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Skiing, Snowboarding in Furano, Central Hokkaido, Japan

By Viola Woolcott

Each year when winter comes to Hokkaido, it brings with it some of the finest whitest snow in the world, as well as incredible winter festivals and fun activities. Each morning friendly locals look for visitors to show around, just to ensure that they enjoy Furano to the max. A great opportunity to make a new friend and find out more about this town and local culture. Amazing blue skies and beautiful mountains surround Furano. There is an active volcano only 30 miles away.

Watch the skiiers and snowboarders with graceful ease and expertise descend down the mountain in awe, spraying diamond like snow in their wake. Wonder, why am I here, and not there?!? You can also go dog sledding, tubing and x-country skiing, snowmobile-ing and snow rafting. There is no off piste skiing. Furano has a cable car (Furano Ropeway) capable of transporting 101 people. The ski area has 10 lifts.

Relax in Ryounkaku Onsen (Hot Spring). Visit Ninguru Terrace (Arts and Crafts Village). Here there are handmade crafts for sale. Visit the Goto Sumio Museum. Wine and dine in Sohs Bar for Miserable Smokers. Or at the top of Furano sit in the glass window in the New Furano Prince Hotel Cocktail Bar, drinking cocktails and eating wonderfully presented dishes, some of them Japanese style. In downtown Furano, there are over 200 bars and restaurants to choose from. So take your pick!

Skiing & Snowboarding in Furano, Japan

(Don’t be put off by the look of the food

Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil | Sightseeing, Attractions and Leisure Activities

By Ina Woolcott

Of course, there is lots of shopping to be done with wonderful unique gifts and souvenirs to be found. You can hang out in the bars, restaurants and squares. As well as taking in the history and culture whilst walking the streets of Ilheus, some of the sightseeing, attractions and leisure activities to be found are listed below.

“Lagoa Encantada” (charmed pond) - this is a 14km2 large body of water, closed in by Atlantic rainforests, flotation islands, waterfalls, fishermen villages as well as a variety of animal species. Near the pond is also “Caldeiras do Amada” (Amada’s Kettles), which forms several waterfalls.

“Rio do Engenho” (River of the Mill) - the village of River of the Mill, is situated near a beautiful rapid and is reachable by boat amid the mangroves.

“Eco-parque de Una” (Una’s Eco-park) - boasts a suspended catwalk amid the trees, over 20metres high. This is a unique structure in brazil giving the opportunity to marvel at the beauty, serenity and colourful Atlantic forest. On the walk if you are lucky it is possible to see first hand species close to extinction.

“Estrada Parque Ilhéus - Itacaré” (Ilhéus - Itacaré Highway Park) - this is the first really ecological highway of Brazil and also one of the most beautiful. 70 km long, it borders the coast, with unequalled features such as semi-wild beaches, waterfalls, observatories, suspended catwalks and tunnels for the wild animals.

“Centro de Recuperação do Bicho-Preguiça”(Sloth Recovery Centre) - this centre is located in a stunning forest area and its goal is to recover and re-introduce the sloth’s into their natural environment - the Atlantic forest.

“Igreja Matriz de São Jorge dos Ilhéus” (São Jorge of the Islanders Mother Church) - this is the oldest church in the city and is situated on the Street Conselheiro Dantas. It officially opened for ceremonies in 1556, and was built with stones.

“Museu do Cacau” (Cocoa museum) - situated on Eustaquio Bastos Street downtown. The museum was founded in 1982 and gives detailed vision of from the rising to the development of the cocoa cycle.

“Casa de Jorge Amado” (the home of Jorge Amado) - situated on 21 Jorge Amado Street. The house was built at the beginning of the 20th Century by J Amado’s Dad. It boasts great rooms and staircases. This is where the renowned author lived for some of his life.

“Fazenda Primavera” (Farm Spring) - a cocoa farm open to visitors, situated on the Ilhéus-Itabuna Highway on kilometre 20. To be beheld is a documentation collection and centennial pieces. Some of these dating back to the time of the Empire.

“Centro de Perquisas do Cacau” (Cocoa Research Centre) - also situated on the Ilheus-Itabuna highway, offering visitors the chance to accompany the techniques and processes of the cocoa.

“Mirante da Piedad” (Observatory of Mercy) - from here it is possible to view the islets, the reason for city’s name. The port, part of the coast of the urban district, and the mouth of the rivers ‘Fundao’, ‘Engenho’ and ‘Cachoeira’.

You can also visit a cocoa farm - most farms are as they were 100 years ago, with barracks, stables and drying house. Witness how cocoa is harvested, processed and transported in half ton lots by dug out canoes. The rainforest gives the cocoa tree the shade and protection it requires and also offers a rich variety of flora and fauna.

Surf Camp - There are hundreds of surfing classes that can teach you the basics, like how to stand on a board or ride a wave, but only a few camps will teach you to actually be a surfer. EasyDrop Surf Camp, in Itacaré, Brazil, is one of them. During its six-day beginner’s program, parents and kids learn not only how to get up on a board, but also how to paddle, turn, even wipe out like seasoned pros. The school is located in eastern Brazil’s Bahia region, where the rainforest-a UNESCO-protected World Heritage site-runs right down to the green-blue waters of the Atlantic.

Check out the link:
Surf Camp Guide

Orbita excursions - as the name suggests this group organises excursions from Ilhéus. They offer a big large selection of personalized adventure trips, with qualified guides. Partake in activities such as canoeing, eco parks, bike rides, rafting, jeep tours, trekking through the Atlantic rainforests, historical tours or cultural trips, diving, horse riding, tree top walking, stunning beach visits, extreme sports such as tirolesa and rapel in waterfalls. A trip takes you to the breathtaking Peninsula Maraú in a 4×4 Land rover, where you can go coral snorkelling.

Visit their gorgeous website for more information:
Orbita Expedicoes

Related links:
The Beaches of Ilhéus, Bahia in Brazil
Beaches of Pontal, Nova Brasilia, Morro de Pernambuco | Ilheus, Bahia, Brazil

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)