slow and steady. Keep up with the way the other was moving. As she clenched around him tightly, he came pushing her over the top to ecstasy. They both collapsed back in the bed.

"I'm sorry Axel," Susie muttered.

"You have nothing to be sorry about." Axel was catching his breath. "That was great, Susie Q."

"I mean when you were about to say something in the heat of the moment and I stopped you." She sighed turning to lay on his shoulder looking at him. “Some things should never be uttered during or even right after sex, Axel."

"I can wait until you are ready to hear me say it, but I am still thinking it." He smiled pushing some stray hair behind her ear. "How about we shower, catch some waves, and go to breakfast? You can text your parents to invite them to breakfast and ask if they want to kayak with us."

"How about we invite them after breakfast," Susie kisses his lips softly before getting up. She grabs her night cloths off the floor. "Can you make me another cup of coffee while I shower, Axel?"

"Sure, Babe," He smiles watching her walk out down the hall into the restroom.

He gets up and tosses his boxers in the dirty cloths bin before walking out naked. After he puts on more coffee, he pulls open the glass porch door to walk out to take a deep breath of the salty air. The way the waves crashed on the beach it was like they were calling him to the surf.

He heard a small giggle behind him. Axel turned with a big grin on his face. It was Susie holding her hand over her mouth trying to control her out burst.

"I think you forgot something before coming out here for the world to see, " Susie snickered.

'Yeah, it is bright," His hand makes a visor over his eyes, "I should have put on sunglasses. The waves are calling us, Babe. Can you hear them?"

She walks out to look at the ocean already in a sundress with her bikini underneath, "It is a beautiful view. Now go shower exhibitionist." She giggles again." Before your neighbors step out on their balcony and get more than they bargained for."

He chuckles walking back inside, "I am out here almost every morning. My neighbors are used to it by now. The ones that rent don't seem to mind."

Susie followed him back inside shaking her head. She pours her second cup of coffee with cream as he goes to shower. Taking it outside she sits on the rocker overlooking the beach. It feels so peacefully. It is just like she belongs here.

She is lost in her Thoughts when Axel comes out wearing black board shorts with a pirate skull on the left leg. "You ready to try something new today?" Susie looks up at him with a smile, "What did you have in mind."

"I was talking about surfing," He grinned. "What were you thinking about?"

"Surfing of course," she blushed as she got up to follow him out to his shed.

"I think I have a beginners board around here somewhere," Axel looks through his collection of surf and boogie boards. "I haven't used it to much. Not to many people want to learn."

"I definitely want to learn," She watched him. "You have quite an assortment of surfboards."

He pulled the one he was looking for from the back of six others. "I like collecting interesting patterned boards. This yellow and blue one is made for a beginner. You will master it in no time."

Axel puts the boards on the carrier attached to his motorcycle before they roll off under the summer sun. He drives to the beach wear his brother is life guarding. He waves to him as they carry their boards down by the water.The beach is busy with vacationers sunbathing and swimming. But not to many surfers in the area away from the water play. Susie runs toward the water with the board.

"Whoa there little surfer girl," Axel yelled motioning her to come back to the beach. "You need to learn some basics before setting foot in the ocean."

She stops, turning to him, "Are you serious?"

Axel tossed his board on to the sand, "Yep."

They spent forty-five minutes on the sand. Josh glanced over a few times and chuckled. After Axel got her to keep her feet in the correct position, he had her lay stomach down on her board as he did the same next to her.

"Pop up like this." He showed her. "Feet in the right position to balance."

Josh laughed as Susie lost balance and fell the first time. Axel was there to catch her before she hit the sand, but they both fell back laughing.

"And that is why you do it on land first," Axel chuckled. "Now again. On your belly and pop up."

She did it without falling the second time although she was still a little wobbly. They practiced that until she had it down. All Axel had to say is, "Up," and she popped up into form. He couldn't deny he liked the power over her having her jump up to her feet on command.

Others he had tried to teach surfing were whining about how he taught. They barely listened to directions. Susie acted like she really wanted to learn. She hadn't second guessed his techniques at all. He felt good when they finally paddled out.

"We are going to stay laying on our boards to catch a wave first so you get the feel of that before standing," He paddled right beside her.

"Sure, Axel, whatever you think is best," She paddled harder with her arms to keep up with him. "Like I said, I have never done this before."

"Alright we are going to turn to catch this next one," He turned, and she followed what he did. "Now paddle back until you feel it carry you. Then just ride."

Susie screamed and laughed as Axel pushed her into the path of a wave that took her right back to the shoreline. He popped up catching the next one with precision. They paddled back out and turned. As a wave came to pick up her board Axel yelled," Up,"

She got to her feet stead enough making it a few feet before the wave crashed over her. The board went flying up. Josh blew his whistle seeing what happen. He and Axel both swam towards where the board was floating. They grabbed her up as she choked up some water.

"Are you alright?" Axel and Josh said in unison.

Susie shook her head that she was good. But she was truly a little stunned. A little shaken. And a little waterlogged.

"Just hold the flotation device Susie." Josh put her hands on his rescue canister. "Axel get her ankle unattached from the board. I just want to take her to the med hut to check her lungs. You can follow."

"Sure, man." Axel said worriedly. "I don't think the board hit her." He undid the tie off and put her board on top of his kicking to shore with Susie and his brother.

Josh held her up as he kicked them towards shore. Although she could feel his body pressed against her holding her up, it was a professional hold as he would do for anyone.

Of course not everyone saw that it was just a lifeguard rescuing a person from possibly drowning. Jen had stepped on to the beach in her hot pink bikini with white polka dots. She went to the lifeguard stand to tease Josh until his shift was done. But when she looked up, another lifeguard was in his place. She scanned the beach. Then she saw them. Josh was on top of Susie seemly whispering something in her ear. She didn’t see Axel beside them with two boards.

She stood there glaring at them. Josh didn't even notice her when he got Jen sitting on the beach, "How are you doing?" He looked to Axel. “I have to radio this in so stay with her a minute. I'll check her out soon."

"So you're going to both check her out?" Jen smirked. "You know you are just a vacationer Susie. These two obviously don't give a damn about anyone."

"What?" Susie looked up at her confused.

"Go home Jen, " Josh got up grabbing Jen's arm to pull her away from the scene. "I told you we would hangout after my shift. She just went under. It's my job to check her out to make shore she is ok. Not every girl I save is someone I fuck."

He stomped off towards the lifeguard tower walkie talkie in, "Female went under at section twelve. Taking her in to check vitals."

A voice comes over the walkie, " Kelly is already there for her shift. You can take off as soon as you check out the girl."

"Cool," He turns to go back to Susie. Jen is standing there. "If you don't want to go home Jen, go to my place to wait. I have a job to do."

"I won't wait forever," She screams after him. "Plenty of men will love me."

Josh yells back, "No only one man can do that." He mumbles "Others will just fuck you and go."

He heads back to Susie and Axel as Jen runs off pouting. Susie leaned against Axel as they followed Josh to the med hut. Josh has her sit up on the table. Then he listens to her lungs.

"I think a break from the ocean the rest of the day would be a good idea Susie." Josh suggests. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm alright now," She took another deep breath. I don't think I was under that long."

"Long enough," Both men said with a chuckle because they talked in such synchronicity.

"I guess that is that," She giggled. " But what about kayaking later?"

"We can do that tomorrow," Axel rub her back. "Let's go to breakfast. We can bike the coast. It is a great view from my motorcycle."

"Oh, yeah that's not dangerous at all,"Josh laughed. "I have to jet before Jen tears my apartment apart."

"Good luck with her, bro." Axel said as his brother left. He turned to Susie. "Your parents can rent a cycle to come with us.”

"How about we invite them to breakfast instead." She smiled.

#axel and susie q #axel cluney #Surfer Axel #bill skarsgard #inspired fiction #original story #smut #surfing #beach

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tinyarmedtrex · 5 years ago

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HEY! YOU WANNA MAYBE LIKE!!! GIVE ME REDDIE?!?! BUT AS CAMP COUNSELORS?! GIVE ME STRESSED OUT JUST TRYING TO KEEP EVERYONE ALIVE BOYS FALLING FOR EACH OTHER

“Jerry is that your bunk? I didn’t think so- Sammy stop hitting him! No it’s not funny. Nate, you better have brought more underwear than that- hey kid, are you lost?” Richie stopped his tirade at his campers when he saw someone standing in the doorway, looking confused. “I think we’re full up, are you supposed to be here?”

The kid stepped in and Richie realized it wasn’t a kid. The person was probably his age, he was just short. “I’m not a kid. Not all of us are the size of giraffes.” A biting voice answered. “I’m a new counselor. This is Poison Oak right?”

“Aye that it is, the itchiest bunk around. Welcome bunkee.” Richie said, grinning. “You’re next to me.” He pointed to the beds behind him before turning to the campers and finishing his speech.

“Now that we’re all here it’s time to go over the rules- hopefully you remember them from last year. Curfew is ten pm, that means ass in beds at ten. If I catch you sneaking around you’ll be on kitchen duty for a week.” Richie listed them off on his fingers, looking at each of the boys to make sure they were listening.

“No bringing anything alive back in- I don’t care how creepy or cool it is. Nature stays outside. All of you have to shower at least every other day. We’re not going to be the smelly bunk.” He looked at several specific campers as he said this and all nodded.

