Earlier this year, my husband and I experienced true rural life in Central Java. We went to a town called Candi Rejo. It is half an hour away from Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in Indonesia.

We heard from our partners in Indonesia that Candi Rejo has started a community-based ecotourism project. We went to learn more about this project. From our perspective, community tourism means tourism that consults, involves and benefits the local community. We wanted to see if this was really the case in this town.

At first, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. We bought our tickets from Bali, made arrangements with the village chief and next thing we knew we were at Jogjakarta airport.

Our guide was named IJ (pronounced EE-Jay). She was very friendly and chatty, although her English was limited. She was an interesting lady. She is around 35 years old and every day she wears a hijab (headscarf) and a long-sleeved shirt to cover her arms even though it is very hot. Obviously, she is a normal look for Muslim women there. IJ is a single mother raising 2 children on her own. She is the only female guide in her village and she is very proud of it. She said that when there are no visitors to guide her around the farms, she just like the rest of the people in her village.

After meeting IJ, we headed to the town, which is about 1 hour from the airport. The view was wonderful. We could see a volcano in the distance as we passed mustard fields, cornfields, tapioca farms, and other types of vegetable farms. We also pass a 9th century Buddhist temple called Pawon. It is dedicated to Kuvera, the God of Fortune.

The first thing we did when we arrived at Candi Rejo was to meet the village chief. We thought he would be this older man with a gray mustache like many other Indonesian government officials. We were surprised when the village chief, Mr. Ian, showed up. A charming man of 28, soft-spoken and very well dressed.

He briefly explained the history of ecotourism in Candi Rejo. Just a few years ago, an Indonesian NGO approached the village and introduced the concept of community ecotourism. After many village meetings, the Candi Rejo community accepted the idea. The town also has the advantage of being very close to Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in Indonesia and a great wonder of the ancient world. They have a river that can be used for white water rafting, and they also have a nice trail called Watu Kendil which is the way to Kendil Hill. From the top of this hill, you can see 5 volcanoes and also the entire construction of Borobudur Temple.

The ecotourism project in Candi Rejo is a pilot project in Indonesia. The town has about 5,000 people, and most of the people there are farmers. The main unit that manages the tourism industry in Candi Rejo is the community-managed cooperative (co-op), not the government. The head of the cooperative still reports to the village chief, but the revenue goes directly to the villagers.

Locals voluntarily joined the cooperative. For example, those who have extra rooms in their homes can register as accommodation providers. People who own horse-drawn rickshaws can join the cooperative as one of the town’s transportation providers. Everyone in the cooperative has to agree to the list system, which gives guides, porters, village visits, trail maintenance and handicraft sales the same opportunities to earn money.

Without a doubt, the ecotourism project has increased the economy of the town. Since Candi Rejo got its official “tourist town” status in 2003, it has become a cleaner and wealthier town. The village chief has ordered that all households in the village grow “Rambutan”, a tropical fruit tree in front of their houses. The result is: this town is becoming very green and gloomy. The weather in Central Java can be very hot, so these large trees can protect pedestrians from the scorching sun.

When we asked the village chief whether or not he is worried that the tourism industry will one day bring scandalous pollution to the village, he said that the cooperative limits the number of visitors per year. The tourism programs that they have developed also focus primarily on green tourism, not tourism programs. So naturally, most of the visitors who come to Candi Rejo are eco-minded travellers. They want to learn about farming or experience real rural life in Java.

In 2007, the town received between 800 and 900 visitors. We saw photos of your previous visitors. Some schools in the big cities of Indonesia have sent students to visit Candi Rejo to learn about agriculture and rural life. It is true that many Indonesian children who grew up in the big city do not know what the trees and fruits they eat look like on the ground. These types of learning programs teach them where the food in the market comes from. It also makes students aware of how important it is to maintain their environment.

It is not just students from all over Indonesia who come to Candi Rejo. Governments from other villages in Indonesia also visit Candi Rejo to learn about rural tourism and ecotourism.

We cannot forget how nice the people of Candi Rejo are. They were all very friendly and helpful. We felt that community tourism really fit its characters. His natural enthusiasm for accommodating his guests made our trip so smooth and memorable.

At Candi Rejo we learned to play the Javanese gamelan (their traditional musical instruments). We also played volleyball with the locals, it was so much fun! We took the horse rickshaw everywhere during our stay there (0 safe emission). We were also invited to visit the village chief’s house for a community meeting. It feels like we are visiting our family there.

We left Candi Rejo with pleasant memories of this town. We would go back in a heartbeat. Hopefully next time we can take our travelers there with us. We are proud that the ecotourism and community tourism movement in Indonesia is developing rapidly. We hope that these projects can alleviate poverty, create more job opportunities and, most importantly, sustain the ecology of Indonesia.

Need some fun date ideas? You have come to the right place. Many of the fun date ideas listed below are not recommended as a first date unless you know the person very well or have known them for a long time. But if you’ve been on a few dates and really want to impress, the list below should be just what you’re looking for!

It is important to do your research before deciding on a date, place or activity, consider the following factors before making your choice:

• What do you like to do in your free time?
• Have they mentioned that they have always wanted to do something but have not been able to do it?
• What do you think they would like to do as a couple?
• Are they adventurers? If so, choose something with a sense of adventure!
• Are they shy or outgoing? If you’re shy, go for a date where it’s just the two of you with no interruptions or other people around. (Not recommended for the first or second date with a woman as you haven’t built enough trust yet)

Fun Date Ideas – Time of Day

a unique restaurant

Choose a restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere, great atmosphere, and serving great food. Do an internet search for restaurant reviews in your area.

A cafe

There is no better way to have a good chat and get to know someone than having a drink in a relaxed atmosphere.

A cafe with style

A great idea is to take your date out to a stylish cafe for a drink or lunch and get to know each other.

