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Tuesday, July 31, 2012
In praise of ? dawn departures | Editorial
It's a new light, pace and surrounding, before the world awakes. A different use of time. A gain over the sleepingOf all holiday-related arrangements, the "crazy hour" departure alarm is the one that many love to hate. 3.45am and the light is strident on the blur of bedroom shapes. Or constant because no sleep was managed. But, head off the pillow and you're up. Nobody else is. Warm tea channels the entry to the day. Post-it notes for neighbours already written, unusually loud key in the lock, and the outside awaits. It looks clean. Showing off the dawn. One over the dreaming world. Coffee outlets are opening, percolating through early consciousness. Newsagents heave stacks tightly bound by flat, unyielding ribbon. En route to the station, or airport, the overly talkative minicab driver picks up the silence, permitting the whisper of "in a few hours we'll be ?". But it's not just the holiday to come. It's now: a new light , pace and surrounding, before the world awakes. A different use of time. A gain over the sleeping. Quite the reverse on return, of course.guardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
How to party in London without going broke
Natalie Ashett's guide to what's free and cheap in London.
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David Cameron and Nick Clegg shun UK for summer break
British politicians head for foreign climes after elections and London riots played havoc with previous family holidaysWith an eye on an Olympic bounce for the country's ailing economy, David Cameron this week urged foreign business to invest in the UK, adding: 'And if you want a holiday, then why not have your holiday here?'That might well be a question British holiday resorts could best pose to this country's political leaders. The Observer understands that after a period around the last general election in which politicians of all colours avoided foreign beaches in a bid to bolster their patriotic credentials, Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg are all planning a foreign break after the London games in order to recharge their batteries.Ed Miliband is shunning Cornwall and Devon, the choice for his first family summer breaks immediately before and after becoming Labour leader, to spend two weeks on a Greek island with his wife, Justine Thornton, and their two sons, Daniel and Samuel.However, he will this year, no doubt, be more careful about being photographed carrying his holiday reading to the car. Last year much fun was had when pictures emerged of Miliband carrying a bundle of titles containing tips on how to be a successful leader, including one Entitled Leadership On The Line: Staying Alive Through The Dangers Of Leading.The prime minister, his wife Samantha and their two young daughters and son are also heading for a European holiday, the location of which is yet to be disclosed.A source said the Camerons would be taking two weeks off, the majority of which would be spent abroad with the extended family.The Camerons tried for a fortnight in Tuscany last year but the London riots cut it short and they later opted for a politically safe break in Cornwall, a favourite for the family since their daughter was born there in Truro during a holiday in August 2010.Meanwhile, Nick Clegg is sticking with a tried and trusted formula of a week in a villa his family owns in France followed by a week in the town in Spain where his wife's family live.Olmedo, a town in northern Spain with a population of just 4,000, is where lawyer Miriam Gonz�lez Durantez, was born and where the couple were married. They go there each summer along with their children Antonio, Alberto and Miguel. Clegg once said: "It's a very friendly, small town totally off the tourist trail, with classic red-brick fortifications and turrets made straight from the hills of baked earth. In 15 years of going there, I haven't seen a single English car drive through the town."Summer holidaysDavid CameronNick CleggEd MilibandDaniel Boffeyguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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Video Of The Day: Warsaw, Poland Stands Still In Remembrance
Filed under: History, Poland, Video
Each year on August 1, the city of Warsaw, Poland literally stands still to pay tribute to those who fought in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. The biggest rebellion against the Nazis during World War II, the two-month uprising came at a huge cost: more than 200,000 lives and destruction of Poland's capital city. The film above was shot last year with the help of nearly two dozen people. At points, it appears as though viewers might be looking at still photographs -- but a closer examination will reveal fluttering clothing and waving Polish flags. Visitors to Warsaw can learn more about the rebellion at the Warsaw Uprising Museum.Video Of The Day: Warsaw, Poland Stands Still In Remembrance originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Each year on August 1, the city of Warsaw, Poland literally stands still to pay tribute to those who fought in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. The biggest rebellion against the Nazis during World War II, the two-month uprising came at a huge cost: more than 200,000 lives and destruction of Poland's capital city. The film above was shot last year with the help of nearly two dozen people. At points, it appears as though viewers might be looking at still photographs -- but a closer examination will reveal fluttering clothing and waving Polish flags. Visitors to Warsaw can learn more about the rebellion at the Warsaw Uprising Museum.Video Of The Day: Warsaw, Poland Stands Still In Remembrance originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Beaches Near the London Olympics
Photo by Jon Whittle
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Editor's Picks: London Travel Guide With No Olympics
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This is Freshwater West, arguably the most beautiful beach in Wales and the backdrop to movies like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Robin Hood. It's a famous surfer's beach as well.
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Photo by: Jon Whittle
While beach volleyball in the 2012 London Olympics will actually be taking place at Horse Guards Parade in London, Freshwater West would have been a beautiful summer venue too.
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Photo by: Jon Whittle
Caldey Island is a small speck off Great Britain's western shore, inhabited since the Stone Age and now owned by monks of the Cistercian Order.
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Photo by: Jon Whittle
The Welsh town of Tenby has an ample beach along its shore and the tiny island of St. Catherine a stone's throw away.
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Photo by: Jon Whittle
Tenby is as close to a beach town as you'll see in Wales. It's the opposite of the hectic life in London, made more so during the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
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Photo by: Jon Whittle
Whittle calls these the cleanest boat hulls in the world. As the tide comes in and out, the boat owners come out to clean their temporarily beached boats here in Tenby.
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Photo by: Jon Whittle
ISLANDS editor Robert Stephens, traveling along with Whittle, enjoys the tropical water. OK, maybe the Tenby beach isn't as warm as a Bora Bora lagoon.
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Photo by: Jon Whittle
The beach at Pendine Sands is the best of what you find in Great Britain -- dramatic bluffs along the shore and a quiet sandy beach.
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Photo by: Jon Whittle
Pendine Sands is a great beach to let the dogs run free.
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Photo by: Jon Whittle
Heading out to one of these beaches from London to get a break from the Olympics is only one of the options amid the Summer Games. See our London Layover article for more trip ideas.
Enlarge Photo
Photo by: Jon Whittle
ISLANDS photographer Jon Whittle, before the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London began, found this quiet corner of the United Kingdom for this photo gallery of the island beaches in Wales.
Escape the crowds of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London to see the nearby beaches that ISLANDS photographer Jon Whittle recently visited. Beach volleyball anyone?
read more
Related Galleries:
England
Related Content:
Editor's Picks: London Travel Guide With No Olympics
Pages:
This is Freshwater West, arguably the most beautiful beach in Wales and the backdrop to movies like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Robin Hood. It's a famous surfer's beach as well.
Enlarge Photo
Photo by: Jon Whittle
While beach volleyball in the 2012 London Olympics will actually be taking place at Horse Guards Parade in London, Freshwater West would have been a beautiful summer venue too.
Enlarge Photo
Photo by: Jon Whittle
Caldey Island is a small speck off Great Britain's western shore, inhabited since the Stone Age and now owned by monks of the Cistercian Order.
Enlarge Photo
Photo by: Jon Whittle
The Welsh town of Tenby has an ample beach along its shore and the tiny island of St. Catherine a stone's throw away.
Enlarge Photo
Photo by: Jon Whittle
Tenby is as close to a beach town as you'll see in Wales. It's the opposite of the hectic life in London, made more so during the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
Enlarge Photo
Photo by: Jon Whittle
Whittle calls these the cleanest boat hulls in the world. As the tide comes in and out, the boat owners come out to clean their temporarily beached boats here in Tenby.
Enlarge Photo
Photo by: Jon Whittle
ISLANDS editor Robert Stephens, traveling along with Whittle, enjoys the tropical water. OK, maybe the Tenby beach isn't as warm as a Bora Bora lagoon.
Enlarge Photo
Photo by: Jon Whittle
The beach at Pendine Sands is the best of what you find in Great Britain -- dramatic bluffs along the shore and a quiet sandy beach.
Enlarge Photo
Photo by: Jon Whittle
Pendine Sands is a great beach to let the dogs run free.
Enlarge Photo
Photo by: Jon Whittle
Heading out to one of these beaches from London to get a break from the Olympics is only one of the options amid the Summer Games. See our London Layover article for more trip ideas.
Enlarge Photo
Photo by: Jon Whittle
ISLANDS photographer Jon Whittle, before the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London began, found this quiet corner of the United Kingdom for this photo gallery of the island beaches in Wales.
Escape the crowds of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London to see the nearby beaches that ISLANDS photographer Jon Whittle recently visited. Beach volleyball anyone?
