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George Soros, Klaus Schwab and minions like Hillary Clinton crying the hardest over Ukraine
by Alexandra Bruce
Hillary Clinton was on Morning Joe with the daughter of Globalist Godfather, Zbigniew Brzezinski on Monday to say, "We have to also make sure that in our country, we are calling out those people who are giving aid and comfort to Vladimir Putin."
I'd ask Madame Secretary if importing 600,000 barrels of Russian oil every day counts as giving "aid and comfort" to Putin, especially as it is financing his invasion of Ukraine?
If so, why did the Democrats defeat GOP sanctions on the Nordstream 2 pipeline last January? And how are we supposed to pay for this 600,000 barrels of oil per day, now that SWIFT has blocked Russia from its payment system?
And if Hillary Clinton is so gravely concerned over Vladimir Putin, why did she sell him 20% of the US uranium stockpile?
Joe Biden and Hilary Clinton; importing 600,000 barrels of Russian oil every day counts as giving "aid and comfort" to Putin, especially as it is financing his invasion of Ukraine?
The SWIFT sanctions could ultimately have the effect of discouraging the use of the Petrodollar and ending the dollar's Reserve Currency status, which appears to be one of the purposes of this war in Ukraine.
World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders graduate, Transportation Secretary "Deep State Pete" Buttigieg was on CBS News yesterday morning and he was asked about expanding US energy production to lower gas prices.
He responded by talking about using diplomacy to increase *foreign* oil production and talking about all of his electric vehicle (EV) initiatives. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki had dissembled almost verbatim along these lines. They both said everything except admit the obvious: that the US must restart the Keystone Pipeline.
CIA asset Buttigieg explained that, "We are in the middle of a long-term transformation," that telltale Globalist buzzword evocative of a Satanic Babalon Working.
The main winner of that "transformation" is China, which has monopolized the EV industry, despite Buttigieg's assurances that Americans will actually get to keep our car production on US soil, after the Globalists have reduced it into a smoking pile of ash.
Pete Buttigieg was trained by Klaus Schwab and others on how to sabotage the US from within and that's exactly what he's up to, as we speak.
I lived in Brazil when they released cars that run on 100% ethanol in the 1980s. Brazil had not yet found any petroleum in their territory and they were enslaved by IMF and World Bank loans.
Their currency was hyperinflating, so they had to find a way to fuel the industrial powerhouse of Latin America. Sugarcane alcohol was marshaled to make that country into the world's first "sustainable" biofuels economy and the world's biofuel industry leader.
I did not see Brazil shut down petroleum or intentionally crush their citizens financially, in this sadistic, behaviorist scorched-Earth way that the Green New Deal is currently inflicting on Americans, by intentionally causing fuel prices to increase by a factor of ten over a two-year period, forcing us to adopt electric vehicles that simply transfer carbon emissions from cars to power plants – that STILL require fossil fuels to generate electricity – and which enslave African children to mine the cobalt and which cause much more toxic pollution at the end of their life cycle than fossil fuel-powered vehicles – and the infrastructure for which is not even in place!
The same people who transferred our manufacturing base and intellectual property to China, who stole the 2020 Election to install the most compromised and corrupt clown on Earth, who collapsed the global economy, who launched the global genocidal Death Shot, who suppressed early effective cheap treatment, who disbarred doctors for administering such treatment and who lied to us about masks and gave us mass formation psychosis for the past two years; they now want us to trust them about a war half a world away – which they pretend that they didn't instigate!
Literally, all of the worst people on the planet now want us to cry about how evil Putin is, with George Soros, Klaus Schwab and minions like Hillary Clinton crying the hardest.
What did they expect him to do, by creating a "Bay of Pigs"-like first strike thermonuclear advantage, by putting NATO nukes on his doorstep?
These Globalists WANT this war, they NEED it to implode virtually EVERYTHING in order to get away with their endless war crimes. Oh, and to "Build Back Better".
The SWIFT sanctions against Russia means Russians can't transfer money online, can't withdraw from ATM, can't use POS machines for transactions, can't import and export products, can't pay workers' salaries, can't buy or pay for anything.
They want the Russians to overthrow Putin, like they wanted us to overthrow Trump.
I feel awful about the the hapless everyday people on the ground on both sides, whose neighborhoods are getting bombed and who are being forcibly drafted into the war, who can't withdraw cash and who are trapped in the subway because Google Pay has locked them out.
If you thought the de-banking of some Canadian citizens a couple of weeks ago was bad, the de-banking of the entire Russian nation is a horrifying sight to behold.
It could easily be us, next.
Posted on March 2, 2022, in General. Bookmark the permalink. 30 Comments.
D Johnston | May 23, 2022 at 9:31 pm
*** WHY??? are we getting a re-run here on March posts/comments?? ***
Angelo Garcia | May 23, 2022 at 9:07 pm
Right on Brother. Right on!
Hermann | March 5, 2022 at 6:02 pm
It's interesting to note; that Sberbank and Gazprombank were not sanctioned.
Ivan says: non payment of gas bill – and we'll cut your gas off! – now run your factories and economy.
If people have been following this over the past fifteen years, they will have been monitoring Russia and China's ongoing gold purchases.
Us foreword thinking individuals were replicating this proven defensive strategy.
Editor, cairnsnews | March 4, 2022 at 8:15 pm
Thanks Hermann surely Putin has prepared for this contingency. Ed
daviddd2 | March 4, 2022 at 6:24 am
dcjdee: "In taking my words out of intended context and misunderstanding…"
Sorry, I'll try and do better next time. lol
Peter | March 4, 2022 at 1:20 am
* bankers
Even money anyone – the European Union will collapse under the pressure of their own sanctions on Russia?
Germany the linchpin of EU cohesion, was coerced by the US, to leave the tap turned off on Russian gas negotiations.
Russia targets US DoD sponsored labs in Ukraine.
Ukrainian anal comedian glove puppet, under instructions from advisors no doubt, hands local crime gangs high powered weapons to create anarchy.
The price of gas and food will bankrupt nations.
The khazarian Mafia banisters win again, as planned.
Hermann | March 4, 2022 at 1:00 am
Latest RT-News article.
EU cuts off seven major Russian banks from SWIFT
VTB, VEB RF, Rossiya, and Otkritie are among those targeted
The European Union has disconnected Russian banks subject to sanctions from the SWIFT global payment network. Seven major lenders in the country have been targeted, including VTB, Rossiya, Otkritie, Novikombank, Promsvyazbank, Sovcombank, and VEB.RF. Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, is not on the list for now. The news was announced in the EU's official journal on Wednesday.
The banks now have 10 days to stop their SWIFT operations. According to a senior EU official, those on the list were selected based on their connections to the Russian government.
"All these banks that we have listed under SWIFT… are all [included] based on their connection to the state and the implicit connection to the war effort. We have not gone for a blanket ban across the whole banking system," the official said.
Neither Sberbank nor Gazprombank has so far been targeted, as they are the main channels for payments for Russian oil and gas, which have not yet faced EU penalties. The two will be subject to other sanctions, however, the official stated.
pcwwp | March 3, 2022 at 11:03 pm
As usual they are all inter owned. My understanding is that Vanguard is the ultimate owner – and they are owned by…a trust.. so we can't find out who they are – i have a good idea – follow the blood.
dcjdee | March 3, 2022 at 10:29 pm
Daviddd2, In taking my words out of intended context and misunderstanding, you inadvertently verified my point. Lol.
jo | March 3, 2022 at 9:08 am
David, once the US "empire" goes up in flames while taking many of their minion states in the EU, their economically looted colonies and programmed allied forces down, as it is planned, there only will be the two "Easts" left to fill the void of power and to run the world's economy – until a group of humble kosher oligarch will sponsor the "resistance" in regards to world domination. Rome was burned and "invented itself differently as an empire" but still kept power over most of the rest of the world.
Same old game and script, just some new faces and directives. Australia will become Chinese territory without too many changes internally. For Aussies it will be "business as usual" as subjects, just minus a welfare state.
Alison | March 3, 2022 at 8:49 am
There's a lot of things being shaken up. The merchants of the world and their supporters have gotten into powerful positions, there's no denying it, but all the world is not deceived, and that's a good thing.
Myanmar gives its support to Putin and blames the 'Puppet' Zelensky.
Myanmar's military junta reiterated its support for Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, blaming the invasion of Ukraine on the country's leader and people.
The regime also accused the US and its NATO allies of plotting to pit Russia and Ukraine against each other in a commentary published in its Burmese-language mouthpiece Myanma Alin.
The two-page commentary, titled "Lessons from Ukraine for Those Who Haven't Learned from History," was written by a writer using the pseudonym "Myint Myat."
While referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a puppet of the West, the author praises Putin as a visionary leader who had the foresight to build up his country's military and economic strength quietly.
On the other hand, according to the author, Zelensky is "incapable and lacks rationalism," failings that have resulted in the destruction and casualties that his country must now endure.
"It is not incorrect to say that the Ukrainian people are also to blame for what is happening now because they chose the wrong leader," he adds.
https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/272349948/russia-ukraine-war-myanmar-supports-putin-blames-puppet-zelensky
D Johnston: "There are no corners to push Russia into. Occam's Razor."
I am still still to be convinced that the global Money Changers operate on the Occam's Razor principle. 🙂 Otherwise there wouldn't be too many spooks and counter spooks and shills involved in manipulating and misdirecting us..
pcwwp: "Having saved the world"……. "I feel we must accept that every thing is owned by them."
I was being sarcastic as that is what we'll be told. Certainly looks like they've got the lot covered, just depends if there are really any mavericks left. But I think it's more controlled than necessarily owned at this point.
Vanguard or Blackstone with 15% ownership can exert control over a company but the really sweet part for them would be getting the other 85% as well. And THAT would give TOTAL OWNERSHIP AND TOTAL CONTROL for the wealth hoarders.
D Johnston | March 2, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Hi Roland13021954…Yes, and you make a very astute point regarding Skylab. Was wondering about that myself just yesterday. Mind you, the US would sacrifice them in a heartbeat and then most likely try to pin that on Russia as well right?
kaiwanshou | March 2, 2022 at 9:25 pm
Russia has it's version of swift so it's not going to cause problems internally. There are a plethora of systems to transfer money internationally, even bitcoin or monero
pcwwp | March 2, 2022 at 8:50 pm
Daviddd2: "Having saved the world from "ogre"s such as Russia and China , the globalists " – hmm.. I feel we must accept that every thing is owned by them. I now this is hard – but Vanguard – the old blood lines – owns us. They are not saving us – this is a cull and financial deposition.
roland13021954 | March 2, 2022 at 8:31 pm
RUSSIA IS NOT FULL OF DUMB SHIT,S LIKE THE WEST . THE MORE SANCTION,S THE WEST PUT ON RUSSIA THE BETTER . THEN THEY WILL FIND ALTERNATIVES WHICH WILL MAKE THEM STRONGER . JUST AS AN ASIDE ,IF THE RUSKIES WANTED TO BE NASTY ., TELL THE US guy,s on sky lab to find their own Way home. ..just a thought
D Johnston | March 2, 2022 at 8:06 pm
daviddd2, Ain't gonna happen. There are no corners to push Russia into. Occam's Razor. Not Shrodinger's Cat.
Just a few more random but sequential thoughts lol.
daviddd2 | March 2, 2022 at 7:43 pm
pcwwp: He says the right things and even goes out on a limb verbally but it remains to be seen what he does as the show progresses. I think it's actually a rescue line for the EU and NATO and a huge attempt to galvanise them as they were just about to tank. The former from bankruptcy and the latter from lack of raison d'etre.
At the same time it will all serve to mask the global economic melt down too. But then I have been accused of being a little overly cynical. lol
A few random but sequential thoughts…. lol
By pushing Russia into a corner the globalists have achieved one major goal. They've stopped the EU from tanking and galvanised the frightened sheep at least for a little while.
The sheep now have someone to fear and distract them from their all but collapsed economies. And NATO is again taken off life support and rehabilitated to its original role as the protector of all the European sheep. Its extended role as the global peacekeeper will soon be accelerated.
At the same time, any sheep elsewhere that are not already in the globalist pen will be sucked more firmly into it as they will not be able to deal with those who are not with the globalists, i.e. Russia and probably China too in the very near future.
Having saved the world from "ogre"s such as Russia and China, the globalists will set the rules which will facilitate the security of their pen and the Reset they dream of. Eventually, having been isolated globally, the Russians and the Chinese will press their leaders to be eased into the globalist pen by their own desire to avoid isolation.
How Putin in Russia and Xi in China respond to the pressure applied will tell us whether it's all theater or whether there's a chance to avoid a unipolar globalist world.. But at what cost?
benellitre, As I've said numerous times, any retaliatory actions/ sanctions including Swift, bear zero consequence or affect to Russia. Russia has long since prepared for this. The globalists in their panic for survival are too stupid to realise they are cutting off their nose to spite their face and that it will all backfire on them big time. Bring it on!
If Germany managed to raise itself from its ashes after Versailles without SWIFT, I reckon Russia might be able to cope. Might do even better as the US$ goes under.
I feel he is just another puppet – perhaps a little errant – but this thing is another distraction.. in my view..
johnm635 | March 2, 2022 at 12:29 pm
Thank you, Alexandra Bruce.
Bounced in from Glenn Beck, YT: 5 facts that DON'T MAKE SENSE about Putin, Russia, & Ukraine. Mar 1, 2022
Adding it up … something isn't right – agreed. What about from a lens where Putin is a "graduate" of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and very good friends with Klaus Schwab. What about policies in Russia and policies (supposed and actual sanctions) within the US against Putin (Russia) and how that might play out – globally. What we might be looking at is a total and global economic collapse. During or after that collapse, WEF comes to the world's rescue and negotiates with Putin. Then Putin appears to calm down and agrees to a "deal" with WEF.
With the SWIFT ban on banking, and the consequences as alluded to by you (Glenn Beck) here, we will see trillions of $'s flush into the US economy to keep things afloat for a while. So, it could be that leading up to Putin going to (is summoned) the table for a "deal", the US economy is truly in the shit. They do a deal and everyone is happy "they" totally control the global banking system and the vast majority of us have become unwilling slaves to WEF. Don't worry. You will own nothing but you will be happy.
Furthermore, because of "our" engineered collapse of much of the financial system, including banking, what you did own before that very unfortunate and un-see-able collapse, has now devalued a lot of what you own by more than a lot. Sorry about that. We had to avert a world war. That cost all of us a lot. So, suck it up. Go stoic. But "we" know a lot of you will suffer [at our hands – but don't tell anyone] for what we did (and what we are doing) and we want to let you know we will stand by you. Especially for those who you lost your job and can't find work. So, we will set up a global trust fund (a non-profit probably) and pay you all a "living wage". Eventually, we know this amount will not be sufficient for you to pay the mortgage or own a car.
We're truly sorry about that. But once you fire-sale all of your assets to us, and sell to us the remaining things you own to stay financially afloat (running the global trust fund), we'll help you out with a slight raise in your level of "free" basic income. Then, and only then, you will be free of the shackles of going to work every day to own stuff that, let's face it, only gives you a headache. Would "you" be much more headache free if we took over everything for you. I think so. Don't you?
"We" will tell you where to live and where you can go – even in your own country. Don't worry about the stress of a job interview, we've got that covered too. We love you, of course. We care for "you", of course. So, everyone (mostly) will be assigned jobs where jobs exist. Of course, there won't be enough jobs for everyone. So, "we'll" have to have a lottery system. Those who miss out will not get a raise in their basic income. They will have to try again next year. For those who get a job, and stay with it for 6 months or more, they will see an increase in their basic income of 20% – like everyone else working, to be paid monthly.
We are also aware that some people live in medium-to-large dwellings (houses or apartments usually), and they will not be able to afford them now. We feel for you. We all have to make a sacrifice. Glad you understand. That's because our new basic income model, the one now being rolled out with flashing lights, coloured balloons and the big horn is a cry for all of us to be equal. We must all pitch in. YOU KNOW, WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. Since that is so, and we feel for those who lost everything, people who lost their home will be assigned a new home – free.
Well, almost free. Free to get into it, anyway. We'll flush out the details later. OK? And to boot, just so you can see and feel our vibrating compassion to our fellow human beings, for those who do go broke and get a new free home, they will have their basic income reduced by 20%. Of course, if "he, she or they" move out, we will restore their 20%. That's only fair. For many though, "we" hope they remain in their assigned dwellings for the longer term.
Of course, because of the recent financial collapse we are "all" managing now, we had the economists, the engineers and the profiteers came up with a plan of putting a roof over the heads of those millions upon millions who are now broke and living on a basic income. They came up with a brilliant plan. Its a least cost version to provide basic "safe" living conditions for millions. We (and they, our best friends) are going to build millions of blocks of basic living high-rise flats and basic living high-rise units as well as some "factory-like" lockdown camps for those with nowhere to go.
We believe these camps are a cost effective way of containing those in the community who don't share our "all in this together" values. Those are the ones, the angry and objectionable ones. Don't worry, to protect you, "we" will sort them out for you and help protect you from harm. Anyway, back to those new units, the ones that are better than being in the camps, it appears central heating will be optional and super expensive.
Also, due to large scale and long-lived electricity bottlenecks, none of our owned (your) units will have air conditioning. The living quarters will be a bit tiny. Probably a little bit uncomfortable at times as well. Sorry. But the dwelling will do the job of providing you with shelter. You do understand, its a tight budget. We all have to pitch in as we all climb out of the mess.
I mean, we do have to get ourselves out of this financial catastrophe. "We" know all of its all your fault – as "we" laugh from on-high and scapegoat away on our magic horses and go home to our palaces we do own. Don't worry, we'll be back.
lindesymonds | March 2, 2022 at 12:19 pm
The Ukrainian gov't is indeed infested with corruptos. Both ZOG West and ZOG East crime syndicates operate through its governments. The Ukrainian people are attempting to claim a Ukrainian government for themselves – pretty much like we are attempting to do in Australia.
Vlad is shelling Ukrainian cities. Civilians under bombardment are living in the subway stations or fleeing the country. Both the Eurasianists [ 4th Political Agenda for the real NWO] and the WEF, EUSSR , new world orderlies want a war to create Eurasia and do away with NATO which is an obstacle to a Soviet Union / EUSSR merger.
The central banking cartel is consolidating the nations it owns as assets of its corporate structure. To do that they have to have WW3.
If Russia were really set upon a path of independent , national sovereignty of Russian nationhood – a government of , by and for Russian people – first of all they wouldn't need Ukraine and they would be cleaning up their own crime syndicate corruptos instead of laundering the proceeds to Israel. They would welcome getting 'de-banked' and off-loading ownership of their nation by the central banking cartel.
Rhodesia got 'de-banked' when Britain seized all assets of the old bank of the Southern Crown Colony and froze all assets. The former colony (from which the Crown had abdicated) declared themselves independent and fought a war of independence against ZOG East and ZOG West. They chartered their own national bank and ran a booming first world economy backed by their own currency which was a parity with the British pound throughout the war.
Owen ODonnell | March 2, 2022 at 12:13 pm
Hi Marie read this and then post if you can this has exposed who is behind this war and its not Putin they are using him to get this one world order in place.
At our level:
Ukraine is about the US fermenting conflict, installing their puppet and then the main prize – Uknaine into NATO. Then the US can weaponize the border and foment more conflict because as we all know, fear is the currency of the communist.
Up with the controllers:
Just another distraction whilst they continue on with our enslavement and culling.
daviddd2 | March 2, 2022 at 12:11 pm
When "George Soros, Klaus Schwab and minions like Hillary Clinton" say somebody is bad, you can't get a better recommendation than that. lol
benellitre | March 2, 2022 at 11:57 am
It is possible that the SWIFT sanction could work against WEF and US interests by encouraging use of the Russian/Chinese alternate payments system https://www.russia-briefing.com/news/spfs-russia-s-alternative-to-swift.html/