The beach

My favorite choice. Women in particular love to take a walk on the beach, especially at sunset (hot tip: research the time of sunset!)

A walk in the park (with optional picnic)

This is a good idea for a first date. Take your date for a walk in the park, when you find a good spot, pull out the blanket and sit back and relax; talk, meet For lunch, pack a picnic or go to a local restaurant to end the date on a good note.

A museum

This can be a great fun date idea, especially if they are the academic type and have told you that they enjoy museums. But you have to get on the right topic with your date or they might get bored!

at the picnic

You can never go wrong with a picnic, but you should find out what your date likes to eat beforehand or he could be eating alone. Don’t forget the strawberries and cream; )

A festival

This is usually a very fun date idea for both of you, as there will be music for all tastes, food, drink, shopping, and all sorts of quirky and wonderful things.

a wonderful park

Fun, adrenaline filled with almost everything you need for a good day. But be careful with this choice as not everyone likes amusement parks! Some people think they are for children.

a shopping trip

Ask him to help you choose a new shirt, etc. This forms a good bond and implants “pair patterns.”
between the two

Fun date ideas – something adventurous!

This is where the list gets a little crazy, be careful with these options as you want to make sure your date will enjoy it, adventurous dates are certainly not for everyone and generally should not be chosen as a first date idea appointment, but they will. great fun date ideas.

Hot air balloon ride (with picnic)

The absolutely perfect date for many people, especially people over 30 years old. This just screams tranquility, grace and elegance, you can’t help but be impressed with this!

paintball

A day full of energy, adrenaline and action, it’s a lot of fun, but be careful: it hurts when you get hit. This is definitely not for everyone and certainly not for girly girls.

laser label

Even though it’s just a game, you can’t help but get into it! It’s a lot of fun and can be a good day or night if you can get past all the pimply kids running around like they’re Rambo on a do-or-die mission.

ski

Great fun for all involved in this sport, guaranteed to be a good day out.

kayaking

Great fun and very ‘binding’ date idea if just the two of you are at the river or lake. Try to plan a route with lots of beautiful scenery and things to see. Get a double kayak to bond more.

white water rafting

This is really full of adrenaline! Not for the faint of heart or for a first date, that’s for sure!

go karting

This can be a lot of fun and I’ve seen a lot of women doing it and really enjoying themselves, but you need to consider safety issues when selecting this option as a lot of inexperienced riders get injured (including me and I’m experienced!)

scuba diving

If your date has a scuba qualification then this is a must for a date sometime. The bond during this activity is so strong that both are there to take care of each other.

Helicopter ride

Great fun date idea and I guarantee it will put a smile on your date’s face. I’ve had a date on a helicopter ride over the mountains before and never seen such a glow from her since.

Mountain bike

Big fun! It’s best to go with a reputable company and let them organize the day for you, as this will include bike rental, equipment (including helmet), insurance and a fun route. But if you both have the bike gear and don’t how, then…enjoy.

quads

Excellent fun, but this can be dangerous, certainly not a good idea for a first date. Choose an off-road route if your partner seems adventurous and experienced and a simple flat route if she’s a bit nervous and has never been on a quad before. Be very careful if you choose this option, as there are many injuries from this activity each year.

speleology

If your date is an outdoorsy and adventurous person, this will be a good date! Always check the safety aspects before embarking on a journey into the unknown and make sure you have at least basic safety equipment.

paragliding

Exciting experience, you appreciate how it feels to be a bird flying high without a care in the world.

wakeboarding

You’ve all seen it in the movies, but most people have never done this activity. It involves standing on a board in the water while hanging from a rope and being pulled by a boat! Find out if your date can swim first, and make sure they’re not afraid of the water.

Skydiving

The latest fun date idea and the most adrenaline pumping activity you can possibly do besides a bungy jump. This is exhilarating and scary at the same time. Everyone should do this once in their life.

Fun daytime date ideas

The Friday Fish Fry has been a tradition in Milwaukee and the rest of the state of Wisconsin for many years. Almost every bar, restaurant, tavern or pub has one. All kinds of fish are offered, including native ones such as perch, cod, bluegill and walleye, but others such as catfish, smelt, pollock, haddock and even grouper are now also on offer. You can get the fish fried, pan-fried, battered, dusted with flour or cornmeal, or baked, but no matter how you like it, but the all-you-can-eat favorite is. We love our fish.

But how did this tradition start? Why only in Wisconsin? Why fish? Why all you can eat? Well, after digging into Wisconsin history a bit, we may find some answers. The story begins in the Milwaukee area in the late 1800’s for two reasons, beer and religion. Yes, thanks to German, Polish, and Italian immigration to Milwaukee who brought their Catholic beliefs with them, religion has a part in the tradition.

The Germans brought in brewers from the old country who found a great source of water (and a source of ice for shipping) and a grain-growing center in the US to provide an ideal location for brewing. Small breweries sprang up throughout Wisconsin to provide locally brewed beer to immigrants from Europe who were used to good beer. Some of these brewers like Fredrick Miller, August Pabst, Joseph Schlitz and Valantin Blatz went on to produce giant breweries that made Milwaukee the beer capital of the world.

These breweries were giants and produced not only sprawling breweries in Milwaukee, but competition from these breweries led to the construction of huge hotels and many opulent “breweries” that were very exclusive places to socialize and of course have a pitcher of beer. beer. In addition to these hotels, these breweries built amusement parks to help establish their early brand with the next generation of beer drinkers.

Pabst owned the Whitefish Bay Resort on the corner of Ardmore Ave and Henry Clay St in Whitefish Bay, which had an amusement park attached to it. In competition with Schlitz at the time. Pabst wanted a way to attract more people to the resort, and since Lake Michigan had so much cheap white fish, they decided to offer cheap white fish on Friday nights. It was a success. People soon flocked to Whitefish Bay amusement park and resort on Fridays and later weekends for fried fish, and soon after Schlitz and others followed suit.