read more
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Great Fun English Holidays
Individuals living in the UK who are ready to take a few UK vacations can do so without having to travel far from home Taking a few trips in the UK won't be as expensive as vacationing in some distant land You'll be able to enjoy a nice holiday right here, while getting away from your problems at home
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Colosseum in Rome is leaning, officials say
Experts say ancient building has started to tilt, with south side 40cm lower than north, and may need urgent repairsThe ancient Colosseum in Rome is slanting about 40cm lower on the south side than on the north, and authorities are investigating whether it needs urgent repairs.Experts first noticed the incline about a year ago and have been monitoring it for the past few months, Rossella Rea, director at the 2,000-year-old monument, said in the Italian daily Corriere della Sera.The Leaning Tower of Pisa, another of Italy's most popular attractions, was reopened in 2001 after being shut for more than a decade as engineers worked to prevent it from falling over and to make it safe for visitors.Rea has asked La Sapienza University and the environmental geology institute IGAG to study the problem and report back in a year.Tests have begun to observe the effects that traffic on nearby busy roads may have on the monument.Prof Giorgio Monti, from La Sapienza's construction technology department, said there might be a crack in the base below the amphitheatre."The slab of concrete on which the Colosseum rests, which is like a 13-metre-thick oval doughnut, may have a fracture inside it," he told the newspaper.He said intervention could be necessary if the concerns are confirmed, along the lines of stabilisation work carried out in Pisa, but he said it was too early to judge what kind of intervention would be most suitable.The Colosseum ? famous for hosting bloody gladiator fights in the days of the Roman empire ? attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists and is usually packed with visitors.ItalyArchaeologyEuropeRomeguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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Staying fit and eating well in Santa Monica, California
It was 7.30am one December morning and I was part of a small group of early birds, stretching our limbs in the bright morning sun to the softly spoken instructions of yoga teacher Lauren Eckstrom from ESP Wellness Center. I could feel the ocean breeze on my face and see it ruffle the fronds of the palm trees above. The view was the Pacific ocean lapping onto the Santa Monican coast between the pleasure pier and Venice beach. Scenes from the 1982 Hollywood blockbuster Rocky III were filmed here and I could almost see Rocky Balboa running across the sands. In this city getting fit is a social event. After all, this is where the 20th century fitness boom was born with the opening of Muscle Beach in the 1930s ? an impressively kitted-out, one-hectare alfresco gym. Celebrities such as Kirk Douglas, Steve Reeves and even Mae West trained here. There are ropes, parallel bars and high rings to pump those muscles. With a year-round Mediterranean climate offering 330 days of sunshine every year, why not treat the city as a training room. Out there with me were hundreds of people pounding the boardwalk, doing t'ai chi, surfing, cycling, power walking their dogs and looking the picture of good health. I couldn't help thinking how apt it is that the American pop icon Popeye, famed for using magical spinach to boost his muscle power, was born in a local art studio.Eating well is the city's second obsession, yet there is no particular LA cuisine so fusion cooking is the buzz phrase. And there are chefs galore, spread over 400 restaurants in 8.3 square miles (50 per square mile). Many have celebrity status for their ingenuity in producing a healthy fused dining experience. I bumped into one of them, Josiah Citrin, one Sunday morning at the Main Street farmer's market. His two-Michelin starred restaurant, Mellise, offers French fusion cooking and he sources his ingredients from the 70 or so local farmers that trade at the market. As do most other restaurants.Sitting atop the city's newest shopping mall is a funky place to dine: Zengo. Inside it is dimly lit but has superb alfresco dining with a sensational view over 3rd Street Promenade ? similar in ambience to Covent Garden. Its style is Asian fusion such as sea bass served with cucumbers and green apples and lush cocktails such as a lychee bellini.Just around the corner from the designer packed Santa Monica shopping complex is a delightful ?neighbourhood? restaurant, The Wilshire on Wilshire Boulevard. The casually elegant interior spills out onto a relaxing patio. The menu is a fusion of American and international influences which they call ?New Urban Cuisine?. I loved the miso black cod served with steamed rice and stir fried veg and their Mystic raspberry cocktail.For a respite from rich gastro dining, the Sushi at Sunset menu at Ocean & Vine is sensational. It is the rooftop restaurant at the beachfront Loews Hotel. It is a wonderful space to enjoy a nibble and a tipple while overlooking the beach. As the skies darkened with hues of orange and reds finally drifting into the ebony of evening, I was perched by a rooftop fire in a comfy cushioned chair, enjoying tuna, avocado with mango pearls and wasabi and salmon miso shiso glaze. The water beyond shimmered at me as if to echo my pleasure.Breakfast is, of course, the most important meal of the day and I took mine with a slice of Hollywood nostalgia at the Annenberg community centre at its Back on the Beach Caf�. This was originally a 110-room mansion with tennis courts where glamorous parties were hosted by William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies. Everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Winston Churchill frolicked here. The art deco swimming pool (now open to the public) has a marble deck and staircases and worth visiting just to cast an admiring glance over its yesteryear elegance.I could not choose between the vegan scramble or bagel and lox so settled for a Spanish omelette and while I waited to be served, I donned my sunhat, tickled the sand with my toes and watched the joggers and power walkers as they sped past the backdrop of the sea, mountains and Catalina Island beyond. I felt fitter just watching. Where to sleep?We stayed at the 4* Shore Hotel, just a 6-minute walk from Santa Monica Pier and the Pacific Park amusement park. Rooms start from $250 per night. Find more hotels in Santa Monica.How to get there?Santa Monica is located only eight miles (13 km) north of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Shuttle vans between LAX and Santa Monica cost from about $15 per person one-way, $30-$40 round-trip per person, ($10-$20 for each additional person) not including tip. Shuttles are located on the lower level. Find flights to Los Angeles:Powered by WhichBudget.com Flight Search
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Monday, July 30, 2012
Fascinating Bangkok and Phuket Beaches
This 6-night journey takes you to the city of Bangkok and south to Phuket. Begin your tour with a visit to some of Bangkok's most impressive temples, including the Temple of the Golden Buddha and the huge Reclining Buddha at Wat Po. Then fly to Phuket, where you have two full days free to explore the island and its beaches at your leisure. Starting from $2060 with air.
Terms & Conditions: S: standard hotel - Manhattan Hotel in Bangkok and Banthai Beach Resort in Phuket; FC: superior first class hotel - Amari Atrium Hotel in Bangkok and Amari Coral Beach in Phuket; D: deluxe hotel - Royal Orchid Sheraton in Bangkok and Katathani Beach Resort in Phuket. During weekends, Christmas and New Year's day, trade fairs season as well as special events, some hotels may require surcharges. The prices may increase. If above hotels and China Airlines are not available at the time of reservation, alternative hotels at the same category or different airlines could be used. Prices may differ. Ticket(s) must be issued and full payment must be received within 7 days of reservation. Major credit cards accepted; credit card authorization required. Change and cancellation penalty of $300 per person once ticketed; Pacific Holidays? general cancellation policy applies; travel insurance strongly recommended Hotel upgrades, additional hotel nights, extensions to all Asian destinations and add-on air fares from various US cities are available.
Terms & Conditions: S: standard hotel - Manhattan Hotel in Bangkok and Banthai Beach Resort in Phuket; FC: superior first class hotel - Amari Atrium Hotel in Bangkok and Amari Coral Beach in Phuket; D: deluxe hotel - Royal Orchid Sheraton in Bangkok and Katathani Beach Resort in Phuket. During weekends, Christmas and New Year's day, trade fairs season as well as special events, some hotels may require surcharges. The prices may increase. If above hotels and China Airlines are not available at the time of reservation, alternative hotels at the same category or different airlines could be used. Prices may differ. Ticket(s) must be issued and full payment must be received within 7 days of reservation. Major credit cards accepted; credit card authorization required. Change and cancellation penalty of $300 per person once ticketed; Pacific Holidays? general cancellation policy applies; travel insurance strongly recommended Hotel upgrades, additional hotel nights, extensions to all Asian destinations and add-on air fares from various US cities are available.
Alaska?s Inside Passage
Whether you arrive on a cruise ship, ferryboat, or even seaplane, travelers to Alaska?s southeastern ?panhandle? are rewarded with some of the world?s most extraordinary scenic beauty. Welcome to the Inside Passage.
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Moorea Pearl Resort and Spa & Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort and Spa
Round trip international airfare Los Angeles to Tahiti on Air Tahiti Nui coach class Inter-island air pass on Air Tahiti All transfers from airport to hotel 1 night stay at Manava Suite Resort Tahiti in a Guest Room 4 nights stay at Moorea Pearl Resort and Spa in a Garden View Room 4 nights stay at Bora Bora Pearl Resort and Spa in an Overwater Bungalow. Buffet breakfast daily on all islands Welcome flower lei on arrival and shell lei on departure All hotel taxes and airline fuel surcharge (currently $317), airline taxes and all other government and carrier imposed taxes and fees are included
Terms & Conditions:For travel between December 11, 2012 and January 9, 2012 prices are higher and may include mandatory Christmas and New Year?s Dinners Rates for Le Meridien, Radisson, InterContinental and Pearl Resorts are based on reservations made 90 days in advance. If reserved later, prices will be higher.Flights from Bora Bora to Tikehau currently operates on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Travel valid between April 1, 2012- March 31, 2012; Black out December 11, 2012-Jan 9, 2012 For travel between December 11, 2012 and January 9, 2012 prices are higher and may include mandatory Christmas and New Year?s Dinners Full payment must be made and tickets must be issued within 72 hours of reservations Single supplement applies Strictly subject to availability at the time of booking When promotional fares for air or hotel are sold out at the time of reservation, next level of fares will apply. Prices may increase.Major credit cards accepted; Credit card authorization is required Air ticket is non-refundable once ticketed. Air ticket change fee of $200 per person; Plus other penalties and fees for hotel and land arrangement revisions. Pacific Holidays' general cancellation policy applies. Travel insurance strongly recommended and non-refundable Hotel upgrades, additional hotel nights, extensions to all other islands and add-on air fares from various US cities are available
Terms & Conditions:For travel between December 11, 2012 and January 9, 2012 prices are higher and may include mandatory Christmas and New Year?s Dinners Rates for Le Meridien, Radisson, InterContinental and Pearl Resorts are based on reservations made 90 days in advance. If reserved later, prices will be higher.Flights from Bora Bora to Tikehau currently operates on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Travel valid between April 1, 2012- March 31, 2012; Black out December 11, 2012-Jan 9, 2012 For travel between December 11, 2012 and January 9, 2012 prices are higher and may include mandatory Christmas and New Year?s Dinners Full payment must be made and tickets must be issued within 72 hours of reservations Single supplement applies Strictly subject to availability at the time of booking When promotional fares for air or hotel are sold out at the time of reservation, next level of fares will apply. Prices may increase.Major credit cards accepted; Credit card authorization is required Air ticket is non-refundable once ticketed. Air ticket change fee of $200 per person; Plus other penalties and fees for hotel and land arrangement revisions. Pacific Holidays' general cancellation policy applies. Travel insurance strongly recommended and non-refundable Hotel upgrades, additional hotel nights, extensions to all other islands and add-on air fares from various US cities are available
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Moorea Pearl Resort and Spa & Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort and Spa
Round trip international airfare Los Angeles to Tahiti on Air Tahiti Nui coach class Inter-island air pass on Air Tahiti All transfers from airport to hotel 1 night stay at Manava Suite Resort Tahiti in a Guest Room 4 nights stay at Moorea Pearl Resort and Spa in a Garden View Room 4 nights stay at Bora Bora Pearl Resort and Spa in an Overwater Bungalow. Buffet breakfast daily on all islands Welcome flower lei on arrival and shell lei on departure All hotel taxes and airline fuel surcharge (currently $317), airline taxes and all other government and carrier imposed taxes and fees are included
Terms & Conditions:For travel between December 11, 2012 and January 9, 2012 prices are higher and may include mandatory Christmas and New Year?s Dinners Rates for Le Meridien, Radisson, InterContinental and Pearl Resorts are based on reservations made 90 days in advance. If reserved later, prices will be higher.Flights from Bora Bora to Tikehau currently operates on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Travel valid between April 1, 2012- March 31, 2012; Black out December 11, 2012-Jan 9, 2012 For travel between December 11, 2012 and January 9, 2012 prices are higher and may include mandatory Christmas and New Year?s Dinners Full payment must be made and tickets must be issued within 72 hours of reservations Single supplement applies Strictly subject to availability at the time of booking When promotional fares for air or hotel are sold out at the time of reservation, next level of fares will apply. Prices may increase.Major credit cards accepted; Credit card authorization is required Air ticket is non-refundable once ticketed. Air ticket change fee of $200 per person; Plus other penalties and fees for hotel and land arrangement revisions. Pacific Holidays' general cancellation policy applies. Travel insurance strongly recommended and non-refundable Hotel upgrades, additional hotel nights, extensions to all other islands and add-on air fares from various US cities are available
Terms & Conditions:For travel between December 11, 2012 and January 9, 2012 prices are higher and may include mandatory Christmas and New Year?s Dinners Rates for Le Meridien, Radisson, InterContinental and Pearl Resorts are based on reservations made 90 days in advance. If reserved later, prices will be higher.Flights from Bora Bora to Tikehau currently operates on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Travel valid between April 1, 2012- March 31, 2012; Black out December 11, 2012-Jan 9, 2012 For travel between December 11, 2012 and January 9, 2012 prices are higher and may include mandatory Christmas and New Year?s Dinners Full payment must be made and tickets must be issued within 72 hours of reservations Single supplement applies Strictly subject to availability at the time of booking When promotional fares for air or hotel are sold out at the time of reservation, next level of fares will apply. Prices may increase.Major credit cards accepted; Credit card authorization is required Air ticket is non-refundable once ticketed. Air ticket change fee of $200 per person; Plus other penalties and fees for hotel and land arrangement revisions. Pacific Holidays' general cancellation policy applies. Travel insurance strongly recommended and non-refundable Hotel upgrades, additional hotel nights, extensions to all other islands and add-on air fares from various US cities are available
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The Radar: Trips of a Lifetime, Scotland Adventures, Hidden Caribbean Paradise
The Radar: The top travel news, stories, trends, and ideas from across the web. Got Radar? Follow us on Twitter @NatGeoTraveler and tag your favorite travel stories from the Web #ngtradar. Check back on the blog for our roundups. Photograph by Alessio Mesiano, My Shot.