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Q: Firefox improperly renders svg background with opacity and background-size: cover I stumbled upon a weird issue in firefox (MacOS) where opacity is not applied for an SVG background image that is used in :before pseudo-element with background-size cover or higher values than 100%.
In Chrome, the SVG is rendered in the background with 0.05 opacity applied as expected.
In Firefox 98.0.1 on MacOS, it is rendered as black as if no opacity is applied at all. What is weird though is that if I change the background-size to 50% for instance, it is rendered properly. What's more, if I toggle the opacity rule in firebug it renders as expected.
Is it a firefox bug or am I missing something? Any ideas for a workaround?
Codepen: https://codepen.io/wolasso/pen/RwxobEo
Expected result (Chrome, Safari):

Firefox:

.test {
  width: 100vw;
  height: 100vh;
  background: #4C8CB8;
}

.test:before {
  background-image: url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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');
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  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
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  width: 100%;
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  background-size: 200% 200%;
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Do not go to Tokyo without indulging in a a bit of karaoke! Big Echo is the main chain in Japan, they have a good selection of songs with English versions and prices are OK (you pay per person and it's more after 11pm). You'll have to buy a drink (not that you'll need it, it's great sober…) and I'd recommend staying at least an hour – 30 mins isn't enough. Time flies when you're having ridiculous amounts of fun, etc.
Tip: good artists/songs for karaoke include the Beach Boys (Get Around), Cher (Turn Back Time), Def Leppard (Sugar), Billy Idol (Rebel Yell) and Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights. Impossible songs are Toto's Africa, all Bruce Springsteen (I ruined Thunder Road) and Bon Jovi's Always. You think it's gonna work but it doesn't. The Big Echo in Shinduku provides props (hello tambourine!) while the one in Ginza is a bit more polished with no props. Your call.
Dress up as the Mario Brothers and drive a pimped road-safe go kart around Tokyo. DO IT. This will require some organisation ahead of the trip, and save time before you set off from Akihabara (known as the geeky part of town) to wander around the shops.
There's a rollercoaster in the Tokyo Dome (on top of the buidlings!); tickets are around 1,000 yen and it's great, obviously.
Have a wander through the Yoyogi Park (I walked through from Shinjuku to Harajaku and then Shibuya) and check out the Meiji Shrine.
People rave about this but tbh I can't think of much worse than looking at fish at 5am.
There are 226 Michelin-starred restaurants in Tokyo (that's more than London, Paris and NYC combined), but TBC that's not all my bag. A lot of the less expensive restaurants have pictures on their menu, which sounds kind of naff, but in country where you can order bumhole on stick alongside your beer, it's actually kinda handy. For budget eats, try the below.
Right in the thick of it in cool Shinjuku, this brightly lit place does conveyor belt sushi for a smidge of the price you'd pay back home. Pick plates from the moving table top (they are all colour coded) or ask the chef to prep some stuff on the spot. It's all freshly made because of the amount of traffic coming through, but you can get it extra fresh if you ask – ie without it having done two rounds on the belt. I ate A LOT here and spent less than a tenner. Don't leave without trying the seared eel and the medium fatty tuna.
Tonkatsu – or breaded pork – is a Japanese staple and it's as niiiice as it sounds. This place is in Ginza, a slightly more upmarket part of Tokyo, and the restaurant is full of locals who sit on stools along the counter and watch the chefs in full-on meat-frying action. I went for one with the rice in the bowl with some sort of onion egg. Delish. Despite always being busy it feels really calm in here.
Slurp up HUGE bowls of delicious ramen in this wallet-friendly slimline joint in Shinduku. The done thing in Tokyo is to slurp your noodle, and people here really go for it. You order at a ticket machine on the way in and pick what you want by pressing a button on the pictures. Large bowls of noodles are the same price as small bowls, but just to warn you they are MASSIVE. I was defeated and couldn't recover for several hours. I really did think it was game over. You can get your noodles in the ramen bowl or cold on the side on the plate. I like them in, but that's just personal preference.
"You're eating better sushi than Obama!" That's what one diner told me when I went here for dinner. It IS expensive, but it's a fantastic experience – just 8 diners sit around a wooden counter, one eye on the incredible chefs doing their fish and rice prep and another on the view through the floor-to-ceiling windows 38 floors above Tokyo. Admire their work while sipping your paired sake, then every few minutes little morsels of fish will be placed placed on your plate along with an explanation on what you're about to put in your mouth. If you're looking for a special dining experience I'd say this is up there as the best. Book ahead and save up.
I wondered across this place on the way back to my airbnb. At the end of the day in Tokyo you'll see loads of men in suits standing in little bars eating and drinking. This is an on-street bar with standing tables and a menu of little sticks of meat (or yakitorie). About that meat – it's pretty unusual stuff by our standards, but it's def worth trying. I asked the chef to choose five for me because I couldn't handle choosing between uterus and heart. You know how it is. Grab a table and stand outside and try a stick or two, too. There are loads of places like this, so don't worry if you can't find this one.
This is a really peaceful little tempura restaurant that's a great escape from the noise of Shinjuku. You'll find plenty of locals tucking into big portions of battered veg and fish; we shared a tempura lunch because that's a lot of food and we had other stuff to eat. It's some of the best tempura in the city fo'sure.
Underneath the railway lines you'll find little street stalls/ restaurants that seat around 10 or so people each. Have a wander down the sweaty, smoke-filled alleys and pick what you fancy. I went for gyoza and ramen which we ate while sitting around a sticky counter and drinking Asihi beer. It feels pretty far removed from the rest of the city and is fun, if a little cramped.
Yep, that's right! They are everywhere and worth going into for snacks. I liked 'The Boss' iced coffee cans (CAN'T THINK WHY), choc croissants (good for hangovers) and the little sushi triangles which are a bit odd but good if you're on the go.
You'll also find loads of odd snacks and mags, always good for a browse! Also good for a nap.
Anywhere, honestly. Just wander around and see what you fancy.
Get to Ishibashi for Fenders galore, there are loads all over the city. Around Ochanomizu station you'll find loooooads of guitar shops. I've never seen so many in one city (new and pre-loved versions) and I honestly think I visited every single damn shop. You can pick up a nice Japanese Strat/Tele/Jag for £500 or so.
For CDs – I found some rare Bruce and loads of other artists for decent prices.
Harjuku is the best place or vintage gear. It's quite expensive over there (they import everything from America apparently) but you'll find some cool stuff – loads of t-shirts, leather jackets. It's a fashonista part of town with designer shops and little grungy boutiques and good fun to wander.
Head to the Kappabashi district for amazing Japanese knife shops – you'll pay a slice of the price you'd pay back home. You can get them engraved on the day, which is pretty special. I bought some in a shop called Kamata on Kappabashi Kitchen Town. Another recommended shop was called Union Commerce – they also had a great coffee hardware shop attached.
Airbnb is a great option in a city like Tokyo as you'll hardly be in. I also booked one night at the Andaz which is located in an a fairly quiet but up-and-coming part of the city. Really great rooms views and buffet breakfast. Mmmmm.
The loos – they are everywhere and clean.
Lockers – for storing your stuff in all the train stations.
Racks – for your umbrellas (in the loos and outside shops!).
Vending machines – everywhere on the street for if you're feeling thirsty.
Wifi – hot spots are everywhere. I went to a tourist office, showed my passport and was given a log in for seven days.
There are a number of companies running train/metro travel in the city, meaning it's not as simple as buying a pass. But ticket machines are really simple to use and everyone is very helpful. Trains are punctual. Best bet is to use City Mapper and it'll get you around super easily.
Tipping is not the norm in Tokyo – so don't, you're likely to get someone chasing you down the street to give you your change back.
Google Translate will be your friend – English isn't that commonly spoken. The best phrases are Arigato (thank you) and Oishi (delicious). I just said everything was delicious for eight days, which was handy because I wasn't even fibbing.
Loads of ATMs close in the evening and weekends, any many don't take English debit cards. Try to find a 7Eleven with an ATM with a cash machine as they are 24 hours and work with our cards.
Flying indirect will save you a hell of a lot of money – I'm talking half the price. Head here for more info.


Newmindspace was trying to create an art installation of floating LEDs on Saturday night. The idea was to see if they could float the glowing string higher than the CN Tower. I kinda wanted to go and see if they could pull it off but I had a very important birthday party to attend, so I couldn't manage it. They did it (albeit, in an unplanned way) when the string snapped and drifted off into the sky.