Breweries owned many of Milwaukee’s taverns and restaurants and soon saw an opportunity to offer fried fish as bait to sell more beer. By keeping the price low on the cheap fish dinner, he drew people to his branded bars and consumed his beer, further cementing the brand with Milwaukeeans. They then switched to free fish lunches to further instill their brand and build loyalty. A free fish meal and a couple of pints of beer will do just that for the workers at the time.

The dry law put an end to beer, although some taverns survived, maintaining the tradition. As restaurant and bar owners needed to keep customers coming back, they extended the days that fried fish was offered and made it a family thing. This helped cement fish frying as a tradition. Fortunately, the ban ended and ice cold beer could soon be served again.

Fish fry was offered on Fridays as an alternative to meat by abstaining in observance of Catholic tradition. This eventually got him out of the bars and restaurants where he had become so popular and he started showing up at local churches as well. Originally it was probably started to offer parishioners an alternative to fried fish in taverns and bars, but it also allowed families to take part in a family activity, but also built close bonds between the church and its members. This tradition remains strong to this day.

Many churches offer fish fry on Fridays, and many more participate during Lent. Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday and runs through the forty days before Easter (not counting Sundays), is meant to be a time of reflection and letting go. It was originally a time of fasting, but since forty days is a bit long for most people without eating, it was reduced to not eating meat on Fridays. Fish turned out to be a perfect alternative. During Lent, many restaurants and some churches and bars also offer a fish fry on Wednesdays also starting on Ash Wednesday. This allows people to have another day to enjoy the fish and not have to face such long lines that are typical in most restaurants and churches.

The most popular fish options are perch, walleye and cod, although many other options are now offered as well. You can get your fish seasoned, dipped in flour, and pan-fried. You can also opt for a thicker beer batter made with flour, eggs, and beer and then fried. Although much of today’s fish fry is fried, frying didn’t really start until the 1950’s when commercial fryers were invented and made it possible for small bars and restaurants to offer fried fish. Until then, most of the fish was pan-fried. Not only was this a popular way to enjoy fish, but it was also a great way to be able to cook fish in larger batches and be able to serve more hungry diners.

Milwaukeeans probably don’t know who Louis Hirschinger is, but they owe him a big thank you for bringing the other half of the tradition to Milwaukee: the all-you-can-eat fish fry. Louis, who along with his wife Ruth owned the Tanner Paull restaurant in West Allis, and after visiting a small East Coast restaurant on a business trip, discovered an all-you-can-eat chicken dinner. He was fascinated by the idea and thought he would try the same thing at his Milwaukee restaurant with just fish. It was a huge success and cemented all-you-can-eat fish fry as one of Milwaukee’s favorite traditions.

Milwaukee fish fry has its roots in both religion and brewing brought by German immigrants. Along with their beer, their culinary traditions helped shape what has become the other part of the tradition. Accompanying the fish in a traditional German fish fry are potato pancakes, applesauce, coleslaw, rye bread, and tartar sauce. They are still found in many restaurants or at least side options, but French fries have become the go-to side for most fried fish now in so many bars, taverns and pubs.

Wherever you go in Wisconsin, you’ll be able to find a fried fish of one kind or another. If you’re visiting Milwaukee or Wisconsin for the first time, you really need to join in on the local lore and try one. If you live there, you are always on a quest to find the best. It can be an endless but delicious search. For a complete list of all the fish fry in the Milwaukee area, go to the Milwaukee Fish Fry Guide

Interview with Tim Smith
author of The Vendetta Factor
Post America (2006)
ISBN 9781424141258
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (5/07)

Today, Tyler R. Tichelaar of Reader Views is pleased to welcome Tim Smith, author of “The Vendetta Factor.” Tim Smith is an administrator in the human services field who works with adults with disabilities. He resides in Dayton, Ohio, where he also works as a freelance photographer when he’s not busy writing and promoting his books.

Tyler: Welcome, Tim. To begin with, would you describe the basic premise of his novel, “The Vendetta Factor”?

Tim: “The Vendetta Factor” is a throwback to the types of pulp fiction novels written by Raymond Chandler and Mickey Spillane. It’s about Nick Seven, a former CIA agent living in Key Largo, Florida who gets caught up in a nasty turf war between two mob families. An organization controls the action in Miami, but a rival Don in Saratoga Springs, New York wants to take over. Nick is pressured by both families, as well as a federal prosecutor with a personal agenda, as he discovers that he has been betrayed by someone he thought was a friend.

Tyler: The setting and your reference to Raymond Chandler reminds me of old film noirs, especially the movie “Key Largo,” which is also a crime story. Why did you choose the Miami area for your stage?

Tim: I have been vacationing in the Keys and South Florida for several years. As I sat down to write my first Nick Seven adventure, I asked myself a question: If I were a former CIA spy who wanted to go somewhere to start over, where would it be? The Keys was the obvious choice for me.

In that part of the country you have everything that lends itself to a good adventure story: exotic locations, atmosphere and sunsets to die for, nearly every nationality represented, and tremendous name recognition. When you mention “Key Largo,” most people instantly picture Bogart and Bacall. Thanks to the plethora of movies and TV shows set in Miami and South Beach, many readers are already familiar with the area. Plus, it’s better than setting a crime thriller in Dayton, Ohio, and it gives me a great excuse to go there every year to research and go parasailing.

Tyler: What do you think makes your book different from all the other crime novels and mob stories?

Tim: This isn’t your typical cops and robbers crime thriller, where you have the police or a private detective solving the case. My hero, Nick Seven, is Joe Citizen, just a guy minding his own business with no desire to return to the action or intrigue that was part of his previous life. Once he gets pulled into the mix, he has to rely on his wits and instincts to get out and get his life back. There’s also plenty of humor and satire, including an ongoing argument between two hit men over whether Frank Sinatra or Julius LaRosa had the biggest impact on pop culture.

