BANANA BOAT CRUISE
You may not associate buying a bunch of bananas in your local supermarket with a cheap cruise to Central America but there is a holiday connection. There are places available on a Banana Boat Cruise.
If the thought of noisy entertainment, strenuous deck games, over planned shore excursions and competition to eat a formal dinner at the Captains table don’t particularly excite you, there is a cheaper and quieter alternative.
There are still freight companies, following in the tradition of famous names such as Fyffes and Geest, offering the rare combination of fare paying passengers and ripening bananas traveling across the Atlantic.
Typical vessels are now Reefer ships with refrigerated containers on deck and accommodation for up to a dozen passengers. 12 is a magic number, since above this number means the ship has to carry a doctor. Companies operate age limits and good health is obviously essential. The round trip is about 35 days in total and costs are in the region of $100 per day.
Accommodation is usually in 6 twin bed cabins with a steward, en suite bathroom, with access to a sun deck and in some cases a pool. The salon will have a bar, library and TV/video facilities. Passengers eat with the Captain and his Officers.
The ship will leave Europe with a general cargo and a typical itinerary will be a 9-day crossing to the West Indies with calls at Guadeloupe and Martinique. Although only a few hours in port, passengers may wish to stay longer and either fly home or await the next ship. Final destination is Moin in Costa Rica, calling at Cartagena and Turbo in Columbia.
At Moin the return cargo of bananas is loaded. Harvesting is a race against time and the fruit must be at the supermarket within 20 days and is shipped green, at less than 14.5 degrees C, to allow perfect ripening. The 1-2 days in port will allow sightseeing ashore. The return 13 day trip to Europe is direct and non stop across the Atlantic.
If you require casinos and the frenetic activity found on board conventional cruise ships, this is not for you. Your fellow passengers will probably be older, retired professionals with some younger people looking for a different travel experience. You will spend time relaxing, reading, chatting, perhaps making lasting friendships or just watching the ocean slip by. Remember to take that favourite book with you or any other hobby items that you haven’t had time for in your busy schedule.
Selecting a bunch of bananas in the supermarket may now give you new ideas and prompt you to take a holiday with a difference, a Banana Boat Cruise.
HOLLAND FOR A CITY BREAK
In a previous article we took a light hearted look at the City of Amsterdam. One of our readers, quite rightly, has pointed out that certain aspects of Amsterdam, in particular, the red light district and the coffee shop, cannabis culture are unlikely to be found elsewhere in this delightful country. From personal experience we fully agree with this comment, having found The Netherlands to be a clean, well organised country, with a most hospitable people. Even the trains run on time! So why not try Holland for a city break.
THE HAGUE
This is a city with many historic buildings with a long cultural legacy in evidence in over 30 museums. The Het Binnenhof is the centre of Dutch politics and is where the Dutch Parliament meets. Its magnificent Ridderzaal or Knights Hall was built by Count Floris V in the 13th Century.
The Peace Palace was a gift from Andrew Carnegie to the city. Many nations contributed to its construction and it now houses The International Court of Justice.
TheRoyal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis is located next to The Binnenhof on the beautiful Hofvijver Pond and houses Dutch masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Ruebens and Van Dijck.
The Hague also enjoys two great beaches, Scheveningen and Kijkduin.
UTRECHT
This University City is in the heart of Holland and one of its oldest. It is famous for its pedestrian quaysides along its 14th Century sunken canals.
The 112 metre high Dom Tower provides magnificent views of the city, although we think the city is best seen from the water. You have the choice of a Venetian Gondola, a Plof Boat or an electric Whisper Boat.
Throughout the year, Utrecht is alive with exciting festivals. These include The International Spring Dance Festival and The Holland Festival of Old Music. Cultural Sundays see the parks and squares full of dance, music and theatre.
Utrecht is a shoppers paradise with Hoog Catharijne, which is one of the best known shopping malls in Holland. Sidewalk and quayside cafes are plentiful and traditional food includes the giant pancakes sprinkled with icing sugar for which Holland is famous.