“Follow those rules and we’ll have a good summer. Most of you know me, I’m Richie and this is-” The man had come to stand by him, seeming shocked by his rules.

“Eddie.”

“Nice to meet you Eds. We’re in charge, what we say goes. Now, once you’ve unpacked you’re free for the rest of the day- aka, not my problem. So, go bug someone else.” The boys laughed and rushed out the door and Richie turned to the shorter man.

“How long have you been doing this?” Eddie asked.

“It’s my third year, I do it every summer once college is out. It’s easier than moving home for three months. What about you? First time?”

Eddie nodded and Richie grinned. “Don’t worry, you’ll love it. They’re all good kids, its a pretty easy gig.”

“I’ve never even been to camp.” He replied, looking concerned. “Is it always like this?”

“Like what?”

Eddie frowned. “Dirty.”

Richie looked down at the smaller man, taking him in. It felt like someone had punched Richie in the gut. The guy was cute, blond curls framed his face and incredibly soft looking lips. He looked nervous and Richie wondered how the hell he ended up here.

“It’s worse since the kids just got here. But yea, ten boys in one place gets dirty.” Eddie nodded slowly and Richie moved, throwing an arm around him. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you settled in. We’ll start by getting you unpacked. I hope you brought mouse traps.”

“What?” Eddie squeaked, looking up at him and Richie laughed.

“I’m joking! Mostly. Come on I’ll help you make your bed.”

“You’re an asshole.” Eddie muttered, letting Richie lead him to the bed.

Richie was already in love.

The next few weeks only solidified his feelings. Eddie was fierce and fiery, willing to jump in and try anything- even if he failed at it. He’d already capsized a canoe and a kayak and Richie had bets down that the paddle board was next.

“Careful! Don’t fuck it up!” Richie called from the dock, his feet in the water. He was watching Eddie out on the water, their campers were playing baseball against another cabin so it was just them.

“Hey Richie, fuck you!” Eddie called back, nearly falling off as he gave Richie the finger.

Richie sighed. This was love. They’d spent a lot of time together and Richie had learned that Eddie took the job because his mom never let him go to camp and he wanted to try it. He was a business major who could meet Richie’s sarcastic quips tit for tat.

He watched as Eddie tried to turn but it was too sharp and the man ended up in the water. “Eds?” He called, waiting a beat to see if he surfaced. When he didn’t Richie pulled off his shirt and kicked off his shoes, diving into the water and swimming over.

“Eds? Eds?!” He grabbed the board but didn’t see the man. Then something tugged his ankle, pulling him underwater. When he came back up Eddie was next to him, laughing.

“Gotcha.” The other man said, his elbows resting on the paddle.

“Jerk. I was all worried about you and you’re just fucking with me.”

Eddie’s expression softened. “Richie I-”

“Yea here I was, thinking about how to tell your mom when I saw her tonight that I killed her son. ‘Oh Mrs. K it was terrible, oh of course I’ll console you’,” Richie made a kissy face and Eddie lunged at him, trying to dunk Richie.

“You ass!” He said, wrestling Richie. Richie’s hands went to Eddie’s shoulders and his legs wrapped around him. “What are you doing?” Eddie asked, laughing as he tried to push Richie away.

“My best move- the koala.” Richie told him, hugging Eddie close. He could feel Eddie’s heart beating but wasn’t sure if it was the proximity or their splashing.

Eddie laughed, the sound filled Richie’s heart. “You’re an idiot.”

“I’m your idiot.”

Eddie looked down at him, his expression fond. “I guess so.”

This was it, Richie was sure of it. Eddie was going to bend down and kiss him- hopefully before they drowned.

“Guys!”

Rats.

Richie looked to the shore to see Mike, another counselor, waving to them. “The game ended early, you’ve got to collect your kids.”

“I never wanted to be a parent.” Richie said, untangling himself from Eddie. He hoped he wasn’t imagining that the other boy looked disappointed too.

“You’re good with the kids though.” Eddie commented as they swam back to their clothes.

“Me? You patched Jake up like a pro the other day.” Richie said, crawling back on the dock and throwing on his shirt. “You were like a WWII nurse or some shit, swooping in with your fanny pack.”

Eddie laughed, hitting Richie’s shoulder. “Don’t make fun of my fanny pack.”

“I’m not! I’m serious! All of us were impressed.” Watching Eddie spring into action had made his heart swell. He had been so certain for what to do, especially when everyone else sat around and looked confused. “You’re an impressive guy Eds.” He definitely didn’t imagine the blush that settled on Eddie’s cheeks.

“You’re good with them too- when Avery missed his mom? You sat with him all night.”

Richie shrugged, throwing an arm around Eddie as they started to walk. “We’re a good team huh?”

“The best.”

That night, after the campers were asleep, Richie and Eddie snuck out to the counselor campfire. Usually it consisted of whoever wasn’t on duty and some cheap liquor. Tonight was no exception.

“Let’s play truth or dare.” Bev said once all of them were warm and comfortable from the fire and alcohol. “Mike, truth or dare.”

“Dare.”

Mike was dared to skinny dip in the lake. Stan had to confess his oddest kink. Bev had to pretend to seduce a tree. Then it was Richie.

“Dare, as always.”

“I dare you to kiss Eddie.” Bev said. Richie felt Eddie stiffen. The man was in his arms, leaning against Richie as they played and wearing Richie’s sweatshirt that was far too big on him. Richie thought that he may have been half asleep but the dare woke him up.

“No- come on-” Bev knew how he felt about Eddie, and was sick of listening to him complain.

“Dare’s a dare.” She said, Stan and Mike nodded.

“Eds?” He asked, looking down at him.

Eddie was frowning but he nodded. “Fine.”

It wasn’t the kiss Richie had imagined. For one, there were half a dozen other people watching. Two, Eddie pulled back the second their lips meant. It was barely even a peck.

“I’m going to bed.” The smaller man muttered, standing up. “Goodnight everyone.”

“Dammit Bev,” Richie threw her a look once Eddie was out of earshot.

“Someone had to start the ball rolling,” she said with a shrug.

The two looked at each other for a minute before before Mike said, “Christ Richie! Follow him!”

“Oh shit!” Richie hopped up, he’d been so annoyed with Bev that he’d forgotten about Eddie. “Eds! Wait!” He called but Eddie had too much of a head start. By the time Richie got back to the cabin Eddie was curled up in his bed, pretending to be asleep.

“Eds, we need to talk.” Richie said, bending down next to Eddie’s face.

Eddie simply flipped over. “Eds, come on.”

“I put your sweater on your bed.” He mumbled. When Richie didn’t move he added, “I’m trying to sleep.” Richie waited for a minute, trying not to feel hurt by Eddie’s extreme reaction.

“Fine but we’re talking in the morning.” Richie finally said, going to his bed. Eddie had folded the sweater up neatly and Richie had to resist putting it on, knowing it would smell like campfire and Eddie.

Tag List: @reddietrashclub @appojoos @xandertheundead @spastuetheobsessedphylosopher @chaotickaspbrak @jem-carstairs-is-perfection @wheezyeds @constantreaderfool @aizeninlefox

#reddie #tinyarmedtwrites #xandertheundead

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humansofjcuhealth · 5 years ago

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Rowing from Rocky to Rio

Presented at the Maggie Grant Guest Speaker Night - Shooting for the stars, if you missed it you can catch up on all the action from the night below.

“How would it feel, to spend 10 years of your life, preparing to get in to the degree of your dreams, and then you get in? Pretty good right? And once you were in that degree, how would it feel to study for 4 years without having to sit a single assessment? Awesome! But what if there was just one exam at the end, and you could be examined on anything from the prior 4 years? Starting to feel a bit nervous? And what if that exam was only 6 minutes long? A little more nervous? And what if only the top 3 from the class graduate, and everyone else had to go back to first year? Nope, I’m out!

This is a very real situation faced by many elite rowers across the world, and a situation I found myself in, in 2016. I was sitting on the start line of the Olympic final for the men’s quad scull, my 6-minute exam.

Before I get into the nitty gritty, I want to outline a few simple things about rowing. Rowing is NOT, Kayaking, Canoeing, Dragon Boating, Outrigging, Sailing or Stand up paddle boarding. Rowing IS the only boat in which you race facing backwards, races are always held over 2000m and the sport is split in to sculling (single, double, quad) where each rower has 2 oars, and sweeping (pair, four, eight) where each rower has 1 oar. In 2016, I raced in the Australian Men’s Quad scull.

Now as a rower, I like to break things down in to quarters.

- Every year is one quarter of an Olympic cycle

- 500m is one quarter of a (2000m) race

- I’m almost 2 quarters of my way through medical school (I suppose that’s just ½?)

- My life up until Rio was 4 quarters, each 7.5 years long.

So, considering that I like quarters, I want to take you through my Olympic final (my 6-minute exam) one quarter at a time, and to talk about the lessons I learned in the 4 quarters of my life (up until that point in time) on my journey from Rocky to Rio.

In the first 500m, you’re sitting on the start line feeling nervous, excited, it’s quiet and you’re reassuring yourself and your crewmates that ‘you got this’. In the first 10 strokes, your adrenaline is through the roof and there’s heaps of noise because you’ve got 24 pairs of oars clashing along at a high stroke rate. At the 250m mark, your lungs start working hard and the body begins to adjust to the new work load. At the 500m mark, you’re finally starting to settle in to race pace.