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Women's Rowing
Walk-Ons
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Walk-On Info
This is UVA Rowing
May 12, 2017 . Women's Rowing
No. 11 UVA Aims for Eighth Straight ACC Title on Sunday
18th Annual ACC Rowing Championship
Date Sunday, May 14, 2017
Location Lake Hartwell | Clemson, S.C.
ACC Network Extra Preliminaries (8 a.m.) | Finals (5:30 p.m.)
ACC Rowing Championship Central
UVA Information Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – No. 11 Virginia seeks its eighth consecutive ACC title as the Cavaliers compete at the 18th Annual ACC Rowing Championship Sunday (May 14) on Lake Hartwell in Clemson, S.C. It is the third consecutive year the conference regatta has been expanded to five events after having four events contested the first 15 ACC regattas.
Preliminaries are scheduled to begin at 8:05 a.m. Sunday with the Varsity Eight, followed by the Second Varsity Eight, Varsity Four, Second Varsity Four and Third Varsity Eight. Finals are set to begin at 5:35 p.m. with the Third Varsity Eight, followed by the Second Varsity Four, Varsity Four, Second Varsity Eight and Varsity Eight. The 2017 ACC Rowing Championship preliminaries and finals will be available live on ACC Network Extra, which is available to authenticated subscribers of ESPN3 through WatchESPN and the ESPN app. ACC Network is also linked at VirginiaSports.com.
Ten-time ACC Coach of the Year Kevin Sauer and tri-captains Georgia Ratcliff (Falls Church, Va.), Ellen Pate (Lafayette, Calif.) and Grace Tuttle (Vienna, Va.) lead Virginia into this weekend's regatta. UVA has won seven straight conference titles and 16 of the 17 ACC championship regattas. The Cavaliers have captured 64 of the previous 70 events at the conference level.
Virginia will row in the first heat as the No. 1 seed in the Second Varsity Eight, Varsity Four and Third Varsity Eight. The Cavaliers are the No. 2 seed in the Varsity Eight and Second Varsity Four and will row in the second heat in each of those events.
UVA is ranked No. 11 in the latest USRowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) national poll, while Syracuse is ranked No. 13 and Duke is No. 17. Louisville and Notre Dame are receiving votes in the poll.
Virginia Rowing Announces 2022 Schedule
UVA Records Sweep at Rivanna Romp
Cavaliers Host Rivanna Romp on Sunday

