FIVE SECRET DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD YOU WOULD LOVE TO VISIT

Are you a traveler or explorer who wants to see something new, discover hidden gems and catch fun like never before? Then these destinations mentioned below are ideal, courtesy of some research from some top renowned travel experts.

 

 

  • GO FOR A HORSEBACK RIDING ADVENTURE IN THE PARICUTÍN’S LAVA FIELDS, MEXICO

 

It can be recalled that the hamlet of San Juan Parangaricutiro in Michoacan was almost destroyed completely by a cataclysmic volcanic eruption in 1943.

 

Fast forward to today and all that remains of the original village is the top half of the old church with its tower rising from the black lava fields which have formed the slopes of the volcano of Paricutin. Regardless, you are bound to enjoy an unforgettable experience when you take a horse ride to the spectral church from the village known as Angahuan which is located close by.

 

 

  • EXPLORE THE MAYA NORD IN THE REPUBLIC OF CONGO

 

This is one travel destination that only courageous folks can explore. It can be described as an open clearing in the forests of Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo in West Central Africa.

 

The journey, if properly planned can see you arrive at your destination within a day or thereabout if you set off from the UK, passing through Paris and Brazzaville. You’ll get to navigate to the final destination with the aid of planes, cars, canoes and also get to do some jungle hikes.

 

This is more of a wildlife destination as you’ll get to see mammals like elephants, leopards, chimpanzees, a variety of birds and forest buffalos. You’ll enjoy the best of what the African continent has to offer with regards to nature and the wild here.

 

 

  • GET ABREAST WITH COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE IN CORDOBA

 

This is one destination that has been overlooked although it’s a rewarding place for traveling adventurers. One can bet it is, just as casino gaming enthusiasts can take advantage and bet on the brilliant options at Novibet Casino and smile to the bank when they win.

The capital is laden with architecture that dates back to the colonial era, as wellas arts, and a dynamic restaurant scene that’s set on the hip Guemes vicinity. You can also set out to see the Sierras de Cordoba mountain range which is wonderful and suitable for horse riding, as well as one of South America’s biggest lakes known as the Mar Chiquita. The Mar Chiquita is one place where you’ll find birdwatchers catching significant fun.

 

 

  • THE NEOCLASSICAL IN SYMI, GREECE

 

The little Greek island of Symi, off Rhodes, is one travel secret that has been established as one of the most spectacular harbours in the country and is surrounded by Neoclassical houses.

 

Greece boasts the tenth longest coastline when compared to other countries. It also has more areas and beaches that are yet to be explored by other travelers.

 

It must be noted that the majority of the best events in the country take place after summer. However, the places you’ve visited during summer also offer a different look and feel at other times of the year. Spring season in Greece promotes an abundance of flowers and greenery giving the country a Tropical feel.

 

 

  • EXPLORE THE SECRET NICHES AT THE HSINBYUME PAGODA IN BURMA

 

The majority of the visitors who travel to Myanmar in Burma do so for the sights and scenes of the popular temples. However, one hidden gem is the Hsinbyume Pagoda which can be found on the western bank of The Irrawaddy.

 

You can get to this destination by boarding some of the daily morning ferries from Mandalay to Mingun Jetty, or better still, join a sightseeing river cruise. The temple is all white and beautiful and comes with seven terraces for adventurers to explore. These terraces can easily pass for the mountains that rise to the mythical Mount Meru.

 

You must be very observant in this visit to spot the secret statues in the hidden niches which act as decoration for the waves of the temple.

 

Speaking out against LGBTQ bullying #SpiritDay

stand up to bullying

Paper Mill Playhouse and the company of Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz support “Spirit Day 2019” in the attached image.  This year’s Spirit Day (Thursday, October 17) is a means of speaking out against LGBTQ bullying and standing with LGBTQ youth, who disproportionately face bullying and harassment because of their identities. Pledging to “go purple” on Spirit Day is a way for everyone to visibly show solidarity with LGBTQ youth and to take part in the largest, most visible anti-bullying campaign in the world.  Feel to use this image on your websites, social media and broadcast. Photo by Emma Rhyner.

Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the New Jersey premiere of Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz with a book by Marc Acito, musical adaptation & additional music by David Libby and conceived by and additional lyrics by Tina Marie Casamento. Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz  will run through Sunday, October 27, 2019, at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ). Directed and choreographed by Tony award nominee Denis Jones, Orchestrations by Larry Blank and David Libby with music direction by Lawrence Yurman, the principal cast features Ruby Rakos (Billy Elliot) as Judy Garland/Frances Gumm, Tony Award nominee Max Von Essen (An American in Paris, Paper Mill’s The Baker’s Wife) as Frank Gumm, Olivier Award-winner Lesli Margherita (Matilda, Dames at Sea) as Ethel Gumm, Karen Mason (Mamma Mia!, And the World Goes ‘Round) as Ma Lawlor/Kay Koverman, Stephen DeRosa (Into the Woods, HBO’s Boardwalk Empire) as Louis B. Mayer, Michael Wartella (Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryTuck Everlasting) as Mickey Rooney, and Colin Hanlon (ABC’s Modern Family, Paper Mill’s Benny & Joon) as Roger Edens.

Before she burst onto the big screen as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland was a young vaudeville trouper named Frances Gumm. In this highly anticipated new musical chronicling Garland’s early career from vaudeville baby to MGM teen star in the making, the road to Oz is paved with adversity. At its heart a story of love between a father and daughter, featuring such legendary songs as “Over the Rainbow,” “You Made Me Love You,” and “Everybody Sing,” Chasing Rainbows is a poignant coming-of-age tale about “the little girl with the big voice,” who went on to become one of the world’s most beloved entertainment icons. The show has already earned praise from Liza Minnelli, who said, “My mother said that her biography is in her music, and now a talented creative team is using that music to tell the story of her early years and her extraordinary rise to fame.”

Tickets available at www.PaperMill.org.

CRAZY CANDY CANE CAKE

Ready to make a cake that will have your friends and family racing back for more? Totally Instagram ready, the Crazy Candy Cane Cake from the HOLIDAY JUBILEE retro cookbook will have everyone smiling. And eating. 

holiday cake

GET THIS

 

3 boxes white cake mix, mixed according to box instructions

 

1 large bottle red food coloring

 

1 large bottle white food coloring

 

1 large bottle turquoise food coloring

 

Peppermint extract to taste

 

5 tubs white frosting

 

Small and large candy canes

 

Red, white, and green spice drops

 

Peppermint candies

 

GET BUSY

Divide batter into two bowls and stir in peppermint extract to taste. Generously add red food coloring to one and white food coloring to the other. (Using red velvet cake batter just won’t do, it’s simply not bright enough.) Fill plastic squeeze bottles with batter. Spray 3 cake pans with PAM. Line bottom of cake pans with no-stick baking paper. Flour sides of pans.

To create the candy cane effect, squeeze in the red and white batter, alternating in concentric circles until pan is about 3/4 full. Bake cakes according to box instructions.  

FROSTING and FILLING

Stir turquoise food coloring into frosting until color is consistent. Put several candy canes in a double-zip plastic bag and gently crack with a mallet until they are broken into small pieces and all your holiday aggressions are out. Sift to get rid of the teeny-tiny broken bits. Stack each layer with a generous spread of frosting sprinkled and topped with candy cane bits. Frost and refrigerate.

SHOWTIME

To increase the chances that your candy cane cake will collapse during the party, decorate with candy canes, peppermints, and spice drops just before your guests arrive. Let them oooh and aaah over it. Then let gravity do its thing—hopefully within an hour or so, much to their devilish delight, they’ll witness the cake crack, fail, and fall. Serve the collapsed cake right away with holiday cheer and watch it get gobbled up like it was the last cake on the planet! By the way, it’s totally fine if your crazy candy cane cake doesn’t collapse—it’ll still be the life of the party.  

RECIPE FROM HOLIDAY JUBILEE

BY CHARLES PHOENIX

The Novel Mobile Tech That Is Moulding The New Generation

The Following is a Guest Post. All opinions and the writing is that of the author. 