It was in this first quarter of the race that I drew on a lesson I learned in the first quarter of my life. ‘Just keep running’ was my mantra that led me to success in my pre-school cross country, a mantra that my sport psychologist at the time, Mum, told me to recite. She said no matter how much you want to stop, or how tired you get ‘just keep running’. In the wild conditions in Rio, where waves were threatening to knock my oars out of my hands, and my lungs were screaming for more oxygen, I thought ‘just keep rowing, just keep rowing, just keep rowing’.

In the second 500m of a rowing race, you’re thinking about maintaining the pressure and intensity you set up in the first 500m. It’s a test of wills – to see which crew can flirt with the anaerobic/ aerobic threshold without pushing themselves so hard that they ‘blow up’.

In the second 500m of the race in Rio, I tapped in to something I learned in my early days of rowing at high school. It was a mental toughness that I cultivated while training in Rockhampton, not knowing what my fellow competitors were doing down south. Every time I got on the water, in the gym, on the bike, or on the hill out the front of school, where we’d do hill sprints, I would think to myself, ‘I’m going to hurt myself more than the guys down south are willing to hurt themselves. I’m going to push myself harder, and for longer than they’re willing to push.’ And whenever I’d doubt myself, or consider taking the foot off the gas, I would think ‘who is the hardest? This mentality got me through the second 500 in Rio, when the body really started to scream.

Photo credit: Rowing Australia.

The third 500m of a rowing race is where efficiency is key. It’s all about maintaining speed, and the way you do that is through quality technical rowing. Quality rowing is the result of thousands of hours of quality training, and quality over quantity was a lesson I learned in early adulthood (the third quarter of my life in the lead up to Rio), while I was living in Townsville for the first time.

In 2008, as a 17 year old, I got in to the university degree of my dreams; JCU medicine. Though happy to be in the degree of my dreams, I didn’t quite feel ready to study. I was keen to have a gap year, but specifically a gap year filled with boat races (not that kind of boat race). I knew that I was on the cusp of cracking the Australian Junior Rowing Team, and selection trials were in late April. I’d left my coach and training partners back in rocky, and I was now in Townsville on my own. After hitting one too many crocs on the Ross at 6 in the morning, by myself on the river, my original training program went out the window and I decided to keep rowing to a minimum. Instead, I would do the bulk of my physical conditioning on the land, particularly up Castle Hill. I’d run repeats up the goat track, not allowing myself to stop running. It would take me just under 10 minutes to go from the car park to the summit, numbers I’m still yet to repeat, but this was perfect training for rowing, as races typically last 6-7 minutes. At the selection trials, just before my 18th birthday, I was selected into my first Australian Rowing Team. My short stint of 3 months in Townsville showed me that quality of training is far more important than the quantity of training, and this mentality helped my crew and I move through the field in the third 500m of the Rio Olympic Final.

The final quarter of a rowing race is where you throw everything at your opposition. You only have to suffer for 90 more seconds, so you might as well bury yourself. The final quarter of my life in the lead up to Rio taught me that you’ve got to take advantage of each opportunity you’re presented, because it could be your last.

The day before I flew out for Rio, my Dad had a stroke. This immediately put my rowing situation into perspective, and after living in the rowing bubble and neglecting my family for 4 years, I was reminded that there are more important things in life than going to the Olympics. This gave me a new found clarity and freedom during the race, and I feel that I was able to enjoy it much more than I otherwise would have. My Dad’s situation also made me realise that competing at the Olympics might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. This might be my ‘one shot’ at an Olympic medal, so I’d better make the most of it!

In the last 500m, we threw everything and the kitchen sink at the Germans – every 100m we’d lift, and by the end, there was nothing more we could give. We crossed the line second, just 2 meters behind Germany, and initially we were disappointed. We’d come to Rio to win, we came in to the regatta as favourites, we’d qualified fastest for the final and came second. That being said, once the lactate had cleared and we reflected on what we’d achieved in our 6 months together we began to realise just how special the moment was. It was only 6 months earlier that we got together as a crew, having never raced together before. We had one guy from Queensland, one from New South Wales, one from Victoria, one from South Australia and our coach from Tasmania. We met in the middle, in Canberra, to prepare for the Olympics and committed to a common goal. We did everything in our power to ensure we reached that goal, and along the way we had many challenges thrown at us. In the end, we were able to come out the other side as second best in the world and to share that achievement with our family and friends at the end of what was an incredible journey was one of the most special moments of my life.”

- Alexander Belonogoff, 3rd Year JCU Medicine student

#James Cook University #jcu medicine #Australia #Rowing #Olympics #study medicine

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majdalenaska · 5 years ago

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Why you should be a flight attendant

When I was a little girl, growing up in the Czech Republic, there was this telenovela on TV (Muneca Brava) placed in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I would watch this show for hours since I was obsessed with the main actor/singer Natalia Oreiro. If someone‘d told me back then, that I’d be flying to Argentina on a regular basis, I’d say they must have gone mad. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to remind myself that I in fact have the opportunity to fly to these amazing places , which I would have never thought of seeing one day.

Since I started flying, the concept of traveling in itself has rather changed for me. Once down route, you may only have 24 or 48 hours for exploring the certain destination. But let me tell you something; you have no idea how much a person can see or experience in such a short period of time. Before my flying career I’d think what’s the point of even getting out of your hotel room, if you only have a few hours to do something. But that is absolutely wrong thinking. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll see how fulfilling and exciting it can be to see the destination even only for 24 hours. That actually reminds me of one time in Buenos Aires with my close friend Vendy. After a 13 hours` flight from London to Argentina you may assume there is no energy left for further exploration of the city. But since we arrived in the morning, the plan was simple: having a 3 hours nap and then heading for dinner to one of the most famous restaurants in the whole Buenos Aires, called Don Julio in the area called Palermo. While queuing up to get in, we got talking to a lovely Australian family and other fellow travelers. We enjoyed our delicious steak and Malbec red wine and asked the waiter where the best place was to go for Tango lessons. We ended up nearby, in the local old ball hall, which was rather scary at first glance. But after a few glasses of Malbec and a few attempts at Tango dances with the locals and our new aussie friend, all worries were forgotten. It was probably the most authentic experience I could have asked for. Around 1 am in the morning, we got into a taxi and headed back to the hotel. That was surely the longest day of my life, but it was totally worth it. The point I’m trying to make by telling you all this is that no matter how much time you have , you should make the most of it while you can. You create incredible memories which you will never forget.

So, what else is there to do during one or two days? Maybe driving around Hollywood hills, Malibu and watching the sunset on Santa Monica beach in Los Angeles, or maybe wine tasting in Napa Valley, California. I’ve also watched the sea lions in San Fransisco bay and hiked through woodlands in the Washington state. I’ve also tried kayaking and paddle boarding in Austin, Texas. I’ve seen more and experienced more in 2 years than some people in a decade, all thanks to my job. And even though it is hard sometimes, I never forget to feel grateful for having been given this opportunity.

Once on board, you get surrounded with all different kinds of people and you get to talk to them if you want to and get to listen to their stories. Sometimes you turn into a therapist, since some passengers may share a bit too much of their personal life. You also get to learn about different cultures since many of my colleagues are literally from all over the world. So you may learn a few words in Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Romanian or Czech.

You spend about 15 days per month abroad; trust me, you really appreciate your bed back at home and you also fall in love with the home comings after a long trip. Imagine returning from your trip on Monday mornings when you can just watch people rushing to work, while you can go back to your bed at home.

What else is great about this job?

1. You gain muscles from closing all the overhead lockers on board and lifting your suitcases often

2. You become a „house wife“ (you master your skills in the kitchen while on standby. You may rediscover painting with water colours once being bored on standby. And you may also start making homemade Kombucha like my friend Vendula, once being utterly bored on standby.

3. You acquire an incredible amount of time for yourself, while down route or back home, which gives you the chance to watch all of the tv series which you have always had a eye on.

If you work in a regular office job, you usually spend time with the same people every day, which is nice, if you’ve bonded with them and created a little family environment, but you might agree with me that things aren’t always easy with some of your colleagues or your boss. Well, this is not the case in Aviation. If you dislike someone, you might never really see them again, or, if need be, you just ask your senior to work in another part of the plane :)

Anyone who lives in the UK knows that winter is absolutely miserable out here. It’s grey and rainy and it’s windy and cold, which is rather depressing. Imagine that every week you get to escape all of that. I don’t need to dream about it, I am lucky enough to live it. The upcoming month I am rostered to fly to Rio de Janeiro and sunny Los Angeles. You are constantly on the move and you can enjoy sunny destinations even in the winter months, which is also one thing I adore about flying. Unless you are sent somewhere like Boston where it is minus 13 in January.

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chibioniyuri · 6 years ago

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A Story in Two Parts

I’ve never had to work hard for anything. That’s not a brag; it’s the truth.

Friends were... kind of easy. It was always shallow stuff, things you could say at recess or lunch or during passing period. I’m eager to please and easy to talk to. But it was never anything really deep. There wasn’t much point when I wouldn’t be able to spend much time outside of school with them anyway, and it was easier to be just distant enough not to get the invitations I would have to decline anyway. And books made excellent companions anyway. And my brother was like a built-in friend who couldn’t go away. It worked.