MAASTRICHT
Located in the Meuse valley near the Belgium and German borders, Maastricht is the oldest fortified city. City highlights include, The Caves of St. Peter which date back to Roman times and are a labyrinth of thousands of man made passages.
Between 1574 and 1825 mining activities created The Casemates which were used in times of a siege. They are now a unique military monument.
TheTreasure St. Servatius and Our Lady Basilicas are imposing buildings housing many of Maastricht’s artifacts and treasures.
The nearbySouth Limburg Region has medieval castles, Roman remains and vineyards to explore.
ROTTERDAM
Rotterdam is one of the worlds largest ports and is situated on the mighty Maas River. From the 1920s Rotterdam has enjoyed international recognition as a centre of modern architecture. Today it is the only Dutch city with a true skyline.
Architectural features include, The Erasmus Bridge, which connects north and south Rotterdam. The Het Witte Huis (White House) which was the first skyscraper in Europe in 1898. Its height of 45m pales in comparison with modern skyscrapers.
The only survivor of medieval Rotterdam is the St. Laurens Church, a basilica of the Utrecht design. It was built between 1449 and 1525, using brick with sandstone dividing bands.
The De Kiefhoek housing estate built from 1928 to 1930 was considered a daring project with new concepts in its time and was intended for poorer working class families
A visit to the largest port in Europe must includea river tour of the gigantic cargo handling facilities. Due to continual redevelopment, the old inner city docks have become picturesque quayside areas with shops, restaurants and bars. These include The Veerhaven, The Oude Haven and The Delfshaven from where The Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America in 1620.
Shopaholics will not be disappointed with Rotterdam. Nieuwe Binnenweg is the coolest in the city. Witte de Withstraat is right in the centre and the most arty. Bijenkorf is a great department store. Lijnbaanis open 7 days a week and is Rotterdam’s oldest centre. Kop van Zuid is in a former warehouse and houses shops, restaurants and bars. Finally, Biennenrotte Square is one of Hollands largest markets selling food, flowers, fish and books.
ALKMAAR
Alkmaar, a 30 minute train ride north of Amsterdam and is Holland’s Cheese City and is home to Gouda Cheese. The city sits astride The Groot Noordhollandsch Canal, completed in 1867 to shorten the sea route to Amsterdam. Unique are the Floating Bridges, whose centre sections slide under the fixed end sections. Today the canal is mainly used for recreational purposes.
The weekly cheese market has become a major tourist attraction. The cheeses are sold by dealers on a clap of hands. Thereupon the 400 year old Cheese Porters Guild goes into action, carrying the cheese off on ornamental barrows, after the lot has been weighed at the Waag (the official scales), a most photogenic building. In the Waaggebouw (in which the scales are housed) is a cheese museum.
The city centre has many historic buildings, courtyards and old facades in its narrow streets. The 16th Century Town Hall, The Waag and Grote St Laurens Church are among the most picturesque. The ultra modern Canada Square has 5 cultural institutions and showcases art, books, music and theatre
With its Noorder Arcade, Alkmaar is considered the second shopping city in The Netherlands. Its many museums include The National Beer Museum.
Impressive cycle paths are a special attraction in Holland and apart from the Amsterdam-Alkmaar Route, two other national cycle routes pass through Alkmaar
There is no doubt that The Netherlands is a great tourist destination. It offers photogenic old and new architecture, a lively nightlife, beautiful countryside, picturesque old villages, great cycling, an abundance of windmills, interesting waterways and quaint quayside bars and restaurants. The latter serving delicious food, pastries and bread found only in Holland. Its flat terrain makes it ideal for walkers and cyclists. All of this in a clean and well organised country with an hospitable and predominately, English speaking population. So if you are looking for a holiday with a difference try Holland for a city break.
DELFT HOLLAND
Famous Sights and Events
Delft has to be one of the prettiest cities in Holland. With its winding canals and typical Dutch architecture it is a delight to stroll about and to take photographs.
If you have time for only a short visit to the Netherlands I would recommend you spend your time in Delft. It encapsulates all that is Dutch. It is a relatively small city so it is easy to see all the sights and there are plenty of sights to see.