Humongous smartphones and tablets with under-display fingerprint sensors, gaming smartphones with more power than some computers, smartphone cameras that approach DSLR level in quality, 5G and its promise of changing the world as we know it. Yes, our day to day lives might be incredibly stressed and troublesome, even at jackpotmobilecasino.co.uk, but it never hurts to just sit back and appreciate just how far we and technology have come.

 

Back in the days, like 2 to 3 decades ago, no one save for a few eggheads and industry leaders knew what the internet was. Few computers were even linked to the Internet and most of these computers were quite huge.

 

Then there were mobile phones, all of which lacked any intuitive user interface and few of which had internet connectivity. Remember those mobile phones of the 80s that were brick-sized, heavy as sin and with what had to be a 3-foot long antenna sticking out of them? Well, they made users look cool, but that would be impossible to pull off today.

 

 Yes, technology has indeed changed and massively too. The Youth of today do not seem to understand or appreciate the struggles their forebears experienced when things were less easy and the world was less connected.

 

The Rise Of Tech

While technology has always advanced at a frightening rate, the last few years have seen it leap ahead at near warp speed. The pace has been so frenetic that it appears each new advance is followed by another one hours later. This has, of course, resulted in the creation of an increasingly connected world and has seamlessly reordered life as we know it.

 

Technology has now worked itself into every aspect of our existence to the point that we largely cannot exist without it. As of now, most folks never go anywhere without their mobile devices and many are the clinics treating mobile addiction.

 

With the growth in mobile tech, information of all sorts can be shared faster and to many people. This makes communication essentially effortless, even with someone on the other side of the world.

 

The New Generation Rules!

The new generation certainly has a lot to thank the gods for. Current mobile tech has made their life so easy that it could be argued that they live in a paradise of sorts. This can be seen in the fact that they can access any information of their choice any time and anywhere. 

 

Students for example no longer need to make a trip to the library to read a dusty volume or two. Much the same information can be easily accessed using a mobile or tablet and more conveniently too.

 

The new-gen can as well shop from their mobile and buy just about anything in the world they wish. This can be cars, jewelry, food and even the abominable snowman.

 

Mobile tech also makes the world of social media possible and the sweet delights attributed to this can turn the brain matter into jelly. Given the ever-advancing pace of mobile tech, it is fair to say that the best is yet to come and that is a good enough reason for the new generation should be very grateful for living in an age such as this.

 

Self Grooming tips during Pregnancy

As your belly grows bigger during pregnancy, your movement becomes a bit limited and it gets harder to see some areas of your body. For example, you can barely see your toes because your belly gets on the way. In addition, you cannot do the usual things you like such as sleeping on your belly as it is just not possible. Not only that, pregnancy brings another challenge that some women are not comfortable bringing up, like grooming your private part. However, others are really bold enough to talk about how to shave their pubic hair when pregnant. If this is the same dilemma you’re facing, these tips we gathered might help you. 

 

Keep it moisturized.

 

Never shave on a dry skin. Any dry surface has some friction including our skin. Just imagine how the blade would glide smoothly if your skin down there is dry. Apart from being more sensitive, it is prone to irritation and razor burn. Use a clean razor and shaving cream or unscented conditioner. The conditioner softens the hair for an effortless shaving. 

 

However, make sure to use a paraben-free and organic conditioner for safety reasons. Some conditioners and shaving creams are too harsh on the skin or may negatively affect your pregnancy. Glide your razor downward for an easy hair removal and avoid razor burns. 

 

Use scissors if necessary. 

 

You might need the help of a pair of scissors if your pubic hair is too thick. Hair grows twice faster because of the hormonal changes when pregnant. If there’s thicker hair, the harder it is to shave. Use a pair of scissors with rounded tips to trim it first. Then you can start shaving the rest when it’s thinner. 

 

Use a mirror.

 

Actually this is where the challenge is. It might not be a big issue for some people but others are just having difficulty shaving without seeing it. If you don’t have a full-size body mirror you can use a handy one. It shouldn’t be hard for you to use it while removing all those hair down there. 