Tyler: Of course, Frank Sinatra was a great singer and he had an Italian background and I think there were rumors about mob connections, but forgive my ignorance, who was Julius LaRosa?

Tim: To quote one of the characters, “Have you never heard of Julius LaRosa, one of the greatest singers of all time? That’s amazing! That guy could hit a high C like I hit goals. Have you ever got a high C right?”

Seriously, LaRosa was an up-and-coming young singer on Arthur Godfrey’s daily TV show in the 1950s. (You’ve heard of Arthur Godfrey, right? Good.) One day, Godfrey fired LaRosa on air, live, for an imaginary slight, and her career never fully recovered. Although I’m a big fan of Sinatra, I thought I might add a few laughs by having the plot as a gag throughout the book, without disrespecting either gentleman.

Tyler: Well, my bet is still Frank Sinatra, but thanks for the explanation. Tim, what really makes a good crime novel is often the hero or the detective. Can you tell us a bit about your main character, Nick Seven?

Tim: Nick is a former CIA spy who spent his career tracking down terrorists around the world. While on assignment years before, his wife was killed in a bombing that was meant for him. After getting revenge on the man responsible, he left the service and settled in the Florida Keys, running a club on the Gulf of Mexico with Felicia, a former co-worker from Barbados for whom he always had a thing.

Nick is cynical, cold and tough with a sensitive romantic side that he likes to keep hidden. When he was a spy, he always acted like a maverick and still insists on leading his life his way. He’s the kind of guy your mom wouldn’t let you play with, but you’d want to be on your side.

Tyler: Would you say you’re a lot like Nick Seven, or is he effectively a fantasy character?

Tim: A lot of my own personality traits came into Nick Seven, and I consider him my alter ego. You can do the things I can only dream of: live in The Keys with a beautiful Barbadian woman, get involved in intrigue, beat bad guys and win at Blackjack and Poker.

Tyler: Nick sounds like a character a lot of guys want to be. Richard Blake, who reviewed “The Vendetta Factor” for Reader Views, said the novel has great cinematic potential. How do you envision a movie of the book and who would you like to see play Nick Seven or even some of the other characters?

Tim: I could see this as a cross between “CSI: Miami” and “Peter Gunn”, using the exotic locations I described in the book accompanied by a retro jazz score. I’ve always imagined George Clooney or Pierce Brosnan playing Nick. They both have the “cool factor” and sarcastic wit needed to embody the character I created. As for Felicia, I’d go with Khandi Alexander or Vanessa Williams.

Tyler: I understand that “The Vendetta Factor” is your third novel. What were your previous novels about?

Tim: “Memories Die Last” introduced Nick Seven, bringing him out of his self-imposed exile when the CIA convinces him that the terrorist who killed his wife may still be alive, forcing Nick to relive the events he had banished to the basement long ago. . Investigating him reveals high-level government corruption and cover-ups.

The follow-up, “Never Trust Your Dreams,” has Nick and Felicia reluctantly involved in America’s war on terror as they try to outwit a rogue agent from their past. Part of the conspiracy has Nick as the fall guy for a murder he didn’t commit, one he must solve to get clean.

Tyler: I understand you’ve won a few awards for your novels. I’ve always been curious about prize contests because there are so many out there. Could you tell us what awards his novels have won, how he entered the contests, and how a writer should decide which contests are worth entering?

Tim: “Memories Die Last” won the Allbooks Reviews Editor’s Choice Award for Fiction in 2004 and was named Best Mystery Novel of 2005 by Blackrefer.com. “Never Trust Your Dreams” was named Blackrefer.com’s Best Mystery of 2006, and “The Vendetta Factor” is currently a finalist in a contest on Authorisland.com. The quotes from the first two books came as a complete surprise, as I didn’t know those sites gave out prizes. You’re right that there are a lot of contests out there, and I would advise writers to research sites or organizations before entering. They should also realize that there is often a cost involved, forbidding many hungry authors. Very often, you have to compare that to the potential exposure you may or may not receive and go from there. If you’re a stranger, I wouldn’t suggest sending your book to the people at Pulitzer unless your horoscope was really good that day.

Tyler: Thanks for the info, Tim. What would you say were your main influences, literary or otherwise, that have inspired your writing?

Tim: From a literary standpoint, I’ve always been a fan of Raymond Chandler, Mickey Spillane, Robert B. Parker, and James W. Hall. I guess his style influenced my way of writing. My biggest inspiration, the one that keeps me writing, is the feedback I get from people who have read my books. The best compliment I can get is when they say “I can’t wait to read the next one.” There is nothing better than that.

Tyler: I agree with you on that, Tim. The appreciation of others for your work outweighs any other benefit. Do you consider yourself only a crime novel writer or do you see yourself dabbling in other genres?

Tim: I’m comfortable writing in this genre, but I recently tried a romantic comedy told from the male’s perspective. Surprisingly, I found that it wasn’t that hard to switch gears, especially since I was able to tap into my own experiences in relationship wars.

Tyler: What are you writing now? Will we see that rom-com in print soon, or is there another chapter to be written on Nick Seven?

Tim: The romantic comedy is currently in the rewrite and polish phase before I review and edit it. I’m also working on another Nick Seven adventure, tentatively titled “Jinx Money.” More Nick stories are to come, as a character with as many layers as he is will always find some kind of trouble to get into. All I need to do is look at today’s headlines and imagine what he would do in the situation.

Tyler: Thanks so much for joining me today, Tim. Before we go, will you tell our readers the address of your website so they can find more information about “The Vendetta Factor” and your other award-winning novels?

Tim: You can visit http://www.timsmithauthor.com to read all about my books and see some photos of the places where the stories take place.

Tyler: Thank you, Tim, for being here today. I hope we can look forward to many more Nick Seven stories.