Schoolwork was easy. Just do what the teacher tells you. Study what they point out in the study review - I was never sure if they did this to help us from being overwhelmed or to help inflate their own reports, but nearly every teacher did it without fail. Minimum effort into school projects because we were poor and couldn’t afford much. And I didn’t have the creativity some kids did, so my poster board was plain and white with outlines in marker to draw visual interest, but it was nothing compared to the pictures and glitter and fuzzy little balls that others included. But it was fine because I always met the requirements.

Getting into college was easy. Top 5% of the graduating class automatically got into whatever state college they wanted. I left the college applications too late, didn’t really net any scholarships, but I got to attend my “dream” college at A&M because they had no choice but to accept me.

Finding work was easy, too, in that for a long time, I didn’t have to. I started filing paperwork at the business my dad worked at because kids were cheap labor and we were excited to get paid cash (under the table, of course). And when I dropped out of the “dream” college when my brain broke a little, they were excited to accept me full time because they needed someone to answer calls and emails and run reports and track down whether something got delivered or not when someone inevitably forgot to enter something into the system. And besides tackling my fear of phones on a daily basis, the work itself was easy.

Choosing my new career when the idea of becoming a veterinarian fell through was also easy. I attended the local community college when my dad threatened to kick me out of the house if I didn’t get my shit together, walked into the administration office, and picked a brochure that didn’t seem too terribly out of line with what I was interested in anyway. Nursing. Human bodies. Science. Cool.

Getting into nursing school was easy, too. See: schoolwork was easy. Big GPA. I didn’t have the references or community service or anything to pad my resume, so to speak, but my GPA rocked. So.

And I lucked into my current job too. I was playing around on Monster.com and accidentally submitted my resume to a home health company that contacted me a few days later. There was some stuff in between: getting laid off, unemployment, my brain breaking just a little bit again. But that’s not the important bit.

So when I say I haven’t had to work hard for anything, I mean it. Things have come easy for me, ridiculously so. If anything in my life had required a modicum of effort, I would have abandoned it just to save myself the trouble.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I love words. I love reading them, learning them, writing them. My mother language or what I wish was my mother language. Choosing just the right word to put into just the right place because some words might mean roughly the same thing but connotations are a thing. How worlds are created or destroyed; how people are created or destroyed. The epic quest a hero undertakes to become the hero. The trials and tribulations of meeting someone, gathering the courage to put their heart on the line, and then living together in the soft and the hard moments.

Particularly, I love the bit of writing when I’m inspired. When the words rush from my brain to my fingertips onto whatever medium I’m using that day. Like I’m in a kayak getting pushed by the natural flow of the river and all I have to do is steer. It’s effortless and a true joy to watch the birth of new words.

But at some point, the inspiration dies. I hope against hope that I’ll manage to get all the words out before it does. Sometimes I do. Most of the time I don’t. And then it’s like my river carried me to a lake, and the water stills. I’m left stranded and adrift, and the only way to continue is to get out my paddles and get to work.

What comes next is not beautiful. It’s tears and sadness. It’s pushing out words just to say that they exist and then erasing them again because they’re not the right words. It’s gray days where colors and feelings and taste and sensation are all muted, when it’s easier to attack the broken brain for being broken. It’s reading over what’s already there and loving it and then reaching the end and hating it because there’s more to be written but the well of words has run dry.

I’ve never had to work hard for anything, and I’ve never regretted it quite so much as when I look at a project that once brought me such joy and wonder if it’ll ever bring joy to others as well because right now, the words have gone quiet and still.

#k writes #personal #it's a very gray day today

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arrow-v3 · 6 years ago

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ALERT ALL LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY

(PLEASE COMMENT TO HELP ME IM DESPERATE) hello, my name is Drew and i has a crush on someone for three years and i’m a useless pansexual so listen up for the breakdown:

about me: i’m almost 16, i’m sophomore in georgia. i’m 5’7 and i’m out as pansexual. i run with my dog everyday and play tennis with my mom and dad as a hobby when i’m not playing soccer. (we have a VERY athletic family as you can see) i’m currently the goalie in my soccer academy. i’m also in a public school filled with all kinds of people. black, mean, nice, white, etc. i’m white/mexican. i have brown hair with green eyes. i’m not popular, but good friends with the popular kids so i sometimes will hangout with them. there are also not a lot of people that are in the LGBTQ+ community, but anyone who has asked me (mostly boys, some girls) i have said no becuase i’m so caught up with my crush. i live in a high class neighborhood with a high family. i have two other sisters, one is 19, and the other is 10. they are both the greatest sisters but i’m a little closer with my bigger sister. i have a dog called mellow, and a ferret i got recently called oliver after the green arrow (my favorite show/superhero). i have two really great friends (girl and guy) that walk with me everyday to school and they know everything about me, and have been supporting me through the start. (ask me anything if i left anything out)

WHERE WE SEE EACH OTHER: so every summer i go to this place called club med in florida. it’s like kinda expensive resort and you can do basically everything for free. free food, drinks, and they have tennis, a trapeze, soccer, basketball court, and a small lake where you can kayak and paddle board there. they also have these clubs for people up to 4-17 where parents can leave their kids for them to do activities throughout the day. and every night they have a party or circus show with a certain theme (neon, all white clothes, animals, fancy, etc.)

MY RELATIONSHIP WITH HER: so when the “village” was rented out we came there when it opened again for the 2nd time, where i met eloise, my big ass crush. me and my family, along with my aunt and my cousin came also with us. my cousin, jay, we were playing soccer on the field, shooting on each other when she walked to us, and asked if we can play with us. MY GAY MOMENT. i looked at her, she has BRIGHT blue eyes and BEAUTIFUL blond hair, like a fucking angel. so of course, we let her play with us, turns out in kansas, she is pretty fucking good at soccer. we play until sunset, until we all decide to go to the slice bar (the main place for drinks for all ages). (why the fuck do i remember this so well?) Anyway, jay had to go to the restroom, and me and eloise started to talk on the couches there. i learned that she is a grade higher than me, played soccer, is from kansas, she is on the circus team for club med, she also has a brother and sister who is also here, and both of her parents are from europe but moved when they had her sister. i kept it cool when jay came back. she gave me hug that gave me a heart attack when she said goodbye when her parents called and told her to go back to her room. she also said she will be in the clubs that most of the older kids go to, me and jay also will be too. next day, we meet up there and make some new friends. tomas, who is 17 and from france but is very fluent in english, valentina, who is from new york with a new york accent 16. all four of us make a small group chat on snap and we all have still keeped in touch till today. we all stuck together, eating, swimming, and just hanging out in general while we were there. every time we made teams for any kind of event it was always me and eloise, which fueled me even more with gayness. but when jay and eloise made a secret that nobody would tell i would get really fucking uncomfortable, and have doubts, which i didn’t like. (SHE DOESNT KNOW IM PAN) i found out this so called secret, a few months after we left from us two texting and me staying at my cousins house for winter break in minnesota, but, we’ll get into that later. but every time when we would eat breakfast together, i would build up courage to ask her hang out with my for the whole day, and she would. but every night when we were in this room next to the slice bar, all four of us will be there chilling when that stupid secret between jay and eloise would come out. jay is “okay-looking,” since he has had a lot of on and off relationships in the past (he is my age but a few months older, sorry for not telling you earilier.) it really bugged and i would beg both of them, and valentina to tell us, but they never did. the secret, was appearantly jay was dating a girl but was taking a break, and appearantly eloise and jay liked each other. she told me this, and i asked her a few months ago, if she stilled liked him, and she said why, he doesn’t like me back. that broke my heart. to know that i liked her for soooooo long only for her to ah e a crush on my cousin. all the times we spent together LITERALLY WATCHING THE SUNSET TOGETHER with her head on my shoulder, teaching how to play tennis, and i still she thinks of me like a “friend,” maybe? i was there for her every second we spent together, whether it was text or in real life.

MY BIGGEST GAY MOMENT I SPENT WITH HER: last year, we were saying goodbye to each other in private, aka we were in that other room in the slice bar becuase i was looking for her and jay didn’t. we hugged as we both cried, and then she looked at me with a sad smile, and KISSED ME ON THE CHEEK. i literally froze, for like 30 seconds, and she asked me if i was okay, until we both started laughing. i wiped her tears away and said, “i’ll miss you a lot, and when i see you again, i’m going to give the biggest hug EVER.” we hugged for a long time before my mother called me, telling me we had to go. that was literally was the hardest time not to leave her, and i want to spend the whole summer with me and her there.

this is probably the unclearest thing ever, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE comment for advice. and ask questions if you about any of this. THANK YOU!

#gay #lesbian #lgbt #clexa #sanvers #avalance #choni #wayhaught #swan queen #panseuxal #20 bi teen #20 gay teen

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meekamove · 6 years ago

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Boracay 2019 (a long overdue post)

My boyfriend and I have always loved travelling. We’ve been to different places already, but this is the first time that we’ve travelled to a place unfamiliar to us. After the news of the scheduled re-opening of Boracay surfaced, I told him that we must go check the place out. Luckily, he said yes because he really wanted to go there ever since. We just have to wait for the perfect time to plan out everything.