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Home > Europe > Grand Discovery Of Spain
Grand Discovery of Spain
Duero Valley Wine Region
Immerse yourself in Spanish culture with an epic trip that covers the length and breadth of the country
Privately guided tours tailored specifically to you
Private transfers and internal flights
Full support from your Travel Concierge before, during and after your trip
Private tour of the mighty Alhambra
Hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains
You'll really get an insight into Spanish culture with this epic tour that takes in the beautiful southern cities as well as the northern Basque region.
Start in the capital and explore its history through the brilliant architecture, and discover its artistic side with a private tour of the Prado Museum. You'll also spend a day in the historic walled city of Toledo, before heading south to Andalusía via handsome Cordoba.
Soak up the culture in Seville, a city that is not short of magnificent sites such as The Royal Alcazar with its pretty gardens and Moorish design. Music and dance is at the heart of Andalusian life and you'll get to experience the age-old traditional of flamenco dancing.
Your exploration of Spain continues in Granada, home to the magnificent Alhambra and the hammam baths. Take some time to relax in the glittering Balearic island of Mallorca and enjoy wandering the streets of its atmospheric capital, Palma, before heading into the mighty Serra de Tramuntana mountain range.
Barcelona is known for its beautiful and often eccentric architecture which you'll experience by walking the cobbled streets of the Gothic quarter and visiting Gaudi's iconic landmarks, including La Sagrada Familia. Your tour of the modernist movement continues with the Dali museum in Figueres via the pretty city of Girona.
Spain's Basque country has its own culture and its people their own sense of identity. San Sebastian is a beautiful coastal city famous for its culinary traditions and you'll dine like a local as you dip in and out of the city's many pintxos bars. Continue on to Bilbao, home to Gehry's Guggenheim Museum, before hopping across the border into the French countryside and the towns of Bayonne and Biarritz.
Your trip ends in the heart of Spain's winemaking region with a tour of the wineries in Rioja and time in the beautiful Duero Valley.
Private transfer to your hotel in Madrid
Accommodation in Madrid
150 rooms and suites
Two restaurants
Built on the site of a former palace, Villa Magna has plenty of history but that doesn't mean it's living in the past. Sleek design coupled with all the modern amenities you could want, make this a luxurious base from which to explore the city. The 150 rooms and suites are a mix of classic and contemporary and provide a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. A Nespresso coffee machine ensure you're ready to take on Madrid. The hotel is located on Paseo Castellana, one of the longest and widest avenues, and you can access the Corte Ingles shopping mall from the ground floor. There are two restaurants, one serving traditional Spanish dishes with a twist, and the other specialising in Cantonese cuisine. No trip to Spain would be complete without sampling some tapas, and you can relax on the terrace and savour a selection of delicious morsels. Blankets and heaters ensure you can enjoy the atmosphere all year round.
Hotel Orfila
32 rooms and suits
History and old-world charm emanate from the luxurious Hotel Orfila, housed in an elegant 19th-century palace. Located in the centre of Madrid, you're just minutes from the famous Museo del Prado art museum. With 20 rooms and 12 suites, the hotel provides an intimate and relaxing base from which to explore the city and all its artistic and historical treasures. Enter through the doors and you'll feel like you've stepped back in time, with rooms and public spaces decorated with antique furniture, oil paintings, marble carvings and gilt-edged mirrors. Orfila's garden, a serene green courtyard filled with fountains and seating, provides a welcome respite from the busy city, as does the tea room, an English-style bar serving classic afternoon teas. In the evenings, after a day of sightseeing, choose to dine on gourmet dishes in the garden under the stars or by candlelight in the elegant restaurant.
Hotel Urso
78 rooms and suites
One of Madrid's newest boutique hotels, set among noble residences and grand embassies, the Hotel Urso has quickly become one of the hottest and trendiest places to lay your head. Housed in an early 20th-century palace, its neoclassical style gives off an air of sophistication, while its well-appointed interiors are comfortable and stylish. Its six categories of guest rooms and suites, range in size, bed type and views, yet all feature contemporary Scandi-chic-style décor and calming tones. Wake up to breakfast each morning in the light-filled conservatory, decorated in Oriental-inspired 18th century wallpaper and bamboo plants. When you're ready to head out and explore, you'll find sites such as the Madrid History Museum, the National Museum of Romanticism and the vast Retiro Park, located close by. Wind down after your day in the plush wood-panelled spa, offering a variety of massages and specialised skincare treatments. And when you're fully relaxed, head to the sleek Urso Bar for cocktails and gourmet Spanish tapas, made from ingredients sourced at the local Mercado de Barceló. The hotel restaurant, ½ Ración, which means 'half portion' offers cuisine based on the traditional Madridian food.
3 days in Madrid
The Spanish capital is bursting with life and passion and through its well planned streets course Madrilenos, the city's inhabitants who really know how to live.
Madrid is a powerhouse of culture, and no trip here could miss a tour of the the Golden Triangle of Art, encompassing the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Music is also an important feature and the city marches to the beat of flamenco, jazz and live music of all kinds. And don't forget that Madrid serves some of the most delicious tapas that there is.
Tour of historic and artistic Madrid with exclusive access to the Prado Museum
This tour includes exclusive access to the Prado Museum with a collection of around 9,000 paintings by artists such as Bosch, Titian and Rubens. You'll visit the museum before it opens to the public so you can appreciate the displays without battling the crowds. You'll then discover Madrid's fascinating history as you explore the Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, the vibrant market of San Miguel, the Royal Palace and the Royal Opera House. You'll also visit the places that capture the essence of the city including the Neptune Fountain and the Spanish Parliament Building.
Tour of Toledo
Enjoy exploring the historic city of Toledo. Sitting above the Tagus River, the old town's winding streets and alleyways are punctuated by a stunning cathedral, the San Juan Monastery, ornate churches and two of Spain's three pre-16th century synagogues that survived the Expulsion.
Private transfer to Madrid Atocha railway station
High speed train from Madrid to Cordoba
Tour of Cordoba
Cordoba is perhaps Spain's most handsome city, an historic centre of culture and lasting testament to a golden age of religious tolerance during its time as a caliphate. King Ferdinand III then claimed the city for Castile during the Spanish Reconquista, bequeathing it its gothic and renaissance finery. Visit today, and you'll find Cordoba's grand past beautifully reflected in the city's magnificent architecture. During your tour, explore the Moorish, Jewish and Christian quarters including the ornate synagogue and the Alcazar with its beautiful gardens. You'll also discover Roman remains and the famous Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral.
Private transfer from Cordoba to your hotel in Seville
Accommodation in Seville
151 guestrooms including 19 suites
Two restaurants including a tapas bar by Michelin-starred chef
Lobby bar with piano
Steeped in history, the Hotel Alfonso XIII was constructed by order of the King as luxury lodging for the international VIPs attending the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. This grand structure quickly became an emblem of the city centre and has been continuously used as a hotel until the present day, although Franco's regime necessitated a name change to the Andalusian Palace while under his rule. To this day, you'll find that it is the city centre's only true, luxury property. Typically Andalusian in style, the hotel expresses the region's mixed Moorish and Castilian founding influences with authentic and detailed features. Each of its 151 bedrooms including its 19 suites are unique in design, falling into three style categories: Andalusian, Moorish, and Castilian. Alongside its exalted, majestic architecture, Hotel Alfonso XIII is also notable for its large pool, which sits amidst lush gardens. This makes it a rare urban sanctuary and one of the only locations where being in Seville during the heat of high summer will be thoroughly enjoyable. By the pool you'll find an al fresco restaurant that turns itself into a twinkling vision after dark and serves Spanish and international delicacies. You can also eat in the sumptuously-tiled gallery surrounding an arched interior courtyard where you can take your breakfast and coffee. If you fancy something truly epicurean, the atmospheric Ena tapas bar is manned by Michelin-starred chef Carles Abellán of Barcelona. Afterwards, discuss the highlights of your meal to the accompaniment of live piano music at Bar Americano. In terms of location, you'll find that you really couldn't be better placed to discover Seville. Hotel Alfonso XIII sits right on the edge of the old – pedestrianised – quarter, meaning that you can benefit from arriving to the hotel by car and walking five minutes to outstanding historic sites such as the Cathedral de Seville, the Alcazar, Puente de S. Telmo, and Plaza de Espana.
Palacio de Villapanés
Entering the Palacio de Villapanés is quite the theatrical experience. As you step through the huge wooden doors and into the courtyard with its parquet flooring, marble columns and elegant arches it's like stepping back in time. The hotel is a former palace built in the 18th century for the first marquis of Terreblanca del Aljarafe. The interior is a blend of classic and contemporary, with plenty of original features as well as furniture from international designers. Each of the 50 rooms and suites have retained much of their charm while having all the features of a modern boutique hotel. The Spanish have really mastered the art of al fresco living, and you can relax in the patio garden, the scent of orange blossom carrying on the breeze. For a spectacular bird's-eye-view of the city, head to the rooftop terrace and watch the sun sink behind the skyline. Every region in Spain is passionate about their cuisine and you can experience the delights of Andalusian cuisine at the hotel restaurant, located in the old palace winery. For a more relaxed dining affair, enjoy some tapas and wine in the bar or on the terrace. When you just need to lay back and relax, head to the spa where Located near the Santa Cruz district, you're ideally situated to explore Seville. The Giralda Tower, Plaza Jesús de la Redencion, the cathedral and the Real Alcázar are all close by.
3 Days in Seville
The jewel in the Moorish Caliphate of Cordoba and the capital of the most powerful Castilian Kingdom, Seville has been left with eye-popping architecture and majestic grace. While Seville reached its peak in the 17th century and then suffered terribly in the Spanish Civil War, today it has resurrected itself as the capital and largest city of Andalusia. You'll need to spend a few days here at least to experience the true essence of Spanish grandeur.
Seville walking tour
Enjoy a walking tour through Barrio de Santa Cruz, Seville's oldest quarter, learning about its history from the Roman times right up until the present day. You'll visit the cathedral which sits on the site of the Great Mosque of the 12th century; the only part of this that remains is the minaret, now known as the Giralda Tower. The Royal Alcazar was the site of the marriage between Carlos V and Isabel of Portugal and is centred around two courtyards. The Ambassador's Hall is beautifully decorated with plasterwork and tiles, while the top floor is accessed by a 16th century staircase featuring paintings by Roelas and Madrazo. The pretty gardens reflect the passing of historical periods and are a lush hideaway filled with pomegranate, orange and palm trees.
Flamenco is the traditional song and dance of the gypsies of Andalusia and was developed over hundreds of years before becoming popular in the 19th century as a form of café entertainment. There are three parts to every flamenco show: 'grande' or 'hondo' with intense, profound songs; 'intermedio'; and finally 'pequeño', lighthearted songs about love and nature.
Private transfer from Seville to Granada
Accommodation in Granada
AC Palacio de Santa Paula
