2 . When I first arrived in Costa Rica, I always heard people saying, “pura vida”. Translated from Spanish, it means “pure lie”. It’s used as a greeting and to describe how things are going. It can describe a person or life in general. It’s usually said with a big smile, meaning everything is good. And I heartily agree.

I consider Costa Rica to be my second home. I first went there in 2005 to help start a small family business, and to this day I return often. It’s hard not to fall in love with this country. I see beautiful beaches, wild forests and breathtaking views everywhere. The wildlife is especially amazing! I never know what I’ll see right from the window of my guesthouse. It’s a country that helps me see the good in everything.

When I’m in Costa Rica, I live in Montezuma, which is on the ocean near Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. This little town is an out-of-the way tourist destination. Getting there can be an adventure, but it’s all pura vida !

People often ask when they should visit Costa Rica. I always answer, “Do you want to come during the dry season or the green season?” The dry Season starts in December and is the perfect time to enjoy blue waters and sandy beaches. However, the sun is very strong, so use lots of sunscreen.

When the rains return in May, the green season begins. It’s the perfect time to see wildlife and so much more. I love watching wildlife so the green season is my personal favorite.

Keep an eye out at the beach. Several species of turtles (海龟) live on Costae Rica’s beaches. I suggest supporting the organizations that are working to protect by taking a tour of their nesting sites.

No matter when you visit, a trip to Costa Rica is truly pura vida!

3 . Blue Waters Hotel

Ocean Beach’s rarest jewel is the best of the best! Relax in our newly renewed rooms with full private baths. Enjoy our beautiful garden sun deck (遮阳板) where our famous and delicious free breakfast is served daily. Our friendly staff is here to meet your needs 24 hours a day. Lounge (打发时间) on our roof top deck chairs or eat here, full-service restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Our location is perfect for individuals, couples, adult family gatherings, reunions, weddings or group events. The Blue Waters Hotel is big enough yet friendly enough for all our guests to receive the personal attention you would expect from Fire Island’s unique boutique (精品) hotel. We are conveniently located on the corner of Bay Walk and Bayberry Walk across from the Ferry Terminal. All rooms have flat screen TVs with DVD, cable, air conditioning and Wi-Fi. You can breathe freely knowing all of our accommodations are non-smoking. Please call (631)583-8295 for availability and reservations. LONG TERM/SHORT TERM RENTALS AVAILABLE!

The following is the information of our rooms:

BAYBERRY WALK

PEAK-SEASON RATES

(Mid-June Thru Labor Day)

5 . Colorful Natural Wonders on Earth

The world can be kind of a boring place without the colorful natural wonders. So that’s what I’ve decided to treat you to!

Rising in the Sierra de Huelva mountains of southwestern Spain, this 62-mile river gets its stunning orange and red colors from copper, iron, and other heavy metals. The best way to enjoy the beauty is by visiting the small mining town of Nerva. Note that only about half the length of the river features these colors.

Known by Stoney Nakota First Nations folks as Ho-run-num-nay, this glacial lake located in Banff National Park gets its turquoise color from finely grained rock particles contained within the ice as it melts in the lake. If you’re a big fan of the movie Thelma & Louise, you’ll be happy to know that there also happens to be a Lake Thelma.

Provence, a geographical region of southeastern France is famous in the summers for its lush lavender fields. To see them with your own eyes, mosey on up to the Luberon and Verdon plateau regions north of Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, or head east past Avignon. But the window is rather brief; they start to blossom around the beginning of June and then by mid-July they’re done-zo.

Huge rice stan? Anyway, Yunnan, China is calling your name. With a history going back more than 1,200 years, this series of rice-growing terraces — covering territory more than one million acres — are located in the western part of the country. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. It sure took them long enough!

6 . The second-largest city in Switzerland after Zurich, Geneva has a good position on the south-western end of Lake Geneva, in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Visitors to Geneva will find a clean and elegant city. Here are some best things to do in Geneva.

Catch the Spray from the Jet d’Eau

Installed in 1886 to control the outflow of water from a nearby power station, the Jet d’Eau (water jet) soon became a symbol of the city of Geneva. It shoots water nearly 140 meters into the air and is one of the tallest fountains in the world. Unless winds are too strong, the Jet d’Eau runs every day and is illuminated (照亮) at night.

Tour the Palais des Nations

Constructed in the 1930s as the headquarters of the short-lived League of Nations, the Palais des Nations (Palace of Nations) is a major tourist attraction. Visitors are free to wander it or may jump in on an hour-long guided tour of several of the buildings.

Take a Break at the Jardin Anglais & the Flower Clock

All roads in Geneva seem to lead to the Jardin Anglais a small, prettily planted lakefront (湖边平地) garden in the center of Geneva. Crowds gather here for the flower clock, an oversized timepiece with seasonal flowers. Plenty of sitting areas, mature shade trees, and a central fountain make this a relaxing place to take a break from sightseeing.

Stroll (漫步) along the Lakefront and Riverside

The Jardin Anglais is just one of several places to admire the lake and the Jet d Eau. The entire lakefront is fit for strolling. There are 6 miles of footpaths and bike paths along the entire lakefront. Swans pass by during the day, and at night, the riverside and surrounding buildings are romantically lit.

7 . A fascinating history and outgoing music scene have made Denton North Texas cultural hotspot, but that’s not all this town has to offer.