We love travelling, but we also hate spending (too much). So, what we did, we waited for the perfect time to book our plane tickets and our room accommodations (via agoda) – in short, we waited for promos 😅

Plane Tickets

October came and airlines still don’t have seat sale promos. Luckily, Air Asia (my go-to airline when broke HAHA) offers cheap plane tickets. For only ₱3,150/head, we were able to book a roundtrip ticket to and from Kalibo. If booked with other airlines, the minimum one-way airfare ticket to Kalibo is around ₱2,500.

You might be wondering why we booked via Kalibo instead of Caticlan which is closer to Boracay Island. Well, my dear friends, the answer is simple – plane tickets to Caticlan are more expensive than Kalibo’s. Although, I don’t recall how much the difference exactly is, but if you travel via Kalibo and ride a one-hour van trip to Caticlan, it will only cost you ₱175/head.

Room Accommodation

Since I had work in the morning, we had to schedule our flights at night. We arrived in Kalibo at around 11pm and stayed overnight at RB Lodge Kalibo. It is an inn located at the heart of Kalibo and the van terminal to Caticlan is just across it.

In Boracay, we booked our room accommodation at White Beach de Boracay. It is a beach-front building beside Astoria Hotel in Station 1. The rooms have wifi access, air-conditioner, refrigerator and a bathroom with hot and cold shower. For only ₱4,803 we were able to book a two-night, three-day room accommodation thru Agoda.

Kuripot tip: There are a lot of activities in Boracay, so if you have plans of visiting the island, book at budget-friendly hotels ;) ALSO, I just learned this from a friend (sayang!), but if you want to have less expensive room rates, download Airbnb so you can have ₱2,200 OFF from your first booking (minimum of ₱3,500 worth of booking). You can register here.

How To Get There?

If you’ll be coming from Kalibo Airport, there are vans there bound to Caticlan Jetty Port. The fare is only ₱175. But if coming from Caticlan Airport, you can rent trikes to the jetty port, though I am not sure how much it costs.

Upon arriving at Caticlan Jetty Port, you’ll have to present a hotel booking confirmation and an ID at the entrance of the port.

After showing your proof, you’ll have to pay some fees: env’t fee - ₱75/head; terminal fee - ₱100/head; and boat fare - ₱25/head. The trip to Boracay Island from the port is around 15 mins.

From Boracay Island port, you can ride a van, trike or habal-habal going to your station. Since we are not familiar with the place, we rented a trike.

Initially, our plan was to walk to our hotel because we saw people walking with their trolleys and stuff. But because we were very lazy to walk and carry our own stuff, we decided to rent a trike and pay ₱120. It was only when we arrived at our hotel when realized how far the port is from Station 1. Good thing we (are lazy-walkers and) decided to ride a trike 😂

DAY 1

The first thing we did after checking in was to look for restos. There are many restos in Boracay but it’s impossible to find a cheap/sulit one. Almost every resto was crowded because it was lunch time, so we had a difficult time finding a place to eat. Good thing we checked this small resto beside Astoria which sells fresh seafood – by fresh, I mean, you get to choose diff types of seafood that are still alive (and swimming 😂) Although I wasn’t able to take a picture of their mini aquarium, I have pictures of their menu 😅 They also offer meat dishes.

After eating, we decided to make our first day as our “rest day” since the next two days will be filled with activities. We roamed around the island and checked the ‘changes’ after its rehab. I must say, comparing it from the previous pictures I’ve seen online, Boracay really has become much cleaner. Local staffs/security are found everywhere, and they watch and fine anyone who litters. Trash bins are also present all over the island, so there’s no excuse not to throw your garbage at the right place.

Since we want to ‘fully experience’ Boracay, I wanted to try having my hair braided. But I guess, I made the wrongest decision of my life. Hahaha

I was charged ₱650 for this braid. HAHAHA. This is prolly my most unforgettable experience in Boracay. As per the ate who did the braids, the regular price for a braid is ₱250. But since she added yarns, there’s an additional ₱100 per yarn; I had FOUR YARNS. HAHAHA. IMAGINE WHAT MY FACE LOOKED LIKE WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO PAY! I told her to remove the yarns, but she said I would have to pay another ₱250 because she would have to re-do my braid. I was pissed, but I just had to let it go and not have my vacation ruined bec of that 🙂

While I was complaining how expensive my braid was, my boyfriend had his henna tattoo. And no, I did not ask him to have my name henna tattoed on his neck. It was his (sweet gesture) own decision. He was charged ₱250 for a four-letter tattoo.

Of course, we ended our day by watching the beautiful sunset near the shore. We were so caught in the moment that we forgot to take pictures of the sunset. Also, we had samgyupsal for dinner! 😆

DAY 2

For our second day, we booked an all-day tour at Ariel’s Point. It is an island 20-30 minutes away from Boracay. The package costs ₱2,800.00/pax and covers the following:

UNLIMITED BEER and ALCOHOLIC DRINKS (yes, you read that right)

Non-stop Snacks

Buffet Lunch

5-meter, 10-meter, and 15-meter high cliff jump activity

Water activities such as: Snorkeling, Stand-up Paddle Board and Kayak

Very nice, friendly and accommodating staff. LIKE REALLY, REALLY NICE.

While on our way back to Boracay Island, one of tour guides initiated a drinking game. He started spinning a bottle and whoever the bottle points, s/he has to drink the alcohol straight from the bottle.

Sadly, Ariel’s Point is closed today until after two months. I don’t know exactly why, but my dad who’s been there a week ago, relayed this info to me.

Day 3

For our third and final day, we decided to book island activities. But since our hotel accommodation is only until 12nn, we only booked 2 activities: Parasailing and Helmet Diving.

Parasailing

The original price of Parasailing is ₱2,500/pax for 15 minutes. Good thing, we met Kuya Loyd, a kuya who works at our hotel and offered us a much cheaper price. He gave us a ₱300 discount, because he has connections (that we don’t have HAHA).

For a while, it was fun. But because of the strong winds, our canopy was leading us to different directions, which made me a bit nauseous.

Helmet Diving

Because I was a bit nauseous, I kinda didn’t enjoy this activity. The pressure on the helmet was too much for me that I found it kind of heavy. BUT, I loved the view and I saw Nemo (yes, I know it’s called clownfish but I prefer to call it Nemo).

Before going down, you’ll have to sign an agreement form in which you’ll have to assess your health state. Because I was desperate to check what the bottom looks like, I just checked ‘yes’ to everything. BUT PLEASE, DON’T DO WHAT I DID. I AM NOT A GOOD EXAMPLE!

The activity costs ₱1,500/pax but because we had Kuya Loyd, we got it for ₱1,200 only! He is such a helpful friend. (in Lily’s [How I Met Your Mother] voice)

Important Reminder

Well the best thing I could remind you is to bring extra money wherever you go. Since Boracay re-opened, everything became pricey. The price of anything that is being sold there is a quarter higher than it was before. Some locals say that they are trying to recover from the income lost during its rehab. Well, I couldn’t blame them. But what’s irritating is some local businesses are taking the ‘recover thing’ on a higher level that the prices are unreasonable. Exhibit A: the yarns of my braid.

Despite the pricey vacation, I must say I had fun and I’m definitely going back to try the other activities! Au revoir, Boracay!

WATCH VLOG HERE.

#boracay 2019 #beaches #beachph #beach #beachesph #travel #travelph #philippines #boracay #white beach de boracay #travel goals #how i met your mother

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travelcenter-uk · 4 years ago

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The 10 Hidden Boutique Hotels in Sri Lanka

Life is either a daring adventure… or a rejuvenating escape in one of the top boutique hotels in Sri Lanka!

Boutique hotels in Sri Lanka have their uniqueness starting from the rich influences of the Colonial architecture to the extreme touch of local designs!

So, if you are hoping to visit Sri Lanka in 2021 (or any day, I’d say), you have got to know that this tiny Island is full of such unique boutique hotels. Choosing one from the unending list, is definitely going to be a hassle.

To help you save your time and money, I have picked ten out of the many top boutique hotels in Sri Lanka, from different parts of the country, for you to choose from.

If you want more assistance for a hassle-free holiday planning to Sri Lanka, you can contact our premium travel experts at Travel Center! It’s the best way for you to get all the information about holidays in Sri Lanka, and…. to grab some of the best deals and offers! (Grab it when it’s available!!!)

Now, to the boutiques!

Let’s start with one of the best boutique hotels in Sri Lanka for the adventurous and exotic travellers;

Wild Coast Lodge (Yala)

After knowing Yala for its wildlife (especially leopards, of course), it’s going to be a tad bit difficult for you to believe in Wild Coast Lodge! It’s like a hidden gem in the exotic greenery of Sri Lanka that we were lucky enough to find for you.

The ‘Wild Coast Lodge’ is a cluster of cocoons (literally what they look like!) tents. They are located in the most scenic edge of the Yala National Park, strapped to the southern coastline.

What Makes the Wild Coast Lodge Unique from other Boutique Hotels in Sri Lanka?

It is more like camping than just resting in one of the boutique hotels in Sri Lanka!

Why I say so is because of how these cocoon-shaped tents are built!

I mean, where exactly would you find such luxury tents built amidst elephants and monkeys by daytime and leopards in the night?!

Apart from exploring the exotic surroundings of the Wild Coast Edge, you can also get some curated here, like;

Explore the wilderness with Safari game drives, with the assistance of ‘a passionate ranger team.’