The Authentic Ski Tour: Chico Hot Springs, Day 2
..... Pray, Montana (Ski Press)-Through the windshield I can watch the Absaroka Range coming into view like great blue gods with diamonds and avalanches in their hair. Livingston, Montana is coming up on the right, and Bob Dylan is on the radio. ?Did you ever see the movie Rancho Deluxe, with Sam Waterston and Jeff Bridges?? I ask Jeff. He shakes his head. ?No.? It?s day two of my self-proclaimed ?Authentic Ski Tour,? of Montana?s Yellowstone Country, busting a Big Sky hole through the cookie-cutter clutter of ski experiences so sugared up, starched out, and stiltingly stratified that it?s a wonder anyone can tell their vacations apart anymore. Jeff Carroll got me started with the grassroots elegance of Red Lodge, and now we are heading to Chico Hot Springs, then Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky, Moonlight Basin and Bridger Bowl. ?It was filmed in Livingston,? I said. ?Bridges and Waterston are modern rustlers. And Slim Pickens is sent to catch them. And Jimmy Buffet and his band have a scene in the bar.? Buffet wrote a song called ?Livingston Saturday Night?: ?Pickup's washed and you just got paid. With any luck at all you might even get laid, 'Cause they're pickin' and a-kickin' on a Livingston Saturday Night.? But we?re heading south to Paradise Valley now, closer to those mountains catching clouds, through the endless prairies between the peaks and the great log cabins in open spaces without even a tree to stop the wind and the sun from coming through. ?It?s beautiful.? ?I know.? We?re heading to Chico Hot Springs, a kind of Rocky Mountain Eden where the mountains and plains and bubbling hot waters come together, and the wedding parties, couples and cowboys come for miles. Like a great camphouse-meets-country hotel, it is tucked against the peaks, golden in the light, with the wonderful restaurant inside, those mythic waters, and the Chico Saloon, its legendary bar. At the rooms across from the stables, where the horses are being fed at dusk, a stout man is busy unloading several six-packs of different micro-brews. ?Looks like you?re getting ready for a good time,? I said, wondering if he was booked for a week, or about to host his own beer festival right then and there. He looked me in the eye between moving six packs and said, ?It?s always a good time in Chico.? And walking over to the Chico Dining Room I felt a little warmth of anticipation at the light melting out the windows, and the sense of coming in from the cold. I felt the warmth of the wine, The Prisoner, and the conversation as Chico?s General Manager Colin Kurth Davis took us into the night, through Chico?s history and the restaurant?s menu. ?You have to stay for two nights,? he said. ?One night to eat here in the restaurant, and one night by the pool in the Grill.? Interested and generous, Davis gives off the air of a friendly neighbor hosting an endless pool party and barbecue. And what a pool, and what a menu. For the Dining Room there is even a book, ?A Montana Table,? written by Colin?s wife, Seabring Davis, an accomplished journalist and foodie, detailing the deceptively simple preparation of the restaurant?s ubiquitously delicious fennel breadsticks, rock-cooked Yellowstone Chicken, and Huckleberry Swirl Cheesecake. We sit there for hours. It is a perfect pace. In my mind, I could go there right now. It is Colin who finally breaks the trance. ?Shall we go next door?? I?ve never seen two-stepping that good before. The pedal-steel guitar and stand-up bass of Dirty Shame, and all those pretty country girls heating up the dance floor. The young cowboys come in with their towels tucked under their arms to hit the pool. Drinks are served in cups through the window, into the steaming outdoors. A sun-kissed blonde named Shona shoots me with a potato gun. Rounds of tequila are ordered, and the night suddenly accelerates as the band plays faster numbers. The dance floor fills, and if you look hard enough, you can see the stars start to swirl. Links Chico Hot Springs: www.chicohotsprings.com A Montana Table: www.amazon.com/Montana-Table-Recipes-Springs-Resort/dp/0762725702/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top Jimmy Buffet, Livingston Saturday Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gzzS0nyMfM
Turning for My Brother
Photos by Richard Hallman.Eight years ago my family and I lost my eldest brother, J.D., on the 4th of July.Anyone who has lost a loved one knows that a certain duality develops. You?re left with a gaping hole in your heart, but you?re given an amazing and beautiful gift?a slap in the face saying, ?life is precious and you better start celebrating each day like it could be your last.? This Independence Day, with a little inspiration from my brother, I set out to celebrate life in the best way I know?on a mountaintop with my skis. The morning starts slowly at five o'clock. Armed with crampons, axe, and skis I begin the drive and almost forget to smile. My attitude quickly improves when I catch the first rays lighting up Mt. Hood up with my favorite shade of pink.My friend Richard Hallman and I catch first chair at Timberline, and begin skinning at the lift terminus at 7,000 feet. Three hours and about 4,000 feet later and I?m gleaming with sweat. At one point during the ascent, while navigating an icy choke, we are pelted with falling rock and ice chunks. It?s exhilarating, especially in July. A few hundred feet later we reach the summit of Hood and take in a breathtaking above-the-clouds panorama of St. Helens, Rainier, Jefferson, and Adams. I spin around a few times to take it all in, and find myself laughing hysterically from that distinctive rush I always feel on a mountaintop. Like clockwork, my bro?s favorite song comes on in my head. Ain?t no mountain high enough... I laugh even harder when it occurs to me that Marvin Gaye isn?t usually so popular with 16-year-old boys, J.D.?s age when he died. I feel like my bro is cheering me on?singing to me on top of a mountain. If that?s not a call for celebration, I?m not sure what is. Time to let the flag fly, light the fireworks, ditch the pants, and let the party begin.And then we ski 7,000 feet of perfect corn?on the 4th of July. I?ve always known that skiing was my ticket to freedom, but this day I reached a deeper understanding of that freedom. I was initially trying to avoid the festivities of this bittersweet holiday by spending it on Mt. Hood. I never would have thought I'd lose my lament so completely the moment I set foot on snow. That?s the beauty of skiing, and the unexpected blessing my late brother gave me. The former is about freedom, the latter about grasping life with all you?ve got. Every day on snow is a celebration.
Out-Of-State Moving Checklist: Tips For Relocating And How To Survive The Drive
Filed under: Learning, Business, North America, United States, Hotels and Accommodations, Transportation, Budget Travel, Women's TravelAs I mentioned in a recent post, I'm currently en route moving from Seattle to Boulder, Colorado. This isn't my first out-of-state relocation, by any means, and at this point, I've got it down to a science, after the movers haul away what I can't cram into my car.
Because summer is peak moving season, I thought I'd share some tips with y'all to make your pre-move checklist and journey less painful. Even if you don't have time to make a relaxing road trip out of it, there are still ways to fit in a bit of sightseeing or leisure time.
Before you move:
Reputable moving companies always offer free estimates (the cost is based on weight, so hold that yard sale before you make an appointment).
If you've had a good experience with a long-distance mover before, see if they have an affiliate in your new hometown; it also pays to check reviews and get a few other estimates before hiring a company.
Make a list of all accounts and the like that require address updates, and get it taken care of. Likewise, cancel/transfer utilities if necessary.
Tune up your car or get a full service; be sure to tell them you're moving out-of-state and to perform a thorough road safety check that includes tire pressure and wear assessment and windshield wiper replacement (if needed).
Check your car emergency kit (you do have one, right?), and make sure you've got replacement oil of the correct weight, and windshield cleaner, as well as flares and jumper cables. And replace your spare tire if it's more than 6 to 10 years of age or has been stored in extremely hot conditions.
If you have pets, make sure they're up-to-date on rabies and other required vaccinations, and check on requirements in your new state. If they're not good travelers (especially crucial for cats), you may need a sedative prescription from your vet; it's a good idea for your furry friends to have a physical before you depart. And be sure to keep cats in a carrier in transit; trying to extricate a tabby from beneath your feet while flying down the highway is not fun, believe you me.Continue reading Out-Of-State Moving Checklist: Tips For Relocating And How To Survive The DriveOut-Of-State Moving Checklist: Tips For Relocating And How To Survive The Drive originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 28 Jul 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Because summer is peak moving season, I thought I'd share some tips with y'all to make your pre-move checklist and journey less painful. Even if you don't have time to make a relaxing road trip out of it, there are still ways to fit in a bit of sightseeing or leisure time.
Before you move:
Reputable moving companies always offer free estimates (the cost is based on weight, so hold that yard sale before you make an appointment).
If you've had a good experience with a long-distance mover before, see if they have an affiliate in your new hometown; it also pays to check reviews and get a few other estimates before hiring a company.
Make a list of all accounts and the like that require address updates, and get it taken care of. Likewise, cancel/transfer utilities if necessary.
Tune up your car or get a full service; be sure to tell them you're moving out-of-state and to perform a thorough road safety check that includes tire pressure and wear assessment and windshield wiper replacement (if needed).
Check your car emergency kit (you do have one, right?), and make sure you've got replacement oil of the correct weight, and windshield cleaner, as well as flares and jumper cables. And replace your spare tire if it's more than 6 to 10 years of age or has been stored in extremely hot conditions.