It is probably most famous for its pottery. The distinctive blue and white Delftware is on sale all over the city and prices range from the inexpensive souvenirs to the expensive hand made and decorated pieces. Of course Delftware is not the only souvenir you may be interested in, pretty wooden clogs, real and wooden tulips, little windmills, beautiful lace and stylish jewelry are among the many distinctive items for sale. Of course if you enjoy shopping there are plenty of shops available and some very stylish clothes, paintings and household items for sale. It is a great place for the antique hunter too.
The city is also an historical centre and it is home to the Dutch Royal Family. There are beautiful churches, museums, public buildings and galleries.
As Delft is a University city (Delft University of Technology) it has a good buzz about it and is culturally stimulating as well as socially lively and exciting.
It has five extremely good museums the Royal Delft, which gives guided tours of the 17th Century Royal Delft Porcelain Factory. Museum Paul Tetar van Elven, which houses a large collection of paintings and porcelain. The Museum Het Prinsenhof, which tells the story of the eighty year war with Spain. The Museum Of Mineralogy and Geology and theMuseum Nusantara which explores the history and culture of Indonesia.
Other sites of interest include the Oude Kirk (Old Church) and the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) the latter being the final resting place of the Dutch Royal Family. The beautiful Delft Town Hall where guided tours are available. Most importantly it is the city where the painter Vermeer was born. There is a guided tour of the city to show the places where he lived and produced many of his paintings.
Some of the coming events this summer of 2009 are : The Canal Concert June 23rd, Delft Ceramica (Market) July 15th-16th, Floating Corso August 6th (parade of boats and barges), Delft Chamber Music Festival August 4th-13th, Delft Jazz and Blues Festival August 18th-20th.
The accomodation for tourists range from excellent Hotels to nearby camp sites. I must say if you are going camping or using a caravan you will find the camp sites to be well equiped, modern and usually with plenty of activities on site for both adults and children.
Finally as you would expect in a student city, there are an abundance of lively pubs offering excellent lagers and relatively inexpensive and good food. There are also more expensive restaurants for that special night out or romantic meal.
As you can see for a small city Delft has a great deal to offer the tourist. So whether you are interested in history, porcelain, architecture, photography, great food or a lively night life you are bound to find it here.
MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 2009
Between the 30th of June and 12th of July, the City of Montreal, Canada comes alive with the biggest names in Jazz . Since its inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2004, the Montreal International Jazz Festival remains the largest Jazz Festival in the world with its expected 2 million visitors. 2009 is the 30th Anniversary of this event.
Over the Festival period there are around 500 concerts with 75% free to the public. The range of music styles covers Blues, Latin, Jazz, Brazilian, Cuban, African, Reggae and Electronica.
As befits this great festival, Montreal is blessed with the PLACE des ARTS, a magnificent performing arts centre in an area known as the Quartier des Spectacles, in downtown Montreal. The complex has five theatres for the indoor performances:
Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier
Theatre Maisinneuve
Theatre Jean-Duceppe
Cinquieme Salle
Studio Theatre
The esplanade in front of the Place des Arts with fountains and water cascades is one of the important outdoor sites during the Festival.
The Montreal International Jazz Festival consistently attracts top international talent, both established and up and coming artists.
The 125 performers for 2009 include the following main attractions:
Stevie Wonder
Dave Brubeck
Tony Bennett
Jamie Cullum
Wynton Marsalis
John Pizzarelli
Madeleine Peyroux
Chucko Valdes
Susie Arioli
Jeff Beck
Jackson Browne
Zachary Richard
Above all, the Montreal Jazz Festival is a family-friendly affair. The Festivals Outdoor Site is a great area for the family. The Parc Musical Rio Tinto Alcan provides a range of kids activities all day long. For the 21st year, the Grande-Place Stage will feature Jacques L’Heureux with the unforgettable character called Remi, together with La Bande Magnetik and the Festival Mascot Ste-Cat. Every day The Little School of Jazz is an interactive and educational introduction to jazz for the younger ones. Meanwhile the parents can enjoy the nearby bistros and the Festival Souvenir Boutiques.
During the Festival, Montreal’s 2-5 Star Hotels are offering excellent discount packages. Remember to book in advance.