Granada is a city with more than its fair share of beautiful buildings and stunning architecture. The luxurious AC Palacio de Santa Paula occupies the former Santa Paula Convent which has been lovingly restored to offer guests a relaxing retreat bursting with character. The hotel is centred around a beautiful courtyard with elegant stone arches and palm trees, the delicate tinkling of the fountain in the background. It also houses the tombs of the nuns from the convent. Admire it from the wraparound balcony on the first floor, complete with 16th century frescos, or sink into one of the chairs and enjoy it illuminated at night. Fusing old and new, the hotel has managed to retain its charm and authenticity while allowing guests to enjoy all the comforts of a modern hotel. There are 75 rooms and suites, some with exposed brick walls and views over the courtyard. The restaurant occupies the former convent library and the menu makes for good reading, fusing traditional Andalusian flavours with more modern culinary concepts. The courtyard is the perfect setting for a glass of wine and nibbles. You're ideally situated on the Gran Via de Colon, one of the main avenues in Granada's old quarter. The cathedral and archeological museum are on your doorstep and the majestic Alhambra is within walking distance.
Parador de Granada
The Alhambra is one of the most iconic landmarks not just in Granada, but across Europe. The Parador de Granada is located within its grounds and is the perfect place to appreciate it in all its glory. A former Franciscan convent, the Parador was built on the site of a Nasrin palace. The remains of the Turkish bathes are still visible today and other relics are housed in the hotel museum. Part of the building was the former chapel where the kings of Spain were buried before moving to the Royal Chapel. Enjoy a stroll in the garden, from which you can look out at the city's medieval walls and towards the Sacramonte and Albaicín neighbourhoods. The hotel blends classic and contemporary design with wooden floors, latticed shutters and pieces of antique furniture alongside more modern features in the 45 rooms and suites. The restaurant serves traditional Spanish cuisine and the terrace is the perfect place to while away balmy summer evenings. The Alhambra is understandably one of Spain's most popular attractions, but your prime location means you can enjoy its majestic palaces and beautiful gardens once the crowds have disappeared.
Hospes Palacio de los Patos
Granada is a city steeped in history, but this hasn't stopped it embracing modern Spanish culture with aplomb. The blend of old and new is what makes a stay at the Hospes Palacio de los Patos so special. The hotel is split across two buildings, one a renovated 19th century palace and the other a striking modern construction. The interior is bright and airy, and rooms in the older part of the hotel contain beautiful features such as plasterwork ceilings, Doric columns and friezes. After a day of exploring, you'll relish the opportunity to relax and unwind in the spa which features Turkish baths, a sauna and thermal pool. Sightseeing can build up quite the appetite so enjoy some traditional Spanish tapas or dishes inspired by the city's Moorish past in the hotel's restaurant. No trip to Granada would be complete without visiting the majestic Alhambra, a series of palaces and gardens built under the Nazari Dynasty in the 14th century. Be sure to also stop by the Granada Cathedral and the Alcazaba, a wonderfully preserved Moorish fortress.
2 Days in Granada
Seville's brooding Andalusian sister sits at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Iberian Peninsula's highest massif. Renowned as the last stronghold of the Moors who were driven out of Western Europe in the 15th century, it's here that you'll best discover Andalusia's splendid Arabic architectural heritage including the beautiful Alhambra Palace.
Hammam baths and massage
Head to the Hammam al Andalus, the first Arab baths to reopen in Europe after being closed down in the 16th century. The baths are located at the foot of the Alhambra over the ruins of an original public bath. They feature hot, warm and cool baths which you can dip in and out of, as well as a steam room. You'll also enjoy a traditional massage using red grape soap and essential oils.
Private tour of the Alhambra
The lavish Alhambra is Granada's most visited site. Once a palace and fortress for the city's Muslim rulers, the Alhambra means 'red fort' and is named after the red clay used in its construction in the mid-13th century. The Generalife was the country residence of the Nasrid king and the recreational courtyard and its beautiful gardens sit on the slopes of the Cerro del Sol, offering spectacular views.
Private transfer to Granada airport
Private transfer from Mallorca airport to your hotel
Accommodation in Mallorca
Hotel Can Alomar
Restaurant and terrace bar
Private concierge service
Discreetly luxurious inside the upper floors of a handsome 19th century palatial residence, itself an historic landmark on the ever fashionable Passeig del Born, the Can Alomar is a wonderful retreat in Mallorca's capital. 16 large rooms and suites are cool and restrained, with high quality finishes throughout and sumptuous beds, thick carpets and marble bathrooms. There is a buzzing terrace bar and fine restaurant, De Tokio a Lima, where the menu is a unique fusion of Majorcan, Japanese and Peruvian influences. Up on the roof terrace there is a small pool and lounge area, a wonderful setting for spa treatments and yoga sessions, and an observation turret for watching the sun set with a glass of something fizzy to hand. Well located in an area lined with galleries and boutiques there is plenty to see on foot. Private shopping trips can also be arranged, yachts hired and vineyard tours organised.
Cap Rocat
The approach to Cap Rocat may well stop you in your tracks, which is fitting given the hotel is a former military fortress. Luckily nowadays getting inside is less problematic and the only time you'll be looking over your shoulder is to take in the panoramic views. The unique architecture makes this a wonderfully unique place to stay, its exterior made from warm and inviting honey coloured marés sandstone. The fortress was dug into the cliffs in the 19th century, then converted into a luxury hotel in 2010. Some of the suites are located in former shooting buttresses, and thick stone walls and vaulted ceilings add plenty of character. Fresh Mediterranean flavours can be expected at the restaurant; in the warmer months there is the option to dine al fresco in the courtyard, the sound of tinkling fountains in the background. There is also a Sea Club where food is cooked in a traditional Mallorcan firewood oven and grill. Cap Rocat is located in a secluded area of Palma Bay and the terrace offers spectacular views out across the water. Cool off in the saltwater infinity pool, or take advantage of the hotel's direct access to the sea.
El Olivo Restaurant
Cafe Miro and Pool Restaurant
Two outdoor swimming pools
In the beautiful village of Deia, a longstanding muse for poets, artists and musicians, and cradled by the Tramuntana Mountains, La Residencia is one of Spain's finest hotels. Wonderfully secluded among olive and citrus groves, close to the sea, it is the ultimate Mallorcan hideaway. 67 rooms and suites span two lovingly restored manor house from the 16th and 17th centuries, each with understated antiques, rich fabrics and paintings by local artists. All the rooms offer views out to the mountains and surroundings gardens. For the utmost privacy, there is villa with four bedrooms and its own swimming pool. Guests are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to dining, with the acclaimed El Olivo serving carefully created local dishes in a most elegant of settings. There's also the relaxed Cafe Miro bistro and bar, great for tapas and cocktails in the evening, and a restaurant by one of La Residencia's fabulous swimming pools. There is an abundance of opportunities to explore this wonderful corner of the island, with boat cruises touring the coast, Vespas for hire, cultural tours into the village and beyond, art classes and hikes. Guests can also relax at the beach or unwind back at the resort in the award-winning spa, perhaps with yoga and tai chi lessons.
3 Days in Palma
Stacked full of appetising restaurants, a sparkling port and an animated nightlife, Palma de Mallorca is seductively glamorous. Located on the southern shores of Mallorca, the island's capital city looks out over the sparkling blue seas of the Mediterranean. Amongst all this charm, La Palma's Le Seu Cathedral is a wonder in itself. This unusual Gothic church was begun in 1230 and holds its head above most views of downtown Palma. For an authentic slice of Catalan life, take a day trip or spend a few days exploring Mallorca's stone hilltop villages, mountain monasteries, and enchanting little coastal towns.
Highlights of Mallorca - Palma Cathedral, Valldemossa and Deia
Discover the beautiful city of Palma and learn all about its history with a walk through the charming old quarter. Stop at the cathedral, known as Le Seo by locals, to admire its beautiful facade as well as its interior, designed by Gaudi. You'll also visit the village of Valldemossa and its Cartuja, a former 14th century Carthusian monastery and once the home of Chopin and Georges Sand. Deia was also a hub for artists, musicians and writers including the English poet and novelist Robert Graves, who was one of the first foreigners to settle in the village.
Serra de Tramuntana tour
The Serra de Tramuntana is the highest mountain range in Mallorca, running for 90km from the cape of Formentor in Pollença to the cape of Sa Mola in Andratx. The coastline is very rugged with deep torrents and impressive karst formations which you can admire during your walk, along with the local flora and fauna.
Private transfer to Mallorca airport
Private transfer to your hotel in Barcelona
El Palace Hotel
125 guest rooms
Michelin-starred Caelis Restaurant
19Ninteen and Garden restaurant
Regal and classic are two words that sum up this historic five-star hotel, located on one of Barcelona's main central thoroughfares. Stay here and you'll find yourself just a few blocks from the designer boutiques on the elegant Passeig de Gracia, and the heart of the city at Plaza Catalunya. Each of the 125 guest rooms feature imperial touches, from grand fireplaces and glittering chandeliers, to heavy gold curtains and bedspreads. Bold-patterned wallpapers and antique-style furniture add to the look. Salvador Dalí and his wife Gala, once lived in the Royal Suite which has since been renamed in his honour. With stately décor comes royal service, and each morning guests are treated to breakfast in the hotel's peaceful garden, surrounded by plants and fountains. You'll also be spoilt for choice when it comes to evening dining options, with Michelin-starred cuisine from chef Romain Fornell at the Michelin-starred Caelis Restaurant or tapas and light bites at the sophisticated 19Ninteen. And to finish off the night, head to the English-inspired Bluesman Cocktail Bar, a cosy space just perfect for a nightcap.
Two Michelin-starred restaurant
Barcelona is a city famous for its striking architecture and eye-catching design, so pay homage to the beautiful Catalan capital at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Barcelona. Located on the famous Passeig de Gràcia, you're just minutes from Gaudi's Casa Batlló and within walking distance of Las Ramblas, the iconic la Sagrada Familia and the Gothic Quarter. The interiors are stylish and contemporary, whilst subtly reflecting the hotel's oriental heritage. 120 rooms and suites look out over the boulevard or the peaceful mimosa gardens. Spain is a country fiercely proud of its rich culinary history and the hotel's restaurant, Moments, has been awarded two Michelin stars for its innovative Catalan cuisine. There is also a restaurant specialising in seafood; the chef Ángel León, has been nickname the Chef of the Sea due to his passion and knowledge for everything from shellfish to seaweed and salt. For light bites, enjoy tapas at the bar or on the terrace. A tipple in the Banker's Bar is a must; in a nod to its former life as a bank, the ceiling is fashioned from original security boxes. Barcelona's beautiful skyline is best appreciated from the rooftop where you can relax in the pool or admire the view with a cocktail in hand.
Hotel Casa Fuster
Barcelona is a city known for its beautiful architecture, and Hotel Casa Fuster is no exception. Behind the elegant façade is a hotel that effortlessly blends modern design and comfort, befitting of the stylish Catalan capital. Located on the Passeig de Gràcia, you're ideally situated to explore the city; the Casa Milá, Casa Batlló and the iconic Sagrada Familia are all within walking distance. When you're not out exploring, relax in one of the 105 rooms, decorated with warm neutral tones and designer furniture. Some also come with a hydromassage tub and a balcony. Spain is well known for its culinary heritage and the hotel restaurant serves modern Mediterranean cuisine using fresh, seasonal produce. With its colourful décor and eye-catching columns, the lounge is the perfect place for a thirst quenching cup of tea or cocktail, and on Thursday evenings you can tap your toe to live jazz music. Barcelona deserves to be seen from every angle and it takes on a whole new character when viewed from the rooftop terrace. Look down on the bustling streets below and out across to skyline to Tibadabo Mountain. There is an outdoor pool and plenty of seating from which to sit and watch the world go by.
W Barcelona
Three restaurants
Spa and gym