If you have pets, make sure they're up-to-date on rabies and other required vaccinations, and check on requirements in your new state. If they're not good travelers (especially crucial for cats), you may need a sedative prescription from your vet; it's a good idea for your furry friends to have a physical before you depart. And be sure to keep cats in a carrier in transit; trying to extricate a tabby from beneath your feet while flying down the highway is not fun, believe you me.Continue reading Out-Of-State Moving Checklist: Tips For Relocating And How To Survive The DriveOut-Of-State Moving Checklist: Tips For Relocating And How To Survive The Drive originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 28 Jul 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Snowbird Delivers for Subaru Freeski Championships
..... Salt Lake City, Utah (Ski Press)-The 2010 Subaru Freeskiing World Tour came to a close today, on Snowbird?s North Baldy venue at the Subaru Freeskiing World Championships. The crowd surpassed Saturday?s semi-final by two fold; there were rows upon rows of dug out snow benches, the smell of burgers on travel grills and the random toots from horns and megaphones, all in support of the remaining athletes that have made it through the Tour gauntlet. The Super-Finals, were a collection of the top five women and 12 men from the Finals, and it was definitely a stomp to win situation on North Baldy, considering the level of skiers in the mix. For the men, an East coaster won, Lars Chickering-Ayers, of Mad River Glen, Vermont, skied a fast, aggressive line, getting huge air off of Flying Squirrel Cliff and then straight-lining it to a double-drop in the Amphitheater, earning him a combined score of 125.57. Following Chickering-Ayers in second was Drew Stoecklein, of Snowbird, Utah, with 121.37, in third was Oakley White-Allen, of Snowbird, Utah, with 119.5, in fourth, Nick ''little buddy'' Greener, of Snowbird, Utah, with 117.5, which also earned him the coveted Backcountry.com Sickbird Award. For the overall Tour standings, Arne Backstrom, of Squaw Valley, California, who took ninth today, hung onto to his season-long Tour Leader title, winning the coveted McConkey Cup. Of those that stomped hardest and landed, for the women, Angel Collinson, of Snowbird, Utah, was the definite leader, earning a combined score of 104.23. Collinson?s aggressive skiing and strategic double cliff drop in Amphitheater, not only earned her the top spot for today, but also was enough to push into the lead for overall Tour points, who also took third in Revelstoke, Canada and fourth in Crested Butte. Colorado. ?I went for it, because this isn?t about winning, it?s about skiing,? said Collinson of what she was thinking before dropping in. For her stellar skiing, Collinson was awarded the McConkey Cup, in honor of the man who not only pioneered big mountain skiing, but also started the International Freeskier Association. As we approach the one-year anniversary this week of the sports founding father's untimely death, it is only fitting that the overall championship award be dedicated to none other than Saucer Boy. "He is the overall, leader and inspiration of freeskiing," said Event Director Bryan Barlow, "It was Shane's vision to create a freeskiing competition, to bring the world's best skier to one place and demonstrate the progression."His legacy will continue to live on through the spirit of the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour and through the athletes that earn his Cup. We know he?d be proud of the progression all the athletes displayed today.? For a complete results, photos, videos, athlete profiles and more, please visit�www.freeskiingworldtour.com
The Authentic Ski Tour: Yellowstone National Park, Day 3
..... Yellowstone, Wyo. (Ski Press)-We drove out in the morning with the mountains going gold in the light, and the deer and the elk beside the road. They jumped the barbed wire fences so lightly, off into the grasslands and the endless views. And there was a little pasture filled with buffalo, and a herd of bighorn sheep working their way back into the hills. ?You wouldn?t go hungry,? I said. And Jeff said, ?And we?re still 20 minutes from Yellowstone.? It was the third leg of my ?Authentic Ski Tour? of Montana?s Yellowstone Country. After a day skiing the rustically exhilarating slopes of Red Lodge with Jeff Carroll, and an evening at the high-end honky tonk hot springs of Chico, we were heading to the crown jewel of America?s national park system: Yellowstone. Founded in 1872, the first national park in the world, just the mention of it filled my head with scenes of spouting geysers, iced over waterfalls and great herds of bison plowing pathways through the snow. ?I think I?m a Teddy Roosevelt Republican,? I suddenly confessed to Jeff (although it was President Ulysses S. Grant who first set the preservation stage by signing Yellowstone?s special status into law), suddenly getting all misty-eyed about our American wild lands, and the kind of politicians interested in preserving our country?s most spectacular and pristine native soil. ?But that?s something that probably doesn?t exist anymore.? ?Have you seen the Ken Burns documentary on the National Parks?? Jeff asked. ?It?s incredible.? We drove in to Yellowstone through Gardiner, Montana, and had only just paid the park ranger when I snapped a photo of a bull elk 10 yards from the car. Then we caught a snowcoach in to the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, with our guide/driver going on about ?geyser geeks,? wolf packs, calderas, wildlife biologists and grizzly bears, and how her parents had first fallen in love working one summer at Yellowstone. She said, ?That?s why I?ve always kind of thought of this as home.? Only 30 minutes into the drive we began to see herd after herd of bison, trudging in single file to a new grassy field, and creating a little Prehistoric-style traffic jam across the road. We saw bubbling gray mud pots, bleached white tree trunks and new green growth from the forest renewing itself. And everywhere there was the atmospheric mist of the geysers and the hot springs billowing in the cold March air. ?That?s one of the reasons I like winter here the best,? our guide/driver said. ?Because it?s so quiet. And the geysers are so much more dramatic at this time of year.? That equal measure of beauty and breathing planet is stunning to see, with the corresponding splendor of creation and damnation everywhere, of unfettered natural law. It?s why on the way out, when we stopped to take photos of two coyotes tearing apart the carcass of an elk, in my notes I wrote, ?Only heaven could be this wild and gorgeous, and this raw and real.? ?Did she also tell you that the bears might also be waking up right now?? asked Doug Wales. The director of marketing for Bridger Bowl, it was Wales who had invited me to Montana, and who had been the most excited about getting out for a cross-country ski on the Yellowstone snow. It was Wales who set me up to use that old joke, ?I don?t have to outrun the bear. Just you two.? But that would have been hard to do. A talented cross-country skier, Wales made it look easy, kicking and gliding up the snow-covered road as Jeff and I fell further and further out of view. Then again out the long, peaceful streamside trail, to the Lone Star Geyser like a throne of magma in the woods, bathing in the sun and a raven?s caws. ?When does it erupt?? ?Every three hours.? ?Every three hours from when?? ?Exactly.? We decided to ski back to watch Old Faithful instead, betting the safe bet. Which paid off like it always does, blasting hot water straight up in an exclamation arc as painters painted, gawkers gawked and video cameras whirred. ?Look at the coyote,? someone said, and there it was, sniffing the seats and then off into the woods as if it had known the geyser?s regular eruption schedule as well. ?That was cool.? That was nature?s entertainment hour, pulling out all the stops in a single day of sky and scenery and sensation in a place where there is no internet and no TV in the rooms. We sat by the fire instead, letting the feeling grow. In the morning we would see those coyotes eating the carcass, more steam from geysers like Yankee Boy and Old Faithful again, and more elk in the river and a swan. And for dinner, we would all order the buffalo. Next: Big Sky. Links: Yellowstone National Park: http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowstone_National_Park
Snowbird Delivers for Subaru Freeski Championships
..... Salt Lake City, Utah (Ski Press)-The 2010 Subaru Freeskiing World Tour came to a close today, on Snowbird?s North Baldy venue at the Subaru Freeskiing World Championships. The crowd surpassed Saturday?s semi-final by two fold; there were rows upon rows of dug out snow benches, the smell of burgers on travel grills and the random toots from horns and megaphones, all in support of the remaining athletes that have made it through the Tour gauntlet. The Super-Finals, were a collection of the top five women and 12 men from the Finals, and it was definitely a stomp to win situation on North Baldy, considering the level of skiers in the mix. For the men, an East coaster won, Lars Chickering-Ayers, of Mad River Glen, Vermont, skied a fast, aggressive line, getting huge air off of Flying Squirrel Cliff and then straight-lining it to a double-drop in the Amphitheater, earning him a combined score of 125.57. Following Chickering-Ayers in second was Drew Stoecklein, of Snowbird, Utah, with 121.37, in third was Oakley White-Allen, of Snowbird, Utah, with 119.5, in fourth, Nick ''little buddy'' Greener, of Snowbird, Utah, with 117.5, which also earned him the coveted Backcountry.com Sickbird Award. For the overall Tour standings, Arne Backstrom, of Squaw Valley, California, who took ninth today, hung onto to his season-long Tour Leader title, winning the coveted McConkey Cup. Of those that stomped hardest and landed, for the women, Angel Collinson, of Snowbird, Utah, was the definite leader, earning a combined score of 104.23. Collinson?s aggressive skiing and strategic double cliff drop in Amphitheater, not only earned her the top spot for today, but also was enough to push into the lead for overall Tour points, who also took third in Revelstoke, Canada and fourth in Crested Butte. Colorado. ?I went for it, because this isn?t about winning, it?s about skiing,? said Collinson of what she was thinking before dropping in. For her stellar skiing, Collinson was awarded the McConkey Cup, in honor of the man who not only pioneered big mountain skiing, but also started the International Freeskier Association. As we approach the one-year anniversary this week of the sports founding father's untimely death, it is only fitting that the overall championship award be dedicated to none other than Saucer Boy. "He is the overall, leader and inspiration of freeskiing," said Event Director Bryan Barlow, "It was Shane's vision to create a freeskiing competition, to bring the world's best skier to one place and demonstrate the progression."His legacy will continue to live on through the spirit of the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour and through the athletes that earn his Cup. We know he?d be proud of the progression all the athletes displayed today.? For a complete results, photos, videos, athlete profiles and more, please visit�www.freeskiingworldtour.com
Beaches Near the London Olympics
Photo by Jon WhittleISLANDS photographer Jon Whittle, before the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London began, found this quiet corner of the United Kingdom for this photo gallery of the island beaches in Wales.