At the moment (5th June 2009) the temperature in Montreal is 16 Degrees C and cloudy. By Festival time it could rise to 30 Degrees. Wear appropriate clothing and slap on the sun cream! In saying that, Montreal weather can be unpredictable and you may require a jacket. During the evenings it is best to be prepared and take a sweater or jacket.
The place to be this summer is definitely the Montreal International Jazz Festival, so go ahead and enjoy your visit to the Worlds biggest, international jazz festival.
Here is a link to the official site for any further information you may require: http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/default-en.aspx
10 TOP INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVALS JUNE/JULY 2009
The month of June sees the start of the Summer Music Festival season. Here are 10 top International Music Festivals from around the world, taking place in June/July 2009
BONNAROO MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL
11-14 June
MANCHESTER, Tennessee
ISLE OF WIGHT
11-13 June
Newport, IOW, UK
HARTERA ELECTRONIC MUSIC FESTIVAL
12-13 June
Hartera, Croatia
TELLURIDE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
18-21 June
Telluride, Colorado
NOVA ROCK
19-21 June
Nickersdorf, Netherlands
GLASTONBURY
25-27 June
Pilton, Somerset, UK
TUSKA OPEN AIR FESTIVAL
26-28 June
Helsinki, Finland
SUMMERFEST
29- 3 July
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
1-12 July
Montreal, Canada
WATERSTOCK
2-6 July
Blenheim Palace, Oxford, UK
SUMMER CAMP IDEAS
KIDS SUMMER CAMPS
The school holidays are less than 2 months away. Few parents can afford time off work for 8-10 weeks and the question arises - How do we entertain the kids?
The answer may be to consider a Summer Camp. These day or residential camps are a long established tradition in the USA and Canada and are becoming popular in the UK and Europe.
These camps are not just a place to park the children. They can introduce the children to new skills which can be learned at their own pace. They engender self confidence, independence and improve social interaction at either single sex or mixed camps.
The choice of camp is important and should be based on the individuals needs.
TRADITIONAL CAMP
This type is for those wishing to sample as many different activities as possible, packing every hour of their stay with something new. The choice is theirs and will include everything from Abseiling and Archery to Mountain Biking and Water sports.
ADVENTURE CAMP
A camp for the outdoor types and meeting nature head on. They will normally be based in the mountains and around lakes. Activities such as hiking, white water rafting, riding and climbing will take the children on trips away from the main camp. Emphasis being placed on survival and navigation skills. Safety is considered paramount and is ensured with experienced and certified staff.
RIDING CAMP
As the name suggests this type of camp is mainly concerned with horse management skills. Tuition is provided at all levels. Although horses will take up the majority of the time there will be opportunities for involvement in traditional camp activities.
FITNESS CAMP
Here the activities programme is no different to a traditional camp. The difference is the additional sessions devoted to a personal and tailored fitness programme, nutrition and possibly aerobic and dance sessions. Staff at these camps are professionals and no one will do other than boost self esteem for those with personal fitness problems.
PERFORMING OR VISUAL ART CAMP
The activity programme is broad but emphasis is not on the sports field. The camp allows an individual the opportunity to participate in their particular passion in a non-competitive environment. The list is endless and could include pottery, music, dance, arts and crafts or even spending time in a recording studio with a band. Staff are there to help develop talents within a chosen field.
SINGLE SEX CAMPS
You have a choice if you prefer a camp which is only boys or girls. You can relax and not worry what the boys are up to!
The attendance at a Summer Camp is one suggestion to break up the long summer holiday. Apart from the pleasure it will provide for the children, it will, without doubt enhance their confidence, self esteem and probably their fitness.
Some other summer camp ideas are: summer Soccer camp, Christian summer camp, Gymnastics summer camp, Tennis summer camp, Sports summer camp, Summer Basketball camp, Cheer leading camp, Acting camp, Jewish summer camp, Marine Biology summer camp, Karate summer camp, Military summer camp, Computer summer camp and Special Needs summer camp. As you can see there is something to please every child and parent and to fulfill their needs. Any one of these summer camps should give your child an enjoyable and memorable summer.