Enjoy a rural bike exploration.

Check out their official website on more things-to-do as you book a stay at the Wild Coast Lodge in 2021!

Safari-ing in Sri Lanka

If you are more of a beach person than a jungle person, then check out the next boutique hotel!

Karpaha Sands (Trincomalee)

You cannot visit Sri Lanka and not have a ‘salt in my hair, a camera full of memories’ experience!

After the must-visit Arugam Bay in the list of beaches in Sri Lanka, comes Pasikudah and Kalkudah. So, on your visit to the Pasikudah, you’ll find the Karpaha Sands boutique hotel!

It’s like a total ‘Robinson Crusoe’ experience, except, you need not build your tent.

You’ll find a stretch of luxury boutique hotels lined up on the beach, creating a complete luxury holiday vibe. They’re structured in the most traditional ways, stunning enough to attract visitors.

During your stay in the Karpaha Sands, you’ll be able to;

Explore many vibrant Hindu temples and local markets in the neighbouring Tamil villages.

Get yourself adorned with traditional henna tattoos from a local henna artist.

Attend a fun two-hour cooking class from professional Sri Lankan chef

Take the catamaran cruise and adore the perfect coastline and blue shades of the Indian Ocean

Climb the Kudumbi Malai rock that gives a breath-taking bird’s eye view of the paddy fields, forests and Palmyra palms.

Beaches in Sri Lanka! A land like no other

Next one is for a romantic getaway. Mostly suggested for adventurous couples. (No pun intended!)

The Ark (Mathugama)

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be in Noah’s Ark?

Me neither.

But this Ark is not about fitting the entire population in it! It’s perfect for your honeymoon getaways.

Like I mentioned earlier, you wouldn’t really like it if you are more of a ‘car ride to a romantic hotel nearby’ kind of couple. Because this one is best recommended for the adventurous ones! I’ll tell you why.

First, is the wooden bridge in the Mathugama jungle that you need to trail to get to the boutique hotel. It’s way more adventurous than the other boutique hotels in Sri Lanka when it is rainy! You know, the slippery bridge factor.

Then, the fact that you are going to be on top of a hill. It’s more like a watch-hut what you have here. So, you are literally on top of a hill that gives a thrilling experience!

What is exotically boastful about the Ark is its location on the boarder of the Sinharaja rainforest.

What Makes the Ark Unique from other Boutique Hotels in Sri Lanka?

Whether you are booking the Ark as your honeymoon getaway or the best accommodation for a solo retreat, you have so much to do here!

Get out of the cosy hotel and spend your day discovering the hidden trails of the Mathugama forest.

Take the extra mile and master the art of rubber-tapping and tea-plucking

Reasons Why You Should Visit Sri Lanka

Next one is for those who want to stay literally away from the urbanised world! Because unlike in other boutique hotels in Sri Lanka, oil/kerosene lamps replace the mains electricity!

The Mudhouse (Anamaduwa)

The Mudhouse is undoubtedly one of the most unique traditional experiences in any boutique hotels in Sri Lanka.

It’s a perfect getaway for the adventurous travellers, whether you want to travel solo, with the family or your partner!

The best lines to describe this is from W.B. Yeats poem;

“I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;”

Located in the most remote location in Puttalam, the Mudhouse is like the perfect escape from the urban world.

Although the real experience of the beauty of the Mudhouse can only be felt once you are there at the location, the idea of this boutique hotel itself is highly fascinating.

Because, imagine yourself in the middle of wetlands that are traditionally criss-crossing to form the ancient irrigation network!

With the breeze caressing your face, the smell of fresh land tingling your nose, you are going to be in a different part of the world completely secluded from the bustles of the city or the urbanising towns.

Not just that, the Mudhouse also is the best go-to boutique hotel in Sri Lanka for you to encounter Sri Lankan birdlife.

It is also one of the best-recommended boutique hotels in Sri Lanka for those who look for green hotels in Sri Lanka.

What Makes the Mudhouse Unique from other Boutique Hotels in Sri Lanka?

The one unique feature of this boutique hotel is its insight into the ancient lifestyle of the locals in Sri Lanka. It’s a perfect getaway for you, into the traditional life of the multicultural Sri Lankan society. I’d say…a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you shouldn’t miss.

Other experiences at the Mudhouse include;

Tuk ride to the Paramakanda Temple

Kayak and Paddle boarding

Visit the Local Friday market

Learn Sri Lanka’s traditional martial art (Angampora)

Sri Lanka – The pearl of the Indian ocean

Next in the list of top hotels in Sri Lanka is another eco-lodge like The Ark and Mudhouse you saw above!

Hideout Cabins (Nuwara Eliya)

The Hideout Cabins, just like the name portrays, is a perfect hideout for couples and solos who plan on retreats into the cold Nuwara Eliya woods.

What Makes Hideout Cabins Unique from other Boutique Hotels in Sri Lanka?

A wooden boutique, built in a unique shape, this boutique hotel in Sri Lanka gives a whole fairy-tale vibe. It’s like the little cottage that Snow White stayed in, in the woods. Except, this one gives you the perfect cosiness in the freezing hills.

Here are other landmarks around the Hideout Cabins that you can visit while cosying in the boutique within a 500m – 2km distance;

The Gregory Lake & Park

Hakgala Botanic Garden

Galway’s Land National Park

Hideout Cabins, just like The Ark, is a ‘must-visit and experience to have’ boutique hotel in Sri Lanka!

Source : Hideout Cabins (Nuwara Eliya)

The Best Off the Beaten Paths in Sri Lanka

Next, to one of the most-visited and liked boutique hotels in Sri Lanka.

98 Acres Resort (Ella)

Lately, Ella is like a ‘go-to’ tourist spot for both the locals and for those who visit Sri Lanka.

I cannot say its overrated, given its ‘out of the world’ sunrise and breath-taking views during sunsets.

The climb can be a little exhausting (I agree), but that is why the 98 Acres Resort is a perfect choice for the adventurous couples, backpackers and Instagram influencers!

If you are one of those adventure-seekers, then hike, climb or trek to reach the point of the little Adam’s Peak. Trust me, that’s the best way to absorb some of the breath-taking views of the eco-friendly huts, chalets, and villas!

Tip: Set many alarms as you can to wake up for the sunrise! The misty 5am morning view of the huts aligned in the verdant cliffs, is not something you would want to miss. You might as well need to make sure you have enough storage in your phone. Because, you’ll want to snap away almost everything your eyes catch in the location!

What Makes 98 Acres Resort Unique from other Boutique Hotels in Sri Lanka?

The resort is another eco-friendly lodge (I must say!) given that the chalets are made of recycled substances, mostly. It’s a luxury experience that you get, as you stay in one of these chic hotels amidst the lush tea bushes covering acres.

The other experiences at the 98 Acres Resort include;

Encountering Sri Lanka’s first-ever zipline (Flying Ravana)

Mastering the art of tea making

Experiencing Archery with the locals

Helicopter rides from the 98 Acres to Colombo

A holiday to Ella; With great hearts, comes great responsibilities

Next one is off the track because you are going to visit it for the unique work on the interior and architecture!

Boutique Villa (Negombo)

I am not sure if you have this weird desire too, but I have always wanted to live in a half-built house.

What Makes the Boutique Villa Unique from other Boutique Hotels in Sri Lanka?

Forget about the usual definition of luxury that has painted walls and modern pieces of furniture. At Boutique Villa in Negombo, you’ll literally live in a furnished, yet, half-built hotel. I know it’s a rare type of ‘luxury’, but that is what makes it unique among all other hotels in Sri Lanka.

Another best fact about this Villa is the royal experience you’ll have. Thinking of it in that line, you’ll almost be the king/queen in one of the ancient kingdoms. (with AC and Wi-Fi, of course!)

Your stay at this Villa will give you enough and more unique architectures to explore inside, but if you still want to visit other spots around, then there’s;

The Negombo Beach, located 500m from the Villa.

The Dutch Fort, 6km from the Villa

Sri Lanka – A melting pot of destinations

Next one in the list of boutique hotels in Sri Lanka, is for those who visit Sri Lanka for the love of Kandy!

Mount Havana Luxury Boutique Villa (Kandy)

Unlike the unending list of fabulous boutique hotels in Kandy, the Mount Havana is literally a piece of heaven tucked away in the hills!

What Makes the Mount Havana Luxury Boutique Villa Unique from other Boutique Hotels in Sri Lanka?

It is another perfect getaway, for a peaceful stay, free from the busy routines.

Whether you want to capture some of the spectacular views of the verdant hills or lose yourself in the tea fields around, either way, I am sure, once you checkout from the resort, half your heart (will definitely) be in Havana!

The Mount Havana is at the centre of many trademarks in Kandy. Including;;

Embekke Temple – 9.6 km

Ceylon Tea Museum – 14.3 km

Kandy View Point Mountain – 16.8 km

Kandy City Center Shopping Mall (KCC) – 17 km

Sri Dalada Maligawa – 17.3 km

Next on the list of boutique hotels in Sri Lanka, is for the modern adventure lovers.

The Country House Chalets (Galle)

Structured like tree-houses on the ground, the Country House Chalets are masterpieces in the woods.

What Makes the Country House Chalets Unique from other Boutique Hotels in Sri Lanka?