Escape the crowds of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London to see the nearby beaches that ISLANDS photographer Jon Whittle recently visited. Beach volleyball anyone?
read more
Escape the crowds of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London to see the nearby beaches that ISLANDS photographer Jon Whittle recently visited. Beach volleyball anyone?
read more
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DH-er Scotty Mac Retires After 12 Seasons
..... Crystal Mountain, Wash. (Ski Press)-Two-time Olympian Scott Macartney announced his retirement from the U.S. Ski Team leaving a legacy of leadership at every level of the U.S. alpine program.In 12 years with the Team, 'Mac' amassed World Cup podiums, top-10 finishes at Olympics and World Championships and a record of World Cup points at every downhill venue he raced. "There's a lot of things that I'm proud of in ski racing, but some of my greatest memories are fairly recent," said Macartney. "Our speed team's trip to Moab mountain biking last summer was pretty amazing for our group. It was cool to get together and be competitive in something else other than ski racing. There are bonds I've built with these guys I'll hold my entire life." A skier from birth, Macartney's volunteer Ski Patrol parents had him on boards at age three. By seven he had started racing at Crystal Mountain and in 1998 made his break through with a bronze medal and the Junior World Championships in Megeve, France. Through racing, he continued his education through Dartmouth College and received a degree in 2004. His rise through the U.S. Ski Team program was something that Head Speed Coach Chris Brigham lived through every training camp, every race start and every injury. "Mac has always been a leader in this program," said Brigham, who has been with the U.S. Ski Team since 1997. "As a young guy he was pushing the veterans then it was him getting pushed and responding with outstanding performances. He's battled through a lot of injuries and came back charging and smiling. As a team, we're all bummed he's leaving. He's been a fantastic teammate and a friend for a long time. We'll miss him." His most notable injury, both personally and across the ski racing community was at the 2008 Hahnenkamm downhill in Kitzbuehel, Austria. After finishing on the podium earlier that year in Val Gardena, Italy, Macartney was on laser point to what would have been a top 10 at ski racings biggest and most treacherous event when a crash off the finish jump sent him through the finish line unconscious. It was his 30th birthday. After completing an incredible recovery, he returned to the World Cup circuit the following season and was producing some of the best skiing of his career when another crash in Wengen, Switzerland ? the week before Kitzbuehel ? knocked him out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. The result was another year of waiting before returning to Kitzbuehel. "I was ready to charge it again in at Kitz last year. I had just come off an incredible race in Bormio, which is one of the gnarliest tracks in all of ski racing and then I blew my ACL at Wengen. It was pretty heartbreaking, but I'd been there before," Macartney said. It was heartbreaking to his coaches too. Brigham, more than anyone, was fired up to see him conquer the Hahnenkamm and knew that his skiing was in a place where he could, then the crash at Wengen. It hit teammate Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA) especially hard. "That December, he was skiing better than ever," said Sullivan. "He basically came back from something that no one would have thought possible. He was super focused and then he blew out his knee, but he still came back to race at Kitz the next year. That showed a lot about his character. He has a unique passion for the sport and for him to put that out there is pretty inspiring." "To see him cross the finish line at Kitzbuehel, two years after that crash - as a coach - was one of the coolest things of my career. I couldn't have been more proud," added Brigham. Yet it wasn't the mark Macartney wanted to leave. "I never had just a check box next to Kitzbuehel," he said. "It wasn't that I just wanted to finish again, I wanted a top 10, I wanted a top 5, but by the time I got back there it became more about how my body felt. My back was hurting, my hip was hurting. I wanted to charge, but being in the finish again and on my feet, that was pretty special. While Sullivan's worries end when it comes to Macartney's next career, he does have some competitive fire left for the snow and plans to go head-to-head with Macartney in one more race this season. The friends plan to meet early April in Alaska for the Arctic Man Ski and Sno-Go Classic, a unique event deep in the Hoodoo Mountains that opens with a downhill, before the skier is intersected by a snowmobile and towed at 90 mph through a canyon then whipped down to the finish line. From the start, the course drops 1,700 feet to "hook-up" then climbs 1,200 feet to "release" before dropping 1,200 feet to the finish line. Both Macartney and Sullivan have Arctic Man victories on their resume, with Macartney, along with driver Tyler Johnson, holding the event record. On this line this year is a guaranteed purse of $25,000.
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The Radar: Spiritual Escapes in Europe, Istanbul?s Best Museums, Explore Phnom Penh
The Radar: The top travel news, stories, trends, and ideas from across the web. Got Radar? Follow us on Twitter @NatGeoTraveler and tag your favorite travel stories from the Web #ngtradar. Check back on the blog for our roundups.
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Olympic Athlete Kicked Out Of Olympics After Racist Tweet
Filed under: Festivals and Events, Europe, United Kingdom, Internet Tools, NewsJuly 27 will mark the first day of the Olympic Games, and participating athletes are certainly excited. Many are even taking to social media to express their feelings and, while mostly positive, some are having a bit of trouble watching what they say.
This was the case for Greek triple jumper and track and field athlete Voula Papachristou, who tweeted a racist comment in her native language about African immigrants. According to Digital Trends, the tweet translated to, "With so many Africans in Greece ... At least the West Nile mosquitoes will eat home made food!!!"
After followers criticized the remark and called it insensitive, Papachristou deleted the comment and apologized on her Facebook page, saying she was "very sorry and ashamed" and "never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights."
Unfortunately, the apology was not accepted, at least not by Olympic's officials, and the athlete has been banned from competing.
Papachristou's coach, George Pomaski, does not agree with the punishment, stating, "It's too much, the penalty should not have been so strict. She has already apologized for her remarks. This is a big disappointment not only for her but for her family and for myself, and anyone involved in the Greek team."
Do you think Papachristou's punishment was too harsh?Olympic Athlete Kicked Out Of Olympics After Racist Tweet originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 28 Jul 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
This was the case for Greek triple jumper and track and field athlete Voula Papachristou, who tweeted a racist comment in her native language about African immigrants. According to Digital Trends, the tweet translated to, "With so many Africans in Greece ... At least the West Nile mosquitoes will eat home made food!!!"
After followers criticized the remark and called it insensitive, Papachristou deleted the comment and apologized on her Facebook page, saying she was "very sorry and ashamed" and "never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights."
Unfortunately, the apology was not accepted, at least not by Olympic's officials, and the athlete has been banned from competing.
Papachristou's coach, George Pomaski, does not agree with the punishment, stating, "It's too much, the penalty should not have been so strict. She has already apologized for her remarks. This is a big disappointment not only for her but for her family and for myself, and anyone involved in the Greek team."
Do you think Papachristou's punishment was too harsh?Olympic Athlete Kicked Out Of Olympics After Racist Tweet originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 28 Jul 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
East London's top five green spaces
A city farm, a Victorian cemetery, a nature reserve ? where to go to escape the Olympic crowds and explore east LondonSpringfield Park, Hackney, and Walthamstow MarshesTwo miles north-west of the Olympic Park, tranquil Springfield Park (hackney.gov.uk/springfield-park.htm) runs up the steep bank from the River Lee, affording expansive views over Walthamstow Marshes to the Lee Valley. Its 16 hectares (40 acres) are a lovely mix of manicured gardens and conservation areas, and in the White House is relaxed Springfield Park Caf� (springfieldparkcafe.co.uk), serving homemade treats and fresh juices. Walthamstow Marshes (visitleevalley.org.uk) are a less cultivated alternative and a haven for urban wildlife. There are cattle, rare plants and butterflies, kingfishers and kestrels. Just along the river is the Anchor & Hope (15 High Hill Ferry, E5, anchor-and-hope-clapton.co.uk), a tiny Fuller's pub right on the water.Tower Hamlets Cemetery ParkFor some real respite a stone's throw from the Olympic Park, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park is a shady retreat for an atmospheric meander. Just south-east of Mile End tube station, it was one of London's "Magnificent Seven" cemeteries (along with more famous Highgate). Now a 13-hectare (32-acre) woodland park and nature reserve rich in bird and butterfly life, it originally opened in 1841 and, after some 300,000 interments, was closed to burials in 1966. You can catch guided nature tours on Thursdays at 4pm, and history walks at 2pm on Sundays 29 July, 12, 19 August, and 19, 16 September. ? Southern Grove, E3, 07904 186981, towerhamletscemetery.org, free. Open 8am-9pm/dusk, whichever is earlier Mudchute Park & Farm, Isle of DogsAt the tip of the Isle of Dogs, Mudchute Park & Farm (mudchute.org) is London's largest city farm. On entering through the canopy of trees from East Ferry Road, you're greeted by the delightful sight of cows and sheep roaming freely on the grassy 13-hectare (32-acre) site. It's a world away from the city, though you can see the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf. The farm has an array of animals in well-kept, spacious surroundings; kids will love it, especially the llamas. There's also a great cafe serving locally sourced dishes. ? Pier Street, E14, 020-7515 5901, mudchute.org, free. Open Tues-Sun 9am-5pmChatsworth Road, HackneyEast London street du jour and less crowded than hyper-hip Broadway Market next to London Fields park, the practical outlets on Chatsworth Road (chatsworthroade5.co.uk) have, in the last few years, been joined by trendy cake shops, restaurants and delis, tempting a steady stream of locals. The road's long-running market died out in the 1990s, but has now been resurrected on a Sunday, selling artisan food, retro knick-knacks, vintage clothing, jewellery and homemade produce. Wood-panelled Venetia's (venetias.co.uk) brews great coffee, and Shane's on Chatsworth (shanesonchatsworth.com) is a romantic spot serving well-executed seasonal fare. Branch off down Blurton Road for lovely backstreet local The Elderfield (57 Elderfield Road).Stratford to LimehouseOn the south side of Stratford High Street, close to the Greenway footpath and cycleway, a riverbank path leads away from the traffic to tidy Three Mills Green. At its southern end sits the 18th-century House Mill (housemill.org.uk), the world's largest tidal mill, hosting a varied summer programme of talks, exhibitions and guided tours of the building's mechanisms. From here, you can pick up the canal path and follow the water for a peaceful couple of miles before emerging on to Limehouse Basin, and just beyond it, the Thames. Seek out the Grapes (thegrapes.co.uk), a centuries-old boozer with a tiny terrace by the river.Sally Schafer, co-author of the Lonely Planet London city guide (�14.99). For Lonely Planet's free downloadable guide to Stratford and East London, see lonelyplanet.com/campaigns/london/2012LondonUnited KingdomEuropeDay tripsFamily holidaysRest and relaxationguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Staying fit and eating well in Santa Monica, California