 

If you’re not in front of the mirror, you can use your fingers as a guide while your other hand is on the shaver trimming your hair. Feel and locate the areas that need to be shaved. Be careful not to run the shaver on your fingers though. Or better yet, use a hair removal cream. 

 

Use depilatory creams.

 

Hair removal creams are also good options as this is the easiest self-grooming method. You don’t have to worry about possible painful cuts because there’s no razor involved. But you have to consult your doctor first prior to opting for this method as they might contain chemicals that is threatening to your baby. 

 

Choose the right shaver.

 

First, select the right length of the comb on your shaver. The shaver’s comb holds the hair and keeps it in place while the blades cut it. So the comb’s length should be enough to hold your pubic hair to avoid the risk of getting cut. 

 

Don’t forget to check the blades. They should be clean and sharp enough for the process. Replace an old blade with a new one.  If there’s a lubrication strip, be sure it’s not faded. 

 

If you’re using an electric shaver then it should be waterproof. Even if you don’t plan using it with water, you’ll never know when will you drop it on a wet area. 

 

The perfect shaver gets the job done really fast and easy. There are many things to consider in choosing the best one. The reviews on https://www.hairclippersclub.com/6-best-pubic-hair-trimmers-for-men-women/ will help you determine what’s right for you. 

 

Tentrr, A New Way to Camp

Are you camping-curious, but not sure you want to deal with all the tent and sleeping bag related hassle? Have a hesitant spouse? Or perhaps you love camping, as we do, but are ready to try something new and different with your friends and family this fall. We recently headed out with Tentrr, a new company that gives you the camping experience you are after, from the most basic and remote locations to the “glamping” end of things as you desire. The best part? No set up or breaking down, you just go. When you arrive, everything is ready for you, just like a hotel (but way cooler, since you are outdoors and get to spend some time in nature).

easy camping

There is no end to the benefits of spending time in nature, from *physical health benefits like improving your immune system as well as mental and emotional health and well being (boosting you mood and giving you a creativity boost for examples), your whole self will benefit from your time camping. It doesn’t matter if you choose to really “rough it” or not, just being outside with your family will give you a wonderful bonding experience and memories that you can keep forever.

(*These and other health benefits of spending time outdoors can be found at  https://www.health.harvard.edu)

camping with kids

In a similar manner to Airnbn, Tentrr works with private landowners to cater to the camping community. These landowners install a “fully-equipped campsite on their property. Each campsite comes with a canvas wall tent on an elevated platform, bed, wood stove, Adirondack chairs, fire pit, grill, picnic table, sun shower, and camp toilet. Tentrr is perfect for families who love the outdoors but don’t love all the work associated with camping like packing a car full of stuff or pitching a tent.” (Via Tentrr)

family campsites

There are no crowded campgrounds, no tents or campers parked just feet away from your site, so you and your family can truly enjoy the solitude and quiet of nature.  We camped in Tivoli Trails in Tivoli, NY. It was our first experience with Tentrr, and I have to say it was so much easier and thus more relaxing for me (the main packer and set up person) and gave me more time to enjoy rather then rush about that first and last day. It’s really an ideal situation for those looking for a quick weekend trip as well, since it removes the time it takes for setup and breakdown, which can be substantial.

best camping

Also similar to Airbnb, there is an App you can install that lets you keep in touch with your campkeeper, for any questions or last minute issues that might arise. Forget something, get lost, confused about anything? That’s cool, you can message anytime. The messages also come to your email inbox and you are able to reply and talk that way, which for me was helpful since I’m less on my phone then I am on my computer. I know, I’m old.

great family camping

You can opt in for “extras” as well, such as towels, sleeping bags, pillows, etc. You will have all sorts of options when you make your reservation. There is also the ever-useful “camp kitchen” that is already there, and has everything you need to cook and clean up. This was my personal favorite, since bringing your own takes up a lot of space. If yours is not pre-packed, it also takes a lot of time to pack up (and if you are like me, you always forget something).