A sloped mansard roof dotted with dormer windows. Gothic-inspired gables and Victorian balustrades meet reliefs and etched figures in peach-colored sandstone and brick. These are just a few of the features that frame the impressive Dakota building. Few luxury apartment buildings in Manhattan are as famous. Located at 1 West 72nd Street, at the intersection of 72nd Street and Central Park West, The Dakota boasts an impressive German Revival structural design. Its interiors follow the French style. The spacious rooms connected by several corridors are ideal spaces for parties with catering service. High ceilings and large windows make these units a peaceful haven for their owners. Most apartment floor plans at The Dakota range from three to ten bedrooms. No two units in the Dakota are exactly alike.

CNBC has called the Dakota “the most unique building in New York.” Famous residents of The Dakota include actress Lauren Becall, author Harlan Coben, host Connie Chung, and actress Judy Garland. Dakota has been the setting for the book Time and Again and the movie Rosemary’s Baby. The Dakota is probably best known for being the site of Beatle John Lennon’s murder by a crazed stalker in 1980. Lennon had lived with his wife Yoko Ono in The Dakota from 1973 to 1980, and Ono still lives there today. The Dakota is home to notables and consummate celebrities, but residents nonetheless feel that the white-gloved doorman and full-service building exude a sense of warmth. , so say hello… It’s really a very friendly and relaxed building.” Dakota is an 87-unit luxury co-op apartment that also offers residency. It has a private patio and numerous building community events throughout the year. Recent sales at Dakotas include a 3 bed 3 bath apartment for $5.65M and a 1 bed 1 bath for $2M The Dakota building is currently priced at $2725/sq.ft (Nov 2012).

The immaculate appearance of the Dakota may make it hard for some to believe that it was built in the late 19th century. The Dakota construction, from 1880 to 1884, was the brainchild of Edward Clark, the founder of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. The same architecture firm behind the Plaza Hotel, Henry Jane Hardenbergh, designed the Dakota building. Since its completion, the Dakota Building has sparked a sense of wonder in the hearts and minds of all who saw it. It was the first truly luxurious apartment building on the Upper West Side, built at a time when the Upper West Side was still a mostly empty plain. It even had a garage for horse carriages, complete with elevators! The success of the Dakota cemented it as a trendsetter for future luxury apartment buildings in Manhattan. Originally a 93-unit building, over the years a few apartments have been combined so that The Dakota now houses 87 units. The Dakota was named a New York City Landmark in 1969. Seven years later, in 1976, the Dakota was recognized as a National Historic Landmark. The Dakota continues to be in demand, and when units do come onto the market, they are bought up fairly quickly.

There is no need to feel stressed about your next family trip. There are so many fun and safe places to take the kids and grandparents these days. In any case, everyone may have different ideas of where they want to go. Children have different interests depending on age and personality. Get the family together to create a list of places and start narrowing down the results. Here are some family vacation ideas and recommendations to help you get started.

Vacation destinations in the USA

Washington D.C.

Many of the attractions, including the museums, are completely free to visit. Visiting the Natural History Museum can be a very fun AND educational experience for children as there are dinosaurs! Since hotels unfortunately have a reputation for being a bit pricey, you can stay in one of the nearby cities like Annapolis or Arlington.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

This is one of the least expensive beaches to visit on the Atlantic Coast. It can get crowded so try to visit out of season if possible. To save money, book a room without an ocean view. You’ll see it every day anyway. Spend afternoons having fun with the family on a miniature golf course or in a bowling alley.

Portland, Oregon

Head to the Pacific Northwest for some spectacular (and affordable) fun. There are plenty of hotels in Portland that are under $100 a night. Visit the Oregon Zoo or go explore a submarine. Get everyone’s lunch at a food truck and pick up some snacks at the Farmer’s Market.

international family vacation ideas

Baja California Sur, Mexico City

If you want to try the last minute, this is a good option. Airlines frequently offer last minute discount flights (to Cabo San Lucas), and there is no shortage of all-inclusive family resorts in the area. It is easy to find airfare + hotel packages for 5 nights.

Dublin, Ireland

Here is a great city with infinite charm. Take a cheap plane like Aer Lingus Wow Air or Norwegian Air. You can reduce ground transportation costs with a Dublin Pass. For family fun, head to Dublin Zoo and the Dublin Falconry.

Balinese, Indonesian

As long as you can fly in from New York or Los Angeles, Bali can be an affordable vacation for the whole family. There are many activities for children, such as the Elephant Safari and Bali Bird parks. For children who enjoy water slides, they can visit Waterbom Bali Park and Splash Water Park. And of course there are plenty of exotic beaches to enjoy.

Here are some examples of fun places to visit for children and adults of all ages. Once again, get everyone together to create a list of family vacation ideas, do some research and compare prices. Hopefully everyone can agree on where to go and what to do.

Here’s one way to save money on your family trip: use online coupons. Check out current deals on everything from airfare to amusement park tickets. It’s easy to research online for family vacation ideas and plan itineraries.

Sanibel Island is located off the coast of Fort Myers, Florida. If you are looking for an area that is different from the other tourist areas, then Sanibel Beach is the place to be. Sanibel Island is more of a naturally preserved, elegant and tranquil retreat, it is well known for its excellent shelling opportunities, fishing and nature preserves.

Sanibel’s beaches give you more than just a sandy spot to bask in the Florida sun. You can also visit Lighthouse Park Beach, where the Sanibel Lighthouse soars into the sky an incredible ninety-four feet. Nature trails are also available where you can explore enjoy long walks, or you can visit the bike trails and cycle around the island. Fishing piers are also available if you plan on catching one that previously got away.

You can also visit the beaches of the Sanibel Causeway, where you can enjoy a day of sightseeing, such as watching dolphins play on the shore, or relax while watching the spectacular sunset each night.