In a city known for its eccentric and varied architecture, W Barcelona played along and added to the skyline with this glittering glass-fronted hotel shaped like a sail. Located along Barcelona's famous boardwalk with the waves lapping at its feet, it is a beach lover's dream. Its location also means that guests can enjoy views of the sea or the city through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms, and there are telescopes for a close-up inspection of your surroundings. Everything about this hotel is young and fresh and rooms are divided into quirky categories including Wonderful, Mega and Fabulous. The rooftop bar on the 26th floor is one of the hotel's highlight and is the place to go for outstanding views, sushi and cocktails. Equally glamorous is the W Lounge with its underwater theme and resident DJs. The Catalan capital is a mecca for foodies and the Bravo24 restaurant specialises in delicious local and seasonal cuisine. If you just can't bear to be away from the beach for too long, then Salt Restaurant serves burger and cocktails on the waterfront. You won't need to worry about how to spend your down time; there is a spa spread over two floors, a state-of-the-art gym and an outdoor pool complete with private cabanas.
3 Days in Barcelona
In Spain's northwestern corner sits the proudly independent comunidad autónoma of Catalonia, with the charismatic city of Barcelona as its capital.
One of Europe's greatest cities, Barcelona has a rich history with iconic architectural treasures dating from Roman temples to winding gothic streets, with Gaudi's uniquely playful modernism cut with stark millennial flashes of glass and steel. There is a tangibly buzzing culture in the streets and squares, an inspiration for some of the 20th century's greatest artists and writers, that makes exploring tucked away bars, cafes, restaurants, museums and galleries endlessly captivating.
Tour of modernist Barcelona
Barcelona is known for its beautiful and often eccentric architecture, and on this tour you will learn all about Catalan Modernism that flourished between 1888 and 1906. Start at the Paseo de Gracia, one of the city's major avenues, before exploring Güell Park, home to some of Gaudi's most famous work. La Sagrada Familia, although not finished, is considered his masterpiece and is a real feat of engineering incorporating stone, brick, tiles and glass.
Tour of historic Barcelona
Enjoy wandering along the cobbled streets of the Gothic quarter, taking in the Santa Maria del Ma, one of the best examples of Gothic architecture. You'll also visit the Picasso Museum, home to works from his youth, and El Born which feels like a small village nestled within the city.
Private Dali Catalonia tour
Explore Dali's Catalonia on this private tour. Visit Figueres, the beautiful town where the Dalí Theatre and Museum is located. The museum itself is the largest surrealistic object in the world, built by Dali over the ruins of a 19th century theatre destroyed at the end of the Spanish Civil War. You'll also head to Girona, a small but charming city north of Barcelona to wander through its historic streets.
Walking tour of Girona
The old centre of Girona has preserved the remains of its long history. Take a private guided walking tour to see its imposing Gothic cathedral, which contain a textile jewel, the medieval Creation Tapestry. You'll also stroll through El Call, the old Jewish quarter, and see the Arab baths.
Private transfer to Barcelona airport
Private transfer to your hotel in San Sebastian
Accommodation in San Sebastian
Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra
La Brasserie Mari Galant restaurant
Set right on La Concha beachfront, the historic Hotel Londres is housed in a grand belle epoque-style building, and has been welcoming guests for over 100 years. Occupying such prime city location, this opulent four-star hotel has become somewhat of a city landmark, offering luxurious and modern facilities, with a touch of old-world charm. The guestrooms and suites are spacious and light, featuring classic design and neutral tones, with small splashes of colour in the artwork and soft furnishings. Choose to wake up to the spectacular views of the sea and the famous promenade or the charming Xabier Zubiri Square and the city's old town. San Sebastian is of course all about food and gastronomy, and the Hotel Londres is no exception. Dine on delicious Basque cuisine in the modern La Brasserie Mari Galant restaurant, paired with spectacular views over La Concha Bay, followed by a cocktail in the classic Bar Swing. Relax and rejuvenate after exploring the city by heading along the beach to La Perla Thalassotherapy centre, an opulent spa with modern-day technology and luxurious treatments.
Two restaurants and a bar
The grande dame of San Sebastian hotels, the Maria Cristina sits overlooking the Urumea River and is set an elegant belle epoque-style building. It first opened its doors back in 1912 and since has hosted everyone from royalty and aristocrats to Hollywood celebrities. Its lavish gold and marble interiors exude grace and refinement, while its 136 rooms and suites add stylish touches of modernity in their colourful contemporary artwork and high-tech features. Choose from river, garden or city views, or even your own private terrace. Each morning begins here with an extravagant breakfast in the grand breakfast room, surrounded by Corinthian columns, heavy damask drapes and ornate plasterwork, while in the evenings pintxos (Basque-style tapas) and cocktails can be enjoyed in the Dry Bar, inspired by the glamour of the golden days of Hollywood. Dinner is also offered at the Asian-themed Saigon Café. With sites such as the San Telmo Museum of Basque Ethnography and History, the impressive Buen Pastor Cathedral and the pretty La Concha Beach right on your doorstep, it's ideally situated.
3 Days in San Sebastian
The sophisticated and shimmering city of San Sebastian in the north of the country sits at the mouth of the River Urumea, looking out on to the Bay of Biscay, with the natural beauty of Mount Urgull, Mount Ulia, Mount Adarra and Mount Igeldo at its back. Its covetable position has given rise to a lively beachfront that includes Playa de la Concha, renowned as one of the best beaches in Europe, and Playa de la Zurriola, a champion surfing destination. But it's the city's fabled elegant architecture, spacious plazas and plentiful green parks that has led to its moniker as the 'Pearl of Northern Spain'. San Sebastian is famous for its pintxos and an evening dipping in and out of its bars is not to be missed.
Pintxos tour
San Sebastian has every right to be incredibly proud of its culinary heritage, and going out for pintxos is a fun and delicious experience. Pintxos are small morsels of food and people will typically visit three or four bars, sampling a different dish in each place. Originally pintxos were held together by a toothpick but nowadays there are all sorts of variations and they are best enjoyed with a wine, beer or a glass of txacolí - the lightly sparkling wine typical of the Basque country.
Tour of Bilbao
Drive through the beautiful Basque landscape to Bilbao, the driving force of social and economic development in the Gulf of Biscay. It is also home to some bold examples of modern architecture including the Euskalduna Concert Hall and the Metro, designed by Norman Foster. Gehry's Guggenheim is Bilbao's star attraction with its eye-catching glass and titanium design.
Explore the French Basque country
Head out of Spain to explore the nearby French Basque countryside. Your excursion includes a visit to Bayonne, a charming city filled with timber houses set on the confluence of the Adour and Nive rivers. You'll continue to Biarritz, made famous when Napoleon III built his wife a summer residence on the seafront, and the colourful village of Saint Jean de Luz.
La Rioja and a tour of the wineries
La Rioja is one of Spain's most famous winemaking regions, known the world over. You'll visit some of the local wineries, including the iconic Marques de Riscal, to learn all about the processes involved in transforming the humble grape into something magical. You'll also explore the medieval town of Laguardia, full of history and charm and there will be the opportunity to taste and buy the local wine.
Duero Valley
Private transfer to your hotel in Ribera del Duero
Accommodation in Duero Valley
Michelin-starred restaurant
Indoor and outdoor pool
Located on the banks of the mighty River Duero amongst the vineyards and wineries that characterise the region, sits Abadia Retuerta. Great respect was paid during the restoration of this ancient 12th century monastery, the result of which is an architecturally beautiful yet thoroughly modern luxury hotel. You're located in the heart of the Abadia Retuerta wine estate, so it's no surprise that the sight of rows upon rows of vines greets you wherever you look. There are 27 beautifully furnished rooms and three suites, some of which come with a private terrace and original Miró paintings. Northern Spain is immensely proud of their rich culinary heritage, and the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant is a celebration of all that is great about this part of the country. Locally sourced ingredients, including herbs and vegetables grown in their own kitchen garden, are used to created innovative and contemporary dishes. There is also the chance to enjoy traditional Spanish tapas and dine al fresco in the warmer months. No trip to this region would be complete without tasting the exceptional wine, and the 700-hectare estate is the perfect place to start. The climate here is perfect for growing Tempranillo grapes so expect rich, full-bodied reds. Located in the Castilla y León province, east of Valladolid, there are plenty of castles, churches and pretty medieval towns to discover. The hotel can also help you organise helicopter flights, cycling and hiking tours, falconry and cookery classes.
3 Days in the Duero Valley Wine Region
The mighty Duero River winds its way through the rocky outcrops of the elevated plateaus of the Iberian Peninsular, giving life to the multitude of vines that criss-cross the land. Winemaking has been a way of life here for over 2,000 years; a huge Roman mosaic depicting Bacchus, the Roman God of Wine, was discovered here during one of the grape harvists and can be seen in the small town of Baños de Valdearados. There's no denying the mighty grape is the beating heart of Riberia del Duero, but be sure to go exploring beyond the vineyards. Spanning four provinces, the area is rich in culture, with several magnificent castles to discover, such as the Peñaranda de Duero in Burgos and the Peñafiel in Valladolid.
Private transfer to Madrid airport
Days 1-4: Madrid
Days 4-7: Seville
Days 7-9: Granada
Days 9-12: Mallorca
Days 12-15: Barcelona
Days 15-18: San Sebastian
Days 18-21: Duero Valley
The Highlights of Turkey
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Discover Sweden and Norway's gloriously green landscapes and blue fjords with the whole family
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A journey through the cultural gems of Central Europe, from Bavaria to Budapest
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A jalapeno grill rack will hold most smaller chili peppers upright so they can be filled with bacon, cheese and whatever you can imagine then placed onto the grill. This is the way poppers were made before chain restaurants got a hold of them grilled low and slow.
Just core the jalapeno, fill it and place your peppers into the jalapeno grill rack, then grill them low and slow.
Looking for something completely different to grill? You have found it here, grilled jalapeno poppers are terrific.
Let me start by letting you know that this one is fairly labor intensive, so it is not something you will cook every day. The effort is definitely worthwhile when you taste the results.
Tools required: Jalapeno grill rack, and toothpicks a jalapeno corer is also useful.
First we need to cut off the top of the jalapeno, and then remove the seeds and veins. This can be easily done with a thin bladed kitchen knife, just insert and twist. Rinse peppers inside and out. Cook a few slices of bacon to be put inside the peppers; you may substitute bacon bits if you wish. The cheddar cheese now needs to be cut into sticks so that they can be slid into the peppers.
Take a knife and smear a dollop of the Cream Cheese into the top of the pepper, insert the cheddar cheese sticks and a piece of cooked bacon into the jalapeno. You want a little cheese (and maybe bacon) sticking out of the top for presentation.
Now we wrap each pepper in it's own delicious bacon blanket. Start at the bottom of the pepper hold the end in place and wrap the bacon up the pepper, when you reach the top of the pepper or the end of the bacon insert a toothpick through the entire side of the pepper, to hold the bacon into place. Place the prepared peppers into the jalapeno grill rack as you finish.
Cook on the grill using indirect heat (around 350 to 400 degrees) for approximately 40 minutes. Check frequently, there is bacon grease involved and you may need to rotate the rack if the bacon does not appear to be cooking evenly. They are done when the bacon is cooked.
Cooking these is the easy part; it is the prep and the assembly that takes the time. The Cream cheese is vital, I have seen other recipes that do not include it and they are not as good. We also think that the bacon is vital here, not only does it add flavor it also adds texture.
As with all the things we post this is just a good basic guideline feel free to experiment.
Want to read more? Here is a link to our blog post on the subject.