At this time, Tentrr has nearly 700 fully-equipped campsites in the USA and they are always adding more. Visit https://www.tentrr.com to choose your next getaway.

“Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz” at Paper Mill Playhouse

papermill playhouse

We just saw the new play,”Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz”, at Paper Mill Playhouse. Continuing until October 27, this world premiere focuses on the early life of Francis Gumm, who became Judy Garland. Best known for her breakout performance as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz”, her life and family are brought to life in a musical.

Honestly, I thought it was a bit….well, lets say “light hearted” in it’s presentation. Her mother, well documented as a nightmare stage parent, was portrayed as a little rough but doting. Her father, whom she adored, was also a bit much. His homosexuality was really hammered on, with long, dramatic songs, and quite a few scenes that a fellow theater-goer described as “over the top and self indulgent”- to which I agree. Over indulgent and almost mocking, so light hearted (and even joking) was made of her theater experiences with her mother and different people in the business, such as directors, owner, and other cast members. She had such a rough go in reality, and to present it in this way really seemed to belittle her life and to mock her life and experiences. It seemed very unfair to her, in my opinion. Abuse should not be downplayed as bumbling or nonsensical, her body shaming and resulting dysmorphia and eating disorders barely touched upon and again, very light, drug abuse (which killed her) pushed upon her and encouraged by those that should have been there for her, never mentioned.

NJ theater

The songs were odd and disjointed, nothing really played all the way through or presented in any sort of logical way, with the exception of “All Ma’s Children”, which was both fun and lively, as well as made sense in it’s placement (and was the entire song in one go). In my opinion, it was the best part of the show. Some songs, such as “You Made Me Love You” were done over and over, in bits and pieces, some of which were weird- such as between Judy and her father. Love songs between parent and child, not great.  The music was all over the place and jumbled, we really would have loved some consistency. As well, some more upbeat numbers to fill the 3 hour show.

It just felt like…too much. With her life, her wild, brutal, and interesting life- this was what they came up with, presented? Perhaps they were trying to appeal to the crowd that cult loves “Wizard of OZ”, and indeed there were so many rainbow dresses and purses and ruby glitter shoes in the crowd that night, they did so indeed. But it felt disingenuous to me. It made light of Judy Garland’s life and her suffering, which she sadly had so much of. Light topics likely go over better, but theater goers are overall a deep group, thinkers, and I think they would have gone for a real look at Francis, the woman who became Dorothy (and so much more).

In addition, the play was 3 hours long. It was a long, long play, and we were bored and thankful when it was over. That’s not something you want to aspire to.  So many long staring off into space, slow walking off to the side of the stage, gazing into the abyss while walking at a snails pace to who knows what or why, oh so lengthy dramatic pauses- it just felt overdone. And so, so long.

The cast, however, was extremely talented- the children especially wowed us. As well, all the music used in the show was actually sung by Judy Garland in her life, which was very cool. Some of it was unknown to me, so it was neat seeing some new things brought to life.

More about the show;

Before she burst onto the big screen as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland was a young vaudeville trouper named Frances Gumm. In this highly anticipated new musical chronicling Garland’s early career from vaudeville baby to MGM teen star in the making, the road to Oz is paved with adversity. At its heart a story of love between a father and daughter, featuring such legendary songs as “Over the Rainbow,” “You Made Me Love You,” and “Everybody Sing,” Chasing Rainbows is a poignant coming-of-age tale about “the little girl with the big voice,” who went on to become one of the world’s most beloved entertainment icons. The show has already earned praise from Liza Minnelli, who said, “My mother said that her biography is in her music, and now a talented creative team is using that music to tell the story of her early years and her extraordinary rise to fame.”
Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz begins performances Thursday, September 26, 2019, and will continue through Sunday, October 27, 2019, at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ).

Get your tickets at https://papermill.org 

10 Vacation Mistakes To Avoid While Traveling Solo

Solo travel is fast becoming a popular concept for the younger generation. What’s more, people of all ages are exploring the idea of getting away on their own. It gives you the opportunity to spend time in your own company and get a new perspective. But solo travel is not as simple as it sounds and you need to understand what goes into making your trip enjoyable and safe. At the same time, you should know that there are certain things to avoid. Here is a list of vacation mistakes that you should steer clear of while traveling solo.