A wildlife refuge occupies more than half of Sanibel Island, so once you’ve had enough sand and surf, you can head to the JN Darling National Wildlife Refuge and enjoy the views. Indigo Trail offers views of alligators, white ibises, and night herons, while the Wulfert Keys Trail offers a splendid view of Pine Island Sound. Sanibel also offers a historic town and museum where exhibits are available that highlight the vast history of the island. Turn-of-the-century garments and original homes are on display for those who love to delve into the mysteries of history.

Sanibel Beach is a stone’s throw from many amenities. If you are planning to book a condo rental, you will find that it is very close to the restaurants and shopping areas. Captiva Island is located just across the bridge and offers more than six miles of beautiful beaches and natural wildlife. If you’re planning to seek out areas that offer more activity, you can visit Fort Myers near attractions like Manatee Park and Lover’s Key State Park.

Of course, once you visit Sanibel Beach, you’ll probably decide you don’t need to venture any further. These beautiful, clean, white sand beaches are just about everything you really need to enjoy your time away from home. For fishing, shelling, and unsurpassed natural beauty, there really is no other place on earth that measures up to Sanibel Island.

The first country in the world to ring in the New Year, each and every year, is Tonga in the South Pacific. That’s because it is very close to the 180th parallel (12 hours ahead of Greenwich). It is located directly on the international date line.

Tongans value their relationship with God and with others. The entire first week of the New Year is called Uike Lotu (prayer week). Every day, the church congregations meet and pray in the morning and in the evening, and in between they celebrate together. Bands from all over the island take their instruments, sometimes homemade banjos, basses and guitars, and go from house to house hoping for some supplies in exchange for their music.

The people of Tonga take the New Year very seriously. When we lived in Tonga, at 12:01, the first minute of the New Year, people would start walking, trying to be the first to greet their relatives. You could see people walking all the roads and paths looking for their relatives. When they met, which may be halfway between their homes, they hugged and kissed. They would then sit down and have some cookies and Milo before heading off to find other relatives. It was a time of meeting, prayer and celebration. Older people would talk and reminisce about the old days and express their gratitude for being able to make it through the New Year.

Youths built fana pitu (bamboo cannons) and could be heard all over the islands rumbling as their kerosene contents were ignited. The boys will strive to outdo each other in this canyoning marathon. It seems that there is a war in the villages with all the cannons firing.

After greeting all the relatives and a long nap, almost everyone heads to the beach. January 1 is the hottest time of the year in Tonga, unlike the snowy white Christmases that others are used to. The whole family will go to the beach and take a bath. Food for the New Year is usually baked in an umu (underground oven) and may include lu pulu (beef, onion and coconut milk wrapped in taro leaves), root vegetables such as taro, kumala (sweet potato), cassava (tapioca ) and shellfish. The men fix the umu, and everyone enjoys it.

Not only the villagers celebrate the arrival of the New Year. On January 1, 2009, members of the royal family, as well as cabinet ministers and distinguished guests received an audience with His Majesty King George Tupou V shortly after midnight. Even the monarch tries to strengthen his relations during the new year celebration.

Truly, the people of Tonga are proud that time has begun in their country. Their monarch, Taufa’ahau Tupou IV, fought for them to have this distinction so that they would be the first in the world to offer their prayers in the New Year. They even have a hotel called the International Dateline Hotel.

The United States and the developed world are saturated with cheap, convenient, pre-packaged snacks. These treats are available in sweet, savory, hot or cold styles and presentations. None is more popular and ubiquitous than the potato chip.

Historically, French fries in America were a very local family business until the 1930s. The end product, French fries; they were very difficult to transport, handle and preserve without advanced packaging techniques. Before the invention of coated bagging components, French fries were made in local kitchens and sold in some local stores, usually in barrels. As soon as the barrels were opened and the store owner picked up the product sold for the consumer, air entered the barrels and the chips stagnated. Consumers of these fries were taught to heat the fries at home before serving to mitigate lack of freshness.

This type of trade was suitable for a local services business model, but did not allow for economies of scale or national distribution. In addition, each city and region developed a favorite type of chip that was only locally popular. The opportunity was ripe for an entrepreneur to consolidate and market the snack business in a major way and revolutionize the category.

That businessman was Herman Lay. Mr. Lay was a traveling salesman for the Barrett Food Company of Atlanta. He sold the Barrett brand of potato chips in an assigned territory in Nashville, TN during the 1930s. A natural sales talent, he quickly developed and grew his territory and soon hired roadside salesmen to work for him. Barrett’s owners noted his success and offered to sell the entire business to Herman Lay. He struggled to improvise financing. This was at the height of the depression. Somehow, a combination of loans, savings and preferred stock was put together and the sale price of $600,000 was secured.

The new Company immediately changed the name to HW Lay, Company. Mr. Lay recognized that mechanization was necessary to expand distribution and reduce costs. He invested every dollar of profit in self-contained potato processing machinery that would take a whole potato and produce a finished potato chip. The chips were then packaged in the new waterproof bags that ensured product freshness as it shipped and remained on store shelves until purchased and consumed.

The start of World War II turned out to be more profitable for the salty snack industry. Chocolate and sugar were heavily rationed during the war, and products using these ingredients became rare and expensive until the war ended. However, salt was never rationed and the availability of salty snacks made them the preferred choice for consumers looking for a quick snack during the war. Furthermore, these salty snacks were consumed in large quantities by the troops.

Lays Potato Chips and snacks became ubiquitous on store shelves in the American South during and after the war. The Company purchased small and under-capitalized competitors and aggressively expanded. Ultimately, the HW Lay Company purchased the Frito Company of San Antonio, Texas. Frito had perfected the production of a corn chip that we eat in large quantities to this day. The combined Frito Lay Company became the nation’s strongest producer of savory snacks.

