As we sailed away from Southampton, I was looking forward to the forthcoming shore excursions in Norway. Calls at the ports of Trondheim, Tromsø, Alta and Stavanger were planned.
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Change is underway in Akagera National Park, the largest of Rwanda’s national parks, whose undulating landscape covers 1122 square kilometres of swamp, mountain and savannah habitat in the north-east of Rwanda.
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Super Bowl Sunday is America’s big day in. The winners of the American Football Conference and National Football Conference compete for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. TV ads and the Super Bowl halftime show ensure that the event appeals to an audience beyond sport aficionados.
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Yesterday I took a leisurely boat ride in the Red Sea: a day trip to experience snorkelling with turtles at Ras Mohammed National Park, at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula. The mountains of the arid South Sinai region were visible inland but most of my fellow travellers were lying on the backs, facing upwards at the cloudless sky, relaxing on towels spread out on the deck. There was a flurry of activity as we pulled on our flippers and masks then splashed into the water to view the marine life.
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My glasses fog as I feel the blast of warm air on entering the dining room. Before I’m able to see anything through the condensation I smell grilled cheese and hear the laughter of guests. Conversations are taking place in German, English and French and the wood of the fireplace cackles.
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Mértola sits on a wedge of rocky land at the confluence of the Guadiana and Oeiras rivers less than 15 kilometres from the Spanish border. In Portugal’s Alentejo region, an area known for its distinctive cuisine and heavy red wines, this quiet walled town has a rich history.
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Being out with a camera means that I’ve observed sunrises, memorable landscapes and glorious sunsets that I wouldn’t have otherwise seen. Attempting to capture images means I’ll go out of my way to rise early, visit places and see things. That’s one of the reasons why I think travelling with a camera is worthwhile; photography really makes me look at the world around me and see its beauty and aesthetic potential.
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After a brief look around I head next door to view he Honours of Scotland, the country’s crown jewels. First used together for the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots in 1543, the shining sceptre, crown and other symbol-laden artefacts are displayed behind heavy-looking security glass. King Charles II was the last monarch to be crowned using the Honours of Scotland. After the Act of Union united the English and Scottish crowns, in 1707, the jewels were sealed away. It was not until 1818 that the chest in which they had been stored was reopened. That act was led by Walter Scott, the author who penned the Waverley novels and who is remembered by the vast monument in Princes Street Gardens.
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Halifax has lots to do and see, so it’s worth planning at least a couple of days to explore Nova Scotia’s most populous city. It makes a pleasant place to stroll, offering plenty of places of interest along with numerous bars and restaurants.
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Scalpel in hand, I hestitate before making my incision. “That’s it, cut along the line you’ve drawn,” says Corinne Karnstädt, encouraging my first attempt at decoupage, the artform at which she excels.
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