It was 7.30am one December morning and I was part of a small group of early birds, stretching our limbs in the bright morning sun to the softly spoken instructions of yoga teacher Lauren Eckstrom from ESP Wellness Center. I could feel the ocean breeze on my face and see it ruffle the fronds of the palm trees above. The view was the Pacific ocean lapping onto the Santa Monican coast between the pleasure pier and Venice beach. Scenes from the 1982 Hollywood blockbuster Rocky III were filmed here and I could almost see Rocky Balboa running across the sands. In this city getting fit is a social event. After all, this is where the 20th century fitness boom was born with the opening of Muscle Beach in the 1930s ? an impressively kitted-out, one-hectare alfresco gym. Celebrities such as Kirk Douglas, Steve Reeves and even Mae West trained here. There are ropes, parallel bars and high rings to pump those muscles. With a year-round Mediterranean climate offering 330 days of sunshine every year, why not treat the city as a training room. Out there with me were hundreds of people pounding the boardwalk, doing t'ai chi, surfing, cycling, power walking their dogs and looking the picture of good health. I couldn't help thinking how apt it is that the American pop icon Popeye, famed for using magical spinach to boost his muscle power, was born in a local art studio.Eating well is the city's second obsession, yet there is no particular LA cuisine so fusion cooking is the buzz phrase. And there are chefs galore, spread over 400 restaurants in 8.3 square miles (50 per square mile). Many have celebrity status for their ingenuity in producing a healthy fused dining experience. I bumped into one of them, Josiah Citrin, one Sunday morning at the Main Street farmer's market. His two-Michelin starred restaurant, Mellise, offers French fusion cooking and he sources his ingredients from the 70 or so local farmers that trade at the market. As do most other restaurants.Sitting atop the city's newest shopping mall is a funky place to dine: Zengo. Inside it is dimly lit but has superb alfresco dining with a sensational view over 3rd Street Promenade ? similar in ambience to Covent Garden. Its style is Asian fusion such as sea bass served with cucumbers and green apples and lush cocktails such as a lychee bellini.Just around the corner from the designer packed Santa Monica shopping complex is a delightful ?neighbourhood? restaurant, The Wilshire on Wilshire Boulevard. The casually elegant interior spills out onto a relaxing patio. The menu is a fusion of American and international influences which they call ?New Urban Cuisine?. I loved the miso black cod served with steamed rice and stir fried veg and their Mystic raspberry cocktail.For a respite from rich gastro dining, the Sushi at Sunset menu at Ocean & Vine is sensational. It is the rooftop restaurant at the beachfront Loews Hotel. It is a wonderful space to enjoy a nibble and a tipple while overlooking the beach. As the skies darkened with hues of orange and reds finally drifting into the ebony of evening, I was perched by a rooftop fire in a comfy cushioned chair, enjoying tuna, avocado with mango pearls and wasabi and salmon miso shiso glaze. The water beyond shimmered at me as if to echo my pleasure.Breakfast is, of course, the most important meal of the day and I took mine with a slice of Hollywood nostalgia at the Annenberg community centre at its Back on the Beach Caf�. This was originally a 110-room mansion with tennis courts where glamorous parties were hosted by William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies. Everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Winston Churchill frolicked here. The art deco swimming pool (now open to the public) has a marble deck and staircases and worth visiting just to cast an admiring glance over its yesteryear elegance.I could not choose between the vegan scramble or bagel and lox so settled for a Spanish omelette and while I waited to be served, I donned my sunhat, tickled the sand with my toes and watched the joggers and power walkers as they sped past the backdrop of the sea, mountains and Catalina Island beyond. I felt fitter just watching. Where to sleep?We stayed at the 4* Shore Hotel, just a 6-minute walk from Santa Monica Pier and the Pacific Park amusement park. Rooms start from $250 per night. Find more hotels in Santa Monica.How to get there?Santa Monica is located only eight miles (13 km) north of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Shuttle vans between LAX and Santa Monica cost from about $15 per person one-way, $30-$40 round-trip per person, ($10-$20 for each additional person) not including tip. Shuttles are located on the lower level. Find flights to Los Angeles:Powered by WhichBudget.com Flight Search
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Holiday in the City of Angels with Flights to Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a popular tourist destination in the United States of America The place is blessed with a number of natural attractions, historical monuments, resounding nightlife and full on shopping experience The luxurious ambiance appeals and tempts visitors from all over the globe
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Olympic Athlete Kicked Out Of Olympics After Racist Tweet
Filed under: Festivals and Events, Europe, United Kingdom, Internet Tools, NewsJuly 27 will mark the first day of the Olympic Games, and participating athletes are certainly excited. Many are even taking to social media to express their feelings and, while mostly positive, some are having a bit of trouble watching what they say.
This was the case for Greek triple jumper and track and field athlete Voula Papachristou, who tweeted a racist comment in her native language about African immigrants. According to Digital Trends, the tweet translated to, "With so many Africans in Greece ... At least the West Nile mosquitoes will eat home made food!!!"
After followers criticized the remark and called it insensitive, Papachristou deleted the comment and apologized on her Facebook page, saying she was "very sorry and ashamed" and "never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights."
Unfortunately, the apology was not accepted, at least not by Olympic's officials, and the athlete has been banned from competing.
Papachristou's coach, George Pomaski, does not agree with the punishment, stating, "It's too much, the penalty should not have been so strict. She has already apologized for her remarks. This is a big disappointment not only for her but for her family and for myself, and anyone involved in the Greek team."
Do you think Papachristou's punishment was too harsh?Olympic Athlete Kicked Out Of Olympics After Racist Tweet originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 28 Jul 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
This was the case for Greek triple jumper and track and field athlete Voula Papachristou, who tweeted a racist comment in her native language about African immigrants. According to Digital Trends, the tweet translated to, "With so many Africans in Greece ... At least the West Nile mosquitoes will eat home made food!!!"
After followers criticized the remark and called it insensitive, Papachristou deleted the comment and apologized on her Facebook page, saying she was "very sorry and ashamed" and "never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights."
Unfortunately, the apology was not accepted, at least not by Olympic's officials, and the athlete has been banned from competing.
Papachristou's coach, George Pomaski, does not agree with the punishment, stating, "It's too much, the penalty should not have been so strict. She has already apologized for her remarks. This is a big disappointment not only for her but for her family and for myself, and anyone involved in the Greek team."
Do you think Papachristou's punishment was too harsh?Olympic Athlete Kicked Out Of Olympics After Racist Tweet originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 28 Jul 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Snowballs: Vonn Pow, Tracy Exits, Boa Wins Injunction
..... Vail, Colo. (Ski Press)-Even with a fresh gold medal and another World Cup title, few things are as sweet as a fresh powder morning. Three-time World Cup Overall champion and 2010 Olympic gold and bronze medalist Lindsey Vonn enjoyed 11" of fresh snow on Vail Mountain Friday, April 2, 2010. Vail has supported Vonn throughout her ski racing career and Vonn now represents all five of Vail Resorts? mountain resorts, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly. (Photo: Tom Green). Tracy Leaving as Women's Alpine Coach Park City, Utah (Ski Press)-After two successful seasons that included four Olympic medals and multiple Audi FIS World Cup titles, veteran U.S. Ski Team coach Jim Tracy will step down as the team's women's alpine head coach. The former women's head speed coach from 1996-2004, Tracy returned to lead the U.S. women's alpine program following the 2008 season. Tracy's career with the U.S. Team spans over two decades, including working with the men's downhill team for 10 years. "Jim was brought back two years ago to lead the team to a great performance at the Olympics in Vancouver. He leaves knowing that he accomplished that mission," U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Vice President, Athletics Luke Bodensteiner said. "He has been an amazing coach for the women's team, leading them through some of the greatest landmarks in U.S. skiing history." "I'm stepping aside having been a part of something very special with the women's team over the last two years," said Tracy, who came back to the Team two years ago when then head coach Patrick Riml left to take a position in Canada. "I have had many great friendships and great times and I wish all the best for the athletes as they move forward." Boa Technology Granted Injunction Against Rong Jou China (Ski Press)-Boa Technology Inc. announced that the Regional Court of Munich, Germany, granted a preliminary injunction against Rong Jou Ent. Co Ltd., a Taiwanese company doing business under the name A TOP. The court prohibited Rong Jou from importing, selling, or offering for sale in Germany certain reel and lacing systems shown at the 2010 ISPO Trade Show that infringe Boa Technology?s patent rights under European Patent No.1213981. ?We are very pleased the court has granted this important injunction,? said Gary Hammerslag, CEO of Boa Technology Inc. ?This ruling confirms the importance and strength of our patents that protect our innovative technology. Boa Technology Inc. has developed unique closure systems for footwear and other products for premium brand customers and we are committed to enforcing our patents to protect many years of investment and the superior image associated with our products.?
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3 Great Twin Cities Restaurants
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Festivals and Events, Photos, Stories, North America, United States
I spent some time in Minneapolis and St. Paul back in December 2011. It was deafeningly cold. The tentacles of the frosty wind were long and thin, the kind that can fit into any permitting small space, including ear canals. More than anything, I remember my eardrums feeling as though they were bleeding from the shock. I was staying with some relatives in an apartment building that didn't have its own yard, so I had to put my boots and thick coat on several times a day to walk my dog. It hurt; I could feel it in my bones. During times like these, our bodies crave warmth and sustenance. So I spent time eating. Three of the restaurants I visited in the Twin Cities are worth sharing.
Gallery: Twin Cities RestaurantsContinue reading 3 Great Twin Cities Restaurants3 Great Twin Cities Restaurants originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
I spent some time in Minneapolis and St. Paul back in December 2011. It was deafeningly cold. The tentacles of the frosty wind were long and thin, the kind that can fit into any permitting small space, including ear canals. More than anything, I remember my eardrums feeling as though they were bleeding from the shock. I was staying with some relatives in an apartment building that didn't have its own yard, so I had to put my boots and thick coat on several times a day to walk my dog. It hurt; I could feel it in my bones. During times like these, our bodies crave warmth and sustenance. So I spent time eating. Three of the restaurants I visited in the Twin Cities are worth sharing.