It is an impossible thought to think of such a boutique hotel in Galle, with the bustling city, it is known for! But, for those who can afford, the stay at the Country House Chalets will be the talk of generations to come in your line.

You can book one of the fine chalets there, depending on the amenities and affordability. Either way, all the chalets have a lot to give you in the getaway woods from Galle.

You can either explore the woods around the Country House Chalets or just stay in your chalet, amidst the tea gardens. The choice is yours!

Tip : The owner of the Country House Chalet is renowned for his extreme hospitality to a lot of those who had stayed here.

Source : The Country House Chalets (Galle)

Next, to a boutique located in the land that is home to the World Heritage in Sri Lanka and final one in our list of best boutique hotels in Sri Lanka.

Water Garden (Sigiriya)

One of my favourites out of all the top boutique hotels in Sri Lanka!

For those who know Sigiriya as a World Wonder, the Water Garden is a wonder in Sigiriya!

What Makes the Water Garden Unique from other Boutique Hotels in Sri Lanka?

It is one of the best boutique hotels in Sri Lanka, that again promotes an eco-friendly stay, amidst lakes and water streams.

A photographer could live the life of his dream here, as the hotel gives splendid views of the Sigiriya Rock and also has peacocks’ wandering the land, most of the time!

Besides getting lost in the unexplainable beauty of this boutique hotel, you can also:

Try your hands at Archery.

Spend your time outdoors playing Croquet

Take a guided tour to the Sigirya Lion Rock.

Go on a cultural tour to Dambulla, Polonnaruwa or the Ritigala Monastery.

Enjoy a jeep safari to Minneriya

My visit to Sigiriya – Sri Lanka

Now that you have your own list of the hidden boutique hotels in Sri Lanka, why wait?

Visit the Travel Center Website now! Our friendly travel agents will help you book your 2021 holidays to Sri Lanka right away! With that, they will also give you the best guide to the hotels that you can book and more places that you can explore in the pearl of the Indian Ocean. If you had spotted some other hidden gems like these before us, let us know in the comments below!

GET YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY MOOD ON!

Read More:- The 10 Hidden Boutique Hotels in Sri Lanka

This Article, Information & Images Source (copyright):- Travel Center UK Blog

#travel #travelblog #travelblogger #travelvibes #holidaymakers #travelcenteruk #destinations #srilanka

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shooktim-blog · 5 years ago

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It had been so long since I last visited the largest city in Virginia, that I treated my recent visit to Virginia Beach as a first experience. I’m glad I did too, because I discovered parts of the community that I would have otherwise missed and had an incredible experience along the way. I may be biased since I’m originally from Virginia, but I think there is a wealth of things to do throughout the Commonwealth and especially in the active community of Virginia Beach. If you’re visiting for a long weekend or even a longer escape, here are my favorite experiences that I think anyone will love. [I’m working with Virginia Tourism on this project but, as always, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.]

The Cavalier Hotel

Historic hotels are unique in that yes, they offer incredible luxury, but they also have a certain quality that’s impossible to replicate. Their age and the many guests they’ve welcomed have created a patina of hospitality that, while not visible, is an important part of the experience. That’s especially true at the newly reimagined Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach. Originally built in 1927, almost immediately The Cavalier became a hotspot for the rich and famous. Thanks to nonstop trains from cities like Chicago, the halls of the hotel were soon filled with those who wanted to see and be seen. The Fitzgerald’s, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and several Presidents all were guests of the hotel and many say that The Cavalier is what put Virginia Beach on the map in the first place. This Golden Era came to an abrupt end though in World War II when the hotel was surrendered to the US Navy and became a site for radar training. Although the hotel was returned to its owner, it had lost its pizzazz and in the intervening decades lost the brilliance for which it had once been known. Several years ago though it was sold to new owners who went through an extensive renovation and restoration process and, somewhat miraculously, brought back the luxury and hospitality that made The Cavalier, now part of the Autograph Collection, famous during the Roaring Twenties. Everything at The Cavalier is done to perfection, from the quirky yet refined design to the food and of course the hospitality. The Cavalier originally put Virginia Beach on the map and it’s redefining it once again in the 21st century.

Paddling Around

There are few things I enjoy more than being out on the water. There’s just a certain peace of mind and solemnity that accompanies it, and getting a little exercise along the way is an added bonus. Sure, I spent time along the city’s famous beach, but for something a little different I joined a morning kayak tour with VB Surf Sessions. The company specializes in paddle boarding excursions, including one that visits local pubs, but it was the kayaking that grabbed my attention immediately. Rudee Inlet is located in the Virginia Beach Oceanfront District and is next to the Virginia Aquarium. Most folks know the inlet for its marinas and restaurants, but it’s also a great place to go for adventure sports. Paddling along the tall grasses of the estuary, we saw all kinds of wildlife, including eagles, osprey and more. But it was also just nice to paddle around, exploring small little waterways and appreciating Mother Nature in what I think is the best possible way.

Great Bites

I could, and I will, devote an entire post to the culinary side of Virginia Beach because it really was that impressive. Like so many other communities around the world, Virginia Beach has enjoyed a culinary renaissance in recent years, with creative chefs, brewers and even vintners opening shop and offering their visions to the local community. Although I don’t eat seafood, I do recognize it’s an important aspect of visiting Virginia Beach for most people which is one reason why I was excited to dine at the new(ish) Porch on Long Creek. Overlooking the beautiful Lynnhaven River, this is a light and airy space that specializes in American Coastal cuisine. Yes, their clear strength is fish and seafood (brought in fresh daily) but they have an expansive menu so that even a non-pescatarian like me can thoroughly enjoy the experience. Another great spot to enjoy a delicious night out is back at The Cavalier Hotel in their equally historic Hunt Room. Originally a quiet space for duck hunters to enjoy a meal in the early days of the hotel, that same rustic feel is what I first noticed walking into the new and impressive Hunt Room. A massive brick fireplace is at the heart of the room, creating a warm and inviting space that I loved right away. The menu is just as impressive with modern twists on Virginia classics, like the charcuterie board made with local meats and cheeses and even a delicious fried quail as a main course. This is also where you’ll find the hotel’s on-site distillery, Tarnished Truth. This, the first hotel distillery in the country, features several craft spirits, including bourbon, rye whiskey and even AVA Vodka. Guests can also take flight tastings, tours and cocktail lessons here.

For me, breakfast is always an important part of staying at the beach, and in Virginia Beach the clear winner is the locally famous May’s Parlor. Recently celebrating their two-year anniversary, this small cottage at the Oceanfront serves up incredible fresh-made pastries, along with cakes and pies and other light bites guaranteed to fuel your day. There’s a lot to love about eating your way around Virginia Beach and I think that, like me, you’ll leave both surprised and impressed.

Finding LOVE

Love is everywhere if you’re willing to look for it, but in Virginia that’s more true than you might realize. Most people know that the state has had the slogan “Virginia is for lovers” for 50 years but unless you’ve been to Virginia in the last couple of years, you may have missed these massive LOVE signs found in every corner of the state. The LOVEworks project encourages local communities to come up with their own unique take on the LOVE sign and so far there are more than 160 around the state. I love this for so many different reasons but especially because in a time of increasing negativity it’s a good reminder that most people everywhere are basically good hearted folks. Virginia Beach has several of these now iconic signs, which you can find via the official LOVEworks site. It’s a fun way to explore new regions and what you discover on the way to the signs is many times even more impactful than the works of art themselves.

Amazing History

As a Virginian, and someone who lived for quite a while in Williamsburg, I thought I had a strong grasp on the Commonwealth’s impressive history. But I was surprised to learn that Virginia Beach has a lot more to contribute to the story of the country than I originally thought, starting at First Landing State Park. The average American doesn’t realize that the first English settlers landed in Virginia and not Massachusetts and that original landing spot is here in Virginia Beach. First Landing State Park honors the 100 English settlers who landed there in 1607, before they headed further up the James River to Jamestown. It’s more than a simple commemoration though, it’s a massive 2,888-acre park that features miles of beachfront and more than 19 miles of trails through protected salt marsh habitat. It’s a beautiful area and appeals to just about any type of traveler no matter their interest. While you’re at the park, also be sure to visit another historic site, the Cape Henry Lighthouse. This was the first lighthouse commissioned in 1792 by the newly formed US Government and although there is now a newer one, albeit built in the 19th century, both are beautiful to behold. You can also climb to the top of the original lighthouse for incredible views of the region.

Fish Frenzy

Visiting a beach community also involves spending time inside as well, and in Virginia Beach I couldn’t wait to visit the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. In recent years I’ve been somewhat wary of zoos and aquariums and I make sure that they conduct research and important work as part of their mission, which is most definitely the case at the Virginia Aquarium. The facility is expansive and offers a terrific look at a variety of global ecosystems as well as native Virginia flora and fauna. In addition to the indoor exhibits, there’s also an outdoor nature trail running alongside Owls Creek Salt Marsh. I love how they intertwine the nature around them with the displays and together it’s a fun and definitely educational experience.

I honestly enjoyed my time in Virginia Beach a lot more than I thought it would. The community has changed a lot in recent years and the influx of creative individuals has left its mark on the city and surrounding region. But they haven’t lost sight of what made them popular in the first place and it’s how the traditional and the innovative are fused that fascinated me so very much. There’s also a lot more to see and do than I had time for, but hopefully this brief list has piqued your interest in visiting Virginia Beach.