Frito Lay and several regional brands dominated the salty snack category during the postwar years. The plain potato chip was basically unchanged in appearance, flavor, and consistency, except for the addition of new flavors like garlic, green onion, and barbecue. The industry appeared to have settled into a slow-growing, mature category with limited business opportunities for new offerings. Yet the world’s most entrepreneurial consumer products company, Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble (P&G), is always looking to cultivate and grow new product niches. They had a corporate eye on the snack food industry, and P&G management in particular felt they had identified a chink in the chip makers’ armor.

That crack was in the packaging. Potato chips have been sold since the late 1930s in flexible, flexible bags. While this ensured freshness, it made breaking a problem. Consumers who participated in the focus groups told P&G that they didn’t like the small, cracked, and broken pieces of potato chips that settled to the bottom of the bags. Research and Development at P&G began work on an answer to the problem.

P&G is famous for its creation of Brand Management. Brand Management allows the responsible team assigned to each specific product to treat the brand as an independent business and profit center for the Company. The success of this management style is legendary and has been studied in Business Schools and adopted by many other companies. The brand management system encourages each team to aggressively pursue new product adaptations and inventiveness.

P&G Research and Development for the company’s food group worked on the potato chip project during the 1960s. Their response to the problem created a wonderful example of how an enterprising company, or individual, can benefit immensely from innovation. of a convergent product. The innovation that became a billion dollar brand and revolutionized snack marketing was the introduction of Pringles.

Obviously, P&G didn’t invent potato chips or salty snacks. However, by adapting classic French fries in shape, flavor and presentation, they have created a new and successful brand that is sold to millions of consumers around the world every day.

Pringles are 42% potato. They are formed by mixing potato flakes with a liquid suspension and then drying to turn each potato into an almost perfectly identical curved oval. The genius of Pringle’s lies in the cylindrical cardboard tube invented for P&G by Fredric Baur. Pringle potato chips are stacked inside the tube, so individual chips are virtually unbroken. The tube closure is a snap-on plastic cap. Pringles was marketed on a trial basis in 1968 and consumers were enthusiastic. The product has been constantly improved and more than 40 flavors have been added to the original style. Many of these flavors are sold in specific countries or regions to suit prevailing taste preferences, such as Jalapeno in Mexico and Cajun in Louisiana.

Entrepreneurs are driven to search for and create “divergent products”. The invention of disruptive “divergent products” such as the light bulb, the cotton gin, or the internal combustion engine is the “Holy Grail” that these visionaries seek to perfect and harness to fame and fortune. However, the most often realized and realistic path to success is to create a niche product upgrade. Explore existing products and technologies and identify needs that these products are not addressing. Creating novel “converged products” that simply add incremental benefits and small performance improvements can add up to big profits.

Procter & Gamble has created the world’s largest consumer products company and one of the most admired factories of innovation by pursuing both “divergent” and “convergent” opportunities. Pringles is an example of a highly successful “converging product” innovator. P&G’s history is littered with examples of new “converging product” successes. “Divergent product” innovations are fewer and more difficult to discover and bring to market. This is a great company that looks for opportunities anywhere it can find them.

Contractors should take note of this process. Frito Lay is now owned by PepsiCo. The evolution of this great brand is largely due to the simple drive and vision of HW Lay. He took a simple product that suffered from a bad distribution model and turned the opportunity into immense wealth. P&G took the breakage problem inherent in bagged potato chips and, through recipe and packaging innovation, created a huge global success with the introduction of Pringles. P&G and HW Lay are examples of the elegance of simple ideas. Remember the old axiom: KISS = Keep it Simple Stupid! The best ideas are often the most obvious.

Meet face to face the friendliest country in Africa.

A great country to travel at your own pace, with your own vehicle and choosing your own unique route.

Traveling to a remote and exciting destination is a big decision and it’s not always easy to determine the best option and how to approach the trip. Fortunately for the discerning international traveler looking for that special memorable trip for their well-deserved vacation, Namibia offers all the adventure of a wild African country, the spectacular and diverse landscape of deserts, bushlands and forests, but also the safety and comfort that makes it an option suitable for the whole family.

With direct flights from Europe to its capital, Windhoek, or just a short flight from the nearest international gateway of Johannesburg and Cape Town in neighboring South Africa, Namibia is a relatively cheap and safe destination, ideal for car enthusiasts. -drive, or those who want to try a self-drive holiday for the first time.

A self-drive holiday is the perfect way to make your holiday special in terms of your own preferences and schedule. An organized tour is great if you only have a short break, can’t drive yourself for some reason, or aren’t interested in going off the regular tourist trail. However, autonomous driving is the ultimate adventure to try that unique and special experience that only the autonomous tourist can experience and, best of all, in Namibia it is also a safe option.

namibian background

Namibia is a country located in the southwestern corner of Africa, with neighboring countries Angola to the north, Botswana to the east, and South Africa to the south. The Atlantic Ocean bathes its shores in the west. Namibia also shares a small portion of its border with Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The country has just over 2 million inhabitants consisting of 13 different tribes, spread over its 824,269 square kilometers, and its capital is the city of Windhoek. The climate is quite mild during the winter and hot during the summer, with mainly summer rains, a green African forest in the northeast, savannah grasslands with thorny scrub and trees in the central areas, a semi-desert in the south, and two deserts. namely the Namib Desert along the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the Kalahari Desert in the east bordering southern Botswana and South Africa.

The country gained its independence from South Africa in 1991 after a 20-year liberation struggle, and was also a former British and German colony. From the colonial past, the German impact is most visible in the architecture and language, while the South African influence is clear in its economic and cultural links with its neighbor. The official language is English, but many more local languages ​​are spoken by the various tribes, including Oshiwambo, Otjiherero, Afrikaans, Nama, Damara, German, Rukwangali, Khoi San, Setswana, and others.

