Antwerpen-Centraal (Antwerp Central) is the name of the main railway station in the Belgian city …
In 2009 the American magazine Newsweek judged Antwerpen-Centraal the world’s fourth greatest train station.
It’s gorgeous. Interesting photos on Flickr.
Click PLAY or watch a flash mob at the station on YouTube. One of the best ever.
I’d totally join in one of those.
Today the Channel Tunnel Eurostar to Newsweek’s #1 train station — St. Pancras, London. At 300km per hour (186 mph).
Clipper Ferry – Victoria to downtown Seattle
$75 + tax
Black Ball Coho Ferry – Victoria to Port Angeles
$15.50 + tax
… That’s a BIG differential for a walk-on passenger. Yeesh.
I saw this in the northern Philippines, irrigating the famous rice terraces.
Who needs rubber hose or plastic pipe?
Bamboo is used this way in many parts of the world. For example, the Muktapur region of India bordering Bangladesh:
… Attempts have been made to introduce modern pipe systems but farmers prefer to use their indigenous form of irrigation. The new systems have met with suspicion. Local farmers do not trust the new materials nor the people who supply them. …
The favourite game of my family.
Mexican Train, also known as simply Trains, is a game played with dominoes. The object of the game is for a player to play all the dominoes from his or her hand onto one or more chains, or “trains”, emanating from a central hub or “station”. …
… Because of its simplicity and interaction, it can be played by nearly anyone, anywhere. Depending on the type of game you play, it can last from a single, 20-minute game to a 12 round game lasting hours. …
It’s the #1 Domino Game on the market today.
Boxing Day the McCharles clan headed for one of the highlights of Vancouver Island, the World Parrot Refuge.
The Refuge has over 800 parrots, a dedicated team of staff and volunteer carers, and 23,000 square feet of heated indoor free-flight aviaries with plans for 16,000 square feet of easily accessed outdoor flights for the warmer months. ..
It was a blast. Only $12 / person entrance fee.
Virtual Adoption is one way to sponsor a parrot. Another is to buy a parrot painting (VIDEO) … that’s a painting painted by a parrot, by the way.
The only thing better than coffee, is coffee in a MAGIC MUG.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Thermochromic paints are (supposedly) how it’s done. I prefer to believe it’s MAGIC.
After almost 9yrs the USA has finally officially left Iraq. The Iraq that had nothing to do with 9/11. The Iraq that had no weapons of mass destruction.
George W. Bush was a blunderer as well as a decider. Iraq was his greatest blunder.
What’s next?
… The Republicans that started the War — Neo-cons like Dick Cheney, former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice — as well as the major Republican Presidential candidates — have all spoken out against the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. They have made clear that they would never have signed the Status of Forces Agreement with the Iraqi government that set up a time-table for withdrawal, had they not intended to change it.
Obama’s Republican opponent, John McCain, has been particularly outspoken in his opposition. McCain, after all, once said that he had no objection to American troops remaining in Iraq for a hundred years. …
Republicans and FOX News will certain jump on the clear and present danger of Iran — filling the power vacuum.
Really?
The stars designate American military bases.
Iraq was a huge waste of time, resources and energy. History will confirm.
Will the USA ever be able to repay the $.8 to $3 trillion they spent on the war?
I doubt it.
Inventor (French Jet Ski Champion) Franky Zapata explains how. He calls it the “Flyboard”.
It gets pretty technical after 2min 40sec.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (French)
$9000
(via Get Outdoors)
Lonely planet, as they often do, nailed it:
Beautiful Boricay manages to meet, exceed or defy expectations. It rarely disappoints.
That’s surprising since this is likely the single most touristy destination on all of Philippines 7100 tropical islands.
A beach holiday is low on my personal priority list. But the 5 nights flew by. Very relaxing.
Once or twice a day I ran the beach. Mid-day I went exploring. It’s a small island. I covered most of it.
I recommend Boracay if ever you get the chance to visit. Solo, no go. Bring a date or come with a group.
It’s definitely good for kids. A safe beach.
Considerations:
• you still need barter for everything on the beach
• touts and hawkers are annoying
• quality of most goods/services is low
• there’s no reliable tourist information
• there are no hostels here — a shame since it was first “discovered” by backpackers
• motorized roadways are Hellish
Recommendations:
• 99% of tourists stick to White Beach. If you leave that strip, even to either end of the Beach, life improves.
• if you are looking to save Pesos, the best value White Beach accommodation is in a quiet dead end alley near Station 3. The top pick is Dave’s Straw Hat Inn. Recommended by Lonely Planet, it’s usually full. Prices are now up to $35 / night or more. Others nearby are almost as good and half the price.
• I stayed in the ($19 including breakfast) fan rooms at Orchid Inn. If you come with 2-3 people, better are the upscale Orchid Inn Private Villas (3ys old). Compare others against that option. Prices vary wildly. Barter.
• I did finally see dormitory beds for about $8.
• Hundreds of restaurants on the beach did not impress me. The only one I can recommend is the German hangout, Kurts.
Be careful with the famed buffets. Food often sits long, under-heated. The famed Mongolian barbecues are better.
• Dana would like Boracay — Starbucks is here.
Stay out of the ocean. Fish pee in it. ☺ … I have no idea what all those happy people are doing out in sailboats.
The two activities I was willing to pay money for did not seem to be open during my stay:
• Ariel’s Point
• Ride the Zorb (not actually affiliated with the original Zorb, New Zealand)
More of my photos:
• White Beach
• Bulabog Beach
• Boracay random
related:
• 10 Commandments on the Beach
• Lonely Planet – Boracay – Fantasy vs. Reality
Rick McCharles 