Mistake #1: Not having a plan to start with

As a rule of thumb, never step out of your home unless you have a proper plan in place. This becomes all the more important if you are traveling alone because you have to manage things by yourself. Start by deciding the dates and destination of the trip. Have a budget and explore the travel and accommodation options that fit within. Put everything on paper and consider the estimates while making the bookings because you would not want to topple your budget.

Mistake #2: Not prioritizing safety

When it comes to solo trips, safety matters more than everything else. Do not travel to a destination that is notorious in terms of criminal activities. Make sure that you check the accommodation safety as well. Living in a shady place just to save some dollars is the worst thing that you can do. Save the local helpline and emergency numbers on your phone as a precaution. Besides following the practical safety tips, do listen to your instincts. Safety is specifically important for women.

Mistake #3: Overscheduling

You may be super-enthusiastic while traveling alone because you have all the freedom to decide everything. But over scheduling can spoil your plans because doing too much in too little time can exhaust you in the end. Not having a company does not mean that there will be no deviations from the plan. Take small hassles into consideration and be flexible while planning the schedule. Don’t go by the clock; rather give yourself time to relax and unwind because that is what a solo vacation is all about.

Mistake #4: Not opening-up

The very purpose of traveling solo is exploring the new. Not opening up to new ideas and new people is a mistake that you should absolutely avoid. You can be in your own company but still, try and mingle with the locals. Rather than being reserved, go out and interact. Learn their language, taste their delicacies and explore the local hubs as well. Try making friends but be careful about the people you choose to be friendly with.

Mistake #5: Not having a plan B

Solo trips are all about discovery and rediscovery; so be open to the idea of trying something different on the spur of the moment. Look for customizable vacation packages that give you the option to try new accommodation or destination if you don’t like the one you choose in the first place. Also, have a plan B that keeps you covered both from safety and enjoyment perspective. Know all the options you have and be open to trying them all.

Mistake #6: Not staying in touch back home

Obviously, you will want to travel alone to get away from the routine but not staying in touch back home is a mistake you should avoid. Call friends and family regularly and receive their calls as well. Do check your emails and social media accounts as well. Regularly touching base is important as it will keep your loved ones stress-free. Also, contacting each other during emergencies will be easier if you are in constant touch.

Mistake #7: Not carrying enough cash

You may think that not carrying enough cash is a smart idea from the safety perspective but it can be a blunder while traveling alone. You must have at least enough to carry you through the day because asking strangers for help is something that no one wants to do. If you are traveling abroad, convert and carry enough local currency because you may get into trouble with money exchange. Also, keep your credit card and traveler’s checks in addition to cash.

Mistake #8: Getting intoxicated

Another mistake that you should avoid while traveling alone is getting intoxicated. It is fine to take a drink or two when you are in the vacation mode but not keeping a count on the drinks can get you into trouble. After all, you wouldn’t want to pass out at a place where no one knows you. Moreover, there are always safety risks if you are alone and get too drunk, which is the last thing that you would want to happen. 

Mistake #9: Flashing expensive items

If you think that flaunting expensive items and jewelry while traveling alone is a good idea, it is the worst thing to do. You will definitely catch the attention of people who would want to take you for a ride. As a rule, you should travel light with minimal luggage in terms of the weight and value of the stuff you carry. Wear only bare essentials in the name of jewelry if traveling without jewelry. Don’t carry too expensive gadgets as well.

Mistake #10: Looking lost

The last thing that you should do while traveling solo is to look lost. Even if you feel lost, check out local maps and you will probably be able to find your way. You can ask for directions from the locals thought it is better to get help from the authorities to be on the safer side. Even when you are lost, look confident to avoid being an easy target for unscrupulous people.

Traveling solo is an adventure and gives you an exhilarating experience. However, you need to take certain precautions and avoid these mistakes to make the trip a success. Above everything, focus on being safe and having a good time when you travel alone!