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Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island, New York, USA

By Viola Woolcott

The Statue of Liberty is back and better than ever after years’ of renovation. The copper Statue was a gift, a gesture of friendship from the French people to the United States on October 28th 1886, created by Frenchman Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi. Lady Liberty is said to be one of the most universal symbols of freedom to the world.

The Statue stands at the mouth of the Hudson River as a welcome sign for immigrants and as a welcome home sign for people who have been away.

Since 1886 the Statue stands 151 feet above New York Harbour, bringing you to her feet on Liberty Island by ferry. Through a glass ceiling visitors are able to view the inside of the statue to capture a better image of the statue through the enhanced light effects as well as the video system which surrounds the statue. Inside the Statue there is a narrow winding staircase and if you decide to climb the 354 steps, you have to get thee early, as long lines can take as long as 3-hour ascent. Visitors can walk outside onto the observation deck to view New York City as well as its Harbour.

Just like a goddess, Liberty wears a crown with seven rays which reflect the seven seas and the seven continents. The torch in her right hand signifies enlightenment. The stone tablet in her left hand contains the text “JULY IV MDCCLXXVI” (July 4, 1776), the nation’s birth, the declaration of independence. The Statute of Liberty is one of the most recognized icons in the world.

After September 11th 2001, The Statue of Liberty is something to view. She stands proud and tall in the Harbour and gradually re-opened her doors to those who proudly grace her presence. The ground floor as well as the island are open to the public.

If you are planning a trip to New York, you must see this sight for yourself.

Related reading:
New York Top 10 (Eyewitness Top Ten Travel Guides)
New York City (Lonely Planet City Guides)
The Rough Guide to New York City - Edition 10

Sardinia, Grand Festivals in Sassari and Sedilo

By Ina Woolcott

In Sardinia the most popular festival today is unquestionably the Festha manna, (the Grand Festival) which takes place in Sassari. It is an important event for the local people and is greeted with great enthusiasm annually.

It takes place on the 14th August with the aradda di li candareri (the descent of the candlesticks) and is an ancient tradition, which renews a vow made by the local people in 1560 to save the town from the plague. People from the eight neighbourhoods, which make up the city of Sassari, perform the faradda (the descent), together with, 1000s of tourists. The precession begins at the historical town centre and precedes through the city to the church of S. Maria di Betlem, bearing columns of wood 3 metres high, with a diameter of 40 cm. Each column rests on a pedestal base
with bars on all four sides, so the whole unit can be raised. The column is painted with the particular colours of the gremio, or neighbourhood, and depicts images of the Patron Saint.

Another big festival that takes place annually from July 5th -7th on Sardinia is L’ardia DI San Costantino, commemorating Constantine’s victory over Maxentious at the Mulvian Bridge in 312, where Constantine is reported to have seen a flaming cross inscribed with the words “in this sign thou shall conquer”. Constantine’s charge is recreated with a monumental horse race on the grounds of the Sanctuario DI San Costantino, just outside Sedilo’s eastern boundary. On the eve of the race, horses and riders gather on a hill outside the sanctuary grounds. The local priest and the mayor give grand speeches, after which the horses charge down the hill, the man representing Constantine first, his two flag bearers next, then the thundering herd close behind. Once the Sanctuary is reached, they stop and circle the sanctuary slowly, getting blessed by the priest each time they pass the front gate-seven times. Constantine takes off after the sixth pass,
leading all challengers to the dry fountain that marks the end of the race. Afterwards the crowd eases toward an open field to eat.

The Festivals of Sardinia

Two of the many festivals on the island of Sardinia are shown, with some background on music, food, and traditional dance in Sardinia.

Related reading:
The Rough Guide to Sardinia (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
Sardinia GeoCenter Euro Map
Sardinia (Lonely Planet Regional Guides)

Safety Tips for Travelling

By Viola Woolcott

If you are travelling abroad, make sure you have all of the necessary papers and documents you need to get into and out of the country.

Checklist for Travellers

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

It is wise to check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) up-to-date travel and travellers advice on the net at www.fco.gov.uk/travel

It is advisable to get a good guidebook and to get to know your destination.

Get familiar with local laws and customs and follow their guidelines on arrival.

Always tell family and friends where you are going. Make sure to leave details of how you can contact each other, i.e. by e-mail in emergencies.

Leave photocopies of your passport, insurance policies, ticket details, your itinerary and maybe a 24-hour emergency number you can be reached on with your family and friends.

INSURANCE

VERY IMPORTANT!

Get comprehensive and adequate travel insurance. Make sure that all of the activities you plan are covered. Make sure that your policy covers:

Air Ambulance – in case you need to be flown home

ALL medical bills

ANY pre-existing conditions

Potentially hazardous activities

In the event of death bringing the body home

Make sure that your family is covered to be brought home in the event of your illness or injury

Replacing and/or bringing your car home if necessary

MAKE A PLAN TO STAY HEALTHY

Check to see what health precautions you need for the country you are entering

If you are on medication, check if it is legal in the country you are visiting – maybe you need a written medical letter from your GP.