Chris Dennis paints his images within a visual world he began to construct in 1996, when he produced a series of paintings based on a collection of short stories by Bret Easton Ellis called The Informers. His figures, with animal heads, are not some other-worldly creatures from Science fiction. They are masks or disguises. The likeness may be hidden but the choice of animal tells its own truth. From this manufactured fugue state, Chris explores ideas about biography /autobiography, authorship and the unreliable source.
Chris is a TAKT alumnus from 2010. He was born and grew up in England and studied natural history illustration at Bournemouth Arts University. This classical training is still evident in his current therianthropic work. After completing his BA (Hons) at the University of Wolverhampton he relocated to the United States, and in 2000 earned his MFA from the University of Art in San Francisco. He left the United States in 2010 and spent 3 years in both Auckland, NZ and Zürich, Switzerland. He returned to Berlin at the end of 2016 and now calls it his home. He has exhibited and is collected across the United States, Europe and New Zealand.


Join a Red Rock Canyon Naturalist on a hike along Oak Creek & Potato Knoll trails. This adventurous hike features great views of sandstone mountains, scrub desert, riparian habitat, and pinyon-juniper woodlands. We will review outdoor ethics along the trail and talk about how to safely enjoy & conserve the desert. We'll also learn about some of hardy plant & wildlife that lives in Red Rock Canyon. This is a 4.5 mile hike that is rated moderate to strenuous. Ages 10+. Limited space/registration required.


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Deriblok S.p.a. belongs to a solid private industrial group which, linked to the building industry, wholesale distribution and services, renewable energies and tourism, mainly offers products of high and innovative technology. The production of plastic wrapping materials started in the early '80s. Derifan, of which Deriblok is the evolution, began the production of cast films and shortly gained a leading position in the field. Deriblok makes full use of research and experiences exchanged within the group it belongs to.
In 1986, strengthened by its success and constant up-dating, it began the production of film in polyethylene. In less than two years, as result of a totally automated production and control process, Deriblok has been recognized for its constant quality. Advanced level of technology, young management continuously up-dated, competitive prices, efficient network supply and assistance service, make Deriblok stronger. This winning combination launches Deriblok towards the future.
Deriblok was the first company to adopt for its own cast films a four layers co-extrusion technology with an automatic thickness control. Moreover, the system of the extended core directly on the production line will cause the entire range of the film is safeguarded by shock and/or deformation of the edge of the rolls, as is the core (cardboard tube) and not the film to touch the ground. Experience and high-tech vocation make so that the production of technical films with very high power-stretch and/or low thickness is part of our daily job, while it represents a qualitative horizon still far away for most of the competitors.
Deriblok's cast stretch film is the fruit of high technology, whose ultramodern production process, enables four different layers of material to merge during the extrusion process.
Through the CHILL-ROLL process, it is possible to obtain a real one side cling product with top grade mechanical properties due to the instant cooling of the melted mass (this is impossible to obtain with the blow process). Deriblok's technology, making full use of a continuous electronic system installed on line, guarantees a thickness variation very close to zero. This is essential for a perfect application of all machine and hand stretch films.
Guarantees that the gripping force of Deriblok's film on the load is kept constant with time.
The product, packed on pallets, is ready for shipment to the customer.
An adhesive polyethylene stretch film which is obtained by a simultaneous process of four different prelaminated layers. Strechable to approx 150% it can be used on both half automatic and fully-automatic power-stretch machines. Suitable for loads of any size or shape, it comes also with an anti-UV treatment to resolve problems which may arise with loads stored out door.
A top-rate adhesive polyethylene stretch film is obtained by a simultaneous extrusion process of four different prelaminated layers. Designed for palletizing loads of any kind, it can be used on fully automatic power-stretch machines up to 220% for the FPS, and up to 280% for the 18K. It comes also with an anti-UV treatment to resolve problems which may arise with loads stored out door.
Deriblok is the only company to have the most varied and complete range of stretch film for manual use. Supplied with or without a dispenser, with an inner core which has been standardized to international formats 50 mm. (2 inch.) and 75mm. (3 inch.) it is an adhesive stretch film produced by the merging of four different layers during the extrusion process. This stretch film has been produced for all types of unusual packaging and/or limited spaces.
Thanks to the innovative properties and to the high technology of the 12 maxi production-lines of the two new factories in Battipaglia (SA), Deriblok has created an exclusive pole of excellence, able to reach a production capacity of 200.000 tonnes per year.
The foreign market supply network, supported by the presence of Deriblok's distribution points in the most important European countries, reaches a top efficiency level. At present Deriblok exports in more than 50 countries, no less than 65% of its total production.
is fully available to customers and to our sales force for quick answers.
Company with registered office in Milan, Via dei Valtorta, 48 - subject to management and coordination of the Davide Cincotti & C. S.p.a.


