3 . Things to Do in Northern Ireland This Autumn

WEE BINNIAN WALKING FESTIVAL (SEPTEMBER)

The exact dates of this annual walking festival are still to be confirmed, but if it’s similar to last year, it’ll offer a choice of ten walks and hikes around the Mourne Mountains, ranging from easier lowland routes to tough, multi-summit challenges. Evening social events are also included.

GREAT NORTH LINKS CHALLENGE (18-20 OCTOBER)

Calling all golfers. You can enter this three-day event-spread along the north coast between Ballyliffin, Portruth and Portstewart, as an individual or team of four. A perfect opportunity to play three Irish Open links courses in three days.

ARMAGH FOOD AND CIDER WEEKEND (SEPTEMBER)

A four-day feast of authentic food and artisan ciders (苹果酒) in Ireland’s “Orchard County”. This celebration is also coupled with the traditional apple harvest. You can taste local food from the country’s most inventive chefs.

OULD LAMMAS FAIR (LAST WEEK OF AUGUST)

People have been flocking to the seaside town of Ballycastle since the 17th century to celebrate this fair. Attractions include a Heavy Horse Show, horse speed events on the beach, funfair, outdoor concert and a fireworks display, as well as unique local produce and handmade arts and crafts.

5 . 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!

7 . When it comes to my fathering lessons, few adventures compare to the motorcycle trips I’ve shared with my daughter, Ewa.

Our first_______, in August 2017, was a winding (蜿蜒的) ride around the Catskills and Finger Lake districts of New York state. We _______ big highways and spent the week on_______ scenic back roads. At one point, I found myself _______along a Catskills meadow (草地) not far from Woodstock, keeping pace with a deer and shouting, “Go Bambi, go!”

On our second day, we _______ in a small town for ice cream. I asked the woman at the picnic table next to us: “What’s the_______ of this town?” “Interlaken,” she answered.“Where are you trying to get to?”

Me: “We don’t know. ”

It _______ to me then that I’d always wanted to do this no-schedule kind of trip, when you ride just for riding. Ask any middle-aged _______: We’ve all dreamed about doing the Easy Rider (逍遥骑士) thing, throwing our wristwatches into the ditch and heading toward the horizon without a_______. Now, travelling with no plan became a________ of my rides with Ewa.

Since we almost ________ knew where we were going, we were almost never ________ when we arrived, pulling ________ the road at the end of each day with satisfaction. The reason to celebrate? We________! The truth is that life on a motorbike is one close call (死里逃生) after another. On the way, riders must stay ________ 100 percent of the time. A tiny stone can be deadly. I used to be nervous, but Ewa had a different take: “To me, motorcycling is like meditation(冥想). ”

8 . The Season for Festive Eyes

The holiday season is upon us and the folks at Strip & Browhaus can’t wait! With all the parties coming up, they finally have a chance to get dressed up and celebrate again, to make a big New Year make-up statement: sparkles and vibrant colors to ring in the festivities! For SmartShanghai users, they are giving 50% OFF for first-timers only, starting from 150rmb. Your choice of treatment may be redeemed any time before March 31, 2023.

Date: Jan 24, 2022 to Feb 28, 2023

Venue: Strip & Browhaus

Click “Full Listing” to see 4 locations

Meet Van Gogh — Immersive Light Art Exhibition

The 600 m² immersive art exhibition about one of the greatest geniuses in the history of human art is finally in China for the first time, with Shanghai being the first stop. Immerse in the picture of color, music and light and shadow. Explore Van Gogh’s passionate, romantic and poetic inner world.

Date: Apr 2, 2023 to Jul 9, 2023

Venue: Meet You Museum

210 Wenshui Lu, near Wanrong Lu

TAO Dance Theater: 13 & 14

The TAO Dance Theater, awarded the 2023 Silver Lion Award at Venice Biennale, will present two new shows: 13 & 14-choreographic works which carry on the sequence of the Numerical Series which launched them on the international scene. A unique and evolutionary dance genre has enraptured people with its mesmeric and minimalist force. It will premiere at Shanghai Culture Square on July 4th.

Date: Jul 4, 2023 to Jul 5, 2023

Venue: Shanghai Culture Square

225 Shanxi Nan Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu Taxi Printout

Jinmao Tower Sky Walk

You can walk around the outside of the Jinmao Tower 340m above the streets below. Located on the 88th floor of one of Lujiazui’s most iconic buildings, the Jinmao skywalk is a platform 1. 2 meters wide, which you can strap in and walk along with the help of trained professionals. It’s also the highest sky walk in the world. And not only does Jinmao provide a panoramic view of Shanghai featuring both sides of the Huangpu River, floors 56-88 also hold the world’s highest atrium at 152m. You must weigh between 30kg-100kg, and be at least 1. 4m-2m tall to do the sky walk.

Date: Jul 1, 2021 to Dec 31, 2023

Venue: Jinmao Tower Observation Deck and Sky Walk

88/F, 88 Shiji Dadao, near Dongtai Lu

A resort (度假胜地) in Vietnam has opened a glass-bottomed foot bridge, the third such bridge in the Southeast Asian country,    1     (connect) two mountains. The 150-metre-tall bridge crosses a deep, narrow valley,    2    aim is to bring in thrill-seeking tourists.

The bridge     3     (call) the Bach Long suspension bridge. It means “White Dragon” in Vietnamese. A dragon is a huge,    4     (imagine) flying animal that can breathe out fire and looks     5     a reptile (爬行动物). The bridge is founded in the Son La area. Son La is northwest of the capital, Hanoi, and borders Laos.

The reinforced glass     6     (use) for the bridge can hold up to 450 people at a time. Each glass piece is 40 millimeters thick. The bridge is 290 metres long and runs between two mountain tops on either side of a valley. It also has     7     342-metre pathway on the side of a mountain.

Guinness World Records keeps a list of world     8     (record). It lists a 562-metre glass-bottomed bridge in Qingyuan, in China’s Guangdong area, as the No. 1 position in the world.

The World Record Association is another     9     (organize) that keeps the world’s records. It listed the two-part Vietnamese bridge as the world’s     10     (long), at 632 metres.

10 . Exploring Wildlife Conservation in Kenya

Day 1: Nairobi, Kenya

Arrive at the airport in Nairobi, where our staff will be on hand to drive you to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Tamarind Tree Hotel

Day 2: Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

A charter flight (包机) brings us to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a 62,000-acre grassland on the north of Mount Kenya. Considered a model in the conservation field, this healthy wildlife habitat is home to a number of rare species, including the giraffe, the Grevy’s zebra, and African wild dogs. Lewa and the neighboring Borana Conservancy also harbor roughly 15 percent of Kenya’s entire rhino population.

Accommodation: Elewana Lewa Safari Camp

Day 3: Amboseli National Park

Fly by private charter to Amboseli National Park, where vast grasslands are irrigated by underground runoff streams from Mount Kilimanjaro. These landscapes provide a habitat for hundreds of elephants, making the park one of the best places in Africa to spot these large creatures. The travel begins on the drive to Tortilis Camp, set within view of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Accommodation: Tortilis Camp

Day 4: Masai Mara National Reserve

At first light, head out to track the animals that crossed the area during the night. This area has one of the highest concentrations of large predators (捕食性动物) in all of Africa. Then watch large groups of hippos in the Mara River and crocodiles sunbathing on the shore.

Accommodation: Kichwa Tembo Camp