The people of Namibia are very friendly, earning the country the nickname “The Smile on the Face of Africa”, and tourists leave with mostly positive memories of every personal interaction.

Namibia’s road infrastructure is well developed, but some areas require experienced drivers. The country has 5,450 km of paved roads and 37,000 km of gravel roads in good condition.

Some requirements for autonomous driving

Before coming to Namibia, it is important to find out what the requirements are for your country in terms of visas, access and obtaining an international driver’s license. If you bring a vehicle registered abroad, you must be in possession of proof of ownership of the vehicle, the license and the police record certificate. The police will check the engine number, chassis number, trailer number and license details. A cross-border fee must be paid upon entering Namibia for the vehicle and trailer, so please inquire at the Namibian Embassy or High Commission in your country, or ask your local travel agent for confirmation.

Adequate insurance coverage is also important when planning your epic Namibian driving adventure. Make sure you have coverage for your vehicle, loss or theft of your belongings, and health insurance.

Vehicle options for self-drive safaris in Namibia

The country offers fantastic scenery, but also great distances between highlights, so when choosing your vehicle you should keep in mind that you will spend a lot of time driving. Sedans are less expensive than 4x4s, but keep in mind that long distances will be on gravel roads, and more remote locations may only be accessible with an all-wheel drive (4×4) vehicle.

Your budget and preferred route will obviously also be important factors when choosing a vehicle, but the advantage of an all wheel drive vehicle is access to more remote areas, a smoother and safer ride due to larger diameter tires reducing vibration on the road. undulating gravel roads and ensuring greater stability, availability of camping gear and more luggage space on larger vehicles, and improved tire safety. During the rainy season, some of the good gravel roads can become undrivable with a sedan. However, keep in mind that these come at a higher price, so the decision on the type of vehicle should take all aspects into account. In summer, air conditioning is a must, but most big-name rental companies now offer air conditioning as standard, even on most smaller rental vehicles.

Vehicle types available for rent include sedan, single cab 2×4 pick-up truck with roof, and single or double cab 4×4 pick-up truck with roof or station wagon.

When renting a vehicle, keep in mind that there are related insurance costs to consider, such as collision damage waiver, theft loss waiver, excess, etc. Be sure to ask your rental company or travel agent to include everything in your rental quote.

Rules and road safety

Namibia is a country where you drive on the left, so if possible try to include some practice before your trip to get used to driving on the other side of the road if you are coming from a country where drive on the opposite side of the road. Also, if you bring your own left-hand drive vehicle, it will be even more important to practice.

The speed limit on the open road in Namibia is 120 km per hour. In the city, the speed limit is 60 to 80 km per hour. Some roads with more challenging conditions will have lower speed limits. Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers in a vehicle, drivers must be in possession of a valid driver’s license at all times, and the use of cell phones while driving is prohibited. Between sunset and sunrise, your vehicle’s headlights should be on, but it’s also a good idea to use your headlights on the open road during the day, as it increases visibility and safety.

Many tourists who drive on Namibian roads are unfamiliar with gravel road conditions and are therefore at a higher risk of accidents. It’s important to slow down on gravel roads and rather give yourself more time to complete the trip. Watch out for rocks that could burst a tire, passing vehicles throwing rocks at your windshield, and also be prepared for possible flash flooding during the rainy season when crossing rivers. Another danger that many tourists are unaware of is the risk of vehicle fire when driving on dry grass due to grass build-up around the exhaust system or near the engine.

Watch for animals, domestic and wild, on the roads, especially at night.

Another important factor to remember is that you are not allowed to drive anywhere off the main roads as you may be in a National Park and could cause damage to ecologically sensitive areas such as lichen fields in the desert.

If you plan to go to more remote areas, it is important that you let someone know of your planned route and expected arrival time, and have regular contact along the way where you can. Also order extra spare wheels from your rental company, or bring them with your own car, and make sure you have enough emergency supplies in your vehicle in case you get stuck somewhere. In your supplies, include enough water and food, as well as extra fuel and medical/first aid supplies.

itinerary ideas

Each of the different areas of Namibia offers a unique attraction for the solo traveler, so your choice of itinerary will depend on your preferences and interests. From the expansive views and unique natural attractions of the South, such as the majestic Fish River Canyon, the specialized fauna and flora of the Namib Desert and its unforgettable attractions, such as the Sossusvlei dunes, to the Central Highlands with their mountain ranges and opportunities for camping and hiking. From the arid and remote Skeleton Coast in the northwest corner, to the river systems of the northeast and the African forests, Namibia offers many options. Of course, wild animals roam free in many of these areas, making your Namibian experience even more special.

You can choose to take just one more special itinerary if you’re on a shorter trip, or combine all the highlights into one grand trip if you have more time available. Options for adventure travel, photography tours, or other specialized tours are also available.

When planning your own trip, make use of the wealth of information available online, especially using the national websites of the Namibia Tourist Board, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, and the Namibian Hotel Association. These websites will give you more ideas and show you the main places of interest to visit, as well as providing you with accommodation options to suit any budget or preference.

Using a travel agent can help because your itinerary can be streamlined according to your needs, and you can take the guesswork out of car rentals, lodging reservations, and documentation requirements for your trip, but you can also do the most of your planning and reservations online. also.

Most of the establishments that offer accommodation in Namibia are open all year round, but the best time to visit depends on each one. Summers are generally very hot, and early spring and summer rains can interfere with the best self-driving plans. Winters are quite mild, although cold nights are often a reality for self-employed drivers who like to camp.

Whichever season you choose, whatever vehicle and itinerary options you prefer, you’re guaranteed a vacation you’ll always remember. The land of the wide open spaces, Namibia is ready to welcome you on your journey. Sitting by that campfire at night, after an exciting day filled with the most amazing sights and sounds, you will realize that Namibia is a country that will always call to you. And of course, you can come back as many times as you want.