The post My Perfect Visit to Virginia Beach in 6 Steps appeared first on LandLopers.

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endlessarchite · 5 years ago

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How To Make Decorative Oars (And How To Not Almost Ruin Them Like I Did)

When we shared the duplex backyard makeovers last month, I promised more details about how we made the decorative oars that hang on each shed. So today I’ve got a detailed tutorial for you (including how NOT to screw up your attempts to make them outdoor friendly) along with a few other “hacks” you guys asked about.

The oars actually were not part of our original plans. But after the sheds were built we nixed our plans to run electricity to them (for cost reasons – and because they really don’t need it). But the empty space where we’d planned to hang a light above the door needed… something.

That something became oars after a trip to HomeGoods where we stumbled upon a decorative surfboard. Cape Charles isn’t really a surfing town, but there is plenty of kayaking and paddle boarding, so oars felt a bit more applicable for our little beach town. I went on the hunt for some on Etsy and found some really good options (like this, this, and the ones pictured below) but they all were a bit pricier than we had in mind. Just couldn’t justify spending $350+ on this project to end up with four cool looking oars to hang on the sheds.

We actually ditched the idea entirely for a couple of weeks, but then we stumbled upon two decorative oars at HomeGoods for $25 each. They weren’t the colors or design we wanted, but that can always be fixed with paint! So we bought them and took them to Cape Charles and held them up to make sure we were barking up the right tree. We wanted to make sure we liked the size & shape before altering them with paint (thereby making it impossible to return them).

With renewed excitement for this idea, we tracked down two MORE decorative oars (thanks to having two HomeGoods in Richmond). All four of them cost a little over $100, which was great… but they didn’t look the way we wanted. They actually looked pretty awful together at this point:

But I was emboldened by our luck at sanding down and refinishing the duplex dining tables, so I took to sanding each down to their raw wood. Here’s the orbital sander I used, which does the job really well.

It took some elbow grease, but the results were extremely encouraging. Here’s a side-by-side of the two most similar oars – one sanded, one not.

Once I had them all sanded down, I stained them all to get their varying wood tones looking more similar. It was basically trial and error of various leftover stain cans in our garage, but I am 95% sure it involved Rustoleum Summer Oak and Minwax Weathered Oak being layered over each other.

Before I stained them I also took a picture of them grouped on the ground and started Photoshopping various stripes and shapes on them. YES, THIS IS THE MOST ANYONE HAS EVER DONE IN THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTLY COORDINATING DECORATIVE OARS. I feel like I deserve a Bachelors of Science in Oarology at this point.

Anyway, we knew we wanted to use colors inspired by those found elsewhere in the duplex, like the mint green shutters, the white siding, and the muted pink and green found on the interior doors. So doing all of this in Photoshop helped us fine tune our direction before cracking open any paint cans. Also it earned me that highly esteemed Oarology degree. (*steps up to podium and clears throat*) “I’d like to thank my mom and dad, who instilled a love of oars at an early age…”

Right, back to the tutorial. Next we used the digital mock-up to tape off each oar using painters tape. We intentionally left a lot of wood “stripes” in our design (you know, the areas UNDER the tape) because whenever two colors touch, you have to paint one and let it dry before you can paint the other. So for efficiency we minimized these instances, but we didn’t completely eliminate them. The reason you don’t see any tape on the top section of that third oar is because I had to do a base of the mint color before I could tape and paint my next colors.

Once everything was taped, I primed each area first (this is our favorite primer) and then once that had dried, I painted each section – being careful to reference my rendering along the way (although we did deviate a little as we went). Except for the mint color (SW Pale Patina) we didn’t use the exact paint colors we used elsewhere in the duplex. The white was just an exterior white we had on hand (SW Snowbound) and the pink and navy were more saturated versions of the interior doors colors (SW Downing Pink and SW Riverway, respectively). You definitely should use exterior paint if you’re going to hang your oars outside, FYI. Also colors tend to wash out in exterior lighting (there’s more sun outside than inside) so you sometimes need to go darker or more intense with a color than you would inside your house.

The project was going great at this point. Things were drying quickly in the heat outside. We got that unmatched satisfaction of peeling off a crisp line of painters tape…

AND THEN THINGS TOOK A TURN. And this is where I want you to learn from my mistake.

After I had finished painting all of the stripes, my last step was to seal the whole thing so it’d be even more durable outdoors (these things will be exposed to the elements 24/7/365 (and that’s not just rain, it’s lots of heat and even snow). So we wanted to layer on an exterior grade polyurethane sealer, which are typically oil based – but VERY durable. Now, I should’ve tested the sealer I had on hand in an inconspicuous place first – but I was running up against a weekend that we were going to Cape Charles and I wanted to finish these and bring them with me. So I just WENT FOR IT.

Sherry described what happened next as “not a big deal” and “nothing to freak out over – John, you’re being crazy.” But I had gotten so pumped about how these were turning out so far that I was extremely frustrated at myself for messing them up on the last step. Here’s what happened:

Oil-based stains have a tendency to yellow. That’s why we use water-based ones in most of our projects. But again, exterior-grade = oil-based. And we didn’t want these oars to get ruined over time because we used the wrong sealant. But, I was bothered by HOW YELLOW it made the colors and because the oars are slightly rounded, the stain pooled as it dried in various spots – leaving brownish-yellow streaks and dots along the oars.

Sherry’s right that it’s a relatively minor issue – one that probably wouldn’t be super detectible from the distance at which they’d be seen anyways. But I was annoyed at how much more “rustic” the oars had become due to the yellowing and the streaking.

So I did the only sensible/crazy thing that a Certified Oarologist

could do in this situation. I sanded off all the streaky spots, taped everything off again, and repainted all four oars. It wouldn’t de-yellow the wood tone, but at least I could get back the crisp vibrancy of the original paint colors we had chosen.

Because here’s the thing we didn’t really think about when we started this project: we were using exterior paints on everything, so they didn’t actually need to be sealed. Only the wood needed sealing. Soooooo… if I were doing this again (or if you’re at home doing it right now – first of all welcome to the field, it’s good to have a fellow Oarologist in my midst) I would’ve sealed the wood (both sides, btw) BEFORE I painted any of the stripes or detailing onto the oars. Would’ve dodged the entire bullet and the entire oar would be durable and outdoor-safe.

In the end everything was fine (although the extra paint job meant we cut it a bit closer to rental season than we’d hoped when it came to actually hanging these up) and we really love how they turned out. Hanging them was simple too – we just drove a 3″ exterior screw through the oar and siding, right into a stud behind it (I predrilled a small hole in the oar to make it sink right through easily).

You can see the screw heads in the photo below (see the little dots). I tried to avoid putting them through painted sections when I could, since they seem to blend more into the wood tone than the lighter painted sections, but ultimately your eyes don’t really focus on them unless you’re actively looking for them.

This tutorial actually should hold up for anything that’s wood that you’re thinking of sanding, staining, painting, and hanging outside. So if you’re thinking about a surf board instead – or a sign with your family name or something – this process would work. Also, remember to always add string lights (these are the ones we use everywhere) because they make literally everything better.

To see the full reveal of our duplex backyard (with sources and info on the sheds, patio, furniture etc) click here – and if you haven’t seen the pink house backyard makeover, which we finished right after the duplex yard, you have to check that out right here.

*This post contains affiliate links

The post How To Make Decorative Oars (And How To Not Almost Ruin Them Like I Did) appeared first on Young House Love.

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truereviewpage · 5 years ago

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How To Make Decorative Oars (And How To Not Almost Ruin Them Like I Did)

It took some elbow grease, but the results were extremely encouraging. Here’s a side-by-side of the two most similar oars – one sanded, one not.

The project was going great at this point. Things were drying quickly in the heat outside. We got that unmatched satisfaction of peeling off a crisp line of painters tape…

AND THEN THINGS TOOK A TURN. And this is where I want you to learn from my mistake.

So I did the only sensible/crazy thing that a Certified Oarologist

*This post contains affiliate links

The post How To Make Decorative Oars (And How To Not Almost Ruin Them Like I Did) appeared first on Young House Love.

How To Make Decorative Oars (And How To Not Almost Ruin Them Like I Did) published first on https://aireloomreview.tumblr.com/

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additionallysad · 5 years ago

Photo

How To Make Decorative Oars (And How To Not Almost Ruin Them Like I Did) https://ift.tt/2O00cle

It took some elbow grease, but the results were extremely encouraging. Here’s a side-by-side of the two most similar oars – one sanded, one not.

Once I had them all sanded down, I stained them all to get their varying wood tones looking more similar. It was basically trial and error of various leftover stain cans in our garage, but I am 95% sure it involved RustOleum Summer Oak and Minwax Weathered Oak being layered over each other.

The project was going great at this point. Things were drying quickly in the heat outside. We got that unmatched satisfaction of peeling off a crisp line of painters tape…

AND THEN THINGS TOOK A TURN. And this is where I want you to learn from my mistake.

So I did the only sensible/crazy thing that a Certified Oarologist

*This post contains affiliate links

The post How To Make Decorative Oars (And How To Not Almost Ruin Them Like I Did) appeared first on Young House Love.

#additionally sad home renovations

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