Bayless-Selby House Museum

Experience life as a well-to-do Texan in the 19th century at the Bayless-Selby House Museum. The home features all the ornate (华丽的) styling of the Queen Anne style of architecture, and its rooms are furnished with rare antiques from the time period. Bayless-Selby House Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday between April and October, and Wednesday through Saturday from November to March.

317 West Mulberry Street

Denton, TX 76201

(940) 349-2850

Campus Theatre

Denton’s Campus Theatre is a true part of the town’s history. It began as a magnificent movie house in 1949, shut down in 1985, but returned 10 years later as a performing arts venue. Today, the Campus Theatre, located in downtown Denton, hosts film festivals, plays, and musicals. Tickets for these performances can be purchased on the theater’s website or booked.

214 West Hickory Street

Denton, TX 76201

(940) 382-1915

Ray Roberts Lake State Park

Kayak（划独木舟）down a scenic creek (小溪), swim on a beautiful beach, try your luck at catching a fish, or pitch a tent and sleep under the stars. You name it, you can do it at Ray Roberts Lake State Park. Twenty miles of multiuse trails, a marina (小船坞) that sells and rents boats, and a resort can be found within the park, located just north of Denton.

100 P W 4137

Pilot Point, TX 76258

(940) 686-2148

Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center

Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center offers lovers of the great outdoors the chance to experience some of the best birding and hiking in the Denton area. Travel the nearly eight miles of nature trails that cover Clear Creek and the Elm Fork of the Trinity River through grasslands, wetlands and bottomland hardwood forests.

3310 Collins Road

Denton, TX 76208

(940) 349-2883

The arched timber lounge bridges (木拱廊桥) built in China nearly 1,000 years ago, still     1    (stand) and still in everyday use, show the true skill of the master craftsmen who first constructed them. The amazing bridges,     2     (suspend) between two banks of rich greenery and built from the wood of the trees surrounding them, are still a     3     (full) functional part of life in Fujian Province and Zhejiang Province.

Of the 100 arched timber lounge bridges in China, the Qianshen Bridge in Shouning County, Fujian Province, which is an impressive 62.7 metres long and 4.9 metres wide,     4     (rebuild) several times since it was built first. Now,    5     remains an iconic image of ancient Chinese construction methods.

The bridges are built completely     6     hand. The woodworking     7     (master) design the bridges with     8     range of arches depending on the surroundings, while the passageways can be various styles, depending on the use of the bridge.

To create arch support, “beam-weaving (织梁)” is used in which three rows of wood formed an arch- supporting system while in the upper layer five shorter rows of wood     9     (joint) and intertwined with upper-arch supports. Wood     10     then connects the whole bridge is placed at the joints between the ends so the bridge becomes a solid whole. Traditional tools such as Lu Ban rulers, sawhorses, axes and chisels are used in the construction of the bridge.

9 . In China, there are so many different languages, cultures and foods as well—different things grow in different regions. Chinese travelers may not be able to travel internationally with ease these days, but they have no shortage of attractive destinations in their own backyard. The 2021 Hurun Report lists the top five domestic tourist destinations.

Sanya— the tropical (热带的) playground on the island of Hainan—is the most popular destination among wealthy Chinese travelers. Referred to as “Hawaii of China”, Sanya attracts visitors with its thick rainforest, sandy beaches, blue ocean and colorful villages of the Li nationality. There, travelers can swim, dive and surf.

Coming in second is Yunnan, whose name means “south of the clouds” . At tropical Xishuangbanna, visitors will lay eyes on rare flowers and herbs. In Dali ancient town, they will explore the unique architecture and culture. Tracing the fragrance of Pu’er, they can learn about how tea has affected Chinese people’s life.

The third and fourth destinations are Tibet and Xinjiang. As a travel destination, Tibet has a well-earned reputation for fantastic Himalayan scenery, ancient temples and Tibetan food. And Xinjiang, China’s westernmost region, is known for its ancient links with the Silk Road trade and Uyghur culture.

Sichuan, the southwest province in China, rounds out the top five. There, lovable pandas always melt visitors, hearts while delicious spicy Sichuan food challenges their taste buds. The traditional culture and a unique lifestyle of Sichuan welcome all visitors.

10 . Take A Scenic Ride On The World’s Steepest Railway For Passengers—If You Dare!

Originally built for mining in 1878, the Scenic Railway is now a tourist ride that can take your breath away! In the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, the former mining railway became a tourist attraction in 1945. It currently holds the Guinness World Records as the steepest passenger train with the steepest railway gradient (坡度).

The gradient of 52 degrees is comfortably viewed from inside an 84-seat, glass-enclosed carriage car. The passenger car travels along on a cable-driven system of rails as it navigates the steep terrain. During the tour, passengers will see the train travel through sandstone cliffs and a rock tunnel next to Orphan Rock.

Orphan Rock was once available for trail climbing. Following rock slides in the 1950s, the trail was partially closed. The trail access was completely closed in 1974 and never reopened due to potential risks.

On the Scenic Railway, you will see stunning views from a slightly different angle than Orphan Rock. The railway is open every day of the year, making the trip along the rails every ten minutes.

Sight-seeing passengers can ride the steepest railway up from the Jamison Valley or travel on the cable car. Either option affords incredible scenic views of the Blue Mountains. The glass roof in the passenger cars allows for a fantastic view from every seat on the train.

Just take a look for yourself!