Posted by Jackie Hewett on Sun 30th August 2009 at 10:07 PM, Filed in September
The spring and autumn equinox (20th – 21st March and 21st – 22nd September) are arguably THE time to visit the great archaeological site of Chichen Itza on the Yukatan peninsula. In both the morning and evening of these four days the angle of the sun casts a shadow on the famous El Castillo pyramid which makes it look like a serpent is winding its way down the structure. The head of the snake being at the bottom of the steps on El Castillo. The only problem with going at this time of the year is that you can guarantee it will be crowded.
I have been fortunate to visit Chichen Itza, although not during an equinox. The site is huge (see Chichen Itza article) – allow the best part of a day to really take it in, and for this reason I would recommend hiring a car and ‘going it alone’ with a good guide book or hiring a private guide rather than going on a day trip from a hotel when you are only likely to get 2-3 hours at the site. Hiring a car is easy – we got ours from Cancun. The drive was about 3 hours on reasonable dual carriage way roads, and we made an overnight stay in nearby Merida so we could visit nearby site of Uxmal the next day. I would definitely recommend a visit to Uxmal too if history is your thing. Making our own way there was definitely the right thing to do – for us.
The majority of naturist sporting events are usually based around swimming pools, volley ball or mini ten courts. Usually played very ‘gentlemanly’, with no agro, in fact quite genteel!
But if you are looking for more of an adrenaline rush……look no further!
Walsall Ace Karting is opening the track for another naturist night of speed and fun on 20th September 2008.
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Yes another Eden; another paradise opening up it’s portals for Naturists. Link to Eden Project Article for detail on naturism at the Eden Project in Cornwall.
This new venue for Naturism is being held at The Tropical World complex in Roundhay Park, Leeds, and will open for one day on Saturday 20th September 2008 from 7pm – 10.00pm for those who want to combine nature with naturism. Though of course, you don’t have to be a naturist to visit at any other time!
Tropical World was actually created 10 years prior to its more famous ‘southern’ cousin, and boasts the UK’s largest collection of tropical plants outside Kew.
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Fri 22nd August 2008 at 01:39 AM, Filed in Europe, September
It is said that the Galway Oyster Festival is Irelands longest running festival and as it celebrates its 54th occurrence in 2008 this may be right. The festival lasts 4 days (in 2008 from Thurs 25th to Sun 28th Sept).
There’s a lot more to do besides scoffing Galway’s finest oysters and quaffing the ‘black stuff’ (as Guinness is the official sponsor). There are a number of parties and black tie balls with ticket prices ranging between £20 and £175, you can go and watch the world oyster opening championship or Oyster Pearl beauty pageant (to become the face that represents the festival the following year) on the Saturday or even enter and win a heap of prizes including a £3,000 Raymond Weil watch. In addition there are many free events and music around town.
The festival is held in September because it is when Galway’s wild oysters come into season, which was also traditionally a slow time for tourism. In 1954 the owner of the Southern Hotel started it all with the first Oyster Festival Banquet (34 guests attended) in order to fill up his hotel at this quiet time of the year. It obviously worked and now it’s difficult to get a hotel reservation anywhere in town as thousands go. It has been listed by the Sunday Times as one of the 12 greatest shows on earth
For cheap hire car worldwide see Discounted Hire Car Article
Do you love wandering around beautiful gardens? One visitor described Abbey House as ‘a garden that gives you a hug when you enter…and you leave with a smile on your face….’
With over 10,000 different plants, a river garden, a tearoom with spectacular views where you can enjoy a range of teas, coffee – from instant to mocha or expresso, fresh fruit juice, delicious locally made biscuits and cakes. It’s a joy to visit any time…but with the added bonus of a few days a year it’s open to Naturists.
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