5th – 9th November 2008 (annual)
Rumour has it the Fort Myers beach has the best sand in the whole world for the art of Sandsculpting.
Sculpture by Mark Flynn
Using a mixture of fine white sand, sugar and water artists create the most amazing works of art. The beach at Outrigger Beach resort is turned into a 3-D art gallery for four days.
Every year about 20 masters and amateurs compete in the event and the results are stunning, the imagination and artistry involved in creating the models deserve honouree degrees to be awarded.
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6-16th November
If you are looking for a fun packed week with a theme - that’s suitable for children ‘of all ages’ - read on!
Pirates Week commemorates the times past when the Cayman Islands where the haunt of buccaneers and pirates – actually it’s not a week it’s 11 days…but who’s counting when you’re having such a good time.
This event has been taking place for the last 30 years and starts with the morning arrival - or is it the invasion - of the pirates on board a replica on a 17th century Spanish Galleon. Waiting on the dock is Grand Cayman’s governor – who, much to the delight of the tourist and locals is captured - and symbolically locked up for the week, so the pirates can take over the Island!
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Since 2002 the 3 day Riviera Maya Jazz Festival has been taking place in Playa Del Carmen (just south of Cancun), Mexico.
The action takes place on Mamitas beach from 8pm and entrance is free. The dates for 2008 are November 27th, 28th and 29th, on some years the festival tips over into December. This isn’t a huge jazz festival and each evening starts with a local band you probably haven’t heard of and much of the music is (as you’d probably expect) Latin-tinged jazz, but there are often some famous faces, notably in 2007 George Benson was on the bill.
Incidentally, to my mind Playa del Carmen is far far nicer than the heavily commercialised Cancun. Yes, it is touristy, but on a smaller scale with a more laid back feel. There is a reasonable pedestrianised mall and great year-round nightlife. It is a great place for walking around, unlike Cancun where you really need a car because it is so spread out and still in reasonable striking distance of many of the following historical sites if that is your thing:
• Tulum
• Chichen Itza
• Uxmal
Posted by Jackie Hewett on Tue 30th September 2008 at 03:11 AM, Filed in November
Here are trip inspiration’s recommendations for places to go and things to do in November before Christmas Madness really starts…!
For Nature &Wildlife:
Tysford Fjord, Norway – to see killer whales (orca’s) gathering in their hundreds before winter sets in.
Chitiwan National Park, Nepal - single horned Asian Rhino (numbering around 400) and Tiger (numbering 150) spotting. The weather is perfect at this time of year, although Feb to May is also good because the grass is shorter. The best way to travel through the park is by elephant
For a Family Holiday:
London – see the Lord Mayor of London Parade which is a great fun day out. - OK this is not necessarily a reason to plan a visit UK just to see this if you live elsewhere, but if you happen to be there at the right time…. especially if you get grandstand seats!
This is a pretty good time to visit Orlando, USA for the theme parks as they are not too crowded (although you may want to avoid Thanksgiving!). Arguably the best time to visit Orlando is October when American kids aren’t on holiday and the weather is ideal.
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Thu 25th September 2008 at 03:13 AM, Filed in Far East, November
Most of us know about the River Kwai from the famous (semi-fictional) film that depicted the conditions in which the Japanese prisoners of war were made to work in constructing the bridge. Although the film is a good one, it makes the treatment of the prisoners look a picnic in relation to the reality of what happened. 65 years ago allied prisoners of war built a 415km railway and an estimated 16,000 died in the process. It is understandable why it became known as the Death Railway.
These people are remembered every year in late November through to early December (in 2008 this will be from 24th Nov to 5th Dec). Although the original bridge was bombed several times it was rebuilt after the war (the curved sections are original) and this is the centre piece of the festival.
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