【推荐2】Some Thoughtful Mother’s Day Gifts

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and it’s a special day for showing some gratitude and appreciation to mothers worldwide for raising and caring for their children. Naturally there are a lot of potential gifts out there for the occasion to choose from, so we’ve put together some thoughtful gifts you can send.

This scrabble frame offers a more personal and alternative touch for Mother’s Day, with a simple but thoughtful message. You can also customise the names on the pieces to your own family names.

Sometimes a small and simple gift can do just the trick, so if you wanted to go that route, this Katie Loxton pouch would be a great choice. It’s made from vegan leather and carved with “Wonderful Mum” on its front. It’s pocket-sized and can also handily fit in a handbag as an option for carrying small items.

Spring is in the air and so are the fragrances that are commonly associated with it. Presented in a lovely, brightly-coloured bottle and also diamond-shaped cap, this Jimmy Choo fragrance is a great gift for Mother’s Day and the blossoming of a new season, with its sweet and warm floral scents.

If your mum is into crafts, needling or is a plant lover, then this is the perfect gift for her. Made from cotton, beech wood and recycled plastic, it’s a punch needle kit ideal for hanging on a wall or help decorate a table stand with its nature themed fern look. Every gift is wrapped in recyclable packaging as well. Included inside is: the needle fabric, a model design, and detailed needling instructions for beginners.

【推荐3】This is a song millions of Americans will hear this New Year’s Eve. It is called Auld Lang Syne (《友谊地久天长》). It is the traditional music played during the New Year’s celebration. Auld Lang Syne is an old Scottish poem. It tells about the need to remember old friends.

The words “Aauld Lang Syne” mean “old long since”. No one knows who wrote the poem first.

However, a version (译文) by Scottish poet Robert Burns was published (出版) in 1796. The words and music we know today first appeared in a songbook three years later.

The song is played in the United States mainly on New Year’s Eve. The version (译文) you are hearing today is by the Washington Saxophone Quartet. As we end our program with Auld Lang Syne, I would like to wish all of our radio friends a very Happy New Year! This is Buddy Thomas.

【推荐1】From amusement parks to delicious chocolate factories, and everything in between, there are numerous activities and attractions to offer excitement and adventure to kids and big kids! Just take a look at these fun places in Germany.

Europa Park

Localed in Rust, in south-western Germany, Europa-Park is the second most popular theme park resort(度假胜地)in Europe, following Disneyland Paris. With more than 100 attractions and shows, playing here is undoubtedly one of the best things to do with kids in Germany. Whether kids want to sail with the “African Queen” and have fun by discovering foreign animals, or experience the “4D Magic Cinema”, the opportunities are endless.

Fairy Tale Road

A family trip along Fairy Tale Road will be a magical adventure. This is one of Germany’s most attractive drives which takes you through 370 miles of beautiful countryside. It inspired many fairy tales we love today. Along the way, you will discover sleepy villages and numerous attractions. And if you plan your visit well, you might even catch an open-air performance of The Pied Piper in Hameln or Cinderella in Polle.

Neuschwanstein Castle

If your kids love Disney movies, they will never forget a trip to the palace that inspired Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. Located in the Bavarian Alps, Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the top attractions in Germany. The castle was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1869 entirely for pleasure. Your children’s imaginations will run wild as they discover the magical rooms. You can always hop on a charming horse-drawn carriage to reach the top.

Cologne Chocolate Museum

Let your kids go into the world of chocolate at the delicious Chocolate Museum in Cologne. They don’t need a golden ticket to make their sweet dreams come true in this 4,000-square-meter chocolate wonderland. There are nine exhibition areas that allow visitors to learn about the culture and history of chocolate. Moreover, there are plenty of delicious cakes and chocolate specialties to enjoy at the museum cafe. And before you go, ring up to check for your reservations (预订).

【推荐2】Located three hours’ drive north west of the capital, San Jose, the town of La Fortuna offers a springboard (跳板) to explore the landscape around the inactive Arenal Volcano. The smoke may have stopped a decade ago, but the volcanic energy still inspires adventure here.

There are dozens of trails in the region but hiking Arenal National Park on the lake side of the volcano offers the chance to lose oneself in nature. There are newly improved steps leading to viewing platforms of the volcano. Out on the trail there are scores of bird species to spot. Guided tour and hot-spring visit with Anywhere from $131 (£97). anywhere.com

As well as its volcanic centrepiece, the remarkable topography (地形) of the Arenal region offers ideal conditions for white water rafting. A number of tours are bookable in La Fortuna, the most adventurous of which take you to nine-mile sections of the Balsa River, where you’ll battle Class IV rapids (急流). Tours from $68 (£50). arenalrafting.com

The steep hike down to the base of La Fortuna Waterfall will inspire a sense of foreboding in some travelers. The good news is that the sweaty trip offers a 230ft waterfall — one of the most beautiful in the country — as a reward. It’s so picture-perfect that locals are often spotted in or around the plunge pool posing for wedding photos. Entry $18 (£13). cataratalafortuna.com

This cleverly designed forest walk uses a combination of six suspension bridges and hairpin bends to offer continuous surprises and great access to jungle wildlife, including toucans and hummingbirds (蜂鸟). When you cross the bridges, looking out rather than down is rarely more rewarding — the park has great views of waterfalls, canyons and the Arenal Volcano. Head out to explore alone or book onto a natural history or nighttime tour. Entry from $26 (£19). misticopark.com

【推荐3】Things to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii

Go Surfing at Kahalu’u Beach

Hawaii is known as a surfer’s haven, making it one of the best places to learn to surf. The Big Island offers surf spots for all ability levels. Head to Kahalu’u Beach, and take a two-hour lesson from one of the knowledgeable instructors at Kahalu’u Bay Surf and Sea, which is also a good place to snorkel (浮潜), offering fun for the whole family.

Take a Helicopter Tour

Many spots on the Big Island are hard to reach by land. But in a helicopter, you can view cliffside views and waterfalls. From the sky, you can also see active volcanoes up close. Some tours circle the island, while others take you out at sunset during “the golden hour” to enjoy beachscapes.

Ride an ATV

Like helicopters, ATVs can reach hard-to-see locations on the Big Island. Book an ATV tour that takes you to majestic waterfalls where you can swim in crystal blue pools. On an Adventure Farms Tour, guides relay the rich history of Polynesia as you drive through the villages of Hawaii, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

Bike Downhill in Waimea Canyon

A Waimea Canyon Bike Tour will take you on a 13-mile journey by bike from the edge of Waimea Canyon to the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. In your van ride up to the edge, your guide will tell the history, culture and folktales of the area, while you take in the native plants, birds, and trees. The second part of the experience is all about fun as you make your way to the Pacific Ocean on a cruiser bike made for downhill coasting. This trip is recommended for experienced bikers only.