Gallery: Twin Cities RestaurantsContinue reading 3 Great Twin Cities Restaurants3 Great Twin Cities Restaurants originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
This week's new events
Worstead FestivalIt's not all tractors and cattle at this rural Norfolk festival, although admittedly tractors and cattle do play a large part in the proceedings, with vintage farm vehicles on show and prize beasts to ogle. Arts and crafts are very much to the fore with craft stalls, a sculpture exhibit and the Worstead Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers displaying their loom work in the church. The Best of Norfolk Food offers the chance to taste some of the local cattle as well as an unexpected opportunity to learn Indian cookery skills and the unveiling of the Worstead Rookworst sausage. Dog shows, live music and a raft of entertaining activities aimed at children complete the lineup.Various venues, Norfolk, Sat, Sun, worsteadfestival.orgIain AitchSouth Devon Crab Festival, Across the regionGet your claws into all things cancer pagurus as this week-long shellfish shindig celebrates South Devon's brown crabs ? said to be the tastiest and most sustainable in Britain ? with street parties, trails and children's events. Catch broadcaster and marine biologist Monty Halls in Dartmouth discussing the critters' journey from tide to table; try shell-smashing contests and human crab races in Dawlish Warren; watch wacky, waterborne floats in Shalton; learn to dress a crab (in eight-legged trousers, presumably?) at a sunset picnic in Teignmouth; or net some "crabulous prizes" at the Cary Arms' crabbing competition and seafood barbecue in Torquay. Cracking good fun.Various venues, Mon to 5 Aug, visitsouthdevon.co.uk/crab-festivalColette BernhardtFestival Of Archaeology, Across the UKWhether you're drawn to megaliths like Stonehenge or Avebury, fancy the idea of digging up pottery, clay pipes or ? yikes! ? bones, or think that archaelogy might be a bit more exciting since seeing Neil Oliver stride along dramatic cliffs looking back over his shoulder in a History Of Ancient Britain, more than 750 events here should fit the historical bill. There's plenty to enjoy, from CSI-style workshops to duelling pirates, gladiatorial combat, and stepping into the shoes of Indiana Jones in the unexpected adventure of saving the Brown Bull of Cooley. Well, no one said archaelogy wasn't full of surprises.Various venues, Sat, Sun, festival.britarch.ac.ukKatrina DixonOut & aboutGM Fringe Festival, Manchester & Salford, Saturday to 31 JulOnly a few days left to squeeze in a lot of art, literature, new drama, dance, comedy and workshops.Various venuesThe Big Cheese, Caerphilly, Saturday, SundayMinstrels, street entertainment history re-enactments, music, dance, falconry and fire-eaters.Various venuesWild In Wyre, Nr Kidderminster, Monday to WednesdayAdventure-packed forest antics including making bows and arrows, and building shelters.Wyre Forest Discovery Centre, Wyre Forest, Bewdley, booking essentialThe Bakewell Show, Wednesday, ThursdayAgriculture plus added arts and entertainment bonuses with the Imps Motorcycle Display Team, the 15-Minute Theatre Company and Titan the Robot.The ShowgroundIain AitchColette BernhardtKatrina Dixonguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Heathrow Airport experiencing immigration queues of two-and-a-half hours
The� message from UK airport operator BAA is that immigration queues at London Heathrow Airport were "unacceptably" long. This was after recent reports that waiting times had reached 90 minutes and that some passengers faced waits of two-and-a-half hours to get through immigration.The chairman of the Commons Home Affairs described queues at Heathrow as "appalling". Senior Labour MP Keith Vaz visited Terminal 4 at 7am on Monday to assess the scale of the problem before his committee questions immigration minister Damien Green at Westminster.He said he had seen passengers waiting for more than an hour as more than half of the immigration desks at the terminal remained unstaffed."I was appalled by the length of queues in the immigration hall this morning," he reportedly said. "It is now two months since the immigration minister promised additional resources and better management."The worst aspect was that half of the immigration desks were simply not opened even though the Border Force had prior knowledge of all flight arrivals. This creates additional security pressures with luggage piling up in the baggage hall."This brings into question the ability of the Home Office to cope with thousands of athletes taking flights to London Heathrow for the 2012 Olympic games.BAA conceded that the� Home Office have arranged for all Border Force desks at Heathrow to be manned during the peak Olympics arrival times but said that the Home Office should be "delivering a good experience for regular passengers as well as Olympic visitors".If�targets are met, the Border Force would get non-EU passport holders through immigration at Heathrow in less than 45 minutes for 95% of the time.The target for EU passport holders at Heathrow is less than 25 minutes for 95% of the time.According to the Daily Telegraph there were half-mile queues at Heathrow's Terminal 4 recently, while pictures in the paper showed empty immigration desks.A BAA spokesman said: "Immigration is a matter for the Home Office. The Home Office has said that from July 15 all Border Force desks at Heathrow will be open during peak arrival periods."A Border Force spokeswoman said: "We are fully prepared for the busy Olympic period and will be implementing our well-rehearsed plans."This includes staffing all immigration desks at key ports whenever necessary during the peak Olympic and Paralympic arrivals period."Do you think that waiting times of 25 minutes for EU passport-holders and 45 for others is "acceptable"? Leave a comment below:
Comments
Roger Brennan, Ireland
I travel every week , there is no other airport in Europe with queues like this. I avoid heathrow where possible.
15 July, 2012
Cindy Lane, UK
Frankly, I think this issue puts the airport to shame. Why can't a major world hub get its act together.
13 July, 2012
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Roger Brennan, Ireland
I travel every week , there is no other airport in Europe with queues like this. I avoid heathrow where possible.
15 July, 2012
Cindy Lane, UK
Frankly, I think this issue puts the airport to shame. Why can't a major world hub get its act together.
13 July, 2012
Add Your Comment
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Friday, July 27, 2012
Alaska?s Inside Passage
Whether you arrive on a cruise ship, ferryboat, or even seaplane, travelers to Alaska?s southeastern ?panhandle? are rewarded with some of the world?s most extraordinary scenic beauty. Welcome to the Inside Passage.
London's top five little shopping streets
Whether you want to browse antiques or enter foodie heaven, London has some fantastic tucked-away shopping streetsLamb's Conduit Street, BloomsburyA partially pedestrianised street in bookish Bloomsbury, this is as civilised as shopping gets in the capital: it's not unusual for shop owners to dispense a free glass of wine to customers. First stop has to be Darkroom (52 Lamb's Conduit Street, WC1, 020-7831 7244, darkroomlondon.com), a geometric palace full of exquisite modern craft: handmade accessories for men, women and home, lovingly curated. Next door, at the start of Rugby Street, Ben Pentreath (17 Rugby Street, 020-7430 2526, benpentreath.com) is a titchy interiors shop full of ceramics, fabrics and nostalgic knick-knacks. There's also Folk (49 and 53, 020-7404 6458, folkclothing.com) for lovers of laidback luxurious threads, and Persephone Books (59 Lamb's Conduit Street, WC1, 020-7242 9292, persephonebooks.co.uk), a unique publishing house that champions forgotten female authors. When you're done, aim for Ciao Bella (86-90, 020-7242 4119, ciaobellarestaurant.co.uk), a favourite local Italian.Camden Passage, IslingtonThis narrow passage of boutiques will keep hoarders of vintage happy for hours. Permanent fixtures include Annie's (12 Camden Passage, N1, 020-7359 0796, anniesvintageclothing.co.uk) for high-end costumes and textiles. Fat Faced Cat (22-24, 020-7354 0777, fatfacedcat.com) is more affordable. You'll find 80s power suits and 50s tea dresses in equal measure. Each Wednesday and Saturday the Pierrepont Arcade and a small covered antiques market appears opposite the Camden Head pub. Rummagers will find art nouveau trinkets, silver, objets d'art and fine porcelain. You'll find locals brunching in the Breakfast Club (31, 020-7226 5454, thebreakfastclubcafes.com), or the Swedish-inspired cocktail/brunch stop, The Elk in the Woods (37-39 Camden Passage, N1, 020-7226 3535, the-elk-in-the-woods.co.uk).Maltby Street, BermondseyIn the railway arches in an unprepossessing area of Bermondsey, an enterprising collective of traders open their doors to London's discerning foodies for a few precious hours each week (Saturday 9am-2pm, SE16, maltbystreet.com). Look out for the likes of Nigel Slater filling their shopping trolleys here ? Start at 60 Druid Street for fruit and veg of unparalleled variety. From there, cross Tanner Street and head down Ropewalk and into LASSCO (Millstream Road, SE1, 020-7394 8061, lassco.co.uk), an architectural salvage shop. On then to a rowdy archway selling mid-morning cocktails based on gin locally distilled. Iberico ham, artisan cheeses and olive oil, filled croissants and custard tarts can all be purchased (and devoured) en route to Dockley Road. Wander into the industrial estate here and look out for The London Honey Company (Unit 6 Dockley Road, SE16, 020-7394 7072, thelondonhoneycompany.co.uk), The Little Bread Pedlar (Unit 5 Dockley Road, SE16, lbpedlar.com) and La Grotta Ices for phenomenal handmade ice-cream (lagrottaices.tumblr.com). Last stop: The Kernel Brewery (Arch 11 Dockley Road, SE16, 020-7231 4516, thekernelbrewery.com), a micro-brewery packed with beautiful people drinking bottles of stout and ale.Redchurch Street, ShoreditchHigh-end brand names are juxtaposed with galleries, bars and bistros, and the occasional cash-and-carry, on this East End thoroughfare. Shoppers should head to Labour and Wait for timeless quality household goods (85 Redchurch Street, E2, 020-7729 6253, labourandwait.co.uk), and Maison Trois Garcons for opulent vintage homewares (45, 07879 640858, lestroisgarcons.com). Stop at Aesop (5A, 020-7613 379, aesop.com) for luxurious botanical skin, hair and body care. Parisian label, APC (5, 020-7729 7727, apc.fr) stocks simple and sexy separates. If you're shoe shopping, Canadian designer Tracey Neuls (020-7018 0872, tn29.com) has recently rolled back the graffitied shutters at number 73. Come here for neon brogues, handpainted ankle boots and playful heels. If you're not already laden, the "world's first pop-up mall", Boxpark (2-4 Bethnal Green Road, 020-7033 2899, boxpark.co.uk), is just over the road. For loafing, there's private-members' club Shoreditch House, eccentric cocktail bar, Lounge Lover and the Boundary "restaurant, rooms and rooftop". And ? if you believe the rumours ? an East End outpost of Nobu will be opening its doors shortly. Pie and mash it ain't.Golborne Road, Ladbroke GroveBeneath Trellick Tower you'll find London's "little Morocco", a rough-and-ready street in west London that has happily resisted gentrification for decades. It's often overlooked by shoppers in nearby Portobello Road who miss out on a multicultural mix of chi-chi boutiques and bric-a-brac. The fun begins at Rellik (8 Golborne Road, W10, 020-8962 0089, relliklondon.co.uk), where you can rummage for designer vintage threads: Vivienne Westwood, Ala�a, Comme des Gar�ons and Christian Dior. From here, stroll over the railway bridge and join the queue at Lisboa, a Portuguese patisserie at number 57 (020-8968 5242). Retro and antique furniture shops abound. Visit Phoenix (67, 020-8964 8123, phoenixongolborne.co.uk) for vintage homewares or 88 Antiques (88, 020-8960 0827) for upcycled and 19th-century furniture. For reasonably priced Moroccan imports, try Fez (71 Golborne Road, W10, 020-8964 5573). Come on a Saturday when shop owners display their stock on the pavement and street food vendors fire up their barbecues.Shopping tripsLondonUnited KingdomEuropeNell Cardguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
8 Crucial Tips for Skiing in Chile Pt.2
Short-term memory is a skier?s greatest asset, and the initial snowy reports from South America have done wonders to placate any lingering bad memories from last season?s dismal snowpack. Our online editor is especially giddy since he?s heading south in July to La Parva, Chile, for the Eye of the Condor Competition. But the countless photos of Andean lanscapes blanketed in the white we missed so dearly in the Northern Hemisphere brought up another question. If you?re going to ski Chile, how do you avoid acting like a jackass?To answer that, we tapped Donny Roth, the owner and lead guide of Chile Powder Adventures. Roth has spent every summer since 2004 traveling, skiing, and guiding clients around Chile including a stint as an athlete and guide for the Sweetgrass Productions crew during the filming of their South American ski epic, Solitare. He knows how to do it right.This is the second part of a two-part series. For part one click HERE.5. Equip Yourself Under no circumstances should you assume you?ll casually pick up something once in Chile. Have your gear sorted and dialed before you depart the States. Mountain gear is extremely expensive, difficult to find, and repair will be makeshift at best. If find yourself in a pinch, your best option is La Cumbre, a specialty shop in Santiago staffed by folks that love the mountains and generally speak English well. Patagonia also has a store in Santiago just expect to pay 50 percent above US retail prices. In the suburbs of Santiago, Mall Sport offers a collection of outdoor stores, from skateboarding to skiing. If you don?t find what you need, you can at least surf on their artificial wave, which is pretty fun. 6. The Gear Goldrush The combination of a small market, poor distribution channels, and heavy taxes make ski equipment and mountain gear very expensive in all of South America. Locals may approach you about buying your gear. Jackets, skis, bindings, and boots can be of particular value. I know some pro athletes that essentially fund their trip by returning to the States with just the clothes on their back. I typically throw a couple older jackets into my luggage to sell to help cover some of the baggage fees, etc. I also make sure to have a couple pieces that I don?t mind giving away to the people that happen to help along my journey, like someone who picks me up while hitchhiking or shows me a particularly special restaurant. Give someone a pair of goggles, and you?ll be a hero. 7. Chilean SlangChilean is a terrible form of Spanish. The culture is wonderful, but the language is the equivalent of English in the Bayou. Chileans speak quickly and use a ton of slang. Here are a couple tips. If the word ends in ?s? they will drop it. The word ?po? will be added often. It is short for ?por supuesto,?meaning ?of course.? Do you want another beer? ?S� po!? (Yes, of course!) ?Juevon? is a derivative of juevos, which means eggs. ?Juevon!? essentially means big eggs, referring of course to, well? The point is that all Chileans will use it. It essentially means, ?dude.? Taxi drivers, lift attendants, and bartenders will get a kick out of you using it; waitresses, grandmothers, and the girl you?re trying to make out with will not.8. Getting Attention Chile is a relatively safe place, possibly the safest country in South America. But crime is not unheard of. The key to avoiding trouble is to not stand out too much. Chile is a conservative nation. You will notice that during the winter, most people dress in black, brown, and grey tones. That bright, new FlyLow jacket my help you land a cover shot, but nothing good will come of it in a city. Looking like a Skittle is essentially a mating call for some kid scoping the scene for an iPhone to swipe. Looking to meet a nice Chilena? Cute and sweet goes further than cool. Be nice, try to learn some Spanish, and be patient?she?s gonna keep you at second base for your whole trip anyway. Want an easy way to log a few laps in Chilean powder? Let Donny Roth take you there. He specializes in backcountry touring trips throughout Chile and currently has space available on his Classic Volcanos Tour. Climb and ski three classic Chilean volcanos in mid-September? Sign us up. More information available at Chile Powder Adventures.com.