Should you be travelling within the EEA – European Economic Area, you can obtain an EHIC from www.dh.gov.uk/travellers or go to the Post Office. REMEMBER, regardless, you still need travel insurance.

YOUR TICKETS

Buy a return ticket - BEFORE YOU GO

Once you get there – keep your tickets in a safe place

YOUR PASSPORTS AND VISAS

Even travelling overseas, including journeys through the Channel Tunnel, require a passport

Check that your passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months at return date.

Make sure that your passport is in good condition; make a note of the number, date, place and issue.

Make a note of your next of kin in your passport.

Your Travel Agent will also be able to advise you if you need a Visa.

Children under the age of 16 (that includes Babies) that are not already included on a valid passport, or travelling to the USA need to have their own individual passport. Should they be already included on their parents’ passport, they can continue to travel on these until they reach the age of 16, or the passport on which they travel expires.

It is advisable to take another means of identification preferably with a photograph.

ONCE YOU ARE THERE

The passport should be kept in the hotel safe and a photocopy should be carried with you.

DRUGS

Don’t get involved with any kind of drugs – in some countries the penalties are severe and could even include the death sentence.

Don’t carry i.e. parcels or luggage through customs for other people.

Don’t cross any borders with someone you don’t know, i.e. hitchhikers.

THE MONEY AND CURRENCY

Check and make sure that you have enough money to cover emergencies.

Choose to take traveller’s cheques and keep note of their numbers.

Find out how your traveller cheques and credit cards can be replaced if lost or stolen.

Also check the expiry dates on debit or credit cards and make sure you take note of their numbers.

ONCE YOU GET THERE

Only carry as much money as you feel you need for the day and leave the rest in the hotel safe.

If you need to carry a lot of money, ask your partner or friend to carry some of it.

Use a secure inside pocket or even better a money belt.

Leave at least one credit card in the hotel safe

If anything like money, passport or anything else is stolen abroad, you must report it at once to the local police so you can obtain a statement about your loss, as you will have to claim it against your insurance. You will also need to take steps to cancel any traveller cheques or cards.

CONSULAR ASSISTANCE

Write down the number of your nearest Consulate. The Consular officers are there to help you help yourself. Usually Tour Operators, Hotels as well as the Police have this information. Remember that the working hours vary, so it is better to telephone them first. Most Consulates operate an answer phone system for out of hours service and they also give information on working hours as well as emergency numbers for other times. You can find details and what support is available on www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Safety should always be your number one concern when you travel, whether abroad or in your home country or state.

The Beaches of Ilhéus, Bahia in Brazil

By Ina Woolcott

There are extremely stunning beaches and tranquil coastlines where you can go for long, leisurely walks, sunbathe and even go for a dip. If walking direction Itacaré, you will sometimes not encounter another person for hours, apart from now and again, the odd local fisher man. With many beautiful beaches to pick from it is best to experience as many as possible! The most popular being the sandy Praia do Norte (North Beach) and also the longest, 31 miles long. This beach is very wild and beautiful in some places and is fringed with tropical rainforests and coconut trees. The sea is green and ideal for surfing and fishing for flounder, mullet, snook and majorra.

Please read further to find out about beaches close by, and a little further distance away from Ilhéus. The distance in km after the beach indicates how far away the beaches are from Ilhéus itself.

Beaches central to Ilhéus

The beaches located in the centre of Ilhéus such as the Praia da Avenida, Praia do Cristo and, on the north side of town, Praia do Malhado and Praia do Marciano are not as attractive as they used to be due to the effects of the construction of the new harbour.

Praia de Avenida - this is central to Ilhéus - featuring a waterfront park with ball courts, cycling circuit and an open air theatre. It is advised not to swim on the right hand side of the Sao Sebastiao Cathedral. The water used to be far closer to the “boulevard”. Nowadays one must walk through some small sand dunes, grassy land or football fields before getting to the slightly polluted water.

Cristo Beach - this beach is central to Ilhéus, located at the foot of the Christ Statue near the old harbour at the mouth of the Rio Cachoeira River and close to the Santana River also. Where the sea and Pontal Bay meet is the perfect spot for sailing, jet skiing, canoeing, and hobby-cat as well as other water sports.

Praia do Malhado, 3km - located at the north side of the city in front of an oil refinery, swimming here is not advised. the beach has some barracas at the beach where you can drink, eat snacks and listen to music.

Praia do Marciano, 4km - a popular hangout for the locals and here you can go swimming, but there are reefs and at the most extreme rocks, so beware! There are a few barracas that play loud music, which doesn’t seem to bother the visitors who are generally fairly young.

Interesting reading:
Fighting on the Beaches, A Year of Capoeira in Brazil
Bahia Blues

Atlas OF The Amazon:

Related links:
Beaches of Pontal, Nova Brasilia, Morro de Pernambuco | Ilheus, Bahia, Brazil
Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil | Sightseeing, Attractions and Leisure Activities

Romantic India | Udaipur, India | Jewel in the Crown

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