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Greek Trireme Model
The trireme (triērēs) was the devastating warship of the ancient Mediterranean with three banks of oars. Fast, manoeuvrable, and with a bronze-sheathed ram on the prow to sink an enemy ship, the trireme permitted Athens to build its maritime empire and dominate the Aegean in the 5th century BCE.
Most scholars credit the Phoenicians with first inventing the trireme which was itself an adaptation of the earlier bireme. According to Thucydides, it was the Corinthians who first adopted triremes on the Greek mainland c. 700 BCE. However, it was the Athenians, with their newly found wealth from local silver mines, who constructed a fleet of triremes large enough to hold sway over the Aegean.
Rowing Arrangement
The trireme was so-called because of the arrangement of rowers in three lines down the length of each side of the ship. Concrete archaeological evidence is lacking and scholars debate the exact arrangement; however, from depictions on ancient carvings and pottery and references from classical authors such as Homer, Thucydides, and Apollonius of Rhodes, a wide consensus has been reached. As many as 30 oars, each with a single oarsman, ran the length of the ship in three tiers. Consequently, the total number of rowers could have been between 170 and 180, allowing a speed of as high as nine or ten knots in short bursts. Each oarsman had a fixed seat (and leather or wool cushion) and the rowers were arranged with 31 on the top row (thranoi), 27 in the middle (zygoi), and 27 on the lowest level (thalamoi). Their 4 m long oars were attached to a tholepin (fixed vertical peg) with a leather oar-loop.
The total number of rowers could have been between 170 & 180, allowing a speed of as high as 9-10 knots.
Archaeological remains of boathouses, most notably at Piraeus, indicate that the maximum length of the ship would have been around 37 m with a beam of 6 m. They measured about 4 m from deck to keel and may have weighed as much as 50 tons. However, this was light enough so that crews could carry the vessel if necessary and easily beach it overnight.
The Greek ships were built using softwoods such as pine, fir, and cypress for interiors, and oak only for the outer hulls. Oars were made from a single young fir tree and measured some 4.5 metres in length. As a consequence of using lighter woods, the ship was highly manoeuvrable. The full-size reconstruction Olympias built in the 1980s CE has demonstrated that a trireme could turn 360 degrees in less than two ship's lengths and turn 90 degrees in a matter of seconds in only a ship's length. The vessel also displayed impressive acceleration and deceleration rates.
Lenormant Relief
wikipedia user: Marsyas (CC BY-SA)
The disadvantage of softwoods is their high absorption of water, and therefore the ships were usually pulled out of the water at night using slipways and then housed in protective huts. The technique used in construction was to lay down longitudinal beams joined by dowel pin-joints along an oak keel. These were then covered with the outer hull, a sheath of closely fitting (but not overlapping) planks sealed with pitch and resin. The hull was made smoother by adding wax to the pitch which added to the speed potential of the vessel. Ribs (zyga) and arrangements of tightened ropes (hypozomata) were then fixed inside to add strength to the overall structure. Finally, a simple flat deck (without rails) was added with a central space running down the length of the ship, giving access to the interior.
In addition to trireme rowers, the ship was equipped with a square sail of papyrus or flax (or sometimes two), used when cruising and taken down and stored on land when in battle conditions. Steering was achieved through two steering oars at each side of the stern and controlled by a single helmsman (kybernetes). Next to the helmsman stood the ship's commander (trierarchos), and both were protected by the upward curving structure at the stern known as the aphlaston. Other crew members were the rowing master (keleustes) who shouted instructions, the 'bow officer' (prorates) who relayed those instructions further down the ship, a piper (auletes) who kept time for the rowers playing an aulos, a carpenter (naupegos), and deck crews to man the sails.
Trireme Cross Section
Prows were often decorated to resemble animal heads, and a common feature was the attachment of large, painted marble eyes. The hull itself was painted with waterproofing pitch, giving the distinctive black appearance so often referred to by Homer. Ships were regarded as females and also given names, for example, Artemis, Equality, Sea Horse, and Good Repute.
Military Use
The principal weapon of the trireme was the bronze-sheathed battering ram affixed to the prow which was used to sink enemy ships. These often took the form of animals, for example, the head of a goat. However, ramming would have rarely sunk an enemy vessel and an important secondary strategy was boarding the enemy ship. For this reason, the typical Athenian crew included a complement of ten hoplites and four archers.
Greek Trireme [Artist's Impression]
The Creative Assembly (Copyright)
In terms of operation, the lack of storage space onboard these ancient ships - for water and food - and the need for relatively calm seas meant that battles were most often fought close to land. In addition, shipwrecked crews could then be more easily rescued.
The most celebrated use of triremes in naval warfare, and perhaps the greatest naval battle in ancient history, was fought in 480 BCE at the Battle of Salamis between the Greek navy of the Hellenic League (principally represented by Athens and Corinth) and the invading armada of the Persian king Xerxes I. The victory of Greek navy not only ensured Greece's autonomy but allowed Athens to then take centre stage and make the Athenian trireme an everpresent sight in the Aegean.
Fields, N. Ancient Greek Warship. Osprey Publishing, 2007.
Hornblower, S. The Oxford Classical Dictionary. Oxford University Press, USA, 2012.
Lane Fox R. The Classical World. Penguin, London, 2006
Shepherd, W. Salamis 480 BC. Osprey Publishing, 2010.
Artemisia I of Caria
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Themistocles (c. 524 - c. 460 BCE) was an Athenian statesman and...
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Syracusia
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Ancient Greek Warship: 500–322 BC
Written by Fields, Nic & Bull, Peter, published by Osprey Publishing (2007)
The Battle of Salamis: The Naval Encounter that Saved Greece -- and...
Greek Mythology: Explore The Timeless Tales Of Ancient Greece, The Myths...
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The Blood-Drenched Sea: Ships at War in the Ancient Mediterranean
Written by Bradford, Alfred S., published by Praeger (2019)
Cartwright, M. (2012, May 31). Trireme. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/trireme/
Cartwright, Mark. "Trireme." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified May 31, 2012. https://www.worldhistory.org/trireme/.
Cartwright, Mark. "Trireme." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 31 May 2012. Web. 20 Jan 2022.
Written by Mark Cartwright, published on 31 May 2012 under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.
Corinthians adopt the trireme from the Phoenicians.
Themistocles persuades the Athenians to significantly expand their fleet, which saves them at Salamis and becomes their source of power.
Aug 480 BCE
The indecisive battle of Artemision between the Greek and Persian fleets of Xerxes I. The Greeks withdraw to Salamis.
Sep 480 BCE
Battle of Salamis where the Greek naval fleet led by Themistocles defeats the invading armada of Xerxes I of Persia.
433 BCE
A naval battle between the victorious combined forces of Corcyra and Athens against Corinth.
Alcibiades leads the Athenian fleet to victory over Sparta at Cyzicus.
Corcyra contributes two ships to Timoleon's fleet which attacked Syracuse.


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Q: Using NSDate to convert a string to a date, my dates are changed to 6 months back I have an web service that spits out some dates, and in my iOS app, I'm converting UTC date to local date. I have verified that the web service is spitting out UTC dates and that iOS recognizes it as UTC.
Once i have converted my web service JSON to an NSMutableArray, set a break point and type po [listOfTasks valueForKey:@"LASTEMAILDATE"]
Results

<__NSArrayI 0x157068c80>(
,
7/28/2016 2:01:41 PM,
7/28/2016 2:01:39 PM,
7/28/2016 2:01:42 PM
)

Now, i do a for loop
for (int i = 0; i < listOfTasks.count; i++) {
    FireStormCategories *cat = [listOfTasks objectAtIndex:i];

    NSDateFormatter *df = [[NSDateFormatter alloc] init];
    [df setDateFormat:@"mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss a"];

    NSDate *date = [df dateFromString:cat.LASTEMAILDATE];
    MNLog(@"%@ was changed to %@", cat.LASTEMAILDATE, [df stringFromDate:date]);
}

that log spits out

was changed to (null)
7/28/2016 2:01:41 PM was changed to 01/28/2016 02:01:41 PM (expecting: 7/28/2016 10:01:41 AM )
7/28/2016 2:01:39 PM was changed to 01/28/2016 02:01:39 PM (expecting: 7/28/2016 10:01:39 AM )
7/28/2016 2:01:42 PM was changed to 01/28/2016 02:01:42 PM (expecting: 7/28/2016 10:01:42 AM )

my first object has no date, the (null) is expected, however, this is where I'm confused. my other 3 dates are changed to a date that reflects 6 months ago and the hours should go back 5 (EST).

A: You are using wrong format for month. MM is used for month and mm is used for minutes
[df setDateFormat:@"mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss a"];

should be
[df setDateFormat:@"MM/dd/yyyy hh:mm:ss a"];

The 01 you are getting is the minutes from the date.