The Authentic Ski Tour: Chico Hot Springs, Day 2
..... Pray, Montana (Ski Press)-Through the windshield I can watch the Absaroka Range coming into view like great blue gods with diamonds and avalanches in their hair. Livingston, Montana is coming up on the right, and Bob Dylan is on the radio. ?Did you ever see the movie Rancho Deluxe, with Sam Waterston and Jeff Bridges?? I ask Jeff. He shakes his head. ?No.? It?s day two of my self-proclaimed ?Authentic Ski Tour,? of Montana?s Yellowstone Country, busting a Big Sky hole through the cookie-cutter clutter of ski experiences so sugared up, starched out, and stiltingly stratified that it?s a wonder anyone can tell their vacations apart anymore. Jeff Carroll got me started with the grassroots elegance of Red Lodge, and now we are heading to Chico Hot Springs, then Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky, Moonlight Basin and Bridger Bowl. ?It was filmed in Livingston,? I said. ?Bridges and Waterston are modern rustlers. And Slim Pickens is sent to catch them. And Jimmy Buffet and his band have a scene in the bar.? Buffet wrote a song called ?Livingston Saturday Night?: ?Pickup's washed and you just got paid. With any luck at all you might even get laid, 'Cause they're pickin' and a-kickin' on a Livingston Saturday Night.? But we?re heading south to Paradise Valley now, closer to those mountains catching clouds, through the endless prairies between the peaks and the great log cabins in open spaces without even a tree to stop the wind and the sun from coming through. ?It?s beautiful.? ?I know.? We?re heading to Chico Hot Springs, a kind of Rocky Mountain Eden where the mountains and plains and bubbling hot waters come together, and the wedding parties, couples and cowboys come for miles. Like a great camphouse-meets-country hotel, it is tucked against the peaks, golden in the light, with the wonderful restaurant inside, those mythic waters, and the Chico Saloon, its legendary bar. At the rooms across from the stables, where the horses are being fed at dusk, a stout man is busy unloading several six-packs of different micro-brews. ?Looks like you?re getting ready for a good time,? I said, wondering if he was booked for a week, or about to host his own beer festival right then and there. He looked me in the eye between moving six packs and said, ?It?s always a good time in Chico.? And walking over to the Chico Dining Room I felt a little warmth of anticipation at the light melting out the windows, and the sense of coming in from the cold. I felt the warmth of the wine, The Prisoner, and the conversation as Chico?s General Manager Colin Kurth Davis took us into the night, through Chico?s history and the restaurant?s menu. ?You have to stay for two nights,? he said. ?One night to eat here in the restaurant, and one night by the pool in the Grill.? Interested and generous, Davis gives off the air of a friendly neighbor hosting an endless pool party and barbecue. And what a pool, and what a menu. For the Dining Room there is even a book, ?A Montana Table,? written by Colin?s wife, Seabring Davis, an accomplished journalist and foodie, detailing the deceptively simple preparation of the restaurant?s ubiquitously delicious fennel breadsticks, rock-cooked Yellowstone Chicken, and Huckleberry Swirl Cheesecake. We sit there for hours. It is a perfect pace. In my mind, I could go there right now. It is Colin who finally breaks the trance. ?Shall we go next door?? I?ve never seen two-stepping that good before. The pedal-steel guitar and stand-up bass of Dirty Shame, and all those pretty country girls heating up the dance floor. The young cowboys come in with their towels tucked under their arms to hit the pool. Drinks are served in cups through the window, into the steaming outdoors. A sun-kissed blonde named Shona shoots me with a potato gun. Rounds of tequila are ordered, and the night suddenly accelerates as the band plays faster numbers. The dance floor fills, and if you look hard enough, you can see the stars start to swirl. Links Chico Hot Springs: www.chicohotsprings.com A Montana Table: www.amazon.com/Montana-Table-Recipes-Springs-Resort/dp/0762725702/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top Jimmy Buffet, Livingston Saturday Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gzzS0nyMfM
Staying fit and eating well in Santa Monica, California
It was 7.30am one December morning and I was part of a small group of early birds, stretching our limbs in the bright morning sun to the softly spoken instructions of yoga teacher Lauren Eckstrom from ESP Wellness Center. I could feel the ocean breeze on my face and see it ruffle the fronds of the palm trees above. The view was the Pacific ocean lapping onto the Santa Monican coast between the pleasure pier and Venice beach. Scenes from the 1982 Hollywood blockbuster Rocky III were filmed here and I could almost see Rocky Balboa running across the sands. In this city getting fit is a social event. After all, this is where the 20th century fitness boom was born with the opening of Muscle Beach in the 1930s ? an impressively kitted-out, one-hectare alfresco gym. Celebrities such as Kirk Douglas, Steve Reeves and even Mae West trained here. There are ropes, parallel bars and high rings to pump those muscles. With a year-round Mediterranean climate offering 330 days of sunshine every year, why not treat the city as a training room. Out there with me were hundreds of people pounding the boardwalk, doing t'ai chi, surfing, cycling, power walking their dogs and looking the picture of good health. I couldn't help thinking how apt it is that the American pop icon Popeye, famed for using magical spinach to boost his muscle power, was born in a local art studio.Eating well is the city's second obsession, yet there is no particular LA cuisine so fusion cooking is the buzz phrase. And there are chefs galore, spread over 400 restaurants in 8.3 square miles (50 per square mile). Many have celebrity status for their ingenuity in producing a healthy fused dining experience. I bumped into one of them, Josiah Citrin, one Sunday morning at the Main Street farmer's market. His two-Michelin starred restaurant, Mellise, offers French fusion cooking and he sources his ingredients from the 70 or so local farmers that trade at the market. As do most other restaurants.Sitting atop the city's newest shopping mall is a funky place to dine: Zengo. Inside it is dimly lit but has superb alfresco dining with a sensational view over 3rd Street Promenade ? similar in ambience to Covent Garden. Its style is Asian fusion such as sea bass served with cucumbers and green apples and lush cocktails such as a lychee bellini.Just around the corner from the designer packed Santa Monica shopping complex is a delightful ?neighbourhood? restaurant, The Wilshire on Wilshire Boulevard. The casually elegant interior spills out onto a relaxing patio. The menu is a fusion of American and international influences which they call ?New Urban Cuisine?. I loved the miso black cod served with steamed rice and stir fried veg and their Mystic raspberry cocktail.For a respite from rich gastro dining, the Sushi at Sunset menu at Ocean & Vine is sensational. It is the rooftop restaurant at the beachfront Loews Hotel. It is a wonderful space to enjoy a nibble and a tipple while overlooking the beach. As the skies darkened with hues of orange and reds finally drifting into the ebony of evening, I was perched by a rooftop fire in a comfy cushioned chair, enjoying tuna, avocado with mango pearls and wasabi and salmon miso shiso glaze. The water beyond shimmered at me as if to echo my pleasure.Breakfast is, of course, the most important meal of the day and I took mine with a slice of Hollywood nostalgia at the Annenberg community centre at its Back on the Beach Caf�. This was originally a 110-room mansion with tennis courts where glamorous parties were hosted by William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies. Everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Winston Churchill frolicked here. The art deco swimming pool (now open to the public) has a marble deck and staircases and worth visiting just to cast an admiring glance over its yesteryear elegance.I could not choose between the vegan scramble or bagel and lox so settled for a Spanish omelette and while I waited to be served, I donned my sunhat, tickled the sand with my toes and watched the joggers and power walkers as they sped past the backdrop of the sea, mountains and Catalina Island beyond. I felt fitter just watching. Where to sleep?We stayed at the 4* Shore Hotel, just a 6-minute walk from Santa Monica Pier and the Pacific Park amusement park. Rooms start from $250 per night. Find more hotels in Santa Monica.How to get there?Santa Monica is located only eight miles (13 km) north of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Shuttle vans between LAX and Santa Monica cost from about $15 per person one-way, $30-$40 round-trip per person, ($10-$20 for each additional person) not including tip. Shuttles are located on the lower level. Find flights to Los Angeles:Powered by WhichBudget.com Flight Search
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